"Chu Ruo!" Xiao Guo’er looked helplessly at the person playing dead on the bed, pretending to be deaf to the world. "If you don't go now, you'll be late."
"Cough, cough, cough..." Chu Ruo closed her eyes and wrapped herself tighter in the heavy quilt. "I don't feel well. I'm not going."
Xiao Guo’er saw her flushed face and heard her incessant coughing. Seeing her huddled under such a thick quilt in the middle of summer, she knew Chu Ruo wasn't faking it. She sighed. "I know you're suffering, but you already provoked the Young Palace Master yesterday and took a beating for it. If you don't show up today, I'm afraid..."
"It’s... cough... it’s fine. If she wants to beat me, let her," Chu Ruo muttered, her head spinning. "Don't be scared, I won't let it affect you. You should hurry to practice. If you're late, you're the one who'll be punished."
"I'm not worried about myself," Xiao Guo’er said, waving her hand. She truly considered Chu Ruo a friend. Although this person was a bit of a freak sometimes and used words they couldn't understand, Chu Ruo was kind-hearted, treated them well, made delicious food, and was always coming up with novel gadgets. Shaking off the tangent, she tried to pull the person on the bed up. "I'm afraid the Young Palace Master will get angry and refuse to give you the antidote for the Hundred Flowers Gu! Get up! You—hey! Whoa!"
Chu Ruo was naturally taller and larger than her, and her recent martial arts training had made her stance quite stable. Combined with the weight of the thick quilt, Xiao Guo’er couldn't budge her even with all her might. Not only that, but just as she managed to lift Chu Ruo a tiny bit, Chu Ruo fell back like a lead weight, causing Xiao Guo’er to lose her balance and tumble onto the floor. "Ow, my butt! Chu Ruo, get up! How are you so heavy?!"
"Not going, not going, absolutely not going. If the Hundred Flowers Gu flares up, then let it," Chu Ruo remained unmoved, no matter what Xiao Guo’er said. "It won't kill me instantly anyway. Stop worrying about me and go practice."
"You!" Xiao Guo’er stomped her foot in frustration and stormed out.
***
"Young Palace Master, Xiao Guo’er requests an audience."
Nan Muxue was practicing her swordplay in her private martial arts field. She didn't stop, merely saying indifferently, "What is it?" In her heart, she already knew it was about that girl. Who else could it be? Throwing a tantrum and refusing to come? Only she would be so childish.
A-Yue lowered her head respectfully. "Chu Ruo is... ill. It's quite serious; she can't get out of bed." A-Yue was kind-hearted. While Chu Ruo was indeed sick, the way one phrased things could lead to very different results. Given the Young Palace Master's temperament, she feared Chu Ruo might face another lesson. She had never seen the Young Palace Master get so angry with a disciple that she personally laid hands on them, nor had she seen a disciple bold enough to simply skip practice. How could someone be so fickle? On the first day, she was terrified to death; did she no longer fear the Hundred Flowers Gu?
"Understood." Nan Muxue uttered those two words and said no more, focusing entirely on her sword. Having served the Young Palace Master for years, A-Yue could usually guess her thoughts, but ever since Chu Ruo appeared, she found herself unable to read her mistress. Had she become stupider, or had the Young Palace Master changed? Regardless, she couldn't leave, yet she couldn't speak. The silence was agonizing. And then there was Xiao Guo’er, still waiting outside. *Sigh, what a mess.*
With a flick of her wrist, the sword light flashed, merging with the woman's slender, ethereal white silhouette. The crimson petals scattered on the ground were swept up by the sword qi, swirling through the air. Nan Muxue danced through the sky, creating a scene of breathtaking beauty that no painter could ever truly capture.
When she finished, A-Yue hurried forward to offer a clean white silk cloth. Despite the sweltering midsummer heat, Nan Muxue’s body was perpetually cold; not a single drop of sweat appeared on her brow. She merely wiped away invisible dust out of her habit for cleanliness. She then pulled a tiny box from her robe. "Inside is three days' worth of antidote. Take it."
