Forbidden to Bully the Storybook’s Heroine – Chapter 36

Liberal Customs

A silent night passed. The next day, when Jiang Yao woke up, she was still holding the woman’s soft body in her arms.

The first thing she did was look down. She saw the other woman sleeping soundly, her head buried in her embrace. She could just make out the faint curve of her lips and her relaxed brows, unlike the fright and fear of yesterday. Finally, she could relax. It seemed she had not had any nightmares.

Jiang Yao hugged the person in her arms tighter. Remembering the exhaustion on her face the day before, she decided to lie with her for a little while longer.

It was far earlier than her old waking hour. She used to love sleeping in until almost noon. It was only when she started rushing over to protect Song Muyun that she began waking up early. Unexpectedly, it had become a habit, and she now woke up automatically at the crack of dawn.

Sigh.

She tightened her arms around Song Muyun and closed her eyes to rest.

She did not know how much time had passed before there was finally movement in her arms.

The young woman let out a soft whimper, her fluffy head unconsciously nuzzling against Jiang Yao’s chest.

Jiang Yao gently patted her on the back, as if coaxing a child, until Song Muyun opened her hazy, mist-filled eyes and stared at her blankly.

Song Muyun had slept extremely well that night. Undisturbed by nightmares, her usually cool body was now toasty warm, as if basking in the warmth of a spring day. She had woken up naturally after a full night’s rest.

At first, seeing Jiang Yao, she did not quite register the situation. She was dazed for a moment. It was only when Jiang Yao hugged her tighter, pressing her into her embrace and lazily asking if she wanted breakfast, that she remembered: Jiang Yao had stayed the night.

She was worried I would have nightmares, so she stayed to keep me company.

And because she was here, I had no nightmares and slept peacefully the whole night.

The fog in her eyes cleared, and Song Muyun’s gaze became bright again. She struggled to lift her head from Jiang Yao’s embrace and looked up at her. “I did not have a nightmare last night!”

She sounded as if she had the most wonderful news to share with a close friend.

Jiang Yao’s guess was confirmed. She smiled indulgently. “I know. You could only be this happy if you didn’t have any nightmares. Breakfast?” she asked again.

Perhaps because she had just woken up, Song Muyun’s voice was unconsciously soft and sweet. Leaning against Jiang Yao’s chest, she sounded rather delicate. “Yes. Are you coming with me?”

With that, she looked up again, her eyes moist and glistening.

Jiang Yao rubbed the back of her neck, which was probably sore, and agreed. “Mhm. I’ll take you out for baozi¹. Want to go?”

The life of the rich is simple and unpretentious—all they want is a good baozi.

Song Muyun was never picky about food. She nodded obediently. “Yes. If I am with you, I will go.”

Tsk, so obedient today, and her voice is so soft? It’s a little unlike her.

Jiang Yao looked down and studied her carefully. Song Muyun seemed not to notice. Her hand, hidden under the quilt, secretly reached for Jiang Yao’s. She buried her head in her chest again and said in a small voice, unable to contain her happiness, “When you are here, I do not have nightmares.”

She was beginning to rely on Jiang Yao more and more.

This peaceful life was something Jiang Yao had given her. Even her nightmares could be cured just by having Jiang Yao beside her.

Song Muyun could not help but depend on her.

Jiang Yao, however, felt a flicker of worry. She doesn’t have nightmares when I’m here?

What about when I’m not?

Never mind the distant future; just thinking about the autumn hunt, which she’d definitely have to attend for perhaps half a month—was Song Muyun supposed to not sleep for all that time?

If only I could take her with me.

Jiang Yao’s brow furrowed slightly at the thought.

Song Muyun, unaware that Jiang Yao was already worrying about how to get her out of the Yueshang House, was still nestled in her arms. She naturally snuggled against her soft chest, then, realizing what she’d done, she blushed and quickly lowered her head. She tugged at Jiang Yao’s inner tunic and reminded her, “Did you not say we were getting breakfast? Are we going now?”

