The Foolish General's Mute Spouse - Chapter 37

37: Paying Respects to Buddha

Fu Yu’an listlessly let go of him, muttered a reluctant “Fine” and then yawned as he went back to change his clothes.

Qi Ren chuckled helplessly and followed him.

No matter what, as long as he feels even the slightest affection for me, Qi Ren thought, perhaps he won’t be as angry when I eventually tell him the truth.

It had just rained, making the mountain path especially slippery. Fu Yu’an clung to Qi Ren’s arm, stumbling every few steps as they trudged upward.

Xiao Zhu and Li Ke followed behind, holding umbrellas and supporting each other as they climbed.

“Your Highness, what kind of temple is this? Why is it so hard to find? We’ve been walking for so long and haven’t seen a single pilgrim—is it really that auspicious?” Xiao Zhu panted, bending over to catch her breath.

Fu Yu’an smiled. “Faith moves mountains! If you don’t want to go, you and Li Ke can head back down first. We’ll be fine on our own.”

“No way!” Xiao Zhu immediately straightened up and took a couple more steps forward, rubbing her waist. “You’re the master—how could this servant abandon you?”

Seeing her determination, Fu Yu’an didn’t press further. The four of them carefully climbed upward and finally reached the temple gates at the mountaintop just before noon.

The peak was shrouded in mist, though the rain had lightened. The temple appeared aged, its plaque bearing the weathered but bold characters: “Yangjin Temple.”

A plainly dressed young monk was sweeping fallen leaves at the entrance. Seeing visitors, he clasped his hands in greeting. “Esteemed guests, please come in. The abbot is chanting scriptures in the main hall.”

Fu Yu’an thanked him, and the young monk pushed open the creaking gates, which groaned as if they might collapse at any moment.

Xiao Zhu frowned slightly and exchanged a glance with Li Ke, who shook his head in response.

What are you looking at me for? It’s your master who chose this place—how would I know anything about it?

Inside, the temple was surprisingly serene. Though not as grand as others, it exuded a solemn dignity.

As they entered the main hall, the sound of chanting enveloped them, making one feel as if they were floating above worldly concerns.

Qi Ren fetched incense for him, and the two knelt side by side, bowing reverently before the Buddha.

May you bless Qi Ren with a peaceful life henceforth. And also… may he forget me soon.

He knew his wish might never come true, but praying under the guise of seeking blessings was, after all, a selfish act. Whether it would be granted or not, Fu Yu’an thought, perhaps the Buddha had too many devotees to attend to them all.

The abbot, slowly fingering a string of prayer beads, approached and bowed to Fu Yu’an. “Esteemed guest, are you of royal lineage?”

Qi Ren’s heart skipped a beat, and he stared wide-eyed at the old abbot. How could he tell? Is this place really that mystical?

Fu Yu’an returned the bow. “Indeed. Venerable One, I have some doubts—might you enlighten me?”

“The Dharma is profound, saving all sentient beings. Please follow me, esteemed guest.”

He nodded and turned to instruct Qi Ren not to wander off before following the abbot out of the hall.

Left behind, Qi Ren could only bow to the surrounding arhat statues as well.

The old abbot seemed to have known he was coming long before and led him to a place slightly farther from the main hall. With a kindly smile, he asked, “What brings you here, benefactor?”

Fu Yu’an licked his lips and glanced toward the main hall before saying, “I think I’ve fallen for someone. But if I were to be with him, I’d have to give up something I’ve been scheming for many years—something I truly want. So, I… I don’t know whether I should confess my feelings to him.”

The abbot: “…”

“Master, what should I do?”

The abbot pointed to the east.

Fu Yu’an hesitated before speaking. “Are you telling me to leave him without regret?”

“The Matchmaker Temple is on the eastern hill.”

“…You’re quite humorous.”

The abbot lowered his hand and smiled. “Amitabha, benefactor. Haven’t you already found the answer in your heart? Coming to ask me now is merely to seek a reasonable justification, isn’t it?”

Fu Yu’an froze, then realized he couldn’t refute it.

“This old monk knows nothing of your worldly love affairs, but one thing remains unchanged.”

“Please enlighten me, Master.”

“What you choose to abandon reflects what it is worth in your heart. Understand what you truly desire, weigh the pros and cons, and act with purpose—only then will you live without so much burden. Greedy people end up with nothing.”

Fu Yu’an felt a pang of shame. Upon reflection, it was true.

He had been too greedy, unwilling to let go of anything yet wanting everything.

Freedom, love—when it came down to it, it was just insatiable greed.

His heart seemed to clear, and he bowed respectfully to the abbot once more. “Thank you, Master.”

Qi Ren could no longer resist coming out of the hall to look for him. Watching his figure rush toward him, Fu Yu’an smiled faintly.

Perhaps, at this moment, his love for Qi Ren still couldn’t outweigh his desire for freedom.

Maybe Qi Ren was only momentarily infatuated with him—after all, he had once preferred women.

If so, then it was for the best. From now on, they would go their separate ways, neither owing the other anything. He would treat Qi Ren well in these last few months, leaving behind some fond memories for the future.

The group had a simple vegetarian meal at the temple. Calculating the time and fearing they’d be caught in the dark, they soon bid farewell.

As they were leaving, they spotted a few worshippers arriving—elderly women dressed in coarse cloth, likely from nearby villages.

“Hey, look! Those two—aren’t they that high-ranking official from the capital who lost his mind?” one of the old women whispered, nudging her companion after the group had walked away.

Her companion squinted and shook her head. “I don’t think so! Wasn’t the one who lost his mind a general or something? He even married a new wife—both men, and nobles from the palace!”

“Oh! They must’ve brought a huge dowry then, right?”

“Who knows! But they don’t look like—why would the wealthy even glance at our shabby little temple in these poor mountains? Wouldn’t they go to some grand state monastery?”

The women exchanged glances, all scoffing at how these rich officials knew nothing of the common people’s hardships and couldn’t care less about the struggles of the poor countryside.

“If only my daughter-in-law gives birth to a boy this time, our family won’t be left without an heir!”

“Hasn’t she already had several children? She’s pregnant again?”

“Tch! All girls—just money pits. They’ll belong to other families sooner or later. A son is the only real security! Don’t you think?”

“Exactly! Sons are the way to go!”

The women laughed as they entered the temple, each boasting about their own sons in a cacophony of hollow flattery.

Fu Yu’an sneezed, rubbing his arms before realizing he had left his cloak in the temple.

Xiao Zhu volunteered to retrieve it, but Li Ke stopped her.

She had nearly collapsed from exhaustion just climbing up—how could she possibly manage the treacherous descent?

“I’m faster on my feet. You all go ahead!” Li Ke leaped up a few steps with agility, waving for them to continue without him.

“In that case, why don’t we wait here for him? The mountain path is rugged and confusing—it’d be easy to get separated again,” Fu Yu’an suggested.

Qi Ren steadied him by the arm and said, “He’s very capable—he won’t lose us! An an, let’s keep moving while we wait. Otherwise, it’ll be dark again before we know it!”

Fu Yu’an glanced at the sky. It wasn’t nearing dusk—rather, dark clouds were rolling in, threatening another downpour.

Now they really couldn’t afford to delay. Stuck halfway up the mountain with no shelter in sight, their two flimsy umbrellas would be useless if the rain came.

So he left Xiao Zhu behind to wait for Li Ke, handing her an oil-paper umbrella, while he and Qi Ren shared another, making their way down slowly.

The saying “going up is easier than coming down” wasn’t just an empty phrase.

Fu Yu’an stumbled yet again, only to be caught firmly by Qi Ren.