Forbidden to Bully the Storybook’s Heroine – Chapter 37

Eating Vinegar¹

Jiang Yao explained it to her for a long time, but the other person still couldn’t quite accept the fact that she wouldn’t be in the manor at night and had to go out, maintaining a dazed look the whole time. Jiang Yao fiercely glared at her useless younger brother several times.

Her younger brother touched his head, then gave a provocative hehe grin, looking even more stupid.

“Then where will you sleep at night, Jiejie?²“

Jiang Ru looked at Jiang Yao with a dazed expression.

Jiang Yao hesitated for a moment but didn’t hide it. “Just, um… probably at Yueshang House.”

This name was extremely unfamiliar. The little girl, who had only loved reading since childhood, didn’t recognize this place at all. She frowned and pressed, “Where is Yueshang House?”

Jiang Yao finally felt a bit awkward, not knowing how to describe it to her cousin. Fortunately, her father stood in the main hall and called to them, “Come in quickly, stop playing outside.”

“Hao le hao le, coming right now.”

Jiang Yao responded with rare enthusiasm, leading her younger siblings into the hall, where everyone sat on one side.

Jiang Ru had just returned to the capital and didn’t understand anything. Her mother told her to follow Jiang Yao to get familiar with things, so she really stuck close to Jiang Yao. Jiang Yao sat next to her own mother, so Jiang Ru hurried over and plopped down right next to Jiang Yao, squeezing Jiang Huai out so he had nowhere to sit, leaving him standing there bewildered.

The Second Madam, Jiang Yi, had sharp eyes and immediately noticed. She smiled and beckoned to Jiang Huai, “Huai’er³, come sit over here quickly. Let Second Aunt take a good look at you; you’re such a big boy now.”

Jiang Huai naturally held a sense of respect for elders he rarely met but heard were very formidable. He went over obediently, was pulled down to sit, and was looked over from left to right, praised for being born handsome until he felt embarrassed.

Jiang Huai shot a subtle yet quite smug look at Jiang Yao.

Jiang Yao rolled her eyes at him, too lazy to fight like a child over a few words of praise from adults.

Jiang Heng sat at the head seat, asking the Second Madam about any interesting events at the border pass. By beating around the bush, he confirmed that his second younger brother hadn’t been messing around outside or ruining the Jiang family’s reputation for deep devotion, and only then did he nod in satisfaction.

After several rounds of tea, Second Uncle Jiang was finally led back by a xiaosi⁴.

Jiang Heng’s skin was naturally fair. Jiang Zhi used to be the same, but after being stationed at the border for many years, exposed to wind and sun every day, even the best complexion inevitably grew somewhat darker.

Fortunately, he married a wife before he got tanned. Otherwise, with his current appearance, I’m afraid it would be hard for him to start a family, Jiang Heng thought to himself as he went up to welcome his younger brother with a smile.

Jiang Zhi’s bulk had grown even larger from training at the border; a simple cupping of his fists startled Jiang Huai.

“Big Brother!”

Jiang Heng nodded, looking at him and sighing, “These past few years, you’ve worked hard.”

“Protect the home, defend the country. Coming back alive—I can’t count it as hard work.”

Jiang Heng patted Jiang Zhi’s massive shoulder. “Let’s not talk about this. Come in and rest.”

The two went in. Once Jiang Zhi was seated, his gaze landed on the two sisters, Jiang Yao and Jiang Ru.

Seeing them leaning together talking, not looking estranged, he nodded with satisfaction.

Jiang Yao was fairly well-behaved in front of the elders and didn’t cause a commotion. It wasn’t until Jiang Zhi finished recounting the major events of the past dozen years at the border that his gaze fell on Jiang Yao again.

He spoke heartily, “Yao’er and I haven’t seen each other for many years either. How is your martial arts practice going recently? Have you been slacking off?”

