Forbidden to Bully the Storybook’s Heroine – Chapter 48

The Wicked Elder Sister Famous Throughout the Capital

It was a rare family banquet where everyone was in a bad mood. Only Jiang Yao, Song Muyun, the Eighth Prince, and Jiang Ru were chatting happily, their eyes curved in delight.

Jiang Heng wished he could forbid his daughter and niece from paying any attention to the Eighth Prince. The Eighth Prince possessed a wolf-cub’s wild ambition¹. Both girls in his family were unmarried, yet the Prince came to the Prime Minister’s Residence every day. What good intentions could he possibly have?

He was definitely eyeing the power of the Prime Minister’s Residence!

Jiang Heng was so angry his beard twitched. Liang Qingyin seemed to sense something as well; her brows were tightly knitted, and she barely spoke throughout the meal.

Over there, Jiang Ru had just put down her chopsticks when the Second Madam, Jiang Yi, stood up with a graceful smile. “Ru’er, the clothes Mother ordered for you a few days ago have arrived. Will you go back with Mother to take a look?”

Jiang Ru was an obedient child. Hearing her mother speak, she immediately stood up and agreed, “Okay.”

She looked at Jiang Yao again. “Then, Jiejie, I’ll head over first.”

“En, go ahead. The small kitchen made fresh pastries. If you come back late, we’ll save some for you.”

“En en.”

Jiang Ru was taken away, and the dishes on the table were soon eaten seven-seven-eight-eight². Murong Ci stood up to bid farewell. Jiang Heng maintained a refined and polite expression as he personally escorted Murong Ci out.

But before sending the guest off, he glanced at Jiang Yao. “You wait here. I have words to say to you in a moment.”

Jiang Yao, who was just about to slip back to her courtyard, looked completely bewildered. Song Muyun was the same, her eyes filled with worry. She carefully tugged at Jiang Yao’s pinky finger and asked, “What does Uncle³ want to say to you? Is he unhappy because you wanted to take me to the Autumn Hunt?”

She always blamed herself first, becoming uneasy as a result.

Jiang Yao immediately comforted her. “How is that possible? No such thing. My father knows I like being with you. He definitely has other matters to discuss with me; it has nothing to do with you.”

While comforting her, she found her adorable and reached out to rub that furry head.

Song Muyun still couldn’t suppress the worry at the bottom of her heart. Her willow brows remained lightly knitted, and she didn’t even have the mind to dodge, sitting there and letting Jiang Yao rub her head several times.

Liang Qingyin still had some account books to read. Seeing Murong Ci leave, she also stood up to depart. Her husband would give the instructions, so she didn’t need to worry.

Jiang Huai sprawled on the chair with no proper posture. Seeing Jiang Yao treat an outsider so well while treating him with ‘nose not nose, eyes not eyes’—constantly finding fault and scolding him—he felt somewhat unhappy.

“Heng⁴, Jiejie, you really are quite romantic. Among my classmates, who doesn’t know about your romantic affairs now?”

Jiang Huai spoke with yin-yang strange air⁵. Openly accepting a music girl⁶ from Yueshang House to live at home—his sister was probably the first to do so. Father and Mother didn’t even try to block it. That guy surnamed Lin mocked his sister every day for being a mirror grinder⁷!

Angered to death.

Jiang Huai had the temperament of a youth. Because his classmates at the academy always laughed at him, even if he liked Song Muyun quite a bit at the start, he didn’t like her much now.

Of course, Jiang Yao simply didn’t care if he liked her or not. She raised her head and said, “Shut up, or I’ll beat you until you can’t speak.”

Jiang Huai was so angry his chest heaved violently. After a long while, he crossed his arms, turned his head, and stopped talking.

Jiang Yao couldn’t be bothered to care about his anger. She focused on comforting Song Muyun. “Don’t mind the fart words⁸ that little whelp⁹ said. In the whole family, only he is ignorant. In a few days, I’ll take you to stroll through Flower Street, okay?”

