“Zhier!”
Bai Zhier had just finished breakfast with Shen Ruoxuan when Chu Ruo unexpectedly came to find her. Her heart leaped with joy, and she immediately ran toward her. “Ruo’er!”
“Zhier,” Chu Ruo called out.
Bai Zhier glanced around and teased, “What’s this? Don’t you need to accompany your Little Scorpion? She actually let you go?”
“Her?” Chu Ruo pouted. “She ditched me first thing this morning and went off somewhere. It’s too much.”
“Oh? So you only thought of me because she left? Ruo’er, aren’t you afraid I’ll be annoyed with you too?”
“Well, I figured Zhier wouldn’t be so petty.”
Shen Ruoxuan watched the two from the side. Bai Zhier didn’t seem to mind at all; instead, she leaned close to Chu Ruo’s ear, her tone playful. “Ruo’er, are you being this brazen just because you know I like you?”
*Ahem...* Hearing this, Chu Ruo didn’t just blush; she felt a wave of awkwardness. “Uh...”
“Little Ruo,” Shen Ruoxuan finally spoke up. “You and that ice-cold Master of yours are currently living under my roof and eating my food. Even if you can’t see me right now, ignoring me without so much as a greeting is truly hurtful~”
Ugh, this flamboyant guy. Hearing him speak made Chu Ruo’s skin crawl. “Can’t you speak normally?”
“Oh my, what’s wrong? We’re old acquaintances, aren’t we? Why are you being so... cold?”
Good heavens, what was wrong with this guy? Was he trying to disgust her on purpose? And he actually had the nerve to try and woo Zhier? “I’m warning you, stay away from us.”
“Us?” Bai Zhier’s smile turned meaningful. “Ruo’er, who exactly do you mean by ‘us’?”
“I...”
Shen Ruoxuan stepped closer to them. “The weather is lovely today, and the sun is out. Miss Bai, would you be interested in taking a stroll through the villa’s gardens with me? I have a few medicinal herbs there that I can’t quite identify...”
“Zhier is busy,” Chu Ruo interrupted immediately. She really couldn’t stand this flamboyant fellow. Zhier was such a wonderful person; she couldn’t let her get mixed up with him. “She’s coming with me.”
Bai Zhier’s mood suddenly brightened. “Ruo’er, since when did you start making decisions for me? But I actually did want to go for a walk...”
Chu Ruo could only plead softly, “Zhier~”
With just that one word, Bai Zhier knew she would give in to this blockhead no matter what. “Master Shen, my apologies. I already have plans with Ruo’er.”
Shen Ruoxuan waved it off. “Then it’ll have to be next time. I hope Miss Bai won’t refuse me again.”
And so, Chu Ruo led her away with a smug air.
For the time being, the villa was still the safest place, so they didn’t go far, simply strolling through the grounds. “Ruo’er, do you really dislike him that much?”
“Who?”
“You know who.”
Chu Ruo knew exactly who she meant. “Zhier, don’t tell me you’re actually interested in him?”
“Well...” Bai Zhier gazed at her face. She wished so desperately that she could possess her, that Chu Ruo could belong to her. “About that...”
She intentionally left it vague, making the other girl anxious. “Oh, just say it! Do you really like him?”
“Ruo’er, you seem very tense.”
“I-I’m not...”
“Shh,” Bai Zhier interrupted. “Don’t break my dream in this moment.” *Even if your tension is just the concern of a friend, I’d rather tell myself that you care.*
“Zhier,” Chu Ruo didn’t know what to say. Honestly, what did it have to do with her? It wasn’t for any other reason than her belief that a woman as wonderful as Bai Zhier deserved the best person in the world. As for Shen Ruoxuan... aside from being a bit flamboyant, his intellect and schemes weren’t bad, and he had successfully taken over the Sword Casting Villa. *Wait, isn’t that similar to my Little Scorpion? No, no, no, my Little Scorpion is the best. How can that flamboyant guy compare? If Xue’er knew I was comparing her to Shen Eleven, the consequences would be unthinkable.* Chu Ruo shuddered.
“What’s wrong?” Bai Zhier asked with concern. “Are you cold? Should I take you back to your room?”
“I’m fine. Zhier, actually...”
Interrupted again. “Ruo’er, were you bullied again last night?”
Chu Ruo’s eyes widened. “How did you know?”
Bai Zhier smiled. “Otherwise, would she have ditched you today?”
“But she’s talked to others alone before without including me.”
