Chu Ruo was busy—extraordinarily, exceptionally, and utterly swamped.
It was the usual mountain of tasks: the internal affairs of the Hundred Flowers Palace, the expansion of their various branches, and the martial arts world matters they were responsible for as Alliance Leaders. On top of that, she had the Muxue and Xueruo Pavilions to manage. Between her own cultivation and teaching her disciples—especially the focused training required for Nan’er—she even had to look after the litter of puppies Wotou and his mate had produced. From dawn until dusk, she was run off her feet, realizing for the first time in her life that the higher one’s position, the more burdens one carried.
Although Nan Muxue had already implemented a hierarchical structure within the Hundred Flowers Palace to delegate minor chores, many significant matters remained under their direct control. Power could not be handed over to just anyone, after all. With the New Year approaching, Chu Ruo’s schedule grew more frantic by the day. Yet, out of love for her wife, she refused to let Nan Muxue intervene. It was no exaggeration to say she rose earlier than a rooster and went to bed later than a dog.
Inevitably, Nan Muxue began to feel the sting of worry. One day, she finally spoke up. "Ruo’er."
Chu Ruo was currently hunched over a stack of ledgers. Other tasks were manageable, but these accounts made her want to tear her hair out; she couldn't understand why the numbers never seemed to balance the same way twice. Without looking up, she hummed, "Hmm? What is it?"
"Let’s find you an assistant."
"Hmm? Wait, what?" Chu Ruo paused, blinking in a daze. "An assistant?"
Nan Muxue sat in her lap. "Yes. There is too much to do right now, and the palace will only get busier in the future. You should have someone to help you."
"I don't think it's necessary. I can handle it. Besides, I have Duan Ning, Mo Fei, and the others helping me."
"They each have their own duties; they aren't free. Furthermore," Nan Muxue smiled, "should the grand Palace Master not have someone to attend to her? Let’s find someone else to assist you."
Chu Ruo joked, "And you won't be jealous?"
Nan Muxue arched an eyebrow. "Then I shall handle the palace affairs myself."
"Forget I said anything. I’ve worked so hard to pamper you into your current state; I don't want you turning back into a workaholic like before."
"It is too much for you alone."
"It’s fine, really." Chu Ruo rested her head against her wife’s chest. "Xue’er, when I’m busy with all this, I wonder how you did it back then. You had your mother looming over you, yet you managed everything perfectly and still found the heart to take care of me. How are you so incredible?"
"You are no less capable than I am now."
Chu Ruo shook her head. "I’m far behind you. My goal is simple: to fulfill the promise I made when we married. From then on, I would take over everything so you could lean on me and never have to be exhausted again."
Nan Muxue cupped her face. "We are wives. We should face everything together."
"Alright, alright, but leave the palace affairs to me. You looked after me in the past; now it’s my turn to repay the favor."
"You... you used to look for every excuse to laze around, yet now you’re being suspiciously diligent."
"Tsk, are you saying I have ulterior motives?"
"Don't you?"
"You caught me." Nan Muxue teased her, "What a bold thief, coming to my Hundred Flowers Palace. What exactly are you after?"
"Well, I originally saw how wealthy you were and wanted to skim some off the top. But now, I’ve changed my mind." She leaned in for a kiss. "I’m after a woman’s heart. I want her to love me forever."
The search for an assistant drew teasing from the other Guardians, especially Duan Ning.
"Oh? Usually, you’re as stingy as can be, yet I hear you suggested this yourself. I suppose after being married for a while, love really does fade," Duan Ning remarked.
Nan Muxue remained expressionless as she faced the others. "She is so busy she has no time to spend with me."
"Is it just me, or do I hear a complaint that we aren't helpful enough?"
"Aren't the four of you planning to get married?"
The women blushed. Aside from Mo Fei, who was still single and felt a bit awkward, the other four had indeed approached Nan Muxue together. She was, after all, the Palace Master. Even if their weddings couldn't be public spectacles, someone had to preside over them. In truth, it was seeing Chu Ruo and Nan Muxue finally find happiness together that gave the others the confidence and hope to persevere. It was only right that the couple should officiate. Nan Gongyan’s face was flushed. "That won't interfere with our daily work."
Nan Yunshuang asked, "Is it not a bit risky to bring in someone new to handle the palace's secrets?"
"I will be watching. This person will only handle Ruo’er’s trivial matters. Although the palace affairs are being delegated layer by layer, the primary decision-making power remains with us," Nan Muxue said, looking at them. "You all should start training your own successors as well."
Duan Ning asked jokingly, "Is this a divestment of power?"
Though it was a joke, Yin Liuli spoke up for Nan Muxue. "Once married, one should focus on their beloved and cherish their time together. That is enough for a lifetime."
Whenever she thought of that person, a smile would unconsciously grace Nan Muxue's lips. "We grew up together. Now that Ruo’er and I have achieved our hearts' desire, naturally, I hope the same for you."
The sisterly bond between them was genuine. Hearing this, their eyes grew misty. Duan Ning’s eyes were particularly red. "And here I was, making fun of you just now."
Nan Gongyan teased her, "That’s because you’ve always had the heart of a cynic."
"You—!"
"I’ve already set the dates for after the New Year. Take a look, and if there are no issues, I will have the arrangements made."
"We’ll follow your lead."
"In the future, you will be the Great Elders of the Hundred Flowers Palace."