Song Muyun was indeed influenced a bit by Jiang Huai’s words just now. Her heart felt a stuffy, suffocating pain, but she remained gentle toward Jiang Yao, nodding lightly. “En, I’ll go with you.”

She just liked following Jiang Yao.

Jiang Yao’s younger brother didn’t like her. She… she would just yield to him a little and not provoke him. That would be fine.

She didn’t want to leave the Jiang Residence. If Jiang Yao hadn’t brought her in, it would be difficult for her to meet Jiang Yao from the outside, let alone sleep in the same bed at night like this.

Jiang Yao was her… only friend. She didn’t want to lose her.

Jiang Heng returned quickly and called Jiang Yao to the study. Song Muyun waited for her in the main hall. Jiang Huai, who was clearly about to leave just now, had run back for some unknown reason. He stood there with his arms crossed, sizing Song Muyun up and down.

Song Muyun nervously squeezed the teacup in her hand tightly, lowering her lashes. She heard Jiang Huai lift his chin and say, “Song-jiejie, what kind of ecstasy soup¹⁰ did you pour into my sister? She likes you so much that my classmates are all laughing at me.”

The slender figure stood in front of Song Muyun, blocking most of the sunlight and casting her into shadow. His voice carried a lot of complaint.

Song Muyun’s fingertips trembled slightly, and a thin layer of mist immediately covered her eyes. She didn’t know what to say to make Jiang Huai not dislike her. After a long moment, she could only spit out two hoarse words: “I’m sorry.”

“Heng, what use is ‘I’m sorry’? Can’t you just blow a bit of pillow wind¹¹ on my sister and get her to beat up those classmates of mine who like to chew tongue roots¹²? Otherwise, they talk every day—you can’t hear it, but I’m annoyed to death.”

In Jiang Huai’s memory, his father was the tallest figure, but for solving problems, his sister’s fist was the most effective. Therefore, his request was righteous and confident.

Song Muyun thought that, ultimately, she had implicated Jiang Yao’s reputation. Even though the Dali Si¹³ was investigating her family’s case, there were always people who didn’t care about the truth and only wanted to slander others.

She nodded lightly. “I’ll speak with your sister about this matter.” But she wouldn’t let her hit people; that was too much.

Since she agreed, Jiang Huai became happy, and his attitude toward her improved significantly. “Then it’s settled. You must make my sister stand up for me. Li Yun said that what I say doesn’t work, but my sister will definitely listen to you. What is this called? Oh right, valuing beauty over younger brother¹⁴!”

Jiang Huai didn’t love studying, and his words always sounded a bit strange. Song Muyun didn’t correct him, nodding quietly. What kind of beauty did she count as? She was just Jiang Yao’s friend.

Jiang Huai left. In the study, Jiang Yao was scolded until she had dog’s blood sprinkled on her head¹⁵, but she still argued strongly on the basis of reason¹⁶. “Dad, the Eighth Prince really has no thoughts about me. How could she possibly have thoughts about me!”

Last time the Empress told her to marry the Eighth Prince, the Eighth Prince didn’t agree. Jiang Yao looked like someone who wasn’t a mirror grinder at first glance, so how could the Prince be interested in her?!

Her dad thought too much, really thought too much!

But Jiang Heng didn’t know Murong Ci was female. He firmly believed that Murong Ci had designs on the two girls in the residence.

He was now displaying his skills in the royal court and was highly praised by the Emperor. Indeed, he needed a high-status Prince Consort as support.

Jiang Heng¹⁷ had been immersed in the royal court for many years and was accustomed to overthinking things.

He forbade Jiang Yao from having too much contact with Murong Ci. Whatever Jiang Yao said was useless. After struggling for half the day, she finally surrendered. “Fine, fine, fine. I’m too lazy to argue with you. I’ll pay attention, okay? You just think too much, ai¹⁸.”

“Not just you, watch your younger sister too. Don’t let her be deceived by those princes with wolf-cub wild ambitions.” Jiang Heng was very certain he wasn’t overthinking.

