Is It Forbidden to Bully the Heroine of the Novel? - Chapter 70
Chapter 70
Song Muyun woke from the resentment of her failed revenge, filled with a murderous intent. She had never imagined she could wake up again. Could it be… that the shadow guard didn’t kill her and Murong Qing had ordered someone to save her?
She chose to live with hatred, not seeking death, because she wanted revenge. If she hadn’t died, she would never give up on her revenge!
Song Muyun gritted her teeth, trying to sit up, but was pushed back down as soon as she got up a little. Only then did she realize she seemed to be restrained in someone’s arms, touching only a warm, soft sensation.
The young girl’s eyes widened in shock. Who was it?
She barely came to her senses, realizing the softness beneath her was a bed, and she was not in a dungeon.
Why, despite being shot through the chest with an arrow, did her chest not hurt anymore…
Song Muyun felt bewildered as she tried to pry off the hand around her waist, finally stirring the sleeping woman.
Jiang Yao was very sleepy and mumbled in a daze, pulling her closer and murmuring unclearly, “Ayun, be good, go to sleep. I’ll take you to eat something in the West Street tomorrow.”
Song Muyun’s beautiful phoenix eyes widened even more. A woman’s voice?
How could there be a woman’s voice… And she called her Ayun?
Who is it, exactly who!
A flash of a woman stroking her head passed through her mind, her eyes gentle and doting, but she didn’t recognize the woman, only feeling somewhat familiar. If asked who it was, she couldn’t say.
Song Muyun was stunned to be held in someone’s arms, her mind already a mess. She was still alive, but how could she be alive after an arrow through the heart?
Even if Murong Qing saved her, how could she be placed in someone else’s bed? Even if it was a woman’s bed…
And that woman, treating her so gently, even saying she would take her out to eat, how could Murong Qing allow her to leave the house?
Song Muyun was utterly confused, not knowing what had happened, her mind flashing with scenes she had never seen before.
The woman pouring her tea, buying her jewelry, taking her horseback riding, eating together, sleeping in each other’s arms… she actually… blushed with shyness?
Is this really me?
Song Muyun was doubtful, her heart suddenly racing, loud and heavy as if exploding in her ears.
Not only she heard it, but it also woke Jiang Yao, who had fallen back asleep.
Jiang Yao, groggily waking up, grabbed and turned Song Muyun so she was facing her instead of having her back to her.
The young girl’s eyes widened in shock, wondering, what is happening?
The next second, an unfamiliar woman’s voice sounded in Song Muyun’s ear, with a bit of hoarseness from just waking up, “Ayun, didn’t you say you were very sleepy? Why can’t you sleep again?”
Song Muyun’s heartbeat was like a drum. She had never said she was very sleepy. Was she mistaken for someone else, or had her spirit possessed someone named Ayun?
“What… what did you call me?”
The soft woman in her arms suddenly spoke in panic, and Jiang Yao quickly realized something was wrong. She leaned down, and with the help of a bit of moonlight, they clearly saw each other’s faces.
It was still her own wife, so there was no problem.
Jiang Yao, now mostly awake, wrapped her arms around the slender waist, asking with concern, “Muyun, what’s wrong? Are you uncomfortable somewhere? Does your head still hurt? Shall I rub it for you?”
Muyun…
Song Muyun felt slightly reassured, assuming it was still her own body, but what was going on? She didn’t recognize the woman in front of her. Although the woman looked somewhat familiar, indeed, she was the woman frequently flashing in her mind, but they clearly didn’t know each other and had never been so intimately close. Why was she here, and why was she being so caring?
Could it be… a dream?
Otherwise, how could someone talk to her so gently?
Song Muyun’s beautiful eyes welled up with tears, and Jiang Yao, with sharp eyes, noticed something was wrong. She was about to cry!
Completely startled, she quickly leaned in, showering her face with kisses, hurriedly coaxing, “Don’t cry, ah, you really are my ancestor. Who upset you in the middle of the night? Is it that bastard Murong Qing? I’ll go put him in a sack and beat him up tomorrow, okay?”
Feeling the wet softness on her face, Song Muyun was completely stunned.
