Forbidden to Bully the Storybook’s Heroine – Chapter 44

Found

“Hey, what are you thinking about? Did you hear what I just said?”

Jiang Yao glared at him. Damn it, what kind of person was this? He was spacing out while on official business. Why did the Capital Prefecture¹ send someone like this over? Was he really reliable?

The man’s name was Ji Qingyan², the second son of the Marquis Yongcheng’s primary wife. He felt as if the matter of his zhangxiong³ getting beaten up had just happened, and now, being snapped at by Jiang Yao, he was immediately scared. He quickly said, “I heard you, I heard you. I understand everything you said, but could you please allow me to investigate a little more? Just to confirm.”

Outside, a crowd of onlookers had already gathered. The madam⁴ also appeared on the veranda. With an impatient look, Jiang Yao stepped aside. “Fine, fine, fine, hurry up and look. Although her father is still a convicted official right now, who knows, that might change one day. You’d better investigate this clearly for me. I want to see her today!”

Ji Qingyan: …

He felt that Eldest Miss Jiang was making things difficult for him. It was already getting dark, and it was almost time for him to get off duty. How was he supposed to make her see the person today?

If he couldn’t find her, he wouldn’t get beaten by Miss Jiang, would he?

Ji Qingyan, whose gege⁵ had been beaten before, was very worried.

When the madam approached, the expression on her face was one of utter shock. Her willow-leaf-shaped eyebrows jumped up and down in disbelief. Weren’t struggles in the official world all about psychological warfare? Who reports directly to the authorities!

Jiang Yao had reported it to the authorities. How was she supposed to continue her business now!

“My, daren⁶, what are you all doing?”

Ji Qingyan replied politely, “Someone reported that a woman has vanished from Yueshang House, relying on empty space⁷. This official⁸ is here to investigate the case.”

The madam: …

“This… this still needs to be investigated…”

Her expression was somewhat awkward.

It wasn’t as if women or men hadn’t gone missing from Yueshang House before. The First Prince, as the boss behind Yueshang House, was lecherous and not picky about his tastes. Occasionally, if he took a liking to someone, regardless of gender, he would take them away directly. Those people never returned, but it had never attracted the attention of the Capital Prefecture.

Ji Qingyan said with a straight face, “Since a case has been reported, it must naturally be investigated. A person can’t have truly vanished by relying on empty space.”

“I-Is that so? Then how long will you be investigating?”

Ji Qingyan: “Until we find the person.”

The madam: …

She didn’t want to speak at all.

“But with you bringing government soldiers in like this, how can I do business!”

“Apologies, we will try our best not to disturb you.”

Jiang Yao grew impatient listening to their nonsense and shot the madam a glare. “What are you shouting for? If we can’t find her, I’ll smash your entire establishment to pieces. No one will have an easy time!”

The madam only dared to make a scene with those who looked gentle and polite; she would never dare to provoke Jiang Yao. The moment Jiang Yao spoke, she shut her mouth. After watching for a moment and seeing that she couldn’t stop anything, she could only leave with a heavy heart.

Ji Qingyan was still searching for more substantial evidence. He sent his men to question the servants. Those servants were timid, and the moment they saw officials arriving, they immediately carried it out with the plate⁹ and told everything they knew. Although it wasn’t very useful, it at least confirmed that the tea set might have indeed been arranged by Song Muyun herself. But… was it an allusion to the Seventh Prince and the First Prince?

How was he supposed to investigate this!

Did he dare lead men to search the residences of two princes?!

As the sky gradually darkened and he still couldn’t find anything substantial, cold sweat dripped from Ji Qingyan’s temples. He didn’t even dare to look up at Jiang Yao. Fortunately, a group of people suddenly arrived from outside, attracting Jiang Yao’s attention.

The leader seemed to be a gonggong¹⁰, who smiled very cleverly. His voice was somewhat high-pitched and sharp. “Aiyo, Eldest Miss Jiang, you really are here.”

Unable to find the person, Jiang Yao was in a terrible mood. She wished she could rush into the Prince’s Residence right now, beat up Murong Qing, and force him to tell her where he had taken the person. Her face was also extremely grim. She glanced at the gonggong and said impatiently, “If you have something to say, say it quickly.”

Despite her impatience, the gonggong’s smiling attitude didn’t change one bit. “Then this slave talent¹¹ will be direct. Our house’s¹² Eighth Prince is looking for you. It’s very urgent. Please come with this slave talent at once.”

