That night, when Chu Ruo returned to the room, her hearing—now far beyond that of an ordinary person—allowed her to bypass the bed entirely. Instead, she walked straight to the window and unerringly gathered the enchanting woman into an embrace from behind. "Why didn't you call for me while you were chatting with them today?"
The woman leaned back, relaxing completely into her embrace. She smiled. "Weren't you also busy talking about everything under the sun with your Miss Zhier until the middle of the night?"
"You little scorpion, you're just looking for ways to wrong me. You were clearly the one who sent me away so you could have a heart-to-heart with your protectors..."
"Is that so bad?" Nan Muxue raised a hand to stroke the head resting on her right shoulder. "I was giving you some time to catch up with your dear confidante, lest you keep complaining that your Master is being harsh with you."
"Nan Muxue, that’s enough!"
"You dare call—" Her words were cut short as the person behind her bit her ear.
Chu Ruo whispered softly against her skin, "You were the one who made me see her. Then you abandoned me to go see Duan Ning and the others alone. I haven't even asked you yet—what are you hiding from me this time, hmm?"
"You and that precious confidante of yours..."
Chu Ruo interrupted her again. She only needed to pull this beloved woman closer and whisper a single soft word in her ear for Nan Muxue to lose her resolve and give in to her every whim. "Xue'er, tell me... No, wait, let's talk about something else first before I forget. When I fought your mother, I clearly used the method you taught me to sense her vital gate. I couldn't have been wrong. Why was she completely unharmed that day?"
"She can shift her vital gate."
"What? I've been here so long and I've never heard of a vital gate being movable!"
"That is precisely why her martial arts are so formidable. She is nearly impossible to wound. To deal with her, we must find another way."
"Does anyone else know about this?"
"I have only told you. However, Yunshuang has followed her for a long time, and she was even taught the Love Flower Intoxication. She might have guessed it."
Chu Ruo grinned. "So you only told me, and in secret? Hmm... But really, what did you send me away for today? What did you talk about with your protectors?"
Nan Muxue chuckled softly and patted her. "Nothing more than discussing the situation outside and asking Yan'er about Yunshuang."
"Nan Yunshuang?" Chu Ruo asked, puzzled. "What's wrong with her? Hasn't she been doing fine with Yan'er lately? Did they have another fight?"
That long-absent cold tone returned. "Yan'er?"
*Cough...* Realizing she had used the wrong name, Chu Ruo reacted with frantic, immediate haste. "Fourth Protector! Fourth Protector Nangong Yan! A slip of the tongue, just a temporary slip of the tongue!" *Wuwuwu...* Even though she was blind, she could perfectly imagine the little scorpion’s arched eyebrows and narrowed eyes. She had enjoyed peaceful days for too long; she didn't want to get thrashed again. "Don't be angry, don't be angry. You're the only 'Yan'er' in my heart. Mwah~"
"Shameless." The kiss on her cheek made Nan Muxue flush with shame. Even though they were alone, and even though it was far from their first kiss, she still blushed—simply because it was her Ruo'er. "If you call her that again, I'll cripple you."
*...This little scorpion...* Bah, bah, bah, she couldn't curse her. If she even thought it, it was like the woman could read her mind. "I know, I know. My wife is the best; she won't hold it against me."
"Do you want to test that?"
"Xue'er~ Let's talk business. Don't play around, let's focus. What exactly is going on with Nan Yunshuang?"
Nan Muxue let out a sigh so faint it was barely audible. "Her background... didn't I tell you before that my mother used to have two other protectors?"
"I remember. They met a pretty bad end. Don't tell me Nan Yunshuang is related to them?"
"Yunshuang is the child of one of them."
Chu Ruo was stunned. "So, she's the one born to that protector in a brothel..."
"Yes. I remember those two protectors; one was named Yunji, and the other was Qingshuang. Yunshuang's mother was Qingshuang."
*Tsk.* "That... that really is tragic. I thought that out of all of you, those four had it better than you. Sigh, another sin committed by your mother."
Nan Muxue shook her head. "In the beginning, Qingshuang was actually in love with my mother."
