Forbidden to Bully the Storybook’s Heroine

Forbidden to Bully the Storybook’s Heroine – Chapter 118

by Little Panda

Extra 2: The ‘What If’ Timeline

After endless coaxing, Jiang Yao had finally won Song Muyun over. Though Song Muyun had been hesitant to take that step, she was more afraid of Jiang Yao finding someone else, and so, in the end, she had agreed.

Life with a xifu’er¹ was simply different. Jiang Yao was in high spirits the entire day. It just so happened to be the day of a family banquet, where she directly announced, “I’m going to marry Song Muyun!”

Clatter. That was the sound of her old father’s chopsticks hitting the floor.

Jiang Heng had always been composed and refined, except when it came to his two children.

His younger son spent his days fooling around, teasing cats and bothering dogs², and bullying the sons of other families. He had once been Jiang Heng’s biggest headache.

Compared to him, his elder daughter, who only knew how to practice martial arts and occasionally went out to fight and uproot the strong and support the weak³, had seemed like a blessing.

But he never imagined that the sins he’d accumulated in this life meant he was not destined to have a daughter who would give him peace of mind!

He pointed a trembling finger at Jiang Yao. “You… you still want to marry her?”

Jiang Yao gave her old father a strange look, as if to say, When did I ever say I wouldn’t?

Her father nearly choked. Then he heard her say, “Of course I’m going to marry her. It’s just that, on Lord Song’s side… I’ll have to trouble you with that.”

Jiang Heng was speechless. So that’s all your father is good for?

He struggled for a moment before managing to calm himself slightly. With a long face, he asked, “You say you like the Song family’s young lady, but have you asked her what she thinks? Does she like you?”

Madam Jiang had been stunned ever since she heard Jiang Yao’s declaration. Only now did she snap out of it, quickly turning to her daughter along with Jiang Heng. She feigned concern, “That’s right. Our Jiang family can’t be doing things like forcing a young woman.”

The Song family was strict with their rules, and their daughters were well-bred. Surely she wouldn’t agree to join Jiang Yao in this nonsense?

In the next second, Jiang Yao shattered their beautiful fantasy. Her face was filled with unconcealed pride, the corners of her mouth lifting uncontrollably high as she gloated, “She’s already agreed to be with me. All that’s left is for Father to persuade Lord Song, and for Mother to persuade Madam Song.”

Jiang Heng and Liang Qingyin were speechless.

Her mouth had been superfluous. Now she had work to do as well.

Jiang Heng’s face was cold, disbelieving. “A young lady like that could possibly take a liking to you?” His entire being radiated an aura of, Don’t you lie to me. I’m not that gullible.

Jiang Yao sneered. “Why couldn’t she? Your daughter is this good-looking and skilled in martial arts. I can protect her wherever we go. How could she not like me!”

“Heh. With your unscholarly nature, and so arrogant on top of it. She grew up in the capital, and her friends are all literary types and scholars. They are all reasonable people, not the sort who live by fighting. What would she need your protection for?!”

Jiang Yao thought to herself that she was in a good mood today and wouldn’t bicker with her father. She just said smugly, “But she just likes me. She likes me a lot. It’s no use even if you don’t believe it, Father.”

Jiang Heng was speechless, so angry he was on the verge of a mental breakdown.

“Even if she likes you now, she’s only fifteen! How do you know she’ll still like you in the future?!” A fifteen-year-old’s affection was unreliable. There were still decades to come; things were bound to change.

But Jiang Yao wouldn’t listen. “She will definitely like me. You don’t have to worry, Father. I won’t let her like anyone else. You just have to help me think of a way to make Lord Song like me, too.”

Jiang Heng was furious. “There is absolutely no way! How could Song Yunqian possibly like you? If word gets out that you like his daughter, you won’t even be able to set foot in the Song Residence again!”

Jiang Yao puffed out her chest. “It’s fine if I can’t enter through the door. I know how to climb walls.”

Everyone was speechless.

