Is It Forbidden to Bully the Heroine of the Novel? - Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Jiang Yao had been casually lounging with one leg propped up on the table, swinging it nonchalantly. However, at the sight of Song Muyun’s arrival, she instinctively straightened up.
People tended to be more conscious of their demeanor around someone they found attractive, ahem.
Murong Qing’s demeanor appeared somewhat cold upon spotting Song Muyun. Jiang Yao couldn’t discern any trace of his supposed fondness for her.
Tsk, are all men this capricious?
Jiang Yao relaxed her legs, settling back into the chair, and waved at Song Muyun. “Are you the girl the seventh prince orders from every day? You do indeed resemble a celestial beauty, but… seem oddly familiar.”
She pretended ignorance.
Song Muyun’s expression remained aloof, briefly glancing at Jiang Yao while inwardly contemplating. The eldest daughter of the prime minister’s household, rumored to have a close relationship with the seventh prince, had come for him?
There seemed no other plausible reason.
Upon seeing Song Muyun, Murong Qing’s eyes flickered with surprise. But soon, recalling the embarrassment of rejection, his countenance soured. He gestured toward the desktop, his voice turning sharp, “Come here, pour the tea.”
At his command, Song Muyun tensed, the lingering ache resurfacing. Too much pain.
The seventh prince… a beast!
It was the first time Song Muyun despised someone so intensely, yet she had to comply.
Anticipating that today would likely be even worse than yesterday, she thought, Murong Qing… he hadn’t come alone.
Rumors had it that the eldest miss of the prime minister’s household had a delicate temperament and a fondness for using a whip. Several in the capital, who had incurred her displeasure, had felt her whip’s sting.
Would she whip me too?
Song Muyun stood, hesitant. For some unknown reason, Murong Qing, upon seeing her, failed to rein in his emotions. He hurled a wine glass at her right in front of Jiang Yao, shattering it against her forehead.
In a tremor, the elegantly dressed, slender woman bore the impact, a quick bruise forming at the corner of her forehead.
Jiang Yao was stunned, now utterly convinced of that unsettling dream she had!
At least, the seventh prince was undoubtedly two-faced!
Witnessing his usual demeanor—gentle and refined—contrasted sharply with his current behavior.
All this because someone poured tea a tad too slowly? Resorting to violence against such a delicate and charming beauty?
Jiang Ruan’s heart grew cold. She resolved to keep her clueless brother away from Murong Qing, lest he unknowingly fell into a trap.
Frowning, Jiang Yao observed Murong Qing’s actions. Song Muyun had appeared serene, displaying no outward signs of surprise. She even seemed to carry an air of eerie silence.
The last time Jiang Yao had seen her, Song Muyun had been a gentle and exquisitely beautiful girl. How had Murong Qing turned her into this?
Observing Jiang Yao’s silence, Murong Qing, thinking she sided with him, managed a strained smile. However, as he faced Song Muyun, his expression reverted to coldness.
Woodenly, Song Muyun approached to pour tea for Murong Qing, only to have the first cup thrown directly at her face.
Her breath hitched momentarily, leaving Jiang Yao once again in disbelief.
Could Song Muyun still harbor feelings for Murong Qing after this? How had her perception of him changed so little?
Did she disdain her brother because he hadn’t inflicted enough pain upon her?
Jiang Yao’s expression was complex, and as Murong Qing chuckled, “Is this your rule? Pour another cup!”
…
Shaking her head in disbelief, Jiang Yao saw no fault in this “rule.”
Despite Murong Qing’s deliberate targeting, Song Muyun remained composed, continuing to pour another cup. When Murong Qing sneered, preparing to splash her again, Jiang Yao suddenly intervened. She grasped Song Muyun’s wrist, deflecting the cup of tea.
Murong Qing frowned at her. The seventh prince had always treated people with grace and courtesy, or so she had thought. Today shattered that illusion.
Jiang Yao reached out, gently holding the beauty’s chin, as if she, too, were interested in bullying. Murong Qing’s demeanor softened slightly, stirring hope within the beauty’s heart. Yet, her face retained its cold demeanor.
“Tsk, I’ve seen you a few times now, your beauty is remarkable. Your skin is so delicate and fair,” remarked Jiang Yao, noticing the greenish mark on her forehead. She pinched her cheeks twice, causing them to redden. Releasing her grip, she gestured towards her teacup. “Pour a cup for me. Today, you serve me.”
Murong Qing was bewildered. Wasn’t Song Muyun under his command?
“If Ms. Jiang desires a servant, I can arrange for another. But she’s the one I’ve chosen first,” he retorted.
With crossed arms, Jiang Yao remained resolute. “No, find someone else for yourself. I’ve taken a liking to this one, and I won’t give her up to you.”
Murong Qing had never encountered such stubbornness before. Veins popped on his forehead. “Her father and yours are not on good terms. Are you trying to provoke her?”
Did she not recall her father lamenting twice about the misfortune of the Song family?
Perhaps her dream, where Song Muyun’s family faced annihilation, stemmed from her father’s rivalry with Song Muyun’s father?! Angrily, she dismissed these thoughts. Regardless, as long as Murong Qing didn’t ascend to the throne and Song Muyun didn’t align herself with him, her family should be safe. Her father wasn’t one to shy away from conflict.
Leaning back in her chair, sipping the tea poured by Song Muyun, Jiang Yao casually remarked, “I used to believe I was good-looking. Now, I’d like a closer look. The seventh prince frequents this establishment just to single you out. Why not let me do the same today?”
The seventh prince couldn’t refuse. Jiang Yao had the upper hand; he hadn’t brought any backup today.
Frustrated, he had no choice but to relent. Glaring at Song Muyun, Murong Qing commanded, “Since Ms. Jiang desires your service, serve her well. Failure will result in consequences.”
Song Muyun, unfazed, complied silently. But inwardly, she felt a twinge of relief. Perhaps Ms. Jiang wasn’t out to make trouble for her after all.