Forbidden to Bully the Storybook’s Heroine – Chapter 50

An Epiphany¹

Jiang Yao didn’t forbid her from being angry. She wanted to explain, wanted to tell the little fairy² sobbing softly in her arms to stop crying. Her crying made Jiang Yao’s heart ache and her head throb.

But she didn’t know how to explain. All she could do was blankly pat the little fairy’s back, hold her tightly, and say in a helpless tone, “Don’t, don’t cry. I’m not stopping you from eating. If you like it, then eat. I’m not forbidding you from being angry, and I’m not ignoring you.”

Jiang Yao held her and coaxed her. She knew she wasn’t very good at comforting girls, and after trying by a thousand means and a hundred plans³, she still couldn’t make Song Muyun happy. A sense of urgency grew in her heart.

Song Muyun’s crying was very quiet, as soft and delicate as a kitten’s, as if she feared that even a slightly louder sob might displease Jiang Yao.

“Please stop crying. Didn’t you say you liked to eat it? Then hurry and have some before it gets cold.”

She coaxed Song Muyun in a gentle voice.

Only then did Song Muyun lift a pair of crimson eyes from her embrace to look at her. She was biting her red lips so tightly that deep marks were left behind, making them quite noticeable.

Jiang Yao frowned. She placed a hand on that sharp, snow-white chin and gently pried it open. “Let go. Stop biting. Doesn’t it hurt?”

It didn’t hurt Song Muyun. She only felt wronged, yet she didn’t know what she was wronged about. She was clearly the one who had gotten angry first. Her temper was too big, and it had made Jiang Yao unhappy. Jiang Yao had only ignored her, just as she had ignored Jiang Yao, yet she was the one who felt wronged.

At this thought, the young lady’s eyes immediately became misty with tears⁴ again. Jiang Yao was so afraid she would shed another string of tears that her whole body tensed up.

“You, you—don’t cry. It’s my fault. Don’t cry, don’t cry.”

She raised her hand to wipe the tears from Song Muyun’s eyes. The young lady not only obediently let her, but also turned her face to nuzzle against her hand.

Then, with a choked voice, she said, “No, it’s not your fault. It’s my fault. I’m always taking advantage of how good you are to me, always making you coax me. Please don’t be angry.”

Jiang Yao had no anger left. All of it had vanished the moment Song Muyun started crying. Now, she just wanted to beg her to stop.

“I’m not angry. Just please stop crying.”

She cupped the girl’s slender shoulders with both hands. Seeing Song Muyun’s red-rimmed eyes and pitifully aggrieved expression, her heart softened.

“I’m really not angry. Stop crying. Didn’t you say you love to eat this? Then eat. It’ll get cold and fishy soon, and then it won’t taste good.”

Song Muyun looked at her with that aggrieved expression and nodded timidly. But she didn’t get up to sit back in her own spot, instead remaining nestled in Jiang Yao’s arms, holding the fish and eating it in tiny bites.

The fish was incredibly tender. Except for one burnt spot, she had controlled the heat perfectly. She had done it so that Jiang Yao would also like what she liked.

Thinking of this, Song Muyun’s beautiful eyes blinked, and another string of sparkling and translucent⁵ teardrops fell.

Jiang Yao was numb. She wanted to comfort her but didn’t know where to start, and… she looked incredibly difficult to comfort.

After hesitating for a long while, she had no choice but to pull a handkerchief from her robes and gently dab Song Muyun’s damp eyes.

Song Muyun’s tears fell for a long time, soaking Jiang Yao’s entire handkerchief before they finally stopped.

An entire roasted fish had also been finished while she cried and ate.

Jiang Yao breathed a sigh of relief. “I’ll take you to wash your hands, then we should head back.”

Song Muyun nodded lightly. Now that she had calmed down, she looked at Jiang Yao with extreme obedience.

Jiang Yao took the handkerchief to the small creek, carefully dampened it, then took Song Muyun’s hand and gently wiped away the stains.

Song Muyun watched her with eyes that looked as if they’d been washed by water, clear and cool.

“Let’s go. It’s time to head back.”

Jiang Yao mounted the horse and extended a hand to Song Muyun. She obediently placed her hand in Jiang Yao’s palm and was pulled up onto the horse with a single motion.

The two of them sat one behind the other, looking just as intimate as when they had arrived. However, Song Muyun still felt apprehensive. “Why… have you stopped talking?”

She asked in a small voice, looking exceptionally nervous.

