*Clatter! Smash!*
Hearing the commotion from outside, A-Yue called out tentatively, "Young Palace Master? What happened? Do you need me to come in?"
"I broke a cup. Go prepare dinner; there’s no need to clean this up."
"Yes, I’m going now."
In the vast room, Nan Muxue stood by the corner of the table. She glanced at the shattered porcelain shards and actually began to smile. "If the Holy Envoy is unhappy, she shouldn't take it out on my teacups."
Chu Ruo said nothing, squatting down to gather the fragments. It wasn't an intentional outburst, but her mood was truly wretched; in a way, the cup had served as a vent for her frustration.
"What? I say a few words and you throw a tantrum?"
Chu Ruo let out a heavy sigh, unsure of what to say. She continued sullenly picking up the shards until a jade-like hand entered her field of vision. She hurriedly blocked it, preventing the other from touching the sharp porcelain. "You’re pregnant, why are you squatting down? These shards are sharp. Go sit down, I’ll take care of it..."
In the next second, the hand she was holding was placed directly against her cheek. Nan Muxue smiled tenderly. "Since you care for me so much, stop wearing such a long face. It makes me worry."
Chu Ruo sighed deeply again. "I... my heart is just..."
Nan Muxue leaned in to embrace her. "Enough. Your brow is furrowed so tightly I can hardly smooth it out. You’ve been like this for days. You weren't like this before—you used to act as if nothing mattered even if the sky fell."
"That was different. Now it involves your future."
Nan Muxue corrected her, "It involves *our* future."
"That’s why I feel even worse. We dodged Sword Casting Villa and Soaring Roc Fortress, only for the Sea Dragon Gang to wedge themselves in. And your mother... she wants you to marry Xiong Feng directly. We guessed wrong. Everything from the start was a smokescreen. She seemed to be dangling the other two families, but she had this planned all along. She... she..."
As Chu Ruo pulled the other woman up to sit down, she was so angry she wanted to curse, but this was her Little Scorpion’s mother after all. No matter how bad their relationship was or how poorly she treated Muxue, cursing her out felt wrong. She ended up tongue-tied, lapsing back into a sulk.
"If her thoughts were so easily read, I wouldn't have needed to go to such great lengths or call Shen Ruoxuan for help. Liu Shaopeng is already crippled; Baihua Palace can no longer be allies with them. She won't choose them. As for Sword Casting Villa, the grievances run deep. I thought she just wanted to kill two birds with one stone. The Sea Dragon Gang... I was careless."
"She’s sick. Was she abandoned by a man in the past? To be so cruel... you’re her daughter, how can she treat you like this? How can she be so heartless?"
"Don't think about it. There are still a few days before the wedding. She plans to hold the weddings for all three families together. That day will certainly be lively."
"But Liu Songhe and Shen Wanxiong won't let her have her way so easily, will they? Can we use this opportunity to take your mother down?"
"I’m thinking about something else," Nan Muxue said.
"What?"
"Tianmo Palace."
Chu Ruo looked confused. "How did Tianmo Palace get involved again?"
"I suspect my mother and the Master of Tianmo Palace share a significant history."
"When I asked you before, didn't you say it was unlikely they knew each other?"
Nan Muxue shook her head. "Nothing in this world is absolute. Liu Songhe and Shen Wanxiong combined might not be enough to contend with my mother."
"She’s already that terrifying?"
"When she summoned me today, I sensed that her cultivation has progressed even further. She set the wedding date for half a month from now. If I’m not mistaken, she will enter secluded meditation during these two weeks to attempt a breakthrough to the tenth level of *Lovesick Flower’s Drunkenness*."
"You mean you want Tianmo Palace to interfere? But if Tu Aozi is an old acquaintance of your mother, won't it be even harder to defeat them if they join forces?"
"Well, that depends on your Miss Zhier, doesn't it?"
"Zhier? She... might not be willing to help... us."
"If it’s you asking, she won't refuse." Nan Muxue stroked her white jade bracelet. Chu Ruo reached out to hold that hand. "Even if Zhier agrees, her adoptive father is not an easy man to talk to. Besides, half a month is neither long nor short; anything could change. Your mother set the date so soon... it seems she’s very confident about reaching the tenth level this time?"
Nan Muxue closed her eyes to focus. "Perhaps. Or perhaps she simply doesn't want to wait anymore. Unifying the martial world has been her lifelong ambition. Once those two sects fall, the power of Baihua Palace will be unprecedented."
