The Foolish General's Mute Spouse - Chapter 23

23: How Could My Wife Play With You?

Old Shu prescribed some medicine for Qi Ren, saying that his illness was a matter of the heart, and while medicine could assist in treatment, the key was to cure the heart’s ailment.

Fu Yu’an quickly asked what the cure for the heart was. Old Shu smiled mysteriously and shook her head: “There’s no hurry now, you’ll know when the time comes.”

“…”

This old lady, why is she so cryptic!

Old Shu said she was going to the palace to treat the Emperor, and it wasn’t just talk. She left the young girl at the general’s residence and hurried into the palace on the third day.

Xiao Zhu prepared a room for her in Guhe Garden, allowing her to stay temporarily.

Qiao Ying was clever, pleasant, and easy to get along with, with a tomboyish personality. She quickly became friends with everyone in the courtyard within a few days.

The weather was gradually getting hotter. After dinner, Xiao Zhu and a few young maids sat under a tree, listening to Qiao Ying tell stories about the Southern Border.

When they first said they were from the Divine Doctor Valley, no one believed them. But now, hearing her speak so convincingly, no one dared to doubt her.

She even showed everyone her precious Gu insects, which were terrifying in appearance, frightening a few timid ones into screaming on the spot.

Qi Ren and Li Ke leaned against a pillar, coldly watching the lively scene.

“Talking nonsense to deceive children, and Xiao Zhu actually believes it!” Li Ke sneered.

“Exactly! Xiao Zhu is too easily fooled, but my Yu’an is smart!” Qi Ren said proudly.

As soon as he finished speaking, the smart Yu’an went over to listen to the stories.

Qi Ren: …

Frustrated beyond words!

Beside him, Li Ke sneered and mocked mercilessly: “Is that so?”

Qi Ren, having lost face, licked his back teeth and angrily rushed over.

Fu Yu’an had just sat down when his arm was grabbed. He turned to see this troublesome person, his face dark with anger.

“What’s wrong?”

“Don’t play with them! You’re my wife, why are you playing with other girls!”

Fu Yu’an’s face flushed red at his calling him “wife” and the teasing from the surrounding crowd made him feel utterly embarrassed.

He could only stand up and pull him away, scolding in a low voice, “Didn’t I tell you? Don’t call me your wife!”

“But I saw it written like that in the storybooks! And you’re supposed to call me husband!”

Fu Yu’an glared at Li Ke, who immediately raised his hands in surrender and fled to Xiao Zhu’s side to listen to stories and avoid the trouble.

“Where did you get those storybooks again? Hand them over!” It’s like there’s no end to the worries every day!

Qi Ren scratched his nose: “I bought them myself on the street! I paid for them! I won’t give them to you!”

“You…” Fu Yu’an was speechless, unable to do anything about him.

“Wait, what kind of storybooks are you reading?” He realized something, feeling a surge of joy in his heart.

With all this talk of “wife” and “husband” could it be a romantic love story?

How touching!

Fu Yu’an tugged at his sleeve, eagerly asking, the delight in his eyes impossible to hide.

Qi Ren, not understanding why his attitude had suddenly changed, scratched the back of his head and decided to play along: “Shall I take you to see? It’s on that street… what’s it called… Oh, I can’t remember the name, but I remember the way. I’ll take you there!”

Fu Yu’an nodded repeatedly.

What bookstore is this? I must go and thank them with some money!

Half an hour later, Fu Yu’an was set down by Qi Ren from his embrace. He lifted the veil of his bamboo hat and stared at the large sign that read “Yongsu Academy” pursing his lips tightly.

Is this my employer?

Fu Yu’an marveled at the coincidence while being pulled inside by Qi Ren.

Boss Huang wasn’t in the shop, having gone somewhere unknown.

Fu Yu’an adjusted his bamboo hat, afraid of being recognized, but Qi Ren didn’t care at all. He pulled him to the section where the storybook he mentioned was, pointing at a plainly covered book: “This is the one. Last time I didn’t have enough money, so I only bought one. Can you buy me another one, An’an?”

