“Since we moved the palace affairs into our room, have you become too lazy to even get out of bed?”
Chu Ruo pulled her bedside companion closer. “I just can’t bear to be away from you.”
Nan Muxue let out a soft huff. “You’re just lazy.”
“That’s not very cute of you to say… I mean, Xue’er~”
Whenever she used that tone, Nan Muxue’s heart would inevitably soften. She wrapped her arms around Chu Ruo. “What is it now? Do you think acting like this makes everything alright?”
“Well, my Xue’er certainly wouldn't have the heart to do anything to me.”
“Oh?” Nan Muxue’s smile turned playful. “When did I ever admit to being yours?”
“You did! You are. You’re not just my Xue’er, you’re my wife, my Little Scorpion, and… cough, and my Yan’er.”
“Shameless.”
Chu Ruo replied with her usual refrain, “As long as I have you, what use do I have for a sense of shame?”
“Fine, enough. Don’t you have things to do today?”
“I…”
“Why are you hesitating? You are her master. Do you want me to be the one to speak to her?”
“I just feel like she’s still so young.”
Nan Muxue reached out and pinched Chu Ruo’s cheeks. “Since you intend for her to be the successor of Baihe Palace, you cannot spoil her. It is time for her to be tempered.”
Worry still clouded Chu Ruo’s face. “But Nan’er is only ten years old…”
“This mission isn't difficult. She will have to walk the martial world eventually. Ruo’er, I know you care for her. You may seem strict with her daily, but in truth, you protect her far too well. For the past three years, you’ve been terrified of her suffering even the slightest harm. But if you are this timid, how can you ever hand Baihe Palace over to her? Can you truly stay by her side for a lifetime?”
Chu Ruo nodded and let out a small sigh. “Even after being here for so long, I still can’t wrap my head around it sometimes. I always feel like Nan’er is just a child. But then, how could I forget? You were even younger than her back then. Xue’er,” she said, caressing her lover’s cheek, “I often think about how difficult things must have been for you. But I am also grateful—grateful that I could still meet you.”
“Ruo’er…”
A deep, affectionate call was, as usual, followed by a breathless kiss.
“Alright, crying first thing in the morning? What are you trying to coax out of me?”
Chu Ruo retorted indignantly, “I am not crying!”
Nan Muxue ignored her and moved to get up, but Chu Ruo clung to her. “Wait, you’re getting up already?”
“You’ve been dawdling. Are you going to see Nan’er or not?”
Chu Ruo lounged back with her legs crossed. “Actually, I gave her all the instructions a few days ago. Still, this is my little disciple’s first time descending the mountain for a mission. As her master, how could I possibly show no concern?”
This earned her a look of disdain. “Wordy.”
“Where are you going, then?”
“The study.”
“You’re not coming with me?”
Nan Muxue smiled. “The bond between master and disciple is deep. Why should I intrude on the fun?”
“Even so, you don’t have to go to the study.”
Nan Muxue sat down and fixed her gaze on Chu Ruo. The intensity of the look made Chu Ruo feel a bit guilty. “Wh-what? Did I say something wrong again?”
“You have the nerve to ask?”
“I didn’t…”
“The ledgers.”
With those two words, Chu Ruo shut her mouth obediently. She had moved most of the palace affairs to their room, but the ledgers were the one thing that gave her a headache every time she looked at them. She usually begged the Protectors to help her, but everyone had been busy lately. She had conveniently ‘forgotten’ about them, leaving the thick stacks of accounts to gather dust in the study.
“What, nothing to say?”
“I…”
“Fine. Come find me after you’ve seen Nan’er.”
“Then I’ll just come straight back to the room after—”
*Swish!*
Before leaving the room, Nan Muxue flicked a row of flying needles. Startled, Chu Ruo immediately ducked her head, and Nan Muxue departed, satisfied.
***
In the study…
*Sigh.*
*Sigh.*
*Sigh.*
Chu Ruo sat there, sighing loudly, but the other woman simply ignored her. At first, she was busy with the ledgers, but even now, when she had the leisure to play the zither, she still wouldn't pay Chu Ruo any mind. Chu Ruo huffed in frustration. *This wicked Little Scorpion! How long has it been since we married? Only three years and she’s already cold. Truly, the love has faded. Sigh.*
“Is your old ailment acting up again?”
Aha! Seeing that she had finally stopped—though the music was beautiful, Chu Ruo much preferred those hands holding her—she hurriedly pressed closer. “It’s clearly because you’re being too mean to me.”
“Hmm?”
Chu Ruo spoke with a pitiful pout. “You haven't kissed me at all lately.”
“Is that so?”
“Of course it is!”
Nan Muxue’s eyes were clearly full of doting affection, yet she refused to let herself smile. “Then tell me, how long has it been?”
“Almost an hour! Hurry up and kiss me.”
Nan Muxue always yielded to her demands. “You really are prone to exaggeration.”
As her lover’s lips met hers, Chu Ruo closed her eyes in contentment and wrapped her arms around her. “I made shredded chicken today. Want to try some?”
