Forbidden to Bully the Storybook’s Heroine – Chapter 119

Extra 2: The ‘What If’ Timeline

Jiang Yao and Song Muyun had been carrying on a secret affair for an entire year.

Now that Muyun had passed her sixteenth birthday, Jiang Yao finally felt the time was right. It was time for her and her xifu’er to truly settle down!

            

One day, Jiang Yao went to the Song Residence as usual and ran into Lord Song, who was just returning home.

By now, she was quite familiar with the Song family elders. Upon seeing him, she walked over with a smile and greeted him. “Uncle Song, just getting off duty?”

Song Yunqian gave a slight nod, his expression hesitant, as if he wanted to say something but couldn’t.

            

Jiang Yao was baffled. Seeing his hesitation, she took the initiative to ask, “Uncle, is there something you wish to say to me?”

Song Yunqian considered it for a moment, then said with a somber face, “It’s your father. In court today, he seemed to have something to say to me. He kept looking at me for quite a while. Please trouble yourself to go back and inform your father that if he has something to say, he should speak his mind. Being so secretive is unbefitting of a gentleman.”

Jiang Yao was speechless.

            

She gave a somewhat awkward smile and quickly agreed. “Of course. My father often praises you at home, you know.”

Song Yunqian was taken aback. He frowned in disbelief. “Your father praises me?”

Though he and Jiang Heng were not mortal enemies, their political views were indeed at odds on every point. It was hard to imagine that Jiang Heng would be secretly praising him at home.

            

Then why doesn’t he ever yield to me in court?

Whenever the two of them argued, he was always the one left utterly speechless!

He couldn’t believe it, but Jiang Yao spoke with righteous conviction, warming to her subject. “It’s true! Father says you are a true scholar, a man of scholarly integrity. You spare no effort for the country and its people, dedicating your life to the very end¹. A true model for our generation, truly admirable!”

            

The middle-aged Song Yunqian’s face once again showed a look of shock. He never would have imagined that his political rival held him in such high regard in private!

Jiang Yao’s stream of praise for Song Yunqian didn’t stop for the entire walk. It was only when they were nearing Song Muyun’s courtyard that she finally bid him farewell, deeply hiding her merit and name².

Hmph. Who told my dad to be so slow? My xifu’er is already sixteen. If I don’t hurry up and butter up my father-in-law, what am I going to do if he marries her off to someone else?

            

That simply wouldn’t do.

When Jiang Yao arrived, Muyun was practicing the zither as usual.

A pleasant, cheerful melody flowed from beneath her fingertips. She was already an excellent musician; even someone like Jiang Yao, who knew nothing of music theory, could tell that it was exceptionally beautiful.

            

She didn’t disturb her, simply finding a place to sit and wait for her to finish.

Song Muyun hadn’t noticed Jiang Yao’s arrival at first. It was only when she finished the piece that a familiar round of applause sounded in the courtyard.

Her head shot up in unconscious delight, and sure enough, Jiang Yao had arrived.

            

The young lady set aside her zither and rose, walking toward Jiang Yao with joy in every line of her eyes and brows. “Why are you so early today?”

“I’ve acquired a new picture book. I wanted to invite you to admire it with me.”

Hearing the words ‘picture book’, Song Muyun’s expression inexplicably stiffened. Her lips curved into a somewhat strained smile as she asked, “Is it a normal storybook or…?”

            

She and Jiang Yao had been carrying on their secret affair³ for a long time. She was well aware of how many indecent things Jiang Yao possessed!

Storybooks were one thing—just descriptions. In the end, they didn’t stir the heart the same way true images did.

However…

            

Jiang Yao pulled a book from her robes, its cover depicting two women, and quickly flipped through the pages for Song Muyun to see.

In broad daylight, Song Muyun’s face turned crimson, practically steaming in the sunlight.

She was mortified, yet she didn’t dare say anything to Jiang Yao.

            

She… she always loved looking at these things. But what was there to look at? They were still young; they should be looking at proper things.

Song Muyun was swept into Jiang Yao’s arms and half-pulled, half-carried into the room.

She was naturally resistant to looking at such things, but her resistance was useless. Jiang Yao would quiz her.

