Forbidden to Bully the Storybook’s Heroine – Chapter 59

Do You Want to Marry Me?

Only when Jiang Yao was certain that Song Muyun couldn’t run off anywhere did she let out a breath of relief, thinking she could finally explain things properly.

She held the woman’s soft, dark hair in her hands, kneading it gently as her voice filled with helplessness. “What are you doing? You know perfectly well that’s not what I meant.”

The little ancestor¹ of the house was small in size but had a big temper, getting angry at the drop of a hat.

Song Muyun turned her head away, refusing to look at her. Her voice was still thick with frustration and coldness. “How would I know what you meant?”

Jiang Yao looked at her and sighed deeply, resting her head on Song Muyun’s shoulder and nuzzling against her. “But I really didn’t mean it like that. I would despise myself before I ever despised you, you know?”

She didn’t know. And she expressed her resistance by ignoring her.

“Is it that you don’t want to get married? Just tell me that, and I’ll take care of you for the rest of your life. How about that?”

Her voice was soft and gentle, a placating coo.

But Song Muyun’s heart ached with a sour bitterness. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to get married—she just didn’t want to marry any of those men. The person she had always wanted to marry was right here.

“If I get married, you won’t take care of me anymore, is that it?” the young woman murmured.

The implication behind all of Jiang Yao’s words was that once she was married, someone else would be in charge of her, and Jiang Yao would wash her hands of her.

How could that be okay?

Who wanted to marry any of those hypocritical men?

Jiang Yao didn’t want her to misunderstand on this point and immediately refuted it. “How could that be possible? Even if you get married, I’ll still come to see you every day to make sure no one with bad eyes is bullying you.”

“Hmph. I don’t believe you. I don’t want to marry any of those people.”

Her words held a clear refusal to marry. Jiang Yao’s voice softened, becoming incredibly gentle. “Alright. You won’t marry. I’ll keep taking care of you, until the day you can’t stand the sight of me anymore.”

Song Muyun didn’t speak, which seemed to be a silent agreement.

Jiang Yao hesitated for a moment, still pinning her down. She leaned in and whispered by her ear, “So what type do you actually like? Men, women, it doesn’t matter. Just tell me.”

She really, really wanted to know.

Song Muyun froze. She finally turned her head to look at Jiang Yao, but only to glare at her.

She looked ferocious.

“I don’t want to talk to you at all. All you know is how to push me away.”

The young woman was deeply hurt. The rims of her eyes gradually turned red, and a shimmering moisture coated her lashes, scaring Jiang Yao into a flustered panic. She rushed to wipe the tears away, apologizing profusely. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to push you away. I won’t ask anymore, okay? I won’t ask. Just please don’t cry. Every time you cry, my heart aches. Don’t cry, don’t cry.”

The moisture in Song Muyun’s eyes was wiped away before it could fall as the person on top of her cooed and coaxed.

Finally, she spoke, her voice a little hoarse. “I like… someone who knows martial arts. Someone who can protect me.”

Jiang Yao paused, then quickly realized she was answering her question about what type of person she liked.

Okay, got it. She mentally jotted it down in a little notebook.

Then she heard her continue. “They have to be good to me. Very, very good. They have to always coax me and dote on me.”

Jiang Yao immediately jumped in. “That’s a given. I wouldn’t feel at ease letting you marry anyone who didn’t treat you well.”

“Hmph.”

“Any other requirements?” she asked, already thinking that she would start digging three feet into the ground² if she had to, just to find the person Muyun liked.

That person would surely be the most perfect, most suitable match for her.

She liked someone with martial arts skills? Then she would find the most skilled—and most handsome—practitioner in the entire Da Jin Kingdom for her.

“Yes.”

Song Muyun spoke slowly. This time, her gaze finally locked onto Jiang Yao’s face, holding it.

Then she said, “I like someone with very big, very round eyes.”

Xiao Yun’er likes round eyes.

Jiang Yao committed it to memory.

