My enemies became my companions

Chapter 735 Husband and Wife Bowing to Each Other (Part 2)

As dawn broke, the soft morning light, like a thin veil, seeped through the carved wooden window and quietly seeped into the bridal chamber, which was filled with a rich atmosphere.

Light casts hazy beams in the warm, languid air, with tiny dust particles floating slowly within them.

The air was so thick it seemed to melt away, carrying mostly the scent of something dried out, a fragrance that was neither quite sweet nor faint, rich and lingering. Three distinctly different feminine scents had blended and merged, making it difficult to distinguish one from the other.

The scene on the large wedding bed was shocking.

Qin Qingluo slept on the outermost side. Even in her deep sleep, her tall and strong body still exuded an undeniable majesty. She lay flat on her back, her ink-black hair spread across the pillow, with a few strands clinging to her sweaty neck and forehead. Her usually sharp and cold snake eyes were closed, her sword-like eyebrows were slightly furrowed, and her long eyelashes cast faint shadows under her eyes, softening her imposing heroic spirit.

The brocade quilt barely covered his waist, revealing his smooth, well-defined back and shoulders. Several purplish finger marks and ambiguous red marks on his healthy, rounded skin were particularly eye-catching, silently telling the story of the devastation after being conquered.

One of her arms even stretched out of the bed, her five fingers slightly curled, as if she still wanted to grasp something in her sleep, or wanted to push something away. Even in her sleep, her tightly pursed lips revealed a trace of unwillingness and lingering weariness.

Chen Yi was deeply immersed in this gentle embrace, his cheek buried in Qin Qingluo's cascading hair, his breathing heavy, one hand tightly wrapped around the Queen's waist, while the other hand crossed the line and rested on Min Ning's hip.

Min Ning had her back to him, her slender back taut like a fully drawn bow. The quilt was slightly open, revealing her thin shoulder blades, which trembled slightly in the morning light. Her fingertips sank deeply into the brocade quilt, her knuckles turning white, as if she was still resisting the absurdity of this body's experience in her sleep.

Inside, Lin Wanquan was curled up in a ball, soft sobs occasionally escaping from her lips, her long eyelashes sticking together wetly.

The scene on the ground was even more chaotic. The bright red wedding dress, the torn python robe, the man's outer garment, and the undergarment that belonged to no one were all tangled and scattered on the ground, mixed with the overturned wine pot and the rolled wine cups.

A ray of morning light crept onto Chen Yi's eyelids. He shifted uncomfortably, his arm tightening instinctively around Qin Qingluo. This subtle movement startled the person in his arms. Qin Qingluo, still half-asleep, frowned impatiently and let out a soft, weary groan.

The prince slowly opened his eyes and turned his gaze to the side; the courtesan had not left without saying goodbye.

Perhaps due to the weariness of waking up in the morning, Qin Qingluo was slightly distracted and wondered if she had thought too badly of Chen Yi. Her thoughts were like mayflies, not yet settled, when she felt a pressure on her chest.

The man slept soundly, his face full of satisfaction, yet he seemed like a child unaware of hunger or thirst, one hand still limp on her ample bosom.

"Heh." Qin Qingluo gave a cold laugh, full of weariness.

The room was quiet, with the four people's varying breathing sounds intertwining and rising and falling gently in the hazy morning light.

The candle wax had long since burned out, solidifying on the gilded candlestick, just like the uncontrolled passion of last night, which had temporarily subsided into silence.

Qin Qinglu remained lying flat, letting the pressure on her chest rise and fall slowly, as if she didn't want to wake anyone. Her eyes were slightly closed, and she exhaled softly, lost in thought.

Even though she knew that he would leave her sooner or later, the unbearable sorrow still eased a little. Having had this night, even after the separation, there would still be something to hold onto in her heart. Last night's absurdity was also due to such thoughts. She knew that a person who was affectionate was prone to change his mind. Her father, who had been old and frail since she could remember, was just like that. He could not control the Southern Border Royal Palace even when he was alive. In his old age, he became even more weak and took in many concubines, indulging in pleasure. He could not protect the foundation of his ancestors' country, so he died without anyone caring. After his death, the Southern Border was thrown into chaos.

Three months after his burial, he was given the posthumous title "Huang," and became known as the Huang King of Annam.

Disorder is defined as chaos both internally and externally; indulgence in pleasure and neglect of governance; confusion and disorder regarding rules and regulations; following pleasure without repentance; and disrespect for the Five Constant Virtues.

At that time, it was her mother who helped her rise to power, and Aunt Zhu assisted her from the side. She spent countless efforts, planned step by step, and faced danger several times before finally pacifying the southern border and governing it in an orderly manner. It was only in the last ten years.

Learning from past mistakes, Qin Qingluo, as a regional vassal king, was unwilling to be a weak and listless king of Annam, and as a woman, she was unwilling to be a neglectful and biased mother.

Therefore, after Chen Yi entered the manor, she had already made a plan. No matter how considerate and obedient this boy was or how unruly he was, she would not ignore him, nor would she fall deeply in love with him.

"Hmm... hiss."

