My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion

Lady An adjusted the quilt around her, feeling a sudden chill. Ever since her return from the underground palace, she had been wounded in spirit, and her once vigorous body had grown frail. The immense Jingren Palace, even with its underfloor heating in the depths of winter, still carried subtle traces of cold.

The nameless old matron noticed Lady An's discomfort and stepped forward, grasping her hand to transfer her own True Qi to her.

After a long while, Lady An's complexion became slightly rosier, and she said,

"Much better."

"Your Highness's health is not suited for Jingren Palace. These memorials, why not leave them for the female officials to handle at their discretion? They will naturally discuss matters with the cabinet ministers through the palace messengers." The nameless old matron wore a gentle expression. She had watched over the mother of this nation since her youth, accompanying her from the main branch of the An family to the Capital City, when the latter married into the palace at the age of sixteen. Now, nearly twenty years had passed.

Lady An opened her eyes and stared straight at the crimson pillars of Jingren Palace, falling momentarily into a daze. She curled up slightly, clutching the quilt as if trying to hold someone. But when she thought more deeply, an image of his face fleetingly appeared in her mind, and her back suddenly grew cold.

Her expression darkened as she swiftly released the quilt.

After a while, Lady An asked,

"Has he met with that Chen family girl?"

The nameless old matron was prepared. She knew Lady An's thoughts were consumed by two matters—An Nan's prince and this. After recalling briefly, she replied,

"According to the fortune signs from the Astronomical Bureau, they have, and their conversation was quite pleasant."

"How far along are they?" Lady An raised an eyebrow in inquiry.

"Perhaps they hold mutual affections for each other."

"Good. Arrange for him to marry her soon."

Her tone was steady. Elevating Chen Yi, covertly guiding through spies planted in Wuyong Building, and arranging for Dong Gong Ruoshu to meet him were all carefully premeditated steps in her plan.

Eventually, she would sit high in Jingren Palace, decree the marriage with an imperial edict, and he would be granted such a beauty—none other than the Crown Princess of Western Jin. He should feel indebted and grateful.

If he should refuse...

Lady An had not dismissed the possibility. But what difference did his refusal make?

As long as he remained in the Capital City, there was no way he could refuse.

Here lived the woman he cared for, his official rank, his residence. How could he turn away?

Still, even though she understood this reasoning, Lady An was cautious not to push too hard. He seemed to display signs of slipping out of her grasp; if she forced matters openly, it might only provoke his vigilance and resistance. The best approach was to wield both carrot and stick.

"Matron."

"I'm here."

Lady An yawned and lazily instructed, "Send word to the Jinya Pavilion, tell Li Jisheng to spread some rumors—that he likely hails from the Chen family of Western Jin."

The nameless old matron hesitated and said, "That might incite others to impeach him."

"That's precisely the point." Lady An glanced sideways, her gaze falling on the wisps of smoke curling up from the warming stove. "If he is impeached, the palace will return those memorials, and then he will grasp the importance of the palace—he will understand reliance is necessary."

The nameless old matron was enlightened as realization dawned, and she nodded.

"What about that matter with the Prince of Jing Mansion?"

Lady An remembered another issue and inquired.

The nameless old matron reported, "The Ancestral Affairs Office has sent a confidential letter; the Prince of Jing has yet to respond, but judging by the situation, it seems he is preparing to agree."

Lady An curled her lips into a cold smile. "That obstinate old man hesitates over a favor bestowed by the palace. How could he fail to see the grace in this act?"

"It's said the Princess of Jing has been trying her utmost to persuade him these past few days."

"Such a wise and tactful lady." Lady An sighed with a smile.

"Indeed, but women may be shortsighted. That said, it seems the Prince of Jing's hair is longer than the princess's." The nameless old matron chuckled as well.

After her laughter faded, Lady An propped herself up slightly and tidied her somewhat disheveled palace gown.

She contemplated for a moment before issuing orders,

"Prepare the carriage for tomorrow. I will visit his residence and personally meet the daughter of the Prince of Xiang."

"This..."

