"Another wedding?"
"Pah, pah, pah!" Chu Ruo grumbled, clearly displeased. "What do you mean 'another'?"
In the study, Duan Ning was busy spitting out melon seed shells. "Isn't it? My goodness, this is basically a second marriage for you two..."
"I bah! Shut your mouth! You just can't stand to see me and Xue'er happy, can you? How is this a second marriage? Xue'er and I never finished the ceremony last time. This is our first! Our very first!"
"Mhm," Duan Ning nodded sagely. "Her marrying you? She must have truly lost her head."
"You!" Unable to win the argument, Chu Ruo naturally turned to the person sitting in her lap for support. "Xue'er~"
In the past, Chu Ruo would have been the one intentionally pulled into the other's embrace in front of Duan Ning and the others. Now, however, Nan Muxue indulged her, letting the rascal hold her as she pleased. As long as Chu Ruo spoke, she would follow her lead in everything. "I am marrying Ruo'er. I have no regrets."
"La la la, did you hear that?"
"Tsk, how sickeningly sweet."
"You're just jealous. Isn't that right, Second Protector?"
Yin Liuli spoke up, "Don't drag me into this. What did I do to deserve being part of your bickering?"
Chu Ruo hugged her beloved, her heart brimming with joy. "I'll give the Second Protector some face and won't settle scores with you."
"My, my. Look at you, playing the part of a kept woman so successfully. You're practically glowing with spring fever."
"So what? Xue'er likes taking care of me. I've been her 'pretty boy' since the day I arrived. You're only realizing this now?"
"You really are shameless..."
Nan Muxue interrupted the two before the bickering could escalate further. "How are Yun Shuang and Yan'er?"
Yin Liuli answered her, "Yun Shuang rarely comes out now. Yan'er stays by her side. I think she has finally let go. She hasn't made any more moves against the Palace Mistress—perhaps she simply doesn't know how to face us, or she assumes we still hate her."
"With Yan'er accompanying her, she won't let her thoughts wander. Time can fade all things. She is still the Great Protector."
"I think you're being too lenient with her," Yin Liuli remarked. "That doesn't sound like our Young Palace Mistress, who usually hands out rewards and punishments so strictly."
"Xue'er has her reasons," Chu Ruo said, looking at her partner as their hands instinctively tightened around each other. "Besides, all of this was the result of Nan Menghua's sins. She, Yun Ji, and Qing Shuang were all victims."
Yin Liuli nodded. "She grew up by the old Palace Mistress's side and endured so much hardship. Her desire for revenge is understandable. Her only mistake was targeting Xue'er. Fortunately, she never dealt a killing blow, which shows she still has some affection for us."
"I can't outtalk you two," Duan Ning sighed. "But as long as she doesn't cause trouble, I'm not intent on hounding her. Enough about her. When are you two planning to set the date this time? Time really flies; it feels like another year has passed."
"Yes, another year," Chu Ruo said with a hint of sentimentality. "The specific date hasn't been set yet. Now that our troubles are behind us, I want to do this properly. There's no rush, but ultimately, I'll listen to Xue'er."
Nan Muxue simply looked at her beloved with a doting smile. "Whenever Ruo'er wishes to hold it, we shall."
"Here you go again! Please, can you just make a decision? we need to give orders to start the preparations."
"Oh, neither of us is in a hurry. Why are you so anxious? It's truly a case of the emperor not being worried while the eunuch—"
A shower of melon seed shells flew toward her. "Talk about biting the hand that feeds you!"
"Fine, fine, fine. Thank you for your great kindness and virtue, Elder. Xue'er, how about we get married as soon as possible?"
Duan Ning shook her head in disdain. "You change your mind every second. A moment ago you said you wanted to prepare properly."
"I did say that, but I don't want to wait any longer," Chu Ruo said, her eyes full of nothing but her beloved. "I want Xue'er to marry me. Actually, doing it soon and preparing properly aren't mutually exclusive, right?"
