My enemies became my companions

Chapter 669 The tip of the needle versus the awn of wheat

For Da Yin, Chen Yi has always had difficult times, and even some times when he is at a disadvantage, but he has rarely been truly defeated.

The reason is simple: he has always been strong-willed, and he has always been like this. He is gentle but not resistant to force. Even if Yin Tingxue occasionally resists a little, he will sometimes bully her fiercely. Although he has softened his behavior now, old habits die hard.

Occasionally being in a weak position is just a matter of giving way or taking a step or two back. And don't be fooled by taking a step or two back this time; in the future, he might make others take three or four steps back.

Even though she was the first wife, for many years she only dared to manipulate him secretly, and in public she still had to take care of him.

This time, however, the first woman is Qin Qingluo, the Prince of Annan, who has given birth to children, and the second woman is Min Ning, who is like a newlywed after a short separation and has a chivalrous nature. Both women are equally strong-willed and can rival him in his current position.

What should Chen Yi do this time?

Having narrowly escaped death earlier, Yin Weiying, now a survivor, naturally had no intention of getting involved; in fact, he was secretly amused.

Actually, there's nothing wrong with sitting back and watching the tigers fight. After all, she has always been the first wife, and no matter how these women fight, no matter which way the wind blows, she will always stand firm.

As for Qin Yue...

Yin Weiying's eyes flickered subtly.
Adopting her into my own name... no, that's bound to be difficult. As a second choice, becoming her godmother... seems like a feasible option?
While Yin Weiying was pondering to himself, Chen Yi remained rooted to the spot, his mouth agape, unsure of what to say.

He is now in a state of panic.

Throughout the journey, Chen Yi had a vague sense of foreboding. However, as the saying goes, "He who eats another's food is bound to do his bidding," and last night Min Ning made a concession, agreeing to sleep with Yin Weiying for his pleasure.

Last night, she readily agreed to let Min Ning meet Qin Qingluo. Even when Min Ning heard that Qin Yue was Qin Qingluo's daughter, she just smiled and let it go. As a result, her original vigilance was reduced to a great extent without her realizing it.

The two women were once close friends and had some affection for each other. I thought that even if there was another conflict, it would only be a minor squabble. I could coax one and appease the other. Even if I couldn't treat them equally, I could still understand each other's feelings and gradually accept the current situation.

But why did this happen on this trip?!

The air seemed to freeze.

My words were like thunderclaps, making his ears ring.

He subconsciously looked at Min Ning, only to meet her narrowed phoenix eyes and her clenched fists, her knuckles pale, silently telling a story.

Zhu E seemed to finally belatedly realize the strange atmosphere.

She glanced at Chen Yi, whose forehead was beaded with sweat, then at Min Ning, who exuded a cold and austere aura, and at Yin Weiying behind Min Ning, whose expression was detached but whose eyes held an indescribable light. She seemed somewhat at a loss for what to do.

“Uh… Miss Min, you…” Zhu E tried to break the suffocating silence, her voice trembling with caution.

"A betrothal?" Min Ning finally spoke, her voice low. "A betrothal to whom?"

Zhu E seemed to shrink back slightly, and Chen Yi immediately cast a glance at her. The wise princess naturally did not answer directly, but instead said, "...Miss Min, your presence is an honor to us. The Prince's residence has failed to welcome you properly. The Prince also very much wants to see you."

Min Ning realized that she had been slightly out of line, so she raised her hands in a fist and palm salute, but insisted, "There's no need for such a warm welcome. Please tell me, Your Highness, who is this person you're betrothing to?"

Zhu E seemed slightly embarrassed, as if she wanted to say something appropriate, but the words stuck in her throat and she swallowed them back, and could only force a smile.

In the past, Min Ning might not have been able to discern anything from this expression, but in her eyes, who had been through the world of gangsters, it immediately confirmed something.

The person Qin Qingluo is going to betroth is none other than...

It was Chen Yi!

It was Chen Yi, the man Min Ning wanted to marry!
Her clenched fist made a slight "crackling" sound from her knuckles due to excessive force.

Hearing this sound, Chen Yi's expression remained unchanged, but he subtly wiped the sweat from his fingertips.

The woman in red took a deep breath, but did not continue to put pressure on Chen Yi. A cold glint flashed in her phoenix eyes, like a sharp sword drawn half an inch from its sheath, only to be sheathed again in an instant. She slowly said:
"The Prince and I were once close friends, but we haven't seen each other for many years. Could the Princess introduce me to the Prince?"

Min Ning's request was quite ordinary, and she controlled her emotions very well. Both morally and logically, Zhu E should have agreed. Chen Yi was also waiting for her to agree so that he could have some time to find a way to mediate.

Zhu E did agree, and after hesitating, slowly said:

"Of course, but it would be better if the gentleman could introduce them."
Now, my lord is the prince's most trusted and beloved general.

Chen Yi, who was standing to the side, slowly widened his eyes.

Yin Weiying smiled secretly, but tried hard not to show it.

Min Ning tilted her head slightly and looked at Chen Yi.

Zhu E added at the opportune moment, "Sometimes, even Zhu E might not be able to see the Prince."

Chen Yi felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.

Standing there, one felt as if roasted over a fire. Zhu E's seemingly considerate but actually infuriating words completely blocked the last bit of room for maneuver.

