The falling beauty - Chapter 26

And she inexplicably got angry, leaving Ling’an Che to guess for himself.

It was probably time to start rehashing old grievances…

However, there were times when she would go out and her mood would improve significantly.

But the world isn’t always beautiful, and she has lived a relatively good life. Many noblewomen have to deal with numerous concubines, which outwardly seems harmonious, but many households are filled with petty conflicts and serious schemes.

Living like that is very exhausting…

Sometimes, when she listened to these ladies talk about their mothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, and concubines, she would feel very drained just hearing about their domestic issues, even if they only briefly touched on them.

Marriage is not always as beautiful as it seems. Husbands change their hearts, in-laws become difficult, and various unhappy situations arise.

No one truly empathizes with others. Like Mo Jin’er herself, when she first got together with Ling’an Che, he really bullied her. But everyone else thought he treated her well. Well, in material terms, he didn’t shortchange her, and the maid Lan’er took care of her meticulously, but she just felt disrespected. His affection felt like he was treating her as a plaything…

But fortunately, that time has passed…

Mo Jin’er then thought of a saying. Although Ling’an Che later genuinely cared for her and treated her well, she remembered that the heart is something that can change…

So, in retrospect, she felt it was best to maintain her previous state of emotional detachment…

If she hadn’t suddenly learned of Ling’an Che’s “fake death” and if the Ling family hadn’t asked her to come back, they might have been separated forever.

Or maybe it was because she was reasonable? She couldn’t bear to see her in-laws sad at the time.

After all, the child was their only solace…

Moreover, she was soft-hearted, and her complex emotions from her time with him couldn’t be completely let go…

Good memories make it hard to let him fall.

After thinking it through, she regained her cheerful demeanor.

“…” Ling’an Che.

He felt like his little wife was moody.

Maybe it was because she was pregnant, making her emotions unstable…

The Qin Dynasty was becoming more prosperous, and this year, after Mo Jin’er gave birth to a boy, a foreign country came to pay tribute.

Ling’an Che became a bit busier during these days.

After giving birth to her second child, Mo Jin’er gained a bit of weight, but it made her look even more voluptuous.

Their youngest son was named Ling Xuanxiu.

People are strange. When they lack something, they desire it. Baozhu also gave birth to a boy and longed for a daughter when she saw Xiaoyun.

Mo Jin’er often brought her children to visit Baozhu.

“Xiaoyun…” Baozhu had lost some weight because she had severe morning sickness during her pregnancy, but her baby was chubby and very cute.

Baozhu’s baby loved to cry, more so than Yun’er when she was young. Baozhu, who wanted a daughter, adored Yun’er, hugging her and affectionately rubbing her face.

Mo Jin’er smiled, “Maybe next year you will have a daughter.”

“It’s not something you can decide.” Baozhu blushed slightly. Raising a child is not easy, even for noble families like theirs.

They used to enjoy their freedom, and now with a little one, despite the help of maids and wet nurses, it was still tiring.

So she wasn’t planning on having another child soon.

Although she preferred a daughter, she loved her child dearly.

Mo Jin’er sat in the pavilion, chatting idly with her. They talked about the country that came to pay tribute, Goguryeo.

“I heard Goguryeo is known for its beauties and wine. This visit is a gesture of goodwill…” Baozhu said with a smile.

Mo Jin’er thought for a moment, “Our countries didn’t have much interaction before and no conflicts. They even sent a princess for marriage this time…”

Baozhu exchanged a glance with her.

The princess was likely to stay in the Qin Dynasty, but it was uncertain whom she would marry…

It could be a court official or she might enter the emperor’s harem.

Most officials had concubines, except for Ling’an Che and Shao Jingze.

Maybe last year’s top scholar was also unmarried, but beyond that, there were few.

Hmm… but who knows…

“Goguryeo beauties are indeed beautiful, but you are even more so,” Baozhu said with a smile, her eyes curved with happiness.

Mo Jin’er propped her chin, “You can’t say that…”

They were all beautiful. Goguryeo women had blue eyes and slightly curly golden hair, which was quite unique.

