Is It Forbidden to Bully the Heroine of the Novel? - Chapter 35
Chapter 35
Murong Ci earnestly practiced in the courtyard all afternoon until he truly felt sore and tired. As the sky darkened, even with keen eyes, he couldn’t see the fallen leaves clearly. Finally, he put down his bow and arrows and took a rest under a tree.
Looking up, exhausted, he saw arrow holes in the tree, observing for a while. Since no one inside the house seemed about to come out, he reluctantly stood up and went to the window, about to call out. To his surprise, he spotted Jiang Yao hugging Song Muyun, which left him stunned with disbelief. For a moment, he thought he was witnessing a married couple.
Hearing footsteps approaching, Jiang Yao glanced back and saw Murong Ci standing there. She casually asked, “Eighth Prince, is there something you don’t understand?”
Murong Ci moved his mouth and spoke again, asking her, “It’s getting late. Aren’t you going back?”
He wanted to go back with Jiang Yao.
Hearing the word “go back,” Song Muyun instinctively tightened her grip on Jiang Yao’s clothes, her lips pressed lightly, looking up at her with dark, glossy eyes.
Without saying anything, she made Jiang Yao reluctant to leave.
Coughing lightly, Jiang Yao turned and spoke to Murong Ci, “Eighth Prince, I…won’t be going back today. Could you please go to my residence and inform my maids?”
Murong Ci:…
Incredulously, “Are you…planning to stay at the Moon Rise Pavilion?”
He had never done anything so inappropriate. A woman staying overnight at a pleasure pavilion—wasn’t she worried about damaging her reputation?
Jiang Yao hadn’t considered this aspect, but even if she had, it wouldn’t matter. She didn’t have a good reputation to begin with; people already said she was ferocious and not suitable for marriage.
“Yeah, sorry for trouble.”
The Eighth Prince fell silent again, standing outside the window for a while before asking, “If the Prime Minister finds out about this, will he agree?”
“Well…”
Jiang Yao pondered, “He should agree. What’s the difference if I sleep outside or inside? If he’s unhappy, he can come find me and discuss it.”
…
Murong Ci thought to himself, the Prime Minister is in his prime. How could she casually refer to him as an old man?
Song Muyun covered Jiang Yao’s mouth, furrowing her brow slightly. “That’s your father. Don’t speak nonsense. If the Prime Minister doesn’t approve of you staying here, go back. I’ll be fine alone. Don’t quarrel with your father because of this.”
Song Muyun was exceptionally obedient and filial, Jiang Yao knew.
Murong Ci looked at Jiang Yao, thinking she would comply and return home, as it was inappropriate for a woman to stay at a pleasure pavilion. But Jiang Yao truly intended to stay, and while Song Muyun told her to go back, her fingers quietly gripped Jiang Yao’s sleeve, showing tension and reluctance.
“How can you be fine alone? You have nightmares. Even if I go back now, I’ll just worry about you at the Jiang Residence. It’s better not to go back. My father doesn’t oppose me coming to see you; I’m sure he won’t mind me staying here for a night.”
She spoke while holding onto Song Muyun’s slender waist.
“Please trouble the Eighth Prince.”
She added again.
Seeing her determination, Murong Ci could only nod in agreement. Later, he looked at the tall wall and felt somewhat embarrassed. “Could you help me climb over the wall?”
Jiang Yao:…
“As an imperial prince, can’t you use the main gate?” Jiang Yao was helpless.
“If I’m leaving with you, naturally, I’ll use the main gate. If it’s just me, it’s too conspicuous. It’s better to climb over the wall.”
He was very cautious, leaving Jiang Yao puzzled. How could Murong Qing become the emperor in the story? Murong Qing dared to openly visit the pleasure pavilion and even competed with her for a woman. How could someone who disregarded his reputation become the ultimate winner in the story?
Why should he have that privilege?
The more she thought about it, the angrier she got!
Jiang Yao looked Murong Ci up and down, making him gradually stiffen. She then stood up. “Alright, I’ll help you out.”
She found Murong Ci being the emperor far better than Murong Qing.
Where did Murong Qing get his audacity? Was he even worthy?
“Thank you.”
Murong Ci and Jiang Yao went to the wall. Just as he was about to ask if they could borrow their chairs, Jiang Yao suddenly grabbed his shoulder with force, and the next moment, they were standing on top of the wall.
Murong Ci tightened his lips and stayed silent, his face turning pale.
