Oh boy, I’m toast. Someone cue the funeral march for me. What a mess. Chu Ruo swallowed hard with great difficulty. "This... well, you see, the thing is... it’s like this, right? I mean, that and this, and this and that..."
"Well?" On the other side, Nan Muxue watched her with interest and patience, her eyes brimming with a faint smile. "Is this question so difficult? Does my disciple need to think for so long?"
"Can I... can I choose not to answer?" Chu Ruo replied timidly.
The hand pinching her chin instantly tilted her head up a few inches higher. "What do you think?"
"I think," Chu Ruo said, desperately trying to push her tilted head back down, "that I can."
"Shameless," Nan Muxue murmured. Chu Ruo didn't expect her to let out a soft laugh. Just as her heart began to relax, the other woman became relentless again. "Answer your Master’s question."
*O Almighty Heavens, please let this awkward atmosphere end quickly.* But she knew it was impossible. Facing those bright, piercing eyes, she stammered her reply, "It’s just... well, you and Yan'er... the two of you... I really..." *Agh! This is so hard!* Both the Little Scorpion and Yan'er were so soft, so fragrant, and so comfortable to hold. She truly liked them both and couldn't make a choice. Why was she such a scumbag?
"Always equivocating," the other woman’s lips curled upward again. "I suspect whatever you say won't be the truth anyway."
"What do you mean? I... who told you two to feel so similar?" Chu Ruo grumbled indignantly, half-responding to her and half-muttering to herself. "Actually, I like both of you."
Unfortunately, these words were heard loud and clear by Nan Muxue. "Truly?"
"Mm-hmm." She nodded, then immediately shook her head in denial. "Wait, no, no, no! What am I thinking? Yan'er is so kind and treats me so well, while you... how could you two possibly be the same person?"
"Chu Ruo," a vein popped on Nan Muxue's forehead. "Do you have a death wish..."
"I'll stop, I'll stop!" Chu Ruo saw that signature icy face returning and immediately changed her tune. "Let's talk about something else. Anything else."
"Sleep!"
Chu Ruo was a bit unwilling; it was boring to sleep so early. Although the Little Scorpion's previous question had been a total death trap, she still wanted to chat with her. "Sleeping this early?"
"From this moment on, if you make even the slightest sound, your Master will kick you out of this room."
"You!"
A warning, authoritative voice rang out. "Hmm?"
She immediately covered her mouth, not making another sound. It was boring—boring to the extreme. Outside, the stars and moon shone together, but inside the room, it was as quiet as a grave. What kind of situation was this? Her eyes wandered around the room in the moonlight for a long time. The surroundings were still the same—it was just an inn, a place to sleep, nothing special. The novelty of having traveled to this world had long since worn off. Besides, while the rooms for the Hundred Flowers Palace disciples weren't as nice as the Little Scorpion's, they were better than most, especially this one. She eventually lost interest in the decor and her gaze fell upon the person sleeping beside her.
Nan Muxue was also sleeping on her side, facing her. The woman seemed to be sleeping soundly, her sleeping face so enchanting that Chu Ruo was repeatedly tempted to take this chance to flip off that half-mask. But she only dared to think about it; she knew the other woman wasn't truly in a deep sleep. She forced her gaze downward. Nan Muxue’s left hand was propping up her own head, while her injured right hand was wrapped in white cloth—the bandage Chu Ruo had applied earlier. For no reason at all, Chu Ruo felt a surge of emotion. She gently placed her hand over the back of the other woman's hand.
The person with closed eyes immediately trembled. Chu Ruo spoke up instantly, her voice extremely gentle and filled with caution. "Does the wound still hurt?"
Nan Muxue hadn't been asleep. In fact, for many years, she had never truly slept peacefully. Only during these recent nights in Chu Ruo’s arms had she completely relaxed and fallen into a deep sleep a few times. But it was only a few times. Today, she had been extremely irritated, and she couldn't deny the faint, lingering fear in her heart that the person who gave her warmth would still leave. Thus, her sleep was restless. Chu Ruo’s movement naturally made her fully alert. Hearing those words of extreme concern, she naturally opened her eyes, gazing at the face that—at some unknown point—had begun to clutter her thoughts, making it impossible for her to focus on anything else. It was a face that had appeared in her mind countless times.
