Is It Forbidden to Bully the Heroine of the Novel? - Chapter 52
Chapter 52
Murong Qing was already insanely jealous. Seeing them together and how Song Muyun showed a relieved smile towards Jiang Yao, he couldn’t hold back any longer and coldly said, “Shameless!”
“I advise you to shut up.”
Jiang Yao, holding Song Muyun in her arms, gave a sharp look filled with menace, as if she was about to beat him up any moment.
Surrounded by guards and princes, Murong Qing naturally thought Jiang Yao wouldn’t dare to hit him. Clenching his fist, he wanted to provoke further, but his body involuntarily trembled. He opened his mouth but couldn’t utter a word.
Damn it, what if Jiang Yao secretly sneaks into his courtyard and beats him up again!
He had no evidence against her and couldn’t do anything to Jiang Yao!
Another unfamiliar elder prince suddenly spoke with a smile, “Miss Jiang indeed has a free spirit, unafraid of power.”
His eyes crinkled with laughter.
It took Jiang Yao a while to remember who he was. Oh, isn’t this the second prince?
“Little Eight told me that he owes his life to Miss Jiang today. I thank Miss Jiang for that.”
“It was just a helping hand, the second prince is too polite.”
“Is Miss Jiang close with the eighth prince?”
Another prince suddenly spoke. Jiang Yao didn’t recognize him. Holding the person in her arms, she glanced at her, who was calm and quiet, then looked up, trying to be polite, “The eighth prince often visits the Jiang family, so we are somewhat familiar.”
“Is that so? Does the eighth prince come to your house for archery lessons? I’ve heard of your skills. Would you also teach me sometime?”
The fifth prince originally wanted to pretend to be uninterested in power and fame, but seeing how fast his brothers were in engaging with others, he couldn’t keep up the pretense!
If he continued pretending, he would lose his chance at the throne.
He thought Jiang Yao would agree. Although she was indifferent to the seventh prince, that was because the seventh prince competed with her over a woman. He wasn’t competing with her. As a prince showing goodwill, anyone would agree.
The fifth prince thought confidently.
However, Jiang Yao, holding the soft girl in her arms, immediately refused, “I have mirrors to grind; I have no time. You should find someone else to teach you.”
The prince who spoke was stunned, so was Song Muyun. Her beautiful phoenix eyes looked at Jiang Yao like a frightened rabbit, only daring to glance twice before shyly lowering her head and burying it in Jiang Yao’s embrace.
Jiang Yao then soothingly stroked the little rabbit’s ears.
Others: …
She didn’t even try to hide it!
People in the capital now firmly believed in Jiang Yao’s passion for mirror grinding. She simply accepted this title.
In the nation of Da Jin, the customs were quite open. What’s wrong with grinding mirrors? Many women loved to grind mirrors.
Better to say it herself than let others mock her for grinding mirrors. She had too much free time.
Jiang Yao thought.
Murong Qing remained silent, but his eyes coldly watched them. Among a group of enemies, he didn’t need to hide his true self, mainly because he was extremely angry. The woman he painstakingly pursued ran off with another woman!
Once he ascends the throne, he will enact a law prohibiting women from grinding mirrors!
The union of Yin and Yang is the righteous path!
Jiang Yao didn’t care what he fantasized about. Holding Song Muyun, she went to the bedside. Jiang Ru had already asked once, and she asked again, “How are you feeling, better?”
Approaching Murong Ci, Song Muyun pursed her lips, tensing up slightly. Her hanging hand moved to the side, reaching to hook Jiang Yao’s little finger. Jiang Yao noticed and effortlessly pulled, holding that jade-like cool and moist hand in hers.
Murong Ci was also stunned by the mention of mirror grinding. Looking at Jiang Yao and then at Song Muyun, she had never believed that Jiang Yao grinded mirrors, but today… she somewhat believed it.
Jiang Yao saw her in a daze, frowned, “I’m talking to you, did the imperial physician not medicate you? Are you confused from the pain?”
