My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion

The Princess's voice was gentle and soothing, as if possessing some kind of magic power, calming Qin Qingluo's mood slightly.

She no longer looked at Chen Yi but instead reminisced about the past along with the voice.

The female Prince's gaze fell into the void, with a hint of nostalgia, saying:

"It seems we share a mind, I've been dreaming frequently of my childhood lately, when Father just passed away, and Mother didn't care about me, locking me alone in the courtyard, afraid I'd make mistakes, but I almost went mad from being alone.

It was you, Aunt Zhu, who secretly climbed over the wall to find me from time to time, bringing me osmanthus cake, and back then, I thought you were even better than Mother..."

Min Ning listened to this and inexplicably felt a bit sad. She had once experienced such an almost unsupported time too, with only her sister sustaining her body and spirit.

She said, "My sister was the same. At that time, I was helpless as well, but… perhaps not to be compared with the Prince."

"It's nothing good. Naturally, I wouldn't wish you to be compared with me."

Qin Qingluo gave a bitter smile, her snake eyes involuntarily swept over Chen Yi and then returned to Zhu E, murmuring in a trance:

"Back then, you said I was the most important person, and anything good would be given to me... just hope this child will be born, just hope that child will be born and then... Aunt Zhu, don't... care for him so much."

Towards the end, her voice carried a slight, almost undetectable sobbing tone.

Then, Qin Qingluo filled her cup with wine and drank it all in one go. The wine was exceptionally bitter, but as it went down her throat and reached her heart, she still smiled.

The woman in red turned her head slightly away, her fingertips quivering, as if unable to bear seeing her smile.

And Min Ning seemed a bit bewildered.

Only Chen Yi,

for some reason... chuckled inside.

Chen Yizhen wasn't intentionally laughing inside, he just couldn't help but think, knowing everything, what would Qin Qingluo think if she knew she was pregnant with her own child, not Zhu E's? Relief? Resentment? Humiliation?

But in any case, it wouldn't be as miserable as now.

This proud-boned female Prince was not Yin Tingxue; melancholy was never her essence.

Unconsciously, as three rounds of drinks passed and dishes filled five plates.

Qin Qingluo, who was always good with alcohol, now also showed some signs of drunkenness.

And the worst was Min Ning, dead drunk, leaning powerlessly on the chair, tugging at her collar, gasping for breath.

Zhu E was somewhere in between, her gaze somewhat dazed.

Only Chen Yi hadn't drunk much at all, completely sober, he gazed at Qin Qingluo for a good while.

And the female Prince looked back, her gaze indescribable whether it was proud contempt, disdain, or humiliation.

Chen Yi looked at this girl who didn't know herself to be the mother, watching for a long time before turning his gaze away.

He held Zhu E's hand, gently instructing:

"After you return, take good care of your body, drink less alcohol, and keep your diet light."

Zhu E nodded slightly, her dazed gaze sometimes falling on Chen Yi and sometimes on Qin Qingluo.

"If anything happens, write to me, I'll also write to you often."

Chen Yi continued speaking, without mentioning the child, appearing only concerned for Zhu E,

"After returning, frequently invite pregnant women in the city over for banquets, this way we can confuse the public,

in the first few months, try to keep it hidden, it wouldn't be convenient for those with ulterior motives to find out to prevent accidents.

But you don't need me to tell you this, you all would pay attention."

Zhu E listened while nodding slightly.

And Qin Qingluo, with her complicated feelings, initially didn't want to listen, but concerning Aunt Zhu and the child in that belly, she couldn't help but listen.

While Chen Yi was speaking, the female Prince caught a small detail.

Several times when he spoke, he glanced over in her direction, intentionally or not.

The reason was obvious, Qin Qingluo thought with a sneer, merely fearing she'd harm the child.

But how could she be such a narrow-minded person?

Not to mention she'd already promised Zhu E, even if she hadn't, she wouldn't harm the child.

If it were a daughter, she would raise her to adulthood, treat her as her own, what harm would that be?

Even if that daughter recognizes her father one day, she wouldn't worry about losing the entire Prince Mansion.

After all, a daughter can't inherit the family estate, even with her as an exception, an exception will always be an exception.

Moreover, this child would ultimately bear the surname Qin, not Chen.

Chen Yi held Zhu E's hand tighter, word by word instructing:

"Make sure to eat well, eat more fruits and eggs, if craving for sour things, it's best to eat fresh foods like jujube, remember to walk occasionally, but don't tire yourself, and don't practice martial arts."

Zhu E listened word by word, occasionally nodding slightly, slowly leaning half onto Chen Yi's embrace, enjoying his tenderness.

He seemed like a husband concerned for his pregnant wife.

But she knew, she wasn't the one pregnant.

These words weren't for her.

Finishing the last sentence, Chen Yi took a token from his bosom, pressing it into Zhu E's palm, speaking with restraint:

"This counts as... a gift for the child."

Qin Qingluo could see that it was merely a jade token.

The jade was Hetian jade, with a texture as moist as water, excellent in quality but ultimately just a jade token. When the Prince Mansion held banquets, any guest's gift at random would likely be more lavish and precious than this jade token.

It seemed Chen Yi didn't have much concern for the child in that belly.

The female Prince's gaze was filled with uncontrollable resentment and disdain.

Just then, Chen Yi, holding the Princess, slowly raised his head, looking at Qin Qingluo,

"Did you... hear that?"

His voice was particularly serious, and for no reason, Qin Qingluo was startled, instinctively saying:

"Why are you asking me that?"

It's not even hers...