The Foolish General's Mute Spouse - Chapter 24

24: “Young Master Fu, I didn’t expect us to be relatives!”

It was a face of unparalleled handsomeness, with sharp, phoenix-like eyes that carried an imposing aura, making it unforgettable.

However, Fu Yu’an had only seen him a few times during family banquets. This man was none other than his rarely encountered sixth uncle—Prince Qing, Fu Yanxiao.

Despite the sweltering heat, he was still dressed meticulously, exuding an air of dignified elegance that commanded respect.

Fu Yanxiao had his servants clear the area, offering silver to drive away all the guests on the second floor.

The spacious riverside pavilion suddenly became empty, and now it was just the two of them. Fu Yu’an, being a “mute” felt the situation grow increasingly awkward.

Fu Yanxiao, however, didn’t seem to mind and asked, “Your Highness, are you here to watch the opera too? What a coincidence.”

Fu Yu’an smiled and nodded.

“Earlier, I thought I saw the general heading downstairs. Were you waiting for him?”

Fu Yu’an nodded again.

Just when he thought the conversation would end there, Fu Yanxiao continued on his own, “I’m also waiting for my partner. Today’s performance is his favorite.”

“…”

When he spoke of his partner, his expression softened, and Fu Yu’an was momentarily dazzled, feeling a pang of loneliness.

Why wasn’t Qi Ren back yet? How long does it take to buy something?!

As he thought this, a gust of wind swept by, and Qi Ren leaped up onto the pavilion, carrying a bag of pear syrup candies.

“An’an!” he called out, placing the candies on the table. Without a care for anyone else, he grinned foolishly at Fu Yu’an, “Pear syrup candies! Try them! My mother used to buy them for me all the time. They’re delicious!”

Fu Yu’an pointed at Prince Qing, and only then did Qi Ren notice him. “Huh?” he exclaimed, “What are you doing here?”

His tone was familiar, suggesting they knew each other.

Fu Yu’an breathed a slight sigh of relief and unwrapped a candy to pop into his mouth.

It was sweet and refreshing, truly delicious.

“It feels like I haven’t seen you in ages, Brother Fu! You never come to find me to hang out!”

Fu Yu’an nearly choked on his own saliva.

What do you mean, Brother Fu? I have to call him uncle!

However, upon thinking about Fu Yangyao, who on one hand is referred to as a younger brother and on the other hand must be called an uncle, it suddenly doesn’t seem so bad.

They are old friends and comrades, so presumably, they wouldn’t mind such formalities.

Fu Yanxiao said, “I’ve been busy lately. I was actually thinking of inviting you all to my countryside villa to escape the heat in a few days, but I haven’t found the right opportunity to visit.”

He was looking at Fu Yu’an as he said this, apparently not intending to communicate with Qi Ren.

Fu Yu’an felt that it would be appropriate to bring Xiao Zhu along as well.

Just as the atmosphere was becoming awkward, there was a sudden burst of gongs and drums from the stage across the river, signaling the start of a new opera.

Fu Yanxiao mentioned waiting for his partner, who for some reason hadn’t returned yet. It’s quite bold of him to let the lady go out alone at night.

However, there hasn’t been any news of him being engaged to any young lady, so how did he suddenly become so affectionate?

As he was pondering this, a familiar voice suddenly came from the stairway:

“Fu Yanxiao! I’m back!”

All three turned to look at the stairway, and upon seeing the newcomer, both Qi Ren and Fu Yu’an were shocked.

How could it be the young master from the bookstore?!

Young Master Xia, holding a greasy paper bag, had just returned from buying some snacks outside. Seeing Fu Yanxiao, his eyes filled with joy as he trotted over, handed him the paper bag, and then, as if seeking praise, hugged his neck and went in for a kiss.

Fu Yu’an: “…”

Qi Ren: “…”

“Ahem!” Fu Yanxiao, unusually embarrassed, coughed lightly and sidestepped to avoid the kiss. Only then did Xia Xiu notice the two men behind him.

Fu Yu’an was so embarrassed he wished he could disappear, especially remembering that he had inadvertently revealed in the bookstore that he wasn’t mute, making him extremely uneasy.

Fu Yanxiao introduced them.

