Is It Forbidden to Bully the Heroine of the Novel? - Chapter 46
Chapter 46
The incident involving the Song family caused quite a stir. Song Yunqian’s only daughter disappeared mysteriously, and a report was filed with Jingzhao Prefecture. After being rescued, she insisted she was abducted by the Crown Prince and the Seventh Prince, causing an uproar throughout the court.
Officials aligned with the Crown Prince and the Seventh Prince vehemently denied these accusations, leading to heated arguments in the royal court.
The situation escalated when witnesses were presented – guards who accompanied the Crown Prince to the Yue Shang District that day, and a maid from the Crown Prince’s private residence. The Crown Prince was shocked to see them, unable to believe he was betrayed.
These witnesses were in turmoil but agreed to testify against the Crown Prince, tempted by a substantial reward from the Jiang family and the promise of a safe departure from the capital.
Investigations by Jingzhao Prefecture confirmed that Song Muyun was indeed held captive in that private residence, where her earring was found. A musician from Yue Shang District testified that the earring belonged to Song Muyun.
The Emperor, listening to the evidence with a stern face, finally turned to the pale-faced Crown Prince and the still-composed Seventh Prince, asking, “Abducting an innocent woman, do you admit to this crime?”
The Crown Prince stuttered, unable to speak, while the Seventh Prince, lifting his robe, knelt down firmly, declaring, “Father, I do not admit to this.”
The Emperor, scrutinizing his less-noticed son, questioned, “So, you’re saying Miss Song is slandering you?”
Murong Qing, having thought through everything the night before, was confident that the Jiang family couldn’t prove his involvement. He was extremely cautious, ensuring even the servants at Murong Chun’s residence didn’t see him.
Except for Murong Chun and Song Muyun, no one knew he was there. Without evidence, he could deny everything.
Murong Chun was also shocked to see Murong Qing still denying everything despite the solid evidence.
“Miss Song and I have had our differences. Perhaps, in her injured state last night, she mistook someone else for me. Everyone in the capital knows of my affection for Miss Song. I often visit Yue Shang District, always requesting her company, even competing with the daughter of the Prime Minister for her attention. If I admire her so, why would I abduct and harm her?”
Murong Qing frowned, seemingly troubled by the accusation.
Jiang Heng remained expressionless. Murong Qing had always been cautious, and indeed, there was no evidence implicating him. Murong Chun was the one who captured Song Muyun on his territory and detained her in his residence. Only Murong Chun’s involvement could be confirmed, revealing the Seventh Prince’s cunning nature.
Recalling the Emperor’s hints about Ru’er marrying into the royal family, Jiang Heng silently removed the Seventh Prince from the list of potential suitors.
He had once thought the Seventh Prince to be gentle and righteous, a true embodiment of a prince, but he had been utterly mistaken.
Jiang Yao and Song Muyun waited together for news. Song Muyun’s injuries had mostly healed after a few days. That day, she wore a pale moon-white pleated chiffon dress, her face unadorned with makeup. Her black hair was simply tied up, with only a single hairpin for decoration. She sat in a pear wood carved chair, carefully intertwining her fingers with Jiang Yao’s, her voice low and tinged with an unnoticeable tremor, “Jiang Yao, I had a nightmare again last night.”
Jiang Yao, who was reading a book, paused, gripping her fingers more firmly, her brows furrowed with concern, “Didn’t the medicine help? Why are you having nightmares again?”
She reached out to touch Song Muyun’s soft cheek, as if to comfort her.
Song Muyun was unusually obedient that day, not shying away from the touch and even nuzzling into her palm, “I don’t know, I just had another nightmare, waking up in a cold sweat.”
Jiang Yao seemed to realize, “No wonder you wanted to bathe first thing in the morning, you sweated.”
Song Muyun’s eyes flickered. She did sweat upon waking, prompting her to bathe, but it was not due to a nightmare. The scenes from that dream were too frightening to recall a second time.
Blushing, the young girl bit her lip, unwilling to agree, and muttered softly, “But my injuries don’t hurt anymore.”
Jiang Yao replied, “They don’t hurt? But are they almost healed? Let me see.”
With that, she reached to open the young girl’s collar to check inside.
Song Muyun froze, her eyes widening in disbelief. Then, her face and neck flushed red as if feverish, her entire body trembling slightly, her lips marked with teeth impressions.
