My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion

Chapter 1231: Chapter 668: Pointed Confrontation

For Great Yin, Chen Yi has often faced challenges, sometimes showing weakness, but truly being cornered is rare.

The reason is simple; he has always been strong-willed, even in the past, accepting softness but not hardness. Even Yin Tingxue’s occasional small resistance was met fiercely. Although he is now gentler in his actions, old habits die hard.

When occasionally at a disadvantage, he just takes a small step back, but don’t be fooled, because next time he will make others take three or four steps back.

Even his first lady, for many years, only dared to subtly manage him, while still having to respect him publicly.

This time, however, he faces Qin Qingluo of the Prince of Annan who has borne children, and Min Ning, whose brief absence heightened her romantic sentiments, both women equally strong, and both could rival him now.

What should Chen Yi do this time?

Having narrowly escaped the calamity earlier, Yin Weiyin, feeling the relief of survival, naturally didn’t want to involve himself further and even chuckled to himself.

This kind of watching the tigers fight from the mountain is not entirely bad. Since she has always been the first lady, let these women fight amongst themselves; no matter how the winds blow from the southeast to the northwest, she remains unshaken.

As for Qin Yue...

Yin Weiyin’s eyes subtly shifted,

Adopting her... Impossible, this surely can’t be done. As an alternative, becoming her adoptive mother... seems feasible?

While Yin Weiyin was pondering, Chen Yi was still standing there, his mouth opening slightly, unsure of what to say.

He felt overwhelmed, with trouble brewing around him.

On his way, Chen Yi had an ominous feeling in his heart, but as the saying goes, soft words win people over. Last night, Min Ning took a step back, willing to let Yin Weiyin be together with him, providing him sustenance.

Last night, he even readily agreed to Min Ning’s wish to meet Qin Qingluo, and even when Min Ning heard Qin Yue was Qin Qingluo’s child, she let it slide with a smile, causing his original caution to ease significantly.

As the two women were once confidantes, there were feelings involved. He thought even if conflicts arose again, it would be minor scuffles. He could appease one and satisfy the other, even if he couldn’t ensure fairness, everyone’s sentiments could be understood, and the situation could gradually improve.

But what is this spectacle now?!

The air seemed frozen.

Zhu E’s words were like a thunderclap, ringing in his ears.

Instinctively, he looked at Min Ning, meeting her narrowed phoenix eyes, her clenched fist, her knuckles pale, silently conveying something.

Zhu E seemed to finally sense the strange atmosphere tardily.

She looked at the sweat on Chen Yi’s brow, then at Min Ning, who radiated a cold aura, and at Yin Weiyin behind her, whose expression was aloof yet held an inexplicable brightness in her eyes, seemingly at a loss for words.

"Uh... Miss Min, you..." Zhu E tried to break this suffocating silence, her voice slightly cautious.

"Proposal?" Min Ning finally spoke, her voice not loud, "To whom is the proposal made?"

Zhu E seemed to shrink back a bit. Chen Yi immediately gazed at her, and the princess, understanding human nature, did not respond directly but evaded by saying: "...Miss Min graced us with a visit, our Prince Mansion was remiss in its welcome, and the prince really wishes to see you."

Min Ning realized she was slightly out of line, raised her hand in salute, but persisted, "No need for grand welcomes, please tell me, who is the proposal for?"

Zhu E appeared somewhat embarrassed, seemed to want to say something fitting but swallowed her words, forcing a smile.

Observing this demeanor, Min Ning who had spent time in Jianghu instantly recognized something.

The one Qin Qingluo wanted to propose to wasn’t anyone else...

But Chen Yi!

The Chen Yi she intended to marry!

Her clasped fist emitted a slight "crack" sound due to the excessive force.

The sound at his ear, while Chen Yi’s expression remained unchanged, he subtly wiped away the sweat from his fingertips.

The red-clothed female knight took a deep breath but didn’t further press Chen Yi. Her phoenix eyes flashed coldly like a sword drawn half an inch but then returned instantly to the sheath as she said slowly:

"The prince and I were once confidantes, it has been... years since we met, could the princess introduce me to the prince?"

Min Ning’s request was quite ordinary, her emotions perfectly restrained, in sentiment and reason Zhu E should agree, and Chen Yi awaited her agreement to buy him some time to maneuver.

Zhu E truly agreed, hesitating before saying slowly:

"Of course, but it would be better if the officer does the introduction,

Now, the officer is the prince’s trusted general."

Beside her, Chen Yi slowly widened his eyes.

Yin Weiyin secretly smiled but tried not to show it.

Min Ning slightly tilted her head, gazing at Chen Yi.

Zhu E timely added: "Sometimes, even Zhu E can’t meet the prince."

Chen Yi felt the hair on the back of his neck standing on end.

Standing there, it was as if he was roasted over the fire, Zhu E’s seemingly considerate yet actually inflammatory words blocked the last buffering space.

