On the bustling, crowded street, Chu Ruo held Nan Muxue’s hand tightly. As they strolled, she bought a mountain of things, constantly muttering phrases like "how fun" or "how interesting." Even when her hands were nearly too full to carry another item, she continued her shopping spree. "Look, look! This Nine-Linked Ring is so fascinating. Let’s buy it."
"Enough," Nan Muxue said with a helpless smile. "You’ve bought plenty today."
"I’m getting these for Xiao Guo’er and the others. They’re always buying things for me; they’ll definitely love these trinkets. And then there’s Cai Feng’s mother—I plan to visit her while we’re down the mountain. Maybe tomorrow? See, I’ve already bought everything: food, clothes, daily necessities. This should be enough, right?"
"You certainly are generous."
There was nothing wrong with the words, but the tone... why did it taste a bit like sour grapes? Chu Ruo didn't call her out on it. She continued browsing but only picked up two or three more items before saying, "Let’s head back."
"Done already? You seemed so high-spirited just a moment ago."
Then, Nan Muxue saw that handsome face break into a wide grin, revealing rows of pearly white teeth. "I haven't had my fill of fun yet, but Shifu looks tired. We can go shopping any day. At most, we’ll just come back tomorrow."
Warmth flooded Nan Muxue’s heart instantly. She was about to call out the girl's name when she heard Chu Ruo’s next sentence, spoken as if to herself.
"It’s getting late today anyway. We should come out earlier tomorrow, otherwise we won't have enough time to visit the brothel."
*Thwack!*
"Help! Someone help! A fierce woman is beating her husband in the street! Save me!"
Everyone on the street watched as a man in a golden mask was chased through the crowds by a woman in a silver mask. Judging by their movements, they were likely a married couple. People clicked their tongues; they both looked like they had fine figures, but what a pity—the poor man was clearly henpecked. Truly, it was a case of the woman rising and the man declining...
***
"Shifu, are you asleep?"
The person with her back turned did not answer. Chu Ruo, undeterred, pressed closer, clinging to her like a piece of sticky candy. It was impossible not to feel that, surely? Yet this time her calculations failed; the "Little Scorpion" remained unmoved. Chu Ruo finally reached around and wrapped her arms around the other woman's waist. "I say, you’re the leader of a whole sect. Don't be so petty. Besides, you were the one chasing me through the streets trying to beat me. I’m the one who suffered, so if I’m not angry, why are you?"
"So, you’re saying it is I, your Master, who has wronged you?"
The air was thick with the scent of a volcanic explosion. *Why do you have to be such a tsundere?* Chu Ruo sighed inwardly. *Fine, fine. Given your genius IQ but tragic EQ, I’ll endure it. I’ll accommodate you and go through the trouble of coaxing you.*
"No, it’s not a big deal. You’ve been ignoring me since we got back. That’s enough, isn't it?"
"Isn't it better if I ignore you? Isn't that what you hope for—to have no one watching over you so you can leave?"
Bringing that up again. "Can we please let this matter go? It’s becoming a never-ending story."
Nan Muxue’s temper flared instantly. "If you don't want to hear it, then get out!" It wasn't just because of the scene on the street; it was the fact that this girl had the audacity to say, right to her face, that she wanted to go see girls at a brothel. It was a complete lack of respect. That anger had been simmering since they returned, and in her irritation, she recalled the girl's previous attempt to sneak away. The truth often slipped out when one was provoked.
"You..." *Always telling me to get lost.* Chu Ruo had been trying to coax her with soft words, and now she felt like a fool for pressing her warm face against such a cold backside. Her own stubbornness flared up. She pushed herself up, intending to climb over Nan Muxue and leave the bed. But as she braced her upper body, the white bandage wrapped around her right hand caught her eye. It was a sharp sting to her heart. The moonlight streaming through the window draped over Nan Muxue’s slender silhouette, and an uncontrollable wave of pity washed over Chu Ruo. That snow-white back looked so thin it hurt to see. Her anger vanished without a trace. She lay back down and hugged the woman tightly again. "Alright, alright. It’s my fault. I was wrong. Don't be angry anymore."
Nan Muxue had actually felt a pang of regret the moment the girl started to get up. Why could she never stop herself from mentioning it? Proud as she was, she would never lower her dignity to beg someone to stay. The scene at lunch had been her limit; it would never happen again. She had even braced herself for the girl to storm out. If it came to that, she would tie her up or beat her—no matter how unwilling she was, she had to stay. She hadn't expected the person behind her to lie back down, hug her even tighter, and actually soften her voice to apologize. Nan Muxue felt a sense of shock and disbelief. *What is wrong with this girl?* "What happened to your pride?"
Now that her own temper had cooled, Chu Ruo wasn't going to get angry again. That was just her nature—either she exploded in the moment or she let it go completely. Moreover, she remembered that the Little Scorpion had been injured because of her. She had seen the wound; it was serious. If it had been an inch deeper, the tendon would have been severed, and her hand would have been ruined. Feeling a sense of guilt, she spoke playfully. "Say what you want. I’m not going anywhere. You just want to hog the whole bed for yourself—not a chance."
"Heh." Nan Muxue finally let out a soft laugh. She knew the girl was just trying to make her smile. "Shameless."
"So, you’re not mad?"
"And you? Are you not mad?" Nan Muxue sighed. "Sometimes, I really don't know what to do with you." In the Palace of a Hundred Flowers, no disciple ever dared to speak to her like this. In fact, in the entire martial world, no one would have lived this long after doing so.
