My enemies became my companions

Chapter 726 Absurdities (Part 2)

The little fox was always well-behaved and sensible. Chen Yi was never afraid of upsetting her. Even with Yin Weiying, he often had reservations because of Yin's extremely difficult nature. But he rarely did so with the little fox. Occasionally, he would feel sorry for her and not want her to be upset. But this was not out of concern, but simply out of heartache.

So even though he knew that Yin Tingxue had reservations about his daughter with Qin Qingluo, he still asked her to write the letter. Now, thinking back on it a little, he realized how upset she was.

Now, a single sentence is hardly a consolation. Chen Yi slowly walked over, gently picked up Yin Tingxue, and let her sit on his lap.

"Isn't this place beautiful...?"

At this moment, Yin Tingxue crossed the lake and looked into the distance. These were all views of Yinjian Mountain. What Yinjian Mountain was like, this place was also like. Chen Yi could not imagine a more beautiful and magnificent scene, nor could he create a wonder that was a masterpiece of nature. If Sister Wei Ying had such ability, it would probably already be a fairy palace surrounded by clouds and mist.

But Yin Tingxue felt that this was good enough. Although Cangwu Peak of Yinjian Mountain was very cold, there was a good thing about it. Being cold meant she could curl up in her room under the covers and not have to do anything all day long. Too many bustling scenes would only dazzle her.

Thinking about it this way, the couple actually do have some similarities.

“It’s beautiful. If only…” Yin Tingxue paused, then slowly continued, “It would be even better if there were a Yintai Temple…”

Chen Yi glanced at her.

Yintai Temple... Yintai Temple has long been an empty shell. Everything she mentioned is gone. Everything has changed. Yet, the girl still remembers it fondly. She is truly a girl living in the past.

“If we want to go to Yintai Temple, we have to go back to the capital…” As he spoke, Chen Yi caught a glimpse of Yin Tingxue’s bright almond-shaped eyes.

He chuckled and continued, "Not so early, and... which Yintai Temple do you want, the one in the capital?"

The meaning of these words is very simple: he can create a Yintai Temple in his mind right now, but whether the two Yintai Temples are the same or not, Yin Tingxue can naturally tell.

"Would it be alright in the capital?"

"Ah."

Chen Yi responded without hesitation, which surprised Yin Tingxue.

"What? Not happy?"

"No, no, no," Yin Tingxue quickly replied, then thought for a moment and asked softly, "Will we... go back to the capital?"

Leaving the capital that year was a harrowing experience, and no step could be taken lightly. So she thought that after this parting, there would be no possibility of returning, and even the Yintai Temple she longed for would only remain in her memory.

“Of course we have to go back,” Chen Yi thought of someone and sneered, “Maybe we’ll go back with the banner of righteousness in hand.”

Yin Tingxue's eyes widened suddenly, then she remembered the scheming queen and shrank back, saying, "How scary..."

Chen Yi is going to become a rebel. Logically speaking, his wife should try to persuade him to stay, so as to maintain a good reputation for being virtuous and kind.

So, Yin Tingxue hesitated for a moment and said, "You... don't rebel."

"I will deliberately rebel."

"Alright then, I can't persuade you otherwise..."

She had tried to persuade him, but he wouldn't listen, so Yin Tingxue stopped trying. She then thought about it and realized that how many people in the world knew she was his wife? Even if he did listen to her, it didn't seem to make any difference.

Having experienced so much, Yin Tingxue was no longer one of those sheltered young ladies who stayed at home. She was more worried about the so-called rebellion and treason than anything else. Moreover, she didn't have much affection for the Empress Dowager. Back then, the confiscation of the Xiang Prince's mansion was an order from Jingren Palace.

The sun was setting at that time.

The sky was dyed a magnificent orange-red, the halo of light no longer dazzling, but becoming gentle and heavy, passing through the branches of the tall fir trees on Cangwu Peak, casting long, slanted, mottled beams of light through the forest.

The small building was also bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun, and the gaps between the wooden beams seemed to flow with shimmering gold. The cold tiles and wooden eaves were edged with a warm glow, and the Cangwu Peak was bathed in a golden chill.

Yin Tingxue nestled quietly in his arms, her body enveloped by his wide sleeves and arms. Her back pressed against his chest, she could vaguely feel the warmth emanating from beneath his clothes.

"Chen Yi..." she called softly.

"Ok?"

Chen Yi looked down and saw the light shining through the fir forest, landing on Yin Tingxue's slightly upturned profile, her long eyelashes tinged with a layer of fine gold dust.

Yin Tingxue seemed to have something to say; her lips moved slowly, and after a while, she finally spoke:

"Chen Yi, you don't need to be nice to me on purpose."

"Ok?"

