Is It Forbidden to Bully the Heroine of the Novel? - Chapter 64
Chapter 64
In the blink of an eye, it was Jiang Yao’s birthday.
Despite her wishes, Jiang Yao’s parents carefully selected many people to invite, both men and women, and held a grand birthday banquet in the hope that Jiang Yao could pick someone she liked from among those elegant young masters.
Jiang Yao was so annoyed she could roll her eyes to the sky, knowing that her parents had not given up on the idea of her getting married. She was both irritated and displeased, having said that she was not interested in those men, what more did they want?
Out of consideration for maintaining the Jiang family’s face, Jiang Yao attended her own birthday party but spent the whole time with a cold face, as if everyone owed her a great deal of money.
Few of the young masters and misses from the noble families dared to speak to Jiang Yao. Even if they were specifically instructed by their elders, they still kept their distance throughout the event, except for one person who came over to speak with Song Muyun.
Song Muyun was cold but polite. Naturally, she would not let herself be rude, but she did not appear to be very enthusiastic either. From a distance, a gaze followed them like a shadow. Jiang Yao noticed and suddenly looked up, startling the daughter of the Duke of Wu, Wu Zhaozhao, so much that she dropped her tea cup.
Her gaze still filled with resentment, Jiang Yao glared at her, causing her, dressed in a pink long dress, to tremble slightly.
It was unknown who spread the rumor that Jiang Yao not only hit men but also women, scaring Wu Zhaozhao quite a bit.
Jiang Yao scoffed and ignored her, boldly taking Song Muyun’s hand below and putting some strength into it, making Song Muyun lean on her shoulder. This sticky behavior solidified the rumors about them grinding mirrors.
She then raised her head to give a cold look to the others, hoping they would understand her message and not overestimate themselves.
At this birthday banquet, the Eighth Prince also came by invitation, chatting leisurely with Jiang Ru. Seeing Jiang Yao behave like this, he couldn’t help but chuckle a few times, “Interesting, Jiang Yao can also be forced into this situation.”
Jiang Ru helplessly shook her head, “Great Uncle and Aunt have been very troubled by my sister’s matters these days.”
“Will your sister’s actions anger the Prime Minister and his wife?”
“Not at all. Great Uncle and Aunt dote on my sister. Even if they are angry, it won’t last long. It’s just that they can’t accept it for now.”
“So your sister will be with Miss Song from the Song family in the future?”
“My sister is fond of Sister Muyun, naturally.”
She understood her sister very well. Once she liked Sister Muyun, she would always like Sister Muyun.
“That’s not bad.”
She said quietly, sipping her tea, when suddenly a plate of pastries appeared in front of her, brought over by Jiang Ru, “These were specially made in the kitchen today, try them.”
Since the day of the cliff fall, Jiang Ru and Murong Ci got along much better. Not only did Jiang Ru often visit the Prince’s mansion to see Murong Ci, but she also frequently brought her gifts. In return, Murong Ci also gave Jiang Ru many things.
“Alright.”
“Do you like sweets?”
The prince, holding a sweet osmanthus cake, paused and looked at the innocent and cheerful young girl.
Jiang Ru explained, “Every time I bring you pastries, you eat more sweets.”
So she was seen through…
Men are supposed to like sweets less.
Murong Ci looked somewhat embarrassed, nodded, and shifted his gaze away, too embarrassed to look at Jiang Ru.
But Jiang Yao couldn’t stay any longer, quickly walking over with Song Muyun and asking Jiang Ru to take over hosting for her, saying she had been smiling until her face was stiff.
Jiang Ru’s lips twitched slightly in amusement. She hadn’t missed seeing her sister’s cold face. Except for when looking at Sister Muyun, when did she ever smile?
But she agreed nonetheless.
Her sister treated her very well, so she would naturally agree to such a small request.
Thus, Jiang Yao left with her “wife,” and on the way, Song Muyun was somewhat uneasy, continuously asking, “Is this really okay? Will Aunt be angry?”
“Not at all. She knows me; I can’t change this temperament of mine,” Jiang Yao reassured.
The young girl still frowned slightly until Jiang Yao turned her head to touch her brow, making her press her lips together and scold her, “Stop messing around.”
