My enemies became my companions

Chapter 729 It's Time to Show Off the Real Skills (Part 2)

Chen Yi glanced deeply at Min Ning's retreating figure, then turned around, pushed open the door, and left without further hesitation.

The soft sound of the door opening and closing came from the window, and Min Ning's shoulders trembled almost imperceptibly.

She didn't turn around, but just gazed out the window at the vast night without moon or stars, only the sound of the sea of ​​trees. She gently closed her eyes and let out a barely audible sigh.

Is this person always so clumsy?

This was true in the Sword Pool era, and it remains true today.

When people want too much, they become indecisive and fail to make decisive choices.

The glow of the lanterns under the eaves shone through the window paper, casting intermittent light and shadow on her profile.

The warm light of the lanterns, veiled by a thin gauze, was destined to burn all night long. Thus, with its drowsy, dim glow, Chen Yi stepped over the dappled light and shadows, searching everywhere for Qin Qingluo's traces.

Min Ning's last words, though not harsh, carried more weight than any harsh words.

He simply couldn't stay there with a clear conscience.

Chen Yi paused slightly, standing under the corridor. The night breeze brushed his face, bringing a touch of coolness and clearing his chaotic thoughts somewhat. He looked up and saw layers of pavilions and deep courtyards. Where could Qin Qingluo be at this moment?
The nuptial wine in her hand swayed, reflecting the moonlight that drifted through the clouds.

As Chen Yi turned the corner, a wind chime suddenly twitched, and a woman in white came around, extending her slender hand. Chen Yi's eyes narrowed, and he instantly grabbed her wrist, tearing it off without hesitation.

"Yin Weiying, what are you doing here?"

The female Taoist priest, who had intended to make a graceful entrance like an immortal, stumbled and nearly bumped into Chen Yi's arms. She quickly steadied herself, trying to calm herself, but when she looked up and met his scrutinizing gaze, she instinctively trembled.

Chen Yi stared intently at her.

Unable to find Qin Qingluo anywhere, they unexpectedly encountered Yin Weiying.

The mystery lies here...

"Yin Weiying, what have you done now?"

"I...I can..." The female Taoist priest hesitated for a moment, but as Chen Yi's gaze became increasingly suspicious, she quickly said, "I'm trying to help you."

"Help me?" Chen Yi asked suspiciously, a sudden sense of unease creeping into his heart.

It wasn't that he was paranoid, but he had no choice but to act this way in front of his master, Da Yin. The past events were still vivid in his mind, and who knew what kind of trouble Da Yin would cause if he wasn't careful.

Yin Weiying seemed to realize something from his gaze and quickly said, "Husband, I just saw Qin Qingluo."

Chen Yi frowned and continued to ask, "Where is she now?"

"About on...that side of the veranda."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yi strained his eyes to look into the distance, sensing Qin Qingluo's presence. Sure enough, she was there. He turned back and slightly loosened his grip on Yin Weiying's hand.

"What did you do to see her?"

Yin Weiying gently rubbed her wrist, which had been gripped red. Hearing this, she couldn't help but feel a little disappointed; he actually didn't believe her at all...

But upon closer reflection, he realized that it was precisely because he didn't trust her at the moment, and knew that she had secretly helped him in his time of need, that he felt remorse and guilt.

Yin Weiying sorted out his thoughts and slowly said, "It was just some private conversation between women. She came out on her own, and I found it strange, so I talked to her about it."

Her words were quite clear and unambiguous, which only deepened Chen Yi's suspicions. If he weren't forced by circumstances, he would have made chrysanthemum tea for this clueless woman on the spot and interrogated her to find out what was going on.

Yin Weiying saw him glance in that direction and shuddered. He immediately said, "You, you... why don't you... trust me this time? I'm really trying to help you this time." Fearing that Chen Yi would lose patience, the female Taoist priest continued, "You, you just need to remember... heroes are gone and their splendor is gone, only the green hills remain like those in Luoyang."

Seeing that she seemed genuine, Chen Yi frowned and said, "What does this poem mean? I don't understand."

“You only need to remember this poem to win her heart.” Yin Weiying gently flicked his long sleeves and slowly said, “The mystery here is beyond words. You cannot see the true face of Mount Lu because you are in the mountain itself.”

Perhaps it was a common trait among Taoist priests, but the female Taoist priest's words were rather cryptic. However, given that it was their wedding night, Chen Yi couldn't press her for an answer and simply gave her a sharp look.

He slowly uttered, "If anything goes wrong, you'll be sorry."

With his current abilities, even forcing a relationship wouldn't be difficult. It's not that he can't, but that he's unwilling. Min Ning has already entrusted her heart to him. The two made a promise several years ago in the capital. Qin Qingluo is getting married today and has completely accepted him. They have a small family together. Both women are so strong, but both relationships are so fragile.