"Alright. Whatever you say."
"Ahem... there are still people in the room, you know."
Nan Muxue kept her gaze fixed on Chu Ruo, giving orders without even turning her head. "Fine. If there is nothing else, go attend to your own business."
"There isn't much to do right now. Liuli and I were planning to head down the mountain to look around."
"Count me in! I'm going too!"
"Oh? The Saintess is interested as well?"
"Of course! The brothels down the mountain..."
Disaster follows the tongue. As soon as Duan Ning and the others left, the familiar sound of a miserable wail echoed from the room.
Chu Ruo was eventually shooed out of the study. The disciples didn't dare say anything, but it was obvious they were struggling to suppress their laughter. She had to pretend nothing was wrong. Just then, she ran into Mo Fei. She walked over and asked, "Are your injuries mostly healed?" Last time, Mo Fei had been injured by Nan Menghua while helping them. One had to admit, this sister was a true friend; when things got tough, she really stepped up.
"Much better, thank you."
Chu Ruo looked at the face that was so similar to her own. Why did it seem like she was another person of few words? She slung an arm around Mo Fei's shoulder. "Don't be so polite. By the way, why are you so loyal to my Master? The treatment Nan Menghua gave you wasn't bad either. Do you... like my Master?"
Mo Fei looked panicked. "No, I don't..."
"Relax, relax. I'm just joking." Even if she did like her, the Little Scorpion belonged to Chu Ruo. "But really, why? I doubt many people believed we could win."
"The Young Palace Mistress... she showed me great kindness."
"Oh? When was this?"
"Back then, the other Protectors chose me to be a disciple of the Baihua Palace. At the time, I didn't know why. When the Young Palace Mistress saw me, she froze for a moment, then asked for my name. Afterward, she claimed my talent was dull and tried to send me back down the mountain. My family was destitute; my father was a gambling addict, my mother was bedridden with illness, and my younger sisters were very small. I had hoped joining the palace would give them a better life. After the Young Palace Mistress sent me away, I discovered my father was about to sell my sisters to a brothel and intended to hand me over to his creditors."
"That father of yours is truly..."
"It was the Young Palace Mistress who helped me. She gave my father a sum of money, redeemed my sisters, and hired someone to treat my mother. She even arranged a place for my mother and sisters to live. My father never dared to bother us again. She told me she did all of this for one person: you. Only then did I understand why she chose me—it was because of this face. Back then, you were missing, and everyone thought you were dead. Only the Young Palace Mistress was convinced you were alive. She trained me only so that one day I could be your shadow, to protect you so that you would never be harmed again. She said my only purpose was to endure all pain for you, including death. But I am still deeply grateful to her. In truth, I am grateful to you as well. If not for this face, I wouldn't have been chosen, and my mother and sisters would have been ruined by that gambling father. And I..." Mo Fei smiled. "So, my life belongs to you and the Young Palace Mistress."
Chu Ruo felt her nose grow sour. She had always known she was luckier than most, but she felt pity for Mo Fei's past and was moved by everything her Xue'er had done for her in secret. "Xue'er... she has done so much for me behind my back, yet she never tells me."
"To the Young Palace Mistress, you are her everything."
"I know. And I won't fail her. By the way, Xue'er and I have discussed it. Now that we've taken over Feipeng Fortress, we plan to establish several branch sects. We'll appoint Palace Mistresses for those branches to handle daily affairs. Would you be interested?"
Mo Fei looked incredulous. "Me?"
"Yes. You are the Fifth Protector, after all. Your abilities aren't inferior to the other four now. You can keep practicing your martial arts, and once you're at a branch, you'll be the one in charge."
"No, I know I'm not ready. Besides, my mission is to be there when you are in danger..."
"There's no need for that. I'll be fine."
Mo Fei's gaze turned resolute. "This was the command the Young Palace Mistress gave me from the very first day. As long as I live, I will follow it."
