That day, the Four Great Protectors arrived at the study together, only to be greeted by a burst of peculiar, savory aromas wafting from within. Duan Ning took a deep breath, her nose twitching. "Hey, do you guys smell that? You can scent it from a mile away. It smells like roasted meat. With Xue’er away, that brat Chu Ruo is actually hogging a feast for herself. No way, I’m starving!"
*Creeeak.*
They happened to run into Bai Zhi’er as she was leaving. The group stepped inside and found Chu Ruo sitting by the charcoal brazier. She looked up at them, appearing a bit dazed. "What are you doing here?"
"What are *we* doing here?" Nangong Yan walked over and crouched beside her, teasing, "We should be asking you that. Taking advantage of Xue’er’s absence to flirt with—"
"Stop right there! Do you want me dead? 'Flirting'? If Xue’er came back right now and heard that, it would be the end of me."
"Oh, please," Duan Ning sat down on her other side. "As if you’re afraid of dying. Honestly, I’m baffled. If it’s not her, it’s Xue’er—you really do have beauties around you at all times, don't you?"
"Why don't you just count yourselves in too, then?"
"Don't you dare," Yin Liuli said with a laugh. "The four of us are nothing like those two of yours. Don't even think about grouping us together."
The four women sat in a circle around her. Chu Ruo looked at them. "So, what did you actually come here for?"
Duan Ning quipped, "What, are we not allowed in this study anymore?"
"Look at you, getting all defensive. I was just asking. Are you all done with your work?"
Nangong Yan replied, "New Year is almost here, and the Palace is relatively peaceful. As for the martial world, as long as the Tianmo Palace doesn't overstep into our territory, we don't need to pay them any mind."
"Ugh, stop talking shop! What are you roasting? It smells amazing. Is it done yet? Hurry up and let this lady have a taste."
"Hey, wait a second! I just started a bit ago," Chu Ruo said, blocking Duan Ning’s hand. "It’s cumin-roasted meat! Ta-da! And honey chicken wings. I’ve prepared a lot of ingredients."
"You really were eating in secret."
"Pah! I just haven't finished roasting them yet. I was planning to send some to you all once they were done. I even called Xiao Guo’er and A-Yue; they’ll be here in a bit."
"What, they weren't prepared for your little 'confidante'?"
"That’s enough, Duan Ning. One more word and I’m eating your portion myself."
"Wait, wait, I was joking!" Duan Ning had already snatched a skewer, sighing with delight as she ate. "I really don't know what’s so good about you. It’s like all the pretty girls drank a confusion potion and just keep crashing into you. We don't see the appeal at all."
"...Give me back my meat skewer! Stop eating!"
"No! Come and get it! Blehh~"
The room descended into a game of cat and mouse as Chu Ruo and Duan Ning chased each other around. The others stayed by the fire, eating and keeping warm. Xiao Guo’er and A-Yue arrived shortly after. Yin Liuli watched the two frantic figures, unable to stop them, while Nangong Yan kept handing snacks to Nan Yunshuang. The study was filled with a rare, cheerful atmosphere.
"Alright, alright, I’m done. I need to sit down. I’m actually sweating from all that running."
Chu Ruo sat down, panting for breath. "It’s all your fault. You always provoke me."
"I provoke you?" Duan Ning laughed. "Hey, everyone, tell me—who’s provoking whom? I was just telling the truth. I have no idea what Xue’er or that girl from the Divine Physician’s family see in you. Two such peerless beauties... and in an age where women like that are rare, you’ve managed to hog two for yourself. Don't you feel even a little guilty?"
"Pah! Why don't you talk about the four of you? You’ve basically 'internally consumed' each other, taking four whole spots off the market! Besides, what’s so strange about Xue’er liking me? She obviously thinks I’m clever, cute, well-behaved, and highly talented..."
"Bleh—stop it. You’re going to make me throw up my dinner from last night."
Xiao Guo’er, busy gnawing on a honey chicken wing, chimed in earnestly, "The Young Palace Mistress and the others... they have really bad eyesight."
*Hahaha!*
The room erupted into joyous laughter. "Go ahead, keep laughing! As long as I have Xue’er, I don't care. My Xue’er is the best."
"That’s why the heavens are fair," Duan Ning said, patting Chu Ruo on the shoulder and struggling to suppress her laughter before finishing. "They gave her perfection in every other aspect, except... except... hahaha!"
"Except what?"
Nan Yunshuang spoke up suddenly. One could hardly imagine her saying this with such a deadpan expression: "Except they didn't give her a normal pair of eyes."
