Forbidden to Bully the Storybook’s Heroine – Chapter 42

A Pale Red Lip Rouge Stain

Jiang Yao watched Murong Qing leave and shot a fierce eye-roll at his back. She turned and pulled Song Muyun’s cool, jade-like fingers. “Come on, I’ll take you out for a stroll. Don’t let a petty person ruin your mood, hm?”

Song Muyun nodded gently. “Mm, I’m not angry.”

Then, the corners of her lips hooked up slightly, her eyes bright.

Murong Qing had only said those things to provoke her; she had nothing to be angry about.

“Take me out for a walk.”

Song Muyun repeated softly.

Jiang Yao took Song Muyun out, but instead of going to the streets first, she brought the person back to the Jiang Residence. Song Muyun clearly didn’t know Jiang Yao was planning to take her home. When she saw the two words “Jiang Residence,” her eyes filled with astonishment. She subconsciously took half a step back and whispered to Jiang Yao,

“Why did you bring me to your home? This… this is improper. Whatever you need to do, I’ll just wait for you outside.”

She was well aware that she was now a woman of the music hall¹. Former friends all avoided her, afraid their reputations would be tarnished by association. Yet Jiang Yao had brought her directly home…

Jiang Yao held Song Muyun’s hand, pulled the person into her arms, and wrapped an arm around her shoulders in an embrace. She said, “I have to change my clothes and do my hair. It might take a while. What’s the point of waiting outside?”

Then, ignoring her slight struggle, she led her along.

All along the way, they encountered servants of the Jiang Residence. Jiang Yao pointed them out for Song Muyun to see. “Those are my Jiang Residence’s guards. The guards of the Jiang Residence all wear the same uniform. They often walk around outside. If you ever need me for something, you can also just tell them directly.”

Having entered the Jiang Residence, Song Muyun didn’t even dare to raise her head. She only gave the guards a rough glance before immediately burying her head back in Jiang Yao’s embrace, nodding with a series of “mm-hmms.” “I know, I know. Hurry up and lead me away. It won’t be good if people see.”

Jiang Yao didn’t care about this at all. With an arm around the person’s slender little waist, she strode forward with her head held high. “What’s not good about it? If people see, they see. The whole capital city now knows that I’ve been utterly smitten by you, running to the Yueshang House day after day. You still want to deny it?”

Song Muyun also grabbed the sash on Jiang Yao’s slender waist and retorted, “I’m not trying to deny it, I’m just afraid it will harm your reputation. I’m thinking of you!”

Jiang Yao scoffed. “If you were an thinking of me, you’d be listening to me. What’s a reputation worth? Before I met you, was my reputation any good?”

Her reputation was already quite bad. She beat up those dandies² day in and day out, getting cursed by them and having them fabricate nasty rumors about her at all sorts of banquets she wasn’t at. Her reputation was so bad that those who saw it were heartbroken, and those who heard of it shed tears³. Now, she just had the additional reputation for mirror polishing⁴. She was so deep in debt, she had stopped worrying⁵.

Song Muyun carefully recalled the rumors she had heard about Jiang Yao in the past. It was true… she had eyes that saw no royal law⁶, would resort to violence at the slightest displeasure, and had even killed someone. She was an extremely vicious woman.

If she hadn’t fallen into the music hall and met her, been sheltered under her wing, she might never have known what the real Jiang Yao was like.

Song Muyun suddenly grabbed Jiang Yao’s hand, squeezing her fingers one by one into the gaps, as if this would make them closer.

Her five fingers were long and strong, with slight calluses on the pads. They didn’t feel particularly soft to the touch, but she liked it very much. She tilted her head up to look at her, a hint of concern in her expression.

“You… don’t mind what they say. They just don’t understand you. You are very good. Anyone who knows you well knows that.”

She knew it, too.

Jiang Yao couldn’t care less what others said. She just gave a low sound of agreement, shaking their intertwined hands as the corner of her lip curled into a faint smile.

They returned to Hengwu Courtyard⁷ together. On the way, they didn’t run into any of Jiang Yao’s elders, and Song Muyun finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Upon entering the room, the window by the soft couch was wide open, making the entire room bright. Jiang Ru was sitting on the soft couch, reading a book.

Cuizhu was attending to her side. As soon as she saw Jiang Yao return, she hurriedly bowed. “First Miss.”

