Forbidden to Bully the Storybook’s Heroine – Chapter 70

Still my wife, that’s right!

Song Muyun awoke from the bitterness of her failed revenge, her entire being radiating killing intent. She never thought she would wake up again. Could it be… that shadow guard didn’t kill me? Did Murong Qing order someone to save me again?

She had lived a life of resentment, refusing to die for the sole purpose of vengeance. If she wasn’t dead, she would never give up!

Gritting her teeth, Song Muyun tried to sit up, but she had barely moved before a gentle pressure pushed her back down. Only then did she realize she was being held in someone’s arms. She reached out, her hand meeting only a surface that was warm, soft, and pliant.

The young woman’s eyes flew open. Who is this?

It took her a moment to register her surroundings. The surface beneath her was soft—a bed. She wasn’t in the dungeon.

Why? An arrow clearly pierced my chest, but… my chest doesn’t hurt anymore…

Bewildered, Song Muyun tried to pry the hands from her waist, finally startling the sleeping woman.

Jiang Yao was deeply, deeply asleep. She mumbled something incoherent and pulled the figure in her arms a little tighter. “Be good, Ah Yun,” she coaxed groggily. “Go to sleep. I’ll take you to West Street for snacks tomorrow.”

Song Muyun’s beautiful phoenix eyes¹ flew open. A woman’s voice?

How can there be a woman’s voice… and she called me Ah Yun?

Who is this? Who in the world is this!

An image abruptly flashed through her mind: a woman gently stroking her head, her eyes full of tenderness and doting affection. But she didn’t know that woman at all. She looked vaguely familiar, but if asked to name her, she couldn’t.

Song Muyun lay frozen in the embrace, her mind a chaotic mess. She was alive. But how could she be alive after taking an arrow through the heart?

Even if Murong Qing had saved her, why would he put her in someone else’s bed? Even a woman’s bed…

And this woman was treating her so gently, even promising to take her out for food. How could Murong Qing possibly let her leave the palace?

Utterly lost and confused, Song Muyun watched as scene after scene she had never witnessed flickered through her mind.

The woman poured her tea, bought her jewelry, took her riding, fed her, and slept in her arms. And in these visions, she herself was… blushing shyly?

Is that me?

Song Muyun was filled with alarm and uncertainty, but her heart suddenly began to pound, each beat heavy and loud, as if exploding right next to her ear.

It was so loud that it woke Jiang Yao, who had just drifted back to sleep.

Jiang Yao stirred. With a single fluid motion, she pulled and turned Song Muyun, shifting her from facing away to facing her directly.

The young woman’s eyes widened in shock. What is she doing? she thought, clenching her jaw.

The next second, the stranger’s voice sounded by her ear, husky with the remnants of sleep. “Ah Yun, didn’t you say you were sleepy? Why are you awake again?”

Song Muyun’s heart hammered like a drum. I never said I was sleepy. Does she have the wrong person? Or has my ghost possessed some other girl named Ah Yun?

“What… what did you call me?”

The soft woman in her arms suddenly cried out in alarm. Jiang Yao instantly sensed that something was wrong. She quickly lowered her head. The bed curtains were open, and by the faint moonlight, they could see each other’s faces clearly.

It’s still my wife. Okay, we’re good.

Jiang Yao’s sleepiness had mostly vanished. She wrapped an arm around the slender waist, her voice laced with concern. “Muyun, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell somewhere? Does your head still hurt? Do you want me to rub it for you?”

Muyun…

Song Muyun relaxed slightly. It seemed this was still her body. But what was going on? She didn’t know the woman before her. She looked familiar, yes—she was the woman from the flashes in her mind—but they were clearly strangers. They had never been this close. Why was she here, in this woman’s arms? And why was she being so kind?

Is this… a dream?

Otherwise, how could anyone ever speak to her with such gentleness?

