My enemies became my companions

Chapter 728 It Still Has to Be the First Madam (Part 2)

The lanterns swayed.

The light and shadow danced, and as the red-lacquered pillars swayed in the wind, their shadows shattered, shifting from one side to the other. Qin Qinglu stepped over the fragmented shadows and walked out around the pillars.

This is no longer a world of ignorance.

The banquet hall in the outer courtyard of the Prince's Mansion was still incredibly lively and bustling. Even after several rounds of drinks and dishes, there was no sign of it calming down. The steward of the outer courtyard of the Prince's Mansion ordered maids and servants to come and go. The light from the window lattices shone through from there to here. No one knew that they had fallen into a world of ignorance. They just felt that everything was the same. Looking at it this way, it is clear that the Pure Saintess has great power.

After the wedding ceremony and before the bridal chamber, the newlyweds' banquet would continue into the night. Guests would either turn back or rest as arranged by the hosts. However, the sounds would not subside in the outer courtyard. This was the southern border region, where people were not completely assimilated into Han culture and the custom of feasting all night remained.

Qin Qinglu paced along the corridor, the lanterns hanging high casting warm light. The bridal chamber was not far behind her, and she walked further and further away.

After walking for an unknown amount of time, the bustling sounds gradually subsided, and the continuous warm light strung together into a hazy shadow. Qin Qinglu bent down and patted the dust off the hem of her clothes. She stepped out of the corridor, where the night was as dark as the ocean.

Perhaps it was because of his tall stature, or perhaps it was because the Annam Prince's Palace was situated on a high ground, but even standing here, it was as if he were standing on a solitary cliff, with a panoramic view of all the mountains below.

Qin Qinglu stood still for a moment, not going anywhere. After a while, she suddenly laughed. She was the master of this palace, yet she didn't know where to go. Perhaps she shouldn't have been so generous back then.

The female prince, all alone, stood with her hands behind her back, enjoying the scenery.

Night fell deep, hanging over the horizon, with no moon in sight. Clouds stretched endlessly, and in the distance lay a sea of ​​trees, beyond which were mountains, and then more trees, all in a vast, desolate expanse.

At this moment, a figure in white turned around the corridor, and the sound of footsteps, as light as a dragonfly skimming the water, grew closer as they stepped across the wooden corridor. After a soft pattering sound, the figure stopped.

Qin Qingluo turned her head slightly, and what caught her eye was the silver hairpin with smoky cloud patterns, followed by her otherworldly face. In this desolate and tranquil night, the goddess suddenly appeared. Just then, the moonlight brushed past the clouds and shone on the sea of ​​trees, creating an unimaginable scene.

"On your wedding night, Your Highness is actually enjoying the scenery here?" Yin Weiying gazed at the night sky and said unhurriedly.

Qin Qingluo withdrew her gaze and slowly hummed in agreement. Perhaps due to her state of mind, she felt no aversion to the beautiful Taihua Goddess at this moment.

Yin Weiying heard the small "hmm" sound. She came here just to try her luck after the divination. In her opinion, Min Ning would never give up easily, so the marriage would probably have some twists and turns. This was the perfect time to put her skills to use. Otherwise, what would be the point of having her as the first wife?
She lowered her eyes slightly, not in a hurry to look at Qin Qingluo. A person's eyes always easily reveal their innermost feelings, and therefore are easily seen through. She pretended to admire the scenery.

Seeing that she remained silent, Qin Qingluo slowly shifted her gaze and looked into the distance. For some reason, even though it was Yin Weiying who had come from the side, she herself felt a sense of wanting to say something but holding back.

After a moment, the Queen finally spoke up and asked, "What are you doing here?"

