Forbidden to Bully the Storybook’s Heroine – Chapter 68

Headache

Mother Song said that female-female love went against heavenly principles¹, and that the Song family’s code of conduct² would never permit a child of the house to do something so shameful. But she was dying. She couldn’t control that much anymore. Her only thought was for her daughter, alone in the capital, to live a little better—to have someone to protect her, to be treated with kindness. Jiang Yao’s status was special. She knew that if Jiang Yao wanted to, she could protect Yun’er.

“Will you, cough cough, be good to Yun’er for a lifetime?”

Mother Song’s body was numb and without feeling, but she gritted her teeth against the pain and forced the question out.

Jiang Yao nodded, her expression firm. “Mother-in-law, rest assured. I’ll be good to Yun’er for a lifetime. I won’t let anyone bully her. I’ll protect her.”

Mother Song: …

She’s already calling me Mother-in-law.

She offered no comment, only saying, “I know you’re a good child. If one day you no longer like Yun’er, please give her a place to settle down and get on with her life³. Don’t let others bully her. At the very least… don’t forget you once liked her.”

Although Jiang Yao felt such a thing was impossible, she agreed. To put Mother Song at ease, she even swore an oath: she would always treat Muyun well, or she would not die a good death⁴. This finally seemed to reassure the devoutly Buddhist⁵ Mother Song. Her face twitched unconsciously again, and her voice was very soft. “Go call Yun’er in. You two can see me off on the last leg of my journey⁶.”

I can’t hold on much longer…

Jiang Yao’s heart clenched, and she immediately went to get Song Muyun.

Song Muyun hurried in, lifting the hem of her skirt. When she saw her mother lying on the bed with a smile, her eyes reddened, but she forced herself not to cry. Mom said she didn’t want to see her cry.

“Yun’er, come here…”

Mother Song weakly extended a hand.

Song Muyun rushed forward to take it, then looked over at Jiang Yao.

Jiang Yao also walked over, her lips pressed together as she looked at Mother Song.

Mother Song held Song Muyun’s hand, but she guided it toward Jiang Yao. “Miss Jiang,” she said, “I’m entrusting Yun’er to you. I hope you will treat her well.”

Song Muyun turned her head away. For the first time, she didn’t blush. Instead, a string of tears fell in secret. Her mother had agreed to her and Jiang Yao’s relationship, but it wasn’t a sincere approval. She was only afraid that her daughter would have no one to rely on in the capital and wanted Jiang Yao to protect her. Earlier, when it was just the two of them, her mother had said the same things: don’t be willful, don’t make Jiang Yao angry. With no parents to protect her anymore, she couldn’t be as proud as she once was, or she would be bullied…

Jiang Yao took Song Muyun’s hand and looked at Mother Song, promising solemnly, “I will definitely treat Muyun well. Don’t worry. In this life, even if I have to die for it, I won’t let anyone bully Muyun.”

Mother Song had judged countless people in her life and could naturally tell whether Jiang Yao’s words were sincere or not. Feeling much more at ease about her daughter’s future, she could finally close her eyes…

Song Muyun had just turned back when she saw her mother’s eyes slowly close. She froze. But she must have been prepared, because this time she didn’t cry out. She just inched forward, bit by bit, and gripped her mother’s withered hand. The tears she had held back finally began to roll down her cheeks, large and heavy.

“Mom…” she called out hoarsely, her heart aching so much she could barely breathe.

Seeing her like this was agonizing for Jiang Yao, but she couldn’t find the words. She could only stay by Song Muyun’s side, at least letting her know that she would be there whenever she turned around.

“It’s okay,” she finally managed after a long moment, her voice thick. “Your mom will be watching you from heaven.”

Song Muyun knelt by the bed and cried for a long time, until she had no tears left. At last, she spoke, her voice raspy. “I know. Jiang Yao, Mom told me not to be sad, but I… I really can’t help it…”

She couldn’t help the grief in her heart, the urge to cry. Her father and mother were both dead. In all the world, she was now alone…

Jiang Yao stepped forward and gently pulled Song Muyun into her arms, patting her back soothingly. “It’s okay. It’s okay now. You still have me. Auntie wouldn’t want to see you cry either, hmm?”