A film of moisture glossed over Song Muyun’s beautiful eyes. Jiang Yao’s gaze was sharp, and the sight sent a jolt of panic through her. She’s going to cry!

The thought made her flinch.

She immediately leaned closer, planting a series of soft kisses on the other woman’s face as she hurriedly tried to soothe her. “Don’t cry! Hey, you really are my little ancestor². Who upset you in the middle of the night? Was it that tortoise egg³ Murong Qing? I’ll go put a sack over his head and beat him up for you tomorrow, how about that?”

The wet, soft sensation of the kisses lingered on her skin. Song Muyun was now completely and utterly stunned.

No one had ever kissed her like that before. What is our relationship? How… how could she kiss me?!

And what was she saying?

Beat up Murong Qing? Who does she think she is? That’s the reigning Son of Heaven! If she attacks Murong Qing, she’ll be committing a crime worthy of the extermination of the nine relations⁴!

Is she insane? How can she say something so treasonous?

“You… you’re going to attack the Emperor for me?”

Jiang Yao: ???

What the hell? What Emperor? When did I say I was going to attack the Emperor?

Jiang Yao poked the silly head in her arms. “What are you talking about? I said I’m going to beat up Murong Qing. What does that have to do with the Emperor?”

But Murong Qing… isn’t he the Emperor?

Song Muyun stared blankly at Jiang Yao, too stunned to even react to being poked. A moment later, as if grasping onto something, a light flickered in her eyes. She shot her head up and asked abruptly, “What year is it?”

Jiang Yao was convinced her wife had gone silly. How could she not even know that? Stroking the back of Song Muyun’s head, she answered, a little weirded out, “It’s the 15th year of Xuanqi⁵. Why?”

The 15th year of Xuanqi. The 15th year of Xuanqi. That was when Emperor Xuanqi was still on the throne. It was before Murong Qing became emperor. Have I… returned to the past?

But that wasn’t right, either. This woman didn’t exist in the past. There was almost no trace of her in my memories. Who was she? Why was she so gentle, so good to her, even willing to beat up Murong Qing for her sake…

Song Muyun stared at Jiang Yao, her eyes filled with confusion, but what was even more prominent was a profound hatred she couldn’t hide.

Murong Qing!

The moment she heard his name, that hatred surged up from the bottom of her heart again.

Seeing Song Muyun fall silent, Jiang Yao pressed closer and wrapped her arms around her. She rolled with her on the bed a few times before asking, “Xiao Yun’er~ what’s wrong with you? Why are you being so strange tonight?”

A shiver ran down Song Muyun’s spine. She didn’t know this woman, but she could guess that her original self and this woman were extremely close. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be sleeping in the same bed.

She couldn’t let her know about her past life and present life. She couldn’t trust anyone.

Song Muyun spoke slowly. Her voice sounded calm at first, but a closer listen revealed a slight tremor. “I’m fine. I just woke up and realized… I’ve forgotten a lot of things.”

Jiang Yao shot upright. She thought she had misheard and asked again, “What did you say? You what???”

Forgotten a lot of things? You call that being fine??!

Do you have some kind of misunderstanding about what ‘fine’ means?!

Her sudden movement startled Song Muyun. Since she was still in her arms, she was pulled up as well. The young woman’s brow furrowed slightly. Her mind was still a complete jumble, but she had to force herself to come up with a reason for not knowing so many things about this version of herself.

Her watery eyes looked up at Jiang Yao. Though it wasn’t her intention, she looked utterly pitiful, and her voice carried an inexplicable softness.

“I… I just woke up, and I can’t remember a lot of things.”

Jiang Yao’s face went pale with shock.

In the middle of the night, Hengwu Courtyard was ablaze with light. The Residence Physician, who had already gone to bed, was dragged by Jiang Yao into the courtyard to examine Song Muyun.

The commotion was so loud that the other courtyards heard the news. Some wanted to watch the excitement, while others were genuinely concerned. People from all over began heading toward Hengwu Courtyard.

