Forbidden to Bully the Storybook’s Heroine – Chapter 109

Extra 2: The ‘What If’ Timeline

A slender figure suddenly intruded upon her sweet dream. The woman embraced her from behind, asking if Jiang Yao liked her, then telling her to marry her.

Jiang Yao struggled to see clearly. Finally, as she was shamelessly kissing the woman’s neck, she saw her charming and unconventional face.

            

A boom went off in her heart, which began to pound violently.

The woman was exquisitely beautiful, her body pressed tightly against Jiang Yao’s in an intimate posture.

And Jiang Yao found herself wrapping her arms around the woman, pulling her close.

            

She dreamt that the two of them were like a married couple, performing the act of clouds and water between the bedsheets…​¹

When she awoke, Jiang Yao shot upright, her face beet red with disbelief.

She… she had actually had such a lewd and wicked dream!

            

And that woman, who was that woman?

The still-young Jiang Yao didn’t know what “mirror polishing” was,​² but she knew she liked that woman very much.

Could this be… what they called a dream lover?

            

That woman was so beautiful. If she could be with a woman like that, just as in her dream…

She would definitely be willing.

Jiang Yao sat stunned on the soft couch, still thinking about the peerless beauty from her memories.

            

How could such a good-looking woman exist in the world?

She must be someone you could only meet in a dream.

A maidservant walked in with small steps. Seeing Jiang Yao sitting dazed on the couch, she first called out, “Miss,” to bring her back to her senses, then informed her that the Second Prince’s Consort was hosting a Plum Blossom Banquet in a few days and had invited her to attend.

            

These were all stuffy, literary banquets. How could Jiang Yao possibly enjoy them? But her daily life was just too boring.

Tsk.

Jiang Yao nodded, bored, and wrote letters to a few friends, arranging to meet them at the Second Prince’s Consort’s Plum Blossom Banquet.

            

She’d heard that the Second Prince’s Consort had a niece, and this banquet was being held precisely to find her a match. Plenty of men would be attending.

The days passed in utter monotony, and soon it was the day of the Plum Blossom Banquet.

Jiang Yao woke up with a look of complete satisfaction. It was no wonder—every single night, she dreamt of that soft and lovely dream lover lying in her arms, letting Jiang Yao control her, letting Jiang Yao bully her.

            

It was too exhilarating.

If she couldn’t find a woman like that in this lifetime, Jiang Yao thought, she would probably die alone.

A maidservant combed Jiang Yao’s hair into a bun and helped her change. The thought of going to the Plum Blossom Banquet to deal with that crowd of scholars instantly soured the buoyant mood she’d been in after seeing her dream lover.

            

Any invitation that made it into her hands was one her mother wanted her to attend.

Sigh.

Jiang Yao went anyway. But after entering, she didn’t join the crowd in the plum grove. Instead, she stood in a quiet spot, facing a nearly-dead tree with a lake behind it.

            

The tree was inconspicuous; the people of the Second Prince’s Residence had probably never even noticed it, or it would have been dug up long ago.

Jiang Yao had arranged to meet her friend here. A light breeze blew past, but her mood was still thoroughly agitated. What was Liang Yunhe doing?

So slow!

            

She rarely waited for anyone. They had agreed to meet here today, yet he was late. Jiang Yao was already wondering if he was releasing a pigeon on her.​³

Heh, if he dared to release a pigeon, heh heh heh, just see if I don’t beat him to death.

Jiang Yao’s expression was anything but pleasant as she continued to wait in silence.

            

Until the sound of a young lady’s voice rang out.

She heard someone say cheerfully, “Oh, there’s a lake here! Look how clear it is. Sisters, shall we compose a poem?”

Jiang Yao: …

            

You’ve got to be kidding me. I hid all the way out here, and you scholars still won’t let me go?

Jiang Yao spun around in a fury. She was going to see just who it was, putting on airs and writing poems all day long!

But the moment she turned and her eyes met the group of young women, they were clearly startled by her sudden appearance. They subconsciously took half a step back. Those who recognized her gave a graceful curtsy and greeted, “Miss Jiang,” and the others followed suit.

            

But Jiang Yao didn’t respond. She was staring, dumbfounded, at the elegant and otherworldly beautiful woman in the crowd, her heart pounding so hard it felt like it would leap from her chest.

This… isn’t this my dream lover?

That slender, willow-like figure, that rare and worldly beauty—she had dreamt of her for several nights. There was absolutely no way she could be mistaken!

            

Jiang Yao stared blankly at the woman for a long time, so long that the others began to look a little strange. Song Muyun had always been sensitive and naturally noticed the gaze directed at her. She frowned slightly and tilted her head to the side, her expression as cold as ice—not at all like the soft, charming woman from her dreams.

