“What were you and Shen Ruoxuan up to?”
The members of Baihua Palace were all gathered in the room. Chu Ruo pressed herself close to the woman beside her, even hooking an arm through hers. Instead of pushing her away, Nan Muxue cooperatively shifted her chair to make room. “Nothing much.”
“You’re not telling me? Were you chatting the day away with him, or did you go off to meet someone else?”
Though she knew Chu Ruo was teasing, Nan Muxue answered her beloved with a gentle tone. “My heart holds only you. Why would I bother with anyone else?”
“Hehe~”
While the two of them were perfectly fine, the others in the room couldn't take it anymore. Duan Ning wore a look of utter disgust. “I beg you two, stop showing off. We’re all right here.”
Chu Ruo shot back immediately, “What, you’re not convinced? Are you green with envy over how much we love each other?” she teased with a playful smirk. “You and the Second Protec—”
“I think if Xue’er doesn't discipline you, you’re just asking for it. Do you need this Protector to teach you a lesson?”
Chu Ruo stuck her tongue out. *Blehh...*
Seeing that Duan Ning was about to “strike,” Nan Muxue pulled Chu Ruo into her arms. “Enough. We are here to discuss business today.”
“Just keep spoiling her, hmph!”
Yin Liuli and Nangong Yan were long used to this. After a brief laugh, Yin Liuli asked, “We’ve rested enough. We can’t stay here forever. The Palace Mistress will come for us sooner or later. Xue’er, what is your plan?”
Chu Ruo chimed in, “I think there’s no other way for now. Since she won't let us go, we might as well go look for the treasure behind the command medallions. It would be a good place to hide. Isn’t it rumored that there’s peerless martial arts hidden inside?”
Nangong Yan asked, “What if there isn’t? Even if the wealth inside could rival a nation, it won't help us deal with Nan Menghua.”
“A treasure that vast would tempt anyone,” Nan Muxue said calmly. “Such a place is usually riddled with traps—easy to enter, but difficult to leave.”
Chu Ruo understood instantly. “You want to lure her there and trap her inside?”
The others nodded. “Since we can’t beat her in a fight, trapping her is our only option.”
“But isn’t this too risky? What if she catches us on the way? What if there are no traps? What if...”
“It’s alright, don't be nervous,” Nan Muxue comforted her. “For now, it’s just a plan. There is no one left in the martial world who can rival her. The Sword Casting Villa is not a place we can stay for long. I still need to consider things at length.”
“Looks like we’ll be on the run again,” Chu Ruo sighed.
Nan Muxue cupped her face. “No matter where we go, I will be by your side.”
...“Good heavens, you two really are too much. I can’t stand it. Yan’er, Liuli, let’s go. Quick, quick, I can’t stay here another second.”
“No one asked you to stay, hmph,” Chu Ruo retorted. As the others filed out, she immediately kissed the corner of her beloved’s lips. “Were you serious about what you just said?”
A hint of mischief appeared in Nan Muxue’s eyes. “Your master will naturally stay by your side...”
“I meant about finding the treasure.”
“Wasn’t that my disciple’s idea? Is it not good that your master is following your lead?”
“I was just sharing my thoughts. Do you have another plan?”
Nan Muxue shook her head. “That was my intention as well. Currently, even Tu Ao’zhi is no match for her; we have no chance of winning. Besides, you’re the type who can’t sit still. It’ll be good to take you out for a walk.”
Chu Ruo leaned into her embrace. “Everything you do is always for my sake.”
“I told you, I won't let you go again. We live together, and we...”
“Don’t say that last word! Hey, when are we leaving? Won’t we have to spend the New Year on the road?”
“Do you want to stay here for it?”
“It’s all the same to me. You know what I want.”
“What?”
“You’re asking when you already know? Of course, I want my little scorpion to stay with me forever.”
Nan Muxue leaned in to kiss her. “Very well...”
As expected, someone entered the room again. “Ruo’er.”
“Zhi’er,” Chu Ruo rubbed her nose awkwardly. “Cough, you... why are you here?”
“If I didn't come, you would have forgotten all about me, wouldn't you?”
The woman beside her spoke coldly, “Why remember someone irrelevant? Ruo’er only needs to remember me.”
“Ruo’er, Lin Jianghong and Fenghuang seem to have bought some stinky tofu. They’re back now.”
