The falling beauty - Chapter 8

“If you all say I am scheming and evil, then I might as well live up to that reputation.”

“Shall I ruin your face too?”

Her sweet and delicate face suddenly showed a cold smile, her tone soft and gentle, yet chilling.

The seemingly weak and delicate girl suddenly attacked, her smiling demeanor surprising everyone present.

Shen Yanyan couldn’t believe it, her hands trembling with anger, “What are you? How dare you hit me! You wretch!”

“Grab her!” She ordered, and the surrounding guards and servants moved to seize Mo Jin’er, but Mo Jin’er’s maid intercepted them.

The maid, usually cold and stern, swiftly and efficiently disarmed the guards, making them kneel with quick and precise movements.

Shen Yanyan realized that the maid beside Mo Jin’er might be Ling’s secret guard…

How was that possible… She was supposed to be just a plaything…

She glared fiercely at Mo Jin’er. Mo Jin’er tilted her head slightly, then smiled sweetly, “Goodbye, Miss Shen.”

“Don’t go! Don’t go! How dare you hit me!” Shen Yanyan, never having been struck before, rushed forward crying, aiming to scratch Mo Jin’er’s face.

However, the maid blocked her, and as the daughter of the prime minister, she was only restrained, not harmed.

The maid spoke calmly, “Miss, please don’t make things difficult for me.”

“She’s just a plaything, and you really treat her as your master! I’ll tell Brother Ling and have him punish you severely!” She was furious, crying, while those around began to whisper and point.

“Miss Jin’er is weak and can’t endure Miss Shen’s punishment.” The maid gently pulled Shen Yanyan away, bowed, and then left with Mo Jin’er.

On the way back, Mo Jin’er, sitting in the carriage, sighed softly. She had acted out of anger and slapped Shen Yanyan.

Her mother was a songstress, but she couldn’t stand others insulting her…

She was lost in thought, watching the birds flying by. She vaguely remembered her mother’s face from childhood.

Her mother was beautiful, gently humming songs to lull her to sleep, and she was three years old then, already remembering things…

“You were amazing just now…” Slowly coming to, Mo Jin’er looked at the maid sitting beside her. Usually silent and aloof, the maid seemed highly skilled in martial arts.

“I know some martial arts,” said the maid, Lan’er, who was indeed one of Ling’s secret guards.

The general had investigated Mo Jin’er the first day he brought her back, learning she was a pitiful child and assigning Lan’er to serve her.

Mo Jin’er, with her beautiful and innocent face, asked expectantly, “Can you teach me martial arts? I want to become as strong as you.”

This way, she wouldn’t fear being bullied, and even if Ling’an Che eventually released her, she could protect her grandmother and herself outside.

“…” The maid.

“Miss, you should focus on regaining your health first,” the maid gently replied.

Mo Jin’er, pondering, still had doubts she couldn’t voice. Shen Yanyan had said the Duke’s mansion would be destroyed and its members executed—could it be true?

The thought weighed on her heart.

Though the Duke’s mansion had abandoned her, she had lived there for over ten years…

But it should be false, right? Just like Shen Yanyan’s insults about her being scheming and evil, trying to seduce Ling’an Che—only she knew it wasn’t true.

Shen Yanyan likely liked him too, thus saying those things to insult her…

She closed her eyes slightly, sighing internally. If she could, she would gladly give up such opportunities to them…

After the commotion in the street finally subsided, Shen Yanyan left in tears, and on the second floor, in a private room, two people had witnessed everything.

This street was less crowded, though wide.

Inside the private room sat two people. One, with a cold expression, was handsome and imposing in black clothes, unconcerned with the gossip outside, discussing matters with his friend.

His friend, however, seemed rather indifferent.

Ling’an Che gently rubbed the tea cup with his thumb. As a martial artist, his hearing was excellent, and he had clearly heard Shen Yanyan’s insults to Mo Jin’er and her retorts.

She had said she no longer liked him.

“You’re so distracted; one of those people downstairs is yours,” the black-clad man said indifferently, noticing his distraction and giving up on the discussion.

Ling’an Che raised his eyes to look at him, slightly raising an eyebrow, while a hint of interest appeared in the cold eyes of the black-clad man, “A concubine’s daughter from the Duke’s mansion. The Duke’s mansion will soon be destroyed, and a prime minister’s daughter—Shen’s family won’t let this go easily.”

“Yes, she’s timid in front of me, but who knew she had this side.” He laughed lowly.

