Before Chu Ruo could speak, Nan Muxue added, "Mm, this porridge is quite good today, though a bit hot."
This leisurely tone drove Chu Ruo frantic. She felt like an ant on a hot griddle, grumbling in complaint, "Your disciple has gone blind, and yet you’re in the mood to savor porridge."
"What are you muttering over there?" Nan Muxue tilted her head. "Your words are quite interesting, Ruo’er. These past few days, even when you were 'blind,' you wolfed down your food just the same. Why the sudden change of heart today?"
"I..." Chu Ruo could only swallow her grievances. "I... I realized my eyes still aren't better today. I'm just anxious, that's all."
"To me, it seems more like you're 'blind with rage'—the image of a cornered dog jumping over a wall."
"You... do you have any humanity left? I'm blind, and you're calling me a dog? You have no class!"
*Clatter!* Chu Ruo was certain that was the sound of a snow-white porcelain bowl hitting the floor. It was a crisp, sharp shatter. "What did you say, Ruo’er?"
Chu Ruo immediately cut her off to change the subject. "Master, when are we leaving?"
Nan Muxue’s smile grew increasingly eerie. "As I said, we leave after breakfast."
"Then, have you... honored elder..." Chu Ruo asked with ten thousand layers of caution, "finished eating?"
"Mm."
*Phew.* Fortunately, she was done. But Chu Ruo soon realized she had been too optimistic; she never seemed to learn her lesson. Her master’s melodious voice added, "But Ruo’er hasn't eaten yet."
Something was wrong. Something was definitely wrong. Even without her sight, Chu Ruo could visualize the "Little Scorpion" smiling as she beckoned her over with a bowl of poison. *'Come, drink it. It’s very delicious.'*
Chu Ruo shuddered. "No thanks, I'm not hungry."
"Oh? That’s rare. But today I’ve shown such consideration, specifically ordering the lean meat porridge you like. Are you really not going to have some? Don't waste my kind intentions."
Disaster. Chu Ruo sensed a dangerous aura. Everything was off today. First, her eyes had mysteriously gone dark again, and then the Little Scorpion was suddenly... what? Caring? No. Fawning? Not quite. Whatever it was, it was suspicious. Chu Ruo tentatively called out, "Master?"
"Come, sit."
Chu Ruo hissed, drawing in a cold breath. When things are abnormal, there must be a demon afoot. *Oh! I get it!* Chu Ruo’s inner monologue was a chaotic battle of panic. *This person isn't the Little Scorpion! The one who blinded me... it's Nan Yunshuang! She’s impersonating the Little Scorpion to kill me!*
"Xiao Guo'er! Where are you? Come quickly! Xiao Guo'er! My Guo-Guo-Guo! My dear sisters, come quickly! Someone’s trying to kill me!"
Next door, Xiao Guo'er covered her ears and rolled her eyes at the wall. *That freak is throwing another fit. Who would dare kill you while you're in the same room as the Young Palace Master? The Young Palace Master herself? Even less likely. She spoils you rotten. Sigh, she’s young and pretty, but her brain is broken. What a waste. Forget it, time to practice. Bye-bye!* With that, Xiao Guo'er skipped away with a cheerful stride, moving further and further from Chu Ruo’s room.
Chu Ruo screamed until her throat was nearly hoarse, but no one responded. *What a bunch of heartless people.* Her opponent didn't stop her, either. Finally, Chu Ruo ran out of energy. Since she couldn't see anyway, she slumped onto the floor, dejected. "Fine. It seems I can't escape. Just do it. Make it quick."
"Come here," Nan Muxue said, still sitting in her place. "Don't make me say it a third time. You know my temper, Ruo’er."
...Those familiar words. *Okay, it’s definitely the Little Scorpion.* To be honest, she had been fairly certain all along; she had just been scaring herself into a frenzy. Without another word, she moved toward her. Aside from the Hundred Flowers Parasite, this woman had countless ways to torment people, one after another. But now that she was truly blind, she said pitifully, "I can't see."
She expected Nan Muxue to complain as usual but ultimately come over to help her up. She was wrong again. A cold voice said, "Find your own way."
