Chapter 389: Chapter 311 I’m Very Proud
At that moment, Chen Yi truly believed that the Tushan Clan had left a residual soul within the body of the imperial consort of An.
People always place their hopes in miracles, and Chen Yi was no exception.
Even though reason told him that the Tushan Clan had fully retreated to their sealed state within the underground palace, and unless it surfaced, she would never appear again.
Yet emotionally, Chen Yi couldn’t help but hope. Perhaps, through some secret technique, the Tushan Clan might silently accompany him, unnoticed and unknown.
Perhaps she avoided detection by carefully leaving no sound, no trace whatsoever for him to discover.
But alas, fantasy was but fantasy. Only when it remains confined to imagination can it remain authentic. Once cast into reality, it becomes utterly false.
It was the imperial consort of An’s words that snapped Chen Yi back to clarity.
Within the underground palace, the Tushan Clan saw him as Qi, but by the end, she had come to realize that Chen Yi was Chen Yi, and not Qi.
Yet all of this was unbeknownst to the imperial consort of An.
Her memories lingered only at the Heavenly Altar of worship.
After the ceremony at the Heavenly Altar, the Tushan Clan fully awakened, suppressing the consort’s soul. The latter’s senses were completely cut off, while the Tushan Clan no longer suffered from consciousness disturbances.
And so, Chen Yi understood.
All the convoluted paths led back to one conclusion: there was no residual soul from the Tushan Clan at all.
The notion of a residual soul causing mischief was merely an excuse.
No matter what one endeavors, they need a pretext, a reason. He was no exception, nor was the dowager empress who takes charge behind the veil of imperial authority.
In the end, the imperial consort of An was merely playing mind games.
Because he remained a sharp blade in her revenge against the Chen Family of Jin Country.
Bearing the surname Chen, of unclear origins, and advancing martial arts at a speed that rivaled the Broken Swordsman in his prime, coupled with rumors deliberately circulated...
No doubt even now, some within the Chen Family of Jin Country have begun to suspect he might be a bastard fleeing from one of their branches.
Chen Yi gently swirled the fine wine in his cup. The liquid, clear and pristine, glistened as he raised the cup and downed it in a single gulp.
The imperial consort of An lightly pressed her lips together and said casually:
"Back in the underground palace, you advised me to confer the title of Commandery Princess upon the daughter of Prince Xiang. The decree has now been drafted and sealed. Not only would it clear her of all charges, but she could be passed into the household of Prince Jing and formally elevated to Commandery Princess, marrying you as a co-wife.
Yi’er, you treasure her so much, yet would you truly have her remain a mere concubine forever? Not to mention her royal lineage—such an act warrants death—just by considering this likable girl, you ought to make her your co-wife."
As her words fell upon his ears, Chen Yi neither shook his head nor nodded.
In truth, whether Yin Tingxue was a concubine or a wife, her position in Chen Yi’s heart remained unchanged.
Concubine or wife—this distinction might hold great significance to the world, but to Chen Yi, it was merely a trivial label.
Ultimately, to Chen Yi, there was no hierarchy between concubines and wives. Among the multitude of women, there was only a variance in his regard for them.
Thus, at that moment, Chen Yi answered her with a question of his own:
"So... what of my primary wife, Your Highness?"
Hearing him address her as "Your Highness," the imperial consort of An relaxed her brows.
Upon their initial return from the underground palace, resentment lingered in her heart, and she entertained thoughts of discarding him once he outlived his usefulness. Yet since then... she’d gradually come to terms.
Especially after the incident at Jinya Pavilion, where she saw him collapse into the arms of that impostor. Her heart had since been a tangled web of conflicting feelings, too complex to put into words.
The imperial consort of An’s voice softened as she spoke: "Your primary wife shall wait for the imperial decree following your ennoblement. I have no desire to treat you unfairly, and your primary wife will, of course, be unmatched in beauty."
Chen Yi released a slow breath and uttered four words: "Dong Gong Ruoshu?"
As the phoenix eyes flickered solemnly with his question, the imperial consort of An replied with significance: "So Yi’er already knows?"
Chen Yi sighed lightly, his voice unrestrained: "At the time... Lin Yan told me everything."
Back when the Lin Party sought to usurp the throne by palace coup, they endeavored to recruit Chen Yi, revealing their entire conspiracy—whether it concerned the annihilation of the main An lineage by Jin’s Chen Family or the venom lingering within Chen Yi’s body.
The candlelight danced and shifted within the consort’s gaze.
Her voice softened further: "It isn’t difficult to discern, but... wielding you as a blade was merely an intention of the past."
As her words subsided, she noticed Chen Yi’s heightened focus.
Meanwhile, a nearby palace maid was about to refill his empty wine cup.
The consort raised her hand to stop her, declaring aloud:
"Add the medicine into the wine."