Even if one had to marry into the Imperial Family, the candidate should be carefully screened by him and his Second Brother.

Women were soft-hearted, especially young women like them—easy to deceive. He was afraid Jiang Ru would be tricked away by a prince’s sweet words. By then, it would be too late for him and his Second Brother to cry.

Jiang Yao was helpless. To escape earlier, she could only play along. “Aiya¹⁹, I know, I know. It’s not the first time you’ve said it. If anyone dares to deceive my sister, see if I don’t beat him to death.”

She gestured with her snow-white fist.

The woman’s hands were born beautiful, appearing slender and weak, but one punch could easily break a few bones.

Usually, Jiang Heng wouldn’t indulge her violence and would scold her a bit. But inexplicably, Jiang Heng said nothing this time and even tacitly consented, waving his hand to dismiss her.

Jiang Yao returned to the front hall bustling with energy²⁰. Song Muyun was still sitting there, quietly looking at the ground as if lost in thought.

She called out, still careless and casual, “Xiao Yun’er, let’s go. Let’s go back and lie down. This meal has exhausted me to death.”

The whole meal was just moving lips. After eating, she had to follow Father to the study to move her lips again. Wasn’t it tiring?

Aside from practicing martial arts, Jiang Yao liked to lie down. And she had to lie down with Song Muyun.

Having a soft little waist to hug made it a bit more comfortable.

Song Muyun was somewhat absent-minded. Hearing the call, she obediently stood up and followed by her side.

Along the way, she responded to whatever Jiang Yao said. She heard it, but seemed not to have heard it clearly.

Jiang Yao suddenly turned her head and saw Song Muyun looking like her soul wasn’t guarding her body²¹.

She frowned, but her tone was concerned. “What’s wrong? Unhappy?”

The little girl didn’t want to lie, so she remained silent.

Jiang Yao rubbed that soft hand and slid down to hold the slender fingers, as if saying: Whatever makes you unhappy, tell me. I’ll solve it for you.

Aside from her father, no one had ever given Song Muyun such a reliable feeling. It seemed she only needed to be a little happier, follow her heart a little, and Jiang Yao would handle the rest.

The two slowly walked back to the courtyard. Song Muyun still showed no sign of happiness, her brows knitted with worry, making one anxious.

Jiang Yao pulled her into the room, pressed her onto a seat, and asked helplessly, “What exactly is wrong? If something is up, tell me. Don’t bottle it up inside.”

She didn’t like Song Muyun hiding things from her.

She wanted to know everything.

Song Muyun had been thinking the whole way about how to tell her. The pillow wind Jiang Huai mentioned… she had never blown it, so she didn’t know how to do it effectively. She struggled the whole way, pinching several red marks into her palms. Finally, when Jiang Yao asked again, her uneasy gaze fell on her. Her long, thick lashes trembled lightly as she used both hands to gently cup Jiang Yao’s hand. She said, “Jiang Yao, your younger brother seems to have been bullied.”

Jiang Yao: ?

Even if she thought until her head broke, she wouldn’t have understood. Song Muyun was unhappy the whole way, and the reason was actually Jiang Huai?

Just because someone bullied Jiang Huai???

No, based on what?!!!

Suddenly, she remembered the dream where the Jiang family suffered a full execution. In the dream, Muyun didn’t like Jiang Huai and treated him coldly because he helped Murong Qing humiliate her. She felt Jiang Huai was Murong Qing’s running dog. Even when the brat later realized his feelings and clumsily tried to treat her well, Song Muyun didn’t change her view of him one bit.

The difference between the dream and reality was… she had brought the heroine from the storybook to her side to protect. No one was allowed to speak evil words to her, especially not Jiang Huai. So Jiang Huai didn’t treat her badly or humiliate her. On the contrary… could she possibly fall in love with Jiang Huai?

Jiang Yao looked at her, eyes widening slightly. Her first reaction was to go explode Jiang Huai’s dog head. What status do you have to dare fantasize about the heroine? Neither literary nor martial arts accomplished—where are you good enough? Why would the heroine like you?!!

