The falling beauty - Chapter 24

He secretly faked his death, deceiving even the people in the general’s mansion, including his parents. If the act wasn’t convincing enough, how could anyone believe it? Once everything settled, he spent the first day back with Mo Jin’er.

After passing many mountains, he had to explain to his parents. Mo Jin’er nodded and went with him.

His was overjoyed, hugging him and crying. Finally, the old general said, “once this matter is resolved, hand over your military power and retire.”

Ling’an Che laughed, “Father, I’m afraid the emperor won’t agree.”

They continued chatting.

At night, Mo Jin’er was applying medicine to Ling’an Che. She knew he had many old wounds, but this time there were even more, some of which had reopened. It pained her just to look at them.

After finishing, Ling’an Che tried to kiss her, but she gently blocked his lips with her hand, smiling with her eyes curved, “Your wounds have reopened, wait until you’re better.”

“Just a kiss, I won’t do anything,” his voice was hoarse.

Mo Jin’er hesitated, blushing…

…

After entering the palace and seeing the emperor, Ling’an Che returned home to recuperate.

One day, while Mo Jin’er was in the garden, Baozhu came to her, crying before she even spoke.

“Baozhu… what’s wrong?” Mo Jin’er quickly put down the watering can and walked over to wipe her tears.

“Jin’er, Brother Ling wants to deal with Que’er, can you plead for her?” Baozhu sobbed.

“Why?” Mo Jin’er asked instinctively, comforting her, believing there must be a reason and trusting him.

“He said she is a spy… but how could that be…” Baozhu hiccupped, as Que’er had grown up with her and protected her many times.

“I’ll go see…” Mo Jin’er went to find Ling’an Che.

He had already dealt with Que’er, keeping her until now for a reason.

It was Que’er who had drugged her with the charm fragrance…

“Baozhu is very upset, does Que’er really have to die?” Mo Jin’er asked worriedly outside the secret room as Ling’an Che came out.

“The person has been killed,” he said calmly, wiping his hands.

Mo Jin’er was taken aback, hesitant to speak.

Due to this, Baozhu stayed in her room for days, visibly losing weight, but insisted she was fine.

Ling’an Che planned to find a good marriage for her and have her married off.

She had no reaction, just a faint acknowledgment when she heard about it.

To cheer her up, Mo Jin’er took her out for a walk. As they passed a restaurant, they overheard a group of drunken playboys making rude comments.

“I heard the Minister of Justice is going to marry that fool of a princess. They do seem to match, though he’s just a concubine’s son who clawed his way up…”

“That Baozhu is said to be a real beauty. If not for the General’s family backing her, I’d take her as a concubine…”

“She’s dumb but her body is amazing…”

Baozhu’s face turned pale as she stepped back.

Mo Jin’er frowned, about to order her guards to teach the men a lesson, but someone else intervened first.

A man in purple knocked the leader down with a punch. This refined-looking man, smiling with a fan in hand, had his followers beat the playboys and threatened to imprison them.

“Shao… Shao Jingze…” one of them stammered, recognizing the Minister of Justice and Baozhu’s fiancé.

Mo Jin’er was surprised to see the refined man as Shao Jingze.

Despite his gentle appearance, he was known for his ruthless methods.

Seeing Baozhu’s reaction, Mo Jin’er laughed and teased her about him being a good match.

Baozhu, without any feelings for him, simply followed her family’s arrangement.

…

After their marriage, Baozhu found herself miserable, recalling how Mo Jin’er was confined in the General’s mansion, now understanding her marks.

On the third day of returning to her parents’ home, she confided in Mo Jin’er, though some things remained unsaid.

…

Ling’an Che and Mo Jin’er got married, her name inscribed on the family jade plaque as his wife. Their grand wedding was filled with happiness.

…

Yun’er, still a Ling, started attending the academy at three, eager to learn. The academy was filled with children from noble families.

Mo Jin’er was pregnant again, their lives not without difficulties. After giving birth and recovering from the charm fragrance, their intimacy improved, though still challenging.

During her chats with Baozhu, both shyly discussed their struggles.

“Shao Jingze seems gentle, but is he really so rough?” Mo Jin’er asked, giving her some secret medicine.

Baozhu, appearing as if she had suffered, reminded Mo Jin’er of herself.

“Yes…” Baozhu answered softly, still in pain from her bruises, dreading her return home.

“He’s too possessive, punishing me for merely speaking to another man…” Her eyes welled up.

Mo Jin’er, taken aback, asked, “How does he punish you?”

Baozhu bit her lip, leaving Mo Jin’er blushing at the thought.

“Husbands are all like that… He must really like you,” Mo Jin’er reassured, though unsure if it was a punishment.

Shao Jingze’s actions, hard to fault, couldn’t be challenged on such personal matters.

With no other option, Mo Jin’er advised her to be more coquettish.

Yet Baozhu’s situation differed, her fear of returning home growing.

Now, Mo Jin’er was two months pregnant. Over time, she became more daring, no longer the timid, soft-spoken girl. Now, she boldly teased Ling’an Che, clinging to him and playfully provoking him.

Ling’an Che, amused, caught her restless hand, his dark eyes teasing her. She, oblivious, smiled sweetly.

“Jin’er, you’re getting bolder.”

He kissed her deeply, nearly taking her breath away.

Mo Jin’er, breathless, leaned against him, her soft voice protesting, “I just missed you…”

“You’re still in the early stages of pregnancy, it’s not safe yet,” he gently reassured, kissing her hand.

She blushed, “I didn’t mean that…”

“Then why tease me?” he raised an eyebrow.

She fell silent. Sometimes, she just wanted to tease him…

It seemed she loved him more and more.