That resistant look snapped Jiang Yao back to her senses, but she still couldn’t help but ask, “Miss, this may be presumptuous, but you look very much like an old friend of mine. May I know your name?”

The group of young ladies followed her gaze. When they saw Song Muyun, they all fell silent. Someone tugged on Song Muyun’s sleeve and reminded her, “Jiang Yao is asking you.”

            

Song Muyun’s brow furrowed. She looked up and met Jiang Yao’s smiling eyes.

Those eyes were crystal clear, with no ulterior motive. She simply wanted to know her name.

“Muyun. Miss Jiang, my name is Song Muyun. This is the first time we have met.”

            

The woman’s voice was cool and distant, also vastly different from her dream, but it still filled Jiang Yao with delight.

“Muyun…”

The two words coiled around her tongue, and when she spoke them, they carried a trace of lingering sweetness.

            

An inexplicable blush rose on Song Muyun’s face, but she showed no intention of listening further. Instead, she said, “Is Miss Jiang enjoying the scenery here?”

Jiang Yao was at a loss for words, looking at the dead tree in front of her. What scenery was there to enjoy?

But before she could reply, Song Muyun continued on her own, “Then please continue, Miss Jiang. We will take our leave.”

            

With that, she gave another graceful curtsy, and the others did the same.

Jiang Yao’s eyes widened. She wanted to say that she wasn’t enjoying the scenery, that they shouldn’t go, that they should chat a little longer.

But when she met those eyes, so full of a distant coldness that was completely unlike her dream, she didn’t dare to speak up. She could only watch blankly as the group departed.

            

It was only then that Liang Yunhe finally arrived.

Seeing Jiang Yao staring off into the distance, he couldn’t resist clapping her on the shoulder.

“Hey, what are you looking at?”

            

Jiang Yao turned. Seeing that Liang Yunhe had finally come, she couldn’t help but roll her eyes dramatically. “You’re finally here. Any later and I’d have thought you’d died on the road.”

“Tsk, what a way to talk. A maidservant accidentally soiled my clothes on the way, so I went to change. I’m asking you, what were you staring at so intently just now?”

The women were long gone. They had said they wanted to compose poetry here, but they hadn’t. It was probably because an uncultured brute like her was present.

            

A sense of loss crept into Jiang Yao’s heart. Such a beautiful woman, and her dream lover at that. She had wanted to get closer to her.

For the first time, she regretted her terrible reputation in the capital.

With a reputation for such ferocity, some young women had even been scared to tears by her. Her dream lover was so slender and delicate; she was probably afraid of her too.

            

Besides, she was clearly a scholar. She would definitely look down on a crude martial woman like her.

Jiang Yao sighed, an inexplicable disappointment in her heart.

Seeing her lost in thought again, Liang Yunhe nudged her. Caught off guard, she nearly fell over. Once she steadied herself, her eyes immediately shot daggers at him. “Are you trying to get killed? What are you pushing me for!”

            

Seeing her anger, Liang Yunhe guiltily tapped his fan against his palm. “Well, you were ignoring me. What are you thinking about? It’s rare to see you like this.”

Jiang Yao couldn’t be bothered to share her thoughts with him and just shook her head.

Liang Yunhe was her maternal cousin, only a few months older than her. Because of their mothers’ relationship, she naturally looked out for him, and they often went out together.

            

“Let’s go. We can just wander around.”

After seeing her dream lover, Jiang Yao’s entire heart was itching. She wanted to see her again, just one more time, but the other woman clearly didn’t want to see her.

They had barely exchanged two sentences today before she was in a hurry to leave.

            

A slight disappointment settled in her heart, and her expression turned cold.

Then she heard Liang Yunhe suggest they just leave. Normally, she would never want to stay at this kind of banquet, being stared at like a monkey. But today, she had met her dream lover.

She wouldn’t leave so early. If she stayed, maybe she could see her again.

            

Even a few more glances would be good.

The fairy from her dreams had come to the mortal world, and she found it impossible to let go.

Jiang Yao rejected Liang Yunhe without hesitation. “If you want to leave, go by yourself. The banquet isn’t over. Leaving now would be completely rude! Did a dog eat all your manners?”

            

The most ill-mannered person in the entire capital was lecturing him about manners. Why was this so funny? Liang Yunhe’s expression was odd.

“Alright, alright. We’ll stay. I was just worried you wouldn’t be comfortable.”

“What’s there to be uncomfortable about? It’s just eating and drinking.”

