Forbidden to Bully the Storybook’s Heroine – Chapter 2

Song Muyun

Jiang Yao didn’t know if the events in her dream were real or fake, but she did know that Song Muyun was indeed at Yefang¹ right now.

Though she was the daughter of a disgraced official, it was possible to buy her freedom if one had connections and was willing to spend the money. It was just that since her father had offended the Emperor, no one dared to do it for her. Murong Qing had to operate in secret, terrified the Emperor would find out.

Jiang Yao made up her mind. If the dream was real, Murong Qing would definitely go to Yefang to find Song Muyun. She sent someone to stake out the place, with instructions to come back and tell her the moment they saw him go.

Sure enough, for five days straight, Murong Qing went to Yefang.

Some of the bolder ones went inside to ask the madam², learning that Murong Qing had indeed requested the same woman for several days in a row—none other than Song Muyun, whose family had fallen from grace.

No one in the world knew that Murong Qing had once been fond of Song Muyun, and she hadn’t known either. But now he had gone to Yefang to find Song Muyun for five days in a row. She already believed half of what was in her dream; the other half she would have to verify herself.

She had to see if Murong Qing was just like in the storybook³—one way on the surface and another behind the scenes.

On the surface, he was gentle and refined with everyone, but behind their backs, he had a penchant for getting physical.

In that dream where she was an observer, Murong Qing had never treated Song Muyun well. In the beginning, he was constantly hurting her and verbally abusing her—it was almost enough to startle her awake!

Things only got better after the two of them came to a mutual understanding of their feelings.

The description in the storybook was really something. Murong Qing, jealous because Song Muyun spoke a little too much with Jiang Huai, whipped her, and yet it was written as the blows land on your body, but the pain is in my heart?

You’re in pain, yet you still hit her? You’re the one doing the hitting, so what the hell kind of pain are you in!

Jiang Yao was indignant. While she felt the Seventh Prince wasn’t human, she also felt Song Muyun had eyes but no pupils⁴. The guy bullies you like that, and you still like him? Seriously? Isn’t that just asking to be abused?

It’s infuriating! I feel like the whole country would be done for if it were left in your hands.

The next day, the scenery was beautiful. Jiang Yao went to stake out Yue Shang House⁵ herself. After waiting in a corner for a long time, she finally saw the Seventh Prince, dressed in plain clothes, get out of his carriage and walk inside.

“Tsk. He really can’t bear to miss a single day, can he.”

Jiang Yao followed him inside and wasn’t stopped. The social customs of the current dynasty were open, and it wasn’t unheard of for women to come seeking the company of other women for entertainment, as long as they had the money.

In a corner were Murong Qing and the madam, who was dressed in lavish, expensive clothes.

She drew closer and heard Murong Qing’s arrogant voice. “Mm, I want her again. Send her to my private room. And remember to tell her to be obedient. Don’t let anyone else near the room.”

Jiang Yao laughed out loud. Without bothering to hide, she spoke up directly, her voice laced with a playful tone, “Well now, the Seventh Prince frequents pleasure houses too?”

Hearing someone call out to him, Murong Qing was so scared his soul almost flew away and his spirit scattered⁶. He whipped his head around in shock. “Jiang Yao? What are you doing here?!”

Perhaps he was too shocked; he didn’t even have time to put on his usual refined and gentle facade, his eyes wide as he stared at her.

Jiang Yao was dressed in a fiery red, close-fitting outfit. With her hands on her hips, she adopted her old, imperious manner. “Seventh Prince, long time no see. Cuizhu just told me she saw you, and I thought she was lying to me. The dignified Seventh Prince, how could he be visiting a pleasure house just like us? I never expected… tsk, tsk, tsk.”

Murong Qing’s face darkened. He wished he could go up and cover Jiang Yao’s mouth. Talk if you must, but why do you have to be so loud? Do you want everyone to know who I am?!

Jiang Yao stepped closer, the corners of her lips curling up slightly. “I heard the Seventh Prince just requested a girl? Does she sing and drink? Let This Young Lady⁷ tag along and broaden her horizons, why don’t you.”

Her pressing task was to determine if the dream was real so she could plan her next move.

The Seventh Prince gritted his teeth in anger. “If you want to broaden your horizons, can’t you just order one yourself? Is the Prime Minister’s Residence that short on money?”

