“Don’t move,” Nan Muxue said, pressing down on Chu Ruo’s restless hands. She sounded somewhat helpless. “Can’t you just stay still while the medicine sets? I just applied it; why are you rubbing it?”
“It itches! As soon as this stuff touches my eyes, they get so itchy I can’t help myself.”
“Endure it.”
Chu Ruo pouted in dissatisfaction, prompting the other woman to immediately soften her tone. “Be good.”
“How long has it been already? There hasn’t been any effect at all. Why don’t we just stop using it?”
“No,” Nan Muxue replied decisively. “These things take time.”
Chu Ruo fumbled about until she caught the other’s hand, squeezing it. “If it were going to work, it would have worked by now. Why waste the money? I know we have enough silver on us for now, but one dose costs dozens of taels, and you make me use it every single day. At this rate, no matter how much we have, it won't be enough. We can’t go back to Xueruo Pavilion now. If we keep spending like this, what will we do if an emergency happens and we’ve run out?”
The medicine the "Little Scorpion" had prepared for her eyes was outrageously expensive. She didn't skimp on the top-grade ingredients at all. But the two of them were essentially unemployed now, living off their savings while their expenses mounted. Chu Ruo feared the day they might truly need funds for an emergency only to find the coffers empty. Besides, she felt her eyes were likely beyond saving anyway; why throw good money after bad?
Nan Muxue reached out to caress her. “You needn't worry about the silver. Regardless, this medicine must be applied every day.”
“Xue’er...” Chu Ruo tugged at her sleeve, her voice tinged with a spoiled plea. “It itches terribly. Let’s not use it anymore, okay?”
“Non-negotiable.”
“You... you...”
“There now,” Nan Muxue coaxed gently. “Just a little longer. It’ll be over in a moment. There’s sugar water waiting; I’ll feed it to you once we’re done.”
“Are you coaxing a child?”
Nan Muxue whispered a single sentence into her ear. Chu Ruo immediately settled down and complied. No one knew exactly what was said, but one could catch a glimpse of the answer from the bright, suggestive smile that spread across her face.
“Before, you complained the medicine was too bitter to drink. Now that it’s just a topical poultice, you find it just as agonizing. Must your master coax you through everything?”
“Can you blame me? It just means your medicine isn't good enough. When Zhi’er prepared formulas for me...”
She shut her mouth abruptly, realizing her slip of the tongue, but it was already too late. That familiar, long-absent icy aura of a frozen mountain instantly surged in the air.
“Zhi’er?”
“Uh, what I meant was... this medicine...”
“The medicine is bad? It’s not as good as the one your Zhi’er spent so much effort developing for you, is that it?”
*Waaa, so scary!* Chu Ruo’s legs went weak with unfilial terror. “Xue’er, I didn't mean it like that! I was saying your medicine... your medicine is great! It feels cool and refreshing on my eyes, very comfortable. That’s what I meant!”
“You mean to say I don't care for you as much as she does...”
“No! I—that’s not what I meant at all!”
“Since I am merely being sentimental and overbearing, there is no need to use this medicine anymore.”
“No, Xue’er!” Chu Ruo was suddenly as anxious as an ant on a hot griddle. She grabbed the other woman, apologizing profusely. “I was wrong! I have a big mouth! How could you say you’re just being sentimental? You’re doing this out of true devotion. I must use this medicine. I’ll use it every day!”
The other woman’s voice remained cold. “Didn't you say it was uncomfortable? Why force yourself?”
“It’s not a forced! It’s not! From now on, I’ll wear it faithfully twelve shichen a day. It’s not uncomfortable at all; it’s cool and pleasant. Xue’er, Xue’er... please, don't be angry.”
A hand suddenly hooked around her neck. Before she could react, the woman laughed softly against her ear. “That is what you said.”
“You... you did that on purpose! Just to make me wear the poultice!”
“And what if I did? You talk too much.”
Realizing she had been tricked yet again, Chu Ruo immediately tried to take it back. “I...”