Jiang Yao thought of what she had inadvertently seen today and figured Murong Ci was looking for her precisely because of that matter. Tsk, so annoying. Who would want to know a secret that could get your head chopped off!

“Fine, fine, fine, I’ll go. Lord Ji, I hope to see results on this matter soon. Muyun has a good temperament and never makes enemies. Besides the Seventh Prince, she hasn’t offended anyone else. Do you understand?”

She was once again giving a pointed hint.

Beads of sweat the size of beans rolled down Ji Qingyan’s forehead. He couldn’t afford to offend either of them. If this matter was truly the Seventh Prince’s doing, and the crime of abducting a commoner girl was confirmed, then…

The political climate in the capital was probably about to change.

Judging by Jiang Yao’s attitude today, she likely detested the Seventh Prince. Then what about the Prime Minister?

The Prime Minister had recently been trying to get the Song family’s case retried in the imperial court, putting him needle point to needle point¹³ with the Seventh Prince. Jiang Yao’s current attitude was probably also with the Prime Minister’s approval.

Ji Qingyan also agreed with retrying the Song family’s case. He had felt from the beginning that the case was closed too quickly and should have been investigated more carefully. Besides, retrying the case was the job of the Grand Court of Revision¹⁴. All officials outside the Grand Court of Revision would probably agree, as a retrial held no disadvantages for them. If the verdict was overturned, it would save the Song family from being wronged. But for some reason, the court was unanimously opposed, especially the Seventh Prince, who was the most vehemently opposed.

It was hard not to let one’s imagination run wild.

Jiang Yao followed the Eighth Prince’s man to the Prince’s Residence but wasn’t led to the main hall. Instead, she was guided to Murong Ci’s room.

…

Fortunately, I now know Murong Ci is a woman. Otherwise, I might have thought Murong Ci had a crush on me.

Jiang Yao knocked on the door. From inside came a gentle voice, one where you couldn’t distinguish male from female¹⁵. “Come in.”

It gave her goosebumps. She pushed the door open and went inside. The two windows inside were shut tight, but several candles were lit, making it quite bright. Jiang Yao turned to close the door, calling out, “Your Highness, the Eighth Prince, you were looking for me?”

But when she turned back, she saw another person gracefully walking out from behind the screen. She was dressed in lavish clothes, her hair adorned with crimson jades, and her bearing was graceful and dignified. Jiang Yao stared blankly for a moment, then subconsciously called out, “Her Majesty, the Empress?”

She had seen the Empress a few times and could barely recognize her.

The Empress looked at her, smiling benevolently. “You must be Jiang Heng’s eldest daughter, Yaoyao. This Palace¹⁶ remembers you. This Palace even held you when you were little.”

A wave of awkwardness washed over Jiang Yao. She scratched the back of her head, unable to muster a smile, and could only reply dryly, “Is, is that so? That was a long time ago, hehe, hehehe.”

Murong Ci soon came out from behind the screen as well, standing beside the Empress. She tugged on the Empress’s sleeve. “Mother Empress¹⁷, just say it directly. Don’t turn corners and rub edges¹⁸. She won’t understand.”

Jiang Yao: ??? I feel like Murong Ci is saying I’m simple-minded.

Because of the Empress’s sudden appearance, she found it hard to speak, so she stood to one side and listened to the mother and daughter talk.

Hearing her daughter’s words, the Empress smiled gently and beckoned to Jiang Yao. “Then come and sit down first.”

Jiang Yao did as she was told and sat down.

The next second, she heard the Empress speak. “I heard you saw Ci’er’s body?”

Jiang Yao: !!!

Her face stiffened slightly. “Apologies, your subject-daughter¹⁹ was also set up. I did not know the Eighth Prince was changing clothes. What I saw today, your subject-daughter will not speak of to anyone.”

The Empress nodded. “I know you won’t speak of it. You are a good child, and your father is a good official who cares for the people. I have no intention of doubting you. I just want to ask you, are you willing to marry Ci’er?”

The words rang out suddenly, like five thunderbolts striking the top of the head²⁰. Jiang Yao was so frightened she nearly fell off her stool. Her face looked rather grim. “Her Majesty, the Empress, please don’t joke.”

Murong Ci was also startled. “Mother Empress! Why are you saying these things!”