"Oh?" Min Ning's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly pierced through the stagnant air. "So Lord Chen is now a favorite of the Prince, able to see the Emperor at any time. That's perfect."

She slightly raised her chin, her gaze fixed on Chen Yi's flickering eyes.

"Please trouble you, Lord Chen. Now, please introduce me to His Highness the Prince of Annam."

She enunciated each word with exceptional clarity.

Chen Yi could only manage a forced smile, which looked more like a grimace. An introduction?

Should we go see Qin Qingluo now?
Taking Min Ning, who exudes murderous aura, to see Qin Qingluo, who just said she wanted to propose marriage?
Where there is sorrow, there is joy. Looking at Min Ning's restrained murderous aura, Yin Weiying knew what kind of monstrous waves were hidden beneath the seemingly calm exterior of this female knight.

She's already married, so she's not in a hurry.

It's the unmarried people who should be anxious.

Who is one of the earliest people he met, who was once deeply in love with him, yet they have never married to this day?
It's really hard to guess.

Chen Yi had no choice but to bite the bullet and lead the way, trying his best to keep steady with each breath.

The corridor was deep and the atmosphere was so oppressive that it seemed like you could wring water out of it; the sound of footsteps was particularly clear in the empty corridor.

Min Ning followed half a step to his side, remained silent for a moment, and then suddenly spoke, her voice not loud.

"When you got married in the capital, you didn't take me with you. Do you remember?"

Chen Yi paused slightly, then mumbled, "...I remember."

“I said yesterday,” Min Ning said, looking straight ahead without looking at him, “that this kind of thing should never happen again.”

Chen Yi was slightly taken aback.

He had heard those words at the inn last night, but he had assumed they meant she was asking him to avoid such things, or that she was subtly hinting at him marrying her. Chen Yi had made countless vows of eternal love throughout his life, so he agreed to this small request with the heroine's unusual gentleness.

Now, in the dazzling red silk and overflowing dowry of the royal palace, these words take on a different meaning, like a sword or a knife, as if saying: I will not let this happen again.

Unable to respond, Chen Yi could only quicken his pace in silence.

They arrived at Qin Qingluo's study, where he usually handled official business, in silence, only to find it empty.

Only after asking the female attendant did they learn that the prince was currently changing clothes in the back hall.

Changing area?
Chen Yi's scalp tingled again, but since things had come to this point, he could only grit his teeth and lead Min Ning to the rear hall.

His mind was a complete mess as he desperately searched for a way to defuse the impending storm.

He had indeed intended to marry Qin Qingluo before. The prophecy that "the Sun in the Spouse Palace is inauspicious, and the marriage is real but not nominal" was like a thorn in his side. He had been trying to reverse this, and he had made plans before entering the Southern Frontier.

The time when the ancestral temple and the altar of the land met with the Qin family's ancestor further solidified the matter to the point where it seemed almost certain...

But even though everything was going according to his plan, why did every good thing happen at the wrong time?
Finally, they arrived at an elegant and spacious warm pavilion in the rear hall. The maid standing at the door was about to announce Chen Yi's arrival when Qin Qingluo's clear and cheerful voice came from inside:

"Is he back? Please come in."

The maid nodded slightly and gestured for Chen Yi to enter. She glanced behind Chen Yi unintentionally, paused for a moment, and then hesitated, unsure whether to stop him or not.

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

Incense wafted through the warm pavilion. Qin Qingluo, with her back to the door, was being helped by a maid to adjust the sleeves of a black robe with gold patterns. She seemed to be in a very good mood.

Hearing footsteps, she slowly turned around.

A rare smile appeared on his handsome face as he looked at Chen Yi, his gaze carrying a hint of teasing and intimacy as he said:
"Has Aunt Zhu already told you? Do you know who I'm going to betroth to today?"

Chen Yi's body stiffened, his Adam's apple bobbed, and he shook his head with difficulty, unable to utter a single word.

Seeing his expression, Qin Qingluo's smile deepened, carrying a hint of helplessness and doting affection as she thought, "You're still pretending to be stupid."

She took a step forward, suddenly closing in, and with the domineering air of a local vassal king, she was about to forcefully kiss Chen Yi from her superior position.

"You, at this point, why do you still have to do this..."

Just as Qin Qingluo's breath was about to touch Chen Yi,
A red figure flashed by like lightning!
Clang!
A clear and melodious sword cry suddenly rang out!

The half-bladed, gleaming edge of the Wind and Cloud Sword, carrying a chilling aura, was precisely positioned between Qin Qingluo and Chen Yi.

The sword's edge was only an inch away from Qin Qingluo's nose, and the cold sword energy caused a few strands of hair at her temples to flutter slightly.

Qin Qingluo's movements came to an abrupt halt, and the smile on her face vanished instantly, replaced by utter astonishment.

She slowly raised her eyes, her gaze like a sharp blade shooting towards the swordsman, his red robes, his imposing face, and his phoenix eyes.

"Min Ning?" Qin Qingluo's voice carried a hint of surprise, each word deliberate and deliberate. "You, what brings you here?"

The air inside the warm pavilion instantly dropped to freezing point.

The maid was so frightened that her face turned ashen and she fell silent.

Chen Yi stood rooted to the spot, feeling as if his blood had frozen.

turtle...

This is really the end...

(End of this chapter)