The Arch-Enemy Must Not Become a Wife

Would Heaven be plotting something, just targeting my Dao Palace for plucking?

Chu Xuan shook his head, choosing not to think too much for now.

Next, he went to ask his junior brother and Zhang Ping’er, subtly suggesting that he’d like to take Jiang Yiyi back to rest first.

Ye Xingming naturally agreed right away, "No problem, we can handle it here."

Zhang Ping’er nodded as well, "Thanks to your sect’s ancestor, there’s only wrapping up left to do."

Jiang Yiyi, upon hearing this, looked at the two of them suspiciously, "Are you two feeling I’m in the way of your little secret intimacy time?"

"No!" the two said in unison. Zhang Ping’er’s face turned bright red, half from embarrassment, half from anger.

Ye Xingming slapped his forehead and gave Chu Xuan a pleading look, almost begging: Senior brother, please take this ancestor back quickly.

Chu Xuan laughed and nodded, taking Jiang Yiyi’s hand.

After making a funny face at the two before her, she happily followed Chu Xuan away.

...

On the journey back, Jiang Yiyi clamored that, since she finally came out, she wanted to play all the way back.

Chu Xuan doted on her, and since there was no urgent matter at hand, he couldn’t refuse.

So along the way, they visited marketplaces and towns, buying delicious food, fun items, beautiful clothes, and lovely jewelry, making Jiang Yiyi so happy she couldn’t stop grinning.

Needless to say, Ji Mingyu was secretly getting jealous again. She botheredly asked Xiaoxue, "Why do I feel like this Jiang Yiyi is a big threat to me?"

She had never considered this quirky ancestor as a competitor before, mainly because, in the early years, she didn’t dare to pry too much into Chu Xuan’s affairs within the sect, so she didn’t know much about Jiang Yiyi.

But later, every time Chu Xuan met her, he seemed especially close to her. Earlier, Ji Mingyu didn’t think it was love; Chu Xuan just treated her like a cute and naive sister to dote on.

But now... Ming Yu felt a bit insecure. When Chu Xuan was with Jiang Yiyi, he always seemed to be smiling.

Xiaoxue observed for a moment, then carefully said, "At least for now, Chu Xuan himself doesn’t think their relationship is that kind of amorous one."

"Otherwise, given his decision not to fall in love again, he would naturally keep his distance from Jiang Yiyi."

Upon hearing this, Ji Mingyu felt somewhat relieved.

What Xiaoxue didn’t mention, though, was that indeed their relationship was quite delicate, possibly continuing like this, neither realizing their own feelings.

Or maybe, they might unknowingly cross that line, instantly becoming "lovers" from "friends."

Xiaoxue really hoped her master wouldn’t overthink it and get upset, so she temporarily chose not to mention it.

...

One day, Jiang Yiyi caught the aroma of roasted pig trotters on the street and tugged Chu Xuan, insisting on buying them. So, he bought a large portion, wrapped it in oil paper, and planned to eat it later at the inn.

However, when booking a room, the innkeeper mentioned a strange occurrence: lately, people and animals in the town have been dying suddenly, with gruesome appearances, suspected of being drained of their entire essence blood, causing panic among the townsfolk.

Chu Xuan’s interest was piqued; he told Jiang Yiyi to eat in the room first and save him half, then went out to investigate.

He was back in just fifteen minutes, relaxed, having discovered a small demon secretly absorbing essence blood, which he promptly dealt with.

But as soon as Chu Xuan opened the door, he suddenly saw Jiang Yiyi nervously hiding the oil paper package behind her back, with crumbs still on her mouth, and her eyes darting around, avoiding his gaze.

Chu Xuan approached, squinting slightly, "Where’s the pig trotter?"

"What pig trotter?" Jiang Yiyi feigned ignorance.

But Chu Xuan was already reaching out to pinch her cheeks.

"Ow, ow, ow," Jiang Yiyi finally cried out with watery eyes, "I was wrong, I won’t do it next time."

She then placed the oil paper package on the table, which only contained cleaned bones.

Chu Xuan finally let go, "Why didn’t you save me half?"

Jiang Yiyi, embarrassed, replied, "It was too delicious, I couldn’t help but finish it all."

"Just an apology? Go buy another portion for me," Chu Xuan said unceremoniously.

Jiang Yiyi, looking a bit pitiful, said, "I have no money left; I spent it all on the stuff we bought earlier."

"Here, don’t eat it on the way, understood?"

Jiang Yiyi took the money pouch Chu Xuan handed over and nodded repeatedly.

Regardless of what she said, Chu Xuan didn’t feel assured about his ancestor and secretly followed her the entire way.

When she happily returned with a package wrapped in oil paper, Chu Xuan only ate two, leaving the rest for her.

Jiang Yiyi held the fragrant roasted pig trotters, eating so happily her eyes squinted, "Chu Xuan, you’re so good to me~"

The sentence came from the bottom of her heart; after eating, Jiang Yiyi washed her hands and took out two jugs of wine from her sleeve.

Chu Xuan was a bit surprised; he took them and smelled them, discovering it was superb spirit wine, carrying a winter plum’s fragrance, rich and full, good enough to fill one’s body with pure Spiritual Qi with just a whiff.

"Where did you get this? I thought you couldn’t drink wine?"

To be precise, Jiang Yiyi wasn’t unable to drink but had very poor tolerance. Back then, to have the ancestor keep "time reversal" a secret, Chu Xuan roasted a crane for her and drank with her.

Yet she got drunk after a few cups and started talking nonsense, eventually hugging onto Chu Xuan’s leg and falling asleep.

Jiang Yiyi hesitated a bit before speaking, "That time during... the wedding, right? This ’Plum Over Snow’ is the top-quality spirit wine only served at the most prestigious tables. I sneaked down two bottles."