Is It Forbidden to Bully the Heroine of the Novel? - Chapter 72
Chapter 72
Girls are hard to appease when they are angry, and Song Muyun is no exception. When Jiang Yao noticed her displeasure, she subconsciously reached out to touch her hand. Soft and tender, but just after touching it for a moment, Song Muyun withdrew her hand. She turned her head away and ignored Jiang Yao, her expression quite cold.
Jiang Yao, shameless and thick-skinned, chased after her without a word and grabbed her hand again. She held it in her palm and caressed it tenderly, speaking in a frivolous manner, “Yun’er’s little hand is getting softer, which I find increasingly delightful.”
Song Muyun, acting like a playboy, was secretly glared at by Song Muyun.
She didn’t care and continued to knead the soft little hand, only leading Song Muyun to a nearby shop selling earrings after making herself comfortable.
She had bought many pieces of jewelry for Muyun before but seemed to have never bought earrings, so she decided to buy some.
“Do you see anything you like here?”
Song Muyun, acting petulantly, glanced briefly and said coquettishly, “I like them all. Can’t we have them all?”
Jiang Yao was surprised for a moment, noting the difference between the Muyun in the story and Yun’er. Yun’er had never been so decisive in shopping.
She almost couldn’t help laughing, rubbed Song Muyun’s head, and amidst Song Muyun’s shocked retreat, agreed, “Okay, then we’ll take them all.”
Song Muyun was initially worried about her hairstyle being messed up by Jiang Yao and hurried to fix it. But hearing Jiang Yao’s agreement, she looked up in shock, “I, I meant all of them…”
Jiang Yao, smiling, nodded, “Yes, I meant all of them too.”
She then waved someone over to package them.
Realizing what was happening, Song Muyun quickly tried to stop Jiang Yao and the shop assistant in a hurry to collect the earrings, “What are you doing, really buying? You’re taking what I said seriously?”
Jiang Yao, with a smile, “When have I not taken your words seriously? Since you want them, let’s buy them. My money is yours to spend.”
For the first time, Song Muyun realized how sweet a woman’s love words could be, her cheeks flushing completely. Yet, she still pressed Jiang Yao’s hand to prevent her from buying these pieces of jewelry, whispering, “I was joking. Don’t buy them. How much silver would all these jewelry cost? If your parents find out…”
She felt it was too much and feared causing Jiang Yao to spend all her silver, possibly getting scolded upon returning.
Jiang Yao, wrapping her arms around the young girl’s waist, pressed her cheek against Song Muyun’s, gently saying, “Silly girl, haven’t I told you? I own a shop, and the money I spend now is all from my own business. My parents don’t care about me. Since you want it, I’ll buy it for you. No matter how much it costs, as long as you’re happy.”
Her words were increasingly indulgent, Song Muyun staring at her in astonishment. After a moment, she continued to shake her head, her figure delicate and weak, “No, no need. I can’t use so many. Just buy fewer.”
She was merely venting her frustration. Little did she know Jiang Yao was serious about buying, which scared her. So many earrings would cost hundreds, if not thousands, of taels, and she dared not let Jiang Yao spend so much.
“But you don’t have any earrings I bought for you yet. Buy more, and you can wear a different pair each day?”
“That’s still too many, just buy fewer. I won’t be happy if you buy too many.”
Jiang Yao: ???
Not happy about this either?
Damn, my wife is getting harder and harder to please.
Jiang Yao sighed in her heart, then relented after a while, “Alright, alright, then you pick a few pairs you like. It’s fine to choose more.”
Song Muyun, fearing Jiang Yao would again insist on buying them all, hurriedly agreed. Her beautiful eyes, adorned with glittering stars, surveyed the jewelry carefully.
After looking for a while without picking any, Jiang Yao pointed out a pair of red gold earrings inlaid with jade drops, suggesting, “How about trying these?”
Her suggestion.
Song Muyun hesitated for a moment, then whispered, “But the color of this jade is so dark, it seems too old-fashioned.”
Jiang Yao: …
Oh, criticizing her taste now.
