“Hey, it’s getting late.”
“It’s still early! Let’s go for a few more rounds.”
The Protectors of Baihua Palace and their Saintess were currently huddled in a room playing with wooden tiles. Or rather, it was their Palace Mistress—on the day after the wedding, Nan Muxue had announced to the entire martial arts world that from then on, Baihua Palace would have two Palace Mistresses.
However, as far as Chu Ruo was concerned, she preferred being the Saintess. The disciples who were close to her hadn't bothered to change how they addressed her either; after all, she didn't put on airs and was usually quite kind to everyone, so the disciples naturally preferred hanging out with her.
“You’re not acting like yourself.”
Chu Ruo brushed aside the paper strips stuck to her face, blowing at them as she squinted at the tiles in her hand. “What do you mean?”
Nangong Yan smirked. “You’ve been acting strange these past few days. It’s like you don’t want to go back to your room. You’re newlyweds; surely you haven't grown tired of each other already?”
Duan Ning, who never missed a chance to poke fun at her, chimed in immediately. “Exactly. Before, you were like a piece of candy stuck to Muxue that couldn't be shaken off. What happened? Did you upset her and get punished?”
“Can’t you lot wish me some good for once?”
Little Guo’er nodded in agreement. “Mhm. You’ve been married for over half a month, yet you’re acting like you don’t have a home to go back to. It is a bit suspicious.”
“Hey, every single one of you—”
“Protectors leading the head disciple in idle play... where is the decorum in this?”
A cold, frosty voice drifted in from the doorway. One didn't even need to look to know who it was. Chu Ruo cursed her luck inwardly. While the others were busy talking, she tried to sneakily crouch down and slip away, but how could her every move escape that woman’s notice?
“Where do you think you’re going?”
The others turned around. Duan Ning and Nangong Yan worked together to haul Chu Ruo back up by her collar. Nan Yunshuang, who had been watching from the sidelines without participating, suddenly spoke up. “The Palace Mistress started it. The others were merely accompanying her.”
Everyone immediately chimed in, “Yes, exactly!”
“You traitors! I—”
“Everyone is to copy the Palace Rules fifty times. Hand them to me tomorrow morning.”
“That’s not fair! It was Chu Ruo who—”
“Hmm?”
Duan Ning corrected herself with extreme reluctance. “Yes, yes, yes... it was our Great Saintess Chu, Palace Mistress Chu, who dragged us into playing. You... your favoritism really knows no bounds.”
“Fine.” Before they could celebrate, the next sentence nearly sent them into a breakdown. “Make it a hundred copies then.”
This time, even Yin Liuli spoke up. “Muxue...”
Nangong Yan grumbled, “On what grounds?”
“On the grounds that you betrayed her. Therefore, the punishment is doubled.”
*Pfft.* Chu Ruo tried to stifle a laugh, successfully earning herself a barrage of glares. Duan Ning was fuming. “Since Baihua Palace has such strict rules, why isn't the Saintess being punished for her mistake?”
“I shall handle her punishment myself. If I catch you all gathered together to play these things again, I will not be so lenient.” Nan Muxue didn't forget the Chu Ruo who was still trying to slip away. “Back to the room.”
And so, honest, pitiful, and sighing with resentment, Chu Ruo muttered, “Oh.”
Duan Ning stamped her foot in anger behind them. “You two flirting and playing around while we get punished! I’m never playing again, hmph!”
Mo Fei suddenly interjected, “I think I know why the Saintess doesn't want to go back to the room.”
The group’s interest was piqued, and they crowded around her. “What is it? Tell us!”
Then, Mo Fei suddenly lowered her head, looking a bit embarrassed. “It’s nothing.”
“Don't be a buzzkill! Tell us, tell us!”
“Well...”
On the other side, Chu Ruo hung her head with a bitter face as she followed her wife back to their room.
*Creeak—*
The door shut tight. She gave a forced smile. “So, about that...”
“Where else did you want to go?”
“Nowhere, nowhere.”
“Go on then. Go play to your heart’s content.”
*...Listen to yourself. Are you being sincere? If you’re letting me go, why did you catch me and bring me back? Truly, women say the opposite of what they mean, especially this Little Scorpion...*
“Are you looking for death?”
“I didn't say it out loud!” Chu Ruo covered her mouth. *How long has it been and I still haven't learned? I have to change. I absolutely cannot scold her in my head. She definitely knows how to read minds.* She sidled up to her. “Xue’er~”
Only then did her beloved finally show a hint of a smile. “Sticking to me now? Not afraid anymore?”
“You’re my wife. What’s there to be afraid of?”
“Is that so?”
*Cough.* “I’ll listen to my wife. My wife has the final say, haha.”
“I have the final say?”
Chu Ruo began acting spoiled, acting cute, and tugging at her clothes. “Wifey, don't be angry anymore, okay?”
