After finally "consuming her heart's desire," Chu Ruo was in high spirits. She asked the person in her arms with an exceptionally attentive and tender voice, "Do you want some dinner? It’s still early. Tell me what you want, and I’ll go make it."
Nan Muxue leaned against her, appearing several degrees more clingy than usual. To Chu Ruo, this scene was the very definition of being "dainty and endearing." Nan Muxue simply shook her head, her eyes drifting aimlessly toward a random spot in the room without saying a word.
"Then... do you want to sleep for a bit?"
No answer. Chu Ruo persisted, "How about a bath? I can fetch the water for you. Or do you want to go see Duan Ning and the others?"
Still no response. Chu Ruo couldn't help but look down, her eyes full of doting affection. Involuntarily, she leaned in and kissed the other woman's forehead. The current "Little Snake-Scorpion" was the picture of gentleness and obedience. Chu Ruo took her hand and gave it a playful little nip. "Xue'er, talk to me."
Nan Muxue finally looked up, a light smile playing on her lips. "You’ve been grinning like a fool for ages. All this sudden attentiveness... you’re talking quite a lot, aren't you?"
*Tsk, tsk, tsk.* Just listen to that tone after being claimed. It was so soft and charming it made one's heart melt. "Well, I’m worried about you. Are you sure you don't want to rest?"
The other woman settled back into her embrace. "If you’re tired, then sleep. I’m staying right here. Today, I won't see anyone, and I won't go anywhere. I won't take a single step out of this room."
Chu Ruo’s fingers couldn't help but stroke up and down the woman’s jade-white arm. The light, ticklish touch carried a sense of soothing comfort. "I’m not tired. I want to keep holding you just like this."
"And how long do you plan on holding me?"
"Until tomorrow morning." Chu Ruo paused, realizing that in such a perfect atmosphere, she shouldn't give a boring answer. "No, that’s not right. I want to hold you for a lifetime."
A hint of languidness appeared in Nan Muxue’s eyes. She shifted slightly, snuggling into that jubilant embrace. Her smile was faint, yet it felt incredibly sweet. Her arms tightened, pulling Chu Ruo closer.
This soft, affectionate side of the Little Snake-Scorpion made Chu Ruo feel like she was floating on clouds, wrapped in warmth and happiness. "Holding me so tight... are you afraid I’ll fly away?"
"Yes." Neither of them expected Nan Muxue to actually admit it, and so frankly at that. Even now, despite having Chu Ruo's promise, she still felt a sense of insecurity. Even though she trusted her, the moment she thought of Chu Ruo’s identity—that she didn't belong to this world, that she had come from another realm—she felt a surge of panic. She feared that one day, Chu Ruo would mysteriously vanish or return to the world where she belonged. The only thing she could do was hold her tighter.
"You call me a fool, but you’re the silly one. I’m not going anywhere. I can’t bear to leave you." Chu Ruo tilted the woman’s chin up. The perfect angle only served to make the beauty look even more breathtaking. "Besides, you’re my wife now. I have to take responsibility for you."
Nan Muxue narrowed her eyes. "Does my disciple still remember the words 'respect the teacher and the Way'?"
"I don't. I only remember the words 'land of tenderness'."
"Shameless."
"I’ve already had my way with you, why would I need shame?"
Nan Muxue arched an eyebrow. "Do you think my patience..."
What should one do when their wife talks too much and acts all haughty? Don't back down—just kiss her. "Xue'er..."
"You scoundrel." Nan Muxue’s "offensive" was easily neutralized. She pinched Chu Ruo’s cheek and laughed again. "I really don't know how I ended up taking a fellow like you as a disciple."
"Isn't it great that you took me in? Look, I can cook, I’m hardworking, I’m obedient, and I’m a martial arts prodigy. Most importantly..." She counted her "virtues" on her fingers before giving a suggestive grin. "...I’m great at warming the bed."
"Shut up."
"Alright, alright, I’ll shut up. You should get some sleep. Don't we have to start the journey back tomorrow morning?"
Their dark hair mingled over their shoulders. Nan Muxue held her beloved close, her face glowing with an unusual radiance. "There’s no rush. We’ve already been delayed long enough; one more day won't matter. We’ll stay here tomorrow and leave the day after."
"But didn't you say that after the Martial Arts Assembly ends, many sects seek out private revenge? And the Heavenly Demon Palace might set an ambush on the road. We should leave quickly."
"Liu Songhe took a heavy blow from your sneak attack. He was merely putting on a front afterward; otherwise, how could we have fought to a draw in terms of internal energy? He needs time to recover, so don't worry. Besides, someone will come looking for you tomorrow. It won't be too late for the Saintess to see them before we depart."
