Forbidden to Bully the Storybook’s Heroine

Forbidden to Bully the Storybook’s Heroine – Chapter 85

by Little Panda

Hauling Jiang Ru Home

Jiang Yao had grown wary of Murong Ci. Furthermore, her mother had repeatedly and earnestly instructed her¹ to keep an eye on Ru’er, lest she be deceived by Murong Ci.

So, she simply picked an auspicious day² to visit Jiang Ru’s courtyard and bad-mouthed Murong Ci at length.

She brought up everything from discovering him hiding a beauty in a golden house³ to how he was lazy and messy by nature, two-faced⁴, and gentle on the surface but ruthless underneath, instilling in Jiang Ru the idea that not a single prince was a good person.

Although Jiang Ru didn’t know why she was saying all this, she always listened to her jiejie.

Thus, she nodded gravely, several times in fact. Satisfied that Ru’er would now keep some distance from Murong Ci, Jiang Yao finally left Jiang Ru’s Luoxue Courtyard.

Who knew that just one day later, she would see Jiang Ru again at the Eighth Prince’s Residence…

The Jiang family was, after all, on the Eighth Prince’s side, so they were bound to meet and exchange political information from time to time.

Just like today. Jiang Yao had just received some instructions from her father and had run all the way to the Eighth Prince’s Residence. She came here often and was on good terms with the Eighth Prince, so no attendants stopped her along the way. And then, she saw Ru’er coming out of Murong Ci’s room.

Shock!

Utterly dumbfounded!

Jiang Ru spotted Jiang Yao too, her expression clearly showing a hint of panic. “Jie, jiejie! What are you doing here?”

She subconsciously hid her right hand behind her back.

Jiang Yao didn’t notice, just glared at her. “If I hadn’t come, how would I have known that you’d claim to be going boating on the lake with a friend, but end up here instead?!”

Before leaving, she had gone to her father’s study. On her way back, she had run into her mother and Second Aunt and casually asked after Ru’er. Second Aunt had said she’d gone boating with a friend. What, did she boat all the way to Murong Ci’s house?

The corner of Jiang Yao’s mouth twitched.

Jiang Ru felt guilty, her head bowed so low she didn’t even dare to look up. Muyun-jiejie wasn’t by her jiejie’s side, so there was no one to speak up for her, and she didn’t know how to explain it to her jiejie.

Just yesterday, she had promised not to get too involved with the Eighth Prince. He was a prince, after all, and with the Jiang family’s help, he was certain to become emperor one day. Her close friendship with him had already started some rumors in the capital, and she had decided to distance herself a little. But then someone came today saying the Eighth Prince was unwell and wanted to see her, his only friend…

In a moment of weakness, she…

Jiang Ru didn’t dare tell Jiang Yao any of this.

“Speak. Cat got your tongue?” Jiang Yao demanded fiercely, her gaze turning icily toward the doorway. She was yelling at Ru’er this loudly, and Murong Ci still hadn’t come out. Did he care about Ru’er at all?! Not one bit!

She would never approve of this!

The more Jiang Yao thought, the angrier she became, her face darkening.

Jiang Ru stammered, “I, I just came to see…”

“You could have come openly to see him, but you lied to people just to see Murong Ci.”

This was the first lie Jiang Ru had ever told in her life, and she was found out immediately. Her heart was racing.

Standing there, she gave off an air of pitiful helplessness, her fingers twisting together as she dared not look up at Jiang Yao.

It was at this moment that Murong Ci emerged, dressed in thin clothes, his complexion as white as snow, as if he had just recovered from a major illness. His steps were also somewhat unsteady.

The sight gave Jiang Yao a fright. It hadn’t been that many days since she’d last seen Murong Ci. How did he end up like this?

Could he have been ambushed by someone?

He looked far too seriously injured, like he was on the verge of death.⁵

Seeing Murong Ci come out, Jiang Ru’s eyes widened slightly. Forgetting all about explaining herself to her jiejie, she hurried over and actually reached out to support Murong Ci’s hand, her voice filled with concern. “Why did you come out? Aren’t you unwell?”

Murong Ci forced a pale smile, holding Jiang Ru’s hand. His voice was weak. “I heard Jiang Yao’s voice. I was afraid she would scold you, so I came out to see.”

Jiang Yao: …

Hold on, jiejie, you only just heard my voice? So I’m the bad guy now?

Jiang Ru said in a gentle, calm voice, “Jiejie isn’t scolding me. You should go back and rest.”

“No, since your jiejie is here, I should at least entertain her.”

