The falling beauty - Chapter 28

At this moment, let’s set aside the other matters. Mo Jin’er had a brief chat with Su Qing’er, and then, the emperor arrived.

She bowed upon seeing him and then found an excuse to leave.

It was evident that the emperor had come to see Su Qing’er.

When Mo Jin’er reached the corner, she couldn’t help but look back at them. She saw the emperor speaking gently to her, his expression soft and tender…

If he seemed to like her so much, why did things end up this way?

He was the emperor; if he truly liked someone, shouldn’t he make her the empress? Just like how Ling’an Che didn’t care about her criminal background and even used his war merits to save her life, eventually marrying her.

Even if he couldn’t do that, at least he shouldn’t let others bully her.

Yet, he allowed his concubine to bully her…

And then brushed it off lightly.

Mo Jin’er thought for a moment and decided this matter was none of her business. Besides, no one else could interfere in the emperor’s harem affairs…

Then she left.

On her way back, she passed through the garden and happened to see Ling’an Che’s back. Just as she was about to call out his name, she was splashed with a basin of cold water.

A woman’s voice followed, and from her accent, it was clear she was the princess of Goryeo, Gao Li. Gao Li was fluent in this region’s language. In fact, after the Qin dynasty unified the six states, the language was standardized, but Goryeo was different.

Her accent was distinct enough to identify her voice.

“Lord Ling, I really like you. I am a princess, even if I marry you and become your equal wife alongside your current one, you still wouldn’t be willing. So, the emperor decreed that I marry the deputy minister of the Judicial Office. If I marry him, wouldn’t you feel anything for me?” Her accent was a bit odd, but her words conveyed her intent to see if he had any feelings for her.

“…” Mo Jin’er.

Being slow to react, she hadn’t noticed that this princess liked her husband. Oh, she even wanted to marry him and become an equal wife?

Thinking back, this princess indeed had spoken to her husband during previous palace banquets.

“Princess, please respect yourself. I am very fond of my wife, and I hope you won’t say such things again.” Ling’an Che frowned slightly but still maintained his dignity, smiled, and spoke, then lifted his foot to leave.

The people of Goryeo seemed to be quite open-minded. She rushed forward to hug his waist.

But Ling’an Che, being a martial artist, moved slightly, causing the princess to miss and fall.

Mo Jin’er, watching from behind a corridor pillar, was slightly stunned. As expected of her straightforward husband.

However, her husband was usually very gentle and caring towards her.

She found this quite endearing.

Thinking of this, she almost hummed a tune happily.

“General Ling…” Princess Gao Li looked at him with pitiful eyes.

Ling’an Che, keeping his distance, smiled and said, “Princess, don’t act so fragile. You can fight on the battlefield and interrogate prisoners in ways that even some officials in our Ministry of Punishments cannot match. I still prefer gentle and sweet girls.”

With that, he turned to leave.

Passing by where Mo Jin’er was, he raised his eyebrows at her, silently hinting, “Shall we go?”

Mo Jin’er nodded, silently responding, “Let’s go together.”

Then she walked over, took his hand, and left.

The princess, still on the ground, had a dark look in her eyes. She bit her lip, pounded the ground, and then got up.

The Goryeo envoy was to stay for a month, and it was almost time for them to leave.

Their prince, Gao Yan, was also part of the delegation to the palace.

Once this visit ended, they would probably leave.

Mo Jin’er thought that this visit to the palace was quite an experience, full of temptations. Over there, the Goryeo princess confessed her love to her husband, and here, she encountered Gao Yan again.

She had seen Ling’an Che’s face so often that she had become immune to handsome men.

The emperor was handsome too, and so were Jiang Yecheng and others, each with their own style. She had seen all kinds of handsome men, even among her husband’s subordinates, with their varying degrees of ruggedness, elegance, and aloofness…

Sigh, although Gao Yan was also handsome and charming, Mo Jin’er knew that there was no good in dealing with them.

She thought that no matter how open-minded the people of Goryeo were, they couldn’t always be seducing married men or women, right?

“Madam Ling…” he greeted her with a smile. His eyes were indeed peculiar, one blue and one green, with black hair unlike his sister’s blonde.

Because his eyes were so unique, Mo Jin’er couldn’t help but look at him twice and responded with a gentle smile, “Prince.”