At her command, the prepared Su Xin retrieved pale yellow pills from her garment and crushed them into powder with a mortar and pestle. The fragrance of medicine filled the room as she added it to the wine.
The palace maid resumed pouring the wine into Chen Yi’s cup.
The clear yet slightly yellowed fine wine appeared before him. The consort calmly announced: "This is the antidote."
Chen Yi lowered his gaze slightly, then with deliberate strength gripped the wine cup and drained its contents.
As the liquor entered his stomach, Chen Yi suddenly felt blood and energy boiling inside him, rushing through his body like floodwaters, surging into the toxin-tainted acupoints.
The medicinal effect spread to his limbs, soothing channels burned by venom with ease. An unfamiliar sense of lightness enveloped him—an instant relief.
It truly was the antidote for the Flesh Relic Elixir!
Chen Yi looked at the consort in disbelief.
Facing his gaze, the imperial consort of An said faintly:
"To dispel the effects of the Flesh Relic Elixir, five different medicinal pills are required. What you’ve just taken is only one component of the antidote."
Chen Yi collected his thoughts and asked, "And... the other components of the antidote?"
Taking in Chen Yi’s reaction, the consort smiled: "I’ve already told you, I don’t wish for your death."
After speaking, she rose to her feet, her steps slightly unsteady, as though tipsy. Seeing this, Chen Yi stepped closer and held her by the arm.
When the palace maid approached, he released his grip. Yet at that moment, the imperial consort waved her away, refusing assistance, then steadied herself before descending the small building one step at a time.
Chen Yi followed closely behind. The palace maids were held back by Su Xin, who seemed to anticipate the consort’s destination, calling for food to be prepared and delivered to Lianyin Lake.
The consort’s steps ventured deep into the stone paths of the palace courtyards, where walls faded from view, leaving only flora as her companions. Chen Yi followed behind, with the innocence of a child unwilling to part.
When the consort finally stopped walking, they stood before the famed Lianyin Lake of the palace. A cool winter breeze stirred its waters, distorting their surfaces with sparse ripples. On the lake floated countless withered lotus pods, beneath which hidden carp lay dormant as if in a deep slumber.
A stone table by the lakeside bore the prepared food.
The consort stood at the water’s edge, her long skirt trailing to the ground. With her back to Chen Yi, she spoke softly:
"That Annan Princess—she’s merely a game to you.
The Prince of Annan is no benevolent soul. Like a tiger, like a wolf, it’s impossible to tell when he might strike and end your life."
Chen Yi raised his gaze: "Is Your Highness worried about me?"
"Why wouldn’t I care about you?" The consort sighed lightly. "Now that I am tormented by the residual soul of the Tushan Clan, who else could I concern myself with if not you?"
Chen Yi nodded sincerely, as though about to kneel in gratitude, but she gestured for him to stop.
The consort chuckled: "What child kneels for everything before their parents? When you visit Jingren Palace from now on, there’s no need to kneel."
Chen Yi’s figure wavered slightly before responding with a deep "Mm."
As the breeze swept by, the consort narrowed her gaze and exhaled heavily.
Since returning from the underground palace, she had pent up this frustration for him far too long.
Yet now, she had finally begun to let go.
Especially since he’d just displayed his filial piety.
"You don’t wish to die, and I don’t wish for your death. But as for Jin’s Chen Family—they deserve to die." The consort began slowly.
"Your Highness means that once Jin’s Chen Family is eradicated..."
Standing behind her, Chen Yi probed tentatively.
The consort did not turn around, nor did she respond.
She lifted the ornate box containing the feed, pinched a bundle with her handkerchief, and scattered it into the lake.
Chen Yi glanced over to see the carp suddenly awaken, scrabbling and thrashing to the surface. Amid the cold winds, nearly a hundred carp swarmed noisily in a feeding frenzy.
"The fish in the pond have their freedom, but they must stay within the pond.
Watching the carp leap and thrash, the consort spoke calmly:
"Daily, someone will feed them, play with them, and even breed them. They swim freely, day and night, from one end to the other—until they grow old and die, and their offspring are born inside the same pond.
Do you understand what I’m saying?"
Behind her, silence prevailed. He kept his head lowered, offering no response.
The consort slowly turned to face him, finding him in a state of contemplation.
Chen Yi raised his gaze slightly, and his view fell upon her graceful figure—her courtly attire sweeping the ground, unable to conceal the smoothness of her curves. Her exposed neckline gleamed like white jade, her mature form truly exquisite.
Seeing his lack of reply, the consort furrowed her brows and declared plainly:
"From now on, heed the palace’s instructions. Considering your loyalty and filial piety, you might escape death. As for rewards, whatever you desire, I can grant. However much you wish, you’ll have it."
"Truly..." Chen Yi’s voice sounded full of disbelief.
In response, the consort grinned: "A sovereign’s word is final."
She gazed intently at the臣 brushedshirt