“What else could I do? On my husband’s wedding day, I naturally strolled around the palace. I thought it would be a rough and uncivilized place, but the scenery was quite beautiful.” After saying this, Yin Weiying recited a poem: “Red roofs and green tiles guard the southern gate, jade steps and carved railings hide emerald hair. Cloud banners flutter in the sun and the dust settles, the waterside pavilion plays the melodious tune of the Yue zither…”

I initially thought this female Taoist priest was speaking with barbs and deliberately trying to cause trouble, but her calm tone and the few lines of poetry she recited made it seem unlikely.

As a regional prince, Qin Qingluo was well-versed in poetry and literature, and laughed, "It's just a few lines describing the scenery; the true meaning isn't in them."

"I am not a person in this scene, so how can I know the meaning behind it?" Yin Weiying said calmly.

Qin Qingluo narrowed her serpentine eyes and glanced at the female Taoist priest. The latter remained fearless, though her heart was slightly in her throat.

A night breeze blew by, making the eaves bells tinkle, but Yin Weiying continued to gaze into the distance, feigning indifference.

Although she had some calculations in mind this time, she had no ill intentions whatsoever.

But at this critical moment, if Chen Yi found out, even if she hadn't done anything yet, he would come after her. Yin Weiying knew the saying, "Once bitten, twice shy."

However, the bigger the storm, the more valuable the fish. If she doesn't take advantage of this rare moment of dejection when the strong-willed Queen is downcast, how will she be able to maintain her position as the First Lady?
Yin Weiying pondered for a moment, then said, "Did Your Highness come out on your own?"

Qin Qinglu did not answer.

The female Taoist priest raised her delicate eyebrows, then slowly said, "Your Highness wasn't kicked out, was he?"

"Ah."

A sneer.

Yin Weiying knew that the Queen must have come out on her own. After saying this, she glanced sideways at the direction of the bridal chamber and knew that since the Queen had come out, Min Ning must be in the bridal chamber.

"Min Ning is indeed a man of great loyalty and chivalry, but even heroes are easily swayed by love. Besides, she is a woman, and I'm afraid she will be easily deceived by him with just a few words."

Qin Qingluo released her grip, leaned against the railing, and slowly said, "What do you mean by this?"

“What I mean is, Your Highness didn’t have to give in.” Yin Weiying paused, brushing a strand of hair from his cheek. “You only need to expose him, and Min Ning will leave on his own.”

Qin Qinglu smiled again, tapped the railing with her finger, and then said, "Since I've given up, then it belongs to her."

Upon hearing this, Yin Weiying secretly breathed a sigh of relief. If Qin Qingluo had really exposed Chen Yi, she would definitely not have escaped disaster. It's true... every word she says now is like licking blood off a knife's edge.

The female Taoist priest pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "I didn't know that Your Highness was so trustworthy and had the demeanor of a benevolent ruler."

"It's hard to believe that the Goddess of Taihua would flatter me like this," Qin Qingluo said languidly, half-mockingly.

"I only spoke my mind because I knew Your Highness was feeling unwell," Yin Weiying said, his eyes half-lowered. He glanced at Qin Qingluo and sighed, "I wander alone, and so do you."

The vast sea of ​​trees sways gently in the night, like waves crashing in this direction. The shimmering moonlight reflects on the water, turning into sea foam as the trees sway. The wind chimes on the eaves ring out a few times. The clouds come and go, and the bright moon rises over the sea. We share this moment, though we are far apart...

For some reason, this sentence came to mind. Although Qin Qingluo had never seen the sea, she felt that the moonlit seascape was just like this.

“I left intentionally,” Qin Qingluo said. “Ever since I saw Min Ning, I have had this intention in my heart. She is a person who values ​​loyalty and righteousness... This move can also win people’s hearts.”

Yin Weiying raised an eyebrow, suspicious, and said, "If you really have a reason, why do you have nowhere to go?"

Qin Qinglu sneered and continued, "That's true, but I'm here to wait and see if he'll catch up. As for taking the initiative, it wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision. This idea came from Aunt Zhu. She told me that if it's absolutely necessary, this way he'll feel even more guilty towards me."