"Uh, well, since you're so insistent, alright. But it's the New Year; you don't have to stay in the palace. Go down the mountain and visit your family. That's final, you can't refuse. I'm off now."
Mo Fei opened her mouth to speak, but the other woman had already walked away. She smiled and happily headed toward the mountain path.
***
"Zhi'er."
"Ruo'er? What a rare guest."
"Not at all. Aren't we all staying in the Baihua Palace?"
Bai Zhi'er blinked. "But you're always by that Little Scorpion's side."
*Cough...*
"You're always like this—one comment and you go all dazed. Why have you come to see me?"
"How is Tu Jie? And your foster father?"
"Foster father is mostly fine, though his martial arts are not what they used to be. Brother Jie is still not doing well; it's hard for him not to feel depressed..."
"Is there no way to treat Tu Jie?"
She shook her head. "I'm still trying. Nan Menghua's 'Medicine Men' are very different from ours. We were counting on the herbs in the Baihua Palace, but Nan Menghua burned them all, which has undoubtedly made the research much harder. But we have time. As long as we persist, I believe we can find a cure." Bai Zhi'er looked at her and suddenly said, "Ruo'er, did you come today to tell me about your wedding?"
Chu Ruo was surprised. "Zhi'er, how did you..." She was truly curious if these women could read minds.
Bai Zhi'er gave a soft laugh. "How long have we known each other, silly?" She lightly poked Chu Ruo with a slender finger. "Nan Menghua is mad, your Little Scorpion has mastered the Passion Flower Intoxication, and though the Moro manual hasn't been fully deciphered, it's in your hands. There are no more threats in the martial world. In truth, weren't you about to get married before? It was only ruined by Nan Menghua."
"Zhi'er~"
"I'm fine. No matter what changes, you will always be the Ruo'er I like. So, when is the date? I'll stay to watch the ceremony before I leave."
"Leave? Where are you going?"
"Back to Xianlai Island. First, for Brother Jie's sake—Xianlai Island has many herbs suitable for my research. Second, I've been out for so long; it's time I went back. I want to devote myself to studying medicine and bring glory to the name of the God of Medicine's family. Besides, my beloved is getting married... this young lady needs to go into hiding."
Chu Ruo rubbed her eyes, afraid she would be caught with tears about to fall. This wonderful woman had been so free-spirited since the day they met, saving her time and time again. Regardless of whether she and the Little Scorpion were sisters, Chu Ruo actually hoped they were; it might dissolve their hatred. In her heart, Bai Zhi'er would always be that gentle and kind soul.
This was the first time Chu Ruo took the initiative to step forward and embrace her. "Zhi'er, I'll miss you."
Bai Zhi'er was surprised at first, then let out a smile of relief. She raised her hand and patted Chu Ruo's back, her touch as warm as ever. "With those words, it's enough."
"You must come visit us often."
"I will. After all, she is my sister."
"Zhi'er, you're so good."
"Ruo'er, if you keep this up, I won't be able to let go."
"You..."
Heh. "I'm not teasing you anymore. Ruo'er, I've always kept your hair ribbon."
"I know."
"I'll bring Wowotou back to see you and Wotou. They are our 'token dogs' of affection, so treat him well. If I find out he's gotten thin, I'll ignore you."
Chu Ruo burst into a laugh. "Alright."
"One last thing." Bai Zhi'er's smile held a hint of mischief. She tilted her head slightly and, before Chu Ruo could react, pressed a soft kiss to her cheek.
"Alright, go now." A single tear fell. Though she could have chosen the lips, she ultimately chose the cheek, because she knew the person she loved would only ever love that one person in this lifetime. *This is my final selfishness. I have kissed you, even if only for a moment. Ruo'er, since you chose her, I will fulfill your happiness.*
Chu Ruo'er's eyes widened. Before she could speak, she was pushed out of the room, and the door was bolted from the inside. "Zhi—"
"Ruo'er, this is a secret... just between the two of us."
***