They were captivating and slightly taller than Qin women…

Goguryeo offered beauties, wine, and many treasures. The palace banquet was held, and as noblewomen, Mo Jin’er and Baozhu naturally attended. The day of the banquet arrived quickly.

On the day of the banquet, all the officials and their families were present in the palace.

Mo Jin’er’s children were left at home with their wet nurses since the banquet included Goguryeo guests, so she dressed up elaborately, as did Baozhu.

The two of them, hand in hand, outshone all the other noblewomen present, drawing everyone’s eyes.

Even the appearance of the Goguryeo princess did not overshadow them.

In fact, they were more beautiful than the Goguryeo princess.

Mo Jin’er always wore a veil when she went out, so people only knew that the wife of General Ling was a stunning beauty, but few had seen her face. Many noblewomen had seen her, and there were feelings of jealousy, amazement, and various other emotions…

Today, dressed to the nines, she looked like a fairy in a painting, truly magnificent and beautiful.

This made the noblewomen feel a bit proud, as they had already been annoyed by the fox-like Goguryeo women.

Goguryeo attire and accessories were different from those in Qin and other countries, bolder and more revealing. The Goguryeo princess even showed a bit of her waist, looking alluring and enchanting, with her golden hair glittering.

Her brother, the Goguryeo prince, Gao Yan, was also present.

Emperor Huangfu sat on his throne in a black dragon robe, looking majestic and handsome. Beside him were his consorts, who were also stunning.

Despite being on the throne for several years, he had not yet named an empress.

The banquet proceeded with everyone greeting and addressing each other, their voices loud and unified. Then the feast began.

Mo Jin’er had been to the palace before. Some concubines had tried to win her over, but she stayed neutral, as her husband was always loyal to the emperor. She naturally wouldn’t side with anyone in the emperor’s harem.

She had been schemed against before, but she managed to handle it, with her husband’s support.

The emperor also favored her husband.

The banquet lasted a long time. It was interesting at first, but eventually, it became boring.

Mo Jin’er left midway, but unfortunately, she stumbled upon something unsavory. Passing by a rockery near the lotus pond, she heard some ambiguous sounds. She wasn’t a naive girl, so she knew what it was upon hearing it.

Her face turned red, and she planned to leave quietly.

But then she heard a familiar voice, deep and cold, but now hoarse and smiling, different from its usual commanding tone, even somewhat coaxing.

Was it the emperor?!!

Yes, the emperor had indeed left the banquet for a while…

She hadn’t paid much attention…

And there was a faint sobbing, pleading.

The woman sounded very delicate and soft, making one’s heart itch. What shocked her even more was the woman crying and saying, “Why are you doing this to me? I’m already married…”

She couldn’t hear everything clearly, but it seemed the woman was the wife of some official…

But she didn’t know who exactly…

Such matters were best ignored. She quickly retreated and left, still a bit shaken.

She had actually stumbled upon such a thing…

She wouldn’t talk about it, but back home that night, she quietly said, “Husband…”

“Hmm?” Ling’an Che had already taken off his outer robe, leaving only a white inner garment.

“I saw something today that could be a capital crime,” she said, blushing deeply.

Ling’an Che just smiled, “Don’t worry. Unless it’s rebellion, the emperor wouldn’t do anything to the Ling family.”

Even if evidence of rebellion was placed before Huangfu, he probably wouldn’t believe it.

“Well, today at the banquet, I went out for a bit.” Mo Jin’er hesitated, thinking about how to phrase it.

It wasn’t unusual for people to leave during long banquets, given the large venue and many people.

Except during the meal when everyone was seated, later people moved around freely.

“What did you see?” he asked with a smile, already knowing.

But the emperor’s private matters weren’t of significant concern.

“I saw someone doing something indecent behind the rockery by the lotus pond…” She continued, her face burning.

“That’s quite bold,” Ling’an Che chuckled. If it was the emperor, it wasn’t a big deal.

“The key is, it was the emperor. I recognized his voice clearly, and the woman sounded like a young official’s wife…”