My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion

Outside the door came some soft footsteps, stopping in front of it.

Qin Qingluo didn’t lift her head, just assuming it was the person who habitually came to accompany her, and directly said:

"Come in."

The door was gently pushed open, and a vivid scarlet figure swept in like fire, bringing with it a touch of bright warmth that was completely out of place in this solemn study room.

Qin Qingluo’s hand paused slightly as she glimpsed that familiar red color out of the corner of her eye.

It was Zhu E.

She had just thought it was Chen Yi, so the tone of "come in" was not quite polite, even laced with annoyance and impatience.

Since Chen Yi had entered the mansion, gradually taking over the duty of accompanying her at night, Zhu E hadn’t come to the study room at this hour for quite some time...

"Prince." Zhu E spoke softly, walking lightly closer, gently placing a cup of warm ginseng tea on the corner of the desk, her voice as gentle as ever, "Don’t overexert yourself, it’s harmful for your health."

Qin Qingluo put down the vermillion pen, rubbed her slightly swollen brow, the sharpness in her snake eyes softly tempered, she nodded slightly to Zhu E, "Hmm, I know, thank you, Aunt Zhu."

Zhu E stood beside her, scrutinizing for a moment, speaking softly:

"These days, though busy with political affairs, your mien seems brighter than before, and your energy seems more abundant."

Qin Qingluo, hearing these words, instinctively touched her cheek, her eyes flickered, not denying, but merely responding with a faint "Hmm."

She naturally understood what Zhu E was referring to, indeed... things were different recently.

Seeing her tacit acknowledgment, Zhu E’s eyes filled with deeper amusement, with a hint of niece-like intimacy and teasing, she leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice:

"Surely... you’ve been well nourished, haven’t you?"

Qin Qingluo, after all, was a woman. Her face wasn’t as free as Zhu E’s; being teased so openly, her ears suddenly heated, yet her usually cold and dignified face remained stern.

She couldn’t bear Zhu E’s joking, especially when it involved matters of the bed, and retorted:

"Aunt Zhu!"

But Zhu E only laughed more mischievously, leaving Qin Qingluo to sigh helplessly, picking up the vermillion pen again and continuing to review documents.

Seeing Qin Qingluo’s demeanor, Zhu E no longer pressed, but her smile faded slightly, turning into a vague sense of grievance.

Her gaze lightly swept across the familiar furnishings in the study, finally returning to Qin Qingluo,

"It’s good that the prince has found someone who nourishes the soul, it’s just unfortunate... some things, you can share hardships, but blessings... can’t be shared, can they?"

The implication was too obvious.

Qin Qingluo froze, stopping completely, lifting her gaze, surprise flashing in her snake eyes,

"Aunt Zhu?"

How could she not hear the insinuation in the words? She just never expected Zhu E to mention it so directly.

Zhu E was formally her wife, but truly akin to close kin, and the one person she trusted completely and could rely upon.

Zhu E met her searching gaze without dodging, instead smiled lightly, with a touch of self-mockery in the smile: "Why does the prince ask what you already know? You know who I’m referring to."

Qin Qingluo’s eyebrows furrowed, she put down the vermillion pen, leaning back slightly, involuntarily exuding the authority of a Vassal King. She looked at Zhu E, her tone unquestionable:

"Aunt Zhu, Chen Yi, that person, his temperament is unpredictable and his actions are unfathomable, not a suitable match, he’s... not good."

Chen Yi was believed to be Ming Venerable, Qin Qingluo naturally knew, but precisely because of that, she must suppress, as long as the rebellious minister showed some obedience currently, she could not allow such matters under her nose.

Zhu E’s smile faded, she watched Qin Qingluo quietly.

Qin Qingluo avoided her gaze, softening her tone, continued:

"I know it’s been hard for you these years, but Chen Yi is definitely not a good match, it’s fine to play, but don’t get too attached, this is... for your own good."

Zhu E didn’t immediately refute, instead lightly laughed, impossible to discern joy or anger from her laugh,

"If the prince says it’s for my own good, then it must be."

