Sleeping outdoors in such bitter cold made it difficult not to wake early, especially with the rhythmic pitter-patter of rain reaching her ears. Nan Muxue opened her eyes to the sound of crackling branches. Glancing at the sky, she realized it was likely only past midnight. She found herself wrapped tightly in layers, warmth surging through her. Looking up, she saw that person—the moment their eyes met, Chu Ruo flashed a bright, toothy grin that brought an inexplicable warmth to Nan Muxue’s heart. A pair of cool lips pressed gently against her forehead, and a voice whispered, "It’s still early. Go back to sleep."
Nan Muxue reached out to touch her. "Are you not used to sleeping like this?"
"No, I’m not that delicate. Listen, it’s raining, and quite hard too. Luckily, this spot is slanted so the rain doesn't blow in. Are you cold? I’ll stoke the fire a bit more."
Nan Muxue shook her head. "If it’s still raining at dawn, we shouldn't rush to leave. The forest will be in even worse condition than here. You washed yourself with cold water; I fear you’ll catch a chill."
Chu Ruo caught her hand and gave it a few small kisses, joking, "Are you afraid I’ll pass it to you? Well, I’m going to pass it on purpose. I’m going to kiss you..."
"Mmph—"
"What are you doing?" Nan Muxue glanced nervously toward Bai Zh'er on the other side. To wake someone up in the middle of the night because of a kiss would be the height of awkwardness. However, the woman in her arms spoke lazily, "Don't bother looking. She won't wake up before dawn."
Chu Ruo let out a breath of relief. She hadn't expected her "Little Scorpion" to actually go for it just because she’d teased her. This proactive, seductive side of her was far too alluring... Still, after a moment of savoring it, it felt quite wonderful. "You little scorpion..."
For once, Nan Muxue didn't get annoyed. Instead, she smiled. "Ruo'er, your face is red."
"...That’s from the fire."
"Stubborn."
"As if you’ve never blushed," Chu Ruo muttered, handing her a cup of hot water. "It’s late, so I didn't put in tea leaves. I added some dried ginger; have a few sips to warm up."
"Why did you prepare this so late at night?"
"You know you wake up early. Besides, we’re right by the lake, so there’s no shortage of water. I filled all our waterskins and kept this warm for you. See? You woke up right on time."
"Did you stay awake just for this?"
"...No, of course not. I’m keeping watch to keep everyone safe."
Nan Muxue didn't expose her. She simply snuggled closer into that embrace. "A few sips of wine would suffice..."
Chu Ruo immediately grew anxious. "You’re in this state and you’re still thinking about wine? I’m telling you, as long as your stomach isn't better, don't even think about drinking. Alcohol is bad for the body anyway. A young lady shouldn't drink so much. You’re not allowed to drink anymore."
"You’ve certainly taken to bossing your master around," Nan Muxue murmured, nuzzling against her, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "Do you take me for an invalid?"
"Your situation is much worse than being sick. It’s a Gu..."
"Fine, I won't drink," she chuckled softly. "When will you ever fix that nagging habit of yours?"
"And when will you ever restrain that 'Little Scorpion' temperament of yours..."
"Hmm?"
"Xue'er, what do you think the Hundred Flowers Palace looks like right now? Lately, I’ve been thinking about the past and the Palace every day," Chu Ruo said, staring into the bonfire with a touch of sentimentality. "I wonder how Duan Ning and the others are doing, if Little Guo'er’s martial arts have improved, if Nangong Yan and Nan Yunshuang have made it work, if Tu Ao'zhi is okay there... and Wotou. I wonder if they’re feeding him well, if he’s grown taller..."
Nan Muxue said airily, "He’s certainly better off than he was with you, being fed one meal and forgotten for the next."
"You’re not cute at all, always putting me down."
"You want to go back? You, who used to dream of going down the mountain every day, wishing you could be as far from the Palace as possible, are now missing it. It seems you truly are fickle."
"I just miss the days when I could be with you. I can't wait any longer."
Nan Muxue was puzzled by her words. "What’s wrong? It’s fine. Once we resolve this Gu issue, I’ll take you back. You can see your Wotou, play cards with Little Guo'er and the others... I’ll even find that young disciple and have her take you as her master..."
