Yin Liuli, Duan Ning, and Nangong Yan returned from outside, chatting and laughing, only to find Chu Ruo sitting alone. She held a tree leaf to her lips, blowing a melody that was surprisingly pleasant to the ear.
Duan Ning was the first to sit beside her. "Hey, it’s late. Why are you sitting out here?"
"Nothing to do, and I couldn't sleep, so I thought I’d sit for a while."
Nangong Yan and Yin Liuli sat down as well. "No way. Usually, you’re clinging to Muxue every chance you get."
Duan Ning draped an arm over Chu Ruo’s shoulder without hesitation. "Sigh, they say music is the best way to express one's emotions. Listening to that tune just now... it was truly a picture of melancholy and woe."
Normally, the two would have traded barbs, but now Chu Ruo only shook her head. "It’s nothing..."
Seeing her like this, Nangong Yan couldn't help but show concern. "What’s been going on lately? Did you have a fight with Muxue?"
Duan Ning chimed in again. "I’ve wanted to say something for a while, but it didn't quite look like a fight. Things just feel... strange between you two. You’re constantly looking worried these days. Where’s the Holy Envoy we used to know?"
"You wouldn't understand."
"If you tell us, we will. If something’s on your mind, just say it. We’re your friends; we don't want to see anything happen to you two."
"I just feel a bit... powerless. Muxue... she’s been practicing her martial arts to the point of forgetting to eat or sleep. She’s becoming colder and colder toward me. But I know she’s doing it all to deal with Nan Menghua, so my heart..."
"Are you resentful that she’s neglecting you?"
Chu Ruo shook her head. "No, I’m not that immature. It’s just that she’s becoming so distant, as if there’s a great gap between us. Yet everything she does is for my sake. The martial arts of the Hundred Flowers Palace have always required one's mind to be like still water, so I..."
Yin Liuli suddenly asked, "Has Muxue been extremely cold to you lately?"
"I’m not afraid of you laughing at me, but we haven't even held hands in a long time. Last time, we only shared a brief kiss, and she ended up spitting out a mouthful of blood from the internal heat. That’s when I realized she was so desperate for progress that she had to sever all passion and desire."
"That’s not right." Yin Liuli’s expression turned grave. "While the martial arts Muxue practices do require a mind free of distractions, even if she were rushing her training, it shouldn't be like this. This sounds more like she’s sealing away her heart and locking up her love."
Duan Ning agreed. "Exactly. She’s usually so protective of you. Even if she were in a hurry, she wouldn't have that kind of reaction. It sounds more like she’s trying to renounce love entirely."
Nangong Yan added, "It’s common for Muxue to be cold to others, but it’s impossible for her to be that way with you. Even if she were keeping her mind clear, it wouldn't mean she stopped caring. At most, she would be restrained, but she would definitely still be anxious about you. Now that you mention it, she really has seemed a bit indifferent lately. Think about it—before, would she ever have let you sit out here all alone without checking on you?"
"I don't understand. What are you trying to say?"
Duan Ning clicked her tongue. "In short, it’s definitely very strange."
Yin Liuli sighed. "Can none of you figure it out? It’s one thing for Chu Ruo, since she joined the Palace late, but..."
Nangong Yan asked, "Do you know what’s going on?"
"Oh, Liuli, stop keeping us in suspense. Look how anxious Chu Ruo is."
"I’m not keeping anyone in suspense." Yin Liuli looked at Chu Ruo. "How could you all forget the Palace Mistress’s ultimate technique?"
"That’s..."
"Love-Blossom Intoxication!" Chu Ruo bolted upright. "Are you saying Muxue is practicing Love-Blossom Intoxication?"
"Hey, don't be impulsive!"
The three of them nearly failed to hold her back. It took a great effort to calm her down. "Stay calm first. Don't do anything rash."
"Love-Blossom Intoxication... is it really Love-Blossom Intoxication?"
"Based on the current situation, it’s the most likely explanation. There was no other way; among us, she is the only suitable candidate. Her martial arts were once completely destroyed, which is the prerequisite for practicing Love-Blossom Intoxication. She’s only doing it to defeat Nan Menghua."
Chu Ruo slumped back against the wall. "How could she... how could she practice Love-Blossom Intoxication?"
The others tried to comfort her. "Chu Ruo, you..."
"Why would she suddenly think of practicing that?" Chu Ruo muttered to herself, as if realizing something. She suddenly became frantic again. "She wouldn't do it for no reason."