“The two of you can’t go three days without a spat.”
“That’s true.”
“In front of me, you can just be yourself. You are the Ruo’er I care about most.”
“Zhier, don’t say that. It makes me feel so ashamed.”
Bai Zhier’s smile was tender, though the person before her still couldn’t see it. “What is there to be ashamed of? My feelings belong to me; you don’t need to carry any burden. To love someone and watch them smile, to see them happy—that is enough.”
Chu Ruo felt a pang of guilt. She knew she owed this woman, but her heart already belonged to the best person in the world. Between them, there could only be that cliché sense of regret. “Zhier, what’s come over you? You rarely... rarely used to be this direct about your feelings.”
“Well, that’s because I’m considering whether I should let you go and accept someone else.”
“Huh?! You really like Shen Ruoxuan?”
“You don’t like the idea?”
“It’s not that. It’s your business, it’s just... it feels weird.”
Bai Zhier took a step forward, her posture becoming quite intimate. In a rare move of overstepping, she tilted Chu Ruo’s chin up. “Are you jealous?”
“No!” Chu Ruo denied frantically. *Sister, are you trying to get me killed? If my Little Scorpion sees this, you’ll be attending my funeral at this very villa tomorrow.* “I’m not... Uh, Zhier, let go of me first.”
Bai Zhier was only teasing her and had intended to let go, but hearing that, she gave a radiant smile and instead wrapped her other arm around Chu Ruo’s waist. “Tell me, what did you two fight about last night?”
“Zhier...”
“If you don’t tell me, I won’t let go. I see our Ruo’er has quite a nice waist; it’s rather comfortable to hold. Still not talking?”
*Amitabha, Amitabha, please don’t let the Little Scorpion be here, please...* “I’ll talk, I’ll talk! It’s just that last night I accidentally told Xue’er that the first time we met was at a brothel. I mentioned how you and your sister forgot to pay and the madam tried to scam you for five hundred taels, so I paid for you. Then she got angry. So, Zhier, can you let go now?”
But Chu Ruo had forgotten that when it came to these things, her bad luck was always more reliable than her good luck. *Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!* Several hidden weapons whistled past her face. Bai Zhier immediately dodged. One didn’t even need to look to know who it was.
“What, can’t stand to see me close to Ruo’er?” Bai Zhier retorted. “Not only are you prone to jealousy, but you’re a total shrew.”
Chu Ruo was practically in tears. *Great, just great.* She had already been punished last night. "Shrew" and "jealous"—those two words were guaranteed to make the Little Scorpion explode. And the one who would suffer was definitely going to be her. Even if she couldn't see, she could imagine that gaze was sharp enough to slice through flesh. *Who did I offend this time?*
Sensing Nan Muxue arrive at her side, Chu Ruo quickly put on a fawning smile. “Hehe, Xue... Xue’er.”
Nan Muxue’s voice was icy. “I didn’t realize the Divine Physician’s family was so shameless.”
Bai Zhier bit back just as sharply. “I wouldn’t dare claim that title. You, a Master, can seduce your own disciple. Compared to you, I...”
Chu Ruo knew the outcome would be disastrous, but she still stepped between them. “Everyone, calm down, calm down!”
“Shut up!” “Shut up!”
Both women spoke at once, then looked at each other. “What right do you have to yell at Ruo’er!” “What right do you have to yell at Ruo’er!”
Chu Ruo truly wanted to cry. Could these two not go one time without fighting? “Xue’er, Zhier, you guys...”
“Last night’s matter isn’t over yet, and today you really treat me as if I’m not here?”
“No, I was just...”
Bai Zhier cut in. “Oh? Five hundred taels? As if I can’t afford it. I’ll give you ten times that!” With that, she actually pulled out several banknotes and threw them over. “For a Palace Master, you’re quite petty. Here’s your money back. From now on, Ruo’er belongs to me.”
Chu Ruo’s face fell. “Zhier, please stop talking.”
Nan Muxue directly drew Chu Ruo’s Ice Wraith. “Your life should have ended long ago.”
“And I’m the one who regrets not taking your life when you lost your martial arts!”
Just as they were about to clash, Shen Ruoxuan appeared and finally stopped them. “This is my villa, after all. It wouldn’t be good to damage the flowers and grass. Can you give me some face? Don’t forget, we have a great enemy before us. Let’s not fight amongst ourselves.”
Again, in unison: “Who’s on the same side as her?”