The black-clad man was surprised by his reaction and then asked, “Are you serious?”

Ling’an Che lazily didn’t answer.

The next day, someone from the prime minister’s family came to visit.

Not the General’s mansion, but the Duke’s mansion. The Duke’s mansion sent an old woman to find Mo Jin’er, urgently asking her to return, saying something major had happened.

Mo Jin’er, after slapping Shen Yanyan, had been afraid. No one dared to easily offend influential families, especially since the Duke’s mansion had declined, unlike ten years ago.

She had expected her to come directly to trouble her or come to the General’s mansion, but she hadn’t expected them to go to the Mo family.

Thinking of her grandmother still there, she hurried back.

The maid noticed, whispered to the guard beside her, and then quickly followed her.

When Mo Jin’er rushed back to the Duke’s mansion, she saw her stepmother being slapped hard by the prime minister’s wife, who disdainfully said, “You raised such a good concubine’s daughter, not only openly becoming Ling’s plaything but daring to slap my daughter in public? How bold!”

“Yes, Madam, don’t be angry. It’s my fault for poor upbringing. I’ll severely punish Jin’er when she returns…”

Her stepmother’s eyes showed anger, but she held it back, covering her painful face, smiling apologetically.

“I hear she has an old woman she’s very close to. Bring her out!” Madam Shen said arrogantly, shaking her sleeve with a cold smile.

“But… Madam, that old woman is very old and has one blind eye…” The stepmother hesitated, smiling. That old woman was the only leverage over Mo Jin’er, and they couldn’t let her be humiliated. If she accidentally got beaten to death, Mo Jin’er would…

The stepmother thought Mo Jin’er had clung to Ling’an Che. Recently, the Duke’s mansion had been involved in a lawsuit, making things difficult. Her husband was constantly sighing and seeking help, only they knew the Duke’s mansion was struggling.

Now that the Shen family suddenly attacked, they couldn’t afford to offend them…

And Mo Jin’er was still part of the family, potentially useful in the future…

“I told you to bring her out; didn’t you hear me?” Madam Shen sneered, glancing sideways at her, “Do you think the Mo family is still the same? Concubine Mo died in the palace years ago; it’s already a blessing your family wasn’t implicated. Why are you still putting on airs?”

She pushed the stepmother’s head hard.

“If you have grievances, take them out on me,” a soft voice suddenly sounded. Mo Jin’er hurried over, stopping the confrontation.

She paused, standing there with her beautiful and gentle face, her eyes dull and uneasy.

“No, Miss Mo is now someone in the General’s room. I respect General Ling and won’t harm Miss Mo, but your stepmother and that old woman in your courtyard…” Madam Shen laughed coldly, eyeing her up and down.

The Shen family intended to form an alliance with the Ling family. She admired Ling’an Che, who was famous and capable, without concubines or mistresses. She encouraged her daughter to befriend Baozhu, hoping for a chance with him, but a mere concubine’s daughter had beaten them to it.

But it didn’t matter. A concubine’s daughter from the Duke’s mansion probably wouldn’t even become Ling’an Che’s concubine…

Soon, the Duke’s mansion would all be criminals…

“Mother…” Shen Yanyan, unhappy, clung to her mother’s arm, glaring coldly at Mo Jin’er.

Though dealing with her family was better, she still wanted to return that slap.

“You were just upset about being slapped by me. I’ll let you slap me back; just don’t hurt them.”

Seeing her grandmother being dragged out, trembling, Mo Jin’er’s nose tingled with emotion.

“And I have no intention of clinging to the Ling family. You all know, as you’ve said, Ling’an Che is just temporarily interested in me. It won’t be long before I can leave. Why target me?”

Mo Jin’er controlled her emotions, speaking softly.

“Hmph, who believes you? If you weren’t scheming, how could Brother Ling accept you…” Shen Yanyan clenched her handkerchief, full of resentment, “And I heard from your stepsister that you like him!”

“That was before. I did admire him, but since my family pushed me out, he hasn’t treated me well. He makes me drink birth control soup, and I’ve been ill many times. You all should know, right?”

She continued softly, “He doesn’t care about me, so he treats me harshly. When Baozhu’s face heals, I should be able to leave.”

“Fine, let me slap you, and I’ll let bygones be bygones.” Shen Yanyan’s eyes shifted, coming down to her.

Mo Jin’er gently replied, “Okay.”

But before Shen Yanyan could act, someone stepped forward, pulling Mo Jin’er into his embrace.