My enemies became my companions

Chapter 668 There's a good show to watch (Part 2)

As dawn broke, a few hazy beams of light shone through the cracks in the windowpane onto the disheveled bed.

Chen Yi opened his eyes, and his consciousness gradually cleared.

He tilted his head slightly, his gaze lingering on the pillow.

Min Ning was fast asleep, his handsome features relaxed in his sleep, revealing a gentleness rarely seen in him. A strand of black hair fell to the side of his neck. On the other side, Yin Weiying was curled up, half-lying down, his cool face buried in the pillow, only half of his face showing. His long eyelashes cast a faint shadow under his eyes. He was not sleeping peacefully, his brows were slightly furrowed, as if he had endured something.

The rumpled bedding concealed the intimate traces left by the two of them last night, their skin faintly visible and gleaming in the morning light.

He couldn't help but think of,
Last night, the two women were lying together, their cheeks flushed with pleasure, and the lingering smugness in my heart quietly rose again.

He rubbed against Min Ning's warm arm.
Her hand then naturally slid into the bedding and gently touched the other rounded buttocks.

"Well……"

Yin Weiying let out a very soft sob in his sleep, and his body trembled slightly involuntarily.

The slight noise startled her awake. Her long eyelashes fluttered open, and with a mix of confusion and alarm, she met Chen Yi's probing gaze.

She instinctively wanted to avoid him or push his hand away, but then stopped herself.

Like a startled fawn, her eyes darted up and down rapidly, her heart leaping into her throat. Last night, thanks to Min Ning's almost chivalrous mediation, their relationship had barely eased a little. Was she going to upset him again this morning over a mere touch, causing their relationship to plummet to rock bottom once more?

She dared not move, her body stiffly remaining in a curled-up position, even her breathing becoming shallow.

Chen Yi took in her momentary fear, but instead of withdrawing his hand, he asked with a touch of morning languor:
Have you learned your lesson?

The question carried the flavor of settling scores after the fact. It should have been an accusation, but when Yin Weiying heard that familiar tone, his tense heartstrings unexpectedly relaxed slightly. At least, he was willing to "settle scores" instead of the previous coldness.

She lowered her eyes and replied softly, "I...I've had enough, my husband. Last night...didn't you know?"

Chen Yi gave a soft "hmm" through his nose, seemingly satisfied, but the hand on his buttocks carried a hint of punishment as he gave it a light pat.

"Well!"

Yin Weiying cried out in pain, his body trembling again.

Beneath the bedding, her skin was likely covered with lingering red marks and fingerprints. Ever since she had this relationship with him, every time they were in bed, she had experienced a storm of passion.

He was very tender and protective of Yin Tingxue, but towards her... he was always so unrestrained.

A bitter sense of grievance welled up in her heart, but then she thought, this might be the reason why Yin Tingxue could only be submissive and dare not act presumptuously in front of her.
As soon as this thought arose, a subtle, indescribable pride mixed into that bit of grievance.

Chen Yi noticed the subtle reaction in her expression, and a faint, ambiguous smile appeared on his lips.

Yin Weiying felt uneasy under his gaze, instinctively shrinking back and tentatively calling out with a hint of ingratiation:
"Husband...were you satisfied last night?"

"Satisfied?" Chen Yi raised an eyebrow, his gaze sweeping over her. His smile deepened, becoming even more imposing. "Of course I'm satisfied." He leaned closer to her ear, his voice low.
“I’ll come again. And… I’ll come more often. Otherwise, I’ll always be angry with you, Yin Luanhuang, and it will be hard for me to let it go.”

Will you come again? More often?
Thinking back to the storm that had almost torn her apart last night,
Such shame was unacceptable to Yin Weiying, who instinctively said:
"you!"

The words had barely left her mouth when she saw his suddenly darkening gaze, and her courage vanished almost entirely. But the thought of him trying to brew chrysanthemum tea again brought back unbearable painful memories, making her grit her teeth.

Chen Yi ignored her grievances.

His hand suddenly tightened, grabbing one of her full breasts through her thin nightgown, the force so great that it forced her body to press tightly against him.

"Yin Luanhuang, are you trying to bargain with me now?"

"Heh, who knows? We still have many old scores to settle. You'd better think about it yourself. In places I don't know about, on your Mount Taihua... how many subtle clues have you left for me, waiting to trip me up someday? Hmm?"

The speaker was suspicious, and the listener was also suspicious; these words, like sharp swords, pierced Yin Weiying's heart.

