The falling beauty - Chapter 27

Mo Jin’er frowned slightly. 

With so many people around today, she had no idea which family’s wife it was. Naturally, she didn’t want to spy on such matters. Forced possession, especially of a minister’s wife…

She realized that the people associated with Ling’an Che were all quite promiscuous. Jiang Yecheng, the emperor… well, Shao Jingze was an exception since he treated Baozhu very well and their relationship followed a normal, loving path.

“When did Jin’er become so gossipy?” Ling’an Che chuckled. He didn’t really care about such matters. As long as the emperor didn’t bestow the Korean princess upon him, he was fine.

He had finally managed to be with Jin’er. If the emperor caused trouble, he wouldn’t hesitate to be ruthless.

“I’m not! I just thought I’d tell you about it…” She rarely discussed such matters. It was only because she was so shocked today. She never imagined the emperor, someone so cold, would have a fetish for married women…

Cough… That’s straying too far…

“Jin’er, do you remember the story I told you a few years ago? When the emperor was still Han Wang, a concubine tried to escape, and when she was caught, her legs were broken.” Ling’an Che smiled, gently twirling a strand of her hair and sniffing it.

Mo Jin’er took her hair back, her face blushing. Why did he have to be so flirtatious? They were already an old married couple, after all…

“I think I remember…”

She recalled that back then, she had thoughts of running away. Before she lost her memory, he used this story to warn her.

Speaking of old stories, she became spirited, huffing and puffing at the memory of how he treated her back then…

“Actually, that concubine did die later, but she was saved by someone. Perhaps it was the woman you saw today.” Ling’an Che smiled.

He knew the emperor well, but he didn’t think such things were important. Since his little wife was rarely so curious, he decided to tell her.

Mo Jin’er was left stunned, deeply shocked.

This kind of love and hatred was even more complicated than Jiang Yecheng’s…

It seemed she and Ling’an Che really did have a good ending.

The emperor had no intention of bestowing the princess upon Ling’an Che. He granted her to the Deputy Minister of the Bureau of Law Enforcement. The deputy minister already had a wife, so to marry the Korean princess, he had to demote his current wife to a concubine.

She was already in his palace. Su Qing’er knelt below, her clothes thin and her face pale.

Their story dated back a long time…

She had long forgotten her original identity. She was initially sent to get close to him intentionally. However, he soon discovered her identity as a spy but still toyed with her, wanting not only her body but also her heart.

When things could no longer be concealed, Han Wang, having defeated all the other princes, was supposed to deal with her but refused to kill her.

He found various ways to torment her, but she remained resilient, trying to escape for the sake of her younger sister, who was frail and sickly.

However, in the end, she lost everything. Han Wang shattered her heart by making her sister personally cripple her legs, saying she hated her.

The family ties she cherished were dismissed by her sister.

Han Wang, pitiful and merciless, looked at her and told her that if she begged him, he would let her go. She could continue to be his concubine, and he would forget her past and treat her well.

Though she had lost a leg, she remained silent, and he eventually threw her into a place where women were trained harshly. Later, she was rescued and became the wife of the Deputy Minister of the Bureau of Law Enforcement.

But she never expected to be discarded again.

After all the twists and turns, she was back by his side, but this time as what? She used to be a concubine; now she was to be one of his concubines again…

Outside the palace, at least she had some freedom. Here, she had nothing.

Su Qing’er wasn’t particularly beautiful but had a serene look. No one would have guessed she had endured such tragedies.

Emperor Han descended, gently lifting her chin. His handsome, cold face carried a rare, faint smile. “Qing’er, this is the man you love.”

He betrayed her repeatedly. Only he could give her the best.

She remained silent, her eyes lifeless.

It was the end of summer, and the weather was still sweltering. Mo Jin’er hadn’t gone out much due to the heat. It was cooler at home.

The emperor planned to go to the summer palace for a retreat, and some ministers could bring their families along. The Ling family was among them.

Mo Jin’er initially wanted to stay home with the children, but Ling’an Che held her hand to his chest, smiling mischievously. “Jin’er, could you spare some attention for your husband?”