“I don’t like those people who are always biting text and chewing words,³ pretending to be refined.⁴ I like… someone who loves reading storybooks,⁵ and who will read them with me.”

That kind of person would be easy to find among the military officials. Jiang Yao nodded again, very seriously.

Seeing her expression, Song Muyun knew that Jiang Yao hadn’t read anything more into her words.

A wave of frustration washed over her again, and her voice became muffled. “I like someone who will take me to buy Tanghulu⁶ and pastries, who will worry that my body runs cold and help me regulate it.”

She listed her preferences one by one, and Jiang Yao diligently recorded every single one in her mind.

Song Muyun, however, was silently fuming. And she always calls me dumb. You’re the dumb one! You are! I’ve said so much and you haven’t understood a single word. You’re infuriating!

“Okay, I get it. I’ll find someone for you. Now, let’s get some sleep.”

They had been fooling around for a while, and it was already late. Jiang Yao wasn’t sleepy, but she was afraid Song Muyun wouldn’t get enough rest. She always had to be mindful of her health.

Song Muyun was long used to her denseness. After fuming for a moment, she accepted it and tugged on her hand. “I haven’t bathed yet. I want to bathe first.”

“Alright. I’ll have someone prepare hot water.”

After they bathed together, they lay on the bed, fresh and fragrant. Jiang Yao touched Song Muyun’s hand, which was still warm from the bath, and tucked the blankets around her. “Go to sleep now,” she said gently. “I’ll take you out for a walk tomorrow.”

Song Muyun gave a soft huff and burrowed into Jiang Yao’s arms, letting herself be held close.

With a flick of her wrist, Jiang Yao sent a small stone hidden in her palm flying, extinguishing the candle flame. The room instantly fell into a quiet darkness.

She patted Song Muyun’s back in a soothing rhythm. “Go on, sleep. Don’t stay up and ruin your health.”

It was still quite early, but with nothing else to do, sleeping seemed like the best option.

Song Muyun hummed in agreement and closed her eyes, seemingly drifting off obediently.

In the pitch-black room, the moon was the only light.

An unknown amount of time passed in silence, filled only by the sound of the whistling wind and their shallow breathing. Suddenly, the person beside her moved.

Jiang Yao had been resting with her eyes closed, feeling too lazy to speak. She didn’t say anything. It’s probably too early. Is Muyun still awake?

If she called out to her, they could talk for a while. Or they could light the candle and read a storybooks. That would be nice, too.

She could feel an exceptionally gentle gaze fall upon her. She was just about to open her eyes and ask what was wrong when she heard the other person complain in a tiny, tiny whisper, “You’re the dumb one. You don’t know anything at all.”

Jiang Yao froze, the urge to open her eyes vanishing. For some reason, her intuition told her that this was the moment to stay perfectly still and silent. Because Muyun thought she was asleep…

Perhaps… she wants to say something?

With that thought, Jiang Yao didn’t make a sound, her “sleeping” posture appearing remarkably well-behaved.

Song Muyun gently stroked her cheek. She decided Jiang Yao was much more agreeable when she was asleep. That mouth, which she both loved and hated, wouldn’t spew words she didn’t want to hear.

The window wasn’t fully closed, and moonlight spilled in, just enough for her to see Jiang Yao’s features—the eyebrows that looked a little fierce, the lips that were naturally red, the skin as fair as her own. She liked it all. She liked it very, very much. As long as it was her, she liked everything.

Jiang Yao was in agony. What’s so interesting about my face that she’s been staring for so long? I can’t hold this pose much longer. If she doesn’t say something soon, I’m going to have to get up!

Just as her mind was racing with these chaotic thoughts, a cool, soft sensation suddenly touched her lips. A light peck.

Jiang Yao’s eyes, hidden beneath her eyelids, underwent a pupil earthquake.⁷ What just happened? she thought hazily. What… what was just done to me?

What was that thing? So soft?

Was… was it?

