The scene froze for a second—at least, that’s how it felt to Chu Ruo. She was wondering why the Little Scorpion hadn't spoken yet. With a face that sour, she was clearly there to scold her, or perhaps she was dreaming up some bizarre new way to punish her. Even so, Chu Ruo didn't feel she had done anything wrong. Was it just because the Little Scorpion didn't like stinky tofu? That was no reason to be this angry. Everything had been fine before they arrived, but ever since Duan Ning appeared, Nan Muxue had been throwing fits for no reason. She’d pinched Chu Ruo’s waist mercilessly and hadn't even told her about the shortcut up the mountain. Now, she was here kicking down doors. This Little Scorpion was truly the definition of fickle.
"What are you dazing off for?" Xiao Guo’er came over and nudged her. "The Young Palace Mistress is gone!"
Chu Ruo snapped back to reality and realized Nan Muxue had indeed left, with A-Yue following close behind. She rubbed her head. "What’s her deal? Is she really that mad about stinky tofu?"
"You!"
"Wait a sec," Chu Ruo looked at Xiao Guo’er. "How did you all get here?"
Xiao Guo’er waved a hand in front of Chu Ruo’s eyes. "Your eyes are actually better?"
"I’ll tell you about that later. Answer my question first."
"You still have the heart to worry about that?"
Nearby, Yin Liuli gave Chu Ruo and Duan Ning an unreadable look before walking out without a word. Her expression wasn't quite as dark as Nan Muxue’s, but it wasn't friendly either. Seeing this, Duan Ning called out, "Liuli, wait for me!" and the two of them left the room as well.
"Come on, tell me! How did you guys get here?"
"Isn't it obvious? Chu Ruo, I swear your head is filled with nothing but water," Xiao Guo’er said crossly. "How could we have come unless the Young Palace Mistress personally ordered it?"
"Well, look at you, moving up in the world! She’s actually bringing you along now. Truly a cause for celebration."
*Smack!* Xiao Guo’er hit her on the head without hesitation. "If the Young Palace Mistress hadn't been worried that you’d be uncomfortable here with no one to look after you, why would she have ordered the Second Protector to bring me along? You’re a heartless, ungrateful wolf."
"Listen here, kid, stop hitting my head. She probably just had business with the Second Protector and mentioned me in passing."
"You always do this, always looking for some other reason," Xiao Guo’er retorted. "I think the Second Protector coming was just a cover. The Young Palace Mistress was worried about you, so she ordered me to come. On the way here, I heard the Second Protector say you might be staying at this branch for a month or two. Normally, the Second Protector should be guarding Cloud-Reaching Peak with the First Protector, but she was called here on some flimsy excuse. She even brought me. If it wasn't for you, who else would it be for? No conscience at all."
...
"Liuli!" Duan Ning chased after the fast-walking Yin Liuli. When the other woman ignored her, Duan Ning lunged forward and blocked her path with open arms.
Yin Liuli stopped. She didn't speak, nor did she turn away. Duan Ning hopped closer. "Why did you come?"
"I feel like I’ve arrived at a bad time."
"Just say what’s on your mind. Don't be so sour."
Yin Liuli’s face flushed slightly. "I... I’m not..."
"Tch," Duan Ning huffed. "You haven't come to see me in ages. Clearly, you haven't missed me at all."
Suddenly, the tables were turned, and Yin Liuli was the one at fault. "Palace affairs have been busy..."
"Excuses," Duan Ning turned her back. "I don't believe you couldn't find a few days to visit. And now that you’re finally here, you don't have a single nice thing to say."
"Fine," Yin Liuli finally surrendered, grabbing Duan Ning’s arm from behind. "It was my fault. I apologize."
Duan Ning turned around with a triumphant grin, casually draping her arms over the other’s shoulders. "That’s more like it."
"You girl, I thought a few years at the branch would make you more mature," Yin Liuli said with a doting smile. "But your temperament hasn't changed a bit."
"And you’re still as serious and wooden as ever. You’re a perfect match for that Chu Ruo in that regard."
At the mention of Chu Ruo, Yin Liuli’s smile vanished. "You and her..."