“Then why don't you tell me exactly what I’m angry about?”
“I...”
Before she could finish, the other woman had already sat down by the bed, looking like she was waiting for a good show. “Speak. No rush. I have all the time in the world.”
Chu Ruo walked over and crouched down. “I shouldn't have played tiles with them for so long.”
Nan Muxue shook her head. “Incorrect.”
“Uh...”
“Just now, Ning’er and the others asked why I wasn't punishing you.”
“That’s because my Xue’er cherishes me.”
Nan Muxue hooked her finger under Chu Ruo’s chin. Chu Ruo’s heart skipped a beat; it seemed tonight was going to be another "dangerous" one. Whenever the Little Scorpion made this gesture, nothing good followed. “I have my own ways of punishing you.”
“You—”
Before she could finish her sentence, she didn't even know how she ended up lying on the bed. The person above her was the same, the face was the same, but how... how had everything ended up completely reversed?
“Can you see? Can you see? What do you see?”
“Aiya, be quiet!” There was chirping outside the window, though they didn't dare speak loudly. “I really didn't expect it... Xue’er is actually the one on top...”
*Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!*
“If I come out there, none of you are leaving!”
Faced with such a threatening statement, the eavesdroppers naturally took the hint and vanished. Regardless, the answer had been confirmed. “Let’s go, let’s go. No wonder she was dragging us to play every day. It turns out, hahaha...”
The laughter outside grew distant until it vanished completely. Chu Ruo lay on the bed with a look of utter despair. Her image was ruined. Completely gone. But how could she be blamed? Ever since the wedding night, she hadn't been able to "turn the tables" once. She was sad, her heart was blocked, and she felt like life had no meaning...
“Are you still thinking about other people?”
“No, no. That, uh, Xue’er,” Chu Ruo observed the other’s expression while stealthily reaching out a hand. “Can we negotiate something?”
Nan Muxue was currently leaning over her, a faint, ambiguous smile on her lips. “Hmm?”
Chu Ruo’s hand snuck out to untie a belt—not her own, of course. “It’s just, tonight, can I possibly...”
Her hand was caught. “No.”
“You... it’s been so many days. Enough is enough. You won't even let me touch you...”
Nan Muxue leaned in for a kiss. “Are you not touching me right now?”
“You know perfectly well that’s not what I meant... Nan Muxue, you Little Scorpion... you’re cheating...” *How did it turn out like this? Where is the beautiful dream of holding my wife and sleeping every night after marriage? Why am I the one being pinned down every single day? Then why did I even get married? Waaaah, the Little Scorpion has changed. She’s become "dirty." I don't want to play anymore. Why? I’m clearly the one who’s supposed to be on top! Another day of being the one pinned down...*
The next day, she didn't even care about their mockery. She grabbed them and begged, “I’m telling you, stop laughing, okay? Help me think of a way!”
“Aha, that’s rich. You two are a married couple. Even if you’re both women, it’s not like there’s a fixed rule. If you’re allowed to touch her, why isn't she allowed to touch you? You’re hilarious.”
“No, she... aiya, you lot have no loyalty!”
Nangong Yan shook her head with a smile. “Muxue is very competitive. In the past, she didn't know... but now that she’s figured it out, naturally...”
“Stop, stop! Just give me a strategy!”
Duan Ning wagged a finger. “In my opinion, you should just accept your fate. You know Xue’er’s personality. You’ll just have to wait until she loses interest herself. Though, looking at the current situation, that’s not happening anytime soon. Hahaha...”
*...What kind of people are these? A bunch of fair-weather friends.* “You’ve harvested all the bamboo shoots in Baihua Palace.” (Note: A pun on "being mean/sharp-tongued")
The group asked, “Since when did Baihua Palace grow bamboo shoots?”
Chu Ruo: “...”
Another night, another repeat of the same plot.
A claw reached forward, only to be swatted away by Nan Muxue. “Go to sleep.”
Chu Ruo pouted. “It’s not fair. Now it’s always you wanting me, but you won't let me touch you.”
Nan Muxue smiled. “Didn't you treat me the same way before?”
“How is that the same? There’s a difference, okay? Aiya, be good.” Chu Ruo tried to coax her. “You don't have experience with this sort of thing; you won't do it well. Be a good girl and let me...”
Just as she was about to succeed, just a tiny bit away, Nan Muxue suddenly grabbed that hand. She seemed to find a second wind as she flipped over and pinned her down. “No experience? Won't do it well?”
*Wait, the light in the Little Scorpion’s eyes isn't right.* Chu Ruo felt a surge of dread. “Xue—”
“In that case, I shall simply have to practice a few more times.”
*...Fate. An inescapable destiny. A perfect demonstration of the saying: what goes around comes around. When will these days ever end?*
***
