The Foolish General's Mute Spouse - Chapter 13

13: Can the Crown Prince Not Be Beaten?

When Qi Ren entered, he came in with the Second Prince, both looking disheveled and extremely in a mess.

“Mother, Uncle has plucked all the winter jasmine flowers outside your palace.” Fu Yangyao preemptively started to complain.

Qi Ren was at a loss for words, looking at him in shock: “You’re lying! It was all you! Sister!”

Concubine Jue smiled and comforted them a few words, not taking it to heart.

After a simple meal, Concubine Jue excused herself for a nap and had the palace maids escort them out.

Qi Ren, with his arms crossed, was visibly displeased, muttering unwillingly as they walked: “It wasn’t me who did it, he’s lying, and sister still takes his side, hmph!”

The palace paths were sparsely populated, but people still passed by occasionally. Fu Yu’an dared not comfort him now, so he pretended not to hear.

Xiao Zhu chuckled and said, “The Second Prince is Concubine Jue’s only son, naturally, she favors him more. General, please don’t be angry!”

“He’s a son, but I’m her brother! Her own brother!”

“Brothers and sons still have their differences in closeness—”

Fu Yu’an tapped her forehead with his finger, stopping her from continuing.

Xiao Zhu immediately realized her mistake and quickly apologized, bowing her head.

Seeing them so carefully tending to his feelings, Qi Ren was reminded of what Fu Yangyao had said that morning.

“My ninth brother is very meticulous, you won’t suffer a loss following him! I saw him holding your hand all the way here, afraid you might run off if he didn’t keep an eye on you!”

Was he genuinely concerned for me, or was he just putting on a show, trying to earn my favor for future benefits?

Qi Ren couldn’t figure it out, and he didn’t know what Concubine Jue had said to him, but he could guess most of it.

The marriage arrangement was orchestrated by the Crown Prince; with his sister so favored, stopping it would have been just a word from her, yet she told me she couldn’t stop it.

Now knowing that Fu Yu’an wasn’t mute, and after being advised for so long this morning, it was probably about living well with me.

Qi Ren glanced at him, the spring sunlight was dazzlingly bright, even the high walls of the palace couldn’t block the afternoon sun, warmly showering both of them.

Fu Yu’an still looked as indifferent as ever, unapproachable, like a jade-carved beauty, cold to the touch.

He wanted to escape the capital, how could he be willing to take care of a “fool” like me for a lifetime…

The carriage was outside the palace gates, the people from Concubine Jue’s palace only escorted them out of Ningchi Palace before turning back. Now, after wandering around for a while, they still hadn’t found their way out.

“Your Highness, have we taken a wrong turn… I’ll go ask for directions.” Xiao Zhu, sweating profusely and feeling unsure, decided to go ahead and ask for directions.

Not far away, several maids were sweeping, heads down, and before Xiao Zhu could approach, they all knelt on the ground.

The place where they were working was near a gate, likely indicating that some noble figure was emerging from within.

Fu Yu’an, feeling dizzy from the sun, tilted his head to look towards the palace gate and suddenly felt his vision darken.

It was actually the Empress’s Shoukang Palace.

Xiao Zhu probably hadn’t noticed at first, but upon seeing a familiar figure emerge from within, he immediately realized the situation was bad and quickly knelt down to pay his respects.

The Crown Prince, Fu Jiasi, was dressed in luxurious robes, adorned with exquisite accessories. His slanted eyes bore a striking resemblance to his arrogant mother, the Empress, and his temperament was just as overbearing and self-centered as hers.

The Crown Prince nodded slightly and seemed to be heading in Fu Yu’an’s direction. Qi Ren, however, was still staring at him with a fearless expression.

Fu Yu’an quickly tugged at his sleeve, signaling him to lower his head, hoping to avoid trouble. But to his dismay, this fool not only refused but also broke free from his grip and charged straight towards the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince was startled by his aggressive demeanor, as Qi Ren rolled up his sleeves while walking, looking as if he was ready for a fight.

Upon recognizing his face, the Crown Prince relaxed and sneered, then looked past his tall figure to see Fu Yu’an standing meekly behind him.

“So it’s you, Seventh Brother. How have you been? Has your cold gotten better?” he asked with a lecherous smile, then glanced at Qi Ren. “Ah, with General Qi’s careful attention, you do look much better than before!”

He emphasized the words “careful attention” his eyes full of mockery.

The people below had not yet been given permission to rise. Xiao Zhu knelt on the ground, anxiously watching. Fu Yu’an coldly observed the scene, his lips pressed tightly together in silence.

Qi Ren snorted, grabbed the Crown Prince’s arm, twisted it behind his back, and in one swift motion, pinned him to the ground.

The Crown Prince cried out in pain, and the surrounding guards moved to intervene, but Qi Ren glared at them and sneered, “Who dares! I’ll feed him to the dogs!”

Oh no, Fu Yu’an thought, this time we’ve really offended him! I’ve been treading carefully in the palace for so many years, enduring his provocations, and now you’ve gone and done this!

“What are you doing! What are you doing! Someone! Help… mmm…”

His shouts were cut off as Qi Ren covered his mouth, leaving him squirming like a silkworm, unable to break free.

Everyone around held their breath, not daring to make a sound. Qi Ren gritted his teeth, “It was you, wasn’t it? The one who held An’an’s head underwater a few days before our wedding? I wouldn’t even dare to scold him, yet you had the audacity! Do you want to taste my fists?!”

Fu Yu’an’s eyelids twitched, and he quickly stepped forward to pull Qi Ren away, forcing an awkward smile as he respectfully bowed to the Crown Prince.

“What are you doing! Didn’t he bully you? Why won’t you let me hit him!” The fool complained, but obediently let go and stood aside, glaring at him.

“What are you doing! Didn’t he bully you? Why won’t you let me hit him!” The fool complained, feeling wronged, but obediently let go and stood aside, glaring at him.

Once the Crown Prince regained his freedom, he no longer showed any fear. He took several steps back, rubbing his bruised wrist, and spat out threats, “You’re something, Fu Yu’an! I’ve been too lenient with you, and now you dare to bully me! Just you wait, I’ll make sure Mother punishes you for your disrespect! Your family will be ruined!”

The Crown Prince didn’t understand sign language, Xiao Zhu was still kneeling, and Qi Ren was still itching to confront him. Fu Yu’an found himself caught in a difficult situation, unsure of what to do.

Hearing the Crown Prince threaten to ruin his family, Qi Ren’s anger flared up again, and he glared, ready to charge at him.

“Stop!”

A familiar voice called out from nearby, and Fu Yu’an finally felt a wave of relief.

Concubine Jue, supported by her maids, approached with a grim expression. She immediately apologized to the Crown Prince and then grabbed Qi Ren by the ear, scolding him:

“I told you to stay out of trouble! What, you’ve already destroyed the flowers in my palace today, and now you want to beat up the Crown Prince too? The Empress is bedridden, and you choose now to cause a scene? If this gets to the Emperor, you’ll be in for a beating!”

The Empress is bedridden? Fu Yu’an glanced towards Shoukang Palace. No wonder no one had come out despite the commotion. But how could she have fallen ill so suddenly? She seemed fine just a while ago. Could it be…?

He looked at Concubine Jue, his heart sinking.

Truly, her power is immense. Even the Empress couldn’t withstand it. If Qi Ren hadn’t lost his mind, the Emperor would probably be worrying day and night about them staging a coup, and his last breaths would have been drawn long ago.