At this moment, there were four people in the room, each wearing a different expression. However, the most miserable among them was undoubtedly Chu Ruo.
"I wonder, Sister," Bai Zhi’er added, clearly intent on stirring the pot further, "when do you and Young Master Qian intend to wed?"
Qian Tong was evidently still reeling from the previous revelation. He gaped, dazed once more. "Huh?"
"Naturally, the elder sister must marry before the younger sister’s turn comes," Bai Zhi’er continued. "If Sister doesn't hurry, what is to become of the matter between Ruo’er and me? I cannot help but feel anxious; I hope I haven't made a fool of myself before everyone."
*If you keep talking, I’m going to end up a bloodstain on the floor,* Chu Ruo thought, her face twisted in a grimace as she tried to intervene. "Zhi—"
"Why wait for me?" Nan Muxue countered, unexpectedly playing along. "I wonder, Brother-in-law, when do you intend to take Ruo’er as your bride?"
...It was over. She was actually cooperating. Chu Ruo knew all too well that the more the Little Scorpion went along with this, the more agonizing her own death would be. "I don't—"
"This is a matter of marriage! How dare you interrupt? Where are your manners!"
*Waaaah, she’s shouting at me. The Little Scorpion is actually shouting at me.* Chu Ruo felt like she had reached her limit with these two. Was a single Qian Tong really worth all this? They were getting far too into their roles. *I’m so miserable, this is so hard. I want to leave. How do I get out of here?*
Bai Zhi’er very, very deliberately took Chu Ruo’s hand and raised it high. "As for that, naturally, the sooner the better. When the time comes, we shall have to trouble Sister to make the arrangements."
"That is no difficult task. It is rare to find a pair so perfectly suited to one another. As your elder sister, I am happy for you. In fact, why wait for an auspicious day? Let it be now." A sense of foreboding rose within Chu Ruo, and Nan Muxue’s next words immediately confirmed it. "An eldest sister is as a mother. Since my Brother-in-law is so sincere, come forward with Ruo’er and perform the kowtow to me. Offer me a cup of tea."
*Aha! As expected of you, Little Scorpion.* The thought of making Zhi’er kneel to her was hilarious. Chu Ruo, who had felt so pathetic just a moment ago, was now desperately stifling a laugh. Only the Little Scorpion could come up with something like this. She could practically picture the woman’s deadpan, icy expression as she uttered those words. *My wife is just too clever, hehehe~*
Bai Zhi’er was stunned. She had intended to provoke the woman, but her reflexes were sharp. She immediately replied, "We should still choose a propitious date. How could I wrong Ruo’er so? We shall save the formal rites for the wedding. Since Sister is entrusting Ruo’er to me, I will naturally ensure all etiquette is observed in full."
"And what if I demand you kowtow now?"
"Is that so? By what right?"
The atmosphere turned sharp, teetering on the edge of a fallout. Aside from the still-bewildered Qian Tong, Chu Ruo hurriedly grabbed a teacup, walked straight to Nan Muxue, and dropped to her knees.
"I’ll do it, I’ll do it! Sister has always taken care of me with the utmost devotion. This cup of tea should come from me. Besides, I have a headstrong nature and often provoke Sister’s anger. It is my fault. I am sorry, Sister."
The apology was woven into her words, both on the surface and between the lines. The women present could not possibly miss the subtext. Nan Muxue had never truly wanted her Ruo’er to kneel to her; the moment the girl hit the floor, her heart had already softened. However, seeing Bai Zhi’er step forward to help her up made her displeasure flare again, and she averted her gaze. But when those three words—*I am sorry*—were spoken, Nan Muxue finally turned back. She took the cup after all.
"Get up."
The storm had narrowly passed. Before leaving, Qian Tong was still acting like a devoted follower, likely believing he actually stood a chance, even inviting everyone out to play the next day. It incensed Chu Ruo so much that her eyes nearly rolled into the back of her head once he was gone. Fenghuang, ever the spectator, remarked that since Chu Ruo had started the mess, she had no right to be angry when others finished it. Truly, the girl was a headache every single day.
When it came time for bed, Nan Muxue naturally ignored Chu Ruo after the day's performance and walked straight into the room. Chu Ruo followed behind with Bai Zhi’er, sighing. "After tonight, she’ll probably kick me out to sleep in the yard. Sigh. No matter how much we fought before, she at least let me on the bed. Now, I’ll be lucky if I’m allowed to sleep on the floor."
