“What are you staring at?”
“You,” Chu Ruo replied, her eyes brimming with deep affection as she gazed at the person beside her in the deep of the night. “I could look at this face until my next life, and the one after that, and it still wouldn't be enough.”
Nan Muxue smiled, turning over to give her the cold shoulder. “Rogue.”
“Why did you turn away? Turn back, come on.”
“Go to sleep.”
“Sigh... sigh... *sigh*...”
Seeing that the other woman remained unmoved, Chu Ruo pressed closer, leaning in with all her might. “Why are you ignoring me?”
“And why should I pay you any mind? You’re just moaning over nothing.”
“How can you say that? My marriage proposal was rejected; my heart is aching, I’m absolutely devastated!”
“Oh? You’re devastated?” Nan Muxue teased. “From what I’ve seen these past few days down the mountain, you’ve been enjoying yourself quite thoroughly. I haven't seen a single trace of heartbreak.”
“I’m putting on a brave face.” Chu Ruo reached out to take Nan Muxue’s hand, fiddling with her fingers. “Tell me, why won't you agree to marry me?”
Nan Muxue shifted further toward the inside of the bed, but the person behind her shamelessly squeezed in after her. “And why should I agree?”
“You... you little viper!”
“Hmm?”
“Don't you try to intimidate me.” Chu Ruo leaned in to lick the shell of her ear. “Xue’er, tell me, why don't you want to marry me? I’ve thought it over—we don't have to tell everyone. We can just tell Xiao Guo’er, A-Yue, the four Great Protectors, and Zhi—”
“And your precious Zhi’er. You really do remember your fair confidantes at every turn, don't you, Ruo’er?”
“Ahem. Just a few people need to know. As for the outside world, as long as we don't say anything...”
“That isn't what I’m worried about.” Nan Muxue finally rolled onto her back and pulled Chu Ruo into her arms, her eyes filled with an indescribable tenderness. “Do you really think I’m afraid of the world’s ridicule because we are master and disciple? I’ve told you before: nothing is more important than you. Nothing is more important than my Ruo’er.”
Chu Ruo leaned in for a kiss, her lips lingering against the other’s. “Mm, you always say these things to flirt with me, just so I can never leave you. You’re wicked, you little viper...”
Nan Muxue pinched her ear, letting the girl do as she pleased against her lips. “Those words should be reserved for you. You’re the one who used that silver tongue of yours to trick your Master...”
“Everything I say comes from the heart! How is that trickery? Don't change the subject. Tell me, why won't you marry me?” She puffed out her cheeks in a deliberate show of pique. “Is it because you have someone else in your heart?”
“Yes.”
*Yes? Yes? Yes?!* You actually dared to answer so bluntly? To admit it so openly? Have you no regard for my feelings at all?!
“You, you, you... you little viper! Nan Muxue, I’m telling you, this is too much! I’m deeply hurt right now. I’m... I’m very angry! I...”
Nan Muxue flicked her chin. “And what do you intend to do about it?”
“I should be asking you that! Tell me, who is in your heart? Speak! I’m telling you, if you don't make this clear tonight, we aren't finished! I’ll go to every brothel within a five-hundred-mile radius tomorrow! I’ll flirt with girls on the street! I’ll go back and find Zhi’er—ow! You pinched me! You... are you even being reasonable? You’re the one who said you had someone else—ow, ow! Nan Muxue, do you believe that I’ll...”
“Believe you’ll what?” Nan Muxue’s hand showed no sign of stopping. “Let your Master hear it. What do you want to do? Where did you say you were going just now? And you’re going to find that girl surnamed Bai?”
“Stop pinching! My ear is going to fall off...”
“Hmph! It doesn't listen anyway, so keeping it is useless.”
“You’re the one who provoked me first! Who wouldn't be angry when you openly admit to having someone else in your heart?”
“I am allowed. You are not.”
“That’s not fair!”
Nan Muxue flipped over, pinning her down. “In the Baihua Palace, there is no such thing as fairness. My word is law.”
Chu Ruo wrapped her arms around the other’s waist. “But we aren't in the Palace right now.”
Nan Muxue paused for a moment, then leaned in closer, her gaze carrying a hint of provocation. “But you are in your Master’s hands.”
Chu Ruo shook her head. “I’d say you’re on top of me.”
Nan Muxue laughed. “True.”
What followed was a fervent, mutual kiss that seemed to sear every inch of their skin, melting them both into a river of shared passion.
“Ruo’er...” Nan Muxue’s eyes grew misty. She lowered her head, pressing herself tightly against her beloved, whispering into her ear, “In my heart... there has only ever been you.”
Chu Ruo kissed her forehead and chuckled softly. “Then why did you say that just now to tease me?”
“Mm...” The other woman gave a vague, non-committal hum. Before Chu Ruo could ask again, Nan Muxue began to pepper her neck with dense, lingering kisses. It was a rare gesture—partly acting spoiled, partly coaxing, but mostly pure indulgence. Their fingers interlaced tightly. “Ruo’er... Ruo’er...”
Chu Ruo tilted her head to respond. “Xue’er... I’m here.”