As soon as Jiang Heng heard his brother mention Jiang Yao, he immediately snorted coldly. “She plays outside like a maniac every day. She hasn’t practiced martial arts at all. It’s bad enough she audaciously dared to teach the Eighth Prince archery, but she even released his pigeons⁵. He is a prince; is it your place to stand him up?!”

Jiang Yao shrank her neck. Though cowardly, she still had to defend herself a little. “I am practicing. I practice basically every day.”

Except yesterday. No one could remember to crawl up and practice swordplay while in a Land of Tenderness⁶!

It was normal she didn’t get up; someone else wouldn’t have been able to get up either!

Jiang Zhi was interested. “You’re even teaching the Eighth Prince archery? Is his archery very poor?”

Jiang Yao coughed lightly. “It’s, it’s okay. Second to last among the princes.”

Jiang Zhi: ……

“That is indeed very poor. No wonder he needs you to teach him. But don’t just focus on teaching others; your own martial arts can’t fall behind.”

“I know, I know. Don’t worry, I’m still waiting to go to the battlefield to protect the home and defend the country just like you.”

The young girl spoke with a bright smile, voicing such a grand ambition right off the bat.

Jiang Zhi shook his head. The battlefield wasn’t a good place to go, but this had been Jiang Yao’s dream all along. Even his big brother hadn’t been able to dissuade her, so he better not try.

“Then let me see your progress over these past few years first.”

He stood up. His large dao⁷ was placed right beside him. Jiang Yao had intended to use the soft sword bound at her waist to demonstrate for her Second Uncle, but seeing that her uncle seemed to want to spar with her, she temporarily had someone go exchange it for a heavy sword.

Soft sword against a large dao—her Second Uncle would cleave her sword in two.

Jiang Huai had long found his sister an eyesore. Hearing she wanted to compete with the former Martial Champion⁸ and current Longhu General, he laughed so hard in the background he couldn’t stand straight.

Jiang Yao: ……

Having such a brother was truly fucking embarrassing.

The xiaosi cleared out an open space. Jiang Yao and Second Uncle Jiang, one holding a sword and one holding a dao, assumed offensive stances. Their eyes instantly turned sharp. Jiang Huai, who had just been wanting to watch his sister get beaten up, gradually couldn’t smile anymore.

There had always been legends about his Second Uncle in the capital.

Rumor had it his Second Uncle’s martial arts were extremely high, among the most powerful of military officials.

But could someone tell him why his sister was fighting back and forth with Second Uncle on equal footing???

Did his sister have such high martial arts?!

Even Second Uncle couldn’t subdue her?!

The thought of his sister giving him a small beating every three days and a big beating every five days—the kind no one stopped—made Jiang Huai feel like fainting.

Jiang Heng was originally very dissatisfied with his daughter’s conduct these past days. Although the Song family girl was pitiful, he would naturally help her family overturn the case himself; there was no need for Jiang Yao to run around all day, neglecting her proper duties. But he hadn’t expected she hadn’t truly neglected them. Her fighting skills hadn’t grown rusty at all. This finally lessened the dissatisfaction in Jiang Heng’s heart a bit.

Jiang Zhi also nodded secretly. Finally, when Jiang Yao was somewhat exhausted, he retracted his dao. He walked up and patted Jiang Yao’s shoulder with a palm like a palm-leaf fan, patting the exhausted person until she nearly stumbled and fell, before laughing loudly in praise. “Good practice. A few more years of training, and I’m afraid even I won’t be your opponent.”

Beads of crystal-clear sweat rolled down Jiang Yao’s forehead. She panted roughly, raised a hand to wipe off a handful of sweat and fling it to the ground, then grinned. “Second Uncle, don’t praise me, I’ll get proud.”

“Hahahaha, your martial arts are very outstanding among your peers. You can be proud.”

“What use is outstanding martial arts if she has no brains.”

Jiang Heng seemed to have a lot of opinions about his eldest daughter today and scolded her again.

Jiang Yao’s mouth twitched slightly. She pretended not to hear, put away her sword, retreated to the side, and shut up.

