My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion

Min Ming took a deep breath, gripping the broom tightly in her hand.

Then, just as she turned to return to the manor, her gaze inadvertently swept across the alleyway.

She froze in place, clutching the broom tightly, trembling slightly.

Outsiders had come, and with them, trouble…

She saw that person walking toward her with steady steps, not saying a single word.

Min Ming bit her red lips hard and only when he stopped in front of the Min Manor did she speak, her voice quivering:

"Why is it you?"

"Miss Min, am I not allowed to come?" Chen Yi responded with a mocking smile.

Min Ming didn't know what to say. She had previously suspected Chen Yi might seek revenge, and was prepared for it, even following the empress dowager's instructions. But strangely, his revenge had never come.

Now seeing him again, an unexplainable urgency welled up within her. She gripped the broom tighter.

Chen Yi turned and was about to step into the Min Manor.

"Stop, what are you trying to do?" Min Ming asked, her voice urgent.

Chen Yi crossed the threshold and then stopped, asking:

"Where are they?"

"… Practicing in the backyard."

As Min Ming slowly answered, Chen Yi kept his gaze fixed ahead and said:

"Miss Min, there's no need to be so wary. Given my relations with Min Ning, why would I do anything to harm any of you?"

Hearing this, Min Ming relaxed slightly and instinctively said:

"If that's the case, then I would kindly ask..."

"You wish to send me away?" Before she could finish her sentence, Chen Yi interrupted her coldly.

Min Ming froze momentarily, the words stuck in her throat.

Her grip tightened on the broom, holding on as though her life depended on it. She was gasping for breath, staring at Chen Yi in front of her, knowing he wasn't here with good intentions, yet finding herself unable to say anything.

The atmosphere inside and outside the Min Manor grew heavy and oppressive, like an unbearable weight.

Seeing that Chen Yi remained facing forward, Min Ming took a deep breath and softly called out:

"Chen Qianhu… please leave. I'll go back with you together..."

Her words carried an obvious meaning.

At this, Chen Yi turned around. Min Ming, having raised a glimmer of bitter hope, was instead met with eyes full of mockery.

Just like before, he looked at her—a woman who took pride in her beauty—with disdain.

Min Ming's breath faltered.

"Do you think I've come today for you, or for Min Ning?" he asked.

Min Ming tried to keep her expression neutral and said in a low voice:

"It's all the same."

Either way, she thought, it would end in misery—pushing someone into the abyss.

She took a deep breath and her voice turned sultry:

"This humble concubine has gone so long without serving Qianhu. That in itself is negligence. Now that I've offended Qianhu, whatever punishment I receive, I deserve it."

Her eyes gleamed like silk, her tone almost brazen in its implications.

Chen Yi, however, had already turned his back and said indifferently, "Very well, I don't want you anymore."

In that instant, her face froze, her almond-shaped eyes widening slowly in disbelief. She suddenly felt as though the ground beneath her feet had vanished.

No dismissal. A concubine couldn't be dismissed. It wasn't "dismissal" that he meant—it was simply saying... "I don't want you."

At first, Min Ming felt a fleeting sense of relief. But as thoughts of the palace crossed her mind, her world suddenly came crashing down.

He didn't want her anymore?

Did that mean... she'd no longer be useful in the palace?

Min Ming's limbs turned cold, her breath caught in her throat. After struggling for a long while, she finally stammered out:

"W-why?"

"Didn't you say whatever I do, you deserve it?"

With that single sentence, Chen Yi blocked any response she might have had. Her face turned pale and rigid, and she stood motionless.

Chen Yi never turned to look at her. He hadn't initially planned to humiliate this seemingly meek but actually proud courtesan, much like the treatment Min Ning had given her.

But then he thought, why bother? Why waste effort on her?

Instead, a simple and straightforward "I don't want you" would suffice.

This way, Min Ning could leave the capital with peace of mind.

The naturally voluptuous woman before him was already unraveling. Just as she was about to say something, another sentence abruptly cut her off:

"I want to see your grandfather."

.........

The winter sun was not scorching but carried a hint of chill. Min Ning swung her blade, its hilt slick with sweat.

Min He stood beneath an ancient tree, silently observing Min Ning's every move. Though impressed internally, he only allowed a faint smile to show on his face.

After an unmeasured amount of time, Min Ning sheathed her blade and slowly walked toward her grandfather.

"Your swordsmanship is faintly hidden within your blade technique now… Practicing both sword and blade, I fear it might be unwise." Min He spoke slowly, recalling the blade movements Min Ning had just displayed. He couldn't find any faults, but his words came from experience.

Min Ning shook her head lightly and said, "Grandfather, I know my limits."

Min He thought of her reluctance to leave the capital. He chuckled softly, choosing not to press the matter further, and instead said:

"…Your father also used to say he knew his limits. Sigh, never mind, I won't bring it up. Grandfather will just cherish the time to watch over you two."

Min Ning lowered her gaze and replied faintly.

For a moment, the grandfather and granddaughter had nothing more to say to each other.

Min He gazed at the distant sky, layer upon layer of clouds marked with the traces of time. He didn't know how much longer he'd have with this granddaughter, nor did he understand why she remained so stubborn about that person.

That person was already dead. He had tried persuading her, reasoning with her, yet it all fell on deaf ears. Eventually, he could only sigh.

"As long as you two are well, grandfather can rest in peace."

Saying this, Min He suddenly slapped his thigh and laughed, "Oh, how silly of me to forget—grandfather is already dead."

"Grandfather..."

Min Ning laughed, but her laughter couldn't hide the bitterness within.

Laughing and laughing, her eyes somehow began to sting faintly.

To think of it, perhaps she ultimately owed her thanks to Yin Weiyin, the Taichua Goddess. If not for her, Min Ning might never have been able to fulfill this longing, no matter what.