Master, Spare My Life: A Disciple's Sweet Rebellion | Chapter 223 | Chapter 223 | Novela.app

“It’s so hot, so hot,” Chu Ruo complained as she returned to the study from outside. She saw the woman reclining comfortably on a lounge chair. Before she could even approach, the other woman called gently, “Ruo’er, come here.” She immediately ran over and crouched beside her. Nan Mu Xue picked up a chilled longan and fed it to her. Chu Ruo swallowed it happily, but then made a miserable face. “You, Palace Master, are too good at slacking off. And Duan Ning and the others—the protectors—all pushed everything onto me. Now outsiders are saying I’m the one controlling Baihua Palace.” “Are they?” Nan Mu Xue asked calmly. “Of course they are. They say you dote on your disciple and stay secluded, and that I’ve sidelined the other protectors. But in reality, they all went traveling, okay? Seriously… the four great protectors ran off to have fun, and I’m the one suffering…” Nan Mu Xue hooked an arm around her neck. “Isn’t Mo Fei still here?” “Her mother hasn’t been well recently. I let her go down the mountain.” “Then that’s your own problem. You can’t blame anyone else.” Chu Ruo leaned in and kissed the corner of her lips. “You really don’t feel sorry for me.” Nan Mu Xue replied leisurely, “Who was it that said after marriage they would manage Baihua Palace for me, so I wouldn’t have to work so hard? You said I’ve labored for so many years. Now that I finally relax a little, it’s not allowed?” “You’re just like Duan Ning,” Chu Ruo said, mimicking perfectly. “The other day I scolded her, and she said, ‘You’re Xue’er’s husband. Shouldn’t you share her burdens?’ Tell me, isn’t that…” Nan Mu Xue laughed. “Was she wrong?” Chu Ruo leaned against her. “Xue’er~” Nan Mu Xue hugged her affectionately. “You’re covered in sweat. Rest a bit.” “Oh right. Maybe I should sit somewhere else. I’m all sweaty…” But Nan Mu Xue tightened her arms. “Come here. Don’t move.” “I’m dirty.” “I don’t mind. Why are you avoiding me?” “Aren’t you usually a clean freak?” Nan Mu Xue narrowed her eyes. “You’ve been complaining about me a lot lately?” “No, no,” Chu Ruo quickly said, kissing her. “My wife treats me the best. Mwah.” Nan Mu Xue wiped the sweat from her forehead. “How is the matter of taking disciples?” Chu Ruo laughed awkwardly. “I…” Nan Mu Xue raised an eyebrow. “You’re planning to take them all?” “They’re all so small, looking at me with hopeful eyes. How could I only pick one? Besides, if I take them all, no one can say I’m playing favorites.” “And that particular disciple?” Chu Ruo scratched her head. “She’s the troublesome one. She refuses to accept me as her master. She insists on apprenticing under you.” “You want her that much?” “I think… she’s a lot like you.” “In what way?” “Cold-faced… I mean, aloof and stubborn.” Nan Mu Xue leaned closer. “You already have me. Why do you need her?” Chu Ruo grinned. “Are you jealous of a child?” “You seem very devoted to her,” Nan Mu Xue said coolly. “What about the others? Won’t they think you’re unfair?” Chu Ruo laughed. “When you took me in, you favored me so much. Weren’t you afraid others would complain?” Nan Mu Xue lifted her chin, domineering. “I indulge whoever I wish.” Chu Ruo quickly surrendered. “Okay, okay, my fault. Help me think of a solution, wife~” “If she has no intention of accepting you, forcing her is meaningless.” Chu Ruo hesitated. “Xue’er… what will happen to Baihua Palace in the future?” Nan Mu Xue smiled faintly. “You’re already thinking that far ahead?” “It’s a century-old legacy,” Chu Ruo said softly. “Following me… your palace may end without an heir.” “Ruo’er,” Nan Mu Xue interrupted, kissing her. “I only want you. What nonsense are you thinking?” “I just… don’t want everything you built to disappear someday.” Nan Mu Xue shook her head. “My future is only you. Nothing else matters.” Chu Ruo