“Ruo’er,” Nan Muxue gasped, propping up her weakened body. She fought against the waves of nausea and dizziness that threatened to pull her back under. As she jolted awake, her vision was nothing but a blur of white light, yet her first word, her first thought, was entirely for that one person. “Ruo’er!”
She called out twice, but received no response. Her hands trembled as she fumbled at her surroundings, meeting only the hard edges of stones and the chill of flowing water. A knot of dread tightened in Nan Muxue’s chest. She scooped up the freezing water from the lakebed and splashed it over her eyes. The mist cleared slightly, though the world remained a hazy smudge. She moved to stand immediately. “Ruo—”
“Xue’er?” *Tap, tap, tap.* The frantic sound of a stick striking against stones echoed nearby. Nan Muxue turned. Who else could it be but the one she yearned for? Ignoring the agonizing pain wracking her body, she rushed toward the sound. But the moment she reached her, Nan Muxue’s fear turned into a frantic, desperate rage. She roared like one possessed, “Where did you think you were going!”
The echoes scattered through the valley floor. Chu Ruo dropped whatever she was holding and reached out blindly, her hands trembling as she tried to find the other woman to embrace her. “I didn’t run away…”
“I woke up, and the first thing I saw was that you weren't by my side!” Nan Muxue’s body shook—whether from the cold or from fury, it was hard to tell. “Chu Ruo!”
“I didn’t mean to, Xue’er.”
Even though both their clothes were soaked through by the heavy mist of the valley, Chu Ruo felt a sudden surge of warmth as her beloved held her tight. She began to explain in a rush, her voice small and careful as she cradled Nan Muxue’s hands. “When I woke up, you were unconscious beside me. No matter how much I called, you wouldn't wake. I couldn't see how badly you were hurt, and I didn't know how to get us out of here. I could only stay by your side and watch over you. Thankfully, your breathing remained steady, but you just wouldn't wake up. It’s so damp down here by the lake; I couldn't even start a fire. Sometimes the cold was so sharp it pierced my heart, so I held you close, terrified your body temperature would drop. I don't know how much time passed—long enough that I felt so, so hungry. I thought that when you finally woke up, you’d be hungry too. There don't seem to be any wild beasts here, or they would have come to eat us long ago. So, after making sure you were settled, I went nearby to look for something to eat…”
Her tone was aggrieved, her appearance wretched. Her sleeves had been shredded by branches of all sizes, her face was smeared with dirt, and her hands were covered in tiny scratches—wounds surely sustained from fumbling through the dark. She looked exhausted, starved, and frail.
*If only I had woken sooner, you wouldn't have had to suffer like this.* Nan Muxue raised a hand to gently stroke Chu Ruo’s head. “Next time, you are not allowed to go so far. When I wake, you must be by my side.”
“Mm. Then… please don't be angry anymore, okay? I thought I was close by, but I must have wandered off. Luckily, luckily you’re awake. Xue’er, Xue’er~”
Even without seeing her face, Nan Muxue could hear the tearful tremor in Chu Ruo’s voice. She murmured back, “As long as we are both alright, that is enough.”
“Yeah, we’re fine. You must be hungry, right? I found some fruit.” Chu Ruo hurriedly knelt to pick up the small wild fruits she had dropped in her excitement. “I kept walking that way, and I think there’s a grove of fruit trees. The fruit must be ripe because they were just falling to the ground. My fruit…” she said piteously, “it took me forever to find them.”
“Enough.” Seeing this, Nan Muxue knelt down and stopped her, picking them up herself. A faint smile actually touched her lips. “You’ll pick up anything. Aren't you afraid they might be poisonous?”
“I didn't know if they were poisonous or not, but I was just so hungry. I just felt around under a tree and gathered some. I thought I’d bring them back and try a bite myself. If they weren't poisonous, I’d save them for you. If they were… well, I’ve been carrying the Clear Heart Dew Zhishi gave me. Taking a few drops should have made it fine. Ow, ow! You—you’re pinching my ear! You woman, you wake up and immediately start bullying me! You little scorpion!”
“I see you truly have no fear of death.” It would have been fine if she hadn't mentioned the 'little scorpion' nickname, but hearing it made Nan Muxue’s temper flare again. “What did you call me? Let this Master hear you clearly, hmm?”
Wretched cries soon filled the valley, echoing endlessly…
Once the “lesson” was over, Nan Muxue proved that she was, after all, a woman of the old world—and the Young Mistress of the Hundred Flowers Palace was nothing if not capable. Despite the dampness, she managed to start a modest fire, and the two of them finally felt a sense of comfort.
“You…”
Nan Muxue arched an eyebrow. “What? Still defiant?”
