My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion

Her heart flags were swaying, at a loss what to do, yet Chen Yi did not take things a step further, merely maintaining this utterly intimate posture, his chin lightly resting on the crown of her head as he breathed in the fragrance of her hair. After a long moment, he sighed—or almost sighed—and murmured lowly:

"All these years... you’ve suffered."

Zhu E started slightly, her brows and eyes quivering, as if something had struck the very core of her heart; at any moment glistening tears might fall. Sensing the faint tremor of the person in his arms, Chen Yi couldn’t help tightening his hold a little. However, she swiftly darted forward and pecked his thin lips.

Chen Yi was caught off guard.

In that instant of distraction, he was tricked.

That light, dragonfly‑touch kiss came suddenly and left just as quickly.

The lingering softness and warmth on his lips had yet to fade when Chen Yi lowered his head and met Zhu E’s eyes, sparkling with triumph. The pearly sheen therein rippled like water; the tears that had been on the verge of falling moments ago were long since replaced by mischief, like a little cat that had stolen a bite of dried fish, carrying a hint of pride and flirtation.

Chen Yi froze for a heartbeat, then couldn’t help but laugh.

"Well now, you’ve actually learned to tease me?"

His voice was hoarse and low. The arm looped around her waist suddenly tightened, almost lifting her whole body a little off the ground, while his other hand rose with unerring precision; his fingertips lightly pinched her delicate chin, forcing her to tilt her face up to meet his burning breath as he abruptly closed in.

"Seems I’ve been spoiling you far too much, hmm?"

With that said, he gave her no chance whatsoever to evade. With an unquestionable dominance, he bowed his head and seized her slightly parted lips, swallowing whole that soft cry which had yet to take shape.

This kiss was entirely different from her earlier light, tentative touch.

Sunlight slanted through the window lattice, tracing the outline of two bodies tightly entwined, lips and tongues interlaced, even more clearly.

The air was thick with ambiguous sounds and an ever‑rising heat. In the distance, it seemed a maidservant glanced their way; her footsteps paused for a heartbeat, then she walked off as though nothing were amiss, adding a further hint of secretive thrill.

After a long while, Chen Yi finally drew back slightly, his forehead still resting against hers, his breathing rough.

Zhu E was already limp all over, relying entirely on the arm at her waist to keep her from sliding down. Her cheeks were flushed crimson, her gaze hazy; her lips, slightly swollen, glistened with damp light. The deep‑red curved hem of her robe had also parted slightly during their entanglement, revealing a small stretch of exquisitely enticing collarbone.

"...Now then," her breath was unsteady, her voice carrying that post‑storm languor and lazy sweetness, "has my lord calmed down?"

Looking at her in such a sultry, bewitching state, Chen Yi’s Adam’s apple bobbed; the pad of his finger gently caressed her faintly burning cheek.

"How could just this be enough?

Besides, the Prince is in the mansion right now, isn’t he."

Chen Yi had thought everything through. After attending the temple audience today, Qin Qingluo had returned to the Prince Mansion and not gone out again, so he did not fear their shared perception affecting her; and Qin Yue was asleep, taken back by the old nanny, so there was no need to worry she would wake and disturb them.

Even if Qin Yue did wake and cry for her father, in order not to let her stumble upon a "not for children’s eyes" scene, Chen Yi had specifically told Miss Donggong to wait by the door.

As he spoke, his gaze burned, sweeping with pointed intent over her slightly open collar.

Zhu E’s heart gave a little tremor; she knew that today things would hardly end peacefully. Her lashes fluttered lightly, and just as she was about to say something more, Chen Yi had already bent down and scooped her up around the waist.

"My lord!"

She gave a low cry, instinctively looping her arms around his neck.

Chen Yi carried her toward the study not far away, heading straight for the soft couch inside used for brief rests, the corners of his lips curved in a lazy yet determined smile.

"Since it’s not enough," he laid her gently on the couch, his body pressing down after her, shadow falling over, "then I can only... let you savor it properly once more."

Outside, the sun was at its height and cicadas chirped incessantly, yet could not drown out the springtime atmosphere suddenly thickening within the room. Brocade robes tumbled to the floor, cloud‑like hairpins came loose; a chamber of scenery unfolded, growing ever more delightful.

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

Disguised as a maid, Yin Weiyin bit down lightly on her silver teeth.

Back on Taihua Mountain, though she’d known he missed the mortal world, she had never thought him so fond of lustful pleasures.

Back then he still had some air of a Golden Boy; and now?

