Forbidden to Bully the Storybook’s Heroine – Chapter 120

Extra 2: The ‘What If’ Timeline

Song Muyun’s anxious appearance eventually attracted attention. The official in charge of the search was the current dynasty’s Censor, surnamed Tong.

Censor Tong had met Song Muyun a few times; her reputation as a talented woman was well known outside. She was Song Yunqian’s pride and joy, often brought out to be shown off.

            

“Miss Song.”

Song Muyun’s face was snow-white, her eyes shining with near-fragile tears. Jiang Yao held her waist in silent comfort, looking at Censor Tong alongside her.

Her voice couldn’t help but tremble as she asked the Lord Censor, “Uncle Tong, what happened? Where are my parents?”

            

Censor Tong’s eyes held pity and sympathy as he said, “Someone has petitioned the court, accusing Lord Song of concealing reports of a local disaster. By deceiving his superiors and hiding the truth, he has caused the people of Luzhou to live in destitution. This is the crime of deceiving the Emperor. The evidence is conclusive. Lord Song has now been imprisoned to await sentencing.”

Song Muyun’s pupils shrank sharply. With a pale face, she immediately retorted, “No, that’s impossible. My father has been upright and incorruptible his entire life! How could he possibly do such a thing?! Uncle Tong, you know my father. He wouldn’t do this. He absolutely wouldn’t!”

The young girl couldn’t believe it. She had to press both hands hard against her mouth to keep from letting out a sob. Jiang Yao pulled her into her arms, her expression restrained. She wanted to comfort her, but not knowing her own father’s plans, she was afraid of saying something she shouldn’t. She held it back in the end, merely hugging her with a dark expression that faintly revealed a trace of heartache.

            

Censor Tong shook his head, his face showing even more pity. “I am sorry, Miss Song. Now that the evidence is conclusive, you must come with me as well.”

Hearing that he was going to take Song Muyun away, Jiang Yao’s expression changed. Just as she was about to speak, a familiar voice called out from behind her, “Eldest Miss, Eldest Miss! The Master asks you to return!”

The hands gripping Song Muyun’s arms tightened slightly. Song Muyun’s body was already trembling, her limbs soft; thanks to Jiang Yao supporting her the whole time, she hadn’t collapsed.

            

Those naturally watery eyes looked up at Jiang Yao. Suddenly, she pulled Jiang Yao’s hands away.

“Jiang Yao, someone is definitely framing the Song family in this matter.”

She had no other choice. She only knew Jiang Yao, and only Jiang Yao would help her.

            

“Yes, I know. I believe in Uncle’s character.”

The two exchanged a glance, everything understood without words.

Finally, Song Muyun lowered her head, her soft, pitch-black hair fluttering in the wind. She spoke quietly, “I have to go with him. Perhaps I will see my mother and can ask her carefully what exactly is going on. You… you should go back first. Uncle Jiang is waiting for you.”

            

Jiang Yao’s expression was dark. She looked at Censor Tong, polite for the first time. “Uncle Tong, Muyun’s constitution is weak. I beg Uncle Tong to look after her a little.”

Censor Tong gave a barely imperceptible nod. Over there, Cui Zhu was urging, “Miss, the Master is waiting anxiously for your return!”

Jiang Yao frowned, feeling a bit angry inside. What is he so anxious about? My wife is the one in trouble—I’m the one who should be anxious!

            

Song Muyun, however, had the most obedient temperament. Seeing Jiang Yao being hurried, she guessed whether the Prime Minister knew about this matter and therefore didn’t want Jiang Yao to be with her anymore…

She couldn’t help but care about the Prime Minister’s opinion. Those eyes, usually bright as snow, gradually lost their color, becoming dim and lackluster. Her voice was laced with dejection. “Hurry and go. Don’t make Uncle Jiang angry.”

Muyun was sensitive; one look and it was clear she had misunderstood something. Jiang Yao was incredibly anxious and wanted to explain, but the Censor’s side was also in a rush, searching the house while preparing to take people away.

