My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion

The words "Serve me tea" fell with an air of authority. Qin Qingluo's expression was solemn, her tone casual, as if the person before her were merely a servant, naturally bound to pour her another cup of tea.

Chen Yi did not show any anger, nor did he decline. Instead, he clasped his hands in a gesture of respect and said, "As you command."

He then lifted the teapot, the clear reddish tea pouring from a height into the teacup. The tea was pristine, without a trace of leaves or sediment. Seven-tenths full, the tea was perfect. Chen Yi held the cup with both hands and presented it before Qin Qingluo.

At this moment, his demeanor exuded a hint of deference. Qin Qingluo felt suspicion brewing in her heart, yet she maintained a calm façade as she accepted the tea. Her intent had been to provoke this man, to make him storm off in anger, but to her surprise, he showed little reaction.

"So compliant, are we?" Qin Qingluo sneered coldly as she took the tea.

"At the Princess's behest."

Chen Yi sat back down, segueing into a conversation about Zhu E:

"She's doing well, very concerned about you. Even though her heart now belongs to me, she still cares for you."

When he mentioned Zhu E, Qin Qingluo's emotions were a complicated mix. Eventually, her tone softened as she said, "I've always known how good she is. You… you ought to treat her well."

Chen Yi's expression eased at these words, and he replied, "But there are so many women I care for. To me, she may only ever be a minor figure."

Qin Qingluo responded with a glare of fury.

After a long pause, she sighed lightly and said with a mix of grief and indignation, "Fine, as long as Aunt Zhu is willing."

Hearing this, Chen Yi seemed moved. In a gentle voice, he said, "Even if you hadn't said this, I would've treated her well. I've never been one to mistreat women who care for me."

Qin Qingluo quirked an eyebrow and said, "So, after all, you're a man of sentiment?"

"After all, such people are most common in the Jianghu." Chen Yi smiled and continued, "In the past, my treatment of the Princess was merely playful. But this time, I've come to see her true qualities. Turns out, she's a woman of deep feeling. I wouldn't want to insult her."

Qin Qingluo spat harshly, "If you dare insult her, I will not spare you in the future."

Chen Yi responded with an amused "Oh?"

"If you treat her well, even if I one day storm the Capital City on horseback, I might still see you as a wealthy gentleman." The female Prince's voice softened slightly.

Chen Yi replied, "Of course I'll treat her well. Otherwise, I wouldn't have accepted her request to come here. Rest assured, I won't do anything to you. After all, you two share a connection."

As he spoke, Qin Qingluo drank the tea in one swift motion and flicked her fingers.

The teacup shot toward Chen Yi's face.

Chen Yi, with sharp reflexes, caught the teacup effortlessly. Calmly, he pushed it back and said indifferently, "Why go out of your way to provoke me?"

The towering woman replied, "You're an eyesore."

For some reason, she began to feel increasingly uneasy. The suppressed effects of the drug seemed not to have dissipated but rather burrowed deeper, spreading to her very marrow. Her energy surged uncontrollably again.

Her breathing was uneven, and she fixed her gaze on Chen Yi.

Chen Yi, like a gentleman unmoved by temptation, continued to sip his tea slowly.

Qin Qingluo's voice rasped as she said, "Another cup."

Chen Yi did not refuse. He poured another cup, his gaze respectful, his actions measured as he handed the tea to her without a stray glance.

Qin Qingluo downed the tea in one gulp.

Yet this time, perhaps she had drunk too much tea, or perhaps the drug had seeped too deeply into her bones. The bitter tea could no longer suppress its effects.

"Ugh..." She let out a muffled groan, making the scene feel even more awkward and out of place.

Qin Qingluo suddenly felt on the verge of collapsing, her serpent-like pupils lifting as she stared intently at Chen Yi.

She didn't look away, her lips trembling as though she wanted to speak but hesitated multiple times.

"What's the matter?" Chen Yi asked.

Her heroic features were flushed unnaturally. Yet, rather than shyness, she laughed instead, saying, "Isn't this what you've been waiting for?"

Chen Yi shook his head and replied, "I don't know what the Prince is referring to."

Qin Qingluo's voice turned vicious: "Stop pretending. You know what this drug is, and you must know its effects."

After speaking, she averted her gaze. From the moment Chen Yi had entered, she had vaguely guessed this part of the plan.

Chen Yi's expression darkened as he countered, "Does the Prince think my lingering here is meant to seize an opportune moment?"

The female Prince could not hide the resentment in her eyes. But as the drug's effects penetrated her bones, leaving no escape, a hint of resignation arose within her heart. Once or twice—what of it? If she couldn't endure even this, how could she accomplish her grand ambitions?

The resentment in her eyes was buried deeply, replaced by a brief flicker of killing intent, which quickly vanished. Qin Qingluo gazed out the window and murmured with melancholy, "Dusk falls, a beautiful evening. Were you not also..."

Before she could finish, Chen Yi rose to his feet, bowed, and said, "It's time I take my leave."

Qin Qingluo was momentarily stunned.

She watched as Chen Yi finished the tea in his hand, walked slowly to the door, and opened it, his figure ready to disappear from the room.

Seeing that he was truly about to leave, Qin Qingluo's body trembled. The unbearable sensation overcame her, and on impulse, she sought to stop him.

"You, come back!" she said harshly.

Chen Yi paused, leaving the door slightly ajar. Calmly, he turned and asked, "Does the Prince have further orders?"

Qin Qingluo's face was both ugly and uneasy. Gritting her teeth, she asked, "Wasn't this what you were waiting for?"

Chen Yi replied solemnly, "I came here at the Princess's request. Since you two share a connection, dishonoring you would dishonor her. Seeing that you can't suppress the drug's effects, it's only fitting that I leave."

"Then why did you earlier..." Qin Qingluo's words trailed off, interrupted by an uncontrollable, drawn-out sigh.

Chen Yi acted as if he didn't hear it. Lowering his gaze, he sighed, "At that time, I didn't know her true feelings for me. I only cared about humiliating you. But now that I know, continuing to act recklessly would only make things difficult for her. I'd feel guilty. Moreover..."

"Moreover, what?"

"At that time, I was simply overcome by lust."

Qin Qingluo's breathing grew erratic. Her eyes held a trace of longing, but even more, they carried shame and fury: