My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion

The candlelight danced behind her, casting a towering shadow on the wall, like a beast ready to devour, tightly enveloping Chen Yi, who sat with his usual relaxed posture.

The final words were spoken with great weight, and Chen Yi, who never responded well to threats, slightly tensed his face, then suddenly looked up and said coldly, "Is there something you need, Qin Qingluo?"

The Princess, in her anger, laughed mockingly and retorted, "It’s you who has unfinished business."

The air seemed to freeze at that moment, filled with an explosive tension.

......

A couple’s argument at the bed’s head ends with reconciliation at the foot.

Besides, they hadn’t really fought; Chen Yi lay sprawled over Qin Qingluo’s massive frame, greedily breathing in the mesmerizing scent while his hands playfully explored appropriate areas.

Qin Qingluo exhaled a heavy breath through her nose, casting an impatient glance at him, and said coldly, "Had enough fun yet?"

"Not yet."

His response was quite straightforward.

Chen Yi wasn’t light, and his weight was noticeable on her, combined with his disregard for commands. Qin Qingluo felt suffocated for a moment, but ultimately didn’t throw him off.

She knew that even if she did throw him off, he would just crawl back. Seeing her massive frame, he loved sprawling over her like sticky candy.

Qin Qingluo closed her eyes to rest for a moment, suppressing the ripples stirred by this sticky candy deep within her. When she opened them again, the serpent-like eyes had resumed their usual authority.

She no longer wished to play pointless games with him in bed. Instead, she simply raised her hand and pushed his shoulder lightly but decisively, her voice carrying a post-coital laziness mixed with unmistakable authority:

"Finish playing and get up, you’re heavy."

Chen Yi knew when to stop, letting out a soft laugh before finally rolling to the side, still lying on his side, propping his head with his hand, as he gazed at her chiseled profile.

Within the room, silence prevailed, only broken by the gradually steadying breaths of both individuals.

A moment later, Chen Yi suddenly spoke,

"Prince, the north... seems to have become uneasy recently."

Upon hearing this, Qin Qingluo didn’t turn her head; she only flicked her serpent-like eyes slightly towards him: "The north?" Her tone was calm, betraying no turmoil.

"Western Jin." Chen Yi uttered the words, continuing, "While helping you sort through documents lately, I’ve noticed increased mentions of Western Jin compared to before."

Here in the Southern Border, there shouldn’t be frequent mentions of the distant Western Jin in the reports unless there’s a major issue.

Such abnormality, when reconsidered, suggests significant movements in Western Jin that affect the global situation, making it impossible for even the Southern Border to remain unaffected.

"I’ve heard that the young Emperor of Western Jin is ambitious, preparing for war, intending to march east through Han Valley, with the bold ambition to conquer the world. Additionally, while I was in Shantong City years ago, I intercepted a group of spies from Western Jin, so... there might indeed be truth to these rumors."

After hearing this, Qin Qingluo’s face still showed no expression, only letting out a faint "Oh."

"Western Jin is preparing for war, aiming to conquer the world... So what?"

Seeing her indifferent demeanor, Chen Yi suddenly chuckled softly.

"What you say is true. Even if Western Jin’s military might is formidable, it won’t pose an immediate threat to the Southern Border." He suddenly changed the subject, "But, I’ve also heard... that Prince of Annan, Qin Qingluo, has ambitions beyond his station, harboring... aspirations to seize the throne."

Such words struck like thunder, directly accusing her of treason, yet Qin Qingluo’s reaction was unexpectedly tranquil.

She didn’t even raise an eyebrow, slowly sitting up, her massive body casting an even more imposing shadow in the dark.

"No need to hear rumors."

Meeting Chen Yi’s probing gaze, her serpent eyes reflected back four simple words:

"Indeed this is so."

Strangely, Chen Yi didn’t immediately retort with sarcasm or a carefree attitude upon hearing such near-treasonable words as he might have a few years ago. Instead, he remained lying on his side, propping his head with his hand, though his brows subtly furrowed, as if genuinely pondering deeply for her sake.

Qin Qingluo stared at his expression, her large frame as silent as a mountain, her face still devoid of emotion. She wanted to discern if this worried demeanor was merely pretentious or held some deeper meaning.

Silence flowed between them, with only the flickering candlelight.

After some time, Chen Yi slowly spoke, his voice deepening a few tones:

"If Western Jin truly mobilizes troops and attacks the Central Plains, with the smoke of war spreading, this may seem like an excellent opportunity for you to seize power and claim the world for the Qin family.