"Oh?" Min Ning’s voice was not loud but pierced the stagnant air clearly, "So Lord Chen is now in the prince’s favor, always able to meet him. Just as well,"

She slightly raised her chin, her gaze locked onto Chen Yi’s flickering eyes.

"Please, Lord Chen, introduce me to Prince Annan now."

Each word enunciated with exceptional clarity.

Chen Yi only managed to pull a reluctant smile, but it was more mournful than crying.

Introduction?

Going to see Qin Qingluo now?

Taking Min Ning, who exudes a murderous aura, to meet the Qin Qingluo who just mentioned proposing?

Some are worried while others rejoice; observing the restrained killing intent of Min Ning, Yin Weiyin knew what kind of turbulent waves this female knight was hiding beneath her calm exterior.

She is already married, so she is not in a hurry.

It’s those who are not married that need to hurry.

Who among those who knew him from the start, once deeply attached, has yet to marry until now?

Truly hard to guess.

Chen Yi, steeling himself for a moment, could only lead the way, trying to remain calm with each breath.

The corridor was deep, the atmosphere stifling enough to wring water from the air, and their footsteps echoed clearly in the empty passage.

Min Ning walked half a step behind him in silence for a moment, then suddenly spoke in a low voice,

"Back in the Capital City, you got married, without me. Do you remember?"

Chen Yi paused slightly, replying vaguely, "... I remember."

"I said yesterday," Min Ning’s gaze was fixed straight ahead, not looking at him, "don’t let such a thing happen again."

Chen Yi was briefly stunned.

He had heard these words last night at the inn, initially thinking she wanted him to avoid such things or was subtly suggesting marriage with her. Chen Yi, who had made countless vows in his life, had easily agreed to this small request under the rare gentleness of the female knight.

Hearing it again now, in this prince mansion with its blinding red silk and gift-filled gates, it took on a different meaning, like a sword or knife, as if saying: I won’t let this happen again.

Chen Yi could not respond, only bowing his head and quickening his pace.

Not a word was spoken on the way to Qin Qingluo’s usual office, only to find it empty.

After asking the standing female official, they learned that the Prince was currently at the back hall changing room.

The changing room?

Chen Yi felt a tingling in his scalp once more, but the situation being what it was, could only brace himself and lead Min Ning to the back hall.

His mind was a mess, frantically searching for words to dissolve the impending storm.

Previously, he had intended to marry Qin Qingluo. The saying "The couple’s palace suffers eclipse, marriage has essence but not name" was like a thorn, something he had been trying to reverse, planned since before heading to the Southern Border.

The encounter at the Ancestral Temple with the Qin Family ancestor had almost nailed this matter down...

Yet, everything seemed to proceed according to his plans, but why did every good thing happen at the wrong time?

Finally arriving at a tasteful, spacious Warm Pavilion at the back hall, the maid standing at the door saw Chen Yi and was about to announce him when a clear, slightly joyous voice from inside interrupted:

"Is it him who has returned? Please, come in."

The maid nodded slightly, gesturing for Chen Yi to enter, inadvertently glancing behind him, momentarily surprised, unsure of whether to stop or allow entry.

Chen Yi took a deep breath and pushed the door open to enter.

Inside the Warm Pavilion, the scent of incense lingered; Qin Qingluo had her back to the door, being assisted by the maid in arranging the sleeves of a dark robe with gold patterns, her mood seemingly quite good.

Hearing footsteps, she slowly turned around.

A trace of a rare smile graced her handsome face. Her gaze fell on Chen Yi, teasing and affectionate:

"Did Aunt Zhu mention it to you? Do you know to whom I intend to propose today?"

Chen Yi stood rigid, his Adam’s apple moved, shaking his head with difficulty, unable to utter a word.

Seeing him in such a state, Qin Qingluo’s smile deepened, with a hint of "you’re feigning ignorance" mixed with helplessness and affection.

She stepped forward, suddenly closing in, carrying the formidable presence of a Vassal King, as if intending to directly and dominantly kiss Chen Yi from above.

"Ah, at this moment, why do you still..."

Just as Qin Qingluo’s breath was about to touch Chen Yi,

a red shadow flashed like lightning!

Clang!

A clear sword cry burst out suddenly!

The half-exposed, icy blade of the Wind Cloud Sword, precise and sharp, was set between Qin Qingluo and Chen Yi.

The sword’s edge was but an inch from Qin Qingluo’s nose, the cold sword Qi causing a few strands of hair at her temples to float slightly.

Qin Qingluo’s movements stopped abruptly, the smile on her face froze momentarily in shock.

She slowly raised her eyes, her gaze sharp as a blade, fixing on the one holding the sword, that red cloak, that spirited face, and those mesmerizing eyes.

"Min Ning?" Qin Qingluo’s voice carried a hint of astonishment, stressing each word, "How did you come here?"

The air in the Warm Pavilion dropped to freezing instantly.

The maid was pale, as if she could not speak from fright.

Chen Yi stood frozen, feeling as if even his blood had stopped flowing.

Oh... Now things are truly ruined...