Where is the early stage of the marriage alliance?

It turns out that more than ten years ago, Minister Qin, as a military general of the Great Liang, guarded the border year-round, while Madam Qin moved with the army to Ye City with her two children, where they lived for two years in the harsh border town.

When Wushuang was five years old, war broke out between the Liang and Chu states, and flames of war raged along the border. Amidst the chaos of war, Madam Qin and her servants prepared to take the two children and evacuate with the civilians. However, on the eve of the evacuation, young Wushuang accidentally got separated from her.

Madam Qin and her servants searched the city day and night for five days, but they still couldn't find a trace of her daughter.

Later, Minister Qin was seriously injured and his life was in danger. Ye City eventually fell, and they had to retreat with the army.

Six months later, Daliang recaptured Ye City, the war subsided, and the Qin couple returned to Ye City, which had been ravaged by war. They could no longer find the five-year-old child who had been lost in the chaos of war.

"Moon, it's all my fault. Back then... it was my fault for losing you, for not taking good care of you..."

Madam Qin wept uncontrollably, her voice choked with emotion several times.

"Moon?"

Wu Shuang's brows remained tightly furrowed. Accustomed to a cold and aloof nature, she listened to the Qin family recount their past and learned about her origins. Although her heart was filled with turmoil, she did not weep and wail like them.

"Your real name is Qin Shiyue, which was given to you by your mother."

Qin Qi, who was sitting upright to the side, answered. Even though he was usually cheerful and had a bright smile, his eyes were already red. Looking at his sister who had been separated from him for many years, he was clearly suppressing his overwhelming emotions.

"Qin Shi Yue..."

Wushuang repeated herself in a daze, having long forgotten all of this. Her master from the Xuanji Camp said that she was born with extraordinary bones and a rare physique, a talent unparalleled in the world, so she was named Wushuang, meaning unique.

Ling Xi stood to the side, quietly watching Wu Shuang's calm demeanor, and felt a strange pang of sorrow in her heart. In the Qin family's main hall, filled with grief, only Wu Shuang remained aloof and serene, silent as if she were an outsider.

Ling Xi couldn't help but secretly blame her brother. Wu Shuang was such a beautiful young woman, how could he have raised her to be so cold-hearted and aloof, accustomed to forbearance and estrangement?

If it weren't for that displacement back then, she would have been Qin Shiyue, the eldest daughter of the Qin family, cherished by her parents and protected by her brothers. She would have lived a life of luxury and ease, a bright and carefree young lady.

"Moon, shall you move back to the Qin family today?"

Madam Qin gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, her tone cautious and tentative, her eyes filled with eager anticipation as she looked at Wushuang.

Wushuang subconsciously turned to look at Lingxi, and Lingxi could tell that Wushuang's eyes were clearly seeking her opinion.

"Wushuang, this is your home. Now that you have found your parents and brothers, you can decide for yourself what you want to do and where you want to go."

Wushuang looked at the eager gazes of the Qin family elders, pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded. But as if remembering something, she quickly shook her head.

"But I must protect the princess..."

"Sister, don't worry. I will immediately dispatch skilled guards to ensure the safety of the Crown Princess."

"No need for that."

Ling Xi turned to look at Qin Qi and waved her hand gently, her tone calm.

"I usually stay in the Prince's mansion, so there's no danger there."

"That won't do! If something really happens to the Crown Princess, when Yi Zhi returns, he'll skin me alive."

Ling Xi hadn't expected that Xiao Ce would care so much about her in Qin Qi's eyes, and this realization couldn't have formed overnight. Why had she never felt this before?

The female bodyguard that Qin Qi found for Ling Xi was certainly not as good as Wushuang, but she was good enough.

……

But Ling Xi never expected that Wushuang would only stay at the Qin residence for two days before running back to the Prince Rui's residence.

The Qin family had lost their daughter for many years, and everyone cherished her as a precious treasure, wishing they could make up for all the debts they had owed over the past ten years.

Wushuang, who was already used to traveling alone through wind and frost, was not used to being served and could not bear such pampering. In the morning, maids served her to wash and dress, and when she sat down, servants stood by her side to serve her food and tea. Everything was taken care of. Wherever she went, someone carefully followed and served her.

Minister Qin and Qin Qi prepared an entire room full of clothes and accessories for her, and Madam Qin, who loved her daughter dearly, almost wanted to feed her herself.

Wushuang, who was never good with words, was too embarrassed to refuse them, afraid that her cold words would hurt their feelings. Although she also wanted to be part of that warm family atmosphere, she couldn't force herself too much; she felt she needed some time.

Ling Xi was both amused and exasperated upon hearing this. From Wu Shuang's simple description, she could imagine how she had endured these past two days.

Minister Qin and his wife probably noticed their daughter's discomfort, so they respected her wishes and decided to give her more time to adjust.

Wushuang was unwilling to reveal her identity as Qin Shiyue to the public for the time being, as she had always disliked trouble. After calming down for two days, the Qin couple naturally understood her thoughts.

After Wushuang returned to Prince Rui's mansion, Qin Qi visited the mansion more and more frequently, even more often than when Xiao Ce was at the mansion.

He probably knew that it was improper for a man from outside the Prince Rui's residence to frequently visit, so every time he came, he would either bring Xiao Xiao with him or come with Lu Baixu to treat Mu Wanning.

Ling Xi couldn't hold back any longer and subtly hinted to him to tone it down. But he said he had already done so and told Ling Xi not to worry. It turned out that Madam Qin and Princess Rui had been like sisters since childhood and had already discussed it privately.

Knowing this connection, Ling Xi no longer had so many concerns and simply relaxed. She often followed Wu Shuang to Qin Qi's place to eat, drink, and play, living a very comfortable life.

Who knew that these leisurely days would not last long before shocking news came from the border of Qizhou.

A month ago, after suffering a major defeat, the Jin Kingdom remained inactive and did not launch a major war. Everyone in the court and the public believed that as long as they maintained strict defenses, they could stabilize the situation. However, a traitor was found in the Liang army camp in Qizhou.

That day, the two armies clashed again. The seemingly impregnable defensive line suddenly collapsed. Spies in the camp deliberately allowed the southern flank to crumble, creating a breach for the enemy. The southern line fell instantly, and the Jin cavalry seized the opportunity to advance rapidly. The battle situation quickly turned against Liang, and the Liang army was about to be put on the defensive. Xiao Ce immediately led his elite cavalry to intercept them, repelling the Jin army, but was unfortunately struck in the chest by an arrow in the chaos of battle.

The urgent report was sent back to Jinling by fast horse. It contained only a few words, and everyone knew that Xiao Ce had been shot by an arrow on the battlefield, and that his injuries were severe and his life was in danger.