Forbidden to Bully the Storybook’s Heroine – Chapter 6

To Yueshang House Again

At the Jiang Residence, Jiang Yao leaped from the horse-drawn carriage and swaggered inside, without the slightest intention of waiting for Murong Qing, who followed behind her with the slow, deliberate steps of a man minding his scholarly image.

Murong Qing gritted his teeth. Only after passing through the main gate did he raise his voice to call out, “Eldest Miss Jiang.”

Hearing his voice, Jiang Yao finally stopped and turned around. She saw that Murong Qing no longer looked as vicious and sinister as he had at Yueshang House. Instead, he had put on a false mask of gentleness and refinement, offering her a superficial gentleman’s salute¹. “Miss Jiang, Qing² have not paid my respects to the Prime Minister and the Prime Minister’s wife for a long time. Might Miss Jiang lead the way for me?”

What, did your eyes suddenly go blind? Can’t find the way?

Jiang Yao thought with annoyance, but she listlessly led the way without much energy for a real fight.

When the two were finally walking together, Murong Qing lowered his voice a couple of notches. “What did Miss Jiang think of Song Muyun’s service?”

Jiang Yao put her hands on her hips, impatient. “It was what it was. What more could there be?”

She couldn’t be bothered to discuss Song Muyun with Murong Qing. She wished the two of them would just separate at once. Every day he was entangled with Song Muyun was another day she would have a heart blockage³ and live in fear.

She could gamble with her own life, but not with the Jiang family’s.

The only thing she was sure of now was that Murong Qing was not what he seemed.

On the surface, he was gentle and refined; behind the scenes, he frequently had fits of madness.

She felt her reply was extremely perfunctory, yet Murong Qing was mulling over her meaning. Was she displeased with Song Muyun’s service?

His heart settled a little. He added, “Yueshang House has a few xiaoguan⁴ who are said to be masters of the four arts⁵. They are quite popular with many young ladies. If you’re interested, I can take you to pick one out. Song Muyun is the daughter of a disgraced official; she isn’t even worthy of being your plaything.”

He wanted to divert Jiang Yao’s attention, to make her focus on someone else, so he deliberately belittled Song Muyun.

Jiang Yao grew even more irritated. Is Song Muyun blind? Or did Murong Qing hit her in the head when he beat her? How could she possibly like someone like him?

She frowned and sized up Murong Qing for a few moments, still unable to understand. He wasn’t even that good-looking. Her stupid younger brother was better-looking than Murong Qing. Dammit, what terrible taste!

Murong Qing’s smile stiffened under her gaze. He wanted to ask Jiang Yao why she was looking at him like that, but she had already quickened her pace and walked ahead.

Jiang Yao was fuming, and with her considerable martial skill, she walked as if she were flying. Murong Qing was more of a scholar with mediocre martial ability, so he naturally couldn’t keep up. In his mind, he had already cursed Jiang Yao eight hundred times.

Fortunately, Jiang Huai’s voice came from not far away, causing Jiang Yao to stop.

“Sis, why are you only back now… hey, Seventh Highness? You came back with my sister?”

Oh, the stupid younger brother is here. He remembers the food but not the beatings⁶, still daring to smile at Murong Qing. Looks like he needs another beating later.

As Jiang Yao thought this, her displeasure grew. As the saying goes, the face is born from the heart⁷, and right now, her expression looked somewhat cold and intimidating.

Jiang Huai was just about to say something, but he was too scared to get the words out. He scratched the back of his head and only dared to whisper, “I didn’t provoke you this time, did I? Why are you being so fierce…”

Jiang Yao shot him a glance and said coolly, “Go take the Seventh Prince to see Father and Mother. After you’re done, come find me in my courtyard.”

Jiang Huai’s spirits instantly sank. His puppy-dog eyes were full of pity, and his shoulders slumped in a picture of cowardice. “I… I didn’t even do anything.”

“Shut up and go.”

Jiang Yao couldn’t be bothered to waste time here. As long as she got Murong Qing away from Yueshang House, she didn’t care what he did afterward.

Overpowered by his elder sister’s dominance, Jiang Huai had no choice but to lead the Seventh Prince away first.

Murong Qing still gave Jiang Yao a gentle smile, completely different from how he was at Yueshang House. Jiang Yao only found him pretentious.

She turned and left without a second glance.

