The atmosphere in the room was far from pleasant; in fact, it was dire. Nan Muxue’s Glacial Qi was already swirling in her palms. Though Bai Zhier spoke up to stop them, Tu Ao’zhi was also poised to strike.
"Oh, I’m back! I forgot to take—"
Of all moments, Chu Ruo chose this one to burst back in. Seeing the three people with their varying expressions, she instinctively lunged forward, shielding Nan Muxue. She peered cautiously at the man before her while asking the woman behind, "What’s going on?"
"Ruo’er," Bai Zhier called out instinctively. Nan Muxue tried to pull her back, but Chu Ruo refused to budge, anchored by a sudden, inexplicable strength. Facing Tu Ao’zhi, who looked ready to erupt, she spoke with quiet dignity, "Palace Master Tu, what is the meaning of this?"
"Foster Father," Bai Zhier stepped between the two parties again, shaking her head desperately with a look of entreaty. "Please, don't."
Tu Ao’zhi looked at his foster daughter and finally dissipated his gathered internal energy, tucking his hands behind his back. "Fine, fine... you silly child." He turned his gaze toward Chu Ruo and Nan Muxue. "I hope you both think carefully about my words. There are many matters awaiting me outside, and I have stayed here long enough. Consider it well, or else—you will surely regret it!"
Bai Zhier stepped forward. "Ruo’er, you..."
"Zhier, come with me!" Tu Ao’zhi flicked his sleeve and departed. Bai Zhier glanced back one last time before following him out.
Chu Ruo was utterly bewildered. "What did he say to get so worked up?"
"Nothing," Nan Muxue replied, her face as calm as if nothing had happened. "Why did you come back so suddenly?"
"I forgot something."
Chu Ruo leaned back into her, and though Nan Muxue was initially surprised, she soon pulled her close, her voice softening. "What is it? Did you miss me after being gone for only a moment?"
"You aren't allowed to stand in front of me like that ever again."
"You've said that more than a hundred times..."
"There is nothing I cannot handle. You are not permitted to do such stupid things."
Chu Ruo smiled. "You expect me to just watch you face danger alone while you hide me behind your back? Xue’er, I don't want to hide behind you for the rest of my life. I want to protect you."
"Can you even defeat him?"
Chu Ruo lowered her head. "And can you? I know your martial arts are extraordinary, but even I can feel that Tu Ao’zhi is on another level. Since neither of us can beat him, why shouldn't I be the one standing in front? By the way, what were you talking about that made him so angry?"
Nan Muxue looked up at her, a hint of playfulness in her eyes. "He said you should marry both this master and your Lady Zhier, without distinction of rank."
"He really said that? That old man meddles too much. But since Zhier is his foster daughter, why didn't he suggest she be the primary wife and you the secondary... Ow! The Little Viper is trying to commit murder!"
***
In the cold night, within the Young Palace Master’s chambers, sounds of rhythmic pleasure drifted through the air. In this desolate place, a few sparks of vernal warmth were born, a heat that seemed entirely at odds with the biting frost outside.
"You... Chu Ruo..."
The candlelight flickered, casting ambiguous shadows against the wall. Beneath the brocade quilt, the two held each other tightly, the air thick with intimacy.
"Ruo’er..." They continued to kiss passionately. Nan Muxue’s eyes were hazy; in a rare display of initiative, she pressed herself against her partner, her body soft and yielding as she clung to Chu Ruo, sinking into her embrace.
Chu Ruo held her with a fierce grip, her hand gently stroking the smooth curve of Nan Muxue's back. "Xue’er, I’m here..."
A moment later, Nan Muxue regained a sliver of clarity. Nestling into Chu Ruo’s arms, she nipped at her neck. "You lecher..."
"Who could resist when you're this enticing? Besides, it’s not like you didn't enjoy—"
"Hmm?"
*I just asked for a few more rounds, don't be so stingy. You can't just ignore me after we're done, you Little Viper...*
"Chu Ruo," Nan Muxue said, as if she could read her mind. "Do you want to go again...?"
"No, no, I don't want anything right now except to be with you..."
"If you want to, it’s fine," Nan Muxue said, pressing a hand against Chu Ruo’s lips. Her voice carried a trace of helplessness and a rare, pleading tone. "Just let me rest for a while."
Chu Ruo immediately took her hand, kissing it tenderly before beginning to massage her with care. "If you're tired, then sleep. I'm not some starving ghost..."
"You're not much better."
Chu Ruo huffed indignantly. "You—"
Tonight, Nan Muxue was unusually docile, lying perfectly still. It gave Chu Ruo the feeling that her Little Viper was acting like a delicate bird seeking shelter.
"Tell me," Nan Muxue said, reaching up to lightly tug at Chu Ruo’s chin. "Since we returned from Miaojiang, which night have you not tossed and turned me until dawn?"
"Saying it like that is a bit..."
"What? Is your master wronging you?"
"We're in bed and you're still putting on the airs of a master. You're not being good at all."
"Mm..." Chu Ruo was never one to behave; she began to pepper Nan Muxue’s ear with soft kisses. Nan Muxue’s face flushed as she bit her lip. "You..."
"Xue’er, Xue’er," Chu Ruo’s lips found hers again. "You’re so beautiful. I love having you."
Nan Muxue bit her back this time, responding with what remained of her logic, "Remember what you promised me. If you have me, you aren't allowed to have anyone else."
"I know," Chu Ruo laughed, pulling her closer with a doting tone. "My little vinegar jar. Alright, let's sleep."