Jiang Yao had sharp eyesight, even in dim light she could see that Song Muyun’s wound had just formed a scab, the kind that would crack open with a bit of force. She frowned slightly and pulled Song Muyun’s clothes back in place, “Your wound hasn’t fully healed yet.”
Song Muyun, seemingly stunned, processed Jiang Yao’s words slowly in her mind before understanding their meaning.
Embarrassed, she lowered her head to hide her blush, her hand still held by Jiang Yao. She gently shook it, her voice soft and fine, “It’s okay, it doesn’t hurt anymore, Jiang Yao.”
She called out Jiang Yao’s name, drawing out the ‘Yao’ with a hint of coquetry. Jiang Yao had almost forgotten the once distant and aloof Song Muyun, now only remembering the gentle and soft girl in front of her.
“Don’t want to have nightmares anymore?”
Jiang Yao sat by her bed every night, soothing her to sleep before going to sleep herself. In truth, Song Muyun didn’t have nightmares, but she just wasn’t used to being alone.
She wanted… Jiang Yao to come back to sleep with her.
Song Muyun was reluctant to accept that she desperately wanted to share a bed with Jiang Yao, so she looked down and found a reason, “This is your chamber after all, it doesn’t make sense for you to sleep on the couch while I take the bed.”
“It doesn’t matter to me, I can sleep anywhere. But you, with your injuries, need proper rest.”
Song Muyun, with her delicate and soft skin, would suffer from aches if she slept on the couch, something Jiang Yao didn’t want her to endure.
Hearing a hint of rejection in Jiang Yao’s words, Song Muyun felt displeased but her shyness prevented her from insisting. After several attempts to invite Jiang Yao to sleep with her, she pursed her lips and turned her head away.
Jiang Yao, thinking she was considering the young girl’s well-being, didn’t realize she had upset Song Muyun, who ignored her for an entire hour.
An hour later, Jiang Yao, still oblivious, invited Song Muyun to read a book together. Song Muyun, instead of looking at the book, glared at her, making Jiang Yao realize that the young girl was angry with her, and it was not easy to appease her.
Jiang Yao felt a bit panicked, not knowing how to approach the situation. She silently moved closer and sat beside Song Muyun. Seeing Jiang Yao approaching, Song Muyun moved her chair away, refusing to sit close to her.
She didn’t understand why she was angry. Jiang Yao was only concerned about her injuries, yet she felt increasingly petulant, as if Jiang Yao didn’t want to sleep with her and was just making excuses.
“Mu Yun.”
Jiang Yao called her, and Song Muyun pursed her lips, silently looking at her.
Jiang Yao didn’t think she had done anything wrong. The only thing she hadn’t agreed to was sleeping together, but she was worried about hurting Song Muyun’s injuries. But clearly, Song Muyun was more afraid of having nightmares.
Song Muyun’s dark eyes were moist, looking somewhat pitiful under Jiang Yao’s gaze.
Jiang Yao’s heart softened, asking her, “Are you really afraid of having nightmares?”
Song Muyun didn’t answer, her long, thick eyelashes cast downward.
Jiang Yao asked again, “Do you really not want Cui Zhu to sleep with you?”
Song Muyun hadn’t explicitly refused Cui Zhu, but her meaning was clear.
Song Muyun turned her head again, her slender, pale neck exposed in front of Jiang Yao. She spoke softly, “I’m not used to sleeping with others.”
She had never shared a bed with anyone else, except Jiang Yao.
And she couldn’t imagine sleeping in the same bed with anyone else.
Except Jiang Yao, no one else would do.
She bit her soft, pink lips tightly.
Not looking at Jiang Yao.
Jiang Yao softened her expression and reached out to hold her hand. She liked to talk with her hands, and Song Muyun glanced at the slender hand before letting Jiang Yao hold hers.
“What if I accidentally hurt you?” Jiang Yao was concerned about her restless sleeping habits.
“It won’t happen, you sleep very soundly.”
She had slept in Jiang Yao’s arms before; she knew.
Jiang Yao mentioned, “Haven’t you noticed that you sleep on the inside but often wake up on the outside?”
Song Muyun was puzzled, not having paid attention to this before.
She couldn’t help but cover her lips and chuckle softly, “That’s nothing. Although you move a lot, you’ve never hurt me, right?”
“That was when you weren’t injured. Now, any big movement could tear
your wounds.”
