Is It Forbidden to Bully the Heroine of the Novel? - Chapter 55
Chapter 55
Jiang Yao looked down at Song Muyun, not speaking for a moment. The thought of taking the delicate and precious young lady to the battlefield, a place of danger and hardship, was unthinkable to her.
However, Song Muyun, as if reading Jiang Yao’s thoughts, quickly added, “I’m not afraid of danger. If you leave me alone in the capital to worry about you, that would be worse than death for me.”
Jiang Yao flicked her on the head, slightly annoyed, “Aren’t you supposed to be eloquent? Why are you misusing expressions?”
Was ‘worse than death’ used like this?
Song Muyun buried her head sullenly in Jiang Yao’s embrace, not misusing the phrase at all. She really couldn’t bear the thought of being away from Jiang Yao. Being apart made her anxious and uncomfortable, her whole being yearning to see her. The thought of Jiang Yao going to a dangerous battlefield without her would indeed make her worry endlessly, feeling almost like death.
Jiang Yao didn’t know her true feelings and thus suggested she stay behind. Once Jiang Yao understood, perhaps she would accept and even love Song Muyun, and then she’d ask Jiang Yao to take her wherever she went, never leaving her behind.
“Not talking again? Fine, let’s go down, and I’ll apply some medicine for you. It will heal faster.”
Jiang Yao spoke, and Song Muyun pursed her lips, speaking softly, “You should apply some too. The scar on your back is so long.”
“Ah, my scar? It’s been there for ages. Even if I apply medicine now, it won’t disappear.”
Finding it too much of a hassle, Jiang Yao was reluctant.
However, Song Muyun lifted her head, pouting and glaring at her, “I insist, why not just try it?!”
To avoid her getting upset and unable to appease her, Jiang Yao surrendered, “Alright, alright, we’ll try. If you want to try, we’ll do it your way.”
Her eyes were full of gentleness and indulgence, making Song Muyun feel weak at the knees.
Jiang Yao then carried Song Muyun down from the rooftop and took her hand to return.
“Are you getting more and more temperamental?”
“No, you’re not allowed to say I have a bad temper.”
She hadn’t used to get angry with Jiang Yao. Now, her increased temper was just a sign of growing greed, constantly trying to test Jiang Yao’s limits.
Luckily, Jiang Yao seemed to have no limits for her.
She couldn’t believe that Jiang Yao didn’t like her at all. If she really didn’t…
Song Muyun sniffled, her eyes reddening suddenly.
Jiang Yao then rummaged through her things to find the scar cream. When she turned around, Song Muyun had already removed her upper clothing, leaving only her undergarments, obediently lying on the bed.
Her upper body was covered only by a white undergarment, blending with her pale, delicate skin, making it hard to distinguish which was whiter.
Jiang Yao swallowed hard, silently, and without saying a word, she dipped her finger in the scar cream and began to apply it on Song Muyun’s tender skin.
Song Muyun’s skin was delicate but not prone to scarring. With consistent application of the cream, the scars would eventually fade.
After applying the cream on Song Muyun’s back, Jiang Yao gently patted her rounded shoulders. Song Muyun then turned over, her face inexplicably flushed. Just as Jiang Yao was about to ask, Song Muyun untied the knot of her undergarment at her neck, letting it fall away.
Jiang Yao was taken aback, “What are you doing?!!”
They had applied medicine before, but only by lifting the undergarment or shirt, never like this. Now she was taking it off entirely!
The sight of her bare skin, pale with a faint pink hue, nearly blinded Jiang Yao. She quickly looked away, flustered, even stepping back a few steps.
Seeing Jiang Yao retreat, Song Muyun’s eyes dimmed, but her expression remained the same, “Aren’t we applying medicine? I have a scar here too, and you’ve never treated it.”
Her voice was light, with a hint of soft complaint.
Jiang Yao took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, “You didn’t have to undress so completely.”
This was embarrassing for her; she couldn’t even look directly at Song Muyun!
Song Muyun seemed unfazed, her voice soft, “What’s the matter? We’re both women. Even if you see my body, it’s fine.”
She spoke softly.
Jiang Yao gulped and, after a moment of internal struggle, reasoned that Song Muyun was right.
