Is It Forbidden to Bully the Heroine of the Novel? - Chapter 49
Chapter 49
The next day, all the dandies who had been reprimanded by Jiang Yao came one after another to the Jiang residence to apologize. The scene was so grand that Li Yun thought they had reconciled with Jiang Huai and were coming to the Jiang residence for leisure.
Unexpectedly, the group of young men had come to apologize to Song Muyun. Seeing them bowing their heads one after another in front of her, she felt somewhat uneasy and looked at Jiang Yao for reassurance. She knew why Jiang Yao had gone to Qinglv Academy. It wasn’t to stand up for her brother but for her, to make her happy and to stand up for her.
The woman’s heart leaped joyously, unable to be suppressed.
After the group of young masters had left, Jiang Yao, still holding her sword, leaned against a willow tree, a tree branch casually held in her mouth. Her demeanor was casual and even somewhat rakish, yet it made Song Muyun incredibly happy. Without hesitation, she ran over and threw herself into Jiang Yao’s arms.
Jiang Yao, changing her stance, was fiddling with her sword tassel. Suddenly, feeling a gentle breeze approaching her, she opened her arms without hesitation, even without looking up, as if she knew who it was, and embraced the person.
The woman was frighteningly thin, so much so that Jiang Yao frowned as she touched her slender waist and then felt her delicate, seemingly fragile white wrists.
Too thin, she thought. Despite being fed carefully every day, why was she still so thin?
Song Muyun was naturally proud and stubborn, but in front of Jiang Yao, she revealed another side of herself, one that was compliant. Jiang Yao liked to touch and pinch, and she allowed her to do so.
“Are you tired? If you are, I’ll take you back to rest,” Jiang Yao asked.
Song Muyun shook her head. “I’ve only walked a few rounds, not very tired.”
Not tired, that’s good. “Then, do you want to watch me practice swordsmanship?”
“Mm, I’ll watch from here.”
Jiang Yao picked up her sword and practiced in the open garden. Song Muyun noticed that the tassel on the sword handle was somewhat faded, looking like an old item that had been used for a long time. Perhaps it could be replaced, she thought. Yes, she would make one for her.
—
The autumn hunting day arrived quickly, and the morning was still very cold. Each courtyard was busy packing up. The maids in Jiang Yao’s courtyard were also busy, not only packing for one master like in other courtyards but for three, rushing around, afraid of leaving something behind.
Jiang Yao, not good with these meticulous tasks, simply dressed in plain clothes and waited in the courtyard. Song Muyun was also supposed to go out, but she was asked to wear a fox fur overcoat and rabbit fur sleeve guards, and carry a miniature furnace, covered up tightly, with only her beautiful, fair face exposed.
She was naturally beautiful, with a fair complexion lightly flushed with pink, extremely pleasing to the eye.
Jiang Yao really wanted to pinch her cheeks, but she refrained, not wanting to leave marks that might anger others. It wasn’t the right time to provoke her.
Song Muyun walked over, stood by her side, and asked in a soft voice, “Will you ride in the carriage with us?”
There weren’t many carriages accompanying them, as most would be riding horses.
Jiang Yao shook her head. “You and Ruru will probably read books together. I’ll ride a horse instead.”
“Oh.”
Song Muyun lowered her head, seemingly a bit disappointed, but soon she cheered up and took out a green tassel from her bosom.
The tassel was adorned with green jade, very neat and attractive.
Jiang Yao was taken aback and asked instinctively, “This is…”
Song Muyun touched her sword handle, removed the somewhat faded tassel, and replaced it with the one she had.
“This is a gift for you,” she said.
“Did you make it yourself?”
No wonder she had seen her secretly weaving something these past few days; it was a sword tassel for her.
“Mm, isn’t your birthday approaching? I’m giving this to you in advance.”
“Will I still get a gift on my birthday?”
“Of course.”
Jiang Yao raised an eyebrow, looking at the sword in her hand. Her beloved sword now had a tassel made by her good friend, making it look even more beautiful.
She was very satisfied in her heart and even more expectant of the so-called birthday gift.
What will she give me? Something handmade by her?