Jiang Yao watched expressionlessly as the two of them gazed at each other for a long time with what were practically eyes full of love.

It was Jiang Ru who broke away first. She helped Murong Ci sit down at the side, then turned to Jiang Yao. She was actually apologizing on Murong Ci’s behalf. “The Eighth Prince is unwell today, so he may be discourteous. Jiejie, please don’t mind him.”

Jiang Yao: …

Why do I feel like an outsider right now?

Why do you two look exactly like a young married couple, entertaining me, the guest?

A shiver ran down Jiang Yao’s spine at the strange feeling, and her brow furrowed tightly.

“Hmph, I can choose not to mind. But you tell me, what were you and Murong Ci doing that you would even lie to come here?”

Jiang Ru’s eyes suddenly flew wide. The way her jiejie phrased that—what did she mean, what was she doing with Murong Ci, as if there was something illicit going on? She was about to deny it immediately, but then she thought of that gurgling stream, and the words of denial wouldn’t come out.

In the end, it was Murong Ci who broke the silence. Her voice was somewhat hoarse, as if she had been talking for a long time and could barely speak now. “Jiang Yao, I was the one who said I had a new painting from Qing Tan and invited Ru’er over to see it. Don’t blame her.”

Murong Ci extended a pale hand, inviting Jiang Yao to sit.

Jiang Yao’s eyes narrowed, her entire being radiating displeasure.

Murong Ci was adept at reading people and naturally noticed. She couldn’t afford to make Jiang Yao too angry, she thought, or she really would forbid her from seeing Jiang Ru again.

A moment later, she put on a smile. “By the way, Jiang Yao, Father-Emperor recently bestowed upon me a treasured sword. I hear it was the personal sword of a great general from a previous dynasty. It can slice through iron as if it were mud.⁶ Do you want it? I’ll give it to you.”

…

One second Jiang Yao’s face was cold, and the next, she found it hard to maintain the expression. She clenched and unclenched her fists several times, but in the end, she couldn’t quite resist the temptation. This Murong Ci is quite sensible, she thought, he knows what I like.

“Ahem, give it to me quietly. Don’t let anyone know.”

Jiang Yao coughed into her fist, her face a mask of solemnity.

Murong Ci, Jiang Ru: …

Jiang Ru couldn’t help it and covered her lips with her hand, letting out a soft laugh. “Jiejie is still the same as ever.”

“Hmph, but you’re not the same as before. You’ve even learned to lie.”

She wanted to ignore the matter, but Jiang Yao insisted on bringing it up. Instantly, the young girl’s cheeks flushed crimson. She explained in embarrassment, “I, I had a reason…”

“What reason? Just to see some stupid painting?”

Jiang Yao sat down, crossed her arms, and shot Jiang Ru a sidelong glance as she questioned her.

Jiang Ru fiddled with her fingers, once again stammering, unable to speak, her cheeks growing redder.

Murong Ci couldn’t bear to see her like this and quickly spoke up for her. “It was me. I was the one who had someone invite Ru’er over. I wanted someone to appreciate the painting with me. If you must blame someone, blame me. Don’t blame Ru’er.”

Jiang Ru looked somewhat moved. Her watery eyes blinked as she looked at Murong Ci.

Murong Ci gave her a gentle smile, a sight that was truly unlikable.

But for the sake of that treasured sword, Jiang Yao decided to turn a blind eye for now. She would educate her little sister after they left the Eighth Prince’s Residence.

“Jiang Yao, there’s something I want to talk to you about. Can you come inside with me?”

Perhaps sensing her thoughts, Murong Ci spoke in a hoarse voice.

At this, Jiang Ru accidentally knocked over a teacup on the stone table, her expression urgent as she grabbed Murong Ci’s arm.

Jiang Yao shot her little sister a suspicious look, then stood up. “Then let’s talk.”

“Hey…”

Jiang Ru reached out to stop Murong Ci. Murong Ci patted the back of her hand and mouthed silently, “The window inside is open.” She gave her another reassuring look before pulling her hand away and going inside.

Jiang Yao followed her in with a frown. Strangely, as soon as she entered, she smelled a somewhat familiar scent.

The scent was very familiar. Jiang Yao couldn’t help but pause.

Before she could place it, Murong Ci had already spoken. “Jiang Yao, you and I can be considered life-and-death friends.”

She was referring to the time Jiang Yao had saved her life during the autumn hunt.

Jiang Yao remained silent, but her body couldn’t help but tense up slightly. She then heard Murong Ci continue, “Today, I knew you were coming, but I told them not to stop you. It was so I could be frank with you.”

