The Foolish General's Mute Spouse - Chapter 16

16: Stealing a Kiss

Li Ke mentioned that many of the volumes in this set of picture books are already out of print. They started appearing two years ago, and by now, there should be more than twenty volumes in total.

However, the art style seems oddly familiar, as if I’ve seen it somewhere before…

He furrowed his brows, unable to recall where he might have seen it.

The sound of water behind the screen had stopped at some point. Qi Ren called out softly a few times, but there was no response.

He hesitated, unsure whether he should go in and check.

If this had happened yesterday, he might have entered without a second thought. But having just read a homoerotic picture book, how could he possibly remain calm and composed now?

Should he go out and call for someone? But wouldn’t that make him seem too clever? Qi Ren was torn, feeling for the first time that being a fool wasn’t as carefree as it seemed.

Forget it! A life is at stake! What if he really drowned in the bathtub? That would be a real problem!

With this thought, he cleared his throat and called out as he walked behind the screen, “An’an? An’an, are you done bathing?”

“…”

Silence was the only response.

Fu Yu’an had fallen asleep by the edge of the bathtub.

The bathtub wasn’t large. He was leaning against the side, his head tilted back, his black hair soaking in the water, fast asleep.

Qi Ren’s eyes darted away for a moment, and he tilted his head to reach out and test the water temperature.

The images from the picture book resurfaced in his mind at an inopportune moment. Qi Ren shook his head, but it was no use.

The water had long gone cold. Most of Fu Yu’an’s body was submerged, with only a tantalizing stretch of his neck and an arm as pale as jade resting on the edge of the tub.

For a moment, Qi Ren felt dizzy, his eyes darkening. When he spoke again, his voice was already hoarse:

“An’an?”

“…Mmm…”

Fu Yu’an frowned at the noise, one of his arms slipping into the water, splashing droplets that wet his face.

Qi Ren stared at the water droplet rolling down his lips, his Adam’s apple bobbing. Seeing no sign of him waking up, a mischievous impulse took over. He quickly leaned down and pecked at the droplet.

Soft.

He was startled by his own action. Only after the kiss did he realize how inappropriate it was, blaming it on the influence of that damn picture book and a moment of impulsiveness.

He must be exhausted, sleeping so soundly that even a dog bite probably wouldn’t wake him.

Qi Ren stood behind him for a long while, barely suppressing the urge to kiss him again. Finally, his conscience kicked in, and he patted Fu Yu’an’s cheek to wake him.

The next day, he woke up early, quietly tucked two picture books from the storeroom into his robe, and hurriedly ran off to Yu Liao’s house.

The sky outside remained overcast, unsure if it would rain again.

“Your Highness, are we still going to look for him?”

“…” He shook his head.

Fu Yu’an was almost amused by his antics, but the memory of getting drenched the previous day still angered him. Especially after soaking in cold water last night, he woke up with a nasal tone in his voice, wondering if he had caught a cold from all the chaos.

Let him go wherever he wants. I’m not keeping him company!

He coughed twice and was about to return to his room to work on some drafts while Qi Ren was away when a servant’s announcement came from behind:

“Your Highness, the young master has sent something over, saying it’s to amuse the lady!”

Fu Yu’an’s eyelid twitched, and he motioned for them to bring it forward.

It was a brightly colored parrot, flamboyant and ostentatious.

Fu Yu’an: “…”

The servant carefully watched their master’s expression. Xiao Zhu’s face instantly darkened, pointing at the parrot with disdain. “Send it back! Send it back to her! Who wants this?”

Fu Yu’an’s expression remained unchanged. He pressed Xiao Zhu’s hand down, pointed at the parrot, then at the main room, signaling for it to be brought inside.

Xiao Zhu was puzzled, stomping her foot in frustration. “Your Highness! Why are you keeping this thing? Isn’t she clearly trying to humiliate you? You…”

Fu Yu’an turned and glared at her, making a silencing gesture.

Xiao Zhu had no choice but to reluctantly let the servants bring the parrot cage inside.

“Your Highness, what are we keeping this for? Even if you’re not actually mute, isn’t she obviously trying to insult you?” Xiao Zhu fumed, tapping the cage, wishing she could strangle the bird on the spot.

The parrot swayed its head and spoke clearly, “Good morning! Good morning!”

“Good morning my foot!” Xiao Zhu reached into the cage and flicked the parrot’s head.

Fu Yu’an chuckled lightly, appearing unfazed. “Whatever her intentions, this parrot is quite striking and rare. We’ll keep it for Qi Ren to play with, so he doesn’t go around causing trouble everywhere!”

Fu Yu’an chuckled lightly, appearing unfazed. “Whatever her intentions, this parrot is quite striking and rare. We’ll keep it for Qi Ren to play with, so he doesn’t go around causing trouble everywhere!”

“Fine!” Xiao Zhu reluctantly agreed, carrying the cage out. “I’ll go teach it to talk. You focus on your drafts, and I’ll guard the door for you!”

“Go, go!” The mention of drafts gave him a headache, and he hurriedly shooed her out.

In the afternoon, it started raining again. Qi Ren had been out for half the day and hadn’t returned home, clearly planning to stay out again.

Fu Yu’an put down his brush, glanced at the gloomy sky outside, and sighed.

…

Yu Residence.

Xiao He was taken by Madam Yu for her afternoon nap, and Qi Ren finally breathed a sigh of relief. He dusted himself off and entered the study.

“Something feels off,” Qi Ren said, tapping the table with his knuckles.

Yu Liao didn’t look up, simply humming in acknowledgment and asking what seemed off.

“Yesterday, Sister-in-law urgently called Fu Yu’an away, but it turned out to be just casual conversation… That doesn’t seem like something Tan Zhiqi would do.”

Yu Liao paused his brush and looked up to meet Qi Ren’s gaze. After a moment of thought, he said, “Tan Zhiqi’s father is the Minister of Revenue, notoriously cunning. His daughter is naturally not to be underestimated either.”

Qi Ren nodded in agreement, pacing back and forth in the study, unable to figure out the underlying motive.

Could it be that she’s changed her nature and genuinely wants to treat Fu Yu’an well?

Although he is quite likable, still…

Forget it, things will become clear in time. It’s just Tan Zhiqi—she can’t possibly cause too much trouble, right?

“By the way, about that picture book I mentioned earlier…” Qi Ren hesitated, uncharacteristically shy. “Didn’t you say your wife has it? Could you lend it to me for a couple of days?”

Yu Liao pointed behind the bookshelf. “There, I already packed it for you. Be careful with it—my wife treasures those! If you get it dirty or wrinkled, don’t even think about stepping into my house again!”

“Don’t worry, don’t worry!” Qi Ren quickly agreed, walking over to the bookshelf. Seeing the stack of books, he picked through them and took only two.

He tucked the books into his robe. “I’ll take these two for now. I’ll come back for more in a few days!”

Yu Liao watched his enthusiastic demeanor, put down his brush, and stared at him intently. “Give it to me straight. We’ve been brothers for so many years.”

“What?”

“What do you want with those picture books? Did you take a liking to someone?”

“?!”

He was about to deny it, but then he remembered the alluring scene from last night and suddenly lost the confidence to say no.

Qi Ren thought for a moment, touched his lips, and asked with a wandering gaze, “Speaking of which, I do have a question for you. After all, you’re already married.”

“What is it?”

Qi Ren pointed to his lips and asked, “Be honest with me. What does it feel like when you kiss your wife? I mean, kissing on the lips.”

Yu Liao: “…I don’t know. Get lost!”

…