Nan Muxue was clearly used to her erratic train of thought—demanding a kiss one second and shouting about food the next. She stroked Chu Ruo’s hair. “Do you have nothing else to say?”
“Oh, right. Why did you buy me so many things again? There’s a whole pile of them. When A-Yue and Xiao Guo’er brought them in, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me.”
“You don’t like them?”
“I’m just curious. Today you’re playing the zither for me and buying me gifts… have you had a change of heart?”
Her back was immediately poked. “What do you think?”
“Uh, I…”
As they were talking, Nan’er’s timely appearance saved her. “Master, Palace Master.”
Nan Muxue sat up straight. No matter how thick-skinned Chu Ruo was, she was too embarrassed to act like that in front of others. She also sat up straight, though her hand remained restless, secretly reaching under the table to fiddle with Nan Muxue’s fingers. “You’re back.” There was no need to ask for the result; they had already arranged for numerous disciples to follow her at all times. If anything had gone wrong, word would have reached them long ago. Besides, Chu Ruo had confidence in Nan’er, so she wasn't worried.
Nan’er carried a sword on her back. Though her face still held a hint of childishness, she had matured significantly compared to three years ago. Her personality had become increasingly steady and cold. “Yes.”
Though she only spoke one word, Chu Ruo had taught her personally every day and understood her well. “Is something the matter?”
“It is nothing,” Nan’er said, though she looked somewhat piqued. “I simply ran into a scoundrel.”
“A scoundrel?”
Nan Muxue suddenly spoke up. “Go and rest.”
“Yes.”
After Nan’er left, Chu Ruo looked curious. “Why did you let her go? I wanted to know what happened. That girl… I can’t quite put my finger on it, but she looked like she’d been provoked by someone.”
“Naturally, it would be someone as shameless as you.”
“You!”
“Is gossiping about Ning’er and the others all day not enough? Now you’re interested in the child’s business too?”
“I’ve told you so many times, that’s called ‘caring.’ Honestly, you don’t learn the good things from me, but you’ve picked up these words… cough. I say, why is Nan’er’s personality so much like yours? She’s like a little ice mountain. She’s been with me for so long, yet she hasn't improved at all.”
“Should she have learned to be shameless like you?”
“That’s enough! You’ve called me shameless several times today. Little Scorpion, don’t go too far!”
Nan Muxue’s hand didn't hesitate; she went straight for a pinch. “What did you call me? I didn't hear you clearly.”
*Woof! Woof! Woof!*
The incessant barking of a dog outside interrupted the two in the study. “What’s wrong? Wotou rarely acts like this, and he isn't coming this way. Where is he going?”
“Why bother with him? It’s not like he can fly away.”
“Ha, are you even jealous of Wotou? Ow, ow!”
“Do you think I’ve become too easy to talk to lately?”
“I was wrong, I was wrong!”
Unexpectedly, the moment Nan Muxue let go, Chu Ruo leaned in for a kiss. “You…” Though surprised, Nan Muxue willingly reciprocated.
“Xue’er, you’re so beautiful.”
A flush crept onto Nan Muxue’s face. She raised a hand to lightly touch Chu Ruo. “Now *this* is what you call a scoundrel.”
“But only toward you. Here, a sachet. Don’t think it’s ugly; I spent a long time learning how to make it from A-Yue and Xiao Guo’er. It’s for you. Inside… is a lock of my hair.”
Surprise flickered across Nan Muxue’s face, but not because of the gift itself. “You…”
Chu Ruo smiled. “Did you think I forgot?” She stepped forward and kissed her lover’s forehead. “We’ve been married for three years. How could I forget?”
“Ruo’er~” A second later: “Then why were you pretending you couldn't remember just now? Asking when you already knew the answer!”
“Ow! My ear! Be gentle!”
“Palace Master,” she was saved once again, this time by A-Yue and Xiao Guo’er. “Outside, Nan’er, she…”
“What about her?”
“She’s gotten into a fight with someone!”
A fight? With a disciple? That shouldn't be right. Over the past few years, Nan’er had gotten along very well with the disciples. Everyone could see how favored she was. As for her identity, she was still young; to protect her from those with ill intentions, it hadn't been made public yet, so there was no reason for anyone to hold a grudge.
“How strange. Come on,” Chu Ruo said, pulling Nan Muxue outside. “Let’s go see.”
Xiao Guo’er and A-Yue were right. In the square, Nan’er was indeed fighting someone, but it wasn't a disciple of Baihe Palace. It was a child around her age.
Wotou, on the other hand, was leading his whole family in a chorus of yapping. Just as Chu Ruo was wondering why things were so abnormal today, a familiar figure appeared, followed by a dog that looked exactly like Wotou. “Long time no see, Ruo’er.”
This… this… she finally knew why. Her mouth fell open. “Zhi’er.”
Then, she couldn't close her mouth again. She turned her head. The pair of eyes behind her were enough to kill her ten thousand times over. *It’s over. I’m dead.*
***
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Master, Spare My Life: A Disciple's Sweet Rebellion | Chapter 244 | A Third Anniversary Gift | Novela.app | Novela.app
