My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion-Chapter 630 - 416 She Has Already Been Fasting_2

Qin Qingluo's fingertips trembled lightly as she stroked her swollen belly. Suddenly, she froze, the candlelight flickering through the screen casting shadows on her face.

After a long pause, she laughed and said, "In the end, it's all just a whore's heartlessness and an actor's fickleness."

Zhu E was momentarily taken aback.

In recent days, Qin Qingluo had grown increasingly irritable, her tirades against that man becoming commonplace. Not only Chen Yi himself, but even his ancestors for eighteen generations before and after had not escaped her scorn.

Yet, this was the first time Zhu E heard such grievance.

As if walking alone in the vast world,

An unspoken sense of loss.

Zhu E observed her, unable to help but say, "In that letter… he mentioned you more times than he did Aunt."

Qin Qingluo, as though she hadn't heard, gently caressed her rounded belly. The Prince suddenly found it peculiar that she would not only bear the child of her enemy, but also raise her into adulthood. Perhaps this child would resolve old grudges, and exact vengeance on her behalf.

Thinking that Qin Qingluo might be listening, Zhu E rambled on about many other things. Yet Qin Qingluo remained dazed, and only when a thought arose did she finally realize that what she carried within her wasn't just flesh—it was a nascent life.

To let this life kill her biological father...

The candlelight suddenly extinguished.

Her thoughts came to a halt.

Zhu E lit another flame, holding the oil lamp, when she heard soft words by her ear: "Bring me that letter."

Though puzzled, Zhu E still located the letter and handed it to Qin Qingluo. The latter gave it one long look, then abruptly tossed it into the fire, letting the entire letter burn.

Zhu E gasped in shock, but didn't snatch it back. She merely stayed by Qin Qingluo's side, clutching her tightly. Qin Qingluo continued to clasp her grip firmly; flames danced, climbing up her fingertips, yet extinguished as the ashes fell. When she lowered her gaze to the letter again, much of it had already burned—all that remained was half, with the final sentence still visible at the bottom.

[The Cang Mountains bear snow; the seas dry, the rocks crumble.]

Qin Qingluo sank into a trance, sitting there in bewilderment. Her unbound hair drifted lightly, yet she struggled to speak another word.

She silently stared at the half-burnt letter in her hands.

Who knows how much time passed before she returned it to Zhu E.

The candlelight, filtering through the screen, illuminated her face, seeming to penetrate her eyes, stirring a thin glaze of mist, like dew about to drop. After a long moment of contemplation,

A deep sigh escaped her lips.

"Enough!"

......

After washing up, Chen Yi felt refreshed. He glanced into his bedroom, finding it empty, and turned on his heel back to the hall.

A white-robed female crown was seated at the tea table, her wrist turning skillfully. The rich fragrance of tea permeated the hall, lingering in the air.

A splash of green tea settled into the bowl—a pure tea preparation, unlike the brewed chrysanthemum tea.

Yin Weiyin caught sight of his figure from the corner of her eye and quivered slightly.

She shifted her posture and turned her head, smiling lightly: "You've come?"

"I've come," Chen Yi replied slowly, "but I'll soon return to my room."

Yin Weiyin's fingertips trembled imperceptibly. She followed up, "Lu Daoyou is still here, and it would be improper for me, as host, to leave her unattended. Right, Lu Daoyou?"

Lu Ying was momentarily surprised; the remark was indeed reasonable. But Yin Weiyin being this courteous was certainly unusual, so she nodded.

Yin Weiyin exhaled partially in relief. If Lu Ying retreated to rest, then she truly would be doomed.

As long as Lu Ying remained here, she was still the Taichua Goddess.

Chen Yi studied Yin Weiyin for a good while, seemingly guessing at her motives. But instead of exposing her, he strolled leisurely over, taking the tea and sitting:

"Why isn't it brewed chrysanthemum tea?"

Chrysanthemum tea...

The female crown shuddered at the thought.

They both knew it was intimate bedroom code with implicit meaning, naturally left unspoken. Yin Weiyin bit her lip lightly, suppressing the fear rising in her heart as she replied:

"Brewing tea is simply the custom of Western Jin barbarians. In our Great Yu… preparing tea is a finer tradition."

"Oh?"

"Fragrant, rich, thick, an endless flavor," Yin Weiyin lifted the bowl lightly, "Brewing tea is merely for novelty, lacking any profound taste."

Chen Yi stretched his limbs and remarked, "But my qi and blood are obstructed now. I detest overly rich and thick tea; instead, I crave something a bit clean and astringent."

Yin Weiyin's tea bowl trembled, the tea rippling within.

She glanced at Chen Yi with a faint plea in her eyes, and he responded with a playful smile.

