Chapter 1405 - 763: Asura Rises Again (Triple Release Combo)

Chen Yi has always been adept at exploiting people's vulnerabilities.

The Little Fox's Yintai Temple, Great Yin's Immortal, Zhou Yitang's Living Sword, Min Ning's sister Min Ming, and even Qin Qingluo and his own daughter Yue'er, he has used them all to varying degrees.

He is precise in his pursuits, grasping them accurately, leaving people with neither the desire to risk everything nor the ability to decisively sever ties, to the extent that he couldn't help but marvel at how wicked Chen Zunming was.

Sometimes he didn't want to, but without it he couldn't achieve his goals, so he used them, and this life was much better than the previous one, always maintaining a sense of proportion.

In his past life, he didn't know where the boundary lay, leading to the brewing of regret over two lives, and in this lifetime, he has expended countless efforts to mend it.

Unknowingly, the banquet passed halfway, and in accordance with the saying 'no talking while eating, no speaking while sleeping', although it was a New Year's Eve dinner, aside from initial auspicious words, the two women spoke very little, creating a warm atmosphere of family reunion.

Occasionally, Chen Yi served dishes to the two women, while exchanging cups, the aroma of fine wine and delicacies filled the air, but he was not Miss Donggong, so his thoughts were naturally not on the food.

He intentionally and unintentionally pondered the subtle expressions and emotional leaks of the two women.

He focused more on Qin Qingluo's face, the light outlining her profile, her eyebrows relaxed, and even the formerly cold and hard lines appeared slightly softened.

Looking at her, this Princess who has always been disdainful of ministers... seemed ready to reveal her heartfelt emotions.

As a Vassal King, Qin Qingluo actually knew how to keep her joy and anger from showing, carrying an unquestionable majesty in every gesture, yet people have moments of relaxation, and in such a warm New Year's Eve dinner, it's hard not to let down her guard. Her eyebrows slightly raised, noticing Chen Yi watching her, she glanced back, with a mocking smile, perhaps intentionally letting him know this.

In that brief glance, there was a faint stir of emotions.

Chen Yi understood, tonight was mostly going to be about revealing heartfelt emotions, but Zhu E was still present, making it awkward to speak out.

When a woman seeks to confide in you, it's when she is most vulnerable, speaking her mind, and thus becomes willing to comply with your wishes, softly and persistently agreeing to things she usually wouldn't, Chen Yi being experienced in relationships knew this truth well.

Many women who seem rejecting are truly just waiting for the moment when the dam breaks.

If this is the case, then it should be properly utilized, slowly pushing towards the rekindling of past ties.

Thus, Chen Yi slowly spoke, "Does the Prince want more wine?"

"Yes." She did not refuse.

Chen Yi then stood up to pour wine for her, Qin Qingluo received it openly, not moving away immediately, instead pausing her gaze for a moment, her snake eyes sweeping fiercely.

She seemed to be checking if he would also pour wine for Zhu E.

But that man put down the wine jug, making no further moves.

It appeared the wine was poured exclusively for her.

Qin Qingluo took a sip from her cup, not disappointed with her days of favor.

After pouring wine, Chen Yi suddenly said, "I'm heading to Western Jin in a few days, the schedule has been arranged, just after the Lantern Festival."

Zhu E exclaimed, "So soon?"

Qin Qingluo slightly frowned, although she had long suspected his intention to leave, mentioning such matters on New Year's Eve was rather dispiriting.

"Therefore, during these days, I wish to spend more time with the Prince and Princess."

These words were indeed tactful.

Chen Yi continued, "This time going to Western Jin, part of it is to meet a friend's invitation, but also to examine the real situation in Western Jin on behalf of the Prince, after all, there are strong enemies outside, occupying Sichuan and Longxi for many years, opposing Great Yu competitively, even if the world changes in the future, who knows if Western Jin will emerge victorious in the end."

Qin Qingluo silently drank wine, hearing this, her brows unconsciously reflected a sternness, the Nanjiang Royal Mansion has plotted for several generations, merely for the day when the world changes, to achieve glory, to quell chaos, clear the seas, what Chen Yi said, how could she not know?

To speak truthfully, without a rare opportunity, it would be dreaming to use troops from Southern Border to spy on the world, yet in the chaotic times of Late Qin, Han Gaozu rose from humble origins, wielded the Three-foot Sword to overthrow Qin and Chu, pacifying the world, correcting chaos, it was not human effort, but heaven's creation, granted with opportunity, concentrating full strength, what is called fate, lies precisely in this.

"You go to Western Jin, I will not refuse, and will fully assist." She said.

"No need, I am already Second Rank, too much assistance might actually be burdensome."

Qin Qingluo slightly raised her eyebrows, Chen Yi spoke with calm, yet made her as Fourth Rank subtly feel some pressure, unknowingly seeming beneath him.

"The current Your Majesty is young and ignorant, just a puppet to be replaced, even if that Empress Dowager conducts Wu Zhao's affairs, some time is still needed to stabilize the regime, quell the loyal and righteous troops, so the real enemy is only in the Northwest, Western Jin covetously occupies Guanlong, eyeing eagerly, at that time mobilizing the entire country to break Tongguan to the east, Central Plains' fate becomes precarious,"

Chen Yi paused, raised his cup toward Qin Qingluo, slowly said:

"I originally intended to prune Western Jin's powerful branches for you, Prince."

Jade cups clashed, ringing clearly.

Candlelight flickered, reflecting Qin Qingluo's suddenly deep snake eyes.

"Speaking lightly, the Western Jin cavalry's advantages, second to none in the world, operated for generations, deeply rooted, hardly to be underestimated?"

"Precisely because it's not easy, hence the need to plan early." Chen Yi met her gaze, calmly replied, "I don't need a thousand troops and horses, just a pair of eyes, a sharp knife, to see its real situation, find its cracks, if there's an opportunity... then for the Prince, prune some troublesome branches, at least, make that big tree grow slower, grow messier."

Qin Qingluo's sharp eyes fixed on Chen Yi's face, trying to penetrate that calm and slightly playful demeanor, to discern how much sincerity lies beneath, how much calculation, and what kind of price is hidden.