The Foolish General's Mute Spouse - Chapter 32

32: You Can Sleep with an Idiot, But Not Me?

“Today is the last day. Tomorrow, after the funeral procession enters the imperial mausoleum, we can go back.” Qi Ren said in a low voice, walking ahead of him.

Fu Yu’an, mindful of potential eavesdroppers, didn’t respond aloud. Instead, he nodded slightly before remembering that Qi Ren couldn’t see him since his back was turned. He quickened his pace to catch up, tugging lightly on the other’s sleeve.

Unexpectedly, Qi Ren turned his head impatiently, his tone icy: “What is it?”

“…”

Oh—so this was the awake General Qi!

Fu Yu’an shook his head and walked ahead without another word. Soon enough, the long-legged Qi Ren caught up with him again.

He hissed through his teeth, lowering his voice to ask, “Are you angry?”

Fu Yu’an shook his head again.

Qi Ren felt this wasn’t working, so he reluctantly explained, “Li Ke already clarified everything to me earlier. Don’t worry, we’ll maintain a respectful distance. I won’t make things difficult for you.”

Fu Yu’an: “…”

Since he still refused to engage, Qi Ren muttered a few more words before giving up and falling silent.

It wasn’t that Fu Yu’an wanted to ignore him, but given the current situation, it was better to keep their interactions to a minimum.

They were never meant to walk the same path—it was best to part ways now.

The two returned to Ningchi Palace in silence. Concubine Jue had already retired for the night, and Xiao Zhu, yawning and barely able to keep his eyes open, helped Fu Yu’an freshen up.

Once the door was closed, Fu Yu’an finally spoke: “I’ll sleep on the outer daybed. You take the bed.”

“No need. You take the bed. You’re more delicate than I am.”

The words should have been considerate, but perhaps because he hadn’t spoken normally in so long, his tone came off somewhat sarcastic.

Sure enough, Fu Yu’an was immediately displeased. But given Qi Ren’s towering stature, he didn’t dare escalate things into an argument. Instead, he stiffly grabbed a pillow and blanket and slowly settled onto the small daybed outside.

“I’m not delicate—you don’t need to worry about me!” he muttered under his breath, patting his pillow before lying down fully clothed.

The daybed was tiny, forcing him to curl up awkwardly, unable to stretch out. Seeing him so pitifully cramped, Qi Ren simply bent down and scooped him up in his arms.

“What are you doing?! Put me down!”

“Shut up! Keep talking, and I’ll throw you out!”

“…”

“Sleep on the bed! Be good!”

“How long have you been awake?”

“???”

Qi Ren tossed him onto the bed, and Fu Yu’an let out a small pained sound, rubbing his back as he glared at him.

“What? You can sleep with that idiot, but not me? Am I worse than him?” He raised an eyebrow, his tone dripping with indignation.

Fu Yu’an was nearly speechless—what kind of logic was this?!

“Fine, whatever.” Seeing that there was no winning this argument, he gave up resisting and sat up to take off his shoes.

Qi Ren knelt down to help, gripping his slender ankle firmly. The heat from his palm seeped through the thin fabric, almost scorching Fu Yu’an’s skin.

If the “stupid” version of Qi Ren was like a big dog, then this awake version was a wolf—more aggressive, willful, and utterly unreasonable.

Fu Yu’an tentatively tried to pull his foot back, protesting weakly, “Let go of me.”

“Stop moving!”

Qi Ren recalled what Xia Xiu had said—apparently, it hadn’t been an exaggeration.

Bullying the weak but fearing the strong.

In a few swift motions, he removed Fu Yu’an’s shoes and socks, then proceeded to strip off his outer robe without hesitation.

Fu Yu’an instinctively clutched the front of his undergarments, afraid that even those would be forcibly taken off. But the gesture felt too coquettish, so he reluctantly held back.

Fortunately, Qi Ren knew when to stop and didn’t dare push him too far.