Song Muyun anxiously called from below, “Be careful, don’t fall.”
Jiang Yao reassured her, then leaped down, taking Murong Ci outside.
Murong Ci was enchanted by her swift and agile movements and insisted that she teach him.
Jiang Yao was eager to find her beloved and waved him off. “If you can perform brilliantly at the autumn hunt, everything will be fine.”
After contemplating, she realized that it would be better for Murong Ci to ascend rather than Murong Qing. If Murong Ci stood out at the autumn hunt, Murong Qing would be the one embarrassed.
Just the thought of it made her unable to contain her laughter.
Returning to the wall, Song Muyun was still standing there, worried. She only relaxed when Jiang Yao appeared, quickly approaching and holding her hand. “Did you get hurt?”
The woman was gentle and caring, full of concern.
Jiang Yao coughed lightly, twirled in front of Song Muyun, and proudly said, “My martial arts are so good, how could I get hurt?”
Seeing her lively and unaffected demeanor, Song Muyun relaxed, then held her hand, saying softly, “Be careful even if your martial arts are strong. Even the powerful can feel pain if they get hurt.”
Even pampered ladies are good at taking care of others, with their set of principles. Jiang Yao listened to her without the slightest hint of impatience, squinting her eyes.
“Okay, okay, I’ll be careful.”
Her voice carried a hint of playfulness and a bit of coquetry. Holding Song Muyun’s hand, she led her back inside. Passing by the chairs where they enjoyed the view, she also picked up the fruit tray placed there.
There were several oranges left.
Sitting on the soft couch, Jiang Yao peeled an orange and, after finishing, stuffed it into Song Muyun’s mouth.
Song Muyun seemed to be embroidering something, and Jiang Yao leaned over to look but couldn’t quite understand.
Embroidery had been her nemesis since childhood; even if she had a lifetime, she couldn’t learn it.
The person peeling oranges was quick, and the other was full of oranges in her mouth. Finally swallowing, she was about to grab another segment when she couldn’t help but raise her watery eyes to glare at Jiang Yao. “Why can’t you eat by yourself? Why do you have to
feed me?”
She was peeling so fast; she couldn’t keep up!
Jiang Yao smiled and didn’t feel angry even if she was scolded. She still offered the orange to Song Muyun, who, huffing, took the slice into her mouth. Jiang Yao felt a peculiar sense of satisfaction.
The current Muyun was more vivid than she ever was, willing to argue and show her temper. She would smile happily and snuggle into Jiang Yao’s arms.
How wonderful.
Jiang Yao almost forgot that Song Muyun was still upset. She attempted to touch her again, but Song Muyun, in a huff, turned her head away, making Jiang Yao realize she needed to coax her—this little fairy had a temper.
Jiang Yao chuckled softly, unable to touch her head but settled for gently holding her hand, only to have Song Muyun deliberately withdraw her hand. Jiang Yao explained, trying to mask a bit of dissatisfaction, “I saw you were busy and didn’t have time to eat. I felt sorry for you, that’s why I peeled them. No one else would be so attentive.”
“You can eat them yourself. I don’t need you to take care of me. You peel them too quickly, and I can’t keep up.”
Song Muyun complained, but her voice was still soft. After saying this, she lowered her head to focus on her delicate embroidery, adding another stitch.
Jiang Yao directly approached her, encircling Song Muyun’s waist, leaning in close to her face. “But I wanted to feed you. Why are you so serious about your embroidery, not paying attention to me?”
Feeling a bit sour inexplicably, Jiang Yao found herself envious of a piece of embroidery. When she threw a fit, Song Muyun’s embroidery was pushed aside.
“Ah…”
Unexpectedly, Song Muyun didn’t expect this, instinctively reaching out to catch it. Seeing that it landed on the couch and the displeased person beside her, she felt a bit helpless and let Jiang Yao hug her tightly, complaining, “Why are you behaving like a child, hugging and cuddling?”
“Tsk, who’s behaving like a child?”
Jiang Yao let go of her, feeling quite unhappy. After all, she was older than Song Muyun! She just liked the softness of her body, being able to hold her at any time, and being able to sleep together. Who wouldn’t like that?
Seeing her loosen her grip and start to undress, Song Muyun followed up and asked, “Are you tired?”
Jiang Yao lazily removed a piece of clothing and replied, “Yeah, since you won’t let me hug you, I’ll just wash up and sleep.”
Then she received a light tap on her back. “Are you upset? I didn’t say you couldn’t hug me; I’m just not used to it.”