Jiang Yao chuckled, “What are you afraid of? That’s my mother. She won’t blame you; she’ll only blame me.”
Saying this, Song Muyun became even more anxious, her eyes widening, “Why would she blame you? Could you be punished?”
She was afraid that Jiang Yao would be punished because of her.
Jiang Yao was taken aback for a moment, then her brows furrowed slightly, and she gently pulled Song Muyun into her embrace, “Of course not. Did your mother use to punish you?”
Who would think of being punished when blamed, unless they had experienced it.
Song Muyun hesitated, then looked up quietly and nodded, admitting, “She would hit the palm of my hand.”
So, the soft palm was gently squeezed by someone. Jiang Yao was not pleased, “Your mother is really too harsh.”
Song Muyun was so handsome and lovely; she couldn’t bear to hit her.
Song Muyun, always sensible, still shook her head, “It was my fault. I can’t blame my mother.”
“A few words of reprimand should suffice for a mistake. Why resort to hitting?”
Jiang Yao muttered, increasingly wanting to rub her palm as if this could erase all the pain she had endured before.
Song Muyun looked at her with gentle eyes, suddenly smiling, Jiang Yao treated her like a treasure.
“Making mistakes should be punished. Having you care for me, even if I am punished, it’s worth it.”
Song Muyun quietly moved closer, leaning on Jiang Yao’s shoulder, her voice filled with peace and happiness.
Jiang Yao casually embraced her, refusing to let her talk like that, “What’s worth it? Getting hit and still saying it’s worth it, if anyone cares for you, it’s not worth it. You’re really silly.”
She poked Song Muyun’s head, making the young girl tilt her head slightly, feebly glaring at her with no real intimidation.
The two returned to Hengwu Court to lie down, Jiang Yao too lazy to move, always ending up rolling onto the bed with Song Muyun.
Song Muyun quietly approached Jiang Yao again, lying down beside her, her chin rubbing against Jiang Yao’s shoulder, “Jiang Yao.”
Jiang Yao looked over, but the young girl wasn’t looking at her, her gaze fixed on a spot not far away, her eyelashes trembling slightly, revealing a bit of nervousness. She suddenly spoke, “Jiang Yao, everything I have now is because of you.”
“Nonsense, you deserve all of this by birth. You’re naturally worthy of being treated so well.”
Before she could continue, Jiang Yao was
quick to interject.
The young girl smiled helplessly, patiently saying, “Let me finish.”
“I don’t want to hear these pointless things.”
“No, you have to listen.”
Her dark, glossy eyes seriously looked at Jiang Yao, slowly beginning, “Jiang Yao, everything I have is because of you. Today is your birthday, and I don’t want to use your money to buy something for you, so I thought…”
Before her words could fall, Jiang Yao interrupted.
Jiang Yao’s eyes were bright, her expression strangely excited as she immediately responded, “So you want to give yourself to me, is that it?!” It was just like in those romance novels! Unable to repay the heroine for saving her life, she offers herself in return!
She thought she could have a great time today, but she didn’t expect to face Song Muyun’s gloomy expression.
Song Muyun didn’t know Jiang Yao was like this, wondering if that was all Jiang Yao thought about.
Not at all!
The young girl glared at her, grumbling, “If you keep this up, I won’t give you a birthday present.”
Alright, seeing her like this, Jiang Yao knew she didn’t mean to offer herself as a birthday present.
“No, no, no, don’t not give it to me. Please give it to me. I really want your birthday present. I don’t care for what others give.”
Jiang Yao, shameless at the prospect of not receiving a gift, immediately wrapped herself around Song Muyun, trapping her in her embrace, playfully demanding the gift.
Song Muyun gave Jiang Yao a quiet glare but eventually didn’t say anything. She patted Jiang Yao’s arm, signaling, “Then get up, let me go, and I’ll get it for you.”
Jiang Yao raised her eyebrows in surprise, “You hid it in the room?”
It wasn’t until she brought out several colorful purses that Jiang Yao realized, damn, Song Muyun had been staying up late making purses, all intended for her!
