Nan Muxue made an announcement to the martial arts world, which only served to make the already year-end-busy Chu Ruo even more overwhelmed.
For instance, at this very moment, when Nan Muxue entered the room, Chu Ruo didn’t even lift her head. She merely offered a distracted "You're here," before returning to her work, buried in the scrolls and ledgers before her.
Nan Muxue sat in her lap for nearly half an hour, yet Chu Ruo still hadn't uttered another word. Finally, unable to endure the neglect any longer, Nan Muxue slammed the ledger shut with a sharp *thwack!*
Only then did Chu Ruo look up. "Xue'er? I'm right in the middle of—"
"From the moment I walked in until now, have you spared me even a single glance?"
"Are you angry?" Chu Ruo finally pulled her into a proper embrace. "I just have so much to do. Be good, wait until I finish this little bit..."
"Try flipping another page and see what happens."
"Xue'er..."
Nan Muxue pinched her ear. "It seems you haven't taken a single word I've said to heart."
"I remember every single word and syllable my wife says with perfect clarity."
"Is that so?"
Chu Ruo grinned. "‘Now that I’ve married you, your heart isn't allowed to wander elsewhere.’ Was it that one?"
Only then did Nan Muxue release her ear, though she still let out a cold huff. "Remembering it only makes you more wicked."
"I know I’ve been a bit busy these past few days, but wasn't that all because of you?"
Nan Muxue arched an eyebrow. "You’re getting better and better at shifting the blame."
"Not this time." Chu Ruo pulled her closer. "Ever since you notified the entire martial arts world that you’ll be stepping down as the Alliance Leader in three years to hold a new election, letters from every major sect have been pouring in. I can’t even keep up with the replies. There are only a few days left until the New Year, and you chose now to pull a stunt like this."
"Do I detect a hint of resentment?"
Chu Ruo kissed her hand. "I just want to know what you’re thinking. Hasn't it been the wish of every previous Sect Leader of the Baihua Palace to unite the martial arts world? You finally reached the summit, yet you only intend to stay for three years. Have you really thought this through?"
"It is but a hollow title. Having attained it once is enough to say I haven't failed my predecessors. It is lonely at the top; three years is enough time for these sects to recover their strength. A tall tree attracts the wind—I do not wish for the Baihua Palace to become a target for all once again."
"True. No one will submit to the same person forever. A new election every three years with no consecutive terms will also prevent any one house from becoming too powerful. But... is that all? No other reason?"
Gazing at her face, Nan Muxue gave her the same honest answer she always did. "I told you the reason long ago. My only goal for the rest of my life is you. Being number one in the world has long since ceased to matter to me."
"My little viper... do you have any idea how peerless that silver tongue of yours is when you're coaxing someone?"
"You..."
Chu Ruo had already leaned in for a kiss. "Xue'er~"
When the kiss ended, Chu Ruo tried to press forward again, but she was held back. Nan Muxue looked at her with a half-smile. "What, no need to stay busy?"
"With a beauty in my arms, soft and fragrant, how could I have the heart for work..."
"I didn't see such devotion when I first walked in."
"I—"
Nan Muxue blocked her again. "Better get back to your palace duties."
"You... you... you might as well have found me an assistant!"
Nan Muxue laughed. "I offered to find you one before, and you were the one who refused. You only get one chance."
"That’s only because you’re so petty and love to get jealous over nothing! Ow—!"
"Keep talking. Let's see just how much courage you've grown lately..."
*No, no, can't dwell on that topic, or I'll get it again.* "Let's head down the mountain in a couple of days."
"Want to take Nan'er along?"
"Ha, as expected of my wife—brilliant as always." Chu Ruo nodded. "The New Year is coming. Let's take her to see her younger brother and that kind grandmother. It’s the New Year; a family should be together."
"Ruo'er, do you find me cold-hearted for not allowing that child into the Palace?"
"No. You’ve already done everything you could. You gave them silver and found people to look after them..."
"The Baihua Palace never accepts males. He wouldn't necessarily fare well here. Besides... there can only be one successor."
Chu Ruo hummed in agreement. "I understand you, of course. My Xue'er is a woman with a sharp tongue but a soft heart."
"Except toward you."
"Oh? Then what are you toward me?"
Nan Muxue leaned in for a kiss of her own. "A cruel-hearted little viper."
Chu Ruo smacked her lips. "I see. Sweet lips, and a smooth tongue~"
***
Two days later, they took Nan'er down the mountain.
"Master," Nan'er whispered.
Chu Ruo lowered her voice. "Is your Mistress asleep?"
"Yes."
"Right, then I’m heading out. You keep watch..."
Nan'er asked, "Why do you have to sneak out?"
"To buy her a gift! It’s called a surprise. Even old married couples need them. Forget it, you’re too young to understand. I’m off."
Chu Ruo went out thinking of a gift to coax her little viper. After all, she really had been dizzy with work lately, and it was only natural for the other woman to have grievances. As she was looking around, a child accidentally bumped into her.
"Sorry!" The boy was in a frantic rush, clutching something as he ran ahead. Chu Ruo smiled and followed him.
