Forbidden to Bully the Storybook’s Heroine – Chapter 35

No Hitting

Murong Ci practiced seriously in the courtyard all afternoon until his back ached and his hands were sore. He trained until the sky gradually darkened and even the sharpest eyes could no longer make out the falling leaves. He finally put down his bow and arrow and went to sit under a tree to rest for a while.

Exhausted, he tilted his head back to look at the arrow holes peppering the tree. After a good while, seeing that the person in the room had no intention of coming out, he had no choice but to push himself up. He walked to the window, opening his mouth to call out, but the sight of Jiang Yao hugging Song Muyun froze his mouth right where it was.

The longer he looked, the stranger it seemed. For a fleeting moment, he thought he was looking at a married couple.

This time, Jiang Yao heard the approaching footsteps. She glanced back, saw Murong Ci standing there, and asked casually, “Is there something else the Eighth Prince doesn’t understand?”

Murong Ci’s mouth moved. He spoke again, asking her, “It’s getting late. Aren’t you going back?”

He wanted to go back with Jiang Yao.

Hearing the words “go back,” Song Muyun couldn’t help but clutch Jiang Yao’s clothes tighter. Her thin lips were pressed together lightly as she looked up at her with moist, dark eyes.

She said nothing, but it was already enough to make Jiang Yao reluctant to leave.

Jiang Yao cleared her throat, turning around with the girl still in her arms to speak to Murong Ci. “Your Highness, I… I won’t be going back today. Could I trouble you to go to my courtyard and let my maids know?”

Murong Ci was left speechless.

In disbelief, he stammered, “You—you’re going to stay the night at Yueshang House?”

He had never done anything so improper. A young woman staying overnight in a music house¹—if word got out, wasn’t she afraid of ruining her reputation?

Jiang Yao hadn’t considered that, and even if she had, she wouldn’t have cared. It wasn’t as if she had a good reputation to begin with. Everyone said she was a ferocious fiend and by no means a good match.

“Yes. I’ll have to trouble Your Highness.”

The Eighth Prince fell silent again. After standing outside the window for a while, he asked, “If the Prime Minister were to find out, would he agree?”

“Hmm…” Jiang Yao stroked her chin thoughtfully. “He’d probably agree. What’s the difference between me sleeping out and sleeping at home? If he’s unhappy, he can come find me. I’ll have a chat with the little old man.”

Murong Ci thought, The Prime Minister is in the prime of his life. He really doesn’t deserve to be called a ‘little old man’ by you.

Song Muyun also covered Jiang Yao’s mouth, frowning slightly. “That’s your father. Don’t speak such nonsense. If the Prime Minister doesn’t agree to you staying here, you should just go back. I’ll be fine by myself. Don’t fight with your father over this.”

Song Muyun had the most obedient and filial personality; Jiang Yao knew that.

Murong Ci looked at Jiang Yao. He thought she would take the easy way out that was being offered and go home. After all, a young woman staying overnight at a music house was truly unseemly.

But Jiang Yao really did intend to stay. And though Song Muyun was telling her to go back, her fingers were secretly tightening their grip on her sleeve, clearly out of nervousness and reluctance.

“How could you be fine on your own? Don’t you have nightmares? If I go back now, I’ll just worry about you from the Jiang Manor. I might as well stay. Dad doesn’t even object to me coming to see you, so I’m sure he won’t object to me staying here for one night.”

As she spoke, she tightened her grip on Song Muyun’s slender, soft waist.

Her waist was so thin, much thinner than other people’s. Doesn’t the Song family feed her? How could she be this skinny?

Her heart aching for the girl, Jiang Yao stroked her waist a couple more times.

“I’ll have to trouble Your Highness,” she said again.

Seeing her mind was made up, Murong Ci could only nod in agreement. Then he looked at the high wall, a bit embarrassed, and said, “Then… can you help me get over the wall?”

Jiang Yao was speechless.

“You’re a dignified prince. Can’t you just use the main gate?” Jiang Yao was exasperated.

Murong Ci replied, “If I were leaving with you, I would naturally use the main gate. But if it’s just me, it would be too conspicuous. It’s better to go over the wall.”

He was so cautious and discreet. It made Jiang Yao wonder how, in the novel, Murong Qing could possibly have become emperor.

Murong Qing dared to openly visit the music house and even competed with her in spending silver to win a woman. How could someone who cared so little for his reputation be the final winner in the novel?

Fucking hell, on what grounds does he deserve it!

The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. Thinking more just made her even angrier!

Jiang Yao sized Murong Ci up from head to toe, making his body gradually stiffen under her gaze. Only then did she stand up. “Alright, I’ll take you out.”

No matter how she looked at it, Murong Ci would be a much better emperor than Murong Qing.

That mutt Murong Qing, is he even worthy?

“Thank you.”

Murong Ci and Jiang Yao walked to the base of the wall. Just as he was about to ask if they could borrow a chair, Jiang Yao suddenly grabbed his shoulders. A feeling of weightlessness came over him, and the next second, they were standing on top of the wall.

