Is It Forbidden to Bully the Heroine of the Novel? - Chapter 47
Chapter 47
On the following day, the two returned to Moonrise Square to pack their belongings. Moonrise Square was the most famous escort house in the capital city, frequented by high-ranking officials and nobles, always buzzing with first-hand news from the royal court. Thus, the news about the Song family’s wrongful accusation had already spread throughout Moonrise Square.
The incident involved Song Muyun being kidnapped by the Crown Prince, which had escalated greatly, even leading to the Crown Prince’s confinement. Initially, nobody thought that Song Muyun’s case would impact the Crown Prince – after all, he was the Emperor’s son. What would be the issue in capturing a escort from his own establishment? Even if she had been killed, what then?
But, in the end, it was the Crown Prince who got confined, not allowed to leave for half a year. The escort’s family’s case was to be re-examined, overturning the commoners’ belief that they couldn’t fight against officials.
Parking their carriage outside, Jiang Yao led Song Muyun back into Moonrise Square. The madam, seeing them enter, got such a fright that she quickly disappeared, not even attending to her other guests. Song Muyun, a bit puzzled, asked softly, “Why is the madam so afraid of you?”
“Hmph, I told her if she was involved in your abduction, I wouldn’t let her off easily. She’s probably scared now, daring to mess with my people despite being so faint-hearted,” Jiang Yao scoffed.
Song Muyun’s cheeks flushed with a hint of embarrassment as she gently pushed Jiang Yao, “What nonsense are you talking? Who’s your person?”
She was shy, but Jiang Yao was shameless. She hugged Song Muyun, playfully squeezing her round shoulders, pretending to be unhappy while her bright eyes sparkled with amusement, “What, now you want to draw a line between us?”
Song Muyun lowered her head, too embarrassed to speak, biting her thin lips lightly.
Jiang Yao’s restless hand slid down, resting on Song Muyun’s slender waist, “Tsk, I’ve even touched your waist, and you’re still not mine?” she whispered, audible only to the two of them.
Song Muyun’s cheeks reddened even more, wondering if Jiang Yao was hinting at something. But then, realizing she was overthinking, she knew Jiang Yao hadn’t thought of anything like that.
Song Muyun had lived at Moonrise Square for a long time, but her belongings were few. She disliked the clothes provided by Moonrise Square and decided not to take them, leaving only a few pieces of jewelry and some personal items.
Jiang Yao, strong, sorted out the heavier items to carry, leaving only the lighter ones for Song Muyun to handle.
Song Muyun looked at the few jewelry boxes in front of her, thinking warmly of how well Jiang Yao always treated her.
As they were packing, Yan Yan arrived, clad in a seductive red dress. She stood at the doorway, posing attractively, and had to knock to draw attention as no one noticed her at first. Jiang Yao continued to pack, collecting chess pieces, while Song Muyun glanced at Yan Yan and called out, “Yan Yan, why are you here?”
Yan Yan, with a light smile and a swaying figure, entered, tossing her handkerchief embroidered with delicate peach blossoms, filling the room with fragrance, “I heard you were back, so I came to see. Are you leaving?”
“Yes, I appreciate the care you’ve shown during my time at Moonrise Square,” Song Muyun said, bowing slightly.
Yan Yan waved it off, “Oh, I didn’t really take care of you. It was Miss Jiang who truly looked after you. You were right to follow Miss Jiang.”
She reflected on how quickly Song Muyun was taken out of Moonrise Square. Besides Song Muyun, she hadn’t seen any other woman from Moonrise Square manage to leave so openly.
“And yet you can walk out in the open. How enviable,” Yan Jin thought to herself, her charming eyes lifting to gaze at Jiang Yao’s back, scrutinizing every detail. Suddenly she said, “If you really want to thank me, Mu Yun, let Miss Jiang visit Yue Shang Fang to see me when you can. I heard Miss Jiang hasn’t experienced the taste of a woman yet?”
Jiang Yao: ???
Song Mu Yun: ???!!!
“You just said you didn’t take care of me!”
She instinctively looked up at Jiang Yao, meeting her shocked gaze.
Jiang Yao knew what Yue Shang Fang was for, but this was the first time… someone had so blatantly offered themselves to her in her presence, and she was completely stunned.
The next second, she heard Song Mu Yun decisively refuse, “No way!”
Cutting off any possibility of negotiation, her face cold as ice.
Jiang Yao felt somewhat relieved, turning her head to continue packing.
Yan Jin playfully hit Song Mu Yun with her fragrant handkerchief, teasing, “What are you doing? Since you and Miss Jiang are just friends, why not let her be with me? I would be grateful for your kindness.”
She giggled coquettishly, but was met with Song Mu Yun’s cold face.