Her chin was tilted up. “Do not challenge your master’s patience. The anger just now was feigned; this time, you might not be so lucky.”
Wrapped tightly in the other’s embrace, Nan Muxue smiled.
“Fine, I’ll listen to you, I’ll listen,” Chu Ruo conceded, rubbing greedily against the person in her arms. “Whenever you want me to wear it, for however long—even if I itch to death, I won't take it off. You little scorpion, not only do you lie to me, you scare me too.”
“You can only blame your own restlessness. Otherwise, why would I need to devise so many ways to deal with you?”
“Actually,” Chu Ruo said, feigning a serious tone, “you only need one method. I guarantee it works every time: seduction...”
Of course, her end was usually less than dignified, but as always, she reveled in it.
***
Nan Muxue carefully wiped Chu Ruo’s eyes, her movements so cautious it was as if she were handling a fragile treasure that might shatter at a touch. “Does it still feel bad?”
“It’s much better now that the medicine is off. But...”
“But?”
“It’s still a little itchy. Blow on it for me?”
How could Nan Muxue not know this was just her "putting on an act"? Yet, she still nodded indulgently. “Alright.” Softly, gently, she blew on her eyes, satisfying the request.
Chu Ruo lay comfortably on the reclining chair, holding the other woman. “Xue’er... I know I made you angry again. Actually, when I mentioned Zhi’er, it made you feel terrible, didn't it? I’m a scoundrel. I shouldn't have...”
“What does it matter if you mention her?” Nan Muxue feigned a fierce expression. “Right now, you are held firmly in your master’s hands.”
“Heh, I know. You’ve always been very protective of me. You never liked me getting too close to anyone else.”
“It is enough that you are by my side like this.”
“I won't do it next time...”
Nan Muxue pressed against her. “Don't move. Let me massage them for you a bit more.”
“Instead of fussing over my eyes, why don't you just give me my martial arts back?”
No response.
Chu Ruo pouted. “You do this every time. Whenever I bring this up, you stop talking, or you change the subject. You clearly have a way to neutralize the Soft Bone Powder...”
“There’s something stewing in the kitchen. I’ll go check on it.”
“Hey, you!” *That cursed little scorpion.* Ever since Chu Ruo had figured out that she had a way to reverse the effects of the Soft Bone Powder, Nan Muxue had resorted to all sorts of tactics—pretending not to hear, pretending not to understand, or making excuses to busy herself with other things. Her feigned ignorance was truly something else.
Over in the kitchen, Auntie Shen followed the savory aroma inside. She smiled. “What smells so good? Making something for your sister again?”
Nan Muxue’s eyes were filled with a faint smile. “Fried squab. That one has a craving, so I had to satisfy her.”
“I heard they sell those for a high price in the town dozens of miles away. You two sisters really have a wonderful bond. You do everything for her—the medicine, the food, even the fabric you buy for her clothes. As an elder sister, you’re truly beyond reproach.”
“Ruo’er disregarded her own life for me. In this world, she is the only one I care for. She is my everything.”
Nan Muxue spoke from the heart, but to Auntie Shen, it sounded like deep sisterly affection. The older woman’s eyes reddened slightly. “Ah, you sisters are blessed to have survived. Old Gui and I aren't related by blood either, but our bond is just like you two—we support each other as we walk through life.”
“Mhm.” Nan Muxue was a woman of few words; she simply nodded and gave a quiet acknowledgment.
“Actually, I’m here today because someone asked a favor of me. There’s something I wanted to ask you.”
“What is it?”
Auntie Shen smiled again before speaking. “It’s nothing much. There’s a wealthy landlord in our village, the Village Chief’s brother. His son is about your age and hasn't married yet. We watched him grow up; he’s got no bad habits and is always polite to us. You see, the two of you would be a good match. You...”
She didn't need to finish for Nan Muxue to catch the meaning. Her expression remained neither hot nor cold as she replied with a single phrase: “No need.”