Her voice was still laced with a softness that could make a person’s body go weak just from listening.

Jiang Yao snapped back to reality and gave an unnatural cough. She let go of Song Muyun and sat up in bed. Song Muyun followed suit, her eyes, filled with a smiling affection, never leaving her.

There were none of Jiang Yao’s clothes here, so she had to put on yesterday’s outfit, thinking she’d stop by the Jiang Residence to change on the way back.

Song Muyun, following her usual preference, wore a long, moon-white dress. The buyao² hairpin in her hair was a gift from Jiang Yao, an exquisitely crafted butterfly with wings poised for flight.

When Jiang Yao turned around, she saw her wearing the hairpin she’d given her. A surge of pleasure rose in her heart. She walked over and flicked the butterfly’s wings twice. Song Muyun quickly dodged, protectively covering the butterfly and complaining, “Do not touch it, you will mess it up.”

“Alright, alright. Fine, you won’t let me hug you, and now I can’t even touch your hairpin.”

Jiang Yao pretended not to care, shrugging as she walked out.

Song Muyun was stunned by her reaction for a moment. When she understood, she hurried after her and took the initiative to grab Jiang Yao’s hand, her voice a little anxious. “What are you doing? Who said you cannot hug me? Why are you so petty? Besides, did I not let you hold me all night?!”

Hearing her mention hugging, she could not help but recall how she had said Jiang Yao was like a child, always wanting to cuddle, and how that had upset her. She could not believe Jiang Yao was still angry about it now. She held a grudge for way too long!

Song Muyun bit her lip, a little regretful. If she had known her temper was this bad, why would she have provoked her? Now she was angry, and so difficult to appease.

Up ahead, Jiang Yao suddenly stopped. She turned against the sunlight to look at her, lifting her chin and demanding, “Then you’re not allowed to complain that I like cuddling anymore!”

Jiang Yao emphasized her point. Growing up with few girls around her, she treasured her time with other women and deeply desired to be close to them. Whether holding or hugging, she was always happier with some physical contact. To suddenly be told this behavior was childish… it was impossible to say she wasn’t the least bit upset QAQ, but it wasn’t a huge deal; she just wanted her cuddling rights.

Song Muyun held her hand tightly, a helpless look on her face. She quickened her pace to walk beside her. “When did I complain? I said one thing and you became this angry. I shall not dare say anything about you ever again.”

She gently swung Jiang Yao’s hand, a hint of playful indignation in her tone.

Jiang Yao glared at her and huffed, “If you really don’t want me to hug you, I can just hug someone else. Like that Miss Yanjin³ from your pavilion. She’s gorgeous. I’ll go hug her next time.”

She said it to be contrary, but she did not expect Song Muyun’s expression to suddenly turn cold. Her grip on her hand tightened. “I never said I did not want you to hug me. You misunderstood.”

“But you said I was like a child!”

For reasons she couldn’t quite explain, she didn’t want to be like a child in Song Muyun’s eyes.

She was clearly a year older than Song Muyun.

“I was just saying it casually. You are the one who is so sensitive.”

Jiang Yao didn’t care; she wasn’t being reasonable either. “You can’t say I’m like a child. I’m older than you. You should be calling me jiejie⁴.”

Song Muyun only agreed to the first half. “Fine, I will not say it again.”

The second half was completely ignored, but her intention to placate her was perfectly clear.

Taking advantage of her concession, Jiang Yao continued to huff. “So, do you like it when I hug you or not? If you don’t, I’ll stop from now on.”

Except for when they were in bed, whenever she got close to this person, she always got a comment or two. After a while, Jiang Yao couldn’t help but worry: did she really dislike it?

This woman had always been direct, and her question was brutally so. Song Muyun froze, unable to say the word “dislike.”

The friendship between virtuous people should be as clear as water⁵. Even though she and Jiang Yao were both women, they absolutely should not be so intimate.