They
were both women; there was no need to be so concerned…
Song Muyun urged again, “Hurry up, the wind is making me cold.”
Jiang Yao reluctantly turned back, her eyes meeting the sight of Song Muyun’s ample chest, topped with a light pink hue. She quickly averted her gaze, internally cursing. Why are they so soft?
Flushing, Jiang Yao muttered, “What are you touching? Pain can’t be relieved by just touching. That’s nonsense.”
Song Muyun’s bright eyes fixed on Jiang Yao, “We’re both women. What’s wrong with touching? Are you shy, Jiang Yao?”
Jiang Yao: …
She was struggling to cope with this sudden change in the usually shy young lady.
Jiang Yao’s hand, guided by Song Muyun, touched the delicate skin of her chest, and for a moment, she was dazed, then quickly pulled her hand back. The sensation of cool, soft skin lingered in her palm.
“How can it be so soft?”
Embarrassed, Jiang Yao’s face turned red.
“Why touch? There’s no injury that heals just by touching. You’re talking nonsense.”
Song Muyun’s sparkling eyes looked at Jiang Yao, “We’re both women, what’s wrong with touching? Are you shy, Jiang Yao?”
Jiang Yao: …
Used to the girl’s shyness and brief touches, Jiang Yao found it hard to adjust to her sudden boldness.
Indeed, Jiang Yao felt a bit shy, but that wasn’t the main issue. After all, as Song Muyun said, they were both women, and it was normal to see each other’s bodies. When they were younger, Jiang Yao even helped her sister Jiang Ru bathe, and it had never seemed improper then.
Resigned to the situation, Jiang Yao coughed lightly, “Stop fooling around. Let’s get this done so we can rest.”
It was still early, and they wouldn’t be able to sleep yet, but it was better than having a tense encounter with Song Muyun.
Song Muyun knew not to push too hard, feeling equally embarrassed. She blinked her beautiful eyes and remained silent.
With waves of warmth flushing her cheeks, Jiang Yao tried to ignore it. Her fingers touched the cool cream, applying it silently to the injury. The sight of Song Muyun’s soft, ample chest, including the delicate pink at the top, was unavoidable.
Every part of her was beautiful. The scar was finally covered with cream, which quickly absorbed into the skin. Jiang Yao urged Song Muyun to get dressed, and she obediently did so, much to Jiang Yao’s relief. It was challenging to remain composed with such a beautiful woman undressed in front of her, even if they were both women.
“Now it’s your turn. Hurry up, let me apply the medicine to you.”
Song Muyun remembered the scar on Jiang Yao’s back, which always seemed so shocking. Jiang Yao agreed and lay down. She didn’t care much about the scar, but Song Muyun did.
As Song Muyun applied the cream to Jiang Yao’s scar, her thin lips pressed tightly, and her brows furrowed in concentration. She was so meticulous that Jiang Yao grew restless.
“Just apply it roughly, I’m getting sleepy,” Jiang Yao urged.
Soon, both were lying in bed, chatting casually until they were interrupted by a knock at the door. Jiang Ru’s voice came from outside, “Sister, Sister Muyun, may I come in?”
Jiang Yao got up, with Song Muyun following closely, clinging to her. “Ru’er is here.”
“Wait for a moment, Ru’er,” Jiang Yao called out, quickly adjusting her clothes with Song Muyun’s help before opening the door.
Jiang Ru was standing there with a tray, looking like she hadn’t rested yet.
“Why are you here so late?” Jiang Yao always had a warm expression for her family.
“I just returned from the Eighth Prince’s place. Sister, your game from the hunt was left in the forest. She sent me to bring you some food.”
On the tray was a whole duck, crispy and aromatic.
Jiang Yao, while expressing her reluctance to accept such a gift, eagerly invited Jiang Ru inside.
Song Muyun, standing behind, smiled and offered Jiang Ru tea, covering herself modestly with a robe, “You just came from the Eighth Prince?”
She looked at Jiang Yao, expecting her to comment, especially since staying alone with a man until late at night was quite improper.
Jiang Yao, unaware of Song Muyun’s expectation, skillfully cut the duck, tasting it, “It’s delicious. Thank her for me.”