“Hey, they’re so disloyal! They know I love that stuff.”
“Then you’ve wronged them. They bought some for you too. It’s just... I didn't know if you’d be interested, seeing as you’re so busy being lovey-dovey in here all day...”
“I am, I am!” Chu Ruo pulled on Nan Muxue’s sleeve, pleading, “Xue...”
“Go on. Call for... never mind.” Nan Muxue personally led her out, called for Xiao Guo’er and A’yue, and ordered them to fetch Duan Ning before allowing Chu Ruo to leave.
Even though it was the same trick every time, Chu Ruo still fell for it. At this moment, the two women left behind, both with their eyes fixed on the person they loved, shared a momentary, knowing smile. Then they entered the room, and their expressions turned cold simultaneously.
“You sent Ruo’er away. What do you want now?”
“You plan to go after the treasure?”
Nan Muxue arched an eyebrow. “And if I am?”
“Do you really think you can defeat Nan Menghua by relying on a vague legend and some peerless martial arts that might not even exist?”
“Speak plainly. There is no need to beat around the bush.”
“There is another way to defeat Nan Menghua,” Bai Zhier said, her gaze piercing. “You should know what it is.”
Nan Muxue stood with her hands behind her back. “What I do is my decision.”
“Your decision is to hurt Ruo’er over and over again. You are so selfish.”
The two women locked eyes. Nan Muxue’s voice was icy. “You are only doing this for yourself. First for revenge, and second for Ruo’er. When Ruo’er went to question you that day, you must have guessed the truth.”
Bai Zhier looked away. “You guessed it too, didn’t you?”
“And so? Practicing the Lovesick Drunk is the best way, isn’t it? Severing my emotions and leaving Ruo’er would allow me to resist my mother. And it would also be my punishment.”
“There is no other way. Your martial arts were once completely destroyed, making you the most suitable person to practice the Lovesick Drunk. As for the rest, you hit the mark. Someone like you doesn't deserve Ruo’er. You will only ever lead her into a life of hiding like a rat.”
“Ruo’er will not leave me. She knows everything. And I will not let her leave.”
“After all that talk, it boils down to you being unable to let go of Ruo’er. With your talent, practicing the Lovesick Drunk with the rest of us assisting you is our greatest chance of defeating Nan Menghua.”
Nan Muxue opened the door. “What I do has nothing to do with you. Get out.”
Bai Zhier walked out haughtily. “Think it over. Look closely into Ruo’er’s eyes. I don't believe you truly have the heart to do this to her.”
Night fell.
“Aha! Who was it that said I was the one with things on my mind? Now look who hasn't said a single word all night.”
“I haven’t...”
Chu Ruo leaned in and kissed her. “What did Zhi’er say to you? You two always treat me like an idiot. It was so obvious you were trying to get me to leave; I’m not stupid. I only left because neither of you wanted me to hear. But you’re my wife. If something is wrong, you have to tell me, okay?”
Nan Muxue smiled. “I only said one word, yet you have so much to say.”
“Then tell me, what did she say to you?”
“It was nothing. She just feels that Yunshuang is becoming increasingly restless.”
“What did she say to Zhi’er? Is that why Zhi’er came to find you? Xue’er, yes, I consider Zhi’er a good friend, but no matter what she says or does, she can’t separate us. Don’t listen to her, and don’t pay her any mind. We...”
“Enough,” Nan Muxue kissed her forehead. “I only want you, Ruo’er.”
On the other side of the villa under the bright moon, two women stood together.
“I’ve said what you wanted me to say, but I don’t think she’ll listen.”
Nan Yunshuang stared at the moon. “She will. For Chu Ruo’s sake, she will do anything.”
Bai Zhier looked at her. “You don’t want to move against her yourself, so you thought of having her practice the Lovesick Drunk to fight her mortal enemy, Nan Menghua. It also ensures she can’t be with Ruo’er. As she said, it’s the ultimate punishment for her.”
“Doesn’t that suit your intentions perfectly? Your love for Chu Ruo is no less than hers. Besides, we share a common enemy.”
“She isn’t incapable of thinking of the Lovesick Drunk herself; she simply doesn’t want to. I suggest you don’t get your hopes up.”
The other woman continued to gaze at the moon, her voice certain. “She definitely will.”