Jiang Yao’s expression was frantic. “How is she?” she demanded. “Why would she suddenly forget things? Are you sure she wasn’t poisoned? What about a Gu worm⁶ or something like that? Did you check?”

The Residence Physician had been on the verge of collapsing from exhaustion, but being dragged all the way here by Jiang Yao and bombarded with questions had shocked him wide awake.

He squinted and carefully took Song Muyun’s pulse, but after a long while, he couldn’t find anything wrong with it.

When Jiang Yao pressed him again, the physician finally released her wrist, rose, and bowed to Jiang Yao, giving her the answer she least wanted to hear: he couldn’t find anything.

Jiang Yao’s face darkened.

Can’t find anything? How can you not find anything?

You can never find anything! What do I even keep you around for?

This is infuriating.

Just as she was fuming, someone entered. The voice arrived before the person did. “What’s wrong, Jie⁷? What’s with all the noise so late at night?”

A youth with a nimble build vaulted over the railing and into the room, reaching out to clap Jiang Yao on the shoulder.

Jiang Yao slapped his hand away. “Don’t bother me.”

Her gaze fell back on Song Muyun, full of concern. “Are you uncomfortable anywhere? Is it the headache that’s making you temporarily forget things? Does it still hurt?”

Muyun just said her head hurt yesterday, and today she says she has amnesia. I refuse to believe the two aren’t connected.

But when she asked, Song Muyun didn’t answer. Her eyes were fixed on the lackadaisical youth beside her. A moment later, her eyes widened, and her voice was tinged with resentment and disbelief. “Jiang Huai—”

Jiang Huai turned to look at her. He was remarkably respectful and polite toward Song Muyun. “Saozi⁸,” he said immediately, “how are you feeling? I heard your head was hurting again. Is it because my Jie bullies you all the time that you get so many headaches?”

Song Muyun only heard the word “Saozi.” That, and “my Jie.” Her world felt like it had been turned upside down⁹. Saozi… why did he call me Saozi?

Jiang Huai doesn’t have an older brother…

He only has one older sister. Right, he just called her Jie.

Her incredulous gaze shifted back to Jiang Yao. Jiang Yao muttered something about him saying Jiang Huai’s name first, then leaned down and gave Song Muyun another peck on the lips, her tone growing even more worried. “What is it? Are you still not feeling well?”

That kiss stunned Song Muyun again. She was finally, belatedly, realizing that her current relationship with Jiang Yao was perhaps not just that of ordinary friends.

Song Muyun nearly fainted. How could this be? She knew her own temperament. Unless she truly loved someone, she would never give herself to them. Even Murong Qing, who had always wanted her, had never succeeded…

How could she have given herself to a member of the Jiang family, and a woman at that!

She couldn’t believe she would have made such a decision. She even wondered if Jiang Yao had forced her. But when Jiang Yao had lit the lamp, she had examined her own body. Aside from some bluish-purple marks, there were no wounds, no whip scars—not a single one. Her skin was clean, delicate, and smooth.

At the time, she had even thought, This person has taken very good care of me.

As for who Jiang Huai’s sister was, she still remembered. Now, the image of that sharp, spirited woman gradually overlapped with the person in front of her.

Jiang Huai’s sister, Jiang Yao. She was with Jiang Yao. And she was being kept by her in this residence, treated so well…

But in her past life—she might as well call it a past life¹⁰—none of this had ever happened. She didn’t know Jiang Yao; she had only seen her from a distance a few times. She had been bullied by Murong Qing, bullied by Jiang Huai, but they would always stop the moment they saw Jiang Yao approaching. Jiang Yao had never bullied her. She didn’t even know she was being bullied. They… were strangers.

Why were they strangers in the past life, but in this life, they had… become like this? Had something changed?

“Jiang Yao…”

Song Muyun called her name in a daze. Jiang Yao immediately responded, “Yes, yes, I’m here. What’s wrong? Where does it hurt?”