The Empress pressed down on Murong Ci’s hand and looked at Jiang Yao again, her tone gentle and serene. “This Palace knows that saying this is very presumptuous, but Ci’er’s secret involves many people. Can you understand?”

Jiang Yao understood, more or less. It meant that only if she married Murong Ci could the Empress rest assured.

For some reason, that elegant and otherworldly face flashed through her mind. The little maiden was still suffering, waiting for her to come to the rescue, yet here she was, discussing marriage.

It was truly inappropriate.

“Your subject-daughter understands Her Majesty’s meaning, but your subject-daughter is unwilling.”

“Why? Do you have someone you admire?”

The Empress tightened her grip on Murong Ci’s hand. Murong Ci was so embarrassed she wanted to crawl into a hole in the ground.

Jiang Yao didn’t know what to say, so she simply remained silent, her pair of dark eyes staring at Murong Ci, trying to get her to say something to persuade the Empress to back down.

Murong Ci quickly tugged on the Empress’s hand. “Mother Empress, please don’t make things difficult for Jiang Yao. Didn’t I tell you that she is very close with the Song family’s legitimate daughter?”

As if struck by a sudden realization, the Empress said, “You like the Song family’s legitimate daughter?”

…

No, why must I like women? Oh, right, because the rumors outside are all saying I’m a mirror-polisher²¹.

Jiang Yao remembered. For a moment, she didn’t know how to explain, so she could only continue her silence. The Empress took it as a tacit admission. Unable to completely bring the person into her own camp, she could only resort to enticement. Her demeanor suddenly became serious. “Alright, then if you can keep Ci’er’s secret, I will have the Emperor²² agree to reinvestigate the Song family’s case. If the Song family is indeed innocent, I will have the Ministry of Revenue²³ return the Song family’s assets.”

She thought Jiang Yao admired Song Muyun. The Jiang family was already at its peak and lacked nothing, so she could only entice her with her beloved. But right now, the Song family’s case was not her biggest worry. Jiang Yao had a terrible headache. Suddenly, thinking of something, her pair of bright black eyes looked toward the Empress. “Her Majesty, the Empress, the Song family’s matter is not urgent. Right now, Song Muyun is missing. Can you help me find her? As long as you can find her, I guarantee I will take this matter to my grave and won’t tell a soul, no matter who asks.”

Murong Ci’s mind was entirely consumed by the possibility of her female identity being exposed; she hadn’t had time to think carefully about why Jiang Yao had been tricked into coming to her place.

“What happened to Song Muyun? How could she go missing?”

The matter had not yet spread.

Jiang Yao’s brows furrowed tightly as she recounted the day’s events, once again alluding to Murong Qing.

Hearing that it might have been a trap set by the Seventh Prince, Murong Ci broke out in a cold sweat. “Mother Empress, does Murong Qing know my identity?”

The Empress’s face didn’t look too good either, but having been Empress for many years, she was able to remain composed. She raised a hand and patted Murong Ci’s. “What are you afraid of? You are the Emperor’s legitimate son. You must be steady. Even with a knife at your neck, you must not panic.”

Murong Ci’s tense and fearful emotions strangely calmed down. Then she heard her Mother Empress say with certainty, “Murong Qing does not know. If he knew, he would either use it to threaten you or expose you before the Emperor. He would absolutely not do nothing. This Palace agrees to your request. This Palace will order people to find her.”

The Empress narrowed her eyes. Regardless of whether the person who set the trap truly knew Murong Ci was a woman, they could not be allowed to live.

Jiang Yao stood up. “Thank you, Her Majesty, the Empress. I’ll entrust this matter to you. Your subject-daughter will take her leave.”

“Where are you rushing off to? What does your father say about this?” Murong Ci asked.

“My father had me report it to the authorities, but I’m not at ease. I’m preparing to go to Murong Qing’s residence to see if there are any clues.”

“Wait, don’t go. The Cui family has death warriors²⁴ who specialize in covertly investigating matters. Murong Qing wouldn’t keep her at his residence. In three days at most, This Palace can find her for you.”

Jiang Yao frowned deeply. “One day, Your Majesty. Your subject-daughter cannot wait three days. Muyun’s constitution is weak. Murong Qing is narrow-minded, cruel, and ruthless. If she falls into his hands, she won’t be able to bear it.”

One day at most. If she couldn’t find her in one day, she would sneak into the Prince’s Residence and force Murong Qing to hand her over.

She had no concrete evidence, but she knew in her heart that it could be no one else. It must be that Murong Qing, with his undying wicked intentions, was stirring up trouble.