Murong Ci pressed his lips together, not saying a word, but his face had already turned pale.

From below, Song Muyun called out nervously, “Be careful! Don’t fall.”

Jiang Yao looked down and told her not to worry. Then, with another leap, she carried Murong Ci to the other side.

That brilliant display of Qinggong² quite dazzled Murong Ci. He grabbed Jiang Yao, insisting that she teach him.

Jiang Yao was in a hurry to get back to her beauty. At his words, she waved her hand. “If Your Highness can make a grand showing at the autumn hunt³, then we can talk.”

She thought for a moment. It would be better for Murong Ci to take the throne than Murong Qing. If Murong Ci stole the show at the autumn hunt, the only one who would lose face would be Murong Qing.

Just thinking about it made her want to laugh.

Jiang Yao leaped nimbly back inside the wall. Song Muyun was still standing there, staring at the wall with a worried expression. She only breathed a sigh of relief when Jiang Yao appeared and hurried over to take her hand. “Did you scrape yourself anywhere?”

The young woman was as gentle as water, her eyes filled with concern.

Jiang Yao coughed twice, spun around in front of Song Muyun, and said with her head high and chest out, “My martial arts are so good, how could I possibly get hurt?”

Seeing her in high spirits, talking and laughing as if nothing was wrong, Song Muyun relaxed. She then took her hand and said, “You must be careful even if your skills are great. No matter how powerful you are, you’re still flesh and blood. You’ll still feel pain if you get hit.”

The pampered young lady was also very good at taking care of people, full of good advice. Jiang Yao listened with narrowed eyes, feeling none of the impatience she felt when her parents lectured her.

“Aiya, I know, I know. I’ll be careful.”

Her voice held a hint of laughter and a touch of coquettishness. Holding Song Muyun’s hand, she led her back into the room. As they passed the small chairs where they had been enjoying the scenery, she also scooped up the fruit platter that was sitting there and brought it inside.

There were still several oranges on it.

Jiang Yao sat on the soft couch with her legs crossed, peeling oranges. Once peeled, she stuffed them all into Song Muyun’s mouth.

Song Muyun seemed to be embroidering something. Jiang Yao leaned over to look, but she couldn’t make out what it was.

Embroidery was something that had never agreed with her, even as a child. She wouldn’t be able to learn it even if she had another lifetime.

One person’s hands peeled the oranges at lightning speed, while the other’s mouth was full of them. She had just managed to swallow when another perfectly clean segment, with all the pith removed, was presented to her. She finally couldn’t help but lift a pair of watery eyes to glare at Jiang Yao. “You—can’t you eat them yourself? Why do you have to keep feeding me?”

You’re peeling so fast, I can’t even keep up!

Jiang Yao was beaming. Even being snapped at didn’t make her angry. She still held the orange segment to Song Muyun’s lips, watching her huffily snatch it with her mouth, a strange sense of satisfaction filling her heart.

The Muyun of today was so much more alive than the one she had first met or the one in her dreams. She would glare at her, get sulky with her, laugh with great joy, and snuggle into her arms for warmth.

It was wonderful.

Jiang Yao almost forgot that Song Muyun was still upset. She raised her hand to pat her again, but the other girl huffily turned her head to dodge it. Only then did Jiang Yao remember she had to coax her; the little fairy had quite a temper.

Jiang Yao chuckled. If she couldn’t pat her head, patting her hand would be good too. Without a second thought, her fingers darted out like lightning to stroke the back of the other’s smooth hand, but Song Muyun deliberately pulled her hand back, refusing to let her touch it.

Jiang Yao had no choice but to explain, her tone carrying a hint of indignant pride. “I saw you were busy and didn’t have time to eat, so I peeled them for you because my heart ached for you. Who else would be so considerate?”

“Just eat them yourself. I don’t need you to look after me. You peel too fast. How am I supposed to keep up?”

Song Muyun grumbled a bit, but her voice was soft. After speaking, she looked down at her delicate embroidery and added another stitch.

Jiang Yao moved right over, wrapped her arms around Song Muyun’s waist, and pressed her cheek against hers. “Well, I wanted to feed you. Who told you to keep embroidering and ignore me?”

Song Muyun struggled slightly but couldn’t break free. Her ears turned red at the intimate gesture. “Who’s ignoring you? If you speak to me, how could I ignore you?”

“You are too ignoring me. You’re so focused on your embroidery, more focused than when you talk to me.”

Jiang Yao felt a strange pang of jealousy, actually envious of a piece of embroidery. In a fit of pique, she snatched the embroidery from Song Muyun’s hands and tossed it aside.

“Ah…”

The other girl hadn’t expected this and subconsciously reached out to catch it. Seeing it had only been tossed onto the couch, and that the person hugging her was still very dissatisfied, she felt a bit helpless and let herself be held tightly. “Why are you like a child, always wanting to cuddle?”

“Tsk, who are you calling a child?” Jiang Yao released her, feeling quite displeased. I’m clearly a bit older than Song Muyun! She just liked Song Muyun’s soft body. A body so soft, one you could hold in your arms all the time and even sleep with—who wouldn’t like that!