Muyun had stayed by her side for so long. When had she ever cared about an unrelated person’s business? At least toward Jiang Huai, perhaps she had fond feelings.

The more Jiang Yao thought, the angrier she got, and the more unworthy she felt for the beauty. Song Muyun didn’t know why she became unhappy. Her round eyes looked like she was glaring. Nervous, Song Muyun lightly bit her lip to explain, “It was your brother who told me that people in their academy laughed at him. It wasn’t that I wanted to control your brother.”

After speaking, she lowered her head in disappointment, assuming Jiang Yao disliked her managing family affairs.

Ultimately, they were just friends. How could she manage so much?

Jiang Yao had been with her long enough to see her sadness at a glance. She frowned, moved close, and pulled her into an embrace.

Even though it had happened many times, she still couldn’t accept Jiang Yao’s sudden intimacy.

Her body went slightly stiff, but she didn’t resist. Her heart couldn’t generate a single thought of resistance.

“What happened? Unhappy again? I didn’t forbid you from managing him. I was annoyed that for a tiny matter, he still had to come trouble you. Such a big man, being bullied and wanting to go home to tell his parents—useless.”

If it were Jiang Yao, she would have thrown a fist long ago if someone dared to laugh at her.

Of course, that was when she occupied the moral high ground.

If she didn’t and dared to hit people indiscriminately, she would just wait to be punished by her dad.

Jiang Yao hugged Song Muyun’s lean, soft body, her hand rubbing her lower back rhythmically until the last trace of stiffness vanished and she completely relaxed, leaning into her embrace.

Only after a long time did the person in her arms speak in a low voice. “Your brother said… it is because you brought me back to the residence that those people bullied him.”

Hearing this, Jiang Yao suddenly realized why she would manage Jiang Huai’s business. At the same time, she felt relieved. As long as she didn’t like Jiang Huai, it was fine.

If the Little Fairy wanted to get married, she would definitely pick the most handsome man with both literary and martial arts skills. Her stupid brother… from head to toe, there wasn’t a single place worthy of the Fairy.

“So it was like this. It’s nothing. If they dare to speak of your long and short²², I’ll go take care of them tomorrow.”

The wind words and wind language²³ in the capital couldn’t be stopped. Even though many knew the Song family was innocent, many others didn’t. They liked to press various crimes onto people and wantonly spread them.

Jiang Yao narrowed her eyes, really wanting to beat that group of little whelps immediately.

Hearing this, Song Muyun panicked. She hurriedly retreated a bit, looked up, and said seriously, “Don’t go hit people. Those who study in the same academy as your brother must be children of high noble families. Don’t offend people because of me; it’s not worth it.”

She was always this obedient and sensible, deeply afraid of implicating her.

But the more she was like this, the more Jiang Yao’s heart ached. In Jiang Yao’s eyes, young boys and girls should be high-spirited and reckless, yet Muyun was already this sensible.

She pressed the person back into her embrace and rubbed her cheek against hers, her tone arrogant. “Are the people I’ve offended in the capital few? In those little whelps’ families, there is always someone who has suffered my fist. Anyway, I’ve already offended them, why endure any longer?”

Speaking about her was okay. Speaking about Song Muyun, and letting it reach Song Muyun’s ears? Not okay.

Thinking of this, Jiang Yao’s face turned cold.

“That is also not okay. Just talk to them and it will be fine. Don’t move hands. I’m afraid their father’s generation will seek trouble with you.”

Actually, a few children were fine. What was troublesome was their fathers.

She worried that if elders came knocking, Uncle would blame Jiang Yao.

In the past when Father was here, it was like this; the younger male cousin in the family fought with people outside; clearly it wasn’t him who moved hands first, but people’s elders came looking, and Uncle then indiscriminately punished the cousin.

She worried Jiang Yao’s father would be the same.

Jiang Yao didn’t know why, but she wanted to show off in front of Song Muyun. Subconsciously, she replied, “If the fathers come, I’ll beat their fathers too.”