One day was too short a time. The Empress hesitated for a moment, but seeing that Jiang Yao was truly anxious, her face cold and her eyes colder, her whole body radiating a suppressed fury, she agreed to prevent her from doing something rash. “This Palace can try, but I cannot guarantee I will find her.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

If anyone else had known such a secret, they would have long been silenced by the Empress. But the one who knew was Jiang Yao. Firstly, to win over Jiang Heng and Jiang Zhi, she could not kill Jiang Yao. Secondly, she trusted the character of the Jiang family; Jiang Yao would not speak of it. On the contrary, this matter would create a connection between the Jiang family and Ci’er, which could be considered an unexpected blessing.

When Jiang Yao left the Eighth Prince’s Residence, the sky had already turned completely dark. She did not return to the Jiang Residence but instead climbed the wall and went back to the rear courtyard of Yueshang House.

The courtyard was silent. The soft, warm voice of the woman was no longer there, which felt quite unsettling.

She stood outside for a while, then lifted her leg and walked toward Song Muyun’s room. She always kept her room neat and tidy, with a refreshing, sweet fragrance.

She didn’t know how long she sat inside. Amidst the crackling sound of the candles, the door was suddenly knocked upon.

Jiang Yao: ?

If the madam came to bother her again at this hour, she couldn’t guarantee she wouldn’t resort to violence.

She suppressed her irritation and went to open the door, only to see an unfamiliar woman in a pink dress standing outside.

The woman looked very nervous. She glanced around, and only after confirming she hadn’t been seen did she whisper, “Eldest Miss Jiang, I have something to tell you. May I come in?”

Jiang Yao didn’t speak. Fearing she wouldn’t agree, the woman immediately said, “It’s about Muyun.”

The hand on the door immediately loosened. Yan Luo was able to enter. She quickly turned to close the door, patting her chest as if in relief.

“What do you know, and what do you want?”

Jiang Yao stood to one side, her sharp eyes fixed on her as she asked in a deep voice.

Yan Luo’s face immediately grew tense again. Her body stiffened, and her eyes filled with lingering fear. After a good while, she said, “Eldest Miss Jiang, during the day, I saw it.”

Jiang Yao’s brow furrowed deeply. She didn’t reply, waiting for her to continue.

Yan Luo hesitated for a moment before stating her condition. “I know who took Muyun away, but I hope that after I tell you, Eldest Miss Jiang can redeem me and give me a job to support my family, is that alright? I can be a handmaiden or do anything. I don’t want to stay at Yueshang House anymore.”

Life at Yueshang House was too hard, and pleasing those wealthy gentlemen was even harder. She wanted to get out too, to be a proper woman, even if it was a little tougher. She didn’t want to compete with a bunch of women for men, to be a music hall girl that others called neither three nor four²⁵ and utterly lowly.

Jiang Yao agreed without hesitation. “If what you say is true, I will redeem you and give you what you want.”

Right now, even if someone wanted to trade all her wealth for Song Muyun, she would give it.

Seeing her agree so readily, a trace of joy flashed across Yan Luo’s face. She quickly recounted everything she had seen during the day. The more Jiang Yao listened, the uglier her expression became.

The madam was involved, Murong Chun was involved, and Muyun had said Murong Qing sent Murong Chun, which he didn’t deny. So Murong Qing was involved too. Good, very good!

She sent Yan Luo back.

She would endure for one more day at most. If she couldn’t find her, a knife would be at Murong Qing’s neck.

Jiang Heng already had a way to resolve this matter and wanted to let Jiang Yao know so she wouldn’t worry too much. However, Jiang Yao wasn’t in the residence, and he didn’t know where she had gone. Jiang Heng couldn’t be bothered to send someone to find her; he just hoped she wouldn’t stir up any trouble.

The next day, a major event occurred in the imperial court. A protégé of the Prime Minister, the current Censor-in-Chief²⁶, stepped forward and presented evidence of Song Yunqian’s wrongful death.

The Emperor had been suppressing any reinvestigation, yet they had found the evidence directly. In front of so many officials, the Emperor, who did not want to be a fatuous ruler reviled by thousands, could only blow his beard and glare, ordering the evidence to be presented. He paid no attention to the fact that the faces of his two sons below had instantly turned deathly pale.

The atmosphere in the court grew colder as the Emperor’s expression became more and more shocked while he reviewed the evidence.

