"Who's there!"
Night had fallen. Chu Ruo had only just returned to her room when she sensed movement behind her. With Nan Menghua present in the palace and several other factions having arrived, Nan Muxue certainly wouldn't be coming over. To meet at such a critical juncture would be too conspicuous and risky. Moreover, the aura of this person was entirely different. Who could it be?
In an instant, a wave of killing intent surged toward her. She shifted her body to dodge, but several palms infused with internal energy immediately followed, striking out at her. During the frantic evasion, the furniture in the room was utterly demolished. As she turned, another palm strike lunged for her; she raised her hand to intercept it, only to realize it was a feint. The assailant’s fingers curled into sharp claws, thrusting directly for her eyes!
Chu Ruo leaned her upper body back mid-air. The pressure from above was staggering; those sharp nails nearly brushed against her pupils as the attacker pressed the advantage. Forced down by the overwhelming weight of the assault, Chu Ruo was driven to one knee. The pain in her kneecap was excruciating, and cracks even appeared in the floorboards beneath her. Gritting her teeth, she gathered her strength to push back the offensive and rolled backward. Before she could even find an opening to stand, a fly-whisk was pressed firmly against her throat. The opponent’s internal energy was incredibly potent, and every move was aimed to kill. Though it was merely a small fly-whisk, in the hands of a master, it was no less lethal than a legendary blade.
Time seemed to freeze for several seconds. Cold sweat beaded on Chu Ruo’s face. She remained perfectly still. The fly-whisk, reinforced by internal energy, was as hard and sharp as a razor. In the darkness, she carefully sensed the shifting tension. Fortunately, after those few seconds that felt like a century, the fly-whisk was slowly pulled away.
Simultaneously, someone lit the candle on the stand in the corner. The sound of more than one person breathing filled the room. Chu Ruo immediately knelt properly. "Disciple Chu Ruo pays respects to the Palace Master."
A cold, indifferent voice drifted from above. "Why only defend and never attack?"
"Answering the Palace Master," Chu Ruo buried her head until it nearly touched the floor. She didn't dare look around, but she knew there were at least three or four people in the room. "The Palace Master possesses divine might. This disciple... did not dare to be so presumptuous." It wasn't that she didn't know the best defense was a good offense, but she didn't dare. Facing Nan Menghua—a woman who demanded absolute submission—she couldn't risk exposing too much of her true strength.
"Oh?" Nan Menghua let out a contemptuous laugh. "So you're saying you think you are so formidable that you chose to hold back?"
"This disciple would not dare. It is only that from my first day in the palace, I have kept the first rule of the palace code in my heart: one must never be disrespectful to the Palace Master."
The woman walked over and sat down, followed by Nan Muxue and the four Great Protectors. Their faces were masks of indifference. At a time like this, not a single shred of emotion could be allowed to show. Chu Ruo shifted her kneeling direction to follow their movement.
Nan Menghua spoke again. "How did you know it was me?"
"In... in the palace—no, in the entire martial world—only the Palace Master possesses such profound martial arts. No one else could hope to match even a hundredth of your prowess." Chu Ruo was incredibly nervous, but it was a calculated nervousness. Facing someone like Nan Menghua, one had to be an actor. Her fear was real, but it wasn't enough; she had to pretend to be so terrified that she stammered, while also layering on the flattery. After all, they all believed the Little Scorpion only favored her because she knew how to please her. This would make the Palace Master lower her guard; a cowardly sycophant is much easier to control than an ordinary person.
Sure enough, though Nan Menghua’s smile remained ambiguous, her tone softened slightly. "You have a silver tongue."
"This disciple speaks no lies. These are the sincere words of my heart."
"If you are so obedient, why did you dodge just now?"
"Because... because this disciple is afraid to die."
"You dared to jump off a cliff for Muxue, yet you fear death?"
"This disciple knows I should give my all for the Hundred Flowers Palace until my dying breath, but at that time... it was merely a slip of the foot. It wasn't as the rumors say. Furthermore, just now, I ventured to guess that the Palace Master was merely testing me. To receive guidance from the Palace Master is a blessing anyone would long for; it is a fortune I must have spent several lifetimes earning."
"Lacking in skill?" The Palace Master glanced at her daughter, Nan Muxue. However, Nan Muxue simply stood to the side, cold and aloof as always. "You are the one Muxue keeps by her side. To be able to evade those few moves of mine makes you a standout among the younger generation. Considering you have been in the palace for less than three years, you are indeed gifted."
