The first night back at Baihua Palace.
It was peaceful and serene, with nothing out of the ordinary—until Chu Ruo was yanked up by her ear. "Get up."
"Xue'er..." she mumbled, eyes half-closed and voice thick with sleep. "What is it... *huff*..."
Nan Muxue promptly covered Chu Ruo’s mouth and nose with her hand. Having not taken a deep breath beforehand, Chu Ruo was instantly hit by a wave of suffocation. Her eyes snapped open, wide and alert, though she couldn't utter a word. Nan Muxue looked back at her with an amused, triumphant, and teasing glint in her eyes. "Well? Are you awake now?"
*I’m cursing you in my head right now...* Chu Ruo thought. It took a monumental effort to pry that hand away. She gasped for air several times before finally managing to speak. "Why are you playing tricks on me the moment we get back?"
"When has your Master ever played tricks on you?"
"When haven't you? Do you think it’s a rare occurrence? Just yesterday, you—"
"I what? Go on, say it."
*Damn it, you’re poking my back again while telling me to keep talking...* Chu Ruo realized she couldn't win. She was a "Little Scorpion," after all. No, she couldn't call her that out loud, or she’d be overheard. She immediately switched to a fawning smile. "Nothing! Whatever Master says is right. It’s just that this disciple is slow-witted..."
"Mm." Nan Muxue nodded with feigned gravity. "Since you know you're slow-witted, it seems there's still hope for this hopeless case."
*Did I just dig a hole and jump into it?* Chu Ruo wondered. *And more importantly, why does this woman have a comeback for everything I say? She’s toxic... No, I’m toxic too. We’re both toxic. Does that make us a match made in heaven?*
"You're thinking nonsense again." Nan Muxue gave her cheek a gentle pinch and stood up. "The night air is chilly. Put on more layers."
"Wait, are we actually going out? I thought you were joking."
"Hmm?"
That single syllable carried a terrifying amount of weight. *Sigh, I really am henpecked,* Chu Ruo thought. *Especially since my 'wife' is a Little Scorpion.* "I’m putting them on! I’m putting them on right now!" She fumbled through her clothes. "Where are we going? Down the mountain again? We only just got back yesterday."
"You wish. We're going to practice martial arts."
"Huh?!"
"Louder, why don't you? Why not wake up all the other disciples while you're at it?"
Chu Ruo lowered her voice. "Xue'er, what are you doing?"
Nan Muxue took the clothes and began dressing her personally. "Didn't you say you wanted your Master to supervise your training properly?"
"But there’s no need to do it in the middle of the night..."
"If you're going to train, do it right. It won't be like this every day. You need to learn how to handle sudden situations; this will help your alertness."
"Oh. I'll take it seriously then. You can supervise me as strictly as you like."
Nan Muxue’s smile turned playful. "Even if I beat and scold you like when you first entered the Palace? You can endure that?"
Chu Ruo wrapped her arms around Nan Muxue’s waist. "If you have the heart to do it, then I’ll just have to take it. I’ve already fallen for this Little Scorpion; I chose this, so I have to spoil you."
"Shameless," Nan Muxue spat softly. "I wonder who is spoiling whom." Her gaze inadvertently flicked to Chu Ruo’s waist, and her brow furrowed. "Where is your jade pendant?"
It was still the middle of the night, and Chu Ruo was still somewhat groggy. She didn't notice the change in expression. She stood there lazily and replied, "It’s in my wardrobe. There’s a small box on the left." She couldn't help but let out a yawn after answering.
Nan Muxue immediately went over, retrieved the item, and held it up. "Why aren't you wearing it?"
"I’m afraid of breaking it. Besides, now that we’re back at the Palace, if we both wear them and others see, it’s no different from your mother finding out..."
"Put it on."
She handed it over, her tone brooking no argument. It was a dominant command that made one feel they couldn't possibly resist. Chu Ruo wasn't afraid, but she was more than willing to listen to this woman for the rest of her life. She obediently took the pendant, but instead of tying it to her waist like Nan Muxue, she hung it around her neck and tucked it inside her inner robe. She patted her collar. "I’ll wear it like this. It’s safe here, I can take it out to look at it whenever I want, and I don't have to worry about it shattering." She hadn't thought much of it when they bought it, but after bringing it back, she realized the jade changed color with temperature. The shopkeeper had mentioned it, but she’d assumed it was just a sales tactic. It turned out to be true, and the more she looked at it, the more she cherished it.
"Fussy," Nan Muxue muttered, taking her hand and leading her quietly outside. She knew Chu Ruo was only being cautious because she feared their relationship being exposed and feared the punishment from her mother. "You must wear the things I give you. And you can only wear what I give you." *Your heart must always belong only to me.*
"Alright, I get it. You really are a bossy Little Scorpion..."
