The day before the finals of the Martial Arts Assembly.
"What are you wriggling around for now?"
Chu Ruo shuffled and squeezed her way into the arms of the person questioning her from the bedside. "You won't let me out of bed. Aside from wrapping myself in the quilt and arching my back like a giant maggot, just like Xiao Guo’er said, what else am I supposed to do?"
"Be quiet." Nan Muxue set her book down and cooperatively pulled the girl into her embrace. "Stop mentioning such disgusting things."
"Well, as long as you're holding me, I won't say it. Hehe~"
"You truly never stop, do you?"
"I'm just so bored. I'm not actually injured, and I'm not sick. Even though I didn't get much rest during those days I was captured, I've long since made up for it. Xue’er, just let me get out of bed, please? Xue’er..."
The other woman reached out a finger to hook under Chu Ruo's chin. "It’s useless. You are so restless that if I let you out, there’s no telling what kind of trouble you’d stir up."
Chu Ruo sat up straight. "I only did that to scout for information for you!"
"Oh?" Nan Muxue’s tone turned playful and heavy with meaning. "Scouting all the way into a brothel?"
"I..."
"You what? Go on, speak. I almost forgot to ask you—have these past few days staying in this brothel been comfortable?"
*Crap.* Chu Ruo could tell from the "Little Scorpion’s" expression that she had walked right into a trap. She instinctively tried to back away. "It’s been fine, quite fine..."
"I see," Nan Muxue noted. "So, Ruo’er truly does like brothels. Otherwise, why would you find it comfortable?"
"Xue’er, I won't get out of bed anymore..."
Nan Muxue cut her off ruthlessly. "I wonder which top courtesan in this establishment has caught your eye? Tell me, and perhaps I shall fulfill your wish?"
"That—well, I—actually," Chu Ruo had a sudden flash of inspiration and pivoted the topic. "I just remembered something! It’s about Zhier. She saved me and discovered I’d been afflicted with the Silent Gu. That means she..."
"So what if she knows? Would she have the heart to do anything to harm you?"
"True. Then it’s nothing."
Nan Muxue’s smile grew increasingly terrifying. "Nothing? The matter of the brothel isn't finished, and yet you’re already thinking about your precious Miss Zhier?"
Chu Ruo felt like she couldn't breathe for three seconds. *Can I just faint right now and never wake up?* With a mournful face, she whimpered, "Xue’er, I was wrong..."
Nan Muxue raised a hand, and Chu Ruo immediately covered her ears and face in fright. The older woman let out an involuntary chuckle before pulling her back. "Come here. Look at you, acting so spineless. I didn't see any of this cowardice when you were ready to sacrifice yourself by jumping off that cliff."
"How can that be the same? I’m a person who... fears my wife... mgh! Mgh!" *Damn Little Scorpion, she’s pinching my mouth shut again.*
"Stop talking nonsense. I am your Master."
Chu Ruo finally managed to pry those soft hands away, but she couldn't bring herself to let go, clasping them tightly in her own. She shook her head in correction. "How can your self-positioning be so unclear?" At that exact moment, their eyes met. Chu Ruo tilted her head slightly, leaning closer and closer, eager to seek that moving sweetness upon her lips. "I really need to correct you properly."
The kiss was, of course, wonderful. Even though they had done this countless times, Chu Ruo never grew tired of it; if anything, she had become addicted. Even after a beautiful, passionate kiss, she wanted to press close again the very next second. "So? Do you know who you belong to now?"
"Shameless rogue," Nan Muxue muttered, her face flushing. That faint crimson glow was incredibly alluring. Who would have thought that the cold, ruthless, and bloodthirsty Young Palace Mistress of Baihua Palace would, in front of her lover, look exactly like any ordinary woman finding her happiness?
"Let’s practice some swordplay in the room. I want to stretch my muscles."
Nan Muxue looked at her, find it somewhat amusing. "You?"
"I haven't used my Ice Fiend in ages. I’m afraid it’ll get rusty."
Nan Muxue exposed her ruthlessly. "It is forged from special materials. It will not melt in fire nor rust in water."
"You’re so un-cute, taking everything so literally. Oh, come on, we can just spar a bit, just comparing forms. We won't use internal energy, just pure movement. Besides, aren't you afraid that if I don't practice for a long time, I'll forget everything you taught me?"