Jiang Yao didn’t lack gold or silver, but sincerity was something everyone lacked.
The long procession moved along the official road. Song Muyun, Jiang Ruru, and
Jiang Huai all sat in the same carriage, while Jiang Yao rode a horse alongside them. Occasionally, she would spot pretty wildflowers by the roadside, pick them, and then pass them through the carriage window.
At this, Jiang Ruru would excitedly stick her head out, asking, “Sister, is this for me?”
“I picked two, one for you and one for Muyun.”
Her voice was just loud enough for those in the carriage to hear. This was a shock for Jiang Huai. He couldn’t help but join Jiang Ruru at the window, loudly complaining, “Sister, you’re biased. Why do they both get one and I don’t? There are three people in this carriage, look carefully!”
Jiang Huai felt deeply excluded.
Although he knew that his position at home would drop after Jiang Ruru’s return, who would have thought that even Song Muyun, not their blood relative, would be more important than him!
He felt like he was being squeezed out by the three sisters.
Jiang Yao, sitting atop her tall horse, glanced down at Jiang Huai but didn’t care about his jealousy. Instead, she said, “Move aside, let Muyun sit here.”
Jiang Huai: …
Damn it!
He resentfully made way. Song Muyun came over, revealing only half of her fair face. Jiang Yao asked with concern, “Are you comfortable? Do you feel unwell anywhere?”
Song Muyun was fine. She obediently shook her head. “How much farther is it?”
Jiang Yao looked at the road. “It’s still a while before we arrive. Are you tired? You can sleep a bit.”
Song Muyun shook her head again. Jiang Yao looked up and saw a fruit tree ahead, surprisingly still bearing fruit in late autumn. “Then wait inside. I’ll get you something to eat.”
Saying so, she rode forward, picked two dark red fruits from the tree, and passed them into the carriage. It wasn’t that she was excluding Jiang Huai; there were simply only two fruits left on the tree.
The procession finally arrived at the palace.
Jiang Yao dismounted first, then went to help her two sisters, considering Song Muyun, who was a year younger than her, as her sister too.
As for the constantly complaining little boy, he didn’t need much attention.
Jiang Yao helped Song Muyun out of the carriage. Many families were looking at them discreetly.
This was Song Muyun’s first public appearance after her father’s incident, participating in the autumn hunt.
It was said that it was the Prime Minister who asked her to come.
Those with a bit of sense knew that the reversal of the Song family’s case was also related to the Prime Minister’s residence, with Jiang Heng manipulating behind the scenes.
Who knew Jiang Heng had such a relationship with Song Yunqian?
Jiang Yao and Song Muyun stayed in the same courtyard, along with Jiang Ruru.
Jiang Heng had his own intentions. Naturally, the courtyard for his two children was large and airy, surrounded by flowers and trees. Even if they didn’t go out during the day, it was very relaxing to just sit and enjoy the scenery.
Jiang Yao, carrying a large and small package, lay down as soon as she entered the room.
The room had been cleaned by the maids earlier and was very clean.
Song Muyun, head lowered, carefully placed her frequently used tea set, then boiled some tea.
Jiang Yao, tired to the point of only being able to move her mouth, saw her making tea and brightened up, calling, “Yunyun!”
Song Muyun paused. She was called that way again.
“Speak if you have something to say, don’t call out randomly.”
The young girl was shy and didn’t allow Jiang Yao to call her that way.
Jiang Yao lay on the bed, not caring, still elongating her voice in a coquettish manner, “Yunyun~ I’m thirsty, pour me a cup of water.”
Song Muyun was used to it, no longer protesting. She obediently poured her water, gently fanning it with the lid to dissipate some heat, and then brought the warm tea to Jiang Yao, only to complain, “You, not even willing to walk a few steps.”
Jiang Yao sat up, pulling Song Muyun to sit next to her. While drinking tea, she said, “That’s because you’re here.”
Jiang Huai grudgingly made way, and Song Muyun approached, revealing only half of her snow-white face. Jiang Yao asked with concern, “Are you used to it? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?”
Song Muyun was fine; she obediently shook her head and asked, “How much farther is it?”