Startled by the sound, Jiang Ru looked up. Seeing it was Jiang Yao and Song Muyun, a look of pleasant surprise immediately appeared on her face. “Jiejie⁸, Muyun-jiejie, why are you back?”

Jiang Yao: “I came to change my clothes. You entertain Muyun for me.”

“Okay, Jiejie, go ahead. Muyun-jiejie, come sit quickly, have a cup of tea to soothe your throat.”

Saying this, she put down the rolled-up book in her hand, got up, and took the teapot to pour tea. A breeze happened to blow in from the window, causing the woman’s pale green sleeves to sway, creating a very artistic scene.

Jiang Ru was Jiang Yao’s family, so Song Muyun didn’t want to be neglectful. She glanced at Jiang Yao, was given a slight push in that direction, and put on a proper smile, curtsying slightly in a bow. “Thank you, Ru’er-meimei.”⁹

Jiang Ru, like a little formalist, returned the bow just as properly, then made an inviting gesture with a light smile.

Song Muyun and she sat on the left and right of the soft couch, sipping tea in small mouthfuls. Jiang Yao went inside to change her clothes. She quickly came out in a long red dress, her long hair loose, and sat down at the vanity. Cuizhu, with great perception, went over to comb her hair for her.

While combing, she asked, “Miss is planning to do today?”

“Go shopping. Comb my hair in a convenient style; don’t use too many accessories.”

“The Flying Apsara style¹⁰ is the most suitable for shopping. Anyone who sees it will be so mesmerized by Miss they won’t be able to take a step.”

Cuizhu said with a grin.

Jiang Yao refused. “Stop with that useless stuff. Comb it simply. I’m just going to the book house to buy a couple of books. Who am I trying to mesmerize?”

Besides, she didn’t find a single one of those frail scholars in the capital city appealing. Why waste the effort on them.

Cuizhu was crestfallen. Ever since I was assigned to serve the First Miss, I’ve never had the chance to do any of those elaborate hairstyles. The First Miss practices martial arts and is afraid loose hair will affect her sword techniques, so she prefers simpler styles. Alas, I’ll just have to wait for a palace banquet to truly show off my skills.

The maidservant’s fingers were nimble, and she quickly coiled Jiang Yao’s hair into a simple and elegant bun, inserting a blood jade hairpin¹¹ for decoration.

Seeing Cuizhu step aside, Jiang Yao knew her hair was done. She got up and beckoned to Song Muyun. “Come on, I’ll take you shopping.”

Song Muyun’s eyes lit up. She walked to Jiang Yao’s side with a reserved yet quick pace, her hands clasped before her lower abdomen. With one move, Jiang Yao could grasp them both in her hand.

“Ru’er, I’m taking Muyun out to browse the book houses. Are you coming?”

Jiang Ru usually just holed up in her room reading. It was rare for someone to take her out to have fun, so naturally, she wouldn’t refuse.

Her round eyes lit up.

Jiang Yao appeared on the street with two little tails behind her. The three first went to the book house and bought storybooks¹² as well as some proper books. Last time, Jiang Ru had seen a storybook at Song Muyun’s place and found it quite interesting, so she also spent money to buy one. She bought some other books as well, and added some silver taels¹³ to have them delivered to the Jiang Residence.

Jiang Yao couldn’t help but feel a little guilty when she saw Jiang Ru buying a storybook. I must have been a bad influence on my little bookworm sister. My bookworm sister used to only love reading proper books, but now she’s imitating me and reading storybooks. To scholars, storybooks are improper things, filled with nothing but dalliances and romances. I’m afraid my innocent little sister will be deceived by the stories inside and also start longing for the love between a man and a woman.

After buying the storybooks, Jiang Yao led the two toward a restaurant.

One had to eat. Since they were already out, shouldn’t they eat something good?

The three of them booked a private room. They had just sat down for a few moments when there was a knock at the door.

Jiang Yao looked up. Standing at the door was a man with thievish eyebrows and mouse-like eyes¹⁴. The first impression he gave was one of dislike. He stood with his back straight, a certain arrogance in his demeanor, yet his clothes looked like those of a servant from some household.

“What is it?”

Jiang Yao asked, giving him a cool glance.

The servant tilted his chin up and spoke. “Miss Jiang, my master invites you to the adjacent room for a meeting.”

Jiang Yao: “Not free, not going.”