            

Yes, that was the most outrageous part about Jiang Yao. She actually quizzed her!

She would demand that she act out at least one of the scenes.

Did she have no shame at all? Quizzing her on this sort of material—what, oh, what was she supposed to do?

            

Song Muyun, blushing, ignored her. But when Jiang Yao settled her on the soft couch and opened the picture book, she still obediently started to look.

Not looking was a small matter, but being quizzed was a big one. If she couldn’t answer, Jiang Yao would punish her…

Thinking of those exceptionally shameful punishments, she felt a little angry.

            

“Hurry up and look. No slacking.”

She… she was even rushing her!

Song Muyun grew more annoyed. She gave Jiang Yao a little shove, her small, snow-white face tense with displeasure. “What’s the rush? Aren’t I looking?”

            

Though her heart was filled with reluctance, she would still listen to Jiang Yao.

The contents of the picture book were as depraved as what she had seen before. She had never looked at such things. Only someone as shameless as Jiang Yao could read them with such relish every time.

As Song Muyun’s mind raced with these thoughts, she continued to look. The two of them sat leaning against each other for the whole day until they had finally finished the picture book.

            

As the sun set in the west, it was almost time for Song Muyun to practice her zither again.

But Jiang Yao was still clinging to her, relentlessly demanding to know if she had learned the knowledge in the book.

What kind of knowledge was that? A blush crept up the corners of Song Muyun’s eyes. Pinned on the soft couch, she still turned her head away, refusing to say a word.

            

“If you don’t say anything, I’ll just assume you didn’t learn a thing, alright?”

In an instant, she clenched her little fists. Her whole body tensed, and her eyes darted about guiltily.

Jiang Yao took in her expression and chuckled, a sound that made one instinctively fearful.

            

“Then I’ll have to punish you, okay?”

Song Muyun hesitated, torn between being punished and obeying Jiang Yao. Before she could decide, Jiang Yao’s patience ran out. She lowered her head and captured her lips, licking and kissing them fiercely. The punishment was this: to kiss her without a shred of gentleness.

They were very familiar with each other by now. They had kissed not ten thousand times, but at least a thousand. Jiang Yao was the type who needed to be close to her beloved; she wouldn’t let a single day pass without it.

            

The corners of the young woman’s eyes reddened from the kiss, a thin layer of mist covering her gaze. Unable to bear it, she struggled lightly.

But all of this!

Was ignored by Jiang Yao.

            

She was lost in her own world, kissing Song Muyun until she was nearly breathless.

The two had progressed quickly. In the beginning, it was just lips pressed together. Now, Jiang Yao would draw her little tongue out to kiss.

Though Song Muyun was unwilling, she couldn’t resist. After kissing for a long time, her mind grew hazy, and she even found herself vaguely responding to Jiang Yao’s movements.

            

They were kissing passionately. When they finally broke apart, Jiang Yao lifted her onto her lap and gave her soft bottom a smack.

It wasn’t hard, but it was humiliating.

The young woman’s eyes widened as she stared at Jiang Yao.

            

Jiang Yao let out a soft, humming laugh. “Did you really not learn anything?” she asked.

“You used to be able to learn how to kiss me. Did you learn nothing today? Yun’er, you’ve gotten dumber.”

Jiang Yao was teasing her.

            

Song Muyun’s face grew hotter. She knew Jiang Yao was anxious, that she had been waiting for her consent. They were already together. These days, she found she couldn’t be without Jiang Yao. She couldn’t imagine marrying anyone else, being separated from Jiang Yao. The very thought was unbearable…

Since I’ve already decided, I might as well take the gamble.

She couldn’t keep making Jiang Yao wait.

            

The young lady’s face was so red it felt like it would burst, but she still mumbled in a tiny voice, “N-next time. Next time, I’ll definitely be able to learn it.”

The moment she finished speaking, her neck turned red as well.

She threw herself into Jiang Yao’s arms, burying her face. She felt that Jiang Yao had truly corrupted her, to be able to say such things.

            

But then, the thing called love truly did make one lose their reason.

So be it. Her life was entrusted to Jiang Yao.

