Chapter 1407 - 763: Asura Rises Again (Triple Combined Bonus)

Before he could speak, Zhu E, empathetically not wishing to make it difficult for him, took the initiative to say, "I am not tired at all, I haven't finished my meal yet. I just want to stay a bit longer with the Prince and the gentleman, just a little while longer."

Qin Qingluo slightly furrowed her brows. The possessiveness in her heart towards Chen Yi had already stirred, and it was not easy to extinguish. Although her tone was gentle, her posture remained unyielding, "Then, Aunt Zhu, please take Yue'er back to rest as soon as you finish."

Zhu E could only accompany her words with a smile.

She knew too well that Qin Qingluo had an overbearing nature that tolerated no doubts.

Until today, only Chen Yi, who had opposed this princess, had truly managed to subdue her with strength.

Why should I, as her aunt, confront her head-on?

It's just that indescribable bitterness in her heart that caused her to momentarily lose her composure.

The air in the hall, tense from the silent standoff, slightly relaxed with Zhu E's silence.

Seeing the storm had temporarily settled, Chen Yi silently breathed a sigh of relief.

His greatest fear was that the aunt and niece would truly have an irreconcilable conflict, making it difficult and troublesome for everyone. Fortunately, Zhu E ultimately prioritized the larger picture and cherished the years of relationship with Qin Qingluo, taking a step back.

Ultimately, he wanted both women to willingly fly together in harmony, unwilling to force them.

Chen Yi picked up the wine jug and first filled Qin Qingluo's cup, then naturally turned to Zhu E and filled hers as well, saying warmly, "Princess, have another drink. A bit of intoxication is fitting for New Year's Eve."

Zhu E lifted her eyes to meet his gentle gaze, and the gloom in her heart dissipated by more than half. Nodding lightly, she raised her wine cup and took a sip.

Qin Qingluo observed Chen Yi's seemingly ordinary act of pouring wine. Her eyes flickered slightly, yet she said nothing more. She knew Chen Yi was trying to mediate, and indeed, tonight was New Year's Eve. Why make things so tense?

For a moment, the three seemed to return to the initial warmth and harmony, though underlying currents were, after all, somewhat different.

Zhu E quietly took a few bites of the dishes, as if suddenly remembering something. She put down the silver chopsticks, picked up a silk handkerchief, wiped the corner of her mouth, raised her eyes to Qin Qingluo, and returned a gentle smile to her face, naturally saying:

"Prince, don't you have something to give to the gentleman? The New Year's Eve meal is almost over, and if it's kept hidden, the gentleman might grow impatient."

Her words were said lightly, even carrying a hint of teasing.

Qin Qingluo's hand holding the chopsticks suddenly paused.

She quickly turned her head to look at Zhu E, a flash of unexpectedness in her eyes. How could she have forgotten... they had a telepathic connection, and she had hidden that painting carefully in her sleeve. Although the scroll was rolled up, it was still of considerable size, pressed tightly against her arm, and Zhu E must have noticed it long ago.

This secret sentiment, which she had intended to present to Chen Yi privately at a more suitable time, was now lightly exposed by Zhu E at this table.

She couldn't help feeling somewhat annoyed.

Chen Yi was also taken aback, looking at Zhu E, then at Qin Qingluo.

Qing Luo wanted to give him something? He hadn't seen this coming at all.

Qin Qingluo's chest heaved slightly, staring at Zhu E for two breaths. Suddenly, that trace of thin anger rather strangely dissipated, instead curling her lips into a straightforward smile.

"Heh..." She let out a low laugh, putting down the chopsticks, "Aunt Zhu is indeed well aware of what's in my sleeve…"

The words carried a sting, but more so a straightforwardness.

She did not hesitate any longer, directly reaching her hand into her wide sleeves. After a slight rustling sound, she first grasped a candy in her other hand's palm.

Then, she took out the scroll bound with a silk ribbon.

The silk of the painting glimmered softly under the candlelight.

Qin Qingluo held the scroll, her gaze lingered for a brief moment on Chen Yi's surprised face, seemingly searching for something in his expression. Then, she flicked her wrist and flatly pushed the scroll towards Chen Yi.

"Take it." Her tone was flat, "A New Year's gift hastily made, just to express... farewell thoughts."

Chen Yi reached out to catch it, the scroll felt slightly heavy in his hand, carrying the warmth from her sleeve and a hint of lingering ink fragrance. Looking down at the painting in his hand, a sense of indescribable surprise and... delight rose in his heart.

Qin Qingluo... gifted him a painting?