A prince interjected, “Perhaps the eighth prince is too injured to speak. Maybe Miss Jiang should come back later?”
Jiang Yao looked up, another unfamiliar prince. She paused, then asked, “Is your face naturally this pale?”
Pale as death, just like the eighth prince on the bed, as if shocked or hurt.
The prince was taken aback, then covered his mouth
and coughed a few times, “Perhaps I didn’t pay attention. I caught a cold this morning, so my complexion isn’t very good.”
Jiang Yao raised an eyebrow, “I see, the prince should take care of his health.”
“Thank you for your concern, Miss Jiang.”
“What’s there to thank for, it’s just my duty as a subject.”
After saying this, Jiang Yao still observed the prince closely for a few moments.
At this time, Murong Ci, who was on the bed, began to weakly shoo people away, “My royal brothers, don’t you have to report today’s hunt? Please go, don’t delay here.”
The second prince shook his head helplessly, “I’ll have someone roast some meat and send it to you later.”
“Thank you, second brother.” The second brother was the closest to her among all her siblings, caring for her like a brother.
Murong Qing’s resentful gaze, like a persistent maggot, lingered on Jiang Yao until he left.
After they left, others in the room were also dismissed. Murong Ci finally relaxed, looking much more spirited than before, not as weak as if she would faint any moment, “Finally, they’re gone. Keeping up appearances is exhausting.”
She was speaking more energetically now.
Jiang Yao, seeing that she was fine, first lowered her head to the docile and soft beauty leaning towards her, “Do you want some tea? I’ll get it for you.”
Song Muyun gently shook her head, her voice soft and melodious, “I’m not thirsty. I’ve messed up your clothes.”
Saying so, she sat up a bit and began to straighten Jiang Yao’s clothes.
Jiang Yao felt a bit awkward, but also thought it wasn’t a big deal. It’s just what friends do, and if she didn’t let her, she might cry again.
The tough female protagonist in the story had become like a little crybaby with her.
Jiang Yao shook her head helplessly, not understanding why. In the story, she never cried, but with her, she cried three times a day.
Murong Ci quietly waited for them to finish speaking, then waited for Jiang Yao’s attention to return to her before she spoke, her voice hoarse from her injury, “What did you tell the emperor? He asked me if the assassins mentioned who sent them.”
Jiang Yao, playing with the soft, slender fingers in her palm, said indifferently, “Oh, I said I was going to save you, and Murong Qing stopped me. So I told him the assassins said they were sent by the seventh prince. How did you respond to the emperor?”
Murong Ci: …
She suddenly felt somewhat relieved, “I said I hit my head and couldn’t remember.”
…
Jiang Ru frowned, looking somewhat disgusted, “Sister, did the assassins really say that?”
“No, I made that up, but it’s probably not far from the truth.”
Jiang Ru, indignant, “Why would the seventh prince do that? Isn’t the eighth prince his… brother?”
Murong Ci on the bed, his face pale, smiled helplessly, “He never treated me as a brother.”
Of course, he never treated Murong Qing as a brother either.
In the struggle for the throne, survival of the fittest, he must claim that position for his mother’s sake, no matter who stands in his way.
“How can there be such a brother!”
Jiang Ru was filled with righteous indignation, as if it wasn’t just Murong Ci being wronged, but her too.
Murong Ci shook her head and smiled faintly, “It’s okay, I’m used to it.”
But this truth sounded even more heartbreaking.
Jiang Ru looked at her with eyes full of sympathy.
She hesitated to meet the innocent gaze of the young girl, turning to Jiang Yao instead, asking, “Should I say the same to the emperor?”
Jiang Yao waved her hand, continuing to play with fingers, “Just say you hit your head and can’t remember. They will investigate the rest. I caught several assassins that day; they are all locked up in prison. Something will come out of it.”
“Thank you, you really saved me this time.”
Jiang Yao glanced at Murong Ci, her words loaded with meaning, “I’m not a charity worker. Just don’t forget what you promised me.”