hugged her tightly. “Xue’er…” Nan Mu Xue asked gently, “You want that disciple to inherit Baihua Palace?” “No,” Chu Ruo replied. “The palace is yours. I just want disciples who can protect it after we grow old. As for her… I just find her interesting. Like you.” Nan Mu Xue smiled faintly. “You’ve said that before.” Chu Ruo kissed her cheek. “When you took me in, why didn’t you tempt me instead of threatening me? If I’d asked what benefits there were—” Nan Mu Xue answered calmly, “You wouldn’t be beaten to death.” “…Little snake…” “Yes?” Chu Ruo leaned in close. “Then now, as your husband, I want something.” “What?” Chu Ruo kissed her. “I want the longan in your mouth.” A few days later, Chu Ruo, bored out of her mind, organized a “Most Handsome in Baihua Palace” vote. She confidently believed she would win. Instead— “I’m so angry! I only got seventh place! Even Mo Fei ranked above me! How is that fair?!” Duan Ning laughed uncontrollably. “You brought this on yourself. You thought wearing men’s clothes guaranteed victory?” “This is rigged!” “The results are fair,” Duan Ning said smugly. “First place is your wife.” Chu Ruo looked at Nan Mu Xue and smiled foolishly, but still pouted. “She’s first, and I’m seventh? And I even prepared rewards!” Nan Mu Xue wrapped an arm around her. “Your reward is first place. Isn’t that enough?” Chu Ruo grinned. “Only Xue’er loves me. Let me kiss—” She stopped suddenly, remembering others were present. But Nan Mu Xue leaned in and kissed her anyway. The others blushed. Duan Ning peeked through her fingers. “Oh my, are we allowed to watch this for free?” Nan Mu Xue simply held Chu Ruo’s hand and led her away. A new batch of young disciples arrived. The senior disciple Xiao Guo’er led them up the mountain, instructing them carefully. “Remember, there are three rules in Baihua Palace you must never break. First: never offend Palace Master Chu Ruo. Second: never offend Palace Master Chu Ruo. Third: never offend Palace Master Chu Ruo.” They happened to meet Duan Ning and the others. “New disciples again?” Duan Ning asked. “Yes,” Xiao Guo’er said. “I was explaining the rules.” The children asked curiously, “Why is that rule so strange?” Duan Ning smirked. “If you offend anyone else, you’ll just die. If you offend Chu Ruo, you’ll wish you were dead.” Yin Liuli sighed. “They’re just children. Stop scaring them.” Soon, Nan Mu Xue arrived and saw Chu Ruo surrounded by children, holding candied hawthorn sticks and laughing as she handed them out. “Are you being good?” Chu Ruo asked. “Yes!” “Are you listening?” “Yes!” “Is Master good?” “Yes!” Nan Mu Xue smiled faintly. “Ruo’er.” “Xue’er!” Chu Ruo ran over immediately. Nan Mu Xue ordered calmly, “Finish eating, then go practice.” All obeyed—except one girl standing alone, practicing horse stance under the sun. Chu Ruo walked over and offered her the last candied hawthorn. “It’s delicious. Don’t you want it?” The girl didn’t move. Nan Mu Xue said coldly, “When the Palace Master speaks, you must respond.” The girl finally said, “Thank you, Palace Master. But I don’t want it.” “You should call her Master,” Nan Mu Xue corrected. The girl stayed silent. Chu Ruo said gently, “It’s fine. Don’t force her.” But the girl suddenly knelt. “This disciple only wishes to take Palace Master as her master.” She meant Nan Mu Xue. Nan Mu Xue asked coldly, “Why?” “To become the best, I must follow the strongest.” “What is your name?” “Naner.” “Your master is Chu Ruo,” Nan Mu Xue said firmly. “That will not change.” After a long silence, the girl bowed. “Naner greets Master.” Later, Chu Ruo said, “You were scary just now.” Nan Mu Xue smirked. “Was I?” Chu Ruo leaned against her. “She really is like you.” Nan Mu Xue held her face gently. “I already told you. You are my last disciple.” Chu Ruo smiled. “I think she’s special.” Nan Mu Xue kissed her possessively. “You only need to love me.”