“What a coincidence, Madam Ling.” he smiled, starting a conversation with her, who was looking for an excuse to slip away.

She left quickly afterward, and Gao Yan watched her departing figure, his smile unchanged, though his strange eyes darkened a bit…

Back in his room, Ling’an Che mentioned the scenery in a rather mysterious tone. Mo Jin’er pondered; wasn’t that what Gao Yan had talked about?

“…” Mo Jin’er.

“Husband, are you jealous?”

Finally, she asked with a smile, moving closer and wrapping her arms around his waist, contentedly snuggling into his embrace.

Her husband’s body felt so comfortable.

“Jin’er stared at him for quite a while. Do you think he looks better than your husband?” Ling’an Che lowered his gaze, looking at her face seriously.

“How could that be? In my eyes, my husband is the best-looking. I was just curious if his eyes were indeed different, one blue and one green…” she continued, finding it a bit strange.

“The prince of Goryeo seems to have an unusual appearance. He’s not someone to be taken lightly.”

He gave her a quick kiss on the lips. “Stay away from him. That charm fragrance came from Goryeo.”

“Ah? I see…” Mo Jin’er was slightly surprised, then nodded.

However, she suddenly thought of something in the middle of the night and asked in Ling’an Che’s arms, “Husband, I have a thought.”

“Go ahead,” he held her waist, his deep, slightly raspy voice encouraging her.

“If the fragrance came from Goryeo, do you think they might also have a cure?” her curiosity was piqued, and she felt a glimmer of hope.

Even though she had her husband now, who treated her very well, she still wanted to get rid of this poison and return to her former self.

“If Gao Yan is indeed knowledgeable in their medicine and witchcraft, it’s possible… But he is a dangerous person, appearing harmless on the surface but capable of treachery…” Ling’an Che frowned slightly, and Mo Jin’er agreed, “It’s indeed unsafe. I also find them both very strange.”

Gao Li and Gao Yan both gave her an uneasy feeling.

And her intuition was usually quite accurate.

Though she spoke these words to him, he took them to heart.

Taking this opportunity, he indeed thought of ways to see if he could cure her poison…

He was not above using ruthless means, eventually obtaining the antidote from Goryeo. He even experimented on Gao Li, testing the antidote on her repeatedly to ensure its safety before giving it to Mo Jin’er.

After returning to the capital and dealing with the matter of his faked death, Mo Jin’er trusted him deeply.

In her eyes, he was the best man in the world, no matter his flaws.

She seemed to have forgotten that Ling’an Che, to become a powerful general and a court official, could not have been a kind-hearted person. He was just kind to her.

To other women who admired him, he was merciless.

Especially Gao Li, who dared to bargain with him.

She professed love, but in reality, she had ulterior motives.

Sometimes, women could indeed be swayed by emotions and genuinely fall for someone like Ling’an Che.

He simply played along.

Mo Jin’er noticed the changes when Gao Li was already imprisoned.

Ling’an Che made her take the antidote. At first, Mo Jin’er didn’t feel any difference, but she gradually realized she no longer liked intimacy and avoided her husband’s advances.

It seemed she had returned to her previous self, no longer needing such closeness with him.

She found herself sleeping soundly.

Ling’an Che, however, began to ponder as his wife pushed away his arm repeatedly.

So, was curing her the right choice?

Upon leaving the palace, the emperor was ambushed by assassins. The assassin had been hiding among his people, brought in by his concubine, causing him to fly into a rage and place the concubine under house arrest.

Mo Jin’er, sitting in the carriage, was confused. Seeing her husband’s calm demeanor, she quietly asked, “Husband, there were assassins here… Won’t the emperor hold someone accountable?”

“No, it was a setup targeting the concubine.” Ling’an Che whispered to her.

“It’s a setup, one designed specifically to target the concubine,” he said softly, pressing his fingertip to her lips.

Mo Jin’er remained silent, looking a bit dazed.

That arrogant and domineering concubine…

But these matters were no longer her concern.

Returning to the General’s residence, she joyfully hugged her two children, kissing their cheeks and holding them tightly. She had missed them terribly.

Little Yun’er looked up at her with wide, watery eyes, saying in her tender voice, “Mother, Yun’er missed you so much!”