The beauties in the Prince Mansion were too many; for a moment he had lost his head and eyes among them.

The female crown turned back to look toward the study, a nameless gloom swelling in her heart as her fists quietly clenched.

After a long time, perhaps realizing that such emotional upheaval was hardly conducive to calm, Yin Weiyin silently recited the Supreme Forget Love Technique; her tightened fists slowly relaxed.

Enough, there’s no need to haggle with him like this. After all, he has yet to see the scenery of the immortal realms, the mysteries of the heavens; with mortal eyes he can neither see clearly nor hear truly.

So mused Yin Weiyin to herself, her fingertips pinching together ever so slightly. Then she sought out the direction of the warm chamber; this time, her disguising herself as a maid did not carry much ulterior motive—she merely wanted to see his daughter.

If she could guide Qin Yue onto the path of Changsheng, it would be no mean masterstroke.

As some clarity returned to her Spirit Platform, she no longer hesitated, turning to follow the garden path, intending to slip quietly toward that warm chamber.

However, just as she took a step, the dense shrubbery not far at her side suddenly rustled.

"!"

Donggong Ruoshu’s face popped out all of a sudden, staring straight at Yin Weiyin.

This unexpected scene startled Yin Weiyin, who had been wholly focused on her own movements, making her heart jump. Absorbed in thought just now, she had failed to sense that another person was hiding here.

"You..." Yin Weiyin blurted out in a low voice, then at once realized her loss of composure and forced herself to steady her mind.

Donggong Ruoshu, however, did not answer. She merely patted the grass clinging to the hem of her clothes, her bright eyes roaming up and down Yin Weiyin as she exclaimed in surprise, "Miss Yin?!"

Yin Weiyin’s heart gave a jump.

Donggong Ruoshu scratched her head, puzzled. "What are you doing here?"

"I..."

With a guilty conscience, Yin Weiyin was momentarily at a loss for words.

Perhaps it was like the saying "once bitten by a snake, ten years fear a well rope"; even though this time she believed herself free of ill intent, she still felt uneasy. Thus she straightened her face and asked in return, "Miss Donggong, what are you doing here?"

Suddenly questioned in return, Donggong Ruoshu was taken aback for a moment. She scratched her head and carefully tried to recall.

Yin Weiyin secretly let out a breath of relief. Had it been someone else, they would never have been so easily muddled by her.

After quite a while, Miss Donggong answered, "I’m here because Chen Yi told me to stay here. He said I have to stop Qin Yue and not let her go out."

At these words, Yin Weiyin snapped her head up, a flash of barely contained astonishment passing through her eyes.

At once, waves surged in her heart.

Arranged by Chen Yi—could it be he was already on his guard... Of course. With his mind so meticulous, even if he were sunk in a tender embrace, how could he wholly relax his vigilance toward his surroundings? Her disguised infiltration of the mansion—could it have fallen into his eyes from the start?

So it was... luring the enemy into the urn!

The thought had barely arisen when Yin Weiyin shivered.

Fortunately, it was this stupid girl guarding here; had it been Yin Tingxue, she’d likely have already gone to report.

Thinking of this, Yin Weiyin exhaled like one spared from disaster. It was truly a narrow escape—one misstep more and she would have been forced to drink Chrysanthemum Tea again.

The female crown’s fine brows knit slightly. Chen Yi’s defenses against her now were truly formidable. Yet she had, after all, shared hardship with him; from the Capital City to this very day, they had drifted from place to place for who knew how long, and still he seldom opened his heart. At that thought, Yin Weiyin felt an indescribable desolation and sorrow.

From beginning to end, it was always that one‑armed man and Yin Tingxue who pleased him most. Heaven knew what spell he had fallen under to be so partial—neglecting what sat right before his eyes while pining for what lay thousands of miles away.

If this went on, would she not fall to the very bottom? In the end she would have nothing but the title of First Lady, and still have to keep offering up beauties to please him—perhaps even... offer up this stupid girl before he would bare his heart?

The more Yin Weiyin thought, the more her heart fluttered with unease. Then she looked again at Miss Donggong and realized her thoughts need not go so far.

Only...

After a brief contemplation, the female crown asked, "Miss Donggong, what plans do you have?"

"Huh?"

Confronted with this sudden question, Donggong Ruoshu scratched her head, not quite understanding why Yin Weiyin was asking.

Yin Weiyin slowly brought it up:

"Back on Taihua Mountain, didn’t you once ask Chen Yi... to help you return to the Western Jin to kill someone?"