Master, Spare My Life: A Disciple's Sweet Rebellion | Chapter 225 | The Disciple's Test | Novela.app

That night, as Chu Ruo whispered into the ear of the woman lying beside her, she suddenly—after a long time—called out that old title several times. "Master... Master... Master~" The woman on the pillow pinched her ear in response, her touch soft and gentle. "What madness has taken you?" "It’s just been so long since I called you that," Chu Ruo said, pulling her into an embrace, her voice tinged with sentiment. "Since we married, my Xue’er has never put on the airs of a master, nor has she ever struck me." How could she not know? Her beloved woman had truly kept the promise made on the night of the proposal. Before her, Nan Muxue never again referred to herself as 'Master.' Aside from that one time she had formally expelled her as a disciple, she had never made Chu Ruo kneel to her again. Their final kneeling had been reserved for one occasion alone: their bows as a married couple. "What? It seems you’re hoping I’ll hit you." "You’re just not cute when you say things like that," Chu Ruo whispered, giving her a light kiss. "You’re spoiling the mood." "As if you don't spoil it often enough yourself." "Wife, marrying you is the greatest achievement of my life." Nan Muxue looked up at her. "What’s come over you today, saying such things?" "Can't I just be sentimental for a moment?" Seeing the other woman huff, Chu Ruo puffed out her cheeks in mock annoyance. "What kind of reaction is that? It’s rare for me to be so... so..." She searched for an adjective for a long time but couldn't find one. Instead, Nan Muxue spoke up. "Do you even still remember me? All you seem to care about is that disciple of yours." Chu Ruo tilted the other woman's chin up. "Are you jealous?" She even dared to mimic Nan Muxue’s old, cold tone. "And what do you intend to do about it?" "Do you want to find out?" Chu Ruo immediately pulled her neck back. "No need, no need." Nan Muxue let out a helpless, amused laugh. "Coward." "Hey, you!" Chu Ruo thought for a moment, then beamed. "Fine, I’ll accept that. Now, I’m going to do something that isn't cowardly at all..." "You—" ... "Xue’er," Chu Ruo whispered, holding her wife close. "We haven't been down the mountain in a long time. Things aren't busy these days. How about we go down for a couple of days tomorrow?" Drowsiness had already begun to claim Nan Muxue. She nodded lazily, her arms hooking around Chu Ruo’s neck with that unchanging indulgence. "Fine... if you want to go, we shall go." "Then... then, can I bring my disciples along?" "Mhm." *Mhm?* Chu Ruo looked down at her, uncertain. Why was she being so easy to talk to this time? She saw that her "Little Scorpion" had already fallen asleep in her arms. Had she actually heard the question, or was she just answering reflexively? *Whatever, she agreed,* Chu Ruo thought. She continued to gaze at her. These days, the Little Scorpion would often fall asleep before her, and she slept soundly. This was the Xue’er she wanted to see. She had always felt for her, working hard to help her escape the dark shadows and the past left behind by Nan Menghua. *As expected of my wife, she’s so cute when she sleeps.* She kissed her forehead very, very lightly. *Goodnight.* The next day, when Chu Ruo brought up the matter of taking the disciples down the mountain, she expected a flare-up. She thought Nan Muxue would at least accuse her of having planned this all along. Instead, the woman simply gave a calm "Mhm." This time, it was Chu Ruo who couldn't stay calm. "You... you don't have any other reaction?" Nan Muxue found it amusing. "What reaction do you want? I agreed, didn't I? Are you still unsatisfied?" "No, it’s just... when I told you last night, weren't you asleep?" "Did I not answer you?" Chu Ruo pinched her own thigh, wincing at the pain. She looked at her wife and gave her a kiss. "It hurts, and the kiss is sweet. I’m not dreaming." "Stop being silly." "But usually, you would have lost your temper by now." Nan Muxue narrowed her eyes. "It seems you truly do wish for me to strike you." "No, no!" Chu Ruo quickly tried to curry favor, curling her upper body into the other's embrace. "My wife is the best, right, Xue’er~?" Nan Muxue put an arm around her. "Spineless. Weren't you going to take them? Go and get ready." "I’m going right now!" Even as they headed down the mountain, Chu Ruo was still uneasy. "You’re really not angry?" "Are you quite finished?" "Well, the contrast is just too big. It’s hard to read you." "Talkative." "Let’s go to Muxue Pavilion. At Ruo Pavilion, that Caifeng still needs to..." "Mhm." *No fun. You’re no fun at all like this, Little Scorpion. Everything is just a one-word 'mhm.' Would it kill you to say one more word...* A familiar voice cut through her thoughts. "Are you seeking death?" Chu Ruo swallowed hard, hanging her head as she followed behind, not daring to let her mind wander any further. Along the way, because Nan Muxue was present, the young disciples didn't even dare to breathe loudly. It was only when they reached their lodgings and Nan Muxue retired to her room that they swarmed Chu Ruo. "Master~" "Master, play with us!" "Master, I want candied haws!" "Alright, alright. I’ll have Sister Xiao Guo’er and Sister A-Yue buy you some treats first. We’ll go out and play later, okay?" "Okay~!" Chu Ruo then walked over to Nan’er, who was standing in the corner. "Aren't you going to join the others?" "No." The girl’s response was icy. "You’re so young, yet you act like such a stern old soul. No one will want to play with you if you’re like this." "I do not need them to." "Fine." Chu Ruo could tell that although this girl had taken her as a master, it was only because the Little Scorpion had forced her. "I know you aren't convinced in your heart." "I would not dare." "‘Not dare’ isn't the same as ‘don't want to.’ Why is that?" "Because I am not won over." That stubborn streak flared up again. Chu Ruo wanted to laugh. "Not won over? I don't believe it. Tell me, what will it take for you to truly and sincerely accept me as your master?" Nan’er stared straight ahead and said, "My home is in the nearby Guling Village. There is a small lake there. I once dropped a jade pendant into it." "Oh? You want me to find it?" "Yes." Chu Ruo smiled. "How long do I have?" "One night." "So, I have to give it to you by tomorrow morning?" "Mhm." Chu Ruo stood up. "It’s a deal. If I find it, you must be wholeheartedly won over and truly acknowledge me as your master from now on." Nan’er nodded. "And if you cannot find it?" "If I can't find it, then you can have the final say." ***