The falling beauty - Chapter 20

She shivered, afraid and terrified, but he thought it was good to scare her a bit. After all, he hadn’t actually punished her; it was the greatest leniency he could show.

Now, holding her gently in his arms, he was even thinking that he shouldn’t be so harsh next time.

The Ling family arrived on the third day. Actually, Ling’an Che’s men had wiped out the remaining assassins and checked for hidden threats on the same day. Even though they had found hi’s whereabouts, it was his decision to stay put for the moment, keeping his location a secret from those in the capital.

Mo Jin’er initially thought they were just an ordinary couple, but she was surprised to find that the people who came to pick them up held Ling’an Che in high regard and addressed him as General.

The people who had helped them in the village were all given gifts of gratitude, and the aftermath was handled by one of his trusted aides.

“Is my husband a general?” she asked as they were on their way back, sitting in the carriage. She turned her head slightly to look at Ling’an Che, who was resting with his eyes closed.

He opened his eyes and laughed softly, “What does Jin’er want to ask?”

“Earlier, you said I am the daughter of a concubine from the Guogong mansion. It seems like I don’t match up with you, my husband,” she said with a sense of puzzlement. Even though she had lost her memory, she still had basic common sense.

The people who came to pick him up were very grand, indicating high status. If her husband was a general, he must be even more formidable.

Furthermore, her husband mentioned that her family had some issues and had gone to the border.

It all seemed fine, but something felt off…

He lazily smiled and pulled her into his arms, his deep voice full of doting gentleness, “How could that be? Jin’er is the love of my life. Who dares say we don’t match?”

She looked up at him with a puzzled expression, as if she was still contemplating something.

At the General’s Mansion.

Madam Ling stood at the door, anxiously waiting, extremely worried. She used to worry when her child went off to war, but everything had been peaceful. She never expected that after a few years of settled wars, he would encounter an assassination attempt on a trip out of the city.

Her dear son…

Luckily, the vice-general had informed her that he was fine, just temporarily hiding his whereabouts.

Ling’an Che was supported as he got off the carriage, surrounded by concerned people. The old general, with his hands behind his back and a slight frown, spoke in a stern but caring tone, “How did you get so badly injured this time…”

Even though the assassins were tough, they shouldn’t have injured his son so seriously.

Ling’an Che just laughed it off and made up an excuse. Naturally, he wouldn’t say it was because he had to save Mo Jin’er. After all, he believed that if he couldn’t protect a woman, he was indeed useless.

Everyone was concerned about him, while Mo Jin’er, standing by his side, was almost overlooked. Madam Ling finally looked at her, patting her hand, “How are you?”

“I’m alright…”she wanted to thank her for her concern. Should she call her mother? Strangely, she couldn’t bring herself to say it.

Fortunately, no one seemed to mind, and they all hurried inside.

Later, a girl named Baozhu came to talk to her with concern, and she learned that Baozhu was a princess who seemed to be very close to her.

She hesitantly asked, “Baozhu, what is the relationship between me and the general…”

She felt odd. Although everyone treated her kindly and called her madam, she felt like she was missing something important.

“Jin’er, you are Brother Ling’s wife,” Baozhu, now regaining her wit, said. She liked her a lot and knew about her and Brother Ling’s past of mutual torment. Now that Jin’er had lost her memory, perhaps it was a good thing.

She felt a bit guilty for lying, but there was no better way now.

Hearing her answer, Mo Jin’er slowly dispelled her doubts, smiling brightly as she chatted about the time in the village.

Everything seemed to be getting better, and Baozhu’s brows gradually relaxed.

Mo Jin’er, at night with Ling’an Che, smiled sweetly, as if they were a real couple.

Even Madam Ling, seeing him being so gentle and patient with her, was somewhat stunned.

In her heart, she felt quite emotional.

“Have you changed?” she watched him  dotingly accompany Mo Jin’er, the two of them strolling in the garden, talking and laughing, and felt relieved.

It seemed that Jin’er, having lost her memory, no longer resisted him, so he didn’t need to use any harsh methods on her and could now pamper her immensely.

“Yes, Madam, I have never seen the young master in such a good mood before,” the maid beside her also smiled.

“The young people today, when they are in love, are really affectionate. Do you think I might soon have a grandchild…” Madam Ling laughed, extremely gratified.