Chen Yi couldn't bear to see it destroyed, and of course he wouldn't allow Yin Weiying to do so either.

The female Taoist priest pursed her lips and did not respond. She only breathed a slight sigh of relief after Chen Yi turned and left.

In the past, she did indeed cross the line a few times. Looking back now, she did almost make a big mistake a few times. Even if it was an unintentional mistake, he would not let it go. The female Taoist priest now recalls that the reason she always missed the mark was not because she failed to grasp his heart, but because her methods were not clever enough.

She slowly turned her head, her long, clear eyes looking towards the bridal chamber.

Now that Chen Yi has come out and Qin Qingluo is outside, is Min Ning the only one left in the bridal chamber?

According to his strange statement... how did he say it again...?

Yin Weiying's eyes narrowed slightly, and he smiled faintly.
It's time to show off the real skills.

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

Inside the bridal chamber, Min Ningjing stood by the window.

The sound of the sea of ​​trees outside the window remained unchanged, making the room feel even more desolate.

The red candle had burned halfway down, and the candle wax piled up, just like the indescribable stagnation in her heart at that moment.

She couldn't tell whether she felt more relieved or disappointed at that moment, or perhaps both. She was relieved that Chen Yi had finally listened to her, but she couldn't help feeling a touch of the subtle emotions that are typical of a young woman because of his departure and the situation of being alone in the empty room.

That's truly rare.

Do I, Min Yuechi, also experience melancholy and sorrow?
She took a deep breath, suppressed the turmoil in her heart, and turned to leave this place of trouble.

This place is not suitable for her to stay any longer. Since he has already gone to find Qin Qingluo, her staying in this bridal chamber will only increase the awkwardness.

However, the moment she turned around and looked up, she suddenly stopped.

At the doorway, a figure in white had silently appeared.

The female knight intended to vanish in a flash, but when she turned around, she suddenly saw a goddess.

Yin Weiying leaned against the door frame, her sleeves drooping, her posture leisurely and elegant, as if she were just passing by by chance.

She didn't look at Min Ning, but instead tilted her head slightly, looking around at the festive decorations in the room. Her gaze lingered on the pair of burning red candles for a moment, and a faint smile played on her lips.

“He left quite swiftly,” Yin Weiying said softly, his voice like jade striking jade, clear and cold with a hint of barely perceptible mockery. “Leaving Lady Min alone to face these dragon and phoenix candles is rather… too desolate.”

Min Ning's eyes narrowed, but he regained his usual attitude and said, "No need for you to worry, Aunt Yin. It was I who sent him."

Princess Jing really forgot her pain once the wound healed, and even turned around and stabbed her.

"Is that so?" Yin Weiying slowly turned his gaze to her, his eyes, as clear as autumn water, shimmering with light. "What a profound sense of righteousness and consideration for the greater good. But I wonder, behind this act of generosity, does Miss Min truly possess the calmness she displays on the surface?" She stepped slowly into the room, her robes fluttering, utterly detached from worldly concerns, a stark contrast to the intense, festive red filling the room.

“I heard back in the capital that Min Ning of the Embroidered Uniform Guard is hot-tempered, quick to avenge wrongs, and most intolerant of being wronged.” Yin Weiying stopped a few steps away from Min Ning, his gaze sweeping over her face as if it were a tangible object. “How come when it comes to matters of the heart, you become so… resigned and humiliated? You are actually willing to give up your wedding night to someone else?”

These words were gentle, yet each one was like a needle, precisely piercing the resentment that Min Ning least wanted to face.

Min Ning's hand clenched slightly in her sleeve, but her face remained expressionless: "My affair with him is none of our business. Tonight is their wedding night, so what is this talk of 'giving way'?"

"Auspicious day for our wedding." Yin Weiying chuckled softly, his laughter carrying a hint of etherealness. "If we're talking about who was first, I seem to be the first one to bow to him. If we're talking about affection, Lady Min and he met when they were humble beginnings and accompanied each other through perilous journeys. This affection is deeper than that between me and him. How could anyone else easily compare?"

Min Ning's handsome brows furrowed. She wasn't unaware of the meaning behind Yin Weiying's words; perhaps there was something fishy going on. But the words still unsettled the chivalrous woman.

Yin Weiying paused, his gaze growing even more profound.

"Min Ning, are you truly content? Content to always be so sensible, always yielding? You let him go tonight, but what about tomorrow? Will you always back down whenever Qin Qingluo is involved? Let alone this Southern Border Prince's Mansion, even if you return to the capital, will you still have a place to stand? Or... are you actually afraid deep down, afraid that if you don't force him to stay, if you don't fight back, one day you will completely lose your weight in his heart?"

