The Foolish General's Mute Spouse - Chapter 25

25: He Climbed into My Bed

Fu Yanxiao let out a sigh and replied, “Not that young, I guess… around eighteen or nineteen?”

Qi Ren gave him a strange look. “Really? Why do you look so guilty? Tell me the truth, where did you pick him up?”

Fu Yanxiao glared at him in dissatisfaction. “What do you mean ‘pick him up’? He came to me on his own, saying he wanted to repay a favor. I told him, ‘Then why not offer yourself?’ And then he…”

“And then what?”

“Climbed into my bed.”

“…”

Qi Ren was momentarily speechless, feeling a mix of envy and strong condemnation for Fu Yanxiao’s shameless behavior.

He looked so refined and scholarly, yet he had such cunning methods? That young master seemed so naive, much easier to deceive than Fu Yu’an.

Fu Yu’an was even two years younger than him, but his mind was so deep, always keeping people guessing about his thoughts.

Seeing Qi Ren lost in thought, Fu Yanxiao asked, “What? You’re already married, aren’t you? Don’t tell me you haven’t even had a taste?”

“What taste?!” Qi Ren sighed. “I haven’t even had a sip of soup! I’m not as shameless as you!”

“What do you mean? Does he think you’re a fool or something?”

“Not exactly… but kind of. Who knows? He takes good care of me, but his only goal is to cure me so he can leave.”

Fu Yanxiao patted his shoulder sympathetically. “So when will your ‘illness’ be cured?”

Qi Ren sighed, walked over to the railing, and looked down. Not seeing Fu Yu’an, he turned his gaze back.

“When the Emperor passes away, and when Fu Yangyao ascends the throne, that’s when my ‘illness’ will be cured.”

Fu Yanxiao snorted. “Well, you’ll be waiting a long time! An old witch recently arrived at the palace and gave the Emperor some kind of miracle pill. His Majesty is in much better spirits now and will even hold court tomorrow!”

Qi Ren thought for a moment and asked, “Is she a witch from Miaojiang?”

“Yes, how did you know?”

“That’s not important. But I think my ‘illness’ might be cured sooner than expected!”

Fu Yanxiao: “???”

The riverside stage once again came alive with the clamor of gongs and drums. The two men looked down and saw Xia Xiu and Fu Yu’an at the very front of the stage, clapping and cheering. Their hearts softened at the sight.

As the curtains of the play opened and closed, the unpredictability of life unfolded.

Although they had talked about going to the mountain villa to escape the summer heat, no one brought it up again afterward. Fu Yu’an simply assumed it was just polite conversation and didn’t dwell on it.

Days flowed by like water. Qi Ren had been taking the medicine prescribed by Elder Shu for nearly half a month, but it didn’t seem to have any effect.

That day, Fu Yu’an woke up early to take advantage of the cool morning air and trim the branches of the flowers Qi Ren had planted.

The parrot was hopping around on the stone table. It no longer flew away when let out of its cage, instead circling around the courtyard, clearly having grown accustomed to its surroundings.

Qiao Ying emerged from the side room, yawning, and greeted him when she saw him. “Your Highness, you’re up early today!”

Fu Yu’an put down the pruning shears and smiled. “You’re early too.”

“Haha, I haven’t slept all night!” Qiao Ying skipped over and sat on the stone bench, playing with the parrot.

Fu Yu’an was surprised. “You stayed up all night? That’s not good for your health! You’re a doctor, so you should know the risks better than I do.”

“Ah!” She waved her hand dismissively. “I’m still young, what’s there to fear? The novel was just too good, and before I knew it, the sun was up.”

He chuckled helplessly and didn’t press further. He himself sometimes stayed up late working on manuscripts, and since this girl wasn’t related to him, he didn’t feel the need to say more.

“By the way, isn’t Grandma supposed to return from the palace today?”

“Counting the days, it should be today. But with the weather so hot, Elder Shu will probably come back in the evening, right?”

Qiao Ying shook her head. “I don’t know. She only said today, but who knows what time!”

“You little rascal, what are you saying about me now?”

As they were talking, an elderly voice suddenly came from the courtyard gate. It was Elder Shu, who had returned.

But behind her… why was there someone else?

Qiao Ying exclaimed in surprise and hurried over, hugging Elder Shu’s arm and cooing, “Grandma, you misunderstood me! How could I say anything bad about you? If anything, I’d say you’re gentle, considerate, and a master of medicine!”

“You little brat! Always so glib!” Elder Shu smiled and tapped her forehead.

Qiao Ying noticed the man behind her and asked, “And who is this?”

“Oh, I forgot to tell you. I owe my safe return this time to His Highness, Prince Qing. He was kind enough to give me a ride after court!”

Fu Yanxiao said politely, “You’re too kind.”

Fu Yu’an quickly stepped forward and bowed to him. “Your Highness, Prince Qing. To what do we owe the honor of your visit?”

“Well, as I mentioned before, I wanted to take you all to the mountain villa to escape the summer heat. I’ve been busy until now, but today I finally have some free time. His Majesty has already left for the summer palace, so I came to fetch you!”

Fu Yu’an was slightly surprised. He hadn’t expected their earlier conversation to be serious—they really were planning to go.

“Xiu’er is already waiting at the villa. Let me know when you’re ready to leave, so I can make the necessary arrangements.”

Fu Yu’an glanced at him, then at Elder Shu, hesitating. “Elder Shu just returned today. We might still need her help with something.”

Elder Shu looked puzzled. “What’s the matter? Is the medicine I prescribed not working?”

“It’s not that it’s not working…” It just hasn’t had any effect. “He’s been sleeping more soundly, but there’s no sign of him regaining clarity.”

“I see… That’s actually a normal reaction. I came back this time specifically to adjust his prescription. Your Highness, please rest assured.”

Fu Yu’an felt increasingly uncertain but had no choice but to trust her. “How long do you think it will take? His Highness is waiting…”

“No need to worry,” Fu Yanxiao said with a smile. “Elder Shu has rendered great service in treating His Majesty. Why not bring your granddaughter along to the villa? It’s just a matter of preparing a couple more rooms.”

Elder Shu declined. “I must return to His Majesty’s summer palace in a few days, so I’m afraid I cannot accept Your Highness’s kind offer. But my granddaughter can go. If anyone falls ill, she can handle it.”

“That works perfectly. Then we’ll trouble this young lady! I’ll return to arrange the carriages and horses and come back in three days to pick everyone up. Does that sound acceptable?”

“Thank you, Your Highness.” Fu Yu’an expressed his gratitude and escorted the prince out of the courtyard.

Qi Ren was still asleep. Fu Yu’an went in to wake him up, helped him dress, and washed his face, but he remained dazed.

Fu Yu’an looked at him with concern and said, “Wait here for Elder Shu to examine you. I’ll go check if breakfast is ready in the kitchen. Do you understand?”

Qi Ren swayed unsteadily, dragging out his words. “Understooood—I heard you with both ears—”

Elder Shu entered and exchanged a brief greeting with Fu Yu’an at the door. Fu Yu’an nodded slightly. “Thank you for your trouble.”

…

Fu Yanxiao was the only prince who hadn’t been sent to a distant fiefdom, as he enjoyed the Emperor’s deep trust. It was said that he was also extremely loyal.

He was handsome, with an exceptionally good temper, and was well-versed in poetry and literature. He was the dream husband of many young ladies in the capital.

Who would have thought that in the end, he would be won over by Xia Xiu, that young master?