Jiang Yao didn’t dare to think about it. But then that thing, after touching and leaving, pressed against her lips a second time. This time, it didn’t leave immediately. Instead, it lingered, tracing her lips, and even extended a moist, soft tongue to lick them…

Jiang Yao went completely rigid, her face flushing in the darkness. She couldn’t think anymore. All her thoughts, all her senses, were concentrated on her lips. Her lips… were being licked, again and again. She had never imagined Song Muyun would do something like this.

She was a daughter of a great family! How could she… sneak a kiss in the middle of the night?

And she was kissing her. If she still didn’t understand what this meant, she might as well just die.

Muyun might… have me as her heart’s delight⁸.

Murong Ci had been right. Muyun would fall for her.

Jiang Yao’s heart was about to pound out of her chest. At first, she’d been too lazy to open her eyes. Then, she’d wanted to hear what Muyun would say. Now, she was purely and simply too scared to open them.

This was too much information to process. She needed a moment to digest it.

The woman’s soft, complaining voice sounded by her ear again. “If you ever talk about marrying me off to someone else again, I’m never speaking to you again.”

She was very angry.

In that moment, Jiang Yao finally understood her anger.

If Muyun liked her, but she kept trying to find another man for her, pushing her away… of course Muyun would be angry. Anyone would be furious if the person they loved kept trying to shove them into someone else’s arms.

A sharp pain lanced through Jiang Yao’s heart. She was filled with regret—regret for her own stupid mouth. Why did she have to say such upsetting things all day long?

“You’re only this well-behaved when you’re asleep.”

A hand gently caressed her cheek.

Song Muyun had no guard up whatsoever. If she had even a little, she would have known that such a light touch was more than enough to wake Jiang Yao.

Jiang Yao was finding it difficult to feign sleep. A greedy thought began to bloom in her mind. Muyun likes me, and I like her too… so… can we be together?

We should be able to, right? Muyun is the female lead; she’s bound to attract all sorts of bullies. I might not be good at much else, but my martial arts are excellent. I can definitely protect her.

So… so I’m worthy of her, right?

She might not know poetry or calligraphy, but Muyun had said she didn’t like that sort of thing. She liked someone who would read storybooks with her!

Suddenly, Jiang Yao’s mind jolted. Wait. Muyun said she likes someone who knows martial arts, someone with round eyes, someone who will buy her pastries and Tanghulu. And someone who will read storybooks with her and help regulate her body… Holy hell,⁹ isn’t that just describing me?

Isn’t it?!

Aren’t those all the things I do for my little ancestor?

Jiang Yao was so shocked she couldn’t utter a word.

Oh, right. She was pretending to be asleep. She couldn’t talk anyway.

The soft, warm touch returned. She was kissed again.

A tingling numbness spread through her entire body. I can’t take it anymore. She’s so fragrant, so soft. I want to kiss her back…

Muyun was leading everything. She wanted to take the lead for a change.

But if she suddenly opened her eyes now, wouldn’t she scare the poor girl to death?

Endure. Just endure a little longer. First, think about how to approach this with Song Muyun.

The person in her arms finally lay down again, rolling from the other side to snuggle back into her embrace. She took Jiang Yao’s arm and wrapped it around her own waist, murmuring softly, “If you forget to buy me Tanghulu tomorrow, I’m really not going to speak to you again.”

Okay, Jiang Yao thought. I won’t forget. I won’t give you a chance to ignore me.

The young woman fell asleep quickly. When Jiang Yao heard her steady breathing, she knew she was truly asleep this time.

She peeked one eye open. Moonlight fell across Song Muyun’s delicate face, her exquisite and stunning features, and her beautiful, crimson lips.

Her lips were perfectly shaped and incredibly soft, making Jiang Yao’s heart flutter.

Jiang Yao wanted to kiss her, too, but she was clearly far more cautious than Song Muyun. She was terrified that one kiss would wake her up. How would she explain herself then?

Forget it. I’ll endure. For now, I just need to think. How should I face Muyun tomorrow?