Her reply was swift and decisive, without a trace of hesitation. The servant at the door seemed to freeze for a moment, not expecting her to refuse. The next second, he repeated with a heavier tone, “Miss Jiang, my master invites you.”

Song Muyun worriedly gripped Jiang Yao’s hand. Jiang Yao looked at the fair, smooth, slender, and jade-like hand on the back of her own and inwardly scoffed. You don’t let me hold or hug you, but you can do whatever you want. And I can’t say anything; if I say a couple of things, you’ll cry for me to see. I can’t afford to provoke you, I really can’t. The little fairy’s¹⁵ double standards were intense, but Jiang Yao could only complain in her heart, not daring to criticize her.

Jiang Ru frowned at the person outside the door, her tone gentle yet polite. “May I ask who your master is, and why he wishes to invite my older sister?”

The servant’s eyes seemed to be growing on the top of his head, his posture extremely proud. “My master is a noble personage in the capital city. He has invited Miss Jiang to discuss a matter. I hope Miss Jiang will not fail to appreciate this gesture.”¹⁶

Jiang Yao’s mouth twitched. Who has such guts? Have they never been beaten up by me before?

Jiang Ru also fell silent. After a moment, she looked at Jiang Yao and asked softly, “Could it be one of the capital’s princes or noble heirs?”¹⁷

Besides princes or noble heirs, Jiang Ru couldn’t think of anyone whose status could nurture such a brazen servant.

“I don’t know, but we’ll know if I go take a look. Tell the waiter what you want to eat. No need to save money for me. I’ll be right back.”

Jiang Yao wanted to see just who was so arrogant as to want to see her but not come themselves, instead making her go over personally.

Just as she stood up, she felt a weight on the corner of her clothes. It was Song Muyun tugging on her, murmuring a quiet warning, “Don’t get into a conflict with anyone. Be careful.”

Although she knew Jiang Yao was highly skilled in martial arts, one always had to be careful when out and about. Judging from this servant’s arrogance, his master was likely no ordinary person. If Jiang Yao lost her temper and beat the person up in public… it would probably be difficult to resolve.

Seeing Jiang Yao still dawdling and unwilling to go with him, the servant couldn’t help but rush her. “Miss Jiang, could you please hurry up? Don’t make my master wait too long.”

Jiang Yao shot an impatient glare at the speaker. “Your master isn’t my master. If he invites me to a meeting, it’s his due to wait a little longer.”

“You!”

The servant looked furious and was about to curse, but when Jiang Yao’s sharp gaze swept over him, he shut his mouth resentfully. Just wait until you see my master, let’s see how arrogant you can be then!

“You should go. We’ll wait for you here.”

The two young girls both lifted their fair, sweet, soft faces to look at her. Jiang Yao couldn’t resist reaching out and rubbing Song Muyun’s face.

Jiang Ru’s gaze followed Jiang Yao’s hand to Song Muyun’s face, which had a faint smile on it after being rubbed. I’m a a little puzzled. In the past when we went out… Jiejie would always rub my face, because Jiejie said my obedient appearance made people really want to rub it. But why hasn’t she rubbed my face at all today? She rubbed Muyun-jiejie’s face but not mine. Am I not being obedient enough?

Jiang Yao walked out. Though clearly a woman, her presence was stronger than that of many men. When she walked up to the servant, she actually startled him. He didn’t dare to speak any more haughty words and just led the way with his head down.

On the way, Jiang Yao had at some point taken out the blood jade hairpin from her hair and was twirling it in her hand. Without this hairpin as an adornment, her full head of black silk hair appeared very plain.

At the door of a private room not far away, the servant stopped, bent over, and knocked lightly on the door. “Master, the person has been brought.”

Jiang Yao rolled her eyes behind him without any attempt to hide it. Brought? You call that ‘brought’? If I hadn’t brought two young girls out with me today, just see if I wouldn’t knock your teeth out.

A steady, somewhat aged and rather hoarse male voice sounded from inside the room. “Let her in.”

Jiang Yao didn’t hesitate. Without waiting for the servant to open the door, she kicked it open. In her eyes, anyone who could raise such a supercilious servant couldn’t be a decent person themselves, so she didn’t need to be polite.