Recalling all the scheming she had done in the past, she suddenly...couldn't even count them all...

Even though she instinctively wanted to retort, she didn't know how to begin. The words stuck in her throat, and she could only lower her eyes in a panic, avoiding the question:
"You...you're saying this at a time like this, I...I can't refute you."

Chen Yi raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. The words sounded somewhat agreeable, yet not quite so.

He gently put his arm around Yin Weiying's shoulder and said with a smile:

"Haven't you done enough tricks? Even excluding you, hasn't your father done just as many?"

"……I have no idea."

"Don't know? That wanted poster, the whole world is saying I'm a toad."

Seeing that he seemed about to pursue the matter, Yin Weiying's eyes darted around quickly, and he replied hastily:
"Why don't you think about the bright side... The whole world knows I'm a swan."

Chen Yi: "..."

Seriously... his Da Yin is amazing...

Chen Yi patted her again, and Yin Weiying trembled slightly, letting out a soft hum. Her fairy-like appearance became incredibly alluring, and Chen Yi couldn't resist lowering his head to give her a peck.

Yin Weiying was somewhat surprised and raised his eyebrows to look at him.

Chen Yi frowned slightly and asked, "What?"

"What?" Yin Weiying suppressed a little joy and said with her delicate nose slightly upturned, "I thought you were still angry and wouldn't kiss me."

Chen Yi was stunned for a moment, then laughed in exasperation. To vent his anger, he said, "Shut up, let me kiss you."

After saying that, Chen Yi pecked her cheek again, then her forehead, and finally gave her a long, deep kiss.

Yin Weiying couldn't help but let out some sounds, unable to hide his excitement.

Chen Yi patted her again, this time much more gently, and whispered, "Don't wake Min Ning."

"Um……"

Yin Weiying glanced at Min Ning, who showed little reaction, and her delicate nose curled up slightly again. Chen Yi and Min Ning had been separated for a long time, but now, waking up in the morning, his heart was entirely with her.

It seems that absence doesn't necessarily make the heart grow fonder...

If he never forgives her, and she leaves sadly at this moment, will he feel that all flowers have lost their color?
Yin Weiying thought about it silently; she had considered this matter again and again.

Chen Yi saw it all, and as if by telepathy, he knew what she was thinking without asking.
Women often like to imagine how their beloved will be unable to eat or sleep after they leave, always feeling that the traces left by the past are carefully treasured after the separation of life and death.

She has always considered herself an independent person with her own thoughts, and is often stubborn and even obsessive. When she is truly wrong, she will never sincerely admit it unless she is convinced of her mistake. It is these very flaws that she used to dislike that now linger in Chen Yi's heart, making him cherish her deeply, because she is truly Yin Weiying.

………………

Min Ning had actually woken up quite early as well.

Who knows, she might wake up even earlier than Chen Zunming.

However, even a chivalrous woman like Min Ning would have some restraint as a woman, especially after being intimate with men last night. How could she be bold? So she closed her eyes and waited patiently.

Then she heard Chen Yilian kiss Yin Weiying several times.

"..."

Min Ning was speechless for a moment.

After Chen Yi had been cuddling with her for a while, he turned his face and gently pecked Min Ning on the cheek.

Min Ning suddenly turned her head to the side, dodging the impact, and Chen Yi's face slammed into the pillow.

"Get up, Chen Zunming."

After saying that, she threw off the bedding and got up to dress. She was dressed in no time, so quick and efficient that she left the couple on the bed naked.

After getting dressed and washing up, the three of them went to a teahouse for breakfast.

The morning tea shops in Longwei City, southern Xinjiang, are bustling with activity and full of the lively atmosphere of everyday life.

The bowl of coarse earthenware is filled with steaming, off-white rice noodles. The broth is rich and oily, while the small dish next to it is filled with thin slices of fresh meat, shredded chicken, bright green pea shoots, and quail eggs.

There are also golden and crispy fried dough sticks, served with milk fan and rice cakes. The air is filled with the fresh aroma of rice noodles, the charred aroma of fried dough sticks, and the unique aroma of local dipping sauce with a slightly fermented sour taste.

Min Ning clearly enjoyed it. She slurped up a big mouthful of rice noodles and broke off a piece of fried milk fan, which she chewed with a crunch.

As she ate, she looked around and remarked with a touch of emotion, "The area under the rule of the Prince of Annam is quite interesting. I thought that such a remote border region was full of uncivilized barbarians, but I didn't expect there to be so many Han people and such a strong Han culture."