This time, Chu Ruo’s jaw didn't just drop; it practically hit the floor. "She... someone actually liked your mother? But, but your mother is really... They grew up together, and she even loved her. How could she have the heart to do that?" As she spoke, her indignation boiled over, and she cursed out loud. "Nan Menghua really is a piece of work!"
"Ruo'er."
Nan Muxue’s voice made Chu Ruo realize she shouldn't have spoken like that in front of her. After all, it was still Xue'er’s mother. She lowered her head. "I'm sorry, I..."
Nan Muxue turned around and cupped Chu Ruo's face. "There is no need to apologize. I know better than anyone what kind of person she is. Actually, I only told you because... back then, I was so afraid to get close to you, yet I couldn't stop myself. In the end, I approached you using Yan'er's identity."
"You..."
Nan Muxue smiled slightly. "I was a coward too. I was afraid the past would repeat itself. She wouldn't do much to me, but she would never let you go." She could stroke this face ten thousand times and never tire of it. "How could I bear to let anyone hurt my Ruo'er?"
"Xue'er," Chu Ruo whispered, pulling her into a tight embrace. Every time, she felt like this woman would move her to tears. "You've never told me these things before."
"It's enough that you are by my side. Why bother saying them?"
"That's not true! You hide everything in your heart and refuse to tell me, only letting out a sentence or two once in a blue moon. You think you have to shoulder everything alone. Then what am I here for? Am I just a decorative burden?"
"If I tell you, will you just sit there crying like you are now?"
"You... you!"
"Alright." Nan Muxue gently kissed her eyes. "You don't need to know so much. I love you, and my only wish in this life is to spend it with you. That is enough."
"I won't have it! You know everything I'm thinking, but you won't tell me what's on your mind."
The other woman merely looked at her with doting eyes. "Throwing a tantrum like a child again?"
"You tell me then—is it fair?"
"Fair?"
Wait. That tone... something was wrong. Every time the little scorpion used that tone, Chu Ruo never met a good end. Sure enough, before she could even turn to run, her vital gate on her back was poked.
"From the first day you arrived, when has there ever been 'fairness' between us?"
"You! You're a bully!"
Nan Muxue nodded. "Mhm. Your Master is bullying you. What are you going to do about it?"
"You, you... how can you be like this?"
"Am I wrong? When have you ever not been held in the palm of my hand?"
However, Nan Muxue had overlooked one thing: the person in front of her was incredibly thick-skinned. One second she was terrified, and the next she was snuggling into her arms. "That was before. We've been together for so long now. It shouldn't be 'held' in your hand; it should be 'cradled' in your hand."
That brilliant smile was infectious, making Nan Muxue laugh along with her. "You are the same as always."
"And you still love it, don't you?"
"Who said your Master loves—"
"Alright, alright, stop saying things that hurt my feelings. Why did you suddenly think to care about Nan Yunshuang? Not that caring is bad, but at a time like this, you seem a bit too invested in her affairs. Let me tell you, we've already faced death together. Don't you dare keep anything from me again. From now on, where you go, who you're with, and what you say—I want to know everything. *Capisce?*"
Nan Muxue acted out of character, simply resting her head against Chu Ruo's chest. "Fine. Everything you want to know, I will tell you."
"Huh? You've changed? You're being so obedient?"
A finger was pressed against her lips. Chu Ruo knew that if she kept blabbering, she’d be disciplined, so she quieted down. Nan Muxue continued, "She wants to move against us."
"Who, Nan Yunshuang? Why? Because of what happened to her mother and that other protector—Qingshuang and Yunji?"
"Her heritage is something Yunshuang has always wanted to know. Do not be fooled by her icy exterior; she is actually a person of deep feeling. The things she values most in this life, aside from Yan'er, are her origins."
"So she wants to move against us for that?"
"More accurately, against me."
"What does that have to do with you? The culprit is Nan Menghua. If she can't beat her, she's aiming at you? What kind of 'guilt by association' logic is that?"
"She hasn't made a move yet. My martial arts have recovered—they are even better than before. She has no certainty of victory, so she won't act rashly for now."
Chu Ruo held her as tightly as if Nan Yunshuang might burst in the next second to snatch her away. "I know her background is tragic, but she can't take her anger out on you. What right does she have?"
