Forbidden to Bully the Storybook’s Heroine – Chapter 45

Such a Well-Behaved Yun’er

News that Hengwu Courtyard had summoned the Residence Physician¹ quickly reached Madam Jiang’s ears. At that moment, Madam Jiang was carrying a tureen of soup, preparing to take it to her husband².

Hearing this, she thought Jiang Yao had been injured and became terribly anxious.

She carried the soup over to Hengwu Courtyard.

Jiang Yao was in the middle of wiping the bloodstains from Song Muyun’s face when Madam Jiang rushed in, calling out, “Yao’er!”

She looked up, her eyes meeting Madam Jiang’s urgent gaze. Madam Jiang took several steps forward to look her over from head to toe before clutching her chest and letting out a sigh of relief. “Didn’t you call for the Residence Physician? Are you hurt somewhere?” she asked.

Jiang Yao silently shook her head and shifted her body to the side, revealing Song Muyun lying on the bed. Her voice was listless. “It’s not me, it’s Muyun. I found Muyun. She’s injured.”

Madam Jiang was stunned. She saw the woman on the bed, her face pale, looking utterly weak.

“How… how did you find her so quickly?”

Jiang Yao sat back down and continued to wipe the woman’s feverish neck and her fair, soft, and completely limp hand.

She wiped between each finger, not missing a single spot, and answered her mother, “The First Prince’s methods weren’t clean enough. I found him out.”

“It’s good that you found her, it’s good that you found her. So, what do you plan to do now?”

Jiang Yao suddenly grasped Song Muyun’s fingers and looked up with a sincere expression. “Mother³, can Muyun live with us? The Yueshang House is too dangerous. I don’t want her to go back.”

Madam Jiang hesitated for a moment upon hearing this, but first, she brought over the soup she had been simmering for a long time. “Look how pale you are. Drink this soup first. As for this matter, I need to ask your Father⁴. He should be back by now.”

Jiang Yao acknowledged her. Madam Jiang left the soup and hurried out.

Jiang Ru then walked in from outside, looking at her sister’s well-behaved and lovely appearance. “Jiejie⁵, I just went to look at the side room. I’ll move there, and you and Muyun-jiejie can live here.”

She was always so sensible.

Jiang Yao was a little touched. She agreed, then pointed to the soup placed to the side and said in a gentle voice, “This is the soup Mother stewed for you. Hurry and drink it to replenish your strength.”

“Ah, Auntie⁶ stewed soup for me? Just for me?”

Jiang Ru was a bit bewildered. Her Jiejie was right here, so why would their Auntie stew soup only for her?

“Yes, hurry and drink it.”

Jiang Yao urged her. Although Jiang Ru was confused, she obediently picked up the bowl and drank the soup.

Not long after Madam Jiang left, she returned with Jiang Heng.

The room was full of women, so it wasn’t proper for Jiang Heng to enter. He could only wait in the main hall and sent someone to call Jiang Yao out.

Today’s Jiang Yao lacked her usual swinging and dangling⁷ and provocative demeanor. Her face held a touch of softness. She came out rubbing her temples and, upon seeing her father, got straight to the point. “Die⁸, I want Muyun to live with us.”

Jiang Heng glared at his daughter. “You found where she was, why didn’t you tell me!”

“It was an emergency. I was just focused on rescuing her as quickly as possible. How could I have had time to tell you?”

Jiang Yao complained, “Besides, you have no idea how badly Muyun was hurt. I wasn’t willing to be even a moment later.”

Jiang Heng glared at her. “Then do you know that today in the Imperial Court⁹, I already had someone present the evidence of the Song family being framed? The Emperor has also ordered a city-wide search for Song Muyun. Now you’ve brought her back in private. How am I supposed to explain this? That the one who abducted Song Muyun was Jiang Heng’s own daughter¹⁰?”