The woman before her looked at her with such concern, and the people behind her were all watching her with worried eyes. But why? It wasn’t like this in her past life.

In her past life, they all hated her. They thought she had seduced Jiang Huai and led him astray. Jiang Huai had bullied her constantly.

Now, they were looking at her with such care.

Why? Was it just because she was with Jiang Yao?

Song Muyun lifted her watery eyes to look at Jiang Yao, who was still asking in a low voice where she felt uncomfortable, telling her to speak up if anyone was bothering her.

It was as if… she would stand up for her.

If she was unwell, she would find a doctor for her. If she didn’t like someone, she would make them get lost.

Song Muyun suddenly lowered her head. Her voice was hoarse, but it held a hint of probing. “It’s late. How can the Second Young Master, a man, still be here? Could you ask him to leave?”

Jiang Huai was completely baffled. Jiang Yao, however, had a flash of understanding. So she doesn’t like Jiang Huai. No wonder she called out his name so loudly just now. And here I was, feeling a little jealous.

Before the clueless Jiang Huai could react, he was kicked. “Get out. Don’t make me say it a second time.”

Jiang Huai practically jumped. “Saozi! I heard you were unwell and came especially to see you! Why are you kicking me out!”

He was furious. He felt like all the little trinkets he’d bought to curry favor had been a complete waste.

He wanted to say more, but his sister shot him a threatening glare. A tremor went through Jiang Huai, and he could only grit his teeth in frustration. “Hmph, fine, I’ll go. It’s not like I’m dying to stay here anyway.”

As he stormed out, Jiang Huai nearly collided with a rushing Jiang Ru. They didn’t exchange words. Jiang Ru wasn’t familiar with Jiang Huai, and he was too angry to even look at her as he left the courtyard.

Jiang Ru hurried inside, just in time to see her older sister kneeling in front of her sister-in-law, gently stroking her hand.

“Jie, Saozi.”

She called out, and they both looked up.

Who is this woman?

Song Muyun didn’t recognize her. She hazarded a few guesses before concluding that this must be the daughter of the Longhu General, Jiang Ru, Jiang Yao’s paternal younger cousin¹¹. She also called her Saozi. Just how many people know that the original me was with Jiang Yao?

Does Murong Qing know? Song Muyun didn’t dare to think about it.

In this life, Murong Qing had actually let her go.

She had thought that with his obsessive nature, he would never let her go.

“Ru’er, you’re here. Find a place to sit.”

“Okay.”

Jiang Ru was very close with Jiang Yao, so she didn’t stand on ceremony.

The moment she sat down, she asked anxiously, “I heard Jie called for the Residence Physician in the middle of the night. Is Saozi not feeling well?”

Her Jie was as strong as an ox and had rarely been sick in her life. The only one who could be unwell was, naturally, her Saozi.

Song Muyun just pressed her lips together and said nothing. It was Jiang Yao who answered, “Your Saozi’s memory is a little off. She woke up and said she’d forgotten some things. It scared me to death, so I called the physician over. Luckily, she still remembers who I am.”

She had taken that one call of “Jiang Yao” as a sign that her wife remembered her.

Jiang Ru’s eyes widened. “Then does Saozi still remember who I am?” she asked quickly.

Amnesia could be a major or minor thing, depending on how much was forgotten.

Not wanting anyone to see the difference between her and the other her, Song Muyun looked at Jiang Ru and softly called her name.

Jiang Ru let out a sigh of relief. She spoke to Song Muyun with gentle concern. “I’m so glad you still remember me. I would have been very sad otherwise.”

Jiang Yao stroked the back of Song Muyun’s head and started shooing her away. “Aren’t you going on a spring outing with the Eighth Prince tomorrow? Hurry back and get some rest. Be careful you don’t lose sleep and have no energy.”

“The Eighth Prince?”

Song Muyun’s voice suddenly rose.