*You...!* Chu Ruo endured it for the umpteenth time. Gritting her teeth and considering that standing up might lead to a fall that would break her teeth, she decided it was better to just crawl. She felt her way forward step by step until she finally reached the table leg. She found a stool, sat down, and asked, "Master, how have I offended you now?"
"You tell me."
"I haven't!" The denial came automatically. But thinking carefully, aside from faking blindness, she really hadn't done anything. She hadn't caused any trouble. So why was the Little Scorpion acting like this? A mood swing? Early menopause? Her "monthly visitor"? *Right, right, that must be it.* It was around this time last month. *Gosh, she should have just said so. I should have realized sooner.*
Nan Muxue suddenly laughed again. "Open your mouth."
"Oh." Chu Ruo obeyed and opened her mouth. Her master had been feeding her like this during her "blindness," so this was nothing new. Besides, the porridge did smell quite fragrant. She opened wide, waiting for the delicious meat porridge to be delivered.
"Pfft...!" A mouthful of hot porridge was sprayed far and wide. "So salty! So hot! Hot and salty! Salty and hot! Water! Give me water! I need water!"
A teacup was placed firmly into her flailing hand. She downed it in one gulp. History repeated itself with startling accuracy. "Pffft... so bitter!" Chu Ruo felt her tongue go numb. "You!" she slurred, her tongue heavy. "Wh-what are you trying to do?!"
"I should be asking you what you're doing. You were the one who wanted to eat, and you were the one who wanted to drink. Yet you spat it all out. Has one night of sleep not only failed to fix your eyes but ruined your sense of taste as well?"
"Is this porridge not salty to you? There's no way! It's enough to pickle me alive!"
Nan Muxue looked at her own separate bowl of plain white porridge, took another spoonful, and savored it. "Aside from being a bit hot, the flavor is quite good."
*Could it be my sense of taste is gone too?* Chu Ruo wanted to feel for the teapot on the table, but remembering she couldn't see, she feared burning herself or breaking things. She pointed blindly at the table. "Then you try this tea. Is it bitter?" She didn't like tea, so the tea in her room was always much weaker than others'. Even if it were strong tea, it shouldn't be that bitter—it tasted like pure Coptis. *Is my sense of taste failing? Nooo! I haven't eaten enough delicious things yet!*
Chu Ruo had actually guessed right this time; the pot of tea had been spiked with Coptis specifically for her. She heard the sound of someone sipping tea. "It's refreshing and thirst-quenching. Where is the bitterness?"
"It's over. I'm doomed." Like a deflated ball, Chu Ruo hung her head, her entire being wilting. "Not only am I blind, but my sense of taste is broken too."
Nan Muxue covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. "How could that be? Perhaps you've just woken up and your palate is off." She scooped up another spoonful of porridge. "Come, try another bite."
"Really?"
"Open up."
Chu Ruo obediently opened her mouth again, hoping her taste buds had just been confused. With a "try anything once" attitude, she took another taste. *Pah! Pah-pah-pah!* Luckily, she had learned her lesson and only took a tiny sip. It was sour and spicy. What kind of flavor was this? "I'm not trying anymore. My sense of taste is definitely broken."
"It seems the injury to the back of your head has spread, which is why your taste is affected."
"Then what should I do, Master?" This time, Chu Ruo grabbed toward the sound and actually caught her master’s hands. "Take me to find Hu Yi quickly, okay? I'm scared. I'm blind, and now my taste is gone. I'm afraid if we wait any longer, I'll 'kick the bucket'—I mean, I'll die. Let's go down the mountain, please? I'm scared. What if I never see again?"
"Ruo’er," Nan Muxue looked at her dejected and terrified expression, her heart finally softening. "Don't be afraid..."
"Master," Chu Ruo suddenly stepped forward and hugged her. "I'm scared. Take me to Hu Yi. Let's go now."
The other woman brushed back her bangs and asked gently, "Was your vision always this blurry before?"
*Honesty is the best policy?* No, no, no. With the Little Scorpion’s personality, she’d probably blow a fuse. Besides, she didn't know the truth. Telling her now would only make the consequences worse—she might get angry and leave Chu Ruo to fend for herself. There was no point in coming clean now. She stuck to her guns. "Yes, it never got better."