If anyone saw, she thought, I’m afraid she would gain a reputation for polishing mirrors.⁶

I, Song Muyun, am a woman of a pleasure pavilion; a reputation is useless to me. But Jiang Yao is different. She is the Eldest Miss of the Prime Minister’s Residence, with a great future ahead of her. Her reputation is very important to her.

Seeing the elegant, jade-like beauty in front of her lost in thought, Jiang Yao immediately stopped her. “Forget everyone else. I’m asking you. Do you like it when I hug you? If you don’t, I’ll never hug you again.”

Her voice sounded sullen and quite unhappy.

Song Muyun’s heart skipped a beat, a bitter ache blooming in her chest. Seeing Jiang Yao unhappy made her feel a pang of sympathy.

And those words, “never hug you again,” also displeased her. Her grip on Jiang Yao’s hand tightened, her thin lips pressing into a straight line in subconscious resistance.

Jiang Yao was still pressing for an answer, saying that if she didn’t like it, she’d never get handsy again. As she spoke, she tried to pull her hand free from Song Muyun’s grasp.

A sense of urgency seized Song Muyun. She suddenly yanked with all her strength. Caught off guard, Jiang Yao was pulled right in front of her.

She heard the other woman say, blushing and stammering with shyness, “I… I do not dislike it. I am just not used to it. I have never disliked anything you have done.”

Things others could not do to her, Jiang Yao could. And no matter what Jiang Yao did to her, she would never dislike it.

Song Muyun had been looking down, but after a moment’s thought, she raised her head to carefully watch Jiang Yao’s expression. She saw her face change from sullen to a faint smile, as if she were no longer angry. She finally let out a sigh of relief.

Didn’t they say that martial artists are broad-minded and don’t sweat the small stuff? she thought. How is this one so hard to please? She even holds a grudge overnight. She had me so worried just now.

Hearing her say she did not dislike it, Jiang Yao’s mood finally improved. She deliberately wrapped her arms around the beauty’s arm and leaned in close to ask, “Does ‘not disliking it’ mean you like it?”

Song Muyun did not speak, her cheeks turning an even deeper shade of red, like the finest rouge.

Not refuting it means I’m right!

Jiang Yao’s eyes instantly lit up. She grinned and slung an arm around Song Muyun’s slender shoulders, pulling her into an embrace as she issued her final command. “Then I’m going to hug you often from now on~”

Song Muyun, blushing, let her hug her. They were almost out of the courtyard. The courtesans⁷ and male entertainers⁸ of the Yueshang House were coming and going, and their eyes all widened when they saw the two women embracing so openly. Song Muyun felt very self-conscious. She pursed her lips and lowered her head. A moment later, she tugged on Jiang Yao’s sleeve and whispered, “Can… can we do this back in the room? A lot of people are looking at us.”

She had always been thin-skinned.

Jiang Yao looked confused, not quite understanding. “Why would we go back to the room just to hug? We’re not doing anything wrong. If people want to look, let them look. Besides… isn’t it even weirder to have to go back to a room just for a hug?”

Jiang Yao scratched her head in embarrassment.

Song Muyun froze, realizing it was a bit strange. She finally fell silent and said no more.

With a beautiful, even blush on her lovely face, she let Jiang Yao hug and hold her all the way to the baozi stall.

“Do you want vegetable-filled baozi or meat-filled ones?”

When they left, Jiang Yao had her arm around her shoulder; now, that unruly hand had moved to her waist. They were far too intimate, and both were exceptionally beautiful. Several men and women in plain clothes at the stall kept glancing over at them.

So many people had stared at them on the way that Song Muyun had grown somewhat used to it. She was now able to answer Jiang Yao calmly. “I would like the vegetable-filled ones.”

Jiang Yao squeezed her thin arms and legs with some disdain. “You eat so many vegetables. No wonder there isn’t an ounce of meat on you.”

She only shut up after the beautiful, indignant woman gave her a light punch.

