When Nan Muxue opened her eyes, she was met with that familiar face. She never grew weary of it, offering only a tender smile. "What is this? You aren't being lazy today?"
"Have I ever been lazy?" Chu Ruo leaned in close. "If I have, it’s only because of you. Who wouldn't lose themselves in such a land of tenderness?"
"In the past, when I made you practice your martial arts, you thought of every way possible to sneak a nap. Now that I’m letting you rest, you refuse to sleep."
Chu Ruo nodded in agreement. "It’s strange, isn't it? Back then, I felt like I could never get enough sleep in a day. Now, I don't seem to need much at all."
Nan Muxue let out a soft laugh, uttering three words that nearly made Chu Ruo choke with indignation: "Glutton for punishment."
"You're the one who—" Chu Ruo started, but her weak point was instantly pinched, forcing her to pile on a smile instead. "I am, I am. I’m the glutton, alright?"
Only then did Nan Muxue release her. "If you dare speak so recklessly again..."
*Chuckle.*
Faced with that light laugh, Nan Muxue didn't press the matter. Feeling somewhat languid, she eventually closed her beautiful eyes and remained reclining. "What are you laughing at?"
"I was thinking that I’m the only one who gets to see you like this." Chu Ruo kissed her jade-like hand. "Xue’er, you’re truly adorable."
"Is that so? Well, you are indeed the only one who gets to kiss and embrace me daily."
"It’s different. Anyway, your other side is for my eyes only. My 'Little Scorpion' keeps a cold, sour face like a block of ice in front of outsiders, but right now, your smile is so gentle." She gave another soft kiss. "It’s intoxicating."
Unfortunately, despite the beautiful sentiment, Nan Muxue focused entirely on the "sour face" comment. "What did you say about me?"
"Ow! Ouch!"
Life was like this—a minor scuffle every three days, a playful beating every five. Sigh...
***
"Xue’er," Chu Ruo said, approaching her beloved. "Guess what I went to do?"
Nothing that happened within the Hundred Flowers Palace could escape Nan Muxue’s eyes, yet she played along. "What did you do?"
"Heh, I planted a few trees over by Quiet Lake. In the future, we can enjoy the shade beneath them."
"Then you’ll be waiting a long time."
"That’s fine. I have you with me."
Nan Muxue wanted to smile inwardly, but her expression remained neutral. "You’re so sure I’ll be with you in the future?"
Chu Ruo interlaced their fingers. "Of course. Otherwise, who else would you want to be with?"
"I haven't decided yet. However, I could consider divorcing you first."
"Hey, you Little Scorpion! What did I do to deserve a divorce? If anyone’s doing the divorcing, it should be— Alright, alright, that’s enough! You’re so double-standard every time. You can say whatever you want, but the moment I speak, you start hitting."
"You’re thick-skinned and sturdy; can't you take a few hits?"
"Don't you hit me enough on a regular basis?"
To her surprise, Nan Muxue actually nodded. "Indeed, I have been lax in my supervision."
"Ha! You just can't put down that air of being my Master, can you?"
"Is there a problem with a Master disciplining her disciple?"
Chu Ruo pressed against her lips. "I’m much more than just your disciple."
"Which is why you need even more discipline."
"Fine, fine."
As they were laughing and joking, a group of puppies came scurrying in noisily. Chu Ruo took the opportunity to scoop one up. "Each one is so chubby and round. Wotou and his mate are nowhere to be found all day, yet they know to drop the puppies off with us."
"They were brought to you. It has nothing to do with me."
"Why must you be so stubborn?"
Nan Muxue stared at her. "It wasn't enough for you to look after Nan'er; now you've brought dogs into this as well."
"Why does that sound like you're insulting me?"
"Do you have a problem with it?"
"I am utterly convinced and submissive."
Nan Muxue reached out to stroke her face. "Enough. What is it you want to say?"
"I don't—"
Nan Muxue pressed against her lips. "Speak while I’m still in the mood to listen. If you don't..."
