The falling beauty - Chapter 14

Mo Jin’er shed a few tears as she spoke, choking up and raising her hand to wipe them away.

Ling’an Che was silent for a moment before gently pulling her into his arms and tenderly wiping away her tears. “I’ll ask my senior sister to prepare some contraceptives that are as gentle on the body as possible,” he softly comforted her, his calloused fingers brushing away her tears.

He knew very well that she was afraid of having children, or rather, she didn’t want to have his children. But when she cried, he had no way to deal with it.

She leaned into his embrace, her eyes red, letting him wipe her tears. Her small face tilted up, looking obedient and endearing. He couldn’t resist kissing her lips.

After she washed and dressed, he picked out an outfit for her. Sometimes, on a whim, he would have her wear the clothes he liked, which were often quite revealing, beautiful, but not suitable to wear outside the house.

Today, however, he chose a very modest and conservative outfit for her. Though it looked dignified and beautiful, it wasn’t his usual style.

She had a vague guess as he tied his jade pendant around her waist, his actions slow and casual, and he stood very close to her.

He wanted to take her out.

Her guess proved correct as he leisurely took her hand and led her outside.

She didn’t ask where they were going, just followed him obediently. 

Ling’an Che’s height and long legs made it hard for her to keep up, even at his unhurried pace. Noticing this, he slowed down.

Walking beside him, she felt a bit uneasy, her hand in his, feeling somewhat out of place…

He had a day off and first took her shopping, buying many things even though she wasn’t very interested. Anything he found suitable, he had packaged and sent to the General’s residence.

In the evening, he took her to Tianxiang Tower.

In the top hall, the atmosphere was languid with the sound of music, noble sons around, dancers in the center, and singing on the side—an ambience thick with flirtation.

As Ling’an Che entered, someone greeted him enthusiastically.

Seeing Mo Jin’er by his side, their eyes widened. “It’s rare to see you bring a beauty out. Is this…”

There were rumors that he had recently taken a concubine, not yet officially in his house but already in his possession, kept under his watch day and night…

He smiled lazily. “Where’s Han Wang?”

Listening to their conversation, Mo Jin’er gleaned some understanding of their identities—noble sons, lords, generals…

Some even had women serving them, making her uncomfortable. She didn’t understand why Ling’an Che brought her here.

A dancer flirtatiously approached him, her bold attire swirling as she danced. The silk in her hands brushed past him, and he merely smiled.

She felt relieved, seeing the dancer’s slender waist, wondering if he fancied these women, would he leave her alone?

“Your lady is quite gracious,” commented a debonair man at the next table, surrounded by at least three women, teasing Ling’an Che.

“She’s timid, not one for jealousy,” Ling’an Che replied with a faint smile.

Mo Jin’er, not usually prone to jealousy, suddenly felt the urge to visit the restroom. A maid escorted her, and after she left, laughter rose among the men.

“Your little concubine seems so delicate, like Jiang’s type,” someone crudely joked, making lewd comments.

Ling’an Che softly rebuked, “Shut up.”

The man immediately quieted, scratching his head before turning to Jiang Yecheng, “Jiang, didn’t you recently have a farm girl trained here at Tianxiang Tower? Is this gathering to check on her?”

Jiang Yecheng, the debonair man, placed his cup on the table, a cold glint in his eyes despite his smile, “You’re overthinking it, but I do wonder how she’s doing.”

With a glance at Ling’an Che, he added, “Anche, I heard your little concubine isn’t very obedient?”

“She’s very obedient, can’t live without me,” he replied lazily.

Jiang Yecheng’s expression turned odd.

Just then, a beautiful but disheveled woman with chains was brought in, pushed to the floor beside Jiang Yecheng, her hair loose and lips set stubbornly.

“Can you serve people now?” He lifted her chin with a fan.

The woman’s eyes were fierce, spitting at him.

He kicked her, laughing harshly, “Seems like Tianxiang Tower isn’t effective. Serve everyone here tonight, or I’ll make you crawl out…”

“Beast! If you have the guts, kill me!” she lunged at him, but a servant whipped her, making her scream and curl up.

“Why such a mess? Jiang, if you want her, just drug her. She has no background, just a farm girl. Or threaten her family…” another noble suggested, his tone vile.

Ling’an Che found it dull, his gaze distant, “I’m leaving…”

He didn’t want Mo Jin’er to see this and be scared.

But she had returned, and in that short time, the woman in the center was already covered in blood, trembling, while Jiang Yecheng’s eyes burned with anger.

Seeing this, her face turned pale.

“Drag her away, do what you want but don’t kill her,” Jiang Yecheng ordered.

The woman laughed maniacally, “Jiang Yecheng, you killed my fiancé, my father suffered because of you. I’ll kill you one day…”

“I’ll haunt you forever… I’d rather serve anyone than you! Curse you to a miserable death…”

She broke free, trying to dash to a pillar, but he caught her, “Want to die? Dream on! Drag her out! No mercy…”

The servant saluted Mo Jin’er, then dragged the bleeding woman away.

Ling’an Che was about to leave with Mo Jin’er, but she stood rooted, blood running cold.

As the servant passed by, she softly asked, “Where are you taking her?”

The servant smiled, “To be disciplined…”

“As rulers, do you trample the people’s will, humiliating and oppressing them?” Mo Jin’er’s voice turned cold, directed at Jiang Yecheng.

Feeling pity for the woman, the other dancers were also scared but silent.

“Anche, control your woman,” Jiang Yecheng, already furious, snapped coldly.

“A mere plaything, not even a concubine, dares speak up?”

“Jiang, you have indeed gone too far,” Ling’an Che never meddled in such matters, but with Mo Jin’er here, he sided with her.

“Anche…” Jiang Yecheng’s gaze turned icy.

Mo Jin’er, now fearful, clung to his hand.

“Because of a woman, you meddle in your brother’s affairs. I think you’re bewitched,” Jiang Yecheng sneered.

“…She is soft-hearted, can’t stand to see the suffering,” he calmly replied.

“Can you let her go?” Mo Jin’er’s small voice added, from behind him.

She realized she might have caused trouble.

Ling’an Che, now holding her hand, said, “She’s angered you, but you’re not interested in her anymore. Give her to Jin’er.”

Jiang Yecheng laughed coldly, then signaled a servant, “Arrange for her to be placed in your army…”

A young man stood, looking uneasy.

“And…”

He demanded some of Ling’an Che’s power in return. He agreed, still smiling.

Mo Jin’er, holding his hand, felt his fingers rub hers.

Lost in thought, she realized she might have caused him trouble.

In the carriage back, he lounged, “That was a costly dinner.”

She blushed, piecing together some of their conversation, feeling conflicted.

“I knew you liked making toys, but I didn’t know you liked saving people. Maybe you should learn medicine from my senior sister,” he teased, pinching her soft, troubled face.

Blushing more, Mo Jin’er muttered, “I was just afraid she’d be tortured…”

“You guessed right. She’d have been taken by at least ten men…” He whispered, making her face pale with shock.

“You monsters…” she stammered.

“Jiang Yecheng is sick, not me.”

Why include him in the accusation?

He thought it was normal, having seen such things often during war.

It was all too common.