Nan Muxue stood up, the Ice Soul sword appearing in her hand. "Then perform the Flying Flower Style I taught you. For every mistake, you will copy the mental mnemonics fifty times."
*I must be a pig. Why did I have to open my big mouth about stretching? Isn't it nice just lying in bed?* "Uh, about that, I..."
Nan Muxue’s lips curled into a smile. "Too late for regrets. Get up."
*Clang! Crash! Bang!*
"Are you two trying to tear the house down?"
"None of your business! What are you doing in here?"
Duan Ning and Nangong Yan walked in together. "We heard such a huge commotion from next door, we had to check it out. Look at these vases and cups shattered on the floor. Tsk, tsk," Duan Ning whispered with a wicked grin into Chu Ruo's ear, "Maybe try to be a little less... vigorous... with your tossing and turning?"
A wave of revulsion hit Chu Ruo. That tone was beyond suggestive. She was clearly implying that the Little Scorpion and Chu Ruo were doing *that*. "Can't you see the swords in our hands? We were sparring! Sparring!"
"Who are you kidding? You’ve lost your martial arts, what is there to spar? Oh, I get it. Are you practicing for later in bed—"
*Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!*
Nan Muxue, as always at such moments, flicked several needles toward her. "If there is nothing else, leave."
Nangong Yan grabbed Duan Ning to stop her from pushing further. "Let’s be serious. Stop messing around."
"Fine, fine. There is news. The Hungry Butcher has vanished. Tomorrow is the final match, so after a discussion between Shaolin and Casting Sword Villa, they decided to select one more person today. If the Hungry Butcher still doesn't show up tomorrow, the new person will take his place."
"Is there a result?"
"They’re choosing from the four sects that were previously defeated. Liuli has already gone to watch; she’ll be back soon."
"Go meet Liuli. There is no need to come back and report to me."
Nangong Yan was surprised. "Didn't you say we must know ourselves and our enemies? You don't plan to hear the result?"
Nan Muxue simply shouldered her sword. "I already have a good idea of how this will go. Go."
Once the two left, Chu Ruo tossed her weapon aside and rushed to hug the other woman. "It seems today's winner is exactly who you expected."
Nan Muxue chuckled softly, sheathing Ice Soul, and reached out to tidy Chu Ruo's hair. "Everything has been arranged. There is no need to listen. Besides, no matter who it is, they will not affect my plan."
"No one can affect it, huh?" Chu Ruo leaned in face-to-face, smiling brilliantly. "What about me?"
"You?" Nan Muxue was stunned for a moment before snapping back to reality, pinching Chu Ruo's chin. "What could a glutton like you possibly do?"
Chu Ruo puffed out her cheeks. "Me?" She grabbed Nan Muxue and pinned her against the wall. "What do you think I can do?"
The other woman cooperatively closed her bright eyes, allowing Chu Ruo to "run wild" between her lips. At this moment, there was no trace of the overbearing Young Palace Mistress left in Nan Muxue.
"Xue’er," Chu Ruo said, acting particularly clingy after the kiss. "You’re so beautiful."
Having been pulled into Chu Ruo's arms, Nan Muxue rarely allowed herself to soften. she leaned into her and murmured, "Mm."
"I want to hold you like this for a lifetime, okay?"
Another nod. "Mm."
*This obedient look... tsk tsk.* At this moment, the Little Scorpion was practically a "soft girl." Even if it was just a momentary facade, it was enough to make Chu Ruo’s heart flutter for a long time. "Then... can you stop pricking my fingers?"
"Hmm?"
*Why is it that even though it’s just an 'hmm,' the tone is so different?* Chu Ruo held out her ten fingers, her eyes "teary" and pitiful. "It really hurts. Look at all these needle marks. There’s no room left to prick me."
"Then I shall prick the old marks."
*You’re going to kill me with pain!* "Xue’er, it’s been so many days, surely that’s enough?"
"It is not."
The answer was concise and deadly. "It is enough! You’ve been angry for so many days, haven't you cooled off yet?"
*Crap.* Covering her mouth was useless now. Nan Muxue had already stood up to glare at her. "What did you say?"
"Nothing, nothing! Ow! Don't pinch my face! Not the fingers either! Waaaah..."
"You’ve grown quite bold, haven't you?" The other woman’s grip was ruthless. "Let me see just how stubborn your mouth is."
