My enemies became my companions

Chapter 663 The Wedding (Part 2)

Only the torrential rain and the muffled roar of the dragon's corpse tumbling and cascading down in the mudslide could be heard between heaven and earth.

The deathly silent crowd seemed frozen in place, staring blankly at the bright, fiery figure on the stone bridge railing.

Min Ning shook her soaked hair, splashing water droplets everywhere.

Her eyes were sharp, filled with a sense of triumph after a bitter revenge. Thinking that she should drink with the blood of the dragon she was covered in, she reached for the wine pot, but when she looked down, she found that the wine pot was nowhere to be found.

It was probably lost in the battle with the dragon. Now that he is so carefree and unrestrained, it is impossible for him to jump back in to look for it. Thinking of this, Min Ning continued to laugh.

Laughter shook the heavens.

For a moment, the only sound in the entire town was her laughter.

Min Ning glanced down at the messy altar, the terrified crowd, and the woman slumped in despair in the mud. When her gaze swept over Zhao Deshan and the other Shenxiao Sect disciples, who were on high alert but seemed bewildered, a hint of undisguised sarcasm curled at the corner of her lips.

"Ha, a Taoist priest? He's got the posture all set, but what a pity..." Before she could finish speaking, her gaze suddenly sharpened, shooting like an arrow towards the corner of the swaying teahouse, the inconspicuous table, and the person sitting beside it.

The wind and rain seemed to pause at that moment.

The half-bowl of murky tea in Chen Yi's hand, reflecting the bloodstains on the bridgehead and that glaring red shadow, swayed slightly.

He slowly raised his head, his gaze piercing through the rain curtain, meeting directly in the eyes on the bridge railing that suddenly lit up, as if burning with flames.

Four eyes meet.

Min Ning's wild smile froze instantly. She inexplicably felt that her smile looked rather awkward, even though Chen Yi wouldn't find it awkward from such a distance.

Her laughter subsided, her gaze a mixture of surprise and astonishment. She never expected to run into Chen Yi in this remote southern border town, right after slaying a monstrous dragon.

However, upon reflection, the previous encounter was also completely unexpected.

Amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd, Min Ning suddenly leaped down from the height. As the mist dissipated slightly, she casually waved her hand, revealing not only Chen Yi but also... a somewhat dazzling figure.

Sitting beside him was a woman in a simple Taoist robe, with a refined and ethereal air, Yin Weiying.

Rain dripped down Min Ning's handsome jawline, her chest rose and fell slightly, and her fingers gripped the crimson hilt of her sword at her waist tightened slightly, yet she still smiled as she walked over.

Under the tea stall, Yin Weiying's heart sank slightly.

Seeing Min Ning again, her feelings were still somewhat complicated; their relationship could never turn from enemies to friends.

She never expected that this time, she would place her hopes on Min Ning.

Rainwater slid down Min Ning's hair, but she didn't care. Even if she saw someone she didn't want to see, seeing someone she wanted to see was still more pleasant than the former.

Zhao Deshan and the others followed Min Ning's gaze and were both surprised and suspicious. They had thought that the infamous and recently renowned Commander Chen only wanted to stand by and watch the success or failure, letting hundreds or thousands of people live and die as they pleased. They never expected that he had made arrangements all along.

The dragon's corpse continued to be washed in the water, back and forth, over and over again, with blood spreading across both banks. Min Ning jumped off the bridge, and at this moment of greatest triumph, walked towards the person he most wanted to see.

Chen Yi slowly put down the rough earthenware bowl in his hand. The bottom of the bowl hit the table and made a soft, almost drowned-out sound. He got up and asked the waiter for wine.

The waiter was stunned. Chen Yi poured himself a full bowl of wine, turned around, and saw that Min Ning had already arrived at the tea stall.

The woman in red took the wine, tilted her head back, and drank it all in one gulp. She stretched, revealing her not-so-curvy, slender figure, and suddenly said:

"Chen Yi, I'm almost at the third rank."

Chen Yi stopped in place, his gaze sweeping around before finally settling on the crimson scabbard on her back. His murderous aura was palpable, and even a single glance from him was enough to send chills down one's spine.

The master of the Spring and Autumn Sword is already showing initial signs of becoming the leader.

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

Southern Xinjiang, the Annamite Royal Palace.