Qin Qingluo felt a sudden gripping sensation on her chest, and she turned her head slightly. Her concubine seemed to be waking up as well.

Chen Yi slowly opened his eyes, his vision blurry as he swept over the absurd yet enchanting scene.

His gaze swept over Qin Qingluo's body, over Min Ning's tense back, and finally over the thin, frail Lin Wanguan.

Memories flooded back into my mind like a tide.

last night……

The flickering candlelight illuminated three bodies, each with its own unique charm.

Qin Qingluo's initiative and control, Min Ning's half-hearted resistance and eventual surrender, Lin Wanquan's timid intrusion and her irresistible, guided, and awkward acceptance...

"Allow me to be greedy..."

He remembered the whispers he repeated in her ear, and he also remembered Qin Qingluo's final "Come in," which was weary and cold, yet also like permission.

Everything seemed like a dream.
At this moment, the wind stopped and the rain ceased.

Only the tranquil morning light and the intermingling of breaths.

Chen Yi took a light breath, and the triple breaths surged into his lungs, bringing an incomparably full feeling, yet also a faint sense of guilty satisfaction.

He closed his eyes and remained motionless, as if savoring the memory, or perhaps letting himself continue to succumb to the allure of the bridal chamber, filled with the scent of a woman and the lingering fragrance of the previous night.

"woke up?"

Qin Qingluo's words interrupted his thoughts.

Chen Yi turned his face, and she stared straight at him, while his hand was still on her. He was naturally timid, but he was still bold enough to squeeze her hand hard before pulling it away.

Qin Qinglu frowned slightly, took a deep breath, and still tolerated the scoundrel's offense.

"Qingluo...you woke up so early?" Chen Yi asked tentatively in a soft voice.

"Do not address me by my first name."

"...Your Highness." Chen Yi called out respectfully, but his hands were not at peace. He put his arm around her waist and his fingertips caressed and roamed over her skin.

Qin Qingluo was disdainful of his little tricks. She brushed his hand away, slowly got up, and looked for new clothes.

The bridal chamber was decorated and managed by the Prince's principal wife, Zhu E, and the newlyweds all had new clothes after their marriage.

Qin Qinglu walked barefoot, stepping over the clothes and fragments scattered on the floor, towards the rosewood wardrobe in the corner of the room.

Her tall, strong figure stretched out in the morning light, the marks left on her skin from the previous night becoming more and more noticeable with the undulations of her skin. She opened the closet door, inside which were several sets of brand-new clothes neatly folded. She picked up the clothes and went behind the screen.

Watching her movements, Chen Yi slowly sat up, rubbing his throbbing temples, his gaze unconsciously following Qin Qingluo.

When Qin Qingluo emerged from behind the screen, Chen Yi's breath caught in his throat.

She was actually wearing a wedding dress.

The wedding dress was clearly not designed for her figure; it looked rather tight on her. The bright red silk clung tightly to her body, the fabric taut against her arms, outlining her muscle lines. The phoenix pattern embroidered in gold thread was slightly deformed on her chest, as if it would burst open at any moment due to the vigorous vitality of her body.

Qin Qingluo ignored the obvious astonishment in Chen Yi's eyes. Her expression was calm, even carrying a hint of her usual authority. She raised her hand and casually tossed another set of auspicious robes, clearly men's clothing, towards Chen Yi. The black robe, embroidered with gold pythons, landed on the brocade quilt, clashing in stark contrast to the surrounding decadent scene.

At this moment, even if Chen Yi was slow-witted, he instantly understood the meaning behind Qin Qingluo's actions.

Chen Yi opened his mouth, his Adam's apple bobbing, and he reached out to pick up the python robe that belonged to Qin Qingluo, putting it on himself in a slightly hurried manner.

The man's auspicious robes fit him well but didn't quite fit properly; upon closer inspection, they were slightly loose.

"Let's bow here one more time."

As Qin Qingluo spoke, she did not turn around, but slowly replaced the burnt-out red candle and relit it with a flint and steel.

Chen Yi nodded slightly, walked up to her, stood facing her, and slowly bent his knees.

Both of them were dressed in new clothes; they were the bride and the groom.

Then, the couple bowed to each other.

After the ceremony, the two straightened up, their eyes meeting once again in the warm glow of the red candlelight. They both felt a sense of peace, as if they had been separated from their past lives, yet also a sense of having finally settled down.

The prophecy, "The Sun in the Spouse Palace is afflicted by misfortune, indicating a marriage in name only," seemed to vanish quietly in this silent yet weighty act of mutual worship, transforming into wisps of smoke rising from the red candles.

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

In another part of the Prince's mansion, along a winding corridor, a slender figure was walking slowly.

After arranging many matters last night, Yin Weiying sat in meditation, waiting for things to settle down. Now, as dawn broke, she strolled through the An'nan Prince's Palace in the early morning.

She was dressed in a gray-blue Taoist robe, which should have been out of place with the carved beams and painted rafters of the palace. However, at this moment, her expression was unusually serene, and her steps were light, as if she had blended into the surrounding scenery.