"What, unhappy?" Duan Ning felt a mix of amusement and pride. "It’s rare to see you like this. It makes my heart feel much better."
Yin Liuli was choked with frustration. "You..."
"Alright, I’m done teasing you."
Yin Liuli bit her lip. "Ning’er, you..."
Duan Ning laughed heartily. "Tell me everything."
"About what?"
She intimately linked arms with Yin Liuli as they walked. "About that Chu Ruo."
"Why are you so interested in her?"
"My intuition tells me there’s definitely something fishy between her and our Young Palace Mistress."
Yin Liuli’s expression softened significantly. "Well, your intuition is spot on this time."
"Then tell me all about it!"
"You’d better be careful. Even though this is a branch, the Old Palace Mistress and Yun Shuang have many spies here. It’s only because Xue’er transferred me here that I can finally breathe. Being around Yun Shuang is too stifling."
"Since you’re here, does that mean Yan’er is alone with her in the Palace?"
Yin Liuli nodded. "Yes. Yan’er was always the closest to her, so Yun Shuang shouldn't make things too hard for her. Speaking of Yan’er, I’ve discovered something interesting."
"What is it? Tell me, don't keep me in suspense! I love a good story."
"Alright, stop shaking me, you’ll rattle my bones apart. You were curious about Xue’er and her apprentice, but I’ve noticed that the two of them are also quite involved with Yan’er. I heard Chu Ruo and our Fourth Protector are very close."
Duan Ning looked incredulous. "Her? Aside from her talent in martial arts, what’s so special about her? Xue’er being like this was surprising enough, but now Yan’er too?"
"No," Yin Liuli smiled and wagged a finger, then leaned in to whisper. "From what I’ve observed..."
Duan Ning smirked, rubbing her hands together. "It seems it’s time for this lady to step in and give them a little push."
***
By the cliffside, Nan Muxue stood with her hands behind her back, gazing at the mountain peaks that pierced the clouds and the bottomless ravines below. Her eyes were somewhat vacant. The breeze ruffled her hair, turning the scene into a living painting of a peerless beauty.
"Master," Chu Ruo whispered. The scene was breathtaking. She dazed for a few seconds before calling out, even attempting to mimic the scholars of old by reciting a line of poetry: "In the north, there is a beauty; she stands alone, peerless in the world."
With her exceptional hearing, Nan Muxue had known someone was approaching. Hearing the call, she only shifted her gaze slightly without turning her head or speaking.
"Hey," Chu Ruo saw she was being ignored and jogged over. "You aren't thinking of jumping, are you?" According to wuxia tropes, jumping off a cliff never kills you, but breaking an arm or scarring your face would still be bad.
Anyone else would have been fuming, but Nan Muxue just stood there expressionless, still staring into the distance, her face tinged with a certain gravity.
"I... I was wrong." Chu Ruo had intended to tell a joke to lighten the mood, but seeing Nan Muxue like this made her own heart feel heavy and constricted. It was a bitter, uncomfortable feeling. *Little Scorpion, when did you start influencing my moods so much? When you’re happy, I’m happy; when you’re sad, my heart aches.* But then again, the woman before her had long since been changed by her in the same way.
"Chu Ruo."
Nan Muxue spoke, but she didn't call her "Ruo’er." Her tone was calm and flat, which sent a spark of panic through Chu Ruo. Her voice trembled slightly. "W-what is it?"
But after saying her name, Nan Muxue fell silent again. The suspense was agonizing. Chu Ruo gathered her courage and reached out to grab Nan Muxue’s right hand. "What’s wrong? If you’re unhappy, you can punish me or scold me. Why come all the way out here? Master, I’m sorry. I admit I was wrong."
Nan Muxue finally turned around, her tone bordering on a dry laugh. "Your 'sorry' doesn't sound very apologetic."
However, Chu Ruo could still see the loneliness and desolation in those eyes. She was forcing a smile. Chu Ruo felt another pang of heartache. "Who says I’m not?" She brought her other hand out from behind her back. "I’m being very sincere."
Only then did Nan Muxue notice that Chu Ruo had been hiding something. She took the small, folded piece of paper. "What is this?"
Chu Ruo grinned. "Open it and see."
