Is It Forbidden to Bully the Heroine of the Novel? - Chapter 43
Chapter 43
After that day, Murong Qing didn’t appear before them for several days. The days were peaceful and pleasant. Jiang Yao heard that he had been quite active in the court recently, persuading many ministers to refuse to reopen the Song family case. But her father said there was no rush; in official matters, patience was most important.
If her father wasn’t in a hurry, she had no reason to be. On a sunny day, she took Song Muyun to the Treasure Pavilion to buy hairpins. As they looked around, Song Muyun grabbed Jiang Yao’s hand. Their two equally slender and fair hands intertwined. She signaled Jiang Yao to look aside at a jade butterfly hairpin, exquisitely crafted with thin silver and adorned with emerald jade. “Is it nice?”
Jiang Yao’s eyes lit up for a moment. “It’s beautiful, and it suits your fair complexion perfectly.”
As she was about to call someone to pay, Song Muyun preemptively placed her purse in front of the shopkeeper and looked gently at Jiang Yao. “Your complexion is fair too, and it’ll look good on you.”
Upon hearing that the hairpin was bought for her and not what she wanted, Jiang Yao frowned instantly. “Why buy it for me? I have enough jewelry. I brought you out today to buy jewelry for you.”
Song Muyun’s eyes still showed tenderness. Since the last time she was afraid of tarnishing Jiang Yao’s reputation and forbade her to touch her, Jiang Yao indeed hadn’t touched her at all. It was so unfamiliar that it frightened her, and after a few days, she no longer dared to prevent her from touching. Now, she could even naturally hold her fingers and softly say, “Jiang Yao, you gave me a butterfly, and I want to give you one too. We can wear them together.”
Like close sisters.
Song Muyun lowered her eyes, a faint smile playing on her lips.
Even the money for the butterfly was given by Jiang Yao…
She said all this with such anticipation. Even if Jiang Yao wanted to give it to her, she could only accept it.
But the butterfly was not cheap. Jiang Yao feared that Song Muyun might be left with no money elsewhere and reluctantly stuffed some silver into her hands.
Song Muyun naturally didn’t want it, but she couldn’t resist Jiang Yao’s insistence, so she accepted it. They both put on their butterflies and continued shopping together. They hadn’t been strolling for long when a servant boy ran over. Seeing Jiang Yao, his eyes brightened, and he approached her respectfully, whispering, “Miss Jiang, I serve by the Eighth Prince’s side. The Eighth Prince has sustained some injuries. It’s not good to tell others. I heard you know some medical skills. Please come and take a look.”
Jiang Yao and Song Muyun had just been talking and laughing happily. Did she have such a good relationship with the Eighth Prince that he sought her out when injured and didn’t find anyone else trustworthy?
Hmm…
But it seemed the Eighth Prince had little connection with the court officials and no known close relationships. Was it that there was no one else reliable?
Jiang Yao pursed her lips, considering that he was the only prince she currently admired. If there was something wrong, she should go and see.
She turned around, and Song Muyun immediately spoke in a sensible manner, “Go quickly. I’ll wait for you here. Don’t worry about me.”
“Okay, then I’ll come to find you tonight. Don’t sleep when I’m not around, okay?”
She gently touched Song Muyun’s soft black hair.
Song Muyun lowered her head and nodded lightly. “I understand.”
Jiang Yao turned and left in haste. The servant boy couldn’t catch up with her.
Seeing himself left behind, the servant boy didn’t hurry. Instead, he smiled at Song Muyun, revealing yellowish teeth, then leisurely left.
Song Muyun felt somewhat uneasy at that smile, but she didn’t say anything and turned back to Moonrise Lane.
Apart from the Seventh Prince and Jiang Yao, no one paid any attention to her on ordinary days, so she remained undisturbed. Taking out a set of tea utensils from the room, she sat in the courtyard and began brewing tea.
Wearing a simple outfit without any hair accessories, she looked exceptionally elegant and refined, her appearance exceedingly beautiful.
Unexpectedly, there was a commotion outside the courtyard. The familiar voice of the brothel’s madam echoed, “Your Highness, Muyun just came back from outside, but Miss Jiang is not with her.”
Immediately after, a group of guards rushed in, surrounding Song Muyun.
This sudden action made Song Muyun’s face slightly pale. She looked at the leader in splendid attire, behind whom stood the brothel’s madam, bowing and not daring to look at her.
