Master, Spare My Life: A Disciple's Sweet Rebellion | Chapter 242 | The Best Gift | Novela.app

Nan Muxue had said five days, but she already regretted it. She wondered how she had been so muddled as to agree to that woman’s request in the first place. As it turned out, Nan Muxue’s instincts were correct. Once Chu Ruo was released, she became like a kite with a broken string; not only did she fail to return on time, but she hadn’t even sent a single letter. “Tsk, tsk,” Duan Ning teased. “No way. You’ve missed her this much after only a few days?” “Get out.” “True, today is the Qiqiao Festival, after all...” Nangong Yan shot her a glare. “You and your big mouth. Xue’er, why don’t we all head down the mountain for a stroll? It’s quite lively out there today.” Nan Muxue’s responses came in clipped, one-word bursts. “Not going.” “She won’t be in any danger,” Nan Yunshuang spoke up. “There are people watching her along the way.” Duan Ning chimed in again. “Exactly, exactly! With her martial arts, it’s a miracle if she doesn’t hurt someone else.” Nan Muxue knew this, of course. Although she had agreed to let the woman go alone, disciples of the Hundred Flowers Palace had been secretly following her the entire way. Every detail—even the fact that she had eaten three servings of stinky tofu by the roadside—had been reported back with meticulous care. However, ever since that woman reached the branch sect, she hadn't budged. She was indeed busy with affairs, but she had already exceeded the deadline Nan Muxue had set without so much as a word of greeting. She was truly becoming more and more brazen, showing less and less regard for her. Yin Liuli asked, “We originally thought the matters there could be resolved quickly, but unexpected complications arose. It is indeed a bit thorny. Perhaps we should head over and have her return in our stead...” “No need. Since she wanted to go, let her be.” “Oh? From where I’m standing, it looks like someone’s eyes are about to spit fire. Sigh, our Holy Envoy is something else too—doesn't she know to send a message back? She’s left our Palace Master here fretting and worrying...” “Zi Yan of the Kuihua Pavilion has caught a malignant chill. The Second Protector shall go in her place.” Yin Liuli froze, casting a complaining look at the talkative Duan Ning before resigning herself to her fate. “Understood.” Duan Ning hurriedly said, “But someone else...” “The Second Protector is reserved and steady, while E Liba is naturally suspicious. She is the most suitable choice to go,” Nan Muxue said. “You... you’re just using this as an excuse!” Nan Muxue remained as cold as ever. “Yes. And what of it? It was caused by your own actions.” “How can you be so petty...” “Enough,” Yin Liuli sighed. “You just had to keep talking. Xue’er usually doesn't lower herself to bicker with you, but if you could have just said a few words less, this bitter chore wouldn't have fallen on my head.” “Liuli, I don’t care! We agreed we were all going out together today!” Nan Muxue rejected her flatly. “No.” “How excessive!” “Palace Master! Palace Master!” Xiao Guo’er ran in from outside, drenched in sweat, waving a letter in her hand. “A letter! From Chu...” With a sudden *whoosh*, a shadow flickered. By the time the others regained their senses, Nan Muxue was already standing back in her original spot, already reading the letter. The others crowded around, but she didn't have the heart to mind them. Even though the branch sect sent daily reports, and even though they shared the Heart-Linking Gu, she still couldn't set her mind at ease, fearing something might have happened to that woman. Thus, she tore the letter open the very instant it arrived. There weren't many words on the paper—just a few lines written in a characteristically improper, playful style. Duan Ning’s eyes widened as she read: *“Wifey, you miss me, don’t you? I miss you too. I’ll be back very soon.”* “Psh, I thought it was something important. Just this?” Angry as she was, Nan Muxue’s hanging heart finally settled a little. She shouldn't have agreed to let her go that day. Once this woman returned, she wouldn't be allowed to take another step away. “La la la, I’m back!” A figure flickered outside the door. “Did you get my letter? Wasn't I fast?” The others: “...” Nangong Yan looked at her. “So, this is what you meant by ‘very soon’?” “That’s right! Surprised? Excited? Hehe, I specifically told the people at the branch sect not to reveal my movements.” “Oh,” Nangong Yan leaned in, whispering a warning. “Ning’er just made Xue’er blow her top. Good luck to you. Yunshuang, let’s go.” Yin Liuli and Duan Ning also walked out in silent agreement, leaving a bewildered Chu Ruo behind. “But... what does that have to do with me?” *Creak—* The door closed. Chu Ruo smiled brightly. “Xue...” “Get out.” “Are you mad? That was Duan Ning offending you, not me...” “What do you think?” “I think... I think,” she walked over anyway, “that I came back just in time, right? I made it for the Qiqiao Festival.” Nan Muxue narrowed her eyes. “I suspect you were lingering at the branch sect, forgetting to return...” “No, no, I was thinking of you every second!” “I gave you five days. How long have you been gone?” “Well, other things came up...” “And not even a letter?” “I figured the others were reporting my situation to you every day anyway...” “Scram!” Despite the command, Chu Ruo reached out and wrapped her arms around the other woman. “You’re so angry, you definitely didn't prepare a gift for me, did you?” Annoyed as she was—and she had already planned exactly how to punish her—the moment Chu Ruo leaned in, Nan Muxue’s anger seemed to evaporate. She wanted to hug her back, but out of spite, she refused to give in. Seeing that the woman’s hands were empty, she gave a cold snort. “And what of you? What have you prepared?” “What a coincidence,” Chu Ruo tilted her head and kissed her. “This year’s gift is me.” “Sophistry.” Chu Ruo shook her head. “I have delivered myself back to your side.”