"Oh." That 'oh' was deeply mysterious. Nan Muxue suddenly stood up, nearly sending Chu Ruo into a face-plant. Just as Chu Ruo was about to ask what was happening, she heard words that made her want to cry with joy: "Fine. Since that's the case, finish your porridge and we'll depart immediately."
With a bitter face, she replied, "I'm not drinking it..."
"Even if it tastes strange, do you plan to never eat again?" A spoonful of porridge was forced to Chu Ruo’s lips. "You must eat, no matter how bad it tastes. Otherwise, if you're too hungry to walk, I won't find anyone to carry you down."
*Vicious. So vicious.* "I'm your disciple! Not to mention we've shared a bed for so many nights!" Her pout was high, but she knew the Little Scorpion was right. Could she really stop eating just because her taste was gone? Forget it, she’d endure it. She just wanted to find Hu Yi. Seeing the change in her expression, Nan Muxue said, "Drink the porridge."
"Fine." *Ugh, this taste... indescribable...*
*What did I do wrong to deserve this?*
"Master, Master!"
"What is it?"
Chu Ruo stumbled along behind her, unable to see the person in front walking with effortless grace, hands behind her back. "Slow down!"
"Weren't you the one in a hurry to find Hu Yi? What if we're delayed?"
"Then wait for me! I can't see!"
*Thump!* As soon as she finished speaking, she bumped into the woman and bounced back a few steps, falling to the ground. "Weren't you walking like the wind when I wasn't holding you? What's wrong with you today?"
Guilt made her forget to complain about the fall. Her voice lacked confidence. "I wasn't..."
Nan Muxue had already walked over and crouched beside her, tilting her chin up. "You weren't? Who was it that said they were already familiar with the Palace and didn't need me to lead them? I thought you were brilliant, learning to navigate by sound while blind. Why are you bumping into the ground today? Anyone watching would think you had a hole in your purse and were picking up coins as you walked."
"I don't know. Maybe my taste being messed up made me lose my focus. Master, stop obsessing over this. Just hold my hand and let's walk faster, okay?"
She reached out to grab her, but the woman had already stood up. "Walk on your own."
"Hey, hey, you're being really excessive!" She immediately wanted to bite her tongue. *Why am I offending her now? I'm such a pig...*
"If your eyes never recover, do you expect me to hold you for a lifetime? If you fall, get up yourself. If you're blind, find a way to adapt. The world won't always have someone by your side to protect you!" Nan Muxue didn't realize then that she would, in fact, be willing to stay by this fool's side and protect her for a lifetime, wishing only for her happiness. But that was for later; for now, she wouldn't realize it, let alone admit it. Her words were meant to educate Chu Ruo. She wanted her to know that if she were ever gone, Chu Ruo had to be independent. One can only truly rely on oneself.
But Chu Ruo misunderstood. She stood up again and forced a small smile. "Right. Master is right. Master is busy with a thousand affairs, the high and mighty Young Palace Master. Why would you have time to deal with a useless person like me?"
*How can someone be this stupid?* To completely misinterpret her meaning. Nan Muxue stamped her foot in frustration, then irritably grabbed Chu Ruo’s right hand and marched forward. "You're faster than anyone when it comes to saying things like that."
"I thought I was a burden. Why are you pulling me now?" Chu Ruo wasn't usually this petty, but Nan Muxue had already taken root in her heart. She was the person she liked. She just couldn't accept the person she liked treating her this way; it made her heart ache.
"We've reached the cliff's edge. If I don't pull you and you walk off like a blind fool, my six months of effort will be wasted." Nan Muxue refused to admit she had softened, even though they were still far from the edge. "Enough talk. Let's head down."
The two were silent until they entered the lift basket. When it jolted and Nan Muxue quickly caught her, Chu Ruo’s face turned a traitorous shade of red. She felt her master’s breath on her face in the confined space and sensed a burning gaze on her. She turned her head away. "I didn't fall. Why are you holding me now?"
"Petty," Nan Muxue stared at her. "I said those things because I want you to remember: I cannot be by your side forever. If I die one day, will you follow me?" She suddenly looked somber. "You must be careful on your own."
"Nothing will happen to you," Chu Ruo turned back urgently. "I definitely won't let anything happen to you."
The basket stopped. Nan Muxue simply tightened her grip on her hand. "Let's go."