Murong Ci, enduring the pain, nodded hard. After nodding, she looked at Song Muyun with a hooked lip, her eyes full of complex emotions, seeming envious, yet friendly, unsettling to the heart.
Song Muyun slightly frowned, immediately gripping Jiang Yao’s hand tighter and leaning closer to her when she felt the gaze.
Soon, the gaze was withdrawn, looking at Jiang
Yao, the promise was made, “I’ll definitely fulfill what I promised you.”
“Good, then I didn’t save you for nothing.”
Jiang Yao had no intention of having Murong Ci owe her anything. After speaking, she stood up and looked at Jiang Ru, “Now that we’ve seen she’s alright, do you have anything to say to the eighth prince?”
Jiang Ru nodded, “Yes, I have some words I’d like to speak with the eighth prince alone.”
“Alright, then we’ll wait outside.”
Jiang Yao, holding Song Muyun’s hand, left the room together. She thought since both were girls and Jiang Ru didn’t have many friends, it would be good for them to get to know each other.
In the courtyard, the young girl’s eyes naturally shone brightly, even brighter than the moon at night. She looked up at Jiang Yao and asked, “Aren’t you worried about leaving Ru’er alone in there?”
Jiang Yao shrugged nonchalantly, “Why worry? Ru’er likes Murong Ci, let them play together.”
Song Muyun was surprised, her eyes filled with disbelief but shone even brighter, “Ru’er likes the eighth prince?”
“Yeah, she’s been talking about him all day. Probably wants to be friends with the eighth prince. We don’t need to interfere, let them be.”
The young girl, not knowing when, had moved closer to Jiang Yao and even nuzzled her chest, whispering, “Okay, I’ll listen to you.”
But she couldn’t help thinking, could it be that the eighth prince likes Jiang Yao, and Jiang Ru likes the eighth prince? It would be great if they could be together…
She was so full of thoughts of love and couldn’t think of anything else.
After a while, Song Muyun remembered the cryptic exchange between Jiang Yao and Murong Ci. She poked Jiang Yao’s soft waist, and Jiang Yao, who was admiring the scenery, immediately turned her attention, “What’s wrong?”
Song Muyun was a bit shy, but she didn’t want Jiang Yao and Murong Ci to have secrets from her.
“What did the eighth prince promise you? Can you tell me?”
The young girl looked obedient, but Jiang Yao knew if she didn’t tell, she would start crying, pretending to be obedient was just a facade.
Reluctantly, Jiang Yao explained in detail, “Your family was exiled, right? I told Murong Ci that when the truth about your family’s case comes out, she should bring your family members back.”
Song Muyun was startled, not expecting this to be what Jiang Yao had discussed with Murong Ci. In their life-and-death moment, Jiang Yao thought only of bringing her family back.
How could someone be so kind…
The young girl’s eyes filled with tears, her eyes turning red in an instant. The next moment, everything went dark, and before she could express her joy and gratitude, she heard Jiang Yao say, “I really can’t stand seeing you cry, good thing I was quick.”
Song Muyun: …
Her moved feelings dissipated.
Annoyed and embarrassed, she lightly kicked Jiang Yao, “I wasn’t going to cry! Let go of your hand, I can’t see anything!”
Her vision was pitch black, only able to smell the refreshing scent of Jiang Yao, lingering in her nose.
Song Muyun bit her lip lightly, a faint blush spreading across her cheeks.
“Not letting go. If I do, you’ll start crying. Don’t I know you?”
Her voice was quite smug.
Song Muyun was infuriated, arguing even with her eyes covered, “I won’t cry, I’m not that tearful!”
“Yeah right, aren’t you always the one who starts crying at the slightest disagreement?”
Song Muyun’s face turned even redder, this time with anger. She pursed her lips tightly and turned her head away.
Jiang Yao’s hand followed her, refusing to let go.
“If you didn’t always bully me, I wouldn’t cry.”