However, the two women did stop. Before leaving with Shen Ruoxuan, Bai Zhier intentionally provoked her rival one last time. “Ruo’er, my heart only has you. I am devoted, so don’t worry.”
Chu Ruo didn’t dare turn around; she felt like she was about to sink to her knees. “Xue’er...”
“Why aren’t you chasing after her?”
“I’m not chasing, I’m not chasing. Xue’er is here, so I’m staying here.”
“Since you like this place so much, stay here by yourself.”
*Waaaah, she’s angry again.* She hadn’t even finished making up for yesterday. “Wait, Xue’er!” Chu Ruo hadn’t walked around the villa much and wasn’t familiar with the layout. She could only follow the sound of movement. In her haste, *Thud!* Her face slammed directly into a rock in the rockery. Despite the pain, she was desperate to catch up. “Xue’er, Xue’er!” *Thud!* This time she tripped and fell flat on her face. *Are you kidding me? This is the worst luck ever.* Tears actually started to well up. “Xue’er...”
But no one came. *You Little Scorpion, you’re really ignoring me. Petty, you’re just too petty.*
Just as the thought crossed her mind, Chu Ruo felt a gust of wind in front of her. Excitedly, she reached out to grab the hem of a skirt, but the person dodged. “What were you calling me in your head?”
“...Nothing.” She scrambled up, bruised and battered, limping as she tried to find her. Then she almost fell again. “Xue’er, I...”
Finally, she was caught and held steady. Chu Ruo immediately refused to let go. “Xue’er, hehe.”
Nan Muxue looked at her. “Did you do that on purpose?”
“How could I? I’ve fallen and made a mess of myself. You said it yourself—I can’t survive without you. How could you have the heart to leave me?”
“I just didn’t want you to get their floor dirty.”
Chu Ruo suddenly hopped into her arms. “Xue’er, hold me.”
The corners of Nan Muxue’s mouth lifted. Despite being the Young Palace Master of Baihua Palace with a notorious obsession with cleanliness, she never pushed this person away, no matter what state she was in. In this lifetime, she never would. “You’ve been held enough by others. What do you need me for?”
“Don’t be angry anymore. You know Zhier was just trying to provoke you.”
“Is that so? You seemed very tense to me, so concerned about whether she liked Shen Ruoxuan.”
This time, Chu Ruo admitted it. “I am concerned, but listen to me. I don’t have any other thoughts about Zhier. I only see her as a very important friend—or even like family. I see her as my best friend, a sister. I want her to find her own happiness. Xue’er, actually... I just feel like I’m pretty terrible. I’m not good enough for her, and I’m not good enough for you.”
Nan Muxue looked at the disheveled girl. Chu Ruo was always blaming herself, feeling inferior, thinking she was a burden. She wiped the dirt from Chu Ruo’s face. “You silly thing.”
“I have my own selfish reasons too. I just feel that if she finds someone, they should at least be one of the best in the world to be worthy of her. But I’ve realized I’m not even as good as that Shen Ruoxuan. I have you, but she deserves better. When that time comes, I’ll give her my heartfelt blessings.”
In truth, Nan Muxue believed her. Her Ruo’er had only her in her eyes and heart; there would never be anyone else. This was her Ruo’er. *But you blockhead, do you not know? When love reaches its peak, it borders on heartlessness. Aside from you, how could Bai Zhier ever look at anyone else?* “She won’t like Shen Ruoxuan. Don’t worry.”
“Then I’m much more relieved. Shen Ruoxuan is way too flamboyant. Right? If he were a bit more normal, he might barely pass...”
“You just said,” Nan Muxue suddenly caught on, “that you have me, but she deserves better. Does that mean your Master is only worthy of someone like you?”
*Finished.* Chu Ruo knew that she probably wouldn't escape a scolding today. *Sigh, my temperamental wife.*
***
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
--- | --- | ---
铸剑山庄 | Sword Casting Villa | The residence/sect of Shen Ruoxuan.
冰煞 | Ice Wraith | Nan Muxue's sword or a specific ice-based technique.
沈十一 | Shen Eleven | A nickname or alternate name for Shen Ruoxuan.
吃醋 | Eating vinegar | A Chinese idiom meaning to be jealous.
基佬 | Flamboyant / Mincing | Modern Chinese slang for "gay," used here by the transmigrated protagonist to describe Shen Ruoxuan's behavior.
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Master, Spare My Life: A Disciple's Sweet Rebellion | Chapter 182 | A Taste of Vinegar | Novela.app | Novela.app
