"Hey, your other disciples have all gone off to play," Xiao Guo’er said, looking at Chu Ruo with confusion. "Why are you and Nan’er still here?"
Chu Ruo tilted her head toward Nan’er, who was practicing her forms nearby. "Letting her practice a bit longer."
"Did she get in trouble again?"
"What kind of talk is that? How could my disciple be anything but well-behaved?"
"I don't know about that. Someone once got tricked into standing out in the rain all night," Xiao Guo’er scoffed. "It’s rare to see you actually acting like a Master. I heard people saying you were quite strict with her, but I thought they were joking."
Chu Ruo crossed her arms. "This girl is studious. Despite her young age, she doesn't have much of a playful streak. She’s different from the other little disciples. Since she’s determined and willing to endure hardship, I, as her Master, have to teach her properly."
"True. I’ve never seen a child with so much... perseverance. Yes, perseverance. She can hold a horse stance for hours without budging. Not many of us could do that when we were kids."
"Of course. Look whose disciple she is. Wait, what do you mean 'rarely acting like a Master'? Are my other disciples not good? They even won the match against Duan Ning’s disciples earlier."
"I know, I know, you’ve said it a hundred times," Xiao Guo’er patted her shoulder. "You know, the Palace Master didn't want you taking disciples before. Now, not only has she allowed it, but you’ve taken in a whole crowd. How did you convince her?"
Chu Ruo shook her head with a smile. "It wasn't me who convinced her. Back then, I wanted disciples out of a selfish desire for fun. Later, I realized that when we grow old, Baihua Palace will need a successor—or rather, a protector. This century-old foundation shouldn't end with me. But what Xue’er was thinking... she was worried that if she left first, I’d have disciples to keep me company. Otherwise, with how possessive she is, how could she ever agree to let me take disciples?"
Xiao Guo’er was moved. "The Palace Master... she’s always so good to you, giving you her whole heart."
"I know. That’s why I’ll never let her down. Xiao Guo’er, we’re all going to grow old. You’re the Head Disciple; you need to help me look after them. They are the future of Baihua Palace."
"I will, obviously. And there are the Protectors too. But you’re making me feel all gloomy. We’re still young; why are we talking about getting old?"
"Life passes in the blink of an eye, especially when you’re with the one you love..."
Xiao Guo’er covered her ears. "I can't take it! Go, go, I’m done talking to you."
Chu Ruo chuckled and walked over to Nan’er. "Alright, that’s enough for today."
"No..."
"You must listen. I know you aren't afraid of hardship, but you’re still young. Forcing your body will only be counterproductive, understand?"
Only then did Nan’er stop. "Yes."
"Do you feel like I’m harder on you than the others?"
"Master is tempering me."
"That stubborn streak of yours is exactly like your Mistress’s. Starting tomorrow, you don't need to practice here. Go to the Cold Ice Cave."
Nan’er looked at her in disbelief. "Master, the Cold Ice Cave is..."
It was a place only the Palace Master was permitted to enter. Chu Ruo smiled at her. "Then you must practice even harder. Do not let down my expectations."
"Yes! This disciple will work tirelessly!"
"Alright, go play with the others for a bit," Chu Ruo said, crouching down. "Nan’er, people need to interact and socialize. Besides, at your age, you really should be playing to your heart's content."
Nan’er hesitated slightly but eventually nodded obediently. "Yes."
Chu Ruo watched with satisfaction as the girl ran toward the group of disciples playing together. Having finished teaching, it was now time to find her wife.
Chu Ruo searched nearly the entire Baihua Palace. She hadn't expected her "Little Scorpion" to be in the kitchen.
Just as Nan Muxue was about to lift a steaming pot off the stove, she was suddenly embraced from behind. A scruffy-haired dog bounded out from the side, its tail wagging furiously as it panted and circled around them.
Though she usually disliked such things, Nan Muxue reached out to pat the dog, Wotou. "Why did you bring him?"
"He followed the scent himself," Chu Ruo said, resting her head on Nan Muxue’s left shoulder. "Wife~"
Nan Muxue spoke softly. "What is it?"
