The falling beauty - Chapter 23

Even though he had done so many excessive things to her, he was actually a good person.

But how could he be dead?

Why, how could this happen…

After traveling for a while, Mo Jin’er returned to the Ling family estate. The general’s residence seemed just as it had been before, and the warm pavilion was exactly as she had left it, with nothing moved.

The courtyard where she had lived with Ling’an Che also seemed to have been untouched for a long time, with a clean but empty atmosphere.

After everyone had left, she gently pressed her hand to her heart, feeling a suffocating helplessness. She could feel her sadness, as if her heart was breaking.

The steward had told her before leaving, “Madam, the General had prepared for your wedding, so the Ling family will continue to honor you as Madam. Although the wedding was canceled after your departure, we will still respect you as Madam.”

Then the steward left, gently closing the door.

Mo Jin’er walked over to the table, where a marriage invitation was still placed. The dragon-like characters written by Ling’an Che himself showed his anticipation to marry her, even amid his busy schedule.

Tears fell in large droplets as she held the crimson invitation tightly to her chest, weeping silently.

Mo Yun’er had gone to stay with the old general and Ling’an Che’s mother. Seeing the soft and adorable little girl brought some solace to her spirit. The child, looking timid yet not afraid, called them “Grandpa” and “Grandma.”

If it weren’t for the desire not to cry in front of the child, Ling’s mother would have wiped her tears. She held little Yun’er in her arms, overwhelmed with joy and sorrow.

Mo Jin’er, in front of everyone, had only cried when she first heard about Ling’an Che’s outburst. After that, she appeared unaffected, staying busy with her business during the day and returning to be with her child at night.

Only by staying busy could she seem to stop thinking about him and prevent herself from constantly crying.

That uncontrollable emotion, which had initially faded, began to resurface as she frequently remembered him. In her dreams, she even saw him as he had been when they first met—arrogant and radiant, like a dazzling sun.

Baozhu was still in the residence, and upon seeing Mo Jin’er with a child, she knew it was hers. She liked to play with little Yun’er. Since Ling’an Che’s death, she had also cried privately for a long time.

Despite being occupied, Mo Jin’er often found it difficult to sleep at night. The poison from the charm fragrance seemed to be resurfacing, causing her unbearable discomfort, which she managed to endure.

She had re-invited Su Qinqin to the residence, who, worriedly, said, “Jin’er, the charm fragrance is still like before; it can only be suppressed gradually and is becoming more intense. You need to find some relief.”

But Ling’an Che was dead; her junior brother had died. What should she do?

Su Qinqin quietly suggested, “Madam, if you remarry, it’s not impossible…”

She meant that she could marry another man to avoid enduring this torment.

“It’s alright.” Mo Jin’er’s expression was somewhat dazed, her face pale. She smiled and said.

Could she remarry? Even though she had severed her feelings later, meeting someone as stunning as Ling’an Che made it impossible to like anyone else.

It was impossible for this lifetime.

As the New Year approached, winter was still very cold. The streets were filled with festive cheer, and snow was falling outside. Little Yun’er, dressed in red and with two puffs of hair, looked like a beautiful New Year painting.

“Mommy! It’s snowing!” she exclaimed happily, peeking out the window.

Mo Jin’er used to be extremely sensitive to the cold, but this year, she was strangely not as delicate. Due to the charm fragrance, she often felt uncomfortable, and now, wearing thinner clothes made her look even more delicate and fragile.

She and her round little daughter went outside, smiling faintly as she watched Yun’er play in the snow with the maids.

She raised her hand to catch the snowflakes falling through the air, exhaling thin mist, creating a picture-perfect scene.

Later, when she went back inside, little Yun’er continued playing outside with the maid. Mo Jin’er’s fingertips were slightly red from the cold. Although going outside had made her feel slightly better, being back in the warm pavilion made her feel worse.

Finally, she lay down on the empty couch, curling up slightly, biting her fingers.