"Yes." A-Yue took it. She knew the "take it" wasn't for her. Her understanding of the world was being overturned once again. Just like that? Giving Chu Ruo the antidote so easily? Knowing full well the girl was using illness as an excuse to skip? This was indulgence indeed. And yet, why had she beaten her so harshly before?
***
Three days later.
"Chu Ruo, you've been lounging in bed for three days. You won't eat, and you won't take your medicine. The Young Palace Master even gave you a three-day reprieve with the antidote—she’s given you a way out, and you still won't get up?" Xiao Guo’er was hopping mad again.
"The bed is comfortable, why should I get up? I'm not better yet," Chu Ruo muttered, curled tightly in her quilt, looking like she’d rather die than move.
"You... how can you be so ungrateful? Do you really have a death wish?"
"Alright, alright, I know you care about me." Perhaps from lying down for so long, Chu Ruo felt her head spinning more than ever. Her fever came and went in waves. "I've made up my mind anyway. Maybe if I suffer enough, I'll transmigrate back. Don't worry about me; go do what you need to do."
"You freak..." Xiao Guo’er grumbled about her nonsensical words. Just then, the door pushed open. She turned around, shivered in fright, and scrambled back several steps. Her hands shook as she stammered, "Y-Y-Young Palace Master."
Nan Muxue simply waved her hand. "Leave."
"Yes." Before leaving, Xiao Guo’er shot a look at Chu Ruo on the bed. *Lord Buddha, you're on your own.* But then she saw Sister A-Yue enter carrying a tray of dishes—the smell of meat was incredibly fragrant. *Forget it, this is no place to linger. Better run.*
"You leave as well," Nan Muxue said to A-Yue.
A-Yue set the food down, gave the two of them a meaningful look, and withdrew, closing the door behind her.
Chu Ruo had heard the commotion from the start, but she didn't get up. She kept her eyes closed, pretending to sleep.
"How long do you intend to fake it?"
Chu Ruo still didn't open her eyes. "What are you doing here?"
The sound of footsteps drew closer. Nan Muxue actually sat down on the edge of the bed. "Are you feeling better?"
*Is this Little Scorpion's brain wired wrong?* Chu Ruo wondered. *Why is she being so soft-spoken and concerned?* Still, she remained ungracious. "Get out."
Unexpectedly, the other woman moved. Even with her eyes closed, Chu Ruo felt something being brought close to her face. "Take the antidote."
Chu Ruo finally opened her eyes, but she refused to look at Nan Muxue. In a fit of pique, she grabbed the pill and threw it. It hit the door, dropped to the floor, rolled a few times, and came to a stop. She flopped back down and turned away. "I'm not taking it!"
"Ruo'er has learned to throw childish tantrums now, it seems." Nan Muxue showed incredible patience. There was no sign of anger on her face; instead, there was something... soft? "When the poison flares up..."
Before she could finish, the Hundred Flowers Gu in Chu Ruo’s body flared up right on schedule. She began to twitch in agony, tossing and turning on the bed. Her hands gripped the quilt with white-knuckled intensity, her eyes wide, yet she refused to utter a single word of plea. She simply endured the hellish torture. Nan Muxue sighed inwardly. *How can someone be so stubborn?* She pulled Chu Ruo into her arms, took out a red porcelain bottle, and slid a pill into Chu Ruo’s mouth.
Chu Ruo gasped for air as the pain finally subsided, though she remained weak. Besides, the Little Scorpion’s body was quite soft—much more comfortable than the hard bed boards. Chu Ruo was too tired to struggle, so she just turned her face away. "Didn't you want to beat me to death? Why bother saving me?"
Nan Muxue hadn't expected herself to feel no repulsion at this contact. She had only held her to make feeding the medicine easier, but now she didn't feel like letting go. She suddenly remembered the night a few days ago when Chu Ruo had initiated a hug. Her face heated up. She quickly composed herself and spoke. "Just because I hit you a few times, you refuse to eat or take medicine? How long do you plan to keep this up?"
"None of your business. It's my choice. I'm happy to rot away in this room. If you don't like it, keep beating me. Or you don't even have to do that—just stop giving me the antidote, like just now."
"Enough. It’s been days. How long are you going to hold a grudge? Get up, take your medicine, and eat."