She blamed herself for not noticing that the young girl had been making different purses, with different patterns, thinking she was slow to have spent so much time without finishing even one.
A warm surge suddenly filled her heart.
In her life, due to her status, she had received many gifts, but none were personally made by someone spending many hours.
Song Muyun giving her something she made herself was very precious to her.
Truly her little ancestor, even the gift touched her heart.
Seeing Jiang Yao staring at her, Song Muyun blushed, whispering, “My, my money is all from you, I could only think of giving you this. Don’t despise it.”
Jiang Yao beckoned Song Muyun, who obediently went over, to be embraced tightly, her back gently rubbed, immediately draining her strength. Nestled in Jiang Yao’s embrace, she softly called out, “Jiang Yao, what’s wrong?”
Jiang Yao’s face buried in Song Muyun’s neck, deeply inhaling the pleasant fragrance, “Nothing’s wrong. I just really like the birthday gift you gave me. I didn’t expect you to work so hard every day just to make me a birthday present.”
Song Muyun shook her head demurely, “It wasn’t hard. Thinking it was for you made it not hard.”
Such sweet words from his wife, so pleasing to hear.
Jiang Yao’s gaze was tender and lingering. After a moment of looking into Song Muyun’s eyes, she suddenly kissed those rosy lips, murmuring, “Muyun really knows how to speak, a reward for you.”
Song Muyun: …
This wasn’t rewarding her; it was clearly rewarding Jiang Yao herself!
After a long kiss, both were out of breath and collapsed onto the couch.
Song Muyun’s eyes were watery, her forehead dotted with sweat, breathing heavily.
After resting for a bit, she turned to embrace Song Muyun, looking earnestly into her eyes, “I really like the gift you gave me. It’s the best gift I’ve ever received.”
The giver always hopes their gift brings joy, and Song Muyun was no exception. Nestled in Jiang Yao’s embrace, even trying to resist, her lips curled up slightly.
She was happy and softly requested, “Then from now on, you’re only allowed to use the purses I make. Don’t go out and buy them anymore.”
She had wanted to say this for a long time. Why buy such personal items from others?
Why should her beloved carry the needlework of others?
“Alright, alright, I have a wife to make them for me, why would I buy them elsewhere? I’ll only use yours.”
Song Muyun bit her lip, unable to resist proposing, “Then I’ll also make your undergarments, okay?”
She thought it was a sure thing, but unexpectedly, Jiang Yao refused, shaking her head, “That won’t do. Making a few purses already tired you out. If you also make undergarments, you’ll strain your eyes. Be careful not to hurt them.”
“It won’t, I’ll do it when I have nothing else to do.”
“That still won’t do. You’re my wife, not a seamstress for our house. I’m already very happy with a few purses you make. You don’t need to bother with such eye-straining tasks.”
“I don’t find it bothersome to do things for you.”
Song Muyun muttered a few words, but Jiang Yao still refused, so she just nestled into Jiang Yao’s embrace without speaking.
Fine, she wouldn’t argue. When I want to do it, she won’t be able to stop me.
The atmosphere in the imperial court was tense, as the officials were troubled by one matter: the sudden disappearance of the Prefect of Luzhou, Meng Xia, without a trace. According to other officials’ testimonies, they had all followed the prefect’s orders to cut corners, leading to the fragile construction of the dykes.
The only solution now was to find the Prefect of Luzhou to completely turn the case around.
Though everyone knew, the Song family was most likely framed.
Meanwhile, the mother of the Crown Prince, Consort Meng, disguised herself and secretly appeared at the Crown Prince’s mansion.
The Crown Prince, Murong Chun, confined in the mansion, was already in low spirits and frequently slandered by Murong Qing, despite not being punished severely by his father. His heart was filled with resentment, especially towards Murong Qing, whom he viewed as a traitor.
He spent his days plotting against Murong Qing, seeing himself as superior due to his seniority and family’s wealth and power, expecting to ascend to the throne in the future, perhaps allowing Murong Qing a princely title. Now, being framed by someone he deemed inferior, he viewed his once ally as his most detested enemy, cursing and belittling him daily.
He even had a straw man made, labeled with Murong Qing’s name, to shoot arrows at it, venting his anger.