"Actually, I don't care what she does. All I care about is you."
Nan Muxue pinched her cheek. "You certainly know how to say sweet things. Later tonight, go and invite your Miss Zhier over."
"Not now?"
Nan Muxue arched an eyebrow. "You seem quite eager. Do you miss her that much?"
*Cough, cough...* "Uh, that... I'll have some tea. I'm thirsty. Tea."
"Liuli and the others will be coming by later. Once you've had your fill of them, you can go to your Miss Zhier’s room and spend some quality time with her."
Chu Ruo rested her hand on Muxue’s shoulder. "You're jealous, aren't you? If there's anywhere I want to stick to for the rest of my life, it's wherever you are. What are those three coming for?"
"I had them investigate a few things; it’s time to hear the results. Besides, since my mother is so intent on dealing with Soaring Roc Fortress and Sword Casting Villa, as her daughter, I should show some filial piety."
*Tsk, tsk.* The black-bellied Little Scorpion was back online. As expected of her wife—that villainous expression was perfectly executed. "This scheme to sow discord... aren't you afraid they'll find out?"
"As long as they remember that it is Baihua Palace that wants to exterminate them, and that Baihua Palace has only one master: my mother."
*Muah!* A sudden kiss made Nan Muxue’s face flush. "Wife, you’re especially, especially cute when you’re being wicked. Hehe~"
"Lecher."
"I..."
"I have one more thing for you to do."
"What is it?"
"..."
As Chu Ruo listened, her expression grew stranger and stranger. She eventually pouted, prompting the other to tease her. "What? You can't do it?"
"It’s not that I don't understand, but why? We haven't even sorted out our own mess. Besides, what if your mother discovers me?"
"I never intended for you to stay hidden forever. Just do as I say. If she finds out, we'll deal with it then." She suddenly smiled mischievously. "She agreed to your marriage with Lin Jianghong. When the time comes, four pairs of newlyweds can marry together..."
"Stop, stop right there! Anyone else is fine, but that Eldest Miss? Forget it."
"Anyone else?" Nan Muxue said leisurely. "Among those who came to propose to you, aside from Lin Jianghong, there’s only one other surnamed Bai. Your use of 'anyone else' is quite interesting."
"Why are you so jealous? If we get married in the future, are you going to tie me up with a rope and keep me by your side every day?"
"No need for such trouble," Nan Muxue said airily and calmly. "I’ll just sever your hamstrings."
...*Toxic. Truly the most poisonous Little Scorpion.*
Not long after, Yin Liuli, Duan Ning, and Nangong Yan arrived, but they brought no good news. Nan Muxue had them investigate her pregnancy based on three theories, but they had found no leads. She waved it off; perhaps that was just how it was.
Nangong Yan looked worried. "This Xiong Feng came out of nowhere. What exactly is the Old Palace Master planning?"
"Your mother wouldn't be trying to swallow the Sea Dragon Gang too, would she?" Duan Ning’s mouth fell open. "Killing three birds with one stone!"
Yin Liuli disagreed. "The Sea Dragon Gang is too far from us; Baihua Palace’s reach doesn't extend that far. Furthermore, their domain is the waterways. They deal with almost every gang and sect; even we have to interact with them occasionally for maritime matters. There’s no conflict with Baihua Palace, so there’s no reason to move against them. I think she’s trying to win the Sea Dragon Gang over instead."
"Regardless, she will make a major move in half a month. Since we can't find anything about my situation, let’s set it aside for now. Liuli, Ning’er, keep a close watch on the palace’s movements and the deployment of disciples. Report to me immediately if anything happens."
"Yes."
"They’re on watch duty, so what about me?" Nangong Yan asked.
Nan Muxue looked at her and smiled. "So, you’ve finally stopped sulking in your room?"
"I... I was just angry at the time. I’ve calmed down now. This whole thing is definitely a conspiracy, and I refuse to let myself be dragged into it."
Duan Ning clicked her tongue. "Oh, you..."
"Shut up! You never have anything nice to say. Don't speak."
"Enough. Yan’er, over the next few days, spend more time with Shen Ruoxuan. I need to know Shen Wanxiong’s reaction."
"That sickly guy? But his father is an old fox; he’ll definitely be on guard against me."
"Give him this note. Don't worry, he is trustworthy."
Nangong Yan took it skeptically. "When did you start talking to him? And why would he help you? That’s his father."