The Nan mother and daughter were usually people of few words. The more they deviated from that norm, the worse the situation actually was. Chu Ruo was about to offer a humble reply when that cold voice struck again. "Your martial arts are decent. But in the Hundred Flowers Palace, that is not enough. You must also have absolute loyalty."
"This disciple shall follow the Palace Master's teachings and obey every command."
"What if," Nan Menghua’s smile grew even more bizarre, "I ordered you to kill one of the people in this room?"
These words sent a chill through everyone present, not just Chu Ruo. Aside from the four Protectors, only Nan Muxue was there. Nan Menghua certainly wouldn't ask Chu Ruo to kill *her*. This was a blatant test. If Chu Ruo actually did it, she would be branded as heartless and unrighteous. The Palace Master might then use it as an excuse to punish her for disrespecting the Young Palace Master. But if she hesitated... how could she bear to actually strike? Even if it was a test and the Palace Master wouldn't truly let her daughter die, any slip of concern or hesitation would lead to unthinkable consequences. Chu Ruo had to break this deadlock herself.
*Clang.*
A small, cold-gleaming dagger was tossed in front of Chu Ruo. Nan Menghua scanned the five women standing on either side of her. No one noticed the slight change in Nan Muxue’s expression except for her mother. That fleeting moment was captured. "I gave this dagger to Muxue on her seventh birthday. She is useless; she couldn't even use such a fine blade properly. So, I took it back and reground it, sharpening it day and night. Now, it cuts through iron like butter. I trust you won't disappoint me, yes?"
From the moment Nan Menghua entered, Chu Ruo hadn't looked at anyone's face. It was dark at first, and after kneeling, she didn't dare look up. The rules of the Hundred Flowers Palace forbade looking directly at the Palace Master; one had to keep their head down while kneeling. Thus, she couldn't see the shifts in the others' expressions. But she knew the Little Scorpion had to be suffering. That first time she had been forced to kill was an indelible shadow on her heart. Dammit! Chu Ruo hated her own impotence. If she were stronger, if her martial arts were higher, she wouldn't be held captive like this. She could simply stand up and pull her beloved woman into a warm, comforting embrace. Nan Menghua producing this dagger now was too obvious—it was a test for her, and a test for the Little Scorpion.
Chu Ruo picked up the trembling dagger and steadied her breath. "A disciple of the Hundred Flowers Palace only follows the Palace Master's orders."
"Hahaha..." The sharp, sinister laughter was haunting in the night, yet no other disciples came near. They knew that in this place, one must never be curious about things they shouldn't see or hear. "Good. I'm starting to appreciate you." If Chu Ruo had looked up, she would have seen Nan Menghua’s face twisted in a cruel grin. "So, who should I have you kill?"
The answer seemed imminent. The Palace Master looked at her daughter first. Even as the others masked their faces, traces of worry lingered. After a few seconds of silence, her gaze swept past the other four and finally settled back on the still-composed Nan Muxue. She picked up a cup of tea, her eyes full of cunning. "Fourth Protector, if you kill her, you shall be the Vice Palace Master."
No one expected this outcome. Everyone was stunned, especially Nan Gongyan. She never imagined that the person Nan Menghua would order to be killed was *her*. However, in that split second of hesitation from the others, Chu Ruo gripped the dagger and lunged. Having the initiative, she caught Nan Gongyan off guard. Though the Protector managed to dodge, a shallow cut was opened on her right arm.
"Yan'er!" Duan Ning and Yin Liuli cried out in alarm. Nan Gongyan finally snapped back to reality. Although Nan Menghua had ordered her death, she hadn't forbidden her from fighting back. Though she didn't know the Palace Master's true intent, it was clear she was testing Chu Ruo tonight. Even if she were actually killed, it wouldn't matter to the Palace Master, but it would depend on Chu Ruo's ability. She immediately drew her sword, and the two began to clash.
To Nan Gongyan’s surprise, Chu Ruo seemed truly intent on killing her. Every strike was ruthless, aimed at vital points, and filled with lethal intent. She even used hidden sleeve arrows, nearly striking Nan Gongyan in the eye. Fury rose in the Protector's heart, and she stopped holding back.
