"Zhi’er, why did you bring Wotou along too?" Chu Ruo asked, bewildered. What was this girl thinking? They were out to find an assassin, yet she was lugging around two dogs. Wasn't that just asking for trouble?
Bai Zhi’er blinked innocently. "To keep my little pup company, of course. Otherwise, the journey is so long, he’d get lonely."
"A dog... getting lonely..." Chu Ruo muttered.
"Of course they get lonely! Look at everyone else, always in pairs, just like the two of us walking together. He sees that; he’s bound to feel sad."
"But we’re out here to find the person who tried to kill you. Bringing them along might be inconvenient."
"There’s nothing inconvenient about it. Besides, I’m doing this for your sake. Think about it—if you’re not on the mountain and you leave him behind, what if he wanders off and gets caught by some gluttonous disciple? Or worse, what if your little scorpion’s mother finds him? I heard that she once..."
At the mention of Nan Menghua, a chill ran down Chu Ruo’s spine. she quickly pulled Wotou into her arms. "Stop, don't say another word. You’ll scare him."
Bai Zhi’er gave a mischievous grin. "So his name is Wotou? Fine, then you have to help me pick a name for my pup. Hurry up."
"How about... Wowotou?"
"Be serious!"
"Mantou, Corn, Millet, Tangerine, Pumpkin... Hey, don't walk so fast, Zhi’er! Wait for me!"
***
Meanwhile, at the Baihua Palace...
"Where exactly did Chu Ruo go?"
"I do not know."
Inside the study, the three Protectors sat around a table with their Young Palace Mistress. Aside from Nan Muxue, every face was clouded with worry.
"Xue’er," Yin Liuli said, shaking her head. "This is no joking matter. Do you intend to give your mother that same answer when she asks?"
"Exactly!" Duan Ning added, looking quite vexed. "We don't believe you, let alone your mother. Do we really need to remind you how ruthless she can be?"
Nangong Yan chimed in as well. "What were you thinking, letting Chu Ruo leave with that girl from the Bai family at a time like this? You..."
"Enough. I do not wish to discuss it."
"You—! I don't even want to care anymore, but at least give us a hint of what you're planning!" Duan Ning was frantic. "Everyone is like ants on a hot griddle because of these sudden marriage proposals, yet here you are, acting as if nothing is wrong."
Nan Muxue toyed with the jade ring on her finger and asked in return, "If I were anxious, would these proposals simply vanish?"
Duan Ning was choked into silence. "You..."
"Alright, alright," Nangong Yan said, trying to diffuse the tension. "Ning’er is only worried about you. Xue’er, Chu Ruo has been gone for four or five days now. What exactly are you up to? Won't you tell us?"
"I called you here today because there is indeed something important." Nan Muxue stared at the white jade bracelet on her wrist. It was a gift from *her*. If there was anything left in this world she truly cared for, it was the things that person had given her.
"I suspected as much." Yin Liuli, ever cautious, scanned the room once more to ensure they were not being overheard. "You summoned us so suddenly, and Chu Ruo has vanished. Something major must be happening, otherwise you wouldn't have let her go with Bai Zhi’er. Xue’er, tell me honestly—do you intend for Bai Zhi’er to take Chu Ruo away so she never sets foot in the Baihua Palace again?"
A faint smile played on Nan Muxue’s lips. "Liuli, sometimes I think you are no less sharp than Yunshuang or myself. It’s a pity Ning’er spends every day with you and hasn't improved a bit."
Duan Ning huffed indignantly, her cheeks puffing out. Yin Liuli gave her a playful, affectionate poke.
"I am with child."
The four words were brief, spoken so casually they were almost missed. The three Protectors stared at each other, their expressions a mix of shock and confusion. Nangong Yan looked bewildered, yet a glimmer of understanding dawned on her. "When you say 'with child'..."
"It is exactly as you think. A few days ago, I discovered I was pregnant."
The three of them nearly fell off their chairs. Duan Ning’s mouth hung open in shock. "You’re... mmmph!"
"Keep your voice down, you little ancestor! Do you want the whole world to hear?" Yin Liuli hissed, covering Duan Ning's mouth. Once she let go, her expression became even more solemn. "Are you certain? This is no laughing matter."
"After I checked my own pulse that day, I called for Bai Zhi’er to confirm it beyond any doubt. If you don't believe me, you may check for yourselves."
The Baihua Palace was built upon the foundation of the "Hundred Flowers." While its disciples were not as skilled in medicine as the Bai family, they all possessed basic medical knowledge. Taking a pulse was a simple task. Because their martial arts were so formidable, people often overlooked this fact. Now, all three women reached out to check Nan Muxue’s pulse with disbelief. As they did, their faces turned incredibly grim.
Duan Ning stammered, "But... the Cinnabar Mark on your arm is still there..."