"Always so eccentric," Nan Muxue murmured with a hint of a pout. Chu Ruo felt her heart flutter at that lovely, albeit annoyed, look.
As Nan Muxue opened the paper, a smile finally touched her eyes. It was a drawing of two comical little figures. One was kneeling and pulling its own ears, while the other stood by holding a branch, looking furious. Next to the kneeling figure was a caption: *Master, spare my life! Your disciple knows her wrong.*
"Utterly ridiculous," she finally couldn't help but let out a soft laugh. "You spend all day doing these pointless things."
Chu Ruo, emboldened, wrapped her arms around Nan Muxue’s slender waist. "Now that you’ve laughed, don't be mad anymore."
Nan Muxue didn't push her away. She just tilted her head to look at her, her beauty transcendent. "And where exactly do you think you went wrong?"
"I..." *Well, I don't think I did anything wrong, but that doesn't matter. Right now, it’s not about what I think; it’s about what the Little Scorpion thinks.* "I think... I..."
Nan Muxue gazed at that familiar, handsome face, and the rest of the words faded into the background. She didn't even know why she was so annoyed. Was it because this girl was so close to Ning’er? There was anger, yes. She realized with a start that she hated seeing this girl have a connection with anyone else, no matter the nature of it. She was her apprentice; she belonged only to her. How could she be touched by others? How could she chat so happily with anyone but her? But more than that, it was a sense of insecurity. This inexplicable feeling made her deeply uncomfortable. She had always felt she didn't know enough about Chu Ruo—where she came from, her family, how she had arrived here. She knew nothing. And the things Chu Ruo liked, the things she was interested in, were always so different, so out of place. She was so kind-hearted and could get along with anyone. Would the distance between them only grow? Nan Muxue felt a constant fear that one day, Chu Ruo would leave her.
No. She couldn't. She wouldn't allow it! Snapping back to the present, she stared intensely at Chu Ruo’s face. "Chu Ruo."
"Huh?" The sudden call startled Chu Ruo. She didn't even know what she’d just been rambling about—she’d just been talking nonsense to fill the silence. She was relieved Nan Muxue hadn't interrupted, though it seemed she hadn't been listening. If she hadn't stopped her, Chu Ruo would have run out of things to make up.
Nan Muxue raised her hand. Chu Ruo flinched, thinking she was going to be hit, and instinctively covered her head. Instead, the hand merely brushed against her cheek. "What do you take me for?"
There was clear emotion in Nan Muxue’s voice. Unfortunately, Chu Ruo, the blockhead, turned a perfect opportunity into a death trap. If the word "Master" wasn't controversial enough, the words that followed were: "A meal ticket? An ice sleeping bag? A bodyguard?" And then, as if afraid she hadn't made her angry enough, she added with a look of genuine confusion, "An easy mark?"
*THUD!*
Chu Ruo was terrified. The Little Scorpion had literally kicked her to the very edge of the cliff. *You’ve got some nerve! One more inch and I’d be a goner!* Before she could finish her thought, her waist tightened. She looked down to see a very long silk sash wrapped around her. It was over. She was truly doomed.
"Aaaah!" Chu Ruo was repeatedly pushed off the cliff and yanked back up. A roller coaster was child’s play compared to this. "Help me!"
***
That night.
Chu Ruo crept up to Nan Muxue’s door, intending to sneak in, only to find it locked from the inside. *Awooo~* she wailed inwardly. She was really angry this time. Usually, she never bolted the door. After playing with her like a yo-yo at the cliffside all afternoon, Nan Muxue had just walked away and retreated to her room. She hadn't come out or spoken to anyone. She was acting like a total scumbag—no, a "scum-woman." Wicked and petty. Little Scorpion!
*Zip!*
A silver needle whistled past her face. A voice drifted from inside the room: "If you dare curse your Master in your heart again, watch your head!"
...*You’re a monster.* No, no, no, you aren't. Chu Ruo was truly floored by her abilities. Could she really read minds? But her reactions sometimes suggested otherwise. Whatever, survival first. She put on a flattering smile. "Um, Master, you..."
"I’m asleep."
Short and blunt. *I didn't even ask anything yet!* "Then open the door. I have something to tell you."
"Tell me tomorrow."