Moved, they all looked toward her. "Xue’er..."
"Enough. The candidates should be arriving."
Nan Muxue was referring to the potential assistants for Chu Ruo. Today was the day to pick a suitable one.
Xiao Guo’er and A-Yue entered, announcing that everything was ready. Nan Muxue nodded, signaling to begin.
Everyone was curious, but as soon as the first candidate walked in, Nan Muxue frowned. "Next."
The others hadn't even reacted. "What happened? Just like that?"
Then came the second, the third, and the fourth. Most were dismissed before they could even speak. One fared slightly better, managing to say, "Greetings, Palace Master," before suffering the same fate. No one understood what was happening. Why were they being sent away without a second glance?
Finally, Mo Fei whispered, "I think I know why."
"Why?" Duan Ning grabbed her arm and shook it. "Oh, just say it! You're killing me!"
"It might be because..." Mo Fei scratched her head, whispering sheepishly, "Because they are all women."
"Huh? But the Hundred Flowers Palace is all women. She can't exactly find a man to help her; Xue’er would never agree to that."
"No," Mo Fei looked at them, wondering how these usually sharp Guardians could be so dense. Glancing at the still-frowning Palace Master, she lowered her voice even further. "They are all... beautiful."
A moment of silence followed as the realization dawned on them. Then, they all struggled to suppress their laughter. Nan Gongyan nudged the person next to her. "That’s it. Look at Xue’er’s reaction."
Afraid Nan Muxue would hear, they covered their mouths. Duan Ning whispered back, "Exactly! I was wondering why she dismissed them without a word. And that one who spoke—her voice was actually quite lovely."
Yin Liuli added, "I was wondering too. Given how protective Xue’er is of Chu Ruo, how could she be so generous as to find her an assistant?"
Mo Fei was confused. "But the Palace Master suggested it herself."
"Ah, you don't understand. On one hand, she’s worried about her precious husband being overworked. But on the other hand, the thought of giving her an assistant makes her miserable."
Nan Gongyan leaned into Nan Yunshuang. "What do you think?"
Just then, Nan Muxue said those same words again: "Next."
"Palace Master," Xiao Guo’er looked at the register, replying awkwardly, "There are... no more."
"Is there no one left in the Hundred Flowers Palace?"
"This..."
"If there is no one here, look outside the palace."
Xiao Guo’er and A-Yue exchanged looks but braced themselves. "Yes."
Nan Yunshuang spoke up then. "It won't work."
"What?"
"She won't accept a single one of them."
The others stifled their laughter. "You’re being a bit too direct, aren't you?"
"I wouldn't be so sure," Duan Ning said with a mischievous grin. "If Xue’er doesn't want pretty ones, then let’s find her some..."
A few days later, they selected another group. Nan Muxue conducted the interviews again, and the results were just as disappointing.
Looking at the candidates outside, Nan Muxue glared at the Guardians in the room. "These are what you call 'suitable'?"
"You didn't want the pretty ones, so we thought the plain ones would do," Duan Ning muttered.
Nan Muxue’s voice turned cold. "Everyone, out."
Once they were outside, Duan Ning curled her lip. "She’s still unhappy. What exactly does she want?"
"Why doesn't anyone ask me what I want? I’m the one who needs the assistant, after all."
"Chu Ruo? Ah—no, Palace Master, why are you here?"
"Oh, stop it," Chu Ruo laughed as she walked over. "I’m here for Xue’er, obviously. Her quest to find me an assistant is already common knowledge throughout the palace."
"You might as well give up. She hasn't liked a single one."
Chu Ruo waved them off. "That’s exactly why I’m here. You all head back first."
"Are you so impatient that you’re going to ask for one directly?"
Nan Yunshuang, however, said, "I think she already has someone in mind."
"Didn't you say last time she wouldn't pick anyone?"
Nan Yunshuang smiled but said nothing. Some things could only be understood between the two people involved.
"Ahem..." Chu Ruo entered the room, letting out a deliberate cough. "You’ve chased everyone away."
Nan Muxue didn't speak, so Chu Ruo took the initiative to hug her. "What’s wrong? Not even talking to me?"
"It’s nothing."
"Wife, you look like you’re about to explode from frustration."
"I am not."
Chu Ruo chuckled. "Where is the assistant you picked for me?"
"Are you in such a hurry?"
"I believe you were the one who insisted on finding me one. I heard you weren't satisfied with any of them. Are you having second thoughts?"
Nan Muxue’s expression remained unchanged. "No."
"Well then, it just so happens I have a candidate in mind."
Nan Muxue turned her head away. "Who?"
Chu Ruo leaned in and whispered into her ear, "You."
When Nan Muxue turned back, she met those shimmering eyes. Her beloved was grinning widely. "In your words, you’ve been fussing around these past few days... don't pinch me, don't pinch! Actually, I told you before, I can do it alone. I don't need an assistant. You wouldn't listen, and now you’re not satisfied with anyone. Thinking it over, it’s best if you help me. After all, we are of one heart."
"You..."
"Xue’er, I don't need an assistant. If there is to be someone by my side, it must be you."
"You certainly know how to put me to work."
"So, do you agree?"
"Seeing how sincere you are, I suppose I shall agree."
And so, in the end, Chu Ruo never did find an assistant.
***
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Master, Spare My Life: A Disciple's Sweet Rebellion | Chapter 237 | The Perfect Assistant | Novela.app | Novela.app