Didn’t the Eighth Prince die in the 14th year of Xuanqi?

Why is he still alive?

Besides, I’ve never heard of the Prime Minister’s residence having any dealings with the Eighth Prince.

Song Muyun’s face was a mask of confusion.

Jiang Yao frowned and touched her slightly cool forehead. “You didn’t forget Murong Ci, did you?”

The young woman didn’t speak, but her expression made it obvious.

Jiang Yao continued muttering, “Whatever. You never liked Murong Ci anyway. If you forgot, you forgot. It’s no big deal.”

But Song Muyun’s delicate body trembled at her words. What does she mean, I never liked Murong Ci?

When did I ever dislike Murong Ci?

I barely know the Eighth Prince. How could there be any dislike?

Did the me of this life not like the Eighth Prince?

But… why? Aside from Murong Qing and Jiang Huai, I rarely dislike anyone.

What did the Eighth Prince do to make me dislike him?

Jiang Ru was also surprised. “Saozi doesn’t like His Highness the Eighth Prince? Why is that?”

She called her Saozi with such practiced ease, it was clear she did it often.

Song Muyun didn’t know why she disliked the Eighth Prince either, and she wanted to find out, so she remained silent, waiting for an explanation.

Jiang Yao shot her an amused look before turning to Jiang Ru. “Who told Murong Ci to always send people to call for me? Xiao Yun’er gets upset that I’m always going to see Murong Ci alone. Every time she’s mentioned, she gets angry for a while. It takes me ages to coax her.”

Jiang Ru’s eyes were wide with amazement. She never knew that the person who seemed as cool and aloof as a fairy in her eyes could get angry with her sister over something like this.

She was even jealous of the Eighth Prince.

But His Highness the Eighth Prince is a woman.

His Highness only said that Jie knew about it. Could it be that Jie never told Saozi?

Well, no wonder then.

Song Muyun hadn’t expected that she would get angry over such a thing. Her cheeks instantly flushed red, and she lowered her head, unable to speak. In her heart, she tried to make excuses for herself. Jiang Yao must be making that up. How could I… how could I be displeased over such a trivial matter?

Afraid of disturbing Jiang Yao and Song Muyun’s rest, Jiang Ru quickly took her leave.

Having woken up and caused a ruckus in the middle of the night, Jiang Yao was also exhausted. She rubbed the acupressure points on her head and then looked down at Song Muyun. “Are you uncomfortable anywhere else?”

Song Muyun shook her head.

From the very beginning, Jiang Yao had been asking if she was uncomfortable, and she was still asking now. She really… was very concerned about her well-being.

It was as if any discomfort she felt was the biggest deal in the world to her.

Song Muyun bit her red lip. She had never imagined someone would treat her so well.

Perhaps she had once, but that was when her father was still alive, when she was still the eldest young miss of the Song family. After falling into the mud pit, she had never dared to hope for it again.

“If you’re not feeling unwell anywhere, shall we get some sleep? I heard there’s a Divine Doctor in the Jiangnan region. Since your headaches haven’t gotten better, I’ll send someone to invite her here.”

She’s even going to summon a Divine Doctor for me…

Song Muyun nodded in agreement, her eyes growing hot. As she was lifted into someone’s arms, she couldn’t help but think, Why does she get to be loved and pampered by someone like this, while I don’t?

So this is how good Jiang Yao is. I never knew before.

And not only did I not know, but because of me…

Song Muyun refused to think about it any further. She stayed obediently in Jiang Yao’s arms as she was carried to the bed. After Jiang Yao changed into a thin set of inner clothes, she quickly climbed into bed, pulled her into an embrace, tucked her under the covers, and coaxed softly, “I’ll hold you while you sleep. You won’t get cold, and you won’t have nightmares. Don’t be afraid.”

How can she be so considerate?

Song Muyun’s expression was complicated, but she nodded and didn’t move from her arms.

