Forbidden to Bully the Storybook’s Heroine – Chapter 21

Auction

After finishing the meal, Jiang Yao immediately went to ask the madam¹ for a new room. She personally went to inspect it, and only after finding it acceptable did she have Song Muyun move in.

The two had only known each other for a few days, but in their interactions, they were already like bosom friends of many years. Jiang Yao acted as if she were wandering around her own room, and after looking around, she sprawled out unceremoniously on the soft couch.

That group of little didis² had already been sent away by her; right now, it was just her and Song Muyun.

Song Muyun lightly patted her arm. “Do you want to get up and have some tea?”

In her other hand, she was holding a celadon³ teacup.

Jiang Yao sat up, took the tea and drank it all in one gulp, then smoothly pulled Song Muyun to sit down with her.

“Does the wound still hurt?”

Song Muyun sat by her side, her expression still clearly a bit reserved. She wasn’t used to being so close to people, but since the other person was Jiang Yao, she didn’t feel any aversion in her heart.

“It doesn’t hurt anymore. Your medicine is very good, thank you.”

“Tsk, what is there to thank me for? As long as it doesn’t hurt, it’s fine. Here, take this.”

Jiang Yao took out the white jade medicine bottle she had used on her during the day from her bosom; inside was top-grade wound medicine.

Song Muyun immediately tried to refuse. “I, I can’t always be taking your things…”

The side of her face was faintly flushed. She felt that she had accepted too much kindness from Jiang Yao and already owed her far, far too much.

Exasperated, Jiang Yao reached out and poked the beauty’s smooth, jade-like forehead. “Look at those women in your establishment who are doted on by their patrons⁴. Do you see them refusing their patrons’ gifts? Since I’ve chosen you, in the eyes of others, I am your patron. Giving you things is my way of treating you well. Which woman in your establishment doesn’t have a few things gifted by her patrons? You just take it. Refusing it is what will make me unhappy.”

Song Muyun was often injured, and there were always times she couldn’t tend to them properly. Her own wound medicine was no good; after a night, the wound would often split open again. Such a beautiful person naturally had to use the best wound medicine. If the wound wasn’t treated properly and left a scar, she would be very heartbroken.

Seeing Jiang Yao speak like this and press her lips together in apparent displeasure, Song Muyun finally reached out and took the bottle of medicine. Her voice became even more gentle and soft, “Thank you. You’ve helped me so much. Sometimes, I truly don’t know how to repay you.”

She hadn’t been familiar with Jiang Yao before, having only met her a few times. She never imagined that when she had fallen into the dust and mud⁵, the one to help her would actually be her.

She was willing to make an enemy of the Seventh Prince just to help and protect her.

Song Muyun’s heart felt warm and fuzzy.

Why would Jiang Yao need her to repay anything? She just needed Murong Qing not to become emperor and for the Jiang family to survive. As for Song Muyun, she was just too endearing, making one feel that she shouldn’t have to walk that road of no return already written for her in the storybooks⁶.

“There’s no need to repay me. As long as you live well and stay far away from Murong Qing, that will be the best repayment for me.”

She was doing all this, wasn’t it just to break the two of them up?

If the two of them still ended up together, it would piss her off to death.

When Song Muyun heard the three words “Murong Qing,” her expression turned imperceptibly cold. But she quickly remembered who was in front of her, and her expression softened with a bit more gentleness. “Mm, I won’t.”

In her heart, she detested Murong Qing to the point that she was unwilling to even spare him another glance. She would definitely comply with Jiang Yao’s wishes.

Good that she won’t.

Jiang Yao felt relieved. She raised her hand to hold Song Muyun’s arm and asked if she wanted to take a short nap.

Song Muyun didn’t have the habit of taking afternoon naps, but looking into Jiang Yao’s eyes, she inexplicably agreed. Her jade-like fingers unconsciously gripped a corner of Jiang Yao’s clothes. “Do you want to sleep for a while together?”

After speaking, she lowered her head, her cheeks blushing crimson. She was thinking of the toasty warm feeling from that morning and was a little reluctant to let it go.

Jiang Yao, however, didn’t notice this detail. She just lifted her chin self-righteously. “I got up so early to come over, I’ve been sleepy for a while now. Of course I’m going to sleep!”

“Okay, then let’s sleep together.”

Song Muyun’s voice was incredibly soft. Jiang Yao narrowed her eyes, realizing she really liked listening to Song Muyun speak.

Her voice was very pleasant.

The two removed their outer garments and lay on the bed. As naturally as she had that morning, Jiang Yao reached out to wrap an arm around Song Muyun’s waist, holding her in a half-embrace. Then, she buried her head in her chest and fell asleep in no time.

The position was a bit strange. Blushing, Song Muyun didn’t dare to move. After a long while, she also placed her hand on Jiang Yao’s waist. The two snuggled against each other and fell into a deep sleep.

By the time they got up again, the sky was already nearing dusk.

Jiang Yao had been sleeping this entire day and reckoned she wouldn’t be able to sleep at night. But she couldn’t be blamed for being a sleepyhead; it was just that sleeping with Song Muyun felt too comfortable, bringing an inexplicable peace to her heart.

The two on the bed both looked a bit dazed. They went out and washed their faces with cold water, only then feeling somewhat more awake.

Jiang Yao stood at the courtyard entrance and called out to Song Muyun, “It’s getting late, I’m heading back now.”