Jiang Yao looked at the road. “It’s still a little while away. Are you tired? You can take a nap.”
Song Muyun shook her head again. Jiang Yao looked up and saw a fruit tree ahead. Despite it being late autumn, she was surprised to find fruit that could be picked. “Wait here inside, I’ll get you something to eat.”
Saying that, she rode her horse forward and picked two black and red fruits from the tree. It wasn’t that she was deliberately excluding Jiang Huai; there were just those two fruits left on the tree. Likely, the ones ahead had picked most of them.
Jiang Yao cleaned the fruits and handed them in, which, as expected, brought Jiang Huai’s dissatisfaction. But let him be dissatisfied; he couldn’t resist.
Half a day passed, and they finally arrived at the palace.
Jiang Yao dismounted first and then went to help her two younger sisters. Song Muyun was a year younger than her, naturally counting as a younger sister too.
As for the constantly complaining little boy, he didn’t need extra attention.
Jiang Yao helped Song Muyun out of the carriage. Many families around them cast surreptitious glances.
This was Song Muyun’s first public appearance after her father’s incident, and she was even participating in the autumn hunt.
It was said that the Prime Minister had asked her to come.
Those with a bit of sense knew that the Song family’s case reversal was also related to the Prime Minister’s residence, manipulated by Jiang Heng from behind.
Who knew before that Jiang Heng had such a relationship with Song Yunqian?
Jiang Yao and Song Muyun stayed in the same courtyard, along with Jiang Ruru.
Jiang Heng had his own intentions. The courtyard for his two children was naturally large and bright, surrounded by flowers and trees. Even if they didn’t go out during the day, it was very comfortable just sitting and enjoying the scenery.
Jiang Yao, carrying a large and small package, lay down as soon as she entered the room.
The room had been cleaned by the maids in advance and was very clean.
Song Muyun, with her head lowered, slowly placed her frequently used tea set, then boiled some tea.
Jiang Yao, tired to the point of only being able to move her mouth, brightened when she saw the tea was ready and called out, “Yunyun!”
Song Muyun paused. She was called that way again.
“If you have something to say, say it. Don’t shout randomly.”
The young girl was shy and didn’t allow Jiang Yao to call her that.
Jiang Yao lay on the bed, not caring, still elongating her voice coquettishly, “Yunyun~ I’m thirsty, pour me a cup of water.”
Song Muyun was used to it and didn’t say anything more. She obediently poured the water, fanned it gently with the lid to cool it down a bit, and then brought the warm tea to Jiang Yao, only then complaining, “You, not even willing to walk a few steps.”
Jiang Yao sat up, pulling Song Muyun to sit beside her, and drank the tea next to her. While drinking, she said, “That’s because you’re here.”
Song Muyun didn’t speak, just looked at her with moist eyes as she drank the tea.
The young masters and misses in the capital rarely had the chance to leave the city, let alone travel this far. It was a rare outing for them, and they were incredibly excited.
After Jiang Yao had rested enough, she took Song Muyun and Jiang Ruru out for a stroll.
They were the daughters of the Prime Minister and the Dragon Tiger General, naturally attracting many who wished to play with them. The only hesitation was about Song Muyun of the Song family.
She used to be considered a favored daughter of heaven with outstanding literary talent, an existence many couldn’t match. Now, she had fallen from grace, having been to the music house, which made people feel pity and reluctant to approach her too closely.
Therefore, when Jiang Yao and her group came out, they attracted many gazes.
“Do you want to go horse riding?” Jiang Yao asked the two younger sisters.
Jiang Ruru’s father was a general, and although she wasn’t skilled in martial arts, she had ridden horses before and knew a little about it. Song Muyun, however, had no experience at all.
Both looked at her. The latter, somewhat hesitant, clutched Jiang Yao’s sleeve and leaned close, looking
very dependent. “Can I ride? I don’t know how. Will you teach me?”
There was no problem with that. Jiang Yao nodded and took her hand, walking forward. The horses here were ordinary, just for leisure. She hadn’t brought her own horse.
“Get on, I’ll hold the reins for you.”
Song Muyun hadn’t expected to be taught this way. She looked at a couple riding together on a horse not far away, thinking it would be taught like that.