However, if you choose to raise an army at this time, regardless of your initial intent, in the eyes of the world, it would be seen as siding with a tiger to exploit the chaos. By risking universal condemnation, you might find yourself not only facing a decaying court but also the world’s verbal denunciation and disloyalty. Could you truly hold the throne firm?"

After hearing this, Qin Qingluo remained calm, as if the obstacles Chen Yi raised were inconsequential.

"To achieve great things, one must not be restricted by minor details. I have never been truly loyal, why should I care about those pedantic words?"

Chen Yi immediately said, "But surely, Prince would hope that those under his command are loyal."

Qin Qingluo slightly raised her brow, discerning that his words had a deeper meaning, definitely not empty talk. She leaned forward slightly, a sense of pressure following:

"What do you mean?"

Chen Yi lowered his voice, and spoke word by word:

"By chance, I once had a spiritual journey to the underworld, where I glimpsed a strand of celestial secret. I discovered that the Great Yu’s Dragon Vein shows signs of anomaly. It is certainly not just a decline in fortune but seems more like... someone has tampered with it, damaging the foundation."

He paused, observing the sudden gravity in Qin Qingluo’s expression.

Chen Yi continued, "Moreover, the Empress Dowager in Jingren Palace of the capital seems to be secretly plotting to enact the story of Wu Zhao, aiming to... take over as emperor, ruling the world."

"What?!" Upon hearing this, Qin Qingluo’s expression changed slightly despite her steadfast heart. Her snake-like eyes suddenly constricted.

If the Dragon Vein is damaged, the foundation of the nation is shaken, and the Empress Dowager intends to follow Wu Zhao’s path, attempting to proclaim herself as emperor!

If either is proven true, it would be enough to shock the entire realm, causing massive upheaval; if both are true...

She suddenly looked at Chen Yi, her gaze sharp as an eagle, seemingly judging the truth of his words.

But knowing Chen Yi, despite his eccentric behavior, he would never speak nonsense in such grave matters.

In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through Qin Qingluo’s mind. If the Dragon Vein is damaged, then the divine mandate of Great Yu is weakening; if the Empress Dowager seeks to be emperor, then chaos in the court is inevitable...

She slowly sat upright, the previous laziness and residual warmth fading away,

undoubtedly,

...a heaven-sent opportunity!

Her gaze towards Chen Yi became infinitely profound. This harlot brought not only the joy between the bedsheets but also leverage enough to sway the entire realm...

Chen Yi stretched lazily, then patted the bed, the implication exceedingly clear.

After a long while, the Princess suddenly laughed and said lightly:

"A beautiful woman is a source of trouble, inciting such a treasonous act. When I sit atop the throne, I must surely condemn you to death, with hair covering your face and chaff in your mouth."

Chen Yi raised his eyebrows slightly.

Perhaps due to their long separation, he hadn’t noticed the Princess’s domineering side earlier. Comparing it to the tender beauty of Great Yin in recent times, he suddenly felt this womanly Prince was indeed somewhat too aggressive.

Before leaving, he really wanted... to brew another cup of Chrysanthemum Tea... to curb her sharp edge.

Before his thoughts fully formed,

Qin Qingluo’s towering figure had already pressed over.

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

Not far from the main courtyard, under the shadow of the corridor column where moonlight could not reach, a slender silhouette was sneaking around.

It was none other than Donggong Ruoshu.

She leaned against the column, slightly raised her head, her small nostrils constantly fluttering, taking deep breaths.

For some reason, every night at this hour, Chen Yi’s yang energy was always particularly strong and alluring. Ever since she became a ghost, Donggong Ruoshu discovered this pattern.

Returning to her physical body, Donggong Ruoshu’s senses were sharp. This scent, familiar and etched into her soul, aroused her most primal desire as a ghost, wanting to pounce and savor that pure yang energy, like drought meeting rain.

Unfortunately, she was no longer the void-like ghost body, unable to absorb yang energy as before. This vibrant flesh and blood granted her real sensations, but also prevented her from having midnight snacks.

Miss Donggong couldn’t help but furrow her elegant brow in concern, a frustrated whimper escaping her throat, like a cat attracted by the scent of fish at the riverbank, yet finding no fishing rod—deeply helpless.

"Alas..." she sighed softly, filled with endless regret.

However, this melancholy hadn’t lasted long before it faded away. She heard from Yin Weiyin that Chen Yi seemed to have decided to depart for the Western Jin after the new year.

Thinking of this, a faint gleam returned to Donggong Ruoshu’s eyes.

"Well... once we go to Western Jin, surely there’ll be a way?" she murmured quietly to herself.

Then, as if afraid of being discovered, she retreated into the shadows again, finally taking one last deep breath of the enticing aroma very reluctantly.