She sounded extremely arrogant, but as soon as the words fell, both of them were stunned. A moment later, Jiang Yao released her and turned her head awkwardly. Song Muyun lowered her head and covered her lips, laughing lightly.

Jiang Yao felt she was being laughed at, so she hurriedly shifted the topic. “That… that what… do you know what my dad called me to the study to say?”

Song Muyun saw her intention. Her eyes were full of smiles, yet she raised her hand with a handkerchief to cover the high arc of her mouth. “What did Uncle say to you?”

Mentioning this, Jiang Yao still felt disbelief. “My dad actually said Murong Ci developed thoughts about me. How is this possible? My dad just thinks too much and worries too heavily, trusting no one.”

Jiang Yao laughed while roasting her dad, not noticing that the smile on the person beside her was fading bit by bit.

A coldness suddenly floated in her eyes. She waited quietly for her to finish, then spoke, her voice clear as mountain spring water. “But how can you be certain the Eighth Prince has no thoughts about you? Jiang Yao, the heart of a superior is hard to predict. In case the Eighth Prince really has thoughts about you, what will you do?”

She was actually somewhat uneasy. The Eighth Prince was a man and a prince. His temperament was gentle, and his rear courtyard had no concubines or chambermaids. If one wanted a marriage alliance… he was indeed a top-tier choice.

What about Jiang Yao? Would she agree?

She was already eighteen. If she was to marry, perhaps it would be in the next few years…

Song Muyun’s heart felt tightly gripped by a large hand, inexplicably suffocating. Thinking she would marry someone else and sleep in the same bed with them made her feel heartache and sadness.

Jiang Yao immediately turned back, frowning in puzzlement. “Why are you the same as my dad, both suspecting the Eighth Prince? How is this possible? You’re getting more and more fond of wild thoughts, your little head thinking about nonexistent things all day.”

Jiang Yao was more familiar with her, so she could reach out smoothly to rub her cheek or flick her forehead.

Today she flicked her forehead again, leaving a shallow pink mark.

Song Muyun pursed her lips slightly, not very happy. A moment later, she mumbled, “How do you know it’s impossible? You are always confident like this. What if your father’s guess isn’t wrong?”

Jiang Yao was certainly confident. She knew Murong Ci was a genuine female. So how was it possible between her and Murong Ci?

But she couldn’t say these words out loud. She held back until her cheeks were red, locking eyes with Song Muyun. Finally, she asked, “Then why do you feel my father’s guess is right?”

Song Muyun lowered her head, angry. “The Eighth Prince frequently enters the Jiang Residence, yet only speaks with you and Sister Ru.”

At the banquet today, she noticed it too. Murong Ci didn’t say a single sentence to Jiang Huai.

He was only familiar with Jiang Yao. Her guess was not wind coming from an empty hole²⁴.

Jiang Yao didn’t know how to explain. Her brow frowned enough to pinch a mosquito to death. After a while, she realized that as long as Song Muyun was convinced, she couldn’t explain it away.

Jiang Yao helplessly said one last time, “Regardless of whether you believe it or not, Murong Ci won’t like me, nor will he like Ru’er.”

They were both women, unless Murong Ci didn’t want an heir.

Jiang Yao thought to herself. The small kitchen sent pastries in. Afraid Song Muyun would continue talking about Murong Ci, she hurriedly took a piece and held it to Song Muyun’s lips. “Alright, alright, let’s not talk about others. Come taste the pastry. Just made, somewhat hot. Blow on it twice.”

Song Muyun still felt Murong Ci had designs on Jiang Yao. A girl whose father was Prime Minister and uncle was a General was most sought-after among princes, yet Jiang Yao didn’t care at all.

She didn’t want to argue. She suppressed her gloomy thoughts, leaned her slender neck forward, and without blowing, took a bite of the soft, sweet pastry, eating half of it.

The little girl chewed slowly. Jiang Yao casually threw the remaining half into her own mouth and ate it, not minding at all.

