Forbidden to Bully the Storybook’s Heroine – Chapter 62

Publicly Rubbing Mirrors

Applying the medicine once again left the little girl dripping with fragrant sweat, her eyes misty with unshed tears. She was simply too sensitive; the slightest touch made her tremble uncontrollably. Jiang Yao¹ couldn’t bear to bully her, so she hurriedly finished applying the ointment and began to hold her close, coaxing her.

Sentence by sentence, she finally soothed the girl until her furrowed brows smoothed out and she nested obediently in Jiang Yao’s embrace.

She ordered breakfast to be laid out. She lowered her head and kissed Song Muyun², her tone gentle and considerate. “Go have breakfast?”

Song Muyun’s cheeks flushed, and she nodded obediently. “Mn.”

However, her feet didn’t even touch the ground; she was carried all the way to the table by Jiang Yao.

The surrounding maids were already used to this sight and respectfully arranged the food for the two of them.

“Drink some porridge first to nourish yourself. Are you tired? If you’re tired, I’ll stay home with you, mn?”

Jiang Yao was active by nature and usually wanted to go out for a walk, but if she went out, given the little girl’s clingy temperament, she would definitely want to follow.

Forget it then. It was better to accompany her at home, lest she limp along behind her and give bystanders the impression that Jiang Yao was bullying her.

“Mn, a little tired.”

Her chair was secretly scooting closer, and soon she was right next to Jiang Yao. Smelling the familiar scent beside her, her heart felt much more settled.

She had given herself to Jiang Yao, and Jiang Yao would treat her very, very well—even better than before.

Song Muyun never denied that she was greedy for this kindness.

The little girl narrowed her eyes slightly, thinking about how Jiang Yao was staying behind to accompany her, and thinking about the months and years ahead of them. Her eyes revealed a trace of delight.

She leaned in even closer.

“Have another small bun.”

Jiang Yao placed a meat bun in Song Muyun’s bowl. She loved buns, especially the ones where the savory soup soaked into the dough wrapper. One bite and it was so fragrant.

When she liked to eat something, she always wanted others to taste it too.

“Okay.”

Muyun had a small mouth and ate elegantly. She took a small bite of the bun, making a little notch in it, eating slowly, bit by bit.

Seeing her eat happily, Jiang Yao felt very satisfied inside. Is this the joy of feeding someone?

“Have another Golden Thread Pumpkin Roll³?”

She actively clamped one with her chopsticks and placed it over. Song Muyun shook her head gently. “Don’t give me anymore, I’m about to be too full to eat.”

“Fine, no rush then. You eat yours first, have more if you aren’t full.”

The little girl’s appetite was extremely small, not even half of Jiang Yao’s; she got full easily.

Jiang Yao drank two bowls of Bi Geng porridge⁴, ate two buns, added some side dishes, and finally finished the half of the pumpkin roll Song Muyun had left behind. Feeling seventy or eighty percent full, she put down her chopsticks, picked up the storybook she hadn’t finished yesterday, and lay back lazily on the soft couch to read.

Song Muyun naturally followed without a word, leaning obediently into Jiang Yao’s arms to read the storybook with her.

Her eyes were dark and moist, carrying a natural misty rain quality.

Jiang Yao couldn’t resist. She lowered her head and lightly kissed those eyes.

“Stop teasing.”

The little girl’s voice was muffled, but her hand gripped Jiang Yao’s collar, refusing to let go. Her face was full of reliance as she stayed obediently by her side.

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Once the storybook was finished, it was time for dinner. Today was the day the entire Jiang family ate together.

Jiang Yao took Song Muyun along, treading through the twilight just as usual. Her dignified old father was already sitting in the high seat waiting for them.

“Dad⁵.”

Jiang Yao called out and brought Song Muyun to sit down.

Because Song Muyun was there, Jiang Heng didn’t say anything about Jiang Yao, merely nodding.

Jiang Ru had arrived early as well. Her brows and eyes were gentle as she curtsied to them from a short distance away, her entire being exuding the aura of a refined lady.

Jiang Heng was clearly gentler toward his niece, revealing an inadvertent smile. “Ru-er is here, sit quickly. How is your body recovering these past few days? Do you want Uncle⁶ to invite the Imperial Physician to look at you again?”

