Is It Forbidden to Bully the Heroine of the Novel? - Chapter 23
Chapter 23
Song Muyun listened in a daze as Jiang Yao mentioned visiting Murong Qing because of his injury. After a moment, she replied with a simple “okay,” unable to understand the feelings swirling inside her. She gazed gently at Jiang Yao, offering a reminder, “The Seventh Prince has a bad temper. If he’s injured, he might get even more easily angered. Be careful.”
Jiang Yao waved her hand dismissively, “I don’t care whether his temper is good or not. I’ll just take a quick look, and if he dares to get angry at me, I’ll scold him to death.”
Her impatience with Murong Qing was evident in her words. For some unknown reason, Song Muyun felt a sense of relief. She smiled lightly and said, “Then I’ll wait for you.”
“Okay.”
At noon, Jiang Yao entered the academy under the royal administration.
Not only were the children of numerous ministers studying here, but even the princes were also studying here. Although the Emperor secretly arranged for private tutors for the princes, publicly, they were treated the same as the children of the ministers, showing the Emperor’s love for his people as if they were his own children.
She was friends with the martial arts instructor teaching the Seventh Prince, so she easily gained entry after a prior notification.
She used the guise of teaching archery to the students.
As the only apprentice of the Great General of the dynasty, her status and abilities were naturally sufficient. However, she had a free-spirited nature and Jiang Zai Xiang also intended to let her play around for a few more years before officially joining the court as an official.
Accompanied by a group of students, Jiang Yao lazily carried a large bow onto the training ground.
The moment Murong Qing saw her, his entire demeanor stiffened. Then, he gritted his teeth and asked the martial arts instructor, “Miss Jiang is not from our academy. Why is she here? Doesn’t this go against the rules?”
The martial arts instructor, unafraid of authority, replied seriously, “As one person, it’s difficult for me to instruct so many students. Miss Jiang is here to teach archery with me. I’ve already informed the academy head.”
Damn it, why did Jiang Yao have the right to teach him archery?!
After several encounters, Murong Qing had already developed a grudge against Jiang Yao. Not only did she not give him face, but she also snatched people away from him. Even informing the Prime Minister about this matter was futile.
Thinking of the Prime Minister’s recent looks towards him, Murong Qing’s expression darkened. Not only did he fail to restrain Jiang Yao, but he also made the Prime Minister doubt him. It was a double loss for him!
Seeing Murong Qing with bruises around his mouth and eyes, Jiang Yao couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
Whoever did this was quite skilled, targeting such conspicuous areas. It was too audacious.
Murong Qing watched her laugh uncontrollably as she approached, wanting to maintain his usual refined demeanor but couldn’t help but darken his expression.
While Jiang Yao was laughing at him, he knew it. Today, his group of friends had mocked him thoroughly. If it weren’t for his terrible equestrian skills, he wouldn’t have endured the pain to come here!
As Jiang Yao approached Murong Qing, she struggled to stop laughing, coughing twice to maintain a serious expression. She raised her eyebrows and asked him, “Jiang Huai mentioned that Your Highness was attacked yesterday?”
Murong Qing’s face darkened but he casually assessed Jiang Yao before saying, “The heavens are just, the person who dared to attack under the Emperor’s feet will be caught sooner or later by this prince.”
Mostly because Jiang Yao wasn’t on good terms with him and had seen his true nature, his tone towards her carried a bit of hostility, quite different from his usual demeanor. However, at this moment, no one paid much attention to them.
Jiang Yao remained composed, nodding. “Your Highness is right. The capital’s investigations are stringent; they will definitely catch the assassin.”
While Murong Qing had his doubts about Jiang Yao, he also felt it probably wasn’t her.
Would Jiang Yao have the guts to hit the prince? And why would she do it? Although they weren’t on good terms, it wasn’t to the extent that Jiang Yao would want to hit him, right?
But if it wasn’t Jiang Yao, who in the capital had the capability? His guards hadn’t even seen the person’s face; they were knocked out before they could get close.
“Hmph, but why did Your Highness go out without your guards? That’s why your injuries are so severe.”