No one had ever kissed her like this; what was their relationship, and how could she kiss her?!
And what did she say?
Beat up Murong Qing? Who did she think she was? That’s the emperor, committing such an act against Murong Qing would be a crime punishable by the extermination of nine clans!
Has she gone mad to speak such disrespect?
“You, you’re going to beat up the emperor for me?”
Jiang Yao: ???
What nonsense, what emperor? When did she say she was going to beat up the emperor?
Jiang Yao poked the confused head in her arms, “What are you talking about? I said I’d beat up Murong Qing, what does that have to do with the emperor?”
But Murong Qing… isn’t he the emperor?
Song Muyun looked bewilderedly at Jiang Yao, too shocked to respond even when poked, suddenly catching on to something wrong, her eyes shining, she abruptly asked Jiang Yao, “What year is it now?”
Jiang Yao thought her wife was being silly, not even knowing the year, replying strangely, “It’s the fifteenth year of Xuanqi, what’s wrong?”
The fifteenth year of Xuanqi, during the reign of Emperor Xuanqi, before Murong Qing became the emperor. Was she… back in the past?
But, that’s not right. There was no such woman in the past, her memories hardly contained her existence. Who was she, and why was she so kind and caring, even willing to beat up Murong Qing for her…
Song Muyun looked dazedly at Jiang Yao, her eyes filled with confusion and a deep-seated hatred that couldn’t be hidden.
Murong Qing!
From the moment she heard that name, hatred uncontrollably surged from the bottom of her heart.
Seeing Song Muyun not speaking, Jiang Yao moved closer, wrapping her in her arms, rolling together on the bed, before asking, “Little Yun’er, what’s wrong with you tonight? You’re acting so strangely.”
Song Muyun shivered, not recognizing this woman but guessing that the original her must have had a very close relationship with this woman, otherwise, they wouldn’t be sleeping in the same bed.
She couldn’t let the other person know about her past life; she couldn’t trust anyone.
Song Muyun slowly spoke, her voice at first glance calm, but upon closer listening, slightly trembling, “I’m fine, just woke up and
found myself suddenly forgetting a lot of things…”
Jiang Yao sat up in shock, thinking she had misheard, asking again, “What did you say? What’s wrong with you???”
Forgetting a lot of things, and that’s called fine?! What misunderstanding do you have with being fine?!
Song Muyun was startled by her sudden movement. Since Jiang Yao sat up, she naturally brought her up too. The young girl frowned slightly, her mind still a mess, but she tried hard to find a reason for not knowing many things about this her.
Her eyes, misty with tears, looked at Jiang Yao. Although she didn’t intend it, she looked pitifully soft, her voice carrying an inexplicable softness, “I, I just woke up and don’t remember many things.”
Jiang Yao was shocked.
In the middle of the night, the lights in the Hengwu Court were bright, and the household physician, who had already gone to bed, was dragged out by Jiang Yao to examine Song Muyun.
The commotion alerted others in the household, some curious about the fuss, others genuinely concerned about what had happened, all heading to the Hengwu Court.
Jiang Yao, anxious, kept asking, “How is she? Why would she suddenly forget things? Are you sure she hasn’t been poisoned, or affected by some gu poison or something?”
The physician, already at his limit of fatigue, but being dragged all the way by Jiang Yao and bombarded with questions, woke up completely.
Squinting his eyes, he carefully examined Song Muyun’s pulse but couldn’t find any problem after a long while.
Finally, when Jiang Yao asked again, the physician stood up, bowed to Jiang Yao, and said what she least wanted to hear—that he couldn’t find anything wrong.
Jiang Yao’s face darkened.
How could he not find anything? What use is he if he can’t find anything every time? She was furious.
Just then, someone entered, their voice preceding them, “What’s going on, sister? Making such a commotion in the middle of the night.”
The youth entered with agile movements, jumping over the fence into the room, reaching out to pat Jiang Yao’s shoulder.
Jiang Yao slapped his hand away, “Don’t bother me.”
Her gaze returned to Song Muyun, concerned, “Are you feeling unwell anywhere? Is it a headache causing temporary memory loss? Does it still hurt?”
