The Foolish General's Mute Spouse - Chapter 12

12: “Uncle, Could You Really Be Fond of Men?”

Fu Yu’an guessed correctly. Early the next morning, a slender eunuch arrived from the palace, saying that Concubine Jue had invited him to Ningchi Palace for tea.

Fu Yu’an had seen this eunuch before; he was the chief eunuch of Concubine Jue’s palace. It was this eunuch who had brought the instructing matron the day before Fu Yu’an married into the general’s residence.

Xiao Zhu stepped forward to hand him a pouch, and the eunuch smiled at him, saying, “Please, Your Highness, make good preparations and remember to bring the general along. Her Ladyship said she hasn’t seen him in a long time and misses him dearly.”

Fu Yu’an nodded slightly, but his palms couldn’t help but sweat.

The emperor was on his deathbed, and Concubine Jue was Qi Ren’s elder sister, so this was only to be expected.

Fu Yu’an felt uneasy.

Concubine Jue was the emperor’s favorite concubine, and it was said that she had some friendship with Fu Yu’an’s birth mother. Therefore, although the emperor loathed Fu Yu’an to the extreme, with Concubine Jue’s covert care over the years, he had managed to survive.

Fu Yu’an didn’t know whether she pitied him or what, but now with this imperial decree thrusting him into Qi Ren’s hands, he was at a loss as to what to call her when entering the palace—the family hierarchy was completely messed up.

Thankfully, I’m mute, he thought, so I just won’t call her anything!

That was his plan, but when he actually entered Ningchi Palace, he found the Second Prince was also there.

The Second Prince bowed expressionlessly to him: “Uncle.”

What kind of address is “Uncle”!

Fu Yu’an was inwardly trembling, feeling extremely awkward and unsure whether he should accept this form of address.

“Alright, Yao’er, take your uncle out for a walk. I need to talk with Yu’an.” Concubine Jue, nearing forty but still charming, spoke with an imposing tone that brooked no refusal.

Fu Yangyao led Qi Ren out, and Qi Ren glanced back at Fu Yu’an, but after a glare from Concubine Jue, he could only withdraw his gaze and obediently follow Fu Yangyao out.

Once outside the hall, they looked at the potted plants that Concubine Jue kept, chatting softly as they walked.

“What’s really going on? Did the Crown Prince do it?” Qi Ren asked in a low voice.

Fu Yangyao nodded: “The Crown Prince sent people to spread rumors that the two of you are in love, and even took the Empress to plead with the Emperor. My mother couldn’t stop them…”

“…”

His move was truly ingenious. Qi Ren had been pretending to be foolish all along to lower the emperor’s guard, but who would have thought that the Crown Prince would seize this opportunity to kill two birds with one stone? Not only did he eliminate a prince, but he also turned himself into the laughingstock of the capital. Such a ruthless act of kicking someone when they’re down is truly worthy of him!

But even Concubine Jue, who enjoys such immense favor, couldn’t stop it?

Fu Yangyao plucked at a leaf, somewhat awkwardly asking, “Actually, I… my mother has always been curious. Uncle, you’ve been in the southern frontier for so many years, and not just there, but even in the capital, it seems like you’ve never shown interest in any young girl. Could it really be that you like men?”

“Nonsense!” Qi Ren shouted loudly. Fu Yangyao quickly glanced behind him, looking nervous and signaling him to lower his voice.

“Don’t be angry, don’t be angry. You’ve been like a monk for so many years, and honestly, people have been suspicious for a long time, they just didn’t dare to say it. Fu Jiasi took advantage of this, didn’t he?”

“…”

That’s true. If people were already suspicious, now that such a rumor has emerged, it’s natural for them to have that ‘I knew it’ epiphany.

Qi Ren looked up at the square patch of sky and sighed, feeling a bit embarrassed: “Actually, many years ago… well, I met a woman, but later I couldn’t find her… she seemed to be a palace maid, and I never saw her again.”

