Master, Spare My Life: A Disciple's Sweet Rebellion | Chapter 215 | A Flood of Suitors | Novela.app

*Crash!* *Thud!* *Snap...* With a quick flash of movement, Nan Gongyan instinctively dodged, thinking some kind of concealed weapon had been thrown her way. It wasn't until she looked at the objects on the floor that she realized they were just small invitation cards. Confused, she stepped into the room, only to be met with Nan Muxue’s frost-covered face. Though Nan Muxue usually wore a cold expression, the two had known each other since childhood; how could she not sense that this particular chill was different? Something was wrong. What had happened to Muxue? "This tea is a bit cold," Nan Muxue said, her brow furrowed. "Go change it." "Yes, Palace Master." Xiao Guo’er and A-Yue replied with long faces, clearly terrified. This was already the sixth cup they had changed today. It was either too cold, too hot, or too astringent, even though it was prepared exactly as usual. They hurried out with the teacups, grateful for the brief escape; the atmosphere in that room was enough to scare anyone to death. "What’s the matter? Did those two upset you? There’s no need to take your fire out on them," Nan Gongyan remarked. Nan Muxue looked up and saw the object she had just thrown sitting in Nan Gongyan’s hand. "Why did you pick that up? Throw it away." Nan Gongyan grew even more curious. Looking at the floor, she saw a pile of discarded letters and invitations. "What could possibly make you this displeased? I haven't even had a chance to look yet." Beside them, Duan Ning was covering her mouth, unable to suppress her laughter. Even Yin Liuli pulling on her sleeve was useless. "You don't know? Someone has had a face like thunder since early this morning because—" *Whoosh!* Even a flying projectile couldn't stop Duan Ning’s brilliant smile. "My, my, why such a temper? You used to be such a calm person." "Do you believe I'll—" Duan Ning, acting as if she weren't afraid at all, walked over and draped an arm around Nan Gongyan’s shoulder. "You still don't understand?" Nan Gongyan was completely lost. "What riddles are you talking about?" Duan Ning tossed the invitation card back into the pile of discarded mail on the floor. "You really don't get it? What does our Young Palace Master care about most?" Seeing Nan Gongyan’s continued confusion, Duan Ning stopped playing coy. "Still don't get it? It's Chu Ruo!" "Young Palace Master," Xiao Guo’er and A-Yue returned. "Several sects have sent word saying they wish to pay a visit." Nan Muxue’s response was sharp and decisive. "I won't see them." Nan Gongyan’s curiosity deepened. "What’s going on? In the past, these sects looked down on us, but today they’re all eager to visit. Yet you refuse to see them? Haven't you always advocated for—" "Why are you still standing there?" Nan Muxue snapped, staring at the two maids. "Regardless of who it is or what sect they belong to, I will see none of them." Yin Liuli shook her head. "Muxue, your temper has certainly grown lately." "Oh, if Muxue won't say it, and Liuli, you're being just as mysterious as this girl, then someone tell me! What on earth happened?" Nan Gongyan pleaded. "It’s not a mystery," Duan Ning said, patting her. "Besides that brat, who else could provoke such a massive fire from our Young Palace Master?" "You mentioned her just now. Chu Ruo?" Nan Gongyan looked at Nan Muxue. "How did that fellow upset you this time?" "She didn't do anything herself. However, one can't help it if someone was born with such a fine face," Duan Ning said, stifling a laugh. "This time, the matchmakers have practically broken down the threshold. See those on the floor? Those are all... Hahaha!" "Huh?!" Nan Muxue grabbed a book from the table and threw it. She didn't use much force, and Duan Ning easily dodged it. "Why are you throwing things at me? It's not like I told those people to propose!" Nan Gongyan shook her head in amazement. "I could understand if someone were proposing to you, Muxue. But Chu Ruo... though people of the Jianghu aren't bound by trivialities, women these days are..." She didn't know if she wanted to say they were "bold" or if they just had "poor eyesight," but she, too, began to struggle against a smile. Xiao Guo’er walked in tremulously holding a document, her voice stuttering. "The... the Yueying Sect sent another one. They said their Eldest Miss..." "Burn it. There is no need to bring these things here anymore." "Yes." As Xiao Guo’er left, Nan Muxue glared at Duan Ning. "This is your doing." "Please, don't drag me into this again. It's clearly the marriage proposals that have made you unhappy." "If you hadn't taken Ruo’er out, would it have come to this?" Nan Gongyan looked on with interest. "What did you do now? I was wondering—last time, when that Bai fellow and Lin Jianghong came to propose, it was Muxue’s idea. But Chu Ruo is a man to the outside world; why would these people come to propose?" "Hey, hey, why is it always my fault whenever something happens? What did