"Don't ask so many questions; just do it. There are fifteen days until the wedding. Shen Wanxiong and his son will likely return to the Villa to prepare the betrothal gifts and arrange their affairs before coming back up the mountain. You need to do one thing: follow them down the mountain to Sword Casting Villa."
"Oh, you want to scout them out? That’s not hard, but getting them to take me along..."
"Mother will want you to go. Have Shen Ruoxuan bring it up; that way, Shen Wanxiong will have no reason to refuse."
"Congratulations, bride-to-be. Go see your future in-laws..."
"I’ll tear your mouth apart! It’s not like *you’re* the one being forced to marry..."
"Everyone out. I have other matters."
...
Bai Zhier arrived later that evening. "What do you want now? To help stabilize your pregnancy?"
Nan Muxue spoke coldly. "Why did you let Ruo’er come back? Didn't you boast that you would take her away and keep her from danger?"
"She couldn't bear to leave you. What could I do?" Bai Zhier’s voice was filled with loneliness and jealousy. "I tried every method I knew. Every three sentences, she was talking about you. You never saw her lying sick in bed, her eyes full of pleading for me to bring her back. I couldn't stop her. Besides, with Nan Menghua being so powerful, would running away even work?" She would never admit how much she envied the woman before her—envied how she held all of Ruo’er’s attention and love. All of it. She wanted to take her away, but Ruo’er had gripped her hand so tightly, even while unconscious, whispering only two words: *Go back.* Ruo’er, I am fulfilling your wish, but will you regret it?
Nan Muxue didn't care that the other woman referred to her mother by name. Instead, she sharply caught onto one detail. "You let her get sick?"
"Are you here to interrogate me, or to discuss how to deal with Nan Menghua?"
Nan Muxue scoffed disdainfully. "The one you hate isn't just my mother."
"True. To be honest, I’d like to get rid of both of you. But for now, I’d rather deal with her. She is formidable. As for you? You’re much easier. Besides, she has already threatened Ruo’er’s safety. I cannot stand by and do nothing."
"I need your adoptive father and his Tianmo Palace."
"He might not listen to me. Shanshan and I are Holy Maidens, but we don't interfere in palace affairs."
"He will agree. I have a condition that I believe will satisfy him."
"What?"
"The Martial Arts Alliance Token. I know Tianmo Palace has been searching for it."
"What, the token is in your hands? That girl Lin Jianghong is foolish enough to think you’re helping her."
Nan Muxue’s expression remained unchanged. "It is not in my hands, but I do know its whereabouts." Of course it wasn't in her hands. But she did know where it was—because the token was with Chu Ruo.
"I can try, but I still don't know what my adoptive father will do. Besides, didn't Ruo’er tell you? I’ve always suspected that he and Nan Menghua know each other."
"He only needs to muddy the waters and sow discord between the families. If they are indeed old acquaintances..." She gripped her teacup, her gaze cold and detached. "Then Baihua Palace is colluding with the Master of Tianmo Palace."
Bai Zhier couldn't help but study her again. "You’re truly ruthless. If you do this, the reputation of Baihua Palace will be utterly destroyed."
"The one in the wrong is the Palace Master. Besides, who is right and who is wrong, what is black and what is white—that has always been decided by the strong."
"And if my adoptive father joins forces with your mother? The two of them would be a force to be reckoned with."
Nan Muxue turned her head to stare at her. "Then, that will depend on the successor of the God of Medicine’s lineage."
"I save people; I don't use poison," Bai Zhier countered. "Isn't your Baihua Palace the expert in poisons? Or perhaps you should just give your mother two doses of the Hundred Flowers Gu."
"Save people? You and your sister turn martial artists into medicine men. Can such behavior be called saving people? Regardless, for Ruo’er’s sake, I believe you won't let anything happen to her."
"Fine." Bai Zhier stood up, her eyes full of disdain. "Just don't regret this, Nan Muxue. I hope you remember the decision you made today."
Regret? She never regretted her decisions. Except for one—Ruo’er’s Hundred Flowers Gu. But that was no longer an issue. Nan Muxue knew that Bai Zhier’s cooperation was based on Ruo’er’s safety, but that didn't mean she would be a puppet. On that day, Bai Zhier would surely strike to kill. Thus, while she needed her help, she also had to guard against her.
"A-Yue."
"Yes, Young Palace Master. What are your orders?"
"When does the young master of the Sea Dragon Gang arrive at the mountain?"
"Roughly tomorrow morning."
"Once he arrives, invite him here."
"Yes."
***