Jiang Yao was in no mood to joke around with her Die. Thinking of Song Muyun, who had yet to wake up, her face showed a hint of fatigue. “Die, Muyun was found in a residence under Murong Chun’s name. She said Murong Qin tortured her. With her testimony, isn’t that enough?”

Madam Jiang also nudged Jiang Heng. “Yao’er has a point. She knows what she’s doing. Don’t always be so fierce.”

Jiang Heng, nursing a headache, grasped his wife’s hand by his side and said, “There still needs to be some physical evidence. How did you know where she was?”

“The Eighth Prince told me.”

Jiang Heng: …

“How did the Eighth Prince get involved in this?”

Jiang Yao nodded honestly. “Yes, the Eighth Prince is actually quite a good person. He told me everything he knew, without hiding anything from me.”

Jiang Heng flew into a rage, slamming his hand on the table and blowing his beard and glaring with his eyes¹¹. “What do you know? Good person? The Eighth Prince has designs on your younger sister! Do you think he helped you for free? Your Second Uncle holds significant military power and has great prestige at the border. The Emperor has long been wary of him and has hinted both overtly and covertly multiple times that Ru’er must marry into the Imperial Family. I imagine the Eighth Prince has also taken an interest in this. Those little whelps in the Imperial Family are all as cunning as they come.”

Jiang Heng sneered. In the past two days, quite a few princes had tried to visit his residence, but he had turned them all away.

Hearing her father’s baseless speculation, Jiang Yao looked a bit embarrassed. Recalling what she had seen yesterday, she couldn’t help but speak a few words for the Eighth Prince. “Die, the Eighth Prince… is probably not as sordid as you think. She just wanted to thank us for teaching her martial arts, she has no other intentions.”

Jiang Heng shot Jiang Yao a look and said only, “A person’s heart is difficult to fathom. What does a child like you know?”

Jiang Yao: …

I can’t say about other things, but on this matter, I know far more than you do! Also, who’s a child!!! Your daughter is already eighteen this year!

“Forget it. You can keep her here and let her recuperate. This time, our Jiang family has completely offended the First Prince and the Seventh Prince. Remember to ask the Eighth Prince if he has any evidence of the First Prince’s abduction. Even if we can’t convict the two of them, we have to let the Emperor know that they are inextricably linked to this matter.”

“I know, Die.”

Jiang Yao agreed, and Jiang Heng waved his hand. “Then you can go back. I’m leaving too.”

Madam Jiang gave Jiang Yao a gentle smile and was led away by Jiang Heng.

The medicine had just been brewed. When Jiang Yao returned, Cuizhu was about to feed it to Song Muyun. She took the medicine bowl and said, “You all go rest first. I’ll take care of things here.”

Even unconscious, Muyun calls my name. She must want me to be the first person she sees when she wakes up.

“Alright. Then I’ll go prepare a change of clothes for Sister Muyun.”

This was Song Muyun’s first time at the Jiang Residence, so they naturally didn’t have any of her personal clothing. Jiang Ru was thoughtful and immediately thought to prepare some for her.

With her sister helping out, Jiang Yao’s weary heart suddenly felt a bit lighter. “Thank you, Ru’er.”

“We are sisters. What need is there for thanks?”

Jiang Ru went to prepare a change of undergarments for Song Muyun, with Cuizhu accompanying her. Soon, only Jiang Yao and Song Muyun were left in the room.

Jiang Yao helped the beauty with closed eyes sit up, then picked up the still-hot bowl of medicine and blew on it carefully. “Muyun, it’s time for your medicine. Open your mouth.”

She whispered softly in her ear, as if she were still conscious, her tone slightly coaxing.

And then… those two pale, bloodless lips actually parted slightly in obedience.

So good. So good even while unconscious.

An impulse stirred in Jiang Yao’s heart; she wanted to pinch Song Muyun’s soft cheeks.

Better feed her the medicine first.

