Hearing Shocking Bad News
Jiang Yao immediately pulled the other woman into her arms. Ignoring the crowd around them, she lowered her head and asked with concern, “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”
Song Muyun’s face was pale, her eyes filled with terror. She clenched her fists, looked up, and said with tears in her eyes, “I think… I think I just saw something terrible. It scared me to death.”
The moment she had seen Murong Qing, a series of dark images had flashed through her mind. They were all in a dungeon.1 Murong Qing was smiling with a wicked wantonness while she lay on the ground, covered in wounds. But none of that… none of that had ever actually happened.
The young woman was startled by the scenes that had suddenly appeared in her head—of things that had never happened. Her eyes welled up, and she looked at Jiang Yao with a pitiful expression.
Jiang Yao’s brow furrowed tightly. She held Song Muyun, stroking her back soothingly. “Don’t be afraid, I’m here. What did you see?”
Jiang Heng and Madam Jiang finished greeting their colleagues and turned to see Jiang Yao in such a state. Their initial worry had long since settled into a kind of calm resignation. No matter what they said, their daughter wouldn’t listen; she would only do as she pleased. So what was the point of saying anything at all?
Forget it, forget it. She’ll understand when she finally hits a wall, when she’s ostracized by the world and met with strange looks.
With that thought, Jiang Heng didn’t spare Jiang Yao another glance. He clasped one hand behind his back, placed the other in front, and strode into the palace with an imposing air.
Jiang Yao was still asking Song Muyun what she had seen.
Jiang Ru stood beside them, looking at Song Muyun with worry. Jiang Huai had been about to leave, but when he saw Murong Qing start to approach, something stirred in him, and he stayed. The youth’s tall, straight figure stood to one side, looking surprisingly reliable for a moment.
Murong Qing had been watching them the entire time and had naturally noticed Song Muyun’s strange behavior. He frowned, instinctively wanting to go over, but then he stopped.
He suddenly flicked his sleeves in anger. Hmph. It was Song Muyun who chose Jiang Yao. Everything that’s happening now is her own damn fault!
He was a dignified prince. Why should he debase himself by showing concern for the daughter of a convicted official?2
Murong Qing’s gaze swept over them darkly. After a single glance, he immediately put on his usual refined mask and turned to leave.
They were talking at the palace gate, drawing a lot of attention. When Song Muyun realized many people were looking their way, she hastily lowered her head to hide her utterly panicked expression.
Only then did she whisper, “Jiang Yao, the moment I saw Murong Qing, the scenes from my dreams flashed through my mind. It hurts so much.”
The sight of Murong Qing triggers those nightmares?
That bastard Murong Qing is seriously bad luck.
Jiang Yao barely managed to suppress the viciousness rising in her heart. She raised a hand to cover Song Muyun’s eyes and lowered her voice to a coaxing whisper. “Then don’t look at him. Just looking at me is enough, understand?”
“You can look at me, too! I’ll keep Muyun… Sister-in-law, company!” Jiang Ru chimed in eagerly. She had almost called her ‘sister,’ but a sharp look from her own sister made her tongue twist. She hit the brakes just in time, settling on Sister-in-law.
Jiang Huai didn’t say anything, but his eyes remained fixed on Murong Qing. Only after the prince had walked inside did he speak up. “Alright, the Seventh Prince is gone. We’ve been delayed so long, we can’t even see Mom and Dad anymore.”
The young man grumbled under his breath. Song Muyun, soothed by the two women who were so intent on protecting her, heard Jiang Huai’s complaint and lowered her gaze, saying apologetically, “I’m sorry. I held everyone up.”
Jiang Yao looked over, but before she could say anything to scold her brother, Jiang Huai had already read the mood and spoken up. “It has nothing to do with you. I’m just annoyed that Murong Qing had to stand right here of all places. Tsk, so irritating.”
What did Sister Jiang Ru just call this Miss Song?
Sister-in-law!
The moment Jiang Huai heard the title, he was filled with a sense of solemn respect.