Seeing her father invite her Eldest Uncle to drink wine, Jiang Ru whispered to Jiang Yao, “Why is Eldest Uncle’s temper so big today?”

She had stayed away for many years and didn’t actually have much of an impression of this legendary refined Eldest Uncle. It was just that her father always said that between the two Jiang men, his temper was the most violent, while Eldest Uncle had the mildest and best temperament. Usually, when he bullied someone, it was Eldest Uncle who went to apologize with kind words. Why did he seem today…

“Probably unhappy because I slept at Yueshang House yesterday,” Jiang Yao whispered sideways.

Jiang Ru frowned, wondering what kind of place Yueshang House was. Was it an inn?

Eldest Uncle didn’t agree with Jiejie living in an inn, so he was angry?

Then why did Jiejie leave her own home to live in an inn?

Jiang Ru felt her brain was about to tie itself in knots from thinking.

Jiang Heng was indeed angry about her sleeping at Yueshang House. As soon as he settled Jiang Zhi and his wife, Jiang Yao was dragged to the study.

“Tell me, has your behavior been appropriate these last two days?! You stopped going out to bully people, but changed to sleeping in flowers and lodging among willows⁹ every day? Do you know what people outside say about you!”

Jiang Heng slammed the table bang bang, showing none of his usual refined and amiable appearance outside. He was truly furious, having held this anger in all night. In other families, it was the sons sleeping in flowers and lodging among willows bringing shame to their elders; here, it was the daughter. Even more humiliating!

Jiang Yao stood ramrod straight at this moment, looking somewhat serious, and retorted with backbone, “What does what others say about me have to do with me? I stand straight and walk upright; I’m not afraid of rumors. Besides, could what I did before be called bullying people? Clearly, I was acting chivalrously for righteousness. They were bullying people first. As the daughter of the Prime Minister, how could I watch and do nothing? You don’t even know how good your reputation is among the common people now!”

Those people were used to bullying the weak. Bumping into her meant getting a beating. After being beaten enough, the common people learned her identity. Now, not only did they praise her father every day for being honest and upright, but also for raising a daughter who hated evil as she did her enemy—a blessing for the Great Jin State.

Only her dad belittled her every day.

“Hmph, the capital has the capital’s laws. There is the Ministry of Justice, the Jingzhao Yin¹⁰. When is it your turn to manage things!”

“Those people are officials protecting officials. As children of high officials, they won’t be sentenced too heavily. It’s not like you don’t know that. It’s better for me to beat them up as a punishment.”

Jiang Yao curled her lips, about to argue with Jiang Heng.

Standing behind the desk, Jiang Heng took several deep breaths to suppress the urge to stuff his daughter back into her mother’s womb. Glaring at her, he brought up, “Beating people is one thing, but you openly go to the music workshop every day to order women. Do you know how those Censors arrange stories about you in court every day!”

Jiang Yao didn’t care, wearing a look of giving up. “It’s nothing more than saying I have a water nature and poplar blossoms¹¹, a cloud heart and water nature, have a preference for mirror grinding¹², and am greedy for beauty. So what? When have the Censors ever said anything good about me? Dad, aren’t you used to it yet?”

Dad didn’t speak. Dad was always afraid Jiang Yao would get proud, so he never told her that actually, the Censors had spoken well of her. Back when she violently beat those bullying hedonists on the street, the Censors praised her lavishly for half an hour during the morning court. Because of this, although the parents of those hedonists came to him for an explanation, he could always easily persuade them to leave, and Jiang Yao never received any major punishment. It was always lifting high and putting down gently¹³.

Jiang Heng’s face looked a bit unnatural. He coughed lightly, sat down pretending it was nothing, and opened a document on the table. He didn’t continue arguing that topic with Jiang Yao, only saying, “Ultimately, it hinders your reputation. Don’t go to Yueshang House for the next few days. I will ask the Emperor to re-investigate the Song family’s matter myself; you don’t need to worry about it.”