Jiang Yao paused, then answered honestly a moment later, “I’m afraid I’ll make you angry the moment I speak.”

It’s better not to speak. If I speak and make her angry, then it’s better not to speak at all.

Song Muyun pressed her lips together. Her body unconsciously shifted back, leaning softly into Jiang Yao’s embrace. Her voice carried a hint of complaint and a touch of petulance. “How could I get angry that easily? It’s not like that. I like hearing you talk.”

She liked hearing Jiang Yao talk to her. It didn’t matter what she said; even if she was just listening quietly, she felt happy inside.

Song Muyun’s hand, which had been clutching the horse’s mane, slowly moved to the back of Jiang Yao’s hand holding the reins. We’re best friends, she thought. What’s wrong with friends holding hands?

Jiang Yao stiffened for a moment but didn’t feel anything was amiss, so she silently allowed her to hold her hand.

The person in her arms was acting spoiled. “Talk to me. Don’t ignore me. Are you still angry?”

Jiang Yao was helpless. She could only free her other hand and wrap it around Song Muyun’s waist to keep her from moving around too much and losing her balance.

She let out a resigned laugh. “I’m not angry. What do you want me to talk about?”

“Anything is fine. I just want you to talk.”

When Jiang Yao was silent, she grew particularly worried, scared that Jiang Yao was still angry and ignoring her.

“En⁶.”

Jiang Yao responded with a low hum and, as requested, began to speak. “Do you prefer wild rabbit or wild pheasant?”

Song Muyun hesitated for a moment, then said quietly, “I’ve never had either. I want to try both.”

“Alright. I’ll hunt them for you tomorrow.”

She agreed with great ease, without a hint of hesitation. This was Jiang Yao’s confidence; whatever game her little lady wanted, she could hunt it.

“Then it’s a deal. You can’t lie to me.”

“En, I won’t lie.”

When the two returned to the courtyard, Jiang Ru had not yet come back. They brewed tea in the yard and had several cups before they saw the figures of Jiang Ru and the Eighth Prince.

Jiang Ru rarely ventured out in the capital, so many people didn’t recognize her. To avoid any accidents, and because of Jiang Yao’s instructions, Murong Ci had personally escorted her back to the courtyard.

The two stood at the courtyard gate, bidding farewell.

“Thank you for today, Your Highness. I had a wonderful time.”

“As long as you’re happy. If you’re happy, then I can consider my mission accomplished.”

They exchanged a few more pleasantries before Murong Ci turned to leave.

Jiang Yao and Song Muyun had been sitting in the courtyard, watching their exchange. It wasn’t until Jiang Ru turned around that she noticed them. Her eyes lit up with pleasant surprise. “Jiejie⁷, Muyun-jiejie.”

She walked over in small steps and sat down beside them. “Why are you two back so early?”

Jiang Yao pointed at the sky. “It’s not early. It’s already getting dark.”

Jiang Ru smiled. “Then it must be me and the Eighth Highness who stayed out too late.”

“What were you two doing that you’re only just getting back?”

Her younger sister was a little stick-in-the-mud⁸ who usually preferred to hole up in her room reading her archaic scholarly texts⁹. Jiang Yao had intentionally sent her out today to get some fresh air and relax. She had thought Jiang Ru would just wander around for a bit and come back, but she never expected her to return even later than them.

Hearing this, Jiang Ru answered honestly, “The Eighth Highness accompanied me to read. He brought over many of his own books, all of which I’d never seen before, so we ended up reading a bit late.”

Jiang Yao was speechless.

Truly worthy of being a little stick-in-the-mud and a bookworm.

She couldn’t imagine anyone in the world loving books that much. To her, those books were like heavenly script¹⁰; she recognized each character individually, but when put together, she couldn’t understand a thing.

“Then I’ll ask her to lend you a few tomorrow.”

“Can I borrow them?”

Jiang Ru’s eyes were wide and bright, filled with a certain expectation.

Jiang Yao nodded. “What’s the big deal? You’re a young lady and too thin-skinned, so I’ll go ask her for them.”

She saw herself as the big sister, always doting on her younger sister.

Jiang Ru brightened at her words and said affectionately, “Jiejie is so good to Ru’er. Thank you, Jiejie.”

Watching the interaction between the sisters, Song Muyun suddenly wondered, could it be that Jiang Yao saw her as a younger sister?

She gently bit her rosy lips. She wasn’t happy… She didn’t want to be seen as a younger sister.