They chatted and then walked away from the corridor.

“Husband, does your leg really not hurt anymore?” Mo Jin’er asked, being held by Ling’an Che, as they sat in a pavilion. Her delicate, beautiful face showed a smile with a hint of worry and concern.

Even though half a month had passed, he was seriously injured then, yet he recovered so quickly…

He smiled nonchalantly, “It’s nothing.”

Lately, he had been holding back, coaxing and enticing her to be close to him, making his heart surge with emotions.

Mo Jin’er, after losing her memory, was so adorable that he had to admit he loved seeing her smile so warmly, calling him husband.

About a month later, his leg healed, allowing him to walk normally, though he still had to avoid strenuous activities like running or performing martial arts.

He had some matters to settle, and after finishing them, he returned from the palace, his steps even cheerful.

He eagerly anticipated seeing the little one.

But Mo Jin’er felt something was wrong today. After bathing, her face turned red, and she felt very uncomfortable.

When Ling’an Che returned, she immediately threw herself into his arms, hugging him tightly.

Her clothes were barely on properly, and she felt so uncomfortable that she nudged him softly, eventually standing on tiptoe to kiss him.

Her big eyes were full of mist and confusion, and her body was burning up.

Ling’an Che, having abstained for a long time, didn’t think much. He wrapped his strong arm around her slim waist, lifting her easily as he responded to her kiss while walking.

He noticed something was off about her, but he still treated her with passionate gentleness.

He restrained himself as much as he could…

That night, he was very content, while Mo Jin’er slept beside him, her body still bearing many marks. He had held back as much as he could.

He realized she was different. Usually, she would cry after one time, but later she clung to him, asking for it again and again…

He knew medicine, so he understood that she had been drugged. After Su Qinqin checked her, hearing her words made his heart sink.

“You gave her Charm Fragrance?” She asked with a slight frown after examining Mo Jin’er’s body.

“What did you say? Jin’er was given Charm Fragrance?” Ling’an Che’s eyebrows also furrowed slightly, his dark eyes revealing a hint of coldness and sharpness.

“Wasn’t it you? She has indeed been given Charm Fragrance. I confirmed it several times. Once it is administered, the only relief is through that act, and for a girl, you know what it will turn her into.”

Su Qinqin sighed inwardly, realizing the gravity of the situation.

Charm Fragrance was incurable, and it would ultimately change even the purest and most bashful girl completely.

“Can it be cured…” he asked in a low voice.

She was too fragile. If the drug tortured her so much that she needed frequent relief, she couldn’t endure it.

Even if her constitution changed to endure him, he couldn’t bear it.

Not just barely, but absolutely.

He had thought about it before because she was disobedient, but he never used it on her. Now, who could have done it…

“This drug is incurable, I told you before, but didn’t you have this idea earlier? Thinking she was too weak. Now that someone has given it to her, hasn’t it fulfilled your wish?”

Her eyes revealed a bit of confusion.

“It’s different now. I don’t want her to become like that. It ultimately harms her…” his voice was somewhat hoarse, his gaze darkening. Who did this…

She was so delicate and afraid of pain, yet because of the drug, she had to seek him out. This wasn’t what he wanted.

Su Qinqin was slightly stunned but then understood. Looking at her junior brother under the light of the night pearl, dressed in a light purple robe, handsome and profound, with cold eyes full of restraint, she thought for a moment before saying, “Charm Fragrance is indeed incurable, but I have a way to temporarily suppress it or at least somewhat alleviate it…”

“Then I’ll trouble you, senior sister,” he said lowly…

When Mo Jin’er woke up, she felt extremely uncomfortable. Her lips were even redder and slightly parted, breathing heavily, her beautiful eyes filled with tears. She sniffed and bit her lip, feeling the pain, and ended up lightly biting the corner of the quilt.

When Ling’an Che came in and held her hand, looking down at her, his deep voice was hoarse but gentle.

“Does it still hurt…”

He asked softly.

“Mm… Husband… I feel so uncomfortable…” Mo Jin’er felt like she was about to die, leaning closer to him, her small face rubbing against his warm, dry palm.

The quilt slightly opened, her loose inner clothes revealing her delicate collarbones, her skin white and dazzling.