He had long wondered what kind of person could possibly tame his sister. Now, that person had appeared. It wasn’t the big and burly3 man he had imagined, but a gentle, weak woman from a tragic family. And he was actually witnessing his sister coaxing this person with such care, even hanging on her every word.
Well, live long enough and you’ll see anything.4 His intuition, honed by years of submission to his sister’s tyrannical power,5 told him that if he could win over this “Sister-in-law,” he would never have to suffer his sister’s bullying again.
At that moment, Jiang Huai’s attitude toward Song Muyun was better than it had ever been. He even put on an innocent-looking smile.
A warm current flowed through Song Muyun’s heart, and she quickly lowered her head. “Thank you.”
“What’s there to thank me for? You’re his Sister-in-law, he should be on your side. Besides, he’s telling the truth. Of all the places Murong Qing could have stood, he had to stand right here, being an eyesore.”
“Jiang Yao…”
Song Muyun’s voice was soft, her face deeply moved. Tsk, all I did was say a few ordinary words in her favor. The little thing is still young, at an age where she’s easily touched by the smallest acts of favoritism.
Jiang Yao rubbed her head, her voice laced with indulgence. “Alright, let’s go inside.”
“Mhm.”
She led her wife, along with her younger brother and cousin, into the palace.
The palace path6 was long and deep. Along the way, Jiang Yao asked more than once if Song Muyun was tired, if she was thirsty, if she wanted to be carried.
Song Muyun, blushing, refused every time.
Jiang Ru was already used to it, but Jiang Huai grew more and more astonished the longer he watched. My sister is actually capable of treating someone this well?
It was truly unbelievable.
The banquet was held inside a grand hall. Jiang Yao led the group in. The Prime Minister, his face cold, had saved them seats. He didn’t look pleased to see them arrive.
Song Muyun nervously gripped Jiang Yao’s arm. Jiang Yao squeezed her hand back, trying to reassure her.
Then she leaned over and acted cute in front of the Prime Minister. “Dad, why are you being so fierce? You’re scaring Muyun.”
Song Muyun did look rather timid. Jiang Heng subconsciously glanced at her and saw that her face was indeed pale. His expression finally softened. He gave her a slight nod, indicating that his coldness was not directed at her.
The young woman immediately sat up straight, lowered her eyes, and performed a proper greeting. “Uncle Jiang, Auntie Jiang.”
Jiang Heng nodded. “Mm. Stay by Jiang Yao’s side. There’s no need to be overly formal.”
Liang Qingyin also spoke gently. “If you want to eat anything, just have Jiang Yao get it for you.”
“Okay. Th-thank you, Uncle, Auntie.”
Song Muyun seemed overwhelmed by the favor,7 thanking them hastily as if she were terrified.
I thought… I thought Uncle Jiang and Auntie Jiang would surely dislike me after learning about me and Jiang Yao. I never expected them to still be so gentle…
Song Muyun’s eyes stung, and she felt the urge to cry, but she held it back.
I can’t always be crying and embarrassing Jiang Yao. There are so many young masters and ladies here. I already embarrassed her once outside the palace gate.
That had been a moment of panic she couldn’t control. She had to control herself now.
Jiang Yao squeezed Song Muyun’s hand and placed a piece of pastry on her plate. “The Seventh Prince is diagonally across from you,” she said. “Don’t look that way. He’s bad luck. You’ve been having nightmares these past few days. When we get back, I’ll have the Eighth Prince get an imperial physician to see you. Don’t worry, it must be the nightmares affecting you.”
Song Muyun nodded lightly. “Mhm, I’m not scared. As long as you’re here, I’m not scared.”
She wasn’t afraid. Jiang Yao would protect her.
Jiang Yao stroked Song Muyun’s fluffy head again, but a shadow of worry crossed her heart. The return of the long-absent nightmare affliction made her deeply uneasy, as if something major was about to happen.
She nervously held Song Muyun’s hand, keeping her from looking at Murong Qing. From his seat of honor, Murong Qing glared at Song Muyun until his eyes felt like they would crack, but he couldn’t get her to spare him a single glance. All he received was a cold, slightly dangerous look from Jiang Yao.