"Fake." Nan Muxue was always sparing with her words; having said those two syllables, she offered no further explanation.
However, those words were enough for the other three to understand. Duan Ning muttered to herself, "And here I thought that fellow was so honest... she swore up and down she wouldn't touch you..." Had she known it was actually Nan Muxue who had taken the initiative to seduce Chu Ruo, her jaw would have likely hit the floor.
Nangong Yan was profoundly stunned. "Even if the two of you... but this is a joke, right? How can two women conceive a child?"
"Two women... it should be impossible." Yin Liuli stared at Nan Muxue. "Xue’er, you..."
"That is why I summoned you today."
"You want us to help you find the man responsible?"
Nan Muxue gazed into the distance. "To be honest, if the pulse weren't right here, I would still find it impossible even now."
"Judging by the pulse, the conception must have happened before we returned to the mountain. Weren't you with Chu Ruo every day back then?"
Nan Muxue shook her head. "We were not together every single night."
"So, it's possible someone drugged you and snuck into your room at night..." Duan Ning stopped mid-sentence. "Forget it, I shouldn't say that." If such a thing had happened, the victim would be in agony. Speculating on the details was like rubbing salt in a wound. She cursed her own loose tongue.
To her surprise, a trace of a smile remained on Nan Muxue’s face. "What is it?"
"How can you still smile?" Duan Ning lowered her head. Such an event would break anyone, let alone the high-and-mighty, pure-as-ice Young Palace Mistress. How could she remain so composed? "Xue’er, no matter what, the three of us will support you. Liuli, Yan’er, isn't that right?"
"There are many suspicious points here. I won't deny that is one possibility," Yin Liuli said.
"One possibility? You mean there are others? This... this just isn't realistic."
"Nothing in this world is absolute." Those were the words her Ruo’er had told her. And she, as always, believed her.
Nangong Yan spoke up. "Do you think it's possible for two women to conceive?"
"That sounds absurd!"
Yin Liuli shook her head. "No, the world is vast. Perhaps there is a way we don't know about. But for that to happen, one of them would have to be... different. Or perhaps some forbidden technique was involved?"
"What forbidden technique?"
"How should I know? I'm just saying it's a possibility, you silly girl."
"Hmph."
"Xue’er, even if that were possible, Chu Ruo only knows the martial arts of our palace..."
Nan Muxue leaned back in her rocking chair and closed her eyes. "I haven't ruled it out. Ruo’er’s background is unique; perhaps her body underwent some change when she arrived here. We simply don't know. However, there is a third possibility."
"Another one?"
"My mother." Her voice sounded languid, so much so that an outsider would never guess she was discussing something so grave. "She might have tampered with things. For instance, she could have used a drug to induce the symptoms of pregnancy."
"You mean a 'false pregnancy' drug? I've never heard of such a thing."
Nan Muxue replied lazily, "If it is the third option, it means she is plotting something truly terrifying."
Nangong Yan sighed heavily. "But what could her goal be?"
"For now, it could be to drive a wedge between Ruo’er and me. As for the rest... if I could guess it, she wouldn't be who she is. Until we have a definitive answer, everything is possible. The three of you will investigate these three directions. Be extremely careful. I don't care how you do it, but I must have results as soon as possible. Liuli, I leave my mother’s side to you. Be cautious in all things."
"Understood."
After the others left, Nan Muxue opened her eyes again. Tucked inside the book beside her was a portrait of Chu Ruo. She smiled tenderly. "I actually hope it is the second possibility. Although I do not care for children, if it were yours... it might not be so bad."
***
Ten days later.
"Ruo’er? Are you daydreaming?"
Chu Ruo rested her chin on her hand. "Ah, I was just thinking about my Xue’er."
Bai Zhi’er spoke up, sounding a bit sour. "Tsk tsk. Are you pretending I don't exist?"
"Zhi’er, I..." Chu Ruo lowered her head. "I've been feeling uneasy these past few days. Why don't we head back first? Once the marriage business is settled, I'll come back and help you search, okay?"
Bai Zhi’er looked away, unable to bear the sight, and pretended to play with her pup. "It’s so rare for me to ask for your help. You’re with her every single day; it’s only been a few days for me. Fine, fine, go back on your own. I’ll just go find my enemy by myself."
Chu Ruo thought for a moment and sighed. "I’ll stay with you. We’ll just try to finish up and head back as soon as possible."
"Really? My deep affection for you hasn't been in vain..."
"Ahem!"
"Alright, alright, I’ll stop teasing."
"Zhi’er, where exactly is this enemy of yours? Didn't you have a lead before we left? Why does it feel like we've been wandering around like headless flies these past few days?"
Bai Zhi’er blinked her innocent eyes. "That’s what the information said. If I can't find the person, what can I do? It’s not like I want to be lost..."