"I confess! I confess!" *Why am I acting like a traitor? I want to be a good citizen, but I can't withstand the Little Scorpion’s interrogation!* "I—I just meant you’ve been angry for many days. Forget it, okay? Don't hold it against me." If Duan Ning hadn't told her what was going on, she would still be in the dark. She had thought the Little Scorpion would soften after seeing her get pricked for so many days, but alas... *So love really does disappear, doesn't it?*
Nan Muxue let go. "Then tell me. I was kindly treating you; why would I be angry?"
"Alright, stop pretending. You know that I know. I admit my mistake."
"Mistake? What mistake?"
Chu Ruo scanned her face and answered cautiously, "Zhier... Ow! Pain!" *I knew I shouldn't have said it. My fingers are going to be ruined.*
"The consequences of not speaking will be even worse."
*Did she read my mind again? Enough already!* "But if I tell you, you’ll get angry. I..."
"You what?" Nan Muxue cut her off irritably. "Whether you say it or not, I already know. Are you implying you want to keep your precious memories with your 'Sister Zhier' hidden away?"
*How did she become a 'sister' now?* "No, I only kept it from you because I was afraid you’d be angry!"
"Are you going to tell me or not?"
"I'll tell you! I'll tell you! Back when we were at the Ten Thousand Devils Palace, someone tried to kill me. Zhier shared a room with me to protect me. I originally intended to sleep separately, but that night those people spiked my drink. I was dead drunk and didn't even know how I got into the room. Really! You have to believe me, I didn't do it on purpose. I... I..."
"You've been 'I-ing' for ages." Nan Muxue finally laughed. "You’re like an idiot. I don't know how you managed to keep your little life intact over there."
"I’m just lucky. Now that you’ve laughed, you aren't angry anymore, right?"
Nan Muxue’s face changed in a split second. "You certainly think highly of yourself. You hid this for so long, thinking it was a perfect secret?"
"But nothing happened between us! My heart only has you. That night I was drunk, I even mistook her for you. I kept calling out 'Yan’er, Yan’er'..."
Nan Muxue narrowed her eyes. "You mistook her for me?"
"Yeah, yeah," Chu Ruo said, possessing zero survival instinct. "I kept calling her Yan’er."
"So, you went up to hug her, kiss her, and then pulled her into bed to sleep together?"
Chu Ruo finally realized her blunder and denied it vehemently. "Ah, no! No kissing!"
"But you did the rest?"
"Xue’er..."
*Thump!*
By the time dinner arrived in the evening, Chu Ruo was kneeling on the bed, pinching her own ears with a bowl of water balanced on her head. The sight of the meat and fish on the table made her mouth water uncontrollably. She had been eating nothing but plain porridge for days, and the Little Scorpion—who usually didn't even like greasy food—was clearly doing this to taunt her. "Xue’er, I’m hungry..."
Nan Muxue happened to be serving a bowl of Bamboo Fungus and Shredded Chicken Tofu Pudding. It smelled divine, the spoon stirring up waves of fresh aroma, but she didn't eat it. This was definitely intentional. "Truly hungry?"
Chu Ruo nodded, nearly spilling the water. "Mm, mm!"
"Stay hungry then. You don't need dinner tonight."
"I was wrong, I was really wrong! Please, I want to eat."
"Keep wanting. You won't be eating."
Chu Ruo’s stomach growled. She swallowed hard with difficulty. After a moment of struggle, she deflated like a popped balloon. "Oh. Then you eat. Just don't be angry with me anymore."
*This girl... she really is terrified of me. Or perhaps, she loves me too deeply.* Why did she not call her out, even though she clearly knew Nan Muxue was just annoyed and teasing her? Looking at the dense red dots on those ten fingertips—which had turned from faint to prominent—Nan Muxue realized she could no longer keep her heart hardened.
"You can even fall asleep while kneeling? You’re worse than a glutton." A voice sounded by her ear. Chu Ruo looked up dizzily, and the bowl of water completely lost its balance. Nan Muxue caught it the instant it spilled, while her other hand held a bowl filled with delicious food.
"Open your mouth."
Chu Ruo was slightly startled by this change in behavior. With lingering fear, she asked, "What did you... add to it?"
The veins on Nan Muxue’s forehead throbbed. "Lethal poison. It was originally meant for a dog."
"Woof~"
Chu Ruo gave a vivid imitation of a puppy. No matter the girl, hearing such a sound would usually melt any remaining anger. Nan Muxue was no exception. Seeing that ridiculous face, her lips curled upward again as she fed her a bite. "Shameless."
