My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion-Chapter 879 - 525: The Little Fox Remains Silent (3-in-1 Bonus)

"The heartland of the White Lotus Sect... They're planning to move, and you're gathering there to inherit their legacy?"

Zhu E chimed in with a compliment: "You're quite the composed gentleman, figuring it out so quickly. Indeed, the White Lotus Sect wrought havoc in Hu-Guang, decimated Daoist Temples and Buddhist Temples, leaving Jing Lake's Buddhist Tao in disarray. With Nanwei nearby, it makes perfect sense for our Divine Sect to fill the gap."

"Aren't you afraid of the soldiers?" 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"Soldiers only know how to suppress bandits; they can't distribute grain." Zhu E paused, further explaining: "When the White Lotus Sect swept through Hu-Guang, they opened every granary they could, but the soldiers could only distribute military supplies. Even if they rob the rich to help the poor, how much could they seize?

By the time they mobilize grain for disaster relief, we've already relocated the households we could move. With Nanwei's low population and excess land, we're making a big gain this time."

During times of war, relocating or capturing citizens was all too common. In the early days of Great Yu's founding, during the bloody conflict in Jinyu Taiyuan, both sides engaged in scorched-earth tactics and population seizures, resulting in Taiyuan being nearly deserted, with barely a rooster crowing for miles for decades.

Chen Yi nodded slightly, delving deeper into his thoughts.

That Nanwei harbored rebellious intentions was a consensus among the court and nobility. When the Prince of Annan approached the Capital City a year ago, both high and low officials treated it as a grave threat. Back when Great Yu established the Qin Family's ancestor Qin Changzhi to guard against the Western Tibetans, it was to solidify the southwest border. Additionally, due to his formidable martial arts and abundant forces, he was seen as a threat by the Grand Ancestor, who used the vassal state to weaken him. Yet, fate took a different course; Qin Changzhi married a Princess from the Miao Clan's major division, severing ties with the Capital City. To this day, the Annan Royal Mansion has rooted itself in Nanwei through generations of marital alliances with the Miao Clan, controlling the entire region.

Successive emperors of Great Yu attempted to reduce the power of vassal states and cut their armies, but with Sichuan under the Western Jin, if Nanwei were to rebel, it could indeed invite wolves into the house. With the Western Jin controlling Sichuan and running a direct line into the southern heartland of Great Yu, any attempt to eliminate the Annan state would first require taking Sichuan, but hindered by the might of Western Jin, past emperors could only lament powerlessly.

Yin Tingxue poured hot water over the teacups, her fair hands starting the tea ceremony, with the sounds of brewing echoing around.

She lowered her gaze to the tea, doing her best not to look in that direction.

Chen Yi continued his conversation with Zhu E: "Aunt Zhu, was the assassination of Su Hongtao your doing as well?"

"No, we only sent four people this time, intending to see if an opportunity might arise, taking a chance. And well, wouldn't you know, we really did stumble upon one."

Chen Yi only realized now that there were two groups involved in the assassination. One, including Zhu E and others, moved on chance—if there was an opportunity, they'd act, otherwise, they'd escape. The other group had planned thoroughly and put considerable effort into it.

"Su Hongtao... We naturally wanted to kill him too, as his death would create trouble for the White Lotus Sect. When the court sends the Forbidden Army to suppress the bandits, they can shield us. But his target was too conspicuous; I suspected it was a trap, so I settled for killing the governor instead."

"Indeed, with the governor dead at the banquet, Su Hongtao can't easily escape blame. Especially since he previously marginalized others, he has strong motives to commit such acts and can't withstand investigation by the court. After this incident, Su Hongtao will certainly develop a rift with the White Lotus Sect."

"Sadly, it's not enough... For now, Su Hongtao won't turn against the White Lotus Sect." Zhu E remarked with some regret.

"Step by step, road by road, we still have plenty of time."

"We?" Zhu E asked in surprise. "You want to kill Su Hongtao too?"

Chen Yi smiled without answering.

Zhu E rested her face against his chest, mumbling, "It seems our dear nephew-in-law is on the same page. No wonder they always say: 'A distant husband, a close nephew-in-law.'"

Her body pressed closely, and Chen Yi's breathing grew slightly hurried, the room filled with a misty warmth. Yin Tingxue continued focusing, her fingers more forcefully rolling the tea leaves, adding a slight bitterness to the brew.