The door was kicked open with a bang. Murong Chun frowned deeply, a flash of displeasure in his eyes, but upon seeing who it was, he switched to a face that made one feel as if they were basking in a spring breeze¹⁸. “It’s so early in the morning, why is Miss Jiang so irritable? Did someone make you unhappy?”

Jiang Yao glanced at the servant beside them. The servant sensed it and was so scared he began to tremble uncontrollably. “Hmph, and this young miss¹⁹ was wondering who it could be. So it’s His Highness, the First Prince. For what matter have you summoned me?”

She stuck the blood jade hairpin back into her hair with a reverse flick of her hand. With the First Prince’s paltry level of skill, I could win with one hand and no weapon.

Jiang Yao strode over without ceremony and casually found a seat at a distance from Murong Chun that was neither too close nor too far.

To this day, Murong Chun still couldn’t get used to her impudent behavior. But thinking about what he had to say today, he decided to ignore it for now.

He raised his hand to pour Jiang Yao a cup of tea, making an inviting gesture.

“This is some Pre-Qingming Longjing²⁰ that this prince newly acquired. Would Miss Jiang care for a taste?”

“You summoned me just to drink this Longjing tea?”

She didn’t dare drink this tea. She had brought two delicate young ladies out with her today. If she were drugged, she herself wouldn’t mind, but she was afraid something would happen to the two girls.

“Of course not. Miss Jiang is intelligent. Do you not know why I have sought you out?”

This was the first time Jiang Yao had ever heard someone call her smart. Her own father called her stupid and often lamented how someone as smart as himself could have given birth to two stupid children.

As the child her father called stupid, Jiang Yao frowned and thought for a moment, her long fingers tapping the tabletop one after another. She still couldn’t figure out why Murong Chun was looking for her.

She looked up expressionlessly. “First Prince, if you have something to say, say it. Be direct. Don’t make people guess; it’s troublesome.”

Murong Chun felt that Jiang Yao was very rude. As the emperor’s eldest son, even Jiang Yao’s father showed him some respect. Yet Jiang Yao, while calling him a prince and using a respectful title, showed not a shred of reverence in her demeanor. She truly was as annoying as Old Seventh had said.

“Hehe, I hear that Miss Jiang has been frequenting the Yueshang House recently?”

Jiang Yao narrowed her eyes. She had almost forgotten, Murong Chun was the boss behind Yueshang House. Who would have thought? He was getting on in years and wasn’t favored by the emperor, yet he had quite a few businesses.

“So it’s about this matter. That’s right. Your Yueshang House has earned quite a bit of this subject’s²¹ money.”

Jiang Yao smiled, the corner of her eye tilting up playfully.

The First Prince took a sip of tea. It was fragrant and slightly bitter. After putting down the teacup, he said again, “Miss Jiang is an understanding person, so this prince won’t be coy. You like Song Muyun?”

Like? Oh, right, I like being friends with Song Muyun.

“So what if I do? Is the First Prince going to manage who I like as well?”

She glanced at Murong Chun, thinking he was being a little too nosy.

That glance was completely unconcealed, and Murong Chun saw it. His smile became somewhat hard to maintain. His face darkened for a moment, then he quickly smiled again. “Miss Jiang overthinks things. Of course not. As this prince said, I won’t be coy with you. As long as you can convince your father to join this prince’s faction, once I succeed in my great enterprise, this prince will grant your father the status of a king with a different surname²². And that Song Muyun will be yours, too.”

This time, Jiang Yao was truly stunned. From the moment he told her to convince her father, her eyes grew wider and wider.

Seeing this, Murong Chun thought smugly, Is she stunned by my generous terms? Women just have no perspective. Even a woman who has been to the border is the same. Stupefied by the mere mention of a king with a different surname. To think Murong Qing lost face over Jiang Yao several times, he’s truly an idiot.

Jiang Yao was stunned, but not because of the terms Murong Chun offered. It was because he was actually saying such words about forming cliques for personal gain²³ right in front of her. Others would have a tacit understanding, but he was blurting it out so brazenly. Is he that certain I’ll agree? If I don’t agree, I could even turn around and accuse him. Forming cliques for personal gain, no matter the era, would displease the emperor, and could even lead to being completely cast aside.

At this moment, Jiang Yao suddenly understood why Murong Qing had become emperor in her dream.

Murong Qing’s maternal family was noble and held a fine reputation among the common people, but they couldn’t give him much support, nor did they have money. He himself was not favored by the emperor. For him to become emperor in the end—she had never been able to figure it out. Today, she suddenly understood.

