"Mmm... Xue'er," Chu Ruo murmured, lazily opening her eyes. To her surprise, her pillow mate had not yet departed. She closed her eyes again, happily scooting closer to pepper the other woman with messy, affectionate pecks. "You're still here. That’s wonderful."
"Even if I had left, I would still be within the Hundred Flowers Palace. It isn't as if you wouldn't see me."
Chu Ruo shook her head and wrapped her arms around her. "It’s not the same. I want you to be the first thing I see. I want to wake up at any time and find you by my side, just like right now."
Nan Muxue’s fingertip traced Chu Ruo’s brow. "Won't you grow tired of it?"
"Your Master is already annoyed by you."
"Can't you just give me a soulful 'no'? You're always hurting my feelings," Chu Ruo teased. "Well, regardless, I won't. I’ll never grow tired of you, not in a lifetime."
A natural smile surfaced on Nan Muxue’s face, though she didn't miss the chance to retort, "Thick-skinned."
"If I weren't thick-skinned, how could we have progressed to this point? Tell me, which of your disciples isn't terrified of you, trembling in their boots?"
"That is called 'reverence.'"
"Yes, yes, solemn reverence. But it’s so cold." As sleepiness fully receded, Chu Ruo became more alert and clung to the other woman like a vine. "Besides me, who else dares to press against you like this? Am I not warm? Hmm?"
Nan Muxue tilted her head to look at her, opening her mouth to speak. "Dares—"
"Alright, stop right there. You’re definitely going to say something like, 'Anyone who dares to press against me is seeking death,' or 'There is only one consequence for hugging your Master like this.' Honestly, nothing good ever comes out of your mouth."
Chu Ruo’s mimicry was spot-on, capturing the tone perfectly. However, doing it right to Nan Muxue’s face meant the consequences were naturally dire.
"Ow! You little scorpion! You’re always pinching me, you—"
"Let Master see how well her good disciple has learned. Continue, I am watching."
"Then... it’s daylight. You should hurry and leave, otherwise, if your mother comes by later..."
"What? So eager to drive your Master away? Have you been pining for your Lady Zhier all day, waiting for her to visit her 'patient'?"
"That is a blatant slander!"
"Who was the shameless one begging me to come yesterday? Making promises, offering to sleep on the floor... and what was the result, hmm?"
Chu Ruo yelped as her ear was caught in a pinch. "Let me think... the result... the result was that I pushed you down... Ow, it hurts!" *Wuwu, the little scorpion is the legendary 'different person once out of bed.' She hasn't even left the bed yet! My ear, my ear!*
"So noisy. Shut up." Nan Muxue released her and instead felt her forehead. "Finally, the fever has broken. Do you feel discomfort anywhere else?"
Chu Ruo grabbed her hand, refusing to let go. "No, no. As long as you don't let go of me, I’ll be fine. Hehe..."
Nan Muxue realized that at some point, whenever this fool was happy, her own mood would brighten in turn. "What are you giggling about?"
"I can't say. If I do, you'll definitely punish me again."
Nan Muxue poked her back. "Hmm?"
*She’s always using this move now, it’s lethal.* "I was just thinking... after a night of such 'vigorous exercise,' the fever was bound to break..." *Tsk tsk, it’s been so many days since I’ve been intimate with the little scorpion. Last night’s flavor was truly...* She smacked her lips, savoring the memory.
"Silence!" Nan Muxue’s face flushed a burning red. "Get out!"
"You asked, and then you got angry. What am I supposed to do? I’m so helpless," Chu Ruo sighed dramatically, taking advantage of the other's blushing state to steal a quick kiss. "Xue'er, Xue'er, you’re so cute."
Nan Muxue simply ignored her, turning her back to sleep.
"Hey, why are you turning away? Turn back! By the way, are you really not getting up? Your mother..."
"Judging by her condition yesterday, she won't recover for at least three to five days. Even if she doesn't spend all twenty-four hours sitting in meditation to heal, she won't have the energy to bother with us."
"You mean we have more than just today? You should have said so earlier! Then I want to go everywhere with you, play around, and visit every corner of the Hundred Flowers Palace..."
Nan Muxue turned back again; she could never keep her back to this person for long. She actually humored her. "All you think about is playing. I still have palace affairs to handle."
"It’s very busy and tiring, isn't it? I shouldn't just think about playing. I promised to help you with those things."
"It is fine." Nan Muxue gazed at her, her eyes reflecting only Chu Ruo. "My Ruo'er should be exactly as she is. There is no need to force yourself to do things you dislike."
"But you are forcing yourself. My ability to act so recklessly comes at the cost of your burden. Xue'er, why don't we just plan to overthrow your mother? Then we wouldn't have to be so cautious, and we wouldn't have to constantly worry about her hurting us."
"I will handle it. Ruo'er, remember this: in this palace, you must not trust anyone except for me. No matter who they are."