She looked again at the earrings, not finding them old-fashioned at all.
Definitely not old-fashioned.
Curious to see Song Muyun’s choice, the young girl brought over a pair of gold Chang’e flying to the moon earrings, her voice filled with joy, “These are so beautiful. Shall we buy these?”
Seeing the beautiful jewelry, her underlying melancholy seemed to fade a bit, finally resembling a young girl.
Jiang Yao lowered her head to look at the earrings, finely crafted with Chang’e’s pose beautifully depicted, indeed charming for a young girl.
But how did her red gold inlaid jade lose to these?
“Alright, if you like them, let’s buy these. Pick something else too.” Despite feeling unconvinced, she still indulged her.
“Enough, having one pair is enough. No need to pick anymore.”
She feared Jiang Yao would continue buying for her, unsure of how much wealth Jiang Yao had, simply fearing buying too much.
“Alright, alright, you do save me money.”
She casually took Song Muyun’s hand, greeting the Liang sisters before leaving, telling them not to hesitate to use her name with the shopkeeper.
Jiang Yao often left without carrying silver, simply putting it on her account, which was settled monthly with the Jiang residence.
With that, they left the treasure pavilion with three pairs of earrings.
On the way, Jiang Yao shared some of the current situation with Song Muyun, fearing she was out of the loop.
Hearing that the culprit behind her father’s framing had not been caught, Song Muyun’s expression darkened, her eyes filled with indescribable hatred. In her past life, Murong Qing also promised to overturn her family’s case, but it was quickly concluded that the eldest prince, Murong Chun, was behind it. She didn’t believe it, finding the investigation too smooth and soon concluded. She secretly investigated and finally found the guilty officials hidden by the Meng family, uncovering the truth.
This matter certainly involved Murong Chun! But not only him, Murong Qing as well.
All arranged by Murong Qing, who also suggested using the Song family as scapegoats.
Madness. On one hand, professing love for her, yet on the other, harming her family so grievously. Murong Qing was less than a beast!
Such a person, unworthy of true love.
Song Muyun’s face was filled with disgust and resentment, resenting Murong Qing for his actions. Was it just because she rejected him?
Seeing her upset, Jiang Yao immediately moved closer, her eyes blinking rapidly before pulling Song Muyun
into her embrace, “What’s wrong? You can tell me anything, hmm?”
Song Muyun looked up at Jiang Yao, finding her incredibly reliable, and hugged her tightly.
The young girl bit her lip, then spoke determinedly, “Jiang Yao, if I know who harmed my family, would you believe me?”
This was her way of sharing her heart with Jiang Yao. Jiang Yao couldn’t possibly let her down now, promptly assuring, “Of course, I believe you. Tell me, and I’ll help you.”
She might not be the best person, but with her family’s high status, they rarely feared anyone. If someone brought their grievances to her, she wouldn’t stand idly by.
Especially when it concerned her own wife.
She softly spoke with Song Muyun, trying to appear as reliable as possible.
Song Muyun hesitated, then finally resolved herself, looking up with determination, “Jiang Yao, it’s Murong Qing.”
This did not surprise Jiang Yao; she had long suspected Murong Qing was not a simple character.
And his sudden desire to marry the daughter of the Duke of Chengguo was also strange.
The Duke of Chengguo had made significant contributions to the emperor’s ascension. Without him, there might not have been the current emperor.
Although the emperor seemed unremarkable on a daily basis, he always respected the Duke of Chengguo. This was why Li Xiuting’s accidental entry into the hunting grounds and taking away Murong Ci’s guard, resulting in Murong Ci’s injury, went unpunished.
Murong Qing wouldn’t act without reason. If he suddenly wanted to marry the Duke of Chengguo’s daughter, there must be a reason.
If the Song family’s case was related to him, he might be trying to use the Li family to protect himself, which seemed plausible.
Jiang Yao, pondering with narrowed eyes, took too long to respond, leaving Song Muyun anxious for an answer. Biting her lip, she asked, “You don’t believe me?”
Her eyes filled with tears as she spoke.