And what was this? The other two from the Jiang family, a boy and a girl, were both glaring at him too?
All he did was target Song Muyun, and he had managed to incur the public wrath of the entire Jiang family?
The prince, who had never experienced true brotherly friendship and respect8 with anyone, simply couldn’t understand. Why would they offend him for a mere Song Muyun, just because Jiang Yao liked her?
The Emperor arrived just as the evening banquet was about to begin. His vitality seemed much diminished since the Autumn Hunt.9 The princes’ seating area was also missing the First Prince and the Ninth Prince.
It was said that the First Prince had been gravely ill recently, frequently sending for the imperial physician,10 and had even requested an audience with the Emperor.
But the Emperor had not softened; he still refused to see him.
Not long after, the Emperor himself had fallen ill and had yet to recover.
Jiang Yao looked at the Emperor, seated at the head table with the Empress, his face a ghastly □□11 and his spirit withered. She felt as if the wind and rain were about to arrive.12
…
After the Spring Banquet,13 a new year began. The streets were filled with a festive atmosphere. Everyone wore newly purchased clothes as they strolled through the capital’s streets. Everyone was happy—everyone except for Jiang Yao in the Jiang residence.
Muyun’s nightmare affliction had gotten worse. Sometimes she would wake up startled in the middle of the night. Sometimes she would unconsciously wrap her limbs around Jiang Yao so tightly she nearly suffocated her. Other times she would cry softly in her sleep. It left Jiang Yao mentally exhausted, her heart aching for her, yet she had no idea how to help. She had already summoned a basketful of so-called divine doctors,14 but they were all useless.
Divine doctors? More like bullshit15 divine doctors.
Jiang Yao’s commotion was not small. As time went on, Jiang Huai and Liang Qingyin finally had no choice but to accept the fact that Jiang Yao and Song Muyun were polishing mirrors.16 Seeing her so distressed and frowning over the matter every day, they couldn’t help but use their own influence to find doctors who specialized in treating the nightmare affliction for Song Muyun.
One after another, doctors came, drawn by the high bounty17 offered by the Jiang family, only to leave in failure. Jiang Yao’s face grew dark. All she could do was stay by Song Muyun’s side as much as possible. When she was there, Song Muyun was always a little better.
…
Muyun’s energy had been low lately, so Jiang Yao left her at home to rest while she herself was summoned by the Eighth Prince’s men to the Prince’s Residence.
There, she received some shocking bad news.
News regarding the Song family: Song Muyun’s exiled18 mother had fallen gravely ill. The place of exile was bitterly cold, and there were no medicinal herbs. Her illness had dragged on, growing worse and worse, until she was on the verge of death.
Murong Ci had been persuading the Emperor to issue an imperial edict19 allowing the wrongly accused Song family members to return to the capital. He had finally obtained the edict, but the messenger sent to the borderlands20 had returned with earth-shattering bad news. When Jiang Yao heard it, she froze completely.
She had been hoping the news about the Song family would make her little one happy, but now…
Should she even tell her?
Murong Ci looked at Jiang Yao with a measure of sympathy. “The people my Father-Emperor sent will be bringing the Song family back soon. You should think carefully about how you’re going to tell your wife.”
Because Jiang Yao always referred to Song Muyun as “my wife,” Murong Ci had picked up the habit. He had discovered that every time he called Song Muyun “your wife” in front of Jiang Yao, it made her very happy.
Jiang Yao didn’t even know how she left the Prince’s Residence. When she stepped outside and the wind hit her, she felt like her legs were about to give out. She didn’t dare tell Ah Yun this news. Her heart couldn’t help but ache. Why is my Ah Yun’s fate so bitter?
The author has something to say:
I was busy with a wedding all day, and my shoes were rubbing my feet QAQ. I’ll just write three thousand words today. I’ll add more tomorrow if I have time. If not, then that’s that. The basic tone is still a sweet story;21 I’ve been dedicated to writing sweet stories for a hundred years. It won’t be too angsty, even after the rebirth.22
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