Song Muyun, who should have gone to the Jiaofang Si²⁴, had appeared in the music hall under Murong Chun. But Murong Chun and Song Muyun had no prior connection or conflict. Why would he do that to her?

Unless someone had interceded on her behalf.

It was Murong Qing. He verbally sided with Murong Chun, used him completely to get everything he wanted, then turned around and bit Murong Chun, reaping the fisherman’s profit²⁵. Then, using Murong Chun’s power, he ascended the throne.

That would make sense.

After all, Murong Chun seemed kind of stupid. It was understandable that he couldn’t outwit Murong Qing.

Jiang Yao looked at the no-longer-young Murong Chun before her and suddenly thought, Since Murong Qing can use Murong Chun, why can’t I? In any case, this Murong Chun doesn’t have good intentions. Deceiving him wouldn’t make me feel bad in the slightest.

Jiang Yao reined in her expression of someone looking at an idiot. The Murong Chun sitting across from her looked confident and unyielding, as if he didn’t think for a second that she would refuse.

“The First Prince said if the Jiang family stands with you, you will ennoble my father as a king with a different surname and give Song Muyun to me. The matter of ennobling a king is a distant prospect, so let’s not discuss it for now. When do you plan to give Song Muyun to me? You have to give me something to look forward to, no?”

She asked.

Murong Chun didn’t hesitate and stated what he had long ago planned. “If you can convince your father to work for this prince, then at the latest, half a year from now, Song Muyun will be delivered to your residence.”

Damn, another six months? Who would be willing to serve him for that? I’d be better off going home and begging my dad; his speed would be faster than this.

The look of someone staring at an idiot, which had just been suppressed in Jiang Yao’s eyes, floated back up again. Murong Chun, meanwhile, was still inwardly praising his own brilliance.

Murong Qing wants Song Muyun, and Jiang Yao also wants Song Muyun. I neither want to lose Murong Qing, my ally who does my dirty work, nor do I want to miss the chance to rope in the Jiang family. So why not set a six-month period? In these six months, I can send her to Murong Qing to play with more often. After six months, I can use the grand plan as an excuse to tell Murong Qing to endure it for a while. Once I successfully seize the throne, what kind of woman couldn’t he find? By then, Old Seventh would probably be tired of her anyway. Then I can give her to Jiang Yao. Wouldn’t that be a perfect solution for both sides?²⁶

Murong Chun’s small eyes, so much like the emperor’s, darted about shiftily. The smile at the corner of his mouth was irrepressible.

The next second, Jiang Yao stood up, her expression cold. “Many thanks to the First Prince for inviting this subject for tea. This subject has other matters to attend to and will take her leave first.”

Reality was a far cry from his imagination. Murong Chun frowned. “Jiang Yao, what is the meaning of this?”

Jiang Yao, with her back to him, said, “My Jiang family is loyal only to His Majesty and to the common people. Such words so greatly contrary to the Way²⁷, I ask that the First Prince not say them again in the future.”

Murong Chun’s face turned ugly. “Jiang Yao, are you playing me for a fool?!”

“This subject would not dare. Since Your Highness does not wish to see this subject, this subject will take her leave now.”

“JIANG YAO!!!”

A man’s furious roar came from inside. Jiang Yao left quickly, glancing at the servant standing guard outside, trembling with fear. She didn’t pay him much mind. Soon, the sound of a heavy object hitting the floor came from inside. He had been so angry he started smashing things.

Still outside, and he doesn’t know how to restrain himself. Can’t control his own temper. It’s normal that he won’t become emperor.

Jiang Yao returned to her private room. She looked over, and the dining table was spotless. The two delicate women were sitting on either side of the table, looking at her with worry in their faces.

She stood at the doorway and inquired, “You haven’t ordered yet?”

Her tone was as normal as ever. She didn’t look like she had been bullied.

The hearts of Song Muyun and Jiang Ru, which had been in their throats, dropped halfway back down. Then they both shook their heads. Song Muyun said softly, “We were waiting for you. We were afraid if we ordered too early, the dishes would be cold by the time you got back.”

Jiang Ru nodded along, then asked whose servant that was earlier, to be so arrogant.

Jiang Yao first called for the waiter to order, then replied that he was from the First Prince’s household.