"Why did you run off to this place? It’s a good thing my little Wotou was here, or I never would have found you."
"Is that a complaint?"
"I wouldn't dare."
Nan Muxue turned to face her beloved. "Finished with training?"
"Mhm. I told Nan’er to go to the Cold Ice Cave starting tomorrow."
"I see," Nan Muxue replied, then added, "You only remembered me after you were done with your precious disciple."
"No, no, no," Chu Ruo winked playfully. "You’re my only precious one~"
"Such a sweet tongue. What trouble have you caused now?"
"Can't you think better of me? For instance, maybe I just want to ask for a..."
*Mwah.*
Nan Muxue had already leaned in quickly, leaving a familiar kiss on her cheek.
Chu Ruo’s face beamed with happiness. "Can't I have one more?"
Naturally, the woman she loved would indulge her as always.
"Mmm, so sweet," Chu Ruo grinned. "Quick, tell me, what made you think of coming to the kitchen? No wonder you’ve been disappearing every now and then lately."
"You were so busy watching over your disciple, you still had time to notice me?"
"You’re being difficult. How could a disciple be more important than my wife? Tell me."
"It’s nothing. I had some free time, so I thought I’d try my hand at cooking."
"Oh? What inspired my wife?"
Nan Muxue arched an eyebrow. "Is your back itching for a lesson again?"
*...Always threatening to poke my pressure points, you little scor—* "Aha! Let me see what there is to eat. Wow, wife, it’s all my favorites! I knew it—are you trying to win over my stomach to capture my heart?"
Nan Muxue tilted Chu Ruo’s chin up. "Is that even necessary?"
Chu Ruo reached out to hug her. "True. I’ve been held in the palm of your hand for a long time, Xue’er~"
Nan Muxue was surprised by the sudden display of emotion but held her tight in return. "You... what’s come over you now?"
"Don't you know I’m the sentimental type?"
"I think you’re just the shameless type."
For once, Chu Ruo didn't bicker back. Instead, she said, "You let me take so many disciples because you wanted me to have company in the future. But if you die, I’ll die too, so I won't be alone anyway. Why are you always so afraid of me being lonely?"
"You like excitement and crowds. Isn't this better? Whether in life or death, someone will be by your side."
"But what if you die? You’d leave me all alone. That’s so cruel. How could anyone else ever replace you? None of them are my Xue’er. I only want you."
Nan Muxue kissed her. "Then you must live well. Treasure your life a little more."
"Alright. For you, I will live well."
That night, as they were preparing for bed, Nan Muxue was flipping through the Wordless Heavenly Book. This displeased Chu Ruo, who propped herself up and snatched the book away. "What are you looking at? No looking."
"You..."
"I couldn't even be bothered to study it anymore, yet you’ve picked it up?"
"I’ve been free lately with nothing to do. You’re busy with other things all day, yet you have the nerve to nag me?"
"Why do I feel like there’s a hidden meaning in your words? Are you complaining about me?"
Nan Muxue gently tugged on both of Chu Ruo’s ears. "Are you sure you aren't hiding anything from me lately?"
*Cough.* "No..."
"Ruo’er?"
"I’m not."
Nan Muxue’s expression went blank again. "Fine. Go to sleep."
*...This little scorpion, she’s sulking again.* "Wife?" Chu Ruo sighed in defeat. "Alright, alright, I’ll tell you."
"Speak."
"How is it that you’re always inside my head?"
"Hurry up. What are you hiding?"
"First, tell me how you knew I was hiding something."
Nan Muxue stared at her face, a face she felt she could never tire of looking at. "Everything you do is written on your face. Besides, when we were down the mountain, you went to the brothel every day and came back so late. What were you doing?"
"I didn't mean to lie to you. I just didn't want to tell you until I was certain."
"Is there anything between us that requires you to be 'certain' before you can speak? You dummy."
That "dummy" made Chu Ruo’s head spin with affection. She leaned in to kiss her, but Nan Muxue stopped her. "Speak."
"Fine, I’ll say it," Chu Ruo looked at her, her voice cautious. "I suspect... that Nan’er is of the Nan family bloodline."