"It's not just about dealing with me. Her ultimate target is still Nan Menghua."
"Aha! You called her Nan Menghua too. Wife, you're so cute."
Nan Muxue was in no mood for jokes. She continued, "She wants to deal with her even more. As for me, she likely plans to use me to restrain or threaten Nan Menghua."
"Don't be ridiculous. You're her biological daughter and she still drove you to jump off a cliff with me. Using you to threaten Nan Menghua? That's the joke of the century. Honestly, with the way she treats you, I've always doubted if you're actually her biological child."
"No, you don't understand. In Nan Menghua's heart, the Baihua Palace is everything. Therefore, a successor is of the utmost importance. What she cares about most is the bloodline. If Yunshuang uses me to negotiate with her and then takes the opportunity to strike... the bloodline of the Baihua Palace Master's successor must never be in question."
"So, you really are her daughter, which is why she won't let someone without the bloodline become the Young Palace Master." Chu Ruo's expression soured. "But all of them want you dead. Nan Menghua doesn't care about you; because of me, she wants to kill you. To her, your life is just a vessel to continue the Nan family bloodline. Nan Yunshuang wants to use you to deal with her, but she might not let you go either. Why! Why does everyone think they have the right to hurt you!"
"I'm fine, Ruo'er..."
"I'm going to kill her right now. Even if I don't kill her, I'll cripple her..."
Nan Muxue immediately blocked her path. "Ruo'er, if you don't listen, I will immobilize you."
"Xue'er, I can't let anyone have the chance to hurt you."
"I know. But for your sake, I won't let anyone hurt me either." she cupped her face again and smiled. "Will you still listen to my words?"
Chu Ruo couldn't bring herself to be happy. "I don't know how you can still smile."
"Your temper has become quite short. Won't you listen to the rest?"
"What else is there?"
"She can't deal with me, but she can deal with you. Just as she can use me to threaten Nan Menghua, she can use you to force me to submit."
Chu Ruo froze. How could she have forgotten that? Right, now that the little scorpion's martial arts were restored, it wouldn't be easy to strike at her. But if they targeted her instead... "That..."
"So, you must look after yourself. Don't act rashly. She hasn't made a move yet, and if I've guessed correctly, she is conflicted in her heart. You don't need to add fuel to the fire. I still hope she will be one of us, but we must remain on guard."
"I almost did something reckless."
"It's no matter. You always complain that I don't tell you things, but when I do, this is how you react."
"Do the others know she wants to move against you?"
Nan Muxue shook her head. "I haven't told them. She only has Yan'er now. I hope she doesn't choose the wrong path. As for you, you must be careful. Besides her, there is also your Miss Zhier."
"Huh? Why are you bringing up Zhier again?"
"Now Yunshuang and she share a common enemy. What does my disciple think?"
"Oh, right... Zhier is one thing, but that girl Bai Shan is truly malicious. If they team up, this... this is getting more and more complicated."
Nan Muxue added one more thing. "It's more than that. Hasn't Ruo'er noticed that Shen Ruoxuan seems quite interested in your dear confidante?"
"Him? He was acting like a total creep that day. Tell him to stop bothering Zhier."
"So you really do care that much?"
"Aiyah, Zhier and I have a pure friendship! It goes way back. I remember the first time we met, it was at that brothel. Her sister forgot to bring silver, and I stepped up and paid five hundred taels for her..."
"Five hundred taels." Nan Muxue remembered how Chu Ruo had clamored to go to a brothel right after coming down the mountain. She remembered the story of her paying five hundred taels for someone, but she had never known that person was Bai Zhier! "So, you two have known each other for a long time."
Unfortunately, Chu Ruo was currently in a state of idiocy and actually dared to nod in confirmation. "Mhm! Otherwise, how could she have saved me later? Hehe, I guess I made a good impression on her that time."
"Oh," Nan Muxue nodded. "No wonder she likes you so much. You were quite generous with *my* money, weren't you?"
By the time Chu Ruo realized something was wrong, it was too late.
*Awoooo~*
The entire room was filled with ghostly wailing and howling. As expected, she couldn't even go three days without getting into trouble. Being a "baby" was so hard~
