Master, Spare My Life: A Disciple's Sweet Rebellion | Chapter 149 | A New Year Together | Novela.app

“Where do you think you’re going?” Chu Ruo had barely begun her stealthy escape from the bed when a voice drifted from the pillow beside her. She froze mid-motion, offering a sheepish grin. “Nowhere, really.” Nan Muxue sat up halfway, her expression knowing and playful. “Oh? Usually, you won’t even consider getting up until the sun is high in the sky. But today…” “I… I have to use the washroom.” A slender hand reached out to pinch her chin. “I’ll give you one more chance to tell the truth.” Seeing that her lie hadn't stood a chance, Chu Ruo deflated and snuggled back down, resting her head against Nan Muxue’s chest. “I just wanted to see everyone off.” Nan Muxue pulled her close, closing her eyes. “Didn’t we agree not to go?” “I know, but…” “Go back to sleep.” “Xue’er~” Chu Ruo wheedled, rubbing her face against the other woman’s bosom. “Can’t we just go take a look?” “Look at what? If you go, can you help them, or can you…” “I just want to say goodbye. I don’t exactly have many friends.” Nan Muxue looked down at her. “Am I not enough for you?” “You know that’s not what I mean.” Chu Ruo clung to her even tighter. “Xue’er, my good wife, let’s just go take one look. Just one.” Nan Muxue’s eyes remained full of indulgence, a faint smile even gracing her lips. Her voice was soft as she said, “No. It’s cold outside.” “Wife, you’re the best. You’re kind-hearted and the most beautiful woman in the world.” “Not as beautiful as your precious Zhi’er, I presume?” Chu Ruo shook her head like a rattle. “My Xue’er is the most beautiful. No one can compare—not in the heavens, not on the earth, not in the sea, nor under the soil. You’re the most beautiful and the one who loves me most. If we don’t get up now, it’ll be too late. Besides, you grew up with them.” Nan Muxue found this even more amusing. “As you said, I grew up with them, yet even I am not going. Why are you in such a rush?” “I…” “You are acting quite strange,” Nan Muxue said, her tone turning uncharacteristically cold for a moment. “Tell me, are you perhaps pining for Yan’er?” *Bah!* If she weren't afraid of being kicked out of bed, Chu Ruo would have spat at the absurdity. “You’re impossible…” “Hmm?” “Xue’er~ Xue’er~” Nan Muxue sighed, cupping Chu Ruo’s face in her hands. “Do you know why I won’t let you go?” Without waiting for an answer, she continued, “Ruo’er, do you truly think I am such a cold-hearted person?” “No! Not at all.” “If we go, what can we actually do? Aside from exchanging a few words of parting, at most, you would shed a few more tears. Your eyes… you cannot afford to cry anymore.” Chu Ruo felt her nose tingle with a sudden ache. “Xue’er.” “I know. How could I not know what you’re thinking? Do you think I *want* them to leave? But I would rather they go. I want them to find a place where no one knows them and live in seclusion, just like us. I don’t want anyone from the Hundred Flowers Palace to ever find them. Even if—by some misfortune—Mother finds this place, at least they won’t be here. If I am not heartless and decisive now, if I don’t sever their lingering hopes, they will surely come back.” “You’ve always carried too much,” Chu Ruo whispered. “Always planning for everyone else, never considering yourself. And in the end, you did it all for me.” Nan Muxue pressed her cool lips to Chu Ruo’s forehead. “Nothing in this world is more important than you.” “And you are everything to me, Xue’er.” Nan Muxue gave her a little tug. “Then you must be more obedient. Do not defy your Master.” Chu Ruo grinned. “More often than not, I’m afraid I’m a wicked disciple.” Yet, this "wicked disciple" was the person Nan Muxue would cherish for the rest of her life. *** “Yan’er, what are you looking at? we’ve walked so far already. If they were coming, they’d be here by now. Let’s go.” Nangong Yan shook her head. “It’s nothing. I just didn’t expect it.” Yin Liuli picked up