The falling beauty - Chapter 11

“Hey, are you about to cry again? How could I treat you that way?” Ling’an Che looked at her teary, foolish expression and worried about scaring her. He lightly pinched her small face with a smile.

“Can you save my father and the others?” Mo Jin’er sniffled.

“Are you begging me?” He laughed softly and drew close to her.

Her pale, tender face turned red, and she looked both fearful and anxious. She was terrified of his methods and feared everything about him.

“If you’re begging, you need to show it properly, little Jin’er. I’ve always been the one initiating; isn’t it your turn now?” He let go of her, leaned back lazily, and looked at her with a playful, mocking gaze.

Mo Jin’er felt dizzy from his words, her cheeks burning hot. She was nervous all over.

“Please…”

Begging properly? Wasn’t she already doing that by coming to him?

“By tomorrow at the latest, the execution date will be set,” he said leisurely, closing his eyes as he reclined on the chaise longue. He looked utterly carefree, yet exuded a cold and ruthless aura.

She panicked instantly. She still sat in his arms, then bit her lip and leaned closer, hugging his narrow waist and resting her soft face against his firm chest. Her soft voice trembled, carrying a hint of a sniffle, “Please, General, save the Duke’s family…”

He was the emperor’s favored minister, most trusted by the emperor. He must have a way…

Ling’an Che’s dark eyes narrowed in satisfaction as he felt the soft, endearing girl in his arms, almost coquettishly pleading with him. His mood improved immensely. Suppressing the urge to kiss her, he lazily continued, “No sincerity.”

“This isn’t sincere enough?” Mo Jin’er widened her eyes and looked up at him.

He raised his hand, his calloused fingers brushed over her soft lips. The touch wasn’t heavy, but she was delicate, wincing in pain, making her lips even redder. Her face slightly tilted, looking like she was leaning against his big hand, making her appear even more pitiable.

“How do I usually kiss you?” He gently guided her.

Her face turned even redder, understanding his meaning, and she leaned in again.

But the height difference was significant. Even though she was considered tall among noblewomen, he was much taller.

She tried hard to lean up to kiss his cheek, attempting to show her sincerity.

But her wrist suddenly felt a sharp pain as if out of nowhere, and she fell onto his chest, her face buried in his neck.

Panicking, she lifted her head, her red, moist lips brushing against his Adam’s apple. Instinctively, she placed her hand on his chest, making their position very intimate.

Though this had happened before, it was different since she was the one initiating.

Ling’an Che’s gaze darkened, a smile playing on his lips. His deep voice became slightly hoarse with amusement, “Little Jin’er, you’re so good at seducing me.”

“I… I didn’t…”

She panicked, trying to get up, but her hand on his chest was suddenly held by him. He wrapped his other arm around her waist, pulling her close. She then heard his deep, hoarse, almost seductive voice.

Her face turned crimson, and she anxiously tried to escape…

The next day.

The Duke’s family’s sentence was announced. They were spared from death but faced exile to the borderlands. There were only about a dozen people left.

If it were the Duke’s family of the past, there would have been hundreds, but ultimately, they had fallen.

Mo Jin’er made some arrangements and then saw them off.

Mo Miao’er cried, holding her hand, “Mo Jin’er, save us! I want to stay here. Please, beg him again…”

In the end, they were dragged away by the soldiers.

She watched them leave with shackles, her eyes welling up with tears. She rubbed her eyes.

Her father had told her before he left that he had some silver hidden in a shop on the outskirts of the city, under someone else’s name. He told her to retrieve it and then leave the capital.

Ling’an Che wasn’t a good person, and he warned her not to trust him.

Mo Jin’er nodded in agreement.

It wasn’t a matter of trust; she never planned to stay here. Thinking of what Ling’an Che had done to her recently, coaxing her, making her please him, she closed her eyes.

Even though it was summer and she wore light clothing, she wrapped herself tightly, afraid of revealing the marks on her body.

There was no Duke’s family left in the capital, only her and her grandmother.

Her grandmother was also a bitter person, having lost her family long ago, so she had always taken care of her in the Duke’s family, living with her.

The maid Lan’er reminded her, “Miss Jin’er.”

It was time to go back.

Mo Jin’er and Lan’er returned to the General’s residence. Ling’an Che seemed to genuinely intend to marry her, but likely as a concubine.