After a long while, he finally reached the last page. He furiously threw the local officials’ testimonies to the ground, his face still filled with rage. It turned out that it wasn’t Song Yunqian who had deliberately concealed the local disaster, but that group of people who had been filling their private purses from the middle²⁷ with the court’s disaster relief funds. They spent the least amount of money to build the dikes, leading to the flood breaking through. Fearing their corruption would be discovered, they concealed the disaster and forbade the common people from fleeing to the capital!

It wasn’t Song Yunqian who concealed the disaster, but the people under him who never even told him there was one!

Now the Emperor was furious too. “Investigate! Thoroughly investigate the Song family’s case for Zhen²⁸! This bunch of vermin of the Da Jin²⁹, who knows how much silver they’ve embezzled. Don’t let a single one of them go. All those found guilty will be sentenced to death!”

For that disaster relief silver, he had even lowered the standards for the imperial selection by half, changing the original eighty-one dishes to forty-nine. In the end, the money he, the dignified Emperor, had saved ended up in someone else’s pocket! How could he tolerate this!

Investigate, it must be investigated!

Taking this opportunity, Jiang Heng stepped forward and reported the abduction of Song Yunqian’s only legitimate daughter. The Emperor had just discovered he might have wronged her father, so he couldn’t very well ignore her now. “Fine, fine. Then dispatch a team of guards to search for her door-to-door. Zhen refuses to believe that right under the Son of Heaven’s nose, someone could commit such a gallbladder-big and reckless act³⁰ as abducting a woman!”

Fine beads of sweat dotted Murong Qing’s forehead. Murong Chun, on the other hand, seemed to have figured something out and wore a calm expression.

After the court session ended, the officials left in small groups.

Murong Qing wanted to find Murong Chun to discuss a counter-strategy, but that idiot Murong Chun, despite clearly understanding his meaning, turned and headed straight for the palace! It was a clear sign that he wanted to draw a line between them. Was he insane?

Murong Qing cursed his father in his heart. Before him were groups of officials, led by Jiang Yao’s father, Prime Minister Jiang Heng.

He watched Jiang Heng’s departing back with a gloomy face. Suddenly, a large, powerful hand slapped him from behind, sending him stumbling forward. Just as he was about to get angry, a man’s hearty laughter rang out. “Hahahaha, a prince, yet so frail. My Yaoyao is even stronger than you.”

Hearing the voice, Murong Qing immediately put on a smile and turned. “Longhu Great General³¹.”

He thought the other man had suddenly slapped him to start a conversation, but to his surprise, as soon as he spoke, the other waved his hand and said, “Seventh Prince, feel free to come to the Jiang family for martial arts practice when you have time. I can teach you. But don’t come recently. Yaoyao has been in a bad mood these past two days, and this general³² has to go back and see who’s been bullying her. Hmph, if I find out, this fist of mine won’t be forgiving.”

Jiang Zhi brandished his massive fist a couple of times before swaggering away, leaving Murong Qing standing there alone, his eyes dark to the extreme.

It was a warning. He understood it perfectly. The Jiang family was warning him.

But he couldn’t understand how elders could get involved in the disputes of the younger generation.

The Jiang family was willing to oppose the imperial family for Jiang Yao’s sake. Had they all gone mad?

Nearing noon, Jiang Yao had already secretly made a trip through the Seventh Prince’s residence. She didn’t find the person, only a secret passage.

Frantic and losing her reason, she stuffed Murong Qing in a sack and gave him a brutal beating when he returned to his residence.

After the beating, she left the Prince’s Residence without a sound.

Then she was summoned away by the Eighth Prince’s people.

The Eighth Prince was brewing tea in the inner chamber, the steam curling up gracefully. She had intended to invite Jiang Yao for tea, but seeing her enter from outside filled with hostility, she thought, Forget it. I’d better get straight to the point and send her away.

So Murong Ci didn’t even pour her tea. She stood up. “Murong Chun wasn’t clean with his work. My Mother Empress’s people found out. Song Muyun is in a private property under Murong Chun’s name. Murong Qing is still quite cautious. He was the one who wanted her, but he didn’t even provide a residence. If it weren’t for Murong Chun handling this, my Mother Empress might not have been able to find her.”

Jiang Yao’s expression grew colder. Murong Ci was very kind. “Do you want me to have someone take you there?”

“I’ll have to trouble the Eighth Prince.”