The young girl hadn’t expected that she had actually guessed right. It really was a prince. She let out a startled gasp, her small hand gently covering her lips.

After calling the waiter and returning to sit between the two beauties, watched by their dependent gazes from afar and then up close, Jiang Yao once again raised her hand out of habit and pinched Song Muyun’s cheek.

Her face was especially soft, like tender tofu. A light pinch left two red marks. The little fairy who would have previously shied away out of bashfulness, for some reason today, let her do as she pleased, sitting there obediently, her dark, moist eyes seeming to sparkle with a bright light.

“What would the ladies like to eat?” the waiter asked, bending at the waist with a white cotton cloth slung over his arm.

“Now is the time when the crabs are fattest. Steam three crabs for us, make a crab bisque²⁸, and then just bring three of your signature dishes.”

Muyun doesn’t allow extravagance, so it’s better if I order a bit less. If I order too much, won’t I be the one who has to eat it in the end? And if I don’t eat it, I’ll inevitably get nagged at, and it will make someone unhappy. Sigh.

Jiang Yao shook her head with an air of helplessness.

Song Muyun’s features were gentle. Seeing her like this, she poured her a cup of tea and brought it to her. “What is it? Did the First Prince say something to you?”

The sweet tea was downed in one gulp. “It’s nothing. The First Prince has a problem with his brain. In the future, if any of you run into him, just ignore him. He’s probably sick.”

Jiang Ru nodded formally, her words spoken with extreme earnestness. “To be able to raise a servant like that, I imagine the First Prince himself is not a proper person. I will listen to everything Jiejie says.”

“So good.”

Jiang Yao reached out and also rubbed Jiang Ru’s soft little face. Jiang Ru’s expression didn’t change, but her eyes curved slightly with happiness.

The three chatted for a while, and the several dishes were all served. Jiang Yao took a steamed crab from among them, deftly broke open the shell to get the meat. The tender white crab meat was delicious with just a little vinegar.

As she ate happily, an elbow suddenly jabbed her hard. Jiang Yao looked up, a bit baffled, to see Song Muyun looking quite embarrassed, the crab in front of her a complete mess. She clearly didn’t quite know how to eat crab.

“If you don’t know how to shell it, just call me. I’ll do it for you.”

Then, in a few quick movements, she pushed all the crab meat and roe onto a small plate and handed it back to Song Muyun to eat.

Jiang Ru watched with longing. First, she was a little envious; Jiejie and Muyun-jiejie’s relationship is so good. Then, she felt a little lonely; now that Jiejie has made such a good friend, she doesn’t care about me anymore.

She looked at the whole crab in front of her and sighed.

The next moment, the crab was taken away by a pair of long, snow-white hands. Jiang Yao pulled her little sister’s small dish over and also scraped the crab meat, bit by bit, onto the dish.

Jiang Ru looked up, her eyes shining as she looked at Jiang Yao. “Jiejie, are you peeling one for me too?”

She asked, tilting her head, looking utterly adorable.

If my hands weren’t covered in juice and crab meat, I really would want to rub the little girl’s face. The feel would have definitely been wonderful.

Jiang Yao responded in a low voice, “Mhm, why wouldn’t I peel one for you?”

“I thought Jiejie was only peeling one for Muyun-jiejie.”

Song Muyun, who had been eating crab with her head down, was called out. She subconsciously looked up, her gaze meeting Jiang Yao’s. She pressed her lips together and lowered her head again, wishing she could bury her entire face in the plate.

Jiang Yao laughed. “Your Muyun-jiejie doesn’t know how to shell a crab, and you’re slow at it. Naturally, I’ll help you both. I won’t play favorites. You are my little sister, and Muyun is my favorite friend. You are both very important people to me.”

The little formalist had read many books. Hearing her say this, her misty brows knitted lightly. She thought for a moment, then suddenly spoke. “Jiejie, can the word ‘like’ be used for friends?”

She couldn’t seem to recall any book describing a good friend as a “favorite friend”…

But saying it out loud didn’t seem to be a problem.

Jiang Ru couldn’t figure it out.

Song Muyun also looked at Jiang Yao, quietly waiting for her answer.

Jiang Yao quickly finished shelling a crab and took out a handkerchief to wipe the juice from between her fingers. “Hmph, who says you can’t use ‘like’ for friends? The mouth is your own. You can use whatever word you want. Why can you ‘like’ flowers, ‘like’ water, ‘like’ mountains, but you can’t ‘like’ a friend?”