“Mm, I know. I won’t cry.”

She said she wouldn’t cry, but her soaked eyelashes would soften anyone’s heart.

“Mom told me that life and death are decreed by fate⁷. It was just her time. I’m not sad. She said she was going to find my father, and that she was very happy.”

Song Muyun turned her head to look at her mother, who lay on the bed with her eyes closed, a faint smile still on her lips.

Seeing that she was calming down, Jiang Yao immediately nodded. “Your mom is right. Don’t be sad. I’ll help you find the person behind the scenes, okay?”

Song Muyun gripped Jiang Yao’s hand, her voice filled with a thick, unshakeable hatred for the first time. “If someone hadn’t framed us, my father and mother wouldn’t have died. The Song family wouldn’t be in this state. I must avenge them!”

“Okay, I’ll help you,” Jiang Yao cooed. “As long as I’m here, you have nothing to fear.”

Song Muyun stood up straight. “Let’s go out,” she said hoarsely. “Mother is gone. We need to tell Second Uncle and Third Uncle.”

“Okay. Whatever you say.”

The matriarch of the Song family passed away from her illness. Jiang Yao stayed at the Song Residence to help manage the funeral affairs, including the rites of preparing the body and placing it in the coffin.

Everyone assumed that with the Song family back in the capital, Song Muyun would stay with them. After all… what sense did it make to live in someone else’s house when you still had your own elders?

But against all expectations, Jiang Yao brought her home again. Jiang Heng said nothing, simply treating her as if she were a second young miss of the Jiang Residence.

And so, everyone in the capital knew: Jiang Yao and Song Muyun’s relationship was now out in the open⁸. Even the Prime Minister didn’t object. The Prime Minister’s wife, who had previously been planning to look at young gentlemen⁹ for Jiang Yao, had suddenly gone quiet on the matter.

After her mother’s death, Song Muyun was in low spirits. Jiang Yao had to coax her for a long time before she began to let go of her grief, just a little.

She was still sad, but the living had to look forward. She would work hard, find the mastermind behind it all, and completely wash away the filth¹⁰ staining the Song family’s name.

…

One day, Jiang Yao returned from outside and strode into the room with news. “The Emperor has issued a decree to bestow a marriage¹¹ between Murong Qing and Li Xiting, the daughter of Duke Cheng.”

Song Muyun, who had been embroidering a scent pouch¹², paused. She repeated the name, “Li Xiting… is that the young lady who accidentally entered the hunting woods last time?”

“Mm, that’s her. I thought she and Murong Qing were acting strange last time. Perhaps we can start with her to investigate the incident in the hunting woods.”

As she spoke, another thought seemed to strike Jiang Yao. Her eyes suddenly lit up, and a slight smile touched her red lips. Her voice was laced with a playful, coaxing tone. “Didn’t that Murong Qing claim to adore you? Yet now he’s marrying someone else without a second thought. Clearly, he wasn’t sincere.”

In my dream, little Yun’er ended up with Murong Qing. Even though I don’t say it out loud, I can’t help but see him as a love rival. I’ll take any chance I get to pull him down and step on him¹³.

Song Muyun was stunned for a moment before she understood. She gave Jiang Yao a little push. “What are you talking about? I always knew he wasn’t sincere with me.”

“Hmph. I was just afraid you didn’t know.” In the dream, little Yun’er didn’t know. She even agreed to be with him, to be his Empress. Tsk, just thinking about it is annoying. And it makes me a little jealous.

It was fine when we weren’t together. But now that we are, I can’t accept that Muyun liked Murong Qing in a dream, in a storybook. I get jealous.

Song Muyun put down her embroidery, opened her arms, and quietly wrapped them around Jiang Yao’s waist, burying her face in her stomach. “How could I not know?” she said softly. “Someone who truly cares for me wouldn’t hurt me. I’ve always known that.”

