The falling beauty - Chapter 13

Echoes of agreement arose around, while Lady Ling frowned slightly on the side. Just as she was about to speak up, she was gently reminded by the maidservant beside her.

Mo Jin’er stood gracefully, though she hadn’t spoken yet, she had already outshone all the daughters of those noble families around her.

“Miss Shen, I heard that your mother was a fisherwoman by the seaside before marrying Prime Minister Shen. So, may I ask if you know how to fish now?”

Her voice was gentle and melodious as she stood there, casting a side glance with elegance that was devoid of any vitality, yet impossible to ignore.

Her soft words concealed sharpness, countering Shen Yanyan.

“You! How dare you!” Shen Yanyan was truly furious, but she dared not erupt in public. She rushed to Lady Shen’s side, looking aggrieved.

“Ning, after all, she is a concubine. I know you wanted to give her some face by letting her come out, but she really doesn’t understand etiquette at all, showing no respect for rank.”

A dignified old lady beside Lady Ling expressed her dissatisfaction.

Other noblewomen chimed in with smiles, trying to smooth things over. “Yes, it’s just singing a song. Ning, Miss Shen from the Shen family meant no harm. This concubine is just too ignorant.”

Ning was Lady Ling’s maiden name, and all present were her close friends, all of noble status.

Another lady whispered to Lady Ling, “I heard this concubine isn’t very obedient. You might as well discipline her a bit.”

Lady Ling frowned slightly, sighed softly, and said, “Jiner, apologize to Miss Shen.”

Mo Jin’er heard this and slightly tightened her fingers. She was supposed to apologize to the Shen family, despite her lack of attachment to the Duke’s mansion. However, her bloodline was from the Mo family. Would she apologize to the Shen family, who had usurped her family’s place?

She stood there with a pale face, finding the situation rather ridiculous.

She pursed her lips and remained silent.

As the atmosphere grew tense and delicate, a magnetic voice with a hint of a smile spoke indifferently, “Mother, she doesn’t need to apologize to anyone.”

“Che’er…” Lady Ling hesitated.

“If Mother wishes to hear music, I will arrange for a troupe from the Western Regions to perform another day, with beauties singing for you. Besides, what Jiner said wasn’t entirely wrong, was it?”

Ling’an Che smiled gently, causing a subtle shift in the expressions of those present.

It was clear he was siding with Mo Jin’er…

None of those present were anything less than noble and prestigious. How could Mo Jin’er, daughter of a fallen family, compare? Even if she was mocked and criticized, what difference would it make?

Yet he defended her like this, and in the end, everyone could only laugh it off and defuse the tension.

“What does it matter if she was a singing girl or a fisherwoman? They were all just trying to survive, and many young ladies have no choice.” His calm statement surprised everyone present, but the incident passed amid murmurs of agreement…

After hearing his words, Mo Jin’er was initially stunned, feeling oddly touched. But when she heard his mention of having no choice, she glanced up and caught him seemingly smiling at her. She couldn’t help blushing…

After this incident, no one dared to openly ridicule her again. Instead, some approached her cautiously, seeking her friendship. She smiled awkwardly and, in the end, couldn’t help but look up at Ling’an Che, surrounded by admirers.

She glanced at him and felt a strange confusion but quickly averted her gaze.

What kind of person was he exactly?

Privately, he didn’t seem to “respect” her at all, yet on the surface, he never seemed to find fault with her…

Many young ladies surrounded her, with one even gently touching her face and sighing, “Your skin is so fair and smooth…”

“Ling was so picky before. I heard that when he returned victorious from his first battle, the emperor asked what reward he wanted, even offering him a marriage, but he rejected various noble daughters, which was infuriating…”

“Hey, Jiner, how did you manage to win him over? Tell us…”

She was bothered by their chatter, and finally, Baozhu came to occupy her. “Go away, weren’t you different back then…”

“Oh, come on, let’s play together. We just want to chat with Miss Jin’er…”

Eventually, Mo Jin’er was persuaded to drink a few sips of fruit wine. It tasted sweet at the time, and she didn’t think much of it. Later, leaning on her hand, she sat there in a daze. Ling’an Che approached and noticed the sweet, boozy scent emanating from her. He raised an eyebrow. Was she drunk?

The banquet had ended, and Mo Jin’er watched as everyone left, including Baozhu. Ling’an Che walked up to her, bent down, and smiled as he pinched her cheek. “Shall we go back?”

She came to her senses. She couldn’t quite describe her current feelings, just a sense of dizziness and instability. Sitting here motionless was probably better.

She heard his voice and raised her small face slightly, her eyes bewildered as she looked at his swaying handsome face.

Perhaps emboldened by the wine, she lightly furrowed her brows and avoided his hand, saying coldly, “Do you think I don’t know what you want by asking me to go back? I won’t do as you wish.”

He felt her words were strange but still soft and somewhat chatty.

He didn’t continue with her, just leaned closer, finally trying to pick her up. However, she stared at him with wide eyes, her beautiful eyes watery, suddenly misty, as if greatly wronged, unbelievable.

“You’re going to bully me again. I hate you the most. I used to like you so much, now I hate you so much!”

