The falling beauty - Chapter 7

Mo Jin’er also stood up by herself, and the maidservants who had been attending to her were now quite nervous, looking at Baozhu.

Baozhu was crying very sadly because it really hurt. She was clutching her thigh and couldn’t stand up.

Ling’an Che slightly frowned and picked her up.

As he turned around, his eyes swept lightly over Mo Jin’er. Her small face was pale, and she stood there in a blue gauze dress, seemingly uneasy. When she saw his gaze fall on her, she took a step back, lightly pressed her lips together, and her long eyelashes fluttered.

She was also worried about Baozhu, but everyone had gathered around her, and she herself was feeling some dull pain and a heavy, weak sensation in her limbs. Moreover, with Ling’an Che present, she didn’t step forward to inquire about Baozhu’s condition.

The incident happened so quickly that she wasn’t too upset. Everyone was concerned about Baozhu, and no one cared about her or asked how she was after being hit.

After all, there was a world of difference between them. Baozhu and Ling’an Che came from distinguished families and were the pride of their families since childhood, while she was just a speck of dust.

She knew her lowly status. After all, she had lived like this since childhood, so she didn’t mind.

“Miss Jin’er, are you alright?” The maid finally noticed her. Earlier, she had been hit by Miss Baozhu. Although it wasn’t a direct hit, Miss Baozhu was chubby, so it must have hurt her as well.

“I’m fine…” Mo Jin’er said softly. It still hurt, but it didn’t matter much.

She missed her grandmother. At times like this, she really wanted to return to the Duke’s mansion.

Baozhu’s leg injury wasn’t too serious; she just needed a few days of rest. When Ling’s mother heard the news, she quickly came to see her, feeling both blame and heartache.

She had already treated her like her own daughter. The old prince’s family had done great favors for the Ling family, and over the years, she had watched Baozhu grow up, unable to help but care for her deeply.

“How did you fall from the tree suddenly…” She frowned and asked.

“Miss was flying a kite with Mo Jin’er, and then the kite got caught in the tree…” The maid, Que’er, explained everything truthfully. In fact, she didn’t exaggerate, but mentioning Mo Jin’er made everyone’s expressions a bit subtle.

“Although Mo Jin’er is now someone in your household, you shouldn’t be too lenient with her in the future. You…” Ling’s mother stopped mid-sentence, implying that she was worried Mo Jin’er might harbor resentment and harm Baozhu.

She was well aware of the situation. The Duke’s family was already on the decline, and their legitimate daughter dared to harm Baozhu, pushing an unknown concubine’s daughter to take the blame. She felt sorry for the child, but precautions were necessary.

“Mother, I haven’t been lenient with her. Besides, it’s Baozhu who likes to find her.” Ling’an Che said helplessly.

“Forget it, Baozhu was a clever child when she was young. Remember, Baozhu saved you back then and got caught by those villains, injuring her brain…” She choked up, looking back at Baozhu, who was sitting on the bed applying medicine.

The old prince was loyal to the country, but only had this one child left, and she had become mentally impaired…

Ling’an Che’s eyes darkened slightly, and he smiled, “Mother, those people have already paid for what they did.”

There were few families left in the capital that needed to be dealt with…

The Duke’s family posed no threat, letting them be for a few more days wouldn’t matter…

He originally had other matters to attend to and planned to leave the mansion, but he suddenly thought of that frail figure standing alone, isolated from everyone else.

He returned to the courtyard and saw Mo Jin’er sitting under the tree, repairing the kite that had been damaged by the branches.

She wasn’t feeling well; her small face was slightly pale. She didn’t want to go back inside, her fingers trembling. Eventually, she stopped.

A shadow fell in front of her, blocking her view. She looked up slightly and saw Ling’an Che standing in front of her. Her heart tightened. Would they blame her for Baozhu getting hurt while playing with her?

He reached out and pulled her up. His finger brushed her lips hesitantly, then his hand covered her forehead.

Her watery eyes showed a hint of confusion, and he turned to the maid and said, “Go to Lingyue Tower on Xuanwu Street and get Su Qinqin.”

She didn’t know what he was saying or who Su Qinqin was.

“You’re burning up and still out here. If you pass your illness to Baozhu…” He squinted his eyes, pinched her cheek, wanting to kiss her. Seeing her uncomfortable and clueless expression, he softened.

Hearing his words, Mo Jin’er’s lips parted slightly. Her voice seemed hoarse, “If you send me back to the Duke’s mansion, the illness won’t pass to Baozhu.”