Jiang Yao looked at her worriedly, treating her like a delicate porcelain doll.
Song Muyun’s mood, which had been somewhat down, improved significantly. She lowered her head, her gaze sticking to Jiang Yao’s long fingers, her voice soft, “It’s not so easy to tear open, don’t worry.”
She was more afraid of sleeping alone than her wounds reopening.
Jiang Yao would have to relent, or she might get angry again. This time, she promised to control herself and not roll around in bed!
Jiang Ru came in from the courtyard, walking in measured steps. Seeing Jiang Yao and Song Muyun, she called out, “Sister, Sister Mu Yun.”
Song Muyun stood up and bowed slightly, “Sister Ru’er.”
Jiang Yao raised an eyebrow, “Ru’er? Weren’t you watching your father practice martial arts?”
“Sister, Uncle has returned. He asked me to call you and Sister Mu Yun.”
Song Muyun looked slightly stunned and pointed to herself, “He called for me too?”
“Yes.”
“Jiang Yao, what could Uncle want with me?”
She looked nervously at Jiang Yao. Jiang Yao led her outside, saying, “I don’t know, but don’t be afraid, my dad always likes to act friendly in front of others.”
The two arrived at Jiang Heng’s study.
Jiang Heng had just set up a chessboard and was playing against himself. Jiang Yao, seeing this, laughed, “Xiaoyun, do you also like to play chess against yourself?”
Song Muyun’s face turned red with embarrassment. Why was Jiang Yao teasing her like this? She had been so serious inside the house, but now she was acting so differently.
Feeling shy and indignant, Song Muyun didn’t respond and simply greeted the Prime Minister before standing aside, too embarrassed to speak.
Jiang Heng glanced at his daughter, who lacked any semblance of a noble lady’s demeanor, wanting to scold her but not knowing what to say. He decided to spare her in front of Song Muyun, to preserve her dignity for future friendships.
Ignoring Jiang Yao, Jiang Heng turned to Song Muyun and invited her to sit opposite him, “Miss Song, your father and I are old acquaintances. Please, have a seat.”
Song Muyun smiled reservedly and politely, walking over to sit down.
Jiang Yao, feeling slighted, complained, “Dad, am I not your daughter anymore? Why does Xiaoyun get a seat and not me?”
Song Muyun realized that Jiang Yao was deliberately embarrassing her in front of the elders, making her wish she could hide away.
Lowering her head, she hid her moist eyes.
Her heart trembled at being called ‘Xiaoyun,’ a name she hadn’t been called in a long time.
Jiang Heng, losing patience with his eldest daughter’s antics but considering the presence of others, suppressed his urge to scold her, “There’s a chair over there. Move it yourself.”
He had mainly called Song Muyun over, inviting Jiang Yao only because he thought Song Muyun might feel uncomfortable coming alone. But Jiang Yao always managed to give him a headache.
Seeing her father’s serious demeanor, Jiang Yao quickly moved a chair and sat obediently beside Song Muyun.
Both sat upright, looking at Jiang Heng. He spoke directly to Song Muyun, “Miss Song, the matter of the Crown Prince abducting you has been resolved. Today in the court, the Emperor punished the Crown Prince with half a year of house arrest and awarded you a hundred taels of silver for your troubles.”
He simply relayed the court’s decision.
Song Muyun’s eyelashes fluttered as she was about to express her gratitude, but Jiang Yao frowned unhappily, “Only the Crown Prince was punished? What about Murong Qing? He was the one who acted. Why only punish the Crown Prince?”
For the first time, Jiang Yao felt it was unfair for the Crown Prince!
Song Muyun clenched the fabric of her dress nervously. Jiang Heng placed a chess piece down, his expression unchanged, “But there is no concrete evidence implicating Murong Qing. He’s clever and always covers his tracks.”
Jiang Heng focused on the chessboard, quickly making another move, the black and white pieces fiercely battling on the board.
“Didn’t the Crown Prince implicate him? I underestimated their brotherly bond.”
Jiang Yao regretted not being harsher on Murong Qing when she had the chance. It was infuriating!
Jiang Heng denied, “What true feelings can there be in the royal family? It’s simply a lack of evidence. With one prince already implicated, even if the Crown Prince accused the Seventh Prince, without evidence and with the Emperor’s slight paternal affection, no one could touch him.”
He had seen enough of royal family dynamics over two generations. There might be some father-son affection, but brotherly love was scarce.
