“Zhi’er, thank you.”
The woman across from her replied gently, “Ruo’er, I have to apply these compresses to your eyes three times a day. Just how many times are you going to say that?”
“I know, but you’re always exhausting yourself for my sake. And yet, my eyes...”
Bai Zhi’er removed the medicinal cloth. “What else can be done? Since your little snake-scorpion is utterly useless, this young miss eventually had to step in.”
Chu Ruo cleared her throat, nervously listening to the surroundings. If the little snake-scorpion heard that, there would be no end to it. More importantly, she would be the one punished in the end. She sighed.
“You’re always sighing lately. The Ruo’er of the past wasn’t like this.”
Chu Ruo curled her lips slightly. “Was I more lighthearted back then?”
“Ruo’er...”
“Zhi’er, I know you’ve been bickering with Xue’er for my sake, but you’ve never truly raised a hand against her. I... I don’t know what to say except thank you.” Chu Ruo knew that this wonderful woman was only indulging her. Otherwise, given the sisters' attitude toward the little snake-scorpion, their hatred would surely be irreconcilable. Yet, when Xue’er had lost her martial arts, Zhi’er had stayed her hand because of her.
Still, Chu Ruo could not allow anyone to hurt her Xue’er, nor did she want to turn against her best friend. “I’m very selfish, aren’t I? I want to have Xue’er, yet I also want to remain friends with you forever. I don’t want anything to happen to either of you, and I don’t want you to hurt each other. Like you said, I’m only being so presumptuous because I’m relying on your feelings for me...”
Bai Zhi’er shook her head. “My actions are my own decisions, are they not? Ruo’er, don’t carry that burden. Besides, Shanshan was right—I can be quite pathetic sometimes.”
Chu Ruo lowered her head. “I don’t know how to resolve the hatred between you, and I don’t have the face to ask you to be magnanimous. But Zhi’er, the things Xue’er did in the past... Nan Menghua was behind all of them.”
“I know. Ruo’er, tell me—when you first learned that your branch sects were destroyed and that it was linked to Nan Yunshuang, what did you feel?”
“Hatred, of course. Even if it was Nan Menghua’s intent, Xue’er said she was furious with her for it. Although Nan Menghua gave the order, the one who actually carried it out was Nan Yunshuang.” Chu Ruo understood her point perfectly. “But, Zhi’er...”
“Alright, be good and sit still. I understand what you mean. Don’t worry about this for now, okay? Right now, the most important things are your eyes and Nan Menghua.”
“My eyes...” Chu Ruo gave a bitter smile. “I’m afraid they won’t get better. Perhaps this is my punishment.”
Bai Zhi’er looked at her with heartache. “No. Are you a fool? You love to blame yourself for everything. In truth, you’ve been blaming yourself all along, feeling that you’re the one who burdened her, haven’t you?”
Chu Ruo smiled again. “Zhi’er, I think aside from Xue’er, you probably understand me best.”
*That is why you refuse to wake up, why you refuse to let your eyes heal.* “Then do you also know that whether it’s me or her, seeing you like this breaks our hearts?”
“I...”
*Creak—*
Nan Muxue pushed the door open and entered. Bai Zhi’er didn’t look at her, simply standing up with a voice that remained gentle. “Alright, I’ll come back later to apply the medicine.”
This time, the woman who entered actually spoke. “Why the rush to leave?”
Bai Zhi’er found it somewhat amusing. “What, can you actually bear to see me together with Ruo’er?”
Before she could finish, Nan Muxue uncharacteristically refrained from bickering. Instead, she said, “Our strength alone is not enough to deal with my mother.”
Bai Zhi’er raised an eyebrow. “You admit she is your mother. Even if she is hunting you and Ruo’er down now, I doubt you would actually strike to kill her.”
“I am doing this for Ruo’er. I will not let her hurt Ruo’er again.”
“Ruo’er is in this state today because of you.” Seeing their relatively harmonious conversation about to escalate into their usual spat, Bai Zhi’er shifted the topic. “However, you’re right. None of us are a match for her. So, what do you intend to do? Bring the Heavenly Demon Palace into this?”