The pain made her a bit more awake, but it was growing more intense…

Through her tear-blurred vision, she saw a tall, cold figure approaching through the beaded curtain.

In her daze, she thought she saw Ling’an Che, who had changed a lot since before. He now had a stubbly beard, looking rough and wild. He bent down and kissed her fiercely, with a raw, aggressive passion…

That night, Mo Jin’er suddenly woke up. She instinctively looked around, finding the room empty, with no one there.

Her lips were slightly swollen, and her eyes were watery. She propped herself up, looking at the marks on her body, and an inescapable suspicion arose.

Ignoring the pain and weakness, she dressed quickly and went to find Lan’er.

She softly called, “Lan’er.”

“Madam?” Lan’er, who was preparing some treats for Yun’er in the small kitchen, looked up and greeted her with a smile.

She chatted with her for a while, then asked about when Ling’an Che had been sent back and some details about his death during the return journey.

Lan’er seemed flustered as Mo Jin’er’s questions seemed to entrap her, revealing more than she intended.

“Ling’an Che didn’t die, did he?” Mo Jin’er concluded softly.

“Madam, I’m not sure about some details…” Lan’er thought and wiped the sweat from her forehead. “So if I said something wrong, it’s normal…”

“He had something to do, didn’t he?” she asked her seriously.

She just wanted to know the answer. It couldn’t have been an illusion; it was clearly him.

Ling’an Che wasn’t dead!

Of course, Lan’er couldn’t admit this. Mo Jin’er’s expression softened as she realized the truth. After turning and leaving, her steps were lighter, and a faint smile appeared on her lips.

She would make him appear and see her.

The next day, when the weather cleared, she went out and accidentally ran into Jiang Yecheng. She greeted him with a smile.

He was astonished. What was going on with her? She had always ignored him before…

That night, she visited a well-known brothel. She ordered several people with features similar to Ling’an Che’s, such as his back, mouth, eyes, etc.

But she just listened to the music quietly and did nothing.

After staying for about two hours without seeing him, she thought maybe it wasn’t enough.

She smiled at a young musician and called him over. “Come here.”

The young musician, filled with joy at serving such a beautiful woman, was thrilled. He would have gladly pampered her even if she were just here for leisure.

But before he could get close, she was surrounded by some black-clad guards who had rushed in.

The young musician reached out to her, trembling, “Madam…”

Mo Jin’er looked up and saw the tall, handsome man in front of her. He was still handsome but more mature now, with a cleaner-shaven face and a more intense aura.

She extended her hand and touched his fingers. “Husband.”

She called him softly.

He had finally shown up.

“Why did you come back?” Ling’an Che, dressed in black, crouched in front of her, his voice deep and hoarse, looking at her with dark eyes.

If it was out of pity or guilt, there was no need. He hadn’t fallen so low.

He had given her the freedom she wanted, so why had she returned?

Then he wouldn’t let go.

Mo Jin’er was somewhat troubled. To love him again? It couldn’t be called that. After everything they had been through, her heart had been sealed off. She had never thought she still loved him. But learning of his death had caused such sorrow.

The truth was that she returned because the child was his, and Ling’s parents wanted her back.

Maybe she could leave the child with the Ling family and find another place to live, visiting the child occasionally.

But…

She inexplicably wanted to see everything related to Ling’an Che once more.

She wasn’t sure about this feeling, but…

She just wanted to see him again, and she knew what that meant.

Of course, she couldn’t say this. She just looked at him with bright, watery eyes, her voice soft and somewhat aggrieved. “Doesn’t my husband want me to come back?”

This was already the answer.

Ling’an Che clasped her hand tightly, pressing her down onto the soft cushion behind her. Her black hair spread out on the cushion, her expression gentle. She reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Then it was a wild and passionate reunion…

Back at the general’s residence, Ling’an Che explained everything to her. After resolving the border issues, he had gone to the Town South King’s place. The Town South King was allied with the Prime Minister Shen, with intentions of rebellion, and had even sabotaged him at the border.