As the sun dipped westward, it cast long, slanted shadows on the towering columns of the council hall.

Qin Qinglu sat upright in the main seat, his black python robe making his features appear even more cold and stern.

The mountain of files on her desk had been mostly processed; she pointed to the last document concerning post-war compensation for Dragontail City, her voice low.

"...The families of fallen soldiers will receive double the compensation, and the Household Administration Department must assign a special person to supervise the process, without deducting a single penny. For the wounded, medical expenses will be paid from the Prince's Treasury, and the Construction Department will allocate manpower to prioritize the repair of damaged houses."

The officials in charge bowed and agreed, not daring to utter a sound.

The power of the King of Annam became even more profound after the assassination attempt at the Zongmiao Temple.

"As for the dragon plague in the northwest, the rumors must stop." The King of Annam tapped his finger on the table. "Spread the word that... the dragon plague has been quelled, the culprit has been executed, and the southern border will not be in chaos."

Everyone acknowledged the order in unison and then filed out.

After the last person left, only an empty echo remained in the hall.

Qin Qingluo's tense shoulders relaxed almost imperceptibly for a moment, and a hint of fatigue from her busy work was revealed between her brows. She pinched the bridge of her nose, got up and walked towards the inner courtyard.

As soon as they stepped through the moon gate of the inner courtyard, a small figure rushed over like a fledgling swallow returning to its nest, accompanied by a clear and joyful cry: "Father!"

It's Qin Yue.

Qin Qingluo paused, looking at her daughter's innocent smile, her heart softened. She awkwardly bent down and hugged the little body into her arms.

Qin Yue immediately reached out her little hands and hugged her neck tightly, rubbing her face against the crook of her neck, and mumbled softly, "Hungry, hungry, hungry."

The tall woman frowned slightly. This little brat was getting bolder and bolder. But Chen Yi's face was just flashing by, so she didn't feel comfortable disciplining her. Holding her daughter, she walked towards the greenhouse with slightly stiff steps.

She dismissed the maids who were standing by, and sat down on the soft couch by the window with Qin Yue in her arms. Qin Yue nestled in her arms, nuzzled her head, and pointed clearly at the ample area.

A faint blush crossed Qin Qingluo's face. After hesitating for a moment, she unbuttoned the buttons on her clothes.

Qin Yue immediately leaned in and began to suckle contentedly. The room fell silent for a moment, save for the soft sound of the child swallowing.

Just then, the door was gently pushed open.

Qin Qingluo's body tensed up subconsciously, but she breathed a sigh of relief only after recognizing Zhu E, though she didn't loosen her grip on the child.

Zhu E moved gracefully to the edge of the couch and sat down. Her gaze swept over Qin Qingluo's slightly awkward movements and Qin Yue's satisfied little face. Her smile was gentle, but her eyes held a subtle and unnoticed thought.

"Your Highness has worked hard," she said softly, naturally picking up a silk handkerchief from the side and wiping away non-existent beads of sweat from Qin Qingluo's forehead.

Qin Qinglu nodded slightly, her gaze falling on her daughter, her voice low: "The matter of the heretical sect has finally come to an end." She paused, seemingly unintentionally bringing it up, "Just now, the servants reported that Min Ning seems to have shown up in Sichuan."

Zhu E paused almost imperceptibly in her wiping motion, then her smile remained, but her voice lowered slightly, carrying a perfectly measured hint of worry: "Miss Min? She... she's actually near the Southern Frontier? My sister mentioned her?"

Qin Qingluo suddenly shuddered and glared at Zhu E. "Why is Aunt Zhu teasing me?"

Ever since Qin Yue was born, Zhu E would call her "sister" from time to time, which gave Qin Qingluo goosebumps. Qin Qingluo openly and secretly disliked it, but Zhu E always avoided it and kept asking for the reason.
She called it "fun".

It was unclear what kind of romantic gesture it was intended for, but Qin Qingluo frowned as she thought of it, saying that such a romantic gesture would never be used.

“Your Highness,” Zhu E changed her form of address, “you mentioned this Miss Min, whose temperament is as fiery as fire, and who is also very fond of my husband…”

She hesitated, her eyes filled with worry, "I'm afraid Zhu'e might not care about the dignity of the Prince's Mansion. If she acts impulsively and tries to steal her husband from my sister, who knows?"