Over the course of the afternoon, Chu Ruo watched as the boy used a pile of wild fruit to trade for a stick of candied haws, then for a beautiful sugar figurine. Just when she thought the lad was going to eat it, he turned around and traded it for something else. By the end, he had actually managed to trade up to a slab of high-quality pork and even had a few copper coins left over. He walked off happily with his prize.
By the time Chu Ruo returned to Muxue Pavilion, it was already late. She knew she had dawdled too long, and sure enough, the little viper was already waiting for her, her face as grim as could be.
"Xue'er," she hurried over with a beaming smile. "I didn't go to any brothels this time! I just wandered the streets for a bit."
"Wandered until now?"
"You have no idea. This afternoon I ran into a kid who turned a bag of wild fruit into a big piece of meat and still had change left over. He’s a natural-born businessman!"
"And you just watched that until now?"
"And this, and this!" She hurriedly pulled out a gift—it was actually just a cheap little trinket, but it was meant to make her happy. "For you. I know I haven't spent much time with you lately, so this is my apology."
Nan Muxue’s expression softened slightly as she took it. "Ruo'er..." A second later, her voice turned cold again. "Where did you get the money?"
*Finished.* Chu Ruo knew she was done for today. *Woe is me. I kindly used what little was left of my secret savings to buy you a gift, and I still end up getting scolded. What kind of life is this?*
The next day, Nan'er took them to her home. When Chu Ruo saw the person there, she started laughing.
Nan'er's younger brother looked at her, seeming to have a vague memory. "You..."
"Kid, remember me?" From the first moment she saw him yesterday, she was certain this little fellow was Nan'er's brother. They were twins, after all; their features were nearly identical.
"Yesterday... I think I bumped into you."
"Good memory. Where’s the meat you traded for? All eaten?"
"How do you know I..."
"I know a lot of things. I am your sister's Master. So, tell me, what should you call me?"
Nan Muxue watched her from the side. "Are you thinking of taking another disciple?"
"You caught me. His head is so sharp; I’ll have him manage my Muxue Pavilion in the future."
Nan Muxue smiled. "You certainly know how to plan ahead."
"It's nothing special. I learned it all from my Master."
The group shared a simple meal there. The grandmother who had cared for the siblings was quite old but very warm-hearted. She thanked them profusely for the money and the people sent to look after them, which made Chu Ruo feel a bit embarrassed. Though they were siblings, Nan'er had been taken to the Baihua Palace to be properly trained, while this child couldn't go up the mountain. Thus, after the meal, Chu Ruo asked him if he was willing to go to another place—her Muxue Pavilion.
Nan'er's brother was named Dong'er—a name chosen perhaps a bit too casually. He looked at Chu Ruo. "I know who you are. Big Sister told me."
Chu Ruo looked at him, then at Nan'er. "Do you hate us?"
The siblings shook their heads in unison. "No. Big Sister and I can eat our fill now, we have good clothes, and we have money to buy medicine for Grandma. That is already very good."
Chu Ruo felt her nose tingle with sadness. How much had such young children suffered to be able to say such things? "You two..."
"Master," Nan'er spoke up. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. Kid, are you willing to take me as your Master and go to another place?"
"I want to take care of Grandma."
"You can bring Grandma with you. There will be more people to look after her there."
"Really?"
"Yes. Ask your sister if my word is good."
Dong'er immediately dropped to his knees. "Disciple greets Master."
***
That night, Chu Ruo bragged to the woman beside her on the pillow. "Both of your Nan family children have taken me as their Master now. Haha!"
"Foolish."
"You—"
Nan Muxue leaned against her and asked, "You plan to send him to Muxue Pavilion?"
"Yes. With Granny Hua and the others there—she’s so good at business, the boy won't go wrong learning from her. Besides, it’ll be easier for people to look after them. I thought about Caifeng’s side, but her place is for gathering intelligence. Better the Muxue Pavilion. Let him focus on business in the future and stay out of these martial arts affairs."
Nan Muxue narrowed her eyes lazily. "Mmh. You decide."
"You’re just going to dump your Nan family descendants on me like this? Aren't you afraid I won't teach them well?"
"So talkative..."
Chu Ruo looked down and saw that the other woman was already drifting off to sleep. She kissed her forehead. "Xue'er, when Nan'er is a bit older, we can let go of everything and stop worrying about the rest of the world. Then I’ll take you everywhere. When we’re too old to walk, we’ll buy a grand estate. Every day I’ll hold you and watch the sunrise and the sunset. I’ll hold your hand, and I’ll never let go."
In her drowsiness, Nan Muxue reached out and kissed her beloved. "Alright."
***
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
--- | --- | ---
东儿 | Dong'er | Nan'er's twin brother.
盟主 | Alliance Leader | The leader of the martial arts alliance.
小蛇蝎 | Little Viper | Chu Ruo's teasing nickname for Nan Muxue (lit. Little Snake-Scorpion).
私房钱 | Secret savings | Money kept hidden from one's spouse; "mad money."
花老太 | Granny Hua | An elder associated with Muxue Pavilion.
彩凤 | Caifeng | A character likely managing an intelligence network for Chu Ruo.
