The Foolish General's Mute Spouse - Chapter 34

34: She’s My Daughter

Although Fu Yu’an had never met his birth mother, Xiao Zhu told him she was a beauty from Nanjiang—a pity that such a fleeting life ended too soon.

“Her status was low, so in the end, she wasn’t buried in the imperial mausoleum. Ah!” Xiao Zhu sighed.

“This place is fine too. Mother probably never wanted to stay in the palace anyway. Otherwise, why would she have gone through such lengths to have you and my wet nurse take me away?”

“True. It’s all fate!”

Xiao Zhu took out a fire starter and handed it to him. Fu Yu’an arranged the offerings and lit the joss paper.

The ashes spiraled upward, twisting and shattering before vanishing into the air, quickly disappearing amid the bamboo grove.

“Mother, rest easy down there. I’m doing well now. Once Qi Ren recovers from his illness, Xiao Zhu and I will leave this place of trouble far behind. Though our mother-son bond was brief, you still gave birth to me.” He rambled on for a while, kneeling as he burned all the joss paper he had brought.

Xiao Zhu also murmured promises to take good care of the young master. The master and servant knelt sorrowfully before the grave for a long time.

A gust of wind swept through, rustling the bamboo leaves. A few withered yellow leaves drifted onto the grave, settling near the tombstone.

Xiao Zhu pricked up her ears, sensing something amiss. She quickly stood, alertly scanning their surroundings.

Fu Yu’an: “What’s wrong?”

“Your Highness, it seems someone’s coming!”

Fu Yu’an also stood, standing back-to-back with her as they surveyed the area.

This was a desolate wilderness—how could someone suddenly appear here?

The wind swirled low, carrying bamboo leaves in its wake. The sound of footsteps crushing dry grass grew clearer.

The two turned toward the noise as an aged voice slowly spoke:

“Your Highness.”

The newcomer was dressed in traditional Nanjiang attire, silver ornaments tinkling from her hair. Though her hair was white, her face was youthful—none other than Elder Shu! Beside her stood a little girl, Qiao Ying, who was carrying a basket.

Fu Yu’an was astonished. “Elder Shu? Why are you here?”

Especially since Qiao Ying was holding a basket—it was all the more peculiar.

Elder Shu didn’t answer, instead asking, “Today is your mother’s death anniversary?”

“……”

“You don’t need to guard against me like this. I would never harm you.” She slowly walked to the tombstone, touching the weathered wood with a sigh, her eyes lowered.

Fu Yu’an felt a pang of confusion. He exchanged a glance with Xiao Zhu, both seeing bewilderment in each other’s eyes.

When Elder Shu raised her face to meet their gaze, her eyes were already brimming with tears, droplets pattering to the ground.

“The one lying here isn’t just your mother—she’s also my own daughter!”

Fu Yu’an: “?!!”

How could this be?!

…

Yu Residence.

Fu Yanxiao, Qi Ren, and a few others sat in the pavilion, a chessboard laid out on the stone table. Qi Ren’s poor chess skills had Yu Liao pacing around in frustration.

“I told you not to place it there, but you wouldn’t listen! Now look—you’re done for!” Yu Liao smacked him hard on the back, grinding his teeth in exasperation.

“Get lost! I’ll do as I please!” Qi Ren didn’t care in the slightest, rolling up his sleeves. “Another round!”

“I’m done.” Fu Yanxiao stood, picking up his folding fan and flicking it open. “There’s still some business in the palace. I should head back.”

“The palace? What? Is that old emperor finally on his last legs?” Qi Ren scoffed.

“Not that. There’s a family banquet.”

“Family banquet?”

“Yes. A certain noble lady has suddenly become pregnant, and His Majesty is overjoyed. He’s hosting a feast at the Qushui Pavilion.”

Qi Ren frowned slightly, probing, “It wouldn’t happen to be… Noble Concubine Sun, would it?”

“How did you know?” Fu Yanxiao was astonished.

“His Majesty is still so vigorous at his age—truly impressive. Though I wonder if the child in Noble Concubine Sun’s belly is really his.” Qi Ren smirked, his expression teasing.

Concubine Jue had only told him to play the fool and leave the rest to her, revealing no plans to Qi Ren.

Now, it seemed her methods were truly ruthless—she wouldn’t even spare an innocent unborn child.

But Fu Yu’an’s birth mother had also died in childbirth. Could there be some hidden secret behind that as well?

Fu Yanxiao bid his farewells, leaving only Qi Ren and Yu Liao in the pavilion.

“The Court of Judicial Review raided five private estates outside Tanshi City this morning, seizing countless concubines, singing girls, and even a few catamites. The scene was utter chaos.” Yu Liao said slowly as he collected the chess pieces.

Qi Ren sneered. “He certainly knows how to enjoy himself. What a pity for my sister-in-law—she’s still completely in the dark.”

“This was a last resort, wasn’t it? Besides, you’re supposed to sever ties with the General’s Manor eventually. Why do I still see you clinging to your bond with your elder brother now?”

“No matter how strained our relationship is, he’s still my brother. And if it weren’t for him saving me in that battle five years ago, his leg wouldn’t have…”

“…”

Yu Liao patted him on the shoulder and sighed.

The two played a few more rounds of chess, but Qi Ren was clearly distracted, his mind wandering. Eventually, Yu Liao couldn’t take it anymore and stopped Qi Ren’s recklessly advanced “cannon” asking, “What’s really going on with you?”

“Today is the anniversary of his mother’s death.”

“Huh? Whose? The Seventh Prince?”

“It’s also his birthday.”

“…”

“Maybe you should just go back!” Yu Liao frowned. “Go and keep him company. He must be feeling awful.”

Qi Ren tapped the table slowly with his knuckles, lost in thought.

After a long while, he seemed to come to a realization, exhaled deeply, straightened his sleeves, and said, “You’re right. I’ll take my leave, then!”

Yu Liao saw him off, opening his mouth several times as if to say something, but ultimately held back.

As soon as Qi Ren stepped through the gate of Guhe Garden, the parrot screeched, “The General is back! The General is back!”

Qi Ren: “…”

Xiao Zhu was picking fruit in the courtyard. When she saw him, she bowed, her expression noticeably grim.

Qi Ren gave her a puzzled glance, cleared his throat, and asked, “Where’s His Highness?”

Ah, so he was lucid again.

Xiao Zhu pointed to the main house and said the prince was inside painting.

Qi Ren nodded, deliberately making noise as he approached the door. He knocked and coughed loudly. “Fu Yu’an?”

There was a rustling sound from inside, as if things were being hastily put away, before Fu Yu’an opened the door.

His face was also somber, his gaze at Qi Ren unreadable.

Qi Ren felt the entire courtyard was steeped in an odd atmosphere.

Perhaps it was because today was the anniversary of his mother’s death, so the heaviness was to be expected.

Qi Ren walked in and sat down casually. “Would you like to visit Mother’s place with me? You seem in low spirits.”

Fu Yu’an stared straight at him, answering obliquely, “The intervals between your lucid episodes are getting shorter.”

“…”

“Are you almost fully recovered?”

“Maybe. Why do you ask?”

“No reason.” He forced a faint, insincere smile. “Wishing you a speedy recovery!”

“???”

Qi Ren was baffled by this sudden, cryptic remark, thinking to himself that Fu Yu’an was still distant toward his sane self.

Li Ke leaped down from the courtyard wall, waved at Xiao Zhu, and took over her task of picking the fruit.