Jiang Yao stroked Song Muyun’s head. She didn’t flinch away from her touch anymore, as if she had grown used to it. No matter how Jiang Yao touched her, she wouldn’t resist. She was very, very good. “Let’s go out today. How about we get some fresh air?”

Muyun hadn’t left the house since her mother passed away. Whenever Jiang Yao had to go out on business, she would ask Jiang Ru to come and keep her company.

Jiang Huai also came over occasionally, bringing back some new little trinket from outside for Muyun, and only for her.

If my brother weren’t so afraid of me, so terrified he’d never dare fight me for my beloved, I’d almost think my stupid brother had fallen for Muyun, just like in the storybooks. Even so, I was planning to beat him up just in case, to stop him from having any daydreams. Luckily, Muyun told me early on that the gifts were bribes, so she would blow some pillow-side wind¹⁴ and get me to be nicer to him.

“Mm, okay,” Song Muyun agreed softly. She changed into a pale yellow dress and was led out of the residence, hand in hand with Jiang Yao.

It was still a bit cold on the street. As soon as they stepped out of the carriage, Jiang Yao turned back to adjust the furry cloak around Song Muyun, bundling her up until her palm-sized face was hidden, with only her eyes showing.

She was obedient, standing perfectly still while Jiang Yao fussed over her. Once she was done, they told the carriage to return for them later and entered Zhenbao Pavilion¹⁵.

Jiang Yao was in a rare mood to buy the little girl some jewelry. She loved nothing more than dressing Song Muyun up to be as beautiful as possible.

Who would have thought that as they walked in happily, they would come face-to-face with Murong Qing, who was also inside picking out jewelry.

All three of them froze.

Almost immediately, Jiang Yao’s expression turned cold. She tugged on Song Muyun’s hand, her voice just loud enough for a few people to hear. “What bad luck, running into something so foul the moment we step out. Come on, I’ll take you upstairs to buy something. We won’t pick from down here.”

It was the same shop, but the items on the upper floor were more expensive, and naturally, the craftsmanship was more exquisite and magnificent.

Murong Qing’s face turned ashen. He had never met anyone who disrespected a prince as much as Jiang Yao! The Jiang family… their power truly does overturn the court and country¹⁶. When I ascend the throne, I’ll make sure to suppress the Jiang family and show Jiang Yao the consequences of offending me!

The shop assistant beside Murong Qing trembled but continued his spiel, introducing the jewelry. He didn’t know why, but even though Eldest Miss Jiang hadn’t named names, he had a distinct feeling she was talking about the distinguished person right beside him.

Murong Qing’s expression darkened for a moment before he recovered his usual gentle and warm like jade¹⁷ demeanor. He handed a hairpin to the assistant. “Wrap this one up first.”

“Yes, of course,” the assistant replied quickly, taking the hairpin with both hands.

Upstairs, Jiang Yao and Song Muyun were in the middle of an argument. The cause was that Jiang Yao wanted to spend two hundred taels of silver on a gold-inlaid jade bracelet¹⁸ for the little girl, but the girl was refusing, insisting that she already had more than enough jewelry and didn’t need anything new.

How can that be? In my eyes, my little girl should be raised as precious as gold, as noble as jade¹⁹. You can never have too much jewelry. Besides, it’s just a jade bracelet. What’s the big deal?

Jiang Yao was unhappy, and it showed on her face.

But Song Muyun wouldn’t back down, her voice a little cool. “I don’t need a bracelet. Don’t waste the money.”

“But your wrist is bare! How can you say you don’t need one!” She definitely needs one!

“I have some at home. I just didn’t wear one today.”

“Then why didn’t you wear one? It must be because you don’t have enough to choose from!”

Song Muyun: …

“If you absolutely must buy one, then buy that one. That one’s not bad either.” Song Muyun pointed to a nearby Hotan Jade Bracelet²⁰ entwined with silver threads. It was pretty, but the quality²¹ of the jade wasn’t as good, and the price was much lower—only fifty taels of silver. It was fine for her to wear herself, but how could her little ancestor²² wear something of such poor quality?