Jiang Yao thought hard and realized there really was no substantial evidence.
Murong Qing had narrowly escaped punishment.
She felt somewhat guilty towards Song Muyun for not being able to punish Murong Qing, but Song Muyun seemed unconcerned, still smiling politely. She stood up to bow, “Thank you, Uncle, for your concern. I am satisfied with the outcome.”
On her own, she couldn’t have hoped to punish the Crown Prince, let alone bring the matter to public attention.
Jiang Heng shook his head, pleased with Song Muyun’s polite and sensible demeanor. Her presence could help bring some discipline to Jiang Yao.
“Although the Seventh Prince wasn’t punished publicly, the Emperor is already displeased with him. He hasn’t gotten away scot-free,” Jiang Heng added.
Song Muyun’s eyes brightened. Raised as a standard lady, she understood the importance of the Emperor’s favor for an ambitious prince.
“That’s more like it, Xiaoyun. We still have a chance. Don’t be upset, I
‘ll help you get your revenge sooner or later.”
Song Muyun was beautiful, like a fairy, and to think that she was continuously wronged by Murong Qing in the stories, even falling in love with him, was something Jiang Yao couldn’t accept.
Even though she had now intervened and stopped Murong Qing’s abusive behavior, the past events couldn’t be changed. She felt the young girl deserved to vent her anger.
Song Muyun shook her head and took Jiang Yao’s hand, “Don’t be rash. He is still a prince. I am already very happy with this outcome.”
With Jiang Yao in her life, things were already very different. She could forget the past sorrows and look forward to the future. Jiang Yao knew Song Muyun was concerned about her. She was always so sensible, preferring to suffer herself rather than cause inconvenience to others. Jiang Heng finished saying what he had to and glanced at Song Muyun, noting her gentle demeanor and appropriate speech. He appreciated that she didn’t exploit her friendship with Jiang Yao for her own benefit. He was internally impressed, then dismissed them, “Alright, I’ve said what I needed to. You two go and play.”
This matter was directly related to Song Muyun, and now that the outcome was known, it was natural to inform her. Having said what was needed, there wasn’t much else to discuss.
“Alright, Dad, then I’ll take Xiaoyun with me,” Jiang Yao said.
Jiang Heng, focused on the chessboard and figuring out his next move, waved them away impatiently, “Go on, go on.”
Jiang Yao led a blushing Song Muyun out.
Walking one behind the other on the path, Song Muyun bit her lip and glanced up at Jiang Yao from behind. She knew Jiang Yao liked to tease her verbally without any ulterior motive, but she couldn’t help feeling flushed with the intimate nicknames.
“Right, Muyun, weren’t you going to Yue Shang District to pack your clothes? Shall I accompany you?” Jiang Yao turned and asked.
The Song family case was still under investigation, and for now, Song Muyun wasn’t considered a criminal’s daughter, so she was free to leave the music district.
Song Muyun stopped in her tracks at the words, then resumed walking, trying to act nonchalant but with a hint of grievance, “Now you’re being serious again. You weren’t like this earlier.”
Jiang Yao leaned close, her chin nearly resting on Song Muyun’s shoulder, her voice full of laughter, “What, do you like it when I call you ‘Yun’er’?”
Song Muyun sidestepped to avoid her touch, “I never said I liked it. Why did you call me that in front of the elders? I’m only a year younger than you. It’s not dignified!”
“Calling you ‘Yun’er’ is undignified? Hmm, you have so many rules. I don’t care, I’ll call you that anyway.”
Jiang Yao teased her, and Song Muyun was internally irritated but couldn’t help smiling slightly.
Song Muyun had to apply scar removal ointment to her skin every night. Initially, Jiang Yao applied it for her, but thoughts from an illustrated book made her too embarrassed to continue. The book depicted intimate scenes that made her feel flustered, imagining Jiang Yao’s fingers tracing her back as she applied the ointment. She eventually refused Jiang Yao’s help.
Jiang Yao, thinking she was hurt by her touch, felt wronged until she was reassured.
Now, Jiang Yao accepted the reality and would sit outside the door while Song Muyun applied the ointment, occasionally calling out to her to join her in admiring the moon.
Song Muyun, holding the ointment jar, suddenly snapped back to reality, her voice slightly louder, “Don’t rush me, I’ll be done soon.”