This girl... "Fine, fine. Let’s go out and ask around for clues. We’ve been out for over ten days; we need to get back soon, or Xue’er will worry about me."
Bai Zhi’er watched her walk away and shook her head with a smile. *Ruo’er, this time, I must take you away.*
***
Back at the palace...
"Where have Chu Ruo and that girl from the Divine Physician's house gone?"
"Your daughter does not know."
Nan Menghua glanced at her sideways. "Have you sent people to look?"
Nan Muxue looked straight ahead, neither humble nor arrogant. "I have."
"Then why didn't you have them followed from the start? Or was it your intention to let her elope with that Bai Zhi’er?"
"I had no such intention."
Nan Menghua shook her fly-whisk. "Then tell me, will they return?"
"I do not know."
"I’ll make a bet with you. Chu Ruo *will* come back." She patted her daughter’s shoulder. "If she doesn't, I will kill your four Protectors. Pass down the order: have the four of them go find her."
Nan Muxue remained indifferent, simply uttering a word of compliance before turning to leave.
Nan Menghua’s smile behind her was cold and sinister. *Your lover or your right-hand women—which will you choose? You want her to leave? In your dreams!*
"Palace Mistress Nan, you invited our two families here today... is it regarding the marriage?"
Nan Menghua smiled. "The marriage aside, I have another matter to discuss with you both today." She raised a hand, and Nan Muxue stepped forward holding the Ice Underworld whip. "Fort Master Liu, this Ice Underworld was accidentally left behind at my palace by your son during his last visit. There were some misunderstandings then, but it has now been repaired. It is only right that it be returned to its owner."
The legendary treasure, Ice Underworld. Liu Shaopeng’s eyes were glued to it; he practically reached out to take it. Liu Songhe was fuming inwardly, but since he had to play the long game to catch the big fish, he had to let this old woman lead him by the nose for now. He stood up and waved his hand dismissively.
"Not at all! My son was ignorant then; he burned the item himself and then threw a tantrum, blaming the Young Palace Mistress and Holy Envoy Chu. I punished him severely upon our return. Even if you hadn't mentioned it, I had already decided—this item is of no use to my Flying Eagle Fort. Since the Baihua Palace has repaired it, it perfectly complements your palace’s Cold Ice Palm technique. It seems it was fated to be. Besides, our families are close, and we may soon be in-laws. A mere weapon isn't worth haggling over. Let the Baihua Palace keep it as a betrothal gift from me on my son's behalf."
Having achieved her goal, Nan Menghua offered a polite word of thanks and turned to Shen Wanxiong. "I had intended to return the Ice Fiend to the Villa Master as well, but the Holy Envoy has gone down the mountain these past few days. Rest assured, Villa Master, once she returns..."
Shen Wanxiong also waved it off. "To be favored by the Baihua Palace is a blessing for that weapon. Besides, that matter was also a misunderstanding. Your palace sent silver notes afterward, but I was blinded by anger and refused them. If you continue like this, Palace Mistress, you’ll be shaming this old man. If Holy Envoy Chu likes it, consider it a gift for her first visit to the palace. Let us speak no more of the Ice Fiend."
"You are both most generous. Then, I shall not refuse. It is getting late; why don't we dine together? We can discuss the next round of the competition."
"We would be honored."
***
A short while later...
Nan Yunshuang, who had slipped away at some point, returned with a jar of wine. "Palace Mistress, this is this year’s new vintage. It has been warmed."
"Everyone, the nights on the mountain have grown chilly. Come, have a cup of warm wine." At the dining table sat Nan Menghua and her daughter, Liu Songhe and his son, and Shen Wanxiong and his son. The three Protectors stood waiting at the sides, while other disciples and maids served nearby. "Come, I propose a toast to everyone."
The others rose. As the disciples stepped forward to pour the wine, Nan Yunshuang waved them away. "This wine is rare; do not let your hands soil it. I will do it."
"Yes."
With that, she filled everyone’s bowls one by one. Finally, she came to Nan Muxue. Suddenly, she seemed to lose her footing. With a stumble, her hand shook, and the wine splashed—perfectly and precisely—all over Nan Muxue’s arm. She hurriedly set down the wine jar to wipe it away, but in her haste, she accidentally pulled back the sleeve.
The spot where the Cinnabar Mark should have been was now startlingly, brilliantly white!
Everyone saw it. And on every face, a different emotion flickered.
***
"Move! Anyone who dares stop me gets cut down!"
*Bang!*
Nangong Yan, whom neither Yin Liuli nor Duan Ning could hold back, kicked the door open in a rage. Her sword was pointed directly at Nan Yunshuang.
"Speak! Why did you do it?! You did it on purpose—you’re going to get Xue’er killed!"
***
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Master, Spare My Life: A Disciple's Sweet Rebellion | Chapter 96 | The Vanishing Mark | Novela.app | Novela.app