The little fairy¹² was extremely well-behaved while drinking her medicine. As Jiang Yao whispered in her ear, coaxing her to drink a little more, she didn’t clamp her mouth shut in refusal, even though her brows were furrowed enough to crush a mosquito.

The bowl of medicine was finished with surprising ease. Jiang Yao herself hadn’t expected it. She had been one to hate medicine since she was a child—couldn’t stand it at all. One taste of the bitterness and the rest would be fed to the flowers, the grass, the trees. In her eyes, everyone should hate drinking medicine. This was the first time she had met someone so obedient about it.

She placed the empty bowl to the side, reluctant to immediately let go of the person in her arms. Instead, she raised a hand and began to gently knead the soft flesh of Song Muyun’s cheeks.

She had wanted to do this for a long time.

Muyun is so cute. Cute and well-behaved, and always acting spoiled. This is her true nature. The cold and resolute personality in the dream was clearly forced out of her by being deliberately bullied.

Ever since her relationship with Song Muyun had grown closer, Jiang Yao found it impossible to recall the scenes from her dream. Every time she tried, her heart would ache so much she could barely breathe. Without her there, Song Muyun was bullied by so many people—bullied by the Seventh Prince, bullied by Jiang Huai, even the servants in the residence could step on her.

Jiang Yao hugged Song Muyun, pressing her face against hers and rubbing it gently, whispering, This time, I’ll protect you. Everything is alright now.

In her sleep, Song Muyun shifted uncomfortably until her head tilted into Jiang Yao’s embrace, occupying the most comfortable spot, and she fell into a deep sleep.

Jiang Yao watched her, not even realizing that the corners of her own lips had curved into a gentle, doting smile that wouldn’t fade for a long time.

…

An unknown amount of time passed before Murong Qing was finally discovered unconscious in his room by a servant. The Seventh Prince’s residence was thrown into a state of soldiers in turmoil and horses in chaos¹³. When he woke up and saw his bruised and swollen face, he flew into a rage and punished all of his Shadow Guards¹⁴. The master was knocked out in his room, and not a single one of those useless Shadow Guards had noticed! ALL OF THEM WERE TRASH!!!

Who was it this time?

Why were they only targeting him?!

Murong Qing suspected Jiang Yao. Jiang Zhi had warned him so sternly today; Jiang Yao must have told them something. If it was Jiang Yao this time, then the last time must have been her too!

Damn that Jiang Yao, it seems she cannot be allowed to live!

Murong Qing lowered his head, his eyes filled with a sinister gloom.

“Hiss, be gentle! Don’t you want to live anymore!” The young servant applying medicine was kicked violently by his master.

Murong Qing cursed and swore inside his residence. After the medicine was applied, he changed his clothes and headed for Murong Chun’s residence.

The servants at the residence were still carrying out their duties as usual, but Murong Qing was already standing in the wide-open dungeon, his face dark.

The lock on the dungeon was broken. Song Muyun was gone. Who was it!

Was it Jiang Yao, or someone else?

This was a private residence bought by Murong Chun; no one knew about it besides them.

A sudden panic rose in Murong Qing’s heart, as if something that was supposed to belong to him was slowly slipping away. Song Muyun shouldn’t have been rescued. He could have used her to make a deal with the Jiang family, to get them to back off. But now that Song Muyun was rescued, he had lost even his final bargaining chip.

If the Song family’s case was completely overturned and she revealed that he had abducted her, he would inevitably lose the people’s favor.

Murong Qing’s face was grim as he clenched his fists. He and the Jiang family were now in a state where the situation does not allow two to stand¹⁵!

No, perhaps there’s still a chance. They don’t have conclusive evidence to prove that I captured Song Muyun.

The person went missing from one of Murong Chun’s properties. The one who went to capture her was Murong Chun, the residence where she was imprisoned was Murong Chun’s, and the crime of harming the descendant of a loyal official would fall solely on Murong Chun’s head.