But Nan Gongyan was flustered. In a fight, a restless mind is a fatal weakness, and the suddenness of the situation left her unable to fully react. Chu Ruo, on the other hand, was different. Relying on the small dagger, she fought steadily, her face a mask of coldness. She was entirely focused on taking a life. Nan Gongyan’s mind was too cluttered with thoughts; after hundreds of exchanges, she began to falter, retreating step by step.
"Watch out!" Duan Ning and Yin Liuli warned again. In the final exchange, Nan Gongyan used her sword to shield her face, but Chu Ruo’s dagger slammed down with such force that the sword snapped. She was defenseless, watching helplessly as the dagger plunged toward her...
Among the four, one person moved forward soundlessly. Just as her hand began to lift her sword, it was pressed down wordlessly by Nan Muxue, as if nothing had happened.
*Swish!*
A single drop of tea struck between Chu Ruo and Nan Gongyan, knocking them both back. Both fell to the ground. Nan Menghua stood up. "That is enough for today." She stopped beside Chu Ruo as she walked past. Chu Ruo had already returned to a kneeling position. "Very good. You did not disappoint me. This dagger is yours."
"This disciple thanks the Palace Master."
Nan Menghua left, taking the others with her. Nan Gongyan groaned and complained as she walked away, shooting Chu Ruo a particularly fierce glare. She was clearly genuinely angry. *Please, I was terrified too, okay?* Chu Ruo thought. She had been terrified that if she struck and the other didn't block it, she’d have to pay for a life with a life. In that last moment, she had actually closed her eyes, too scared to look, fearing Nan Menghua wouldn't intervene. Fortunately, at the final instant, the woman had struck them both back.
Grimacing, Chu Ruo stood up and picked up the dagger. She desperately wanted to destroy it. Why keep something that would only make the Little Scorpion feel pain? Nan Muxue was a Little Scorpion, but Nan Menghua was an Old Scorpion—a total psychopath!
"Tell me," Nan Menghua asked the group as they walked, "whose proposal should I accept for Chu Ruo?"
Her gaze fell on the still-shaken Nan Gongyan. The Protector steadied her nerves. "The Martial Arts Alliance Leader and the Divine Doctor family are both excellent choices. But if I may be so bold... Chu Ruo is, after all, a woman."
"Muxue, what do you think?"
"Accept whoever offers the higher price."
Nan Menghua was relentless. "And what of your own marriage?"
"In matters of marriage, I follow my mother's will entirely."
Late that night, a dark shadow appeared in Chu Ruo’s room again. She sat up alertly, but in the next second, she pulled the figure into a tight embrace.
"Why are you here?"
A teasing, playful voice replied, "Now that your Miss Zhier has arrived, you no longer welcome your Master?"
"Is this the time for jokes?" Chu Ruo reluctantly let go. "Go back to your room, quickly."
The visitor clicked her tongue. "If I recall correctly, this is the first time my Ruo'er has chased me away."
There was a hint of helplessness in Chu Ruo’s voice. "Muxue..."
"What is it?" Nan Muxue stroked her face. "Do you really want me to leave so you can have a midnight tryst with your beauty?"
Chu Ruo bit her lip in frustration. "You know I can't bear to be apart from you, yet you say such things to hurt me..."
The other woman allowed her to linger and entwine their lips and tongues. They only ended their passionate kiss when they were both on the verge of suffocation. Nan Muxue traced her lover's lips. "Ruo'er..."
Chu Ruo couldn't help but nibble on the other's earlobe, eliciting a soft moan that made her blood run hot. Yet she fought to remain rational. "Aren't you afraid your mother will double back?"
How could she admit it? She knew she shouldn't have come, knew it was dangerous, knew she might be discovered. But she had come anyway. She couldn't help it; she wanted to see her, she was worried about her. When her mother had launched that unannounced test today, giving them no chance to warn this fool, she had been terrified. She was so afraid that even the slightest thing would happen to her. She had almost been unable to stop herself from intervening. No matter how calm she appeared on the surface, her heart had been in turmoil. "I told you, I came to check if you were having a midnight tryst with that Miss Zhier."
"What did you call it? A midnight tryst with a beauty? Well, I suppose I am, but the beauty is right in front of me."
The banter lightened their spirits significantly. Nan Muxue pulled Chu Ruo against her chest and patted her head. "Were you frightened tonight?"
"Not exactly. It's just... your mother is truly terrifying. I was so scared that one wrong word would give us away." Chu Ruo wrapped her arms around the other's slender waist. "Muxue, if she forces you to marry one of them..."