"No." She couldn't read her books properly, couldn't focus on her sword dances, and couldn't even concentrate during quiet meditation. It was as if that silhouette was everywhere. A few times, she had even nearly suffered a cultivation deviation. *Chu Ruo, who exactly are you to be able to affect me like this?*
She was naturally a woman of few words, usually speaking only in fragments. In this situation, she could only manage a single syllable. Fortunately, Chu Ruo felt that as a "little princess of atmosphere-warming," she could always defeat such a "queen of cold silences." And so, she continued. "I..." A second ago, she was praising her own eloquence, but now she felt like a fool. Why did she become tongue-tied facing this woman? It wasn't like her usual talkative self. Was it the power of love? *Pah, pah! Then why don't I act like this with Yan'er? Wait, focus! I can't keep thinking about Yan'er. The Little Scorpion got hurt saving me, focus on her, okay?* "I... thank you."
"Ruo'er actually knows how to thank her Master? Has the fever from your injury scrambled your brain?" Nan Muxue finally laughed again. She remembered the idle chatter of A-Yue and Liuli, who both said she had been smiling more lately. She suddenly realized—had she really been smiling often recently?
*Hey, you Little Scorpion, why are you so unlovable? Why do you have to be so disagreeable?* "I'm telling you, it's rare for me to be so serious and give you a proper thank you, and you don't cooperate at all. Honestly, you're the one with the scrambled brain."
"If you weren't muddled by fever, why would you thank me? Have you forgotten that slap so quickly? That doesn't sound like you."
"What do you mean 'not like me'? You..." She stammered nervously. "Is that really all you think of my character?"
A sudden, cool sensation on her forehead felt incredibly comfortable. She immediately shut her mouth and stopped talking, simply enjoying the soft hand resting on her brow. The other woman spoke in a soft whisper, "Why is it still so hot? We'll add another dose of medicine tomorrow."
"I'm not drinking it. Do you want to kill me? That Chinese medicine is bitter enough to end me."
"Willful," Nan Muxue sighed softly. Her hand slid down to the swollen cheek. "I hit you. Do you..." There was a trace of imperceptible tension in her voice. "Are you angry?"
"Angry? Of course I'm angry!" Chu Ruo immediately pouted. Then she saw a flash of loneliness and disappointment cross the Little Scorpion's face. She suddenly laughed, her tone light yet carrying a hint of sincerity. "However, I was the one who provoked you first. And you saved me and got hurt. I was only angry for a moment. Come to think of it, I'm usually the one provoking you more often, aren't I?"
"At least you know," Nan Muxue rolled her eyes at her, and that empty feeling in her heart vanished completely.
"But," Chu Ruo added another 'but,' "this is the second time you've hit me. We agreed you wouldn't hit me anymore. And you hit my face! It hurts a lot, you know? Besides, don't I need to save face?"
By now, the other woman's face wore a playful expression. Aside from Chu Ruo, probably no one else had ever seen the Young Palace Master of the Hundred Flowers Palace show such a pure and cute demeanor, one that befitted a girl of her age. "I've already hit you. What do you want to do about it?"
*Aha! I was waiting for you to say that!* Who was she? Give her an inch and she’d take a mile—no, that’s too lecherous. Give her a ladder and she’d climb it. "Then you have to make it up to me. You have to compensate me."
Nan Muxue’s heart stirred. Before she even spoke, she already knew what the girl was going to say. "Compensate?"
"Mm-hmm," Chu Ruo immediately followed up. "Hehe, it's nothing much. Just... let's stay down here at the foot of the mountain for two more days." She hadn't played enough yet! To be precise, she hadn't even started playing before she fell into someone's hands. Her whole body was still covered in injuries; mentioning this made her notice the pain, and she couldn't help but hiss.
Nan Muxue grew anxious, propping herself up halfway to check the other's injuries. "Is there somewhere else that feels unwell?"
"It's nothing. I didn't notice it before, but now it's starting to hurt," Chu Ruo’s hand was still hooked around the other's waist, and she didn't let go as Nan Muxue moved. Instead, she pulled her closer. "My dear Master, just promise me, okay?"
Nan Muxue was both annoyed and amused. "Injured like this and still thinking about playing. You truly are something else."
