Forbidden to Bully the Storybook’s Heroine – Chapter 64

Alarmed

In the blink of an eye, Jiang Yao’s birthday arrived.

Ignoring her wishes, Jiang Yao’s father and mother had meticulously selected and invited a great many people—both men and women. They threw a grand birthday banquet, hoping Jiang Yao would pick a favorite from among the dashing young gentlemen.

Jiang Yao nearly rolled her eyes into the back of her head. She knew her parents hadn’t given up on the idea of marrying her off, and she was both annoyed and displeased. I’ve told them I’m not interested in those men, not interested at all! What more do they want?

To preserve the Jiang family’s face¹, Jiang Yao attended her own birthday banquet, but she wore a cold expression the entire time, as if everyone there owed her a fortune.

Few of the young masters and ladies from the noble families dared to speak with Jiang Yao. Even though their elders had specifically instructed them to, they all kept their distance. Only one person approached to exchange a few words with Song Muyun.

Song Muyun’s attitude was polite but distant. She certainly wouldn’t be rude, but she didn’t seem particularly enthusiastic either. From not far away, a gaze followed them like a shadow. Jiang Yao noticed, and when she suddenly looked up, she startled Wu Zhaozhao, the daughter of the Duke of Wu, so badly that the girl dropped her teacup.

The resentment in Wu Zhaozhao’s eyes hadn’t yet faded when Jiang Yao shot her a glare, her brow furrowed. The girl immediately lowered her head, her body, clad in a pink dress, trembling slightly.

Someone had spread a rumor that Jiang Yao didn’t just hit men—she hit women, too. This had thoroughly terrified Wu Zhaozhao.

Jiang Yao scoffed. She ignored the girl and openly reached down to take Song Muyun’s hand. With a gentle tug, she had Song Muyun lean against her shoulder. Such an intimate gesture all but confirmed the rumors about her “rubbing mirrors.”²

When she looked up again, her eyes were cold, warning everyone to understand her meaning and not overestimate themselves.

The Eighth Prince had also been invited to the birthday banquet. He was sitting with Jiang Ru, chatting idly. Seeing Jiang Yao’s display, he couldn’t help but let out a few muffled laughs. “How interesting. To think Jiang Yao could be pushed this far.”

Jiang Ru shook her head helplessly. “Uncle and Auntie have been having a terrible headache over my sister’s affairs lately.”

“Will your sister’s actions make the Prime Minister and his wife angry?”

“No. Uncle and Auntie dote on my sister. Even if they get angry, it never lasts long. They just can’t accept it right now.”

“So, your sister will be with the young lady of the Song family from now on?”

“My sister’s heart belongs to Sister Muyun. That’s only natural.” She knew her sister quite well. Jiang Yao had always been a devoted person. Once she fell for Sister Muyun, she would love her forever. “That’s not bad, either.”

After saying that, she quietly drank her tea. Suddenly, a plate of pastries appeared before her, placed there by Jiang Ru. “The kitchen made these specially today. You should try some.”

Ever since the day she fell from the cliff, Jiang Ru’s relationship with Murong Ci had improved significantly. Not only did she frequently visit Murong Ci at the Prince’s Residence, but she also constantly brought him gifts. As courtesy demands reciprocity³, Murong Ci had given Jiang Ru many things in return.

“Alright.”

“Do you like sweets?”

The prince, who was holding an Osmanthus Cake⁴, froze and looked at the innocent, cheerful young girl.

Jiang Ru continued to explain, “Every time I bring you pastries, you always eat more of the sweet ones.”

So she saw right through me… Men were supposed to like sweets less often.

Murong Ci looked a bit embarrassed. He nodded and averted his gaze, too shy to look at Jiang Ru.

Jiang Yao, however, couldn’t stand it any longer. She strode over with Song Muyun and begged Jiang Ru to take over hosting for a bit, claiming her face was stiff from smiling so much.

Hearing this, the corner of Jiang Ru’s mouth twitched. She found it hilarious. It’s not like I didn’t see you with that cold expression on your face. When did you smile even once, except when you were looking at Sister Muyun?