Jiang Yao froze, a hint of bewilderment in her eyes as she processed the implication. When it dawned on her, her face instantly flooded with countless joys. She looked at Song Muyun, her happiness growing as she asked, “Do you really mean it? You’re not just teasing me, are you?”

            

Song Muyun nestled obediently in her arms and nodded. Her fluffy head nuzzled against Jiang Yao’s neck as she replied, “Mm, I’m not teasing you. Why would I tease you? I’m not like you, always telling lies.”

Between the two of them, it shouldn’t just be Jiang Yao walking toward her. She should also take a few steps in Jiang Yao’s direction.

Jiang Yao laughed at that, hugging her and rolling with her on the couch. “When have I ever liked to lie? I’ve clearly never lied to you.”

            

True, she didn’t like to lie. But her mouth was always spouting nonsense.

Thinking of that nonsense, the young lady blushed furiously. The crimson crept back up her cheeks, a flush of pink coloring the corners of her eyes as she shot Jiang Yao a half-hearted glare.

Jiang Yao knew her mind was wandering again. She reached out and ruffled her hair. Song Muyun buried her face in Jiang Yao’s chest and softly called her name.

            

This is wonderful. Her whole life, she had found someone who truly loved and cherished her so early on, and she had found someone she truly loved in return.

She wasn’t like her parents, who demanded she be sensible and well-versed in poetry, books, rites, and music. Jiang Yao only wanted her to be happy.

At this thought, the young lady’s eyes brightened, and she silently made a few decisions.

            

---

Having reaped such benefits, Jiang Yao was smiling all the way home, the corners of her mouth unable to stay down. Then, her old father, who couldn’t stand to see her so happy, called her away.

Jiang Heng paced behind his desk with a cold face. Jiang Yao stood ramrod straight before the desk, waiting for her father’s instructions, but he seemed to be deliberately leaving her to stew, not saying a word.

Jiang Yao felt a pang of guilt. She knew her father had gone to a lot of trouble for her and Muyun, so she didn’t press him, being uncharacteristically well-behaved for once.

            

But this only made Jiang Heng angrier.

“Do you have any idea how much trouble you’ve caused me?” Jiang Heng asked in a low voice.

Jiang Yao had heard these words so many times over the past year that her ears were growing calluses.

            

She immediately offered a sincere apology, playing along. “I know, I know. I’ve caused Father trouble. It’s been so hard on you lately, Father.”

Ever since this daughter of his started practicing martial arts, Jiang Heng hadn’t seen her act so meekly toward him. Now, it was all for that girl from the Song family. In that moment, he felt a mix of anger and a headache, and couldn’t help but ask again, “Do you absolutely have to be with the girl from the Song family? Can’t you pick someone else?!”

If it were before, Jiang Heng would have been unwilling for Jiang Yao to engage in ‘mirror polishing’ and would have tried to intervene. But now, not only was Jiang Yao engaged in ‘mirror polishing’, she was with Song Muyun. His wish had suddenly changed to: Engaging in ‘mirror polishing’ is fine, just don’t do it with the girl from the Song family!!!

            

At his age, Jiang Heng had to go and curry favor with Song Yunqian. This was simply unbearable!

And Song Yunqian, what was with that look in his eyes? Did he think he was having some sort of fit?

It was infuriating. These people were sent specifically to anger him!

            

But Jiang Yao had no pity for her old father. She didn’t even think before rejecting his proposal. “Of course not. I have to be with Yun’er. Father, I’m begging you, just help your daughter this once. I promise I’ll never make you angry again~”

It was rare for Jiang Yao to act so coquettishly.

Jiang Heng’s face was impassive. This wasn’t the first time he’d heard this. How could he not know she was just trying to placate him?

            

Jiang Yao had said the exact same thing last time! The result? When he came home from duty at dusk that day, he was accosted by the Vice-Minister of Works. Jiang Yao had beaten up his son.

Although the boy had been bullying people first, the nation had its laws and the family had its rules. What was Jiang Yao doing overstepping her authority⁴ to beat him up?

It had forced him into another round of maneuvering just to avoid being impeached in a memorial to the throne.

            

He no longer believed a word Jiang Yao said or a promise she made!