The only person at the dinner table enjoying himself was Jiang Huai. He was usually the one getting cursed out until he was drenched in dog’s blood⁵. He had just caused some trouble a few days ago and had expected his father to scold him again today, but unexpectedly, all the scolding was directed at Jiang Yao.

Jiang Yao was certainly bold. Marrying a woman was unprecedented⁶. Did she really think their father would agree?

Jiang Huai watched the show unfold.

Jiang Yao noticed the curious glint in Jiang Huai’s eyes, which occasionally flashed with schadenfreude⁷. Annoyed, she decided she would beat him up later. If her father scolded her, she’d just take it out on her little brother. No one was going to have a good day.

Jiang Heng refused to agree to Jiang Yao and Song Muyun’s relationship, but Jiang Yao insisted. She even said that if Song Muyun dared to marry someone else, she would go and snatch the bride⁸, bringing shame upon both the Jiang and Song families.

Those who cared about face were always at a disadvantage against those who didn’t. The moment Jiang Yao said this, Jiang Heng was already terrified of the humiliation.

If it were an ordinary person committing such an act, they would at least cover their face. But his daughter was different. His daughter had no shame, so she most likely wouldn’t…

Her father seemed to be hesitating, his resolve wavering. Jiang Yao felt that so many good things had been happening lately that she even ate with more vigor.

Jiang Yao ended up eating most of the dishes on the table.

Seeing this made Jiang Heng even angrier. He and her mother were so worried about her improper thoughts that they couldn’t eat, yet she was eating happily!

In the end, Jiang Yao was kicked out. Jiang Heng left her with a single sentence—”I will never agree”—and sent her away.

Jiang Yao knew her father well.

With him, as long as she didn’t break the law, there was nothing she truly couldn’t do. Jiang Heng was upright and strict on the surface, but in reality, he doted on his children and would even pull some strings for them now and then.

Whatever. She wouldn’t bother with him. Tonight, she would prepare to sneak over the wall of her xifu’er’s home.

Song Muyun had been worried Jiang Yao would come. She had sent her maids to rest early, and now she sat alone by the window, pouring wine and admiring the moon.

Her heart both hoped for Jiang Yao’s arrival and feared it.

She was from a family that abided by the rules; she had never had a secret rendezvous with anyone at night. All her moments of impropriety were because of Jiang Yao.

If Jiang Yao really came, what should she do?

Should she really let her kiss her?

But… but that was too…

The young lady blinked shyly. She had already been kissed today. Jiang Yao, honestly. Could she never get enough kisses?

Just as she was thinking this, she watched as a head popped up over her courtyard wall, followed by a swift and neat flip to the ground.

Jiang Yao had really come!

Why was she in such a hurry?

A sense of shyness washed over Song Muyun. She slammed the window shut with a thump, not daring to face Jiang Yao.

However, Jiang Yao had already spotted the small figure behind the window and knew she’d been seen. She saw me, and she shut the window?

Could she be thinking of backing out?

Absolutely not!

Infuriated, Jiang Yao walked over. Seeing that the door was also closed, she raised her hand and knocked, her voice sinister. “You wouldn’t want other people to know you’re having a secret meeting with a young woman at night, would you?”

Song Muyun was speechless.

She hurriedly opened the door, her face a mixture of shame and anger. She stomped her foot and complained, “What are you doing? It’s not like I said I wouldn’t let you in. Why would you say something like that?”

Fortunately, the night was dark enough to hide her flushed cheeks.

Jiang Yao was righteously indignant. “You shut the window the moment you saw me, and you didn’t leave the door open. How was I supposed to know you’d let me in if I didn’t say that?”

Song Muyun couldn’t win against her. She stepped aside, blushing, and Jiang Yao strode in with her chest puffed out, surveying the room as if inspecting her own territory.

Finally, she even asked, “Why aren’t there more lamps lit? It’s so dark.”

Song Muyun carefully closed the door again and said in a hushed voice, “I told them I was going to rest and sent them away. I was afraid they’d come over if too many lamps were lit.”