Jiang Yao gently patted her back. The pats made her spine stiffen, but Jiang Yao seemed not to notice, continuing to murmur soft words to lull her to sleep.

After a long while, Song Muyun finally let out a breath she had been holding. She was certain now that she had been reborn. One moment she was being killed by an arrow, and the next she was being held gently in someone’s arms, living a life she had never dared to dream of.

Even though she wasn’t used to sharing a bed with anyone, her exhausted heart couldn’t resist this moment. A deep, heavy drowsiness washed over her, pulling her into dreamland.

She slept more warmly and comfortably than she ever had before.

So this is what it feels like to be held while you sleep. So warm all over. Jiang Yao… she’s really wonderful.

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The next day, the two of them woke up very late. When Jiang Yao awoke, Song Muyun was still asleep.

As usual, the young woman had buried her face in her chest, her cheeks flushed a tender pink from sleep.

Jiang Yao reached out to stroke her face. The texture was excellent, incredibly comfortable.

Tsk.

After a while, she pulled her closer, resting her chin on her shoulder as she waited for her to wake up.

Who knew that this wait would last past even the midday meal?

Jiang Yao had skipped two meals with Song Muyun, and her stomach was already gurgling and crying out. With a look of utter helplessness, she finally waited until she woke up.

The young woman was a little dazed at first, but the next moment, the confusion vanished, replaced by pure vigilance. Her eyes were fixed on Jiang Yao’s hand.

Jiang Yao froze, her hand hovering just above her face.

After a long silence, her slightly hoarse voice sounded. “What’s wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?”

The sound of her voice sent Song Muyun’s thoughts into a jumble. It took her a while to remember that she had been reborn. This life was completely different from her past one. The her of this life had been very well cared for. The rough calluses on her hands were completely gone; these were hands that had never done hard labor.

Her body did feel a little strange, but the discomfort… was down there.

She had been so disoriented last night that she hadn’t noticed the feeling. Only now did she sense it—a soreness, but it wasn’t unpleasant.

Did she touch me?

So Jiang Yao is one of those who practice Rubbing Mirrors¹².

But that means I am, too.

She had never thought she would be one for Rubbing Mirrors.

Her normally bright, watery eyes seemed to be veiled with a faint sorrow. Jiang Yao couldn’t understand it, and her mood soured.

She frowned, clearly displeased. “What’s wrong with you? You wake up first thing in the morning and you’re already angry with me? You won’t let me touch you?”

Song Muyun pressed her lips together. She wanted to speak but didn’t know what to say. After a long pause, she just shook her head blankly, indicating that wasn’t what she meant.

Jiang Yao didn’t try to touch her again. She sat up in bed and looked at Song Muyun very seriously. “What is it, really? You promised you wouldn’t hide things from me, that you’d tell me directly if something was on your mind.”

Song Muyun stared at her somewhat angry expression. Even when she was angry, she didn’t reach for a whip. She was still asking her what was wrong, not even thinking of using torture to interrogate her.

Jiang Yao saw that she wasn’t answering and was just staring into space again. A vein throbbed in her forehead in frustration.

Finally, she couldn’t hold back and flicked her on the forehead. “I’m talking to you. Don’t you dare zone out.”

“Oof.”

A slight pain bloomed on her forehead. Song Muyun instinctively raised a hand to cover it and looked back at Jiang Yao. Her eyes were pure and clear, and with an air of utter foolishness, she asked, “Are you angry?”

Jiang Yao: …

Her tone was exceptionally helpless. “Yes, yes, I am. You keep ignoring me. How could I not be angry?”

Actually, I’m not that angry. After all, a wife is meant to be pampered. But I have to make my position clear. I can’t let her think I’ll indulge her no matter what she does. I’ll just scare her a little first.

With this thought in mind, Jiang Yao deliberately put on a cold expression, her eyes growing still.

But when Song Muyun finally spoke, it was to ask a completely bizarre question. “You’re angry,” she said. “Why don’t you hit me?”