The female crown's heart pounded heavily; she maintained her refined demeanor while speaking clearly:

"Such fleeting cravings are best left unindulged. Besides, you, as a martial artist, naturally experience obstructed qi and blood often; it will resolve itself in time."

"What if external forces caused it?"

"...I...I can prepare tea for you at any moment, even multiple times." Yin Weiyin's tone faltered, carrying a hint of indistinct vulnerability.

Chen Yi cradled the tea bowl, saying, "Obstructed qi and blood might seem trivial, but if neglected, it could fester into lasting trouble. Chrysanthemum tea, with its heat-clearing and detoxifying properties, is a fine remedy."

Yin Weiyin was drenched in sweat.

The garment close to her skin showed faint traces of perspiration.

Lu Ying, sipping tea on the side, watched their escalating debate over the tea preparation with increasing curiosity.

It's just chrysanthemum tea, she thought. Yes, it's a tradition of Western Jin, but must the Taichua Goddess make such a fuss? After all, aren't cultivators beyond mundane prejudices?

Lu Ying interjected, "Why not just brew it for him? If that's his preference, why not satisfy it?"

Yin Weiyin quickly darted her eyes toward Lu Ying, cursing silently. What does she know about their conversation? Speaking without understanding, she'd only make matters worse! Yin Weiyin barely retained respect in Chen Yi's eyes; it had taken such effort to climb to the position of principal wife and hold sway over him. If she really brewed that tea today, she'd lose every shred of dignity—possibly even worse than the humiliation she endured as his cauldron.

And that place… was it even possible?

If a woman had to endure such an ordeal, even death would seem too merciful!

Lu Ying, seeing Yin Weiyin's silence, added, "If it's inconvenient for you, why not let me brew it for him?"

Yin Weiyin nearly spit out her tea.

Not to mention you don't even know what this conversation entails, but even if you did…

Would you ever have the chance?

Little tramp!

Muttering the Supreme Forget Love Technique, Yin Weiyin calmed her mind and replied serenely: "No need to trouble Lu Daoyou. By the way, could you explain Real Master Jiangxin's directive?"

Seeing no alternative, she decided to shift the topic—perhaps his attention could be diverted away as well.

Unaware of Yin Weiyin's intentions, Lu Ying glanced at Chen Yi and replied:

"Real Master Jiangxin mentioned that the Secret Realm had already been opened."

"Already opened?" Chen Yi asked with confusion.

"Yes… The so-called Secret Realm is essentially just a seal. Over the years, the seal at the Sword Pool has weakened. This gathering of allies is primarily to reestablish the seal."

"So inviting people into the Secret Realm to seek fortunes is just an advance reward, eh?"

Lu Ying found his phrasing mercenary but confirmed, "That could also be the understanding. However, the realm is fraught with danger, filled with unruly Sword Qi. The battle at the Sword Pool between the Loulan Sword Emperor and Wu Buxu—both top ten combatants of the martial rankings, with Wu Buxu once being the number one in the world—saw them borrowing the Sword Intent of countless predecessors across centuries. The clash transformed the Sword Pool dramatically; light and shadow flipped, chaos replaced order. The lingering Sword Intent from that battle… seems to have come alive."

At the mention of "alive," Chen Yi was visibly intrigued, "So the Sword Intent gained sentience?"

Lu Ying continued, "Perhaps not. That might be an exaggeration. Their battle destroyed most of the Sword Pool, and many remnants of Sword Intent have worn away over years of suppression."

Chen Yi nodded slightly. No wonder Yin Sword Mountain had divined that this Secret Realm was Lu Ying's opportunity. These remnants of Sword Intent were nearing exhaustion and held little value for the Peak Masters. For most disciples, even if obtained, they'd lack use or squander its potential. But as the Sword Armor's foremost student, Lu Ying was the ideal beneficiary.

After hearing all this, Chen Yi exhaled deeply. Regardless, his goal in coming to Yuanfeng Building had been achieved. He cast a glance at Yin Weiyin, then remarked: "It's getting late, Lu Senior Sister—you really should return to meditate."

Yin Weiyin froze instantly as Lu Ying nodded, saying:

"Lu Daoyou, why not stay a while longer? There are many parts of the Dao texts I've yet to discuss with you."

The female crown's efforts to retain her worked. Though Lu Ying had started to rise, she returned to her seat.

Yin Weiyin sighed partially in relief.

Chen Yi observed her slyly.

A chill ran down her spine. Were she an ordinary woman, she could simply reject rudely and ignore judgment…

But she had already developed in her practice, having been fasting—her resolve was undeniable!

Yin Weiyin lowered her gaze, unwilling to meet his eye, and whispered meekly to negotiate:

"Perhaps next time, when qi and blood are obstructed, I can brew chrysanthemum tea to clear heat and detoxify, what do you think?"

"You dare let there be a next time?"