Is It Forbidden to Bully the Heroine of the Novel? - Chapter 80

Chapter 80

In the palace, within the Hall of Diligent Government, Song Muyun was kneeling, having just been brought in from outside the palace.

The emperor was furious over the death of a prince, scolding many servants and eunuchs in the afternoon, incredulous that the disappearance of two princes had gone unnoticed!

Now, sitting on the throne with a volatile expression, he merely frowned upon seeing Song Muyun enter.

It was the Dali Temple Qing, who had been ordered early on to wait here, who questioned Song Muyun. He was a young but experienced Qing, adept at discerning the truth, with a knack for catching liars.

Respectfully bowing to Song Muyun, he addressed her as “Miss Song.”

Still kneeling, Song Muyun felt odd being bowed to while she knelt, nodding slightly before lowering her head again, her heart fluttering with unease.

Could he see through her with his discerning eyes?

Her hands, hidden in her sleeves, were sweaty.

The Qing noticed Song Muyun’s nervousness under her expressionless facade, asking, “Miss Song, do you know why the emperor has summoned you?”

“I do not know,” she replied, her demeanor humble yet puzzled.

Hearing the Qing reveal, “Miss Song, the Seventh Prince has been killed today,” even the emperor leaned forward with a cold demeanor to gauge her reaction.

Showing timely surprise, Song Muyun widened her eyes as if she had heard wrong, “What did you say, sir?”

The Qing, almost amused but maintaining his composure, explained, “During today’s Hundred Flowers Feast, the Seventh Prince was murdered. A servant found a note on his body, inviting him to meet in the Cold Palace, bearing your name.”

Song Muyun’s heart raced, collapsing to the ground, pale, “But I never invited the Seventh Prince to meet.”

“How could this be? I was with Jiang Yao all day, she can testify for me, along with several other ladies. We chatted for a long time, never going near the Cold Palace!”

Her panic seemed genuine, causing the emperor, who had been keenly observing, to sigh and sit back down.

The Qing, sensing something, remained calm, asking which ladies she had chatted with, to which Song Muyun provided a few names.

After reporting back to the emperor, the Qing was ordered to investigate swiftly due to the uproar caused by the Seventh Prince’s mother.

…

Back at Jiang Residence, Jiang Yao had just shared everything with Jiang Heng.

Jiang Heng, seasoned in the ways of the court, could hardly believe Song Muyun would assassinate a prince.

“Did she confess this to you?” he asked, trying to grasp the incredulity of it all.

“No, she tried to hide it from me. I saw it myself. Dad, what if someone saw her going to the Cold Palace? Could that be trouble?”

“Certainly.”

Jiang Heng, deeply worried, had no immediate solution. He had always thought his daughter to be prudent, capable of making wise choices. Yet, here she was, embroiled in a major predicament due to love.

“Did the emperor question Muyun? Who interrogated her? Surely the emperor wouldn’t impose harsh penalties on a frail woman?”

Jiang Yao was deeply concerned, but Jiang Heng, after a moment of thought, assured her, “There should be no issue.”

Jiang Yao, confused, sought clarification.

Jiang Heng explained, remembering the Dali Temple Qing owed a life debt to Song Muyun’s father, suggesting there wouldn’t be any severe consequences.

Jiang Yao, trusting her father’s judgment, thanked him, admiring his insight.

Jiang Heng, slightly annoyed by the reminder of his daughter’s infatuation, chided her for neglecting her duties for Song Muyun.

Jiang Yao defended her dedication to training, rebuffed by Jiang Heng’s skeptical response.

Jiang Heng, lamenting the distractions of love, advised Jiang Yao to return to her quarters.

Waiting anxiously into the night, Song Muyun finally returned, brought back by palace officials. The reunion between Jiang Yao and Song Muyun was tender, their mutual relief palpable.

After settling down, Jiang Yao inquired if the Dali Temple Qing had questioned Song Muyun, who confirmed it, feeling reassured by the outcome and her father’s earlier assurances.