Jiang Yao: ??!

What did I just hear?

She looked at Song Muyun in shock. “Why would I hit you? I’m just angry. When have I ever hit you?”

Even in bed, she only ever teased her. She would never, ever hit her!

Jiang Yao felt she had been gravely wronged.

Now it was her turn to look at Song Muyun with eyes full of grievance.

Song Muyun suddenly sighed with emotion. “So you don’t get beaten for making someone angry…”

So this is the kind of life she lives. I’m so envious.

Jiang Yao’s brow was furrowed so tightly she could have crushed a mosquito between them. Her wife had been acting strangely since last night, saying all sorts of odd things. But the way her eyes moved, the little flashes of pitifulness she unintentionally revealed—that was definitely her wife, no doubt about it.

“Why are you saying such strange things today? Of course you don’t get beaten for making someone angry. Who would be so unreasonable? What are you thinking?”

She reached out again and pulled Song Muyun into her arms, patting her back comfortingly. “I won’t hit you. You’re so lovable, I can’t even dote on you enough.”

How could I ever hit her?

In her arms, Song Muyun looked up at her strangely again, still looking very innocent. “Didn’t you just say you were angry? Why are you still hugging me?”

How can an angry person be so gentle?

Jiang Yao lifted her onto her lap, ignoring her slight struggle. “We agreed, didn’t we? I’m marrying you, so you’re my wife. Even properly married couples don’t hold an overnight grudge. How could I stay truly angry with you? Besides, even if I am angry, I can’t not hold you. What if you get scared?”

She’s angry, but she’s still worried I’ll be scared?

The woman’s eyelashes trembled, and she lowered her head.

Jiang Yao still felt something was off. She looked her over from head to toe, her gaze finally landing on the pair of jade-white feet with their slightly curled toes.

Without a second thought, she reached out and touched one of them. It was soft and smooth, and felt wonderful in her hand.

Song Muyun seemed startled. She shot her head up, her beautiful eyes darting around like a frightened deer.

She instinctively pulled her foot back. “What… what are you doing!”

She looked a little shy and a little angry as she glared at Jiang Yao.

Jiang Yao’s brow tightened. Okay, she’s still my wife, but this isn’t right either. When this happens, my wife would just shyly bury her face in my chest and hit me with her fists. She would never pull her foot away.

Jiang Yao composed herself and reached up to stroke Song Muyun’s cheek, though her words were, “Sorry, my hands are cheap¹³. Are you angry? You wait here at home. I’ll go buy some pastries to cheer you up.”

Without waiting for an answer, she placed her back on the bed, threw on some clothes, and rushed out the door. It took Song Muyun a moment to process what had happened. She had said she was going to buy her pastries to cheer her up.

Oh, and she had used the hand that touched her foot to touch her face.

So unhygienic. /blushes.

Jiang Yao grabbed a horse and galloped to West Street, where she bought a huge assortment of pastries, two of each kind, perfectly fair. Then she rode back to the Jiang Residence. When she took out the pastries, they were still slightly warm, a testament to how rushed she had been.

Song Muyun had already been helped into her clothes and was sitting by the window, letting the breeze wash over her. Her gaze was fixed on a distant point until Jiang Yao returned with the pastries. A dozen different kinds were laid out in front of her, and she was told to eat.

The person who had been staring into space finally brought her gaze back, letting it fall on the pastries. It had been a long time since she had eaten any. The air was filled with their sweet fragrance.

Jiang Yao told her to eat, so it was probably okay to eat.

After a moment’s hesitation, Song Muyun reached out and picked up a piece of Pea Flour Cake¹⁴. She put a corner in her mouth and took a tiny bite. Her eyes instantly lit up, and the corners of her lips curled up unconsciously.

Seeing this, Jiang Yao’s eyes lit up too. She patted her chest in relief. All signs pointed to it.

This is still my wife. That’s right.

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