The young girl softly complained to Jiang Yao, blaming her for everything, but every time she cried, Jiang Yao would admit fault, making it seem like it was indeed her fault.
Jiang Yao, touching the young girl’s soft and delicate hand, felt helpless, “Alright, alright, I’ve been bullying you in the past, but I didn’t this time, right?”
Song Muyun stopped talking. After a moment, she timidly leaned against the hand in front of her eyes and walked towards Jiang Yao. Jiang Yao, in an attempt to cover
her eyes, instinctively stepped back a few steps, but the young girl, frustrated, commanded, “Don’t move! You’re covering my eyes, I can’t see you, and I can’t touch you, I’ll be scared.”
Her long eyelashes fluttered against Jiang Yao’s palm, seemingly carrying a bit of moisture.
Jiang Yao immediately stepped forward, to a position where Song Muyun could easily reach out and touch her, while being touched and still joking, “Now you’re starting to act like a lively 17-year-old girl. It’s good to be a bit lively.”
The young girl grasped Jiang Yao’s arms tightly and ignored her. Song’s family had taught her to be polite and reserved, even with friends. She dared not play around like this with others, fearing her father’s disapproval for being unlively and impolite.
Thinking of her father, Song Muyun’s mood dipped slightly, but she quickly recovered, as one must always look forward.
“Don’t cover my eyes anymore, I really won’t cry.”
She was touched just moments ago, but the subsequent teasing had dispelled that emotion.
“Alright, but remember, you can’t cry. I really can’t stand seeing you cry.”
Jiang Yao said this as she finally removed her hand.
Song Muyun finally saw the light again, but the sunlight was a bit dazzling. She squinted instinctively, using her hand to shield her eyes, then suddenly, without any warning, she threw herself into Jiang Yao’s arms.
Jiang Yao, now with an armful of the young girl, raised her hands, unsure where to place them.
The young girl in her arms was soft and gentle, burying her face in her neck, and complained in a small voice, “It’s all your fault, I can’t see now, it’s so bright here.”
Jiang Yao took a moment to understand why she would hide from the brightness in her arms; she was avoiding the bright light.
But… “If you stay like this, you’ll never get used to it, and it will still be bright when you come out. Step out a bit.”
She wanted Song Muyun to come out a bit and gradually adapt to the brightness.
However, Song Muyun was even more reluctant, burrowing her head against Jiang Yao’s neck, her trembling eyelashes brushing against her tender skin.
“I don’t want to, it hurts my eyes.”
She became more whimsical, a side only Jiang Yao was allowed to see.
Jiang Ru came out and saw them in this odd embrace, her face showing a trace of surprise, “Sister, what are you two doing…”
Hearing Jiang Ru’s voice, Song Muyun immediately stood up, her hair ornaments clinking crisply.
She regained her gentle and mild smile, placing her hands in front of her belly, standing upright, looking very dignified, “Ru’er is out, let’s go back then.”
Jiang Yao and Jiang Ru: …
Jiang Yao flicked Song Muyun’s forehead playfully, her tone full of teasing, “Can you see now? Oh, your ears are red too. Are you embarrassed?”
Song Muyun, feeling provoked, wanted to give Jiang Yao a piece of her mind, but her upbringing in gentleness and gracefulness prevented her from resorting to violence. The most she did was glare at Jiang Yao with widened eyes.
Jiang Yao pinched the girl’s puffed cheeks, then pulled her arm, making her fall into her arms without any resistance.
“There,
there, I won’t tease you. I just made you, Muyun sister, angry, and now you’re giving me the silent treatment.”
The last sentence was directed at Jiang Ru, who understood the situation. She often did the same when she was upset – not talking to anyone.
“What do you want to do next? Go out for a bit or go back to rest?”
After the ordeal of escaping and falling off a cliff, Jiang Ru was exhausted both physically and mentally. She had been holding on until now, but the moment she relaxed, she started feeling tired.
“I want to go back and sleep. I’m so tired.”