“You’re finally willing to admit your wolf cub’s wild heart?”⁷

Jiang Yao thought, This damned brat⁸ has deceived me so badly! And to think I spoke up for her in front of Father several times and didn’t believe what he said. Heavens above, from now on, I’ll strike wherever Dad points. I’ll never dare to have my own ideas again.

She never would have thought there were so many women in the capital who were into rubbing mirrors.⁹ It was one thing for her to be one, but to just randomly run into another one!

Jiang Yao was furious. Then she heard Murong Ci say, “I’m sorry. It’s truly a matter of the heart, a feeling I cannot control.”

These literary types were always spouting some scholarly phrases. Jiang Yao frowned and couldn’t resist asking, “But you are also a woman. Does Ru’er know about this?”

She suspected Ru’er didn’t know and had just been tricked by Murong Ci. The little girl was young and innocent, inexperienced with such twists and turns, making her the easiest to deceive.

However, Murong Ci said, “Ru’er has known for a long time. In the cave during the autumn hunt, my chest binding accidentally fell off, and she saw it. Ru’er is kind and pure. After she found out, she did her utmost to cover for me, afraid that I would lose my life if the matter was exposed.”

She lowered her head, her eyes full of tenderness as she recalled Jiang Ru’s many acts of concern.

Jiang Yao’s pupils quaked.¹⁰ “Ru’er knew? Then Ru’er also… also…” Doesn’t mind?

She couldn’t finish the sentence. Could it be that the Jiang family specialized in producing mirror-grinders?

If her father and mother found out, they would probably blame her for being a bad influence on her little sister. Why was her life so hard? QAQ¹¹

“Yes. Ru’er has already agreed to marry me.”

The stinging pain in a sensitive spot below made her a little uncomfortable, but with Jiang Yao here, she could only endure it. Her brow furrowed slightly, and then she looked at Jiang Yao with eyes full of anticipation, as if hoping she would agree as well.

Jiang Yao wasn’t rushed. She tapped her fingers on the armrest of the sandalwood chair and asked, “What about heirs,¹² then? You marry Ru’er, but what about heirs?”

This was her biggest worry. Two women, how could they have a child?

But Murong Ci seemed to have prepared for this. She mentioned lightly, “As long as one is skilled in both civil and military arts and possesses the might of an emperor, one can simply adopt¹³ a child from someone else. They won’t disagree.”

Naturally. This was about becoming the emperor, after all.

Jiang Yao understood.

Outside, Jiang Ru waited anxiously, terrified that her jiejie’s nose, which was sharper than a dog’s, would sniff something out. After a long wait, Jiang Yao finally emerged, her expression not looking too good, which immediately frightened her little sister.

Until she beckoned, “Ru’er, let’s go. Time to go home.”

“Oh. Jiejie, then… Eighth Prince, I’ll be heading back first. Please rest well. I’ll come see you again tomorrow.” From the looks of it, jiejie didn’t figure it out. Thank goodness.

Murong Ci stood in the doorway, her features gentle, and nodded at Jiang Ru.

“If it’s really uncomfortable, remember to apply medicine. Don’t just endure it.”

Murong Ci was injured?

Jiang Yao, completely bewildered, looked Murong Ci up and down but couldn’t see any injuries at all.

Puzzled, but she didn’t ask. Back at the Jiang Residence, she didn’t let Jiang Ru return to her own courtyard but brought her to Hengwu Courtyard instead.

Jiang Ru knew she was probably in for some questioning and followed guiltily.

Under the large camphor tree in Hengwu Courtyard was a lounge chair, upon which a woman in a light-colored gauze dress lay languidly. Seeing her there, Jiang Yao’s spirits finally lifted, and the cold expression she had maintained all the way back gradually softened. “Yun’er, you’re awake?”

The person on the lounge chair heard her voice and turned her head, but only gave Jiang Yao a cool glance before turning away again, closing her eyes to feel the gentle breeze.

Without needing to think, Jiang Yao knew. Yun’er was angry.

She turned her head to Jiang Ru. “You go inside first. I’ll go coax your saozi. I’ll be there in a bit.”

“Oh, okay.”

Jiang Ru was exceptionally well-behaved in front of her jiejie and went straight inside.

Once she was gone, Jiang Yao strode over to the camphor tree. Standing tall, she gazed down at the sleeping beauty with lightly trembling eyelashes, then suddenly reached out and hooked an arm around her slender waist. With a soft cry from the other girl, she lifted her up like a child.

