Chapter 1252: Chapter 680: Second Bow to the High Hall (Double-Length)
She never truly cared for him; she merely valued his martial prowess and... and what use he had! Using this as a tether, she forced him to stay in the Southern Border, binding him by her side! Now, she disregards human decency, enforcing this marriage that surpasses ceremonial norms, making a maiden’s dream turn to dust, this regret will never settle in this life! If this isn’t forced seizure, what is it?"
After Min Ning’s accusation, she looked at Qin Qingluo, who, instead of turning pale as if her schemes were uncovered, seemed somewhat amused, her brow relaxing slightly.
Min Ning was stunned by her reaction, her anger intensifying, "You... why do you laugh?"
Qin Qingluo didn’t answer her directly, but slowly turned her head, serpent eyes full of amusement, landing lightly on Chen Yi, who sat with righteous composure.
Her gaze swept over him, especially lingering intentionally on certain parts, the meaning in her eyes indescribable.
Chen Yi immediately felt embarrassed.
The aura of the Yin Official he carried earlier deflated significantly, and he instinctively wanted to avert his eyes, coughed, even raised his hand to adjust the collar of his wedding attire that had a loose thread.
Chen Yi could only cough again, then looked at Qin Qingluo, and slowly asked: "Prince of Annan, is this true?"
After speaking, he gave a glance.
The two of them are getting married today; matters have come to this point, it ought to proceed smoothly, both emotionally and rationally, Qin Qingluo should cooperate.
Qin Qingluo said slowly: "There is more to this matter than it appears."
Chen Yi stiffened.
Min Ning raised her head, following Qin Qingluo’s gaze, staring directly at Chen Yi.
Qin Qingluo, her serpent eyes slightly lowered, seemed to be reminiscing, then she curled her lips and said slowly, "Since things have come to this, he still wishes to hide it, but I don’t need to hide it from you."
Seeing her so candid, Min Ning’s eyes paused momentarily, then turned sharply to Chen Yi.
Seeing his demeanor, her heart suddenly sank.
Those illogical details from a few years ago—why surrogate, why Qin Qingluo’s attitude was so peculiar to this matter, why Chen Yi was always vague about this past—instantly flooded into her Heart Lake like shattered pieces.
"Back then at Medicine Temple, he and I were sworn enemies; he used all his means, insidest and ruthless, indeed outmatching me slightly." Qin Qingluo’s tone was calm, as if she was recounting an amusing story unrelated to herself, "But unfortunately, I had a sliver of Glazed Light protecting my heart and veins; he couldn’t kill me.
Unable to kill me, he resorted to another method to humiliate and debase."
Her gaze swept over Chen Yi, carrying a trace of faint mockery,
"He then thought of such a despicable trick, occupied my body, intent on thoroughly shattering my Martial Intent, severing my Martial Arts, and Yue’er, that illegitimate child... was left behind at that time..."
Chen Yi tried to stop her but momentarily couldn’t find his voice; two strong-willed women both looked at him, forcing him to lean forward slightly, then back slightly.
Min Ning seemed to understand something, her eyes deep and complicated, "So that means..."
"The matter of surrogate was merely to fool you; a leopard cannot change its spots, he cannot change himself, but deceiving you is very easy," the Princess continued to smile, "How could there be talk of surrogate? Isn’t that overestimating him, while underestimating me?"
Min Ning’s gaze shifted several times, a myriad of complex emotions passing through her eyes; suddenly she felt a sense of truth revealed, though more of it was absurdity.
If it were so,
What else was he hiding from her?
After laying everything bare,
Qin Qingluo, seemingly feeling that since she started, there was no need to hold back, continued, her tone resuming the indifference and disdain belonging to a Vassal King:
"Later, by a stroke of luck, he saved me instead; at first, I thought he had ulterior motives, perhaps a pawn sent by the court or other forces, and tried probing several times..."
She snorted, her gaze once again landing on Chen Yi, who was ill at ease, "But found that this person had no great ambition, his mind was filled merely with the trivialities of romantic love and sensual desires, greedy and lustful, indecisive, yet... he did have some real skill and luck."
"Since that’s the case," Qin Qingluo lifted her chin and said with a near-condescending majesty, "what he wants, I grant him; can the Nanjiang Royal Mansion not accommodate one pleasing man? As for love? My ambition lies in the lands under heaven, not within the confines of a bed; these romantic entanglements should have been cleanly severed long ago."
Min Ning, upon hearing this, suddenly interrupted coldly, "If so, since Your Highness harbors great aspirations, your heart set on the world, after parting ways in the Capital City years ago, you and he should have gone down your respective paths, completely ending all ties, free from further entanglement.
Today’s marriage, is it not a contradiction?"
The tall woman did not get angry at the provocation in those words; instead, her smile deepened; she silently pursed her lips, glanced at Chen Yi, then moved her gaze away and slowly said:
"In the past, I thought it enough to regard him as a capricious harlot for life, summoning him at will, discarding him as needed; yet now upon further reflection, perhaps it was quite presumptuous."
Min Ning was slightly taken aback.
"He is still somewhat endearing."
Qin Qingluo picked up the wine jug, unexpectedly standing up to pour wine into the wedding cup that Min Ning held,
"Nevertheless, he and I have performed the marriage rites,
so what if this time, I let you take the hall?"
The wine rippled lightly in the cup, Min Ning’s brows slowly furrowed; momentarily, the pent-up resentment and anger blended with confusion.
Suddenly, she frowned slightly, ripples began to emerge in her Heart Lake;
Chen Yi concealed the light in his eyes, and suddenly caught a glimpse of a glimmer on her forehead.
Chen Yi stretched out his fingers and made a pinching motion in the air.
Anger Charm?
An invisible talisman with only the glow of Primordial Qi was pulled out; Chen Yi frowned slightly, wondering who had meddled?
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