Chapter 1398 - 760: Aunt and Nephew Turn Asura (Double Chapter)

At that moment, Qin Qingluo, who was sitting alone in the pavilion, slowly lifted her snake-like eyes and glanced over.

Chen Yi met her gaze for a moment, then turned and walked away.

Pretending not to see.

"Stop."

A voice rose from behind, not loud, yet inherently authoritative.

Chen Yi's footsteps halted, his body stiffening in place. Slowly turning around, he forced a somewhat awkward smile on his face, rubbed his nose, and was at a loss for words.

Last night, when he saw the East City Armory ablaze, he went out to investigate. He figured Qin Qingluo must have found out upon returning to the mansion. But as for what happened afterward... considering that Zhu E had some connection with Qin Qingluo, Chen Yi found himself in a tricky situation.

Although the relationship between him and this Prince and Princess was complex, he couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt as if caught in the act.

Grasping his nature, Qin Qingluo didn't rush to speak. She merely scrutinized him silently.

She enjoyed exerting pressure on people like this, and look at that, she liked it too.

Just as Chen Yi was wracking his brain on how to explain the events, Zhu E stepped forward gracefully, slightly bowing in greeting,

"Good morning, Prince," her voice was gentle, her gaze candid, "Don't blame the gentleman, he wasn't aware last night. Everything that happened last night was my idea..."

Qin Qingluo's eyebrows flickered as she looked at Zhu E and scolded:

"You went behind my back again."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yi knew that Qin Qingluo already had a rough idea of what transpired last night. Which made sense, given that the two, though aunt and nephew in name, had been together as a couple for long. Their methods were known to each other, and Zhu E was in charge of the espionage and other shady matters, making it not difficult for Qin Qingluo to guess.

Zhu E, unfazed, continued:

"I was assured of success, and even performed Divination asking the heavenly spirits beforehand. I didn't linger. After the deed, we left immediately. Even if there were any traces left behind, the court is far enough for them not to catch up. This matter concerns the fate of Nanwei and relates to the great cause of the Qin Family, hence... the urgency. If there is blame, it should be for my lack of foresight, for not informing you beforehand."

After listening, Qin Qingluo sneered coldly: "You said everything that needed saying. If you had given even a hint beforehand, would I have stopped you?"

The words were harsh, leaving Chen Yi somewhat taken aback, for since he'd known Qin Qingluo, she'd never spoken to Zhu E like this.

The aunt and nephew were still the same, but realizing there was something different from the past, cold sweat appeared on his temples.

Zhu E, still in a gentle voice, responded, "In an emergency, things had to be done swiftly and notifying you was not possible..."

"Where is the room for swift action, and why specifically yesterday? Even in haste, why not inform me first?" Qin Qingluo pressed, relentless in her questioning.

"Prince, saying or not saying it, the outcome was good. I promise not to act this way next time, and I've always been cautious. Neither I nor the gentleman were in any danger this time."

Towards the end, Zhu E suddenly said in a haunting tone,

"Moreover, if you had known beforehand, wouldn't you have locked him down last night, not letting him go?"

That statement was better left unsaid, as it hit a nerve. The tall woman rose in anger, slamming the table and exclaimed:

"You! Zhu Liaoao, why are you quarreling with me for this wench?!"

Resorting to pronouns, the Prince was already extremely angry.

This time, Zhu E didn't dodge, saying, "Qing Luo, you picked a fight with your aunt first."

The pair, usually with deep ties and no rancor, were now at loggerheads early morning, leaving Chen Yi at a loss, feeling stuck between a rock and a hard place.

He, who was never good with words, suddenly understood the meaning of sowing discord, but never thought he'd be the root of it.

Previously, it was fine to be an enemy to Qin Qingluo, he might even happily fan the flames of discord. But now, one was the child's father, the other the child's mother, both equally dear to him. Chen Yi hoped to quickly quell the hostile momentum and hurriedly stepped between the two women.

"Early in the morning, there's nothing to fight about. It's almost New Year..."

Qin Qingluo stepped forward and pushed him aside, arrogantly saying, "This has nothing to do with you."

As if to disagree intentionally, Zhu E said in a teasing voice:

"In fact, I believe it does concern the gentleman, doesn't it? Are you jealous of him, Qing Luo? Why are you angry with your aunt?"

Then she moved closer and wrapped her arm around Chen Yi, pulling him towards her.

Qin Qingluo, feeling his arm against her chest, was like fuel added to the fire, her rarely seen anger causing her face to flush red.

Stuck in the middle, Chen Yi felt uneasy, beads of cold sweat emerging, forcing him to think hard.

Just then, the garden echoed with the sound of childish calls,

"Father, Father... Yue'er is looking for Father... and Daddy, where's Mommy?!"

As the voice fell, the dueling pair, Qin Qingluo and Zhu E, both paused instinctively.

Qin Qingluo straightened her collar, suppressing her fury, while Zhu E quietly let go of Chen Yi's hand, stepping aside a few paces... Seeing this, Chen Yi breathed a sigh of relief, the storm had finally calmed for now.

He finally had a chance to maneuver, and once the two women settled down, he could separately coax them, melting away this discontent. After all, despite their pretense, the two cared deeply for each other, and no conflict is insurmountable.

The small figure of Qin Yue rounded the flower bush, quickly running over. Seeing the trio by the pavilion, she was thrilled and rushed up. This little one understood how to share affection. She first tiptoed to Zhu E to receive a head pat, then nudged Chen Yi, and finally wrapped herself around Qin Qingluo's leg, calling out "Father" in a childlike voice.

This scene had the Princess angry yet laughing. Clearly a girl, but she had her father's temperament, probably having picked up some bad habits recently.