“I can’t get on,” she honestly said.
Jiang Yao looked at the height of the horse, finding it hard to understand this so-called difficulty in getting on.
After a pause, she instructed, “Step here, it’s easy to get on. I’ll hold you, you won’t fall.”
Song Muyun looked at the stirrup, bit her lip lightly, her face expressing shyness. Finally, she nodded, stepped there, and was helped onto the horse by Jiang Yao.
The young girl, riding a horse for the first time, was carefully guided by Jiang Yao. She didn’t let the horse go too fast, just leading it slowly across the vast grassland, while others riding nearby were a bit faster.
Jiang Ruru, also riding a horse alongside them, was a person who valued etiquette. Even while riding, she kept her back straight, not allowing any lapse in her demeanor.
Suddenly, her voice raised a bit, “Sister, it’s the Eighth Prince, the Eighth Prince is ahead.”
Song Muyun’s grip on the horse’s mane tightened, and the horse under her made a dissatisfied sound.
Jiang Yao looked up and indeed saw the Eighth Prince in the distance, accompanied by the Seventh Prince, Murong Qing.
“Let’s go over and say hello.”
Since the day she sneaked into the prince’s mansion and beat up Murong Qing, Jiang Yao hadn’t seen him again. She guessed he was secretly nursing his injuries in the mansion.
As the two groups approached, Murong Ci, surprised, looked at Jiang Yao, unable to hide a smirk, “How did you become a horse leader?”
“I’m teaching my little Yun’er to ride, didn’t you notice?”
Murong Qing’s already gloomy face darkened upon hearing Jiang Yao’s nickname for Song Muyun.
He didn’t say a word, just kept glancing coldly at Song Muyun.
Seeing him, Song Muyun felt the pain of being whipped in the dungeon surge back. Her body tensed up, and Jiang Yao helped her down from the horse. Instinctively, she moved behind Jiang Yao, holding onto the corner of her clothing.
Jiang Yao deliberately shifted her body to block Murong Qing’s view of Song Muyun, then lazily looked at Murong Qing, “Seventh Prince, long time no see, how have you been?”
Murong Qing’s expression became even colder. Even in front of Murong Ci, he struggled to maintain his scholarly facade, “Thanks to Miss Jiang, everything is well.”
He remembered the days he spent recuperating from the beating, his assailant extremely ruthless. He was in pain for several days. Damn it.
Murong Qing still suspected that Jiang Yao was behind it, as only she had the motive and capability.
Jiang Yao seemed oblivious to his suspicious gaze and simply smiled without saying more.
Jiang Ruru dismounted and respectfully greeted the two princes, then glanced around and noticed that the spot beside her sister was already taken by Sister Muyun. So, she instinctively stood behind Murong Ci.
Her sister had warned her that the Seventh Prince was not a good person and told her to keep her distance. She naturally obeyed.
Murong Ci smiled gently at Jiang Ruru and asked if she was comfortable at the palace.
Murong Qing narrowed his eyes, watching the two talk. He knew that Murong Ci often visited the Jiang residence. Was this his intention?
If he wanted to ascend to the throne, borrowing military power was indeed the most direct way.
“After the hunting tomorrow, have you decided what you want to hunt?” Murong Ci asked Jiang Yao after chatting with Jiang Ruru.
“Hunting? Just casually, anything I come across. I don’t have anything specific in mind.”
Murong Ci chuckled, “I heard many noble ladies ask their family members to hunt foxes for them to make fox fur coats. Don’t Miss Jiang and Miss Song want one?”
Song Muyun gently pulled on Jiang Yao’s sleeve, whispering, “I don’t want any foxes. Just be careful tomorrow, don’t get hurt.”
She didn’t want anything, just for Jiang Yao to be safe.
Jiang Yao, knowing her to be considerate and well-behaved, touched the girl’s soft fingers, assuring her, “Hmm, I’ll be careful. When I return, I’ll roast meat for you, okay?”
Her words were so gentle, like coaxing a child. Song Muyun couldn’t help but look up with bright eyes, “Okay, I’ll wait for you.”