            

Jiang Yao had no choice but to hastily grab Song Muyun’s hand. Looking at her, she said solemnly, “Wait for me.”

Song Muyun’s eyes still brimmed with heavy moisture. She merely managed a forced smile at Jiang Yao, telling her not to worry, that His Majesty would definitely return innocence to the Song family.

Yet in her heart, she felt hope was slim. Uncle Tong had just said the evidence was conclusive…

            

How could this be?

Her father had always been upright. How could he do such a thing?

Someone must have framed her father!

            

But who?

Song Muyun did not understand court politics. She was a well-bred young lady¹ raised by the Song family. She had never known who her father usually befriended or who his enemies were, so much so that she was now completely bewildered, lacking even a target.

Jiang Yao watched helplessly as the Censor took Song Muyun away.

            

She wanted to stop them, but her father had specifically sent Cui Zhu over to find her. The meaning couldn’t be clearer.

She returned to the Jiang Residence with a cold face.

Jiang Heng was waiting for her in the study.

            

The young woman rushed in frantically. Seeing Jiang Heng sitting there, she began to rattle off questions, “Why didn’t you tell me about the Song family’s situation? Why did you make me escort Muyun back? I had no preparation at all! Father, you aren’t planning to not help the Song family, are you? They are your in-laws!”

With a bitter face, she added, “If anything happens to Muyun, I won’t live either.”

Jiang Heng: “…”

            

He glanced at Jiang Yao, felt it hurt his eyes, and quickly averted his gaze. He said helplessly, “I never said I wouldn’t help. What are you panicking for?”

Jiang Yao’s eyes widened. “You call this helping? You let them arrest Muyun! Muyun has such delicate skin and tender flesh. What if they make her sit in a cell? What if they beat her? How is she supposed to endure it? No, I have to go break her out of prison.”

Saying that, she hurriedly turned to leave, only to be stopped by an exasperated Jiang Heng. “If you dare ruin my plan, let’s see if I still help the Song family or save this sweetheart of yours!”

            

In almost an instant, Jiang Yao became well-behaved. She stood there obediently and muttered softly, “Then what exactly do you mean? When are you going to save her? Muyun really can’t stand how dark and damp it is in a prison cell. There might even be rats.”

She was completely fraught with worry now, her heart and eyes entirely filled with another woman. Where was her former carefree appearance, resembling a wandering martial hero?

Jiang Heng looked at her and got a headache; a second look made his head ache even more.

            

He really wanted to wave his hand and tell her to get lost, but she was his own flesh and blood after all.

He maintained his patience and said, “You don’t need to meddle in this matter. I have my own calculations. It won’t be a long wait. Perhaps, for you, this might not necessarily be a bad thing.”

Jiang Yao stared in shock. “My wife has gone to prison, and it’s not a bad thing? Father, what kind of reverse psychology are you spouting here?”

            

Jiang Heng let out a long sigh, already too lazy to say anything more. Finally, he waved his hand. “Forget it. Go down first. Behave yourself these next few days. Stop wandering outside so much, and you are absolutely not allowed to visit the Song family in prison, lest you beat the grass and startle the snake².”

Jiang Yao: “…”

Her father’s words gave her some confidence, but she was also afraid he might be scheming against her.

            

One had to know, over the past year, her father hadn’t scolded her any less over the matter of her ‘mirror polishing’. What if her father felt this was a good opportunity to set her straight and decided not to help the Song family?

Jiang Yao frowned. Before leaving, she couldn’t resist adding a sentence, “Father, you must keep your word. Otherwise, if something happens to Muyun, I will really die just to show you.”

Right now, in Jiang Heng’s eyes, his daughter was even more of a debt-collecting ghost than a son—annoying just to look at. Seeing her spout more nonsense, he angrily threw a teacup. It shattered with a crash right at Jiang Yao’s feet. He urged irritably, “Go, go! Don’t annoy this daddy³!”