"Wait, I’ll speak, I’ll speak!" Chu Ruo rubbed her head. "How do you always know when I have something on my mind? I clearly didn't do anything today, nor did I try to butter you up."
"Hmm?"
Chu Ruo placed two tiny "Wotous" on Nan Muxue’s lap. While petting the dogs, she said, "Actually, it’s nothing much. It’s not a big deal. There’s some trouble at the new branch we established in Shunzhou. I thought... I’d go over and take a look."
"It isn't a major matter; it’s not even worth sending Ning’er or Yan’er." However, Nan Muxue was always indulgent toward her beloved. "If you’ve been in the Palace too long and wish to go out for a stroll, there’s no harm in it. Pack your things over the next two days, and I shall accompany—"
"No," Chu Ruo stammered slightly. "I mean... I want to go by myself."
After rushing through the sentence, Chu Ruo didn't even dare lift her head. She stared intently at the puppies on the floor, waiting for the person in front of her to explode.
As expected, the atmosphere turned icy in an instant. The surrounding environment became chillingly oppressive. The rhythmic creaking of the rocking chair stopped abruptly. "By yourself?" Those two words sent a cold sweat down Chu Ruo's back. "So, you want to throw me off?"
"No, no!"
"Is there some lady friend of yours there?"
"How could there be? It’s so far from the Palace. You already know exactly how many people I know."
Nan Muxue’s gaze was sharp. "If you don't explain yourself clearly..."
Chu Ruo hurried to embrace her. "Xue’er, don't be jealous over nothing. Do you really trust me so little?"
Nan Muxue scoffed. "As if you haven't visited brothels enough."
"You... Xue’er~"
"What are you going to do there alone?"
This time, Chu Ruo spoke with a hint of earnestness. "I just want to prove that I have the ability to stand on my own now."
"I told you, you don't need to."
"Xue’er, ever since I came to this world, I’ve always been behind you, receiving your protection. Or it was Zhi’er... cough. In short, whenever I’m alone, things go poorly, and matters become even more complicated because of me. I said before that I hope to change one day, so I don't have to hide behind you anymore."
Nan Muxue smiled. "Is it not good to stay closely by my side? Ruo’er, since we married, you have done well enough."
"That’s why now is the time for me to gain experience. I want to go out alone just once."
"I cannot let you leave me again."
"Nothing will happen to us, right?" She kissed her. "On our wedding day, we said that nothing would ever part us again. One month. This time, I’ll only go for one month, alright?"
"No. It is too dangerous."
Chu Ruo resorted to her old trick of acting spoiled. "Xue’er, half a month then. Just half a month. Xue’er, I’m begging you~"
She was met with a stern refusal. "No."
Chu Ruo kissed her again. "Then ten days. I’ll definitely go and come back quickly."
"No—"
However, Chu Ruo’s lips had already begun to wander. "Wife... just for a little while..."
"Five days." Nan Muxue cupped that restless head. "Five days at most."
"The journey there and back takes four days. What can I do in just one day..."
"If you have an objection, then don't go."
"Don't, don't, don't! Five days it is. Hehe, my wife still dotes on me."
Then, a strange, unreadable light flashed in Nan Muxue’s eyes. "Yes. I’ll 'dote' on you."
Chu Ruo realized something was wrong and tried to bolt. "You—"
Unfortunately, she couldn't escape after all.
"Back to the room."
"But it’s broad daylight!"
"If you want to go, there is no room for negotiation. Back to the room!"
***
**Glossary**
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 静湖 | Quiet Lake | A scenic location within or near the Hundred Flowers Palace. |
| 顺州 | Shunzhou | A geographical location where the sect has a branch. |
| 窝头 | Wotou | Literally "steamed bun"; the name of Chu Ruo and Nan Muxue's dog. |
| 独当一面 | Stand on one's own | An idiom meaning to be capable of handling a situation independently. |
| 历练 | Gain experience / Tempering | Often used in Wuxia/Xianxia to describe a journey to improve one's skills and character. |
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