His voice was calm. Song Yunqian was a loyal minister who died unjustly; he naturally felt it was a pity. But at the same time, the Song family’s daughter had no relation to him. To ask him to sacrifice his daughter’s reputation to protect her—he naturally wouldn’t be willing.

How precious is a woman’s reputation? Although his daughter’s reputation was already in tatters, at least patching it up would make it look passable on the surface, right? It couldn’t be completely shattered.

However, Jiang Yao had a huge reaction upon hearing this and subconsciously refused, “No, I don’t agree.”

She was glared at by Jiang Heng. “It’s just not going for a few days; what do you have to disagree with? If you don’t guard her every day, could she possibly be harmed by someone?”

Jiang Yao thought to herself, She would, but she knew her father was stubborn and didn’t dare take a tough stance. She hurried over to hug her old father’s arm and act spoiled. “Dad~ How can you be sure about such things? You don’t know, that Murong Qing always runs to find Song Muyun whenever your daughter isn’t there, bullying and hurting her. Song Muyun is just a girl, and trapped in a music workshop; how can she resist him? This daughter isn’t at ease when not by her side~”

The old father’s arm was shaken back and forth by her, but his expression remained stern, without a shred of softening. “What is your relationship with her that you’re so worried? You are merely meeting like duckweed¹⁴, not longtime bosom friends; there is no need to take it so to heart.”

At first, he also thought it was fine for his daughter to play with the Song family girl. But he didn’t expect her to run to Yueshang House all day long. Every time, she went early in the morning and stayed the whole day. When he came back from court, he often couldn’t see her; sometimes he didn’t see her for the whole day. Going too frequently was naturally not a good thing.

Jiang Yao didn’t know what her father was thinking. Hearing him say not to take it to heart, she inexplicably felt unhappy. She let go of her father’s hand, not caring about anything else, and sat directly on the floor in a sprawl, looking up to talk to her dad. “Have you never heard the term ‘like old friends at first meeting’? Although we aren’t longtime bosom friends, currently no friend in my heart compares to her. Dad, if you don’t want me to always go to Yueshang House because you’re afraid it looks bad, why don’t we bring her to live in our home?”

This was something Jiang Yao had planned to beg her father for anyway. It was inconvenient for Song Muyun to stay at Yueshang House; there were always things she couldn’t take care of. Besides, the Autumn Hunt was coming up soon; it would be safer to bring her along.

Jiang Heng’s mouth twitched slightly. He didn’t understand how he, being resourceful and wise, had given birth to a daughter like Jiang Yao who acted based on emotion. “You even plan to bring her into the manor?”

“Right, she’s not safe at Yueshang House. She’s a little girl in that kind of place; how hard it is to protect herself.”

Jiang Yao stood up again, ran behind Jiang Heng, and eagerly massaged his shoulders; her intent to curry favor couldn’t be more obvious.

The veins on Jiang Heng’s forehead twitched along with him. “Yueshang House is the property of a prince in the palace. Do you think if I ask for her to be released, she can just come out?”

“If it were anyone else, naturally they couldn’t do it, but aren’t you here? If you speak up to ask, would that prince refuse to let go?”

Jiang Heng closed his eyes briefly. This wasn’t a question of letting go or not. The Song family met with mishap, and Song Muyun, who should have gone to the Jiaofang Si¹⁵, appeared in a folk music workshop instead. Although Yao’er said the Seventh Prince moved her there, it might not be unrelated to the true master of the Jiaofang Si. If that prince framed the Song family, getting her out would be difficult.

Now in court, two princes opposed investigating the Song family case: one was the Seventh Prince currently facing the wall at home, and the other was the master behind Yueshang House, the First Prince, Murong Chun.

“This matter is not easy to handle. If you want to find a place for the Song girl after the Song family case is overturned, I have no objection. But if you want to bring her into the manor now—hmph.”

Jiang Heng used a cold snort to represent his attitude.

Jiang Yao knew that although her father looked refined, his personality was actually stubborn as a mule. She probably couldn’t persuade him immediately. She could only follow with a cold snort of her own, stopped fawning over him with the massage, and retreated to the front of the desk. “If you won’t help, you won’t help. I’ll think of a way myself.”