            

Jiang Yao curled her lip, quite disdainful.

However, when she returned to the banquet area and heard the guests playing floating wine cups on a winding stream, composing poems one after another, her expression still froze.​⁴

She stood rooted to the spot, unable to take a step forward.

            

Liang Yunhe even urged her, “Let’s go, take a seat.”

…

Well, this was sudden.

            

As she stood there frozen, she saw Song Muyun stand up. She picked up the wine cup that had floated to a stop in front of her, but instead of drinking, she recited a poem in a cool, faint voice.

Even though Jiang Yao hadn’t taken her seat, she couldn’t help but applaud her poem from the outer edge of the gathering.

Her applause startled the people inside.

            

The Second Prince’s Consort, who had been smiling gently, looked up at the sound and was surprised to see Jiang Yao standing there with Young Master Liang.

She hadn’t seen Jiang Yao at the banquet earlier and had assumed she’d already run off.

The Jiang family’s young miss was famous for hating banquets; every time she attended, she would sneak away after a short while. She never thought Jiang Yao would still be here this time.

            

Surprised, the Second Prince’s Consort rose gracefully. “So it’s Miss Jiang and Young Master Liang. Why have you only just arrived? Quickly, arrange good seats for Miss Jiang and Young Master Liang. You must be hungry. There are some pastries on the table you can have first.”

She immediately ordered someone to invite them in. Liang Yunhe nudged Jiang Yao, blaming her. “You don’t even understand it, so why are you clapping?”

Now so many people were looking at them.

            

Jiang Yao ignored him and politely asked the maidservant who had come to fetch them, “May I sit there?”

She pointed to the empty seat next to Song Muyun.

The maidservant knew her status was high and that she couldn’t be offended, so she quickly agreed. “Of course. Please.”

            

Liang Yunhe followed her finger, and seeing her walk over, he quickly followed with his fan in hand.

For once, Jiang Yao was polite, greeting Song Muyun beside her. “Miss Song, we meet again.”

Song Muyun stood, bowed her head in a curtsy, and addressed her, “Miss Jiang.”

            

Jiang Yao sat down and gestured for her to sit as well.

Liang Yunhe caught up and said to the man on the other side, “This is my cousin. Could you please make some room?”

The separation of men and women in the Da Jin Kingdom wasn’t overly strict, but there was still a clear distinction between them.

            

The man understood and gave up his seat.

Liang Yunhe, holding his fan, sat down casually beside Jiang Yao.

Jiang Yao didn’t even spare him a glance, her eyes fixed on the fair, slender fingers of the woman beside her.

            

Song Muyun was naturally sensitive and soon noticed Jiang Yao’s gaze. Her body stiffened, and amidst the noisy crowd, she spoke softly, “What is Miss Jiang looking at?”

“Your hands.”

Jiang Yao answered honestly out of instinct.

            

But only after replying did she realize something was wrong. Who was talking to her?

Why did that sound so much like her dream lover’s voice?

She swallowed nervously and looked up. Sure enough, she saw Song Muyun staring at her lightly.

            

Jiang Yao: …

“Ahem, Miss Song’s hands are very beautiful. I was just captivated for a moment. My apologies, my apologies.”

She watched as the other woman’s expression grew colder. Song Muyun nodded slightly and said, “It’s nothing,” then shifted a little farther away.

            

Jiang Yao heard her own heart shatter with a crack. Feeling dejected and a little hurt, she lowered her head. Sigh, a fairy would never like a mortal like her. What was she even fantasizing about?

Liang Yunhe noticed his cousin’s mood suddenly plummet. He frowned and turned to ask her what was wrong, but Jiang Yao was in a foul mood and had no time for anyone else. She didn’t even raise her eyes.

Having been completely ignored, Liang Yunhe could only shrug and continue watching the glazed glass wine cup in the winding stream.

            

Song Muyun’s cold gaze had already shifted from the floating wine cups on a winding stream, falling instead to the peach-blossom-shaped pastry in front of her. She was thinking about Miss Jiang’s familiar attitude.

First, she said she looked like an old friend, and then she kept staring at her. She had been staring at her from the edge of the clearing earlier, too. She knew.

Could it be that Jiang Yao was mistaking her for someone else?

            

The beauty’s willow-like brows furrowed, a hint of displeasure crossing them.

Anyone with a bit of pride would dislike being treated as a substitute for someone else.

Song Muyun especially.

            

For the next quarter-hour, the fairy’s face was exceedingly cold. Jiang Yao was terrified, certain that she was the one who had made her angry. She had probably been far too offensive.

Next time, she had to control her eyes.