It was the first time Song Mu Yun treated someone with such a cold demeanor, leaving Yan Jin unable to smile anymore.
After a while, she heard her say, “Jiang Yao is not an object to be given away at will, ask her yourself.”
She seemed a bit unhappy, turning her head away, no longer looking at Yan Jin.
Yan Jin found it amusing internally, ‘Aren’t you just friends? Why get angry about it?’
Jiang Yao’s heart shivered, realizing that she might have misunderstood something, no wonder she looked so panicked and hurried just now.
She reached out a hand to tightly embrace Song Muyun’s waist, pulling her into her arms, finally feeling the stiff and tense body soften a bit, then she spoke, “What’s wrong, I didn’t go anywhere, aren’t you angry? I went to buy candied hawthorn to coax you, but the pastries next to it were freshly baked, thinking you love sweets, I bought some, which delayed me a little while. Were you getting impatient waiting?”
Jiang Yao, holding a paper bag and candied hawthorn in one hand, could only embrace the young girl with one hand. She wrapped her arm around her waist and then moved to the fluffy hair at the back of her head, soothingly stroking it from top to bottom.
Song Muyun looked up, turned her head, and finally saw the bright red candied hawthorn and a medium-sized paper bag.
It turned out she went to buy things to coax her, not because she was difficult to coax or didn’t want to deal with her.
Song Muyun’s pale face lost a bit of its color, and her grip around Jiang Yao tightened, shaking her head, “No, I wasn’t impatient, I thought you had left me alone and gone.”
Indeed, it was a misunderstanding. Jiang Yao really wanted to hug her tightly in her arms to comfort her, but considering her shy nature, she decided against it.
To avoid aggravating the situation.
She gently stroked her soft waist, coaxing softly, “How could I? What kind of person do you think I am? Even if I abandon myself, I would never abandon you.”
Song Muyun buried her head in her arms, her voice sounding muffled, “What’s the difference between you abandoning yourself and abandoning me?”
Isn’t it all about not wanting her, leaving her alone?
“Okay, then I misspoke again. I’m not good with words, you know that, so don’t take it seriously, okay?”
After the misunderstanding, Song Muyun was no longer angry, obediently letting Jiang Yao hold her and coaxed her back to the carriage.
Jiang Yao stuffed the freshly bought, enticing candied hawthorn into Song Muyun’s hand, coaxing her, “Eat some, if your mouth is sweetened, you can’t be angry with me anymore.”
Song Muyun obediently tasted one, her voice muffled and unclear, unwilling to admit, “I wasn’t really angry, there was no need for you to coax me specially.”
Jiang Yao thought to herself, ‘If I really believed your words, then I would be a big fool. Saying you’re not very angry, no need to specially coax, but in reality, you’ve been ignoring me all this time?’
‘Hmph, if she doesn’t find a way to cheer her up, by evening, the little ice mountain might not melt even a little bit and could even turn into a big volcano.’
Jiang Yao thought this to herself, but verbally said something else, “I’m happy to coax you, eat quickly. There are also pastries, they taste better while they’re hot, try two pieces first.”
She took out two pieces of pastry from the paper bag and placed them on a small plate.
The pastries were pink, one shaped like a plum blossom, the other like a little rabbit, but the rabbit’s head was somewhat flattened, likely from being pressed by the paper bag.
Not as delicately beautiful as when they were just out of the oven.
But Song Muyun didn’t mind, still treasuring the little rabbit, placing it in her palm and eating it bit by bit as Jiang Yao suggested, starting from the rabbit’s head.
She was methodical in everything she did, even eating pastries, her demeanor revealing a seriousness, making Jiang Yao find her extremely cute again.
After eating one and a half pastries, Song Muyun’s cheeks slightly puffed up, her hand holding the last half of a peach blossom-shaped pastry. Jiang Yao swallowed, then moved closer, somewhat embarrassed, “Uh, I haven’t eaten pastries in a long time, can I have a bite?”
Normally she didn’t like pastries, and this was the first time she felt envious seeing Song Muyun eat, but her thick skin prevailed, and she asked Song Muyun for half of it.
After all, she bought the pastries!
She didn’t want to eat much, just half to satisfy her craving.
But as soon as she finished speaking, Song Muyun froze, holding that half piece of pastry, as if not understanding, her eyes and brows filled with confusion. So Jiang Yao repeated, “I want to eat your pastry, may I? If you don’t give it to me, I’ll go down and buy
another portion.”
Song Muyun turned slightly, inexplicably looking at her moist red lips, then at the half-eaten pastry in her hand, her ear tips blushing like white jade. At that moment, neither of them thought about the half bag of intact pastries still waiting in the paper bag, both staring at that half piece of pastry.
Song Muyun’s palm suddenly broke out in a fine sweat, her clear, bright eyes staring at her, instinctively wanting to turn her head away, unable to face her directly.