After waiting in line for a bit, she asked, “Hey, why don’t we eat here at the stall? I want some doufunao⁹.”

Song Muyun was still a little miffed. She tossed out a “Suit yourself,” and turned her head away.

The beauty’s skin was fair, her lips as red as cherries, her nose high and elegant, and her phoenix eyes long and lovely. She was even beautiful when she was sulking.

Jiang Yao’s hand moved down and took Song Muyun’s. Although the other woman was unhappy, she still let her hold it. So well-behaved.

“Master, three meat baozi, two vegetable baozi, and two bowls of doufunao. One with chili and one with sugar.”

“Coming right up!” the master replied. Someone immediately came out to clear a table for them.

After nodding her thanks, Song Muyun took a handkerchief from her sleeve and meticulously wiped down the table. She even wiped down the stools again before she would let Jiang Yao sit.

The women of the capital were fond of cleanliness. Jiang Yao noticed that other women who came for breakfast also wiped their tables and stools. Only she was so casual, about to sit down directly just now.

“How come you didn’t ask if I like sweet doufunao?”

Jiang Yao took out two pairs of chopsticks, rinsed them with hot water, and smiled. “Don’t you just love sweet things? You’re not going to tell me you can eat spicy food, are you?”

Song Muyun indeed could not handle spice. She took the chopsticks with a smile and said no more.

Soon, two plates of neatly arranged, plump white baozi were brought out, along with two bowls of doufunao. One was fragrant with bright red chili oil, a mouth-watering sight, while the other was snow-white and sprinkled with sugar, its scent sweet and inviting.

Song Muyun’s eyes fell on the spicy doufunao, a little surprised. “That is a lot of chili. Can you really eat that spicy?”

Jiang Yao: “Mhm. I spent a few years in the borderlands. It’s cold there all year round. A little spice helps warm you up.”

“You have been to the borderlands? Have you ever been on a battlefield?”

The young woman was clearly interested in new things.

Jiang Yao grinned. “I have. I’ve even cut people down. Are you scared?”

She was deliberately trying to frighten her. For some reason, she just wanted to tease Song Muyun.

Song Muyun was clearly a delicate woman who had been pampered her whole life, yet hearing such tales of slaughter, she was not the least bit afraid. Instead, her eyes shone as she looked at Jiang Yao with admiration. “You killed people to protect the people of Jin¹⁰. As a citizen of Jin, why should I fear you? If everyone feared the soldiers returning from the border, would that not break their hearts?”

She really did not seem scared at all. Jiang Yao shook her head with a laugh. “I’m hardly what you’d call a soldier. My Second Uncle just took me to the battlefield once.”

“That is still amazing. Your Second Uncle is the Longhu General¹¹, correct? It is thanks to him defending the border against our enemies that we can live such peaceful lives now.”

When she was still a sheltered maiden, she had heard of the Longhu General’s fame. He was a warrior who could fight a hundred men at once.

He was truly admirable.

Even though Song Muyun was just praising her family, a wave of joy surged up from Jiang Yao’s heart, as if the other woman didn’t just like her, but liked her family as well.

Jiang Yao forced herself to suppress her delight, scolding herself internally. She wasn’t even praising you, what are you so happy about?

She changed the subject. “Let’s not talk about that. Hurry up and eat. When we’re done, we’ll go buy some storybooks.”

Only then did Song Muyun lower her head and take a small bite of the steaming, plump white baozi. The savory flavor filled her mouth. She then took a sip of the doufunao. It was sweet and delicious—better than any doufunao she had ever tasted.

Jiang Yao was a fast eater. She finished her three large meat baozi in a few bites and was now slowly eating her doufunao.

Song Muyun finished one vegetable baozi and looked at the one remaining. Her slender brows furrowed slightly, and she bit her rosy lip, looking at Jiang Yao with some difficulty.

Jiang Yao noticed and put down the spoon she was stirring her doufunao with. “What’s wrong? Are you not feeling well?”

