Chapter 1543 - 828: All Is Well (Double Chapter)

The moonlight seemed to have dimmed, carelessly smearing along the mountain ridge and sketching out jagged shadows, blending with the silence.

Chen Yi's hand was still gently supporting Consort Dong's arm—his subconscious protective gesture earlier now turned into an awkward footnote, making him both annoyed and amused with himself.

Yet, his wife, the Great Yin, stood outside the window, draped only in an outer robe, her hair disheveled, her cheeks flushed slightly with haste and fright. Chen Yi had wanted to laugh, but then didn't feel like it anymore. He recalled that night when they wrote the character 'Immortal' together, her hand guiding his, embodying transcendence. So-called immortals are those who dwell beyond the mundane world. Yet here she was, beyond those bounds—this place and there seemingly separated by a mountain. She spoke of observing the ever-changing world, the ebb and flow of life, but what she said she often couldn't achieve.

Hadn't she always known about his relationship with Consort Dong?

Thinking about it now, Chen Yi found it amusing again.

Moreover, he indeed hadn't done anything with Consort Dong yet.

His gaze slipped past Consort Dong's slightly trembling eyelashes to meet Yin Weiyin's eyes outside the window. She retreated half a step, her eyes swirling with complex emotions, even if it was only for an instant.

"I'm alright."

Chen Yi gently released Consort Dong, choosing to break the silence lightly.

"...Mm, as long as you're fine." She responded, with a hint of coldness in her gaze.

She might be silently reciting the Supreme Forget Emotion technique, Chen Yi thought to himself, finding it even more amusing.

His wife, Great Yin, was actually a woman who adored character and spirit. She often focused on her practices, wielding her horsetail whisk, and when teased by him, her ears would flush, and she would lower her gaze, pressing her lips tight. That demeanor always reminded him of bamboo in the morning mist, cold and fragile but with an inherent grace.

Yin Weiyin pondered for a while, appearing indifferent, before glancing towards Zhongnan Mountain, where golden light faintly appeared and dark clouds gathered atop, as if a gigantic creature was churning the mountains like rivers and seas. She said, "That's the Golden Immortal Temple... what's happening?"

Chen Yi glanced over and was about to shake his head when Consort Dong spoke first, "The Dragon Vein has been awakened, but... not the Dragon Vein of the Western Jin."

The female crown glanced at the woman whose hair fell to her knees, lightly asking, "If that's the case, which Dragon Vein is it?"

"I don't know either. I came to investigate under the Empress Dowager's order."

In the distance, moonlight was pale, and the mountain's shadows were menacing. Consort Dong, gently released by Chen Yi, adjusted her slightly disordered robe, keeping her gaze on Zhongnan Mountain with its golden glow, continuing to say:

"We must go up and see what really happened."

Yin Weiyin's eyebrows furrowed almost imperceptibly, looking at Chen Yi as if seeking his intention.

Consort Dong naturally took Chen Yi's still extended arm with an entitled vulnerability, turning to Yin Weiyin with a smile:

"Mrs. Yin, could you... lend me your husband? Otherwise, as a lone weak woman, going up alone would surely pose... a real risk of unforeseen dangers."

Yin Weiyin clenched her jaw to maintain her composure. That fox; how did she manage not to notice in the Capital City before?

Perhaps because she was in the Imperial Palace then, this Imperial Concubine dared not show off excessively. Now, without restraint, she flaunted herself.

Seeing Consort Dong eager to proceed, Chen Yi frowned.

What on earth was Consort Dong up to? Moments ago, she seemed frightened by the Dragon Roar, yet now she was eager to approach the Golden Immortal Temple?

The female crown showed no expression, only stating blandly, "This matter, you should ask him if he's willing."

She handed the decision back to Chen Yi.

Hearing this, Consort Dong's eyes flickered, chuckling softly. She patted Chen Yi's hand back, her tone light yet subtly pointed: "A man ought to manage affairs outside, and a woman within. It seems in your household, Mrs. Yin manages internal matters, and external affairs are all up to you."

This simple "man outside, woman inside" seemed ordinary but caused subtle ripples within Yin Weiyin's Heart Lake.

The Imperial Concubine certainly had a cunning nature but still showed insight, recognizing who dominated the household... Up and down, her impression of Consort Dong unexpectedly improved somewhat.

Consort Dong caught the slight shift in Yin Weiyin's aura, a taunting smile flashed in her eyes, and she tugged Chen Yi's arm again,

"Let's go, let's see— even if just from afar. With such commotion, those hidden experts in the Golden Immortal Temple must be busy protecting the old Emperor, hardly paying us onlookers any mind."

Chen Yi's mind raced with thoughts. Consort Dong's insistence on climbing the mountain surely had motives. But she made some fair points; the Golden Immortal Temple was undoubtedly in chaos now, an opportunity to fish in troubled waters and ascertain the truth.

Moreover, the Golden Immortal Temple was indeed closely tied to the Dragon Vein.

There were risks, but opportunities existed as well.

Finally, he nodded slightly and whispered, "It's fine to have a look, but we must be cautious and not go too deep."

Before leaving, he turned to look at Yin Weiyin, still standing outside the window in the moonlight. He wanted to say something, a lighthearted quip to make her smile, at least not letting her feel he was eloping with an old lover.

But facing her eyes that had returned to calm, as still as a deep pool without ripples, all his prepared words choked back in his throat.

He could only silently retract those words back into his palm.

Yin Weiyin gazed at him, the night wind stirring her loose hair. After a while, she softly uttered:

"Take care on your journey."

Chen Yi's heart tightened, and he nodded.