Jiang Yao nodded, “Then I’ll go back and sleep for a while too.”
Song Muyun naturally wanted to accompany her, not even asking if she wanted to go out.
She wouldn’t go out if Muyun didn’t want to.
This was Jiang Yao’s understanding of how clingy Muyun could be after knowing her for so long.
“Mm-hmm.”
The three of them decided to go back for a bath and rest. Song Muyun, having gone out to fetch Jiang Yao, had gotten a bit wet and was standing outside the screen, speaking to Jiang Yao in a light and slow voice, “Jiang Yao, I also want to wash, is that okay?”
Jiang Yao, about to dry herself with a towel, absentmindedly replied, “If you want to wash, go ahead. I’ll be quick and then it’s your turn.”
Song Muyun, for some reason, blushed even though she was outside, hesitating for a while before tentatively asking, “I… I just want a quick wash, I don’t want to bother the palace maids again. Can I wash with you?”
The towel Jiang Yao was using to wipe herself seemed to drop into the water, splashing water onto her face. She was a bit dazed. The female lead wanting to bathe with her?
This wasn’t quite the right direction, was it?
Even in her dreams, after falling in love with Murong Qing, she would still refuse to bathe with him, as she didn’t like anyone seeing her body.
And now she’s proactively suggesting… to bathe together with her?
Jiang Yao felt somewhat bewildered. Outside, Song Muyun, not hearing a response, urged again, “Can I? I’ll be quick, and I’m so tired, I can’t wait for the maids to change the water, Jiang Yao~”
Her voice at the end was elongated, almost coquettishly.
By the time Jiang Yao came to her senses, she had already agreed.
Perhaps it was the soft, enticing voice that had been too overwhelming, she simply couldn’t hold her ground.
Easily acquiescing to Song Muyun’s request, Jiang Yao watched as the girl who had been hiding behind the screen stepped in, clad in white, standing in front of the wooden tub. Her clear, water-like eyes shyly glanced over Jiang Yao.
Jiang Yao, feeling unexplainably shy herself, reconfirmed, “Are you sure you want to bathe together with me?”
Song Muyun, though embarrassed, was resolute, “Yes, it will be quicker this way.”
She even rationalized her decision, then began to carefully remove her outer garment, followed by the thicker clothes underneath, until she revealed a bright red bellyband and her fair, round shoulders.
In the dimly lit bathing room, her skin glowed, almost blinding the onlooker.
Watching her, Jiang Yao found it hard to breathe. She didn’t understand why her eyes were fixed on the exposed skin, unwilling to look away, even anticipating the removal of the last piece of clothing.
Song Muyun’s jade-like fingers hovered over the knot of her bellyband, hesitating whether to untie it. After a moment, she withdrew her hand, her cheeks flushed red, thinking it was too hasty. What if Jiang Yao thought she was frivolous?
Seeing that she didn’t untie the bellyband, Jiang Yao felt relieved but also a bit disappointed, as if she wanted to see more.
Realizing her inappropriate thoughts, Jiang Yao almost wanted to slap herself. How could she entertain such thoughts about the female lead?
She should find the best husband in the world for the female lead and suppress her impure thoughts. Song Muyun trusted her, and she couldn’t betray that trust.
Jiang Yao managed to suppress her desires and looked again with clear eyes, “Hurry up and get in, don’t catch a cold.”
“Okay.”
Song Muyun, bathing together with someone for the first time, was very shy. She hesitated at the edge of the tub, tentatively trying to decide whether to jump in. Jiang Yao noticed her difficulty and gently helped her into the water.
Song Muyun’s long, dark hair spread out in the water, almost encircling them both.
She sat in the tub, the water reaching her chest, soaking her red bellyband. Jiang Yao swallowed and turned her head away, but offered her own towel.
Song Muyun obediently used the towel to wash herself, too shy to look up. Jiang Yao’s body was beautiful, and she was embarrassed to look at her…
It was only when she finished washing the front of her body and looked up that she realized Jiang Yao wasn’t watching her at all. Jiang Yao was fixated on a decorative plum blossom vase, not sparing her a glance.
