My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion-Chapter 86 - 71 Must Concern

"Husband, that man... his gaze towards me is improper."

After Chen Yi left, Lin Wanxiao finally couldn’t hold back her words.

The gaze of that West Factory Thousand Households swept across her body repeatedly, something a lady born into a scholarly family found hard to endure.

Lin Yan comforted her:

"No need to worry, wife. After this matter is concluded, the Lin family will have no further dealings with him."

"No further dealings?"

His wife was perplexed.

Lin Yan could clearly see the man’s audacity, but back then he had no choice but to swallow his anger. Now, hearing his wife complain, his gaze turned cold and he replied:

"At present, we urgently need the Eastern Factory’s support, which is why we are trying to win him over. But once everything succeeds, there’s no need to rely on him anymore."

Listening to her husband’s words, his wife couldn’t help but speak uneasily:

"Husband, it’s not that I lack confidence, but the Empress Dowager has controlled the court for many years. We must tread cautiously... Besides, throughout history, efforts to ’purge side rulers’ have seen more failures than successes. Risking our entire household for this is not worthwhile."

Lin Yan replied with conviction:

"How many years has that wicked Empress Dowager controlled the court? Our Lin family has been in the cabinet for over twenty years! The late emperor employed our people, and now the wicked Empress Dowager uses our people too. Why is it that she thinks she can discard loyal servants when they’re no longer useful? Why is it considered natural for the monarch to command the minister’s death, with the minister having no choice but to obey?

If she uses our people, why can’t we purge the side rulers? Why should we fear taking action like Huo Yin once did? Since I’m carrying the Lin family’s legacy, aiming for high office while being a filial son, then I shall purge the side rulers! Eradicate the pests in court, force that wicked Empress Dowager to relinquish power and abdicate, and let the world know that the fury of scholars extends far beyond just spilling blood within ten paces—it shakes the heavens!"

As Lin Yan spoke more passionately, his eyes turned red, his lips trembled. After a moment, he noticed his wife’s concerned gaze and realized his loss of composure.

He calmed himself and spoke softly:

"My father values me most deeply, not only entrusting me as the family head but also wanting me to ascend immortality, training me in the boyhood skill since childhood. Because of this, I have refrained from touching you over the years, causing you grievance, even making your maternal family gossip. When my father ascends to immortality, and we formally consummate, let’s see if they dare continue their spiteful remarks."

Lin Wanxiao nodded lightly, offering a faint smile. It seemed she agreed with her husband’s words, yet she remained silent. This kind of ambiguous approval was the cultivated refinement of a woman aspiring to be the perfect wife. By nature, she was someone who just wanted a peaceful life—a warm home was all she cared for; other matters did not occupy her thoughts.

Thus, she always treated her husband with respect and decorum.

Lin Yan extended his hand, wanting to touch her, but ultimately withdrew it. He feared he might lose control. Under his father’s instruction, he had refrained from even a single touch of his wife all these years, treating her as a sacred, untouchable treasure.

After a while, he softly reassured her:

"You women should focus on managing household affairs. As for that Chen Qianhu, you needn’t worry; I will handle it for you, especially since he dared act so boldly toward you!

In the Empress Dowager’s hands, he is a blade; in mine, he is also a blade. When the blade becomes useless, there’s naturally someone to kill him."

"Husband... who is that person?"

............

"What, you want me to kill Chen Yi?"

You Xu widened his eyes and asked incredulously:

"Seriously?"

Yin Weiyin replied indifferently:

"Naturally, it’s you. The skilled fighters from the Prince Mansion and the Lin family will deal with Xique Pavilion and the elite fighters in the palace. To confront the Pavilion Master of Xique Pavilion, you are the only one left to kill him."

You Xu chuckled aloud:

"You’ve had me serve as a spy for all these years, and now, in the end, you want me to kill someone exceptionally difficult to target?"

You Xu found this quite amusing and was about to wave his hand to refuse, but then he heard a certain remark.

"He killed your disciple. Do you not wish to avenge him?"

The words of the white-clad female crown carried a chilling indifference.

"Huang Liuqing was the sole true successor you accepted after the White Willow Sect’s destruction twenty years ago. He ended your sect’s lineage, and you remain unmoved?"

You Xu narrowed his eyes, his grip on his blade visibly tense, his knuckles turning white.

After a long silence, he spoke gravely:

"If I were to kill, I might start with you—weren’t you the ones who sent him to his death?"

"It was himself who insisted on walking this path." The female crown replied coldly. "If the four join forces, Chen Yi has no chance to survive."

You Xu momentarily felt the urge to draw his sword.