As they reached the door, Nan Muxue was indeed about to shut it. Bai Zhi’er stood at the threshold with a radiant smile. "Perfect. Come sleep in my room. We can..."
*...Are you worried I didn't die a gruesome enough death today?* "No, I—ow!"
Before she could finish, Chu Ruo was grabbed by the collar and hauled inside. Bai Zhi’er moved to follow, but *bang!* The door was slammed shut in her face. She merely smiled, said nothing more, and turned to leave.
"Tsk, tsk." Fenghuang appeared at her usual opportune moment. "Another love-struck fool. What is so good about her that you two are so hopelessly devoted?"
Bai Zhi’er didn't answer, but Fenghuang kept pace with her. "Hey, you did that on purpose, didn't you? Saying those things just to help Chu Ruo... does it actually make you feel better?"
"Ruo’er is already in this state. How could I have the heart to let her suffer more?"
"Psh. You didn't seem to mind infuriating a certain someone earlier."
"Are you that bored?"
"I’ve got nothing to do, so yes, quite bored."
"You’ve been here so long, yet you still haven't cured Ruo’er’s eyes," Bai Zhi’er countered. "You call yourself the Shaman Chief of the Miao, yet you’re only capable of this much?"
Fenghuang arched an eyebrow. "Oho, another one here to interrogate me? I don't get it. You two treasure her like a precious gem, yet I don't see either of you curing her."
"You—"
"Is it not so? You can't fix her yourselves, yet you all come to blame me. Tsk, no fun. I’m going to sleep."
"Hmph."
Inside the room, Chu Ruo wasn't having an easy time either. She had thought the Little Scorpion letting her in meant she was forgiven, but a bundle of bedding was promptly hurled directly at her face. It was clear she was destined for the floor. Still, being allowed inside was a win. She had heard the door starting to close; it was only because of Zhi’er’s provocation that Nan Muxue had pulled her in. Her Little Scorpion, even when furious, would never allow her to share a room with someone else. Thinking of this, Chu Ruo smiled as she hugged the now-grown Wotou. "Come here, Wotou. Let’s huddle together tonight. At least you’re warm."
In the middle of the night...
"Xue’er! Xue’er!" It was the hour of deepest sleep, but Nan Muxue remained a light sleeper. Even without her martial arts, she was instantly alert. She rolled out of bed and hurried to the person on the floor. "Ruo’er!"
She thought something was wrong, but the familiar sleeping face, the occasional smacking of lips, and the way she kicked at the blanket all told Nan Muxue that the cries were merely sleep-talking. She relaxed completely. Girl and dog were both fast asleep. As she straightened the blanket, she let out a soft laugh. "You never could sleep still. Even this dog, Wotou, has been tainted by you—sleeping all day long, not looking like a dog at all."
"Xue’er..."
Nan Muxue froze and looked again. The girl was still deep in sleep. Under the moonlight, she didn't mind the dirty floor and sat down beside her. "What’s the use of calling me? You only know how to make me angry."
"Xue’er..." Chu Ruo pouted, mumbling under her breath. "Don't be mad... don't be mad at me..."
Heh. "Every time, you act first and ask for forgiveness later. Do you really think I can't bear to stay angry with you?"
In her dreams, Chu Ruo had no idea that the woman she loved was already by her side, eventually lying down beside her. "Knowing full well how much I dislike that woman surnamed Bai, you still dared to call her here. 'Fiancé.' Kneeling to me for her sake. You certainly sleep well, don't you? If I don't teach you a proper lesson this time, you’ll never take my words seriously."
Chu Ruo continued to murmur her name from time to time, while the other woman simply watched her with a quiet, tender gaze.
The next morning, when Chu Ruo woke up, she was naturally the only one in the room—well, except for Wotou, who was busy licking her face.
Eventually, Bai Zhi’er pushed the door open and shook her awake. "Ruo’er, even with Wotou right next to you, you managed to sleep like the dead."
"...You... Xue’er? Where’s Xue’er? Where did she go?"
"Do you even need to ask? She left you behind and went out on her own."
"Zhi’er..."
"You know she can't have gone far. Why get so anxious?"
"I made her so angry this time."