“The tea Muyun brews is getting clearer and sweeter.” Jiang Yao took a sip of tea and praised her.

Most tea leaves were slightly astringent, but Jiang Yao didn’t like bitter things, so Song Muyun had found her a tea with a slightly sweet aftertaste and carried some with her wherever she went.

Fortunately, Jiang Yao liked it. As long as she liked it, that was all that mattered.

“Then drink some more.”

Jiang Yao waved her hand. “It’s time for the evening meal. If I drink any more, I won’t have room for dinner.”

“En, then let’s have dinner first.”

Meanwhile…

Several men dressed in black stood in Murong Qing’s courtyard.

Murong Qing had his back to them, lightly tapping the waist pendants¹¹ at his side, which produced a crisp sound. “Have you all remembered what this prince said?”

The group of men in black cupped their fists in unison, their tone resolute. “Yes!”

“You must make it look like the Eighth Prince fell off a cliff by accident. You may go.”

In an instant, the group of shadow guards¹² vanished without a trace.

Murong Qing’s face was grim and vicious. The Song Clan’s case was about to be exposed, and he wasn’t sure if he could protect those men. He had to let them serve one final purpose.

Murong Ci, how can you fight me?

Traditionally, the Emperor has always favored the legitimate and the eldest sons for succession. The eldest prince was still under house arrest in the capital, while the Legitimate Prince¹³ was gradually making a name for himself at court. And he wanted to pull the Jiang Clan into his camp?

In his dreams!

Eighth Imperial Younger Brother, don’t blame your Imperial Brother. Who told you to be so impatient?

The struggle for the throne had always involved bloodshed. He had been too soft-hearted and indecisive in the past, missing many good opportunities. Now, he would use his own imperial brother to make a good start.

Murong Qing’s smile grew colder.

The others were still completely unaware of this.

The next day, Jiang Yao climbed out of bed. The brocade quilt¹⁴ slid down, revealing her snow-white shoulders. Another pair of fair, tender arms were wrapped around her neck; Song Muyun was lying in her embrace.

For some reason, Song Muyun had been particularly clingy last night, constantly hugging her and asking if she was still angry, begging her not to be angry anymore.

Jiang Yao said she wasn’t angry, but Song Muyun didn’t believe her, burying her head in her chest and nuzzling against her. Her voice was so soft and delicate that it always made Jiang Yao’s heart ache.

She had held her and coaxed her for a long while before they finally fell into a deep sleep, their limbs tangled together.

It was utterly intimate. Now, when one of them stirred, the other was inevitably pulled awake.

Jiang Yao had to participate in the hunt today and needed to rise early. Song Muyun didn’t know how to ride or shoot, so even if she wanted to go, she couldn’t. She could only wait in the courtyard.

But her heart was filled with worries. While serving Jiang Yao food, she kept reminding her, “If you run into any large beasts, don’t you dare go near them. Your own safety is what matters most, do you hear me?”

“En, I know, I know. You’ve been nagging me from yesterday to today. Both of my ears have heard you.”

Jiang Yao was helpless.

Song Muyun still frowned and continued, “Don’t take this lightly. The hunting grounds are so chaotic. You also have to watch out for other people’s arrows. Don’t get hurt.”

She was afraid that those people would shoot their arrows recklessly and, instead of hitting their prey, end up hurting her. What would she do then?

Jiang Yao felt even more helpless and laughed. “Do you have so little faith in me? They can’t hurt me. Don’t worry, en?”

She coaxed her.

Song Muyun’s red lips were pressed into a thin line. Although she was worried, she didn’t want to pass these anxious feelings on to Jiang Yao. She was about to go hunting; it was better to let her go with a clear mind.

She didn’t want to distract her.

Jiang Yao stood properly in place with the other participants of the hunt, waiting for the Emperor to say a few encouraging words. Only after the long-winded speech could they enter the forest to hunt. She casually took the bow and arrows assigned to her, and seeing that everyone else had scattered like birds and beasts¹⁵, she deftly mounted her horse and headed into the woods.

The hunting forest was vast, and many wild animals were raised within it. But it was nearly winter now, so most of the animals were staying in their dens and rarely came out. One needed exceptionally sharp eyes to spot them.

Jiang Yao’s eyesight was quite good, but she had little interest in small birds and beasts, nor did she want to show off. Her mind was set on what Song Muyun had said about wanting to taste wild rabbit and wild pheasant, so she was searching for those two things.