“Yiya yiya…” Xuanxiu waved his little hands beside her, as if trying to say something too.

Mo Jin’er couldn’t kiss their little faces enough. They smelled so milky and sweet. Children could be troublesome at times, but they were really adorable. After all, they were her own children, so of course, she loved them.

“Father, Father…” Little Yun’er ran up to Ling’an Che, her small, white hand pulling on his, blinking her big eyes at him.

Seeing her father being ignored on the side, she felt sorry for him…

He squatted down, picked up his daughter, and petted her head indulgently.

A scene of familial bliss and happiness.

Mo Jin’er had been feeling carefree lately. She no longer worried about staying out late or her husband coming back late, making her nights difficult.

Since the poison was lifted, she discovered something very important: her husband didn’t seem as significant anymore?

Hmm…

Of course, she couldn’t say such things out loud.

When she had free time, she would go out. She had many shops under her name. The old lady had wanted to hand over the management of the General’s residence to her long ago, but the accounting made her head hurt.

Managing the household involved a lot of work. She also kept an eye on her shops, checking the accounts and making surprise visits.

As for Baozhu, she had a great talent for mechanics, and Shao Jingze fully supported her, even helping her take over the Mechanism Pavilion, which he had once headed.

Baozhu was very busy and loved researching those things.

As Mo Jin’er’s children grew older, Ling Yun’er often visited Baozhu’s house because there were so many interesting mechanical gadgets. She received many of them, but Baozhu’s new inventions were always the most fascinating.

In her busy life, Mo Jin’er noticed something unusual about her husband. He was acting really strange.

Even in the height of summer, he wore loose clothing, quite different from his usual style. And why was he bathing in the courtyard instead of the bathhouse?

She looked at him in surprise, then walked up to him, reaching out to touch his forehead. Concerned, she asked, “Husband, what’s wrong?”

A general, dressed like those boys in a pleasure house.

This wasn’t his usual style.

Was he running a fever?

He smiled faintly, took her hand, and lowered it. “I’m fine…”

She really felt something was off with him lately. Why did he seem a bit… coy?

Using a popular phrase in the capital recently: coy?

She suddenly realized her husband might be trying to get her attention.

After figuring it out, she stood on tiptoe, cupping his face and looking into his eyes seriously. “Husband, what are you saying? Jin’er cares most about you.”

His dark eyes stared into hers, his lips curving into a smile. He leaned in to kiss her.

His arm tightened around her waist, lifting her up.

They kissed passionately, but then Yun’er suddenly appeared at the door, looking confused. Lan’er quickly covered her eyes and led her away.

Mo Jin’er heard the commotion and tried to push Ling’an Che away. “Husband, wait, the children are here…”

“They’ve been taken away…” Ling’an Che’s voice was hoarse.

“I’ll go check on them…” she blushed and tried to escape, but he held her tight.

He carried her into the inner room…

In this world, some people were happy while others were not.

In the emperor’s palace, it was bustling with activity as maids carried out large basins of bloody water.

Inside, the smell of blood was thick…

Su Qing’er lay on the bed, drenched in cold sweat from the pain. Her face was pale, drained of all color. She had miscarried.

Emperor Huangfu  held her hand, his usually cold and handsome face showing rare panic. “Qing’er, you can’t be in danger. Don’t close your eyes. Look at me…”

Fortunately, they managed to save her life…

But the damage was severe, and she might never be able to conceive again…

Su Qinqin informed the emperor of this, nervously sweating, wondering why these scoundrels always did such hurtful things…

But this was the emperor, so she couldn’t voice her sarcastic thoughts.

She had to tell him the truth.

“No matter, as long as her life is saved…” Huangfu, still covered in blood, was trembling.

“She needs to be well taken care of…” Su Qinqin gave instructions to the female officials.

She glanced at the fragile woman on the bed with pity. This girl was worse off than Jin’er and the others. With such a body, she might not live long.

Huangfu  ordered Su Qinqin to stay in the palace to treat Su Qing’er.

When Su Qing’er woke up, she still looked close to death. When she saw Huangfu, she looked away without saying a word.

What had happened before?

She had been forced to drink contraception soup for days, yet she still got pregnant without realizing it.

He continued to favor her, and Su Qing’er felt numb to the pain, until she noticed she was bleeding heavily.

