“You sell out your friends for a pretty face. I'll humor you and promise to speak less about her from now on.”
If he hadn't been outmatched by Ling Mohan, he wouldn't have conceded so quickly. For his own safety, he could only endure for now.
When he found another opportunity, he would surely settle this humiliation. But for now, he would endure. Who told him he was the weaker one?
Ling Mohan's expression softened considerably, but he remained curt with Gu Beichen. After a pause, he spoke, "Have you had any further contact with the Xiliang Princess these past few days?"
A hint of shyness crossed Gu Beichen's face as he scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Our wedding date is approaching, and Xiliang custom dictates that engaged couples should not meet before the wedding, as it is believed to bring bad luck. We... we haven't met."
He used to see her once or twice every day and didn't think much of it. Now, after not seeing her for several days, he found himself constantly thinking of Murong Jinyun. It was better when he was busy, but whenever he stopped, Murong Jinyun occupied his every thought.
It was all Xiliang's stupid customs, forbidding engaged couples from meeting. It was torture. He felt like he was suffering from lovesickness.
He counted the days, his fingers worn from anticipation, just yearning for the wedding day to arrive so he could end his longing.
"Look at you, you spineless wretch! You're a disgrace!"
Ling Mohan glared at Gu Beichen with disgust. Just looking at him made him annoyed.
To be so infatuated by the Xiliang Princess, and after spending so much time with her, to not have noticed a single anomaly—truly useless.
"You dare say that to me? If it were you, you'd probably be even worse than me, maybe even worse!"
Gu Beichen shot a glance at Ling Mohan, knowing he was just spouting nonsense. If it were him, not seeing Feng Jin for several days, he could only imagine how much he would miss her.
Speaking of which, these days were crawling by. When would the wedding day arrive? He really couldn't wait.
"Why have you come here today?" Ling Mohan asked plainly. Gu Beichen's arrival here today was indeed unexpected.
He had bought this manor precisely because of its secluded location. Although he had owned it for some time, very few people knew about it. Gu Beichen's presence here was indeed a surprise.
"I went to your manor to find you. Your servants said you hadn't returned since yesterday, and Feng Jin wasn't there either. I searched several places and saw carriage tracks outside the woods. I suddenly remembered you had a manor here and thought I'd try my luck. I never expected to find you by chance."
He had only intended to take a look. After knocking for a long time with no answer, his curiosity got the better of him. He kicked the door open and went inside, only to witness Feng Jin being beaten.
If he had known he would suffer such physical pain, he would never have come here.
"What do you need from me?" Ling Mohan immediately seized on the crucial part of Gu Beichen's words and asked directly.
"Nothing in particular. I just wanted to chat with you..."
He was indeed too bored, which was why he wanted to find Ling Mohan. At least it was better than staying alone in his room.
Ling Mohan snorted coldly and said sarcastically, "This is truly extraordinary. You usually spend your time with your many female companions in brothels and entertainment houses. What's gotten into you today, coming to me?"
Gu Beichen never came to him without a reason. He only remembered his existence when he needed something. Thus, him coming without a reason was indeed unprecedented and quite peculiar.
"What nonsense are you talking about? This 世子 (shìzǐ - son of a prince) has always maintained his integrity. And I don't go to brothels and entertainment houses; I go to places for singing and opera to amuse myself. Also... I've never had any female companions. If you can't provide concrete evidence, then stop talking nonsense. I have the right to accuse you of defamation!"
Gu Beichen immediately became agitated and spoke vehemently. No wonder there were always rumors about him in the capital. He used to think it was some ignorant person spreading them. Now, he strongly suspected that all these unfavorable words were spread by Ling Mohan.
This was his jealousy of his dashing and handsome appearance that made him resort to such baseless rumors to undermine him. It was a shame that his good reputation was almost ruined by Ling Mohan.
"Who in the capital doesn't know about the good deeds you've done? Does Duke Gu's reputation for gallantry need anyone else to spread rumors...?"
Ling Mohan's tone was filled with mockery. Everyone in the capital, even three-year-old children, knew the name Duke Gu. He didn't need to help spread rumors.
Every pleasure house in the capital had one of Gu Beichen's female companions. It was nothing strange.
In recent years, even the King of Zhennan found Gu Beichen's actions too outrageous and imposed restrictions, preventing Gu Beichen from becoming completely notorious. However, it still couldn't stop Gu Beichen from seeking out women.
"Enough, enough... That's all old news. What's the point of you dredging up old matters and stirring up trouble now? You know I'm getting married soon. If you continue to spread rumors about me like this, will you only be happy if my marriage falls through!"
Ling Mohan cast a cold glance at Gu Beichen. He truly wished with all his heart that this marriage would fall apart immediately. But that dull-witted Gu Beichen actually listened to him.
"My heart now belongs only to my future wife, Murong Jinyun. I have long since severed ties with my past. Those previous matters have nothing to do with me. If I hear you bringing up those foolish past deeds of mine again, don't blame me for turning against you."
After exerting immense effort, he was finally about to marry his wife. If these trivial matters from the past were to ruin everything, it would be too much of a loss.
"You should take care of yourself. Eat more heart-nourishing medicine to avoid any further shock, lest you fall into despair and perish."
Ling Mohan patted Gu Beichen's shoulder as if offering him comfort.
It was better to start taking care of himself now, so when the truth was revealed, Gu Beichen wouldn't be too heartbroken and make a rash decision that cost him his life. This was simply being prepared for the worst.