Jiang Ruru curiously looked at her sister and Sister Muyun, feeling there was something unusual in their interaction but couldn’t pinpoint it.
She felt her sister treated Sister Muyun even better than her, being careful about everything, afraid of Sister Muyun feeling even a bit wronged. Every time Sister Muyun was happy, her sister was happy too. Was this how good friends were?
Murong Ci, seeing Jiang Ruru looking at them, thought she might also want roasted meat. She had troubled Jiang Ruru’s father quite a bit recently and had met Jiang Ruru several times, finding her to be a polite and sensible girl. She asked softly, “Would you like some roasted meat too? I can have it sent to you after tomorrow’s hunt.”
Their conversation seemed to exclude Murong Qing, who darkly interjected with a seemingly cheerful voice
, “Does the Eighth Prince have confidence in his hunting skills? Be careful with your words; your past hunting achievements weren’t impressive, you might not have anything to show.”
Initially, Murong Ci was polite to Murong Qing, but after spending more time with Jiang Yao, he shared her animosity towards him, finding the Seventh Prince to be utterly hypocritical. He replied without hesitation, “Don’t worry, Seventh Brother. You’ve always been the last one in hunting. Even if I’m not good, I’ll still be better than you.”
He had some cunning, not mentioning that he usually ranked second to last, to save face in front of the young girl.
Murong Qing, frustrated and unable to come up with a retort, was spared from responding as a cheerful female voice approached.
“Seventh Brother!”
Everyone looked up to see a woman in a yellow dress happily approaching, followed by another in pink.
Murong Qing’s cold demeanor vanished, replaced by warmth and affability. He waved towards the woman, “Heyi, how did you come out here?”
The person who arrived was Princess Heyi. Only when she got closer did she notice Murong Ci and hurriedly greeted him with a bow, “Eighth Prince.”
The Eighth Prince, with a smile, acknowledged, “Heyi has arrived.”
The pink-dressed girl following Heyi also bowed, “Suqiu greets the Seventh Prince and Eighth Prince.”
“No need for such formality,” they responded.
After Suqiu finished her bow and stood up, she turned to Jiang Yao with a gentle and graceful demeanor, “Cousin, it’s been a long time since we’ve met. Do you still remember me?”
Suqiu, the daughter of Jiang Yao’s mother’s brother, was often seen during family gatherings and festivals.
Jiang Yao was fairly cordial towards her, her smile warm and not too distant, “Of course, I remember Suqiu. Are you here to ride horses?”
Suqiu shook her head lightly, “Heyi wanted to see the Seventh Prince, so I accompanied her.”
Suqiu was Heyi’s study companion, and the two of them, being close in age, had a good relationship.
At Suqiu’s words, however, Heyi playfully pounced on her, pretending to be upset, “What do you mean ‘accompanied me’? Don’t you want to see the Seventh Prince?”
Jiang Yao frowned at this, her warm smile fading. Suqiu, blushing, pushed Heyi away, “Ah, don’t talk nonsense.”
Heyi, not daring to look at Jiang Yao, who had been quite fierce the last time they met, continued to playfully argue, her voice cheerful, “What’s wrong with that? Don’t you want to be my sister-in-law?”
Jiang Yao’s face grew colder. Such words in public were quite improper!
Murong Qing, however, seemed to be indulgently watching the two girls.
Only when Song Muyun took Jiang Yao’s hand from her sleeve, shaking it gently, did Jiang Yao come back to her senses, squeezing the hand in her palm.
Let others do as they wish; she couldn’t control them.
Jiang Yao didn’t say anything more, just thinking of informing her father later.
“Do you want to eat grilled fish? I’ll take you to catch and grill some.”
At this, Heyi looked over eagerly, excited at the prospect, “Are you going to grill fish? I haven’t had that in a long time. Seventh Brother, take us to catch and grill fish too.”
The little girl looked forward with anticipation, shining eyes full of admiration for her Seventh Brother who she believed could do anything. But Murong Qing was already struggling to maintain his composure. Catch fish himself?
He, a prince, had never done such a thing. Besides, he didn’t even have the skill to catch fish.
Jiang Yao didn’t want to go fishing with the royal group, but she felt obliged to give Heyi face. She quickly decided that if they went, she would not.