At this thought, Murong Qing finally let out a sigh of relief. His face returned to its usual bright wind and clear moon after rain¹⁶ appearance as he lifted his head, squared his shoulders, and walked out slowly.

In the Jiang Residence, Song Muyun didn’t manage to wake up until around Shen Hour¹⁷. Her whole body wracked with pain, her eyelashes trembled lightly. She opened her eyes to an unfamiliar ceiling. She subconsciously sat up and looked around, seeing a very simple woman’s bedroom.

Where… where was this?

Remembering the warm embrace before she lost consciousness, she had a guess in her heart but didn’t dare to be certain. Her pale lips pursed slightly.

It wasn’t until she heard the sounds of people coming and going outside, along with Jiang Yao’s clear voice, that her heart settled.

“You all wait here first. She might not be awake yet. I’ll go in and see.”

Hearing Jiang Yao’s voice, Song Muyun’s wandering heart suddenly found its anchor.

She sat on the bed, her gaze fixed on the area beyond the screen, watching as Jiang Yao approached.

Jiang Yao had just returned with people from the Capital Prefecture¹⁸. She had settled them outside and wanted to go back to see if Song Muyun was awake.

If she wasn’t, she would just have them wait.

Who would have thought that as soon as she entered, she would be met with a pair of moist eyes.

Song Muyun sat on the bed, lifting her small, pale face to look at her. After a moment, she called out softly, “Jiang Yao.”

Her voice was slightly hoarse, but it wasn’t unpleasant. Instead, it was raspy, as if it were tugging at Jiang Yao’s heart.

She was awake. Jiang Yao was a little happy but didn’t show it. She just took a few steps forward, knelt down to look up at her, and responded, “Yes, what is it?”

Song Muyun lowered her head and looked at her earnestly for a long while. Then, as if choking back a sob, she asked, “Jiang Yao, can you hold me for a moment?”

Her body hurt so, so much, but she felt that if Jiang Yao held her, maybe it wouldn’t hurt as much.

She wanted Jiang Yao to hold her.

The woman’s eyes were filled with tears as she looked at her pitifully. How could Jiang Yao bear to refuse? If she refused, what would she do if the little fairy started crying?

A fairy should forever stand upon the clouds, aloof and stunningly beautiful, transcendent. Anyone who makes a fairy cry deserves to die.

Without a second thought, Jiang Yao stood up and pulled Song Muyun into her arms, carefully avoiding her wounds. She gently patted her back, speaking soothing words. “It’s okay, don’t be scared anymore. I’m here. I won’t let anyone bully you again. Don’t be scared, okay?”

Jiang Yao coaxed her.

Song Muyun sniffled and nuzzled deeper into her embrace. “Mm, I know. With you here, I’m not scared.”

She had been terrified—afraid of Murong Qing’s torturous methods, afraid of what he might do to her, afraid of what would happen if Jiang Yao couldn’t find her. She had even thought that if she couldn’t endure it, she would just smash her head against a wall and die.

Thankfully, thankfully Jiang Yao had found her. Jiang Yao had come to save her.

No one cared about her more than Jiang Yao, no one treated her better. She knew that.

As the little fairy thought this, her head couldn’t help but burrow deeper into Jiang Yao’s embrace. Held completely by her, soothed by her gentle voice, and given many promises, the last of which was, “From now on, you’ll stay at the Jiang Residence. No one will dare to come here and bully you.”

Song Muyun’s eyes suddenly shot up, filled with shock and worry. She quickly shook her head. “No, I… I can’t stay here.”

Her long, glossy black hair was spread across her back, with just two strands falling to the sides of her face, making her face look small and her chin sharp, without a trace of flesh. Jiang Yao’s heart ached for her.

She had known Song Muyun for a while now and understood her to some extent. The moment she heard her refuse, she knew what she was thinking.

For some reason, the young lady was constantly worried about tarnishing her reputation. But what was reputation compared to a person’s life? Besides, she was a wastrel. What reputation did she have?