Jiang Yao let out a derisive snort, then found it amusing. “In that case,” she said with a grin, “this really is like we’re having an affair, my dear little lady⁹.”

She playfully used a finger to lift Song Muyun’s chin, making the other girl so shy she slapped her hand away. With a burning face, she turned aside. “What are you doing? Don’t be like that, you’re acting like one of those libertines.”

The corners of her eyes were tinged with red, her expression a mix of shyness and timidity.

Jiang Yao couldn’t resist. She wrapped an arm around her neck and gave her a kiss.

Unlike the daytime kiss on the cheek, this time she kissed her soft, tender, red lips.

Song Muyun’s eyes widened. In an instant, her entire body turned crimson.

She shoved Jiang Yao away forcefully. “What are you doing? Why… why are you being so handsy again!”

Ever since she had agreed to be with Jiang Yao today, the other girl had become restless, always touching her and making her flustered with embarrassment.

Jiang Yao blinked, her face a mask of innocence. “I’m kissing my xifu’er. How can you call that being handsy?”

“You… you stop talking nonsense! Who’s your xifu’er!”

She turned her head, not daring to look at Jiang Yao. Alarm bells immediately went off in Jiang Yao’s mind. She looked at her with suspicion and vigilance for a moment before saying, “You’re not thinking of backing out, are you?”

“I’m not trying to back out.”

Realizing she had almost started another argument, Song Muyun immediately softened her voice, her tone becoming incredibly gentle.

Jiang Yao breathed a sigh of relief. “As long as you’re not backing out. And if you’re not backing out, then you’re my xifu’er!”

Song Muyun bit her lip, fidgeting as she mumbled, “But I’m not used to it.”

“If you’re not used to it, you can get used to it slowly. No one is born someone’s xifu’er.” Jiang Yao expressed her complete understanding.

The corner of Song Muyun’s mouth twitched. That wasn’t what she meant!

Whatever. It was impossible to reason with Jiang Yao.

The young lady looked at her helplessly. Jiang Yao, on the other hand, was making herself right at home, showing no courtesy at all. In no time, she was sitting on her bed and beckoning to her like one would call a kitten. “Come here.”

Song Muyun didn’t want to go, but she was afraid that if she didn’t obey, Jiang Yao would say something even more embarrassing. In the end, she went, her thick, long eyelashes trembling, her cheeks flushed red—utterly adorable.

She carefully sat down a little distance from Jiang Yao, her legs primly together, her hands placed on her thighs. Her eyelashes fluttered as she avoided the other’s gaze.

Jiang Yao, however, had no shame. In Song Muyun’s heart, she was already the most shameless person alive, so there was no need to maintain any sort of image or leave a good impression on her little xifu’er. Without a second thought, she scooted over, put an arm around Song Muyun’s shoulders, and pulled her into an embrace.

Although Song Muyun struggled, it was only a small struggle. She was quickly subdued by Jiang Yao and stayed obediently in her arms.

Looking down at her, Jiang Yao’s heart felt even more ticklish. One hand couldn’t help but reach out and rub her long, slender, fair hand. A young lady’s hands were delicately cared for by her family, raised to be soft and tender in every way.

“I’ve already told my father about us.”

The two had been quiet for a rare moment when Jiang Yao dropped another bombshell. Song Muyun was so shocked she shot to her feet, looking at her in disbelief. “What did you say?!”

“You told Prime Minister Jiang?”

Jiang Yao looked innocent, her eyes shining with happiness as she nodded obediently. “I did. I want to marry you, so of course I had to tell him.”

In her dreams, she had seen Song Muyun wearing a phoenix coronet and wedding robes¹⁰, marrying her, who was dressed the same. It was beautiful. And… and some things had happened that she had never seen before. It seemed that was how it was between women.

Tomorrow, I’ll go buy some picture books and study up. I can’t let Muyun down.

While her mind was filled with impure thoughts, Song Muyun was on the verge of breaking down. She paced back and forth a few times, still suspecting she had misheard. She asked again, “You really told the Prime Minister?”

