"What are you doing?"
The moment she returned to the room, Chu Ruo found herself pinned against the door. She wondered if, after that bout of "domestic discipline," her lady had suddenly felt the urge to "wall-slam" her as a way of making amends. Though it was a classic case of a slap followed by a sweet, Chu Ruo didn't mind at all. In fact, she found it quite delightful.
"Oh... are you trying to make it up to me? Come on then..."
She leaned in, puckering her lips, only to be ruthlessly pushed away. Nan Muxue scrutinized her. "Are you injured?"
"No." If she weren't holding the dog, Chu Ruo would have spread her hands to prove it. "Do I look injured? Let’s get back to it. Come on, give me a kiss..."
This time, Nan Muxue didn't push her. She simply turned and sat by the table, pouring herself a cup of tea with unhurried grace. "Then why is the sleeve of your robe torn?"
Chu Ruo looked down. There was indeed a small tear, though it hadn't even grazed her inner garment. "Oh, I must have accidentally caught it on one of those assassins' blades earlier..."
*Clack!*
The teacup was slammed onto the table with force. Startled and confused, Chu Ruo asked, "What's wrong?"
Anger flared in Nan Muxue’s eyes. "Accidentally? How many times have I told you? Nothing is more important than your safety. What if that sword had wounded you? What if it was poisoned?"
Chu Ruo quickly offered a placating smile. "I'll be more careful in the future..."
"The future?" Nan Muxue interrupted again. She stood up and cornered Chu Ruo once more. "Chu Ruo!"
The shout made Chu Ruo flinch. She truly hadn't expected such a strong reaction. "Xue'er..."
In a fit of fury, Nan Muxue grabbed her collar, nearly choking the breath out of her. "Your life doesn't belong only to you; it belongs to me! How could you put yourself in danger for the sake of Bai Zhier?"
Beneath the towering rage in her voice lay a deep, trembling concern. Chu Ruo saw it. She set the puppy down and tried to pull the other woman into an embrace, but she met with violent resistance.
"Get out! Go find your precious Bai Zhier! Go stand in front of her! Get out!"
"I'm not going anywhere." Chu Ruo knew that if this beloved woman truly wanted to break free, she would never be able to hold her. "Xue'er, I might risk my life to help others when they're in danger—whether it’s Xiao Guo’er, A-Yue, or Duan Ning, I’d do the same for any of them. But I will only stay alive for you."
Others might not have grasped the meaning behind those words, perhaps even finding them incoherent. But Nan Muxue understood. She knew the weight of that promise. In a world like this, dying was easy; living was the hard part. To live for someone else was the most difficult feat of all. The hands pounding against her back finally went still as they embraced.
Nan Muxue pinched her spitefully. "Chu Ruo, I hate you."
The words were muffled and carried a hint of adorable petulance—hardly the tone of a "Little Scorpion," yet entirely her style. So prideful.
"Mhm. You love me and hate me at the same time, right?"
"Every time you mess up, you rely on that mouth of yours to talk your way out of it."
"Then do you want to taste what it's like right now?"
*Mmm...*
It was wonderful, but happiness is always fleeting. Chu Ruo smacked her lips. "Xue'er, I love you."
Nan Muxue stared intently into her eyes. "I want you to promise me. No matter who you encounter or how dangerous it gets, you must always keep yourself safe. Even if you are with me."
Chu Ruo knew then that the Little Scorpion wasn't just jealous of Bai Zhier. Her words proved she simply couldn't bear the thought of Chu Ruo being harmed. She wouldn't tolerate any risk-taking, regardless of the person involved.
Chu Ruo hugged her again. "Fine, I promise. Even if you're the one in danger, I'll turn tail and run immediately. I'll be a total coward, okay?"
*As if,* she thought. *Xue'er, without you, my life in this world would have no meaning. If that day ever comes, I will never leave you behind.*
"You said it yourself. I expect you to keep your word."
Chu Ruo grinned cheekily. "Or else?"
Just then, the puppy ran to their feet, looking up and wagging its tail frantically to please them. Chu Ruo picked it up affectionately. "Isn't he cute? He's such a good boy."
Nan Muxue countered, "If you fail to keep your word, I’ll turn him into stew. Just try me and see if I won't."