"Exactly! That’s it! You could say they gave Xue’er a warped sense of aesthetics!"
*Pfft—hahahaha!* The room exploded into even more boisterous laughter. Only Chu Ruo remained, puffing out her cheeks in indignation. Honestly, these four had grown up together, and they were clearly in cahoots to make fun of her. Especially Nan Yunshuang—she was usually so cold, with a temper almost as bad as her own Little Snake-Scorpion, yet here she was cracking jokes and using the very vocabulary Chu Ruo had taught them. It was too late for regrets. "Just you wait! When Xue’er gets here, I’m telling her you’re bullying me!"
Yin Liuli covered her mouth as she giggled. "And what will you tell her? That we think you’re a poor match for her?"
Chu Ruo was stumped. "I..."
"Whether we are a match or not is for me to decide."
Chu Ruo immediately brightened and ran to greet the newcomer. "Xue’er! What took you so long?"
Nan Muxue’s eyes were full of doting affection. "Are you cold?"
"You just came in from the outside and you're asking me if I'm cold? Come here, let me warm your hands."
The people by the charcoal brazier began coughing fitfully. "Ahem... there are still people here, you know."
Nan Muxue didn't shy away. She pulled Chu Ruo over and sat down, pulling the girl directly into her lap. Although the others had expected this—and it wasn't like they hadn't seen it before—Chu Ruo still felt a flush of uncharacteristic shyness. "Maybe not right now..." *I should be the one holding you! You Little Snake-Scorpion, you’re making me look like a little wife in your arms. Wait, no, I am definitely not the 'wife' here.*
"Tsk, tsk," Nangong Yan teased. "Xue’er, is this our Saint Envoy, or is she your own..."
"It seems you all have too much free time," Nan Muxue remarked, casually poking the fire to make the flames rise higher. "Perhaps I should find something for you to do..."
"Can't I just admit I have a big mouth?" Nangong Yan glanced at Nan Yunshuang beside her, her face reddening slightly. "It’s almost New Year; I don't want to be running around outside."
"Is it that you don't want to, or that your heart is preoccupied and you're loath to leave?"
"Xue’er~"
"Tomorrow, I am taking Ruo’er down the mountain for a few days. I’ll leave the Palace affairs in your hands."
Yin Liuli asked, "It’s not long until the New Year. Where are you going?"
"Just wandering around the base of the mountain to pick up some supplies. Don't worry."
Duan Ning gave a cheeky grin. "Oh, so some people are going off to have fun while dumping all the work on us. Pity us poor laborers, alas, alas!"
"Since the Third Protector has so many grievances, perhaps she should head down the mountain now to handle the distributions..."
"Liuli, help me!"
"You girl, you just can't keep that mouth of yours shut."
The group chatted in the room for a while longer before dispersing to attend to their duties. Soon, only the two of them remained.
Chu Ruo said, "Let me down so I can sit..."
Nan Muxue didn't budge. "Stay still."
"You hugged me like that in front of them on purpose, didn't you? They’re going to tease me to death tomorrow."
"Do you have a problem with it?"
"I just think... I should be the one holding you in this kind of situation..."
"You talk too much."
"Why the sudden decision to go down the mountain tomorrow? I thought you were planning to wait a few more days."
Nan Muxue caressed the face that always made her heart flutter; she only ever smiled like this for this one person. "Aren't you afraid of seeing someone?"
"Tu Ao-zhi?"
"He will likely ascend the mountain tomorrow. The wind and snow are heavy tonight, so he won't be able to make it up for now. I’ll take you down first thing in the morning."
"Hiding from him? That’s not a long-term solution."
Nan Muxue scoffed. "I, Nan Muxue, have never hidden from anyone. We are going tomorrow because the storm will likely worsen after tonight, and the mountain paths might become blocked. That’s why I’m taking a certain someone down early."
"Alright, alright, I know you’re amazing. It’s fine by me; I want to go play with you for a few days anyway. You have no idea how much Duan Ning and the others tease me every day in the Palace."
"As if you don't tease others just as much."
"Why don't you ever take my side? You don't help me at all."
Suddenly, Nan Muxue leaned in and bit Chu Ruo’s lip. "There isn't a soul in this Palace who doesn't say I favor you, you heartless creature. And yet you still say such things. It seems you truly are devoid of a conscience."
"Mmph~" Chu Ruo kissed her back. After a moment, both were breathing heavily. Chu Ruo leaned in again. "Xue’er, after the New Year... let’s get married. Okay?"