Upon hearing this, Yin Weiying was secretly amazed. He had thought Qin Qingluo had walked out in a daze, but he hadn't expected her to have such a hidden trick. This Princess of Annan really had a brilliant plan... If she had such a strategist, what would she have to worry about?
Thinking of this, the female Taoist priest felt a little dejected. To this day, the practice of dual cultivation has not been put on the agenda.

But after a moment, thinking about his plans, Yin Weiying was troubled again. This Princess of Annam was indeed a saintess of the Demonic Sect. She was indeed cunning and resourceful, but no matter how wise a strategist was, how could he compare to her?
Qin Qingluo pondered for a moment, then relaxed a little, looked out at the sea of ​​trees, and continued, "You all have expectations of him, Min Ning, you, and Aunt Zhu are all like that."

Yin Weiying glanced at Qin Qingluo in surprise. What the prince said was true. She did have expectations for Chen Yi. Whether it was the golden couple ascending to heaven together, or one person attaining enlightenment and all his relatives and friends benefiting from it, it was only natural for a woman to have expectations for her husband.

Aren't you looking forward to it?

Qin Qinglu shook her head and said, "I never had any expectations for him. The more I expected from him, the more disappointed I became."

Without feeling secretly saddened or relieved, the Queen simply spoke her mind. From the moment they met again, she had no expectations of Chen Yi; otherwise, she wouldn't have been so certain that he was there to assassinate her.

It's strange, isn't it? The less she expected of him, the closer he became. What a slut's nature! Qin Qinglu sneered silently. Knowing that actors are heartless and prostitutes are cold-blooded, she didn't feel much sorrow. It reminded her of a cliché story: a prince strolling along the Qinhuai River at night encounters a courtesan, and, unwilling to part with her the next day, decides to keep her in his palace. But the next morning, the courtesan still leaves. Thinking of this, the Queen sighed softly:
“Let Min Ning stay this time. Anyway, this has happened more than once or twice. In any case, he can stay here.” Yin Weiying was a little unhappy when she heard this. Who knows, Chen Yi might want to go back to Mount Taihua with her for dual cultivation in the future, so she said, “What if he leaves?”

"Then let him go. He can come back occasionally. Surely he won't never come back."

Although the words were neither entirely wrong nor entirely wrong, Yin Weiying sensed a subtle, almost imperceptible, melancholy.

After a moment of silence, Yin Weiying suddenly said, "Of course he will return. He missed you terribly along the way."

Qin Qingluo glanced at the female Taoist priest.

Yin Weiying gave a bitter smile at the right moment, and then said, "I married him early, and he confided many of his thoughts to me without any hesitation. Of course, this also included matters concerning the prince. I am a woman, and although I have some complaints, I let it go. There is no need to deceive the prince now. I am just telling the truth. He truly misses you."

The female prince frowned slightly, half believing and half doubting.

"He often talks about you, and of course he also misses his daughter whom he has never met. However, he keeps the latter a secret from me, probably because he is afraid that I will be jealous. Alas, he is wrong. I am not like ordinary women who are petty and jealous. Why would he need to guard against me?"

Yin Weiying's tone was low and gloomy, and it sounded genuine. Qin Qingluo turned her head and asked absentmindedly, "Is that really true?"

“Swallows brush the clouds, rain or shine; dolphins blow the waves, wind or snow.” Yin Weiying suddenly said, then paused and smiled, “He can’t write poetry, but he often recites this poem.”

The poem was written by Xu Hun of the Tang Dynasty. Although it is not widely known, it is still a famous poem.

Qin Qingluo didn't understand its meaning. After thinking for a moment, she murmured slowly:

"The song of Yushu fades, the royal aura ends; the Jingyang army unites, the garrison towers are empty."

Pine and catalpa trees mark the tombs of thousands of officials, while millet and sorghum cover the palaces of six dynasties.

Swallows brush the clouds, rain or shine; dolphins blow the waves, wind or snow...