"Are we going to that same inn?"
"Not that way this time. It's a small lodge in town, but it's lively enough."
***
At the inn.
Chu Ruo collapsed onto the bed. "After walking all day, I can finally rest my feet."
"Get out."
"What for?" *What is this woman up to now?*
"Your room is next door. Go there yourself."
Chu Ruo flipped upright. "You... why did you book two rooms!"
"Keep your voice down. Why not let the whole inn hear?" Nan Muxue tilted her head, looking incredibly charming—though Chu Ruo couldn't see it. "Why, from your tone, it sounds like you can't bear to leave me and want to share a bed?"
"No way! Who would want to sleep with you..."
"Get out!"
*Thump!* The people in the inn saw an object fly out of the room. "Hey, you stingy woman! I was just joking! Can I take it back? I want to sleep with you..."
*Swish, swish, swish!* Silver needles grazed her face. Chu Ruo swallowed hard. "Uh, it's late. Sleep well. Goodnight."
*This girl...* Inside the room, Nan Muxue was both annoyed and amused. She had booked two rooms to punish her, but now that the warmth was gone, she felt a trace of longing.
***
*Knock, knock, knock.*
At the sound of knocking, Nan Muxue lay on the bed, too lazy to answer. The visitor pushed the door open familiarly. "Master, are you asleep?"
"Then why did you come in?"
Chu Ruo shuffled forward in small steps. "I had the waiter help me brew some ginger sugar water. Get up and drink some." *Stubborn Little Scorpion. If you didn't want me here, why didn't you lock the door? Who else would this be for? Hmph, tsundere.*
Nan Muxue got up, took the bowl, and sat her down at the table. Her expression had softened considerably. "I thought you couldn't see."
"I gave the waiter a tip to guide me and prepare the ingredients. I know you're a bit of a germaphobe, so I brewed this myself. It's perfectly clean, don't worry."
"Offering favors for no reason... why did you think to brew ginger water?" Nan Muxue scoffed, but she had already picked up the spoon and begun to drink.
"I remembered you haven't been feeling well these past few days. Drinking this will make your stomach hurt less."
"Be quiet." Nan Muxue’s face flushed. Although they were both women, Chu Ruo’s place in her heart had become special, making it embarrassing to discuss such private matters. However, her abdomen really did ache. She had a "cold" constitution, and these days every month were agonizing. Since childhood, no matter the pain or illness, her mother never allowed her to cry out or rest because of it. No one had ever cared if she was comfortable. But Chu Ruo kept approaching her, and she couldn't bring herself to push her away.
Chu Ruo knew she was shy—she was an ancient girl, after all—so she didn't press the topic. She just waited for her to finish. But as soon as Nan Muxue was done, her words nearly made Chu Ruo explode with indignation.
"You can go now."
"I..." Her lips twitched. "I worked so hard, fumbling around blindly to brew red sugar water for you, even burning my hand, and you kick me out the moment you're done? You're heartless!"
"Then what do you want?"
"I want..." *Right, what do I want? I want... to sleep with you.* *Cough, cough, what a lewd thought.* Chu Ruo struggled internally. But after sharing a bed for so long, she had grown used to that cool presence. To have it suddenly gone felt wrong. *What should I do? Should I say it? It's so embarrassing!*
While she was spacing out, her chin was tilted up. "Nothing to say, Ruo’er?"
Chu Ruo didn't know if her brain had short-circuited, but she blurted out, "Nothing."
Nan Muxue rolled her eyes and said meaningfully, "I'll ask you one more time: do you really have nothing to say to me?"
The hint was so obvious that if Chu Ruo had just confessed, everything would have been fine. Unfortunately, when she was being dense, she could be infuriating. "Nothing." *She was still too embarrassed to be that direct.*
The hand on her chin vanished instantly. The person beside her moved away. "Then go back to your room and rest."
Seeing her being chased away, Chu Ruo panicked. "Why did you book two rooms? Aren't you afraid I'll run away?" She was just talking for the sake of talking now.
"Heh," a disdainful scoff. "The world is big, but where could a blind girl like you run to?"
"That's uncalled for! Blatant discrimination!" But... *Ugh, fine, you're a little bit right.* She slumped. "Oh."