Jiang Yao, snapping back to reality, was caught off guard by her captivating appearance. After a moment, she pressed the beautiful girl’s face into her chest, not letting her move, and gently massaged her soft shoulders. Clearing her throat, she tried to speak seriously but ended up with a husky voice, “Of course, I believe you. If you say it’s Murong Qing, then it’s him. Don’t worry, I’m here for you.”
It seems she hadn’t finished reading the story. Yun’er didn’t end up living happily with Murong Qing. In fact… it was Murong Qing who set up the Song family.
How dare he? To harbor love for Yun’er on one hand and harm her family on the other.
Such a person has no right to talk about love.
Jiang Yao felt disgusted.
Song Muyun moved slightly in her embrace, seemingly wanting to break free. Jiang Yao continued to hold her, saying, “If I let go, you can’t cry anymore. It’s really heartbreaking to see you cry.”
She had been heartbroken seeing the young girl cry all the way here, now just wanting to comfort her.
Song Muyun, even buried in her embrace, blushed. Once released, she huffed and turned her head away, denying, “I never cry.”
She refused to admit it, although her memories of her previous self included a lot of crying, often comforted by Jiang Yao. But she, she didn’t cry!
Her life had been tough, with no one to pity her. Why would she cry?
Song Muyun thought quietly.
Jiang Yao, wrapping an arm around her, caused her to stumble into her embrace. Instinctively, she supported herself on Jiang Yao’s firm thighs, looking up with watery eyes, “What are you doing?”
“I’m holding you. Can’t you tell?”
Of course, Song Muyun understood, but she wanted to know why Jiang Yao was holding her. Yet, knowing Jiang Yao’s slick tongue, she decided it was better not to ask.
The young girl, slightly shy and awkward, eventually settled comfortably in Jiang Yao’s arms.
Until they reached the Jiang residence, Jiang Yao didn’t let her down, instead, lifting her from the carriage with one arm around her back and the other under her knees. Song Muyun, embarrassed to death, was told by Jiang Yao that this was their usual way of dismounting, which she had supposedly grown accustomed to.
Fearing exposing herself, Song Muyun endured the inner turmoil, letting Jiang Yao lead.
…
Knowing the Song family’s case was linked to Murong Qing, Jiang Yao gradually found a direction. With her wife subtly guiding her, asking if the escaped prefect of Luzhou might be hiding with the Meng family, given his distant relation to them and the unlikelihood of his daring to hide there, Jiang Yao realized he might indeed be with the Mengs.
He was likely the only one who knew about Murong Qing’s involvement in the dam breach.
Jiang Yao didn’t act personally. For such important matters, she always believed it best to leave it to her father.
Once she had some leads, she went straight to her father’s quarters.
Without much explanation, she simply mentioned possibly seeing Meng Xia near the Meng family’s residence.
This matter was likely related to the eldest prince.
Jiang Heng nodded, understanding, and planned to have someone watch the Meng family closely.
After returning to her quarters, Jiang Yao was visited by a messenger from the Eighth Prince, requesting her presence at the Eighth Prince’s residence for an important discussion.
They didn’t avoid others, so Song Muyun, sitting in the courtyard, also saw the messenger.
Jiang Yao then extended her hand to Song Muyun, “Little Yun’er, would you like to come with me?”
Previously, Yun’er would often get jealous. She’d definitely want to accompany Jiang Yao to see Murong Ci. Jiang Yao wondered if the current Yun’er felt the same.
Looking at Song Muyun, who also gazed back with sparkling eyes, she remained silent for a moment before standing up and agreeing with a slight nod, “Mm, take me with you.”
Then, cautiously, she grabbed Jiang Yao’s hand, shaking it as if to please her.
Jiang Yao was momentarily speechless. Was she afraid Jiang Yao wouldn’t take her along? How could that be? She always indulged her wife.
She gripped Song Muyun’s delicate hand in return and nodded to the Eighth Prince’s servant, “Please ask the Eighth Prince to wait a moment.”
“Understood,” the servant replied and left.
Jiang Yao then asked Song Muyun, “Do you want to ride horses or take the carriage?”