After the recent incidents with him, the servant didn’t bring any contraceptive soup, and he joked that she might as well stay in his residence.

If she stayed, what could it mean? Concubine? He couldn’t possibly marry her as his main wife.

Mo Jin’er knew very well that he seemed to treat her well, but how much of it was sincere? Probably not even ten percent.

He didn’t really like her.

He just… liked doing those things with her.

And she… no longer liked him. She didn’t want to be a concubine, and he was unbearable in many ways. She didn’t want to stay by his side.

With these thoughts in mind, she remained calm and obedient, but in her heart, she was planning her escape.

With no attachments in the capital, she just needed to take her grandmother and leave…

This thought grew stronger, and she began to plan quietly.

First, she needed to find a way to send her grandmother out of the city. Then, she would find an excuse to leave Lan’er, reunite with her grandmother, and leave with the caravan…

Ling’an Che noticed that Mo Jin’er had been unusually obedient lately. She used to cry sometimes, but now she only bit the corner of the pillow and cried silently.

Finally, Mo Jin’er’s opportunity came. Ling’an Che, with his official duties, had to leave for a few days on an imperial mission.

Mo Jin’er felt relieved, sitting on the bed, her pure face looking at him. Ling’an Che stood by the bed, his large hand covering her small face, his smile ambiguous, “You’ve been so good lately. Are you thinking of leaving?”

His teasing words made her heart tighten.

She had a moment of blankness in her mind. He wouldn’t know, would he? But she hadn’t told anyone about it, not even Baozhu.

“Five years ago, a concubine from Prince Han’s house tried to run away. She didn’t even make it out of the city before being caught, her legs broken. I heard Prince Han wasn’t satisfied and sent her to the brothel, where she was tortured beyond recognition.”

Ling’an Che kissed her forehead lightly, laughing as he mentioned the old story.

He could see Mo Jin’er’s tension, obviously guilty. He could read her thoughts at a glance.

She blinked, her throat dry, “That’s too heartless of Prince Han, so cruel…”

Was he hinting at her? He shouldn’t be, right? Was it her illusion? But she really wanted to leave…

“Indeed, very cruel. If it were me, I’d just catch the person, lock them in a room, and never let them out again.”

He stood up, looking like a refined gentleman rather than a warrior, more like a scholar.

His dark eyes smiled, but his words sent chills down Mo Jin’er’s spine. She stammered, “You… you wouldn’t say that about me, would you…”

“Of course not. My Jin’er wouldn’t be so bold.” He raised an eyebrow, exuding charm.

She forced a dry smile.

After Ling’an Che left.

The beautiful girl sitting on the bed looked dazed, feeling deflated, her heart full of anxiety.

His words had clearly warned her…

Lan’er was highly skilled, difficult to deal with, and hard to shake off. She feared there were hidden guards watching her too.

If she failed and he caught her…

She thought of his words and felt a chill. She knew he would do as he said.

So, if she was going to leave, she had to be decisive. If caught, it would be over.

She lowered her head, gently turning the ring on her finger, the sharp point glinting.

On the first day of Ling’an Che’s departure, nothing happened. To test if there were hidden guards, she deliberately sent Lan’er away and nearly fell into the water.

Indeed, there were guards.

A woman in tight clothes pulled her up and quickly let go, bowing before leaving. Her heart sank…

Ling’an Che would be gone for seven days. She was still pondering how to deal with the hidden guards.

An opportunity came.

Someone caused a commotion in the market, and she, trying to save a child, was harassed. Lan’er couldn’t handle the situation alone, and the hidden guards appeared, revealing themselves.

One guard escorted Mo Jin’er to safety. She nodded in gratitude.

The guard, a heroic and skilled woman, didn’t guard against her. When they reached a safe place, the guard felt a sharp pain in her finger and saw blood.

Few people had Ling’an Che’s immunity to poison. The guard quickly became paralyzed, sliding down the wall, looking at Mo Jin’er in disbelief.

“Sorry, you’ll sleep for a while. They should find you soon.”

She felt apologetic.

It was the sixth day of Ling’an Che’s departure. He would return at the earliest tomorrow.

She hid in an inn, disguised herself as an old woman, and planned to leave the city.

She had prepared everything in advance.

Her heart was excited but she tried to stay calm.