Jiang Ru was taken aback by this and she genuinely lowered her head to ponder this question. It seems to be true. It’s just ‘like,’ not ‘love.’ Why couldn’t it be said between friends? No, even between friends, the word ‘love’ is also sayable.

“Jiejie and Muyun-jiejie have a really good relationship.”

“But of course.”

Jiang Yao was a little proud. This was the female lead from the book, and now she was her best friend.

“Do you eat fish? This piece has no bones.”

She turned her head to ask the beauty sitting gracefully on her other side.

The other person nodded gently. “Mhm, I eat it.”

She wasn’t a picky eater. She basically ate whatever Jiang Yao gave her.

“You eat ribs too?”

“Mhm.”

No matter what Jiang Yao asked, Song Muyun ate it. Her little mouth chewed on vegetables without stopping, her cheeks constantly puffed out. Jiang Yao mischievously went to poke them, only to be met with a light glare that held no real threat.

She rubbed her nose and pulled her hand back. She was about to give Song Muyun more food but was stopped. “Don’t mind me anymore. I can’t eat another bite.”

She frowned, looking at the large amount of food still left in her bowl. She really couldn’t eat anymore.

Blocked by her, Jiang Yao could only place that chopstick-full of vegetables into her own bowl. She was still unhappy about it. She eats so little, no wonder she’s so thin. It always seems like a gust of wind could blow her away.

“Have some more crab bisque? It won’t fill you up.”

Without waiting for a reply, Jiang Yao had already ladled a small bowl of crab bisque for her. The bisque was made with a chicken broth base. Inside were finely shredded tofu, some pine mushrooms, and even more of the meat and roe from two fat crabs, all simmered together into a soup. The aroma alone could make one’s nose fall off.

Song Muyun was a little hesitant. She really couldn’t eat anymore, but Jiang Yao had already served it for her…

The woman’s soft voice sounded, and her jade-like fingers also gave Jiang Yao’s sleeve a light tug. “Then… what if I can’t finish it?”

Jiang Yao said without hesitation, “If you can’t finish it, give it to me. You just eat as much as you can.”

“You… you’ll eat it?”

Song Muyun was dumbfounded. She was from a scholar’s family with strict rules. She had never seen anyone eat another person’s leftovers, no matter how close the relationship. Her parents had said that it was an extremely disrespectful practice.

But… but Jiang Yao said it herself. Could it still be considered disrespectful?

“Mhm. Hurry and eat. After you finish, I’ll take you to buy some more things.”

Song Muyun’s heart was twisted in a knot. After agreeing, she lowered her head and ate the food in small bites.

She probably didn’t even realize it herself, but her cheeks were pink.

A bowl of soup was really a bit too much. The young woman only drank a few sips before she was full. She turned her head to look at Jiang Yao, who was still eating. Not intending to make her eat her leftovers, she remained silent, just thinking that she might get hungry again in a little while and could eat a little more then.

Jiang Yao wasn’t just eating her own food; she had brought two little ladies out with her. She had to take good care of them. Her peripheral vision was constantly paying attention to them. She soon noticed that Song Muyun had stopped moving and was staring at the soup in front of her with some distress.

“Full?”

Jiang Yao reached out to touch Song Muyun’s stomach. Her waist was always slender, and her abdomen very flat, but now it was a little round. The answer was obvious.

“Then don’t eat anymore if you’re full.”

She naturally took the soup that Song Muyun had drunk from and, without a second word, tilted her head back and drank it down. Her movements were so fast that Song Muyun didn’t even have time to stop her. A moment later, almost leaning against Jiang Yao’s shoulder, she said with a blushing face and a voice as soft as a mosquito’s buzz, “That… that side was where I ate from…”

And it had her pale red lip rouge²⁹ stain.

She was very shy, her voice both soft and mumbled. Jiang Yao didn’t hear clearly. She leaned her ear closer to her and asked, “What?”

Song Muyun was too embarrassed to say it a second time. Afraid that pointing it out would make them both feel awkward, she quickly shook her head. “No-nothing. Nothing at all. Drink slower.”

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The author has something to say:

Feng Yue³⁰: Yo, did they just kiss?

What everyone loves to see.³¹

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