Gu Beichen was filled with deep regret, wishing he had been more cautious and less trusting of Murong Jinyun in the first place. He admitted to being too naive.
"There's no point in regretting it now. What you can do is try your best to make amends!"
Ling Mohan looked at Gu Beichen with cold eyes, his tone softening slightly.
"How can I make amends? Just tell me, and I'll do it!"
Gu Beichen asked hastily. If there was a way to rectify his mistakes, he would spare no effort. But how could he possibly make amends for what he had done?
"Are you truly willing to make amends?"
"Of course! If I weren't, why would I be talking to you? Stop wasting time and tell me what I need to do!"
After a moment of silence, Ling Mohan didn't speak but gestured for Feng Jin to speak.
Receiving Ling Mohan's signal, Feng Jin quickly reacted and said, "There is a way, but I don't know if you're willing?"
"I'm willing! Don't keep us in suspense, just tell us!"
He was as agitated as an ant on a hot pan. He had no patience for them to play coy and desperately wanted to know the answer.
Feng Jin stopped being mysterious, cleared her throat, organized her thoughts, and began to speak calmly, "It's actually quite simple. The situation is still under our control. Since you know the truth now, all you can do is continue to pretend, as if nothing has happened and you are still unaware."
"Especially when dealing with Murong Jinyun and the people of Xiliang, you must act exactly as you did before. They must not suspect anything. And most importantly, there must be absolutely no change in your marriage to Murong Jinyun. Do you understand?"
What Gu Beichen could do now was to continue acting, and he couldn't show any signs of deviation. The net had been cast, the fish were hooked, and it was the crucial moment to reel them in. Not a single mistake could be made.
This was especially true for Gu Beichen; he was the most critical piece, and any deviation would lead to the complete loss of the game.
"You mean I should pretend to be oblivious and continue as before..." Gu Beichen finally understood their intentions.
If he hadn't known the truth, he could have continued to interact with Murong Jinyun like this. But now that he knew everything, how could he continue? How could he act without any flaws? This was truly difficult for him.
Gu Beichen hesitated and then said, "I really can't do it. I can't pretend to be ignorant when I know the whole truth and continue to act with Murong Jinyun. I'm afraid that when I see Murong Jinyun again, I won't be able to control myself and will question her..."
"You have to do it even if you can't. This is something you must do. Only you can do this now; you have no room to refuse!"
Ling Mohan reprimanded him sharply. It was not the time for him to be indecisive. If they continued to delay, they would all be ruined.
"I..." Gu Beichen furrowed his brow, hesitated for a long time, and then slowly said, "I'll try then..."
"Just treat Murong Jinyun with your usual calm demeanor. I believe you still have affection for her in your heart. When you interact with her, don't think of her as the princess of Xiliang. Just think of her as the person you love the most and treat her with the same affection!"
Feng Jin patiently persuaded him. This way, Gu Beichen would feel better when dealing with Murong Jinyun, and his burden would be lighter.
Gu Beichen lowered his eyes. He understood what Feng Jin was saying, but the barrier in his heart remained. After a moment of hesitation, he finally agreed, "I know what to do."
Murong Jinyun had deceived him for so long, and now it was his turn to deceive her. It truly was a turn of fate.
"Be careful not to get too carried away and truly believe it. Don't betray us in a moment of passion and tell the Xiliang princess everything, and then end up becoming her consort in Xiliang!"
Ling Mohan's words were spoken lightly, but they pierced Gu Beichen's heart like a knife. Gu Beichen felt the wound on his heart being ripped open and salt sprinkled on it, leaving it bleeding profusely.
"Say less. I wouldn't think you were mute," Gu Beichen said through gritted teeth, his back molars aching fiercely.
"Say less." Feng Jin couldn't bear it any longer and nudged Ling Mohan with her elbow, urging him to say less. If he continued, Gu Beichen would leave in a huff.
To calm Gu Beichen's emotions, Feng Jin mediated between them, "Have some tea to calm your anger. Let's talk slowly. There's no rush... no rush..."
Fortunately, there was some tea in the manor, or they would all have to drink plain water to cool down.
Gu Beichen drank several cups of tea before he managed to suppress his anger. He turned his head away, no longer looking at Ling Mohan, for fear of enraging himself to death.
"If you have nothing else to do, leave quickly. Don't be an eyesore here."
In a short while, Ling Mohan began to show him the way out. He really didn't want to see Gu Beichen anymore; even a few more glances made him tremble with anger.
"I'm leaving, I'm leaving! I don't care to stay here anymore!" Gu Beichen slammed the teacup in his hand on the table, stood up abruptly, and was about to walk out. His initial steps were fast, but they gradually slowed down, and he eventually turned back to look at Ling Mohan.
Seeing that he was still sitting there, calmly sipping tea, his rising anger intensified. "Aren't you going to try and stop me at all?"
"Farewell!" Ling Mohan didn't even look up and calmly uttered these words.
"You really... you're really something. I'm leaving, I'm leaving, and I don't care."
This time, Gu Beichen turned and left without looking back. In less than half an hour, the sound of the heavy closing of a gate echoed.
"You just let him go? Do we really not need to remind him a few more times? What if he accidentally lets something slip again..."