Most of the military officials were in this part of the hunting forest. She occasionally ran into acquaintances, and after exchanging greetings, they would go their separate ways to find prey.

Jiang Yao ambled along, shooting a rabbit in the foot along the way. She picked it up by its ears, tossed it into the basket on her horse’s back, and then continued to ride lazily for a while before coming face to face with Murong Ci.

Murong Ci was also quite surprised to see her. “Jiang Yao, you didn’t go deeper in?”

She had assumed that someone with martial arts as profound as Jiang Yao’s would want to explore the deeper parts of the forest, where there might be larger game more suited to their tastes.

But Jiang Yao just waved a lazy hand in greeting. “Eighth Highness, I wanted to, but Muyun is afraid I’ll be in danger and won’t let me. If I go back with an injury, she’ll get angry.”

A love for battle was a martial artist’s instinct, but it wasn’t as if she had to fight. If Song Muyun didn’t want her to go, then she wouldn’t.

What if I run into a big tiger? There will inevitably be some injuries during the fight. If the little lady sees them, she’ll probably start crying again.

“So that’s how it is. I never thought you’d be so obedient to Miss Song.”

Murong Ci had seen the unrestrained and willful Jiang Yao, so it was hard for her to imagine a day when she would be so obedient to someone.

“Tsk, what do you mean obedient? Don’t talk nonsense. I’m just afraid she’ll cry.”

The one at home is a crybaby. In her dreams, she didn’t have such a tearful personality.

If their faces didn’t match, I’d suspect I have the wrong female lead.

She complained both internally and aloud, yet there was a hint of a smile in her eyes. She didn’t look displeased at all; in fact, she seemed quite happy.

Murong Ci raised an eyebrow but didn’t expose her for saying one thing but meaning another¹⁶. She looked around and said, “Since we’ve run into each other, shall we travel together? It’ll be nice to have some company.”

She took the initiative to invite her, and since Jiang Yao was just starting to feel a bit bored, she had one condition. “If we come across any wild pheasants on the way, you’re not allowed to compete with me for them.”

That was what Muyun had specifically requested to eat.

Murong Ci was taken aback, then broke into a smile and shook her head. “How could I ever win against you for something you want?”

Although her archery skills were much better than before, comparing herself to Jiang Yao would be greatly overestimating her own abilities¹⁷.

Jiang Yao said, “I’m just making sure, so you don’t think I’m trying to steal your prey. How’s your hunt been since you entered the forest? And why isn’t anyone with you?”

Jiang Yao didn’t have anyone by her side because she was confident in her martial arts and loved to ride freely. But logically, someone as important as a prince should have servants attending to them.

Murong Ci showed Jiang Yao the basket on her horse’s back. Inside were two or three pieces of prey, all of them easy, clumsy targets, nothing to brag about. But compared to previous years, she was already very satisfied with herself.

“Just now on the road, I ran into the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Cheng’s family. She’d wandered in here by mistake and was terrified, so I had my people escort her back.”

“Well, you’re quite a good person then.”

Jiang Yao glanced at her, feeling for some reason that something was strange.

Why would the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Cheng’s family wander in by mistake? With her status, this shouldn’t have been her first Autumn Hunt¹⁸. How could she not know this was the hunting forest?

And the Eighth Prince left all her people with her? She dared to accept that? Wasn’t she afraid of rumors spreading the moment she returned?

Whatever. It’s someone else’s business, after all.

Jiang Yao was too lazy to overthink it. Seeing that Murong Ci was about to speak, she prepared to listen attentively. Suddenly, there was a strange sound in the air. Her ears twitched. She heard someone step on a dry branch. The sound wasn’t the open and frank sound of people coming and going, but was instead extremely light-footed and furtive. Not a good person.

Her eyes sharpened. The next second, the sound of something tearing through the air came. Jiang Yao sank her Qi to her Dantian¹⁹ and shot her hand up, forcefully grabbing a pitch-black arrow that had left the bowstring.

Murong Ci, who had been chattering away just a moment ago, was scared stiff. She only snapped back to her senses when she heard Jiang Yao let out a soft hiss. She quickly urged her horse closer. “Jiang Yao, are you alright? Is there poison on the arrow?!”

Jiang Yao clutched her shoulder and shook her arm, flinging off two drops of blood. The archer had used considerable force; she was almost pulled from her horse.

“I’m fine. His strength is just too great, and the fletching grazed me. You be careful.”