"Aren't you leaving yet?" Her tone was unreadable.
"Oh." Another 'oh.' She stood up to leave, but then stopped. *Wait, why am I being so obedient? I'm not an obedient person!* At that thought, Chu Ruo followed the direction of the voice and lunged forward in three steps. *Yes!* She actually found the bed. She flipped onto it and contentedly hugged the soft, cool body from behind. *Ah, sleeping while hugging the Little Scorpion is much better.*
"Get—"
"Alright, alright," Chu Ruo cut her off before she could say 'out.' "You've been cross with me all day. If I did something wrong or caused trouble, just say so. If you stay angry, are we not celebrating your birthday tomorrow?" The Little Scorpion had been giving her the cold shoulder and playing tricks on her all day. She couldn't figure out what she had done wrong since yesterday.
"Since you think I'm cross with you, why do you still care about my birthday?"
Chu Ruo shook her head. "One thing has nothing to do with the other. Your birthday must be celebrated. Whatever you want to do tomorrow, I'll accompany you." She then added to herself, "Fine, fine, I know. You're going to say 'what can a blind person do,' especially since you're the one who brought me down the mountain..."
"Presumptuous. When did I say that?" Nan Muxue actually turned over to face her. Though Chu Ruo couldn't see, she felt her breath. Her master had indeed been thinking that, but since Chu Ruo had stolen the words, she thought for a moment and said, "What I wanted to say was: you promised me you would cook tomorrow."
"What!" *Sister, I'm actually blind now! Brewing red sugar water today nearly cost me half my life. Making a whole meal? You might as well just kill me.*
"When you promised to cook, you were so forceful and resonant. What, do you regret it now?"
"At the time, I..." She almost blurted out that she wasn't blind then. "My eyes can't see."
"I know. You don't need to remind me repeatedly. Besides, could you see when you promised me?"
"I..." Chu Ruo wanted to cry but had no tears. "Look at my hand. It got burned just making sugar water. I... I..."
Looking by the moonlight filtering in, Nan Muxue saw a large red patch on the back of her hand, already beginning to blister. Her heart twinged. She pulled out a salve and began to apply it with extreme care. "You're the one who was clumsy. Regardless, since you promised, you must find a way to do it. Otherwise, don't expect me to take you to Hu Yi."
"That's a threat."
"So what if it is?"
Choked up. *Yeah, what can I do? I'm helpless.* "Fine. I'll think of something tomorrow. It's your birthday, after all. Since I promised, don't worry—I will personally make you a feast."
Nan Muxue had only been teasing her, not expecting her to actually commit to it. To an outsider, what Chu Ruo did might seem trivial, and she herself seemed unreliable and flighty. But it was this very person who gave her warmth. There were plenty of men in the martial world who admired her and would give everything to treat her well, but it was never like this. It wasn't like Chu Ruo—so pure. Her heart actually felt a ripple. No matter how she bullied her, Chu Ruo never truly got angry; instead, she always found a way to satisfy her whims. Like now. "Ruo’er."
"Mm, what is it?"
Nan Muxue suddenly felt playful. "I want to hear a puppy bark."
Chu Ruo didn't react for a second. "Huh?"
"Bark like a puppy for me."
*Bark like a puppy? In your dreams!* "Nan Muxue, don't go too far!"
"Will you do it or not?"
*Pah! Death before dishonor!* "No."
"Pack your bags. We're going back to Baihua—"
"I'll do it! I'll do it, okay?" *I can't believe this. How is she such a little scorpion?* She opened her mouth. "Awoo... woof..."
A sudden kiss. Chu Ruo froze for a second, then threw herself into it, melting into the kiss.
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
--- | --- | ---
姜糖水 | Ginger sugar water | A traditional remedy often used for menstrual cramps or colds.
黄连 | Coptis / Huanglian | An extremely bitter herb used in traditional medicine.
飞鹏堡 | Feipeng Fortress | A martial arts sect/stronghold mentioned in the text.
柳少鹏 | Liu Shaopeng | A character from Feipeng Fortress.
领盒饭 | Kick the bucket / Meet one's end | Literal: "Receive a lunch box." Modern Chinese slang for a character dying in a story.
红糖水 | Red sugar water | Often used interchangeably with brown sugar water for health benefits.