She was so kind and pure, just wanting to eat the pastry, but what was she thinking?
The little fairy was unusually flustered, not even caring about the snack in her hand anymore, hurriedly stuffing it into Jiang Yao’s hand, and then not looking at her anymore.
Jiang Yao was bewildered, not knowing what had happened to her, she was fine just a moment ago.
She thought the young girl was about to get angry again, just because of that half piece of pastry, but the next second, she spoke, her voice clearly without anger or coldness, but with a hint of shyness, “You, if you want to eat, just eat, I didn’t say I wouldn’t give it to you.”
After saying that, she pretended to be calm, picking up the candied hawthorn she had only eaten one piece of, placing it by her cherry-colored lips, extending her flexible, bright red tongue, and quickly licking the sugar coating.
Seeing she wasn’t angry, Jiang Yao finally put that half piece of pastry in her mouth, warm, sweet, soft, and fluffy, a taste she had never experienced before.
“These pastries are good, I’ll buy them for you again next time.”
Jiang Yao said.
She had eaten pastries from this shop before, but for some reason, she felt that they tasted better this time.
Song Muyun, still with the sweet taste of the pastry in her mouth, thought this time it tasted even better.
The young girl pursed her lips, nodding lightly, she also liked these tasty pastries.
The enticing candied hawthorn was unconsciously eaten until only one piece was left. Song Muyun’s slender, snow-white fingers held it, hesitating for a moment, then extended it a little, looking up at Jiang Yao, “You… do you want to try this candied hawthorn too? It’s very delicious, very sweet.”
Song Muyun has a preference for sweets, while Jiang Yao usually doesn’t like them, but for some reason today, after the already sweet pastries, she still wanted to eat the candied hawthorn.
Seeing her unmoving, the fair and delicate little fairy became a bit nervous, her wrist moving as if wanting to take back the candied hawthorn, but unexpectedly, Jiang Yao suddenly leaned in, grasping her wrist, biting onto the candied hawthorn, then moving her hand up, covering it on the back of her hand, holding the candied hawthorn tightly with her hand, and then Jiang Yao bit by bit firmly took the candied hawthorn out.
The sugar coating hadn’t been licked off yet, she leaned against the carriage wall, biting into it with a crunch, admiring, “How come I never realized candied hawthorn was this delicious before?”
As the warm strength of her hand withdrew, Song Muyun stared blankly at the stick of candied hawthorn, now without a single red fruit left.
For a while, the lonely sign was placed aside, and the slender and fair neck of a woman was revealed as she turned her head to the side. Without looking at her, she concealed the faint curve of her lips.
When they arrived at the Jiang residence, the servants traveling with them noticed that the two young ladies were already on good terms.
Jiang Yao gracefully jumped off the carriage and reached out to help Song Muyun down.
“Tonight, it’s a family dinner for everyone in my house, a family banquet,” she suddenly said as they walked along the path back to the courtyard.
Song Muyun nodded understandingly, “I see, you go ahead, I’ll wait for you at home.”
She referred to Hengwu Courtyard as her home. In truth, she no longer had a home. Her home had been raided, and now, wherever her family was, that was her home.
“Why wait for me at home? You should come with me to eat. The chefs at the family banquet always showcase their culinary skills. The food is delicious. Let me take you to try it?” Jiang Yao enthusiastically recommended, eager for Song Muyun to join her.
They were best friends, and she couldn’t leave Song Muyun alone in the courtyard with simple meals.
No, she couldn’t do that. Faced with the sincere and eager look of the woman beside her, Song Muyun still hesitated, “But… this is your Jiang family’s family banquet, and I am an outsider.”
She shouldn’t go; if she did, the Prime Minister would think she lacked propriety.
But… she hadn’t eaten a family banquet with Jiang Yao yet. Did Jiang Yao consider her a family member? If she didn’t, why would she invite her to the family banquet?
“Who said you’re an outsider? You’re my good sister. Besides, you live in the Jiang residence now. If I have dinner without you and leave you alone in the courtyard, my father will scold me,” Jiang Yao frowned, shaking Song Muyun’s hand and coaxing her to agree.
Song Muyun was tempted, but she still hesitated. “But… I’m not sure if it’s appropriate for me to attend the family banquet of the Jiang family. It might displease your family.”
She shouldn’t go. If she did, it would surely upset the Prime Minister.
However, she wondered if Jiang Yao considered her a family member. Why else would she invite her to the family banquet?
“Why are you saying that? You’re not an outsider. You’re my dear sister. And now that you live in the Jiang residence, if I don’t take you with me for dinner, leaving you alone in the courtyard, my father will definitely scold me,” Jiang Yao wrinkled her brows and, with a pleading look, tugged at Song Muyun’s hand.