But she still agreed. Her sister treated her very well. She would naturally agree to such a small favor.

And so, Jiang Yao left with her wife. Along the way, Song Muyun was still a little anxious, asking repeatedly, “Is this really okay? Will Auntie be angry?”

“She won’t. It’s not like she doesn’t know me. This is just my personality. I can’t change it,” Jiang Yao reassured her.

The young woman’s brow was still furrowed. It wasn’t until Jiang Yao turned and smoothed the space between her eyebrows that she pursed her lips and playfully tapped her. “Don’t mess around.”

Jiang Yao chuckled lightly. “What are you afraid of? That’s my mother. She won’t blame you. She’ll only blame me.”

This only made Song Muyun more frantic. Her beautiful eyes widened. “Blame you for what? Will she punish you?” She was terrified that Jiang Yao would be punished because of her.

Jiang Yao was taken aback for a moment. Then, her brow furrowed slightly as she gently pulled Song Muyun into her arms. “Of course not. Did your mother used to punish you?”

Who hears the word ‘blame’ and immediately thinks of punishment? She must have experienced it before.

Song Muyun choked on her words and lowered her head, saying nothing. Her cheeks were bright red. Jiang Yao’s brow was now furrowed so tightly she could have crushed a mosquito between them. Her expression was even colder than it had been outside. “Did she hit you?” she asked again.

The young woman glanced at her timidly. Not daring to hide anything, she could only nod. “She would hit my palms.”

Jiang Yao gently squeezed her soft palm. She was not happy. “Your mother is far too cruel.” Muyun is so pretty and lovely. I couldn’t bear to hit her.

Song Muyun had always been sensible. She just shook her head. “It was my fault for doing something wrong. It’s not my mother’s fault.”

“If you do something wrong, a few words of scolding are enough. Why resort to hitting?” Jiang Yao muttered, rubbing Song Muyun’s palm even more, as if she could erase all the pain from the past.

Song Muyun watched her with a gentle expression, then suddenly smiled. Jiang Yao treated her like a precious treasure.

“When you do something wrong, you deserve to be punished. But having you care for me… even being punished is worth it.” At some point, Song Muyun had quietly moved closer, leaning her head on Jiang Yao’s shoulder, her voice filled with peace and happiness.

Jiang Yao wrapped an arm around her, not letting her say such things. “Worth what? Getting hit is worth it? It’s not worth it, even if someone cares for you. You’re so silly.” She poked Song Muyun’s forehead, making the girl’s head tilt back. Song Muyun gave her a glare that was light as a feather and held no threat at all.

The two returned to Hengwu Courtyard to lie down. Jiang Yao was too lazy to move. Ever since she and Muyun got together, they were always tumbling into bed at the slightest opportunity.

Song Muyun quietly snuggled up to Jiang Yao again and lay down beside her, rubbing her chin against her shoulder. “Jiang Yao.”

Jiang Yao looked over, but the young woman wasn’t looking at her. Her gaze was fixed on a point in the distance, her eyelashes trembling. A closer look revealed a hint of nervousness. She suddenly spoke. “Jiang Yao, everything I have now, you gave to me.”

“Nonsense. This is all what you deserve. You were born deserving of being treated this well by others.” She hadn’t even finished her sentence before Jiang Yao rushed to object.

The young woman smiled helplessly and said patiently, “Let me finish first.”

“Don’t say all this pointless stuff. I don’t want to hear it.”

“No, you have to listen.” Her dark, lustrous eyes looked at Jiang Yao seriously as she began to speak slowly. “Jiang Yao, everything I own was given to me by you. Today is your birthday, and I don’t want to use your money to buy you a gift. So, I was thinking…”

Before she could finish, Jiang Yao interrupted again.

Jiang Yao’s eyes were bright, her expression strangely excited. She immediately jumped in, “So you’re thinking of giving yourself to me, right?!”

Just like in that storybook⁵! The heroine has no way to repay the other heroine for saving her life, so she decides to repay with her body⁶!

She thought she was in for a fun time today, but instead, she was met with Song Muyun’s dark expression.