"I should be the one saying that. You use your status as Shifu to pressure me all day. You don't know what to do with me? You clearly have a misunderstanding of our power dynamic."
"Hmm?"
"Ahem," Chu Ruo instantly switched to a cheeky grin. "I didn't say anything. Nothing at all."
Nan Muxue was speechless. Chu Ruo started looking for a new topic. "I heard people on the street today talking about how the Palace of a Hundred Flowers is 'notoriously protective of its own.' What’s that about?"
Nan Muxue fell silent again. "Liu Shaopeng must have spread some rumors."
"I figured that bastard wouldn't have anything good to say. He’s definitely throwing mud at us."
"And who do you think caused all this trouble?"
"Well, I’m your disciple. What’s wrong with being protective?"
"Now you remember you're my disciple? You didn't seem to have that realization earlier," Nan Muxue said mockingly, then added to herself, "Let them gossip. They aren't entirely wrong. The Palace of a Hundred Flowers has always been protective. Especially when it comes to my disciple."
"Turn around. Let’s talk properly."
Nan Muxue complied and turned over, though she replied dismissively, "What else is there to say?"
"You..." Chu Ruo carefully took hold of the other woman's right hand. "Is your hand better?"
"Yes."
"For a useless nobody like me... was it worth it?"
After a long silence, she whispered, "Yes."
It was a question that shouldn't have been asked, and an answer that shouldn't have been given. Yet, they both responded. Nan Muxue hadn't intended to answer, but she followed her heart. The word felt as heavy as a thousand pounds, yet it finally escaped her lips.
The brevity of the answer was almost overwhelming in this atmosphere. Chu Ruo scrambled to find more words. "That Liu Shaopeng is truly despicable. To strike so ruthlessly..."
"He isn't faring any better. I didn't hold back that day either. In the martial world, there is no such thing as mercy."
"But he kept saying he loves you, yet he hurt you like this. He deserves to die!"
"You think his injuries are lighter than mine? He won't be able to get out of bed for at least three months. His 'love' is nothing more than an obsession with what he cannot have. With countless women by his side, has he ever had a single sincere heart?" Nan Muxue’s eyes were full of disdain.
"Let’s not talk about that." Realizing the conversation had turned heavy, Chu Ruo tactfully changed the subject. "Close your eyes."
"What for?"
"Don't ask so many questions. Be good and close them."
Her voice seemed to possess a magical lure, coaxing Nan Muxue into actually obeying and closing her beautiful eyes. Darkness fell, but she could feel the other person leaning in, their steady breath fanning across her face. The heat of that breath made her heart race. A sudden realization of what might happen next filled her with an unprecedented tension, mixed with a sliver of hope and longing. Sensing those lips were just inches away, Nan Muxue’s hand silently gripped a corner of the quilt.
Suddenly, a cold sensation touched her wrist, as if something had been slipped onto it. Confused, she heard Chu Ruo say, "Alright, open your eyes."
She looked down to see a high-quality white jade bracelet. It was translucent and clear, simple and ancient in design yet elegant—exactly the kind of thing she liked. "This is..."
Seeing the smile in the other woman's eyes, Chu Ruo knew her "treasure offering" was a success. "A gift. For you. Do you like it?"
"It is... passable."
*Can you stop being such a tsundere?!* Chu Ruo suppressed the urge to snatch the bracelet back. "Then why are you still wearing it?"
"It is a token of Ruo’er’s sincerity. As your Master, it would be improper to refuse. I must consider your feelings."
"You—"
"What?" Seeing the girl speechless with frustration made Nan Muxue’s mood brighten. *She’s quite cute when she’s huffy.* "Why did you give this to me?"
"I just wanted to. Speaking of which, hehe," Chu Ruo leaned in closer. "Someone’s face turned quite dark on the street when they heard me buying things for Xiao Guo’er and the others. Did you think I’d forgotten you?"
Nan Muxue’s expression became unnatural, and she looked away. "Nonsense. You’re overthinking."
"Tch, still won't admit it. But I didn't forget. I didn't buy this just because I saw you were unhappy; I planned to buy it for you from the very beginning."
"Is the one you gave to Yan’er the same?"
"Mind your own business," Chu Ruo mimicked her tone, dodging the topic.
Seeing the good atmosphere suddenly turn stiff, Nan Muxue tilted the girl's chin up. "Are you unhappy now?"
Because of the movement, the light silk sleeve on Chu Ruo’s arm slid down, revealing a very prominent red dot on her fair skin. Chu Ruo reached out curiously to touch it. "What’s this? A Cinnabar Mark?"
There was no answer. She looked up to see Nan Muxue’s face as red as a cooked shrimp. It had been a casual question, but she hadn't expected it to actually be *that*. "Let me get a closer look! This is like discovering a new continent!" *These things actually exist in the ancient world?* Seeing the other woman’s face turn an even more terrifying shade of red, full of bashfulness, Chu Ruo felt a surge of mischief. It was rare to see the Little Scorpion so embarrassed; if she didn't tease her now, when would she? She mimicked Nan Muxue’s earlier gesture, pinching the woman's chin. "Little lady, why have you gone quiet?"
"You!" Nan Muxue wished she could kick her out of the room. She was both mortified and flustered. "Presumptuous!"
To her surprise, Chu Ruo replied with a death-defying grin, "Don't you just love it when I’m presumptuous?"
"Chu Ruo!"
Nan Muxue raised a hand to strike, but it was caught accurately and held within Chu Ruo’s palm. Their eyes met, and finally, they both leaned in, sealing their lips together and letting everything burn in that moment of madness.
***