Should I just be direct?

No, no, that won’t work. If the little one finds out I was faking sleep, she’ll probably throw another tantrum.

Then… then what do I do?

Jiang Yao felt a pang of regret. It would have been better to just open her eyes when Song Muyun kissed her.

She looked down at the delicate, soft young woman she had raised herself, thinking, The female lead’s taste is as bad as ever. In the storybooks, she liked Murong Qing. Now, she likes me. I’m really not that great. I have no interest in any of the things a proper lady should like or do. But… I’ll be good to Muyun. Liking me is much better than liking that shriveled calf,¹⁰ Murong Qing.

Jiang Yao let out a breath of relief and held her tighter.

Her words had been about finding a future husband for Song Muyun, but her heart had never been willing.

She even felt a little jealous.

But she could never voice those feelings. She couldn’t speak of any of her emotions for Song Muyun, afraid that it would make the young woman despise her.

Tsk. Thankfully, that won’t be happening now.

Lost in thought, Jiang Yao didn’t know when she finally fell asleep. She only knew that when she woke the next morning, her mouth was practically pressed against Song Muyun’s face, just barely brushing against the fine, soft down on her cheeks.

When she opened her eyes and saw this, she was so startled she shot backward, nearly falling off the bed.

Did my body act on all my lecherous thoughts while I was asleep?

Have I gone mad?

Jiang Yao was in a daze, not daring to look at the sleeping beauty on the bed. She went out to order the servants to prepare breakfast, then sat on the soft couch waiting to wash up, all the while scolding herself. How dare you? Taking advantage of her while she’s asleep and doesn’t know a thing. Are you trying to kiss her in secret?

You beast!

So disrespectful! So improper!

Jiang Yao’s mind was a mess. She had no idea that after she left, the person on the bed had quietly burrowed into the blankets, her cheeks blushing under their cover.

She had woken up a little earlier than Jiang Yao, but she had been content to just laze about in her arms. Besides, she didn’t mind Jiang Yao kissing her.

In fact, she liked it very much, which was why she hadn’t moved. She never expected Jiang Yao to have such a huge reaction upon waking, which in turn made her feel a little embarrassed.

Jiang Yao finally managed to calm herself down and returned to the bedside. Seeing the bundled-up figure in the blankets, she patted it gently. “Muyun, time to get up. Breakfast is ready. Be good.”

A pair of round eyes peeked out from the blankets, staring at her. Then, a petulant voice accused, “Where did you go? Why didn’t you wait for me?”

Jiang Yao froze. “I… I got up to tell them to set out breakfast,” she explained naturally. “I wanted to let you sleep a little longer.”

She didn’t even blink as the lie rolled off her tongue.

Song Muyun found it amusing but didn’t torment her further. She obediently held out her hands and let Jiang Yao help her up.

After they washed up and ate breakfast together, they found the morning sun was already quite strong. Since they had woken up early, neither of them was in the mood to go out. They lounged in their chairs, one after the other.

Jiang Yao found a rocking chair and settled into it. Song Muyun simply stood beside it, watching her in silence.

Jiang Yao sat up straight. Thinking about last night, about how Song Muyun probably liked her, she figured her standing there like this meant…

She extended a long, elegant hand toward the young woman. “Want to read together?”

Song Muyun huffed softly and lifted her chin. She had finally gotten what she was waiting for. Her expression was proud, but she obediently placed her hand in Jiang Yao’s, squeezing in beside her to read the storybooks together.

Jiang Yao couldn’t remember when Muyun had become so clingy.

She only knew that she liked her this way very much.

“This afternoon, shall we go to the bookshop and buy some more storybooks?” Jiang Yao asked softly.

The ones she had now were mostly about men and women. She was going to buy the ones about women and women!

It didn’t matter to Song Muyun where they went; what mattered was who she was with. She nodded casually, continuing to nestle in her arms and read.