She paused, seemingly incredulous, her voice trembling slightly: "Heroes are gone, and all the splendor is gone, only... the green hills remain like those in Luoyang."

The Queen turned her head and glanced at the Goddess, who did not answer but smiled silently.

The silence is not because everything is understood without words.

Rather, they were afraid of being exposed.

After Qin Qingluo had pondered and reflected, Yin Weiying sorted out his thoughts and said, "Your Highness, I hope you will cherish his affection. It's not that he doesn't care about Your Highness, it's just that he has too many women and it's easy to neglect one for another. But whoever he cares about, he will always care about. The more he cares, the longer he will care."

She meant it sincerely, but she kept half of it to herself.

Who is the person Chen Yi has been thinking about the longest? Is there even a question?

Now, in this most awkward situation, only her eldest wife can resolve it. Considering this, Yin Weiying felt that this was worthy of his concern.

"I've gone elsewhere, Your Highness."

The night breeze brushed against the eaves again, making a tinkling sound. The sea of ​​trees shimmered. As Qin Qinglu lowered her eyes in thought, the goddess had already left. The white-clad figure was nowhere to be seen. The queen was left alone, gazing into the distance. The sea of ​​trees stretched into the mountains, and the mountains back into the sea of ​​trees. She waited alone.

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

"You should still go find her."

Min Ning suddenly spoke, grabbing Chen Yi's wrist and saying each word clearly.

Chen Yi stopped and looked back at her. In the candlelight, the heroine's eyes were clear as stars, without a trace of resentment or probing, only an almost transparent calmness. The strength in her fingertips penetrated her clothes, carrying an undeniable determination.

Before half an incense stick had burned, she suddenly realized what had happened.

Perhaps it was Qin Qingluo's departing gaze that moved her, or perhaps it was because she had traveled the world for a long time and seen all kinds of people, but Min Ning's mind gradually calmed down. No matter how sweet Chen Yi's words were, this was not her marriage.

“Tonight is your wedding night with her,” Min Ning said in a low but clear voice, “Qin Qingluo is yours. It is against propriety for me to stay here, and it is unfair to her.”

Chen Yi frowned slightly, instinctively wanting to refute or say something, but when he met Min Ning's eyes, he swallowed the words back.

Her eyes were so pure and clear that they exposed the sliver of hope and selfishness in his heart born of greed.

He did hesitate. On one hand, Min Ning was so close, and he had made a promise to her; how could he really bear to let her go? On the other hand, Qin Qingluo's tall yet lonely figure as she left was like fine needles, piercing his heart again and again; he was not entirely unmoved.

So, in a truly beastly way, he wanted to consummate his marriage with Min Ning here, and then quickly slip away to find Qin Qingluo...

By appeasing both sides, a win-win situation can be achieved.

“She…” Chen Yi began, his voice somewhat hoarse, “Since she has been so generous, if I were to chase after her now, wouldn’t it seem like…”

"What does it make? Does it make you look like you've let me down?"

Min Ning interrupted him, a very faint smile curving her lips.

"Chen Zunming, you have already betrayed me. The matter is settled. Do you think I can't see through it? I just don't want to argue with you right now."

When did you become so hesitant and indecisive? If you dare to dream of having multiple wives, are you afraid to bear the consequences of all that?

You can't have your cake and eat it too. Don't prioritize me and lose her.

She released his wrist, her fingertips lightly tracing his palm, creating a slightly itchy sensation, before taking a step back and creating some distance between them.

"Min Ning."

Seeing that he still hesitated, Min Ning laughed even harder, though with a hint of bitterness. She said:
"What are you afraid of, Chen Zunming? Are you afraid that this is the end for us? You have to let one of us down. Since you've let me down so much, then let me let you down one more time."

With the candlelight flickering, she picked up the nuptial wine left by Qin Qingluo and placed it in Chen Yi's hands.

"Go."

Her tone softened, carrying an almost relieved calm.

"Don't keep her waiting too long, and... don't make me look down on you."

(End of this chapter)