I do? I just went for a stroll with her. Along the way, we saw some injustice and dealt with a few local thugs, lending a small hand to that Eldest Miss of the Yueying Sect. Who knew that a lady from a prominent sect wouldn't know a lick of martial arts? And who knew the disciples of those sects were so incompetent they wouldn't even notice their purses being stolen? I helped too, you know! But every time, they only had eyes for Chu Ruo. I don't even think she's that good-looking, but every single one of them looked at her like they were possessed, calling her 'Young Master Chu' this and that. Besides, it's not like I forced her to go. She wanted to go out and play herself, claiming it was for the reputation of Baihua Palace and to make friends with other sects. What was the word? Oh right, she was 'playing it cool.' She was being such a show-off. If you ask me, she just can't move her feet when she sees a pretty girl." "Ruo’er did it for the sake of Baihua Palace. As for you, didn't you know to pull her away?" "I say, there’s a limit to how much you can shield her. You’re blaming me for this too? It was her own fault for acting like such a refined gentleman. 'Ah, greetings, My Lady, I...'" "It’s been a while since you’ve copied the palace rules. Would you like to try?" "You—that’s unfair! That’s what you use to punish her!" Nan Muxue said expressionlessly, "Punishment by copying has always existed in this sect. It is not exclusive to Ruo’er. Or do you think the punishment is too light?" "Fine, I’m wrong. I’m wrong, okay? I’m completely in the wrong. Next time she begs me, I won't go out with her. Happy now?" Nan Gongyan smiled and spoke up. "Just reject them and be done with it. Why be so angry? Chu Ruo’er’s heart is entirely on you; you know that." Yin Liuli shook her head. "Muxue rejected them immediately, but they won't give up. They keep sending invitations and documents, trying to squeeze their way in for a visit." "A visit wouldn't hurt," Nan Gongyan noted. "The old Palace Master has fallen, and the other sects are heavily wounded. It’s not a bad thing to befriend them now. I think that’s what Chu Ruo intended—helping them when they were in trouble. Even if we truly become the Alliance Leader, it does us no good to have bad relations with everyone, right?" "The problem is their filthy intentions," Yin Liuli explained. "It’s understandable for those disciples or young misses to have some feelings for Chu Ruo. But their leaders are the ones who saw an opportunity. they want to use Chu Ruo to flatter and cling to Baihua Palace. Otherwise, why would so many women truly propose to one man? It’s just a pretext used by those sects. In their eyes, Baihua Palace is full of women, and they know our rules forbid romance. Chu Ruo is the only 'man.' They’ve calculated it perfectly. I’ve looked into it; these sects are usually full of ulterior motives. They don't dare target us directly, so they start with Chu Ruo." Nan Gongyan finally understood and looked at Muxue. "So that’s why you’re so annoyed?" Nan Muxue stood up and flicked her sleeves. "To dare set their sights on Ruo’er... they shall pay the price." "Wow, such a temper. You’re not going to exterminate their sects, are you?" "Nonsense," Yin Liuli interjected. "Leave it to me. Muxue wouldn't go that far, but they are being restless and need a warning. This matter, I will handle." "Mhm." Duan Ning, however, wore a mischievous grin. "After all that talk, isn't it just that the jealousy jar has overturned?" *Whoosh!* "Tsk, missed. I say, have you ever thought about it? There are so many rumors about you and Chu Ruo, and now that there are no obstacles, why not just reveal that she’s a woman? That would cut off those girls' hopes." "No need. I have my own plans for this. Liuli, handle it quickly. I don't want to see any more of these things being sent. As for the Yueying Sect..." "Ooh, it’s so lively in here!" A head poked in from the doorway. "What are you chatting about without me?" "My, Young Master Chu arrives late indeed." "Hey, I just got here and you're already sniping at me?" Chu Ruo rushed over, staring at one person with a silly grin. "Muxue." Without waiting for Nan Muxue to speak, the others tactfully headed for the exit. "Tsk, tsk," Duan Ning muttered, covering her mouth and laughing as they left. When Nan Gongyan asked what she was laughing at, she replied, "Do I even need to say it? Someone is so petty; that fellow Chu Ruo is definitely going to get what’s coming to her." "Muxue~" Chu Ruo took the other’s hand. "You didn't even call me when you came over." Seeing her, a doting smile appeared on Nan Muxue’s face as she stroked her cheek. "I get angry just looking at you." "But I’m very happy," Chu Ruo chirped. Muxue was coaxed into a smile. "You silly thing, what are you so happy about?" "I’m happy just being with you." Hearing this, Muxue gave her ear a playful tug. "Is that so? You, 'Young Master Chu,' have quite the reputation these past few days. You had so much fun playing outside; did you even remember me?" "What kind of talk is that? I asked you to come! You’re the one who wouldn't go." "If I had gone, wouldn't I have been in the way of your visit to the brothel?" *Cough.