Song Muyun shook her head gently. “No, it is not that. The baozi is too big. I cannot finish it.”

She lowered her head again, as if she had done something wrong.

Jiang Yao was speechless.

She glanced at her own empty plate, where three large meat baozi had once been, and then at Song Muyun, who could not even finish two vegetable baozi.

No wonder she was so thin!

She was about to say something, but when she looked up, she saw Song Muyun looking so pitiful, as if she already knew she was about to be scolded. Forget it.

She reached out and picked up the remaining vegetable baozi. “What’s the big deal? So you can’t finish it. I’ll just eat it for you.”

She had to practice martial arts every day. Unlike these delicate ladies, she expended a lot of energy and had a bigger appetite.

Song Muyun’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. “Can you eat that much?”

Including this one, Jiang Yao would have eaten four baozi!

Song Muyun had never seen a woman who could eat so much, yet her figure was so well-proportioned, not the least bit overweight.

“Is this a lot? I get hungry after just an hour or so of practice.”

“That is true. It is not much for a martial artist. Is your training usually very hard?” she asked softly.

Jiang Yao suddenly sat up straight and said, “Of course it’s incredibly hard. When I practice my sword, I can’t stop until I’ve done at least a hundred swings. My arms are often sore from practice, which is why I like it when you rub them for me.”

She smoothly brought up yesterday’s gentle massage.

As expected, Song Muyun’s face filled with sympathy. She took Jiang Yao’s hand. “Do you have to practice for that long? Does the Prime Minister not stop you?”

Jiang Yao waved her other hand, which was holding the baozi. “He wishes I’d practice all day so I don’t go out and cause trouble for him.”

That much was true. Jiang Yao wasn’t a very quiet person. She despised evil and loathed injustice. If she saw any of the capital’s dandies bullying people, they were guaranteed a beating. Jiang Heng often had parents coming to his door to complain, and after they left, he would curse his children as debt collectors from a past life.¹²

Song Muyun’s sympathy grew. She gently kneaded Jiang Yao’s forearm and said, “You must not listen to the Prime Minister. Practicing all day must be exhausting. Yesterday’s bow was so heavy; are swords very heavy too?”

Jiang Yao pondered for a moment. “They’re alright. I have several swords, both light and heavy. The heavy sword is naturally heavier than that bow.”

Seeing the other woman’s growing concern for her, her own mood brightened.

Just as she was about to say more, she saw a group of guards in the distance. Judging by their uniforms, they seemed to be from the Jiang Residence.

Jiang Yao stood up to get a better look. One of the guards caught her in his peripheral vision, and his eyes immediately lit up. He shouted, “QUICK, WE DON’T HAVE TO GO TO THE MOONLIT PAVILION! THE ELDEST MISS¹³ IS HERE!”

Jiang Yao was speechless.

Why are you shouting so loud? Everyone’s looking at us. Aren’t you embarrassed?

In any case, she was too embarrassed to even acknowledge them.

The head guard led the group over, and with a thud, they all knelt on one knee at Jiang Yao’s feet.

Jiang Yao swore she had never been the center of so much attention, especially not in a bustling market.

She looked up at Song Muyun, who also looked shocked and uneasy as she glanced at Jiang Yao.

Jiang Yao’s face was expressionless. With her hands behind her back, she asked coolly, “What is it?”

“Eldest Miss, the Second Master is returning to the capital today. The Master sent us to ask you to come home.”

Jiang Yao was speechless again.

Her Second Uncle was coming back, and she didn’t know?

Her father had not told her. Otherwise, she would have gone home long ago!

A wave of guilt washed over Jiang Yao. She pressed a fist to her lips. “Understood.”

Then she turned to look at Song Muyun.

Song Muyun had always been considerate. Before Jiang Yao could say anything, she spoke up. “The Longhu General is back? You should hurry home. Do not keep your father and mother waiting.”