Muyun had mentioned a headache yesterday, and today she said she had lost her memory. Jiang Yao couldn’t believe there was no connection between the two.
But when she asked, Song Muyun didn’t respond, her eyes fixed on Jiang Yao’s casually standing brother. After a moment, her eyes widened with a mix of grievance and disbelief, “Jiang Huai—”
Jiang Huai turned to look at her, treating Song Muyun with utmost respect, immediately calling out, “Sister-in-law, how are you feeling? I heard you had a headache again? Is it because my sister has been bullying you, making you always have headaches?”
Song Muyun only heard the words “sister-in-law” and “my sister,” her mind spinning in shock. Sister-in-law… why would he call her sister-in-law?
Jiang Huai has no brothers…
He only has one older sister, yes, he just called her sister.
That disbelief turned back to Jiang Yao. Jiang Yao muttered why Song Muyun called Jiang Huai first, then leaned down to kiss Song Muyun’s lips again, asking with even more concern, “What’s wrong, are you feeling unwell?”
That kiss left Song Muyun bewildered, finally realizing that her relationship with Jiang Yao might not be just ordinary friends.
Song Muyun nearly fainted. How could this be? She knew her own temperament; unless she truly loved someone, she would never give herself away, not even to Murong Qing who had always wanted her…
How could she end up with someone from the Jiang family, and a woman at that!
She couldn’t believe she would make such a decision. She even wondered if Jiang Yao had forced her, but when Jiang Yao lit the lamp, she had checked her own body, and aside from some bruises, there were no wounds, no whip marks, not a single one, clean and tender to an extreme.
She thought at that moment, this person has taken really good care of her.
As for who Jiang Huai’s sister was, she remembered. The capable and agile woman gradually merged with the person in front of her.
Jiang Huai’s sister, Jiang Yao, she was actually with Jiang Yao, kept in her house, treated so kindly by her…
But clearly, in her “previous life,” let’s call it that for now.
Clearly, in her previous life, none of this had happened. She didn’t know Jiang Yao, only having seen her from a distance a few times. She was bullied by Murong Qing, bullied by Jiang Huai, but every time Jiang Yao appeared, they would stop. Jiang Yao never bullied her, even unaware she was being bullied. They… didn’t know each other.
Why did they not know each other in her previous life, but now, they had become this close? Was there a variable?
“Jiang Yao…”
Song Muyun called out dazedly, and Jiang Yao immediately responded, “Mm, I’m here, what’s wrong, are you feeling unwell?”
The woman in front of her looked concerned, and even the people behind her watched her with caring eyes. But why, in her previous life, it wasn’t like this.
In her previous life, they all disliked her, thinking she seduced Jiang Huai, leading him astray. Jiang Huai also always bullied her.
Now, they looked at her with such caring eyes.
Why, just because she was close to Jiang Yao?
Song Muyun lifted her watery eyes to Jiang Yao, who was still softly calling her, asking her to speak up if she felt uncomfortable anywhere or if anyone displeased her.
It’s as if she will stand up for her. If she’s uncomfortable, she will find a doctor for her; if she dislikes someone, she will have them leave.
Song Muyun suddenly lowered her voice, with a hint of testing, “It’s late at night, and as a man, it’s not appropriate for the Second Young Master to be here. Could you ask him to leave?”
Jiang Huai was dumbfounded, while Jiang Yao suddenly realized that Song Muyun was displeased with Jiang Huai. No wonder she had called his name so loudly earlier, and here she was feeling jealous.
Jiang Huai, who hadn’t recovered from the shock, was directly kicked out, “Leave, don’t make me say it twice.”
Jiang Huai was about to explode, “Sister-in-law! I came to see you because I heard you were unwell, and now you’re chasing me away!”
He felt all his efforts to please were in vain.
Before he could say anything more, his sister glanced at him threateningly. Jiang Huai shivered and begrudgingly left, “Fine, I’m leaving. I didn’t want to stay anyway.”
An annoyed Jiang Huai bumped into Jiang Ru, who was hurrying in. The two didn’t exchange words. Jiang Ru and Jiang Huai weren’t close, and Jiang Huai, still upset, didn’t pay her any attention and left the courtyard.