Jiang Yao frowned, displeased. “Jade nurtures a person. The better the jade, the more nurturing it is. I think this one suits you.”

“Who says? That one suits me too. I like it a lot.”

Their argument began to attract the attention of others. From a distance, it might have looked as if the young lady from the Song family wanted the jade bracelet, and the young lady from the Jiang family was refusing to buy it for her.

Only by getting closer could one hear the truth: it was the Song girl who didn’t want the Jiang girl to spend so much money, while the Jiang girl was practically begging to spend it.

“If you like it, if you like it so much, we can just buy both! You can wear them on different days.” Jiang Yao didn’t usually spend much money, except for large sums when buying swords. The rest went to pastries and other trifles not worth mentioning. Her little private treasury²³ was quite full, all of it saved up with the intention of supporting her wife²⁴. What are two little bracelets? Buy them!

The corner of Song Muyun’s mouth twitched. She had said that to get Jiang Yao to save some money, to not buy her things that were too expensive. But now, Jiang Yao didn’t just want to buy one; she wanted both the expensive and the cheap ones.

A flash of helplessness crossed the little girl’s eyes. She pressed down on Jiang Yao’s hand, which was already reaching for the bracelet, and shook her head. “I don’t want this one. I just want that one.”

She didn’t want the expensive, gold-inlaid bracelet, only the cheaper, silver-threaded one.

Jiang Yao really didn’t want to argue with her. On any other day, she would have just given in. But today, she had set her heart on the expensive one. She had even imagined how it would be used!

An elegant, otherworldly woman, wearing nothing but a translucent jade bracelet, shimmering against her snow-white skin. When she trembles helplessly, the gold-inlaid jade bracelet will tremble with her. So beautiful. But if it were the silver-thread bracelet, my excitement would be cut in half. It just doesn’t have that same noble, untouchable air as the gold-inlaid one.

Jiang Yao’s round eyes filled with disappointment. She lowered her head, sulking.

Seeing this, Song Muyun’s heart ached with a pang of regret. It’s just a bracelet. Haven’t you taken enough from her already? Why did you have to go against her? Now you’ve made her unhappy.

“Let’s buy two, little Yun’er. I want to see~”

She thought I had given up, that’s why she’s so upset. But I haven’t given up yet. Jiang Yao suddenly looked up, her voice a playful whine.

Song Muyun felt a strange sense of relief. She didn’t understand what Jiang Yao meant by “see,” assuming she just wanted to see her wear it on her wrist. After a moment’s hesitation, not wanting to make Jiang Yao angry any longer, she relented. “Then… one for each of us?”

“Fine, fine, one for each of us. If you’d just said that earlier, everything would have been fine. So good.” Her agreement clearly lifted Jiang Yao’s spirits.

Right there in public, Jiang Yao leaned in and kissed Song Muyun’s forehead, leaving her stunned. She only snapped out of her daze when both bracelets were wrapped and ready.

Her cheeks instantly flushed pink. She shot Jiang Yao a reproachful glare and quickly lowered her head.

Jiang Yao was triumphant. She took both bracelets, paid the silver, had them placed in exquisite wooden boxes, and returned to Song Muyun’s side.

Song Muyun didn’t dare stay in the shop a moment longer. Otherwise, who knew how many more things Jiang Yao would try to buy. “Let’s go back. I’m a little tired.”

“Tired already? That won’t do. I’ll have a doctor look at you again later. I hope you’re not sick again,” she muttered, her eyes filled with anxious concern.

Afraid of genuinely scaring her, Song Muyun quickly shook her head. “No, I’m not sick. I’m just a little tired. I probably didn’t sleep well last night.”

These past few days, because of her mother’s passing, she really hadn’t been sleeping well.

Jiang Yao believed her immediately, her heart aching with sympathy. She reached out to touch her. Song Muyun, afraid of being kissed again, instinctively took two steps back, standing there in embarrassment.