Jiang Yao gently stroked Song Muyun’s back, occasionally rubbing the back of her head. Song Muyun slowly relaxed and whispered against her neck, “It’s fine for me to go back to the Yueshang House. You visit me often anyway. After this, Murong Qing won’t try anything against me again. It’s not good for me to stay at the Jiang family’s home.”

She only said it wasn’t good, but not why it wasn’t good.

They both knew perfectly well.

Jiang Yao raised her hand and suddenly flicked Song Muyun’s smooth, snow-white forehead, leaving a distinct red mark.

Song Muyun didn’t cover her forehead. Instead, she stared blankly at Jiang Yao, looking adorably foolish.

Jiang Yao pulled her into an embrace and whispered in her ear in a husky voice, “Silly girl. Today in court, someone presented evidence that your father was framed. Your father’s case is about to be overturned. You are not the daughter of a convicted official¹⁹, so of course there’s nothing wrong with you staying at my home.”

Song Muyun’s whole body went rigid. She subconsciously gripped Jiang Yao’s wrist and looked up at her with wide eyes, her thin body and voice trembling. “What… what did you say?”

Jiang Yao stroked that hand, her face full of pity, her voice growing even gentler—a gentleness reserved only for Song Muyun. “I said, your father’s case is about to be overturned. From now on, you are no longer the daughter of a convicted official. Don’t be afraid. You will be the descendant of a loyal official²⁰. The Emperor will compensate you. Murong Qing won’t be able to bully you anymore.”

Unless Murong Qing no longer wanted his reputation, he wouldn’t dare bully the descendant of a loyal official who had died unjustly.

The tears that had been welling in Song Muyun’s eyes ever since she saw Jiang Yao finally fell, a string of crystal-clear drops splashing into Jiang Yao’s embrace.

Jiang Yao knew she had been through a rollercoaster of emotions that day and might not be able to take it. She didn’t say much more, just held her gently, patting her back soothingly, again and again. The person in her arms cried while rubbing against her neck, getting tears all over her, wet and warm.

Jiang Yao still said nothing. It wasn’t until she had cried her fill that her pair of watery eyes slowly lifted. The tip of her nose was red as she looked pitifully at Jiang Yao, at the woman who had changed her life. After a long, long time, she finally spoke, her voice soft. “Jiang Yao, thank you…”

Without Jiang Yao, the Song family’s case would not have been overturned, and she would not have had anyone to protect her.

Song Muyun had always had a very strong feeling, ever since meeting Jiang Yao. She felt that she had embarked on a completely different path, a path that could save her.

“What’s there to thank me for? Right now, you just need to recuperate at my home. You don’t need to worry about anything else.” She was exceedingly gentle as she reached out to knead Song Muyun’s soft cheek.

Song Muyun’s face was still pale, but her pair of stunningly beautiful phoenix eyes looked at her with brightness and reliance.

She truly didn’t have to worry about anything; Jiang Yao had already taken care of it all for her.

If it weren’t for Jiang Yao, why would Prime Minister Jiang concern himself with my affairs?

As the two of them gazed into each other’s eyes, Jiang Ru walked in from outside. Seeing Song Muyun sitting up, her tone was pleasantly surprised. “Muyun-jiejie, you’re awake?”

Seeing Jiang Ru, Song Muyun glanced at Jiang Yao with some uncertainty, then obediently sat up straight and looked over. “Ru’er-meimei²¹.”

“It’s good that you’re awake, it’s good that you’re awake. There’s still porridge simmering in the small kitchen. I’ll go get it for you in a bit.”

“I can get it myself. I’m troubling you, Ru’er-meimei.”

This was her first time staying at someone else’s home, and she felt quite embarrassed and didn’t dare to trouble them.

Jiang Yao swung an arm out and pulled her back into her embrace, chiding, “With your body in this state, where do you think you’re going? If you don’t want Ru’er to go, and you feel embarrassed, then I’ll go for you, is that alright? Does it still hurt? Do you want me to apply some medicine?”

