“Where is Ruo’er?”
Inside the study of the Hundred Flowers Palace, the Young Palace Master, Nan Muxue, was gathered with the Second and Third Protectors. The disciples outside assumed they were deliberating over some matter of grave importance, but in reality...
Duan Ning spat out a melon seed shell. “My, it’s a rare day indeed when you come asking us.”
Yin Liuli smiled. “It is unusual. Normally, the two of you are like joined twins, never seen one without the other.”
Nan Muxue maintained her signature icy facade. “It seems the two of you have grown quite bold with your tongues lately.”
“Oh, look at that. Just because your Ruo’er isn’t here,” Duan Ning teased with a mischievous grin, “you’re getting anxious?”
*Swish!*
Duan Ning leaned aside just in time to dodge a projectile. “Tsk, that temper of yours really never changes.”
Nan Muxue simply repeated herself, her voice cool. “Where is Ruo’er?”
“Fine, fine, I’ll talk! You know how she is. Ever since we got back to the palace, she’s been busy tinkering with who-knows-what. Acting all mysterious. Right now, she’s huddled up with her ‘bosom friend,’ researching away.”
Following the battle that day, everyone had sustained varying degrees of injury. Since the location was close to the Hundred Flowers Palace, they had all been brought back to recuperate. Consequently, the palace was livelier than it had been in years.
Of course, the main point was that this meant Bai Zhier was also on the mountain. Nan Muxue remained outwardly indifferent upon hearing this, but Duan Ning leaned over to tug on Yin Liuli’s sleeve, whispering with a wicked smirk, “Muxue’s vinegar jar has definitely tipped over by now.”
“You really are something. How has Chu Ruo offended you this time?”
“What? Am I not just stating facts? She really is with that woman surnamed Bai right now. Honestly, they’re sisters, but their personalities couldn't be more different. And yet, they both like the same person...” During their previous journey to find the treasure, Bai Shan and Bai Zhier had gotten into a loud argument, and the secret that Nan Muxue and Bai Zhier were sisters had slipped out. The secret had since spread among their small group. While no one would dare breathe a word of it to outsiders, it had become a frequent topic of teasing when they were alone.
*Swish! Swish! Swish!*
Several rows of hidden weapons flew out. Duan Ning barely managed to dodge them, scrambling to her feet in a disheveled state. “You! How petty!”
“Get out,” Nan Muxue commanded.
“Hmph, we’re leaving!” Before dragging Yin Liuli out the door, Duan Ning couldn't resist one last jab. “One has a foul temper and a face like a block of ice, while the other is gentle, beautiful, and considerate. No wonder Chu Ruo sticks to her every day...”
She beat a hasty retreat, knowing full well that if she stayed a second longer, there would be hell to pay. “Liuli, come on, let’s go find some real fun...”
Yin Liuli gave Nan Muxue a helpless, yet fond look before following after her partner.
Meanwhile, the wandering Chu Ruo had no idea what had just transpired. She trotted into the study carrying a tray of food and scurried over to Nan Muxue’s side. “Muxue!”
No response. Nan Muxue kept her head buried in her book. *Strange, I didn’t provoke her today, did I?* Chu Ruo set the food down, crouched beside her, and called out coaxingly, “Sister~”
“What is my ‘dear sister’ doing here? Shouldn't you be attending to our distinguished guest?”
*Something’s wrong.* That tone was definitely hostile. Chu Ruo offered a fawning smile. “What distinguished guest? You’re the only one on my mind all day.”
Nan Muxue turned a page, her expression blank. “Is that so?”
Chu Ruo nodded like a chicken pecking at grain. “Yes, yes, absolutely! I—”
*Slam!*
The heartless sound of the book snapping shut made her jump. Then came that deathly cold stare. Chu Ruo turned to run, but it was already too late. “Is that so?”
“Mu—”
“I haven't seen hide nor hair of you since I woke up. I had to ask Ning’er just to find out where you’d gone.” Nan Muxue poked a finger at a pressure point on Chu Ruo’s back. “What do you take me for? Someone you only visit when the mood strikes you?”
Chu Ruo spoke in a frantic rush. “No, no! You’re Muxue, you’re my wife, my lady, my most, most, most favorite Muxue! I... I just saw how well you were sleeping this morning and didn't want to disturb you. Besides, I only sought out Zhier to study that Wordless Secret Manual. It was official business!” She was telling the truth. It was a rare thing for her Little Scorpion to sleep so deeply that she didn't notice Chu Ruo getting up. Throughout their journey, this woman had carried the weight of the world on her shoulders. It was only after defeating Nan Menghua and finding safety in Chu Ruo’s arms that she had finally found a moment of warmth and peace. Chu Ruo hadn't had the heart to wake her from such a rare, deep sleep. Researching the manual was merely her way of trying to share the burden.
“Is that so? It seems it provided you with the perfect excuse to seek out your ‘precious’ Zhier.”
“How is she ‘precious’? The only one precious to me is you!”
“Do you believe me if I say I’ll burn that wretched book? Let’s see what excuses you have then.”
“Oh, I really didn't mean anything by it! I studied that book for ages and thought that maybe some kind of herbal concoction or special liquid could make the words appear, so I went to ask Zhier. Please don't be angry, okay?”