Song Muyun, reflecting on the Qing’s leniency, realized his past connection to her father might have influenced his actions, feeling a deeper resentment towards Murong Qing.

Jiang Yao comforted Song Muyun, dismissing her worries about causing her family’s death and her own sins, emphasizing that true culpability lay with Murong Qing.

As palace rumors spread about the princes’ dispute leading to death and madness, Jiang Yao felt relieved, trusting in the investigation’s swift resolution led by the Dali Temple Qing and her father.

The unprecedented execution of a prince, Murong Chun, was a direct consequence of his actions, underscoring the emperor’s reluctant justice against his own blood for the peace of the realm.

Song Muyun, nestled in Jiang Yao’s embrace, expressed contentment with her vengeance and the tender moments shared, feeling no regrets for her actions.

As the palace and its inhabitants moved past the incident, Jiang Yao and Song Muyun’s bond deepened, undisturbed by the turmoil that had momentarily threatened their peace.

Sitting in a teahouse with Song Muyun, Jiang Yao listened to the storyteller share tales involving Murong Chun while sipping tea. With the emperor preoccupied and the Empress Dowager ill, no one paid heed to their discussions.

Lifting her gaze, Jiang Yao noticed Song Muyun’s absent-minded stare.

“Muyun, Muyun, what are you thinking about?” she called several times before bringing Song Muyun back to reality.

The young girl’s eyes, filled with confusion, fell on Jiang Yao as she instinctively denied, “Nothing, I wasn’t thinking about anything.”

“Recently, you’ve been zoning out a lot when you’re with me. Are you hiding something from me?” Jiang Yao raised an eyebrow in question.

Feeling guilty, Song Muyun lowered her head, biting her lip. It wasn’t exactly hiding, but she knew she was likely to leave soon.

Not telling Jiang Yao could be an option since it was her own matter, but…

Lifting her head to look at Jiang Yao, whose round eyes were fixed on her, Song Muyun could tell she had sensed something.

“Jiang Yao…” Song Muyun called out softly.

Jiang Yao crossed her arms, tilting her chin towards Song Muyun, indicating she needed to speak up, implying there’d be no end to this if she didn’t.

The young girl looked down, silent at first, but then suddenly spoke up after Jiang Yao lightly furrowed her brows, “I have to leave, Jiang Yao.”

“Leave? Where to?” Jiang Yao asked instinctively, then understood immediately.

Where else could she go? Being a soul from another world, it was said she wouldn’t stay here forever; she was meant to go… to where she belonged.

Suddenly, both fell into silence, Song Muyun staring blankly at the tea in front of her, lost in thought again. Her soul was becoming increasingly incompatible with her body, unsure of when she would leave, hence her frequent absent-mindedness.

After a moment, the noise from downstairs snapped her back to reality. With a forced smile, she looked at Jiang Yao, “If I leave, will you miss me? Will you remember me?”

Despite not being touched by Jiang Yao, they had shared a bed and had grown familiar with each other. Jiang Yao had known she wasn’t her, acknowledging there were differences between the two.

So… would Jiang Yao remember her?

Seeing the hopeful look on Song Muyun’s face, Jiang Yao, with her usual brash personality, would typically make a snide remark, but she couldn’t bear to do it this time.

Even if Song Muyun had to leave, Jiang Yao wanted her to know she was remembered.

Lowering her head, touching the green cup in her hands, Jiang Yao spoke softly, “Yes, I will remember you, never forget you.”

She even thought of offering paper money in memory of Song Muyun annually, but given they shared the same name, it felt somewhat inauspicious.

Hearing Jiang Yao’s promise, Song Muyun felt happy, her voice cheerful, “Good, you can’t lie to me.”

Jiang Yao, with tender eyes, nodded, “Yes, I won’t lie to you.”

Reassured, Song Muyun felt content, ready to face death without regrets. She had avenged her parents and experienced tender moments, feeling her mission was complete.

As they continued to enjoy their tea, Song Muyun’s departure loomed closer, but for now, they savored these final moments, with Jiang Yao promising to fulfill any of Song Muyun’s last wishes.