Murong Qing lowered his head, his expression instantly turning grim.

When he looked up again, he was once more like a clear wind and a bright moon⁸, watching as Jiang Huai casually slung an arm over his shoulder. The boy leaned in like a rogue, telling him stories about teasing cats and provoking dogs.⁹

Before leaving, Jiang Yao glanced back and saw them hooking shoulders and draping backs¹⁰. A fresh wave of anger rose in her heart; she really wanted to take a whip and lash that idiot.

The only reason she didn’t was her good self-control. She knew that everything in the dream had not yet happened.

Jiang Huai had not yet committed a great wrong.

But the moment she saw any sign of Jiang Huai having fits of madness with Murong Qing, she would see to it that she beat Jiang Huai to death.

In the small courtyard, after seeing Murong Qing off, Jiang Huai scurried over to Jiang Yao’s courtyard.

Jiang Yao had practiced martial arts since childhood, while he had spent his childhood pulling on his tutors’ beards and then his father’s. He was not accomplished in letters nor successful in arms¹¹, so angering his sister would only earn him a solid beating.

“Sis, what did you call me for?”

Jiang Yao had calmed down by now. She was lying on a rocking chair, looking relaxed. She swung her feet and glanced at Jiang Huai. “Is Murong Qing gone yet?”

Jiang Huai rubbed the back of his head, looking a bit lost. “No, he’s still talking with Mom and Dad.”

Jiang Yao grunted in acknowledgment, then suddenly asked, “What do you think of Murong Qing as a person?”

“He seems alright, pretty righteous. What’s up, Sis? You like him?”

Jiang Yao: “…”

“Do you want a beating for having an oily mouth and a slippery tongue?”¹²

She clenched her fist. Jiang Huai instinctively flinched, but when he saw she wasn’t hitting him just yet, he quickly put on an appeasing smile. “No, no! I was wrong. So why did you suddenly ask about the Seventh Highness?”

Jiang Yao clicked her tongue impatiently. There was no need to hide anything in front of her own family. She said bluntly, “I don’t like Murong Qing. He’s a deep schemer. Stay away from him from now on. Don’t let me find out you two are hanging out.”

My brother doesn’t seem like the type to have fits of madness. He must have been corrupted by Murong Qing.

Jiang Huai was astonished. “Huh? The Seventh Highness is a deep schemer? I don’t think so. He seems like a really nice guy with a good temper. Mom and Dad both like him a lot. Sis, have you misunderstood something?”

Jiang Yao glared at him. “Why else would I say he’s a deep schemer? All he does all day is put on an act. Who knows how disgusting he is behind the scenes. Anyway, just listen to me and hang out with Murong Qing less, lest he corrupt you. If I see you hooking shoulders and draping backs with him again, my fists won’t recognize you as my brother.”

Jiang Yao’s methods were crude, mostly relying on martial suppression. Jiang Huai had been beaten into submission since he was a child, so he didn’t dare talk back to his sister when she was being serious. Besides, he had plenty of fox friends and dog companions¹³; his relationship with the Seventh Highness was just a few chats here and there. If she said not to hang out, then he wouldn’t.

Jiang Huai nodded in agreement. Jiang Yao then waved him away. Her posture could be described as one to wave him away and beckon him to come¹⁴, but he had no objections and obediently scrammed.

Thinking of that dream, Jiang Yao didn’t sleep well all night. The next day, she dragged herself out of bed with dark circles under her eyes, hastily ate breakfast, and rushed to Yueshang House. She had to move quickly, before Murong Qing could beat her to it.

Jiang Yao brought plenty of silver, twirling a red jade folding fan in her hand as she stepped through the doors of Yueshang House. The madam greeted her, waving a pink round fan. Jiang Yao tossed her a piece of silver. “Apologies for the trouble, mama.¹⁵ I want Song Muyun, and a private room.”

The madam paused at her words, thinking to herself that here was another bold one. This seemed to be the Prime Minister’s eldest daughter. No wonder she dared to associate with the daughter of a disgraced official, and even dared to fight the Seventh Highness for a person.

Though her thoughts turned a hundred times and circled a thousand times¹⁶, her face wore an obsequious smile as she quickly called for someone to make the arrangements.

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The author has something to say:

Didn’t get to write Yunyun today, she’ll be here tomorrow!

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