the thread. “You didn’t expect that the Xue’er we knew would be willing to live as a commoner, leading such an ordinary life.” “She’s doing it for Chu Ruo,” Duan Ning said, crossing her arms. “There’s a saying that’s proven true: Chu Ruo is her weakness. Ever since the Old Palace Master emerged from her secluded cultivation, has there been a single time Xue’er didn't lose everything because of Chu Ruo? People say a beautiful woman is a harbinger of ruin, but I think love itself is what truly does people in.” “This…” Nangong Yan was absentmindedly rummaging through her pack when she pulled out several silver notes along with property deeds. “Did Xue’er give these to us?” “Who else could it be?” Yin Liuli sighed. While the other two might not fully grasp it, she understood Nan Muxue’s painful intentions. “Xue’er… she doesn’t want us to ever come back here looking for them.” *** *Crack! Pop! Bang!* It was lively outside. Chu Ruo instinctively moved to cover her ears, but Nan Muxue was already there, gently cupping her hands over Chu Ruo’s ears and pulling her into a protective embrace. “Don’t be afraid…” “I’m not afraid…” Okay, fine. Being blind made her hearing much more sensitive, and the sudden explosion of firecrackers had indeed given her a nasty start. “No talking back.” “You—” “Young Palace Master.” Chu Ruo gasped at the voices. “A-Yue? Xiao Guo’er?” These two had followed the others here, but since there had been no trouble lately, they hadn't been seen much. Nan Muxue spoke calmly. “Go.” The two girls immediately dropped to their knees with a heavy thud. “We will follow the Young Palace Master to the death!” “Don’t be like this,” Chu Ruo said, gesturing for them to rise. “Xue’er and I only want to live out our days in peace. Why follow us? Go anywhere you like, just don’t go back to the Hundred Flowers Palace. I still have some silver here…” “A-Yue/Xiao Guo’er refuses!” “A-Yue has always stayed by the Young Palace Master’s side. I will not leave your side now, not even by a single step.” “Xiao Guo’er feels the same. The Young Palace Master has always looked after me, and so has the Saintess. I will never leave you.” Chu Ruo laughed self-deprecatingly. “What 'Young Palace Master'? What 'Saintess'? We left the Hundred Flowers Palace long ago.” “Young Palace Master, you have lost your martial arts, and the Saintess is injured. You need people by your side to care for you…” Nan Muxue finally relented and allowed them to stay, on the condition that they never use their former titles again. Instead, they were to call them "Eldest Miss" and "Second Miss"—a change that made Chu Ruo feel incredibly awkward. “Sigh…” “What are you sighing for?” “Sighing for myself. I’ve made my own bed and now I have to lie in it.” Nan Muxue smiled. “Why? Are you regretting keeping Xiao Guo’er because of your 'special' relationship in the past?” “I’m thinking about this 'Second Miss' title. It gives me goosebumps. Why on earth did I tell the villagers we were sisters back then?” “You’ll have to ask yourself that, my dear little sister.” “I… my head was just spinning at the time!” Chu Ruo wrapped her arms around Nan Muxue’s slender waist. “Probably. We should have said we were husband and wife. Come here, wife, give me a kiss…” Nan Muxue pinched her lips shut. “Shameless.” Chu Ruo finally managed to pry the hand away, pouting. “You’re not playing along at all.” “Oh? Is there something your Elder Sister hasn't done well? Please, Little Sister, do point it out.” “Ahem… okay, that’s enough. That’s just creepy.” “You were the one who came up with the sisters story. You were the one who wanted to be the little sister. And now you’re blaming me?” Fine, time to change the subject. “It’s the New Year. I wonder what the Hundred Flowers Palace is like right now. Sigh, I missed another New Year there.” “But this time,” Nan Muxue said softly, “you have me by your side.” “You’re right.” Chu Ruo kissed her. “This time, the person I love is right here with me.”