The moment Jiang Yao spoke, Song Muyun became somewhat obedient. She stopped arguing about who would get the porridge and shook her head. “It doesn’t hurt anymore. Don’t worry.”

Actually, it stopped hurting so much the moment she hugged me.

“Good that it doesn’t hurt. If it hurts, you have to tell me, you know?”

The young lady nodded obediently, her eyes sparkling with starlight.

Jiang Ru reminded Jiang Yao, “Jiejie, the officials outside are still waiting.”

Only then did Jiang Yao remember the visitors from the Capital Prefecture.

She looked at the delicate girl in her arms and asked, “Can you walk? The people outside are from the Capital Prefecture. They need your testimony.”

Song Muyun clutched Jiang Yao’s sleeve, a little nervous, her brow slightly furrowed. “Then what should I say?”

“Just tell the truth.”

Suddenly, a man’s rough and hearty voice sounded from the courtyard. “Oh, the officials are all here.”

“Me? My daughter lives in this courtyard too. I’ve come to see her.”

“It’s my father,” Jiang Ru said in a small voice.

Jiang Yao nodded. “You go out first. I’ll help Muyun-jiejie change her clothes.”

“Alright, I’ll go out and entertain them.”

With her family, Jiang Ru was obedient and sensible. With outsiders, she could also hold her own. She ordered someone to bring stools and tea for the group of officials, then sat down to chat with them, her gentle smile showing none of the shyness she had in front of her family.

Song Muyun’s face was red. She wanted to say she could change by herself, but she truly had no strength in her hands. She could only let Jiang Yao handle her, dressing her piece by piece.

Her clothes were ready-made ones that Jiang Ru had gone out to buy. The size had been measured by Jiang Yao’s hands.

They fit well enough.

After she was dressed, Jiang Yao gently pressed on Song Muyun’s leg and looked at her with sincere eyes. “You don’t have any strength, do you? Should I carry you out?”

As she spoke, she was about to lift her.

Song Muyun was practically flustered. She hurriedly backed away a little, but inadvertently pulled at a wound, the pain causing her eyes to redden instantly.

Jiang Yao’s heart leaped into her throat. Before she could even speak, she heard her refuse in a small voice, “No, it’s not necessary. There are so many people outside. I can walk on my own. It’s fine, the wound stopped hurting long ago.”

It actually still hurts a little, but with Jiang Ru’s father here, and so many officials, how could I let Jiang Yao carry me?

Jiang Yao was still a bit bewildered, scratching the back of her head. “We’re both women. You’re in pain, what’s wrong with me carrying you?”

Song Muyun understood in her heart that they were both women, but… but…

She bit her lip lightly and looked at Jiang Yao, still shaking her head in refusal. Even if her body was in great pain, she didn’t want to be carried, preferring to limp outside on her own.

Jiang Yao was so angered by her stubbornness she nearly fainted. In the end, she could only chase after her and support her carefully.

Song Muyun’s head of smooth, black hair swayed with her movements. She wore no ornaments, nor any makeup. Her thin, sharp chin made her look all the more delicate, like a weak willow supported by the wind²², unable to withstand any hardship.

Jiang Yao complained that she was disregarding her own body, that being carried wouldn’t cost her a piece of flesh. Only Song Muyun herself knew that she harbored some disgusting, unspeakable dark thoughts. She was happy when she saw Jiang Yao and dejected when she didn’t. She increasingly liked being touched by her; it didn’t matter where, any touch made her happy.

She was also flustered. She knew she shouldn’t, but she didn’t want Jiang Yao to distance herself from her. She couldn’t bring herself to push her away, so she could only take things one step at a time.

Seeing the crowd of people sitting outside, Jiang Yao finally shut her mouth and said no more, only ordering someone to bring over a chair with a soft cushion and helping Song Muyun sit down properly.