"You wicked little scor—"
"Hmm?"
Chu Ruo immediately shielded the dog as tightly as she could. "I'll remember, I'll remember!" She whispered to the puppy, "Next time you see her, make sure to stay far away, or you'll end up as dog meat soup."
Nan Muxue arched an eyebrow. "What was that?"
"Nothing, nothing!" Chu Ruo sat down beside her, but was met with a huff.
"Why are you sticking to me? Aren't you afraid I'll cook your precious treasure?"
"Oh, why do you dislike him so much?" Chu Ruo placed the puppy on the table. Exhausted, the little thing curled up and looked ready to sleep. Chu Ruo wrapped it in one of her outer robes. "He's smart and well-behaved. It'll be fun to bring him back to the Hundred Flowers Palace."
Nan Muxue shook her head with a faint smile. "Then you’d better keep a close eye on him. If my mother sees him..."
"Why? Does your mother dislike dogs too?"
"She dislikes useless things. Aside from messenger pigeons and horses, have you ever seen another living creature in the Palace? Once, a disciple raised two small rabbits. Do you know what Mother did? She had them made into a pot of stew and forced that disciple to eat every single bite..."
"Ugh..." Chu Ruo felt a wave of nausea. "Stop, don't say anymore. Your mother always does the most revolting things." She gulped down some water to suppress the feeling. "Then where am I supposed to hide him? Your mother already dislikes me. If I’d known, I wouldn't have bought him. If she finds him, I’ll have sent him to his death. Tomorrow, I’ll give him to Zhier. Let her raise two of them together."
Nan Menghua wasn't just "sick"; she was a total psychopath. It was terrifying. How could such a woman give birth to someone as wonderful as the Little Scorpion?
"There's no need for that," Nan Muxue frowned instantly. "As long as I am there, nothing will happen."
Hearing the spite in her voice, Chu Ruo teased, "You vinegar jar..."
Nan Muxue pinched her cheek. "I haven't even finished disciplining you and you're already starting again. What does someone else's trouble have to do with you? Why did you have to play the hero? Did you think you looked impressive saving a damsel in distress?"
"Ow, it hurts! I didn't... okay, okay, I did! I won't do it again, I admit I was wrong..."
Nan Muxue let go. "Fool. I don't know what she sees in you."
"And what about you?"
Nan Muxue avoided the question. "If I’d known, I wouldn't have asked her to come. She's nothing but trouble."
"Haha, this is what you call 'reaping what you sow'..."
"Do you have a death wish?"
"Aha! Let's think of a name for the puppy."
"Boring."
"Look at him—yellow and round like a little ball. Let's call him Wotou."
"...Is that the best you can do?"
"Something else? Pork Belly? Twice-Cooked Pork? Hey, don't leave! I just really like Twice-Cooked Pork!"
Nan Muxue stood up to leave, exasperated. Chu Ruo quickly pulled her back. "It wasn't easy getting a chance to stay off the mountain. Can we sleep together? I haven't held you in days, Xue'er."
Her tone was exaggeratedly pitiful. Nan Muxue chuckled softly and leaned down to kiss the pouting girl. "You know the reason why we can't, don't you?"
"I just can't bear to be away from you."
"Fine. Once this matter is resolved, I will stay with you every day, day and night. Be good and go to sleep."
"Then kiss me one more time..."
Nan Muxue, as always, indulged her...
***
The next morning, Chu Ruo arrived at Nan Muxue’s room exceptionally early. She had slipped inside before the sun was even fully up.
Nan Muxue opened her eyes to find a furry little thing wagging its tail in front of her face, its tongue lolling out. Chu Ruo was holding it close to her.
"Take it away," Nan Muxue said with a faint smile.
"What? Do you think Wotou isn't as cute as me? Or do you just prefer looking at me?"
Nan Muxue reached out and pinched Chu Ruo’s cheek effortlessly. "Mhm, he is a bit lacking compared to you."
Just as Chu Ruo was about to gloat, Nan Muxue continued, "Since he's useless, let's stew him..."
"You little scorpion! Ow, you're being mean!"
"Speak. Why are you being so attentive so early in the morning? What do you want?"