Both women were equally brilliant; a single hint was enough for them to understand each other. Duan Ning and the others had once said that if these two ever worked together, they would be the peerless pair of the martial world. Yet, they happened to love the same person.
“You are indeed much cleverer than your younger sister,” Nan Muxue remarked.
“My sister’s character is not for you to judge. But if you’re looking for my adoptive father, you should know they are old acquaintances. In the past, he spared her many times. Moreover, now that she has mastered the Love Flower Drunk, even my adoptive father might not be able to defeat her. Didn’t we see that last time?”
“No,” Nan Muxue shook her head, speaking calmly. “Everyone has a weakness. Your adoptive father might know hers.”
Bai Zhi’er was puzzled. “Adoptive Father? How would he know?”
Chu Ruo interjected, “I think Xue’er means that since your adoptive father knew Nan Menghua back then—and they were even close enough for him to call her 'Third Sister'—it means they weren't the only ones who became sworn siblings. And since your adoptive father has always been lenient toward the Hundred Flowers Palace, something must have happened back then.”
Judging by the timeline, that was also when Nan Menghua had Nan Muxue. They had suspected Tu Ao’zhi might be *that* person, but everything still needed proof. “In other words, a certain point, a certain event, or a certain person might be Nan Menghua’s weakness. Xue’er said the most effective way isn't to defeat her, but to cause a backlash. If we grasp her weakness, we can use it to break her.”
Nan Muxue turned her head. Ignoring the presence of the third person, she reached out and tilted Chu Ruo’s chin up. “You’ve made quite a bit of progress, haven’t you?”
She had once been so lonely, yet why had heaven treated her so kindly as to grant her a Chu Ruo? This girl understood her and knew her. To think there was truly someone who could completely and utterly comprehend her. Her Ruo’er was growing up day by day, and all of it was for the sake of that original promise.
With Bai Zhi’er standing right there, Chu Ruo was naturally a bit embarrassed. She gave a dry cough and tried to turn her head away. “I...”
“What are you hiding for?” Nan Muxue’s voice wasn't loud, but it was clear enough for everyone in the room. “Usually you can’t wait to cling to me, yet today you’ve learned how to be shy?”
“...Xue’er!”
Bai Zhi’er actually started laughing. “You need my help, yet you’re still acting like this?”
“Why? Are you an outsider to this?” Nan Muxue withdrew her hand but pulled Chu Ruo into her arms. “We should see one more person.”
“Who?”
“Shen Ruoxuan’s father.”
“Shen Wanxiong?”
Nan Muxue nodded. “He must know something about the Martial Arts Alliance Leader’s token. Sword Casting Villa, Flying Eagle Fort, my mother, and even your adoptive father—everyone wants that token. Liu Songhe and his son, Liu Shaopeng, are currently hiding in the Fort. The only one left to start with is Shen Wanxiong. Since Shen Ruoxuan has him under house arrest, he has no power to resist. Don’t forget, the Heavenly Demon Palace was in league with Sword Casting Villa back then.”
Chu Ruo tapped her head. “Oh right! Zhi’er, when I came here to steal—no, *take*—the Ice Fiend, Shen Ruoxuan said he heard his father talking secretly with two women that night. That was you two, wasn't it? How did your adoptive father get involved with Sword Casting Villa?”
“I don’t know either. Didn’t I tell you before? Adoptive Father doesn’t tell us everything. He just had us deliver messages. I suspect it’s related to the Martial Arts Assembly. I don’t know what agreement he reached with him. Sword Casting Villa doesn't have any medicinal humans, so if Adoptive Father was using them to scout for information on the token, it makes sense now.”
Nan Muxue suddenly looked over coldly. “But you were also feigning compliance while acting in opposition. Behind Tu Ao’zhi’s back, you were secretly plotting with Shen Wanxiong on how to deal with the Hundred Flowers Palace.”