“I yield, I yield completely.” How could she not? Did she dare not to? If she didn't, she’d likely be pinched to death. Chu Ruo rubbed her ear, which was burning hot from the pinching. Her stomach chose that moment to let out a loud growl. After days of drinking nothing but lake water, it was a wonder it hadn't protested sooner.
“Open your mouth.”
“Huh?”
“I said, open your mouth.”
Nan Muxue sounded fierce and bossy. Chu Ruo grumbled under her breath but obediently opened her mouth. A wild fruit was stuffed inside. Dizzy with hunger, she didn't care about the taste and wolfed it down in two or three bites.
Nan Muxue pulled her over to sit by her side. “Aren't you afraid I picked a poisonous one for you?”
“Then at least I’ll die with a full stomach…”
Another fruit was stuffed into her mouth. The woman beside her said softly, “Stop talking nonsense.”
“Yes, yes, yes. Then don't be mad anymore, okay?”
Nan Muxue let out a cold huff. “Do you even know what this Master is angry about?”
“Of course I do! It’s definitely because I treated those medicine pills like treasures. You’ve scolded me about it before. Anyway, as soon as it involves Zhishi, you explode.”
“Wrong.”
“Wrong?”
Nan Muxue actually chuckled. “I told you long ago you were only clever in your own mind. What I am angry about is that you actually intended to give me your leftovers?”
Chu Ruo couldn't hold it in for even a second before she burst out laughing. Her Little Scorpion… when did she learn to make jokes like that? Her laughter rang out clearly in the silent surroundings. “Oh, you.”
In the next moment, she was pulled by a hand. Before she could cry out, she found herself reclining with her head resting on her beloved’s lap. With her stomach full and the fire growing larger, casting a cozy warmth over them, Chu Ruo let out a yawn. Nan Muxue placed a hand on her face. “Sleep for a while.”
Perhaps it was the warmth of the fire, or perhaps it was because the tension she had carried for days finally snapped upon seeing Nan Muxue awake, but Chu Ruo finally went completely limp. She stayed still and obedient, merely taking Nan Muxue’s hand to press several light kisses to it before holding it against her lips, refusing to let go. “Xue’er,” she murmured lazily.
Nan Muxue used her other hand to smooth back Chu Ruo’s hair. “If I had woken sooner, you wouldn't have suffered so much.” Heaven only knew how long they had been trapped here. From the moment she woke until now, the word this girl had said most was 'hungry.' She looked utterly drained. Nan Muxue looked at her with heartache once more. “For me… it wasn't worth it.”
“Then I could say it wasn't worth it for you to do all that for me, too. You used to be a Young Palace Mistress, but ever since you got together with me, look at how much bad luck you’ve had. I’m fine. See? I’m perfectly okay. Just… don't scare me like that again. I was so scared you wouldn't wake up, that you’d leave me…”
“I won't. Every time we face life and death, don't we come out fine? Ruo’er, I promise you, I will not let you suffer again.”
“I just want you to stop leaving me behind to do stupid, 'heroic' things. I don't need you to push me away to protect me. I only want to be with you, in life or in death.”
“Alright.” Nan Muxue leaned down to kiss her forehead. “Sleep now.”
“Mm,” Chu Ruo answered drowsily, looking quite content. “Then coax me to sleep.”
Nan Muxue actually began to pat her gently, humming a soft tune under her breath. It filled Chu Ruo with an indescribable sense of being moved. “Do you think we’re unlucky, or do we have great luck? Every time we’re pushed to the brink, we somehow survive. I guess we’re the protagonists, huh? We’ve got that protagonist halo—we can’t die anywhere. Who would have thought there’d be a hidden paradise at the bottom of Jing Lake?”
“Mm. This is the bottom of a valley, and it’s filled with mist. You’re tired; rest peacefully. When you wake, we will explore the area.”
By the time Nan Muxue looked down again, the girl was fast asleep. Recalling Chu Ruo’s comment about testing the fruit herself, Nan Muxue couldn't help but let out a soft laugh. “Testing poison with your own body… what a ridiculous idea. Only you could come up with that. You really are a fool. Look at your hands, covered in wounds. How can you be so clumsy? If I hadn't woken up, what would you have done?” She whispered to herself, yet the moment felt incredibly warm. “As long as you are by my side, it is enough. Chu Ruo.”
The sudden mention of her name made the sleeping Chu Ruo mumble incoherently, “Mm? Hmm?”
“Without me, I fear you wouldn't be able to survive.” Their fingers interlaced tightly. “So this time, whether it is Nan Menghua or anything else, I will not let you go. In life, or in death.” Nan Muxue stroked her lover’s eyes. “I will never let you slip away from me again. My Ruo’er.”
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Master, Spare My Life: A Disciple's Sweet Rebellion | Chapter 172 | Devotion in the Depths | Novela.app | Novela.app