Song Muyun was on the verge of giving in to Jiang Yao’s insistence. In the evening, she bathed and changed into a lilac-colored long dress, appearing even more gentle and obedient, the kind of appearance that elders would like.
She always wanted to make Jiang Yao’s elders like her.
On the way to the main hall, Song Muyun was still worried that it might be inappropriate for her, an outsider, to attend the family banquet. Would it bother the Jiang family members? However, when she arrived, she realized that she wasn’t the only outsider; the Eighth Prince was sitting there, smiling at them.
Jiang Yao also noticed the Eighth Prince and was somewhat surprised. Without reservation, she pulled Song Muyun over and sat down next to the Eighth Prince. “Why are you here, trying to get a free meal?”
Ever since she learned that the Eighth Prince was a woman, Jiang Yao had become much more casual with her, not as reserved as before. Women could chat more freely with each other.
Jiang Heng gave Jiang Yao a glance and said in a stern tone, “Don’t be so impolite.”
Under the heavens, is there any place that isn’t ruled by the emperor? How can you say the prince is trying to freeload a meal?
But Jiang Yao didn’t understand this reasoning and didn’t comply. Instead, she retorted, “Didn’t you say that during a family banquet, we don’t need to follow all those formalities? Everyone can be casual, right?”
… In the past, I allowed you to be casual because we were all family!
But now there’s an outsider here?!
Jiang Heng and Jiang Zhi both disliked the Eighth Prince. They saw her as one of the annoying sons of the emperor. The current emperor had many sons, and several of them were of marriageable age. He asked them to choose one as Jiang Ru’s future husband, so they disliked every one of them, considering them all to be wolf cubs.
The Eighth Prince frequently visited the Jiang residence, ostensibly to practice martial arts, but he often chatted with Ru’er. That’s what they disliked most about the Eighth Prince!
Men and women should maintain a respectful distance. Doesn’t he understand that as a prince?
Sitting down for this short tea time, Murong Ci had already been secretly glared at countless times. Every time, she forced a smile and felt so awkward that she could hardly sit still. It wasn’t until Jiang Yao arrived that her awkwardness eased slightly. She didn’t mind Jiang Yao’s casual demeanor; in fact, she quite appreciated it.
“Miss Jiang, since it’s a family banquet, there’s no need to be so concerned about formalities. I find Jiang Yao’s personality quite pleasant,” she said, nodding in agreement.
Jiang Heng’s whole body shuddered upon hearing this. What did she mean by that? Was she saying this for Yao’er’s sake??
Jiang Yao didn’t think there was anything wrong with what she said; in fact, she agreed, “Exactly, it’s a family banquet. What’s the point of being so formal?”
Jiang Heng had a mind to tell Jiang Yao not to chat so much with the Eighth Prince, but he thought she wouldn’t listen, so he let it go for now. He would find a chance to talk to her later.
Murong Ci nodded in agreement.
Song Muyun saw the two of them exchange smiles and felt a bit uneasy for some reason. She had become more temperamental since someone started caring for her, so she forced herself to suppress it.
Jiang Yao was on her left, and Jiang Ru was on her right. Jiang Ru liked to chat with her when she had nothing to do, so she leaned in to listen, but her heart couldn’t help drifting to Jiang Yao’s side, wanting to know what Jiang Yao was talking to the Eighth Prince about.
She heard Jiang Yao exclaim, not too loudly, “What? So many things have happened, and the Emperor still wants to go on a autumn hunt? Isn’t it almost time for the winter hunt?”
Indeed, the weather was getting colder, and winter was approaching.
The Eighth Prince nodded and thought to himself that the Emperor was probably feeling cooped up in the palace and wanted to go out for a walk. There was nothing anyone could do to stop him, and they were dragged along in the cold.
Jiang Yao frowned, “Then I have to take Muyun with me. Father, when the time comes, I’ll bring Muyun with me,
and you can help me arrange it.”
Miss Jiang, always calling for her father when she couldn’t handle things herself.
Jiang Heng couldn’t be bothered with this trivial matter, but when he thought of the father-daughter relationship, he casually agreed, “Alright.”
Song Muyun heard that Jiang Yao wanted to take her along, and her eyes showed surprise and a hint of nervousness. She couldn’t help but reach under the table to hold Jiang Yao’s hand, leaving a row of faint tooth marks on her red lips. “Can you take me with you? Won’t it be too much trouble for your uncle?”
She didn’t want to trouble others.
“It won’t be trouble at all, just a simple matter. I don’t want you to be alone in the residence. Later, you’ll get to taste the Buddha Jumps Over the Wall prepared by the chefs. It’s delicious,” Jiang Yao thought of everything for her and didn’t want her to feel wronged. As she spoke, Song Muyun moved closer to her, and their elbows touched.