"Oh, please. Isn't this exactly what you wanted? Didn't you call me here specifically to provoke her? Come on, the weather is nice today. Let’s go out and have some fun."
They were just about to head out when Lin Jianghong approached. She stared at Chu Ruo for a long time before finally speaking with a look of realization. "You’re really a woman?"
..."Is that a joke? Looking like this, with my hair a mess and looking like a ghost, is it not obvious enough?"
"Then you and Nan Muxue..."
"Ahem. Zhi’er, weren't you taking me out to play? Let’s go, let’s go."
Chu Ruo, unable to see, pulled Bai Zhi’er along as they hurried out. She didn't even trip, moving with such urgency that Bai Zhi’er couldn't help but laugh. "Ruo’er, what’s this? Are you shy?"
"No, it’s just... the way she asks. Besides, I know not everyone can accept me and Xue’er... I just don't want her to say something that Xue’er might overhear and feel uncomfortable about."
"Then you underestimate your Little Scorpion. Ruo’er, whether it is I or her, since we have chosen to love you, would we care about the gaze of others? The person before us is all that matters."
Chu Ruo smiled. "Zhi’er, if there were a few more people like you in this world, it would be a very beautiful place."
"Don't think too highly of me, Ruo’er. Since you called me here, how could you be sure I wouldn't try to give you my eyes? It was she who burdened you; her eyes would be your compensation."
"No. You are Zhi’er. I know you will respect me. Besides, Fenghuang tried to perform the transplant for us before, and it failed. Do you know why?"
"Because you refused. Your heart... her medicine couldn't make you sleep peacefully. You were struggling, weren't you?"
"As expected of Zhi’er. Brilliant as always."
"But you should know, with my medicine, you won't stand a chance."
"Zhi’er—"
"It’s no use."
It was Fenghuang’s voice. She walked over and, without a sound, struck Chu Ruo’s sleep acupoint.
Nan Muxue happened to return just in time to see this. She immediately rushed forward to catch Chu Ruo in her arms, her voice cold. "What are you doing?"
"I just have something I want to say to both of you. Her eyes... they can't be fixed by a transplant."
Bai Zhi’er was confused. "Why? If I use someone else's eyes to replace hers, with my medical skills and the two of you assisting, there shouldn't be a problem."
"That’s exactly the point. I’m certain that even if you swapped in the eyes of ten more people, she still wouldn't regain her sight."
Nan Muxue paused, deep in thought. "You mean..."
Fenghuang shook her head at the sight of them. "Don't you two understand yet? It’s not her eyes that are injured. It’s her heart."
"Her heart?"
"Her blindness is more a matter of the heart. Otherwise, with the medical skills you two possess, how could you possibly fail to cure her? Nan Menghua’s palm strike wasn't poisoned; it shouldn't have caused permanent blindness. I’m sure you’ve both examined her. There is no physical damage to the eyes. Even if she was blinded by the impact at the time, it should have been temporary. It shouldn't have lasted this long."
Bai Zhi’er asked anxiously, "Then what should be done?"
Fenghuang looked at Nan Muxue. "I told you, her heart is the problem. And you... you are the root of the sickness."
"Me?"
"Chu Ruo has a sickness of the heart. She is blaming herself. Haven't you noticed? The thing she says most often is an expression of self-reproach." She smiled faintly. "I’ve heard her sigh more than once. She feels it’s her fault you’ve become like this. It’s because of her that you lost your martial arts. You two are too close to the situation to see clearly; otherwise, you would have realized long ago why she isn't getting better. With this kind of illness, you could swap her eyes a hundred times or use the most expensive herbs in existence, and I guarantee it would all be in vain. Not unless she herself is willing to get better."
Nan Muxue finally spoke. "As long as the heart sickness is removed... Ruo’er will be well?"
"Yes, there’s a very good chance. But as you are now, it’s impossible for you to practice martial arts again. So," Fenghuang sighed, "stop pressuring her. It’s best to keep her in a good mood. Perhaps then there will be hope."
Bai Zhi’er stamped her foot in frustration. "It’s all because of you. Everything is for your sake. Now Ruo’er is like this because of you. She even... she even let herself stay blind. Nan Muxue, I told you, you are Ruo’er’s calamity. As long as you are around, she will only ever be in danger!"
Nan Muxue did not talk back. She remained silent, staring down at the person in her arms. *Is it all for me? You fool.*
***