Nan Muxue’s hand pressed down a fraction harder. “Since that’s the case, why aren't you back there researching with her? Why come back at all?”
...The Little Scorpion was serious. Chu Ruo leaned in closer. “Alright, alright. Who put you in such a foul mood? Was it Duan Ning? It must have been her. Just ignore her. I really was just looking for Zhier to do research.”
“If you hadn't gone looking for that woman surnamed Bai, would others have anything to gossip about? Furthermore,” Nan Muxue fixed her with a sharp gaze, “how did we obtain this manual? You kept it a secret from everyone, yet you chose to tell her?”
“I didn't tell her! I only asked indirectly if there were ways to make invisible ink appear. Really, I didn't tell her.”
“Do you think that with her intellect, she wouldn't be able to guess even if you didn't say it outright?”
“I...” Chu Ruo felt like she had stepped in it again. “I was wrong.”
Nan Muxue arched an eyebrow. “What use is admitting fault now?”
“I know. I oversimplified things. Even if we can't make heads or tails of the manual yet, I shouldn't have been so careless. You’re right, Zhier is incredibly sharp; she definitely knows.”
Seeing that the girl was genuinely beating herself up, Nan Muxue’s heart softened once more. “Forget it. If our previous suspicions were correct and Tu Aozhi released this manual on purpose, then he surely knows it is in our hands now. Has there been any word from him?”
“Zhier has already contacted him. It seems there’s a reply. He said he found Tu Jie, and they’ll be coming to the Hundred Flowers Palace to meet us in a few days. However, Tu Jie was turned into a medicinal thrall by your mother. I don't know if there’s a way to save him.”
Nan Muxue scoffed. “They certainly seem to think they can come and go from my palace as they please.”
*Oh, this arrogant look... my wife is so cute.* Chu Ruo didn't point out that Muxue had been the one to invite them to stay before, or that they had lived in the Heavenly Demon Sect’s fortress for a while. Seeing that the tension had eased, she said, “Don't be mad anymore, okay? I made you some stewed wild duck with ginkgo seeds.”
“You think this is over?”
“Then... then what do I have to do to make you stop being angry?”
Gazing into those eyes, Nan Muxue’s hand instinctively reached out to caress her face. She whispered, “Do you have any idea how I felt when I saw what my mother was doing to you that day? I nearly went mad.”
“I know.” To spite them, Nan Menghua had actually tried to... The memory still made Chu Ruo shudder with revulsion. Recalling the way her belt had been loosened, a wave of nausea rose in her chest. She pulled the woman she loved into a tight embrace. “But I knew even better that my Muxue wouldn't let anything happen to me. I have faith in you.”
“My hands were trembling then.”
“I’m fine. And it proves that I was right to tell you. She forbade me from telling anyone, but I remembered our promise. We won't keep secrets from each other anymore. Muxue, I proved it to you. I’ll never lie to you again.”
Nan Muxue let out a small laugh. “And if I lie to you?”
Chu Ruo grinned. “Then there’s nothing for it. I chose this wife myself, so I have to pamper her. After all, you’re my Little Scorpion... mmm~”
After a long kiss, Chu Ruo pulled back for air. She stood up and pulled Muxue over to the round table. “Time to eat! I cooked this myself, you know. See if my skills have gone downhill. I also made those little wontons you said you wanted yesterday.”
Nan Muxue merely pinched her chin, her touch possessing a hint of possessiveness. “Today, you are not allowed to see her.”
“Okay.” Chu Ruo didn't need to ask who she meant. She leaned in for another kiss. “Today, I won't see anyone but you.”
***
That night...
“Muxue~”
Chu Ruo’s voice was thick with grievance. Nan Muxue wanted to laugh but suppressed it. “Go to sleep first.”
Chu Ruo puffed out her cheeks. *She’s doing it on purpose. This woman is definitely doing this on purpose.* What time was it? And yet she was still sitting there, flipping through that useless Wordless Manual. Chu Ruo crawled over stubbornly. “Come to bed already.”
“What? You’re allowed to research it, but your Master isn't allowed to take a look?”
“But it’s rest time now! We can study it together during the day. Be good, listen to me, let’s sleep...”
She tried to snatch the book away, but Nan Muxue saw it coming and calmly tilted it out of reach. “I’m not sleepy.”
“You!” Chu Ruo looked around, then finally squeezed herself into Nan Muxue’s lap, sprawling across her chest. “Why are you holding that scrap of paper when I’m right here? Isn't it better to hold me?”
“If it’s just a scrap of paper, why were you so obsessed with it all day?”
“I don't care! You...”
“Your Master is researching it for you, so you don't have to go running to others.”
“Oh, stop looking at it! From now on, I’ll only research it with you. Be good. It’s so late, you need to rest.”
“You may rest. I haven't forbidden you from doing so.”
“No! You’re not allowed to look at it anymore. You have to hold me while I sleep.”
“Is my disciple pushing her luck?”
Chu Ruo finally managed to snatch the book and toss it onto the floor. Satisfied, she snuggled into Muxue’s embrace, looking utterly entitled. “Mm, I’m sleepy.”
A smile finally graced Nan Muxue’s lips. She cooperated, pulling the girl closer. With a flick of her fingers, she extinguished the candle.
The moon hung high in the sky, shining its light into the hearts of the two sleeping women.
***