Jiang Yao sat on her horse, maneuvering it in a circle, trying to spot where the person had shot from. But she couldn’t find the person. Instead, she saw another arrow shoot out from a dense thicket, aimed straight for Murong Ci’s face.

Murong Ci was completely frozen, unable to react at all. Jiang Yao’s eyes were sharp. She stared intently at the arrow, then suddenly drew her sword from her waist, channeled her strength into it, and as the arrow was about to reach Murong Ci, she swung down hard, slicing it in two.

She simultaneously kicked Murong Ci, sending her tumbling to the ground. Then, she quickly grabbed an arrow from her own quiver and, without needing a bow to draw it, threw it directly. It collided with the third arrow fired by the opponent, and both arrows were destroyed.

Three arrows had missed. A rustle in the bushes signaled he was about to leave.

Jiang Yao drew her bow and nocked an arrow without hesitation. She didn’t even need to aim. She let the arrow fly, and a faint, muffled grunt sounded.

She knew she’d hit him. It probably wasn’t his legs or back—otherwise he wouldn’t be able to move. It must have been his arm.

Jiang Yao looked at Murong Ci, who had rolled a couple of times on the ground and was now hiding behind a large tree. “Eighth Highness, you can get up. He’s already left.”

Murong Ci had been through too much shock today. She slumped to the ground behind the tree, patting her chest, still feeling the lingering fear. She managed to stand up and ask Jiang Yao, “He’s really gone?”

“En. Who did you offend? He wanted to kill you.”

The coronet on her head was about to fall off. Hearing this, she gritted her teeth. “It can’t be anyone other than one of my brothers. They all wish I was dead.”

She was also thinking about which brother she had offended recently, making them want her dead so quickly.

But after thinking it over, the only thing that came to mind was yesterday’s verbal spat with Murong Qing.

It couldn’t be, could it?

She had only argued with Murong Qing for a bit, trading a few insults, and he already wanted her dead?

That man’s disposition is far too narrow-minded!

Murong Ci’s expression was incredibly ugly.

Jiang Yao asked her, “Do you know who is the most likely suspect?”

Nothing was certain yet, so she could only shake her head. “I don’t know. I’ll report this to Father Emperor when I get back and then bring people to investigate.”

Jiang Yao nodded on the surface, but what she thought was, By then, the daylilies would have gone cold²⁰, wouldn’t they?

All the traces would have been wiped away long ago.

“Let’s go over and see if anything was left behind first.”

As Jiang Yao spoke, she urged her horse forward. She had already pinpointed the person’s location by sound, but indeed, nothing was left at the scene except for the three arrows and some bloodstains a little further away.

“We’ll have to wait for people to come investigate. It’s not very safe here anymore. Should I escort you back first?”

Murong Ci looked at the few pieces of prey on her horse’s back. It wasn’t much, but it should be enough for the little lady to eat. Forget it. My life is more important. It’s better to hurry back.

“Alright. Thank you for what you did today. If you hadn’t been here…”

She could already envision her own tragic death.

That arrow was so fast and vicious, she never would have been able to dodge it!

“It’s a small matter. I am a citizen of the Great Jin, so it’s what I ought to do.”

Jiang Yao rode side-by-side with Murong Ci, intending to leave, but she suddenly realized that since those three arrows, there was no one else around.

It was as if someone had deliberately lured away the nearby hunters, leaving only the two of them.

It took Jiang Yao a moment to process the fact that they were about to face a fierce battle. Her expression was quite helpless. “Eighth Highness, I’m really getting dragged down by you this time.”

It was obvious that all these people were after Murong Ci. She had just happened to run into her by chance.

Murong Ci looked apologetic. “If we make it back, I’ll definitely compensate you.”

Jiang Yao waved her hand. “Forget other compensations. After the Song Clan’s case is closed, just have a word with the Emperor and have the exiled members of the Song Clan brought back. Can you do that?”

Murong Ci was stunned. She thought again of Jiang Yao’s meticulous care for Song Muyun and shook her head. To think she had even considered this for her. Could the rumors in the capital about the Eldest Miss Jiang’s pleasure of mirror polishing²¹ actually be true?

“That’s naturally not a problem. If I can make it back alive, I will definitely help you with it. If I can’t…”

“Pei pei pei²², don’t say such unlucky things. Even if you don’t want to go back, I do. My little lady’s waiting for me in the courtyard.”

She didn’t want Song Muyun to suddenly hear of her tragic death.

