The falling beauty - Chapter 17

Lan’er knelt beside the hot spring, looking at Mo Jin’er’s fragile and pitiable state. The beautiful girl’s appearance, marred with marks, only made her more heartbreaking.

She picked up a handkerchief and gently wiped her face, avoiding her slightly injured lips. Feeling the same shock, she spoke softly, asking her to open her mouth.

Mo Jin’er complied, opening her mouth, and Lan’er, unable to hold back, continued, “But the young General did go too far this time. Your throat and vocal cords are also injured…”

Her eyes filled with pity as she sighed deeply. She mentioned that Su Qinqin would have to prescribe new medicine.

Mo Jin’er sniffed, recalling how Ling’an Che had never been so ruthless before. Yesterday, he even gripped her chin, threatening her with a smile, saying if she dared to bite, her grandmother would accompany her in the afterlife.

Her tears flowed continuously, her body trembling as she knelt before him.

He mockingly laughed, treating her as if she were just a kept woman.

Honestly, she was terrified. His previous bullying had never been like this. She felt as if she were about to lose her mind.

Now, she was afraid to see him again.

After bathing her, Lan’er dressed her and carried her out.

She was too exhausted to walk on her own.

Though she was extremely tired, she couldn’t fall asleep.

She thought Lan’er would take her back to her room, as she was now too scared to go outside, finding the sunlight harsh and chilling.

But Lan’er brought her to the entrance of a woodshed. The window was open, revealing a terrifying scene inside.

She stiffened, wanting to retreat, standing there in a daze.

Though called a woodshed, it was more spacious and comfortable than her small courtyard in the Guogong Mansion. Inside, Liu Xing’er was in an awkward, twisted position, her face flushed as she made indecent noises.

Surrounded by men, Mo Jin’er, though not inexperienced, knew what was happening. The scene chilled her to the core.

She took a step back, a piercing pain making her eyes water, feeling a wave of sadness.

Lan’er used her inner strength to close the window, explaining, “Liu Xing’er drugged the young General last night. The General broke her limbs and forced her to take all the medicine, then threw her into the woodshed. The medicine is strong and won’t be relieved easily…”

“Miss Jiner, Liu Xing’er may be the daughter of the governor of Jingzhou, but the governor once nearly got the Ling family killed on the battlefield out of cowardice. Liu Xing’er has also harmed many lives in her mansion. Did you know she was sent by her father to approach the General?”

Mo Jin’er froze, realizing she hadn’t thought deeply about it…

“Aristocratic marriages often involve interests. Liu Xing’er is unworthy.”

Lan’er crouched in front of her, preparing to carry her back.

Mo Jin’er clung to her, her face against her shoulder, her soft voice hoarse, “Aren’t you afraid I was sent to approach Ling’an Che too?”

Lan’er laughed, “Miss Jin’er, no one can deceive the General.”

“So, he has no women around to prevent spies. My background is clean, so he keeps me close,” Mo Jin’er said, feeling dejected.

Lan’er chuckled, “I don’t fully understand the General’s thoughts, but I think he likes you.”

Otherwise, with his proud and arrogant nature, he wouldn’t insist on keeping her.

Mo Jin’er bit her lip, tears welling up again. She had never seen someone torment a person they liked so much.

Lan’er brought her back, applied medicine to her, and chatted to lift her spirits. She felt slightly better, noticing Lan’er was unusually talkative today.

She was clearly sent to console her.

Knowing little about shadow guards, she knew they were skilled in martial arts, assassination, protection, and various tasks. They could take on any appearance.

Whether it was Ling’an Che’s idea or her own compassion, Mo Jin’er knew it was the former. She had no other choice now.

She asked her to stay with her, finding some comfort in her company, distracting her from thoughts of Ling’an Che’s bullying.

She hoped he would leave her alone for a few days after yesterday’s incident, as she couldn’t understand his boundless energy.

But he returned that night, his lazy, handsome demeanor making her tense up. She grabbed Lan’er’s hand, sitting beside her.

Lan’er, seeing the young General return, stood up, but Mo Jin’er held her hand tightly.

Her large, misty eyes brimmed with tears, her delicate hand clutching Lan’er’s.

Even her slender wrists bore bruises.

Lan’er, moved by compassion, knelt before Ling’an Che, reminding him, “General, Miss Jin’er is injured… Miss Su said if she isn’t careful, she might never have children…”

She bravely spoke up, waiting for the General’s response.

Ling’an Che’s indifferent gaze fell on their clasped hands, then shifted to Mo Jin’er.

Covered modestly, she sat hugging herself, holding Lan’er’s clothes as if for dear life.

Seeing his gaze, her fingers stiffened.

His cold eyes, seemingly amiable, told Lan’er to receive her punishment.

Lan’er, stiffening, quickly left.

Watching her leave, Mo Jin’er’s face turned pale, her whole body feeling cold.

“How pitiful,” Ling’an Che mocked, his calloused fingers brushing her lips.

Her eyes teared up from the pain.

Her lips had been bitten yesterday, not by him, but because of his bullying.

He lazily told her to open her mouth, checking her mouth. Knowing he had gone too far, he justified it by her drugging him.

He had restrained himself, otherwise, she wouldn’t be here.

He wanted to see her again…

He kissed her uninjured cheek, “Will you drug me again?”

Mo Jin’er, tearing up, remained silent, her eyes red with grievance.

“Did you see Liu Xing’er’s fate?” He asked.

“Treating a woman like that makes you no different from Jiang Yetian,” she replied, her soft, hoarse voice trembling.

“Jingzhou’s governor was cruel, kidnapping women. After a woman bore a daughter, Liu Xing’er and others killed the child at five or six. Do you think she’d treat Baozhu well?” Ling’an Che said coldly.

Mo Jin’er, hearing this, bit her lip, speechless.

Ling’an Che, checking her injuries, prepared to apply medicine. Mo Jin’er, trembling, stopped him, “I’ve already applied it…”

She lied, fearing his touch.

“Little Jin’er, I have little patience for you now,” he smiled coldly.

Mo Jin’er’s nose reddened, reluctantly letting go, turning her head away.

Her toes curled, she bit her finger, tears welling up.

After applying medicine, he called Su Qinqin to examine her.

Su Qinqin, shocked, prescribed more medicine and left.

She had advised her junior brother before, but now it seemed worse.

It was their private matter, so she subtly hinted at Mo Jin’er’s fragility.

Ling’an Che, rubbing his temples, mentioned the drugging incident.

Su Qinqin almost laughed, thinking he deserved it, but maintained her composure, saying, “I didn’t expect her to be so bold…”

“Do you have any medicine to make someone lose their memory?” He asked lazily, feeling helpless with her. Harsh punishment was his only recourse, as he couldn’t bear to truly hurt or scold her.

Perhaps making her forget would be better…