"Then, the others..."
"Including Ning'er and the rest. I do not deny their loyalty to me, but they all have weaknesses. That is what Mother likes; she is an expert at exploiting people's vulnerabilities. However, a person without weaknesses would never be content serving under another. Such a person cannot be controlled. The Hundred Flowers Palace does not cultivate such people. Therefore, you must not trust them. No matter what they say, unless I tell you personally, do not believe a word."
"I know."
"And it’s not just them. Even Bai Zhier," Nan Muxue said, smoothing Chu Ruo’s hair. "She won't hurt you, but that doesn't mean she won't lie to you. The two are not mutually exclusive."
"Xue'er, I actually know all of this. Trust me, forget the Hundred Flowers Palace—even in the wider martial world, I don't trust anyone but you."
"I trust you." Those three simple words represented their mutual bond. "Are you still sleepy?"
Chu Ruo shook her head. "Oh, right, I just had a dream. It was very interesting. I dreamed we were in the modern world. You couldn't find a job, so I supported you. It was the exact opposite of the Hundred Flowers Palace, hahaha..."
"Are you homesick again?"
"No, no, don't overthink it. It was just a dream..."
"Fine, I wasn't reading too much into it. It was just a casual remark. What else did you dream?"
"I dreamed... Hey, if we ever traveled to another world, what would you do? Well, you probably don't know, but you're so talented, you definitely wouldn't be idle. You’d probably still end up supporting me."
"None of that matters." Nan Muxue kissed her forehead. "I would go back with you. Wherever you are, I go."
Chu Ruo was moved. "You’d be willing to leave the Hundred Flowers Palace?"
The smile of the woman beside her was breathtakingly beautiful. "The only thing I am unwilling to leave is you."
"Little scorpion," Chu Ruo pulled her close, embracing her. "You’re always bewitching my heart, making it impossible for me to leave you. So, you can't ever not want me. Otherwise..."
"Otherwise what?"
"Well, otherwise I’ll hide away for the rest of my life and never see you again. We’ll be dead to each other forever."
"You wouldn't dare. If anyone is to refuse to see the other, it would be your Master..."
Chu Ruo buried her head and tilted the other's chin up, acting with rare flirtatiousness. "You’re already mine. The initiative is in my hands."
Nan Muxue looked back provocatively. "Who belongs to whom is still too early to say."
*Cough, cough...* "You... *cough*... how are you such a lecher? Taking advantage of my illness to take my life... *hack*!"
Nan Muxue cooperated quite well, flipping over to pin her down. "Your Master chooses to be so. What can you do about it?"
"You..."
She watched as the other pressed closer and closer, but in the end, what covered her were those slightly cool lips, carrying a sweet fragrance. Chu Ruo sucked greedily, losing herself in the bliss.
"Mmm~" The kiss brought a unique pleasure. A soft moan escaped uncontrollably from between her teeth. Chu Ruo smiled, tapping the other's nose. "I’ll cook for you today. A proper meal. What do you want to eat?"
"What, planning to use cooking to bribe your Master?"
"A disciple honoring her Master is only right."
Nan Muxue also let out a smile. "Always so improper."
"It’s because you’re too proper. Overly serious. Even in bed, you’re always 'Master this' and 'Master that,' putting on airs. Really, how many times do I have to tell you? You need a clear sense of your position. You are the *shou*..."
"Chu Ruo," Nan Muxue said with a beaming smile. "I suppose you no longer want the antidote for the Hundred Flowers Poison..."
"Doesn't matter to me. Anyway, I know where the Pinellia is now. One of these days, I’ll pluck all your medicinal herbs, burn that place down, and then go defect to Zhier. We’ll live happily ever after..."
*Thump! Crash!*
It was proven once again that a loose tongue comes with a price. Finding a wife who is both a martial arts expert and a "little scorpion" meant the pain was doubled.
After being "disciplined," Nan Muxue had already gotten up and dressed neatly. Chu Ruo followed suit. "Wait for me, wait for me! I’m coming with you."
"With me for what? Aren't you going to burn my place down?"
"Stingy..."
"What are you muttering?"
"Nothing! I wouldn't dare, hehe." Chu Ruo hopped over and took the chance to wrap her arms around her. "Will you help me get dressed?"
Nan Muxue arched an eyebrow. "Are your arms broken?"
"You... I just want you to dress me."
Of course, she would spoil this person as always. Thus, the Young Palace Master of the Hundred Flowers Palace—who had always been served by others—actually picked up the clothes and personally dressed the person before her.
Chu Ruo naturally looked smug and pampered. "Xue'er, I used to think that after we get married, we’d be like this every day. You dress me, I help you wash up... oh, and I’ll do the laundry and cooking. Basically, I’ll handle everything else."
"A-Yue will handle those things. What use would I have for you?"
"This," Chu Ruo leaned in, taking the chance to flirt. "I can warm the bed..."