The incident of Jiang Ru accidentally falling off a cliff at the hunting grounds had already spread through the capital.

Jiang Heng had cursed and ranted for a long time. The Ninth Prince currently held no official post and could only sit idly at home; Jiang Heng’s handiwork was involved in that.

If anyone dared to touch the Jiang family, they had to be prepared to pay the price.

Although Jiang Ru’s fall was likely done by the Seventh Prince’s people, the Seventh Prince was currently hidden in the dark, so he had to vent his anger on the Ninth Prince first.

Jiang Ru was obedient and sensible. “No need, Uncle. My body is mostly healed. I didn’t suffer many injuries to begin with.”

Liang Qingyin shook her head, expressing disapproval. “A woman’s constitution is weak. It’s better to call the Imperial Physician to take a look, lest you be left with any lingering ailments.”

Jiang Ru couldn’t refuse, so she had to obediently agree.

Once everyone had arrived, Jiang Heng first tested Jiang Huai’s studies. Naturally, it was a complete mess, making the blue veins on Jiang Heng’s forehead throb. In order to save Jiang Huai’s life, Jiang Zhi deliberately suggested letting Jiang Huai follow him to practice martial arts. However, having seen the hardships the Ninth Prince suffered training with his Second Uncle, Jiang Huai refused no matter what was said, angering Jiang Heng and Liang Qingyin immensely.

Finally, Jiang Heng completely ignored Jiang Huai. He cast his gaze onto Jiang Yao, his voice dropping as he became more serious. “Your birthday is in a few days.”

Under the table, Jiang Yao secretly touched Song Muyun’s hand, while on the surface, she responded with utter indifference. “Uh-huh.”

“What are your thoughts? Do you want to hold a big celebration and invite some young masters from noble families to come?” Jiang Heng’s fingers rubbed his wine cup.

The meaning in these words was ambiguous. Jiang Yao paused, asking subconsciously, “Why invite noble young masters?”

For her birthday, eating a bowl of longevity noodles at home alone was enough. Why invite a bunch of men?

Jiang Heng glanced at her impatiently, reminding her, “You are already eighteen this year!”

A slight pain came from her palm; Song Muyun had suddenly tightened her grip.

Jiang Ru was ice-snow clever; naturally, she understood her uncle’s meaning. She looked at the two of them with subconscious worry. She saw… Sister Muyun, that is, her sister-in-law, had a face as pale as death. It looked terrible.

But she quickly lowered her head, as if to cover it up.

Jiang Yao frowned tightly, also understanding her father’s meaning. She was unwilling in ten thousand ways and rejected it directly. “Don’t worry about me. I don’t want to get married. In a year or half a year, I’m definitely going to the battlefield. Do you want my husband to be a living widower, or do you want him to be out in the capital enjoying himself? I’m not willing to accept either.”

She would be risking her life outside while a man lived the high life in the capital—that would be harder to bear than killing her.

And must a woman definitely get married?

She believed she could live perfectly well without marrying.

The force on her hand grew heavier. It was the first time Jiang Yao realized that a delicate woman like Muyun could have such strength.

Just as she was thinking about squeezing her hand back to comfort her, the grip on her hand suddenly loosened. Song Muyun had coldly released her hand.

This meant she was angry.

Jiang Yao’s face went dark. It was all her dad’s fault. Of all things to chat about, he had to chat about her marriage. Great, now she would have to spend a good long time coaxing someone when she got back.

She wasn’t the only one unhappy; Jiang Heng was angry too. His voice and expression both sank. “You’re already eighteen. If you wait any longer, you’ll become an old spinster. If you don’t want to leave him alone in the capital when you go to the battlefield, can’t you just take him with you? When the time comes, Father will arrange it for you. You just have to pick one you like.”

Jiang Yao: …

She understood. Her dad was going to abuse his authority to pack a man up and ship him to the border with her.

But, “There isn’t anyone I like. I’ve been back in the capital for several years, and there isn’t a young master I don’t know. I don’t like them, I don’t like any of them. Just stop worrying about it. My greatest wish in this life is to be filial to my parents, go to the battlefield to kill enemies, and bring glory to the country. I don’t plan to marry.”