“Song Muyun, you’re quite pretty. No wonder the Seventh Prince can’t forget about you, and Jiang Miss can’t let you go.”
“What do you want?”
Despite her extreme nervousness, she remained calm and composed in her words.
The Crown Prince waved the folding fan in his hand. Although he was already in his thirties, he still portrayed a romantic and dashing appearance. “Finally got rid of Jiang Yao, what do you think I want to do?”
The Seventh Prince was truly useless. He couldn’t even contend with a woman, so he had to come himself. He had already informed the madam that if Jiang Yao wasn’t around, they should immediately inform him.
Who would have thought Jiang Yao and Song Muyun were always together, even sleeping in the same place!
In court, Prime Minister Jiang was pressing hard. He couldn’t wait any longer, and he had no choice but to find a reason to separate Jiang Yao.
As long as this weak Song family girl was left alone, was there anything to fear?
Song Muyun glared at Murong Chun coldly. “Did Murong Qing send you?”
“Tsk, bold of you, just a daughter of a criminal, dare to address a prince directly by name. It seems you’ve been indulged by Jiang Yao and don’t know your place.”
Song Muyun played with her teacups, not bothering to look at Murong Chun.
She indeed knew the Crown Prince, having seen him a few times. The Crown Prince considered himself the rightful heir and was very arrogant. Except for the Eighth Prince, his legitimate brother, he didn’t regard any other prince highly.
“You’re waiting for Jiang Yao to come and save you? She might not make it in time.”
Murong Chun arranged for someone to hinder Jiang Yao on the way, but just in case, it’s better to take precautions and remove the person earlier.
He nodded to the left and right, and immediately, guards rushed over. When Song Muyun loosened her grip, the teapot fell and shattered on the ground. Her palm seemed flustered as she leaned on the table, accidentally knocking over a teacup.
Two guards pinned her hands behind her back—one on each side. She didn’t even try to struggle. It’s useless. She won’t wait for Jiang Yao to come back.
The madam bowed her head to Murong Chun, seeking guidance. “If Miss Jiang asks about this, what should I tell her?”
“Humph, just say the person vanished from the courtyard. Jiang Yao wanted Jiang Heng to vindicate the Song family. Wasn’t it because he was infatuated with beauty, trying to please the beauty? If this beauty vanishes into thin air and never appears again, would the Jiang family still risk displeasing the emperor by persistently requesting a reexamination of the Song family’s case in court?”
Song Muyun’s mind suddenly shook.
Minister Jiang wanted to reinvestigate her father’s case?
But Jiang Yao had never mentioned it to her.
She was always like this, considering everything for her, being so good to her, yet not telling her anything.
Song Muyun couldn’t help the bitterness welling up in her nose. Her beautiful phoenix eyes were filled with mist.
But she couldn’t cry. With Jiang Yao gone, there was no one to comfort her…
Murong Chun believed he had set up an excellent and perfect trap. At this moment, he was elated, securing the person firmly. With a sweep of his hand, he ordered, “Take them away!”
To avoid attracting attention, they used a secret passage.
After everyone left, a woman stumbled out in the room, accompanied by the clattering sound of things falling. She held the bell the guest asked her to fetch.
God knows how scared she had been just now, afraid that even a slight movement might make the bell ring and reveal her eavesdropping. Once everyone left, she hurriedly left.
But as soon as she reached the back room, she learned that the guest had been lured away by other sisters using music…
Clutching the bell tightly, Yānluó felt extreme hatred for this place once again.
Her dancing and music weren’t the best, lacking talent. No matter how hard she practiced, she couldn’t compare to others. Now, at this age, the money she had saved wasn’t enough to buy her freedom…
In this endless darkness, she felt she couldn’t make it through another day.
Jiang Yao left the street and arrived at the Eighth Prince’s residence in no time. Remembering the servant saying that Murong Cí’s injury shouldn’t be known, she didn’t enter through the main gate but scaled the wall instead.
The prince’s residence was quiet. Murong Cí had rested today, having only spent an hour in the morning at the Jiang family’s place for training before returning to recuperate. He was changing clothes inside.
Jiang Zhi’s training method was unbearable for ordinary people. Now, even lifting his arm caused severe pain. His legs trembled uncontrollably when on the ground, as if they weren’t his anymore.