“You’re so slow, and you won’t let me help you.”
Song Muyun didn’t argue, quickly applying the ointment and dressing to join Jiang Yao outside.
Jiang Yao lay on a rocking chair, snacking on something. As Song Muyun approached, she realized it was grapes.
She sat down with a smile, “You seem to be enjoying yourself.”
Jiang Yao glanced at her, moved over, and patted the space next to her, “Come sit.”
Song Muyun hesitated, recalling another scene from the book – two women lying together on a wide rocking chair, playfully touching each other…
Blushing at the thought, she hesitated.
Jiang Yao, waiting for a while without Song Muyun joining her, looked puzzled, “What are you thinking about? Come sit and have some grapes, they’re freshly picked and very fresh.”
She picked a dark purple grape and offered it to Song Muyun.
Song Muyun reached for the grape, but the next second, she was pulled onto the rocking chair, which swayed slightly, causing her to fall into Jiang Yao’s arms.
Jiang Yao caught her and steadied her before letting go, teasingly chiding her, “Be careful, you’re so jumpy.”
Annoyed, Song Muyun glared at her.
It was Jiang Yao who had pulled her!
After this playful interaction, Song Muyun settled beside Jiang Yao, eating the grapes she was fed.
“Are they sweet?”
“Yes.”
“Is the moon beautiful?”
“Yes.”
Song Muyun responded to each question, and Jiang Yao found the night more beautiful than ever, able to turn
her head and see Song Muyun in her white dress with her hair down.
“Miss, Miss Song, it’s chilly at night. Would you like a coat?”
They turned to see someone approaching with a big coat – it was Yan Luo, a former dancer from Yue Shang District, now temporarily staying at the Jiang residence after being bought by Jiang Yao.
Jiang Yao waved her over, “Since you’ve brought it, give it to us.” Yan Luo still had habits from Yue Shang District, walking gracefully as she handed the coat to Jiang Yao.
Jiang Yao looked her over and said, “I have a shop that needs a manager. You can go there in a few days.”
“Really? Such good fortune?” Yan Luo’s face lit up with joy, barely suppressing a smile. “Then I thank Miss in advance.”
Becoming a manager was certainly better than being a servant. Jiang Yao was indeed kind.
“You don’t need to thank me. You deserve it,” Jiang Yao replied, stretching her arm around Song Muyun’s shoulders.
Song Muyun bit her lip, leaning into Jiang Yao’s embrace, knowing that Jiang Yao was kind to her because Yan Luo had helped her.
Once Yan Luo left, only Jiang Yao and Song Muyun remained in the courtyard. With Jiang Ru reading a book nearby, they lay there, listening to the soft rustling of the leaves in the breeze.
That evening, the two young girls had agreed to sleep together. After bathing, Song Muyun sat on the bed in her thin nightgown, waiting for Jiang Yao, who soon joined her, being careful as she climbed into bed.
“Let me know if I move in my sleep and hurt you,” Jiang Yao said.
“It’s okay. You won’t hurt me,” Song Muyun assured her, snuggling closer. Her soft hair tickled Jiang Yao’s hand, causing both itchiness and a slight pain.
Jiang Yao thought about how Song Muyun considered her a close friend and was so intimate with her. She resolved to treat her well. Although Song Muyun wouldn’t become an empress by following her, she wouldn’t suffer like in the storybooks, where even a smile was rare.
With these thoughts, Jiang Yao felt a surge of tenderness and held Song Muyun closer. They rolled around on the bed, with Jiang Yao being careful not to hurt Song Muyun, eventually covering them both with a blanket.
“Alright, let’s sleep. You won’t have nightmares tonight,” Jiang Yao soothed.
Song Muyun responded softly, quickly feeling sleepy in Jiang Yao’s embrace, unlike the previous nights when she couldn’t sleep. She found a comfortable spot on Jiang Yao’s shoulder and soon drifted off.
In the time it took for Jiang Yao to look up and down, Song Muyun’s breathing had evened out, her cheek warming up against Jiang Yao’s warm body. Jiang Yao gently poked her, eliciting a soft moan from Song Muyun, who shifted and buried her face in Jiang Yao’s neck, avoiding any teasing.
Jiang Yao chuckled, finding Song Muyun even more adorable now. She was cute when serious, awake, and even asleep.
Holding her close and gently stroking her back, Jiang Yao soon fell asleep leaning on her shoulder.