As the sky grew increasingly white, the first rays of dawn broke, and soft golden light spilled into the courtyard. Dewdrops clung to the tips of the green grass leaves, like shattered jade, refracting a crystalline glow. The artificial rocks were clearly defined in the light, their moss glistening and appearing even more verdant. The pond water was clear, and several koi carp swayed their tails leisurely, creating ripples. The pebbles at the bottom of the pond were clearly visible.

Yin Weiying walked slowly, his gaze calmly sweeping over each pavilion, each flower, and each tree.

In the past, she felt that although the Annam Prince's Mansion was extremely luxurious, it always had a bit of the vulgarity and craftsmanship of the southern border. Every scene seemed to be carefully arranged. It was beautiful, but not natural enough.

But today, perhaps because of her different state of mind, or perhaps because the morning light was too clear, she actually tasted a different kind of charm in it.

The crystal-clear water seems to possess the spirit of mountains and rivers.

She exhaled softly, and in the distance, the chirping of early birds could be faintly heard, clear and melodious, which made the courtyard seem even more secluded and tranquil.

All of this was completely different from her feelings in the previous few days. Was it because of the morning light? Or because that absurd marriage had come to an end? Or perhaps... her own heart, like the courtyard washed by the morning light, had shed its dust and become clear?
A faint smile unconsciously appeared on Yin Weiying's lips.

She didn't think too much about it, but continued to stroll, taking in the refreshed scenery and the rare tranquility, storing it in her heart.

It's been a rare moment of peace and quiet these past few days, so we should cherish it.

After wandering around for a short while, Yin Weiying stopped, and his long, clear eyes filled with resentment.

Donggong Ruoshu squatted by the pond, watching the koi carp swimming around in the lake.

Although he didn't know how this silly girl returned to his body, it was probably related to Chen Yi's so-called Mingzun. Yin Weiying looked at her from afar. Even when she was squatting down, she was still so graceful and well-proportioned, with fullness in the right places and slenderness in the right places.

Yin Weiying felt a little strange.

For a time, she possessed the body of the Eastern Palace girl. Because of this, she often regarded it as her other body. Moreover, she knew which part of the silly girl would blush first, which part would go soft when exerted, and which part would be sensitive no matter how insensitive she was, like a person hitting their knee with an awl and it would bounce back, or a forest bird flapping its wings when it falls into the water... These were things that even Chen Yi did not know.

The Crown Prince's daughter was indeed in excellent health, and even as a woman herself, Yin Weiying admired her greatly. However, there's always someone who can overcome someone else, and Yin Weiying always felt that nothing good would come of being with this silly girl.

So after taking a look, she decided to walk away.

Just then, Donggong Ruoshu turned around, saw her, jumped up, and waved: "Fairy Yin!"

When she jumped up, her chest also bounced up.

Yin Weiying frowned slightly. He didn't openly turn hostile, but ignoring her wouldn't be good, so he slowly walked over. "Miss Donggong, have you gone back?"

"Mmm." Donggong Ruoshu nodded, offering no further explanation, and instead asked, "Fairy Yin, I'm watching the fish here, what are you doing?"

"I'm just... browsing around."

Having had a previous experience, Yin Weiying naturally dared not reveal any of his thoughts to this silly girl. Donggong Ruoshu was a big mouth, and she would vomit whatever she had just heard.

Thinking of this, Yin Weiying decided to give a perfunctory reply.

Unexpectedly, the silly girl exclaimed in surprise after hearing this:

"Just browsing around? Your husband's getting married today, you think you can just wander around aimlessly?"

The female Taoist priest's expression froze.

"Aren't you going to do anything?" Donggong Ruoshu asked, her face full of curiosity. She felt that Yin Weiying had done something.

However, the female Taoist priest was still better at cultivating her inner strength. After silently reciting the Supreme Method of Forgetting Emotions, Yin Weiying said calmly, "He and I are a perfect couple. I am focused on seeking immortality and don't really care about these mundane marriages."

Donggong Ruoshu looked on with suspicion. If that were really the case, why did Yin Weiying treat her like that when they got married in the capital? But then the silly girl thought again, who knows what kind of cultivation method this might be.

A silly girl never wants to think too badly of people.

Yin Weiying, feeling guilty, deliberately added a sentence, saying in a flat tone, "He must have had quite a bit of luck with women last night."

As he said this, Yin Weiying sighed inwardly, realizing that everything was under her control.

As expected, everything was handled with ease. Yin Weiying's lips curled slightly, a hint of smugness rising within her, yet for no reason, a strange feeling welled up inside her, a bittersweet ache. Her husband was quite the ladies' man, but wasn't it his wife at home who was suffering the most?
If she hadn't made a mistake before, which put her position as the first wife in jeopardy, why would she need to go through all this trouble, acting as a go-between and pushing one beautiful woman after another to his side?
But this time...

Yin Weiying made a quick calculation with his fingers, and the divination result was vague, but it was indeed a rare and great blessing.

The matter is now settled.

As the dust settled, Yin Weiying slowly exhaled and then calmly focused his mind.

After this, she will surely regain her position as the First Madam.

After this time...
She would never allow Chen Yi to have such good fortune with women again.

(End of this chapter)