Jiang Yao glanced at him, couldn’t help but reveal a hint of amusement, and remained silent.
But she was still irritated!
It was bad enough to be beaten, but being mocked on top of that—hadn’t they had enough?!
“I had guards with me, but they couldn’t handle the assassin. This prince is also wondering where in the capital there’s such a skilled assassin. Probably on par with you,” Murong Qing tested slightly, observing Jiang Yao’s reaction.
Jiang Yao immediately widened her eyes, cracking her whip fiercely against the ground, raising a cloud of dust. Her face showed a mix of shock and anger, “Hey, what do you mean? Murong Qing, you’re something! I’ll tell my father!”
Jiang Yao was about to complain. Her angry expression didn’t seem fake. Murong Qing understood that most martial arts practitioners couldn’t keep up with their minds. If it truly was Jiang Yao who had hit him, she wouldn’t be able to act so naturally, not showing any signs of falsehood.
Perhaps… it really wasn’t Jiang Yao. Then, who could it be?
Murong Qing’s face stiffened. “I didn’t mean that, I just find the assassin’s skills impressive.”
Seeing him backpedal, Jiang Yao inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. She had been taught since childhood to be honest and trustworthy. Unless necessary, she didn’t want to lie.
“Hmph, just because someone has good skills, it must be me? Who knows, it could be an expert assassin trained by a household or someone from the martial arts world. The martial arts world is vast; finding someone skilled isn’t impossible.”
Jiang Yao’s lips curved slightly, hinting at some sarcasm. Murong Qing’s face remained stoic.
Until a man dressed in golden riding attire approached and patted Murong Qing from behind, “Is the Seventh Prince chatting with Miss Jiang?”
Murong Qing’s dark expression swiftly changed to a more amiable one as he turned around to greet the person behind him, “Eighth Brother.”
Jiang Yao raised her eyes to look. The person was not tall but slender, exuding an air of nobility with an extremely handsome face that seemed gender-neutral. He was the Emperor’s only legitimate son and the Eighth Prince, Murong Ci.
“I, as a lady, pay respects to the Eighth Prince.”
Jiang Yao bowed, and Murong Ci smiled lightly, raising his hand towards Jiang Yao, “No need for too many formalities. Are you the teacher teaching us archery today?”
“I dare not claim to be Your Highnesses’ teacher. Would Your Highness like to
come over and try the bow?”
Being an adept equestrian, Murong Ci was better than Murong Qing in archery. So, Murong Ci wasn’t in a hurry. On the other hand, Murong Qing picked up the bowstring to test.
“The Seventh Prince’s injuries seem better than yesterday.”
As soon as the news of Murong Qing being attacked broke out, Murong Ci had visited him, showing concern on behalf of the Emperor.
Murong Qing smiled gently, “Thank you for your concern, Eighth Brother. It’s just a minor injury; it’ll heal quickly.”
Internally, he wished he could dissect the assassin into eight pieces. Every muscle in his body ached; the assailant had hit him hard.
However, with the autumn hunt approaching, he couldn’t afford to skip it. He wanted to showcase his equestrian skills to the Emperor, even if it meant enduring the pain and continuing to train.
Once the suspicion was alleviated, Jiang Yao didn’t waste words. She gathered everyone together and began teaching archery.
She was serious when teaching others how to shoot arrows. Every person who couldn’t hold the arrow or exert enough force had her demonstrating personally. After a session, she herself had sweated a bit. Just as she was about to leave, a clear voice stopped her.
“Miss Jiang.”
Jiang Yao turned around to see the Eighth Prince, Murong Ci. She couldn’t help but look puzzled, “Is there something, Eighth Highness?”
“I have some doubts about archery. Could I invite you for a meal and seek your advice?”
Murong Qing was about to leave but halted upon hearing this. Then, he turned decisively, “Yes, I also have some doubts. I’d like to seek Miss Jiang’s advice.”
Trying to show off his equestrian skills in front of the Emperor without Jiang Yao knowing?
In your dreams!
Jiang Yao: …
Damn it, the class is over! Song Muyun is still waiting for me at Moonrise Pavilion!!!