Seeing her fear, Jiang Yao casually reached out and pulled her into her arms, nodding noncommittally. “Mhm, I told him. What are you afraid of? My parents are very good-tempered and easygoing.”

Song Muyun had indeed heard of the Prime Minister’s refined and amiable reputation, but that didn’t stop her from being afraid. She clutched Jiang Yao’s sleeve with a small hand and asked, “He didn’t get angry when you told him?”

Jiang Yao chuckled. “What’s there to be angry about? It’s my business that I like women. As my parents, they should naturally help me.”

Song Muyun was speechless. She had never heard such an unfilial statement. The Song family taught that as children, one should be humble and respectful to one’s parents. To cause one’s parents distress over one’s own affairs was to be unfilial.

But the Jiang family… was completely different from hers.

Song Muyun was actually incredibly envious.

The young lady looked at Jiang Yao with watery eyes. After a moment, she said softly, “But my parents won’t help me.”

She felt quite guilty. Although she had agreed to Jiang Yao’s proposal during the day, she knew in her heart that her father and mother would never approve. This would be the most unorthodox¹¹ thing she would ever do in her life, and the Song family had no room for such unorthodoxy.

Song Muyun pressed her lips together, sitting lost in thought in Jiang Yao’s arms. She began to worry about their future. During the day, she had only been thinking about stopping Jiang Yao from going after Shanya, but now that she had calmed down, she had to truly consider whether this was feasible.

It wasn’t. Or rather, it would be very difficult to succeed.

Song Muyun was deeply worried, but Jiang Yao was young and fearless. She tipped the girl’s pale, delicate chin up and coaxed her again, “It’s fine. My father will talk to Lord Song.”

The young lady mumbled as she snuggled into Jiang Yao’s embrace, asking uncertainly, “Will it work if your father talks to him? I heard my father and your father are political rivals.”

“Hm? Is that so? Why didn’t old Jiang tell me?” She never knew her sweetheart’s father was her own father’s political rival. This… was there any chance of reconciliation? Why didn’t her dad tell her something so important!

Jiang Yao lowered her head and pondered for a moment, but decided to comfort her xifu’er first. “It’s fine. My father will definitely have a way. You don’t have to worry.”

“Really?” Song Muyun was a little skeptical. She knew how stubborn her own father was, so she naturally didn’t believe the Prime Minister could persuade him.

But Jiang Yao was very confident. “Why would I lie to you? My father is the best at getting things done. He will definitely let us be together.”

Having received this promise, Song Muyun’s anxious heart settled a little. She leaned silently in Jiang Yao’s arms, her voice tinged with envy. “Uncle and Aunt are so good to you.”

“When you marry me, they’ll be this good to you, too.”

Not even the first stroke was on the page yet¹², but she was already drawing pies in the sky.

Song Muyun didn’t call her out on it, just obediently nestled in her arms, occasionally nuzzling against her.

Actually, after leaving the poetry gathering today, she had still felt a little uneasy, afraid that she shouldn’t have agreed to Jiang Yao so hastily. If her father disagreed, it would all be for nothing.

But now, leaning in Jiang Yao’s arms, she found that she didn’t regret it.

She was always so happy when she was with Jiang Yao. Even though Jiang Yao often made her so angry she wanted to stomp her feet and ignore her, at least in those moments, she was alive. She was her true self.

As the scenes in her mind grew warmer, Song Muyun’s heart softened. But before she could finish reminiscing, her face was suddenly turned upwards and she was ambushed with another kiss. The soft, warm expression from a moment ago transformed back into anger. And Jiang Yao was still smiling!

She laughed as she explained, “Sorry. The moment I see you being obedient, I can’t help but want to kiss you.”

Song Muyun was about to lose her temper completely. She sat up straight with her back to Jiang Yao, huffing, “If you keep this up, I’m going to ignore you.”

“Don’t! A spring night is painfully short¹³. If you ignore me, how am I supposed to get through the night!?”