Concise. "Just open up. If you don't, I’m not leaving."
Silence. Not a sound. You could have heard a pin drop. All she could hear was her own breathing. *Hmph, playing hard to ball, are we? Fine, I’m staying right here.*
...The autumn night wasn't as hot as the day; it was actually quite chilly. Chu Ruo stood there, stamping her feet. *Achoo! Achoo!* She sneezed loudly on purpose. *I don't believe you won't feel sorry for me.*
Well, as it turned out, she really didn't. Eventually, Chu Ruo ended up sitting on the floor, leaning against the door. Her eyelids grew heavy, and she was just about to drift off...
*Creak—*
Just as she was about to start drooling, the door mercifully opened. She quickly wiped her mouth and snapped awake. Looking into the room, the Little Scorpion was still lying down. *Well, the door must have felt sorry for me and opened itself.* Yeah, right. Who else could have opened it but the person on the bed? She scurried inside and shut the door.
"Master," Chu Ruo called out, prompting her to get up. "I made some lily sweet soup for you. You didn't eat anything tonight. Have some."
"I’m not hungry."
"You still have to eat. It’s good whether it’s hot or cold. I even brought some ice. If you want it chilled, I can ice it for you right now."
Nan Muxue’s back was turned to her, and she fell silent again. Chu Ruo walked over, climbed onto the bed quite naturally, and pulled the other woman into a hug, speaking before she could be kicked out. "I am absolutely not getting down unless you kill me."
"Have you forgotten the consequences at the cliff this afternoon? Did you enjoy the taste? Tell me."
...*Can't you just let that go? Turn the page?* Fine, I won't argue with you. "Anyway, I’m not letting go. I said the wrong thing earlier. I’ll say it again: even if you kill me, I’m not getting down."
"You really are more shameless than anyone else."
The tone seemed to soften. Chu Ruo pressed her advantage. "Get up and have some soup."
Nan Muxue turned around but showed no intention of leaving the bed. "I have no appetite."
"Still mad at me?"
"What do you think?"
"I didn't even get to chat about ghost stories with Xiao Guo’er because I was looking for you. Fine, you’re probably going to tell me to get lost if I don't like it, right? Just be the bigger person and stop being mad. Don't you get tired of being angry with me a thousand times a day? Can't you just stop holding it against me?"
Nan Muxue arched an eyebrow. "Then can you stop annoying your Master for one single day?"
... "I don't annoy you. It’s you..." her voice grew smaller, "...who’s petty... and gets jealous for no reason."
The other woman narrowed her eyes. "Ruo’er, you really are... you..." Before she could finish, the shameless girl launched a surprise attack and kissed her. By the time Nan Muxue realized what was happening, she was already lost in the kiss, unable to pull away.
"Rogue," she whispered.
It was a soft rebuke, definitely soft. Chu Ruo pulled her into her arms. "I really know I was wrong. Don't be mad anymore. If you’re too lazy to get up, I’ll bring the soup over and feed you."
Nan Muxue pressed against her, moving closer into her embrace. She placed a hand over Chu Ruo’s heart. "I’m truly not hungry. Don't bother."
Usually, no matter how stubborn she was, she wouldn't refuse Chu Ruo this many times. It seemed she really didn't want to eat tonight. Chu Ruo didn't push it. "What’s wrong?" she joked. "Are you still mad about a few pieces of stinky tofu? You’ve got quite a temper."
"You’re asking what you already know."
"Then," Chu Ruo turned serious, "I won't make you angry anymore."
In her arms, Nan Muxue gave a light laugh. "It would be a miracle if you annoyed me twice less a day."
"I’m serious. From now on, I’ll listen to you. I won't do or say things you don't like," she promised, taking Nan Muxue’s hand. "I swear."
"Ruo’er," Nan Muxue murmured. Even though she knew this girl’s personality meant she could be driven to madness again in the very next second, as long as Chu Ruo said it, she would believe it. She called her name again, her voice full of deep affection. "In the future, you aren't allowed to be that close to anyone else."
"Mhm."
"You aren't allowed to eat things fed to you by others."
"Okay," Chu Ruo nodded. "Then will you feed me?"