The bamboo-handled tea whisk suddenly broke through the water surface.

Chen Yi's mind calmed slightly, hesitating for a long moment before speaking again.

Zhu E tilted her face slightly upward, teasing, "My lord wants to inquire about... her mother and daughter?"

Chen Yi nodded, trying his best to appear suave, "Can't hide anything from you, can I?"

Zhu E chuckled softly, nestled in Chen Yi's embrace but said nothing more.

Eventually, Chen Yi couldn't hold back, "How is she... treating her?"

He initially wanted to ask if Qin Qingluo liked her, but he smiled bitterly and thought better of it. Whether she likes her or not, even having a meal would already show Qin Qingluo's deep affection.

"The Prince... she rarely sees Yue'er, but in her heart, she really likes her daughter." After a pause, Zhu E remarked with a smile, "Whenever she sees Yue'er, she has a dark expression..."

Chen Yi suddenly recalled the aversion and aloofness Qin Qingluo showed him, the sarcasm or anger she directed at him in the past. He hadn't felt it then, but now it left him oddly nostalgic.

"My daughter..."

"Yes, she's a chubby girl. She's not gone hungry."

"That's good, her and her mother..." Chen Yi's heart softened as he looked at Zhu E, as if seeing through her eyes into her recent memories, "I actually really like them, really like them."

The tea whisk struck the boiling tea, swirling in spirals. Yin Tingxue's movements were more vigorous, making the tea even more bitter.

On the other side, the two remained immersed in their tender affection.

"Zhu E won't take these words back; you'll have to tell them personally," she said.

"Personally? You want me to tell Qin Qingluo myself?"

"Yes, can't you?"

"...It's not that I can't... as long as she doesn't coldly mock me... never mind, I have a thick skin, I'll endure whatever comes."

Zhu E laughed softly, lifting her lips to kiss Chen Yi's neck.

Chen Yi's heart was overflowing with tenderness, a slight smile on his lips, his head inclining, ready to place a kiss.

"The tea is ready." Yin Tingxue suddenly said.

Chen Yi turned, seeing Yin Tingxue standing before him with a teacup, holding it forward.

"Alright, let me have a taste." He paused his movements, taking the cup.

Yin Tingxue also brought another cup to Zhu E silently, then returned to brew a cup for herself.

Refocusing on Zhu E, Chen Yi continued, "By the way, I'm currently posing as a member of the Holy Sect within the White Lotus Sect, using the alias Qin Ke."

"Oh... you've taken the child's surname?"

"Couldn't let Qingluo and the child share a surname, could I?" Chen Yi replied with a laugh.

"Then you'll have to have another one with the surname Chen..."

In the hall, the two continued their conversation while sipping tea, mostly about Nanwei matters. Chen Yi was eager to hear more about Qin Qingluo and her daughter, clinging to every seemingly insignificant detail as if they were pearls. Zhu E was happy to share, and as they talked and talked, the sky grew darker.

Under the light, Zhu E's beauty seemed even more radiant.

Her voice carried a natural allure and didn't hide it, as if the fisherman knew the bait was enticing, just needing to wait for the fish to bite. Chen Yi noticed a hint of white softness intermittently appearing in front of him, making him swallow, and he smiled, "It's getting late, and there's a curfew. How about staying the night?"

Yin Tingxue glanced at him, silently returning to the room to occupy a spot on the bed.

"I'd like to stay too, but it's too late. I need to hurry back; otherwise, the brothers and sisters in the sect will worry and disrupt the arrangements."

Yin Tingxue came out again.

On the eve of departure, Zhu E lingered, reluctant to part. She said she had to hurry back, yet couldn't help but delay. Under the dim moonlight, with extinguished fires casting shadows, silence spread over Wuchang like a veil. Though they knew a reunion was certain, even a brief separation tugged at Zhu E's heart.

But she had to leave, and instead of bidding farewell to Chen Yi, she turned to Yin Tingxue and smiled: "Sister, forgive me for being a poor host, not having spoken much with you."

She deliberately said such words to have an excuse to visit again, something the young girl could discern.

Yin Tingxue responded with a slightly indifferent "hmm," then watched as Chen Yi escorted Zhu E to the door.

Tonight,

Little Fox said nothing to interrupt him, just silently sulked...