The story of a man and woman in the book held absolutely no appeal for either of them. Jiang Yao was just killing time, her attention completely captured by the person in her embrace.

She still hadn’t figured out how to talk to the young woman.

She wanted to just throw the book down and tell her she liked her, but she was afraid of being too direct and making Song Muyun blush again.

In her arms, Song Muyun watched the pages turn one by one, though she hadn’t even registered the characters’ names. She was reliving the soft, sweet sensation from last night. If only… we could kiss again.

If only… she would be the one to kiss me. Preferably while my eyes are open.

As they were lost in their own thoughts, a servant ran in from outside, bowed to Jiang Yao, and said respectfully, “Eldest Miss, the young master of the Duke of Wu’s household has arrived with gifts. The Master requests that you go out to receive him.”

Both of them froze.

The young master of the Duke of Wu’s household was Wu Yan, the one she had fought with before. Muyun had said she knew him.

Jiang Yao looked down at Song Muyun.

But Muyun also seemed taken aback. She turned to Jiang Yao and asked, “What is he doing here? Are you friends with him?”

Jiang Yao shook her head. “No, I only spoke to him during the martial arts competition that day. Let’s go. We’ll find out when we see him.”

She stood up. Song Muyun, who had been nestled in her arms, was forced to stand as well. She reluctantly let Jiang Yao lead her by the hand to a pavilion in the garden.

Wu Yan had been shown there to wait for them.

The handsome young man stood with his hands behind his back, cutting a rather dashing figure against the wind.

Before she was even close, Jiang Yao called out, “Young Master Wu, you’ve come all this way to visit. Is there something you need?”

Wu Yan turned. He saw Jiang Yao holding Song Muyun’s hand, the normally cold and distant woman now following her obediently. Such a change made it hard not to believe the rumors about them polishing a mirror.¹¹

Wu Yan clasped his hands in a shallow bow. “Miss Jiang. Muyun. It has been a while.”

He and Muyun had once belonged to the same poetry society. In his eyes, that made them rather well-acquainted.

But Jiang Yao frowned at his form of address. She only remembered Muyun saying they weren’t close. If Muyun said they weren’t close, why was he being so familiar?

Could it be…

It was a standard storybooks setup. Besides the male lead being adored by women, there was always at least one other man who was in love with the female lead.

Thankfully, Muyun didn’t even spare Wu Yan a glance. Her expression was cold as she performed a cursory bow to observe propriety, and then her gaze returned to Jiang Yao, melting like ice in the sun.

Jiang Yao had her sit down. A maid had just served fresh tea. She picked up the teapot and poured three cups in one go, a rare show of courtesy. She invited Wu Yan to sit, her voice still laced with a hint of weariness. “Have a seat first. Let’s talk sitting down.”

“Thank you.”

Wu Yan flicked his robes and sat down at the side. He thanked her for the tea but didn’t rush to drink it. Instead, he passed a simple, elegant box toward them. “This is a gift I prepared,” he said warmly.

Jiang Yao eyed the box but didn’t move. There were two of them, but only one gift. She needed to hear who it was for.

Wu Yan’s gentle voice clarified, “Muyun, this is for you.”

Song Muyun started. Her gaze, which had been fixed on Jiang Yao, finally moved. The moment it landed on Wu Yan, it became exceptionally cold.

“Thank you for your kindness, Young Master Wu, but I have no need for it. Please take it back.”

Her voice was chilly, completely devoid of the soft obedience she showed Jiang Yao.

Wu Yan faltered, but he was used to Song Muyun’s demeanor and didn’t feel embarrassed. He continued, “Why don’t you open it and see? You might like it. I spent a long time choosing it.”

His voice was gentle. If Jiang Yao hadn’t discovered what happened last night, she might have thought he was a good match.

But now? Bullshit. The only good match for Song Muyun is me!

They already liked each other. No one else was going to get involved.

Jiang Yao had already sized up Wu Yan’s skills last time. If she went all out, he wouldn’t last twenty rounds against her. And with that, he thought he could protect Muyun?