But her retreat revealed the jewelry display behind her. Jiang Yao’s eyes lit up at the sight of one particular item. “What’s this?”

She walked over quickly and picked up a pile of what looked like bracelets. The attending assistant immediately began his introduction. “That’s a red gold silk-wrapped anklet²⁵. It goes on the ankle. It has bells, too.”

Song Muyun had never seen such a thing and looked on in confusion. Jiang Yao’s eyes, however, were shining. “How much for a pair of these anklets?”

Each anklet was made of several strands of gold wire twisted into circles, with tiny bells woven in that would make a crisp, pleasant sound with every movement. Not heavy, but in the quiet of the night, it should be quite noticeable.

Though Jiang Yao tried her best to contain herself, her excitement was palpable.

Song Muyun frowned at her strangely. “What’s wrong? We don’t need to buy that.”

“Miss, this is cheap. It doesn’t require much craftsmanship. Only thirty taels of silver.”

Little Ancestor: …

She had a new understanding of the word “cheap.”

Just as Song Muyun was about to drag Jiang Yao away, she had already briskly told the assistant to wrap it up.

Song Muyun: …

Such a spendthrift²⁶.

She often worried that Jiang Yao would spend all her money and end up getting a beating from her auntie and uncle. That’s how it was in the Song family. When her cousins misbehaved and spent their monthly allowance money²⁷ almost as soon as they got it, her uncles would beat them and lecture them on how hard their parents worked for that money and how it shouldn’t be squandered.

But in the Jiang family… that never seemed to happen. Her auntie and uncle were very kind and gentle people. She had never once seen them hit Jiang Yao.

Even her rubbing mirrors²⁸ with Jiang Yao was fine…

The day her mother passed, after calling her in, the first thing she said was that she knew about her and Jiang Yao. She said that if she had the strength, she would have gotten up and disciplined her according to the family rules²⁹. But then, she added that she was glad Jiang Yao liked her so much, because it meant that in the days to come, she wouldn’t be without protection.

“Alright, all bought. Let’s go, I’ll take you to buy pastries.”

This time, Jiang Yao didn’t ask if Song Muyun liked the item, so she had no chance to refuse. With three new purchases in hand, they went downstairs, only to run into Murong Qing again.

Why is he everywhere? He still hasn’t left.

Jiang Yao raised an eyebrow. Standing on the stairs, she looked down at him and offered a lazy greeting. “Seventh Prince, it’s been a while. Have you been well?”

Murong Qing put down the floral forehead ornament³⁰ he was examining and looked up. He was dressed in a moon-white robe today, which made him look particularly gentle.

Jiang Yao scoffed under her breath. He’s putting on an act. He’s so damn good at pretending.

“Miss Jiang. Muyun. It’s been a long time.”

How dare he call her so intimately!

A flash of anger rose in Jiang Yao. She pulled Song Muyun closer, not allowing her to look in Murong Qing’s direction.

Song Muyun was very cooperative. Even though Murong Qing had said her name, she didn’t look up. She just tightened her grip on Jiang Yao’s hand, and where no one could see, the veins on the back of her hand bulged.

Jiang Yao gave him a smile that didn’t reach her eyes³¹. “Is the Seventh Prince also here to pick out jewelry?”

Murong Qing didn’t try to hide it. “Yes,” he admitted directly. “The Prime Minister’s Residence is well-informed, so you must already know that Father-Emperor has bestowed a marriage between me and Miss Li. I came to buy her a few pieces of jewelry.” As he spoke, his gaze darted toward Song Muyun, who was standing behind Jiang Yao.

Hmph. Does he think I’m blind?

“I see. Then why doesn’t Your Highness go upstairs to choose? The items up there are more exquisite. Miss Li would surely like them.”

Murong Qing: …

Is it that I don’t want to go up? It’s that I’m tight on money³² and can’t afford to!

His face darkened for a second before he recovered. “I’ve already chosen. I’m just browsing now.”

“I see. In that case, Your Highness, please take your time. This female subject³³ and Muyun will be leaving.”