Jiang Ru shared her evening, “The Eighth Prince is seriously injured and has only servants by her side. I stayed to keep her company, chatting for a while.”
Jiang Yao nodded, “If you get along well with the Eighth Prince, you can visit her if you can’t find me. She must appreciate poetry and literature.”
Song Muyun felt a twinge of irritation. Jiang Yao was so cautious with her, yet she didn’t mind her sister spending time with the Eighth Prince, a man!
Song Muyun’s mood soured, and Jiang Yao, not understanding the reason, ate her duck in silence.
Jiang Ru didn’t stay long, likely feeling tired.
After Jiang Ru left, Jiang Yao and Song Muyun lay in bed, Song Muyun’s mood still clouded with jealousy. The difference in Jiang Yao’s attitude towards her and her sister was too obvious.
In Song Muyun’s eyes, even though the Eighth Prince was a man, Jiang Ru could spend time alone with him, but Jiang Yao was overly cautious with her, a fellow woman. Frustrated, Song Muyun couldn’t help feeling that Jiang Yao was unfairly biased.
After Jiang Ru left, Jiang Yao took off her rabbit fur cloak and began to eat the roasted duck more comfortably. Song Muyun sat by her side, watching her with a look of silent resentment.
Jiang Yao felt uneasy under her gaze and struggled to eat. She lifted her head to look at Song Muyun, her lips glistening with a hint of grease. Normally, Song Muyun would have wiped her mouth for her, but now she just sat still, staring intently at Jiang Yao.
Jiang Yao couldn’t take it anymore, “Ancestor, if you have something to say, just say it. Don’t torture me like this.”
Song Muyun huffed softly, “Am I not allowed to just look at you?”
Jiang Yao massaged her forehead in exasperation, “You’re staring at me so intently, I thought I’d upset you again.”
Song Muyun didn’t respond, confirming Jiang Yao’s suspicion that she had indeed upset her.
“I didn’t say you can’t look. If you want to, you can. But don’t keep things bottled up inside, okay?”
Jiang Yao could tell something was bothering her.
Song Muyun remained silent, looking away, no longer fixing her gaze on Jiang Yao.
Jiang Yao silently sighed in relief and continued eating, occasionally offering a piece to Song Muyun, who accepted it with a cold face.
After finishing the duck, Jiang Yao wiped her mouth and leaned back in her chair, feeling exhausted. Song Muyun commented coolly, “You can get tired from eating?”
Jiang Yao looked defeated, “Just thinking about having to appease you later makes me tired.”
Song Muyun stood up angrily, “You don’t have to appease me if you don’t want to!”
She was only wearing her undergarments and a robe, ready to sleep. She wrapped herself in the covers, turning her back to Jiang Yao.
Jiang Yao knew this would happen and resigned herself to comforting Song Muyun, lying down behind her. Song Muyun had taken all the covers, leaving Jiang Yao without any.
“Are you angry?” Jiang Yao asked, poking Song Muyun’s back.
Song Muyun moved away, still not speaking.
“I didn’t mean I don’t want to appease you. I’m here to do it now, okay?”
Jiang Yao spoke softly.
Song Muyun buried her head in the covers, her voice muffled, “I don’t need your appeasement.”
“Are you going to ignore me if I don’t?”
Jiang Yao guessed correctly, but Song Muyun remained silent.
“Don’t be mad. Tell me what will make you happy. I won’t guess your thoughts.”
Jiang Yao admitted her lack of insight into Song Muyun’s feelings.
Song Muyun turned around, her eyes filled with sorrow, “Jiang Yao, do you really dislike me?”
Jiang Yao was stunned, “Why would you think that? How have I made you feel disliked?”
She couldn’t fathom disliking Song Muyun.
“I feel like you dislike me. You didn’t even look at me when we bathed or when you applied medicine. You kept trying to back away. Do you hate me?”
Song Muyun’s eyes were red and filled with grievance.
Jiang Yao finally understood and explained awkwardly, “That’s not it. It’s just… Even though we are both women, I felt it wasn’t respectful to stare at your body. It’s about courtesy, not dislike.”
She had been shy seeing Song Muyun’s bare body but couldn’t admit it, so she made up an excuse.
