My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion

Yin Tingxue pondered for a while before whispering:

"If he bullies you again in the future, just tell me."

"Can you make him stop?"

Yin Weiyin kindled a sliver of hope.

"No,"

the girl whispered shyly,

"but I can endure the bullying with you.

That way… he won't bully you as harshly."

Yin Weiyin was momentarily speechless, then let out a chuckle. Though her heart remained heavy, a faint warmth crept in because of this girl who was willing to share her hardships.

The female crown opened her mouth, as if wanting to say something, but stopped on second thought.

Yin Tingxue, as if guessing her thoughts, softly said, "This is just a temporary fix, isn't it?"

"Mm…"

"I know. I've always behaved obediently toward him, but being obedient doesn't mean less bullying. He just lacks a reason to bully."

"I realized that sooner than you did."

"Really? Sister Weiyang, you're that clever?"

"…If I weren't, I would've been just like you long ago. Ah, truth be told, I'm in no position to lecture you—I've had it even worse…"

"Indeed, he actually treats me a little better now. I dreamt before that he would destroy my Longevity Bridge, but in the end, he didn't truly break it."

"You—you shouldn't bring that up."

"Sorry, Sister Weiyang. Actually, he's gotten a bit better now. Maybe he'll start treating you better too."

"…Better? Not by much. He doesn't like me…"

…Zhou Yitang glanced sideways at the two princesses, who spoke intimately with one another, cautiously peeling back layers of memories, revealing only scars left by Chen Yi.

A clap of winter thunder echoed; the fine rain persisted. The one-armed woman sat in silence, then slowly turned her gaze into the distance. Beyond the courtyard, a phoenix carriage seemed to be approaching.

The Yin sisters didn't notice, engrossed as they were in their heartfelt conversation, sighing and comforting each other. In this courtyard, there was no petty jealousy or battlefield of tempers, only a sympathetic exchange of grievances.

Yin Tingxue fiddled with the hairpin on her head and softly said:

"Actually, he does like you sometimes."

"Ha, in bed?" the female crown said dismissively.

Yin Tingxue nodded, then shook her head.

This gesture only piqued the female crown's curiosity. Yin Weiyin, who had barely any hope left, suddenly brightened, asking for confirmation:

"You overheard something?"

Yin Tingxue gave a slight nod and continued:

"Sometimes, he really likes you. Sometimes, he deeply dislikes you. Overall, though, he likes you a tiny bit more."

"And when does he like me?" Concerned with her own fate and ascension, the female crown's voice grew a little hurried.

Yin Tingxue thought for a long moment, unsure how to phrase it, then guessed: "…When you act with purpose?"

This response left the female crown both understanding and puzzled.

As she was about to press for details,

footsteps suddenly echoed from outside the courtyard.

They had arrived, and Zhou Yitang lowered her cold and somber gaze.

"The daughters of the King of Jing and the King of Xiang, gathered under one roof—if one didn't know better, it could be mistaken for a family reunion."

The commanding voice fell, and the Yin sisters startled. They turned their heads in unison, and before the shock could fully register, they instinctively rose to their feet and knelt.

"Your humble daughters greet the Empress Dowager."

Yin Weiyin was a bit dazed but still recited the proper greeting.

Beside her, Yin Tingxue had begun trembling and didn't dare to lift her head.

After a pair of phoenix-shaped eyes lingered on her for a long moment, she stammered out:

"Your… your sinful servant greets Her Majesty the Empress Dowager…"

The two daughters were thus cowed, yet the one-armed woman remained seated, unmoving in her chair.

The Dowager Empress, in plain attire and traveling incognito, cast her an indifferent glance. In the Great Yu, Taoism was traditionally revered, and the founding emperor had decreed that those who had taken holy vows need not kneel, even before the Emperor. But decrees were decrees—a Sword Armor from Yin Sword Mountain showing such blatant disregard was a rare sight.

The Yin sisters kept their heads bowed low, unable to suppress their unease.

Yin Weiyin, after all, was still the daughter of the King of Jing. Even as she lowered her gaze, she couldn't help but glance at Yin Tingxue, who just moments prior had shared intimate words with her. Now, concern for her occupied her thoughts.

After all, by rights, Yin Tingxue was supposed to be a criminal. Presently, she was living in this courtyard under a false identity.

Now, with their secret exposed and the Empress Dowager's sudden arrival… Yin Weiyin's mind felt sluggish and out of sorts.

Silence blanketed the hall. Beside the Mother of the Nation, the lady-in-waiting, Su Xin, also kept her head bowed.

After briefly collecting her thoughts, Yin Weiyin—still kneeling—contemplated for a long while. Just as she was about to speak up on behalf of the little fox…

"Daughter of the King of Jing, how have you been lately?" The Empress Dowager's question came, unhurried and poised.

Yin Weiyin hesitated for a moment before responding methodically, "If this humble daughter has not been well, it would be unworthy of Your Majesty's divine grace."

"So, you are one to remember grace. Though I must confess, I seem to have forgotten what grace I ever bestowed upon you."

The female crown's voice was cool and reserved, leaving no openings: "Your grace is like the rain, nourishing all things imperceptibly."

At this, the Dowager Empress faintly curled her lips, her phoenix eyes glinting with a trace of amusement:

"Do you know… though rain falls wide, it does not nurture grass without roots."

Yin Weiyin initially dismissed the remark but then froze.

The Dowager Empress continued leisurely: "...That enchanter set her sights on him, took him as her consort, feasted with him nightly, and secretly granted him rank. Naturally, he served her diligently. Daughter of the King of Jing, why are you shaking? Isn't this how the tale goes?"

Amidst the relentless drizzle, the daughter of the King of Jing felt her mind go blank in an instant.

Her back was drenched in cold sweat.

Suddenly, she recalled that divination.

"Six in the Fourth: Bag fastened. No blame, no praise. No disaster, no misfortune."

But that divination… was for Dong Gong Ruoshu,

not for herself...