Jiang Yao nodded. She then picked a few familiar faces from the group of guards and ordered, “You will escort Miss Song safely back to the Yueshang House. You are not to leave until you have seen with your own eyes that she has returned unharmed. Is that clear?”

The men all accepted the order and fell in behind Song Muyun.

Song Muyun watched Jiang Yao’s departing back, a sense of reluctance growing in her heart. Only when she was out of sight did she turn to the guards assigned to escort her and thank them. “I have troubled you all.”

The guards were men of few words. They simply clasped their fists and said, “Miss Song, this way please.”

With the dangling pearls of her hairpin swaying, Song Muyun returned to the Yueshang House.

---

Jiang Yao quickly returned to the Jiang Residence, but she did not see her father or her Second Uncle. Only her personal maid, Cuizhu, was waiting by the residence gate, her anxious expression immediately melting into joy upon seeing her.

Before she could even ask, Cuizhu’s words spilled out in a rush. “Miss, you’re finally back! The Master, Madam, and Young Master have all gone to meet the Second Master. They said you should change your clothes and wait at home. Don’t go out again.”

…

Great. The whole family went to greet her Second Uncle except for her. What would he think of her?

The corner of Jiang Yao’s mouth twitched.

She rushed back to bathe and change.

Her Second Uncle was a military man; he would most likely want to check if her martial arts had improved. Jiang Yao changed into a sharp, moon-white attire suitable for training, with a flexible sword coiled at her waist, and went to stand by the residence gate to wait for him.

After a long wait, a grand procession of carriages and horses finally approached. The leading carriage was her parents’, and behind it was an unfamiliar carriage that likely belonged to her uncle’s family.

But she did not see her Second Uncle on his tall horse.

The carriage stopped in front of Jiang Yao. The first person to emerge was her father, Jiang Heng.

Jiang Heng stepped on the stool a servant had placed for him and leisurely disembarked, shooting Jiang Yao a glare as he did.

Jiang Yao, guilty for being late because she was doting on a beauty, shrank back and did not dare to speak.

After him came Madam Jiang and Jiang Huai, followed by Second Madam Jiang and a gentle-looking Jiang Ru in a snow-blue dress from the carriage behind.

The two madams, one in a crimson dress and the other in a ginger-yellow one, were each beautiful and kind in their own way.

Second Madam Jiang, whose name was Jiang Yi, brightened the moment she saw Jiang Yao. She let go of her own daughter’s hand and instead took Jiang Yao’s wrist, marveling, “My, you must be Yao’er! It’s been so many years, you’ve grown so tall and so beautiful.”

Jiang Heng snorted. “She is nothing but a wild monkey. Sister-in-law, you praise her too highly.”

Jiang Yao forced a strained smile.

Who talked about their own daughter like that in front of others!

She knew her father was partly to blame for her bad reputation!

Second Madam knew Jiang Heng was hard-mouthed but soft-hearted, so she spoke up for Jiang Yao. “Big Brother is truly a strict father. Yao’er is already so well-behaved and sensible, yet you are still not satisfied.” She smiled and met the First Madam’s eyes. “Is that not right, Qingyin.”

First Madam Liang Qingyin shook her head helplessly. “Pay him no mind. I think Yao’er is wonderful just as she is.”

Jiang Yao couldn’t stand the three of them discussing her right in front of her anymore. She quickly interjected, “Father, Mother, Second Aunt, Ru’er-meimei¹⁴, let’s not stand outside. We can talk more inside.”

Jiang Heng shot her another glare and walked ahead. Madam Jiang and Second Madam followed closely, arm in arm, chatting and smiling.

Jiang Yao scratched the back of her head. Jiang Huai clapped her on the shoulder and leaned in to whisper excitedly, “Hey, sis, you slept at the Yueshang House last night? You’re awesome. Didn’t even come home. Dad was furious.”