Jiang Yao was a martial general, unversed in literature, and always said the wrong thing, which only made the other girl’s cheeks flush as red as rouge. She remained completely unmoved.

But Jiang Yao also had a common trait of martial generals: she was thick-skinned.

Even though Song Muyun didn’t want to pay her any mind, she couldn’t hold out when Jiang Yao kept whispering sweet nothings in her ear. She soon surrendered and was pulled back into Jiang Yao’s arms.

For someone who had lived by the rules for fifteen years, this day had been far too stimulating.

In the morning, she had been upset that Jiang Yao liked her friend, even speaking coldly to that friend. But also today, Jiang Yao had said the person she admired was her, and that it was only because she didn’t like her back that she had gone to like someone else.

It was also today that she had accepted Jiang Yao, said she liked her, and was then helplessly held and kissed. Jiang Yao would find any reason to kiss her; only after a kiss would her heart be happy.

It was a good thing she was a woman. If she were a man, she probably would have been thrown out long ago.

As Song Muyun was smiling at this thought, she suddenly frowned. No, thrown out by whom? She’s mine! I got her today by sacrificing my own pride! She can’t kiss anyone else, nor can she be thrown out by anyone else.

To stop Jiang Yao from liking Shanya, she had already thrown away all the dignity and face of a young lady from a noble family.

Jiang Yao found it very strange. The person in her arms was happy one moment and scrunching up her little face the next. Her mood was so changeable.

She poked Song Muyun’s soft cheek and asked her, “Why are you unhappy again?”

How could Song Muyun say what she was thinking? She could only shake her head, clinging to the other woman’s shoulder. “It’s nothing.”

“If it’s nothing, why are you frowning? Do you think I haven’t kissed you enough?” Her voice was laced with laughter, deliberately teasing her.

How could Song Muyun possibly think she hadn’t been kissed enough? She only thought she had been kissed too much, leaving her too shy to even lift her eyes.

“Don’t talk nonsense. You’re so annoying.” Her voice was soft and carried a coquettish tone.

A while later, the two had tumbled onto the bed.

Right now, the most Song Muyun could accept was Jiang Yao kissing her, and only for a moment. If their lips lingered too long, she would be pushed away with a red face.

Jiang Yao went along with her, but felt she wasn’t getting enough. Remembering those storybooks that were plain on the outside but not so plain on the inside, she suddenly cleared her throat and rolled over to make a suggestion. “Tomorrow, I’ll bring a few storybooks over for us to read together, alright?”

Things like storybooks had never appeared in Song Muyun’s life. In her father’s words, they were things that sapped one’s will¹⁴.

But… if it was with Jiang Yao, then it was acceptable.

The young lady gave a prim nod.

Having received her consent, Jiang Yao’s face bloomed into a wide smile.

She lingered at Song Muyun’s place until late at night before leaving. The next day, she arrived as promised, and was personally escorted in by Madam Song.

Song Muyun had been practicing the zither. She was startled to see her mother appear and quickly stood up, only to hear her mother say something to Jiang Yao. Jiang Yao agreed, and her mother turned and left.

Once she was far away, the young lady could no longer be bothered with etiquette and decorum. She lifted her skirts and trotted over to Jiang Yao.

Seeing her approach, Jiang Yao couldn’t help but say with concern, “It rained last night, the ground is slippery. Slow down.”

Just as she finished speaking, the girl threw herself into her arms like a young swallow returning to its nest¹⁵. She had to hold onto Jiang Yao’s shoulders to steady herself. Then, she lifted her bright eyes to Jiang Yao and asked softly, “What did my mother say to you?”

Jiang Yao stroked Song Muyun’s head. They were surrounded by the Song family’s servants, who were staring, dumbfounded, as if they’d never seen anything like it. She took Song Muyun’s hand and led her inside, the servants’ gazes following them.

It wasn’t until they were in the inner room that Jiang Yao dropped her feigned composure and became her usual carefree self again. She casually pulled two books from her robes. “What did my mother-in-law say to me? Just that you’ve been in a bad mood lately and not eating much, and that I should cheer you up.”

