My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion

Yin Weiyin secretly let out a sigh of relief upon hearing the words; if Qin Qingluo were to truly expose Chen Yi, she wouldn’t escape calamity—truly... every word now seemed like licking blood from a knife’s edge.

The female crown pondered for a moment, then said slowly, "I didn’t know the Prince was so trustworthy, such that he has the bearing of a benevolent ruler."

"It’s hard to imagine that the Taichua Goddess would flatter in such a way," Qin Qingluo responded lazily, half mocking.

"I only say what’s in my heart, as I reckon the Prince feels unsettled," Yin Weiyin looked slightly down, finally casting a glance at Qin Qingluo and sighed, "I wander alone, as do you."

The vast sea of trees swayed under the night, layers upon layers of waves crashing this way, the shimmering moonlight’s reflection danced as seafoam in the tree sea’s sway, the wind chimes lightly tinkled, clouds and mist came and went... the sea rises under the moon, shared across horizons...

For some reason, this phrase sprang from the depths of her heart; though Qin Qingluo had never seen the sea, she felt that a moonlit sea scene must be like this.

"I left deliberately," Qin Qingluo said, "Since seeing Min Ning approach, the thought has been in my heart, she is a person of deep emotions and loyalty... such an action can indeed rally hearts."

Yin Weiyin slightly raised an eyebrow, doubtful, "If it was deliberate, how could there be nowhere to go?"

Qin Qingluo let out a cold laugh, continuing, "Although, I’m here waiting, seeing if he’ll follow; as for leaving on my own initiative, it wasn’t an impulse, it was Aunt Zhu’s suggestion; she told me that if it became absolutely necessary, this would make him feel more guilty towards me."

Upon hearing this, Yin Weiyin secretly marveled, having thought Qin Qingluo had stumbled out in despair, yet she discovered this maneuver deep within—this Princess of Annan certainly knows a good strategy... if only she had such counsel, why worry?

Thinking on this, the female crown felt a bit lonely; to this day, the dual cultivation hasn’t yet been discussed.

Yet thinking of her own subsequent plans, Yin Weiyin revived her spirits; this Princess of Annan, worthy as the Saintess of the Demon Sect, was indeed quite cunning, but no matter how wise, how could she compare to her?

Qin Qingluo pondered for a moment, suddenly relaxing a bit, gazing towards the tree sea, continuing, "You all hold expectations for him, Min Ning, you, and Aunt Zhu are all like this."

Yin Weiyin looked at Qin Qingluo surprisingly, what the female prince said was true, she did indeed hold expectations for Chen Yi; whether it be the golden boy and jade girl ascending together, or one person attaining success and others following suit, a woman holding expectations for her husband is only natural.

"You don’t hold expectations?"

Qin Qingluo shook her head, "I’ve never held expectations for him; the more I expect from him, the more disappointing he gets."

No secret sorrow, nor any sense of relief; the female prince merely spoke truthfully. Ever since their reunion, she held no expectations for Chen Yi; otherwise, she wouldn’t be certain he came to assassinate.

Curiously enough, the less expectation she held for him, the closer he would become. What a fickle nature, Qin Qingluo let out a silent mirthless laugh, knowing well that an actor lacks loyalty, a courtesan lacks affection, so she didn’t mourn much, truly recalling a cliched tale: a Vassal King on a night tour of Qinhuai encounters a fallen woman, unwilling to part at dawn, wishing to keep her in the Prince Mansion. Yet, early the next morning, the famous courtesan still leaves; pondering on this, the female prince softly lamented:

"Just let Min Ning have her way, after all, it’s not the first time, no matter what, as long as he’s here."

Yin Weiyin didn’t like hearing this, considering Chen Yi might return to Taihua Mountain for dual cultivation with her, she remarked, "If he leaves then?"

"If he leaves then he leaves; occasionally he’ll return, it’s unlikely he won’t return at all."

Though spoken indifferently, Yin Weiyin perceived a subtle glumness.

After a moment of silence, Yin Weiyin suddenly said, "Of course he will return; throughout his journey, he misses you deeply."

Qin Qingluo quickly glanced at the female crown.

Yin Weiyin timely offered a bitter smile, then said, "We married early, he confides many thoughts to me without reservation, naturally including matters of the Prince; I’m a woman, though I bear some resentment, I accept it; there’s no need to deceive the Prince now. I’m speaking frankly; he truly misses you."

The female prince knitted her brow, skeptical.

"He frequently mentions you, and naturally also the daughter he’s never met, though he keeps that from me, fearing I’d grow jealous. Alas, how wrong he was; I’m not like other women, petty and envious, why shield my mind?"

Yin Weiyin’s tone was ethereal, sounding plausible; Qin Qingluo turned her head, absentmindedly asking, "Is it truly so?"

