My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion

Suddenly, a poem fell upon his ears. Qin Qingluo began with the first couplet, then the second and third couplets; even Chen Yi, as foolish as he might be, immediately recalled the last line Yin Weiyin told him to remember when they parted.

Thus, he naturally blurted it out.

This last line seemed to have some effect; Qin Qingluo appeared quite satisfied, and the grip Princess had on his chin slightly loosened.

However, more than the surprise of encountering Qin Qingluo, Chen Yi was rather amazed that, this time, Great Yin truly didn’t set any obstacles for him.

He was prepared to settle scores over Chrysanthemum Tea with Yin Weiyin after the situation calmed down, and he would certainly not let her off easily this time.

But the result was unexpected,

Could it be that she had changed her nature?

Chen Yi pondered briefly, shaking his head in secret.

It must be another hidden scheme with far-reaching plans.

If Great Yin had truly changed her nature, then he would surely still be in the World of Ignorance. However, the Purity Saintess had long died, and currently, it was impossible to be in the World of Ignorance. Even if bitten once by a snake, one’s heart might still tremble, but one cannot be afraid of a rope for ten years. Moreover, whether it’s the World of Ignorance or not, calling for Miss Donggong would make it clear.

Right now, there is no need to dwell on it too much.

After a kiss, she looked down upon him, with moonlight casting intertwined shadows on her well-defined face, adding an air of imposing majesty and unpredictability.

"Do you know the meaning of this poem?" Her voice was low, tinged with a hint of hoarseness, perhaps due to the intense kiss just now, or perhaps because her emotions were stirred.

Chen Yi’s mind raced. Yin Weiyin had only instructed him to remember the verse, never explaining its deeper meaning.

But the arrow was on the string, and he couldn’t overcomplicate matters. Reluctantly, he replied, "I don’t know."

She remained silent, maintaining her stance of looking down on him, her gaze roaming over his face.

Seeing that she showed no signs of change, Chen Yi suddenly grasped something, his heart blossoming with understanding, he slowly said, "I only know... there are words in it that I am fond of."

Qin Qingluo continued to gaze at him, as if trying to see through his exterior, discerning the sincerity within. The night wind whistled through the corridors, stirring the complex golden thread embroidery on her Python Robe, the shimmering light resonating with the myriad emotions flickering in her eyes.

If one knew a bit about literature, there’s no need for investigation. Listening and observing would reveal that, though Chen Yi sometimes appeared refined, in truth, he was merely a coarse man, with a facade of gold and jade concealing ruin within.

Those letters, undoubtedly ghostwritten by others, didn’t need to be examined closely, Qin Qingluo could tell.

After a long while, she suddenly chuckled softly; the laughter no longer cold but carrying a lazy undertone.

"Chen Yi, oh Chen Yi," she released his chin, but her fingertips slid casually, brushing lightly over his slightly swollen lips, causing a faint tingling sensation, "Your mouth indeed, when glib, doesn’t come across as entirely foolish."

Chen Yi felt somewhat relieved, knowing that this hurdle had been temporarily cleared.

He raised his hand to grasp her wrist that hadn’t fully pulled away, his fingertips feeling her pulse, beating a bit faster.

"I don’t know where I managed to please the Prince, nor do I know... where I angered the Prince." He looked at her, his tone gaining a touch of seriousness. "Otherwise, on today’s wedding night, why did the Prince have to leave in a huff?"

Qin Qingluo’s eyes flickered slightly, allowing him to hold her hand, her towering figure slightly leaning forward, almost entirely enveloping him in her shadow.

"What a claim of not knowing where you angered." She repeated, snake-like eyes narrowing slightly, "And what about Min Ning? Where does she stand in your heart? Is she a mountain? Or... merely a passing swamp reflecting shadows?"

Though still sharp, her tone was no longer filled with initial hostility but seemed more like a probing question with some calculation.

Chen Yi knew her emotional knot hadn’t fully unraveled, and after contemplating for a moment, he softly said, "Yue Chi is Yue Chi; you’re you; in this matter, no one can replace another."

Qin Qingluo’s expression subtly changed. Although aware that Chen Yi’s words were never entirely trustworthy, always needing a discount, her heart still churned. She lowered her eyes to look at this man, again and again.

"... Gao Wu."

Qin Qingluo furrowed her brows, then said, "Do not call me by my name, lest it’s too sentimental."

Despite these words, the imposing aura around her began to dissipate, transforming into a deep silence; she grasped his hand in return, her grip neither too heavy nor too light.

"I won’t call you ’Zunming’ either; there’s no need for such sentimentality between us."

Chen Yi was momentarily unsure whether she found calling names too sentimental or if she just didn’t want to share the intimate name-calling with Min Ning.

Princess hadn’t thought this much, merely acknowledging that if addressed as Prince under officialdom, calling names felt too intimate, and if addressing the Princess from the perspective of a Prince, it felt overly sentimental.

Chen Yi secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but with those irreplaceable words, naturally, Qin Qingluo could not replace Min Yuechi.

Now, with Qin Qingluo duly appeased, they could properly consummate the unfinished marital night.

But Min Ning...

Chen Yi’s eyes showed a hint of gloominess.

Her words still echoed in his ears, knowing he would have to be responsible for one of them, not her, then Qin Qingluo. Yet she had declared it first, and he would have to answer to her indeed. Women, when exhibiting heroic spirit, often act irrationally. If putting oneself in their shoes, tonight, he surely would have to seize this union, getting what he wanted, that’s Chen Yi. However, constantly yielding, for this, making himself unyielding, that’s Min Ning.

If faced with a weak woman, it would be one thing, but when the Twin Yin Lords stacked together, Chen Yi never had difficulties. But because Min Ning and Qin Qingluo were both robust in their characters, he could not actively indulge in this combined fortune.

Though they were confidants, they would rather sacrifice one than bow to each other.