Jiang Ru walked in quickly, just in time to see her sister squatting in front of her sister-in-law, gently touching her hand.
“Sister, sister-in-law.”
She called out, and both looked up at her.
Who is this woman?
Song Muyun didn’t recognize her, only guessing in her mind that she might be the daughter of the Dragon Tiger General, Jiang Ru, Jiang Yao’s cousin. She also called her sister-in-law. How many people knew about her relationship with Jiang Yao?
Did Murong Qing know? Song Muyun dared not think.
In this life, Murong Qing had actually let her go.
She thought with Murong Qing’s obsessive nature, he would never let her go.
“Ru’er is here, find a place to sit.”
“Okay.”
Jiang Ru and Jiang Yao were close, so she didn’t stand on ceremony.
She hurriedly asked, “I heard that the household doctor was called in the middle of the night. Is sister-in-law unwell?”
Her sister was as sturdy as an ox and rarely fell ill. Naturally, the only one who could be unwell was her sister-in-law.
Song Muyun remained silent, lips pressed together, while Jiang Yao replied, “Your sister-in-law has a bad memory. She woke up and said she forgot some things, scared me to death. I called the household doctor over, but luckily she still remembers who I am.”
She thought the way her wife called her name meant she remembered her.
Jiang Ru’s eyes widened in alarm, quickly asking, “Then does sister-in-law still remember who I am?”
Amnesia could be serious or minor, depending on how much she forgot.
Song Muyun didn’t want anyone to notice the difference between her and her former self. Looking at Jiang Ru, she softly called her name.
Jiang Ru sighed in relief, speaking gently and caringly to Song Muyun, “I’m glad you still remember me, otherwise, I would have been sad.”
Jiang Yao rubbed Song Muyun’s head, then started ushering people out, “Aren’t you supposed to go outing with the Eighth Prince tomorrow? Go rest, or you’ll be too tired.”
“Eighth Prince?”
Song Muyun’s voice suddenly rose.
Hadn’t the Eighth Prince died in the fourteenth year of Xuanqi?
Why was he still alive?
And she hadn’t heard of any connection between the Prime Minister’s residence and the Eighth Prince.
Song Muyun was bewildered.
Jiang Yao frowned, touching her slightly cold forehead, “You didn’t forget Murong Ci, did you?”
The girl didn’t speak, clearly indicating she had.
Jiang Yao muttered, “Well, you never liked Murong Ci anyway. Forget it then, it’s not a big deal.”
Song Muyun was shocked by the remark. When had she disliked Murong Ci?
She wasn’t familiar with the Eighth Prince at all, so where did the dislike come from?
Was she supposed to dislike the Eighth Prince in this life?
But why? Besides Murong Qing and Jiang Huai, she rarely disliked anyone.
What had the Eighth Prince done to make her dislike him?
Jiang Ru was also surprised, “Sister-in-law doesn’t like the Eighth Prince? Why is that?”
Her frequent use of “sister-in-law” showed how accustomed she was to calling her that.
Song Muyun didn’t know why she disliked the Eighth Prince and wanted to find out, so she remained silent, waiting for someone to explain.
Jiang Yao looked at her with amusement, then told Jiang Ru, “Murong Ci always sends people to call for me. Little Yun’er wasn’t happy about me always going to see Murong Ci alone. Every time it’s mentioned, she gets upset, and it takes a good while to coax her.”
Jiang Ru was amazed to learn that the person she thought was as serene as a fairy could get upset over such matters.
So, she was even jealous of the Eighth Prince.
But the Eighth Prince was a woman.
Only Jiang Yao knew about this, perhaps she hadn’t told her sister-in-law?
No wonder then.
Song Muyun blushed at the thought of being upset over such a matter, doubting Jiang Yao’s words, thinking to herself that she wouldn’t be displeased over such a trivial issue.
Jiang Ru left soon after, not wanting to disturb Jiang Yao and Song Muyun’s rest.