Aunt Zhu remained reasonable, Qin Qingluo subtly breathed a sigh of relief, then said:

"From now on in the Prince Mansion, keep some distance from him, don’t get too involved, it’s not good if the servants see. Aunt Zhu, please go back."

Zhu E raised her eyes, her gaze falling once more on Qin Qingluo’s face, but Qin Qingluo remained oblivious.

"But prince..." Zhu E bowed slightly, still elegant, her voice soft as feathers, but it lingered in Qin Qingluo’s ears, "You can stop me, but can you stop him? Or perhaps... prince, is it reluctance?"

Qin Qingluo’s grip on the vermillion pen tightened suddenly.

She couldn’t help but strengthen her tone, questioned doubtfully: "Aunt Zhu twisted the meaning of those words, where is my reluctance?"

...............

The afternoon sun was perfect, casting a warm golden edge on the exotic stones and flowers in the exquisite garden of the Prince Mansion.

Chen Yi was currently playing with Qin Yue, body slightly bent, poised to pounce, the little Qin Yue darting happily like a butterfly, giggling as she ran through the flowers and faux rocks, occasionally glancing back at her father chasing closely, her laughter like silver bells scattering along the path.

"Tai Sha Sword is coming! Going to catch Yue’er!" Chen Yi drove the Flying Sword, intentionally lowering his voice, yet deliberately slowed his pace, keeping a constant distance from her.

Qin Yue laughed even more joyfully, her little legs moving swiftly, making a nimble turn around jagged faux rocks, Chen Yi cooperately let out an "ah" as he followed, conveniently catching the little girl hiding around a corner and giggling with her mouth covered.

He picked up his daughter, raised her high, spun around, and Qin Yue laughed so hard in his arms, her face flushed, breathlessly announcing:

"Time’s up! Daddy lost! Daddy lost!"

Chen Yi gently put her down, affectionately brushed her little nose, smilingly admitted: "Yes, yes, Daddy lost, Yue’er is really amazing."

Saying that, he took out a sugar wrapped in oil paper from his sleeve, and handed it to his daughter: "Here, a reward for the most amazing Yue’er."

Qin Yue’s big eyes lit up, she reached out, but unlike ordinary children who couldn’t wait to shove it in their mouths, she first cautiously stuck out her pink tongue to lick the candy, as if wary it might be salty.

After confirmation, her eyes brightened, then she confidently popped the whole candy in her mouth, her little cheeks immediately puffing out, mumbling indistinctly: "It’s really candy... Thanks Daddy!"

She happily bounced twice in place,

Her smile brighter than the sun.

Chen Yi’s heart overflowed with an unspeakable warmth, uncomfortable with it, he let out a breath, just then, Qin Yue’s gaze inadvertently swept towards the corridor connecting the inner courtyard not far away.

A figure in blue slowly approached, with a slender figure, the most attention-catching was the voluptuous bosom.

A child’s memory isn’t great; she tilted her head, blinked, trying hard to recall which Auntie she had seen before, however, the next moment, as she plainly saw the somewhat blank features of the woman, Qin Yue stiffened abruptly.

"Ghost... ghost!"

Qin Yue’s smile froze, eyes widened, little finger pointing to the corridor direction, voice sharp with a cry, suddenly buried her head into Chen Yi’s embrace, clutching his leg tightly.

"Ghost came, Daddy! Ghost! Don’t let the ghost get me!"

She burst into tears instantly, soaking the fabric of Chen Yi’s clothes, tiny body trembling violently, as if she had really seen a life-threatening ghost.

Chen Yi’s smile vanished instantly, taking a moment to react, pretending to shelter his daughter in his arms, large hand patting her back consolingly,

"Daddy’s here, Daddy will ward off the ghost."

While comforting, he guarded Qin Yue like a mother hen, quickly secret transmission to Donggong Ruoshu asking:

"Miss Donggong, why did you come?"

Donggong Ruoshu tilted her head slightly, suddenly asked:

"Chen Yi, how can I become a ghost again?"