That day, Nan Muxue took Chu Ruo down the mountain once again.
"Xue’er, Xue’er, this is so pretty! I want it!"
"Xue’er, Xue’er, we can buy this for Nan’er."
"This one..."
"And this one too..."
By the time they returned to Muxue Pavilion, Chu Ruo collapsed onto the bed with a lazy sigh. "Mm, we really bought a lot of things today."
Nan Muxue let out a soft chuckle. She wondered how this woman managed to buy so much every single time without ever repeating herself. "You certainly enjoy running down the mountain every few days lately."
Chu Ruo reached out and yanked the woman standing by the bed down to lie beside her. "I told you I could go by myself, but you wouldn't let me."
"And let you go alone just so you can visit the brothels?"
Chu Ruo coughed awkwardly. "You don't give me a single copper coin these days. Even if I wanted to go, haven't you already had me blacklisted from every brothel in the area?"
"Oh? So you’re full of grievances, then?"
"Wife," Chu Ruo pleaded, shaking Nan Muxue’s arm playfully. "Just give me a little bit of money. Even a tiny bit would do. I’m a Palace Master, for heaven's sake. I dress all fancy, but if anyone looked in my pockets, they’d find I’m cleaner than a beggar. It’s embarrassing if word gets out..."
"You want money?"
Chu Ruo nodded like a woodpecker. "My darling Xue’er~"
"I’m thirsty..."
Before she could even finish the sentence, a cup of tea was brought before her. Nan Muxue didn't even have to move to take it; Chu Ruo took a sip herself, then leaned over to pass the liquid to Nan Muxue mouth-to-mouth. She wrapped her arms around Nan Muxue, and they tumbled back onto the bed together.
Chu Ruo grinned mischievously. "Wife."
"No matter how I look at it, you’re the one getting the better end of the deal."
"That’s not true, I—"
"After all that talk, it’s still just for a few taels of silver..."
Chu Ruo pressed closer. "Half and half. That’s only one of the reasons."
Nan Muxue hooked her arms around her lover’s neck. "Oh? And what else?"
"Naturally, it’s also to steal a kiss from my beauty..."
"Xue’er," Chu Ruo whispered, holding her wife close. "Even now, I still can’t believe we’re really together. That I actually married you."
"It’s been so long already," Nan Muxue said, brushing a stray lock of Chu Ruo’s hair aside. "Are you still so sentimental?"
"No matter how much time passes, I still feel like having you is a miracle."
Nan Muxue kissed her. "Ruo’er, I am right here in your arms."
"Mm. I can hold you, I can hold your hand and kiss you... Xue’er, do you know? It all feels like a dream because it’s just so wonderful."
"Ruo’er, I will stay by your side forever."
Chu Ruo buried her head in Nan Muxue’s chest. "Right now, I just want time to slow down so I can be with you longer. But whenever I’m with you, I feel like time moves so fast I can’t catch it. Look at Wotou—he was so tiny when I first brought him back, just a little thing. Now he’s so big. It makes me feel like we’re getting old."
Nan Muxue smiled. "The way you talk, it’s as if he were your own child."
"Wotou is great. He’s witnessed so many of our life-and-death moments. And now we have Nan’er. Hey, are you really comfortable leaving her to me? She’s the next successor of your Baihua Palace."
"Don't you like her quite a bit?"
"I do. Back then, I thought the girl was just like you—proud to her bones and stubborn. But she’s of your Nan bloodline. Leaving her to me... won't it...?"
Nan Muxue cupped Chu Ruo’s face. "Weren't you confident you could teach those young disciples well?"
"Nan’er is different. She’s..."
"There is no difference. Since I’ve entrusted her to you, I won't interfere."
"But I’m afraid I won't teach her well. The future of Baihua Palace—"
"Aren't you doing a decent enough job as Palace Master yourself?" Nan Muxue teased. "You were far more difficult to manage than she is."
"Tsk," Chu Ruo played along. "Why do I feel like you’re taking the opportunity to insult me?"
Nan Muxue didn't deny it. "Interpret it however you like."
"You—"
"Ruo’er, I gave her to you, and I won't question your methods. I have faith in my Ruo’er."
Chu Ruo pulled her into a tight embrace. "When you say it like that, the pressure is even worse."
"Since when does a shameless person like you feel pressure?"
Chu Ruo laughed. "Is it really okay to trust me this much?"
"I only want my Ruo’er. What does a mere Baihua Palace matter?"
"If your ancestors heard that, they’d rise from their graves just to strangle me."
"They’d have to get past me first."
Chu Ruo was touched. "Wife, how are you so good at sweet-talking?"
"Weren't you the one trying to please me just to get some money?"
"Ahem, you’re ruining the mood."
"So, does that mean you don't want it?"
"No!"
Nan Muxue nodded. "Since you said 'no,' then you truly don't want it."
"I do!" Chu Ruo panicked, hurriedly leaning in for a kiss. "Just give me a few measly coins as alms. I want to buy..."
"Hmm... no."
"Xue’er~ Wifey~"
"Whatever you want, I’ll buy it for you."
"Just give me the money..."
Nan Muxue gave a stern refusal. "No."
*No fun. No fun at all, you little...* Chu Ruo couldn't bring herself to scold her. "Everyone is going to laugh at me if you’re like this, especially Duan Ning."
"It’s not like it’s the first time you’ve been laughed at."
"You!"
Nan Muxue arched an eyebrow. "The money or me. You can only choose one."
Chu Ruo pouted. "You."
As her earlobe was captured in a searing kiss, she surrendered easily. "Xue’er, I only want you."
*Sigh. The Great Battle for Silver: Round One, Failure.*