“Just do it normally,” she said, and continued, “Otherwise I’m not used to it, and other people will be unhappy if they see it. For example, Sister Weiying, and Sister Lin. Even if they don’t say it, they’ll definitely be unhappy.”

"Heh, you really know how to think of others." Chen Yi flicked her soft little face. "I didn't deliberately treat you well. I'll still bully you whenever I want in the future."

She neither shook her head nor nodded, but simply said "Oh" in a flat tone.

After a while, a blush appeared on her face.

He was standing there, poking at her.

She shifted her bottom slightly, but Chen Yi tightened his grip, holding her even closer, deliberately teasing her. Yin Tingxue couldn't resist, so she could only sit obediently, trying not to press against him.

Chen Yi looked at her adorable expression and couldn't help but chuckle softly, a slight tremor running through his chest. He squeezed her hand resting on her knee; her fingertips were icy cold, so he warmed them in his palm.

"Don't worry," he said casually, yet with an underlying certainty, "Am I the kind of heartless person? Which woman I'm with doesn't I like?"

This is more real than any promise.

Yin Tingxue nodded slightly. Perhaps because she was a girl who was easily satisfied and had a natural compassion, she wanted Chen Yi to be less attached to her and to give some of his heart to other women. She lowered her head and gently rubbed her forehead against his chin.

"...Oh right, Master Zhou forged a sword for me, I wonder if it's finished yet..." she said softly, then continued, "I'll be going back soon."

Chen Yi looked up at the sky; the setting sun was sinking rapidly, and the outlines of the distant mountains were gradually becoming blurred.

He put his arm around Yin Tingxue and stood up: "It's late today, stay with me for the day, I won't sleep with you tonight, I'll have a good talk with you."

Yin Tingxue was stunned for a moment, then her eyes lit up with surprise.

When they were being all lovey-dovey, what she feared most was that Chen Yi would take advantage of her, which made her feel very uncomfortable. Even when they were supposed to be having intimate conversations at night, he would only think about that.

As the last rays of the setting sun disappeared completely behind the mountains, dusk settled in, and the chill of Cangwu Peak intensified. I returned to the bedroom, where a warm light had been lit, shutting out the cold outside.

………………

For once, Chen Yi did nothing and sent Yin Tingxue back.

Even Chen Yi himself was somewhat surprised by this, but upon further reflection, he thought that perhaps it was because the little fox was inherently delicate and had a bland taste.

When he first took a concubine, things were fine. The little fox was extremely beautiful, and since she was the only one in the family, and she was somewhat disloyal, it was quite interesting to make trouble for her. Later, as the two became closer, he felt sorry for her, and since other women were more arousing, and she was very good at playing the victim, Chen Yi couldn't help but feel that the little fox was not to be trifled with.

Even when the Yin party is held, the Yin king usually takes the lead, while the little fox assists from the side.

That being said, I'm only letting her go for one night because I think she's pitiful and cute, and I don't want to ruin the atmosphere. I'll make sure to have some fun as a couple when we have time in the future.

Putting everything else aside, putting her alongside Zhou Zhenren, whom she admires most, is still a challenge. Naturally, the difficulty doesn't lie with the little fox, who can't resist agreeing to anything he says; the difficulty lies with Zhou Yitang.

Chen Yi left the lake of his heart, and looked back at the world of ignorance, which was still immersed in deathly silence. The scenery remained frozen as before, and the vengeful demon lord, released from the forbidden area of ​​the world of ignorance, wandered blindly.

The matter is now settled.

Chen Yi lowered his brows, a few inappropriate images flashing through his mind, the words of the Holy Maiden before her death still lingering in his thoughts.

At that time, the surroundings were a scene of collapsing laws and the dissipation of the radiance of the Ming Palace.

“You… are an extraterrestrial demon…” Each word she uttered seemed to drain her strength, her radiance nearly extinguished. “You cannot be the Bright Lord… the Bright Lord is the embodiment of the source of light in this world, while you… your foundation… is nothingness…”

Her voice grew softer and softer, her gaze became increasingly unfocused, and her last words were barely audible.

She vanished without a trace as the Ming Palace collapsed.

Extraterrestrial demons? The Venerable One?
These titles held no real meaning for him.

So what if it is, so what if it isn’t?

Chen Yi shook his head, not caring much about it. Right now, it was more important to finish the wedding that hadn't been completed yet.

Min Ning's heroic yet melancholic brows flashed through my mind, followed by Qin Qingluo's fierce and domineering snake eyes...

Neither of them were easy women to deal with.

This was not only due to their similar fiery temperaments, but also because both of them had achieved considerable skill in martial arts. They were neither as weak and easily bullied as the young lady from the Lin family, nor as boastful as Da Yin.
Fortunately,
Chen Yi smiled, thinking that he was now close to the second rank and could handle it.

