Chu Ruo looked over to find the others staring at her intently, accompanied by the sound of Duan Ning’s disgusted clicking tongue. "What are you all doing? Aren't you hungry?"
Duan Ning’s gaze drifted to the hand of the woman beside Chu Ruo. With the air of someone lamenting a hopeless cause, she sighed, "I can’t look. I really can’t look at this."
Just as Chu Ruo opened her mouth to speak, a piece of crab meat was fed into it, stuffing her cheeks full and turning her words into a muffled mumble. "You—*gulp*..."
"I’m begging you, Xue’er," Duan Ning continued to sigh. "It was one thing when she was blind, but now that her eyes are perfectly fine, you’re still spoiling her like this?" She rolled her eyes hard. "It’s not like her hands are broken. A grown woman needing to be fed—have you no shame?" It was unclear whether that last jab was aimed at one of them or both.
"If you’re not eating, get out," Nan Muxue replied coolly.
"I’m saying, is it really necessary to pamper her this much?"
"I choose to pamper her," Nan Muxue said without even turning her head, her entire focus remaining on the person beside her. "What of it?"
"Fine, fine, I’m just a busybody. In the past, you two would at least show some restraint in front of us, but now... *tsk*. Though, if I recall correctly, a certain someone is still supposed to be angry with you, haha!"
Normally, Chu Ruo would have fired back, but since she was indeed currently throwing a tantrum, she simply shut her mouth and pretended she hadn't heard a thing.
"Tsk, tsk," Duan Ning laughed even harder at the sight. "Look at that. Your precious Ruo’er can’t even be bothered to acknowledge us."
"She may do as she pleases."
"This really doesn't sound like you. You’re actually willing to endure this attitude?"
Yin Liuli chose that moment to give Duan Ning a tug. "You, when will you ever learn to mind your own business?"
By then, Chu Ruo had finished eating, and Nan Muxue finally stopped her movements. "Enough. The Hundred Flowers Palace has begun to move; they are heading our way."
"So soon?"
"It will still take them some time to catch up to us. However, from this moment on, we must be extremely cautious. We cannot afford any carelessness."
Yin Liuli nodded. "I understand. Do the others know?"
"Mhm. How is Yunshuang’s side?"
"She’s fine. Yan’er is looking after her."
Chu Ruo chimed in, "Did Nangong Yan say anything? Is she resentful?"
"Oh? Are you worried about Yan’er, or..." Duan Ning gave a wicked grin. "She didn't say much. When we arrived, we saw your lady and her lady fighting like they meant to kill each other. I told them, with a great enemy at the gates, you two still have time for internal strife? Honestly."
Nan Muxue gave her orders expressionlessly. "Keep a close eye on her. If there is any unusual movement, tell me immediately."
Duan Ning didn't joke at a time like this; she gave a serious nod. After discussing a few more details, the group prepared to leave.
"Ugh, you called us over just to watch you eat. My stomach is empty."
"It’s your own fault for not eating. Don't blame me," Chu Ruo retorted.
Duan Ning stretched and her eyes landed on a plate of freshly boiled, steaming eggs on the table. "This young lady will have an egg—"
Before her hand could reach them, Chu Ruo lunged forward with lightning speed and pulled the plate into her arms. Duan Ning looked at her with dissatisfaction. "I say, do you have to be so stingy? It’s just an egg. Is it worth hiding it like a treasure?"
"Go get your own. You can't have these."
"Can you even finish that many? You'll choke."
"They aren't for eating..." Chu Ruo coughed twice. "Anyway, I'm not giving them to you!"
"Fine, fine! Stingy brat. See if I care. Liuli, let’s go. I’ll go order a whole feast later and make you drool. Let’s go."
Duan Ning pulled Yin Liuli out of the room, but the latter only laughed. "Why do you spend all day bickering with Chu Ruo?"
"Because she’s petty!"
"How can you be so dense? Those eggs weren't for eating. They’re for rolling over bruises."
Realization dawned on Duan Ning. "Oh—I see! And here I thought she’d finally grown a backbone and was actually ignoring her. Turns out she’s just being duplicitous again. No dignity at all, hmph."
"She and Xue’er are the same. They’re both desperately worried about each other in their hearts, but neither will admit it with their lips. Though, I think Chu Ruo is serious about her anger this time. If Xue’er doesn't coax her properly, that girl will probably stay sulky for quite a while."
"She needs coaxing? Xue’er only has to wiggle a finger and she’ll come running back like a puppy. Come on, let’s go get something to eat ourselves."