Song Muyun hadn’t known Jiang Yao had this kind of personality before. Is that… is that the only thing on her mind? Of course not!

The young woman shot her a glare and said in a muffled, sulky voice, “If you keep this up, I’m not giving you your birthday gift.”

Alright, one look at her told Jiang Yao that she had no intention of offering herself as a birthday gift.

“No, no, no, don’t do that! Please give it to me. I really want your birthday gift. I don’t care about the ones from other people.” Jiang Yao was thick-skinned. The moment she heard the gift might be withheld, she immediately used all four limbs to wrap herself around Song Muyun, trapping her completely in an embrace as she wheedled for her present.

Song Muyun shot Jiang Yao another secret glare but ultimately said nothing. She patted her arm. “Then get up. Let me go, and I’ll go get it for you.”

Jiang Yao raised an eyebrow in surprise. “You hid it in the room?”

It wasn’t until she took out several colorful scent pouches⁷ that it dawned on Jiang Yao. Holy crap. So all those late nights she spent making scent pouches… they were all for me!

She cursed herself for being so careless. She hadn’t even noticed that the young woman had been working on different scent pouches these past few days, each with a different pattern. She’d just assumed she was slow and had been working on the same one for a long time.

A warm current suddenly flooded her heart. In this life, thanks to her status, she had received many gifts, but never one that someone had personally spent so many hours making. Song Muyun had given her something she made with her own hands. To her, this was incredibly precious.

As expected of my little ancestor⁸. Even her gifts go straight to my heart.

Seeing Jiang Yao staring at her so intently, Song Muyun’s face turned red. “My… my money is all from you,” she said softly. “This was the only thing I could think of to give you. Please don’t dislike it.”

Jiang Yao beckoned to Song Muyun. Song Muyun obediently went over and was pulled into an embrace. A gentle rub on the small of her back was all it took to make her lose her strength. She melted into the embrace and whispered, “Jiang Yao, what’s wrong?”

Jiang Yao buried her face in the crook of Song Muyun’s neck, taking a deep breath of the lovely, sweet fragrance of her skin. “Nothing’s wrong. Your birthday gift just made me so happy. I had no idea you were working so hard every day just to give me a present.”

Song Muyun shook her head obediently. “It wasn’t hard. Thinking that it was for you, it didn’t feel hard at all.”

My wife’s words are so sweet. I love hearing them.

Jiang Yao’s gaze was tender and lingering. After looking into Song Muyun’s eyes for a moment, she suddenly kissed those rosy, thin lips, her voice muffled. “Muyun, you really know what to say. Here’s your reward.”

Song Muyun: …

How is this rewarding me? This is clearly a reward for Jiang Yao herself!

They kissed for a long while, until they were both breathless, before collapsing onto the soft couch. Song Muyun’s eyes were glistening with moisture, and a fine sheen of sweat had appeared on her forehead as she panted heavily.

Jiang Yao rested for a moment before rolling over and pulling Song Muyun into her arms. Her bright, round eyes looked at her seriously. “I love your gift. It’s the best gift I’ve ever received.”

Anyone who gives a gift hopes it will please the recipient, and Song Muyun was no exception. Curled up in Jiang Yao’s arms, she tried her best to hold it back, but the corners of her mouth couldn’t help but curve upward.

She was very happy, and she made a coquettish demand. “Then from now on, you’re only allowed to wear the scent pouches I make for you. You’re not allowed to buy them outside anymore.”

She had wanted to say this for a long time. How could you buy such a personal item from outside? Why should the person I like carry something with another person’s needlework on her body?

“Alright, alright. I have my wife to make them for me, so why would I buy them outside? I’ll only use yours.”

Since she was so accommodating, Song Muyun pursed her lips and couldn’t resist suggesting, “Then from now on, I’ll make your inner clothes⁹ for you too, okay?”

She thought it was a sure thing, but to her surprise, the suggestion was rejected. Jiang Yao shook her head. “That won’t do. Making a few scent pouches has already tired you out. If you make inner clothes too, won’t you have to stay up late again? Be careful not to strain your eyes.”

“I won’t. I’ll only do it when I have nothing else to do.”