Chu Ruo’s eyes widened. “Zhi’er, you...”
Bai Zhi’er smiled. “Indeed, the Young Palace Mistress of Hundred Flowers Palace is not to be underestimated. Since so much time has passed, there’s no need to hide it. Shanshan and I did indeed seek out Flying Eagle Fort and Sword Casting Villa respectively to deal with your palace. After all, one was your ally and the other your sworn enemy. Liu Shaopeng was easy to handle; he agreed to cooperate after just a few words, which led to the destruction of your branch sects. However, Shen Wanxiong was much shrewder. He agreed verbally, but his actions told a different story. During the Martial Arts Assembly, he made things difficult for the Hundred Flowers Palace repeatedly, but it was never anything substantial. Shanshan and I wanted the Hundred Flowers Palace to take the Alliance Leader position so we could pin the medicinal human scandal on you. Who knew Shen Wanxiong had secretly allied with Liu Songhe to help *him* become the Alliance Leader?”
“But the result was Lin Jianghong, whom no one expected.”
“Looking back now,” Bai Zhi’er stared at Nan Muxue, “Lin Jianghong becoming the Alliance Leader was no accident. I suspect it had everything to do with you.”
In truth, she wasn't telling the whole truth. She had clearly told Chu Ruo before that the people of Green Willow Villa had secretly defected to the Heavenly Demon Palace, so the Palace had intended to push Lin Jianghong to the top. She just hadn't expected Nan Muxue to have the exact same idea. However, there was no need to say those words; she would only ever be fully honest with one person: Chu Ruo.
Nan Muxue didn't deny it. “Everyone had their own ulterior motives. Since that was the case, it was better to prop up someone no one expected, just to ensure none of you got your way.”
Chu Ruo sighed with genuine admiration. “Both of you are so incredible and smart.” She actually remembered what Bai Zhi’er had told her—that the Heavenly Demon Palace’s plan was also to have Lin Jianghong become the leader, likely for the sake of that token. But since so much time had passed and Zhi’er didn't want to elaborate, she wouldn't bring it up.
The two women spoke in unison again: “You’re only realizing this now?”
“Then when are we going to see Shen Wanxiong?”
Nan Muxue’s gaze remained fixed on only one person. “Later. We have to speak with Shen Ruoxuan about this eventually.” She looked toward Bai Zhi’er, her meaning obvious. “There is one person who is most suitable to go.”
Bai Zhi’er naturally understood. “Heh, you certainly think highly of me. Ruo’er, I’m leaving. I’ll be back later.”
“Still looking so reluctant? Do you want to chase after her?”
“My, the whole room smells of vinegar.”
“Hmm?”
“I’m praising you. I like it when Xue’er is jealous.”
“Be quiet,” Nan Muxue said, but then her voice turned soft as she caressed Chu Ruo’s eyes. “Why won't these eyes get better?”
“I’m afraid...”
A jade finger pressed against her lips, and Nan Muxue softened her entire demeanor. “Ruo’er, don’t you want to see me again?”
“I do. Xue’er, I want to see you so, so much. Right now, I can only see your face in my dreams. I’m so scared... so scared that one day I’ll forget what you look like...”
Nan Muxue pulled her into a hug. “You won’t. I will always be by your side. Even if that day truly comes, I will make you remember.” She kissed Chu Ruo’s eyes. “Ruo’er, I want you to see—and to see only me.”
“Do you think it’s because I was hit that day? How about you hit me again? I’ve seen it on TV—that’s how it works.”
What Chu Ruo received in response was a kiss of extreme tenderness.
Nan Muxue remembered going to see Hu Yi today to ask him to check on Chu Ruo. But the man had only laughed and asked her, *“Your aunt’s medical skills are so much greater than mine; can she not cure her?”* He had added that he didn't even need to feel her pulse; one look was enough to know that Chu Ruo suffered from an illness of the heart. This matched what the Phoenix, Bai Zhi’er, had said before.
*Ruo’er, I will definitely cure you.*
***