Nan Muxue gave her chin a playful nip before pulling back to meet her eyes. When she spoke, her voice was heavy with ambiguity. “Do you know why I haven't taken you yet?”
*Ah...* Such a scandalous question. Chu Ruo felt her face flush hot. Just as she was about to answer, she felt a sharp, stinging sensation on her neck. “Hiss—you bit me again!”
It looked like her neck would be covered in hickeys again tomorrow. This little viper loved using this trick to mark her territory. Still... it was quite enjoyable, heh heh.
“I’ve been enduring it,” Nan Muxue said, a rare admission of such a heart-pounding topic, let alone bringing it up herself. “You’ve become increasingly... tantalizing lately.”
*Ahem...* “I’m not some famous delicacy, honestly.” Chu Ruo suddenly felt that the look in the little viper’s eyes wasn't quite right. That glint... it was like a hungry wolf looking at its prey. “Xue’er, you... you’re looking a bit... scary...”
“You’re allowed to toss your Master about, but I’m not allowed to claim some interest?” The other woman seemed even more intrigued by Chu Ruo’s reaction. “The way you used to look at me was ten times scarier than this.”
“Was I really that much of a lecher? It’s just that the way you look right now is a bit...” *A bit thirsty.* Chu Ruo felt as though the little viper was about to swallow her whole. Although she knew this debt of passion would have to be repaid sooner or later after being suppressed so many times, she was still nervous. Especially seeing Nan Muxue like this—it was terrifying. Her hands instinctively gripped the bedsheets in her anxiety.
Nan Muxue took in every expression and movement. She chuckled, kissed the girl’s eyes, muttered a soft “hopeless,” and then settled back into her arms.
Chu Ruo waited for a long time, but no further move came. She asked cautiously, testing the waters, “That’s it? It’s over?”
Nan Muxue arched an eyebrow. “Why? Do you want to continue?”
“If you want to, of course we can.”
“Not afraid?”
“It’s not fear, exactly... just a bit nervous.”
Nan Muxue smiled, pulling Chu Ruo’s hand to hold herself tighter. “What are you afraid of? Afraid I’ll eat you?”
“No.” Chu Ruo shook her head, then immediately nodded. “But that’s exactly what you’re doing, eating me! You...”
“Be quiet,” Nan Muxue said with mock disdain.
“No, clearly you’re the one being lustful, so why is it my fault?”
“Say one more word.”
“I won't, I won't.” Chu Ruo kissed the woman in her arms. “Xue’er, do you want me? I’m really not afraid, just nervous. Think about it—it’s always me taking you. This sudden reversal... I’m just not used to it.”
“And you weren't nervous when you were taking your Master?”
“Why do you keep calling yourself 'Master'? We’re talking about *this* kind of thing and you’re still putting on airs. Do you believe that next time I take you, I’ll whisper 'Master' in your ear? Actually, we could try it right now.” Her hands began to wander. “Master... Shifu...”
Taking her off guard, Nan Muxue tapped her acupoints.
“You... why did you seal my points? Unseal me!”
“And what if your Master refuses?”
“Xue’er, I beg you~”
“That trick doesn't work anymore.”
“What are you trying to do? Have your way with me? Honestly, you didn't need to seal my points for me to let you have your way—”
A jade-like finger pressed against her lips. “One more word, and I’ll seal your mute point as well.”
Chu Ruo puffed out her cheeks. *Baby is very angry.*
But this look only made the other woman laugh. “If you keep making that face, your Master really won't be able to hold back.”
“You’ve turned bad. Where did you learn to say such things? Your thoughts aren't pure anymore. Did Duan Ning teach you? I knew it—she’s the only one in the whole Baihua Palace who’s that lewd...”
“I suspect it’s actually you. Aren't you afraid of tripping over your own tongue?”
“Me, lewd? You...”
“Alright, be a good girl and sleep. I’ll take you to the market tomorrow.”
“You’re treating me like a child, honestly...”
“Are you going or not?”
Chu Ruo made a long face. “I’m going...”
Nan Muxue snuggled into her arms and fell asleep, deeply content.
The next day brought another heavy snowfall. The two of them found a quiet, secluded spot to admire the scenery. Chu Ruo pulled Nan Muxue into her large cloak, wrapping her up tight. Even though her own face was flushed red from the cold, she still asked, “Are you cold?”
The woman she loved smiled. “My answer is always the same. With you here, I am not cold.”
“Good. Then I’ll hold you even tighter.”
“Ruo’er.”
“Mm-hmm?”
“I’ve always wanted to finish dealing with everything and then take you away. We’ll go wherever you want to go. We can live in seclusion in that valley I showed you last time. We’ll get married then and be the happiest couple in the world.”
“I’m very happy right now, too.” Chu Ruo’s smile was radiant. “Xue’er, as long as you’re here, I’m happy. No matter where we are, as long as I have you, it’s heaven to me.”
Nan Muxue embraced her, whispering a single sentence into her ear. “But now, I’ve changed my mind.”
Chu Ruo dithered. “You...”
“I promise you.”
Chu Ruo felt something shimmering and bright. She reached up to wipe it away—it was her own tears, and her own happiness.
***