Oh, and properly pamper my own little ancestor.

Jiang Yao secretly added that in her heart.

Father Jiang flew into a rage. He never knew his daughter harbored such thoughts. This meal naturally couldn’t be eaten properly. After hastily finishing, he dragged Jiang Yao to his study.

Jiang Yao stood before the desk, head lowered, waiting for her dad to speak. In any case, it was impossible for her to back down.

Jiang Heng paced around with a face full of anger a few times before finally stopping to look at Jiang Yao with stern eyes. “Where is there a woman who doesn’t marry? By doing this, you are inviting mockery upon the Jiang family!”

Jiang Yao curled her lip. “You’ve already made it to Prime Minister, yet you’re still afraid of people mocking you? You’re losing your touch.”

…

“Jiang Yao! Where is there a woman who doesn’t marry?”

Jiang Heng couldn’t accept it, his brows furrowed tightly enough to crush a mosquito.

“Must a woman get married? Is marriage a woman’s only use? Even if she is unhappy and unwilling, must she marry for the sake of worldly eyes? Then what is the point of a woman being born a woman?”

Jiang Yao’s eyes were resolute, concealing annoyance. Her head hurt just hearing the urge to marry.

Father Jiang stared at her fixedly. Before he could speak, he heard her voice again. “Furthermore, if I must marry… can’t I just take a wife?”

?

“You want to recruit a Zhuixu⁷?”

Hearing this, Jiang Heng breathed a sigh of relief. Recruiting a matrilocal son-in-law was fine. That worked too.

It was better than her becoming a nun.

But in the next second, Jiang Yao spoke bluntly. “No, I want to marry a wife.”

Jiang Heng: …

It took him a long time to finally sort out the meaning of Jiang Yao’s words. Marry a wife? Marry a wife?!!

The Lord Prime Minister, who maneuvered through the imperial court with ease, finally recalled the rumors that had recently sprung up in the capital.

They rumored that his daughter was a “Mirror Rubber⁸.” Someone had even asked him about it to his face. Naturally, he hadn’t taken these matters seriously. He knew his daughter; how could she possibly be a Mirror Rubber!

But today, reality slapped him viciously across the face.

His daughter really was a Mirror Rubber.

He was so angry his chest hurt.

Jiang Heng’s hand trembled as he pointed at Jiang Yao. “You… is it the one from the Song family?”

He immediately thought of the only woman Jiang Yao was close to.

Jiang Yao didn’t deny it, only saying, “Don’t go looking for Muyun. This matter has nothing to do with her. It is I who fancy her; I am coercing her for repayment of kindness.”

Jiang Heng blew into his beard and glared. “She turned you into this, and you still won’t let me go find her?!”

He understood his daughter. Naturally, she wouldn’t do something like coercing someone for repayment, nor would she be coerced by others. So, they were mutually in love?

Thinking through this point, Jiang Heng’s vision went black, and he nearly fainted.

“You are the Prime Minister. Are you going to bully a weak woman? That would be a bit too lacking in grace.”

Jiang Yao glanced at her dad lightly.

The things she decides on can rarely be changed. Even if Dad doesn’t accept it now, he’ll have to accept it eventually given enough time, Jiang Yao thought.

But very quickly, she was kicked out. Jiang Heng’s rage was booming, but because he prided himself on his status, he wouldn’t truly make things difficult for a little girl. He could only scold Jiang Yao, telling her to correct herself and not do things that shamed the Jiang family.

The Jiang family’s face was lost by me ages ago. She refused to agree, and then she was kicked out. If her dad hadn’t retained a shred of reason, that massive teacup would have been smashed right into her face.

Did she dare to dodge?

She didn’t dare.

Luckily, Dad still had some reason left and didn’t disfigure her.

Jiang Yao left in a hurry, afraid of getting beaten if she stayed any longer. Just as she walked into the garden facing the night colors, she saw Song Muyun waiting there.

No need to ask, she was definitely waiting for her.

Jiang Yao couldn’t help but hook her red lips. She walked over and scooped up the woman’s soft, slender waist, causing her to stumble into her embrace.