            

Even crude language had come out; it seemed her father was truly infuriated. Only then did Jiang Yao quickly slip away. But her heart still lingered on Song Muyun. She spent the entire day worrying whether she would be bullied by others, whether she would lack good food or warm clothes, or whether she would be frightened by the little bugs in the cell. After all, she was timid by nature.

Sigh, what to do?

Who knew what her father was thinking? Did he really have certainty? Don’t let the situation spiral completely out of control.

            

Jiang Heng, naturally, had the utmost certainty. He had been waiting ever since someone began setting a trap for Song Yunqian. Now, the evidence he had collected was practically complete. He merely needed to wait for another opportunity.

What he hadn’t expected was that two imperial princes had intervened in this matter.

It truly was surprising.

            

A few days passed in the blink of an eye. His Majesty was already preparing to convict the Song family.

Only then did Jiang Heng make his first trip to the Dali Temple prison.

He had secretly had someone arrange this for him; no one knew he had gone.

            

“Lord, Song Yunqian is right in this cell.”

Jiang Heng gave a slight nod. Hearing the voice, Song Yunqian also raised his head, but because it was pitch-black outside the cell, he couldn’t see anything clearly.

Days of interrogation had left his face the color of dirt. Hearing the voice, he assumed it was someone coming to interrogate him again. Therefore, he sneered, “Give up! What I haven’t done is what I haven’t done. No matter who sent you, I, Song Yunqian, walk an upright path. I could never do such a thing to harm the common people!”

            

In the quiet prison cell, the crisp sound of applause suddenly rang out. Jiang Heng spoke, “Lord Song truly possesses a spine of iron. This Jiang admires it.”

Hearing this familiar, detestable voice, Song Yunqian frowned. Using the faint light from a tiny window to focus his gaze, he looked over. Judging by the outline of the figure, it really was Jiang Heng.

“Are you here to watch me become a laughingstock?”

            

From the perspective of their political rivalry, Song Yunqian could only assume the worst of him.

Jiang Heng’s mouth twitched. He had someone open the cell door and walked in, then waved his hand to dismiss the guards. Looking at Song Yunqian, he shook his head, his voice gentle. “I didn’t expect Lord Song to think of me like this in his heart. It truly breaks this Jiang’s heart.”

Song Yunqian lowered his head, no longer looking at him. His voice was flat. “If you have something to say, say it quickly. I don’t have time to waste with you.”

            

Jiang Heng didn’t mind the filth and disorder of the place. He sat down directly on the floor and laughed. “You have plenty of time to waste right now.”

Song Yunqian, who was indeed in that exact situation: “…”

His face darkened, and he said angrily, “You are here to watch me become a laughingstock!!!”

            

Jiang Heng certainly wouldn’t admit to that. He immediately denied it, “I am not. Don’t slander people.”

“Heh.”

Jiang Heng smiled as he told him, “Do you know that His Majesty is about to sentence your family?”

            

Song Yunqian said coldly, “If one is out to condemn, one can always trump up a charge.”

“It would be fine if it were just you, but do you know what punishment the rest of the Song family will face?”

Song Yunqian’s body stiffened. His eyes grew weary, as if he had suddenly aged quite a bit.

            

Jiang Heng sighed in his heart. If it weren’t for my disappointing daughter, I wouldn’t need to act like this. It really is too much like bullying.

“His Majesty intends to exile everyone in the Song family to the borderlands—except your daughter.”

Exile was something Song Yunqian had long anticipated, but… He frowned, his face involuntarily turning a ghastly white as he asked Jiang Heng, “Then what about Yun’er?”

            

Yun’er was merely a weak woman. Logically speaking, she should be exiled along with the whole family. Why leave Yun’er behind specifically?

When Jiang Heng reached this point, he deliberately paused, concealing a slight unnaturalness on his face, and said in all seriousness, “His Majesty says Miss Song is in the prime of her youth, and should be taken into the Jiaofang Division⁴.”

The moment the words “Jiaofang Division” came out, it was like a direct blow to Song Yunqian’s head. It struck him so hard he saw stars. Disbelieving, his lips trembled. “How, how could His Majesty… He… Yun’er, how can Yun’er enter the Jiaofang Division!”