How could she get pregnant while drinking contraception soup?

She couldn’t understand and asked Su Qinqin, who said it could happen, but usually, such pregnancies didn’t result in live births.

Su Qing’er didn’t care much about the child, only asking, “How long can I live?”

Her voice was light, as if she didn’t care.

Su Qinqin’s body stiffened, “My lady, please don’t overthink it… As long as you rest well, everything will be fine…”

“Miss Su, I’ve heard you are a divine doctor. You must know that my illness is beyond cure. I’m well aware of my own condition.”

Su Qing’er smiled, but she was as pale as ever, “Miss Su, why don’t you just end my suffering sooner…”

“My lady, you mustn’t say such things…” Su Qinqin was also drenched in cold sweat. Even though Su Qing’er had been harmed to this extent, she could see that the Emperor cared about her to some extent…

So how could it be possible?

Besides, she could never bring herself to kill someone. She had always been about saving lives…

Even if Su Qing’er looked incredibly pitiful…

“It’s okay, I won’t make things difficult for you.” Su Qing’er then smiled and looked out the window.

After chatting with her for a while, the Emperor came in.

Su Qinqin consciously stepped back.

Emperor Huangfu sat by the bed and asked in a low voice, “Does it still hurt?”

Su Qing’er laughed, “Of course it hurts.”

He was silent for a moment before speaking, “No one will harm you in the future. I’ve already had the concubine executed…”

“Take good care of yourself…”

But Su Qing’er turned her head slightly to look at him, smiling faintly, “What does that have to do with me?”

“No one will bully you anymore…”

He frowned slightly.

“But Your Majesty, from beginning to end, wasn’t it all because of you?” Su Qing’er said with a smile, though she was still in pain, as if even breathing hurt.

But she found it too funny.

“Qing’er…” Huangfu had never coddled anyone, had never lowered himself to please anyone, but she was an exception. Was that not enough?

“I’m tired. Let me return to Qingyou Palace…” She closed her eyes.

Huangfu laughed coldly, “You’ll stay here.”

She said no more.

Meanwhile, Su Qinqin found it boring staying in the palace. She thought helplessly that she was a divine doctor, but how had she become someone who only treated these sorts of women’s issues?

But as long as she could save lives, and they were old acquaintances, coming to save them wasn’t a big deal…

She was skilled in martial arts and had excellent lightness skills. She would sneak out for some fun late at night.

She even ran to play at Mo Jin’er’s place. Mo Jin’er was pleasantly surprised and said with a smile, “Sister Su, you’re here?”

She immediately had her maids bring fruit, cakes, tea, and other refreshments. Mo Jin’er chatted with her, while Su Qinqin, who had already wandered around the capital and had some drinks, complained to her. She said that if women nowadays couldn’t recognize people clearly, they were really miserable. But many women were miserable in this world.

Although it was a prosperous age now, there were still oppressed women…

Sigh…

After all, where there was light, there would also be some dirty dealings…

Mo Jin’er listened to her complaints, saying that the new family she was treating was over the top and so on. From her descriptions, Mo Jin’er naturally concluded that the male head of the family was overbearing and unfair to his concubines.

“You went to the palace?” she felt she was being very obvious and asked directly.

Su Qinqin was momentarily dazed and surprised, “How did you know?”

“Didn’t you just say it yourself, wealth beyond measure, many of your descriptions were about the palace…” Mo Jin’er propped her head up with her hand and answered with a sweet smile.

Su Qinqin then leaned close to her ear and said mysteriously, “I’m only telling you this. You mustn’t tell anyone else; it’s a crime punishable by death…”

“…That serious…” Mo Jin’er echoed.

Su Qinqin continued, saying she had never seen anyone as miserable as Su Qing’er. Mo Jin’er suddenly understood a bit and was slightly stunned, finally touching her chin thoughtfully.

But she just listened to her talk…

The night breeze blew in, carrying a faint scent of wine. Su Qinqin had to return to the palace. Mo Jin’er smiled as she supported her, “How can I be at ease with you like this? Rest here for now…”

“Don’t underestimate your senior sister. This bit of wine is nothing to me. I’m leaving…” With that, she lightly leapt away with her lightness skills.