"Who?" Chu Ruo was bewildered. "That Shen Shiyi? But I don't really have any connection with him. If anyone’s looking for someone, it should be you, right?"
The other woman simply smiled without answering. Chu Ruo didn't bother to dig deeper; she’d find out tomorrow anyway. Her attention had actually been fixed on one specific place: Nan Muxue’s arm. "Xue'er, look." She lifted her lover's arm and whispered, "Your Cinnabar Mark really has disappeared. I’ve been watching it since earlier. First it faded, and now it’s completely gone." This thing was truly mystical. Just a short while after claiming the Little Snake-Scorpion, it was actually gone. She felt a lingering fear. "Then... what will we do when we go back? Your mother is so formidable. If we put a fake one on, she’ll notice immediately, right? And won't the color wash off if water touches it?"
"Ordinary cinnabar certainly won't work."
"Then..."
"But if you mix in a bit of Golden Forsythia Grass, it will be virtually identical. It can even withstand water without fading."
"Virtually? Meaning there’s still a risk?" Chu Ruo’s face was full of worry. "Xue'er, I... I was too impulsive."
Nan Muxue placed a finger over Chu Ruo's lips and looked into her eyes. "It was my wish. Why are you blaming yourself?"
"I’m afraid..."
"Enough." The smile was soft, but the determination in her eyes gave Chu Ruo confidence. "Would I have done this if I weren't certain? Don't be afraid."
"I’m not afraid of dying. Really. Even though in your eyes I’m cowardly, spineless, and afraid of pain—and I am afraid of your mother—I would rather she punish me or even kill me. I’m only afraid of what she might do to you..."
"I will be careful." Nan Muxue proactively sought Chu Ruo’s lips, her fingers brushing against her beautiful eyebrows. "For you and for me—for us—I won't let anything happen to me. Don't you trust me?"
Chu Ruo nodded like a chick pecking at grain. "I trust you." She pulled her into a tight embrace. "We finally managed to be together. I want to be with you for a long, long time. You must protect yourself." She thought for a moment and intentionally added, "Otherwise, how will you protect me? You have to protect me."
"Alright," Nan Muxue drawled the word in her usual melodic way. "I will protect you, my Ruo'er."
"Let's not talk about anyone else, okay? Today, it’s just the two of us."
"Mhm."
"Then..." To lighten the mood, and since the Cinnabar Mark had brought up the subject, Chu Ruo seemed to summon all her courage to ask in a tiny whisper, "Do you want to try... pushing me back?"
Clearly, the other woman didn't understand. "Pushing?"
*This is so embarrassing.* Chu Ruo leaned in to whisper the explanation directly into her ear. She was operating on the principle of fairness—one "push" each—though she had technically "pushed" the Little Snake-Scorpion more than once just now.
Nan Muxue looked at her with amusement. "Aren't you afraid of pain?"
Chu Ruo shrank back, hesitating and stammering. "Well... what must come, must come. Anyway, as long as it’s you, it’s fine. You felt pain too, didn't you? One turn for each of us."
"You’re really not afraid?"
Chu Ruo closed her eyes nervously. "Mhm. Not afraid. Go ahead."
"Alright." The other woman leaned closer and closer until, finally—*muah*—she left a light kiss on Chu Ruo's cheek and settled back down on top of her. "I’ll keep it as a debt for now. When Master is in a bad mood one day..."
*If you’re in a bad mood and you want to... then how could I be okay? Why is she such a Little Snake-Scorpion...*
"Chu Ruo, do you have a death wish?"
The voice was casual, but the finger pressing into the vital acupoint on her back was already two inches deep. She used this trick every time. "I was wrong!"
Nan Muxue let go, but her hand remained on Chu Ruo's back. "Does it still hurt?"
She was referring to the scratch marks left behind during their earlier passion. Chu Ruo shook her head. "It’s been fine for a while. So... are you still in pain?"
"No."
Chu Ruo suddenly flipped over, pinning her down. "Then... can we go again?"
Nan Muxue closed her eyes and didn't answer, but her arms reached up to encircle Chu Ruo’s neck.
"Hehe~"
Chu Ruo kissed her meticulously, with extreme lightness and tenderness, acting with the utmost care. She wasn't unaware of this woman’s consideration. Because Nan Muxue knew she was afraid of pain, she had chosen to yield, completely indulging her. This woman, usually so cold and haughty, was now obediently cooperating with her, letting her play and toss about. If one weren't moved by all of this, they would be no different from a block of wood. "Xue'er," Chu Ruo whispered, as if holding a rare and precious treasure in her hands. "I love you. I love you so much."
***
Enjoying the story? Rate this novel:
Master, Spare My Life: A Disciple's Sweet Rebellion | Chapter 76 | Tender Afterglow | Novela.app | Novela.app