………………

………………

The Prince of Annam's Palace.

"Uh……"

The stagnant scene receded like the tide, and Min Ning felt dizzy and stumbled before barely managing to stand.

She shook her heavy head, her vision gradually focusing. In her shaky field of vision, she saw the candlestick reflecting blood-red candle wax dripping slowly, the candle flame flickering and casting faint light in the dimness.

This is……

With her eyes wide open, she could clearly see the outline of the bridal chamber illuminated by candlelight.

She steadied herself and made sure she was in the right place.

The familiar layout and festive decorations clearly indicate that it is... that meticulously arranged wedding room.

Outside the window, bright red lanterns could be faintly seen swaying gently in the night.

She felt a warm touch in her palm, and when she looked down, she saw a bright, shiny nuptial cup unconsciously clutched in her hand.

Her eyes were blurry.
What? Is it a dream? Min Ning was suddenly stunned, subconsciously doubting that she was dreaming. Could it be that she dreamed that she replaced Qin Qingluo, married Chen Yi, and bowed to him as husband and wife, thus getting married?

Even though I was convinced it was a dream, as my fingertips caressed the cold glass, a strange sense of guilt crept into my heart.

She had clearly already agreed to give up Chen Yi, and she should keep her word...

Min Ning's gaze was complicated, but when she heard a slight noise beside her, she suddenly looked up.

No, this is not a dream.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw that the tall female prince was also dizzy. She used her legs to steady herself, and her usually sharp, eagle-like snake eyes were now rapidly scanning her surroundings. Although she tried her best to remain calm, she could not hide the fleeting surprise and doubt in the depths of her eyes.

More importantly, she was also holding the same nuptial cup in her hand!
Min Ning's heart sank.

If she were alone, it must be a dream. In her dream, she would have single-handedly stormed the palace to abduct the bride and marry Chen Yi. If Qin Qingluo were also there, then it wouldn't be a dream.

Even if it's a dream, it must be Chen Zunming's pipe dream of enjoying the blessings of having multiple wives!

Min Ning took a deep breath.

Has she fallen for his trick again?!

With this thought, Min Ning's eyes sharpened, and her fingers tightened around the nuptial cup.

It happened again...

She didn't hold the incident at the Sword Pool against him, and she willingly accepted sharing a bed with that annoying Princess Jing. Little did she expect that her momentary concession would only lead to his relentless pursuit.
Min Ning thought back again,

Now, they probably want to cast an illusion on the two women, making them dream of sleeping together in the same bed.

"You bastard Chen Zunming!" Min Ning gritted her teeth, unable to bear being deceived time and time again.

Although Chen Zunming is much more amiable now, his core principles remain unchanged—in fact, he's become far more treacherous and cunning than before. Given this, why should I follow his lead?
Min Ning, with a sudden realization, hesitated no longer. With a flick of her wrist, she resolutely threw the nuptial cup, symbolizing their absurd marriage, onto the ground.

call.

The expected sound of the red cup shattering did not occur. Instead, the wine cup suddenly stopped about an inch off the ground, as if it were being held firmly by an invisible hand, preventing it from falling.

"Yuechi, why are you throwing a tantrum?"

Just as she was filled with surprise and doubt, that familiar voice rang out from behind her, carrying a hint of feigned innocence.

Min Ning suddenly turned her head, and that face that she both hated and loved appeared before her eyes.

He smiled gently, feigning innocence.

“I’m throwing a tantrum? Chen Zunming,” Min Ning looked around the bridal chamber, her anger turning into a mocking laugh, “Don’t you know what you’ve done?”

She has always been straightforward and never liked to say anything unnecessary. Giving Chen Yi to Qin Qingluo and allowing them to have their own little family was already the biggest concession she could make. She never expected him to resort to such methods.

After saying that, she pushed Chen Yi aside and headed for the door.

For some unknown reason, just before stepping through the door, she slowed her pace slightly.

"Min Ning," he called out to her.

Min Ning struggled to suppress the urge to slam the door and leave, then abruptly turned her head, her tone unfriendly: "What do you have to say now?"

"...Don't you remember?"

Remember? Remember what? Min Ning instinctively wanted to refute, but before the words could leave her mouth, she froze on the spot as if struck by lightning.

A flood of memories immediately rushed into my mind.

She remembered!
She remembered the lingering unease in her heart when she left the southern border, how she returned in a fit of rage after being awakened by the rain, and how Chen Yi used his smooth talk and flattery... And she herself, under his influence, had actually nodded as if bewitched, agreeing to this absurd "marriage together" arrangement.
(End of this chapter)