“Let’s go, it’s fine now.”

She moved twice, but Song Muyun didn’t move. Looking down, she saw the little girl’s eyelashes trembling gently. Her palm stroked the flowers in the garden, but she didn’t spare Jiang Yao a single extra glance.

Jiang Yao was momentarily confused. “What’s wrong? Unhappy?”

Song Muyun remained silent.

She could only coax her based on her own guesses. “Is it because my dad told me to get married, so you’re unhappy?”

Song Muyun’s gaze shifted slightly, and she continued to lower her head and touch the flowers.

Guessed right, she thought.

Jiang Yao spoke to her with patience. “I settled it with my dad. He won’t rush me to marry. In the future, it’s just us. I will be with you forever, pampering my Little Fairy⁹ for a lifetime, mn?”

Song Muyun’s hand on the flower paused. Suddenly, she lifted her watery eyes to look at Jiang Yao, the depths of her gaze filled with unease. “You… you told Uncle?”

“Mn, I told him. I never hide things from him, and I can’t hide them anyway.”

Song Muyun became even more uneasy. “Then did Uncle scold you?”

Jiang Yao gave a light scoff. “More than scolding, he wanted to hit me.”

This statement frightened the poor girl badly. Song Muyun hurriedly turned around and cupped Jiang Yao’s face, anxiously looking her up and down, over and over. “Uncle hit you? Where did he hit? Does it hurt? You… don’t make Uncle angry because of me.”

She couldn’t accept causing Jiang Yao to become estranged from her father.

Perhaps she shouldn’t have seduced her from the start.

Dragging her into this incredibly difficult situation.

Jiang Yao hugged Song Muyun, burying her face in the woman’s neck and taking a deep breath of her fragrance. “What’s the rush? My dad didn’t actually hit me. It’s fine. He has to accept it eventually. Don’t be afraid, leave it to me.”

Jiang Yao couldn’t bear to let Song Muyun endure these things.

The little girl was weak and frail; her dad was so fierce he might scare her to death.

Seeing her face full of worry, Jiang Yao lowered her head. “I’ll take you back, okay? Rest a bit, don’t be scared.”

Song Muyun finally nodded. Just as she was about to let go and walk, a sense of weightlessness took over.

She was held in Jiang Yao’s arms, heading toward Hengwu Courtyard¹⁰.

The two were becoming increasingly intimate. She was already accustomed to being this close with Jiang Yao. If one day Jiang Yao didn’t like her anymore, or left her…

Song Muyun’s eyes dimmed. She actually couldn’t imagine what she would do.

Jiang Yao saw that she was still somewhat distracted and frowned slowly. A moment later, as if thinking of a countermeasure, her brows relaxed. She walked quickly into the courtyard, placed the person on the soft couch in the room, and very naturally took off her embroidered shoes and socks. As the cool air hit the back of her foot, Song Muyun pulled her foot back as if startled awake. “You… what are you doing?”

Who wants to sleep this early?

The Little Fairy finally had no time to think random thoughts, her eyes drooping shyly.

Jiang Yao held that foot, white as snow, in her palm and kneaded it twice. Song Muyun couldn’t hold back a soft hum.

She tried to retract her foot in rejection, hiding it under her skirt, her eyes full of moisture, looking utterly pitiful.

Jiang Yao couldn’t bear to bully her anymore. She lowered her head and laughed deeply. “Come here.”

She beckoned to Song Muyun.

Song Muyun hesitated, but still inched over slowly, bit by bit. However, she didn’t dare bring the jade-like foot hidden under her skirt out again, terrified Jiang Yao would bully her.

When she arrived in front of her, Jiang Yao leaned forward and hugged her, rubbing the little girl’s rounded shoulder.

She was fragrant and soft all over. Touching anywhere was still touching.

Jiang Yao wasn’t picky.

The little girl turned a shade of pink all over from the rubbing. After Jiang Yao finished rubbing, she kissed her again, asking with bright eyes, “Shall we read a storybook?”

Song Muyun’s shy face stiffened, showing a somewhat nervous expression. “Read what kind of storybook?”

She was terrified of those obscene things from yesterday and didn’t dare look at them at all.