Jiang Yao apparently saw this in her old father’s furious eyes. She lowered her head guiltily, not daring to look at him, but her little mouth grumbled, “Then what do you suggest I do? I’m already in too deep. If you don’t let me be with her now, I’ll die of sadness.”

At that thought, his eldest daughter, who was known to shed blood but never tears, actually had red-rimmed eyes!

            

This was simultaneously unacceptable, infuriating, and utterly helpless for Jiang Heng.

This pair of children, both of them were here to collect debts!

He flicked his sleeves, thinking of what he had discovered today. The Song family might have been targeted.

            

He had wanted to tell Jiang Yao to pull back first and let him handle the rest, but his daughter was rebellious. One look at her and he knew she wouldn’t listen.

Forget it, forget it.

He had been too unforgiving when he was young and had a point to prove, creating too much bad karma. Now, in his middle age, it was finally time to pay it back.

            

Jiang Heng was furious, but he swallowed it down.

When he opened his eyes again, his face was once more calm and steady.

Jiang Yao watched him, her heart pounding with fear that her father had hardened his heart and would force her to leave Muyun.

            

Fortunately, when her father spoke again, he said, “For the next few days, don’t go to the Song Residence so openly.”

Jiang Yao knew her father wouldn’t truly be so cruel as to separate her from the one she loved, but she was still taken aback. “Why is that?” she asked, confused. “Is the relationship between our family and my father-in-law’s that bad?”

Hearing her call him father-in-law when nothing was even remotely settled⁵ yet sent another wave of anger through Jiang Heng. His daughter had never been this respectful even to him!

            

But perhaps knowing she wouldn’t listen to him anyway, Jiang Heng said with a cold face, “Someone is planning to make a move against the Song family soon. It’s not convenient for our families to be too close. You should go in secret.”

He wanted to tell her not to go at all, but… sigh. It was better for her to go secretly. As long as she wasn’t too conspicuous.

That was the only wish this humble old father had left.

            

The moment Jiang Yao heard someone was targeting the Song family, she grew anxious. “Who would be so bold! Father, my old father-in-law is honest and incorruptible, you know that!”

Jiang Heng was speechless.

He had no desire to know.

            

“Don’t worry about this matter for now. Your father has a plan.”

“Then will you help the Song family?”

Now she was questioning her own father.

            

Jiang Heng glared at her. “Do you even need to ask? The Song family has done nothing wrong!”

If it weren’t for Jiang Yao’s feelings for Song Muyun, he wouldn’t jolt every time he saw a report concerning Song Yunqian, as if he had wronged him somehow. And naturally, he wouldn’t have discovered that someone was subtly laying the groundwork to frame the Song family.

Speaking of which, this matter could perhaps be turned to his advantage.

            

Jiang Heng narrowed his eyes, a plan already forming in his mind.

But seeing Jiang Yao’s indignant expression on behalf of her future father-in-law, he didn’t tell her. If he told her, she probably wouldn’t be able to keep it to herself and would let the cat out of the bag.

Jiang Heng said in a low voice, “For the time being, don’t tell Song Yunqian what I’ve told you.”

            

“Why not? Someone wants to frame my father-in-law, shouldn’t he know?! If we tell him, he can take precautions sooner.”

Jiang Heng shot her a glance. He hadn’t wanted to say it, but he couldn’t hold back his frustration. “Are you an idiot?⁶” he said. “If he takes precautions, how are we supposed to lure out the mastermind?”

Jiang Yao was speechless.

            

“Oh. Then you should have just said so. Why did you have to start calling me names?”

She was a little unhappy. Jiang Heng gave her an unreadable look, which suddenly reminded her of her father-in-law’s request.

She quickly said, “Right, Father, my father-in-law said you keep staring at him in court. He said that in the future, if you have something to say, you should say it directly and not be so secretive, that it’s unbefitting of a gentleman. You should restrain yourself in the future, too. People who don’t know any better might think you have the passion of Lord Longyang⁷.”

            

Jiang Yao offered this advice in good faith. Jiang Heng’s face turned ashen with rage. Finally, he could bear it no longer and threw her out.

Whenever it came to the Song family’s affairs, it was as if she didn’t have a brain in her head!

---

Ever since she learned that her father-in-law might be framed, Jiang Yao found that food had no taste and sleep brought no rest. Song Muyun was also rather helpless.