What is love, what is affection? Caring and being cared for are different. She never wanted to fight for anything. From beginning to end, she just wanted to live a peaceful life with her grandmother.

So Ling’an Che’s protection, no matter who it was for, didn’t matter to her.

You see, without expectations, there is no disappointment.

At most, there is just the sorrow of being trapped here.

“In your dreams.” He couldn’t pinpoint what was wrong, but he knew she once liked him. He lowered his head and bit her lip, wrapping his arm around her waist, pulling her into his embrace.

She didn’t resist, having no strength. Her body was unusually hot, her eyes dazed.

Her head was foggy, feeling cold despite her burning body. She hadn’t seen a doctor for her fever, making it worse.

The maid hurried to Lingyue Tower to find Su Qinqin, but she wasn’t there. She had to go to a clinic to find a female doctor.

Mo Jin’er could hardly stand, and he eventually carried her into the room.

The female doctor hurried over, and the maid explained the situation to Ling’an Che, who then had the doctor examine Mo Jin’er.

The female doctor frowned deeply, finally saying, “She seems to have caught a cold, and this girl is frail, possibly also…”

The doctor, in her forties, examined her carefully and told him that she was very delicate and should avoid excessive activity.

“…” Ling’an Che.

But the most important thing was the doctor’s final words: she might become infertile if she continued taking strange herbal concoctions or birth control soup.

He raised his eyebrows slightly.

After the doctor left, Mo Jin’er lay on the bed, thinking about the doctor’s words. Birth control soup was cold and harmful, making it impossible for her to drink anymore. But Ling’an Che, valuing chastity, would not refrain from touching her.

Would the Ling family let her give birth to a child without status…

She recalled what she knew about Ling’an Che. She had only ever heard others say he was a prodigy, a god of war at sixteen.

It was said he was ruthless on the battlefield, like a demon, but upon returning to the capital, he was handsome and gentle, charming many noble ladies.

He had been at war for a long time, and whether he had women was unknown.

In the capital, it was normal for officials to have multiple wives and concubines, but he had no wife, concubines, or even maids.

This was true…

But she had never thought of being his concubine.

After the doctor left, the room quieted down, and she closed her eyes, ignoring him.

She was very tired and wanted to sleep.

He watched her for a moment, said nothing, and then left.

A few days later, her injuries had healed somewhat. Staying in the General’s mansion had one benefit: she could use Ling’an Che’s money to treat her grandmother’s ailments.

As for Baozhu, with Su Qinqin’s help, her facial injuries were improving, the scars fading.

Because of her leg injury from the fall, Baozhu hadn’t been able to visit Mo Jin’er.

Recently, Ling’an Che hadn’t truly touched her, which made she feel relieved, though some intimacy remained.

The weather was fine today, the sun bright. Mo Jin’er could leave the mansion to get medicine for her grandmother. The maid suggested sending someone, but she really wanted to go out herself.

Only by doing so did she feel like she wasn’t a pet kept by Ling’an Che…

Only then could she not feel sad, not think about those things.

After visiting her grandmother, she was stopped on her way back.

The girl leading the group was Shen Xiang’s daughter, Shen Yanyan.

“Isn’t this Miss Mo? I heard that Miss Baozhu hurt her leg recently?” Shen Yanyan mocked, looking down on her.

Mo Jin’er, wearing a veil, frowned, not wanting to engage with her.

Surrounded by Shen Yanyan’s attendants, Mo Jin’er bit her lip.

“You scratched Baozhu’s face and now made her hurt her leg. Indeed, the daughter of a songstress, a concubine’s child, is just lowly!” Shen Yanyan approached, spitting out her words.

Mo Jin’er’s pale face, trembling fingers, and downcast eyes made her clench her fists.

Shen Yanyan continued, her tone mocking, “You climbed up to Ling, didn’t you? Do you think he’ll make you a concubine? Your Duke’s family is about to be executed. You, with your low status and deep scheming, do you think Ling will keep you?”

“Sending you to a brothel or as a camp follower is impossible since Ling has used you. Maybe he’ll just kill you…”

“Oh, right, your legitimate sister said you liked Ling. Being in the General’s mansion fulfills your wish…”

Before she could finish, Mo Jin’er slapped her hard.

Shen Yanyan, her head turned by the slap, was caught by her maid, shocked and disbelieving.

“Shen Yanyan, I did like Ling’an Che, but I don’t anymore.” Her fingers still trembled as she spoke softly.