She had never been this close to anyone before.
Song Muyun thought Jiang Yao was angry, lamenting her temper and feeling a bit uneasy. Her dark eyes looked at her, showing a hint of distress.
Jiang Yao wouldn’t dare to be angry with her; she’d only try to pacify her. Turning her head, she straightened her posture, explaining, “I’m not angry. I just wanted to wash up and go to bed early. If you don’t want to be hugged, that’s fine. I’m not that petty; I’m really not angry.”
She rubbed Song Muyun’s slightly blushing eyelids.
Song Muyun saw that Jiang Yao didn’t seem angry. Lowering her head, she responded softly, but her slender, jade-like fingers unconsciously climbed up Jiang Yao’s sleeve, holding onto the slightly wrinkled cuff that she had grabbed throughout the day.
“Shall I have someone bring hot water in?” Jiang Yao asked Song Muyun.
Song Muyun nodded gently.
But as Jiang Yao took two steps, she was restrained by the force on her sleeve. Surprised, she raised her gaze, and Song Muyun quickly let go, her cheeks heating up. She didn’t dare to look up at Jiang Yao, pretending to be casual, “You go, I’ll wait here for you.”
Raising an eyebrow, Jiang Yao left to call someone.
Ordinarily, Song Muyun didn’t have anyone to serve her, but this time it was different. She had given money, so getting someone to bring hot water was no big deal.
After both of them bathed and got into bed, the originally soft but chilly bed had been warmed by Jiang Yao. As soon as Song Muyun got into bed, the warmth dispelled the chill from her body.
She looked up at Jiang Yao, her red lips slightly pursed, seeming a bit nervous.
This wasn’t the first time they slept in the same bed. Jiang Yao casually pulled Song Muyun into her embrace, tucking the quilt behind her, holding her slender waist. With her dense black hair spread out on the bed, Jiang Yao glanced at the slightly restless expression on Song Muyun’s face before softly asking, “Afraid of having nightmares?”
Song Muyun’s originally rosy lips turned somewhat pale, and there was a row of even teeth marks on the lower lip.
Afraid? How could she not be afraid?
Repeatedly experiencing being scolded and even sometimes facing death, a sword piercing through her chest; clearly, it was all in her dreams, yet the pain felt so real, almost suffocating.
Every time she woke up, she was drenched in sweat. The night seemed like a ferocious beast lurking in the darkness, tormenting and bullying her as soon as she fell asleep.
Song Muyun didn’t say anything, leaning closer into Jiang Yao’s embrace. Jiang Yao patted her back gently, comforting, “Don’t be afraid, I’m here. I’ll protect you. Didn’t you say that you wouldn’t have nightmares when I’m around?”
She asked.
A muffled voice came from Song Muyun’s chest, “That’s during the day. Every night I have nightmares; as soon as I fall asleep, the nightmares come.”
Jiang Yao:…
But you didn’t tell me this during the day. During the day, you said you wouldn’t have nightmares when I’m around!
I actually believed it, and now you’re telling me that you have nightmares as soon as night falls?
Jiang Yao’s mouth twitched a bit. After a moment, she hugged Song Muyun even tighter, resigned. No matter what she said, Song Muyun would still choose to stay with her. Anything related to Song Muyun, she couldn’t just stand by.
“If you still have nightmares tonight, you might be cursed. Tomorrow, I’ll find a Taoist priest to ward off evil for you.”
Song Muyun didn’t know why she frequently dreamt of these things that were impossible to happen. Maybe she was indeed cursed.
Resting in Jiang Yao’s embrace, she responded softly, “Hmm, thank you.”
Jiang Yao frowned, playfully tapping Song Muyun’s head, “Between us, no need for thank you.”
Song Muyun dodged the tap, burying her head in Jiang Yao’s embrace, looking up at her with beautiful, watery eyes, “Then I won’t say it, but don’t hit me.”
She looked at Jiang Yao like this, making her think she had used too much force and actually hurt her. In reality, it was just a light tap, but Song Muyun was being delicate.
Jiang Yao, thinking, reached out to rub the spot where she had tapped Song Muyun, then comforted, “Alright, alright, rubbing it won’t hurt anymore.”
Song Muyun went limp from being rubbed, her cheeks blushing, too embarrassed to make a sound, burying her face in Jiang Yao’s embrace.
Author’s Note:
Today’s update is a bit short; I’ll try to make it longer tomorrow! But it will be after 11 PM at night.