Fortunately, Murong Qing was somewhat sensible, “Heyi, did you tell your mother you were going to catch fish? You’re not so young anymore, you can’t be as capricious as before.”
His words made Jiang Yao want to roll her eyes, but Heyi and Suqiu took them seriously and, though disappointed, didn’t press the matter.
“Ruru, you don’t like grilled fish, do you want to stay here and play?”
Grilling fish would require making a fire and getting messy, something Jiang Ruru, always concerned with her image, never did.
Jiang Ruru nodded obediently and Jiang Yao turned to Murong Ci, “Eighth Prince, please take care of Ruru. If she wants to go back, could you escort her?”
Murong Ci, both a prince and a lady, was the perfect guardian for Jiang Ruru, at least ensuring she wouldn’t be deceived by any sudden appearances of wild animals.
Murong Ci readily agreed, and Jiang Ruru was happy to stay with her.
Murong Ci was exceptional in speech and demeanor, kind and polite, making her company enjoyable.
Jiang Yao, reassured, mounted the horse Song Muyun had ridden and reached out her hand to her, “Come on, let me show you around.”
Song Muyun’s eyes lit up, and she eagerly took Jiang Yao’s strong, slender hand. She was swiftly pulled up onto the horse, sitting in front of Jiang Yao, who wrapped her arms around her waist.
Jiang Yao nudged the horse’s belly with her legs and whispered in Song Muyun’s ear, “Hold on tight.”
Song Muyun nodded, squeezing the horse slightly and flicking the reins, and the horse started to run, taking them towards the forest.
The palace had a back mountain which was lush and scenic in spring.
Now in late autumn, it was mainly covered in yellow leaves, giving a different kind of
beauty.
The cold stream water in late autumn made Song Muyun quickly retract her hand after touching it. She looked at Jiang Yao with a slight frown, “The water is so cold. Let’s not eat grilled fish. What if you catch a cold?”
Jiang Yao tied up the horse and walked over, taking Song Muyun’s cold hand and warming it in her palm, “I’m quite healthy and have never caught a cold. You should worry more about yourself. Your body is so delicate; what will you do if I’m not around one day?”
She playfully poked Song Muyun’s forehead.
Song Muyun suddenly panicked, gripping Jiang Yao’s finger tightly, her brows furrowed, “Why wouldn’t you be around? Didn’t you say you’d always be with me?”
“The future is uncertain. What if one day you get married and no longer want me around?”
The thought of Song Muyun getting married made her feel a bit sour, but looking down, she saw Song Muyun’s face turning even paler. Song Muyun slapped Jiang Yao’s hand away, not allowing her to touch, her mood visibly not cheerful, “Who would marry a woman who has been in a pleasure house? Miss Jiang, you must be joking.”
Jiang Yao’s heart sank. She had upset her again.
She quickly hugged Song Muyun, soothing her, “Okay, okay, let’s pretend I didn’t say anything. I’m not good with words, you know that. Just listen to what you like and ignore what you don’t. Getting angry is bad for your health. Don’t be angry; I’ll catch you a fish.”
Saying so, she placed Song Muyun on a clean rock, took off her shoes and socks, and went into the water to catch fish. Her movements were swift, as if catching the fish was the key to pleasing her beloved.
The cold of late autumn was not too severe for her.
Song Muyun, still angry a moment ago, became anxious upon seeing Jiang Yao enter the water, “What are you doing? Get out of the water; it’s so cold. I don’t want to eat fish anymore. Please, come out…”
Before she could finish, Jiang Yao had already swiftly plunged her hand into the water and pulled out a plump fish, still wriggling its tail.
Turning around, she asked loudly with a bright smile, “What did you say?”
Song Muyun was speechless.
She had already caught the fish; what else could she say?
Song Muyun, her hands cupped around her mouth to amplify her voice, called out, worried that Jiang Yao might not hear her clearly, “I said one is enough. Come out of the water now!”
Jiang Yao, sensing Song Muyun’s lingering anger, quickly got out of the water.
