My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion

The lantern sways.

Light and shadow dance, as the red lacquered corridor pillars sway with the wind, casting fractured shadows from side to side. Qin Qingluo steps over the fragmented shadows, winding around the pillars.

This moment is no longer the World of Ignorance.

The banquet halls of the outer courtyard of the Prince Mansion remain lively and bustling, no matter how many rounds of wine have passed or how many flavors of dishes have been served; there’s no sign of calming. The housekeepers of the outer courtyard direct maids and servants to come and go, the brightness of the window lattice shines through here, and no one knows they are trapped in the World of Ignorance, only feeling that there’s nothing different; in viewing such a scene, indeed, the Purity Saintess possesses great power.

The guests of the newlyweds have attended after the hall rites and before the bridal chamber. At midnight, guests either return or await the host’s arrangement for rest, yet the outer courtyard maintains its sounds, here being Southern Border, with incomplete Han culture and customs of overnight banquet drinking.

Qin Qingluo walks along the corridor, the high-hanging lanterns cast patches of warm light, with the bridal chamber just behind her not far away, she walks farther away.

After an unknown amount of time, the bustling sounds gradually cease, the continuous warm light becomes a cluster of hazy shadows, Qin Qingluo then bends down to pat the dust off the hem of her clothes, stepping out of the corridor, the night is like the ocean.

Perhaps due to her tall stature, or perhaps due to the high ground where the Annan Royal Mansion is situated, even standing here, it feels like standing atop a solitary cliff, enough to overlook the little mountains.

Qin Qingluo pauses for a moment, not moving anywhere, and then surprisingly laughs; she is the master of this Mansion, not knowing where to go at this moment, perhaps she should be less generous.

The female Prince stands alone, leisurely admiring the scenery.

The night hangs deep, draping across the horizon, with no moon visible, endless clouds and mist; far away is a sea of trees, further beyond the mountains are yet more trees, vast and vast, inducing solitude.

At this time, a figure in white clothing turns around the corridor edge, footsteps as gentle as a dragonfly’s touch approach, stepping along the wooden corridor with soft tapping thereafter, stopping altogether.

Qin Qingluo, with a slight side glance, catches sight of the silvery-white smoke pattern hairpin, followed by an ethereal face; in such solitary and serene night, the Goddess suddenly appears, right as moonlight peeks through the mist, illuminating the sea of trees — truly a scene beyond imagination.

"On the wedding night, Prince is here admiring the scenery?" Yin Weiyin gazes into the night, speaking slowly.

Qin Qingluo withdraws her gaze, responding leisurely with a "Hmm," perhaps due to her mood, at this moment she feels no dislike towards the beautiful Taichua Goddess.

Yin Weiyin registers that small "Hmm," having come here only after divination to test her luck. In her thinking, Min Ning certainly wouldn’t relent easily, hence this marriage would likely have some twists; it’s precisely these moments that are her battlefield, otherwise, what job does being the First Lady serve?

She slightly lowers her eyes, not in haste to look at Qin Qingluo — a person’s eyes easily reveal heartfelt sentiments, and therefore are easily seen through; she feigns admiring the scenery.

Seeing her silent, Qin Qingluo slowly moves her gaze towards the distance; for some reason, although Yin Weiyin approaches, unexpectedly she finds herself eager to speak but hesitant.

Moments later, the Princess decisively speaks: "What are you doing here?"

"What... else would I do? On my husband’s wedding day, naturally, I’m strolling, touring this Prince Mansion. I expected a rugged place, yet the scenery is rather fine," saying this, Yin Tingxue recites a poem: "Red eaves, turquoise tiles guard the Southern Pass, Jade ladders, carved railings envelop green locks. Cloud banners roll as sun edges quiet the dust, Water pavilion’s lyre sings with Chu melodies..."

Initially thinking this female crown aims to provoke, intentionally seeking conflict, yet her tone remains calm, and her poetic words imply differently.

As a Vassal King, Qin Qingluo is well-versed in poetry and literature, she smiles: "Just vague descriptions of scenery, true intent lies elsewhere."

"I am not one inside the scenery, how could I understand its true meaning?" Yin Weiyin speaks lightly.

Qin Qingluo narrows her serpent-like eyes, glancing briefly at this female crown, while the latter remains steadfast, though her heart raises slightly.

The night wind breeze stirs, inciting the hanging bells to jingle; Yin Weiyin still gazes afar, maintaining her calm demeanor.

Though coming over involves some calculation, there’s not a shred of malicious intent.

But at this critical moment, were it known by Chen Yi, even if she hasn’t acted, confrontation seems inevitable, the principle of once bitten, twice shy she, Yin Weiyin, understands.

Still, with bigger storms come higher stakes, seizing these rare solitary moments of strong-willed Princess for advancing her position is necessary.

Yin Weiyin hesitates briefly, then speaks: "Prince came out by yourself?"

Qin Qingluo does not reply.

The female crown arches her dark brows, then slowly says: "Were you forced out, Prince?"

"Ha."

A cold laugh.

Yin Weiyin knows for certain the Princess came out on her own; speaking as such simply opens conversation; she slightly tilts her gaze towards the bridal chamber’s direction, realizing since the Princess is out, then Min Ning must surely be inside the bridal chamber.

"Min Ning, albeit empathetic and charismatic, romantic and chivalrous too, yet heroes pine for gentle havens. Besides, she being a woman herself, I fear a few sweet words would sway her easily."

Qin Qingluo loosens her hands, resting on the rail, speaking slowly: "What do you imply?"

"My implication is, Prince needn’t concede," Yin Weiyin pauses, brushing past her cheek, "Just reveal the truth, Min Ning shall depart on her own accord."

Qin Qingluo chuckles again, tapping her fingers against the rail, then says: "If I concede, then it becomes hers."