Seeing this, Song Muyun’s unhappiness faded a bit, replaced by bashfulness. “You… you absolutely must not do this when you go out. There are uneaten ones there…”

Her face flushed with redness.

Jiang Yao heng-ed twice. “I don’t dislike you. Or did you dislike me, refusing to let me eat what you’ve eaten?”

Song Muyun feared she would misunderstand and waved her hands. “No, no, why would I dislike you? I’m just afraid if you do this, people will laugh at you.”

“Do they have nothing to do all day but laugh at me? If they are this idle, I’ll find something for them to do.”

Jiang Yao was different. She didn’t care about worldly gazes. She was extremely dazzling. Song Muyun… somewhat envied such a person, but she could never become like her.

She stopped speaking, quietly eating pastries with Jiang Yao. They saved a portion for Jiang Ru, then bathed and went to bed.

The next day, Jiang Yao changed into a set of spiral-green martial arts robes, wrapped a long whip around her waist, and went to Qinglu Academy²⁵.

The teachers on duty knew her. They had met in a martial arts competition, and naturally, Jiang Yao won.

The two were considered “friends made after a fight.” Afterward, they occasionally met for wine and meals.

The martial arts instructors more or less knew her. After greeting them, she walked in openly.

This was a Royal Academy. Although she hadn’t attended, she was familiar with it. At the start, her dad wanted her to be an instructor here, but she wanted to go to the battlefield. She fought her dad on it and won. He relented, letting her practice martial arts until the time was right for war.

Jiang Yao strolled through the academy looking for the Yi Character Class²⁶ where Jiang Huai studied. The students weren’t all men; there were women too. When she saw them, Jiang Yao would nod in greeting.

She eventually found her brother’s class. The master was lecturing on the platform.

She leaned against a willow tree in the courtyard, toying with her long whip, occasionally patting it against the ground, leaving shallow white marks on the tiles.

A moment later, noise erupted from the class—dismissal. Jiang Yao stood up straight, meeting the eyes of the first master to walk out.

They remembered each other.

The master walked over, her voice crisp as an oriole. “Miss Jiang, if I recall correctly, you came to find Jiang Huai?”

Although Jiang Yao didn’t love studying, she respected true scholars. She performed a martial general’s salute. “Master Meng. En, looking for him regarding a matter.”

Cough, she couldn’t say she was here to find trouble, right?

Rarely visiting, it was better to be gentle, or the dean might boom her out.

“Then Miss Jiang, go ahead. They have finished class.”

“Good. Many thanks, Master Meng.”

Master Meng shook her head, one hand behind her back, one in front, spine straight as a pen, walking away slowly.

Their conversation had long been spotted by sharp-eyed students.

Someone recognized Jiang Yao and called Jiang Huai.

Jiang Huai knew his sister was here and immediately thought of the pillow wind he asked for yesterday. It definitely worked!

Sister actually listened to that woman! In the past, he begged her to come prop up his face, but she was too lazy!

Thinking of this, Jiang Huai was somewhat resentful, but with many people staring, he forced his expression into joy.

The youth ran to Jiang Yao. “Jiejie, why did you come?”

He pretended not to know. Jiang Yao didn’t play along. She glanced at him faintly. “You don’t know why I came? Go call the people out.”

The long whip was wrapped around her snow-white wrist. When the young lords were called over, they didn’t know what was happening. Seeing the surrounding classmates looking at them with “you are dead” eyes, they were blank. Walking out, the leader saw the spiral-green figure and felt a bad premonition. “Jiang Huai! Who is looking for me? Can’t you speak directly! What are you acting mysterious for?!”

Jiang Huai didn’t have time to speak before the figure turned around, scaring the leader, Ji Chunyan. Beside him, Lin Shancui was also startled.

“Jiang… Jiang Yao-jiejie?!”

Even if the young lords behind didn’t recognize her face, hearing the name told them who she was.

This was the nightmare of all silk pants²⁷ in the capital!