“What way can you have? You have no heart and no lungs¹⁶, provoking cats and teasing dogs all day, doing nothing serious. Who would be willing to help you?”

“If you don’t want to manage it, don’t ask. Sister Ru’er just arrived; I’m going to keep her company.”

Jiang Yao turned and left, leaving Jiang Heng alone in the study, unable to figure out why his daughter, who had always been heartless and lungless, would be so good to Song Muyun. What extraordinary qualities did she have?

Inside Hengwu Courtyard, Jiang Ru had just ordered people to move box after box in for her. She didn’t like others organizing her belongings, so after the boxes were put down, she began taking things out one by one to organize them herself.

Jiang Yao entered from the door and saw Jiang Ru’s busy figure. She hurried over, “Ru’er-meimei, not done yet? I’ll help you.”

Facing her obedient, sensible, and frail cousin, she had always been a good sister. The two cleaned up together, and in a short while, the room was tidy.

Jiang Ru was invited by Jiang Yao to sit at the table and drink tea. After a few sips to moisten her throat, she looked up and smiled. “Watching Jiejie spar with Father in the yard just now, it seems Jiejie’s martial arts have improved again.”

Jiang Yao, being praised, held her head high with pride. “Naturally. Your Jiejie is a Tyrant of the Capital. Except for a few generals, no one is my match.”

Meeting Jiang Ru’s eyes full of admiration, she felt even more proud and eagerly refilled her sister’s tea.

Jiang Ru drank the tea quietly and elegantly, then softly proposed, “I haven’t been to the capital for a long time. Jiejie, can you take me to Yueshang House to have a look? I want to know what kind of place Jiejie sleeps in at night.”

Jiang Yao: ……

Although she didn’t discriminate against places like Yueshang House, with her sister’s book-reading-to-death, little old fogey, and law-abiding personality, she might not…

“Cough, it’s just a place to sleep, nothing to see.”

“A place that makes Jiejie give up the courtyard in the manor and me to go live there must be a good place. Meimei just wants to take a look and broaden her horizons.”

Jiang Ru looked at Jiang Yao with watery eyes, silencing Jiang Yao.

Unable to refuse, she spoke with difficulty. “Actually, there really isn’t anything to see. If you really want to go, you have to promise me you won’t tell anyone I took you there after we come back.”

It was fine if she went herself, but if her dad knew she took the family’s most obedient and worry-free sister to a music workshop, he would be mad enough to curse in the streets.

Although Jiang Ru didn’t understand why she couldn’t say it, since her sister asked, she would listen. She nodded her pointed chin and agreed, “Okay, I won’t tell.”

It was almost time for lunch. According to her dad’s arrangement, the family had to eat together. She had planned to go to Yueshang House after lunch, but who would have thought she accidentally forgot the Eighth Prince who was coming to practice archery. Just as she walked to the gate, she bumped right into him.

The Eighth Prince was polite and courteous. He bowed in a junzi greeting¹⁷, then asked with a smile, “Is Miss Jiang here to welcome me?”

……

“Heh, hehe, right, here to welcome you.”

Seeing Murong Ci, Jiang Yao remembered she promised to teach him archery every afternoon. It seemed she would have to find Song Muyun a bit later again.

Even though they had only been apart for a few hours, she actually missed her a little. How strange.

Jiang Ru tilted her head and looked at the man in front of her who was only slightly taller than her. His clothes were luxurious; he didn’t look like an ordinary person. So she subconsciously tugged at Jiang Yao’s hem for help.

Jiang Yao turned to introduce them. “This is the Eighth Prince, Murong Ci. Eighth Highness, this is my sister, Jiang Ru.”

Murong Ci was very polite to people. He smiled at Jiang Ru and cupped his hands, saying, “So it is the Second Miss who has returned.”

Jiang Ru also hurriedly returned a curtsy. “This subject’s daughter greets the Eighth Prince.”