After all the commotion in the middle of the night, Jiang Yao was also tired. She rubbed her temples, then looked at Song Muyun, asking if she felt unwell anywhere else.
Song Muyun shook her head.
From the beginning, Jiang Yao had been asking if she was uncomfortable, showing genuine concern for her well-being.
It seemed like her discomfort was a significant matter to Jiang Yao.
Song Muyun bit her lip, never imagining someone could care for her this much.
Perhaps she had thought about it when her father was alive, and she was still the young mistress of the Song family. After falling from grace, she never dared to hope again.
“If you’re not feeling unwell, let’s sleep for now? I heard there’s a miraculous doctor in the Jiangnan region. If your headache persists, I’ll send someone to invite her.”
She even wanted to invite a miraculous doctor for her…
Song Muyun nodded in agreement, her eyes moist, thinking about why she could be loved and pampered by such a person, and she couldn’t.
So Jiang Yao was really nice, and she hadn’t known before.
Not knowing was one thing, but to think of her…
Song Muyun didn’t want to think further, staying obediently in Jiang Yao’s arms, being carried to bed. After changing into lighter clothes, Jiang Yao quickly got into bed, pulling her into her arms and into the blanket, whispering, “I’ll hold you as you sleep, you won’t be cold or have nightmares, don’t be afraid
.”
How meticulous she was.
Song Muyun’s expression was complex, but she nodded, staying still in Jiang Yao’s embrace.
Jiang Yao gently patted her back, her actions making Song Muyun stiffen slightly, though Jiang Yao seemed not to notice, continuing to softly coax her to sleep.
After a while, Song Muyun finally let go of the breath she was holding, sure that she had been reborn. Just a moment ago, she had been shot with an arrow, and now she was being held tenderly, living a life she never dared to dream of.
Despite not being accustomed to sharing a bed with others, her tired heart couldn’t resist the overwhelming drowsiness, and she fell into a deep, warm, and comfortable sleep.
So this is what it feels like to sleep in someone’s arms, warm all over. Jiang Yao… she’s really nice.
The next day, they woke up late, and Jiang Yao was awake first while Song Muyun was still asleep.
The young girl, as usual, buried her face in her chest, her cheeks rosy and tender from sleep.
Jiang Yao reached out to touch her, finding the sensation extremely pleasant and comforting.
Tsk.
After a while, she hugged Song Muyun closer, resting her chin on her shoulder, waiting for her to wake up.
But the wait lasted past lunchtime.
Jiang Yao, having skipped two meals with Song Muyun, her stomach growling, waited impatiently for her to wake up.
The girl was somewhat bewildered upon waking, then became alert the next moment, staring intently at Jiang Yao’s hand.
Jiang Yao’s movement towards her face paused.
After a long silence, her slightly hoarse voice broke the silence, “What’s wrong, looking at me like that?”
Song Muyun’s mind was in turmoil for a while before remembering she had been reborn. This life was completely different from her previous one. Now, she was well-cared for, the rough calluses on her hands completely gone, indicating she hadn’t done any hard labor.
There was some discomfort in her body, but where was it exactly?
She had been reborn last night, dazed and unaware of any discomfort. Now, she felt a bit sore, but not unpleasant.
Had Jiang Yao touched her?
So Jiang Yao was that kind of person.
And so was she.
She had never thought she would be that kind of person.
Her usually moist eyes clouded with a faint sadness. Jiang Yao couldn’t understand, feeling somewhat annoyed.
Frowning, clearly displeased, “What’s wrong with you? Waking up in the morning and being mad at me, not letting me touch you?”
Song Muyun pursed her lips, unsure of what to say, then hesitantly shook her head, indicating she didn’t mean that.
Jiang Yao didn’t make any further moves, sitting up on the bed, seriously looking at Song Muyun, “What’s really going on? You promised you wouldn’t hide things from me and would speak up.”
Song Muyun looked at her slightly angry expression. Even when angry, she didn’t resort to whipping, still asking what was wrong, not thinking of using torture to interrogate her.
Seeing her not responding, Jiang Yao let it go, spacing out in resignation, the veins on her forehead throbbing in frustration.