            

“My dear Eldest Miss Jiang, that is the thirty-eighth time you have sighed. What on earth has happened? Is it just because I said we could look at the picture book later?”

Jiang Yao had brought a picture book over first thing in the morning. Song Muyun had already agreed yesterday, but… when the time came, she got a little scared and asked her to wait. And then Jiang Yao had become like this.

It was hard not to suspect that her postponement had hurt her feelings.

            

But that really wasn’t it for Jiang Yao. She was just a little worried for her father-in-law whenever she had a free moment.

Since her father intended to lure out the mastermind, her father-in-law was bound to get a bit of a scare. And thinking of him at his age… sigh.

Jiang Yao heaved a long sigh. Just as she was about to make up an excuse to explain it to her xifu’er, she heard her xifu’er say hesitantly, “If, if you’re so fixated on it, I’ll agree now. There’s no need to be like this.”

            

The young lady was a little bashful, her face still red. The next second, she was swept into someone’s arms by the waist.

She pressed her hands nervously against the other’s equally soft chest and whispered urgently, “The servants are still here, what are you doing?”

Jiang Yao was grinning from ear to ear. She couldn’t care less about the servants. She carried her, spinning, toward the room. Thank goodness I didn’t run my mouth just now, she thought. If I can settle things with my xifu’er a day sooner, then a day sooner is best.

            

Thinking of her timidity, Jiang Yao’s heart softened. After sitting down, she held her and gently pecked at the young woman’s soft lips, her voice muffled. “I’ve missed you for so long.”

Song Muyun ducked her head, not daring to look at her. “Didn’t we just see each other yesterday?” she whispered. “How long could you have missed me?”

That wasn’t the kind of ‘missing’ Jiang Yao meant, but she didn’t mind that she hadn’t understood. She placed her on the soft couch, went to bolt the door herself, and returned to excitedly pull out her picture book. She clutched it to her chest, leaped onto the bed, kicked off her shoes with a flourish, and looked at Song Muyun with shining eyes.

            

Song Muyun was stunned for a moment by this series of actions, then couldn’t help but laugh. Much of her nervousness dissipated.

Smiling, she beckoned to her. “Well, bring it over.”

Jiang Yao excitedly opened the book and hugged her, sitting beside her to look at the pictures.

            

Song Muyun blushed as she turned a page, and was immediately stunned by the shocking scene within.

The book she had brought this time was the one about the madam and the little concubine, adapted into a picture book. Song Muyun had already seen it once and still didn’t dare to recall the images.

It was beyond shameful, yet today Jiang Yao had brought it out again.

            

The first scene in the picture book was of the little concubine offering a toast to the madam, but… the concubine still had something given to her by the madam stuffed inside her.

The artist’s strokes were so exquisite that even these details were drawn out.

They… they had even deliberately drawn her concealing long skirt to be transparent.

            

With every glance, Song Muyun’s heart beat faster. She couldn’t help but want to lower her head and stop looking, but of course Jiang Yao wouldn’t allow it.

She insisted that she not look down, that she would be quizzing her later.

She was still going to quiz her!

            

Song Muyun was indignant, her expression a little aggrieved, but in the end, she obediently continued to watch.

Ever since the master died, the entire residence has been in the madam’s hands. The madam has grown bolder, roaming the estate with the little concubine. The concubine’s soft, white bottom writhes with increasing pleasure in the madam’s hands…

Jiang Yao abruptly closed the picture book. Her expression suddenly turned serious as she asked, “You’ve been looking for a long time. Have you learned anything?”

            

Song Muyun was speechless.

She was really like a teacher, testing a student’s academic progress.

But… was this sort of thing worthy of being tested?

            

This was all improper stuff!

Song Muyun was too ashamed to speak, but Jiang Yao frowned, worried. “You’re not going to go back on your word, are you?”

Of course she wouldn’t. Afraid of disappointing her again, she quickly denied it. “No, no, I’m not going back on my word. It’s just, it’s just…”

            

She fell silent, but her eyelashes trembled with shy trepidation. Jiang Yao ought to know just how embarrassed she was.

“It’s alright, take it slow. Just think of me as a pillow.”