As he removed his black long shirt without a hint of sweat, Murong Cí pressed against the white bandages around his chest, trembling as he untied them, finally revealing two small white rabbits. He took a relieved breath. Suddenly, a figure appeared before him, jumping down and standing with their back turned. Upon turning around, they called out to him, “Your Highness, the Eighth Prince, you were looking for me…”
Her words suddenly stopped, and Murong Cí was completely stunned, unable to react from her fall to her turning around.
He wanted to scream but dared not, afraid more people might rush in. This was his only remaining sense of reason.
Jiang Yao couldn’t believe it, pointing at the slightly bulging white chest of Murong Cí, her hand trembling like a sieve, “You, you, you, you, you…”
Murong Cí finally reacted, grabbing the clothes nearby and covering his chest, his usual gentle and scholarly demeanor gone. He gritted his teeth, speaking slowly, “Why did you…come in by yourself, Jiang Yao! What about your principles?”
Jiang Yao had never seen Murong Cí like this, and she was startled. Realizing the seriousness of the situation after the initial shock, she hurriedly explained, “I met a servant from your residence on the way. He said you were injured and didn’t want others to know. He asked me to come and see. Since you didn’t want anyone to know, I came in quietly!”
Damn it, she felt wronged. Suddenly learning such a big secret, she was afraid she wouldn’t be able to sleep at night.
Murong Cí’s temples throbbed with anger. “I didn’t ask anyone to bring you here, Jiang Yao. Who deceived you?”
Having seen too many deceitful things in the palace, his initial reaction was that Jiang Yao had been deceived, and that person had used her as a pawn. But what had she discovered?!
Murong Cí’s face showed an unusual fierceness.
Jiang Yao instantly came back to her senses. “Got it.”
In a flash, without saying another word, she pushed open the door of Murong Cí’s room and left. Murong Cí wished he could strangle her but had to calm down. He quickly put on his outer garment, called a servant to close the door, feeling both shocked and flustered. After a moment, he shouted outside the door again, “Someone, prepare a horse. I need to go to the palace!”
Jiang Yao urgently left the Eighth Prince’s residence and headed towards the Moonlight Pavilion. Unexpectedly, she encountered a distressed maiden on the way, pleading for help, collapsing at Jiang Yao’s feet.
“Miss, please save this servant. They want to sell me to a brothel. Please, save this servant’s life. I’ll do anything to repay you, Miss.”
Jiang Yao was worried but couldn’t ignore the situation. Frowning deeply, she reached out and pulled up the delicate girl. Drawing the whip from her waist, she intended to resolve the issue quickly and then find Song Muyun at the Moonlight Pavilion. However, having been deceived earlier today, her mind was alert. Suddenly, she sensed something was amiss. She had been in the capital for several years, and despite the few idlers, there weren’t usually any ruffians causing trouble. Did they think she had a lot of time to spare?
Jiang Yao’s expression turned cold. Raising her voice, she called out, “You there, leading the team, come over.”
Today’s patrol leader happened to be someone she knew, a decisive woman named Yang Xiao.
Hearing someone calling her, Yang Xiao turned her head and saw Jiang Yao, quickly walking over and saluting, “Miss Jiang.”
“These people seem suspicious. Could you find a cell to detain them for a while?
I’ll come and interrogate them later.”
Everyone was shocked, especially the white-clad girl pushed by Jiang Yao, her eyes full of panic, “Miss, Miss, I haven’t done anything. They want to use me to get money. Please, have mercy.”
She cried as if in distress. But now, Jiang Yao had no time or mind to attend to her. She just said, “Separate the men and women,” and swiftly departed.
Even Yang Xiao couldn’t react in time, but when she came to her senses, she still ordered her subordinates to take away a group of little ruffians who hadn’t had a chance to cause trouble and a seemingly fragile woman trying to slip away.
The Moonlight Pavilion’s backyard was empty when Jiang Yao arrived, and after calling out several times, there was no response from Muyun; it was evident that something had gone wrong.
Damn it.
Jiang Yao’s anger burst forth as she punched a pillar. The room’s arrangement was the same as when they left, not even a trace of the fragrance remained, indicating that Muyun was taken away while fully conscious, without struggling. Unless the person was of high rank, making her feel struggling was futile.
Jiang Yao left the courtyard, feeling both anxious and angry. The brothel madam was soliciting customers downstairs and was suddenly choked before she could even react, pressed against a pillar. Seeing Jiang Yao, she wore an extremely frightened expression, “Oh, Miss Jiang, what are you doing? Let’s talk it out. I can’t withstand your tossing around with my old arms and legs.”