When Consort Meng arrived, Murong Chun was practicing archery, managing to hit the target with about half of his arrows. The straw man was quickly filled with arrows.
Led by a servant to Murong Chun, she called out sternly, “Chun’er!”
Murong Chun turned around abruptly, seeing Consort Meng and exclaimed, “Mother Consort, what brings you here?!”
Consort Meng, removing her cloak and with a cold expression, said, “If I didn’t come now, you’d be completely devoured by others!”
Murong Chun, somewhat afraid of Consort Meng, instinctively shrank back, quickly facing her interrogation, “I’ve told you to be smarter. Why were you outw
itted again?!”
“This, this, I didn’t want to be,” he replied.
How could he have known Murong Qing, who always bowed and scraped to him, harbored malicious intentions!
Furious, Consort Meng saw a cup nearby, grabbed it, and threw it at Murong Chun, who didn’t dare dodge, trembling in fear.
“Idiot, who told you to kidnap Song Muyun?”
Consort Meng had refrained from visiting due to Murong Chun’s recent troubles, to avoid suspicion. Only today did she come to scold him, having held back for a long time.
“It was Murong Qing who asked me to,” Murong Chun said weakly, but at the time, he hadn’t expected Murong Qing to use him as a scapegoat.
Murong Qing’s mother was not favored, and he had thought Murong Qing wouldn’t dare to offend him and could only try to please him.
But at the crucial moment, Murong Qing had completely disassociated himself from him, leaving him with undeniable evidence of guilt.
“Hmph, you’re stupid and won’t admit it. What good does capturing Song Muyun do for you? He asks you to do something, and you just do it? How many times have I told you not to involve yourself in matters irrelevant to the throne!”
Murong Chun, disheartened, still tried to defend himself, “Murong Qing told me he had a way to stop Jiang Heng from investigating the Song family’s case, as long as I handed over Song Muyun to him.”
Consort Meng took a deep breath and asked further, “Why was that person imprisoned in your mansion?”
“Murong Qing said he didn’t have a mansion under his name, so, so…”
Murong Chun couldn’t continue, shrinking like a quail.
Furious beyond words, Consort Meng calmed down after a while and looked coldly at Murong Chun, “The Emperor has now ordered you to reflect on your mistakes within your mansion. What are you thinking?”
“I, I’m waiting for Father Emperor to let me out.”
The Crown Prince dared not say he had no thoughts on the matter, but Consort Meng still scolded him.
“Idiot, the Emperor has confined you for a year. If you don’t find a way out, Murong Qing will continue to slander you, and you’ll never get out!”
Consort Meng had more to say; perhaps by the time Murong Chun could leave, the Crown Prince would already be established!
Murong Chun, meek before his mother, cautiously asked, “Then, what should I do to get out?”
Consort Meng, extremely annoyed, glanced at her only son, wishing she could have had a smarter child if she were younger.
For now, she had to make do.
“Starting tomorrow, pretend to be ill to win your father’s pity. The Prefect of Luzhou, Meng Xia, has disappeared. We must find him before anyone else, to have him testify in court that it was Murong Qing who took the disaster relief silver and raised dead soldiers, right?”
“Yes, I was afraid of being implicated, so I always left this matter to Murong Qing to handle.”
“Good,” Consort Meng said.
After discussing further with Murong Chun, she quietly left the Crown Prince’s mansion, wearing her cloak again.
With the Spring Festival approaching, the palace was busy preparing a feast to invite officials of the fourth rank and above and their families for a meal.
Jiang Yao, worried about leaving Song Muyun alone at home, specially asked her father if she could bring her along.
Her father, annoyed by her persistence and even more so upon hearing it was for Song Muyun, repeatedly looked up and down before finally, unable to bear it, waved Jiang Yao away.
Jiang Yao: …
With complicated feelings, “Father, you’re becoming less and less like the refined scholar you once were.”
He often uses the word “roll”!
“With you, there’s no need for the elegance of a scholar. Get out!”
He had no desire to see this willful daughter, who often embarrassed him when she went out.
Jiang Yao, thick-skinned, refused to leave despite being spoken to in such a manner, still asking, “So, do you agree to let me bring Muyun into the palace or not?”