But upon seeing Xue Chengdong, the white-clad swordmaster from the Prince Mansion, slightly move the hilt of his three-foot sword, You Xu quickly suppressed his anger.

Then, Yin Weiyin slowly offered further enticement:

"Kill him, and the Prince Mansion will spare no effort to find you another exceptional martial arts talent."

The proposition caused You Xu to waver.

"Before killing him, the Prince Mansion will even employ the Black Fox Elixir to help repair your meridians, allowing you to restore your Fourth Rank abilities." The female crown added temptation.

"Fine..."

After a prolonged pause, You Xu uttered a single word and then asked:

"What about the Qintian Bureau? They hold the Spring and Autumn Register."

"The Lin family will ensure it gets taken from the Qintian Bureau." Yin Weiyin’s response dispelled finally any remaining hesitation from You Xu.

"Then I shall kill him, and from then on, I sever all ties with the rest of you."

You Xu spoke in a deep tone.

Yin Weiyin remained unfazed.

She once again recalled Chen Yi’s detestable face.

On the matter of killing him, Yin Weiyin bore no reservations.

He had taken the Taoist companion foretold in her prophecy, yet had also once saved her at the Huai River Ancestral Hall. Their history encompassed both grievances and gratitude—but logically speaking, she should not kill him. Even if she reclaimed her Taoist companion, she ought to spare his life.

However, compared to the supreme, transcendent path of longevity that demanded complete detachment, these grievances were utterly insignificant...

A mushroom does not know the phases of the moon; a cicada does not know spring or autumn.

"Obtain enlightenment and forget words, achieve the Dao and forget emotions. Love and hate are but moments, life and death a cycle..."

When the rooster crows at the moment of soul-summoning, all the Chen Yis of the world turn to dust.

............

"What happened, Chen Yi?"

Suddenly escorted back from the lotus pond area by a maid to a side chamber, Yin Tingxue was utterly clueless about the unfolding events.

Min Ning stood to the side, clutching a blade while her gaze fell on Chen Yi, her expression full of inquiry.

"The Lin Party plans to stage a coup. Next, I need to go to the Qintian Bureau and seize the Spring and Autumn Register."

Chen Yi briefly summarized the situation.

Min Ning’s expression shifted subtly, clearly realizing the gravity of the matter.

She hesitated before asking:

"You’re... helping the Lin Party?"

"I only serve myself—Lin Party, Empress Dowager, or the Prince Mansion. Whoever can aid me, I will aid them."

Chen Yi replied calmly.

"...In any case, trust me."

Min Ning looked at Chen Yi, intending to say something but holding back. Ultimately, she simply nodded slightly.

Through their time together, she had already developed a bond of trust with Chen Yi that required no explanation.

"Next, follow my instructions. Take my token and go to the West Factory..."

Chen Yi stood up, leaned close to Min Ning’s ear, and whispered the specifics of the upcoming plan.

The Capital City was on the verge of descending into chaos, as if everything were about to be tossed into a swirl of confusion. Yet the cards in Chen Yi’s hand were limited—every move needed to be maximally efficient.

Yin Tingxue watched quietly as the two communicated their plan in hushed tones, her gaze steady and unmoving. She didn’t wish to become entangled in the situation, especially since Zhou Yitang had placed a spell on her upon her release, rendering her unable to reveal the involvement of Sword Armor in the conspiracy.

Once Chen Yi finished his instructions, he exhaled and said:

"Take Tingxue with you. Lin Yan still needs me, so the Lin family won’t stop you."

Min Ning nodded firmly and extended her hand towards Yin Tingxue. The princess cooperatively placed her hand in hers and turned back to glance at Chen Yi. Since becoming a concubine of Chen Yi, she had scarcely been apart from him. Now, with the Capital City about to erupt in turmoil, she couldn’t help but wonder if she might never see him again.

Chen Yi ruffled her hair and kissed her on the forehead.

Yin Tingxue couldn’t articulate her feelings. She didn’t like this man and harbored resentment against him. The look she gave him carried no sentimentality.

Yet, she was already married, adorned with the ceremonial hairpin. Moreover, he was her husband. So she imitated her mother’s behavior, softly expressing concern: "Take care."

"Later, I’ll take you back to Yintai Temple."

Chen Yi knew her concern was feigned, but he didn’t mind—he rather enjoyed watching the little fox unwillingly display care while forced to do so.

Yin Tingxue raised her brows slightly. It seemed he remembered. After everything, if all went well, he would likely take her to Yintai Temple immediately.

But... if all went well, would she never truly escape from him?

At the thought, Yin Tingxue’s raised brows drooped low.

After Min Ning took Yin Tingxue away, Chen Yi inhaled deeply, placed his hand on the sword hilt, and walked towards another direction.