Nan Muxue smiled. "Why are Ruo’er’s eyes..."
"Ahem... never mind. I won't trouble Master then."
Despite her cowardly look, Nan Muxue couldn't help but pinch her cheeks, finding her quite adorable. "If you ever make your Master angry again, I’ll cripple you."
Here we go again. Always with the "crippling." *If you cripple me, you’ll have to take care of me and feed me. Wait, I’m not crippled and that’s basically what’s happening anyway. Fine, whatever.* She pulled another piece of paper from her robe, her speech slurred because her cheeks were being squished. "For you..."
Nan Muxue opened it, expecting another joke like the one from the afternoon. Instead, it was a proper, serious drawing. It was a sketch of her standing by the cliff that afternoon—a peerless beauty, standing alone.
"You scoundrel, I didn't realize you could write poetry and paint." She was touched. In the past, many talented men had gifted her portraits, but she had never spared them a glance. This one, however, she found herself loving.
Seeing that she was finally happy, Chu Ruo tilted her head up to kiss her.
Before she could make contact, her puckered lips were pinched by Nan Muxue’s hand. Nan Muxue’s eyes remained on the drawing. "You aren't allowed to kiss me after eating *that*."
*That?* Oh, right. She meant the stinky tofu. *But we just kissed! Honestly.* Chu Ruo struggled to pry the hand away, coaxing her. "It’s actually quite good. You should try it sometime. But putting that aside, I just rinsed my mouth with special osmanthus water. If you don't believe me, you can test it."
She was still blocked. Nan Muxue saw the longing in those eyes. Suddenly, she felt a profound sense of satisfaction and joy, yet she maintained her composure, asking one final, rational question. "I will ask you this only one more time. What exactly do you take me for?"
"You are the Young Palace Mistress of Baihua Palace, the star everyone revolves around. You are my Master. Even though you take me everywhere, and we are together every day—even sleeping in the same bed—I’ve always felt you were high above me, unreachable. You’re so excellent, so beautiful. So many men in the martial world admire you, while I’m nothing at all." Nan Muxue was acting strange tonight, but Chu Ruo could sense the loneliness in her eyes.
"Ruo’er," Nan Muxue interrupted, cupping her face. "I..."
"You asked what I take you for, but what I want to say is," Chu Ruo also caressed that stunning face, smiling, "the person I love. Nan Muxue, I take you for... mmm..."
Some words didn't need to be finished; the meaning was clear enough. This proactive kiss completely ignited Chu Ruo. The chill she’d felt outside was replaced by a rising heat. She flipped over, pinning Nan Muxue beneath her. The kisses moved from her lips to her neck, leaving lingering crimson marks.
"Mmm... Ruo’er, stop..." Nan Muxue let out a soft cry. Their breathing grew heavy. When Chu Ruo’s hand reached for her waist and pulled the sash loose, Nan Muxue knew exactly what it meant. She patted Chu Ruo’s shoulder. "Stop..."
Chu Ruo was in no mood to listen, continuing her trail of soft kisses. Nan Muxue was on the verge of losing her mind. She pushed against Chu Ruo’s chest. "I have something to say... mmm... you... stop for a moment..."
"Later... later..."
The kisses moved to her ear. Nan Muxue hadn't truly refused, and Chu Ruo even blew a warm breath into her ear before gently biting the translucent, pink earlobe. This made Nan Muxue shudder. Using the last shred of her remaining sanity, she forced out a few words: "Mmm... actually, Yan’er..."
***
**Glossary**
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
--- | --- | ---
段凝 | Duan Ning | Third Protector of Baihua Palace; playful and likes stinky tofu.
殷琉璃 | Yin Liuli | Second Protector of Baihua Palace; serious and disciplined.
云雾山 | Yunwu Mountain | The location of the Baihua Palace branch sect.
百合甜汤 | Lily Sweet Soup | A traditional sweet dessert soup made with lily bulbs.
北方有佳人，遗世而独立 | In the north, there is a beauty; she stands alone, peerless in the world | A famous line from a Han Dynasty poem by Li Yannian.
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Master, Spare My Life: A Disciple's Sweet Rebellion | Chapter 39 | The Art of Coaxing | Novela.app | Novela.app
