They were actually led to a brothel, and insisted that the place was secluded and no one would ever guess they were there to discuss matters.
He felt there was some truth to that, so he persuaded Ling Mohan to go in with him. As soon as they entered, after the time it took to play one game of chess, and before they could even get to business, Feng Jin came charging in furiously, interrupting everything.
It was then he learned that Feng Jin was deliberately brought up by Gu Beichen, whom he saw downstairs. However... judging by Lin Yuwei's words, had his visit to the brothel already spread like wildfire?
"How did you know I... that this King went to the capital? Who told you those things?"
Chu Chenyi coughed lightly, cleared his throat, and put on a serious demeanor as he asked Lin Yuwei.
"If you don't want people to know, don't do it. The news of Sister Feng Jin catching someone in the brothel has spread to every corner, and observant people saw you there too. The entire capital, even within the Prince's mansion, is abuzz with it!"
From morning until now, her ears hadn't been quiet for a single minute; it was hard to pretend she didn't know.
She would believe it if Gu Beichen and Chu Chenyi went to a brothel together. However, Ling Mohan had always been a man of strict principles; within a hundred meters of him, even a female mosquito would struggle to get close.
Why would he go to such a place for no reason this time? There must be another reason. She came here to ask Chu Chenyi, who was present at the time and perhaps involved, to explain exactly what happened.
"Tell me, why did you go to the brothel? That place is so disgusting!"
Lin Yuwei sat opposite Chu Chenyi and spoke calmly, her eyes as still as a pond, showing no emotional fluctuation.
This time, it was Chu Chenyi's turn to get a little petty. He didn't answer Lin Yuwei's question but retorted instead, "I went to the brothel, and you have nothing to ask, or are you not 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 an arranged marriage. All I want is to secure the position of Princess Jing and preserve the glory of the Pingyang Marquis Manor."
"I've thought it through these days. The most unreliable thing in this world is a man. Rather than staying cooped up in this square courtyard, waiting for a man's meager charity, it's better to rely on myself. In the future, you can keep as many as you want, but my position as Princess Jing cannot be shaken in the slightest!"
As long as her position and wealth were secured, everything else was just fleeting clouds that couldn't be eaten.
Chu Chenyi's mouth twitched uncontrollably. Having such an understanding wife, shouldn't other men be overjoyed and prostrate themselves on the ground?
Why did he have no joy at all, but instead felt so angry he wanted to kill?
A sudden surge of anger enveloped him. Chu Chenyi took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the urge to strangle Lin Yuwei, "Get out!"
He pointed a finger towards the door. If he didn't get Lin Yuwei out of here, he couldn't guarantee he wouldn't lose control in the next second.
Startled by his sudden rage, Lin Yuwei snorted disdainfully, completely unfazed by his anger, "Fine, I'll leave. Do you really think I'm eager to be here..."
If it weren't for the arranged marriage forcing her to marry him, let alone the position of Princess Jing, she wouldn't have married Chu Chenyi even if he knelt and begged her.
He throws tantrums and changes his face at the slightest disagreement. Does he really think someone owes him? A man like this wouldn't be wanted even if he was thrown on the street, Lin Yuwei grumbled internally, and left with angry steps.
After she was gone, Chu Chenyi fiercely kicked a nearby chair, and it immediately splintered into pieces, lying miserably on the ground.
Chu Chenyi panted heavily, suppressing the rage within him. If he hadn't controlled himself just now, he would have already reached out and grabbed Lin Yuwei's neck.
And she said she wouldn't have married him if not for the arranged marriage, and that she only cared about the position of Princess Jing. This meant she saw him as a stepping stone to climb up. So, in her heart, he was just a useless tool.
Fine... very fine... Chu Chenyi smirked. He had just mocked others, and now it was his turn. Indeed, retribution was swift.
...
"Young Master... Young Master, General Ling is here, he's on his way..."
Gu Beichen, who was sound asleep, jolted awake at the mention of Ling Mohan's name. He sat up abruptly, his drowsy mind instantly clearing, and his gaze fell upon the young servant who had come to report.
"Useless! Didn't I tell you long ago not to let him in? What are you doing? Are your skins itchy, looking for a beating?"
Gu Beichen's anger flared. These incompetent servants couldn't even handle such a small matter. What use were they? It would be better to dismiss them all.
"Young Master, this humble servant tried to stop him, but I couldn't!" the servant replied aggrievedly. Not to mention just them, even a hundred more people wouldn't be able to stop General Ling.
Moreover, General Ling 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 lose.
"If you can't stop him, you're useless!"
Gu Beichen shouted angrily, grabbed his clothes, and hurriedly put them on. The most urgent thing now was to retreat.
Before Ling Mohan arrived, he had to escape through the back door as quickly as possible. If he was any later, his life might be in danger.
He picked up his shoes, put them on as he ran out, and as soon as he reached the door, he bumped directly into the person coming towards him. Gu Beichen instinctively blurted out in panic, "Father... why are you here?"
At this moment, Gu Beichen had a shoe tucked under his left arm, and he was holding shoes in both hands, trying to put them on his feet. His posture was incredibly comical.
"Young Master, you're running so urgently. Is there something so pressing?" Ling Mohan walked to Gu Beichen's side and patted his shoulder. It looked like a light pat, but it was delivered with full force.
Gu Beichen, caught off guard, fell directly to the ground. His comical posture was so embarrassing that even the Zhennan Prince couldn't bear to watch. He angrily shouted, "You unfilial son! Always making a fool of yourself. Get up quickly!"