Hearing this, a sudden reluctance rose in Song Muyun’s heart. But she also knew that Jiang Yao had to go back eventually, and besides, she would come again tomorrow.

As long as she’ll come again, it’s fine.

She walked over to Jiang Yao’s side and said softly, “I’ll see you out.”

Jiang Yao nodded, and the two of them walked together to the entrance of Yueshang House, in front of many people.

Jiang Yao had always done things as she pleased and never cared about the opinions of others. Since her father hadn’t stopped her from seeing Song Muyun, it meant that it was okay for them to meet.

Since that was the case, why should she worry about anything else?

The Prime Minister’s Residence indeed held a great deal of say in the imperial court. As long as she didn’t fall into the big pit that was Murong Qing, the stability of her generation, at the very least, could be guaranteed.

The madam was at the entrance receiving new guests. Seeing that Jiang Yao was about to leave, she suddenly came forward with a smile, as if remembering something. “Miss Jiang, leaving already?”

Her smile was fawning and coquettish, which was quite unsettling. Jiang Yao couldn’t help but shudder as chicken skin bumps⁷ broke out on her skin.

For the sake of Song Muyun, who was still making a living under her, her attitude wasn’t bad. She just said lazily, “Mm, heading back. I’ll be back tomorrow.”

These words were a hint to the madam: this young lady will be back tomorrow, so don’t you dare neglect Song Muyun.

The madam had nothing better to do, so she naturally wouldn’t make things difficult for Song Muyun. After all, of all the people Song Muyun had currently provoked, there wasn’t a single one she dared to offend.

“Ah, take care, Miss Jiang. In another seven days, it will be Muyun’s day to sell her skills⁸. You simply must come and see!”

The madam, her face full of smiles, stated her purpose.

She thought Jiang Yao would probably come. Since Song Muyun had entered Yueshang House, she had to follow its rules. A woman who first enters Yueshang House must be sent to the stage to be auctioned on a designated day. It was called “selling her skills,” but in reality, if one wanted to do something more, no one would stop them as long as enough silver was paid. The highest bidder wins, after all. The silver obtained would naturally go to the madam and the boss behind the scenes. By saying this, she was hoping Jiang Yao would also get involved.

Miss Jiang was open-handed with her money; it was as if she could already see the glistening white silver.

Jiang Yao was stunned, while Song Muyun’s face turned deathly pale. Neither of them had remembered this matter, yet now, they were both reminded of it at the same time.

Song Muyun subconsciously looked toward Jiang Yao. At some unknown point, she had come to see Jiang Yao as the only person in this world who would protect her, her expression filled with terror and fear.

Jiang Yao slowly furrowed her brows and said to the madam in a flat voice, “Got it.”

Turning to face Song Muyun, her expression softened again. She took Song Muyun’s slightly cool hand and walked to the doorway. Outside, a vast red sunset painted the sky as night was about to fall. But inside Yueshang House, the lights were as bright as day, filled with music and song night after night.

Looking at Song Muyun’s panicked and helpless appearance, she immediately stroked her soft, black hair to soothe her. “I will come. I won’t let anyone else win the bid for you. Trust me, I will definitely come.”

In the dream, the one who won the bid for Song Muyun was naturally Murong Qing. But Murong Qing was just an unremarkable prince with a meager stipend and a maternal family that was noble but penniless. Others would back down only because of his status, to give him some face⁹. Furthermore, they were afraid that taking Song Muyun would incur the Emperor’s displeasure. She, however, was different. She wasn’t afraid. Therefore, Murong Qing couldn’t compete with her.

Hearing her confident words, Song Muyun felt inexplicably at ease. Her long eyelashes trembled slightly. Then, she nodded and squeezed Jiang Yao’s hand. “I trust you.”

“Then I’ll be leaving now. You rest up and heal well. Murong Qing won’t show up in the next few days. If he does, just send anyone to find me. You are not allowed to keep it from me and bear it all by yourself secretly, understand?”

Only after Song Muyun, her cheeks slightly flushed, nodded in agreement again did she turn and leave.

Today was the day the Jiang Residence’s household ate together.

As soon as Jiang Yao returned to the residence, she went around to the front hall. Jiang Heng was already sitting there stroking his beard and drinking tea. Even Jiang Huai was sitting there obediently, not daring to go out and fool around.

When she came over, Jiang Huai suddenly straightened his back upon seeing her, but his eyes kept darting around. One look was all it took to see he had an extremely guilty conscience.

Jiang Yao casually sat down, slowly raising her hand to drink her tea. She heard Jiang Huai’s voice in her ear, forcibly starting a topic. “Uh, Jie¹⁰, you’re back.”

Jiang Yao shot him a glance. Terrified that she would speak, he hurriedly added, “Hey, did you know a major event happened in the capital today!”

“I don’t. Tell me about it,” she said nonchalantly. Jiang Huai always exaggerated things; his so-called “major event” wasn’t necessarily a major event.

Jiang Huai’s tone was filled with disbelief. “Jie, did you know? Someone beat up His Highness the Seventh Prince! I heard that when he was found, His Highness the Seventh Prince was black and blue¹¹, people almost didn’t recognize him!”

Jiang Yao’s motion of drinking tea paused. A “?” slowly formed on her forehead.

She remembered she didn’t hit his face. Fuck, who picked up the leaks?¹²

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The author has something to say:

Yaoyao: Dammit, which turtle calf¹³ beat up Murong Qing again while I was gone?

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