Yin Weiying's voice was not loud, but it came one sentence after another, like waves surging in, constantly assaulting Min Ning's defenses.

She deliberately ignored the deep friendship and tacit understanding between Chen Yi and Min Ning, focusing only on the hidden dangers and anxieties between them.

Min Ning's breathing quickened almost imperceptibly for a moment.

Yin Weiying's words truly struck a chord deep within her heart. She could make sacrifices for him and compromise for him, but that did not mean she had no reservations.

Seeing the fleeting flicker in her eyes, Yin Weiying knew the time was right.
"Alas, since Miss Min is so righteous, I will not linger any longer."

She said no more, only left a meaningful look before turning to leave.

"stop."

Min Ning's slightly cold voice came from behind.

Yin Weiying paused, and a smug smile curved her lips from an angle that Min Ning couldn't see.

Min Ning stared at her snow-white figure as she slowly asked, "Yin Weiying, what exactly do you intend to do?"

Yin Weiying did not turn her head, but turned half of her face to the side. The moonlight shone through the window lattice, casting a clear glow on her perfect profile, making her appear even more ethereal.

"I?"

Her voice was soft, with a faint sigh.

"It's just that I can't stand seeing people who are clearly resentful but insist on pretending to be generous. After all... you helped me out once."
Which path to take is naturally up to Ms. Min herself.

Having said that, she didn't linger. With a flash of white, she disappeared into the shadows at the doorway, as if she had never been there.

Once again, only Min Ning and the two red candles remained in the bridal chamber, burning and crackling on their own.

However, Yin Weiying's words seemed to linger in the air, like invisible threads, entwining her heart and firmly nailing her steps, which had already been determined to leave, to the spot.

She stared at the empty doorway, then turned to look at the deep night outside the window, her eyes shifting uncertainly.

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

Following Yin Weiying's directions, Chen Yi quickly strode through the many corridors and arrived at the corridor overlooking the sea of ​​trees.

The night breeze was particularly strong here, causing the lanterns under the eaves to sway and cast fragmented, chaotic light and shadows on the ground.

However, the corridor was empty.

Only the sound of the wind and the weeping of the forest could be heard.

Chen Yi frowned. Just now, he clearly sensed Qin Qingluo's aura lingering here, faint yet real.

Why is there no one here when we've arrived?

"Qin Qingluo?" he called out in a low voice, but only the desolate sound of the wind answered him.

A nameless anxiety, like tiny vines, quietly crept into my heart.

He wasn't worried about Qin Qingluo's safety; he was concerned about something else... Was she deliberately avoiding him? Was she disheartened by his previous hesitation? Or... was his Da Yin, after all, restless and secretly causing trouble, saying something he shouldn't have?

Feeling anxious, Chen Yi frowned even more deeply as he thought of this.

Just as he was about to turn back to settle accounts with Yin Weiying,

From the depths of the shadow of the artificial hill beside him, a tall, dark figure suddenly attacked.

Chen Yi reacted extremely quickly, instinctively about to unleash his power, but when he saw her, he suddenly paused.

The next instant, he felt his chin being suddenly gripped by a cool yet powerful hand, so forceful that he had to tilt his head back slightly.

She looked down at Chen Yi, grabbed his chin with one hand, and leaned down to kiss him.

This was not a gentle kiss.

With a touch of night breeze and her unique scent, a mixture of her breath and a hint of alcohol, her lips pressed heavily against his.

With a punishing force, yet also a cathartic nibble, her breath domineeringly invaded his mouth, stirring everything and allowing him no room to back down.

I don't know how long it took before we finally parted.

Chen Yi's hand trembled as he poured the nuptial wine, spilling half of it.

Just then, the moonlight broke free from the last wisp of cloud cover, its clear light illuminating the face of the newcomer.

It's Qin Qingluo.

She was still wearing that elaborate and gorgeous auspicious robe, her tall figure casting a heavy shadow in the moonlight, completely enveloping Chen Yi. Her deep, serpentine eyes were now fixed on him, their complex and unfathomable emotions surging like a turbulent sea.

At the end of the corridor, the glow of the lanterns swayed in the wind, elongating the intertwined shadows of the two people and casting them onto the cold ground, blurring the boundaries between them.

"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 looked down at him, recited slowly, then asked with amusement:
"I never imagined you could recite poetry, and that you liked this poem?"

"…nature."

Chen Yi answered almost subconsciously, then snapped out of his daze, his pupils contracting slightly, before continuing:

"...Heroes are gone, and all the splendor is gone; only the green hills remain, like those of Luoyang."

(End of this chapter)