Song Muyun’s eyes showed a hint of confusion, “Ride horses? Can we also go by horse?”
She had never known this option, having never ridden a horse, neither in the countryside nor in the capital.
Jiang Yao smiled lightly, “Of course. If you were alone, not knowing how to ride would be one thing. But with me here, I’ll protect you from falling. Riding a horse isn’t anything special.”
Song Muyun’s eyes shone even brighter.
Understanding her wishes, Jiang Yao ordered someone to fetch the horses.
On the way, the young girl seemed a bit worried, continuously asking Jiang Yao, “Isn’t it indecent for a lady to ride a horse in the streets? Could it harm my reputation?”
Jiang Yao, with a twitch of her forehead, knew that the Song family’s education for girls always leaned towards the demure and scholarly. She held back her frustration, regretfully realizing she might have to break Song Muyun out of her traditional mold.
“What harm could it do to your reputation? Everyone already says my Yun’er is intelligent and beautiful. Adding horse riding to your skills, people will only add ‘valiant’ to their praises. Is being valiant a bad thing?”
She asked.
Song Muyun obediently shook her head, convinced by Jiang Yao’s pat on her head, “Good, that’s the right thought. We’re not galloping wildly, just riding, which is very valiant. Who would dare to say a word?”
She’d whip anyone who dared!
Finally persuaded, Song Muyun blushed but agreed in her embrace. Jiang Yao helped her onto the horse and followed, securing Song Muyun in front of her.
With a light flick of the reins, the horse trotted off.
Their frequent rides through the city had become a well-known tale in the capital.
The Eighth Prince’s residence wasn’t far from the Jiang family’s. Jiang Yao quickly brought Song Muyun there.
Upon arriving, they dismounted gracefully, with servants immediately taking the horses to tie them up.
Led by a young servant into the Eighth Prince’s study, a place of utmost importance guarded by numerous sentinels, Jiang Yao couldn’t help but comment on their way.
Song Muyun, never having visited the Eighth Prince’s residence, observed with curiosity, feeling oddly about this place since, in her past life, the Eighth Prince had already died by this time.
Now, he was alive and well, seemingly close to Jiang Yao.
If Jiang Yao was bringing her into his study, their relationship must be that of close friends. Could the Jiang family be supporting the Eighth Prince?
Curiosity sparkled in Song Muyun’s eyes until they entered and saw a man in a green robe waiting inside.
Upon Song Muyun’s entrance, her face showed surprise, then understanding, “You brought Miss Song as well?”
“Yes, Muyun has been unwell these days. I couldn’t bear to leave her alone at home,” Jiang Yao explained, caressing Song Muyun’s head with evident affection.
Considering the situation, the Eighth Prince nodded, understanding that the case they were to discuss involved Song Muyun’s family, and she had a right to know.
“Alright, sit down, and I’ll get straight to it.”
Jiang Yao, without hesitation, found a seat, pulling Song Muyun down beside her. Had the Eighth Prince not been present, Song Muyun would likely be sitting in her lap.
The Eighth Prince began, revealing that the case involving the Song family was orchestrated by Murong Qing and Murong Chun.
Jiang Yao and Song Muyun listened without shock, already aware or suspecting much of this information. The plan was to pin the blame on Murong Chun, allowing Murong Qing to escape responsibility yet again.
Song Muyun’s face darkened with the recounting, her past life’s efforts to uncover the truth only known to her, with the general populace still regarding Murong Qing as a wise ruler.
The discussion moved towards preventing Murong Qing from successfully framing Murong Chun, with Jiang Yao suggesting her father might find the fugitive Meng Xia, crucial for revealing the truth.
The Eighth Prince and Jiang Yao discussed strategies, with Jiang Yao promising to consult her father for more cunning plans, acknowledging her limitations and relying on her father’s intellect for complex matters.
Leaving the Eighth Prince’s residence, Jiang Yao reassured Song Muyun, promising resolution and support. Song Muyun, determined yet fearing Jiang Yao’s objection, harbored thoughts of personal vengeance against Murong Qing.