From her side, Jiang Yao pulled out the “obscene storybook” in Song Muyun’s mind. “Let’s just read this one, alright? I’m just in the mood.”

Song Muyun looked at the title—《The Widow Meets the Squire’s Daughter at Night》¹¹—and felt it wasn’t a proper book. Her body was beyond stiff.

She didn’t want to read it. Her eyes darted around randomly, and she pushed Jiang Yao shyly. But Jiang Yao had clearly decided to read this, ignoring her light resistance and flipping to the first page.

The first page depicted a dark and windy night. A widow, having done farm work all day, went to find the delicate and precious Squire’s daughter.

The widow had married into her husband’s family to ward off bad luck, but unexpectedly, not only did she fail to cure him, she sent him straight to his death. From then on, she had the reputation of a husband-killer. She didn’t wish to marry again, so she became a widow, managing a few acres of land and doing farm work to support herself.

Until one day, when she went up the mountain to chop wood. The Squire’s daughter had come to the countryside to play and accidentally fell into the water. The widow happened to pass by and fished her out. Both were thinly clad, and the wet summer skirt outlined the young lady’s exquisite curves.

The widow didn’t know how it happened, but she felt desire for the first time. Later, after going back and forth, the two unintentionally tasted the joy between women. They often went out secretly in the pitch-black night to have fun. The Squire’s estate had a small side door, and the widow went there every time to pick up the young lady.

The storybook described the widow farming year-round, carrying an axe up the mountain to chop wood every few days, her fingers rough.

The hand Jiang Yao had wrapped around Song Muyun couldn’t help but stroke slightly, concluding that her hand was also quite rough.

Tsk, practicing martial arts really is the best.

Jiang Yao looked down at Song Muyun.

Song Muyun was a deeply reserved young lady of noble birth taught by the Song family. She didn’t dare look at these things at all. From the moment the book was opened, she had kept her face buried in Jiang Yao’s embrace, only lifting it occasionally. But seeing the scene in the illustration, she would immediately lower her head again.

She wished she could shrink her entire self into Jiang Yao’s arms.

It was too shameful.

Jiang Yao lowered her head and kissed her. She pushed Jiang Yao away huffily.

The innocent little girl didn’t want to read these things. She only wanted to read proper storybooks with Jiang Yao, but helplessly, Jiang Yao never took her to read those, only allowing her to read these with her.

The little girl looked aggrieved. Suddenly, she sat up, controlling herself so not even her peripheral vision dared to glance at the storybook, trying her best to say calmly, “I’m going to make a pouch. I’m ignoring you.”

Always reading these obscene things, hmph.

“Make a pouch? Sure, make one for me too when you have time.”

Jiang Yao craned her neck to request.

Song Muyun was even angrier. She got off the couch to get her embroidery needle, deliberately singing a contrary tune. “I won’t make one for you.”

“If you won’t make it, you won’t make it. I can go out and buy one.”

Jiang Yao didn’t care about the rejection. She lay by the window with her legs crossed reading the storybook. There was wind outside, and the night breeze occasionally blew her hair, scattering it in a way that looked somewhat reckless.

Song Muyun held the embroidery basket, standing and staring at her in a daze for a while. Soon she came back to her senses, lowered her head, and sat obediently on the edge to embroider the pouch.

Because the window was wide open, the wind kept running in, blowing until Song Muyun’s hands and feet were ice cold.

But since she didn’t say anything, Jiang Yao didn’t notice immediately. It wasn’t until it was late and time to rest that she groped her way over from behind, grabbing the Little Fairy who was obediently making the pouch, only to touch her ice-cold fingers.

She was shocked. She took the basket of needles and thread from her hands and rubbed her currently chilly fingers with heartache, her brow furrowing tightly. “What happened? Why are you so cold? Don’t you know to say something if you’re cold?”

Song Muyun, who hadn’t spoken earlier, suddenly became sarcastic. “Your heart was entirely focused on that storybook, how would you have the time to pay attention to me? I wouldn’t dare trouble you.”

After speaking, she turned her head away arrogantly, refusing to look at her.