She felt a little regretful. The delicious pastries lost all their appeal, even though she hadn’t eaten yet.

            

In the game of floating wine cups on a winding stream, everyone had a chance of being chosen, and Jiang Yao was the unlucky one who was chosen next. She looked up, almost blankly, and saw everyone looking at her. Most of them were suppressing laughter, wanting to smile but forcing themselves to hold it in.

Everyone in the capital knew that the eldest miss of the Jiang family was skilled in martial arts but had not a drop of ink in her chest.​⁵ The tutors who had been hired to teach her at the Jiang Residence had even been accidentally injured by her. Although she had apologized repeatedly, no tutor dared to go to the Jiang Residence anymore.

What kind of poem could such a Miss Jiang compose?

            

Everyone was looking forward to it.

Jiang Yao: …

Compose a poem? You all look like a poem.

            

She nudged Liang Yunhe beside her with her elbow.

Liang Yunhe: …

So she only paid attention to him when she needed something.

            

With a helpless expression, he pushed over the poem he had just written. He had prepared it for himself, but his aunt had told him to take care of his younger cousin. He couldn’t let her be humiliated in front of everyone, could he?

The two of them were cheating so blatantly that of course it was noticed, but no one said anything. Even the host of the Plum Blossom Banquet, the Second Prince’s Consort, said nothing, merely watching with a smile.

Jiang Yao glanced roughly at the note paper with the poem, then slowly recited the four lines. Even though the others knew the inside story, they still politely applauded and praised her.

            

Normally, she wouldn’t think anything of it. After all, who in the capital didn’t know she was illiterate? But today, of all days, it was in front of her dream lover.

Jiang Yao’s cheeks flushed inexplicably, and she didn’t dare to look at Song Muyun’s expression.

Song Muyun’s gaze fell back on the exquisite little wine cup. Jiang Yao caught this out of the corner of her eye and suddenly remembered—right, if you can’t compose a poem, you can still drink the wine, can’t you?

            

Why did I have to take Liang Yunhe’s poem? Couldn’t I have just had a drink?!

She had well and truly lost face now.

Unexpectedly, the winding stream was quite considerate. The next time, the wine cup stopped in front of Liang Yunhe.

            

Liang Yunhe was stunned. He hadn’t been thinking about poetry at all; instead, he’d been planning where to take his cousin for dinner later. Now, suddenly chosen by the game with everyone looking at him, he panicked and turned to glare at Jiang Yao.

Jiang Yao: …

How was she supposed to know he’d be so unlucky?

            

After a moment, Liang Yunhe filled his wine cup, gestured to the crowd, and then said, “I will drink first as a sign of respect.”

“Won’t Young Master Liang compose a poem for us to hear?” a young lady asked with a smile.

Liang Yunhe looked over at her helplessly and answered honestly, “I can’t think of one at the moment. I’ll just enjoy listening to yours.”

            

With that, he drained the cup, showed everyone the bottom, and the stream started moving again.

Jiang Yao’s gaze kept drifting toward Song Muyun. Seeing her cold expression as she spoke in low tones with the person next to her, without a single glance in her direction, Jiang Yao couldn’t help but feel anxious, afraid that she was angry with her.

The feeling of being secretly watched appeared again. Song Muyun pursed her lips and didn’t look at her. This was their first meeting, yet she was so fervent. It must be that she truly resembled her old friend.

            

A strange displeasure rose in her heart, causing her to keep a cold face.

Her friend beside her noticed and leaned over to ask what was wrong. Was it because she didn’t want to sit with a wastrel like Jiang Yao? Did she want to switch seats?

Song Muyun could have switched seats, but she hesitated for a moment before shaking her head and refusing. She then added, “It’s almost over. There’s no need for such trouble.”

            

It wouldn’t be good to draw too much attention.

So she thought.

Jiang Yao’s hearing was excellent. She had heard every word of what the two thought was a quiet whisper!

            

What did she mean, a wastrel like Jiang Yao?

And switch seats? If you dared to switch over here, just see if I don’t glare you to death!

How dare you speak ill of me in front of the fairy!

            

Jiang Yao was fuming internally, but Song Muyun’s refusal brought her some comfort.

A moment later, seeing that everyone was busy with their own conversations and no one was paying attention to them, Jiang Yao took two deep breaths. Her hand, hidden under the table, suddenly tugged on Song Muyun’s sleeve.

Song Muyun looked down coldly, then raised her gaze to Jiang Yao.

            

“What is it?”

Her voice was just as cold. Jiang Yao’s spirit instantly deflated.

In her dream, she wasn’t like this at all!