*Bang!*
The sound of the door being burst open echoed. One could guess that very few people in the Hundred Flowers Palace would dare such a thing. Nan Muxue frowned in displeasure, turning to vent her anger, but the sight before her was...
"Zhier?" Bai Zhier, covered in wounds, stumbled inside. Chu Ruo hurried over to support her. "What happened?"
"Nan Muxue," the other woman said, staring coldly at the equally cold-faced Nan Muxue. "Did your Hundred Flowers Palace send people to assassinate me?"
"Killing you would be as easy as flipping a palm. Why would I need someone else to do it? Besides, you are still of some use. For Ruo'er’s sake, I would naturally spare your life for now." That said, within the territory of the Hundred Flowers Palace, who would do such a thing? And who would dare offend the family of the God of Medicine?
"Someone tried to kill you again? But it definitely wasn't Xue'er’s doing." Chu Ruo poured a cup of tea for her. "Are the injuries serious? Did you see who attacked you?"
"I’ll be fine after some rest. I didn't see who it was, but I feel it was someone from the Hundred Flowers Palace." In truth, Bai Zhier also suspected it wasn't Nan Muxue, but she felt something was wrong. Trouble started the moment she arrived at the palace; there had to be a connection. She asked only to see if the other woman knew any inside information. Now it seemed her guess was correct. That left only one person.
"Yunshuang," Nan Muxue thought for a few seconds and arrived at the name. "If you aren't going to die, go back to your room and treat yourself. Do not pester Ruo'er."
"What?" Even in her weakened state, Bai Zhier smiled. "Ruo'er was worried about me just now. Are you jealous?"
***
"Palace Master."
Nan Menghua was sitting quietly in a cave on the cliffside. Nan Yunshuang arrived at the entrance, only to be struck by a burst of invisible internal energy from within. She was knocked back heavily, spitting out bright red blood.
"Why did you fail?" Nan Menghua remained motionless, her eyes still closed. "With your martial arts, who in the Hundred Flowers Palace could defeat you besides myself and Xue'er? To think you would fail against a mere Bai Zhier."
Nan Yunshuang knelt. "This disciple knows her mistake."
"Yunshuang, I have always thought highly of you since you were a child. Although you call me Palace Master like the others, I have treated you as my personal disciple. It would not be misplaced for me to call myself your Master. Your skills were personally taught by me. I even hoped that you would inherit the mission of the Hundred Flowers Palace—inherit everything of mine."
"This disciple thanks the Palace Master for her teachings."
"You are not like Xue'er. You are clever, decisive, cold-blooded, ruthless, and you understand the bigger picture. I saw it when you all killed your first person as children. She is indecisive, soft-hearted, useless, cowardly, a crybaby... she hesitates and fusses over everything. She cannot handle great responsibilities; she is an utter waste. Since she is incapable, I will not force her. There is no need to demand anything of a useless person. You are different. You are someone who can achieve great things. Do you understand what I am saying?"
"I understand."
"You understand?" The wind began to howl as a figure stood at the cave entrance. Nan Menghua’s beautiful face looked even more terrifying now due to her distorted expression. She circled behind the other woman, her fly-whisk lightly brushing over Nan Yunshuang’s head, bringing a bone-chilling cold. "You should know that this was the opportunity I gave you. Those who do not cherish opportunities do not meet good ends."
Nan Yunshuang pressed her forehead to the ground. "This disciple is incompetent. Please punish me, Palace Master."
"That useless Xue'er... she actually fell in love with a waste. Two wastes will come to no good end. Love only hinders success. I had already decided to depose her later and let you take the position of Young Palace Master. But," Nan Menghua laughed toward the sky, "I ask the world, what is love?"
Nan Yunshuang’s expression finally flickered. "Palace Master..."
"I have decided to betroth the Fourth Protector to Liu Shaopeng."
"Palace Master!"
"When you do something wrong, you must pay the price. Did you truly think that by hiding those things for them... that I was unaware of your feelings for Yan'er?! Each of you thinks I am old and senile, that you can ignore me," she suddenly gripped the other's jaw, nearly crushing it. "That night I ordered Chu Ruo to kill her, it was first to test her, and second to see your reaction. You truly... have... disappointed... me!"
***
**Glossary**
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
--- | --- | ---
情花醉 | Qinghua Zui | "Love Flower Intoxication"; the high-level martial technique Nan Menghua failed to master.
南云霜 | Nan Yunshuang | One of the Four Protectors of the Hundred Flowers Palace.
柳少鹏 | Liu Shaopeng | Also known as the "Great Roc" (Dapeng Bird); a suitor/competitor.
烟儿 | Yan'er | Referring to Liu Yan, another of the Four Protectors.
叶下堇 | Pinellia | A rare medicinal herb (literally "Violet under the leaf") used for the antidote.
百花蛊 | Hundred Flowers Poison | The specific poison/curse used by the palace to control its members.