“That still won’t do. You’re my wife, not my family’s embroideress. I’m already very happy that you make me a few scent pouches in your spare time. You don’t need to do such troublesome, eye-straining work.”

“I don’t think it’s troublesome. What’s so troublesome about doing things for you?” Song Muyun grumbled a bit, but Jiang Yao still wouldn’t allow it, so she just buried herself in Jiang Yao’s embrace and fell silent.

Fine, I won’t argue with her. When the time comes, if I want to make them, she won’t be able to stop me anyway.

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Recently, the atmosphere in the imperial court had been tense. The ministers were all troubled by one matter: Meng Xia, the Prefect¹⁰ of Luzhou¹¹, had mysteriously disappeared from his residence. The people sent to find him couldn’t find a single trace. According to the testimony of other officials, they had all followed the Prefect’s orders to cut corners and use shoddy materials, which was why the dam had been built so poorly.

The only way to overturn the case now was to find the Luzhou Prefect—even though everyone knew that the Song family was most likely framed.

At the same time, the First Prince’s mother, Noble Consort Meng¹², disguised herself and secretly appeared at the First Prince’s Residence of Murong Chun.

Murong Chun was confined to the Prince’s Residence day after day. His spirits were already low, and he was constantly being slandered by Murong Qing, who kept slinging mud at him. Even though his Father-Emperor¹³ hadn’t punished him severely, the resentment in his heart was hard to dispel. He hated Murong Qing with a passion. All he thought about every day was how to tear apart that treacherous dog, Murong Qing!

He held himself in high esteem; though he and Murong Qing were both princes, he considered Murong Qing lowly and himself noble. The throne would surely be his one day. At most, he’d grant Murong Qing the title of Prince of the First Rank.¹⁴

Now, to be framed by such a lowly person, he was furious. He now saw his once-only ally as his most hated enemy, cursing and belittling him in his residence every day. Even when he had nothing else to do, he’d still curse him a few times. He even ordered his subordinates to make him a straw man¹⁵, on which he pasted a piece of paper with the three characters of Murong Qing’s name. Then, he would draw his bow again and again, shooting arrows through the straw man to vent the hatred in his heart.

When Noble Consort Meng arrived, Murong Chun was practicing archery. He could hit the target five or six times out of ten, and soon the straw man was bristling with arrows.

A maidservant led her over, trembling with fear. Seeing Murong Chun, she called out in a deep voice, “Chun’er!”

Murong Chun whipped his head around. When he saw Noble Consort Meng, his eyes widened. “Mother-Consort¹⁶, why are you here?!”

Noble Consort Meng took off her cloak, her face cold. “If This Palace¹⁷ didn’t come, you’d probably be eaten until not even your bones were left!”

Murong Chun was still somewhat afraid of Noble Consort Meng. He instinctively shrank back, only to hear her sharp question. “I told you to be smarter! Why did you let yourself get schemed against again?!”

“This… this… Your Child-Subject¹⁸ didn’t want this either.” Who knew that Murong Qing, who had always bowed and scraped before him, was actually one to wrap up and hide a disastrous heart!¹⁹

Noble Consort Meng was furious. Seeing a teacup nearby, she walked over, grabbed it, and threw it at Murong Chun. But Murong Chun didn’t even dare to dodge, trembling in fear.

“You idiot! Who told you to kidnap Song Muyun?”

Some time ago, when Murong Chun had just gotten into trouble and been confined, Noble Consort Meng hadn’t dared to leave the palace easily for fear of arousing suspicion. She had come today specifically to scold him. She had been holding it in for a long time.

“It… it was Murong Qing who begged me to.” Murong Chun said this with a guilty conscience, but at the time, he really hadn’t expected Murong Qing to throw him under the bus! Murong Qing’s mother was not favored. He had been completely convinced that Murong Qing wouldn’t dare to offend him and could only try to curry favor. Who knew that at the critical moment, he would completely absolve himself of all responsibility, leaving Murong Chun to be caught with conclusive evidence of the crime.²⁰

“Hmph. I call you an idiot and you still won’t admit it. What good would capturing that Song Muyun do for you? Just because he asked, you had to do it? How many times have I told you not to do things that are of no benefit to the throne!”

