“Get married?”
“Yes, that’s right.” In the study, Chu Ruo held Nan Muxue’s hand, smiling brightly. Facing the astonished gazes of the four Protectors, Xiao Guo’er, and A-Yue, her other hand teased the little dog Wo Tou playing happily on the floor. “What’s with you all? Why such big reactions?”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk,” Duan Ning was the first to speak. “Since ancient times, they say heroes can’t resist beauty. With you two, it’s like the reverse—but you don’t even look like much of a hero. Truly one of Baihua Palace’s unsolved mysteries.”
“Bah! Four Seasons Prosperity my foot. All you do is mock me.”
Nan Gongyan laughed as well. “Our Young Palace Master really is full of surprises. She didn’t fancy any of the younger disciples—what exactly does she see in you?”
“You two are really something.” Chu Ruo glanced at the other two and grinned mischievously. “Oh, I get it. Sour grapes, right? You’re jealous that I get to marry Xue’er. Jealous, envious, and bitter. Hmph.”
Nan Gongyan and Duan Ning blushed, embarrassed with Nan Muxue sitting there, and tossed a few hot roasted soybeans at her.
“Stop talking nonsense!”
“La la la, you missed. Perfect, I’ll just eat these soybeans.”
Seeing Duan Ning stomp in anger, Yin Liuli patted her head soothingly and deliberately asked, “Xue’er, have you decided?”
Nan Yunshuang added, “Marriage is no small matter. It shouldn’t be taken lightly.”
Xiao Guo’er chimed in, “I agree.”
A-Yue nodded. “Same.”
“You people—can’t you wish me well for once? It wasn’t easy for me to finally get a wife, and you’re all bullying me. Am I really that bad? That’s too much.”
Yin Liuli ignored Chu Ruo and looked at Nan Muxue. “Xue’er, have you really thought it through?”
Nan Muxue saw Chu Ruo’s expectant expression and smiled inwardly. She deliberately kept a serious face and nodded.
“Yes. I should think it through carefully.”
Everyone burst out laughing.
Chu Ruo was utterly deflated.
You little snake. Even you won’t side with me. Usually husbands dote on their wives—but in this case, even if my wife dotes on me instead, that’d be fine. Heartless. Not cute. Hmph.
Nan Muxue, however, had only ever paid attention to one person. She reached out and stroked Chu Ruo fondly.
“I’m thinking through the wedding details.”
“Listen to that,” Duan Ning sighed. “It’s over. Xue’er has completely fallen.”
Meanwhile, Chu Ruo’s mood instantly soared. She was so smug she practically floated.
Nan Muxue then said to the Protectors, “You four should start making plans as well.”
They stared at her, stunned.
“You…”
Nan Muxue smiled. “What? Don’t want to?”
Seeing Chu Ruo holding the dog, she reached over and stroked it too.
“Mother is gone now. There’s no need to hold back anymore. Or… have I misunderstood?”
“You’ve learned bad habits from this rascal,” Nan Gongyan said. “Now you’re teasing us too.”
Nan Gongyan glanced at Nan Yunshuang, then lowered her head.
“We… we don’t have anything to plan.”
“Oh really?” Chu Ruo seized the opportunity to tease them. “So you’re not getting married? By the way, between you and Duan Ning, you’d both be the ones getting married, right? Hahaha…”
Duan Ning raised an eyebrow. “Chu Ruo. If you don’t want to spend your wedding night running to the latrine a hundred times…”
“You’re so vicious!”
Nan Muxue raised her hand to stop them.
“The wedding will be in ten days. Think it over carefully. If you’re not ready yet, choose another day later.”
She paused.
“After we marry, Ruo’er and I will leave the mountain for a while. Palace matters will continue as usual. Stay vigilant these days. I don’t want anything happening on our wedding day.”
“Yes.”
The Protectors left.
A-Yue and Xiao Guo’er went outside.
Now—
They were alone.
“Xue’er,” Chu Ruo said eagerly.
Nan Muxue blocked her lips.
She pouted. “Why won’t you let me kiss you?”
“You shameless thing. Always thinking about taking advantage of your master.”
“That just means I love you. The day I stop kissing you is when there’s a problem.”
Nan Muxue pinched her face. “What did you say?”
“Ow…”
“Repeat that.”
Chu Ruo took the opportunity to wrap her arms around her waist.
“We’re getting married and you still abuse me.”
Nan Muxue smiled and stroked the back of her head.
“You can still regret it. After marriage, I’ll only get worse.”
“Well, I guess I just deserve it. I like venomous little snakes like you. What can I do?”
Nan Muxue narrowed her eyes.
“So you really think I’m harsh with you?”
…Poisonous trap.
“You tricked me!”
She sighed.
“I’ve walked the longest road—your套路.”
Nan Muxue said calmly, “If you didn’t think so, you wouldn’t have said it.”
“So it’s my fault again.”
“Not satisfied?”
Chu Ruo lifted her head.
“If someone would just let me kiss them, I’d be perfectly satisfied.”
Nan Muxue pinched her lips.
“You’re fine now?”
“What?”
“The wedding. Who else do you plan to inform?”
Chu Ruo grinned and finally stole a kiss.
“You’re pretty nervous about this, huh? Jealous little snake—”
Nan Muxue pinched her again.
“Do you believe I’ll divorce you?”
THUD.
Chu Ruo—and the innocent Wo Tou—were thrown out of the study.
Wo Tou whimpered pitifully.
I didn’t do anything…
“Zhi’er,” Chu Ruo said, carrying Wo Tou and a basket of food into Bai Zhi’er’s room. “I have something to—”
She froze.
Tu Aozhi was there.
When did this old man come back?!
Tu Aozhi’s face was dark.
“The matter I told you to consider. Have you decided?”
“I’m grateful for Palace Master’s kindness. But I must refuse.”
“So you refuse me?”
He stood.
“No one who refuses me survives.”
“Godfather!” Bai Zhi’er cried, shaking her head desperately.
Tu Aozhi glared at Chu Ruo.
“Do you see how much Zhi’er cares for you? How can you betray her?”
“I know she cares for me. I’m grateful. But my heart already belongs to someone else. She loves me too. Would you have me betray her?”
“I already showed mercy by allowing you to marry both.”
Chu Ruo shook her head.
“The heart cannot be divided. Love must be whole. To share it between two is unfair to both.”
“My heart will never be split.”
“I will only ever have Xue’er.”
“I would give my life for Zhi’er—but I cannot give her love.”
“My heart already belongs entirely to Xue’er.”
Tu Aozhi glared murderously.
“You’re not afraid I’ll kill you?”
“Even if you kill me, my answer won’t change.”
“I’m marrying Xue’er in ten days.”
Bai Zhi’er trembled.
Her face went pale.
She forced a smile.
“Ruo’er… I wish you happiness.”
But Tu Aozhi shattered a teacup with his internal energy.
“If you insist… I’ll turn every Baihua Palace disciple into medicine puppets.”
“I won’t take Baihua Palace.”
“But I’ll make you watch them become walking corpses.”
“You’ll live in torment.”
Chu Ruo frowned.
“You claim to love her, yet you ignore her feelings.”
“I promised her father I’d protect her,” Tu Aozhi said coldly.
“My patience is gone.”
“In ten days—”
“You either marry both of you…”
“Or you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.”
Chu Ruo sighed inwardly.
Why is getting married so difficult?