"Well, I didn't even get to start before things turned out like this," Chu Ruo curled her lip. "It's not easy to get a trip down the mountain."
"Indeed. Ruo'er was so anxious to go and concoct an antidote for the Hundred Flowers Gu. It was my fault for forgetting."
"You... are you ever going to let that go? Every three sentences you bring it up!"
"You did something wrong; am I, your Master, not allowed to speak of it?"
"You little..."
"Do you still want to stay and play for a few more days?"
With just that one sentence, Chu Ruo instantly turned into a well-behaved baby. "I do! Master, you are so wise and mighty..."
"Enough with the useless flattery. The business isn't finished yet anyway, so I'll allow you to stay a few more days. However..."
"However?"
"Ruo'er won't run away again, will she?"
*Hey, am I that kind of person? I already promised you, so why would I run?* Yet when she looked over, those eyes were full of seriousness and expectation, shining exceptionally bright in the darkness. This influenced her to drop her playful attitude and answer seriously, "I won't. Since I've promised you, I won't leave again."
Nan Muxue was currently leaning over, staring at the person who had suddenly become solemn. She found herself being swayed by the girl's emotions. The gaze was so resolute that it made her believe every word she said. Her jade-like finger uncontrollably brushed against that handsome, heroic brow. She murmured under her breath, her voice saturated with deep affection, merging a thousand words into just two as she parted her crimson lips to call her: "Ruo'er..."
That call made Chu Ruo feel a sudden bout of dry heat in her throat. She licked her parched lips, but it was like drinking poison to quench thirst—it only made her feel worse. Fortunately, the person she was holding was a source of cool skin and jade-like bones. The angle was just right. She only needed to tilt her head slightly, and she did exactly that. Four tempting lips pressed tightly together...
*Mmm, absolutely wonderful.* That was Chu Ruo's feeling. In any case, this kiss lasted a very long time—so long that she felt she might suffocate. Breathing heavily, Nan Muxue, who was still draped over her body, was also panting slightly. Her face was flushed a startling red, her eyes misty with desire. Chu Ruo, who hadn't quite caught her breath yet, leaned up again, wanting to continue tasting the sweetness...
This time, she didn't get her way. Nan Muxue extended a finger to block her. When she spoke, her voice was light as air. To Chu Ruo, it felt like cotton candy or clouds in the sky, drifting softly into her ears. "Do you... often do this with others as well?"
"Men? Never." She thought about it and shook her head.
"Women?"
"Since coming here, only you and Yan'er. No—" she denied it again. "With Yan'er, it wasn't like this with you... it wasn't..." Chu Ruo felt a rare moment of embarrassment. How could she say so bluntly that with Yan'er it was just a touch of the lips, while with her it was a tongue kiss? "Anyway, it's only with you." Before she traveled to this world, she knew she was gay, but she hadn't found a partner yet. Come to think of it, this was her first time liking someone—and two people at once? *Ugh, I'm such a scumbag...*
Nan Muxue felt a flutter in her heart. Was it happiness? But why was she happy? She knew she hadn't done this as "Yan'er" either, but it was a different, strange feeling. To put it another way, she wasn't happy that Chu Ruo cared more about "Yan'er," but when Chu Ruo behaved with her—the Master—in a way she never had with anyone else, including Yan'er, she couldn't quite describe the feeling. There was both joy and unease. At the root of it, "Yan'er" was her truest self, the side she never showed to anyone else, yet she would drop all her guards for Chu Ruo. However, Nan Muxue, the Young Palace Master in everyone's eyes, was also her. It wasn't that this wasn't her true self; it was also real. It was the side she had been required to maintain since the day she was born. At first, it might have been a mask, but after wearing it for so long, day after day, year after year, it could no longer be taken off. Nan Muxue was conflicted. What was she agonizing over, and for what reason?
"What's wrong?" Chu Ruo keenly noticed the other's abnormality and suddenly pulled her into her arms. "Are you thinking about sect business? Don't worry. In the future, I'll practice hard and help share your burdens."
It might have been just a comforting remark, but it made her relax for no reason. She curled into the other's embrace in a lazy posture. "You'll be doing well enough just to look after yourself. The first time I take you down the mountain for a mission and you end up in this pathetic state. We'll talk in two days."