Seeing her let go and walk to the bedside to start undressing, Song Muyun followed her and asked, “Are you sleepy?”

Jiang Yao lazily took off an outer garment and replied, “Yeah. You won’t let me hug you, so I might as well wash up and go to sleep.”

She was then lightly thumped on the back. “Are you angry? I didn’t say you couldn’t hug me. I’m just not used to it.”

When had she ever been this intimate with anyone? Not even with her own father and mother. That’s why she was a little unused to it. Who knew Jiang Yao would have such a temper, getting angry after just a few words?

She thought Jiang Yao was angry. While silently grumbling about her temper, she couldn’t help but feel anxious. Her dark, moist eyes looked at her, gradually filling with a sense of grievance.

How could Jiang Yao dare to be angry with her? Jiang Yao would only ever coax her. Turning her head and seeing Song Muyun’s expression, she quickly dropped her flippant, casual posture and stood up straight to explain, “I’m not angry. I just want to wash up and go to bed early. If you don’t want a hug, then we won’t hug. I’m not that petty. Really, I’m not angry.”

She gently rubbed the slightly reddened corners of Song Muyun’s eyes.

Seeing that she truly didn’t look angry, Song Muyun lowered her head and her gaze, murmuring an assent. Her long, jade-like fingers, however, unconsciously crept up to Jiang Yao’s sleeve, clutching the cuff that she had already wrinkled from grabbing it all day.

“I’ll go order someone to bring in hot water?” Jiang Yao asked Song Muyun.

Song Muyun nodded lightly.

However, she had only taken two steps when she was held back by the pull on her cuff. She looked up in surprise. Song Muyun quickly let go, her cheeks growing hot. Too embarrassed to look up at her, she could only look elsewhere and pretend to be casual. “Go on. I’ll wait for you here.”

Jiang Yao raised an eyebrow and went to call for someone as asked.

Normally, of course, Song Muyun had no one to wait on her. But with Jiang Yao here, it was different. She had given them silver; calling someone to bring hot water was nothing.

After they had both bathed, one after the other, they got into bed. The originally soft but cool bed had already been mostly warmed by Jiang Yao. As soon as Song Muyun got in, the warmth chased away the chill from her body.

She looked up at Jiang Yao, her red lips pressed together lightly, looking a little nervous.

It wasn’t the first time they had slept in the same bed. Jiang Yao casually pulled Song Muyun into her arms, tucked the corner of the quilt in behind her back, and wrapped an arm around her slender waist. Her thick black hair spread out on the bed. She looked down at the anxious expression on the face of the person in her arms and asked softly, “Afraid of having nightmares?”

Song Muyun’s originally rosy lips had turned a little pale, and she had bitten a neat row of teeth marks into her lower lip.

Of course she was afraid. How could she not be?

Over and over, she experienced being beaten and scolded, sometimes even dying, a longsword piercing her chest. It was clearly a dream, but the pain felt so real it was nearly suffocating.

Every time she woke from a dream, she would be covered in a cold sweat. The night was like a fierce beast, hiding in the shadows, that would come out to torment and bully her after she fell asleep.

Song Muyun didn’t speak, just snuggled deeper into Jiang Yao’s embrace. Jiang Yao patted her back reassuringly. “Don’t be afraid. I’m here. I’ll protect you. Didn’t you say you don’t have nightmares when I’m here?”

She asked.

Song Muyun’s muffled voice came from her chest. “That’s during the day. I have nightmares every single night. The moment I fall asleep, I have nightmares.”

Jiang Yao was speechless.

But that’s not what you told me during the day! During the day, you said you don’t have nightmares when I’m here! I actually believed you, and now you’re telling me you have them as soon as night falls?

The corner of Jiang Yao’s mouth twitched. After a moment, as if resigned to her fate, she held the girl even tighter. Forget it. In truth, no matter what she said, I would have chosen to stay and keep her company anyway. As long as it had to do with Song Muyun, she could never stay out of it.

“If you have a nightmare again tonight, you must be possessed by an evil spirit. Tomorrow I’ll go find a Daoist priest⁴ to perform an exorcism for you.”

Song Muyun also didn’t know why she so frequently dreamed of these things that could never actually happen. Perhaps she really was possessed.

She leaned against Jiang Yao’s chest and replied, “Mm, thank you.”

Jiang Yao frowned and flicked Song Muyun on the forehead. “Between you and me, no saying thank you.”

Flinching from the flick, Song Muyun burrowed into her embrace, then looked up at her with a pair of exceedingly beautiful, watery phoenix eyes⁵. “I won’t say it then. Just don’t hit me.”

The way she looked at her made Jiang Yao think she had used too much force and actually hurt her. In reality, it was just a light flick. So delicate.

Jiang Yao thought this, while also reaching out to rub the spot she had just flicked and coaxed, “Alright, alright. I’ll rub it and it won’t hurt anymore.”

Being rubbed like that made Song Muyun’s whole body go soft and her cheeks flush. She buried her face in Jiang Yao’s chest, not daring to make a sound.

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