            

Song Yunqian was stubborn and strictly adhered to propriety. Naturally, he couldn’t stand the thought of his own daughter entering a filthy place like the Jiaofang Division.

This was indeed His Majesty’s intention, but the one who suggested it was the Seventh Prince. His Majesty had not yet made a final decision; there was still a chance to change it.

“Indeed. If a talented woman like Miss Song truly entered the Jiaofang Division, it would truly make one’s heart ache.”

            

Song Yunqian glared at him. “You are here to watch me become a laughingstock!”

“Sigh, how could I be here to laugh at you? Brother Song, you and I have been colleagues for many years. I genuinely want to help you.”

Song Yunqian looked at Jiang Heng without speaking.

            

If it were in the past, hearing Jiang Heng hint like this, he definitely would have refused flat out. But times had changed. He had been plotted against. He could die, but he didn’t want to drag down his family—especially not subjecting Yun’er to such humiliation.

For a daughter to enter the Jiaofang Division—even if she could get out later—it would be a stain she could never wash away!

Song Yunqian was a manly and upstanding figure, yet thinking of this, he couldn’t help but get red-rimmed eyes.

            

If I had known earlier, I wouldn’t have been so strict with Yun’er. I should have just let her live more happily.

Seeing this, Jiang Heng secretly nodded. He thought to himself that his opportunity had arrived.

Oh no, it had nothing to do with him—it was Jiang Yao’s opportunity that had arrived!

            

He cleared his throat, then said, “If, at this moment, someone of sufficient status were willing to marry Miss Song, they could save her from prison.”

Jiang Heng hinted.

Song Yunqian fell into deep thought for a moment. Suddenly, his eyes widened. For the first time, he acted with such a lack of etiquette, pointing a finger directly at Jiang Heng. His entire arm trembled in extreme disbelief. “You… you… you old scoundrel, don’t tell me you want to take Yun’er as a concubine?! Jiang Heng! Don’t even think about it! Yun’er and your daughter Jiang Yao are the closest of friends! You shameless old scoundrel, if you dare touch her, I won’t let you off even if I become a ghost!!!”

            

Lord Song’s middle-aged face was flushed red with anger.

Being pointed at and cursed in the face, Jiang Heng’s mouth twitched slightly. He hadn’t expected Song Yunqian to be quite so imaginative.

He said helplessly, “At your advanced age, don’t get so agitated. It’s not me. It’s Yao’er.”

            

Song Yunqian: “?”

“It’s Jiang Yao what?”

He couldn’t react for a moment. Obviously, they had just been talking about marriage; logically, a man’s name should follow. Why did Jiang Yao get brought up?

            

Jiang Heng felt helpless and stopped beating around the bush. He spoke frankly to Song Yunqian, “Ever since the Song family fell into misfortune, my daughter has been begging me to intervene every day. I didn’t understand, but upon questioning her, I learned that my useless Jiang Yao has actually long been deeply rooted in love with Miss Song. She told me that if anything happens to Miss Song, she will definitely accompany her in death. Children are just debt collectors. I have no other choice either. Brother Song, can you understand my bitter pains?”

Jiang Heng’s brows and eyes revealed a trace of exhaustion, looking exactly like a pitiful old father truly tormented by his daughter.

Song Yunqian was already frightened silly by his words.

            

Jiang Yao… was deeply rooted in love with his daughter?

Jiang Yao… was a woman, wasn’t she?

His daughter was also a woman!

            

Had this Jiang Heng gone mad?

He stood up abruptly, his eyes practically popping out. “What… what nonsense are you spouting!”

The old conservative indicated he could not accept this.

            

Jiang Heng used to be an old conservative too, but he had been forcibly cured by Jiang Yao. Now he even came to persuade Song Yunqian: “What’s wrong with two women? Women are far more reliable than men. Besides, you’ve seen with your own eyes how well my Yao’er treats your daughter. This time, your family’s situation has provoked the Emperor’s fury, and everyone has chosen to protect themselves. If it weren’t for that rebellious daughter Jiang Yao, I truly wouldn’t be willing to wade into this muddy water.”