No one would have imagined that the ruthless Young Mistress of the Hundred Flowers Palace would ramble on about things that sounded childish and absurd to outsiders. Each detail, recounted like a precious treasure, was Nan Muxue’s promise. But the person she was promising suddenly spoke up, interrupting her.
"I didn't mean that, Xue'er." Chu Ruo took a few breaths, as if the next words were difficult to say. No wonder she had remained silent while the other spoke so much; she had been holding this in for a long time. "I... I wanted to say, as soon as the Pregnancy Gu is dealt with, let’s... let’s get married immediately."
Her voice grew quieter as she spoke, but Nan Muxue caught it, an involuntary "Mm?" escaping her lips.
Chu Ruo mistook it for a question and gathered her courage. "We agreed before to wait until everything was resolved to get married. But Xue'er, I don't want to wait anymore. Not for a single minute, not for a single second. I want to marry you. I want you to be my wife. As soon as this is solved, we’ll marry immediately. We won't wait to get back to the Hundred Flowers Palace. We’ll do it right here in Miaojiang, okay?" She actually wanted to say that even if the Pregnancy Gu was incurable, she still wanted to marry her, still wanted her as her wife. But in the end, she didn't say it; what she wanted most was to walk beside her for a long, long time.
Seeing no response, she looked over nervously, only to find the other woman seemingly waiting for her to look. Her voice trembled even more. "W-what is it?"
"Didn't you say before how people in your hometown propose?"
"I..."
Nan Muxue continued to herself, "One must kneel, and use a ring. You never did specify if it was one knee or both. And what other preparations are needed for a wedding?"
Chu Ruo was a bit overwhelmed by this turn in the conversation. "Xue'er, you..."
"Do you know," the beautiful woman finally met her gaze, her smile incredibly tender, "that here, in this era, a marriage requires the Three Letters and Six Rites, the Three Matchmakers and Six Engagements, an eight-man litter, and a formal, legal wedding. Tell me, which of these do you have?"
Chu Ruo lowered her head in shame. "I... I thought too simply. I promised to marry you openly and honorably..."
"However," Chu Ruo didn't see the tenderness in the woman's eyes that could melt water. Nan Muxue wrapped her arms around her neck, pressing close to her ear. "Those things are all for show. I don't like them."
"You..."
"You’ve stuttered too many times tonight." Nan Muxue’s lips brushed against hers, light as a dragonfly skimming the water, yet leaving her wanting more. "Ruo'er, I promise you."
Chu Ruo reached up to wipe a cold tear from the corner of her eye. "Why must you be like this?"
"To me, worldly conventions are like weeds and dust. I have never cared for them." She took Chu Ruo’s hand. "If you want it, we shall do it. Ruo'er, I want to marry you. I always have."
"Xue'er, I promise you, we will be together. Definitely."
Nan Muxue curled back into her embrace, ambiguous and content. "Where did you leave off in that 'Master, Spare My Life' story of yours? Read it to your master."
"I wrote to the part where we return to the Hundred Flowers Palace, and your mother..."
The sudden midnight rain lasted until the next day. The water accumulated deeper and deeper. Chu Ruo went over the ridge again to check the forest; it was indeed unsuitable for travel. When she returned, the two women were nearly at each other's throats again. *Sigh, looks like I’m destined to be the punching bag again.*
"Zh'er, where are you going?"
Bai Zh'er stood up and brushed herself off. "Out of sight, out of mind. Besides, I’m going to check the situation in the forest. If it keeps raining like this, are we just never going to leave? If the water rises any higher, it’ll flood this spot eventually. Those people yesterday may be dead, but that doesn't mean more assassins won't come. A swamp isn't that difficult for them to cross."
"Oh, then be careful. It’s very slippery down there. Put on your cloak..."
"Nag, nag. I’m going."
As the white figure disappeared into the rain, a cold voice came from behind. "If you dare keep staring, I’ll gouge your eyes out!"
*Can we be reasonable for once?* Forget it, the Little Scorpion was never one for reason. The key was that she had been so gentle, cute, considerate, and alluring last night, only to flip her lid first thing in the morning. "You change faces too fast. Just like before—Little Scorpion by day, Yan'er by night. You must have a split personality..."
*Whoosh!* Chu Ruo dodged nimbly. "Missed me—" Not quite. The Little Scorpion had learned a new trick, flicking two soybeans at once. Truly a waste of food. "Ow! That hurts! You’re not playing fair!"
"Come here."