"You have the heart of a cynic," Chu Ruo said, pulling her up. Nan Muxue leaned into her lazily, wrapping her arms around Chu Ruo’s waist. Chu Ruo’s tone turned doting. "You've become a little lazybones too."
Nan Muxue simply leaned against her. "If you have something to say, say it."
"This Saint Envoy has calculated the stars and determined that our luck is quite good today. Someone is going to feed me breakfast."
Nan Muxue laughed. "Shameless."
"It's not just me; your luck is good too. Someone is going to personally cook breakfast for you. I’ll cook, you feed me. Fair, right?"
Nan Muxue finally woke up a bit more and tugged on Chu Ruo’s ear. "Actually, even if you hadn't come, I was planning to find you." She had been thinking that due to various factors, their time alone had been far too scarce. Seeing how aggrieved Chu Ruo had looked the night before, she had intended to have breakfast with her as a form of compensation.
"Does this mean our hearts beat as one?"
"Are you not going to serve your Master while she washes up?"
"Oh, right. This way, Master, if you please."
...
After breakfast, they went to find Shen Ruoxuan and asked him to investigate the assassins from the previous night. Although they had targeted Bai Zhier, the whole affair was suspicious. Since they were currently exposed in the light, they had to rely on others to do the legwork.
"Xue'er, tell me the truth. Do you really have a way to stop your mother from marrying you off to one of those two?"
"Why? Shouldn't you be worrying about yourself? Do you prefer your straightforward Young Villa Master Lin, or the gentle and moving Lady Zhier?"
"You're still joking! What if we go up the mountain in two days and she just hands you over to them? Xue'er..."
Nan Muxue embraced her. "Don't worry. I promised you I wouldn't marry anyone else."
"But..."
Nan Muxue patted her beloved gently, her voice soft. "Don't be afraid. I have everything under control."
"I don't want you to marry them, and I definitely don't want you to be in danger."
"Trust me. When have I ever lied to you? Ruo'er," Nan Muxue pulled back to look her in the eye. "I guarantee you, I will marry no one but you. However... if it comes to a critical moment, you must marry Bai Zhier."
"You're crazy!" Chu Ruo’s voice was tinged with anger and shock. "Forget about yourself—if you won't marry someone else, do you think I would? Zhier and I are just friends..."
"I know," Nan Muxue interrupted, actually smiling. "I'm not asking you to *really* marry her. If you actually dared to entertain that thought, your Master would have to cripple her wayward disciple."
"Xue'er!" Chu Ruo was genuinely upset. "I can't and won't marry Zhier."
"It's for your safety. No matter what happens, Mother won't take my life. But you are different. As long as you are with me, I can protect you from others, but I cannot win against my mother alone."
Chu Ruo hugged her tight. "We'll be fine. We'll definitely be together."
"If you are with Bai Zhier, she will protect you with her life. I admit, I am being despicable and selfish. I am using her love for you, her willingness to throw herself into danger for you. But I will never force you to love her. Ruo'er, remember this: I only permit a fake marriage. Nothing else is allowed."
"Nan Muxue, you really are an insufferable little scorpion. Why is it that you don't have to marry anyone, but you're forcing me to marry someone else?"
"Because," she kissed her again, speaking the three words she so rarely uttered, "I love you."
***
Two days later...
They were due to return to the mountain the day after next. The Little Scorpion was constantly out and about, ostensibly taking the others out to play, but actually busy making secret arrangements and deployments. Chu Ruo spent her days playing with the puppy or being teased by Duan Ning and the others. Even Bai Zhier joined in, constantly waving around that piece of paper where Chu Ruo had listed the pros and cons of the Little Scorpion. Before long, everyone knew about it, and they were all reading her journal, *Master, Have Mercy*, with great relish. Heavens, what a mess.
But sometimes, luck was on her side. Perhaps seeing how pitiful she looked, Nan Muxue’s heart softened. Before heading out, she told Chu Ruo she could sleep in her room that night. Chu Ruo almost let out a cackling laugh. Ah, life was beautiful! She ate an early dinner and, while no one was looking, slipped away and bolted straight for the Little Scorpion’s room.
As it happened, when Nan Muxue returned, she found Duan Ning and the others passing around *Master, Have Mercy*. She frowned. "Why is this book with you?"