Fu Yu’an lay stiffly on the bed, letting him tuck the blanket around him.

“Move over—I’m sleeping on the outside.” He patted Fu Yu’an’s thigh, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Fu Yu’an swallowed his anger, silently scooting further in and tightening the blanket around himself.

Amused by how cautiously he was behaving, Qi Ren blew out the candle.

The sound of rustling fabric filled the darkness as Fu Yu’an inched even closer to the wall, turning his back to Qi Ren as if trying to merge with it.

Qi Ren lay down properly. Seeing how resistant he was, Qi Ren licked his back teeth and lightly tugged on the blanket:

“Give me some, don’t hog it all—I’m freezing too!”

“You… go get the other one outside… there’s another one.”

“I’m already lying down.” he persisted. “We’re both men, what’s the big deal sharing a blanket? Unless you’re into men?”

Fu Yu’an, upon hearing this, instantly bristled like a cat with its fur standing on end. He flung the blanket at him: “You’re the one into men!”

Qi Ren was pleased now. Suppressing a smirk, he feigned seriousness: “If not, why so many reservations?”

“……”

He pulled Fu Yu’an closer into his arms: “Come here, it won’t cover both of us otherwise.”

Fu Yu’an stiffened as he was drawn in, the warm breath against his neck unsettlingly intense.

Now the blanket barely covered them both.

Satisfied, Qi Ren hummed in approval: “Go to sleep.”

Fu Yu’an, face flushed, ignored him.

Qi Ren couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. Why is he so averse to normal interactions? I really shouldn’t have pretended not to remember him. Now he acts like a mouse seeing a cat around me—won’t even let me touch him, let alone kiss him.

Last time, he even let me bite his tongue!

The difference is too stark!

…

Early the next morning, Qi Ren reverted to playing the “fool” much to Fu Yu’an’s relief. Together, they returned to the general’s manor.

The following day, Elder Shu also returned. After inquiring about Qi Ren’s recent condition, he prescribed a new formula.

This time, it was one to regulate and nourish qi and bl00d.

The crisp autumn air settled in after the rain, and the weather gradually turned cooler. The few fruit trees in the courtyard began to bear sporadic ripe fruit.

When Fu Yu’an opened his door that morning, he saw Qi Ren perched in a tree, with Qiao Ying and Li Ke waiting below, holding a cloth pouch to catch the fruit he tossed down.

Though his mind was addled, his martial skills remained intact—climbing up and down effortlessly.

Seeing him come out, Qi Ren waved the peach in his hand and called out with a smile, “An’an! I picked a peach for you!”

“Go ahead, pick more! Be careful.” Fu Yu’an caught the peach he tossed over, his palm tingling from the impact.

Xiao Zhu walked over and asked quietly, “Your Highness, your birthday is coming up soon…”

Fu Yu’an fell silent for a moment, lowering his gaze as he replied softly, “Mm, I know. Same as usual—I won’t celebrate it. Prepare some joss paper and the like for Mother. We’ll go pay our respects.”

Xiao Zhu acknowledged and withdrew to make the arrangements.

Fu Yu’an had never celebrated his birthday, for it was also the day his mother had died in childbirth. Every year, the occasion only brought him sorrow, a reminder of how much had changed and all that had been lost.

Qi Ren overheard his words from afar, his chest tightening in response. Seeing Fu Yu’an’s mood instantly darken, he wasn’t sure how to comfort him.

Come to think of it, his own birthday was only about a month apart from Fu Yu’an’s. Maybe he could make it up to him then?

He wondered if Fu Yu’an would even appreciate the gesture.

Below, Qiao Ying, noticing the sudden lack of movement, called out, “General! Hurry up and throw them down! Are there no more left? Should we switch trees?”

Qi Ren then leapt down from the tree, glanced at the cloth pouch, and clapped his hands with a grin. “You two can pick the rest! An’an and I will take some to Mother first!”