Chu Ruo pouted as she walked over, exaggerating her pain. "Look, you definitely bruised my forehead. How could you be so cruel?"
"You deserved it."
"You!"
Yet those soft hands were placed on her forehead immediately, pressing gently. Naturally, Chu Ruo forgot all about the pain and complaints. She wrapped her arms around the slender waist. "It still hurts. Blow on it for me."
Nan Muxue knew she was faking, yet she played along anyway.
*Mmm, so comfortable.* A gentle Little Scorpion was simply too wonderful. Acting cute and playing the victim while stealing touches was the best thing in the world.
"Ahem—Ruo'er, are you just hoping I’ll leave?"
Chu Ruo sat up straight. "That... Zh'er, let me expl—"
"So what if she is? You’re just an eyesore here," Nan Muxue countered.
Bai Zh'er raised an eyebrow. "You’re the one who’s not an eyesore? Besides burdening Ruo'er, what other skills do you have?"
"Stop fighting, stop fighting. Zh'er, what do you think of the forest?"
"So you do remember we have a journey to make," Bai Zh'er smiled, finally dropping her playful facade. "If we’re moving, now is the most suitable time."
"Suitable? Even with this heavy rain?"
Nan Muxue pondered for a moment before speaking. "You mean... there’s poisonous mist in the forest."
"Slow on the uptake, aren't we?" Bai Zh'er began packing her things. "Anyway, I’m leaving. You two can do as you please."
"Like a fly that won't be swatted. As if you’d leave if Ruo'er didn't," Nan Muxue muttered.
Bai Zh'er ignored her and stepped back into the rain. Chu Ruo sighed, quickly packed their things, and walked with Nan Muxue. "Xue'er, actually, Zh'er isn't that bad."
"You want to say that her rush to leave is only because she’s thinking of my condition, and she’s even using her spat with me as an excuse to lead the way."
"Since you know that, why do you still bicker with her like this?"
"I’ve said it before: everything she does is for you. She still wants to kill me, though her hatred doesn't seem as intense as it is for my mother. If I’m not mistaken, whatever reason she has for seeing us as enemies, it must have been my mother’s command that I carried out."
"I don't want you two to be like this. Zh'er is actually a very, very good-hearted person. I know you’re going to scold me again, but I’ve seen her save many, many people with my own eyes. She never looks down on the poor, and she often gives out free medicine. The matter with the 'Medicine Men' was something Tu Ao'zhi forced their sisters to refine; I don't think it was her wish. Don't misunderstand, I really don't have any other feelings for her..."
"What are you so nervous for? Your master didn't say anything about you." Nan Muxue looked at the figure ahead, then at the person beside her. "I understand what you mean. It’s just that you’re too dense. She wants to kill me, yet because of you and her own nature as a healer, she’s trapped in a contradiction. What can she do besides trade barbs with me? Besides, do you expect me to accommodate her? I, Nan Muxue, accommodate no one."
Chu Ruo leaned in. "No one? What about me?"
"You? You’re just a glutton."
"...You’re toxic."
"Hey," the person ahead called out, turning back. "The poisonous mist has been there a long time. Even with this downpour, it hasn't completely dissipated. Have you made up your minds? Once we go in, there’s no telling if we can get out. Even if we pass the mist, this forest is vast. For years, those who entered never returned. I fear our lives are at stake."
Chu Ruo gripped the hand of the person beside her tightly. "Even if it’s hell inside, we have to face it."
"Fine," Bai Zh'er winked. "Then I’ll consider this... risking my life to accompany Ruo'er."
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 孕蛊 | Pregnancy Gu / Gestation Gu | A mystical parasite/technique related to pregnancy in the story. |
| 三书六礼 | Three Letters and Six Rites | Traditional Chinese marriage rituals. |
| 三媒六聘 | Three Matchmakers and Six Engagements | A variation/extension of traditional marriage requirements. |
| 八抬大轿 | Eight-man Sedan Chair | A symbol of a high-status, formal wedding. |
| 明媒正娶 | Formal Marriage | To be married legally and honorably with a matchmaker. |
| 毒雾 | Poisonous Mist | A common hazard in wuxia/fantasy forests. |
| 师傅饶命 | Master, Spare My Life | The title of the story/journal Chu Ruo is writing. |
| 窝头 | Wotou | Likely the name of a pet (literally means "steamed corn bun"). |