The heroine in the novel had lived such a miserable life because she had no one to protect her. She had finally managed to protect her and let her have a few good days. If I died now, what would happen to Song Muyun?

Her father would still clear the Song Clan’s name, but he wouldn’t go out of his way to shelter Muyun in the future. Song Yunqian was already dead, so Muyun had no father to protect her. She was a commoner girl; it would be child’s play for Murong Qing to bully her again.

Thinking of this, a fierce glint flashed in Jiang Yao’s eyes.

She would not allow that to happen, so she would not die.

Murong Ci’s expression also became serious. She replied, “Yes, you’re right. Mother Empress is also waiting for me in the palace.”

So she couldn’t die either.

The surroundings grew quieter. Jiang Yao, as if she hadn’t noticed, urged her horse into a run. Murong Ci followed closely behind. Soon, assassins in black clothes flew out from the woods, brandishing their blades. Seeing this, Jiang Yao immediately reached into her robes, pulled out something, and flung it forward, killing the entire front row of men in one go.

Her accuracy was breathtaking. Murong Ci secretly resolved that if she survived this, she would learn martial arts too.

An opening appeared in the front. Jiang Yao charged through on her horse. Her nerves were stretched taut. She had to look out for not only herself but also Murong Ci, ready to swing her sword at any moment to cripple the hands and feet of anyone who tried to stab her.

She had no idea whose subordinates this group of black-clad men were, so she might as well count them all as Murong Qing’s.

Soon, their path forward was blocked.

Jiang Yao took a deep breath. “Damn it, what rotten luck.”

“In a moment, I’ll hold them off here. You run.”

Murong Ci looked at Jiang Yao in shock, unable to believe that Jiang Yao was willing to risk her own safety for her!

Jiang Yao said, “Cut the crap. Did you hear me? I can only leave after you’ve left.”

With this dead weight around, I can’t even fly if I want to.

She didn’t know which prince had paid such a high price, but there were a lot of assassins. Jiang Yao considered it for a moment. Two fists are no match for countless hands²³. I can escape, but I can’t win a direct fight.

She held her longsword horizontally in front of her, her eyes colder than a winter sky. She asked in a stern voice, “Who sent you? Speak up now, and I’ll spare your lives!”

The men in black were masked, and no one spoke.

Jiang Yao’s expression grew even colder. Murong Ci gripped her reins tightly. “Your kindness today… I, Murong Ci, will remember it. I’ll find people to come back and save you!”

The men in black seemed to be waiting for a signal. When the signal was given, they attacked as one.

Jiang Yao couldn’t be bothered to listen to Murong Ci’s words. She suddenly flew up from her horse, raising her sword to block the men in black who were heading for Murong Ci.

At the same time, she gave Murong Ci’s horse a heavy slap on the rump.

Murong Ci’s horse bolted away.

It was a good thing Murong Ci was a prince; her horse was much better than those belonging to ordinary officials and their children. It ran incredibly fast, disappearing in a flash.

Seeing Murong Ci flee, the men in black were about to give chase but were cut down by Jiang Yao’s sword. In the whistling wind, the woman’s face was cold and stern, her body filled with fighting spirit. “If you want to kill her, you’d better beat me first!”

With that, her figure moved as fast as lightning, disappearing in an instant. In the blink of an eye, she reappeared several yards away, cutting down the group of men closest to her.

The other death soldiers²⁴ finally realized that they couldn’t complete their mission without killing Jiang Yao.

Even though their orders hadn’t said to kill her, they had no choice but to act now.

A swarm of black-clad men rushed forward. Jiang Yao’s sharp sword techniques could barely hold them off, but not for long. Her sword was moving so fast it was practically creating sparks. When she realized she was about to be exhausted, she didn’t hesitate. She immediately retreated, randomly grabbing a black-clad man to use as a shield, buying herself a moment to get back on her horse.

These death soldiers must have something wrong with their brains. They hadn’t attacked their horses before, and they aren’t doing it now. That worked out well for her.

“Tsk, alright, you all can go find Murong Ci. This young miss is done with this matter. Giddy-up!”

She spurred her horse down another path. A death soldier who had gone mad from fighting saw this and tried to chase her but was stopped by the others. A death soldier who hadn’t spoken in years said in a hoarse voice, “Our target is the Eighth Prince. Go after the Eighth Prince. Don’t worry about her.”

Jiang Yao rode for a good distance, and surprisingly, no one chased after her. She breathed a sigh of relief and lay back on her horse. Eighth Highness, she thought, this is as far as I can help you. I have a family to think about, so I can’t risk my life for you. I’m truly sorry.