Song Yunqian was still trembling with anger. He said furiously to Jiang Heng, “You are taking advantage of another’s peril!”

Jiang Heng immediately retorted, “Not at all, not at all. This is clearly me offering everything I have to help. To help your Song family, I’m even prepared to throw away my old face.”

            

He was notoriously known for caring about his pride above all else. Now, slightly distorting the facts in front of Song Yunqian, he said, “If your family hadn’t suddenly suffered this disaster, and I hadn’t heard His Majesty was going to send your daughter to the Jiaofang Division, I absolutely never would have agreed to let Jiang Yao be with her!”

He spoke with righteous indignation, as if it were completely true.

Too many things had happened these past few days. Song Yunqian’s brain had turned into a lump of paste. He gritted his teeth. “The daughters of my Song family will absolutely never do such a rebellious and heretical thing!”

            

“Then let her enter the Jiaofang Division?”

While Song Yunqian was filled with righteous indignation, Jiang Heng suddenly interjected. Song Yunqian immediately choked on his words. His expression was incredibly ugly; he clearly couldn’t make a choice.

Whether it was entering the Jiaofang Division or marrying a woman, both options were unacceptable to the Song family.

            

But comparing the two…

Song Yunqian fell silent.

He didn’t speak. Jiang Heng knew there was a chance. He wasn’t in a rush, simply saying to Song Yunqian, “You still have time to consider. If you wait until the imperial edict is issued, even I won’t be able to do anything. You know Yao’er’s temperament; if Miss Song marries her, she will treat Miss Song well. You know me as well; I won’t make things difficult for a young girl. If she marries in, she will be the Young Madam of my Jiang family.”

            

Song Yunqian’s face was dark.

Song Yunqian, who had always been steady and possessed the proud spine of a scholar, was rarely like this.

He desperately wanted to refuse Jiang Heng, but if he refused Jiang Heng, Song Muyun would go to the Jiaofang Division…

            

The Jiaofang Division… that kind of place was a nightmare for the daughters of convicted officials. How could a girl from a respectable family go to such a place?

If she didn’t want to go to that kind of place… she had to be with Jiang Yao.

Be with Jiang Yao!

            

A woman marrying a woman—it was practically unheard of, and it wouldn’t do Yun’er’s reputation any favors either. But it was still better than…

Still better than her entering the Jiaofang Division and suffering humiliation from others.

Song Yunqian could weigh the good and the bad, but he still couldn’t overcome his own inner barrier, continuously delaying the decision.

            

Jiang Heng chuckled softly. Yao’er’s hopes were very high.

“Lord Song, think on it a bit more. It is not good for this Jiang to stay here too long, so I will take my leave.”

He turned around and was just about to leave when he was suddenly called back. Song Yunqian’s voice—which sounded as though he had suddenly aged twenty years—rang out, teeth gritted in sheer helplessness, “Wait. I agree.”

            

The corners of Jiang Heng’s mouth hooked up slightly. It was done.

He turned back around, only to see Song Yunqian say to him with an awful expression, “But if you dare to bully her for having no maiden family, I won’t let you off even if I become a ghost!”

Having gotten the answer he wanted, Jiang Heng nodded in satisfaction. He thought to himself that this would finally keep Jiang Yao well-behaved for quite a few days.

            

“Since that is the case, I will bring a written pledge tomorrow. I ask that Lord Song sign and press his fingerprint on it, lest you suddenly change your mind and make me work for nothing.”

Song Yunqian’s brows knitted tightly. “My crimes have already been determined. His Majesty will likely order my execution in a matter of days. Why do you need to worry about this?”

Jiang Heng spoke unhurriedly, “It’s just for peace of mind. When I take it back to show Yao’er, she’ll know that I didn’t coerce you, preventing the two children from having a knot in their hearts.”

            

Given Song Yunqian’s current circumstances, he had no choice but to bow his head. Therefore, even though he felt Jiang Heng’s actions were a bit strange, he could only agree.