Her skirt was slightly wet despite her efforts to keep it dry. Song Muyun hurriedly took out a handkerchief to wipe the water stains. Jiang Yao’s feet, white and rounded, awkwardly curled up and stepped back, “What are you doing? It won’t dry this way. Leave it, I’ll dry it by the fire later.”
“You should at least put your shoes on,” Song Muyun insisted, looking at Jiang Yao’s feet, which were as pale as snow from seldom being exposed to light.
Jiang Yao, usually thick-skinned, felt a bit embarrassed and let down her skirt to cover her feet. She clicked her tongue, pretending to be impatient, “Stop looking. They’re not as pretty as yours.”
Her feet were just those of an ordinary woman. Song Muyun’s feet, on the other hand, were the truly beautiful ones – pale, delicate, and dainty, just like the ‘jade feet’ described in stories.
Song Muyun’s cheeks flushed at the teasing, and she turned away, “You’re always talking nonsense. I won’t talk to you if you keep this up.”
“Hey, why are you angry again? Okay, okay, I won’t say it anymore. Is that alright? It was just the truth, and you’re still unhappy.”
Jiang Yao washed her feet, put her shoes back on, and started a fire to grill the fish. During this time, Song Muyun didn’t talk to her at all. Finally, when the fish was skewered and grilling, Jiang Yao had a moment to sit beside Song Muyun, her tone softening, “Still angry? Your feet are beautiful, and I’m not allowed to say it? You get angry at just that, your temper is getting smaller and smaller.”
Song Muyun’s hand was still cold, so Jiang Yao tried to warm it.
“I’m not angry,” Song Muyun mumbled, her face still flushed with annoyance. She pursed her lips and looked away, unwilling to talk.
Jiang Yao sighed, “Then come
and watch me grill the fish.”
She was a bit annoyed at Song Muyun’s outbursts but also embarrassed, thinking that perhaps she had been staring at Song Muyun’s feet too much, making the latter uncomfortable. That’s why Song Muyun refused to come over.
Song Muyun declined, “I don’t want to watch. You go on.”
Jiang Yao hesitated, then stood up, letting go of Song Muyun’s hand and went back to tend to the fish.
Grilling took a while, and one side of the fish got slightly burnt, but it was still edible.
Jiang Yao was used to roughing it and could eat anything regardless of its quality.
As Jiang Yao was grilling the fish, the sudden absence of warmth at her side left Song Muyun stunned. It was clear she had asked Jiang Yao to go, but when Jiang Yao actually left, she felt unhappy. She peeked over to see Jiang Yao carefully turning the fish over the fire, her lips slightly pouted, seemingly displeased.
Song Muyun, adept at reading others’ expressions, realized she had upset Jiang Yao. Her heart, once warm, suddenly felt cold. She couldn’t bear Jiang Yao’s indifference, not even a little.
So, without waiting long, she got up and walked towards the fire. Jiang Yao, with her sharp senses, knew Song Muyun was approaching but didn’t react, feeling troubled inside. She thought perhaps Song Muyun didn’t like grilled fish, which is why she didn’t want to watch and had even asked her to stop grilling it earlier. Jiang Yao decided she wouldn’t bring her along next time.
“Jiang Yao, how much longer for the fish? I’m hungry,” Song Muyun softly said, her mood having changed quickly.
Jiang Yao, looking at the fish, responded indifferently, “It will take a little while longer. If you don’t want to eat this, we can go back and eat something else.”
Song Muyun’s eyes widened a bit, clutching her sleeves, realizing she had been misunderstood. Her voice carried a hint of anxiety as she dryly explained, “No, I do want to eat it. I want to eat this.”
Hearing Song Muyun say she wanted to eat, Jiang Yao’s demeanor remained subdued, continuing to grill the fish without the lively chatter she usually had.
Song Muyun, watching Jiang Yao’s cold attitude, felt a heavy, dull pain in her heart. She always took advantage of Jiang Yao’s kindness, expecting her to coax her every time. She always thought about changing but never managed to…
Finally, the fish was ready. Jiang Yao blew on the charred part, ate it herself, and handed the rest to Song Muyun. “Just try a bit. It’s not seasoned well. Have a little, and then we’ll go back.”