Song Muyun still didn’t look at the gift. Her elegant fingers pressed down on the wooden box, pushing it back toward Wu Yan.

“I apologize, but I accept no reward without merit.¹² Young Master Wu and I are neither relative nor friend; it would be improper for me to accept your gift.”

Neither relative nor friend. So that’s how she saw it.

Wu Yan pushed the box back again. “You must have misunderstood, Muyun. My feelings… surely you know of them.”

Jiang Yao’s eyes widened. Feelings? What feelings?!

She looked at Song Muyun, but her expression remained cold. She took a light sip of her tea. “But I have also told you that I have no such feelings for you.”

It was like a bolt from the blue.

Jiang Yao wasn’t stupid, especially not today when her mind was incredibly sharp. She immediately understood the meaning behind their exchange.

Wu Yan liked Muyun. And Muyun had rejected him.

Meanwhile, Wu Yan was still smiling. “You can reconsider. I am sincere. The harmony of yin and yang¹³ is the will of heaven.”

His words were pointed. This time, Song Muyun didn’t immediately refuse. Instead, she looked at Jiang Yao.

Her face was cold, but her heart was indignant. What will of heaven? A person should follow their own heart!

Jiang Yao was getting angry, too. She understood now. This guy surnamed Wu had been crushing on Muyun for a long time!

So where was he when Muyun had just been relegated to the Yuefang House?

Where was he in her dreams, when Muyun was suffering all that abuse?

He was nowhere to be found!

And now that she had helped the Song family clear their name, he had the gall to show up and try to reap the rewards? In his dreams! How could a person of such poor character possibly be worthy of Muyun?

Song Muyun depended on Jiang Yao. Her moist eyes were fixed on her, as if waiting for Jiang Yao to speak up for her.

Jiang Yao did not disappoint. She slammed her sheathed longsword onto the stone table with a thwack. “Young Master Wu, you have feelings for Muyun?” she asked coldly.

Wu Yan knew that Song Muyun and Jiang Yao were polishing a mirror, but he didn’t believe they could go far. Leaving aside the fact that a relationship between two women would attract scorn, and whether the women themselves could withstand it, there was the Prime Minister. How could he possibly accept Jiang Yao being with another woman?

Therefore, he believed that swooping in now gave him a high chance of success.

After all, he had admired Song Muyun for a long time. When the Song family fell, he had given up the notion, but then he saw her again that day.

She was still just as cold, as if nothing in the world could enter her eyes. But the moment she looked at Jiang Yao, those eyes filled with nothing but tenderness. Who wouldn’t want to be watched by such focused, gentle eyes?

She had become even more captivating. He thought of her day and night, and finally, he couldn’t resist coming over.

She should agree, right? After all, the Song family was in its current state. Jiang Yao could never marry her. She would be better off with him. At least she would have a proper title.

“Naturally. I have admired Muyun for a long time.”

“You wish to ask for her hand in marriage?”

“Precisely.”

Song Muyun stared at Jiang Yao, her face growing even colder. If she dares to agree on my behalf under the guise of it being ‘for my own good,’ I’ll stop liking her forever!

Jiang Yao narrowed her eyes and continued, “As your primary wife?”¹⁴

At that, Wu Yan choked, unable to answer.

He could persuade his parents to let him bring Song Muyun into the family, but as a primary wife… that was absolutely impossible.

He was the son of a noble family. Marrying a woman who had been in a music pavilion? Was he insane?

To have her as a concubine¹⁵ was already a great kindness.

That’s right, Wu Yan thought. Song Muyun used to be a daughter a hundred families seek, but ever since she entered the music pavilion, who would dare ask for her hand?

Wasn’t he the only one willing to risk offending the Emperor and the princes to sincerely seek her hand?

One look at his face and Jiang Yao knew. He had no intention of making Muyun his primary wife. Fury ignited within her, and she slammed her palm on the stone table, cracking a corner. “You son of a shriveled calf! Get your pathetic gift and get out of here, now! Even if this old lady¹⁶ is useless, I would never let her become someone’s concubine! If you don’t scram, you better believe I’ll beat you!”