Although one could occasionally see a few people from the southwest wearing brightly colored sarongs or silver ornaments on their heads, most of them dressed and spoke in a manner similar to that of people from the Central Plains.

Chen Yi also took a look and nodded: "Yes, it is indeed well managed."

The street is lined with shops, most of which use Chinese characters for their signs, and even the calls from breakfast stalls have a touch of Mandarin.

Min Ning swallowed the food in her mouth, looked at Chen Yi with her phoenix eyes, and said in a tone that carried the straightforwardness of a江湖人 (jianghu person, someone from the martial arts world), "Thinking back to when I was in the capital, I had some acquaintance with the Prince of Annan. She is a bit fiery, but she is methodical in her actions and is a person worth befriending. Now that I'm in her territory, I should at least pay her a visit and meet this old friend."

She emphasized the words "old friend".

Chen Yi recalled that after learning about Qin Yue's background last night, although she was shocked, she did not reject it. Instead, she took the initiative to seek a solution. The biggest weight in his heart seemed to have been lifted.

Since Min Ning took the initiative to ask to see him, and seemed to have no ill intentions, he had no reason to stop him.

So he replied, "Okay, I'll go after I finish eating."

As they were talking, Min Ning's gaze was drawn to a group of people on the street. Several people dressed as servants of the royal palace were carrying things past. What they were holding in their hands and carrying on their shoulders were bolts of bright red silk. Some of them were also carrying baskets covered with red cloth, which, judging from their shape, contained something like eggs.

Min Ning raised an eyebrow, puzzled, "Huh? What kind of happy occasion is the Prince's Mansion holding? Buying so much red silk and eggs... Could it be that one of the Qin family's direct descendants has reached marriageable age and is getting married and exchanging betrothal gifts?"

Chen Yi followed her gaze, and the vague sense of foreboding that had been lingering in his heart since morning suddenly pierced his flesh like a thorn.

He frowned and casually replied, "Probably... I guess so."

But even he himself felt that his tone was somewhat unsteady.

After finishing their breakfast, the three went straight to the Prince of Annam's Palace. The palace's vermilion gates remained as imposing as ever, and the entrance was indeed busier than usual.

The servants I saw on the street earlier were directing people to carry the red silk and baskets of eggs they had bought into the store, creating a joyful and busy scene.

Chen Yi suppressed the inexplicable unease in his heart, stepped forward and showed his Zhige Division waist token. After the guard checked it, he respectfully let him pass.

As he walked further in, the signs of decorations inside the Prince's Mansion became more obvious. Several brand-new red lanterns had been hung under the eaves. Chen Yi's heartbeat quickened for no reason, and the ominous premonition grew heavier and heavier, pressing down on his chest.

Finally, in the inner courtyard corridor, they encountered Princess Zhu E, who was hurrying towards them.

Upon seeing Chen Yi, Zhu E's face immediately broke into a relieved smile. She quickly stepped forward, her voice filled with urgency and joy: "My lord, you're finally back! The Prince has been waiting for you!"

"Wait for me?" Chen Yi was taken aback, and his heart skipped a beat.

“Yes!” Zhu E seemed oblivious to his sudden change in expression, speaking to herself with the air of a busy mistress, “The prince’s betrothal gifts are almost all prepared, and he’s just waiting for you to come back so he can present the betrothal gifts! The date is so…”

The moment Zhu E uttered those words, Min Ning, who was standing behind Chen Yi, stiffened almost imperceptibly.

Zhu E was halfway through her sentence when she seemed to suddenly notice that there were two people following behind Chen Yi.

When her gaze fell upon the spirited Min Ning, she was visibly taken aback. After a moment of trying to recall, she exclaimed with a mixture of surprise and realization, "Oh my! It's... Miss Min? You've come too!"

Min Ning's hand, which had been hanging casually at her side, suddenly clenched silently. Her knuckles turned white from the excessive force, and her nails dug deep into her palm, leaving several clear crescent-shaped marks.

Her heroic face remained expressionless, but her sharp phoenix eyes narrowed slightly as she calmly looked at Zhu E, then slowly swept over the person beside her whose forehead was covered in a bead of cold sweat.

Standing half a step behind Min Ning, Yin Weiying watched the rapidly deteriorating situation, saw Min Ning's clenched fists and Chen Yi's stiff expression, and a complex and amused glint flashed in the depths of his cold eyes.

This looks like things are really going to get interesting.

(End of this chapter)