After catching her breath for a moment, she sat up straight again, slapped her horse’s rump, and galloped toward the travel palace²⁵.

At the very least, she had to tell someone to send people to rescue the Eighth Prince.

If they went now, they could still make it in time.

When Jiang Yao arrived, her clothes were in disarray, her hair was stained with blood, and her face was smudged with dust. She was a complete mess, almost arousing the suspicion of the patrolling guards. It wasn’t until she pulled out the Prime Minister’s Residence’s command token²⁶ from her robes and said, “Go, quickly summon the Longhu General!”

Damn it. I have no strength left.

Although Jiang Yao had ridden back, she had previously pushed herself to fight so many people. Their swords had made her arms ache, and her whole body was in pain. She couldn’t take another step.

Jiang Zhi was also leading a patrol. When he heard that someone with a Jiang Clan command token was looking for him, he frowned and went immediately.

By now, a circle of people had gathered around Jiang Yao, all of them noble ladies from the capital.

They had initially seen a disheveled woman covered in blood sitting there and hadn’t planned on approaching. But then someone recognized her as the Eldest Miss of the Jiang Clan.

In an instant, most of the noble ladies swarmed over, asking her how she got so injured, if something had happened in the hunting grounds, if she was the only one who had returned, and if they should send for an imperial physician.

The buzzing was making Jiang Yao’s ears hurt. She ignored all of them, resting her hands on the ground and closing her eyes to recuperate.

It wasn’t until the armor-clad Jiang Zhi arrived. “What are you all gathered here for? Disperse!”

A general naturally had a general’s authority. With that one shout, the noble ladies scattered before they even had time to react.

When Jiang Zhi saw that the person sitting on the ground was his own niece, he was shocked. Just as he was about to ask what had happened, Jiang Yao stood up. Her voice was so loud that everyone present heard it. “Second Uncle, someone’s trying to assassinate the Eighth Prince in the hunting grounds! You need to send people in to check. The Eighth Prince and I ran in opposite directions, and many of them went after the Eighth Prince.”

Jiang Zhi was aghast at her words. He quickly ordered a team of men to be assembled and then asked, “Which way did the Eighth Prince go?!”

Jiang Yao pointed the way. Jiang Zhi immediately had his subordinates lead a team over, and then he personally led Jiang Yao to the Emperor to explain the situation.

Every single one of the noble ladies who had gathered around was stunned by her words. What? What? Someone is assassinating the Eighth Highness? How is that possible!

Who would dare to carry out an assassination in the imperial hunting grounds?

Suddenly, a beautiful figure darted out and ran up to Jiang Yao. It was none other than Princess Heyi. She said, “I’ll go with you to see Father Emperor. My Seventh Imperial Brother is also in the forest. Did you see him?”

Jiang Yao’s face was cold. She was injured, and blood was seeping out. She had no time to answer her.

Jiang Zhi urgently stuffed some medicine into Jiang Yao’s hand, telling her to use it when she got back.

Receiving no reply, Heyi was a bit annoyed, but she managed to hold it in. This Miss Jiang is fierce; it’s best not to provoke her.

The Emperor, who was in discussion with his ministers, was interrupted. Jiang Yao was brought in by Jiang Zhi. Her disheveled appearance made the Emperor frown. But after she finished recounting the day’s events, the Emperor no longer cared about her appearance. He was so angry he smashed his cup and dispatched the Imperial Palace Guards²⁷ to search, ordering them to protect the Eighth Prince at all costs!

Although he wasn’t particularly fond of the Eighth Prince, he was, after all, his legitimate son and could not be allowed to come to harm.

Jiang Yao knew they would investigate the rest themselves. To prevent them from losing the advantage, she mentioned that she had wounded one of the assassins’ arms. Jiang Zhi immediately ordered the travel palace to be sealed off, intending to investigate everyone one by one. The rest of the matter had nothing to do with her.

She had to get back early to put the little lady at home at ease.

Song Muyun had seen that it was getting late and was about to go out to meet Jiang Yao. But just as she stepped out of her room, her expression froze. The next moment, Jiang Yao smelled a fragrant breeze as the woman rushed toward her. She almost threw herself into her arms but seemed to recall her injuries and restrained herself through gritted teeth. When she looked up, her face was filled with heartache. “You… what happened to you? Did you run into some fierce beast? Why are you such a mess, and why is there so much blood…”

After spotting the large bloodstain, Song Muyun nearly fainted, her heart aching to the point of suffocation. Fortunately, Jiang Yao was quick to explain. “This is all someone else’s blood, not mine. Can we go inside and talk?”