Knowing she was the cause of Jiang Yao’s mood, Song Muyun still felt wronged. She had just been coaxing her, and a mere suggestion to grill the fish herself had made her upset.
Song Muyun’s lips were almost bitten into a deep imprint, full of grievances and confusion. Holding the skewer, she said in a small voice tinged with tears, “I don’t think it tastes bad.”
After saying that, she picked a piece of fish with her delicate fingers and put it in her mouth. It was a bit fishy, not salty, but fresh and tender, so not too hard to eat.
“It’s delicious,” she said softly, her breathing heavier, sounding extremely aggrieved.
Jiang Yao couldn’t help but turn to look at her. What she saw startled her. Her beloved Song Muyun’s eyes were red and teary, her small nose also red, looking as if she had been greatly wronged, “What’s wrong? What did I do to you?”
She had said so little! How could she have made her cry?
Seeing Jiang Yao’s surprise, Song Muyun quickly wiped her tears and continued eating the fish, her voice muffled, “Nothing, I’m fine.”
Not wanting to talk, Jiang Yao fell silent again, feeling warm but sitting close to the fire. Her eyes reflected the burning flames, unusually quiet.
“If you don’t like this, or grilling fish, I won’t bring you next time. You don’t have to be so unhappy.”
Hadn’t she always been good to her? If she didn’t like it, she could just say so. Jiang Yao wouldn’t do anything to her.
As she spoke, Song Muyun’s cool hand suddenly gripped her warm one.
Song Muyun’s eyes showed a moment of panic. She finally realized why Jiang Yao was upset. It was because she had been throwing tantrums, not talking to her, not looking at her. She thought Jiang Yao didn’t like what she liked.
The tears in Song Muyun’s reddened eyes fell in torrents onto Jiang Yao’s hand. Jiang Yao was taken aback and in a moment of confusion, Song Muyun threw herself into her arms, holding her tightly.
Song Muyun’s body was cold, her face cold against Jiang Yao’s neck, sending a shiver through her. Jiang Yao’s heart raced nervously, stuttering for a moment before saying, “The fish… don’t let it fall. If you don’t eat it, give it to me…”
Right after she said it, she wanted to slap herself for her lack of tact. It’s no wonder Song Muyun was often upset with her.
However, Song Muyun wouldn’t let go, her
voice both soft and aggrieved, “It hasn’t fallen, I’m holding it. I didn’t say I wouldn’t eat it. It’s delicious, I like it. Why do you do this, always stopping me from eating, always bullying me?”
The coquettish tone in her voice reminded Jiang Yao of the romance stories she had read, where the heroine would be extra affectionate when her feelings were reciprocated.
But how had she bullied her? Wasn’t it always Song Muyun bullying her?
Jiang Yao, feeling dazed and confused, held Song Muyun, unable to speak. Then she heard Song Muyun sobbing, “You deliberately say things to embarrass me, and you won’t let me get upset. I just stopped being angry, and you stopped talking to me. Can’t I just not get upset anymore?”
She sounded so wronged, afraid of Jiang Yao ignoring her, her locked-up desires stirring…
After speaking, Jiang Yao immediately regretted her words, thinking she had spoken insensitively. It’s no wonder that Song Muyun often got upset with her.
However, Song Muyun in her arms was not willing to let go and spoke with a voice filled with both grievance and softness, “It hasn’t fallen, I’m holding it. I never said I wouldn’t eat it. It’s delicious, and I like it. Why do you do this, always stopping me from eating, always bullying me?”
The coquettish tone in her voice reminded Jiang Yao of the romantic novels she had read, where the female protagonist becomes extra affectionate when her feelings are reciprocated.
But where had she bullied her? It seemed more like it was Song Muyun who had been bullying her all along.
Jiang Yao felt dizzy and confused, holding Song Muyun without being able to say a word. Then she heard Song Muyun sobbing in her embrace, “You deliberately say things to embarrass me and then don’t allow me to get upset. I just stopped being upset for a little while, and you ignored me. Can’t I promise not to get upset anymore?”
She sounded profoundly aggrieved, terrified of being ignored by Jiang Yao, her heart stirring with long-contained desires…