Murong Chun hung his head dejectedly, but he still couldn’t help but speak up for himself. “It was Murong Qing who told me he had a way to make Jiang Heng stop investigating the Song family’s case, as long as I handed Song Muyun over to him.”

Noble Consort Meng took a deep breath. “Then why was that person being held captive in your residence!”

“Murong Qing said he didn’t have any residences in his name, so… so…” Murong Chun couldn’t continue, shrinking his head like a quail.

Noble Consort Meng was too angry to speak. After a long while, she finally calmed down and looked at Murong Chun with cold eyes. “The Emperor has ordered you to face the wall and reflect on your misdeeds²¹ in your residence. What are your thoughts on this?”

“I… I’m waiting for Father-Emperor to let me out.”

The First Prince didn’t dare say he had no thoughts on the matter, but even so, he still got a scolding from Noble Consort Meng.

“You idiot! The Emperor has confined you for a year! If you don’t find a way out, who knows what other mud Murong Qing will sling at you. You’ll never get out in this lifetime!” There was something else Noble Consort Meng left unsaid: by the time Murong Chun was allowed out, the crown prince might have already been appointed!

Murong Chun was utterly obsequious²² before his Mother-Consort. “Then… then how can Your Child-Subject get out?” he asked cautiously.

Noble Consort Meng looked at her only son with extreme annoyance. If she weren’t too old to receive the Emperor’s favor, she would have long since given birth to a smarter one. For now, she had to make do.

“Starting tomorrow, you will first feign illness to win your Father-Emperor’s sympathy. The Luzhou Prefect, Meng Xia, has disappeared. We must find him before anyone else and have him go to court to testify that it was Murong Qing who took the disaster relief funds. The matter of raising death-sworn soldiers²³ has always been handled by Murong Qing, correct?”

“Yes. Your Child-Subject was afraid that if anything came to light, we would be implicated, so I have always left this matter for Murong Qing to manage.”

“Mm, that’s good.”

Noble Consort Meng and Murong Chun discussed their plans a while longer before she put her cloak back on and quietly left the First Prince’s Residence.

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With the Spring Festival²⁴ approaching, the palace was bustling with activity, busy preparing for a grand palace banquet²⁵ to which all officials of the fourth rank and above, along with their families, were invited.

Jiang Yao didn’t feel at ease leaving Song Muyun at home alone, so she specifically went to ask her father if she could bring her along.

Her father was already annoyed with her. When he heard she was there on behalf of Song Muyun, he became even more irritated. He looked up and down several times before he finally couldn’t hold it in any longer and raised a hand, ordering Jiang Yao to get out.

Jiang Yao: …

Her eyes filled with a complicated expression. “Dad²⁶, you’re losing more and more of your scholarly elegance.” Even you’re using the word ‘get out’ now!

“When dealing with you, I don’t need any scholarly elegance. Get out!” He didn’t want to see this willful, headstrong daughter who constantly embarrassed him when he went out.

Jiang Yao was thick-skinned. Even after being told off like that, she refused to leave. “So, are you going to let me bring Muyun to the palace or not?”

The unfilial daughter’s demands were getting more and more outrageous. Jiang Heng was furious. “If you don’t see her for a few hours, are you afraid the people of my Jiang family will eat her?!”

“That’s not it. It’s mainly that if I don’t see her for a few hours, your daughter will miss her.” It wasn’t just Song Muyun who was clingy; Jiang Yao had also grown accustomed to having a little shadow following her around.

Her father was fuming but helpless to vent his anger. He could only wave his hand irritably. “Do whatever you want, do whatever you want! Get out, and don’t come back unless it’s something important!”

“Alrighty! Thanks, Dad! Your daughter will take her leave now.”

Jiang Yao hadn’t been idle these past few days. She often took Song Muyun out, acting intimately with her in public. The rumors in the capital about her “rubbing mirrors” grew more and more intense. Now, everyone believed that the eldest daughter of the Jiang family had a penchant for rubbing mirrors. The few officials who used to inquire about his daughter no longer came around!