Song Muyun’s soft, snow-white hands kept pushing her hand away, not wanting to sit. Jiang Yao frowned and looked over, about to ask why she wouldn’t sit, when she saw Song Muyun properly curtsy to her Second Uncle. Her voice was soft and gentle. “Muyun greets the Great General.”

Jiang Zhi waved his fan-like hand casually at Song Muyun. “You are injured, no need for such formalities.”

Song Muyun’s soft and gentle voice was the type that elders found very pleasing. “Propriety cannot be abandoned,” she said gently.

Jiang Yao was so exasperated she was about to roll her eyes to the heavens. So the reason she wouldn’t sit down was to salute her Second Uncle. Was her Second Uncle the type to care about etiquette?

Military men are generally not constrained by minor details²³. So foolish.

As she thought this, she finally helped her sit down properly. The several officials from the Capital Prefecture who had been seated stood up instead. After bowing, their leader, Ji Qingyan, began to inquire, “Are you Miss Song Muyun?”

Noticing the wind outside was getting stronger, Jiang Yao gestured for Cuizhu to go inside and fetch a cloak.

Song Muyun nodded lightly. “I am. What would you gentlemen like to ask?”

Ji Qingyan signaled the man next to him holding a brush to pay attention, then began to ask, “Miss, may I ask where you were abducted?”

“Sir, this commoner girl²⁴ was taken from the Yueshang House.”

“Do you remember who took you?”

“I remember.”

“Who was it?”

As he asked this question, Ji Qingyan himself was extremely nervous. Recalling Jiang Yao’s various hints, he was afraid it really was one of those untouchable ancestors.

However, his nervousness had no effect. Song Muyun still looked him straight in the eye and calmly uttered three words, “The First Prince.”

Ji Qingyan squeezed his eyes shut, unwilling to open them. He really couldn’t understand why the First Prince, a dignified prince, had to pick on a woman!

Who in the capital didn’t know that Jiang Yao had recently been captivated by this woman? Jiang Yao had a fierce personality and hated evil like an enemy. If the First Prince dared to capture her, how could she let the matter rest?

Ji Qingyan had a massive headache.

He calmed himself down and asked again, “Was there anyone else besides the First Prince?”

“Yes, the proprietress of the Yueshang House. She led the way.”

The official to the side recorded furiously with his brush. Jiang Yao took the cloak from the maid’s hands and carefully draped it over Song Muyun’s legs. Song Muyun tried to push it away. “You… you should give it to the Great General.”

An elder doesn’t have one, how can I be so delicate? What if Jiang Yao’s Second Uncle thinks I’m insensible?

Jiang Yao was dumbfounded. “My Second Uncle is a man, and a military man at that. He’s not afraid of the cold. You haven’t fully recovered yet. You wear it.”

Song Muyun grabbed Jiang Yao’s hand, shaking it with little force. “Then give it to Ru’er-meimei. I’m not cold.”

Hearing her refuse repeatedly, Jiang Yao frowned and became a bit fierce. “Nonsense! Ru’er isn’t injured. If she’s cold, she’ll get something herself. I brought this for you. You are not to push three and block four²⁵.”

They both kept their voices low, but they were the only ones talking in the courtyard, so even low voices could be heard. Hearing this, Jiang Ru quickly stood up, took a shawl from the maid behind her, and smiled at Song Muyun. “Muyun-jiejie, you don’t need to worry about Ru’er. Ru’er will take care of herself.”

Jiang Yao looked down at her without speaking, holding the cloak out towards her face. Seeing that she was genuinely a little upset, Song Muyun hurriedly took the cloak and draped it over her legs. She looked up, her bright eyes conveying obedience, as if to curry favor, telling her, I’ve put it on now, don’t be angry.

Jiang Yao’s displeasure didn’t last long. Her resolve quickly crumbled, and her expression softened as she reached out to pat the back of Song Muyun’s head.