            

She remembered the girl in her dream was sweet and soft, and would even act spoiled. A few simple words from her would make Jiang Yao’s heart melt.

But now!

A few simple words from her, and her heart was frozen solid!

            

My heart aches.

Dejected, Jiang Yao still apologized to her. “It was forward of me to stare at you at the table just now. I’m sorry. Can you please not be angry with me?”

She looked at her with wide, round eyes, appearing exceptionally sincere.

            

Song Muyun lightly pursed her lips. She hadn’t expected Jiang Yao to apologize, and to do so twice, just to ask her not to be angry.

Her previous impression of Jiang Yao came from the capital’s rumors—that she was cruel and vulgar. Having grown up in the capital and always hearing such things, she had inevitably believed some of it. But seeing her today, it seemed she had been prejudiced.

Song Muyun was not the type to hold grudges. Hearing her words, she just shook her head faintly and said, “I am not angry.”

            

She wasn’t angry, but her face remained cold. Jiang Yao sighed. Thinking of the soft and sweet girl from her dream, she was certain that she was still unhappy, or rather, still angry with her.

Should I send some gifts to atone…

She was a woman, so giving gifts to another woman didn’t require as much deliberation as it would for a man. She made her decision right then and there.

            

After the game of floating wine cups on a winding stream, the Second Prince’s Consort had the dishes served. Jiang Yao, being thick-skinned, stayed put next to Song Muyun and refused to leave.

Liang Yunhe, however, said his goodbyes and went to sit with his own friends.

During the meal, the young masters and young ladies sat facing each other.

            

But most of the girls barely ate, simply chatting with those they knew. Only Jiang Yao was hungry. Her stomach let out a series of gurgles in front of Song Muyun, earning her a subtle glance. How embarrassing.

To prevent a repeat of the embarrassment, she started to eat.

She was from the Prime Minister’s family, after all. Though her eating wasn’t as elegant as that of other young masters and ladies, it wasn’t crude either. It had a certain flair of its own.

            

“Muyun, let’s go buy pastries later. Tao Zhuo has a new rabbit cake. My sister bought it once, and it was so cute my heart melted. You have to queue for it every day.”

“Alright, we’ll go buy some later.”

Jiang Yao pricked up her ears and continued to eavesdrop. She then heard them say, “We’d better be quick then. If we’re late, they’ll be sold out again. I’ve sent people to buy them a few times, and they were often sold out by the time it was my turn.”

            

Jiang Yao lowered her head and swallowed the meat in her mouth with some difficulty, a thoughtful look on her face.

A little while later, she noticed that Song Muyun was only chatting with people and hadn’t touched anything on the table. She couldn’t help but lean over and ask in a low voice, “Aren’t you hungry?”

Her question startled both Song Muyun and the young lady she was talking to.

            

One second she was chatting happily with her companion, but the moment she turned to Jiang Yao, her tone became distant and polite. “Thank you for your concern, Miss Jiang. Muyun is not hungry.”

“Oh, alright then.”

So she was the only one who was hungry. No, what did these noble ladies eat in the morning? How could they last so long?

            

She swept her gaze across the room and saw that very few of the noble ladies were eating. Almost all of them were talking to the person next to them, or… exchanging flirtatious glances with the young men sitting opposite them.

Weren’t any of them hungry?

Whatever. She was just a stranger to Song Muyun. The other woman probably wouldn’t listen to her anyway.

            

Sigh. She missed the sweet, soft darling from her dreams.

She would do whatever she was told, and when she had nothing to do, she loved to act spoiled in her arms. It was utterly adorable.

A warmth spread through Jiang Yao’s heart. She wished she could fall asleep right away and continue dreaming of her, to soothe her own wounded soul from the cold treatment.

            

The banquet didn’t quiet down even during the meal. People kept going up to perform their talents. Jiang Yao could tell they had all been chosen by the Second Prince’s Consort. There were both men and women, all just trying to show off for potential matchmaking. She was getting drowsy watching them, but she didn’t expect to be stopped by the Prince’s Consort at the end, asking if there was anyone she had taken a liking to.

Jiang Yao: …

The one I like is probably someone you can’t even imagine.

            

She didn’t speak, waiting for the Prince’s Consort to continue. Only then did she learn that she wanted to arrange a match between her and a cousin from her own maiden family. Apparently, her cousin was the one who had played the flute earlier. Although she had no memory of anyone playing the flute, she still politely refused.

Jiang Yao wouldn’t have agreed before, and now that she had a sweetheart, she was even less likely to agree. Her sweetheart was like snow, like the moon. How could just anyone compare?

She would rather have nothing than settle for less.​⁶

            

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