Song Muyun pressed on, “You talk about propriety, but why did you let Jiang Ru stay in the Eighth Prince’s room until late?”
Frustrated, she couldn’t understand Jiang Yao’s double standards.
Jiang Yao was confused, “That’s different. Jiang Ru has her own judgment, and I trust her. If it bothers you, I’ll talk to her tomorrow.”
She avoided mentioning that the Eighth Prince was actually a woman, a secret she had promised the Empress not to disclose.
Song Muyun burst out, “I don’t care about that!”
She was furious at Jiang Yao’s obtuseness.
Jiang Yao, completely lost, asked cautiously, “Then what do you want?”
Song Muyun, realizing she couldn’t get more from Jiang Yao, blurted out in frustration, “I want you to hug me!”
After Jiang Ru left, Jiang Yao relaxed and ate the roasted duck more heartily. Song Muyun, sitting nearby, watched her with a look of silent grievance.
Jiang Yao, feeling uneasy under Song Muyun’s gaze, struggled to eat. She finally looked up at Song Muyun, who huffed softly, “I’m just looking at you, is that not allowed?”
Jiang Yao, massaging her forehead, said, “I thought I made you angry again with the way you were staring.”
Song Muyun pressed her lips together, appearing upset but not responding directly. Jiang Yao realized she had indeed upset her.
“You can look at me if you want, just don’t keep things to yourself, okay?”
Jiang Yao noticed something was bothering Song Muyun.
Song Muyun, still silent, looked away. Jiang Yao sighed in relief and continued eating, occasionally offering a piece to Song Muyun, who accepted it with a cold face.
After finishing the duck, Jiang Yao wiped her mouth and leaned back in her chair, exhausted. Song Muyun coldly remarked, “Tired from eating?”
Jiang Yao felt defeated and explained, “Just thinking about having to appease you later makes me tired.”
Song Muyun stood up angrily, “If you don’t want to appease me, then don’t!”
Jiang Yao knew she had to make amends. She lay down behind Song Muyun, who had taken all the covers. Jiang Yao poked her back, asking, “Are you angry?”
Song Muyun moved away and remained silent.
“I’m here to appease you now. Please don’t be mad,” Jiang Yao spoke softly.
Song Muyun buried her face in the covers, her muffled voice revealing her upset, “I don’t need your appeasement.”
Jiang Yao asked if Song Muyun would ignore her if she didn’t appease her, and Song Muyun’s stiff body confirmed this.
“Don’t be mad. I’m here to make it up to you. Tell me what you want. I can’t guess your thoughts.”
Jiang Yao confessed her inability to understand Song Muyun’s feelings.
Finally, Song Muyun turned around, her eyes filled with sorrow. “Jiang Yao, do you dislike me?”
Jiang Yao was taken aback. “Why would you think that? I’ve never disliked you.”
Song Muyun questioned why Jiang Yao avoided looking at her and seemed distant when they bathed or applied medicine.
Jiang Yao explained she felt it was disrespectful to stare at Song Muyun’s body due to courtesy, not because of dislike.
Song Muyun brought up Jiang Yao’s double standards, questioning why she allowed Jiang Ru to stay with the Eighth Prince until late.
Jiang Yao, confused, assured Song Muyun she never disliked her and always thought she was beautiful. She promised to be more attentive and close.
Song Muyun, reassured by Jiang Yao’s promise, nestled into her embrace, expressing her desire for more intimacy and acceptance.
The next morning, Jiang Yao woke up early, with Song Muyun still asleep in her arms. She gently touched Song Muyun’s skin, waking her up. Jiang Yao mentioned going hunting, and Song Muyun reminded her of her promise to take her along.
Jiang Yao agreed, and they discussed what Song Muyun should wear for the hunt. Jiang Yao suggested a bright red dress, insisting it suited Song Muyun and she liked it.
Song Muyun, although embarrassed, changed her clothes in front of Jiang Yao, getting used to being more open with her.
Jiang Yao, remembering her promise to be more accepting, watched Song Muyun change, admiring her beauty. She gave Song Muyun a red cloak to wear, always taking care to protect her from the cold.
The author notes,
“Yao Yao (smiling innocently): Getting closer to my wife, hehe, getting closer to my wife.”