At the mention of Baihua Palace’s bland, vegetarian food and the soul-crushingly bitter herbal medicine, Chu Ruo frowned. Nan Muxue couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle. "Today’s dishes are all things you like."
Chu Ruo didn't believe her. She strained half her body to look. Sure enough, the table was laden with chicken, duck, fish, and meat—as lavish as could be. She asked suspiciously, "How do you know I like meat?"
...Did that even need to be said? Setting aside the fact that this girl, when treating her as "Yan'er" at night, talked incessantly and had complained multiple times about the palace food being too vegetarian, every disciple who was even slightly familiar with her knew her preferences. Nan Muxue didn't answer. Instead, she took the bowl of medicine from the table, scooped up a spoonful, blew on it gently to cool it, and brought it to Chu Ruo’s lips. "Take your medicine first."
*Holy cow, is this the first time someone’s fed me medicine?* Chu Ruo thought. Usually, people had "warm fragrance and soft jade" in their arms; here she was, being held and fed by "warm fragrance and soft jade." *Wait, how can this Little Scorpion be considered warm fragrance and soft jade? Even if she does smell good and feel soft... she’s just like Yan'er. But Yan'er isn't vicious like her; Yan'er is much kinder. Yan'er is the true warm fragrance and soft jade. But seriously, what is wrong with the Little Scorpion today? Is she having a lapse in character? A sudden realization of conscience? Regretting the beating?*
While Chu Ruo was lost in her internal conflict, Nan Muxue saw her dazed expression even as the medicine was at her lips. She gave a light, annoyed huff. "What are you staring at? Drink."
"Oh." Chu Ruo didn't react in time and obeyed honestly. She swallowed, then immediately began to cough violently. "Cough, cough, cough... so bitter! It's bitter!"
"You have to drink it even if it's bitter. Your fever won't go down. Do you want to burn your brain out? I brought osmanthus cake and strawberries. You can eat them after the medicine."
Chu Ruo almost suspected her ears had developed an incurable disease or that she was hallucinating from the fever. She asked uncertainly, "Did you take the wrong medicine? Did you put some other poison in what you just fed me?" *Is this the same Little Scorpion who almost beat me to death a few days ago?*
Nan Muxue felt like strangling the girl in her arms. She took a few deep breaths to calm herself. *Fine, she’s a patient, she’s delirious from the fever. Don't get angry. Don't get angry.* She continued feeding her. "Hurry and drink, or it'll get cold."
Chu Ruo felt like she was possessed. She actually let the Little Scorpion feed her an entire bowl of bitter medicine. Even though she wore a half-mask, she really was like Yan'er. Her expression while seriously feeding her was actually quite beautiful... *Wait, wait, wait, what am I thinking? The one I like is Yan'er! Yan'er hasn't visited since that night I hugged her. I miss her so much.*
"What are you thinking about?" Nan Muxue asked, seeing her drift off again.
"None of your business," Chu Ruo muttered, her tone a bit muffled. "Being so nice all of a sudden... when things are too good to be true, there's usually a catch."
"What?"
"It's a saying from my hometown. Forget it if you don't understand."
Nan Muxue didn't press her. She only asked, "After resting these few days, does your stomach still hurt?"
Chu Ruo shook her head, then immediately realized something. "How do you know I had my Auntie Flo—I mean, that my stomach was uncomfortable?"
"I... Yan'er told me, of course."
*Yan'er?* Chu Ruo figured Yan'er must have told her to stop the Little Scorpion from beating her further. "Whether it hurts or not, what's it to you? All you know how to do is beat me anyway."
"You're never going to let that go, are you? I won't beat you anymore in the future. Are you satisfied now?"
Chu Ruo felt her forehead. She was still running a fever, but not enough to cause delusions. "You..." In that moment, a stray glance gave her an illusion. Today, the Little Scorpion and Yan'er seemed to be the exact same person.
"I what?"
"Nothing." *Forget it. How could I compare them? They're worlds apart. I must be fever-stupid to think she's my Yan'er.*
"Aren't you going to get up and eat? What," Nan Muxue teased with a smirk as she saw Chu Ruo dazed again, "does my disciple need her Master to continue feeding her?"