Back in the room, Chu Ruo set the eggs down. She saw Nan Muxue staring at her tenderly but saying nothing. It was maddening; usually, Chu Ruo was the one who couldn't stop talking. She gave a dry cough. "The eggs are peeled."
"Mhm."
Seeing that Nan Muxue made no move, she squeezed out another sentence. "You should use them while they're still hot to clear the bruising."
"Mhm."
And that was it? Just as Chu Ruo was about to speak, she saw the other woman beginning to undress. This—this was broad daylight! Was the Little Viper being this proactive now? But wait, I’m supposed to be mad at her. Should I agree, or not? She subconsciously stole a glance, only to meet Nan Muxue's eyes. She quickly turned her head away. "Weren't you going to apply the eggs to the bruises?"
So that was what she meant. How dull. Chu Ruo carried the eggs over with a reluctant air. "Can't you do it yourself..."
Suddenly, her arms were full of that familiar warmth. Without needing a word, Chu Ruo obediently picked up an egg and carefully placed it against the bruises on the other woman’s body, beginning the heat treatment.
"Does it hurt?"
These past few days, Nan Muxue had been exceptionally well-behaved in her arms, as docile as a kitten. "No."
Chu Ruo’s eyes fell upon the wound from that night, where Nan Yunshuang’s blood-sword had pierced her. As she had said, it wasn't severe, but it still made Chu Ruo’s heart ache. "In the past, every time you were injured, your temper would get terrible. You’d be like a bristling cat."
"Mhm."
Chu Ruo smiled. "Another 'mhm.' You’ve said that several times now. Do you have nothing to say to me, or..."
The other woman caught her hand. "As long as you are by my side, like this, it is enough."
"You don't find me annoying, making trouble for you every day? Why is it so hard for us to be together? Is it heaven’s will that we shouldn't be a pair?"
Nan Muxue sat up and leaned forward to lightly brush her lips against Chu Ruo’s. Her tone was incredibly gentle, yet her words were the exact opposite. "If it is heaven’s will that we cannot be together, then I shall simply act against the heavens. Why should I not?"
"Yes, the Little Viper has always been overbearing. Or rather, domineering."
Chu Ruo was pushed back as Nan Muxue leaned over her. It was only a light kiss, but as Nan Muxue started to pull away, she was immediately pulled back for another. It was a mere graze of the lips, yet the two of them looked at each other and smiled before uncontrollably drawing closer once more...
***
Middle of the night.
Chu Ruo didn't feel particularly sleepy tonight. She lay on her side, watching her partner in the darkness. She realized that compared to being blind, the night was nothing. How terrifying it had been—not a single spark of light in her eyes, unable to see the face of the one she loved. Now that it was all over, she could gaze at her beloved in the dark. How many nights had her Little Viper watched her just like this?
Chu Ruo reached out a finger and gently toyed with those lovely lips. Nan Muxue had always been a light sleeper; she woke instantly. However, she only lazily snuggled deeper into Chu Ruo’s embrace. "What is it?"
"I just think you’re especially cute when you’re asleep."
Nan Muxue laughed softly at that. "You rogue. Staying awake in the middle of the night just to be silver-tongued."
"I just wanted to try doing what you usually do. Didn't you use to watch me like this at night?"
Nan Muxue leaned up and nipped at her lip, a soft touch that almost made Chu Ruo drown in the sensation. "Do I look good?"
Chu Ruo rolled over. "What do you think..."
The next second: "Xue’er, my nose... stop the bleeding..." Heavens, why was she having a nosebleed again? Truly, now that her eyes could see, this nosebleed business... sigh.
The next morning, when Chu Ruo woke up, Nan Muxue happened to be sitting at the table. She got up and hugged the woman from behind. "Mmm... Xue’er, I’m sleepy..."
"Then go back to sleep for a while."
"No, I smell chicken porridge."
Nan Muxue reached up and patted her head. "Not angry anymore?"
"I am! Of course I’m still angry. I won't be so easy to win over this time. But that doesn't stop me from kissing you or hugging you."
These roguish words made the woman laugh. "Fine, as you wish."
"The chicken porridge is salty. I don't want to drink it. I want something sweet."
Nan Muxue turned her head. "What do you want to eat—*mmph*!"
Hehe... hehe... It was a mischievous laugh, but it was also pure sweetness.
***
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Master, Spare My Life: A Disciple's Sweet Rebellion | Chapter 196 | Sweetness and Bruises | Novela.app | Novela.app