Song Muyun pushed her, displeased. “Be serious. What ‘mother-in-law’? Don’t talk nonsense. Besides, why would my mother say something like that? You’re lying again.”

“Who’s lying? That was the gist of it. She said you’ve had no appetite for some reason these past two days, and if I was not hosted well, I should be understanding.”

She found a seat for herself, poured a cup of cool tea, and casually pulled Song Muyun onto her lap.

There was no one else in the room, so she grew bolder, resting her chin on Song Muyun’s shoulder, so close that a slight turn of her head was all it would take to kiss her.

Song Muyun lowered her head, blushing, and heard Jiang Yao say, “It seems my mother-in-law cares a lot about you. If you told her you truly like me, would she be willing to grant us her blessing?”

“No. She would rather not have me as a daughter.”

Jiang Yao thought: The way she answered without a moment’s hesitation is so humiliating.

Though disheartened, she rubbed her face against the other girl’s pale, tender cheek and soothed her, “It’s alright. They’ll agree eventually.”

Jiang Yao was already determined to spend a lifetime with her. Song Muyun had been hesitant, but seeing her like this, she suddenly became resolute.

Honestly, she didn’t want Jiang Yao to like anyone but her. After getting together with Jiang Yao, her mood had brightened, and the faint sense of loss and sadness from the past few days was gone. She was very happy.

Besides, Jiang Yao had even told the Prime Minister and Madam Jiang about them for her sake. She had done so much for her, so how could she back down so easily?

“Let’s not think about these brain-draining things for now. I brought storybooks. Want to read together?”

The storybooks Jiang Yao had chosen were naturally about relationships between women. Song Muyun was not knowledgeable in this area, and Jiang Yao was determined to give her a proper education.

Fortunately, Song Muyun was not averse to it. She had agreed last night, and today, seeing that Jiang Yao had really brought them, she was only a little shy and had no other objections.

The two sat by the window, using the bright daylight from outside to read, but they didn’t even open the window. Jiang Yao was too handsy. If they opened it and a servant saw, word would surely get to her father and mother’s ears. These days of intimacy felt stolen, and she was reluctant to lose them so soon.

Just as she was thinking this, she felt a warm touch on her lips. Song Muyun dazedly came back to her senses and found she was being kissed by Jiang Yao again.

The small, soft pearl of her upper lip was being held between the other’s and licked repeatedly.

The young lady’s eyes widened slightly. They had kissed before, but she had never been licked by Jiang Yao! For a moment, she couldn’t react, until Jiang Yao let her go, looking at her with an expression of hating iron for not becoming steel¹⁶. “What’s wrong? A whole night has passed and you haven’t improved at all. I’m not some great monster. Can’t you give me a little reaction? If you keep this up, I’ll really start to doubt if what you told me yesterday was the truth.”

She seemed deeply hurt. Seeing this, Song Muyun panicked. She quickly clung to her, hugging one of her arms tightly and coaxing, “Of course it’s true. Why would I lie to you? It’s just that no one has ever been like this with me before. I… I’m still not used to it, that’s all. But I’ll get used to it soon. Don’t be angry, okay?”

She nuzzled against her, finally coaxing a smile out of the other girl, but she was still given a demand. “You must get used to it soon. Next time I kiss you, you’re not allowed to just stare at me blankly like that.”

“Oh, I know.” She lowered her head, revealing her long, snow-white neck, and answered obediently.

The two finally opened a storybook and began to read together.

Today, they were reading the story of the First Madam and the Third Concubine.

Song Muyun had no idea where Jiang Yao found all these bizarre storybooks. Now there was even this kind of… this kind of… thing.

But the other girl was reading with great relish, and she didn’t want to spoil her fun.

Fine, she would just take a look.

The young lady read along with Jiang Yao, blushing. This storybook was different from other books; the content was extremely bold. After just a few pages, she frowned and looked away, burying her head in Jiang Yao’s embrace.

But a moment later, she couldn’t resist peeking out from her arms to look again.

