They were actually led to a brothel, with the insistence that the place was secret and no one would ever suspect them of discussing matters there.
He found some logic in that, so he persuaded Ling Mohan to go in with him. As soon as they entered, and within the time it took to play one game of chess, before they could even discuss their actual business, Feng Jin came charging in angrily, interrupting everything.
It was also from this moment that he learned Feng Jin was seen by Gu Beichen downstairs and deliberately led up. However… judging by Lin Yuwei’s tone, had his visit to the brothel already spread everywhere?
“How did you know I… I was in the capital? Who told you all these things?”
Chu Chenyi coughed lightly, cleared his throat, and feigned a serious expression as he asked Lin Yuwei.
“If you don’t want anyone to know, then don’t do it. The news of Sister Feng Jin catching an affair at the brothel has spread all over the streets and alleys. Some discerning individuals saw you there too. The entire capital, even the prince’s mansion, has been buzzing with it!”
Her ears hadn’t been quiet for a single minute since morning; it was hard to pretend she didn’t know.
She would have believed it if Gu Beichen and Chu Chenyi had gone to the brothel for a casual visit. However, Ling Mohan had always been a man of integrity; within a hundred meters of him, not even a female mosquito could get close.
Why would he go to such a place without any reason this time? There must be another reason. She had come to ask Chu Chenyi, who was present at the time and perhaps even involved, for a clear explanation of what had actually happened.
“Tell me, why did you go to the brothel? That place is so disgusting!”
Lin Yuwei sat opposite Chu Chenyi and spoke in a very calm tone, her eyes as placid as a pool of water, revealing no emotional fluctuations.
This time, it was Chu Chenyi’s turn to get a little annoyed. Instead of answering Lin Yuwei’s question, he retorted, “I went to the brothel, and you have nothing to ask, or aren’t you angry?”
Lin Yuwei snorted dismissively, “Your legs are your own; I can’t stop you from going wherever you please. Besides, there’s no affection between us. It was a賜婚 (arranged marriage). All I want is to secure my position as the Jing Princess, and preserve the honor of the Pingyang Marquis Estate.”
“I’ve thought clearly about these days. The most unreliable thing in this world is men. Instead of staying cooped up in this square courtyard all day, waiting for a man’s meager charity, it’s better to rely on myself. In the future, you can have as many as you want, but my position as the Jing Princess cannot be shaken in the slightest!”
As long as her position was secured and wealth and honor were preserved, that was the most important thing. Everything else was just fleeting clouds that couldn’t be eaten.
Chu Chenyi’s mouth twitched uncontrollably. Having such a sensible wife, shouldn’t other men be overjoyed and prostrate themselves in gratitude?
Why did he feel no joy at all, but instead, an urge to kill?
A sudden surge of anger enveloped him. Chu Chenyi took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to strangle Lin Yuwei, and said, “Get out!”
He pointed towards the door. If he didn’t drive Lin Yuwei away, he couldn’t guarantee he wouldn’t lose control of himself the next second. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Startled by his sudden fury, Lin Yuwei snorted disdainfully, completely unfazed by his anger, “Fine, I’ll go. Do you really think I’m fond of coming here…”
If it weren’t for the decreed marriage forcing her to marry him, let alone the position of Jing Princess, she wouldn’t have married him even if Chu Chenyi knelt and begged her.
He would change his face at the slightest disagreement. Did he really think he was something special? A man like this wouldn’t be wanted even if he were left on the street, Lin Yuwei muttered to herself incessantly, leaving with angry strides.
After she was gone, Chu Chenyi directly kicked a nearby chair heavily. The chair immediately split into pieces, lying tragically on the ground.
Chu Chenyi gasped for air, suppressing his rage. If he hadn’t controlled himself in time, he would have already laid hands on Lin Yuwei’s neck.
And she still said she wouldn’t marry him if it weren’t for the decreed marriage, and that she only cared about the position of Jing Princess. This meant she saw him as a stepping stone. So, in her heart, he was just a useless tool.
Good… very good… Chu Chenyi smirked. He had just mocked others, and now it was happening to him. Indeed, retribution was swift and sure.
…
“Young Master… Young Master, General Ling is here. He’s on his way…”
Gu Beichen, who was fast asleep, immediately jolted awake upon hearing Ling Mohan’s name. His groggy mind cleared instantly, and his gaze fell on the young servant who had come to report.
“Useless fools! Didn’t I warn you long ago not to let him in if he came? What were you doing? Are you looking for a beating?”
Anger flared up in Gu Beichen. These incompetent fools couldn’t even handle this small matter. What use were they? It would be better to drive them all out of the mansion.
“Young Master, we tried to stop him, but we couldn’t!” the servant replied aggrievedly. Not to mention the few of them, even a hundred more wouldn’t be able to stop General Ling.
Moreover, General Ling had specifically asked for the Prince. They dared not stop him. If the Prince found out they had delayed important matters, ten heads wouldn’t be enough to pay for it.
“If you can’t stop him, then you are useless!”
Gu Beichen shouted angrily, grabbing his clothes and hastily putting them on. The most urgent task now was the best strategy: retreat.
Before Ling Mohan arrived, he had to escape through the back door as quickly as possible. If he delayed any longer, his life might not be saved.
He picked up his shoes, putting them on as he rushed out. Just as he reached the doorway, he collided head-on with someone coming towards him. Gu Beichen instinctively cried out in panic, “Father… why are you here?”
At that moment, Gu Beichen had one shoe tucked under his left arm, and his hands were busy putting on the other shoe, his posture incredibly comical.
“Young Master, you’re running in such a hurry. Is something so urgent?” Ling Mohan walked up to Gu Beichen and patted his shoulder. It looked like a light pat, but it was delivered with full force.
Caught off guard, Gu Beichen fell directly to the ground, his posture so ridiculous that even the Zhennan King couldn’t bear to watch. He yelled angrily, “Rebel! Always making a fool of yourself here. Get up quickly!”