“I heard Second Miss grew up at the border?”

Jiang Yao couldn’t stand the royal family paying too much attention to her sister. She didn’t like even a couple of questions. She hurriedly interrupted, walked over a few steps, put her arm around Murong Ci’s shoulder like a good brother, and led him inside, shouting, “Didn’t you want to shoot arrows? It just so happens my Second Uncle is resting at home. We can ask him to give you some pointers in a bit.”

Jiang Yao’s arm around the shoulder came very suddenly. Murong Ci’s pupils shrank for a moment, his body stiffened, and he was even a bit nervous. But before he could say anything, he was half-dragged inside.

Jiang Ru carefully lifted her skirt to step over the threshold, then placed her hands in front of her abdomen and followed beside them. After Jiang Yao set up the target for Murong Ci, she obediently and proactively proposed, “Should I go call my father over?”

She still remembered Jiang Yao saying she wanted her father to guide the Eighth Prince.

Jiang Yao nodded, and she went.

The little girl walked with lotus steps toward the courtyard where her father lived, obedient as could be.

Jiang Yao dazedly thought of Song Muyun again. When that person was by her side, she was always obedient and well-behaved. Even when she occasionally threw a tantrum, she was like a little milk cat—not scary at all.

Second Uncle Jiang arrived very quickly. His hearty laughter arrived before the person did.

“Hahaha, the Eighth Prince is here. This subject failed to welcome you from afar; I hope the Eighth Prince does not take offense. I heard from Ru’er that you are here to practice archery?”

He held an ancient bow and arrow in his hand. It was large; it looked like the one he usually used.

Murong Ci looked at the General of Dragon and Tiger’s determined face and strong arms in front of him and inexplicably swallowed nervously.

Then he cupped his hands. “Yes, the Autumn Hunt is approaching. Thanks to Jiang Yao being willing to teach me archery.”

Second Uncle Jiang nodded and mentioned, “Back in the day, my archery skills only lost to your Imperial Father. It just so happens I have time today. Isn’t Yao’er taking Ru’er out to play? Go quickly. Little girls should go out and walk around more. I’ll stay here to teach His Highness.”

He said he only lost to the current Emperor, but the actual situation was… pressure from all sides not allowing him to win, to build momentum for the current Emperor, wanting courtiers and commoners to praise the Emperor as versed in both civil and martial arts. Hmph, what nonsense. This time, his son was actually going to practice archery at his manor. Heh.

Jiang Yao didn’t expect Second Uncle had other thoughts. She only felt Second Uncle was understanding and very considerate, arriving like timely rain. Looking at Second Uncle, her eyes lit up. “Thank you, Second Uncle. I will definitely take good care of Sister Ru’er. Eighth Highness, my Second Uncle’s martial arts are among the best of the military generals. You’ve hit the jackpot.”

At this moment, the ignorant Murong Ci also felt he had hit the jackpot.

To get personal guidance from the General of Dragon and Tiger, he was the first among the princes. He would surely improve by leaps and bounds!

Jiang Yao took Jiang Ru out of the Jiang Manor and called for the manor’s carriage to send them to Yueshang House.

If it were just Jiang Yao alone, walking wouldn’t matter, but this sister of hers was delicate. Walking two steps made her legs sore.

And if she tired out her cousin, her dad would be annoying about it.

Jiang Yao was already a regular at Yueshang House. The Old Bustard¹⁸ welcomed her with a smile as soon as she saw her. Only when she got close did she see the unfamiliar young lady following her, who looked like it was her first time, eyes revealing some curiosity.

“Same as usual, Miss Jiang?”

Jiang Yao nodded, skillfully tossed a piece of silver to the Old Bustard, and led Jiang Ru inside.

The curiosity in Jiang Ru’s eyes grew stronger. Being in a strange place, she habitually stuck close to Jiang Yao. “Does Jiejie come here often? I saw that boss seemed very familiar with you just now.”

Jiang Yao coughed lightly. “It’s, it’s alright. I have indeed been coming frequently recently.”