Before Jiang Yao could tell him to mind his own business, Jiang Ru walked up to them. She had an elegant and gentle temperament, her eyes full of sincerity, and carried an air of scholarly refinement that made one instinctively straighten up.

“Tangjie¹⁵, it has been a long time. Do you still remember me?”

Of course I remember, Jiang Yao thought. I just said your name. This girl’s memory is terrible.

Facing her Second Uncle’s only daughter, Jiang Yao’s attitude was much gentler than it was toward her brother. “Ru’er-meimei, I could forget anyone but you.”

Jiang Ru gave Jiang Yao a faint smile and then greeted Jiang Huai. “Tangdi¹⁶.”

“Tangjie.”

Jiang Huai had not had much contact with Jiang Ru. He gave a dry greeting and an awkward smile, then fell silent.

Fortunately, Jiang Ru did not seem to want to talk to him either. She stayed by Jiang Yao’s side, asking about interesting things in the capital and asking Jiang Yao to show her around.

Jiang Yao felt uncomfortable all over, which had little to do with Jiang Ru. It was mainly because she had a condition where she’d get itchy all over if she had to speak in a prim and proper, scholarly manner.

They had not seen each other in years. She had no idea if Jiang Ru was still used to her rough way of speaking.

Just as Jiang Yao was thinking this, she heard Jiang Ru’s smiling voice. “Tangjie, I am still more used to how you were before.”

Tsk, alright then. Jiang Yao felt an instant sense of relief, and her expression relaxed. “Good that you’re used to it. I was afraid you’d read too many books and turned back into that little stick-in-the-mud you used to be.”

…

Jiang Ru was speechless. On second thought, perhaps you should not go back to how you were before.

“Tangjie—”

She sounded a little exasperated, drawing out the word. She did not like being called a little stick-in-the-mud.

Jiang Yao shrugged and said no more. Then she heard Jiang Ru ask her, “Tangjie, why did you not come to meet us today? My father was talking about you the whole way.”

“Heh, heheh. I just woke up late. Didn’t make it in time.”

Jiang Huai glanced at his sister, his face practically screaming, Aren’t you ashamed of yourself for telling a lie like that?

Jiang Yao was not ashamed at all. And Jiang Ru believed her, adding with concern, “You should try to wake up earlier next time. Waking up so late, you probably have not had breakfast yet, have you?”

Indeed, one lie leads to another. She had to say, “I had a quick bite just now.”

“You must not wake up so late again. Skipping breakfast is bad for your health.”

Not just a little stick-in-the-mud, but a nag now, too.

Not wanting to get tangled in any more lies, Jiang Yao quickly changed the subject. “Where’s Second Uncle? Why didn’t I see him come back?”

“My father went to the palace to report to the Emperor.”

“Oh. So are you staying with your mother?”

They had not been back in many years, so their courtyard was naturally in some disrepair. It would need to be renovated and cleaned up.

Jiang Ru shook her head gently, and her next words made Jiang Yao’s head buzz. “Mother said I should stay with you so we can catch up.”

…

Just saying, they did not have to catch up at night. Could they not catch up during the day?

Seeing his sister’s frozen expression, Jiang Huai started laughing cheekily from behind them, chiming in for once. “That won’t work. She doesn’t necessarily even sleep in the residence, so how is she supposed to catch up with you?”

Jiang Ru did not understand. “Why? Tangjie is not yet married. Why would she not sleep in the residence?”

Jiang Yao shot Jiang Huai a glare, silently threatening to drag him out and beat him to death if he didn’t shut up. Then she turned back to Jiang Ru and explained helplessly, “You can have my courtyard for now. I have some things to take care of these next few days, so I might not be in the residence at night.”

Jiang Ru’s eyes went wide in shock. It took her a long moment to ask, “Are the customs in the capital so liberal these days?”

---

The author has something to say:

I made it, I made it! I finished writing just after nine but have been editing until now. I didn’t even go when my gaming buddy called me to play! It was a world-shaking sacrifice! You all better remember to comment!!!

---

---