"The stone swallows stir clouds, fair or rainy, the river dolphins blow waves at night," Yin Weiyin recited suddenly, pausing before smiling, "He cannot compose poetry but often recites this one."

The poem is by Tang poet Xu Hun, though not widely known, it is still renowned.

Qin Qingluo did not understand its meaning; after a brief recall, she murmured slowly:

"Jade trees sing their song, kingly spirit ends, troops gather at Jingyang, watchtower empty.

Pine and cypress near and far, all officials’ tombs, varied stalks among palaces of six dynasties.

Stone swallows stir clouds, fair or rainy, river dolphins blow waves, night returns to wind..."

She paused for a moment, seemingly incredulous, her voice trembling slightly, "The heroes have gone, leaving their grandeur behind, only... green hills resemble Luo."

The Princess stared blankly to the side and glanced at the Goddess, who did not reply, only smiled quietly.

Not responding, not because everything is understood without words.

But to avoid revealing too much.

After Qin Qingluo pondered over it, Yin Weiyin sorted out her thoughts and then said, "His feelings, Prince, should be cherished well, he does care for you, but there are too many women, it’s easy to favor one over another. Whoever he holds dear in his heart, he will keep thinking about them, the more he cares, the longer he thinks."

Her words are indeed sincere, just that she left half unsaid.

Doesn’t it go without saying who Chen Yi thinks about the most?

This is precisely the most difficult situation right now, only the First Lady can resolve it, Yin Weiyin thought about this, it is also worthy of his thoughts.

"I’m going elsewhere, Prince."

The night breeze once again swept past the eaves, the tinkling sound, the sea of trees glimmering, Qin Qingluo, deep in thought, lowered her eyes, the Goddess had already left, her white clothes unseen, the Princess then gazed alone into the distance, tree sea to mountain peaks, mountain peaks to tree sea, she waited alone.

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

"You should still go find her."

Min Ning suddenly spoke, she grabbed Chen Yi’s wrist, speaking word by word.

Chen Yi’s body paused, looking back at her. Under the candlelight, the female knight’s eyes were bright as stars, without a hint of sulkiness or testing, just an almost transparent tacit acceptance, the force at her fingertips penetrated through the clothes, carrying an undeniable determination.

In less than half an incense stick’s time, she had abruptly come to her senses.

Perhaps it was Qin Qingluo’s departing gaze that touched her, perhaps it was her long roam in the Jianghu, having seen all kinds of people, Min Ning’s mood slowly calmed, no matter how eloquent Chen Yi was, this was not her marriage.

"Tonight is your bridal chamber night with her," Min Ning’s voice wasn’t loud, but each word was clear, "Qin Qingluo is truly yours, me staying here is improper and to her...unfair."

Chen Yi slightly furrowed his brows, instinctively wanting to retort, to say something, but when the words reached his lips, facing Min Ning’s eyes, he swallowed them back down.

Her gaze was too pure, too transparent, illuminating the slight selfishness born from greed in his heart, leaving no place to hide.

He indeed hesitated. On one hand, Min Ning was close by, and he had promised her something, how could he truly be willing to let go? On the other hand, Qin Qingluo’s solitary departing figure, vast yet hard to conceal lonely, was like fine needles, pricking into his heart, he was not completely untouched.

Thus, he very beastly thought to consummate the marriage with Min Ning here and then quickly go find Qin Qingluo...

Soothing both, achieving the best of both worlds.

"She..." Chen Yi opened his mouth, his voice somewhat dry, "Since she is so understanding, if I chase after her now, wouldn’t it seem..."

"Seem what? Seem like you’ve wronged me?"

Min Ning interrupted him, a faint curve appeared on her lips,

"Chen Zunming, you’ve already wronged me, the matter is settled, do you think I can’t tell? I just don’t want to argue with you right now.

Since when did you become so hesitant? Since you dare to dream the dream of having everything, wouldn’t you dare to bear the twists and turns involved?

You can’t have both fish and bear paw, don’t attend to me at the cost of losing her."

She released his wrist, her fingertips lightly crossed his palm, bringing up a slightly itchy sensation, then stepped back, creating some distance.

"Min Ning....."

Seeing that he was still hesitating, Min Ning couldn’t help but laugh more intensely, also with a touch of bitterness, she said:

"What exactly are you afraid of, Chen Zunming, are you afraid I’ll sever ties with you? Between two people, you have to wrong one, since you’ve wronged me so much, then wrong me once more."

The candlelight flickered, she picked up the wedding wine left by Qin Qingluo, placed it in Chen Yi’s hand.

"Go."

Her tone eased somewhat, with a tranquil composure close to resignation,

"Don’t make her wait long, and...don’t make me look down on you."