“Don't misunderstand. I’m not the type to take a bribe and push you into a fire pit. If his family wasn't good, I absolutely wouldn't ask. He happened to see you once before and took a liking to you. I know you sisters have some silver on you, but even so, your family might find you one day and force you back. The landlord’s son is honest and obedient. If you marry him, you’ll be one of the villagers. We’ll be family; if anything happens in the future, we’ll all stand up for you. Besides, you’re looking after your sister all by yourself, and she can’t see. The landlord’s house is comfortable; it would be good to have someone to serve her and look after her.”
“Ruo’er does not need others to serve her. I will care for her personally. There is no need to mention this again.”
“Think about it some more...”
“I already have a beloved.” Leaving those words behind, Nan Muxue turned and walked out without looking back.
Auntie Shen stood behind her, sighing with regret. *What a pity, what a pity. Such a fine girl. Sigh.*
***
“Why aren't you talking?”
“Drinking my sugar water.”
Nan Muxue chuckled softly. “You’ve been clamoring for fried squab for days. Now that it’s here, you don't want it?”
“No appetite.”
“And yet you can finish a large bowl of sugar water?”
She expected the girl to retort, but unexpectedly, Chu Ruo seemed to lose all her spirit and simply fell silent.
Nan Muxue stood up and sat directly on Chu Ruo’s lap.
“Are you crazy? The door is open!”
“From the first day you barged into my world,” the other woman said, shamelessly biting her ear, “I have long since been crazy.”
“You...”
“You were at the kitchen earlier, weren't you?”
“So what if I was?”
“So, a certain someone heard something, and that’s why she lost her appetite?”
“I’m just full from the sugar water.”
“You don't trust me?” Nan Muxue toyed with those slightly dry lips. “Have we not been together long enough? I didn't even say anything about your past days of romantic dalliance with that woman surnamed Bai, yet now you are upset over such a trivial matter. If you are truly jealous over this, your master will find it hard to be happy.”
Chu Ruo squeezed out a small smile. “If you’re allowed to be a jealous jar all the time, why can’t I be angry once?”
“You...”
“I’m not angry about that, though it is related. Of course I know you’re mine, but I just feel uneasy. I was thinking, if we go to another place later, will people be like this there too? Xue’er, I really, really want to go somewhere where there’s no one else. Before, I thought it would be enough if no one knew us, but now I just want a world that belongs only to the two of us. That way, no one will ever disturb us.”
Nan Muxue cupped her face with infinite tenderness. “I told you. Wherever my Ruo’er wants to go, whatever she wants to do, I will satisfy her. If you want to leave, I will take you away right now.”
“Mhm.” Chu Ruo hugged her; it felt so wonderful. “You’ve really spoiled me rotten. That’s why I’ve become so narrow-minded.”
“In the past, you’ve angered me plenty. It’s rare to see you like this for once. It seems I shouldn't have rejected her so quickly. Perhaps I should set a date to meet that landlord’s son and see what he’s like.”
“Nan Muxue, you’ve gone too far! You’re trying to provoke me on purpose!”
“Ruo’er,” Nan Muxue’s eyes were filled with endless devotion. “You are in my heart, and only you. No one can ever separate us. No matter what happens, I will never abandon you for someone else.”
“Then kiss me.”
*Mwah~*
The easily obtained kiss caused Chu Ruo’s ego to swell slightly. “Then give me my martial arts back! Hey, don't go! You little scorpion! You little scorp...”
***
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
--- | --- | ---
沈大娘 | Auntie Shen | A neighbor in the village where Chu Ruo and Nan Muxue are hiding.
软骨散 | Soft Bone Powder | A medicinal powder that weakens the limbs and suppresses martial arts internal energy.
炸乳鸽 | Fried Squab | Deep-fried young pigeon, a delicacy Chu Ruo was craving.
员外 | Landlord / Yuanwai | A term for a wealthy man or local squire in ancient China.
雪若阁 | Xueruo Pavilion | Likely a business or residence previously owned by the protagonists (named using one character from each of their names).
为师 | Your Master / This Master | Nan Muxue's self-reference when speaking to Chu Ruo, reflecting their former master-disciple relationship.