She whipped out her sword, the scabbard flying off to reveal the cold, gleaming blade within.

Wu Yan also practiced martial arts and had some courage. He remained firmly seated on the stone stool, his handsome brow furrowed. “Miss Jiang, this is a matter between me and Muyun. Even if she is to refuse, it shouldn’t be you who says it.”

He looked at Song Muyun. Jiang Yao looked at her too. She was so disgusted by Wu Yan now that when Song Muyun didn’t speak, she immediately said, “Don’t you agree to him. Even if you really want to get married, I will definitely find you a man who is handsome, considerate, and skilled in both literary and martial arts to be your primary wife!”

She stressed the words “primary wife.” She would never allow Muyun to be a concubine!

Song Muyun glared at Jiang Yao with her beautiful eyes. When did she ever say she wanted to get married? That was all Jiang Yao’s idea!

She fumed silently, and her gaze toward Wu Yan grew even colder. “Young Master Wu, I don’t like you. It’s as simple as that. I’ve made myself very clear. Please leave.”

Wu Yan’s face instantly turned ugly, all traces of his former elegance and gentleness gone. “Muyun, I hope you will think this through carefully. I am your best choice right now.”

He was trying to make her see the reality of her situation. Besides him, no one of his status would be willing to marry her, not even as a concubine.

Jiang Yao almost laughed from sheer anger. Even the male lead from the dream, Murong Qing, had made Muyun his empress. Where did this madman come from, daring to propose marriage as a mere concubine?

“Shut up. What kind of pathetic choice is that? Muyun is treated like my little ancestor here. Isn’t that a thousand times better than being a concubine at your place?” Jiang Yao shot Wu Yan a look of disgust.

The term “little ancestor” made Song Muyun’s face flush. She lowered her head slightly, revealing her long, fair neck. She didn’t refute or stop Jiang Yao, even as Wu Yan was scolded until he left with an ugly expression on his face.

Jiang Yao seemed incredibly angry. Even after sending him off, she stood in the pavilion, cursing under her breath. It took a while before she turned to Song Muyun. “Don’t listen to his nonsense. Being a concubine is never as good as being a primary wife, you hear me?”

“What, you want me to get married and leave?”

Song Muyun asked her slowly, sipping her tea. Jiang Yao subconsciously retorted, “No! It’s better if you don’t get married!”

“That’s not what you said yesterday.”

Yesterday, this very person had been trying to find a suitable man for her.

Thinking of this, Song Muyun cast a sideways glance at her.

That one look made Jiang Yao’s entire body go soft. She remembered the girl stealing a kiss from her last night. Annoyed by Wu Yan and spurred by the moment, she lost control and blurted out, “That’s what I thought at first! But you secretly kissed me last night. Doesn’t that mean you like me? If you like me, then don’t get married!”

She would be good to her for a lifetime—much, much better than any of those men. As for how two women could find pleasure together, she would study hard. She would definitely not let Muyun suffer any grievances.

A faint smile that had been playing on Song Muyun’s lips suddenly froze. Her heartbeat slowed to a crawl. She looked up in disbelief, her knuckles turning white as she gripped the porcelain teacup, her phoenix eyes¹⁷ wide. “You… you weren’t asleep?”

Jiang Yao was about to say she wasn’t, but thought better of it. “I was. But the moment you kissed me, I woke up. I was just too embarrassed to open my eyes.”

She didn’t dare admit she’d been awake the entire time, afraid it would make Song Muyun fly into a rage out of sheer humiliation.

Song Muyun’s beautiful phoenix eyes grew wider and wider. Her jade-like ears were already crimson, and a blush was spreading across her cheeks. Jiang Yao had bent the truth, but Song Muyun was still mortified.