"When we were in the underground palace, he spoke to me about granting her the title of Commandery Princess. Now I'll grant his wish—merge the Prince of Xiang's daughter into the Prince of Jing Mansion, bestow her the title of Commandery Princess, and simultaneously arrange his marriage."

Lady An's tone left no room for disagreement.

The nameless old matron accepted without hesitation. She understood that the mother of this nation never acted without purpose. Each successive show of favor and intricacy in planning seemed like tokens of affection, but in reality, it was the sharp blade of an implicit threat.

It served as a reminder to Chen Yi that as long as he remained in the Capital City, he must abide by the palace's directives.

The Prince of Xiang's daughter, the Princess of Jing's daughter, Min Ming, and even the widowed Lin Wanxiao—each being whose vulnerabilities could be used as leverage increased the pressure for submission.

"I wonder if he realizes that what I can grant him, no one else can." Lady An's gaze turned chilly.

"Not even the Sword Armor."

...............…

Sixty miles outside the Capital City.

Zhu E sat before the dressing table.

A woman beautifies herself for the one who admires her, and Zhu E had a natural love for adornment. In the Divine Sect, aside from her scripture studies, she had little to occupy her time. Thus, she took to using rouge daily, gazing into the bronze mirror, watching its surface reflect an increasingly captivating figure. Soon, she learned the art of disguise—the face in the mirror not only grew stunning but also displayed a myriad of façades.

Now, as she looked at herself in the copper mirror, Zhu E carefully applied rouge.

A faint layer of makeup emerged, already enough to outshine countless women. As she gazed at her reflection, sorrow crept into her heart—for she thought of him, and then of Qin Qingluo.

Today, she adorned herself for his sake. Unwittingly, she raised a hand to touch the hairpin nestled in her locks.

It was silver.

The sight might have been better left ignored—but once noticed, Zhu E found herself lost in thought, staring.

She sat still like this for a long time. When she came back to her senses, a shadow had fallen over her.

Startled at first, Zhu E soon shifted her expression into a smile. Turning her face, she saw her Prince.

"Aunt Zhu."

Qin Qingluo's gaze dipped slightly, deliberately avoiding direct eye contact with the woman in red.

Zhu E stared at the golden hairpin in her crown for a time before finally speaking,

"Prince, have you finished inspecting the drills?"

"Mm."

Qin Qingluo replied simply, still clad in heavy armor. Zhu E stood up slowly to begin removing it for her.

Delicate fingers untied the cords securing the armor, piece by piece, revealing the form beneath. The fitted armor accentuated her statuesque, powerful frame—a vivid contrast, like a spirited stallion cloaked in rouge. Observing the interplay of grace and strength, Zhu E couldn't help but recall the fervor of those times.

After a while, her gaze grew conflicted, as if lost in thought. Then she asked,

"Prince, have you given it more thought?"

Qin Qingluo visibly paused for a moment, a flicker of murderous intent crossing her brow.

The golden hairpin in her crown trembled faintly. Zhu E stared at it, enchanted.

Without ceasing, she pressed, "After all, he is the Bright Venerable. Against the demonic queen, he likely harbors no loyalty. Though relations between the Prince Mansion and him remain strained, there's no irreconcilable conflict. Sooner or later, the tension will ease. Besides... he said he likes me, and he likes you. If we gradually deepen ties, and if he emerges one day as the Bright Venerable, not only would it stabilize the Divine Sect's loyalty, but it would also benefit your grand designs."

Qin Qingluo's expression sank.

Whether it was then or now, she had no intention of forming an alliance with him.

His death would be the optimal scenario—a complete dispersal of the looming shadows, with clarity breaking like dawn.

But presently, it remained a time of oppressive clouds over the city. Her voice carried the gloom as she replied,

"Enough. I won't hear any more of him."

Zhu E hesitated, growing anxious, and said,

"But... he is the Bright Venerable..."

The tall woman turned slightly, casting her gaze toward the Capital City with an air of superiority:

"If he is the Bright Venerable, then I revere gods and ghosts—but keep them at a distance."