Forced to wrap her arms around her shoulders, the girl opened her eyes and shot her a glare. “What are you doing? Weren’t you in such a hurry to go out without me? And now you’re acting like this, as if you like me so much. I don’t believe you.”

Muyun muttered under her breath, deliberately avoiding her eyes, clearly still sulking.

Jiang Yao felt no shame. With one hand supporting the woman’s soft little bottom, she gave it a bold squeeze. Only when she began to struggle did she consent to hold her properly. For this, she was naturally bitten on the shoulder through her clothes, which didn’t hurt at all.

Although Song Muyun couldn’t bear to use force, her voice was filled with indignation. “If you keep this up, I’m not sleeping with you tonight! You can go sleep on the soft couch all by yourself!”

Her Yun’er was beautiful even when angry, her cheeks flushed, charming and lovely.

Jiang Yao chuckled and begged for mercy. “Good Yun’er, I was wrong. Please don’t make me sleep on the soft couch alone. How could I go on without you?”

With that, she planted a heavy kiss on Song Muyun’s face, leaving a conspicuous red mark.

Song Muyun covered the red mark with one hand and protested, “How you go on is your business. I’m not going to bother with you.”

“If not me, who will you bother with? My good Yun’er, I saw you were sleeping so soundly, so I didn’t wake you. It was just some boring court affairs. I was afraid you’d fall asleep listening. Don’t be angry, okay?”

“Hmph, you always say you see me sleeping soundly and don’t wake me. You just want to go see the Eighth Prince by yourself!”

Song Muyun knew that wasn’t really the case. She was just a little jealous and needed Jiang Yao to coax her to feel better.

Jiang Yao was helpless. Letting Muyun sit on her arm, she stroked the pale, tender nape of her neck, coaxing, “Of course not. I just felt bad that you didn’t sleep well last night and wanted you to sleep a little longer. We’re together every day, don’t you trust me?”

“Then why do you never take me when you go to the Eighth Prince’s place!”

“It’s not every time.”

Jiang Yao retorted, burying her face in Muyun’s neck.

Listening to her little ancestor whimper and mutter¹⁴ her dissatisfaction, she would kiss her for every sentence she spoke, her eyes seeming to plead with her not to be angry anymore.

Song Muyun only managed a few more words of complaint before the rest got stuck in her throat. Finally, she hugged Jiang Yao obediently and said reluctantly, “Fine, I’ll let it go this time. But next time, if it’s not urgent, you have to wait for me.”

“Mhm, I’ll definitely wait for you. Good girl.”

The author has something to say:

Maybe my period is coming, I’m in a super irritable mood today and didn’t write much. I’ll make up the remaining two thousand words when I get up tomorrow!

Once the matters in the capital are settled, it’s off to war~ After the war, the main story will be finished, and then I’ll write two or three sweet extras~ They’ll all be about Yaoyao and Yun’er, super sweet.

Footnotes

Literally ‘to pull one’s ear and command to one’s face’ (耳提面命, ěr tí miàn mìng). An idiom meaning to repeatedly and earnestly instruct someone.
An idiom (良辰吉日, liáng chén jí rì) for a lucky day chosen for important events.
Literally ‘to hide a beauty in a golden house’ (金屋藏娇, jīn wū cáng jiāo). An allusion to Emperor Wu of Han, who promised to build a golden house for his future empress. It now often refers to keeping a mistress.
Literally ‘one set to the face, another behind the back’ (当面一套背后一套, dāng miàn yī tào bèi hòu yī tào). An idiom for being duplicitous.
An idiom (命不久矣, mìng bù jiǔ yǐ) meaning one’s life is short or one is about to die.
An idiom (削铁如泥, xuē tiě rú ní) describing an exceptionally sharp blade.
Literally ‘wolf cub’s wild heart’ (狼子野心, láng zǐ yě xīn). An idiom describing someone with cruel and savage ambition.
A northern Chinese insult (瘪犊子, biě dú zi), literally meaning ‘shriveled calf’.
Literally ‘rubbing mirrors’ (磨镜, mó jìng). A classical euphemism for sexual relations between women.
Literally ‘pupil earthquake’ (瞳孔地震, tóng kǒng dì zhèn). A modern online slang term used to express extreme shock or disbelief.
An emoticon representing a crying face.
A formal term (子嗣, zǐ sì) for offspring, a crucial concern for lineage in this setting.
The practice (过继, guò jì) of adopting a child, typically a nephew, from a relative to continue one’s family line.
An onomatopoeia (哼哼唧唧, hēng hēng jī jī) for whimpering, grumbling, or muttering, often in a complaining or endearing way.

Footnotes

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