"If you aren't angry, what do I need a face for? It’s not like I can eat it." *Finally, she’s not mad. What a difficult day. I can finally eat some real food.*
As she fed her, Nan Muxue said, "Remember this well. Just as you call me, I am a little scorpion. I am petty, and I am not a good person. I will not allow any other woman to be near you. If there is one, I shall kill her. You had best not try to attract anyone else, otherwise..."
"You’ll ruin me," Chu Ruo finished happily, leaning in to hug the other’s waist. "I remember, Xue’er. I’m sorry. I’ll never hide anything from you again. No matter who I’m with or what I do, I’ll report every single detail to you."
"Your oaths are as casual as the food on this table. I don't need you to remember; I will handle it myself." Nan Muxue’s eyes burned with intensity. "If you ever dare do such a thing again, I will chop off your fingers and gouge out your eyes. I mean what I say."
"I know, I know." Having a waist to hug and someone to feed her was wonderful. She was feeling quite smug, but an apology was still necessary. "I’m sorry. I really shouldn't have done that. That period of time must have been heartbreaking for you, while I was just being mindless. I really am a terrible person."
Nan Muxue freed a hand to cup her cheek. "As long as you are by my side from now on, everything was worth it."
Chu Ruo leaned forward to embrace her. "Xue’er~"
"Alright," the other woman patted her head. "Go over and eat properly."
"Mm." The two stood up to head to the table. The bedding and pillows on the bed had been made into a mess by Chu Ruo earlier while she was bored. As she moved, the quilt caught on her and dragged along. Nan Muxue turned her head and, with quick eyes and hands, snatched a book that had been revealed from deep within the bedding. Chu Ruo tried to grab it but failed. Nan Muxue glanced at the title on the cover: *Master, Spare My Life*.
"What is this?" she asked with great interest.
"Just... I was bored these past few days with nothing to do, so I scribbled some things. It’s a story about the two of us."
Nan Muxue flipped to a random page and read aloud: *"Fine, so what if I have to do horse stances? You’d better never teach me any other martial arts for the rest of your life. Otherwise, once I’ve learned them, you can just wait to starve to death, you 'Master'! That damn Little Scorpion!"*
Nan Muxue finished reading, then raised an eyebrow, glancing sideways at the book before staring at Chu Ruo.
"Ahem, ahem! That—that was from when I first arrived at Baihua Palace! Flip further back. I praise you a lot in the later parts. It’s definitely exciting."
So, she flipped to this scene: *"That crazy woman is practically a female demon. If she isn't choking me, she’s threatening to gouge out my eyes. Do you think she’s sick in the head? She wants me to take her as my Master? Pfft! A little slip of a girl—even if we’re the same age, who knows if she’s even older than me? And she poisoned me with that Baihua Gu of yours. If she isn't a scorpion-woman, what is she? What did I ever do to her? And that wasn't even the end of it; she made me suffer through a whole day of agonizing poison flare-ups yesterday. Then today she says she’s teaching me martial arts, but really she just makes me do horse stances and hits me with pebbles. It’s nothing but scolding and beating. I’m exhausted to death and she won't even give me food, forcing me to sneak into the kitchen at night. But let me tell you, the quality of the food here is pathetic. I haven't seen a single piece of meat. Long-term meat deprivation causes malnutrition, okay? That scorpion-woman isn't just black-hearted; she’s a cheapskate too!"*
The veins on Nan Muxue’s forehead were bulging alarmingly. Chu Ruo hurriedly spoke up, "Third time’s the charm! A bit further back, I definitely didn't write like that anymore."
Nan Muxue took a deep breath to calm her mind and flipped again: *"After throwing her off the cliff and pulling her back up like a yo-yo for the entire afternoon, she just patted her butt and walked back to her room. She won't come out or talk to anyone. She’s just like a scumbag—no, a trashy woman. Malicious and petty. Little Scorpion!"*
*Uh-oh.* Those were Chu Ruo’s final two words of lament before her impending doom.
The day of the Martial Arts Assembly finals.
Chu Ruo finally learned the rules for the final round. You get to choose your opponent. To be precise, besides the Sect Leader, each sect could field one more person, but that person had to be chosen by another sect. Ordinary disciples were not eligible. When Liu Songhe stepped onto the stage, Chu Ruo knew that she would have to go up today.
***
