The Foolish General's Mute Spouse - Chapter 22

22: He Likes Women

And so, Fu Yu’an would encounter him every month without fail. Naturally, he knew it wasn’t a coincidence, but since Qi Ren had always mistaken him for a palace maid, he went along with the misunderstanding and never corrected the assumption about his gender.

However, whenever Qi Ren asked about his name and origins, Fu Yu’an would dodge the question with vague answers, borrowing the name “Xiao Zhu” but not daring to use it outright, fearing that Qi Ren might become too persistent and one day track him down in the palace.

“Are you on duty tonight?”

Amidst the golden fallen leaves, Fu Yu’an, having eaten and drunk his fill, lay under the tree with Qi Ren and shook his head.

Qi Ren propped himself up on one elbow, looking at him with some tension, before sighing and lying back down.

Fu Yu’an didn’t understand what was going on with him. Recently, he had heard that Qi Ren was returning to the southern frontier, and perhaps he was worried about his mother.

He probably thought his mother was worried about him too.

“Xiao Yu, I’m leaving the day after tomorrow,” Qi Ren finally spoke up. “Do you want to stay in the palace forever? Have you ever thought about seeing other places? I could help you.”

Fu Yu’an didn’t know how to answer.

He had been interacting with Qi Ren under the guise of a woman for over a month. Although his young age made it less obvious now, if he were to leave with him, the truth would eventually come out. If Qi Ren were to get angry, Fu Yu’an might end up dead!

It’s too terrifying, Fu Yu’an thought. I value my life too much.

But if I keep stringing him along like this, isn’t that bad? It seems like he has feelings for me…

Forget it, I’ll just keep up the act. Once he leaves, who knows when he’ll return? By then, he can just assume I’m dead.

Yes, that’s perfect!

Fu Yu’an closed his eyes, a smile on his lips, marveling at his own brilliant strategy.

I’m so clever, really.

“You know I’m just a palace maid,” he began, carefully choosing his words. “My mistress doesn’t have many reliable servants. If I were to leave… I would feel guilty. I’m sorry.”

Qi Ren fell silent for a long time, lost in thought.

Fu Yu’an didn’t dare open his eyes to look at him. After a while, he heard a sigh from beside him, and Qi Ren said, “I understand.”

Fu Yu’an suddenly felt a pang of guilt.

There was a rustling sound as Qi Ren lay back down.

The cool autumn breeze blew gently, and Fu Yu’an heard his own voice, clear in the wind:

“I just got my monthly allowance. I’m not on duty tonight, so maybe… I could treat you to a drink, as a farewell gesture.”

Qi Ren let out a bitter laugh, tinged with self-mockery.

He reached out and ruffled Fu Yu’an’s hair, smiling. “You should keep your money. I’ll treat you. A young girl like you shouldn’t drink too much!”

Fu Yu’an hummed in agreement, closing his eyes and saying nothing more.

Perhaps it was the soothing cool breeze, or the calming sound of birdsong mixed with the rustling leaves, but Fu Yu’an, who had only intended to rest his eyes for a moment, found himself drifting deeper into sleep.

He faintly heard someone calling his name, “Xiao Yu” and realized it was Qi Ren. His drowsiness faded, but he didn’t open his eyes.

“If only you weren’t a palace maid…”

A sigh, soft and distant, reached his ears. Fu Yu’an let out a small murmur but didn’t wake.

A leaf drifted down and landed on his forehead. Qi Ren chuckled softly and gently brushed it away.

…

Early the next morning, Old Shu arrived at Guhe Manor with the young girl to examine Qi Ren.

After a thorough inspection, Old Shu’s expression grew increasingly grave.

Fu Yu’an’s heart sank. Could it really be the Gu poison?

Was it incurable?

“Your Highness, there are some words I wish to speak with you alone.” said Elder Shu.

Qi Ren was unwilling and insisted on staying no matter what. The others couldn’t persuade him otherwise, so they had no choice but to let him stay.

Elder Shu’s expression visibly darkened. Even Miss Qiao withdrew, leaving only the three of them in the room.

Even Xiao Zhu wasn’t allowed to stay. Fu Yu’an felt somewhat at a loss and wanted to fetch paper and pen, but Elder Shu stopped him.

“Your Highness, there’s no need to hide it from me. Perhaps others might be fooled, but you can’t deceive this old woman in the slightest!” She smiled. “You’re not mute, are you?”

Fu Yu’an: “…”

“Don’t worry, I certainly won’t go around spreading this. I understand your difficulties, dear child. If you don’t mind, I could even take you in as my god-grandson—”

“Why do you always think about taking advantage of others!” Qi Ren slammed the table and stood up. “You’re the god-grandson! Your whole family are god-grandsons!”

Fu Yu’an rubbed his temples and scolded, “Qi Ren, don’t be rude!”

Elder Shu nodded in satisfaction and said, “I misspoke. It’s just that you look so much like my late daughter, and I couldn’t help myself… I meant no offense, my apologies.”

Fu Yu’an waved his hand, not making a big deal of it, and asked, “What about Qi Ren’s illness? How confident are you in treating it?”

Qi Ren protested, “I’m not sick! I’m not sick! Why does everyone keep saying I’m sick? If anyone dares to say it again, I’ll cut out their tongue!”

He glared fiercely at Elder Shu, his brows furrowed in genuine anger.

Elder Shu, however, remained unperturbed. “This old bag of bones certainly wouldn’t do anything harmful or unprofitable. General and Your Highness can rest assured.”

Qi Ren snorted and made a throat-slitting gesture.

Fu Yu’an had a headache and could only coax Li Ke into taking Qi Ren out of the room.

With only Elder Shu and himself left in the room, Fu Yu’an smiled apologetically. “I’m sorry you had to see that. Please don’t be afraid, speak freely. Even if there’s no hope at all…”

“Even if there’s no hope at all, Your Highness, are you still going to take care of him for the rest of your life?”

“…”

Elder Shu’s grip on the teacup tightened, her knuckles turning white, as if she cared deeply about his attitude toward Qi Ren.

Fu Yu’an wasn’t sure if she was friend or foe, so he hedged, “Since I’ve married him, and you’ve seen his condition, how could I abandon him? If he can be cured, it would be a relief for me. If not… his sister, concubineJue, took good care of me in the past, and now it’s my turn to repay her.”

“Good child.” Elder Shu lowered his head and sighed, “You don’t need to worry, his illness can definitely be cured, it just requires some time.”

“Really?!” Upon hearing such a definitive assurance, he was overjoyed.

Previously, there had been doctors who claimed they could cure it, but they immediately asked for money, and several even fled in the middle of the night only to be caught, which made them seem utterly unreliable.

This old man, however, was able to determine just from a brief encounter that he was not mute, suggesting he must possess some genuine skill.

Moreover, she, a woman from the southern borderlands, had traveled a great distance with a young girl, which couldn’t have been easy.

Fu Yu’an felt a pang of compassion and asked her how long it might take to cure him.

Elder Shu thought for a moment and said, “It’s hard to say. I must first enter the palace to assess His Majesty’s condition before I can make a determination.”

Fu Yu’an: “? What does this have to do with His Majesty?”

“Heaven’s secrets cannot be revealed!” Elder Shu smiled mysteriously and stood up to leave.

Fu Yu’an was utterly confused, assuming there were some mystical aspects involved that he was unaware of, and thus felt it inappropriate to inquire further. He could only ensure they were well taken care of in his residence.