All the patrons on the floor looked at Jiang Yao, whispering to each other. Some called her arrogant, others berated her for being a disgrace to the Jiang family by frequenting pleasure houses. Jiang Yao pretended not to hear and tightened her grip on the madam’s hand, asking her, “Where is Song Muyun?”
The madam was prepared and immediately put on a bewildered look upon hearing about Song Muyun, “Muyun? Wasn’t she in the courtyard? Where could she have gone?”
“She’s not in the courtyard; she’s missing. Someone sneaked into your Moonlight Pavilion and took her away. Don’t tell me you didn’t know?”
Jiang Yao didn’t believe her at all.
The madam cried again, “What? Muyun’s missing? Heavens, this poor child. Finally living peacefully for a couple of days, and now she’s been kidnapped. We don’t even know if she’s alive or dead, what should we do in the future?”
Jiang Yao publicly choked the Moonlight Pavilion’s madam. The other customers pretended not to eavesdrop, seemingly engrossed in the music, but their eyes betrayed their focus on Jiang Yao and the madam.
The madam, not afraid of being heard, cried out loud that Song Muyun had been kidnapped, shocking the people around.
“Song Muyun? I’ve been at the Moonlight Pavilion for a long time and haven’t heard of this name.”
“Oh, you’ve been away for too long. Song Muyun is the legitimate daughter of the late Censor Song Yunqian, who was executed for treason. She was punished to the pleasure house.”
“Ah, then how was she kidnapped?”
“Who knows? I heard that Song Yunqian amassed quite a fortune during his tenure, maybe offended some enemy seeking revenge on his daughter.”
“Well, according to you, Song Muyun’s kidnapping might not end well?”
“Of course not. Firstly, touching someone’s wealth is as good as killing their parents. Secondly, Song Yunqian’s daughter is a famous beauty. Who could leave such a beauty untouched? That would be a waste!”
They thought they were speaking softly, but Jiang Yao’s ears were sharp enough to catch even the faintest whispers.
She suddenly loosened the madam’s neck, watching her quickly step back a few steps, then looked at the men behind her, her eyes glinting with fierceness, scaring them into immediate silence, afraid to say another word.
She tightened her grip on the whip at her waist, “It’s better for you not to be involved in this matter, otherwise, I’ll destroy this Moonlight Pavilion of yours!”
Jiang Yao was ablaze with anger, giving a cold glance to everyone, stepping out one by one.
Her imposing manner frightened the madam to the point where her legs went weak, needing support from the girls behind her to stay standing.
The madam had been in the pleasure industry for decades but had never been scared by a woman before. After regaining her senses, she instinctively patted her chest, hoping the Crown Prince would handle everything cleanly. Even if not, she hoped she wouldn’t be implicated. She had spent half her life at the Moonlight Pavilion, and it was best not to involve it further.
Jiang Yao, lost as to where to find Song Muyun, returned to the Jiang Residence, knocking hurriedly on Prime Minister Jiang’s study door.
Jiang Heng could tell it was Jiang Yao by her voice and sighed in exasperation, “Come in, always so restless.”
Jiang Yao pushed the door hastily, calling out loudly, “Dad!!!”
He wished he weren’t her father; she was bothering him again.
Sure enough, the next second, Jiang Yao said, “Dad! Muyun’s missing, she’s been kidnapped. Can you give me a team to search for her?”
When Jiang Heng heard that Song Muyun had been kidnapped, he first frowned. Then, upon hearing his daughter ask for a team to search, his eyes darkened, he flung his sleeves, glared angrily at her, “Do you think searching for someone is that easy? Do you have a search warrant? Whose house do you want to search? Can’t you use your brain? Your father has worked tirelessly to reach where he is today, how come both of you lack brains?”
Jiang Heng felt distressed.
Jiang Yao touched her nose after being scolded but was still very anxious, “Dad, what should we do? Muyun, a weak girl, has been kidnapped; how scared she must be.”
“Why are you in such a hurry? Being in a rush won’t help find her!”
“How can I not be in a hurry, Dad? She’s been missing for almost an hour. Think of something, please!”
“Still thinking, how was she taken away?”
“Inside the Moonlight Pavilion, the madam said she vanished into thin air.”