The requests of his unfilial daughter were becoming too much, angering Jiang Heng, “Can’t you be without her for a few hours? Are you afraid someone from the Jiang family will eat her?”
“That’s not it. It’s just that I’ll miss her if I can’t see her for a few hours.”
Not only did Song Muyun cling to Jiang Yao, but Jiang Yao had also grown accustomed to having a little tail following her around.
Jiang Yao’s father, frustrated but unable to express it, could only wave his hand in anger, “Do whatever you want, just go, and don’t come back unless it’s important!”
“Alright, thank you, Father. I’ll take my leave now.”
Jiang Yao hadn’t been idle these days. She often took Song Muyun out, and their intimacy was well-known throughout the capital. The rumors about her grinding mirrors had intensified, and now everyone believed the Jiang family’s eldest miss had such a hobby. The officials who used to inquire about his daughter had all stopped coming!
Jiang Heng was angry but powerless, only telling himself that the children and grandchildren have their own blessings, as a form of consolation.
On the day of the palace banquet, Jiang Yao wore a stunning red dress that accentuated her waist, adorned with a whip at the top, while Song Muyun remained in white, her black, soft hair only adorned with a magnolia hairpin, exuding an ethereal and elegant beauty, like a fairy.
Seeing her dressed so beautifully, Jiang Yao’s eyes sparkled with astonishment. Her wife’s beauty wasn’t a new thing, but she was still stunned every time, “My Muyun looks like a fairy today. I can’t bear to let others see you.”
Everyone has a possessive side, and Jiang Yao was no exception, her gaze firmly on Song Muyun.
Song Muyun’s cheeks gradually reddened, shyly turning her head away, “Stop saying things like that.”
Knowing she couldn’t handle such words.
Jiang Yao chuckled lightly, not saying more, but simply raised her hand to wrap an arm around Song Muyun’s shoulders, pulling her close.
As they went out together, standing in front of everyone, Jiang Huai and Jiang Ru were used to their intimacy. Only Jiang Heng huffed when he saw them, joining his wife, who looked helplessly resigned, in the carriage.
Song Muyun, feeling uneasy, held Jiang Yao’s hand after getting into the carriage, her brows furrowed, “In the future, outside… don’t hold me like that.”
Jiang Yao asked, “Why, don’t you like it?”
“I don’t like it. Just don’t do it anymore, it’s not good for others to see.”
“You’re afraid my father will see and be unhappy, right?”
With the keenness of a military officer, Jiang Yao understood immediately.
Song Muyun didn’t speak, her eyes reflecting distress, rippling like water, evoking pity.
Jiang Yao paused for a moment, then in front of her siblings, she embraced her, soothing her by holding her slender waist, “My father has already agreed to our relationship. Otherwise, do you think someone without an official position like me could bring you into the palace?”
She was bluffing; her father was actually angry, merely agreeing hastily to be rid of her. But to outsiders, it appeared the Jiang family had accepted Muyun, and to Muyun, it seemed the same, providing her some comfort.
Sure enough, hearing this, Song Muyun’s beautiful eyes brightened slightly, and she also reached out to embrace Jiang Yao, whispering, “Really?”
“Of course, it’s true. Why would I lie to you? With Muyun being so lovable, it’s only natural for my parents to agree to us being together.”
Jiang Huai rolled his eyes at their saccharine display, having never seen his sister like this before. When she spoke to him, it was always with a fierce tone, ready to punch him if they disagreed. Being her biological brother, the disparity was vast.
When the four of them arrived at the palace gate and got out of the carriage, they greeted other officials.
Jiang Yao’s gaze swept over them, many of whom she had beaten up before, now not daring to look her in the eye.
Finally, her gaze landed on Murong Qing, who had just arrived at the palace gate. Recently, Murong Qing had been idle, staying low-key. Even upon seeing Jiang Yao, he managed to laugh off their past grudges, putting on quite the act.
Jiang Yao’s eyes were sharp as she looked at him. Suddenly, someone grabbed her wrist. Turning her head, she saw Muyun looking terrified, her pupils constricted as if she had seen something horrifying, panic-stricken to the extreme.