The Eighth Prince smiled faintly. “You have also helped me a great deal. This is nothing.”

Jiang Yao didn’t speak, her mind completely focused on that delicate woman.

Away from me for a night, she must be terrified by now. Murong Qing must have bullied her.

Eldest Miss Jiang’s mind was filled with images of the little maiden being bullied and hiding in a dark corner, wiping her tears. So pitiful. Just thinking about it made her heart ache so much she could barely breathe.

Can’t think about it, can’t think about it. I have to get there quickly.

The person Murong Ci dispatched was one of the death warriors her mother had given her. The two of them moved so fast they were practically blurs, and in no time, they arrived at the residence where Song Muyun was being held.

From the outside, the residence looked like an ordinary rich man’s courtyard. The main gate was even wide open, with servants coming and going for errands.

Was Muyun being held here?

Jiang Yao’s heart felt like it was being squeezed. She urged the death warriors, “I must trouble you, sir, to take me in quickly.”

The death warriors was a man of few words. He said nothing and led her in through a hidden path.

To think that this seemingly proper residence had a secret dungeon built within. As Jiang Yao walked in, the dungeon was empty. She couldn’t help but feel anxious. “Is she really here?”

“Yes, in the depths of the dungeon.”

After speaking, the death warriors fell silent again. Jiang Yao could only patiently continue her search. Finally, as she neared the end of the dungeon, she saw the small figure curled up in a corner, her clothes tattered.

Even with her back to her, Jiang Yao could recognize her at a glance. It was Song Muyun. It was her, it had to be her.

The cell was locked. Jiang Yao tried to open it, and the clanking of the chains made a noise. The slender body of the girl in the corner trembled, and she seemed to scoot further into the corner in fear.

A silver key suddenly appeared before Jiang Yao. The death warriors’s voice, hoarse from years of disuse, sounded out. “My master told me to give this to you. My mission is complete.”

With that, the person vanished from the dungeon in a flash.

Song Muyun heard that the sound was wrong and whipped her head around, only to meet the anxious gaze of Jiang Yao, who was earnestly unlocking the cell. She was completely stunned.

Just a moment ago, I thought it would be Murong Qing…

I thought Murong Qing had come to torture me again. I knew Murong Qing was petty. I and Jiang Yao had embarrassed him several times, and he had said he would get his revenge on me.

I had even been terrified all night, afraid that Murong Qing would appear again, afraid that Jiang Yao would never find me.

But now, Jiang Yao had found her. She had found her.

Song Muyun’s dark, lustrous eyes filled with moisture. She stared at Jiang Yao with longing, like someone who had been bullied and finally found the person who could stand up for her, feeling incredibly wronged.

With a crisp click, the lock opened. Jiang Yao anxiously pushed open the cell door, and in the next second, she was thrown into a full embrace.

The woman’s voice was hoarse, tinged with weakness and despair. “Jiang Yao, you’re finally here. You’re finally here. I was so scared. I was really so scared.”

Hot tears rolled from her eyes, seeping into Jiang Yao’s clothes one drop at a time, soaking her garments through.

Jiang Yao wanted to hold her tightly to comfort her, but as soon as her arms went around her, she felt a sticky wetness, and the person in her arms let out a small cry of pain. Jiang Yao was scared to death. She didn’t dare to hug her recklessly anymore, raising her hands high as she asked with constant concern, “What’s wrong, what’s wrong? Did I hurt you? Did Murong Qing torture you?”

When she said the last sentence, she was practically biting and grinding her teeth³³, wishing she could grab Murong Qing right now and smash his head in.

Finally seeing the person she had been thinking about all night, Song Muyun’s tense spirit suddenly relaxed. Her entire body went limp, collapsing into Jiang Yao’s arms. Held in a frantic, helpless circle, she wrapped her arms around Jiang Yao’s neck for support, her voice soft and aggrieved. “Jiang Yao, he tortured me. It hurts so, so much. I don’t want to stay here. Will you take me away? I want to go with you…”

A string of tears slid down from the flushed corners of the beauty’s eyes, tracing a path along her pale cheeks. It broke Jiang Yao’s heart. She quickly coaxed her, “Okay, okay, okay, I’ll take you back. I’ll take you back right now.”

Murong Qing had been beaten and knocked out by her. He probably hadn’t woken up yet and wouldn’t appear here. Jiang Yao directly carried Song Muyun and left through the back door.