Seeing that they had finally finished their polite deferrals, Ji Qingyan spoke again. “Then were the injuries on your body inflicted by the First Prince?”

Before bringing them in, Jiang Yao had mentioned that Song Muyun was injured, and he could also see the conspicuous red marks on the woman’s neck.

Song Muyun shook her head. “No, it was the Seventh Prince.”

Ji Qingyan: …

I just want to be an official to support my family, I didn’t want to incur the resentment of two princes!

First the First Prince, now the Seventh Prince, how am I supposed to handle this case?!

He spoke in a nearly trembling voice, “Then… then why did they imprison you?”

Song Muyun paused for a moment. Thinking of what Murong Qing had done to her, her eyes darkened slightly, and she nearly bit an imprint into her pale lips. Just as she was about to answer, she heard Jiang Yao’s impatient voice. “Why else? Haven’t you heard? The Seventh Prince has long admired our Yun’er, but Yun’er never gave him the time of day. If he can’t have her, he’ll destroy her. Is that so hard to understand?”

Ji Qingyan wore a bitter expression but couldn’t help but retort, “Those rumors have no basis. They cannot be used as testimony.”

“In that case, shouldn’t you go ask the Seventh Prince, sir? He was the one who imprisoned this commoner girl.”

Song Muyun still spoke softly and gently. After she finished, she looked at Jiang Yao, thinking, She just called me… Yun’er?

At this moment, Jiang Zhi stood up. Years of martial arts training made him appear very robust, with a somewhat fierce aura. “Alright, the young lady has just returned and needs to recuperate. She cannot be tired out. You all may go back. If there’s anything, go to the First Prince’s residence and the Seventh Prince’s residence to ask. If they are uncooperative, come and tell me. I will personally go to the palace and speak with the Emperor. I will not let this case of yours stall.”

Jiang Zhi patted his chest valiantly, directly silencing the group of officials. They looked at each other face to face²⁶ for a long moment before they could only accept their orders and leave.

They had to offend one side or the other. Now that the Emperor wanted to overturn the Song family’s case, the First Prince and the Seventh Prince would just have to be wronged.

After everyone had left, Song Muyun saw Jiang Zhi standing and hurriedly stood up as well. But she had no strength, so she half-leaned against Jiang Yao to stand.

Jiang Yao was speechless. “What’s the rush? You’re still injured. Can’t you wait for me to help you?”

Song Muyun rubbed against her shoulder, silently telling her not to speak.

The moment Jiang Zhi turned around, she immediately stood up straight again, enduring the pain throughout her body.

“Da Ge²⁷ asked me to come today to watch over you all, lest you youngsters get bullied. For the next few days, you girls should get along well while living together, understand?”

“We know, Second Uncle. You should head back. You don’t need to make a special trip next time. With me here, no one can bully them.”

Jiang Zhi snorted with a laugh, not bothering to say more, and left directly. He believed what his niece said. It had always been his niece bullying others, never the other way around. Only Da Ge still treated her like a child.

After he too had left, Jiang Ru gracefully sat down to drink the tea she hadn’t finished. Jiang Yao reached out and poked Song Muyun. “Why are you so polite to my Second Uncle? He’s my family. You can be more casual. Isn’t it tiring to be so mindful of etiquette?”

Hearing this, Jiang Ru also chimed in, “That’s right, Muyun-jiejie. My Die is a very nice person. You don’t need to be so reserved.”

Song Muyun gave Jiang Ru a gentle smile. “I know.”

She turned and took Jiang Yao’s hand, saying in a small voice, “I’m staying at the Jiang Residence and will likely be troubling your family for many days. I just want them to like me a little more.”

So that was why she had acted with such extra respect and politeness.

Jiang Yao mumbled as she went to rub the young lady’s slightly cool fingers, warming them up bit by bit. She said earnestly, “You don’t need to be like this. They will still like you.”

Her old man just happened to like well-behaved girls like this.

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