The little fairy was dressed in white again today, looking truly ethereal. She had been pampered so well she was becoming more and more beautiful.

Her eyes were filled with tears as she supported Jiang Yao inside, her heart aching. It was clearly Jiang Yao who was injured, yet Song Muyun was the one trembling all over, as if she were the one in pain.

Jiang Yao was helpless. “What are you crying for? I’m fine, aren’t I? The blood is from other people. I killed a lot of them. Are you scared?”

She asked, trying to ease Song Muyun’s tense emotions a little.

But Song Muyun just shook her head, gripping one of Jiang Yao’s arms. Her voice trembled with a sob. “I’m not scared. I’m not scared of you killing people. Just what on earth happened? Please tell me. Don’t let my imagination run wild; I’ll worry.”

She knew she was prone to letting her imagination run wild, so she desperately wanted to know what had happened.

Jiang Yao waved her free hand nonchalantly. “It’s nothing serious. I just blocked a blow for the Eighth Prince. It’ll be fine after I put some medicine on it. Don’t worry, and don’t cry. It doesn’t hurt at all.”

She had been getting injured since she was a child and didn’t think it was a big deal.

But upon hearing this, Song Muyun froze completely. Her grip on Jiang Yao’s hand tightened, and her thin lips were pressed so hard they turned white. Her voice actually held a hint of anger. “Why did you block it for the Eighth Prince? Didn’t I tell you to be careful? Why did you block it for the Eighth Prince!”

Her eyes flashed with tears, her heart feeling as if it were being sliced into pieces by a knife. Do you like the Eighth Prince that much?

I repeatedly warned you to be careful, not to get hurt, yet you ignored it all for the Eighth Prince. In the future, are you planning to marry him and become his consort?

But if you marry the Eighth Prince, what about me? Song Muyun froze. That’s right, she’s going to marry a man. So what about me?

If she marries someone else, has children with someone else, will there still be a place for me in her heart?

She’s only just gotten to know the Eighth Prince, and she’s already willing to take a blow for him…

Her eyes shimmered with tears. Her face was pitiful, but her heart was stubbornly thinking, no, I can’t let Jiang Yao like him. He needs Jiang Yao to protect him. He got Jiang Yao hurt. What right does he have to be liked by her? Even if Jiang Yao is going to like someone, there should be a first-come, first-served order. It should… start with me.

Song Muyun suddenly understood something. The fog that had been clouding her heart completely dissipated, leaving only clarity. She finally knew why she had been so gloomy these past few days.

She wanted Jiang Yao to be good only to her, but she couldn’t find a reason for it. But… what if Jiang Yao liked her? If Jiang Yao fell in love with her, they could be together forever. She could openly forbid Jiang Yao from getting too close to anyone else and forbid her from taking injuries for others. All her dark thoughts and desires would no longer be considered dark, as long as Jiang Yao fell in love with her… as long as Jiang Yao was willing to love her.

Murong Ci can, so why can’t I? Men can, so why can’t women?

She was clearly more obedient to Jiang Yao than those men were, more concerned for her. Being with Jiang Yao would surely be much more comfortable than being with a man.

Song Muyun bit her red lip, her heart set. She wasn’t a weak person who backed down easily. She was already greedy—greedy for all of Jiang Yao’s affection. Now, she was just working to get what she wanted. What’s wrong with making myself happy?

Jiang Yao had said that all she wanted was to make her happy.

The beauty by her side gazed at her, her shimmering eyes full of accusation. Jiang Yao’s heart was instantly filled with helplessness. Just as Jiang Yao was at a loss for how to explain, the beauty suddenly turned and threw herself into her embrace. She subconsciously reached out to hold her, feeling her soft, pliant body. Her chest was soft, rising and falling, and her voice was choked with a pitiful sob. Fair, tender arms wrapped around her neck as she cried aggrievedly in her embrace. “I’m sorry. You’re hurt. I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that. I was just… I was just scared. I was so worried something would happen to you. If something happened to you, what would I do all alone? I’m so, so scared…”

With that, she lifted her crimson, beautiful eyes to look at her again. They glistened with a translucent sheen of water, looking so pitiful and lovely²⁸, that it was impossible for anyone to stay angry.

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