Is It Forbidden to Bully the Heroine of the Novel? - Chapter 32
Chapter 32
Song Muyun nestled into her arms and fell into a deep sleep. The woman’s body was soft, a bit cool, but very comfortable to hold.
Jiang Yao wasn’t sleepy, so she simply held Song Muyun, gently patting her back to lull her to sleep.
Time passed slowly. She hadn’t closed the door when she entered; it remained wide open, allowing sunlight to stream in, indicating the passing hours.
Close to noon, the person in her arms let out a soft moan and stirred. Unconsciously, the fuzzy head rubbed against Jiang Yao’s neck. Moments later, the movement froze, and Song Muyun, looking dazed, lifted her head to gaze at her. Her captivating eyes seemed unclear, as if she hadn’t fully woken up.
Jiang Yao gently rubbed the small of the woman’s back, intending to comfort her. However, her touch caused the person to shudder all over. Tears seemed to well up in her eyes, as if something had startled her.
Startled, Jiang Yao quickly withdrew her hand, feeling somewhat guilty. Song Muyun lightly bit her thin lips, fully awake now. A tingling sensation lingered in the place where she had touched.
While holding her didn’t evoke much sensation, Jiang Yao hadn’t expected to touch her in such a manner.
Though she felt a bit reckless, Jiang Yao wasn’t too angry. She remained nestled against her, occasionally rubbing her face against Jiang Yao’s. Waking up to see her rather than a pitch-black room made her feel more at ease.
“Are you awake?”
Song Muyun looked at her, body trembling from Jiang Yao’s touch, yet she remained silent. She nestled back into Jiang Yao’s embrace with a satisfied expression. Unable to get a response, Jiang Yao had to speak first.
Through a lazy voice emanating from her chest, “Mmm, awake.”
She seemed as comfortable as a cat basking in the sun with half-closed eyes.
“Did you have any nightmares this time?”
Seeing Song Muyun’s calm demeanor, Jiang Yao felt relieved; it seemed she hadn’t had any nightmares.
Sure enough, the person in her arms lifted her head, eyes slightly surprised. It was as if she had just remembered, saying happily, “No nightmares, thanks to you.”
She had drifted in and out of sleep repeatedly last night, repeatedly disturbed by nightmares, which had left her terrified.
But only when she slept by Jiang Yao’s side, the dreadful nightmares didn’t trouble her.
Song Muyun grabbed Jiang Yao’s arm like a lifeline, then was naturally pulled into her embrace.
This kind of boundary-crossing intimacy had increasingly become a part of their interactions.
Jiang Yao always naturally hugged her, held her hand, and even fed her at times. Most of the time, Song Muyun was just shy and didn’t resist.
This contradicted the teachings she received from her father since childhood.
“Good that you didn’t have any nightmares. Shall I take you out for a meal?”
Song Muyun obediently nodded. She only wished for Jiang Yao’s happiness.
Jiang Yao took her to Zui Changchun for a meal. Afterward, they strolled around; being under the eyes of so many prominent officials and nobles, they encountered acquaintances frequently.
Some looked surprised, some seemed knowing, and some even saluted them. Jiang Yao responded with a quick, informal greeting, used to her gestures from the martial world. It wasn’t until she saw Song Muyun curtsying that she realized her own greeting was inappropriate, but she couldn’t correct it. She scratched the back of her head and then pulled Song Muyun away.
Song Muyun used to be different, but after facing hardships, she gradually became obedient. Although inherently proud and unwilling to yield, she had become much more docile due to her experiences.
They went to the pawnshop, the auction house, and the treasure pavilion until the delicate girl’s legs grew tired. Jiang Yao escorted her back, buying her favorite bean paste cakes on the way and stuffing them into her hand.
“Keep these for later. I won’t be able to accompany you for a while. If something happens, send someone to find me at the Jiang Residence.”
She took off her jade pendant and gave it to Song Muyun, who tried to decline but was unsuccessful. Jiang Yao then ruffled her hair, instructing her that if Rongqing came again, she should find her, as she would deal with him.
Despite wearing a dazzling red dress, the shy little fairy could hardly hear what Jiang Yao was saying; the only vivid sensation was the touch on her head. Blushing slightly, she nodded absentmindedly, thinking to herself, “She’s not that much older than me, why does she always pat and hug me like I’m a child?”
After making sure the person was safely in her room, Jiang Yao departed. Knowing that Rongqing had sought her out yesterday and assuming he had frightened Song Muyun, she left some money for the girl in the area and instructed if Rongqing came to look for anyone or for any reason, someone should immediately go to the Jiang Residence to inform her.
The Eighth Prince didn’t want to lose to Rongqing in the autumn hunt, wanting to excel in archery and outshine the other princes secretly. So, he had sought her out to teach him.
Knowing that frequent visits to the Eighth Prince’s residence might draw too much attention, she would clandestinely come to the Jiang Residence every time to teach him.
Teaching him better than Rongqing was a challenge. Rongqing had to maintain his dignity and not be criticized. It was quite a hassle, and she was lazy to deal with it.
Back at the Jiang Residence, she taught Murong Ci on the martial arts platform specially built for her by Jiang Heng.
Initially, Murong Ci was quite poor at it, but gradually improved. At least now, she could shoot ten arrows and hit the target each time.
Jiang Yao reclined on a nearby rocking chair, eating fruit and instructing her. When it grew dark and the target wasn’t visible anymore, Murong Ci put down her sore hands, planning to come back the next day. She took out something from her pocket and handed it to Jiang Yao, jokingly calling it her payment for the day.
Jiang Yao waved her hand, accepting the exquisite long box. Opening it, she found an item previously auctioned that had been carved by a renowned master. She had heard that the Eighth Prince had bought it.
“The Eighth Prince is generous. If there’s anything like this in the future, look for me.”
“Of course.”
Jiang Yao escorted the sensible Eighth Prince out, then called another person over and handed the hairpin to him. She instructed him to deliver it to the Moon Market, personally placing it in Song Muyun’s hands and checking if anyone had troubled her or if she was unhappy.
Upon receiving news that Miss Muyun was fine, Jiang Yao relaxed at the Jiang Residence. Early the next day, after hastily finishing breakfast, she headed to the Moon Market.
The Jiang household was used to her routine, except for Jiang’s mother, who didn’t understand where she went every day. She complained to Jiang Heng that Jiang Yao was never this diligent even during martial arts training.
Jiang Heng just smiled.
The Song family had a respectable reputation. Playing with Jiang Yao was better than playing with Jiang Huai and his unsavory friends.
On the other hand, Jiang Yao bought freshly baked pastries and went to Song Muyun’s residence. She knocked on the door but didn’t wait for the usual cold “come in.” Instead, the door was pushed open with force, revealing a figure dressed in snowy white that rushed into her arms like an arrow.
The woman’s delicate body trembled slightly, trying to fit entirely into Jiang Yao’s embrace. She could faintly hear a fragile sob.
Jiang Yao was taken aback, nearly losing her jaw.
Author’s Note:
Taking the first step in cohabitation!
The struggle for the throne in the eyes of others: You sabotage me, I sabotage you; it’s intense.
The Eighth Prince’s struggle for the throne: Secretly excelling in archery to outshine others!
…