The next day, Jiang Heng brought over the written pledge he had personally drafted. It was a betrothal contract.

There had never been an instance of a woman marrying a woman in this dynasty, let alone establishing a betrothal contract between them. Who would have thought Jiang Heng would actually produce one?

            

The moment he saw the betrothal contract, Song Yunqian actually felt a bit glad in his heart. This at least proved that the Jiang family truly cherished Yun’er. Even if she had no maiden family in the future, they would likely treat her well.

Then, recalling that the Jiang family members all seemed exceptionally devoted in love, he felt even more relieved. He had been framed and had no fear of death; he only felt heartache for the younger generation in his family who were being implicated because of him.

Jiang Heng suppressed the corners of his mouth, which wanted to curve upward. Taking back the betrothal contract, he said to Song Yunqian, “By tomorrow at the latest, I will be able to bring Miss Song out.”

            

Song Yunqian’s perpetually straight spine bent imperceptibly at this moment. Radiating gloom, he waved his hand at Jiang Heng, signaling that he could leave.

Jiang Heng suddenly felt a bit guilty, and even possessed a tiny bit of remorse, but he quickly became self-righteous again.

He was the one who had secretly investigated the Song family’s case in the first place. Who told Song Yunqian to call him ‘not a gentleman’? Well, then he’d just play the villain for once.

            

Holding the betrothal contract, Jiang Heng swaggered back to the residence, only to be stopped by his own wretched daughter, whose elbows turned outward⁵ and who was burning with anxiety from missing her wife.

Jiang Yao was so anxious she practically had blisters on her lips; she simply couldn’t wait any longer.

She glared at Jiang Heng, but before she could ask, Jiang Heng slapped a piece of paper right into her face, then said impatiently, “Come pick up your wife tomorrow. Stop annoying me.”

            

Jiang Yao: “!!!”

She caught the paper but didn’t have time to look at it. Her eyes shining, she chased after her old father’s footsteps. “Muyun can come back tomorrow? What about my father-in-law and mother-in-law? And Second Uncle, Third Uncle, Second Aunt, Third Aunt, and those kids? When can they come back?”

Jiang Heng: “…”

            

It was truly a rare feat for his daughter to have a day where she could worry about so many people.

“Take it one step at a time. What are you panicking for! How old are you? Can’t you be a bit more steady? You don’t have to do anything anyway—just wait at home.”

Jiang Yao: “…”

            

I feel like Father is not in a very good mood.

She quickly walked over and ingratiatingly massaged her old father’s shoulders. “Isn’t it just because I’m worried about them? With Father’s word, I can rest easy.”

“Hmph. Alright, no need to be fake around me. Do you think I don’t know what you’re really like? Go back. You still don’t need to leave the house these next few days as usual.”

            

“Alright, Father! I’ll take my leave then.”

Jiang Yao was halfway back before she finally found the time to look at what her father had thrown at her. She didn’t know until she looked, but the moment she did, she got the shock of her life. What was this?

What ‘two surnames allied in marriage, a good destiny forever tied’?

            

Wait, why is my father-in-law’s name on it too?

My wife’s name is on it as well!

In a dizzy daze, Jiang Yao realized what this was.

            

It was the proof that her father-in-law had agreed to betroth Muyun to her!

She had already prepared herself to be beaten up when she finally laid her cards on the table with her father-in-law. But right now, her father had silently gotten the entire betrothal contract sorted out for her.

This truly was her biological father!

            

Jiang Yao swore that she would never make her father angry again!

Also, Muyun was coming tomorrow.

Jiang Yao called for her maidservants. She had all the old furnishings in her room—the ones she usually didn’t care much about—swapped out for new ones. The bedding and mattresses were also changed, and the room was infused with pleasant-smelling incense. Remembering that Muyun loved to drink tea, Jiang Yao secretly went to the storehouse to fetch some top-grade tea leaves and placed them in her courtyard. Together with the maids and manservants, she pulled the weeds in the courtyard and scrubbed away the moss. After making the entire courtyard look completely new, she began waiting for Song Muyun to return.