They were clearly the same man’s women, yet they were doing such things behind his back. It was truly… truly baffling.

Especially doing that in the rockery and the garden. Weren’t they afraid of being discovered?

Perhaps they weren’t, but Song Muyun was terrified for them. She read on with Jiang Yao, her heart pounding, until she saw that the master of the house had died for some unknown reason. Only then did she suddenly breathe a sigh of relief, her first thought being, Good, they won’t be discovered.

The madam’s personality was domineering, just like Jiang Yao. The weak little concubine, however, was like a small white flower swaying in the wind, always being pushed into a corner by the madam, with no choice but to tearfully comply with her wishes.

To win the concubine’s heart, the madam even gave the entire household a day off. And so, the entire residence was filled with traces of them.

What Song Muyun found most unbearable was, why did the author have to describe every single one of their encounters in such detail?!

After reading this book, she understood everything she should and shouldn’t have.

Afterward, when she thought about the ending where the two of them were dressed in wedding clothes and doing it on a desk, Song Muyun was completely dumbfounded. But then she heard a long, relieved sigh next to her ear. “Good thing that old geezer died early and didn’t squander the family fortune.”

“Tsk. We’ve been reading for so long. Did you learn anything?” Jiang Yao finished her sigh and turned to ask Song Muyun.

Song Muyun’s heart skipped a beat. Crap, there’s a pop quiz! Why didn’t you say so earlier? If you had, I wouldn’t have read it!

Footnotes

A Northern Chinese colloquial term for 'wife' or 'one's woman'. It's an affectionate and somewhat possessive term.
Original: zhāo māo dòu gǒu (招猫逗狗). An idiom meaning to be idle and get into mischief.
Original: chú qiáng fú ruò (锄强扶弱). A common trope in wuxia (martial arts) stories, meaning to eliminate the powerful bullies and help the weak.
Original: bùshì bù bào, shíhòu wèi dào (不是不报，时候未到). A common saying that means retribution is inevitable; it's just a matter of time.
Original: gǒuxuè líntóu (狗血淋头). A vivid idiom meaning to be chewed out or cursed at viciously.
Original: shǐwúqiánlì (史无前例). A four-character idiom meaning 'without precedent in history'.
Original: xìngzāilèhuò (幸灾乐祸). An idiom for taking pleasure in the misfortune of others.
Original: qiǎngqīn (抢亲). A trope in Chinese stories where a bride is forcefully abducted from her wedding procession, either by a rival lover or a villain.
Original: xiǎo niángzǐ (小娘子). A term for a young, unmarried woman. Jiang Yao uses it here in a teasing, flirtatious way, similar to 'my little lady' or 'my dear'.
Traditional Chinese bridal attire consisting of a phoenix-adorned crown (fèng guān) and elaborate embroidered ceremonial robes (xiá pèi). Worn by noble brides and imperial consorts, the ensemble represents the ideal of a high-status Chinese bride.
Original: líjīngpàndào (离经叛道). An idiom meaning to depart from the classics and rebel against the Way; to be a heretic or wildly unconventional.
Original: bāzì méi yī piě (八字没一撇). A saying that literally means 'the first stroke of the character for eight hasn't even been written'. It means that something is far from being realized.
Original: chūnxiāo kǔ duǎn (春宵苦短). A line from 《长恨歌》, 'Song of Everlasting Regret', a famous narrative poem by the Tang dynasty poet Bai Juyi (bái jūyì), meaning 'a spring night is painfully short'. It's often used to imply that time for pleasure or romance is fleeting.
Original: wánwùsàngzhì (玩物丧志). A classical idiom meaning that indulging in frivolous hobbies saps one's ambition and will to achieve greater things.
Original: rǔ yàn guī cháo (乳燕归巢). An idiom describing someone, usually a young person, rushing into the arms of a loved one with eagerness and affection.
Original: hèn tiě bùchéng gāng (恨铁不成钢). An idiom for being frustrated with someone for not living up to their potential.

Footnotes

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