Mo Jin’er watched her disappear into the night, feeling both helpless and amused. Coming and going in such a hurry.

But what her senior sister said deeply touched her. Su Qing’er was indeed so pitiful…

Sometimes, only girls could empathize with other girls…

She sighed softly, but there was nothing she could do…

After all, he was the sovereign…

By winter, Su Qing’er had passed away.

Two months later, the Emperor reinstated a concubine as the new Empress.

Mo Jin’er suddenly felt that once a person died, they truly were gone. Perhaps some would remember you, but what difference did it make?

“That noble lady has passed away?” Mo Jin’er asked Ling’an Che.

“Hmm.” he responded lightly.

She didn’t know why, but her heart felt empty and her nose ached, “Why…”

“She was in poor health… She had many old illnesses…” Ling’an Che sighed silently. He had seen the Emperor sprout some gray hairs.

He really did care, but an Emperor could not have only one person, and the palace was indeed a place that consumed people.

“The palace is truly terrifying…” Mo Jin’er frowned slightly as she spoke.

The Emperor’s family was the most heartless.

She could never have imagined that despite the Ling family having dealings with the royal family for generations, there would be even deeper ties…

Time passed quickly. Mo Jin’er and Ling’an Che were an old couple, but their life was good.

Their daughter Ling Yun’er had grown up, graceful and beautiful.

She bore at least a five-point resemblance to Mo Jin’er and also to Ling’an Che, even more stunning and exquisite.

The Emperor intended for her to become the Crown Princess. The Empress had given birth to a young prince before becoming Empress, but her health had been poor, and she passed away.

The Emperor then appointed the young prince as Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince was a few years younger than Ling Yun’er.

Ling Yun’er was sixteen, and the Crown Prince was two years younger…

Mo Jin’er asked her for her opinion. Ling Yun’er was a bit confused, “Mother, I’ve always seen the Crown Prince as my little brother…”

She often visited the palace and played with the Crown Prince, truly like childhood sweethearts…

Since she was two years older, she often took care of him…

“Indeed…” Mo Jin’er nodded, testing her daughter’s attitude. She wasn’t the type to push her to like the Crown Prince; everything would be easier if that were the case.

Although the Emperor had this idea, he hadn’t issued an imperial decree for marriage.

Mo Jin’er then asked Ling’an Che, worried, “Husband, what do you think Yun’er should do? Should we betroth her to someone else?”

She considered finding some young gentlemen in the capital…

She knew some ladies with excellent young sons…

It wasn’t that the Crown Prince was bad, but the position came with too many restrictions.

The Ling family had been intertwined with the royal family for hundreds of years, there was no need to marry into the palace again.

Mo Jin’er knew she had never experienced such schemes after marrying Ling’an Che. She didn’t want her daughter to live such a life in the future, too exhausting, sharing her husband with other women…

Even if he was the Emperor, it was better not to marry.

“The Crown Prince is a good person… Let’s see how things go…” Ling’an Che smiled.

She frowned slightly, “The royal family is different from ordinary noble families, with many rules. And once you enter the palace, it’s like the sea, and Yun’er has such a pure nature…”

Although it had been a long time, she always remembered that noble lady. At least, what she saw was heartbreaking, ending in tragedy.

Though Yun’er would have the Ling family’s support, allowing her to live well no matter who she married, the palace was still the palace, filled with inconveniences…

The palace was a place that consumed people…

“It’s not the same.” Ling’an Che thought for a moment, “Today’s Crown Prince is different from the former Emperor Han.”

“You have such a high opinion of the Crown Prince?” Mo Jin’er was hesitant, “Husband… I still can’t feel at ease…”

She always had a poor impression of the palace.

“Don’t worry, the Emperor just mentioned it, and they must be mutually willing. Besides, didn’t you say Yun’er only sees the Crown Prince as her little brother?” he reassured her.

Mo Jin’er sighed silently.

Ling Yun’er also sensed her mother’s probing and realized that since she turned ten, her interactions with the Crown Prince had decreased. What affection? It was truly embarrassing since she had no such feelings…

She went out with her handkerchief friends and unexpectedly encountered the Crown Prince.

She couldn’t remember the last time she saw him, but she recalled that as a child, the Crown Prince was a fair little

 boy with big eyes, sometimes arrogant and sometimes obedient…

“You’ve grown up…” she felt time had flown.