            

Then, on the second day, she successfully awaited Song Muyun.

Jiang Heng had sent someone to pick her up; she was brought in quietly through the back door.

Jiang Yao was waiting right there. Seeing the person return, her eyes lit up, and she called out loudly, “Muyun!”

            

Song Muyun’s movements paused. She raised a pair of dim eyes to look at Jiang Yao. A moment later, the rims of her eyes turned red.

Jiang Yao’s heart tightened. She hurriedly rushed over, wrapping the woman in a tight embrace. Holding her close, she patted her back comfortingly while aching with pity. “How did you lose so much weight? It’s alright, it’s alright. Everything will be alright from now on.”

Song Muyun’s aggrieved body trembled slightly. She threw herself into Jiang Yao’s arms, nuzzling against her little by little. Her slender fingers tightly gripped the front of Jiang Yao’s robes. Her voice was laced with a crying tone, hoarse and choked with sobs. “What do I do, Jiang Yao? They said my father is going to die, but my father absolutely did not do those things. What do I do? What should I do…”

            

Jiang Yao held her entire body, lowering her head to rest against her forehead. “We’ll talk when we go back. Let’s head back first, okay?”

Despite her gentle words and soft tone, Song Muyun still cried uncontrollably.

It was as if she wanted to cry out all the anxiety and grievances she had suffered over these past few days.

            

Helpless, Jiang Yao could only pick her up horizontally, swiftly carrying her back to her courtyard in a flash. She ordered the servants to boil some hot water and then not to disturb them.

Song Muyun was still sitting on her lap, sobbing softly. These past two days, she had been locked in a cell alone, not even daring to cry out loud. It wasn’t until just now, when she saw Jiang Yao, that all her grievances poured out, leaving her suddenly choked with tears.

Jiang Yao looked left and right to ensure no one was around before whispering to Song Muyun, “Don’t cry. Your father will be fine. With my dad here, you can just rest assured.”

            

Song Muyun was startled by these words. Grabbing Jiang Yao’s hand, she also lowered her voice, asking timidly, “What do you mean by that? Uncle… Uncle is going to save my father? But I heard that His Majesty is about to issue the imperial decree…”

Once the decree was issued, it would be useless.

Using her free hand to pull the woman into her embrace, Jiang Yao comforted her softly, “My dad will help. He promised me. Weren’t you rescued as well? It’s going to be fine.”

            

Hearing this, Song Muyun hurriedly raised her gaze, her slightly red eyes looking at Jiang Yao. “How did Uncle rescue me? I heard them say that His Majesty originally intended to send me to the Jiaofang Division…”

She was only a sheltered young lady, but she had also heard of the Jiaofang Division’s reputation. The women who entered there were subjected to humiliation and disdain.

These past few days, she had been terribly afraid. She hadn’t expected… before the imperial edict could even come down, Uncle Jiang had rescued her first.

            

“My dad established a betrothal contract for us. He said that from now on, you are no longer the Miss of the Song family, but rather the Young Madam of my Jiang family. That is how he brought you out.”

Jiang Yao showed her the betrothal contract. On it was Song Yunqian’s name, written by his own hand, agreeing to their marriage.

When Song Muyun raised her head, she still looked somewhat dazed, her gaze trembling. “My father… agreed to our matter? You… you told him?”

            

“It was my dad who spoke to my father-in-law. My father-in-law has already agreed. From now on, you are my true wife, my only wife.”

Those eyes of Song Muyun’s lit up bit by bit, looking at Jiang Yao brightly.

Jiang Yao nuzzled against her soft, pale cheek, coaxing, “In a few days, we’ll go together to welcome the in-laws back.”

            

“Mm-hmm. Jiang Yao, thank goodness you were here this time.”

The voice of the person in her arms grew increasingly gentle. She wasn’t stupid; she knew just how much effort the Jiang family must have exerted in such a massive conspiracy to help her family overturn the case. Jiang Yao was truly wonderful, and the Jiang family members were all wonderful…

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