When Jiang Yao asked again, “You kissed me, so you like me, right?” she shot up from her seat and threw a final, indignant retort over her shoulder. “Who likes you?!”

She clutched her skirt and ran.

Jiang Yao froze, momentarily stunned by the rejection. But it didn’t last long. She quickly reacted and chased after her.

The young woman didn’t run with large strides, but took small, hurried steps, making it easy for Jiang Yao to catch up.

They reached a quiet, secluded area by the winding rockeries. Seeing her chance, Jiang Yao pinned Song Muyun against the rocks, frowning unhappily. “You don’t like me, yet you kissed me?”

Is that something a proper young lady would do?

Song Muyun’s face was beet red. She refused to look at her.

Seeing her silence, Jiang Yao grew even more annoyed. “Wait, so you kissed me and now you’re not going to take responsibility?”

How could she do such a thing!

But Song Muyun had no idea she’d been awake. She was naturally reserved; she would never have dared to confess her feelings out loud. Last night, she had finally mustered up the courage to steal a kiss, only to be discovered!

She was so embarrassed her entire body was flushed pink, even the skin hidden beneath her clothes.

She had no desire to speak to Jiang Yao right now. She wished she could bury her head in the ground.

“You… you let me go. Stop talking.”

She was so flustered she was about to cry from shame.

The young woman kept trying to evade the topic. Jiang Yao was displeased, even crestfallen. “So you don’t like me?”

Song Muyun remained silent. So Jiang Yao said, “If you don’t like me, then you shouldn’t do things that give people the wrong idea. You made me happy all night for nothing.”

So frustrating. I thought I was about to get a wife.

With that, she let go, intending to leave. But she didn’t get far. A hand grabbed her belt from behind. Song Muyun’s voice, shy but urgent, soft and sweet, drifted over. “You… you said you were happy last night? Because I kissed you?”

Jiang Yao wanted to roll her eyes. Isn’t it obvious? What else would it be?

Song Muyun seemed to understand. From behind, she slowly wrapped her arms around Jiang Yao’s waist, feeling her body go stiff from head to toe.

Jiang Yao didn’t dare to think, didn’t dare to do anything, until the young woman finally spoke. “Jiang Yao, you like me, don’t you?”

Her heart was pounding like a drum. Her mother’s teachings told her she should never be the first to confess her feelings, but Jiang Yao had said she was happy all night because of her kiss.

So she continued, “As it happens, I like you too. Do you want to… want to marry me?”

The words nearly stopped Jiang Yao’s heart. She grew tense, her mind frantically trying to parse the meaning behind Song Muyun’s words. A dry leaf blew from a tree and landed on their heads. Suddenly, she understood. She pulled Song Muyun around to face her. She saw the blush at the corners of her eyes, saw the way she wanted to look at her but didn’t dare. Her own palms grew clammy with sweat. “You… you want me to marry you?”

Song Muyun’s cheeks were a tender pink. She nodded lightly.

Jiang Yao took a deep breath as fireworks exploded in slow motion in her mind. She really likes me. And she asked if I want to marry her.

After waiting a long time without a reply, Song Muyun’s brows furrowed. She looked up, her expression a mix of sorrow, apprehension, and an almost expected disappointment. “You don’t want to marry me?”

Of course that wasn’t it! It was just too much good news at once, and it had short-circuited her brain. The sweetness in her chest was about to overflow. Jiang Yao let the delightful feeling spread through her limbs. She couldn’t hold back any longer.

She pulled the woman’s slender waist into her arms. Jiang Yao hugged her tightly, her lips almost brushing against her snowy-white neck as she murmured, her voice thick with affection, “I do, I do. I dream of marrying you. How could I not want to marry you…”

Her warm, moist lips nuzzled against the young woman’s neck, and in an instant, the pale skin beneath her eyes turned a deep shade of red.

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The author has something to say:

Ahhhhh tomorrow we’ll kiss, tomorrow we’ll kiss for sure. I’ll fix my schedule tomorrow, I swear, wuwuwu.

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