She had always been decisive in her dominance, even her tenderness carried a kind of aggression. She might grant rewards of power, might allow physical intimacy, but a gift imbued with such delicate sentiment was truly unlike her usual signature.

Perhaps knowing he was leaving, she too felt melancholy at the farewell.

"Open it and see." Qin Qingluo averted her gaze, picked up the wine cup again, her tone remaining flat.

Chen Yi no longer said much, carefully untying the ribbon, and under the slightly curious gaze of Zhu E, slowly unfolded the scroll.

The white xuan paper spread out under the candlelight, the ink still clear, the painting simplistic yet with a boundless artistic mood, distant mountains vast, ancient paths winding, a lone rider advancing ahead, the figure on horseback upright, though only the silhouette was sketched, it was clearly Qin Qingluo herself. And not far behind her, another slightly smaller figure followed on foot, wearing a blue robe in a leisurely manner, glancing at the wildflowers by the road. Though the features were simple, the spirit vaguely resembled Chen Yi's likeness.

No inscriptions, no signatures, only a small private seal stamped in the upper right corner.

Chen Yi's gaze lingered on the painting for a long time, the initial surprise in his heart gradually turning into a warm feeling.

"The painting is... very good." He looked up at Qin Qingluo, his voice unconsciously softening, "I really like it, truly."

Qin Qingluo still turned her face sideways, only giving a soft hum from her nose as a response.

After a while, she silently opened her hand, revealing a piece of sugar, Chen Yi saw it and thought perhaps she had some left over.

Qin Qingluo glanced at the sugar and said in a somewhat unnatural tone, "Yue'er gave it, said you asked her to deliver it. Me… I don't love sweets, and it can't be wasted. Let's share it."

There was no way Chen Yi would refuse.

The warmth in his heart intensified, he reached to pick up the piece of sugar, peeled off the wrapper, and held it to her lips.

Qin Qingluo looked at the sugar near her lips and then at Chen Yi's smiling eyes, hesitated for a moment, but eventually opened her mouth slightly and gently bit down on half of it.

The sweetness melted in her mouth, spreading all the way to her heart.

Chen Yi put the remaining half into his mouth, savoring the same sweet taste, his gaze sweeping over the painting on the table, then skimming over Qin Qingluo's slightly flushed cheeks, finally meeting Zhu E's gentle smile across from him.

After a while, whether from the wine getting to her head or the dimming lights, the redness on Shuo Ren's ear lobes had already taken on an unusual hue under the candlelight, she glanced at Zhu E sideways and said:

"It's about time. I believe Yue'er must be tired as well."

Zhu E's smile slowly froze again.

The warmth from just moments ago, Qing Luo was now ushering people out...

A bit of displeasure rose in Zhu E's heart, and she slowly shook her head.

Qin Qingluo's brow furrowed, and she felt a twinge of dissatisfaction.

Chen Yi came to his senses, his expression changing slightly, knowing without a doubt that the two women were about to clash again. After some thinking, he knew to make the two women willingly stay together, it's best not to take sides, yet now was a situation where he had to choose sides...

The scroll was still in hand, the fragrance of ink slightly permeating the paper, the warmth in his heart lingering...

It was better to favor Qin Qingluo...

Chen Yi pondered his words, thinking about how to speak without offending Zhu E's dignity.

The warm candlelight in the hall seemed to flicker with the silent confrontation, and the beautiful, complex lanterns above seemed to dim.

Qin Qingluo furrowed her brow, tapping her fingertips lightly on the table, and at this point, following common sense by asking her to take her daughter to rest was met with refusal? Zhu E's behavior was too clueless and... too damaging to her dignity.

Moreover, Chen Yi also wished to be alone with her.

But then Zhu E slowly lifted her eyes, her gentle smile unchanged but gone was the usual indulgence and concession in front of Qin Qingluo. She said, "Qing Luo, tonight is New Year's Eve, and staying up for the night is an ancient custom and a symbol of reunion. I don't mean to go against you, but..."

She paused, her smile deepened, revealing a hint of a sharp candor, "Qing Luo has the intention to give a painting as a farewell, it is your intention. Zhu E... also has Zhu E's intention, wanting to express it on this reunion night."

After speaking, she said no more, the crimson sleeve slipped, revealing a white, slender wrist. Her fingers were long, her movements unhurried, reaching into her sleeve.

Qin Qingluo couldn't help but frown.

The soft rustling sound was the candies falling onto the table.

One,

Two,

Three...

Qin Qingluo, who initially only frowned, now had eyes gradually deepening like a snake.

"Qing Luo, do you only have one piece of candy?

Aunt has three pieces... to share with the gentleman."