Master, Spare My Life: A Disciple's Sweet Rebellion | Chapter 110 | Rainy Night in the Carriage | Novela.app

“How are you feeling? Any nausea? Dizziness? Is there anywhere else that feels uncomfortable?” “How many times are you going to ask?” By the campfire stood two figures in white. Chu Ruo held the woman in her arms tightly, feeding her plain porridge spoonful by spoonful with a worried expression. “Time is tight, and you aren’t fit to ride a horse, but this carriage is so bumpy. Look at you—you have no appetite at all. Just a bit of white porridge... where is the nutrition in that?” the woman chuckled. “Didn’t I eat the same thing back at the Palace?” “But your health is what matters most...” “There’s no need for such fuss when we’re traveling. You know I’ve always preferred light meals. It’s not that I’m feeling unwell.” “We haven’t even stopped at an inn to save time. We’re sleeping out here in the wilderness; how can your body take it?” “Did I not live this way before you arrived?” “That was different. Back then, you were healthy. Now, you have a... a...” “A worm inside me?” A slender hand gently brushed over Chu Ruo’s eyes as Nan Muxue snuggled deeper into her embrace. “To be honest, I don’t know why, but knowing it isn’t a real child actually makes me feel relieved.” Chu Ruo looked at her with heartache. How could she not understand her beloved’s pride? “Xue’er...” “Ruo’er, whether for your sake or my own, I could never have accepted my body being...” “Don’t say it,” Chu Ruo interrupted her. “I understand. I know. I blamed Nan Yunshuang for choosing the Pregnancy Gu when your mother questioned her, but I’ve also asked myself... if she had made me choose, I wouldn’t even know how to answer. Why is it that I’m the one who made the mistake, yet you’re the one bearing the consequences?” Nan Muxue cupped Chu Ruo’s face and leaned in for a kiss. “What, is being with your Master a mistake now?” “You...” “You think too much. Sentimentality isn’t a good trait. Where did that thick-skinned, carefree brat go?” Under these circumstances, Chu Ruo knew she shouldn’t say things that forced the other woman to comfort her. She reined in her gloom and joked lightheartedly, “Then where did that Little Scorpion go? Why is she so kind now?” A poke to her back. “What do you think?” “I—” *Patter, patter.* Unfortunately, the heavens were not in a cooperative mood. Raindrops began to fall without warning into the pitch-black forest. Abandoning their banter, Chu Ruo scooped Nan Muxue into her arms and flew back to the carriage. The candlelight flickered, casting shifting shadows inside the carriage. As their figures swayed with the movement, a unique sense of warmth blossomed within the cramped space. “Did you catch a chill?” Chu Ruo asked, wiping the rain from Muxue’s forehead. “Do you want to change clothes?” Nan Muxue caught her hand. Chu Ruo, who had been focused on her task, looked up in confusion. “What is it...?” Although they had retreated to the carriage immediately, the sudden downpour had dampened their clothes. The damp fabric clinging to her skin felt cool, yet looking at the woman before her, Chu Ruo felt a sudden heat rising. She couldn't tell if the other woman was doing it on purpose, but Muxue pulled her slightly closer. A drop of rain slid down Muxue’s jaw—it was silent, yet Chu Ruo felt as if she could hear it. It felt as though that drop had fallen directly into her heart, sending ripples through the center of a still lake. *Gulp.* This time, the sound was clear. Chu Ruo was certain the sound of her swallowing was incredibly conspicuous in the quiet carriage. She didn't dare speak, knowing exactly what state she was in. However, Nan Muxue, that Little Scorpion, had no intention of letting her off easy. She raised her hand and placed it against Chu Ruo’s throat. Following the motion of the swallow, she let her fingers drift downward in a lingering, teasing caress. For Chu Ruo, who had been practicing restraint for days, this itch was a form of torture. She carefully pushed the other woman back against the cushions and caught those restless hands. “You’re doing this on purpose to tempt me.” Sure enough, her voice was incredibly hoarse. An indescribable, hazy atmosphere began to fill the enclosed space, thick with ambiguity. “Can you endure it?” Those four words nearly drove Chu Ruo mad. Her breathing became ragged. “Nan Muxue, I take back what I said earlier.” Nan Muxue simply lay there, looking up at her lover. “What?” “You aren’t kind at all. You’re still that Little Scorpion through and through.” “You talk too much.” Muxue seemed impatient; she frowned for a split second before pulling Chu Ruo down into a kiss, silencing her. Chu Ruo admitted that this woman could stir her desires anytime, anywhere. Moreover, ever since she found out about the "pregnancy," they hadn't... for a very long time. Nevertheless, she tried—she truly used every ounce of her willpower to restrain herself. Yet, she couldn't refuse the kiss. When it finally ended, she pulled away with great difficulty. “No, I can’t. Didn’t Nan Yunshuang say the symptoms of the Pregnancy Gu are identical to a real pregnancy? What if... what if an accident happens and you miscarry that worm early?” In such a moment and such a setting, Chu Ruo was likely the only person in the world who could say something so ridiculous. Nan Muxue hooked her arms around her. “If that were the case, wouldn't that be for the best?” “Xue’er...” “You’re really not acting like yourself. How long has it been?” Chu Ruo almost doubted her own ears. Was this something her Little Scorpion would ask? The question was so blatant; how could she not understand the meaning? Her face flushed just hearing it. *Ugh, how could I not know? I’ve been counting the days on my fingers. If this goes on any longer, I’m going to go crazy.