Jiang Yao soothed her, hoping her little xifu’er wouldn’t be too nervous.

            

Song Muyun was determined to see it through. Hearing this, her fingers, at some unknown point, had begun to twine in the corner of Jiang Yao’s robe, winding the fabric around and around her fingertip. She asked haltingly, “Then… then do I get to be the madam, or do you?”

Jiang Yao was flabbergasted.

“You want to be the madam?”

            

She almost laughed. She rolled over and pinned her down, kissing the young woman’s long, snow-white, swan-like neck. “If you want to be the madam,” she coaxed softly, “I can let you. I just don’t know if you can handle it.”

Hearing this, Song Muyun couldn’t help but think about the things the madam in the picture book had to do. Then she shook her head frantically. No, no, I can’t do it. I definitely can’t do it. I could never do those things.

Jiang Yao’s smile grew even more tender. She lay down and opened her arms wide, as if to say ‘do whatever you want to me’. “Then hurry up,” she said cheerfully. “Don’t waste time. For this moment, I am yours to play with.”

            

The phrase ‘yours to play with’ was also something Jiang Yao had learned from a storybook.

Her skin was always this thick; she could say such things without a blush or a racing heart.

Today was truly unavoidable. Song Muyun’s face looked as if she were bravely marching to her death⁸. She puffed out her cheeks and stared at her for a moment, then suddenly frowned, hardened her resolve, closed her eyes, and leaned down to press her lips against Jiang Yao’s thin ones.

            

Though it wasn’t as passionate as her own kisses, at least she had taken the initiative.

That alone was enough to make one’s heart race.

The kiss lasted for a long time, until Jiang Yao reminded her in a muffled voice, “Is that all you learned?”

            

Of… of course not.

Song Muyun’s cheeks were flushed. She sat up and slowly removed her outer robe, then took off the layers underneath one by one, finally revealing her snowy, rounded shoulders and her beautiful body.

This was the first time Jiang Yao had seen it.

            

Although a well-bred young lady had never actively done such things, when push came to shove, she could still do them.

Jiang Yao stared with wide, round eyes, looking her over from head to toe, her affection growing with every glance.

Her body didn’t have the pinkish scars from her dream. Instead, her skin was translucent and smooth, powdery and soft to the touch, and her slender waist swayed.

            

…

Song Muyun had long since fallen into a deep, oblivious sleep beside Jiang Yao. Only when Jiang Yao’s long fingers poked her playfully would she frown and make a small, resistant gesture.

So cute.

            

It was only at this very moment that Jiang Yao truly felt that she and Song Muyun were bound for life.

She knew how strict the Song family rules were. Even for an ordinary maiden, if her body was touched by a man, she was expected to be betrothed to him.

Therefore, Muyun was betrothed to her.

            

For several days, Jiang Yao’s mood was unusually elated. She lay on her side, watching the person sleeping soundly with swollen, pouting lips, as if she could never get enough of the sight.

Their feelings had developed naturally⁹. Although Song Muyun hadn’t liked Jiang Yao at first, she had grown to love her more and more.

Recently, Jiang Yao had been a frequent visitor at the Song Residence, sticking close to Song Muyun. But for the past two days, at her father’s request, she had been stuck at the Jiang Residence and unable to go. Unexpectedly, her little xifu’er had dressed herself up beautifully and come looking for her.

            

Madam Jiang had always been gentle toward such a talented young lady, smiling so broadly her eyes disappeared. Although Prime Minister Jiang looked at her with a somewhat complicated expression, he still greeted her kindly.

The two elders clearly knew who she was, yet they treated her with such gentleness. Song Muyun’s eyes instantly warmed. She felt that Jiang Yao’s parents were good people, which further solidified her feelings for Jiang Yao. She wanted to marry Jiang Yao.

Even if the process was incredibly difficult, she wanted to marry Jiang Yao.

            

Jiang Yao hadn’t lied to her. The Prime Minister and Madam Jiang didn’t dislike her. As long as she could get past her own father, everything would be fine.

Thinking of her stubborn old father at home, Song Muyun couldn’t help but feel a little nervous. Yet, for some reason, she felt that her father would agree. He would agree to let her be with Jiang Yao.