Jiang Ru inadvertently glanced around, only to see people coming and going who seemed to be greasy-faced, big-eared men, mostly holding women or men in their arms, acting dissolute. It was simply unsightly.

She was startled and reached out to grab Jiang Yao’s sleeve, her smoky eyebrows knitting slightly. “Jiejie, why are these men and women all so unrestrained?”

Hugging and holding in broad daylight—what kind of propriety was this?!

The Young Miss of the Inner Chambers, who understood rules and etiquette since childhood, felt somewhat uncomfortable.

Jiang Yao became even more awkward. She turned her head and whispered, “This is a music workshop, for listening to music. But some people rely on having money and love to do improper things. You don’t need to mind them.”

Jiang Ru listened, seeming to understand but not quite. She looked up again and asked if Jiang Yao liked listening to people play music.

Jiang Yao was already bowing her head slightly to speak to her. When she looked up, from a distance, the two seemed almost about to kiss.

Song Muyun went to fetch the tea leaves bought by the workshop. Seeing this scene from a distance, she froze at the end of the corridor. Her eyes were full of disbelief. A dense pain rose suddenly from her chest, flowing to her limbs and bones. That packet of tea leaves was almost crushed by five slender jade fingers. Not knowing where the courage and anger came from, Song Muyun’s face turned cold. She walked up quickly. After Jiang Yao heard the hurried movement and looked up, Song Muyun grabbed her arm and pulled her away from Jiang Ru’s side. Jiang Ru was holding Jiang Yao’s sleeve; struck by a forceful pull without defense, she stumbled twice and followed along, being subconsciously supported by Jiang Yao.

Seeing this, Song Muyun’s eyes reddened even more, her expression aggrieved. The strength gripping Jiang Yao’s arm grew greater and greater, feeling like she wanted to pinch into her flesh.

But Jiang Yao had thick skin and rough flesh. Although Song Muyun used a lot of strength, she still felt like she had been scratched by a little milk cat; it didn’t hurt or itch at all. She just looked sideways in bewilderment at the person who suddenly rushed over and pulled her away. “Muyun? What are you do… What’s wrong with you???”

Just as she wanted to ask “What are you doing,” she saw the person dressed in a moon-white floor-length skirt, with an exquisite bun and a trembling-wing butterfly hairpin—looking like a little fairy—with red-rimmed eyes, tears about to fall, looking as if she had suffered a massive grievance.

She was a bit worried.

Song Muyun pursed her lips and turned her head. The energy that was determined to separate the two just now dissipated. She didn’t speak, just revealing a pitiful look of being bullied and aggrieved.

Jiang Yao was even more confused. Jiang Ru beside her was also confused, carefully pulling Jiang Yao’s sleeve and asking, “Jiejie, wh-what’s wrong? Who is she?”

After speaking, she noticed her somewhat messy collar. Without waiting for Jiang Yao’s reply, she hurriedly lowered her head to arrange it, caring very much about her appearance when out.

Song Muyun’s heart tip felt bitten by a venomous snake, throbbing with pain. She even calls her Jiejie. When did they meet? Did Jiang Yao find someone she likes more, so she came this late because she doesn’t want to cherish me anymore?

That misty water in her eyes gathered into a crystal-clear, large droplet. With a light tremble of her eyelashes, it suddenly fell and smashed onto the ground.

Seeing her cry, Jiang Yao’s heart ached so much she nearly bit her tongue. She hurriedly held Song Muyun’s hand with one hand and pulled her into her embrace to coax her with the other. “What on earth is wrong? If something happened, just say it. Don’t cry, don’t cry. Who bullied you? Was it Murong Qing!”

Song Muyun’s snowy, tender hand pressed against Jiang Yao’s chest, refusing to be coaxed by her, pushing her repeatedly. Little water droplets fell one after another, smashing onto Jiang Yao’s heart, making her feel that astringent pain too.

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The author has something to say:

Yaoyao: She is just my sister QAQ

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