This day marked, in the strictest sense, the first time Chu Ruo had gone out since arriving here so long ago — her little “viper” was finally taking her to the marketplace.
Xiao Guo’er looked at her and sighed repeatedly, shaking her head. “Sigh~”
“What are you doing?”
“Looking at an idiot.”
“You’re the idiot.”
“It’s just a trip to this lousy place’s market. Is it really worth getting this excited?”
“What choice do I have? I’ve been here so long, and Xue’er only just agreed to let me go out. Usually she only lets me go as far as the river near the village. I was suffocating from boredom.”
Rolling her eyes, Xiao Guo’er said, “The Young Palace Mistress is just worried about you.”
“I know.”
“You, honestly…” Xiao Guo’er quickly cut her off and turned to A Yue. “Sister A Yue, look at her. She looks much better in men’s clothes. Normally she’s just walking around with her hair down. Sigh, sigh.”
“Bah!” Though she did usually leave her hair loose — and since she’d mostly been staying inside recovering, she hadn’t really worn women’s clothing at all. At most, she wore an inner robe with a large outer cloak, looking a bit lazy at worst. “What do you mean I look better in men’s clothes? You’ve never even seen me in women’s clothing. One day this Holy Envoy will wear it and show you what it really means to—”
“Stop right there. You? Don’t ruin women’s clothes.”
A Yue couldn’t help covering her mouth and laughing. “It’s not that. It’s just that I’ve seen you in men’s clothes for so long, I can’t really imagine what you’d look like in women’s clothing.”
“See? Same mouth, but Sister A Yue says it much nicer than you.”
“Bah! You—”
Just as they were bickering, Nan Mu Xue finished making arrangements and had everyone board the carriage.
The marketplace wasn’t actually far. In truth, it was all because of Chu Ruo. First, the mountain roads here were rough and often muddy. Second, she was blind, so a carriage had been prepared.
A Yue and Xiao Guo’er sat outside driving, while Chu Ruo sat inside — though “sat” wasn’t quite accurate, since she was practically sprawled in someone’s arms. And the one holding her never showed the slightest impatience or dislike.
“Xue’er.”
“Yes.” Nan Mu Xue had been looking down at her the whole time, her eyes filled with their usual gentleness. “What is it?”
“Maybe… I shouldn’t go out anymore in the future.”
“Why? You’ve been excited all these past days, even until just now. Why change your mind suddenly?”
“It’s too troublesome. There’s no need to do all this just for me…”
Nan Mu Xue shook her head. “Are you thinking about how I brought Xiao Guo’er and the others? If you don’t like it, next time I’ll just take you.”
“That’s not it. I just feel like everyone’s going through so much trouble for me. Since they stayed, they’ve practically become my errand runners.”
“And who insisted on keeping them here? It’s too late to regret now.”
“You.”
“Ruo’er.” She tugged lightly at her ear, her heart filled with endless joy. “Alright, don’t overthink it. I’ll take care of everything. You don’t need to worry.”
Chu Ruo fell quiet. “Mm.”
Nan Mu Xue gently lifted her head to face her. “You’re doing it again, aren’t you? You’ve been blind before, and you weren’t like this then.”
“That was different. That time was fake. You drugged me on purpose.”
“And if I did?”
“You little viper.”
“But at first, you didn’t know the truth. What were you thinking then?”
She didn’t need to revisit the past — their memories were etched clearly in her heart. Nestling into her embrace again, she answered without hesitation:
“I was afraid. A kind of unknown fear. Lost. I was afraid I was really blind. But more than that, I was afraid of one thing.”
“What?”
Chu Ruo grinned. “You little viper, asking when you already know. I remember asking you back then if you’d abandon me.”
Nan Mu Xue kissed her forehead. “I wouldn’t then. And I wouldn’t now.”
“But I was afraid of holding you back. And Yan’er too. I was useless…”
“My Ruo’er has always been the best.”
“There are countless useless people in this world, but you’re the only one who treats me like treasure.”
They both burst out laughing. Nan Mu Xue stroked her hair. “You really never behave properly.”
“Xue’er…” After joking, Chu Ruo felt a little better, but still said softly, “I don’t deserve you.”
“Why do you always think that? Haven’t I told you enough?”
But Chu Ruo continued anyway. “But I love you. I want to be with you. I can’t bear to let go. Even if I don’t deserve you, I’ll cling to you shamelessly. Without you, my life has no meaning.”
“Ruo’er…” Nan Mu Xue’s voice overflowed with emotion. She gently touched her eyes and leaned down to kiss her. Time seemed to stop — at least, inside that warm carriage.
After a long moment, she pinched Chu Ruo’s cheek with a smile. “So you’re buttering me up just to make your master buy you something at the market. That sweet talk must’ve been exhausting.”
Chu Ruo cooperated, snuggling deeper into her arms. “Mm. My hands are empty, the household finances are all in your control. This pretty boy loves comfort and luxury, so I have no choice but to beg humbly now.”
“You glib tongue.”
Tilting her head slightly, Chu Ruo said, “Then will you kiss me and change that ‘glib’ to—”
She never needed to finish. The woman she loved always fulfilled her wishes before she could finish asking.
When they arrived at the market, Xiao Guo’er and A Yue followed behind. Nan Mu Xue held Chu Ruo’s hand tightly, not caring about any whispers or stares. She held her gently, yet firmly.
“There are many people. Don’t be afraid. I’m here.”
Chu Ruo smiled. “Okay.”
“Ruo’er, come.” Nan Mu Xue led her to a stall and crouched down. Before Chu Ruo could ask, something soft and furry was placed in her hands, along with a tiny whining sound.
“A puppy?” she asked immediately.
“Yes. Do you like any of them? Or we could take them all.”
Chu Ruo stroked the puppy, then set it down. “Let’s go.”
“You don’t like them?”
Because of something she’d once mentioned casually, Nan Mu Xue had remembered it all this time. Chu Ruo squeezed her hand.
“They’re not Wotou. And besides, don’t you dislike furry animals?”
“I…”
“You already have to take care of me. Why add more trouble? Let’s wait until my eyes recover.”
Nan Mu Xue nodded fondly. “Alright. As you wish.”
By noon, they entered an inn to eat. They sat at one table, while Xiao Guo’er and A Yue sat at another to avoid disturbing them.
“Xue’er,” Chu Ruo sighed. “How ironic. Now we need Xiao Guo’er to protect us.”
“Ruo’er…”
“The old Madam Hua from Fortune Inn will be leaving soon.”
“Do you want to go to Miaojiang? If you do, we can go with them. It’s peaceful there. No one will disturb us.”
“Anywhere is fine. We’ve left the martial world behind. As long as I’m with you.”
Nan Mu Xue smiled knowingly. “You sigh and say all this… Are you trying to get me to undo your Soft Bone Powder?”
Chu Ruo sighed. “I’ve begged you, and you refuse. I’ve given up.”
“You give up that easily?”
“You just met me? Wasn’t I the same when learning martial arts?”
“You…”
“Hehe. But there’s one thing I have absolute perseverance in. Even if I smash my head against a wall, I won’t give up.”
“What is it?”
Nan Mu Xue leaned closer, knowing it wouldn’t be anything decent.
Chu Ruo whispered:
“Getting into your bed.”
“CHU RUO!!!”
“Xiao Guo’er, save me~~~”