All silk pants knew one thing: to do bad deeds, check if the Prime Minister’s Eldest Miss was on the street. If seen by her, not only would the deed fail, but one would suffer a beating.

Ji Chunyan’s brother had been beaten! He couldn’t get out of bed for half a month, yet he didn’t break any bones. The Prime Minister was biased, and the elders couldn’t even get an explanation.

From then on, the Ji family juniors were taught: stay far away from unreasonable martial artists. They had single-track minds and didn’t care who your backer was!

Ji Chunyan wanted to leave but was hooked by Jiang Huai. “Where are you going? Look, my sister is looking for you. If you leave, she’ll be unhappy.”

“You… Jiang Huai! You can’t out-talk us so you find your sister. Do you want face?!”

Ji Chunyan’s face turned white. The others buried their heads low, afraid to be noticed.

With a mountain backer, Jiang Huai was arrogant. “Heng, who made you speak of my sister first? If you have ability, say those words again in front of her.”

“When did we speak of your sister!”

Ji Chunyan didn’t admit it. Lin Shancui and the others nodded hurriedly.

Jiang Huai sneered. “Regretting is useless. My sister is here. Do you want to make her wait?”

Today, Jiang Huai showed off his prestige. A sister famous throughout the capital was enough to make him proud—even if it was a wicked name. She could deter all the silk pants. Too handsome.

Jiang Yao looked at them impatiently. Not speaking was already oppressive.

“Don’t delay. Solve it early, go back early.”

The children shook. They lined up and walked toward her.

As she said, extending the head is a knife, shrinking the head is also a knife²⁸.

“Jiang… Jiang Yao-jiejie…”

The leader was Marquis Yongcheng’s youngest son, Ji Chunyan. He feared her most because he witnessed his brother’s beating.

Since he was young then, Jiang Yao only made him call her Sister.

The others followed suit, looking obedient.

Jiang Yao rubbed the rough soft whip, her tone absent-minded. “I heard you spoke bad words about me behind my back?”

Ji Chunyan widened his eyes at Jiang Huai. How could he speak nonsense!

“How is that possible? When did we speak bad words about you!”

Could being romantic be called bad words? That was clearly the highest praise!

Jiang Huai walked close to stoke the fire. “Yes yes yes, you didn’t speak bad words about my sister, only laughed at her being bewitched by a brothel music girl.”

Jiang Yao lightly slapped Jiang Huai’s head. “That is your Song-jiejie. Be respectful.”

Jiang Huai grinned.

After hitting her brother, Jiang Yao raised her eyes, cold and fierce. “You look down on her?”

The group realized “she” referred to the music workshop woman. They didn’t dare speak.

Jiang Yao leaned close to the sixteen-year-olds. “Do your fathers have her father’s integrity and love for the people? Based on what do you look down on her?! Don’t let me know you say a word about her again. Hear it once, and your family relatives will suffer once. Understand?”

She scanned them. Most had elder brothers. One glory, all glory; one loss, all loss²⁹. She couldn’t hit children, but hitting their brothers was fine.

“We… we didn’t say anything about her either.” Those were words from elders. They didn’t expect to provoke Jiang Yao!

“But your words transmitted to her ears. She is very unhappy.”

If Song Muyun wasn’t unhappy, she wouldn’t have come.

The children fell silent. They just wanted to laugh at Jiang Huai.

“If you have time, come to my residence tomorrow to apologize to her.”

Jiang Yao looked at them. “If you have time” meant the time was set. Who dared not go?

The youths looked at each other, glared at Jiang Huai, and agreed weakly.

QAQ.

Jiang Huai had never been so glorious.

Jiang Yao lifted him by his collar and addressed the silk pants. “In the future, if anyone speaks bad words about your Song-jiejie again, remember to come back and tell me. I’d like to see who else dares to talk nonsense.”

She swept her gaze over them. They stood straight and shook their heads. In this life, they didn’t want to mention that music girl ever again.

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The author has something to say:

Every time I want to say something, I’m afraid of spoiling the plot. Forget it, still won’t say it. I can hold it in

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