The whip wounds on Song Muyun’s body were severe. In some places, even her clothes were torn, showing how much force the person wielding the whip had used.

Did he want to beat Song Muyun to death?

The storybooks must be fake. How could a person like Murong Qing possibly admire Song Muyun!

Whoever he admired was truly unlucky!

Jiang Yao was filled with heartache and couldn’t bear to let the beauty walk back. Just after exiting the residence’s back door, she lifted her into a princess carry and found a less crowded path to take her back to the Jiang Residence.

Song Muyun was drowsy the whole way, her face resting lightly against Jiang Yao’s chest. The familiar warm fragrance filled her nose, and her tightly furrowed brows finally began to relax.

The Jiang Residence had always kept a physician in residence. As soon as she entered the residence gates, she casually called a guard and ordered, “Go fetch the physician to Hengwu Courtyard. Don’t delay. Go immediately.”

“Yes!”

The guard took the order and left. She then hurried toward Hengwu Courtyard without stopping.

In Hengwu Courtyard, Jiang Ru had finished her books and her storybooks and was sitting by the window drinking tea. Her back was straight, her long, slender fingers holding the lid of the teacup, fanning it over the surface of the cup again and again. She thought to herself that she hadn’t seen her elder sister for several days, so she asked Cuizhu beside her.

“Cuizhu-jiejie³⁴, do you think that with Elder Sister staying out every day, she doesn’t miss me at all?”

How could Cuizhu let Jiang Ru’s imagination run wild? She quickly said, “Second Miss, you’re overthinking it. The Eldest Miss likes you the most.”

Jiang Ru lowered her eyes to the clear tea in her hand, her tone a little disappointed. “Sigh, but I finally came back from the border, and Elder Sister hasn’t slept with me even once. She used to love sleeping with me and telling me interesting stories from the army. I never got tired of listening.”

Jiang Ru was a good child. She had loved reading poetry and books since she was young and disliked wielding spears and staffs. The military barracks was a place she had never been.

Although she had never been, she had always been very curious. Fortunately, she had an elder sister who would tell her about it.

Cuizhu inadvertently looked up and happened to see Jiang Yao walking this way. A look of pleasant surprise appeared on her face. “Ah, Second Miss, you can ask the Eldest Miss yourself what’s going on. Look, the Eldest Miss is here.”

Jiang Ru looked up, and Jiang Yao had already reached the courtyard entrance. Her eyes suddenly lit up, and a smile quickly formed on her lips. She stood up from the window, straightened her sleeves, and walked out quickly.

Poised, yet eager.

Just as she reached the doorway, she came face to face with Jiang Yao. “Jie—”

That sweet “jiejie” was about to come out when she finally noticed the person covered in wounds in Jiang Yao’s arms. Her face turned pale with fright. “This, is this Muyun-jiejie? What happened to Muyun-jiejie? Was, was she bullied by someone?”

Jiang Ru was raised in the inner chambers, innocent, pure, and kind. The Jiang family members would tacitly keep these matters from her. She had no idea what was happening outside.

Jiang Yao had no intention of explaining much, merely nodding. “Mhm, she was bullied. I’ll let her recuperate at our home for a while first.”

With that, she walked around Jiang Ru and carried the person inside. Jiang Ru quickly followed Jiang Yao to help lay Song Muyun down.

The jiejie who had been perfectly fine when they met a few days ago was now covered in wounds and bloodstains. Jiang Ru’s small face was snow-white, her pair of bright, large eyes looking at Jiang Yao with unease.

Seeing this, Cuizhu had already hurried off to the small kitchen to fetch hot water.

Jiang Yao tenderly touched Song Muyun’s face, which was stained with a bit of dried blood. Seeing Jiang Ru about to take off her shoes, she stood up to stop her. “No need, I’ll do it.”

She personally took off Song Muyun’s shoes and tucked her thinly-clad body completely under the covers.

Song Muyun had been on edge in Murong Qing’s hands. Now that she could finally relax, she had long since fallen into a deep sleep, only mumbling something indistinctly. One had to get close to hear that she was calling Jiang Yao’s name.

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The author has something to say:

Let’s have some sweetness next. I wanted to say this yesterday, but you all discovered the hidden plotline I was planning to reveal secretly QAQ! There’s no sense of accomplishment.

I thought you would all exclaim that the Eighth Prince was actually a woman, but I didn’t expect that after I only wrote two lines of description, most of you had already guessed it.

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