“I’m not the only one who has grown up. Sister Yun’er is more beautiful than before…” The Crown Prince still called her Sister Yun’er.

She covered her mouth and laughed, “It’s you who’ve grown more handsome. Many young ladies in the capital think of you as their Prince Charming.”

The Crown Prince’s face reddened, “They… I don’t know…”

“Why wouldn’t you know? Don’t be embarrassed…” Ling Yun’er, who had always been gentle and smiling, seemed like a flower blooming warmly.

“But… the one in my heart has always been you…” The Crown Prince seemed to be mustering up all his courage.

Ling Yun’er was slightly stunned, “Little brother…”

“You’re always my little brother. If you still don’t understand…”

She was unsure how to respond. After all, she had always seen him as her little brother…

“But if it were anyone else, I would be sad…” The Crown Prince’s eyes were serious and sincere.

Ling Yun’er was taken aback.

She felt she should explain to him clearly.

But she wasn’t sure how to…

It turned out that some things were beyond her control.

When the Emperor and Empress arranged a meeting, Ling Yun’er’s feelings were mixed. The Empress was very kind, and the Emperor was serious but cared deeply about the Crown Prince.

She was reluctant to part with her little brother.

But how should she respond to him?

It’s just… she couldn’t…

All the daughters in the capital wanted to marry into the palace.

But only she was wavering…

If only she didn’t understand… she wouldn’t have such hesitation…

Later, when her mother asked her, she said reluctantly, “Mother, can we think it over a bit longer?”

Mo Jin’er could tell her daughter was conflicted, so she discussed it with Ling’an Che.

Ling’an Che remained calm and composed, “Let’s wait and see. We can’t force this matter. The Emperor is considerate, and the Crown Prince… is still growing up.”

“It’s been a headache… It’s such a big matter…” Mo Jin’er still worried.

It seemed everything depended on fate…

Thinking about this, Ling Yun’er felt a bit awkward because now the Crown Prince, although only fourteen years old, had completely transformed into a young man, much taller than her, with a cold and intimidating demeanor that made it hard for people to approach him easily.

He was the first to see her. Originally, Ling Yun’er wanted to sneak away, as she had heard that the Emperor intended to make her the Crown Princess, and she shared her mother’s sentiment of not liking the palace much…

But when Huangfu Ji saw her, he was the first to smile happily. The handsome and bright young man smiled as if spring had arrived. He quickly walked towards her, grabbed her wrist, and called out in his magnetic voice, “Yun’er?”

“Uh… Crown…” Ling Yun’er almost called out “Crown Prince,” but since they were outside, she changed her words, smiling as she responded, “What a coincidence…”

However, she was puzzled inside. He used to call her “Sister Yun’er, Sister Yun’er,” but now he simply called her “Yun’er?”

Of course, she was thinking this, but she didn’t dare to say it out loud because their identities were different. Ultimately, the Crown Prince would become the Emperor, so she couldn’t continue like this.

“Yun’er, I haven’t seen you for a long time. What have you been up to?” He looked at her with burning eyes.

She smiled and found an excuse, saying that she had been busy with various tasks since she grew older and visited the palace less frequently.

Although the palace had been quite fun during her childhood, there were indeed many rules…

The capital outside was actually the most fun. Even though she had stayed there for over ten years, it wasn’t that interesting anymore.

She was also studying medicine. Initially, someone taught her, and later she went to the Imperial Medical Institute to become a female official. Indeed, studying medicine was really busy…

Especially after she developed an interest in medicine, she became somewhat obsessed, feeling the need to thoroughly understand everything…

At first, she intentionally avoided the Crown Prince, but later she was genuinely busy, so they had little contact.

“Just some official duties, quite busy…” She thought of an excuse, but after chatting with him for a while, he suggested that since it was rare to meet, they should take a stroll together.

She looked at him, realizing that the once small boy had grown so tall and was very handsome.

For some reason, being held by him made her feel very uncomfortable.

However, Huangfu Ji seemed to find nothing wrong with it. Finally, he glanced at their clasped hands—actually, it was him holding her hand—and started talking about their childhood memories. Ling Yun’er’s initial discomfort gradually dissipated as she listened to his pitiful stories.