Fu Yangyao gasped in sympathy and patted his shoulder: “Palace maids are like flowers on a tree, there are so many of them! It’s normal not to find her, it’s just a matter of fate! But I am really curious, what kind of woman could catch your eye?”

“I forgot, I can’t even remember what she looked like anymore. I’ve been fighting in the southern frontier all these years, surrounded by men, I’ve forgotten everything. But she was thin, and her voice was a bit rough, like a little boy’s.”

Hearing this, Fu Yangyao looked at him strangely, and after a long silence said, “Uncle, if you like men, just say it. Anyway, everyone already thinks you’re a homosexual, no need to be shy about it!”

“…”

Qi Ren lifted his leg and kicked him, causing Fu Yangyao to stumble. Fu Yangyao was holding a bunch of winter jasmine stems, and with this kick, both the flowers and the pot fell to the ground, shattering into pieces.

Behind them, all the palace maids and eunuchs had been dismissed from the hall, and even Xiao Zhu was not allowed to stay.

Qi Ren turned his head to look at this arrangement, thinking to himself that it must be because they knew he wasn’t mute.

Concubine Jue’s nails were painted a bright red, her eyes sharp, completely different from her gentle son. She spoke lightly, “Sit.”

Fu Yu’an sat down nervously, waiting for her to speak.

“Everyone has been sent away, so I won’t beat around the bush with you.” she adjusted the hairpin on her head, staring straight into his eyes, “You’re not mute, right?”

Although he had mentally prepared himself, being confronted so directly still made him feel uneasy. Fu Yu’an nodded and spoke, “Concubine Jue, you have a keen eye.”

His voice carried a slight tremble, and Concubine Jue chuckled softly upon hearing it, easing some of her imposing aura, “Don’t be afraid. Since you’ve married Ren’er, you’re part of our family now, and naturally, I won’t do anything to you.”

“…” Fu Yu’an’s hands clenched tightly under his sleeves, and he lowered his head slowly, “Thank you, Your Ladyship.”

“You’re a smart child.” Concubine Jue seemed very satisfied with his reaction, “Now that the Emperor’s health is declining day by day, and the Crown Prince is targeting us everywhere, the capital is about to undergo a great change.”

“…What does Your Ladyship want me to do?”

“You’ve seen the situation in the general’s residence. I only have Ren as my younger brother, and now that he’s also become foolish, it’s even more difficult. I want you to take good care of him, at least ensure his safety within the general’s residence.”

Fu Yu’an thought to himself, does he really need my protection? The man is already a lawless tyrant, and being foolish only makes him more reckless. Who could possibly control him!

But he still verbally agreed earnestly, his attitude humble and respectful.

“If luck is on our side and I become the Empress Dowager, haven’t you always wanted to leave the palace? Then you can take the second wife and Ren to Jiangnan. I will arrange for someone to prepare property for you, and you won’t need to have any further dealings with the general’s residence.”

“Your Ladyship’s care over the years, Yu’an has always remembered in his heart, and naturally will not betray Your Ladyship’s trust.” He bowed his head and responded, appearing obedient and submissive.

Concubine Jue picked up her tea, blew on it, and sighed, “I hope the two of you will be well. Ren has a bad temper, but he’s cold on the outside and warm on the inside. Please bear with him a bit more.”

Fu Yu’an was somewhat shocked. Did this mean she wanted him to stay with Qi Ren for a lifetime, turning their act into reality, becoming a real couple?!

She surely didn’t believe those rumors, yet she still spoke like this, which must be for some other reason.

She didn’t make anything clear, and talking to her was incredibly exhausting. Fu Yu’an barely managed to cope for a while, listening to her instructions, feeling as if he were sitting on pins and needles.

Outside, a palace maid loudly asked if they should serve the meal, and Fu Yu’an finally breathed a sigh of relief, slightly moving his stiff back, and asked, “I have noted all of Your Ladyship’s instructions. Shall we have our meal now? There’s still time in the afternoon.”

Concubine Jue nodded slightly, finally letting him off, and called for the palace maid to serve the meal.