"She won't." Her cool lips pressed against Chu Ruo’s forehead. "I won't marry them, and I certainly won't let you marry anyone else."
"Oh? You won't marry, and you won't let me marry. Then tell me, how do you plan to settle things with me?"
Nan Muxue lowered her head, tilted Chu Ruo’s chin up, and replied with dominant defiance, "You are mine."
"Then you have to show me some sincerity." Chu Ruo tapped her own cheek. *Mwah.* Satisfied, she felt like she was floating again. "Speaking of which, when you took me down the mountain those few days, it was to notify the others to come, wasn't it? No wonder you almost let it slip that Zhier was on her way..."
Nan Muxue narrowed her eyes. "Hmm?"
Chu Ruo tactfully changed the subject. "Nan Gongyan is mad at me. Muxue, I didn't really want to kill her..."
"I know," she smiled. "You're usually a bit slow, but your reaction in the critical moment was fast enough. I'll count it as a pass."
"What do you mean 'count it'? Didn't you tell me? When facing your mother, just remember one thing: make her believe you fear her. Fearing her means fearing death—fearing her so much that you'll do anything she says, even strike your friends. I had no choice but to go all out."
"Knowing you fear her is more advantageous for us. She doesn't like people without weaknesses. She likes people to submit to her, she likes to be feared. That is what satisfies her. You performed well today." She lifted Chu Ruo’s chin. "At least on the surface, she thinks you are someone she can control."
"Your mother's mind is too formidable. At first, I thought she was going to make me kill you. Whether I did it or not, she would have caught me. I never expected her to make me kill Nan Gongyan."
"She didn't need to make you kill me. In her heart, she's already certain something is going on between us; there was no need for a redundant gesture. Besides," Nan Muxue smiled, "tonight's test seemed to be for you..."
Chu Ruo finished the thought. "But it actually tested four people: you, me, and your First and Fourth Protectors."
"If Yan'er can realize that, she won't be angry with you anymore. I'll speak with her tomorrow. As for Yunshuang, I thought she was a very rational person, but tonight it seems she still lacks a bit..."
"She exposed herself?"
"I'm not sure if Mother noticed. The moment you stabbed, she wanted to intervene. I stopped her."
"It's only human. To be as expressionless as she usually is is already the limit. The rules of the Hundred Flowers Palace go against human nature. Everyone has emotions. Hey," Chu Ruo looked up playfully, "if it had been the other way around and I was the one being stabbed, would you still be so cold..."
Her lips were silenced by a finger. Nan Muxue answered softly but firmly, "No. I wouldn't give her the chance. The moment she made the first move, I would have stepped out to stop it."
Touched, Chu Ruo squeezed her hand. "But then your mother would have found out."
"Then we would leave," she kissed her. "I would take you and elope."
After another moment of intimacy, Nan Muxue pinched Chu Ruo’s cheek. "I can't stay too long. I must go back. Be good."
*Heh, talking to me like a child.* Chu Ruo reluctantly left the embrace but still leaned in to brush her lips against the other's. "I know. You probably can't come for the next few nights. I understand, really, but I just can't bear to let you go."
"Ruo'er," Nan Muxue smiled tenderly. In the next second, she bit down on Chu Ruo’s neck, sucking hard...
"Hiss, you..."
In just a few seconds, a beautiful crimson mark appeared on her neck. "There," the other nodded with satisfaction. "For the next few days, you'd better behave yourself, especially with that Miss Zhier of yours..."
"You did that on purpose, didn't you? So Zhier would see it?"
Nan Muxue poked her back. "Ruo'er must remember my words."
*...That wicked Little Scorpion.*
The next day, Bai Zhier still affectionately linked her arm with Chu Ruo’s, parading through the Hundred Flowers Palace. She demanded to see what Chu Ruo had written yesterday. After reading it, she couldn't stop laughing. "Ruo'er, so in your heart, she isn't actually that great, is she?"
"No, Muxue is..."
Zhier waved the paper. "Only one merit: 'She's cool in the summer, comfortable to hold while sleeping.' But the list of flaws is crowded: 'Bad temper, likes to scare people, prone to violence, always scowling.' Now look at me—nothing but merits."
"I... I just hadn't thought of more yet. I wasn't finished. You were rushing me..."
"Chu Ruo!" Lin Jianghong called out from a distance. "Chu Ruo~"
***