***
Three days passed.
"Look here! I have some delicious sugar figurines! Who wants one?"
A group of young disciples, only five or six years old, swarmed around. Naturally, they were greedy for sweets. "Me! Give it to me!" "I want one!"
"I can give them to you," Chu Ruo said, squatting down with a brilliant smile. If Xiao Guo'er or Duan Ning saw her now, they’d definitely call her a fool. "But who is willing to take me as their Master in the future?"
The little disciples stared intently at the sugar figurines. "But the Young Palace Master ordered that no one is allowed to take you as a Master."
*Don't lose heart, don't lose heart. Guide them patiently...* "Well then, I guess I’ll just have to eat all these sugar figurines myself..."
"Wait!" The children were almost in tears from the temptation. "Give us the sugar figurines and we’ll promise. You can pick one of us."
"Deal! You said it!" Chu Ruo immediately handed them out. "Hmm, who should I pick..."
The little disciples exchanged a look, then pointed behind her and shouted, "Young Palace Master!"
Chu Ruo spun around in a fright. "There’s no one there!" When she turned back, the children were long gone. *I was actually tricked by a bunch of kids!!! What is this world coming to?*
Fuming, she headed to the study. Duan Ning had just returned from outside and was reporting the situation to Nan Muxue. Seeing Chu Ruo, she teased, "Oh? Who bullied our Great Saint Envoy to make her this angry?"
"I..." *No, I can't say it. She’ll never let me hear the end of it.* "You provoked me!"
"Pah! Have you no shame? You got tricked by a bunch of five-year-olds and you’re blaming me? Where’s your dignity? I’m asking you, where is it?"
"???" Chu Ruo blinked. "How did you know?"
Duan Ning doubled over laughing, then shot a glance at Nan Muxue. "What do you think?"
"That’s enough. Go back and rest. Go see Liuli," Nan Muxue said.
"What about Yan'er and her? Not back yet?" Ever since learning about the branch sect incident, Duan Ning had been deeply unhappy. Most of the time, she didn't even want to utter Nan Yunshuang’s name.
"I told Yan'er to keep her outside as long as possible, but it’s been a while. They should be back this afternoon."
"Fine. I’m exhausted from this trip. I’m going to take a nap..."
As soon as Duan Ning left, Chu Ruo sidled up to Nan Muxue and clung to her. "Xue'er..."
"Looking so aggrieved. Who bullied you this time?"
"You’re asking when you already know? Who did you have spying on me?"
Nan Muxue turned and fed her a peeled longan. "In this Baihua Palace, is there anyone whose every move your Master doesn't know?"
"They tricked me out of my sugar figurines and refused to be my disciples. Everyone’s bullying me. Xue'er, I need comfort. I want a hug, I want a kiss..."
Nan Muxue pinched her lips shut. "You’ve got quite the nerve. I told you not to take disciples, and you go and try to bribe the children?"
"Mmph mmph... I—I didn't say right now. I just wanted them to promise me first, so they could join when you finally agree. Who knew they’d be so stubborn and trick me? Even the kids in your Baihua Palace are like this. They aren't cute at all!" *Aren't children supposed to be innocent, simple, and a bit dim? These ones are all sharp as tacks. Not cute. Not cute at all.*
"Blame your own stupidity," Nan Muxue laughed. "Look at that long face. No wonder Ning'er mocked you."
"You... It’s bad enough they bully me, but you’re laughing too? You have no conscience, you Little Scorpion."
"Alright, alright." Nan Muxue coaxed her with tender indulgence. "What else do you want?"
"Think of something yourself! If I have to say it, it makes you look insincere."
How could Nan Muxue not know what she was implying? She tilted her head and easily captured Chu Ruo’s lips, allowing her to "behave atrociously."
When the kiss ended, Chu Ruo sat down while still holding her. "Mm, my Xue'er is still the best to me."
"And yet you still want to take disciples?"
"Fine, fine. At most, I’ll just drop the idea. I’d rather spend the time holding you anyway."
Nan Muxue tossed the book *Master, Spare Me* onto the table. "Keep writing. Your Master wants to read."
"You always complain that I don't write you well enough, and then you make me copy books as punishment after you finish reading..."
Nan Muxue arched an eyebrow. "Are you going to write or not?"
*Wuwuwu...* "I’ll write." *What kind of person is she? She tells me to write my honest thoughts, but when I praise her, she says it’s fake. When I write that she’s a Little Scorpion, she punishes me. What did I do to deserve this?*
"Write it now."
Chu Ruo immediately picked up the brush. "Oh."