* "Duan Ning told you? So disloyal, she promised not to tell... Ow, ow!" "So you really did go." "Wait, you tricked me? You..." "I haven't even settled the score with you yet." "What—what did I do now?" Chu Ruo protected her ear while accidentally glancing at the pile of invitations on the floor. "What are these? Why are they on the floor?" "Nothing. I’ll have Xiao Guo’er and A-Yue clean them up later." Chu Ruo didn't think much of it and nodded. "Oh." "In a while, I’ll take you out for a walk." "Haven't you been busy with the Alliance Leader business? You have time today?" Muxue smiled. "If I don't keep an eye on you, I’m afraid you’ll fly away." "As for that... even if I were a monkey, I could never escape the Five-Finger Mountain of my Little Scorpion." *** In the afternoon, Nan Muxue and Chu Ruo went out together, specifically to see one person. The Eldest Miss of the Yueying Sect saw Chu Ruo from a distance, and only then did she notice Nan Muxue beside her. She hurried over excitedly. "Young Master Chu!" "Just call me Chu Ruo. Snow—Master, this is my friend, from the Yueying Sect..." "I know." "Miss Nie, this is my Master. I don't think she needs an introduction," Chu Ruo said. The girl turned to Nan Muxue and got straight to the point. "My heart is set. I beg Young Palace Master Nan to grant your blessing..." "Heart set? What..." Chu Ruo began. Nan Muxue coldly replied with two words: "I refuse." The girl was stunned. She didn't understand; why would Muxue bring Chu Ruo here then? "Young Palace Master, your meaning is..." "Ruo’er cannot marry you." Chu Ruo looked at her Little Scorpion, then at the girl. *Marry?? What do you mean, marry?* But when she saw the look in the Little Scorpion’s eyes... *Wuwu, what did I do? I didn't do anything!* The Eldest Miss of the Yueying Sect had been pampered since childhood and was somewhat spoiled. She said indignantly, "Cannot? By what right?" "By the right," Nan Muxue took a step forward, making the girl tremble, "that I am her Master. I do not permit her to marry." "Even if you are her Master, she still—" "My word is Ruo’er’s word." Refusing to give up, the girl looked at Chu Ruo. "Young Master Chu, you... you’ve misunderstood. I already have someone I like," Chu Ruo lied. *Sigh, I really want to tell everyone that the one I love is the Little Scorpion, but I can't. Her reputation is too important.* "Besides, my Master’s word is indeed my word." Before the girl could react, Nan Muxue took another step forward. "Furthermore, I am the Palace Master. In Baihua Palace, there is no 'Young' Palace Master." *** "What, do you want to go back?" "That’s a baseless accusation!" "Then why do you keep looking back?" "Heaven and earth be my witness, I only looked back once when we left. She seemed quite heartbroken." Muxue raised an eyebrow. "You feel sorry for her?" Chu Ruo hugged her. "If I feel sorry for anyone, it’s only you." "Is that so? I heard you’ve been playing the chivalrous hero everywhere lately." "Well, that was..." "Be quiet." Whenever she faced this face, Nan Muxue felt herself becoming utterly useless. She didn't know when it had started. She petulantly bit Chu Ruo’s lip. "If you aren't more honest, believe it or not, I’ll cripple you." "My Little Scorpion wouldn't have the heart," Chu Ruo grinned. "So, you dragged me out today just to reject people? You could have gone yourself; it was so awkward." "For a moment," Muxue leaned against her chest, "I wanted to tell her that you are my lover." Chu Ruo held her tight. "Things are fine as they are. Muxue, I treasure everything we have now. Regardless of whether others know, you are the person I love most." "Do you feel... that I am afraid to admit it?" "It doesn't matter. I know you love me, and that’s enough." Chu Ruo kissed her forehead. "You really are a silly scorpion. I’ve never thought about those things. I don't want us to have to be as cautious as we were before. As long as we are together, it’s enough." "Ruo’er~" Nan Muxue hugged her beloved back. "I have never been afraid of others knowing." "I know." "The reason I haven't said it isn't because of fear." Chu Ruo kept a gentle smile. "Mhm. My Muxue isn't afraid of anything." "What if I said it was because of something else?" "Because of what?" This time, she didn't answer. *Ruo’er, you will know very soon.* *** ### Glossary Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation :--- | :--- | :--- 月影门 | Yueying Sect | Literally "Moon Shadow Sect." 聂姑娘 | Miss Nie | The Eldest Miss of the Yueying Sect. 小果儿 | Xiao Guo’er | A maid/servant in Baihua Palace. 阿月 | A-Yue | A maid/servant in Baihua Palace. 醋坛子翻了 | The jealousy jar has overturned | A Chinese idiom meaning someone is acting very jealous. 五指山 | Five-Finger Mountain | A reference to the mountain Buddha used to trap Sun Wukong; implies being unable to escape someone's grasp.