Jiang Heng was angry, but there was nothing he could do. He could only tell himself that children and grandchildren will have their own fortunes²⁷, which was a meager comfort.

On the day of the palace banquet, Jiang Yao wore a stunning red dress, its sash cinched tightly around her slender waist, a whip tied to it. Song Muyun was still dressed in white, with only a single Magnolia Hairpin²⁸ in her smooth, dark hair, making her look elegant, otherworldly, and ethereal.

When Jiang Yao saw her emerge, looking so graceful, a flash of astonishment crossed her eyes. It wasn’t news that her wife was beautiful, but every time she saw her, she was still struck by her beauty. “My Muyun looks like a fairy today. I’m reluctant to let you go out for others to see.”

Everyone has a possessive streak, and Jiang Yao was no exception. Her eyes were fixed on Song Muyun.

Song Muyun’s cheeks gradually turned rosy. She shyly turned her head away. “Don’t say things like that.” You know I can’t handle it.

Jiang Yao chuckled lightly and, true to her word, said no more. She simply raised a hand to wrap around Song Muyun’s shoulders, pulling her into an embrace.

The two went out together. When they stood before the others, Jiang Huai and Jiang Ru were already used to their intimacy. Only Jiang Heng let out a cold snort before getting into the carriage with a helpless-looking Madam Jiang.²⁹

Song Muyun felt uneasy. After getting into the carriage, she gripped Jiang Yao’s hand, her brow furrowed. “In the future… don’t hold me like that outside.”

Jiang Yao: “Why? You don’t like it?”

“I don’t like it. Just… don’t do that anymore. It’s not good for people to see.”

“You’re afraid my dad will be unhappy if he sees, aren’t you?” Even a martial general has her own kind of perception. Jiang Yao understood immediately.

Song Muyun said nothing, but her eyes reflected a sorrow that rippled outward like waves on water, inspiring pity in anyone who saw it.

Jiang Yao paused for a moment, then, right in front of her two younger siblings, she pulled Song Muyun into her arms, her hand pressing against the girl’s slender lower back. “My dad has already agreed to our relationship,” she said soothingly. “Otherwise, do you think someone like me, with no official position, would have the ability to bring you into the palace?”

She was talking nonsense. Her dad was still furious; he had only agreed because he found her annoying and wanted her to leave. But to outsiders, it would look like the Jiang family had accepted Muyun. And to Muyun, it would look the same, which would at least comfort her a little.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Song Muyun’s beautiful phoenix eyes lit up. She reached out to hug Jiang Yao back and whispered, “Really?”

“Of course, it’s true. Why would I lie to you? Ayun is so lovable. Father and Mother would agree to us being together, it’s only natural.”

The display was so saccharine it made Jiang Huai roll his eyes. He had never seen his sister like this, speaking to someone in such a soft, gentle voice. When his sister spoke to him, she was always fierce, ready to clench her fists and hit him after just a few words. I’m a person too, and her own flesh and blood. How can the difference be so huge?

The four of them got out of the carriage at the palace gate and exchanged greetings with the other officials coming and going.

Jiang Yao’s gaze swept over them. Many of them were people she had beaten up before; now, they didn’t even dare to look her in the eye.

Finally, her gaze landed on Murong Qing, who had just arrived at the palace gate and was getting out of his carriage.

Murong Qing hadn’t had much to do recently and had been idle at home, keeping a very low profile. When he saw Jiang Yao, he even let bygones be bygones and gave a faint smile, putting on an impressive act.

Jiang Yao’s eyes were sharp as she met his gaze. Suddenly, the person beside her grabbed her wrist. She whipped her head around to see Muyun’s face filled with alarm for some unknown reason. Her pupils were constricted, as if she had seen something terrifying, and she was utterly panicked.

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The author has something to say:

Another day of failing to fix my sleep schedule. I have a real reason today, I went to get my nails done QAQ. I have to attend a wedding tomorrow too, oh my god, don’t wait for me tomorrow either, I predict the update won’t be early ooh ooh ooh

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