Jiang Yao paused, but still couldn’t help laughing out loud. Cute. My wife is just cute.

“Okay, okay, okay, it’s my fault. But you misunderstood—how could a storybook be as important as you? I’ll stop reading right now. Let me comfort you properly, alright?”

Song Muyun didn’t speak, lowering her brows. Jiang Yao turned and closed the window, then pressed the person onto the soft couch. She placed those beautiful, icy hands against her chest to warm them, making ambiguous sounds as she did. “You are the most, most important. Don’t be angry anymore, mn?”

Song Muyun hadn’t been that angry to begin with. After being coaxed, she was immediately appeased, turning back delicately to shrink into her arms, frowning and complaining in a small voice, “You always read those things.”

Jiang Yao smiled. “If I don’t read those, how can I make you comfortable?”

She had never learned about affairs between women. If she didn’t watch a bit and just messed around blindly, she might hurt her!

Righteous and self-confident.

Hearing her speak so bluntly, Song Muyun cried out in alarm again, hurriedly covering her mouth.

She couldn’t bear to hear such words.

Jiang Yao let her cover her mouth, her eyes dark and bright, looking straight at her, almost looking into her heart.

Song Muyun nervously pinched her fingers. “You… don’t say those kinds of words. What if someone hears?”

“How is that possible? No one in my courtyard knows martial arts. Who has such good hearing?”

With her mouth covered, she spoke with difficulty, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from Song Muyun’s temples behind her ear, then pinching that snow-white, tender face.

“So cute. Innocent and cute.”

Song Muyun puffed her cheeks, glaring at her angrily. How would she know if the people in her courtyard knew martial arts or not!

Afraid of ruffling her feathers too much, Jiang Yao always stopped her cheap hands just in time. She got up to ask for water, then washed up with Song Muyun, planning to wash and sleep.

The injuries had mostly healed; the medicine was very effective. It was just that with the two of them in the bathtub, clothes stripped away and skin touching, it was inevitable that some thoughts would arise. Since Jiang Yao had the thoughts, there was no reason to hold back.

Without a word, she pressed her face against Song Muyun’s tender cheek, rubbing and kissing.

Song Muyun’s face turned red from the rubbing before Jiang Yao breathed gently into her ear. “Yun’er~”

From the first touch, Song Muyun’s body went soft. Leaning into Jiang Yao’s arms, panting lightly, unable to refuse, she could only let her do as she pleased.

The water in the tub gradually cooled. With a splash of water, Jiang Yao picked her up horizontally and carried her out.

She put on her own inner garments, but didn’t allow Muyun to dress, only letting her wear a red dudou¹² and nothing else. The little girl was terribly shy and refused, but Jiang Yao wanted to play so badly, looking at her with a pair of dark, bright, sincere, and pitiful eyes.

Song Muyun… actually found herself unable to continue refusing.

The woman’s red lips were pursed tight. Sitting at the very back of the bed, she didn’t dare look at Jiang Yao. But Jiang Yao was very proactive; she leaned in to hug Song Muyun and kissed her.

Song Muyun lowered her head, her eyelashes trembling chaotically. “You… don’t move around. I’m sleepy. Can we sleep?”

It was a lie. She wasn’t sleepy at all, but she couldn’t stand Jiang Yao treating her like this.

Her whole body was so hot, so numb.

She was so nervous that a string of crystal tears fell. Jiang Yao had only intended to touch and hug to take some advantage—they had already done it once in the tub just now. Hearing this, she hurriedly held the person in her arms, kissing and coaxing, thinking she was truly sleepy. She held her, wanting to take her to sleep together. But unexpectedly, just as she lifted the person into the air and into her own embrace, glancing down casually, she saw the place where she had just been sitting… there was a small, dark water stain.

…

Are you sure you’re sleepy? Can you be like this if you’re sleepy?

Seeing Jiang Yao fall silent, Song Muyun looked at her subconsciously. “What’s wrong?”

Jiang Yao didn’t speak. She followed Jiang Yao’s line of sight. The moment she saw the water stain, her mind went blank. H-how could it be like this? How could she…

A moment later, Jiang Yao laughed deeply. “Little Yun’er is truly… more sensitive than a flower bud.”

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