"You won't... still make me kill someone, will you?"
"That depends on my disciple's performance." Nan Muxue felt like teasing her again, her hand brushing over that cheek. "Your face is so swollen; don't go out tomorrow. Rest at the inn for the day."
"I want to go out..."
"I have some matters to handle outside tomorrow. This time, Ruo'er will be obedient, won't she?"
*You won't even let me finish my sentence; how can I not be obedient?* Besides, she had learned a lot of lessons from the Liu Shaopeng incident. She nodded gloomily. "Oh. But what if you leave and Liu Shaopeng..."
"Don't be afraid," Nan Muxue interrupted immediately, her voice soft and coaxing. "I will station several disciples to guard the area around the inn. Ruo'er will be fine."
"Those words... they're so familiar," Chu Ruo rubbed her head. "Why does it feel like déjà vu?" She just couldn't remember where she had heard it. "Have you said that to me before?"
Nan Muxue didn't answer, but abruptly changed the subject. "From today on, I want you to remember: I am your Master. One must finish what they start. Until you have learned even ten percent of my skill, don't even think about leaving the mountain. Otherwise, you'll only ruin my reputation out there. Do you understand?"
"If I learn it, I can go down the mountain?"
Seeing the other woman's face turn grim again, she hurriedly explained, "I meant going down to play! Don't misunderstand!"
Only then did the expression soften, a corner of her mouth curling up. "Since Ruo'er has such thoughts, your Master doesn't mind granting your wish. The antidote to the Hundred Flowers Gu is on my person. Whenever you manage to steal it, that will be the day you have completed your training and can leave the mountain."
"Hey, hey, hey! That's harder than learning ten percent of your skill! You're moving the goalposts!"
*How can someone be so foolish?* The "ten percent" comment was just a metaphor. How could she... On second thought, Nan Muxue couldn't help but laugh. She really was adorably stupid.
***
The next day.
"Young Palace Master."
"The Great Protector is not staying at the Palace? What are you doing down the mountain? Things are unstable lately; you must be more careful in all matters."
Nan Yunshuang’s face was truly expressionless, like a block of frost. "Are you not being too indulgent with Chu Ruo? To not hesitate to offend Flying Roc Fort for her sake is truly foolish."
"The Great Protector receives news quickly. I have my own plans and have prepared for every contingency. If he dares to come, I shall meet him with whatever is necessary."
"That is not what I am concerned about," Nan Yunshuang looked at her. "Xue'er, you have changed."
She gave a crisp, blunt two-word reply: "I haven't."
"You cannot let her influence you. Even if she is exceptionally gifted, if she becomes a burden to you, then this pawn is better discarded."
"Do not touch her. She is my disciple. I will not let anyone harm her in the slightest."
"You truly have changed. I hope you will clear your head. While the Palace Master is in secluded meditation, handle this matter properly. If she continues to influence you, I will personally take action to eliminate the future trouble..."
*Shring!* A sword left its scabbard. "Yunshuang, we grew up together. Although these past few years, the relationship between you and the three of us... let's not mention it. In short, I do not wish to cross blades with you."
Both were extremely cold and people of few words, yet today they had said much, and every word cut to the heart. "Have you fallen in love with her?"
"No." She denied it. However, from the initial haze of uncertainty, someone as brilliant as she was could not fail to understand her own heart. It was love.
"Is it worth it? A selfish, ungrateful, and despicable person who, in a moment of crisis, was willing to reveal the secret passages of the Hundred Flowers Palace and even betray you—is she worth this?"
"No," Nan Muxue replied, her mind filled with the image of that person suffering through torture that day. "I believe in her. I believe in my Ruo'er. She would never betray me."
***
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
--- | --- | ---
飞鹏堡 | Flying Roc Fort | A powerful martial arts sect/fortress.
大护法 | Great Protector | A high-ranking guardian position in the Hundred Flowers Palace.
南云霜 | Nan Yunshuang | The name of the Great Protector of the Hundred Flowers Palace.
百花蛊 | Hundred Flowers Gu | A specialized poison/parasite used by the Hundred Flowers Palace to control people.
少宫主 | Young Palace Master | Nan Muxue's title within the sect.