Fu Yu’an whispered, “I’ll buy it for you if you behave.”

“Then I’ll behave, hurry up and buy it for me!”

“…”

There seemed to be a night market today, and the bookstore was quite crowded. Fu Yu’an didn’t dare to make a scene with him here, so he had to compromise, taking the book to the counter to pay.

The shop assistant, however, was sharp-eyed and recognized Fu Yu’an but didn’t expose him, smiling mysteriously instead: “I’ll give you a discount!”

Fu Yu’an: “Thank you.”

Qi Ren, having spotted a few more storybooks he fancied, insisted on buying them as well. Fu Yu’an glanced at them; seeing they weren’t his own works, he paid for them all the same.

Just as they were about to leave, Boss Huang happened to come out from the inside. Upon seeing Fu Yu’an, he exclaimed in surprise and greeted him as “Young Master.”

Fu Yu’an could only smile, handing the books to Qi Ren and bowing respectfully to Boss Huang.

“What a rare guest! What brings you to our academy today?”

“Just passing time, thought I’d see how business is treating you.”

“Hahaha! With you around, I can at least afford roast goose for every meal!” He laughed heartily, stepping aside to reveal a young gentleman behind him.

The young man, dressed in a dark red robe that accentuated his delicate features, smiled at Fu Yu’an and said, “I’ve long admired you.”

His smile was dazzling, and Fu Yu’an swallowed hard; it was the first time he had seen such a strikingly handsome man, almost like a male fox spirit.

Yet, there was nothing effeminate about him. He exuded a youthful vitality, irresistibly attractive in a way that was hard to define.

Perhaps Fu Yu’an had been staring too long, for Qi Ren grew impatient, tugging at his sleeve and glaring at the young gentleman. “Didn’t you say you’d take me to see the opera? Let’s go, let’s go!”

He shook Fu Yu’an’s arm pleadingly, and Fu Yu’an could only offer an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, we must take our leave now. Boss Huang, and this gentleman…”

“Ah, I haven’t introduced you yet! How careless of me!” Boss Huang slapped his forehead and laughed. “This is Master Fu. Master Fu, this is Master Xia. That book ‘Dancing with Shadows’ he’s holding is Master Xia’s masterpiece!”

“I wouldn’t call it a masterpiece. I’ve collected quite a few of Master Fu’s illustrated books. It’s truly an honor to meet you today.”

“You flatter me, Master Xia.”

The two exchanged compliments for a while, seemingly endless, until Qi Ren frowned and tugged at Fu Yu’an’s sleeve again.

Finally, Fu Yu’an bid farewell with a bow.

Outside, the street was ablaze with lights. Qi Ren noticed Fu Yu’an still seemed preoccupied with the young gentleman from earlier, feeling a bitterness he couldn’t express. He could only scoop Fu Yu’an up by the waist.

Fu Yu’an was startled, but in the next moment, Qi Ren leaped onto the rooftops with a few swift steps.

The opera stage was by the moat, and across the moat stood a teahouse, an excellent spot to watch the performance.

Without a word, Qi Ren carried Fu Yu’an to the second floor. The other guests were startled, but Qi Ren paid them no mind. He pulled off Fu Yu’an’s hat and said, “Stop wearing this! Isn’t it stuffy? Sit here, I’ll get you some snacks!”

Fu Yu’an nodded, his identity now inadvertently exposed, leaving him unable to speak. He simply chose a seat by the window and waited for Qi Ren to return with the snacks.

Unexpectedly, Qi Ren came back shortly after leaving, having forgotten to bring money.

Fu Yu’an couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time as he handed over the money. Qi Ren took it gleefully and leaped down from the teahouse once more.

Not long after, someone suddenly tapped Fu Yu’an on the shoulder from behind. Thinking it was Qi Ren again with some new trouble, he turned around, only to come face-to-face with a familiar yet unfamiliar visage.