Jiang Yao said she would make her father agree.

            

With nothing to do, Jiang Yao was in the courtyard bullying her brother.

Jiang Huai had been holding a horse stance for the entire afternoon. His whole body ached, yet he still had to endure Jiang Yao’s criticism. “Is this the best you can do?”

“Your legs aren’t straight, your arms aren’t straight, and your horse stance isn’t stable. In the future, don’t you dare go out and say you’re my, Jiang Yao’s, brother. I can’t afford to lose that much face.”

            

The young man was full of vim and vigor and cared deeply about his pride. He was about to collapse, but Jiang Yao’s provocation spurred him on, and he abruptly held firm.

This continued until a maidservant’s clear voice sounded at the entrance. “Eldest Miss, Miss Song is here to visit. The Madam asked me to bring her to you.”

Jiang Yao shot upright from her recliner. Jiang Huai was so shocked he fell to the ground, then scrambled back up and asked Jiang Yao, “Is it that sweetheart of yours?”

            

Jiang Yao: “Shut up. Don’t you dare say anything stupid later, or I’ll beat you to death.”

Jiang Huai, who had been about to spout a whole lot of nonsense, was speechless.

Song Muyun was led in, her hand held affectionately. As she passed Jiang Huai, she paused. Seeing his fine clothes, she already knew who he was. She smiled very gently and even extended a hand toward him. “You must be the Second Young Master. Why are you sitting on the ground? The ground is cold, get up quickly.”

            

Jiang Huai thought: Wow, her temper seems so much better than my big sister’s. In the future, when Big Sister beats me up again, will she speak up for me?

At this thought, Jiang Huai felt that having a sister-in-law was actually quite nice. He was grinning foolishly, about to take her hand to pull himself up, when Jiang Yao unceremoniously snatched the hand away. “He’s covered in sweat and filthy. You smell so nice, don’t let him touch you. Come, I’ll take you inside to sit.”

Song Muyun was pulled away by Jiang Yao. Along the way, she heard Jiang Yao remarking on how her brother’s horse stance was unstable, far inferior to her own.

            

Jiang Huai gritted his teeth in anger. He was about to chase after them to argue when Jiang Yao shot a warning glance back at him. He immediately froze. In the end, he didn’t dare to offend his monstrous¹⁰ sister. After much hesitation, he slipped away.

Song Muyun was unhappy that Jiang Yao hadn’t come to see her for two days. After entering the room, she put on a stern expression with her pretty little face and fiercely asked Jiang Yao why she hadn’t come.

Jiang Yao had been confined by Jiang Heng. He told her to practice her martial arts diligently these few days, as her master would be returning for a visit soon. To avoid her master discovering that her skills had not improved, she had been training very hard, which was why she hadn’t been able to visit her xifu’er at the Song Residence.

            

The reason was sound. Song Muyun grudgingly forgave Jiang Yao and spent the afternoon with her at the Jiang Residence, until Jiang Yao walked her home at dusk.

The streets today seemed different from usual. People were all surging in one direction, with a sense of urgency, as if they were rushing to see some excitement.

Someone bumped into Song Muyun, and she nearly stumbled and fell. Fortunately, Jiang Yao shielded her in her arms. She looked at Jiang Yao, bewildered.

            

A bad premonition suddenly arose in Jiang Yao’s heart. She led Song Muyun along, following the crowd. After finally pushing through the throng, they saw a large group of people standing outside the Song Residence, with yamen runners bustling in and out.

Song Muyun instantly panicked. She clutched Jiang Yao’s sleeve tightly, her face deathly pale, and murmured, “Why are they at my house? What… what’s happening? Father, Mother, did something happen?”

Jiang Yao supported Song Muyun, whose body had suddenly gone limp. Her expression was complicated as she thought, It must be the person trying to frame my father-in-law making their move. And Father, really! Why didn’t he give me a heads-up? If he had, I would never have brought Muyun back!

            

This dad was really screwing his daughter over.

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The author has something to say:

Jiang Yao: This dad is really screwing his daughter over.

            

Jiang Heng (striding forward with his own plan): Say that again, who’s screwing over whom?

Sigh, they actually locked me.

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