Finally, unable to resist, she flicked Song Muyun’s forehead, “I’m talking to you, don’t space out.”
“Ow”
A slight pain on her forehead made Song Muyun instinctively cover it with her hand, then looked at Jiang Yao, her eyes simple and clear, innocently asking, “Are you angry?”
Jiang Yao: …
With a tone full of helplessness, “Yes, yes, you keep ignoring me, how can I not be angry?”
Actually, she wasn’t particularly angry. After all, a wife is to be pampered, but she had to show some attitude, not letting her wife think she could do whatever she wanted, scaring her a bit first.
Holding this thought, Jiang Yao deliberately cooled her expression, her eyes becoming serene.
Until Song Muyun spoke, asking something completely unexpected, “You’re angry, why don’t you hit me?”
Jiang Yao: ??!
What did I just hear?
She was shocked, looking at Song Muyun, “Why would I hit you? I’m just angry, have I ever hit you?”
Even in bed, she only teased her, never actually hitting her!
Jiang Yao felt unjustly accused.
Now, she looked at Song Muyun with eyes full of grievance.
Song Muyun suddenly exclaimed, “So you don’t have to be hit for making someone angry…”
So this is the life she was living. How envious.
Jiang Yao’s brow was so furrowed it could kill mosquitoes. Since last night, she felt her wife was acting strangely, saying odd things. But the unintentionally pitiful expressions were undoubtedly her wife’s.
“Why are you only saying strange things today? Making someone angry naturally doesn’t result in being hit. Who would be so unreasonable? What are you thinking?”
She then hugged Song Muyun closer, patting her back, “I won’t hit you. You’re too lovable; I don’t have enough time to pamper you.”
Why would I hit you?
Song Muyun, still in her arms, looked up at her with pure curiosity, “You just said you were angry, why are you still holding me?”
How could someone so gentle be angry?
Jiang Yao hugged her entire body onto her lap, ignoring her slight struggle, “We agreed, I married you, you’re my wife. Properly married couples don’t hold grudges overnight, how could I truly be angry with you? Besides, even if I was angry, I couldn’t not hold you. What if you got scared?”
She was angry, yet worried she might be scared?
The woman’s eyelashes trembled, her head bowed.
Jiang Yao still found it strange, scrutinizing her from head to toe, eventually resting her gaze on those delicate, slightly curled toes.
Without saying a word, she reached out to touch her foot, soft and smooth to the touch.
Song Muyun seemed startled, suddenly looking up, her beautiful eyes darting around,
Instinctively pulling her foot back, “What, what are you doing!”
She looked somewhat shy and a bit angry, glaring at Jiang Yao.
Jiang Yao frowned, thinking, this is still my wife, but something’s off. Her wife, faced with such situations, would only shyly curl up in her arms, then punch her with a small fist, which she would hold, but she would never pull her foot back.
Jiang Yao gathered her thoughts, touching Song Muyun’s cheek while saying, “Sorry, I can’t help myself. Are you angry? Wait here, I’ll go buy some pastries to make it up to you.”
With that, she didn’t wait for Song Muyun’s response, placing her on the bed, hurriedly changing clothes and leaving. Song Muyun took a while to realize she said she’d buy pastries to appease her.
Oh, and she touched her foot then her face.
Really not clean / blushing.
Jiang Yao took a horse, rushed to the West Street to buy a variety of pastries, getting two of each kind, perfectly balanced. She then rode back to the Jiang residence at full speed, the pastries still warm upon arrival, showing her urgency.
Song Muyun, already helped into her clothes, was sitting by the window, her gaze empty, until Jiang Yao returned, placing an array of pastries before her, urging her to eat.
The person who had been staring off into space finally turned her attention to the pastries. It had been a long time since she had tasted such treats, the air filled with their sweet aroma.
Jiang Yao encouraging her to eat meant they must be safe to consume.
Hesitating for a moment, Song Muyun reached out, picked up a piece of pea cake, and took a small bite. Her eyes immediately lit up, and the corners of her lips curled up slightly without her realizing.
Seeing this, Jiang Yao’s eyes also brightened, patting her chest in relief, reassured that this was indeed her wife, no mistake.