She blushed, coughing awkwardly. “I do care about you…”

“You run to the children as soon as Xuanxiu cries…” Ling’an Che’s gaze darkened. Often, at midnight, Mo Jin’er would wake up worried about the faint cries of the child next door, unable to sleep until she went to comfort him herself.

Actually, having a child was quite troublesome at first. But over time, the little one was so soft and cute, melting her heart.

Xuanxiu and Yun’er were several years apart, so she really loved the child now.

However, seeing her husband’s expression, she was moved and eventually agreed. After all, ministers would bring their wives, and it wouldn’t look good if he went alone…

The summer palace was beautiful and much cooler. The houses had ice blocks, making it much more comfortable than home.

Mo Jin’er and Baozhu played together, enjoying boat rides, fishing, painting by the shore, and relaxing. However, after becoming a mother, she often thought of her children. Even after being away for a day, she worried if Xuanxiu was crying at home or if Yun’er had done her homework…

Although there were people to take care of them, she still missed her children…

Among those at the summer palace were the princess married to the Deputy Minister of the Bureau of Law Enforcement, the emperor’s favored concubines, and others.

But Mo Jin’er noticed they were bullying a woman.

The woman was dressed simply but couldn’t hide her elegance. Her maid was about to be punished with a rod by the concubines, and she begged them, but the concubines demanded she kneel and beg.

Through their conversation, Mo Jin’er learned that the woman was a newly appointed concubine of the emperor.

Baozhu frowned, wanting to intervene, but Mo Jin’er held her back. Baozhu looked at her, and Mo Jin’er shook her head.

Soon, the emperor arrived. Naturally, he sided with the concubines over a minor concubine, changing the rod punishment to ten strikes instead of a death sentence.

Mo Jin’er watched the concubine’s calm demeanor, feeling a bit stunned.

After they left, Baozhu looked at her and said, “Jin’er, the palace is truly not a place for people to live.”

Wherever there were many women, there was much trouble.

After marrying into the Shao family, she had experienced this. Fortunately, she didn’t live with them, had little interaction, and her husband always protected her, so no one dared to bully her.

“Yes…” Mo Jin’er nodded hesitantly. She felt something was wrong with that concubine. She was too calm…

She seemed familiar with this state. Finally, she realized it was similar to her own state when Ling’an Che forcibly took her.

Except he never treated her like that.

Wait, for Baozhu’s sake, he had belittled her…

Thinking of this, she furrowed her brows, feeling irritated. Even though it was the emperor, she wanted to call him a scumbag!

Worse than Ling’an Che…

At least her husband only spoke harshly back then…

He never actually harmed her…

Of course, she was timid and easily frightened.

But thinking about it still made her angry.

That night, she felt gloomy and didn’t want to talk to Ling’an Che.

He raised an eyebrow. “What’s wrong?”

What was the matter now?

“Hmph, you men.” She glanced meaningfully at him.

“…”

“A Baozhu is pure and kind. I can’t compare to her,” Mo Jin’er said wistfully.

“Jin’er…” Ling’an Che’s mouth twitched. Was it almost that time of the month? Why was she so passive-aggressive?

He admitted his mistakes from the past. He had said some harsh things initially when he didn’t love her. But that was in the past, and he couldn’t change it…

“Hmph.” She turned over and went to sleep.

True love should be equal and respectful.

Otherwise, no matter how much love there was, some damages couldn’t be undone.

The next day, Mo Jin’er happened to meet the concubine. She was very pretty and quiet, but her eyes were dark and lifeless. This was similar to her symptoms from before, as described by her senior sister Su Qinqin, who said it might indicate losing hope in life…

The concubine greeted her with a gentle smile, and she returned the gesture.

She learned the concubine’s name: Su Qing’er.

Mo Jin’er thought for a moment, realizing her name was similar to her senior sister Su Qinqin’s.

But their personalities were entirely different. Su Qinqin seemed cold but was actually very humorous and outgoing. She didn’t know about Ling’an Che’s fake death and even advised her to remarry.

Ling’an Che knew about this, as there were always hidden guards around her. He later referred to Su Qinqin mockingly as “good senior sister” with a fake smile.

Of course, it was all in jest.

Su Qinqin laughed dryly, knowing her junior brother well. If he had truly died, he would have wanted Jin’er to remarry and live well.