She pulled Song Muyun and disappeared from Zhenbao Pavilion, leaving Murong Qing to jump up and down in anger internally.

They hadn’t gone far when Jiang Yao turned to Song Muyun, her tone fierce. “You are not allowed to speak to Murong Qing, and you are not allowed to look at him! He only mentioned Li Xiting in front of you to see you get jealous!”

Eldest Miss Jiang had her hands on her hips, her face red with anger.

Away from Murong Qing, Song Muyun’s mind began to calm, and the throbbing in her head subsided. Hearing Jiang Yao’s words, she looked surprised and shook her head with a smile. “I don’t think so. Why would he want to see me get jealous?”

Although Murong Qing claims to adore me, we both know it’s just a pretense to torture me. How could he possibly love me?

True adoration should be like Jiang Yao’s…

The little girl’s eyes were bright as she looked up at Jiang Yao.

Jiang Yao huffed. “I don’t care. From now on, you’re not allowed to talk to Murong Qing or look at him.”

Song Muyun smiled, took Jiang Yao’s hand, and walked with her down the street. “I wasn’t talking to him anyway,” she said softly, “and I don’t want to look at him.” Then she added a complaint. “And another thing, don’t give me such expensive gifts anymore. I don’t even like them.”

Jiang Yao was unconcerned. “What’s so expensive about them? Isn’t my money your money? If you’re willing, I can marry you. With the command of our parents and the words of a matchmaker³⁴, I can marry you into the Jiang family. Then all my money will be yours to manage.”

She said it with such seriousness that Song Muyun was startled. She tried to back away in a fluster, but Jiang Yao hooked an arm around her waist and pulled her into her embrace. She walked on in silence, but Song Muyun knew she was waiting for an answer.

The little girl blushed. “Wh-what are you talking about, women can’t get married. People will laugh at you.”

“I’m not afraid of being laughed at. With my father standing there, no one would dare laugh at us. You just have to tell me if you want to or not. That’s all.”

Jiang Yao did as she pleased, following her heart’s desires. All that mattered was want or not want.

Song Muyun hesitated. Mom told me to be more sensible, to cause less trouble, and not to always bother Jiang Yao with my problems. Would this count as causing trouble? It probably would. A marriage between two women… imagine the pressure Jiang Yao would have to endure to make that happen…

Just thinking about it made Song Muyun’s heart ache for her. She looked at Jiang Yao and quickly shook her head. “No, no, I don’t want to. Don’t go to the trouble.”

Jiang Yao, who didn’t think it was trouble at all, felt a pang of disappointment. Muyun doesn’t want to marry me. Fine. I wanted an official status³⁵, but if she won’t give it to me, then we’ll just leave it for later.

She took Song Muyun’s hand and led her to Baiyu Workshop to buy pastries.

Jiang Yao pointed at the pastries and said to the baker, “More Pea Flour Cake³⁶, and a few pieces of Chestnut Cake³⁷.”

She usually only bought two kinds, afraid Muyun wouldn’t finish them and she’d have to eat the rest. She would just come out and buy more when they ran out.

But this time, Song Muyun tugged gently on her sleeve. “Jiang Yao, I want to go back to the Song Residence to see Second Aunt and the others later.”

“You’re going back to the Song Residence? Then I’ll buy more for you to share. Master, can we also have some Water Chestnut Cake³⁸, Poria Cake³⁹, and Osmanthus Cake⁴⁰? It’s fine to get more, there are a lot of children at home.”

Jiang Yao said this with the air of an elder, and Song Muyun couldn’t help but lower her head and blush. What does she mean, a lot of children at home? D-does she think of me as a child, too? I’m not a child. She’s always talking nonsense⁴¹.

The little girl fidgeted, refusing to look up. Jiang Yao didn’t notice. With a box of pastries in one hand and Song Muyun’s hand in the other, she headed for the Song Residence.

Song Muyun followed behind her, occasionally looking up at her back—so firm and reliable. Her heart thumped wildly in her chest. She quickened her pace to walk beside Jiang Yao.