"Don't you still want to...?"
Chu Ruo kissed her forehead. "Do you really think I don't cherish you? Come on, go to sleep."
But Nan Muxue seemed like a different person tonight. She initiated kiss after kiss, her burning passion dragging Chu Ruo back into the depths of desire. It was easy to lose herself in it, and everything Nan Muxue did guided her to continue.
Eventually, even Chu Ruo felt a sense of exhaustion. She held her beloved, kissing her repeatedly in a state of endless tenderness. "Xue’er..."
The woman she loved only laughed softly, murmuring a playful reproach in her arms. "You rogue..."
Chu Ruo caressed her cheek. "You seem a bit different tonight?"
Nan Muxue, who had been limp with fatigue, seemed to find a spark of energy. "Oh? How so?"
"Tonight, you were very... proactive." They pressed closer to one another. "Xue’er, what’s wrong?"
"You didn't like it?"
"You're changing the subject. Is this because of what Tu Ao’zhi said today?"
"It seems Ruo’er is indeed dwelling on that matter," Nan Muxue said teasingly. "Then perhaps I should go give him an answer tomorrow morning?"
"Yeah, go ahead."
"You..."
"I mean, go tell him no."
In a single second, Nan Muxue’s expression shifted from anger to brightness, though her tongue remained sharp. "Chu Ruo, you can only ever be mine. Don't even think about touching anyone else."
"I know—"
"You aren't allowed to fall for other women. Not Yan’er, not Xiao Guo’er, and certainly not Bai Zhier."
She rambled through a list of names, making Chu Ruo feel both amused and pained. When had this once-arrogant woman become so vulnerable? She hurried to coax her. "Alright, alright, no one else. I only like my Xue’er..."
But Nan Muxue didn't seem intent on stopping. She murmured into Chu Ruo’s chest, "You are mine. I will give you whatever you want. I will agree to anything. As long as you like it, I can do anything..."
"Xue’er..."
"I know you're thinking about Bai Zhier."
Her tone was muffled. The Little Viper really did look like a jealous woman now. The crux of it was that she seemed to be talking to herself as much as to Chu Ruo. Chu Ruo felt quite wronged. "I'm not thinking about Zhier..."
"She’s gentle, understanding, kind-hearted, and she gives you whatever you ask for, doesn't she? That's why you like her, isn't it...?"
"Xue’er, I only have you in my heart."
But Nan Muxue didn't seem to hear her. she just kept talking. "I know I have a bad temper. I'm mean to you, and I'm temperamental. But I can change all of that. Ruo’er, I can change for you."
"Xue’er, don't be like this." Chu Ruo turned her face so they were looking at each other. "I love my Xue’er. No matter what you're like, I love *you*. I don't care about anyone else. No matter how good they are, they don't compare to a fraction of you. My eyes only see you. My heart was filled to the brim by you long ago; there isn't a single crack for anyone else to slip through. Xue’er, don't do this for me. You are Xue’er."
*How could you, for a person as flawed as me, become so insecure and fearful? So this was the reason for tonight’s strangeness—simply to please me. To be this humble... how could I ever be worthy?*
Nan Muxue finally looked her in the eye. After a long silence, she spoke. "You won't leave me, right?"
Chu Ruo could no longer restrain herself. She pulled her into a tight embrace. "I wouldn't leave even if I died. I'm sticking by your side forever."
"You won't marry her, will you? Ruo’er, you aren't allowed to have anyone but me."
"I won't," she repeated her promise, over and over. "Never. I won't marry Zhier. I only want you."
"Ruo’er, Ruo’er..."
"I'm here."
"You promised me. If you dare marry someone else, I'll kill you. If you dare hold her, I'll cut off your hands."
"If I break my word, may the heavens strike me down. Xue’er, I only ask that you believe me in this one thing: I have only one woman, and in this life, there will never be another."
Nan Muxue bit down hard on Chu Ruo’s left shoulder. Chu Ruo only flinched slightly, neither speaking nor trying to pull away. "Ruo’er, I won't let you leave me. I cannot lose you. Never."
Chu Ruo had always known that this woman she loved so dearly loved her just as much. What would it take for someone so high and mighty to say such things? A person as unremarkable as herself was held at the very center of Nan Muxue’s heart. All her kindness, her indulgence, and her myriad tendernesses were given only to her. She didn't care if others saw Nan Muxue as a cold-blooded, murderous woman; to Chu Ruo, she was the one she would give everything to love for a lifetime.
"I won't leave you. I know you went through too much when I was in trouble. Xue’er, you've sacrificed too much for me. I will never fail you, I swear it on my life."
"I haven't done anything," Nan Muxue said, looking at her with a smile. "It is my Ruo’er who, time and again, has traded her life for mine."
"I..."
"I'm not afraid of anything, except you leaving," Nan Muxue kissed her. "So I will use everything to keep you here, including my body. Ruo’er, do you love me?"
Chu Ruo didn't answer with words. She responded with her actions, cherishing and adoring her. In her heart, even the rarest treasures in the world could not compare to a single part of the woman before her...
"Ruo’er."
"Hmm?"
"Do you truly not like Bai Zhier?"
"You've been obsessing over this question all night. It seems you're still not tired enough. Fine, let's continue—"
"Ugh—!"
***
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Master, Spare My Life: A Disciple's Sweet Rebellion | Chapter 126 | Only You | Novela.app | Novela.app
