My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion

He stepped forward.

She stepped back.

Her waist slightly arched backward, and the fabric of her Daoist robe brushed against the doorframe, emitting a faint rustling sound.

"Finally..." Chen Yi stood still in front of her, so close that she could clearly see the dark currents swirling in his eyes and feel the heat emanating from him, mixed with a faint tea fragrance and the lingering decadent aura of last night. "It was about guiding Lin Wanxiao, having her knock on this door at the most crucial moment... Yin Weiyin, your orchestration is indeed painstaking."

He leaned slightly, his gaze like a torch, firmly locking onto her eyes that flickered with panic.

"Tell me, do you really want to help me enjoy the blessings of a harem, or... do you want to see how I struggle in the wake of their fury, how... I fall from grace?"

Yin Weiyin was trapped by him in a narrow space formed by the door and his body, with no escape.

"I, I didn’t think that way, I... I only wanted to send you a thrilling experience."

"Such a thrilling experience indeed."

His tall figure completely veiled her, the shadow he cast swallowed her whole, and Yin Weiyin was almost pale.

But at this crucial moment, should she really surrender and resign to fate...

If so, not to mention regaining her position as the First Lady, at this moment Yin Weiyin had the illusion of a faint ache in her backside, like a phantom pain.

Thinking of this, Yin Weiyin felt a chaotic panic and grievance rising within, speaking with a slight tremor:

"Husband, believe me, I just... wanted to help you..."

"Help me?" Chen Yi let out a mocking laugh.

"You, you... don’t you think, if it weren’t for me... how could you... spend the night with them all under one roof last night..."

Yin Weiyin had nowhere to retreat, her legs trembled as she raised her hand, saying:

"There’s still three of them!"

Chen Yi paused upon hearing this, both angry and amused, still closing in. He extended his hand, not to touch her, but to gently brace it against the door next to her ear, completely cutting off her escape.

"Yes, three of them. You used three women to roast me over the fire?"

Yin Weiyin tilted her head, looking at his face so close to hers, all her calculations, all her conceited schemes, were completely seen through by those eyes.

She was done for.

It was like being drenched in ice water, chilling her from head to toe. She opened her mouth, still wanting to say something, but found her throat seemed blocked, unable to utter a word.

Step by step, he pressed on, and step by step, she retreated.

Chen Yi’s playful smile gradually faded away, finally turning cold, as he said, "Take it off."

Yin Weiyin’s pupils shrank, ultimately submitting to fate. She first loosened her belt, and the loose-sleeved Daoist robe silently fell, revealing her sculpted shoulders. Then, biting her lips, she successively untied her garments, and in no time, it was like clouds falling to the ground.

The Goddess’s elegance was fully displayed, but Chen Yi’s face remained icy. He was just about to slowly extend his hand, but before he could reach her, unexpectedly, Yin Weiyin took a step forward and clung tightly to him, pressing against him.

Her snow-white shoulders trembled slightly, her voice quivering:

"Husband, this time I’m really not trying to be mischievous... I’ve truly changed..."

She trembled as she spoke. Chen Yi’s expression remained unchanged, thinking it was crocodile tears, but after she trembled for quite a while, actual tears began to fall.

"If you’re angry, you can soak Chrysanthemum Tea as you wish..." Her face wet, she pressed against his shoulder, "... don’t be so mad that you ignore me..."

For a moment, Chen Yi paused. Even without looking, he could feel the tears rolling down, wetting his shoulder...

He remained as detached as possible, stating calmly, "Then, endure it."

......

Elsewhere.

The courtyard of the warm house in the Prince Mansion was alive with delight.

Qin Qingluo walked through the long corridors, her steps faintly bearing an unnoticeable laziness and fatigue, arriving here. Even before stepping in, she heard her daughter Qin Yue’s bell-like laughter and the sound of light, quick steps of a chase.

She stood at the doorway, looking inside.

There, she saw Qin Yue in a light yellow dress, like a joyous little butterfly, flitting and running amid the flower bushes. Chasing behind her was the official Princess of the Prince Mansion, Zhu E.

Zhu E wore a lotus-colored regular dress today, shedding her usual magnificence and exuding a warm and indulgent smile, purposely slowing her steps to accompany Qin Yue in their playful chase.

Sunlight streamed through the window lattice, outlining her still beautiful profile and gentle eyes.

This scene was warm and peaceful, dispelling the lingering chaos Qin Qingluo felt from the absurdity of the previous night.

However, Qin Yue, with her keen eyes, spotted her father at the door and halted abruptly. The joy on her little face receded slightly, replaced with a close yet timid expression, as she softly called, "Father."

Zhu E also stopped, looked at Qin Qingluo, her smile still present, carrying understanding and concern.

Seeing her daughter’s eagerness to approach yet slight restraint, Qin Qingluo felt her heart soften, tinged with an indescribable bittersweetness.

She hesitated momentarily, but eventually stepped forward, leaned down, and gently picked Qin Yue up.

The little girl’s body was soft and warm. Qin Yue seemed a bit surprised but then cautiously extended her small hands to encircle her father’s neck, resting her little face against her shoulder, secretly smelling the familiar and comforting fragrance.

Zhu E watched the mother and daughter with a smile, softly saying, "Yue’er was just mumbling about you earlier."

Qin Qingluo responded with a soft "Mm," steadily holding her daughter, exchanging glances with Zhu E.

Zhu E closely observed her expression. Although there was a trace of fatigue between her brows, her eyes seemed slightly softer than usual, less sharp, which moved her heart slightly. She casually asked gently:

"Qing Luo, having married Chen Yi... How do you feel about your mood afterwards?"

At her words, Qin Qingluo lowered her gaze slightly, looking at her daughter’s soft crown, her fingers unconsciously twirling a strand of Qin Yue’s hair. She paused for a moment before lifting her eyes, answering in a calm, casual tone:

"It’s okay."

These simple words, when they reached Zhu E’s ears, deepened the smile on her lips, a flash of understanding and relief in her eyes.

She knew it. When Qin Qingluo said "It’s okay," it already meant she was... satisfied.

This marriage, born of calculation and mingled with absurdity, at least at this moment, did not make this proud and lofty Princess regret or resist.

Zhu E felt a difficult-to-describe relief, settling a stone that had hovered in her heart for many years.

Achieving such a result today was not easy.

Beyond the deep-seated hatred of the past between the two, the official’s nature itself couldn’t be overlooked either.

He seldom laid bare his heart completely, always keeping it veiled even when seemingly stripped bare,

eager for others to understand, hence constantly enticing, yet unwilling to let others truly uncover, preferring the veil half lifted, best if a girl peeks quickly then covers it again. This reveals his hesitation, the very thing that endeared him most to Yin Tingxue, as he fears deep down being truly seen, yet also wants to be understood like partially revealing a piece of Song porcelain, presenting its pristine glaze to others while concealing its flaws beneath.

Thus, female knights imagined him too generously, while the Princes thought too little of him. Min Ning saw his luminous glaze, whereas Qin Qingluo perceived his imperfections.

He was so complex, as deep as the ocean, yet so shallow, like the sky.

Among the three wives already married, Zhou Yitang, his master, undoubtedly knew him best, as "Those who know my heart speak of my worries," yet he was unwilling to let women worry for his heart, hence at times, seemingly distant, like crossing swords.

Compared to Zhou Yitang, who knew him thoroughly, Yin Tingxue was sometimes aware, sometimes not, sometimes genuinely unaware, sometimes feigning ignorance, often evoking love as an innocent young girl.

As for Princess Jing Yin Weiyin,

She knew nothing.