The light of the setting sun fell on them, faintly outlining a lifetime together.

Carrying the pastries, Jiang Yao arrived at the Song family’s gate. But instead of using the main gate⁴², she scooped up Song Muyun and leaped over the enclosing wall⁴³.

The Song family’s circumstances had changed; today is not like the past⁴⁴. Although the Emperor had said he would restore their official posts, they had been away from the capital for a long time, and their positions had long since been filled by others. Who knew when new ones would open up? They had to be frugal with their money, so they didn’t even hire guards. No one came to visit anyway, so the main gate was closed all day. Since it wasn’t open when Jiang Yao arrived, she just flew over the wall with Song Muyun.

Song Muyun was only occasionally carried like this and wasn’t used to it. Her pale fingers clutched Jiang Yao’s collar, her eyes squeezed shut, her whole body tense from head to toe.

“Alright, alright, we’re down.”

She set her down gently. Song Muyun quietly scolded her for being so reckless, saying she was nearly scared to death.

Jiang Yao could only hold her and obediently admit her mistake, occasionally leaning down to kiss her, teasing her until her face was bright red before finally stopping.

They walked into the garden and ran into the Song family’s twin brothers. Having been back in the capital for some time, they had regained some of their former aristocratic air. Seeing Jiang Yao and Song Muyun, they both bowed. “Miss Jiang, Jiejie.”

Song Muyun nodded lightly, took the pastries from Jiang Yao, and handed them over. “Jiang Yao bought these for you. Go share them with Sheng’er and the others.”

The twins quickly took the pastries and thanked Jiang Yao. Jiang Yao stopped them from calling her Miss Jiang, telling them to just call her sister. Calling her Miss Jiang made it seem like she was distant from the Song family, when they were in-laws.

“You still need to see your aunts, right? I’ll go with you.”

“Mm.”

Jiang Yao accompanied Song Muyun to see the Song family elders and chatted with them for a bit. Only when it was completely dark did they set off to return to the Jiang Residence.

Second Uncle Song and Third Uncle Song were a little worried, but seeing Jiang Yao by her side, they felt much more at ease. They had heard that Miss Jiang’s martial arts were excellent; she could definitely protect Muyun.

They gave a few more words of advice, which Song Muyun acknowledged one by one before leaving the Song Residence.

On the way back to the Jiang Residence, Jiang Yao’s little ancestor complained softly, “Look, it’s so dark already. If my father and mother were still here, they would never let me stay out this late. I’d be punished when I got back.”

“They were afraid you’d be in danger if you came back late. But now you have me. I will never let you be in danger. You don’t have to be afraid.”

Song Muyun blushed again at her words, lowered her head, and fell silent. Jiang Yao took the opportunity to gently ruffle her hair.

“You haven’t had any nightmares these past few days, have you?”

When the little girl was startled awake by a nightmare, she would hide in her arms in fear or sob helplessly. That hadn’t happened for the last two days, so it seemed the nightmares were gone.

“Mm, no. It’s just that I feel uncomfortable and get a headache when I see Murong Qing.”

Jiang Yao frowned, turning to look at her in the alley. “You get a headache when you see Murong Qing? Did it hurt today, too?”

“Mm, it hurt. It didn’t hurt when I first saw him, but when we saw him again downstairs, it started to hurt a little.”

“No wonder you were so quiet then.” Jiang Yao’s heart ached as she brushed Song Muyun’s hair back from her face. “Then we won’t see Murong Qing anymore. If we don’t see him, it won’t hurt. It’s okay. I’ll go to the temple later to draw a lot and ask about it.”

Jiang Yao didn’t believe in gods or Buddhas, but Muyun’s illness was so strange, and no medicine worked. She had no choice but to place her hopes in the ethereal gods and Buddhas.

“Mm.”

Song Muyun leaned obediently into Jiang Yao’s embrace and nuzzled against her gently.

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The author has something to say:

Oh yeah, I finally finished writing the plot points that were supposed to happen before the rebirth.

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