The Foolish General's Mute Spouse - Chapter 14

14: “What Do You Mean, Concubine Jue?”

“Concubine Jue.” the Crown Prince reluctantly greeted her with a casual bow, rolling up his sleeve to show her the injury on his wrist.

Before he could speak, Concubine Jue furrowed her brows and exclaimed in distress, “How did this happen? Was it my brother who hurt you? I’m so sorry! Yu’an! Didn’t I tell you to keep an eye on the General? How could you let him hurt someone without stopping him?”

Fu Yu’an immediately knelt down to beg for forgiveness, while Xiao Zhu also hurried over and knelt beside Fu Yu’an, explaining, “Your Highness, it’s not that His Royal Highness didn’t try to stop him. It’s just that the General is exceptionally skilled in martial arts, and we, who have never trained in combat, were no match for him!”

“Why stop me? He hurt Yu’an first. I only grabbed him once—who knew he’d have such delicate skin…”

“Enough!”

Qi Ren tried to argue further, but Concubine Jue cut him off.

The Crown Prince stood by, watching the back-and-forth between them like a theatrical performance, unable to get a word in.

His mother had suddenly fallen ill, and his father’s health had been declining since the beginning of the year. Now, Concubine Jue was the most influential figure in the palace. Although they had been rude today, with his own sister reprimanding him so harshly, if he were to demand more, it would make him seem petty. If his father found out, he would surely accuse him of lacking tolerance.

However, the incident a few days ago, where he had ordered Qi Ren to be held underwater, had indeed been his doing. It was meant to make him more compliant when arranging his marriage, but now it had become a leverage against him.

Concubine Jue continued to put on a show, scolding them a few more times and ordering Qi Ren to kneel in the ancestral hall as punishment, with Fu Yu’an overseeing it and forbidding him from having dinner.

Qi Ren listlessly agreed, then shot a fierce glare at the Crown Prince, startling him.

“Your Royal Highness, I truly apologize for today. You know how unruly A’Ren has become since… well, since his condition worsened. I have some ointment for bruises and swelling in my quarters. I’ll have someone send it to you later. We’re all family, after all. How about we let this matter rest here?”

Her words sounded pleasant, but Fu Yu’an was indeed his “seventh brother,” and the whole “we’re family” rhetoric was nothing more than a lofty excuse.

The Crown Prince coughed a few times to clear his throat, glanced back at Shoukang Palace, and then agreed to let the matter rest.

With his mother absent, it was better not to provoke this venomous woman. They say there’s nothing more poisonous than a woman’s heart, and as a scholarly prince, he was no match for her cunning!

Once the Crown Prince had left, the servants below finally dared to rise and go about their duties. Xiao Zhu helped Fu Yu’an to his feet and expressed gratitude to Concubine Jue on his behalf.

“There’s no need for thanks. We’re all family. Alright, you may go now. I still need to attend to His Majesty at the palace, so I won’t see you off.” Concubine Jue adjusted the hairpin in her hair, her face cold as she bid them farewell.

After she left, Qi Ren made a face at her retreating figure and then eagerly reached for Fu Yu’an’s hand, only to have it subtly avoided.

Fu Yu’an didn’t say a word to him the entire way back to the residence, his expression stern, not offering a single smile.

Qi Ren clicked his tongue, growing increasingly annoyed at what he perceived as ingratitude.

I stood up for you because of how you’ve cared for me in the past, and now you’re giving me the cold shoulder? How did someone so timid even survive in the palace? It’s a wonder!

Since Fu Yu’an was ignoring him, Qi Ren decided to ignore him too, putting on a dejected act. As soon as they got out of the carriage, he headed straight to the residence of the Minister of Rites to find Yu Liao.

Outside Guhe Pavilion, a swing had been set up at some point, right next to the pavilion where they had once heard crying.

Xiao Zhu let out a surprised sound, exchanging a glance with Fu Yu’an, both of them feeling a chill.

“This swing looks quite nice. It might even move on its own if you come here at night. How intriguing!” Xiao Zhu remarked loudly. “I’ll go buy some dog bl00d later. I hear it’s the most effective way to ward off evil spirits!”

Fu Yu’an chuckled softly and nodded.

Qi Ren didn’t return for dinner. Fu Yu’an waited by the window with a book in hand for a long time, but he never showed up. Instead, a servant from Yu Liao’s residence came to deliver a message, saying that the General and the young master were having such a good time that he wouldn’t be returning tonight.

Fu Yu’an nodded helplessly and, after seeing the visitor off, sat there lost in thought.

Xiao Zhu lit a lamp for him and softly reminded him to be careful not to strain his eyes.

“What do you think Concubine Jue meant?” Fu Yu’an put down his book, gazing at the flickering candle flame, murmuring as if asking himself or perhaps Xiao Zhu.

Xiao Zhu stood by with her hands clasped: “From what she said, it seems she wants you and the general to live well together?”

“…”

“Should we still look for a shop? How about finding a place in the north? If the general goes to the southern frontier in the future, we can stay far away from him!”

“Keep looking, don’t worry about the money. Also, how’s the search for the doctor I asked you to find? Any reliable ones?”

Xiao Zhu shook her head, saying, “We can only search secretly, can’t make it public… Maybe we should try to get the second madam to help, she might be able to find someone more skilled!”

The second madam wasn’t one to make decisions easily, but her love for her son was deep, and she was surely searching in secret too, just never dared to make it known.

Fu Yu’an stretched and stood up: “I’ll go see her in a few days. Prepare some tonics, and when Qi Ren returns, we’ll visit the eldest madam.”

Xiao Zhu frowned at him, saying, “Tell me the truth, are you really planning to live well with the general? Why do you call the eldest madam so affectionately now?”

Fu Yu’an: “…”

“Of course not!” Fu Yu’an explained, holding his forehead, “I just don’t want to owe him anything. I need to make sure everything is arranged properly for him first. Otherwise, if anything happens, I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night.”

“Alright,” Xiao Zhu sighed, spreading her hands, “As long as you know what you’re doing.”

Xiao Zhu went down to prepare the gifts, but unexpectedly, Qi Ren didn’t return home for half a month.

This was strange, Fu Yu’an thought. Is Yu Liao’s house that much fun, or is he angry and avoiding me for half a month?

Surely not, he can’t be that petty!

He looked at the watering can in his hand and then at the sprouting flower seedlings on the ground, his feelings mixed.

“Your Highness, the eldest madam has sent a message asking if you have time to visit. She says you haven’t met since you came to the general’s residence.”

“???” Preoccupied with thoughts of Qi Ren, he didn’t react immediately.

Xiao Zhu lowered her eyes and replied, “Your sister-in-law.”

“…”

Fu Yu’an was silent for a moment, then gestured, “Let’s find Qi Ren first and bring him home before going.”

Xiao Zhu let out a reluctant sigh, “It looks like it’s about to rain. Let me go instead, you should wait inside.”

“I’ll go with you.” Fu Yu’an gestured.

Xiao Zhu nodded, quickly ran inside to fetch an umbrella, and followed him to search for Qi Ren.

The Minister’s residence wasn’t far from the general’s residence. Qi Ren and Yu Liao had been friends since childhood, and now one had become a general while the other a minister. The saying “birds of a feather flock together” truly held water.

Dark clouds loomed in the east, and the dried chili peppers hanging from the eaves rattled and swayed. Even though it was just past noon, the sky was as dim as dusk.

The two hurried out, but before long, they were stopped by a maid.