Nan Muxue, meanwhile, took out the earring Chu Ruo had given her that night and began to toy with it. She knew what it meant. It was the only thing from Chu Ruo’s own era that truly belonged to her. Giving it away meant she no longer intended to return to that so-called future. Nan Muxue understood the weight of this object. No one else would ever know how the Young Palace Master of Baihua Palace would nervously and meticulously treasure a single earring.
A light kiss fell on Chu Ruo’s cheek. Chu Ruo, who had been focused on her writing, turned and smiled. "What’s this? Realized I’m too charming and couldn't help yourself?"
"You..."
Chu Ruo’s gaze suddenly caught a whip hanging on the wall next to the Ice Soul sword. It was coiled beneath the sword. She stood up, pulling Nan Muxue with her, and walked over. It looked incredibly familiar. "Isn't this the Ice Nether Whip that the Great Roc used to test you when you were injured?"
Nan Muxue felt a bit annoyed that Chu Ruo had noticed something else at a time like this, but the mention of the incident brought back memories. She smiled. "You remember?"
"Of course. You were hurt back then; I was worried sick that he’d strike you." She reached out to touch it, but was met with a bone-chilling cold. She hurriedly pulled her hand back and blew on her fingers. "You repaired it?" It was a redundant question—if it was hanging there, it had to be fixed—but she hadn't expected the whip to be this formidable. The cold it radiated was terrifying, no less than that of the Ice Soul sword.
"Be careful." Nan Muxue took out some ointment to apply to Chu Ruo’s hand. Chu Ruo was about to say she was fine when she looked down and saw a tiny bead of blood. Aside from the cold, she hadn't felt a thing. Then, the bloodstain vanished. "This is..."
"The Ice Nether Whip is no ordinary weapon. It is covered in barbs invisible to the naked eye. If one is careless, the frigid qi will invade the body through the wound. Because the wound is so minute and the ice qi numbs the pain, the victim often thinks nothing of it. By the time they realize, the evil cold has already permeated their system."
"That's terrifying. I was just pricked..."
"You'll be fine; that little prick won't do much, you coward," Nan Muxue teased. "However, this whip is indeed powerful. A strong man likely couldn't survive three strikes."
"What if Flying Eagle Fort wants it back later?"
Nan Muxue did something rare—she hooked her arms around Chu Ruo’s neck. "Did your Master ever say the Ice Nether Whip was repaired?"
*Tsk tsk tsk. This posture right now... it’s so ambiguous.* Chu Ruo felt it would be a waste of her pricked finger if she didn't kiss her. Without needing to move much, she could easily capture the beauty’s lips. "Mm, I especially love you when you're being a true Little Scorpion..."
Alas, the beautiful moment lasted less than three seconds. "Young Palace Master."
A-Yue was knocking on the door. Nan Muxue turned toward the door, but Chu Ruo refused to let go, hugging her from behind with her head resting on Nan Muxue’s fragrant shoulder. Nan Muxue met her gaze, her lips curling into a doting smile as she patted Chu Ruo’s head. She called out to the person outside, "What is it?"
A-Yue’s voice was frantic. "People have arrived at the Palace."
From her tone, the two knew this was likely an unwelcome visit. "Who?"
"Flying Eagle Fort. Their Fort Leader has come in person with Young Fort Leader Liu. They say they have business with the Palace Master."
"Liu Songhe? What is the Great Roc’s father doing here to see your mother? I have a bad feeling about this."
Nan Muxue’s expression returned to its usual cool indifference. "What must come will come. I expected this day would arrive eventually."
As it turned out, the reality was far worse than Chu Ruo had imagined. Nan Yunshuang, the retired Old Palace Master of Baihua Palace who usually kept to her secluded courtyard, had emerged for the first time to personally receive Flying Eagle Fort. Liu Songhe had come for only one purpose: to propose a marriage alliance.
But just as that news arrived, another followed—and Chu Ruo didn't know if it was better or worse. More people had arrived at the mountain: Casting Sword Villa. Shen Wanxiong and his eleventh son, Shen Ruoxuan, had also come to propose marriage.
Of course, it didn't end there. Today’s surprises came wave after wave. Not long after, almost simultaneously, two more groups arrived at Baihua Palace. Chu Ruo pressed a hand to her forehead. *Why are the women joining in the chaos too? Is there not enough trouble already?* What kind of day was this? People said one should check the almanac before going out, but she hadn't even gone anywhere! These two new groups were Green Willow Villa, led by the newly appointed Martial Arts Alliance Leader, Lin Jianghong, and the descendant of the Medical God’s Bai family, Bai Zhier.
And they all had the same goal: to propose marriage.
