The falling beauty - Chapter 25

Ling’an Che gently brushed his finger across her lips, his eyes darkening as he leaned in and whispered something in her ear.

Meanwhile, Mo Jin’er, sitting in his lap with her arms wrapped around his neck, whimpered softly, saying, “No…”

During her leisure time, she would often go out to socialize with other ladies, attending gatherings and the like. Many people’s attitudes toward her had changed dramatically, treating her with great respect.

However, she maintained a distant relationship with everyone, except for Baozhu, her closest friend.

Baozhu had been married to Shao Jingze for almost six months but had not yet conceived.

Shao Jingze was a concubine-born son, but he had his own estate where he lived. After marrying Baozhu, they continued living there.

Today, Mo Jin’er and Baozhu went out together to attend a poetry gathering held on a large painted boat, attended by various noble ladies and young misses.

They encountered some people Baozhu knew, who were from her husband’s family.

Although Shao Jingze was a concubine-born son who had endured hardship, he eventually made a name for himself. Initially, he was not valued by his family.

The Ling family had been paying attention to Baozhu’s life after her marriage. Shao Jingze treated her very well and protected her whenever anyone in the Shao family tried to bully her.

Baozhu, being kind-hearted, often failed to notice the covert insults from her in-laws. Fortunately, Shao Jingze, a formidable figure, ensured no one dared to mistreat her. She initially thought their marriage was merely arranged by their parents, but she gradually realized that it wasn’t…

When she was still naive and childlike, she had once helped the then-down-and-out Shao Jingze. She was pure and kind, while he, feeling inferior and wretched, wanted to deceive her into kissing him. However, her hidden bodyguards had taught him a lesson.

If she was a cherished jewel, he was the dirt in the gutter. As he slowly climbed up in life, his feelings for her deepened. Despite her avoiding him like the plague whenever they met, he was determined to marry her.

He vowed to give her everything and treasure her like a precious gem.

Baozhu maintained a harmonious attitude toward her in-laws, being kind to everyone. Some of her in-laws would flatter Mo Jin’er but then turn around and speak ill of Shao Jingze behind his back.

Mo Jin’er happened to overhear them discussing his hardships and belittling him, attributing his success to the Ling family’s support. It was clear they were envious.

Before she could leave, she saw Baozhu standing there, furious. Baozhu boldly confronted them, “Would you dare say these things in front of my husband?”

Baozhu, feeling her husband was the best and knowing how much he had done for her family, couldn’t stand hearing him insulted.

She warned them, pointing out that without her husband, their family wouldn’t even compare to the beggars in the city, and left after delivering her message.

Mo Jin’er, observing everything, laughed quietly afterward. As they walked along the deck, Baozhu shyly asked, “Do you think I overreacted?”

“No, I think you did wonderfully, showing great leadership as the mistress of the house,” Mo Jin’er replied with a smile.

The Ling family, although large, didn’t have the complexities of the Shao family, which had many concubines and children from previous generations. Shao Jingze’s rise to the position of Assistant Minister of Justice was unexpected, and his support had significantly benefited his family. Yet, they still spoke ill of him.

Baozhu’s warning was necessary to make them behave. Shao Jingze, often busy with work, spent his free time with Baozhu, leaving household matters to her.

Mo Jin’er felt reassured knowing Baozhu had both her husband’s protection and the courage to stand up for herself.

Meanwhile, at the general’s residence, Ling’an Che, feeling a rare urge to teach, sat with his daughter Ling Yun’er. She seriously worked on her lessons, her chubby face showing confusion at times. Ling’an Che, though patient, felt a headache coming on.

Seeing this, Mo Jin’er tried not to disturb them, but Ling’an Che noticed her and stepped out. In the study, the maid Lan’er continued tutoring the little girl.

Ling Yun’er, somewhat afraid of her father during lessons, was relieved he only occasionally checked her progress.

However, she loved her father dearly and also adored her gentle mother.

Returning to her studies, the warm light from the night pearl illuminated the scene.

Ling’an Che, noticing Mo Jin’er, asked why she had stopped teaching.

“Yun’er isn’t quite like me…” he said, somewhat helplessly.

Mo Jin’er blushed, “Are you blaming me?”

Blaming her for lowering their daughter’s intelligence…?

He laughed, his gaze softening as he looked at her. “How could I? I’m delighted she takes after you.”

He cherished them both.

Mo Jin’er, feeling his warmth, shyly took his hand, saying, “Someone might see…”

But she couldn’t resist holding his hand as they walked along the corridor.

They chatted casually, with Ling’an Che’s eyes full of tenderness and love for her.

As her pregnancy progressed, her mood swings became more pronounced. She grew restless, preferring to be outside.

She often reminisced about their early days together, feeling a pang of sadness at how indifferent he once was to her.

Yet, his love and care now made up for it, filling her heart with warmth and contentment.