The falling beauty - Chapter 10

Mo Jin’er woke up late the next morning, feeling hungry. Her maid helped her dress and wash up, though she was capable of doing these things herself since childhood. She did, however, let the maid help with her hair.

After eating and taking a walk, she saw Ling’an Che in the study, holding something that looked familiar. Upon closer inspection, she realized it was her personal item. 

This item was originally his, from the year she turned fifteen. She had sneaked out to buy medicine for her grandmother and was seen by a noble scion. Misunderstanding her shabby and ill-fitting clothes, he tried to take her as a concubine. She couldn’t comprehend why he would think that, as her elder sister had convinced her she was ugly, and she rarely went out.

However, despite her shabby attire, she was still strikingly beautiful. Ling’an Che had saved her, throwing his outer robe over her head, which bore his jade pendant. He said he didn’t want it back, leaving hurriedly with his companions.

That jade pendant had been carefully kept by her. How had it ended up in Ling’an Che’s hands now? Feeling flustered, she walked into the study, intending to retrieve the pendant but unsure how to explain, as it was his to begin with.

Ling’an Che, seemingly enjoying the situation, told her, “Your stepmother sent it, saying you are deeply in love with me.”

Her face turned even redder. “Nonsense…” she muttered, feeling embarrassed. She no longer liked him; the hero who once saved her had turned into someone cruel and arrogant in her eyes.

He played with the pendant, chuckling. He vaguely remembered saving a girl three years ago but hadn’t seen her face clearly. The outer robe and jade pendant were things he had discarded.

“Since it’s back in your hands, you should keep it,” she finally said softly, trying to suppress her emotions.

He walked over, tied the pendant around her waist, and said nonchalantly, “It’s our token of love. Don’t lose it.”

Flustered, she silently contradicted him in her heart but didn’t dare to voice it.

Baozhu’s leg was almost healed, and Mo Jin’er was happy to see the scars on her face had disappeared. Baozhu attributed it to miraculous herbs given by Su Jie.

Mo Jin’er, overjoyed, pulled Baozhu to see Ling’an Che. Though she didn’t directly mention their previous agreement, her words carried an apology for her stepmother and elder sister’s actions. Baozhu, naive as ever, accepted it.

After playing with Baozhu, she went back to find Ling’an Che. “Master Ling, Baozhu’s face is healed,” she said anxiously, fearing he might go back on his word and not let her go.

“I won’t stop you,” he said, putting down his pen.

Surprised and delighted, she thanked him profusely and left without taking anything. She even replaced her clothes with the ones she wore when she first entered the General’s mansion.

For half a month, she feared retaliation from the Ling family but gradually felt at ease as nothing happened. She resumed her handcraft work, selling them discreetly for money.

Her father, stepmother, and elder sister didn’t react much to her return. Life continued as before, though her elder sister occasionally made sarcastic remarks.

Mo Jin’er focused on her handcraft, making small animals out of fabric and stuffing them with cotton. She dreamt of saving enough money to open a shop.

One day, after selling her crafts, she returned to find the mansion surrounded by soldiers. Her heart sank as she rushed in, revealing her identity to be allowed entry. The entire family was being taken away, accused of severe crimes. Her and her grandmother were spared.

Feeling as if she had fallen into an icy abyss, she asked Shen Chengxiang if it was a personal vendetta, mentioning a slap her stepmother had given his daughter. He denied it, explaining her father’s crimes justified the punishment.

Mo Jin’er, heartbroken and confused, went to the General’s mansion to seek help from Ling’an Che. Waiting anxiously, she finally saw him and pleaded for her family’s lives, kneeling before him. He pulled her into his arms, reminding her of their past.

“Those people treated you badly. Isn’t it better if they die?” he asked cruelly.

Mo Jin’er, bewildered, tried to defend her family despite their mistreatment, but his cold, dismissive words left her speechless and fearful.