Bai Zhier, drinking at another table, replied provocatively, "Ruo'er gave it to me, and I gave it to the others. Did you think Ruo'er belonged only to you?"
*Chu Ruo, for the forty-seven thousandth time!* Nan Muxue put her hands behind her back and looked at Bai Zhier with disdain. "Unrequited love... it seems you are nothing special after all."
"Is that so? But in her heart, this lady is much better than certain people." Bai Zhier held up the paper. "Little Scorpion. Cons: Bad temper, likes to hit people, scolds people, finds ways to torture people, scolds when angry, scolds even when not angry, threatens people..."
Nan Muxue reached for it, but Bai Zhier was prepared. She dodged and continued reading loudly. Duan Ning and the others fell silent, settling in to watch the show. Bai Zhier cleared her throat and continued triumphantly, "And she's very prideful—she'll say she doesn't like something when she's actually dying of love for it. Oh, there are too many; I won't list them all. Let's look at the 'Pros' side... Oh, look at that! There isn't a single one! Haha..."
Of course, Chu Ruo had no idea what was happening. she had already stripped to her inner robes and was lying in bed, thinking to herself, *Ah, I am such a qualified bed-warming disciple.*
*Creak—*
The door opened. On a whim, Chu Ruo hurriedly turned on her side. As Nan Muxue entered, Chu Ruo provocatively lifted a leg and said in an ambiguous tone, "Xue'er... I've been waiting for you for so long."
She didn't notice Nan Muxue’s dark expression and continued her "seduction." Seeing this, Nan Muxue suppressed her rage and played along. She stepped forward, unfastened her belt, and let it drop to the floor. With every step, she shed a layer of clothing, her expression one of ultimate allure. Chu Ruo had to tilt her head back to keep her nose from bleeding. By the time Nan Muxue reached the bedside, she was down to almost nothing. Chu Ruo sat up, ready for a grand embrace. "Xue—"
Before she could even touch her, she was frozen. Nan Muxue had tapped her acupoints, leaving her unable to move. "Xue'er, don't play around. Hurry and release me, we..."
The corner of Nan Muxue’s mouth curled up. "Good disciple, have you done anything behind my back lately?"
"No! Oh, come on, release me first. I can't take it anymore, Xue'er..."
Jade-like fingers brushed over her skin. Nan Muxue’s touch was light and teasing, leaving Chu Ruo feeling as if a thousand cats were scratching at her heart. She pleaded, "Xue'er..."
Nan Muxue’s lips leaned in, but just before they touched, she pulled away and lay down to sleep. The intense sense of loss made the unbearable longing even stronger. Nan Muxue forced Chu Ruo to face her, making her watch her own body while she was unable to move. She closed her eyes. "I'm tired."
"Wait, no! Release me! You... you're doing this on purpose, aren't you?"
"Mhm," she said lazily. "On purpose."
"...Xue'er, let's talk about whatever it is later, okay? Be good, release me first, let's just..."
No response.
"Xue'er, talk to me."
Silence.
"Xue'er..."
"Xue'er~"
"Xue'errrrrr..."
In the end, as expected, Chu Ruo lived up to her reputation by suffering two massive nosebleeds. This time, Nan Muxue did not soften her heart. She let her beg and wail all night. Chu Ruo’s nose bled continuously, Wotou slept soundly under his cover on the table, and the Little Scorpion on the bed ignored her completely.
*Help! Someone save me! Waaaaah!*
***
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
---|---|---
窝头 | Wotou | A type of traditional Chinese steamed bun made of cornmeal; the name Chu Ruo gives the puppy.
师傅饶命 | Master, Have Mercy | The title of Chu Ruo's journal/book.
冰煞 | Ice Bane | Chu Ruo's sword.
冰魄 | Ice Soul | Nan Muxue's sword.
点穴 | Acupoint Tapping | A martial arts technique to immobilize someone by striking specific pressure points.
圣使 | Saint Envoy | Chu Ruo's title/rank within the sect.
飞鹏堡 | Flying Roc Fort | A rival sect/organization.
大鹏鸟 | Great Roc | A nickname for Liu Shaopeng or a member of the Flying Roc Fort.
铸剑山庄 | Sword Casting Villa | One of the major martial arts manors.
医神 | God of Medicine | Referring to Bai Zhier's family/lineage.
