The falling beauty - Chapter 19

“Jin’er…” Ling’an Che called softly, his magnetic voice hoarse and faint.

Mo Jin’er felt pain all over her body, her head aching and feeling dizzy. She wanted to cry, sitting there dazed and confused, unable to remember anything. 

Nearby, there were faint sounds that made her tense up and look around timidly. She noticed there seemed to be another person there.

But she couldn’t remember why she was here or who that person was. 

Ling’an Che noticed she wasn’t moving and his gaze darkened. His black hair spread out on the green grass, his face smeared with both his own and others’ blood.

He had killed many people in his life. Though he was a general, he knew that he might one day die on the battlefield or at the hands of others. He had never thought about marrying; indulgence and pleasure were good choices.

Now, with his legs incapacitated, this was her best chance to leave. If she wanted to leave, he couldn’t stop her.

But Mo Jin’er remained still and eventually asked timidly, “Who are you… Where is this, and why are we both injured?”

He looked at her, noting her fragile appearance in the setting sun. She looked like a fairy amidst flowers, her large eyes filled with confusion and anxiety.

Her words made him smile. He was worried about her head injury, afraid of possible aftereffects.

“Jin’er, I am your husband. What happened? Did you injure your head?” His magnetic voice answered gently.

Her eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at him. She had a husband? But who was she?

She was called Jin’er?

Why did she feel so unsettled inside?

She shakily stood up, managing to steady herself, and walked towards Ling’an Che, who was lying there, looking frail and helpless, covered in blood.

Seeing him for the first time, she felt a strange flutter in her heart, her heart racing uncontrollably. Her husband was incredibly handsome…

“Is what you said true…” She stammered, feeling nervous and suspicious. 

So much blood and so many injuries didn’t seem like the work of ordinary people…

“Of course it’s true. We were on our way to a banquet and were attacked by bandits on our way back, causing us to fall off a cliff, Jin’er…” Ling’an Che, observing her wary expression, closed his eyes slightly, looking even more disheveled.

“You have a small birthmark on your lower back…”

She turned slightly and saw a small birthmark on her exposed skin, where the branch had torn her clothes.

“How are you, husband?” She asked, immediately believing his words, feeling helpless and distressed over his injuries. 

Ling’an Che found it amusing to see her concerned for him, noting that she had never shown such concern before.

But he maintained a calm demeanor and said with a smile, “There should be a village nearby. Go find someone to help…”

She nodded and examined his injuries, noticing that his leg was hurt and he couldn’t walk, so she needed to find help.

Before she left, Ling’an Che said in a hoarse voice, “Wait, let me check your injuries.”

He had protected her tightly during the fall, but they hit a tree and fell apart.

He was worried about her internal injuries, fearing she might collapse while walking.

“It’s okay, just some abrasions…” She said blankly. It was painful, but finding help was the priority.

He checked her pulse and looked at her head, determining she likely didn’t have internal injuries. 

He had learned some skills from the Medicinal Valley, so he could tell.

As she watched the blood on his hands, she looked at his pale, handsome face in a daze.

Her husband, despite such a serious situation, was calmly checking her injuries first…

Her heartbeat quickened uncontrollably as she stood very close to him.

After the examination, he let her go and smiled, “Go west; there’s a village there. Take this…”

He gave her a concealed weapon and some medicine, instructing her to keep them safe.

She sniffed and nodded.

he then teased, “Little Jin’er, your husband is relying on you this time.”

She blushed at his words, clutching the sword and nervously replying, “We’re husband and wife, why talk like this?”

Years later, she would realize how wrong she was…

He smiled beautifully, but his face was extremely pale. She quickly got up and left.

Heading west, she ran as fast as she could despite the painful abrasions. Before sunset, she found a village and requested help.

By the time she returned, Ling’an Che was unconscious. The hunters carefully lifted him onto a cart and took him back.

The young couple would certainly be rewarded for saving lives, even if there was no reward; people like them, with their noble appearance, would surely help the villagers in other ways.

People in the village quickly spread the news, and many came to see the beautiful young woman and her husband who looked like celestial beings. 

While some had amorous thoughts, they were quickly deterred by the knowledge of her marriage. Nonetheless, many admired Mo Jin’er for her beauty and friendly demeanor.

That night, she was awakened by a nightmare.

Ling’an Che, sensing her trembling, comforted her silently, “Did you have a nightmare?”

“Yes… I dreamed of the dead person…” Her face was pale.

He hesitated. He knew she was timid but didn’t realize how witnessing him killing someone would affect her so profoundly. She had even vomited after seeing him deal with spies before…