* “Your practice with the word ‘endurance’ has been going well lately, Ruo’er. It seems your self-control has improved.” “You...” “Am I wrong? Tell me, where did you learn this thing called ‘propriety’?” To deal with this woman, one had to use their mouth. Not for talking, but for... kissing. “Mmph...” “Shameless.” “Kissing you is shameless? You were the one who started it just now...” “Hmm?” “Xue’er, I think your mouth is especially sweet. Like candy. Let me try again...” The other woman blocked her. “I thought you were practicing celibacy?” Chu Ruo flipped over, pressing her down again and peppering her with light kisses. “I’ll never have enough of kissing and hugging you. The more, the better.” Nan Muxue arched an eyebrow. “You certainly take a lot of liberties.” “I know. Actually, I know you do this for me every time. Just like before. You’ve never been a greedy person; you just don’t want us to have regrets. Xue’er, I promise, neither of us will come to harm. I will find the cure, because I want to walk this path with you for a long, long time.” “Sometimes I really want to sew your mouth shut.” “But you don't have any thread.” Muxue laughed and pulled her down for another kiss. “Who said your Master uses needle and thread?” Unsatisfied, Chu Ruo smacked her lips. “If you’re going to sew it like that, I think you should continue.” “Know when to stop, lest the Holy Envoy blames me later for distracting her mind.” “Actually, you’re the one who can’t hold back anymore, right?” “Chu Ruo!” “Xue’er,” Chu Ruo’s hand moved to the other’s waist, silently undoing the silk belt. “I’ve changed my mind.” Nan Muxue allowed herself to be "plucked" with grand generosity, yet she still tilted her head to look at her. “Your reason?” “No reason. I want you.” She didn't want them to have regrets. If this journey was one of no return, then she hoped they would be happy during this time. she didn't want to look back and regret the things they hadn't done. Chu Ruo knew her Xue’er was only doing this for her sake, but she no longer wished to refuse her. *Between the two of us, we live together, and we die together.* ...Accompanied by the rhythm of the torrential rain, the carriage began to move in sync... “What are you thinking about?” Chu Ruo was staring at the roof of the carriage, her eyes somewhat vacant. Hearing the question, she snapped back to reality. “Thinking about many people, and many things.” “Fantasizing about nonsense again?” “Not really. I just feel like we left with so many things unresolved. Tu Aozhi, the command tokens, Shen Wanxiong, and Liu Songhe... Of course, it’s not all heavy stuff. I also think about happy things, like Xiao Guo’er and the others. And Wotou—he kept chasing us when we left. Then there’s Duan Ning and the young disciples. And the matter of me taking a disciple... in the end, I still haven't taken one.” “You can take one when we return. Didn't you like that stubborn little disciple? I’ll go speak with her.” Chu Ruo grinned. “She really is like you. A foul temper and cold as ice. But, she’s quite pretty. She’ll definitely be a beauty when she grows up. And she insists on having you as her master; she’s very confident. I think she has good talent.” “What did you just say?” “What?” “How is she like your Master?” “Just the foul temper...” Chu Ruo covered her own mouth. “I mean, she has personality! And, uh, she’s pretty and confident.” “Very well. You can forget about taking a disciple for the rest of your life.” “Xue’er... Xue’er... My dear Xue-Xue...” A vein popped on Muxue's forehead. “Get out.” “Don’t be angry. Anger ruins the relationship, and it’s bad for your health.” Silence... “Tomorrow I’ll write ‘Master, have mercy’ for you to see.” Silence... “Then... how about we go again?” “Do you believe I’ll kick you out?” “I don’t. Let’s continue...” “Scoundrel.” Chu Ruo leaned in close. “I felt like you were a bit distracted when you were kissing me just now. What were you thinking about?” “Thinking about when your 'confidante' will catch up to us.” “Zhier?” A side-eye. “So Ruo’er really does have this confidante in her heart?” “...Why do you think she’ll follow? Tu Aozhi is still at the Palace; he won't let her come.” “You think she would abandon you?” “She has other things to worry about. Her sister is off playing god-knows-where, and her foster father is keeping an eye on her.” “She hates me, yet she loves you. So this time, she will surely follow. Besides, going to the Miao Territory isn't a bad thing for her. Perhaps she can refine her medical skills.” “Let’s not talk about that for now. We left so suddenly; are you sure it’s okay to leave Tu Aozhi at the Palace? He won't 'occupy the magpie's nest,' will he? That might be the wrong idiom, but you get what I mean.” “He won't. If he had designs on the Palace, he would have acted long ago. On the contrary, for some reason, I feel he will protect the Palace. Having the four of them there isn't enough, but with him, the Palace will be much safer. That is also why I left them behind instead of having them follow us. One must always have a backup plan. With the four of them there, it won't be so easy for him to move against the Palace.” “After this incident, the major sects are all severely weakened. Tu Aozhi took the opportunity to snatch a huge piece of the pie. Even if those people want to cause trouble for the Palace, they won't amount to much. Only the Shen and Liu families remain. It’s good that Tu Aozhi is there; they saw his strength that day, so they will certainly be wary.” “Mm. Sleep. We have to keep moving tomorrow morning.” Chu Ruo pulled her closer and kissed her forehead. “Sleep.” ***