“You spend time with her every day. How could she be kidnapped when you’re around?”
Apart from scolding his daughter, the Prime Minister was also trying to assist his daughter.
However, it was difficult to think of a solution; he needed to gather more information.
“I was away, someone came and said the Eighth Prince wanted to see me about something, so I went.”
At this, Jiang Yao’s face darkened. She felt she was foolish, falling for such an obvious bait.
Jiang Heng fell silent, looking at his daughter, hesitating to say something but ultimately remained silent, only asking, “Did you find her missing when you returned?”
“Yeah, the room was intact, no signs of struggle, and the madam claimed she didn’t know.”
Jiang Heng pondered for a moment before waving his hand, “Send someone to report to the authorities first, then go back to the Moonlight Pavilion and wait. The Emperor is about to reopen the investigation
into the Song family’s case; some people might get anxious and do foolish things.”
“Okay, Dad. Muyun is my best friend. After finding her, can she stay with us? The Moonlight Pavilion is too dangerous, as you’ve seen.”
Before anyone was found, Jiang Yao was already planning so far ahead. Jiang Heng remained expressionless, pointing outside, “Get out.”
Jiang Yao: …
Okay, rolling out now.
She first sent someone to report to the authorities, then returned to the Moonlight Pavilion’s backyard without entering through the main gate. When she jumped over the wall, she was met by a team of servants. Jiang Yao squinted at the group dressed in dark clothes. One of them was bending down to pick up broken porcelain pieces, seemingly trying to clean up. Jiang Yao stood in the corner, grinning, and sneered at them, “Drop it, or I’ll break your legs!”
She was a familiar face in the capital city, and no one dared to offend her. Even these servants had heard of her notoriety; she dared to confront the Seventh Prince. Hearing her order to leave, they hurried to seek permission from the madam.
Once they left, Jiang Yao approached the table with teacups. She and Song Muyun occasionally enjoyed tea in this place. So, this tea set should be…
Huh? Where’s the teapot?
Jiang Yao looked around and noticed a spout among the broken pieces on the ground.
Muyun was steady and wouldn’t randomly knock over a teapot. She immediately guessed that those people took her while she was making tea.
Damn it! How did I not notice this earlier? I’ve wasted time.
“This teacup seems to be fewer than before.”
There were only eight teacups in total, and suddenly losing one was noticeable. Jiang Yao counted twice, and it was still seven.
She immediately thought of Seventh Prince Murong Qing.
Except for the eight teacups, the blue porcelain cups, arranged in a row, had been deliberately set in a single line, exactly seven of them. This had to mean something Muyun wanted to convey!
Considering everyone who might have grievances with Muyun or her, the only one who came to mind was the Seventh Prince. And the one close to the Seventh Prince was the Crown Prince, indicated by the one!
She immediately thought of the Seventh Prince, Murong Qing without hesitation.
Aside from there being seven teacups, the originally arranged small circle of blue porcelain cups were deliberately aligned in a straight line, also totaling seven. This was undoubtedly a message intended by Song Muyun!
Upon careful consideration, the only person with a possible grudge against Song Muyun or her was the Seventh Prince. And the “one” associated with the Seventh Prince’s good relations could only refer to the Crown Prince, right?
Jiang Yao’s expression darkened as the people from the Capital Prefecture arrived.
The leader was the second young master from a notable family in the capital, but Jiang Yao couldn’t recall which family it was, nor did she have the time to spare. She pointed delicately at the items in front of her, “This is the scene of the incident. There’s a broken teapot and a teacup on the floor. On the table, there are still seven teacups arranged in a straight line, seemingly indicating something intended by the captured person. I didn’t tamper with anything here. You can ask the servants from the Moon Pavilion. There are no signs of struggle inside. In her daily life, she only offended the Crown Prince and the Seventh Prince.”
After delivering her quite explicit instructions, Jiang Yao’s intense dark eyes fixed on the man in a red official robe leading the group.
Merely being stared at by her made the man break out in a cold sweat. While Jiang Yao didn’t remember him, he vividly remembered her. Among the idle and profligate youths she had beaten up before, there was his elder brother…
Author’s note:
Sorry, perhaps due to premenstrual tension, I’ve been feeling restless all day and couldn’t write much. So, I’ll delay it until now, and I’m short by a thousand words. I’ll see if I can make it up tomorrow, depending on the situation.