Qin Qingluo paused in her breastfeeding, her handsome brows furrowing as she said:

"Aunt Zhu, you mean well, but Min Ning, though strong-willed, is also upright and honest."

Back in the capital, I had many pleasant conversations with her, and we considered each other close friends. We shared similar ideals and sentiments; she... would not stoop to such a despicable act.

Zhu E sighed softly, picked up her teacup, took a sip, and said, "We're kindred spirits... both of us have our hearts set on the same man."

Qin Qingluo tightened her grip on Qin Yue's hand, momentarily speechless at the bluntness of her words. After a long pause, she finally said:
"Brothers are like hands and feet, women are like... no, anyway, given her chivalrous nature, it's not unreasonable to part with her. Besides... she is a woman after all, so it might not be considered parting with her."

"So, Your Highness is saying that Your Highness is willing to humble yourself and become a concubine?"

Qin Qingluo paused slightly, her cheeks flushed, and her lips moved as if she wanted to retort, but she felt that Zhu E's words were like a thorn, piercing into a corner she had been deliberately avoiding.

Yes, so what if they are kindred spirits? Min Ning knows Chen Yi's feelings better than anyone else.

"...Then, in Aunt Zhu's opinion, what should we do?" Qin Qingluo's voice was a little dry, with a hesitation that she herself did not realize.

Zhu E put down her teacup, leaned closer, and spoke in a voice as soft as the wind, yet with a seductive power, "In my humble opinion, rather than waiting for Miss Min to cause trouble, why don't you... Sister, strike first?"

Qin Qingluo looked at her in confusion, momentarily forgetting even her aversion to the word "older sister".

“Give him a proper status.” Zhu E looked directly into Qin Qingluo’s eyes and said, word by word, “Hold a grand and glorious wedding, and welcome him into the inner courtyard of the Prince’s mansion with dignity.”

To outsiders, he is the princess; to the ancestors and the state, he is her rightful husband, the master of the royal household. No matter how strong-willed Miss Min is, could she possibly force herself on a married man? With their status established, people's hearts… naturally settle down.”

"The marriage..." Qin Qinglu murmured repeatedly, her heart feeling as if a pebble had been thrown in, creating ripples.

A title... to give Chen Yi a title?

The Sun in the Spouse Palace is afflicted by a negative influence, indicating a marriage in name only...

She suddenly thought of this prophecy, as if she had been slightly stung.

"Holding the wedding..."

Qin Qingluo repeated these three words in a low voice, her snake eyes flashing as if she were weighing her options.

She recalled Chen Yi's clumsy tenderness when he held Qin Yue, his efforts and dangers for her, his profile as he intently consulted classic texts in the study last night... and that little bit, indescribable feeling of being moved by him.

Status... seems to have indeed become an invisible wall standing between them.

"Holding the wedding..." Qin Qingluo repeated these three words in a low voice.

After a moment of silence, she slowly nodded, her voice regaining its usual calm and steady tone, though a subtle tension could still be detected upon closer listening.

"...Very well. Aunt Zhu will take care of this matter."

She paused, her fingertips unconsciously tracing Qin Yue's soft back, murmuring softly:

“It was I who took him as my wife, and it was also… he who married me.”

Qin Yue, nestled in her mother's arms, seemed to sense the fluctuation in her emotions. She slowed her sucking, raised her big, wet eyes, and looked at Qin Qingluo with a blank expression, then at Zhu E, her little face full of curiosity about the adults' conversation.

But I couldn't quite understand it.

She tried to process the bits and pieces of information she heard.

Suddenly, Qin Qingluo seemed to remember something, her body stiffened slightly, and she subconsciously moved Qin Yue away from her chest a little.

Qin Yue, who was enjoying her drink, suddenly pouted, looking like she was about to cry.

"Woo..."

But Qin Yue suddenly stopped, tilting her head. It seemed like she had suddenly understood something.
My mother said...that father is a man? The one who would carry her high into the air, give her a "scary" sword to play with, and clumsily wipe away her tears...is a man?

In her limited understanding, amidst her confusion, a thought, like a tiny spark, ignited in her little head.

Real father?
Milk tastes better?!
As soon as the thought crossed her mind, Qin Yue instantly forgot her earlier grievances, her big eyes widening in surprise.

She even unconsciously licked her little lips.

(End of this chapter)