My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion

Yin Weiyin trembled uncontrollably.

The words that were originally meant to dig a trap for Dong Gong Ruoshu had unexpectedly backfired on her.

Her lips quivered, her mind raced at lightning speed.

Now that things had come to this, she had no choice but to plead guilty. After all, as the daughter of Prince Jing, this was merely a transgression of speech. If she pleaded guilty, the punishment would at most be confinement, and everything would pass without further incident.

She confessed, "This subject's daughter has spoken recklessly about the Empress Dowager, tarnishing her sacred name. I am fully aware this is an unforgivable offense and humbly request the Empress Dowager to mete out punishment."

"If it's an unforgivable offense, then let it remain unforgivable." The Empress Dowager said coldly, "Grant her death."

?

The female crown froze momentarily, disbelief flickering in her eyes.

The Empress Dowager did not spare her another glance but lowered her phoenix-like eyes, gazing instead at Yin Tingxue, who was also kneeling on the ground.

At this sight, the female crown's throat tightened, her lips parted as though she wanted to say something, but in the moment, she dared not make a sound.

She could only slightly turn her face, casting a glance at Master Tongxuan seated in the chair.

The one-armed woman gently cradled her teacup without saying a word.

Yin Tingxue, slightly lifting her face, could no longer restrain herself and said:

"Your Majesty, the daughter of Prince Jing, no matter her crimes, according to the Great Yu law, ought to first be handed over to the Department of Clan Affairs for investigation, and subsequently transferred to the Three Tribunals for joint interrogation…"

"You seem very familiar—have you been through the process before?" The Empress Dowager said with an implicit meaning.

Yin Tingxue didn't dare respond, keeping her head bowed.

The Empress Dowager stepped forward, smiling, "In this little courtyard, there are no outsiders. Why must we keep up pretenses? Stand up, all of you. Though I've come here incognito, it's been quite a while and neither tea nor a chair has been offered. As hosts, don't you think that's a lapse in decorum?"

Upon hearing this, the two royal daughters slowly rose one after another, gently brushing away the dust from their knees. Yin Weiyin's movements were a bit stiff, her eyes frequently darting toward the Empress Dowager. This offense of speaking recklessly against the Heavenly Family, in the end, could be interpreted as severe or trivial. If she could, she wished she could turn back time and slap herself hard to remember this lesson. If that wasn't enough, she'd have Chen Yi slap her instead—at least then it might stick.

Yin Tingxue immediately walked over to the tea table without delay, ground some tea leaves, took up the tea whisk, boiled water, and began preparing tea. The fragrance of the tea was light and pure, blending softly with the misty drizzling rain outside.

Before long, Yin Tingxue brought tea to the Empress Dowager, and then poured tea for Zhou Yitang and Yin Weiyin. Lastly, she served a cup to the female official Su Xin, who gestured for her to leave it aside for now.

The Empress Dowager lifted the teacup, noticing the tea foam blending harmoniously, took a light sip, then turned and said:

"Running around like this—you seem like a little wife."

Yin Tingxue felt a bit awkward, responding bashfully, "Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty."

The female crown nearby appeared restless, sitting uneasily while clutching her tea. She hesitated to drink it. Even now, she still couldn't figure out what the Empress Dowager truly intended. From the moment she stepped in, she had struck a heavy blow with her words, threatening death earlier, yet now she sat casually, savoring tea amidst a pleasant calm.

The Empress Dowager swept her gaze around as if taking in every detail of this small yet complete courtyard, then spoke slowly:

"I came here originally just to see the benefactor who saved my life. I didn't expect he wouldn't be here, leaving you women behind in his stead."

Yin Tingxue replied, "Your Majesty, men are meant to manage affairs outside, while women keep the household in order. That's simply how things should be."

"Quick-witted and eloquent, you've spoken well. Not bad, not bad. Daughter of Prince Xiang, you can just call me 'Your Majesty.'" The Empress Dowager's smile was extraordinarily beautiful but seemed to carry a hidden meaning, "Daughter of Prince Xiang, when did you arrive at this courtyard?"

Yin Tingxue feigned calmness, answering softly, "Your Majesty, perhaps three to four months ago."

"Then it's been nearly half a year. He dotes on you, giving you fine clothes and rich food, even considering your safety in the underground palace—now he even wants me to bestow upon you the title of Commandery Princess." The Empress Dowager's tone grew heavier when mentioning the underground palace.

Zhou Yitang, the instigator of it all, remained indifferent, her eyes lowered as she delicately sipped her tea.

Yin Tingxue sensed a hint of tension in the air and promptly replied, "That was merely a passing jest, Your Majesty. Please don't take it seriously."

"But a sovereign never jests."

The Empress Dowager set down her teacup, her phoenix eyes narrowing as she said:

"I will bestow upon you the title of Commandery Princess—will you accept it or not?"

Yin Tingxue froze in place, her grip loosening. The teacup fell from her hand with a loud crash, shattering upon the ground with fragments scattered everywhere.

Seeing this, Su Xin's face showed displeasure, but since the Empress Dowager remained composed, Su Xin refrained from voicing her irritation.

Yin Tingxue repeatedly apologized, flustered, as she began picking up the broken pieces. Yin Weiyin, watching the scene unfold, felt torn but couldn't think of what to say.

The Empress Dowager observed Yin Tingxue carefully cleaning up the shards and remarked leisurely:

"For all his supposed doting, he's still a crude man. All he does is spoil you, yet he doesn't even think of assigning you a maid. You're left to pick up pieces like this, suffering for it."

"Your Majesty… it's no suffering. It's this criminal… who resolutely refused." Yin Tingxue stammered nervously.

These words weren't entirely false. Chen Yi had indeed once considered bringing in some maids and attendants, but he chose not to out of concern for exposing Yin Tingxue's identity. Furthermore, Yin Tingxue disliked strangers; she had been treated as a Saintess in Prince Xiang's mansion and had always lived in solitude. Hence, no maids or attendants were present in the courtyard.

The Empress Dowager chuckled and said with feigned reproach, "Still, it's better to assign you some maids. A Commandery Princess without a single servant—what does that look like? I'll personally select a few from the palace someday and send them to you."

Upon hearing this, Yin Weiyin's heart couldn't help but leap in alarm. The Empress Dowager personally selecting servants and sending them over—wouldn't that mean she intended to monitor Chen Yi's every move?

If it were anyone else, she wouldn't mind so much…

But for herself…

She visited here every chance she could during her days off...