"I can do it myself; self-reliance is the way to go," Chu Ruo said awkwardly. she scrambled out of bed and went to the table to eat. She hadn't had meat in so long; despite being sick, she was starving. She devoured the food like a whirlwind. Nan Muxue traced the rim of her teacup, watching her. "So much backbone, yet here you are eating."
*You little scorpion! You wait until I'm finished to say that? You did it on purpose, didn't you?* Chu Ruo wiped her mouth, downed a cup of tea, and retorted, "What, do you want me to throw it up and give it back to you?"
The veins on Nan Muxue’s forehead began to throb again. "No manners whatsoever."
"It's because the food here is sub-par. I haven't had a decent meal in days. After practice, I have to go to the kitchen to steal... I mean, take the leftovers."
Nan Muxue quickly took a sip of tea to keep herself from being provoked to death. "I ordered them to leave those for you. If you want them, go openly. There's no need to be so sneaky."
"You had them leave food for me?" No wonder she only found fruit and pastries on the first day, but after that, there was always food, neatly arranged and kept warm in the pot. She just hadn't paid attention. *So, the Little Scorpion is actually... okay to me?*
"Fine. Go back to bed and lie down. I'm leaving," Nan Muxue rose to depart. "Practice tomorrow, on time."
*Hey, did I agree to that? What kind of person is this? So bossy and arrogant.* Chu Ruo thought. *Don't think a meal and some medicine will win me over. This is just a sugar-coated bullet from the bourgeoisie—beating me then coaxing me. A slap and then a candy. I'm not falling for it.*
As soon as Nan Muxue left, Chu Ruo picked up the pill she had thrown earlier. Counting the three pills Nan Muxue had given her three days ago, she had endured the agonizing pain of the Hundred Flowers Gu for two full days just to save two pills. She had only taken one on the third day. Now, she had a total of three pills saved up—enough for three days. She had also recognized the bottle Nan Muxue kept the antidote in. She would find a chance to steal it eventually.
***
Night fell.
Chu Ruo’s door was opened once again. Before the visitor could react, a dark shadow rushed forward and pulled them into a hug. "Yan'er!"
Nan Muxue was stunned by the sudden embrace. *Just because I held her once, she’s starting to get this bold?* However, she didn't push her away. "What is it?"
"I missed you," Chu Ruo said. After hugging Yan'er that night, her longing had only grown. Hearing the door, she had instinctively rushed to hug her. "Why haven't you come for a few days?"
"I was busy," Nan Muxue smiled. "In the pitch black, aren't you afraid of hugging the wrong person?"
"My intuition told me it was you."
"Oh? And what if the Little Scorpion had come?"
"Don't scare me like that! If it were her, I'd jump nine meters away instantly, then throw these clothes away and take a hundred baths."
*Chu Ruo!!!* Nan Muxue suppressed her rage, trying her best to remain calm so her anomaly wouldn't be discovered. "You hate her that much?" *A hundred baths? Who was the one lying comfortably in my arms this afternoon? And who is the one who always gets filthy during practice? Have I ever once looked down on you?* Nan Muxue was a germaphobe; if anyone should be taking a hundred baths, it was her.
"Not really, I'm just joking. But I still prefer hugging Yan'er. Yan'er smells so good, so fragrant. I really like it." *It really is similar to the Little Scorpion's scent. How can you two be so alike?*
Nan Muxue was fuming over the "hundred baths" comment, but for some reason, she still didn't push Chu Ruo away. Perhaps only she knew why.
***
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
--- | --- | ---
大姨妈 | Auntie Flo | Slang for menstruation/period.
桂花糕 | Osmanthus cake | A traditional Chinese sweet snack.
草莓 | Strawberry |
资产阶级 | Bourgeoisie | A modern political term used by the transmigrated protagonist.
糖衣炮弹 | Sugar-coated bullets | A metaphor for a seemingly attractive bribe or tactic that hides a harmful intent.
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Master, Spare My Life: A Disciple's Sweet Rebellion | Chapter 11 | Bitter Medicine, Sweet Care | Novela.app | Novela.app