Song Muyun almost got angry. Was her body so unattractive that Jiang Yao never took a second look? Could she really make Jiang Yao fall for her?
The young girl, experiencing love for the first time, was confused. She bit her moist, reddened lip, determined not to let Jiang Yao go to someone else.
She couldn’t imagine a day without Jiang Yao, nor could she bear the thought of Jiang Yao being intimate with someone else.
Song Muyun clenched her hand, then extended the towel to Jiang Yao, who was pretending to admire the scenery, her expression shifting from dark to innocent, “I can’t reach my back, can you help me? I’ll help you after.”
This way, she could touch Jiang Yao too. Song Muyun smiled secretly.
Jiang Yao stiffened, internally screaming. Did Song Muyun realize what she was asking?
She was conflicted, feeling inappropriate thoughts arise when Song Muyun’s smooth leg accidentally brushed against her.
Jiang Yao took deep breaths, calming herself down.
Meanwhile, Song Muyun, feeling neglected, deflated a bit.
She sighed and took the towel, her visible happiness lifting when Jiang Yao finally agreed to help,
“Turn around then, let’s wash quickly before the water gets cold.”
“Okay.”
Song Muyun obediently turned, revealing her slender, pale back marred with a few faint scars.
Jiang Yao carefully wiped her back with the towel. The girl’s skin was tender, turning slightly red with even a gentle touch. Jiang Yao, used to the strength required in martial arts, struggled to moderate her force, her forehead beading with sweat.
After a while, she put down the towel, “There, you’re all wiped down.”
Song Muyun didn’t turn back immediately. Instead, she moved closer, almost sitting in Jiang Yao’s lap, and said, “Can you check if the scars on my back have faded? I can’t see them myself.”
They often neglected to apply scar-healing ointments, resulting in these marks.
Jiang Yao held her neck to prevent her from turning, speaking softly, “They haven’t faded yet. I’ll apply some ointment after we get out.”
Song Muyun’s delicate arms rested on the edge of the tub, her chin on her arms, looking very innocent. She chirped in agreement, “Okay!”
“Now you wash up yourself. You have scars both front and back from Murong Qing. As long as these remain, and you remember the pain and despair, you won’t be able to like him. You’ll only like the one who treats you best, protects you the most, and cherishes you.”
Hearing this, Song Muyun turned back, holding the towel in her hand, her bright eyes fixating on Jiang Yao, “Now it’s your turn. Let me help you.”
Jiang Yao wanted to refuse, but she indeed couldn’t reach her own back. Alone, she could awkwardly manage, but with Song Muyun there, she was reluctant to use those crude movements.
Hesitating for a moment, Jiang Yao turned her back to Song Muyun, revealing a large expanse of her back.
Song Muyun, seeing her back for the first time, trembled slightly. Her warm fingertips, softened by the hot water, landed on a dark scar on Jiang Yao’s skin, “How did you get this?”
“Oh? Ah, that’s from when I was young and foolish, following others onto the battlefield. I got slashed by an enemy, but my uncle arrived in time, so I survived.”
Jiang Yao spoke lightly, as if it was just a minor injury, a minor trouble. But the scar was deep, indicating a dangerous past.
Song Muyun caressed it gently, almost making Jiang Yao jump. Finally, unable to bear it, Jiang Yao blushed, holding back her breath, “Stop touching it, aren’t you supposed to be washing my back? Hurry up. I was lazy about applying medicine before, that’s why these scars remained. They’re not that serious, just don’t cry secretly behind me, or I’ll tease you for a lifetime.”
Her father’s daughter, was her finger made of cotton? It was tickling her to death.
Song Muyun: …
Expressionlessly, she wiped away the water that had just gathered in her eyes.
After helping each other wash, the two got out of the tub, their relationship subtly changed. There was a new, unspoken understanding between them, a connection forged in the intimacy of shared vulnerability and care.