Jiang Yao shook her head, playing the freeloader with a completely sincere expression. “We are. We don’t even have the money for a girl. I beg the Seventh Prince to let this humble girl freeload just a bit. If there’s a chance in the future, this humble girl will surely repay you.”

Of course, these were just empty pleasantries. If she confirmed the dream was what would really happen in the future, she’d be in a hurry to get Murong Qing killed. Repay him? In his dreams.

Murong Qing’s face alternated between green and white. If he hadn’t snuck out without his attendants, he would have loved to have Jiang Yao thrown out!

“If you have no money, then go home first. What’s this about sharing one with me?”

It was probably because this involved Song Muyun that Murong Qing’s expression wasn’t great, but he managed to say gently…

The more he acted like this, the less likely Jiang Yao was to leave. She pestered him relentlessly, insisting on going with him.

“Your Highness the Seventh Prince, don’t tell me you have… business to attend to with that woman, and that’s why you won’t let me follow? The sky hasn’t even gone dark yet. What’s the rush.”

It was currently daytime. When one requested a girl during the day, it was mostly to listen to the zither and flirt; rarely was it for business.

Although the current dynasty’s customs were open, they weren’t so open that one could speak of matters of the bed curtains⁸ so casually. If he didn’t still need to make use of the Jiang family later, the Seventh Prince would have wanted to curse her as shameless and uncultured.

But in the end, he compromised. To get inside with him, Jiang Yao had even brought up Jiang Huai, asking Murong Qing if he didn’t consider Jiang Huai a good brother, that he wouldn’t even look after Jiang Huai’s own sister a little.

Murong Qing was helpless. He needed Jiang Huai, and he needed the Jiang family. Even if the sight of them annoyed him, he couldn’t completely refuse to give them face. In the end, he could only say with a cold face, “Since Miss Jiang is so keen on joining This Imperial Son⁹, then let us go together.”

Hearing him agree, Jiang Yao raised an eyebrow, saying with some excitement to the madam beside them, “Prepare some wine and dishes and send them over. This Young Lady wants to eat. As for the girl, we’ll have the one he ordered. Send her over quickly, ‘kay?”

“Aiya, I’ll get right on it.”

The madam went off, fanning herself with a cheerful smile.

The Seventh Prince had his own private room in a secluded spot that could only be reached by crossing a courtyard.

The moment she walked in, Jiang Yao jumped. Damn, there’s a whip hanging behind the door. Is the Seventh Prince really that sick?

Another detail from the dream was confirmed.

I saw this room in the dream. Murong Qing insulted her, bullied her, and beat her, and despite all that, she could still fall in love with him? Is she insane? Can’t she be a little more normal! Who the hell wrote this stupid storybook? They didn’t use their brain at all! Who would fall in love with someone who insults and beats them all day long!

The more Jiang Yao thought about it, the angrier she got. But her face naturally had an angry look to it, and since she always looked like that, Murong Qing didn’t notice anything different. He just thought about how he’d finally managed to shake off his First and Second Brothers to come here today, only to run into this unreasonable Jiang Yao.

Ever since his last visit to the Jiang residence, Jiang Yao seemed different.

The old Jiang Yao, though she had the temper of a young mistress, was at least respectful and friendly toward him. But now… she was pressing him with shouts¹⁰.

The Seventh Prince had no idea what had happened.

Could it be that some of his brothers said something about him in front of Jiang Yao?

It was certainly possible.

His Imperial Father was getting old, and every one of his brothers was wriggling and ready to make a move¹¹, visiting the Prime Minister day after day to curry favor, hoping to win his support.

He was no exception.

But his good relationship with Jiang Huai might have made others wary, so did they deliberately speak ill of him in front of Jiang Yao?

The Seventh Prince fell silent.

Since he wasn’t talking, Jiang Yao couldn’t be bothered with him either. She turned her head to look at the room’s decor. As expected of a private room prepared especially for the Seventh Prince, it was elegant on the surface, but in reality, every decorative piece was extremely valuable. Tsk, tsk. She wondered if Murong Qing would have to pay for the one or two he smashed in a fit of passion.

A soft creak sounded as the door was pushed open.

Jiang Yao looked toward the sound. It was a woman who had “beautiful” written all over her.

Skin as white as snow, lips as red as cherries, a slender and willowy figure. Her delicate features, paired with indifferent eyes, gave her a fatal, cold sort of allure.

It was someone she had seen a few times but never spoken with… Song Muyun.

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The author has something to say:

The first few chapters are from my stockpile~ We’ve met the wife

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