Xia Xiu waved at Fu Yu’an: “Hello, Master Fu, I didn’t expect us to be relatives!”

Fu Yu’an nodded, hoping to brush it off, but realizing that since they were a couple, the truth would eventually come out. So, he reluctantly greeted Xia Xiu with a stiff “Hello, Young Master Xia.”

Fu Yanxiao, upon hearing him speak, didn’t show much surprise. He simply smiled and said, “I was wondering when you’d finally decide to speak. It seems my influence isn’t as great as Xiu’er’s!”

Fu Yu’an smiled apologetically and replied, “I’m sorry, but you know how things are in the palace. I really had to protect myself.”

Xia Xiu sat down beside him, unabashedly helping himself to a piece of pear candy, and said with his mouth full, “Actually, we’ve met before! Me and An’an, it seems like fate! Let’s all go to the mountain villa to escape the heat in a few days!”

Fu Yu’an was somewhat startled by his enthusiastic demeanor, unsure of which pampered young master this was, so naive and seemingly unaware of social niceties.

Before he could decline, Qi Ren took the initiative to respond, “Sure! Uncle Yu told me your villa has a lot of fish. I want to go fishing!”

“I can fish too!” Xia Xiu retorted, not to be outdone. “Then you must bring An’an along. I want to chat with him!”

Fu Yu’an broke out in a cold sweat, not daring to look at Fu Yanxiao’s expression.

Oh dear, why are you playing with me? Aren’t you old enough to hang out with your own partner instead?

This is going to be the death of me!

He crunched the candy in his mouth and reached for another piece, but Qi Ren slapped his hand away.

Fu Yanxiao glared at him, “What are you doing?”

Qi Ren replied with a hint of grievance, “I bought those for my wife. Why do you keep eating them? If you eat them all, what will An’an have?!”

Xia Xiu retorted with a puzzled look, “I only had one. Why are you being so stingy?”

“Not even one! These are for my wife!”

Hearing this, Xia Xiu got worked up and quickly unwrapped another piece, tossing it into his mouth, “I’ll eat it, so what!”

“Xiu’er!” Fu Yanxiao called out, both amused and exasperated. “Apologize to General Qi. If you want some, I’ll buy you more later!”

Hearing this, Xia Xiu became even more agitated. With quick hands, he unwrapped another piece of candy and popped it into his mouth, saying, “So what if I eat it?!”

“Xiu’er!” Fu Yanxiao called out, both amused and exasperated. “Apologize to General Qi. If you want some, I’ll buy you more later!”

“No!” Xia Xiu refused to back down, stubbornly moving his chair even closer to Fu Yu’an.

Qi Ren, equally annoyed, moved his chair closer to Fu Yu’an as well, squeezing him tightly between them.

On the stage across the river, the actors began their performance, singing in a melodious but incomprehensible tune. Fu Yu’an, watching these two bicker like children, felt utterly overwhelmed.

After a while, Fu Yanxiao gently pinched Xia Xiu’s fingers and secretly wrote a few words in his palm.

Xia Xiu glanced back at him, understanding his meaning, and stood up, pulling Fu Yu’an’s arm. “An’an, I want to go buy some snacks. Come with me!”

Fu Yu’an glanced at Qi Ren’s expression and, seeing no strong objection, felt he couldn’t refuse. He nodded in agreement and followed Xia Xiu downstairs.

Qi Ren’s eyes were fixed on them as they left, as if he could bore holes into their backs with his intense gaze.

Once they were gone, Fu Yanxiao snapped his folding fan shut and pretended to hit Qi Ren on the head. “Are you really that dumb?”

Qi Ren reached out and caught the fan with two fingers, glaring at him. “Get lost! You’re the dumb one!”

Fu Yanxiao burst into laughter. “Just teasing you. Yu Liao already told me everything. So, how’s it feel to play the madman?”

“…”

“Oh, right, you’re already pretty crazy. This isn’t an act—it’s just your true nature coming out!”

Qi Ren couldn’t take it anymore and stepped forward, grabbing Fu Yanxiao’s head as if to hit him.

Fu Yanxiao quickly begged for mercy.

“Yu Liao mentioned you’ve taken in a young master. How come he’s so young?”