She sniffled, accusing him.

“Big villain, I know you look down on me just like them. One day, I will trample you underfoot and let you waste away!”

“Okay, I’ll wait for that day and let Jin’er treat me as she pleases.” When he heard this, he couldn’t help but laugh. His voice was deep and magnetic, chuckling softly with an ambiguous tone that left room for imagination.

Mo Jin’er didn’t know how to respond. She paused, her delicate fingers still clutching his clothes, and continued in a nagging tone, “So, do you dare to do that to me?”

He strode forward and pulled her close as they walked, casually asking, “How should I treat you?”

She lifted her hand to show him the almost faded red marks on her wrist.

Feeling particularly hurt, she added with a hint of anger, “You tied my hands before…”

“And you bit me and hit me…” She choked up, tears falling as she spoke.

“…” Ling’an Che face was full of black lines. Finally, he smiled and covered her mouth, lowering his head to speak with a tone that was both fond and helpless, “Jin’er…”

Isn’t some of this just the fun between husband and wife? But

she felt like the sky had fallen, feeling extremely sad…

Some servants not far away tried to keep their heads down, pretending not to hear even though they did. Blushing, they couldn’t help but think, “The young general really knows how to play…”

Mo Jin’er was very mischievous that night, and surprisingly, Ling’an Che let her have her way, until the next day…

Her throat was sore and her head was a bit dizzy. When she woke up, she vaguely remembered what happened yesterday, but couldn’t recall it clearly. She remembered crying sadly, Ling’an Che comforting her, and then, emboldened by alcohol, she demanded “revenge”.

She even tied his wrists with the chain that had once bound her, while his eyes, seemingly smiling, continued to gaze at her.

Later, she attempted to bite back but accidentally bit his mouth, drawing blood. It was an accident; he asked her to kiss him in a hoarse voice.

In the end, she played too hard, and then felt very sleepy and just wanted to sleep. She never expected him to easily break the chain.

And then came his rough kiss…

She sat on the bed solemnly, but no one knew she was feeling very dazed, emptying her mind, wondering what words might anger him.

He didn’t seem angry, though; he smiled gently and assured her he would treat her gently.

It was just because she had said she hated him the most, preferring gentle and considerate men… She

was a little tipsy, so she spoke her mind,

but did she say anything else she shouldn’t have?

She suddenly felt nervous.

Then she vaguely remembered saying everything, telling him he shouldn’t treat her like that, listing all the shameful things he had done, and more… Her

face flushed a bit, sitting on the edge of the bed, hugging the thin quilt.

He even defended her…

When those people were troubling her, bullying her, it was only him…

Her heart seemed to skip a beat, she buried her face in the quilt, her legs curled up as she hugged herself, repeating over and over again not to fall for him again.

Once was enough.

She might not be able to control other things, but she could protect her heart.

A maid came in with a sobering soup, and Mo Jin’er raised her head slightly, her expression serious. At least she felt that he might not be so unreasonable.

She wanted to leave; maybe there was still hope.

In addition to the sobering soup, there should also be contraceptive soup. She knew they wouldn’t bring it unless she asked, so in a slightly hoarse voice, she said, “Lan’er, also bring the contraceptive soup.”

Lan’er picked up the bowl but hesitated, then smiled and said, “Miss Jin’er, the contraceptive soup is too cold. The young general said you shouldn’t drink it anymore.”

Hearing this, she was still a bit confused, but soon her heart sank. She got off the bed barefoot, and she didn’t know why, but suddenly she was very angry, though her tone remained light and calm, “I want to drink it, or else what if I get pregnant…”

“If I get pregnant, I’ll give birth.” Suddenly, Ling’an Che’s magnetic, low voice came from outside the door, lingering faintly and slightly tired, as if he was in a very happy mood.

Mo Jin’er froze, standing stiffly in place. She pursed her lips slightly, her beautiful face still quite pale, standing there like a quiet and beautiful flower.

“Little Jin’er, though it’s summer, the ground is cool.” His attitude toward her seemed to subtly change. He was very gentle now. Approaching her, he said so, picking her up and laying her back on the bed.

His big hand still held her foot, playing with it a few times.

“But what if I don’t want to have a baby?” Mo Jin’er’s soft, gentle voice echoed in the room, still slightly hoarse from last night’s madness. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she expressed her thoughts.

His dark eyes darkened again, but the smile on his face didn’t change. He sat leisurely beside her, somewhat cynical, with a smile on his face.

“Jin’er, think it over.”

She could see he was angry, but even so, she didn’t want to have a baby. Her trembling eyelashes drooped gently. She was still wearing a white inner garment, making her figure even more delicate, thin, and pitiful.

After spending so much time together, she actually got to know him a little. If she continued to speak those hurtful words to him, she would be the one who suffered. Thinking back to when he had locked her in the room, she couldn’t help but turn pale.

Finally, she changed the subject, sniffing, and the grievances surged in her heart, which actually had a bit of sincerity.

“I’m afraid… Ling’an Che, I’m really afraid. It hurts when you bully me like that. How much more painful would it be if I gave birth to a child? I’m really scared…”