She felt both nostalgic and a bit heartbroken.

His background was somewhat peculiar, and the Empress didn’t like him. Sometimes Ling Yun’er even doubted whether the Crown Prince was really her child. The Emperor was very strict with him, so in the beginning, the Crown Prince Ling Yun’er met was subjected to rigorous teaching from stern tutors.

Pitifully, he was beaten until his hands were swollen.

Sometimes covered in bruises, Ling Yun’er would tell her mother about it, and her mother would just frown slightly and remain silent.

She only reminded her to be careful with her words and actions in the palace, and though she was young, she understood and nodded.

But in the end, she couldn’t stand it any longer and reasonably reported the responsible female officials and tutors.

Perhaps out of respect for the Ling family, they gave her some face, and she always had people accompanying her.

After that, the Crown Prince liked to interact with her.

And Ling Yun’er thought it was nice to have a little guy following her around.

Of course, as time passed, things naturally couldn’t continue like that.

As they grew older, there was a distinction between men and women.

She knew he seemed somewhat dependent on her, but she really had no other feelings for him…

Huangfu Ji sensed her estrangement and intentional distance, but he didn’t show it on the surface. In the end, he simply revealed his arm injured from martial arts practice, his eyes fragile and helpless.

Ling Yun’er still cared about him and felt somewhat moved…

Later on, she ended up marrying him.

Her father, Ling’an Che, had long since retired, and the court was filled with many young talents and a new generation of generals.

Huangfu Ji even led troops to the border, and Ling Yun’er accompanied him as a military doctor.

Perhaps because they had faced life and death together, Huangfu Ji had already expressed his feelings to her.

They had gone through many things together.

Mo Jin’er was still somewhat reluctant about Yun’er marrying him. She asked Yun’er, “Yun’er, he is the Crown Prince. Can you really accept that your husband will have other concubines?”

Ling Yun’er hesitated, “Mother, he said there wouldn’t be anyone else…”

Mo Jin’er shook her head, “That’s just for now…”

She was just worried that she would be heartbroken in the future. If a girl marries the wrong person, it could have a huge impact…

“Mother…” Ling Yun’er said softly, “Let me think it over again.”

But in the end, she decided to marry Huangfu Ji, becoming the Crown Princess. Currently, there were indeed no other women in the Eastern Palace.

However, some ministers secretly plotted to persuade him to fill his harem after he ascended the throne.

The Ling family helped to oppose those old-fashioned ministers, and Huangfu Ji proposed a groundbreaking initiative: he planned to implement monogamy.

As the Emperor, he intended to set an example, and this was soon put into practice—one man could only marry one wife. Concubinage was no longer allowed, though many would still keep mistresses, but they would not have official status.

In a way, this was an all-encompassing realization of this principle.

Mo Jin’er was quite impressed by him and quietly told Ling’an Che at home, “Husband, it seems being the Emperor is still the best. You can do whatever you want.”

Some things could only be done by the Emperor.

“…” Ling’an Che.

Being the Emperor was good, but many times you were not in control. During the time of the Cold King, the situation was chaotic, leading to many regrets. However, Huangfu Ji’s reign was peaceful and prosperous.

But he was indeed very outstanding.

Mo Jin’er was recently quite anxious. Her menstruation hadn’t come for a while. Although she liked children, she was already in her forties. How could she have another child?

Although she was getting older, she still looked like she was in her twenties and was very beautiful, just more serene and mature than before.

With nothing to do, she went to Su Qinqin’s house to have her pulse checked.

Su Qinqin had settled in the capital ten years ago. As she said, she was getting older and didn’t want to travel around anymore.

The Medicine King Valley also had a new successor, and she preferred the bustling capital.

She stroked her chin, “You’re not pregnant, don’t worry…”

Mo Jin’er sighed in relief. Otherwise, having another child at her age was quite embarrassing. She even thought that if she were really pregnant, she would go back and scold Ling’an Che because he hadn’t listened to her and kept pestering her recently…

But fortunately, she wasn’t.

Chatting idly, she stayed at Su Qinqin’s place for a while before leaving. Outside, a carriage was waiting for her—it was her husband coming to pick her up.

She looked up and smiled at him.

He reached out his hand towards her.

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Translator’s note.

Thanks for reading TFB.

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