Duan Ning kindly tried to steady her. "You—"
"I know! I know now! Go find Nan Yunshuang and keep an eye on her!" Without looking back, Chu Ruo felt her way into the house.
Nangong Yan was puzzled. "Why did she tell us to find Yunshuang?"
Yin Liuli’s intellect was actually no lower than that of Nan Yunshuang or Nan Muxue; it was just that the two of them usually took the lead. Seeing this, she already understood a few things, though she didn't voice them. "Let her be. But since she said so, let’s go see Yunshuang." With that, they headed toward Nan Yunshuang’s room.
*Bang!*
The door was kicked open rudely. To everyone's surprise, Chu Ruo hadn't returned to the room she shared with Nan Muxue, but rather...
"Get out!" Bai Shan’s face was full of resentment. "What time do you think it is, barging into my sister’s room?"
Chu Ruo ignored her, using her hearing to walk straight up to Bai Zh'er. "I have something to ask you."
"Chu Ruo, you—"
"Shut up!"
Chu Ruo’s furious roar startled Bai Shan, who immediately bristled. "You dare yell at me? Who do you think you are? I—"
Chu Ruo struck out with a palm. Though she didn't use full force, the blow sent Bai Shan tumbling onto the bed. Bai Zh'er rushed over to check on her. "Shanshan!"
Chu Ruo simply stood before Bai Zh'er again, repeating the same words: "I have something to ask you."
"Sister, I’m fine. Don't mind this lunatic."
"Alright, alright, just lie down." Bai Zh'er stood up and looked Chu Ruo in the eye. "You have never spoken to me in such a tone."
Chu Ruo had no patience left. She spoke bluntly. "Was it you who told Muxue to practice Love-Blossom Intoxication to deal with Nan Menghua?"
There was no answer. Chu Ruo grew desperate. "Tell me! Was it you?"
In truth, silence was the clearest answer. Finally, she heard the other woman give a soft chuckle. "You’ve already guessed it, haven't you? I knew I couldn't hide it from you for long. After all, the Ruo’er I know has always been very clever."
Bai Shan lay on the bed, confused. "Nan Muxue is practicing Love-Blossom Intoxication? Why are you looking for my sister? What are you two talking about?"
"It really was you." It was a mix of disbelief, disappointment, and sorrow. Chu Ruo staggered back a few steps, her spirit broken. "Why? Why would you do this?"
Bai Zh'er tried to step forward to support her. "Ruo’er—"
"Don't touch me!" This was the first time Bai Zh'er had seen Chu Ruo act this way toward her, and it felt like a stab to the heart. "Why would you do this?!"
"There was no other way. Only by practicing Love-Blossom Intoxication is there a certainty of defeating Nan Menghua. They are mother and daughter; they know each other's every move."
"Was it only for that? It was revenge, wasn't it?"
Bai Zh'er nodded, admitting it openly. "Yes."
"Bai Zh'er!" Chu Ruo screamed the name with all her strength. She raised her hand, but in the end, she couldn't bring herself to strike. She spoke with trembling rage. "She is your sister! You forced her to practice Love-Blossom Intoxication!"
"Sister?" Bai Shan couldn't stay down. "Sister, what crazy talk is she spouting? How could that wench Nan Muxue be our sister..."
"If you utter one more word, I will cripple you!"
Bai Shan had to admit that at this moment, Chu Ruo was terrifying. She had never seen her like this. Chu Ruo had always been gentle and yielding toward the two sisters, but now, those blind eyes seemed to radiate a murderous intent that could tear someone to pieces. A chill of fear like she had never felt before washed over Bai Shan, and she truly shut her mouth, not daring to make another sound.
Chu Ruo gripped Bai Zh'er’s shoulders tightly. "Answer me! Based on your reaction, you’ve clearly guessed your relationship with her long ago. From the day I asked you about that matter, you must have known. She is your sister! How could you have the heart? Do you think she wasn't in pain when she killed her own father with her own hands? Bai Zh'er! Answer me!"
The commotion was loud enough for everyone nearby to hear. Just then, Xiao Guo’er and A-Yue rushed in, panic-stricken. "The Young Palace Mistress is gone!"
Gone? Why would she be gone? Chu Ruo’s heart seized with anxiety. *Puff!* Bright red blood sprayed from her mouth once more, staining her clothes crimson.
