The Foolish General's Mute Spouse - Chapter 42

42: “It’s still… daytime…”

This place wasn’t far from the city, but with Chang’an’s curfew in effect, the city gates simply wouldn’t open.

The group stood at the base of the city wall, while the soldiers on the gate tower shouted stern warnings: “Where are you from? The gates can’t be opened now!”

Fu Yu’an couldn’t speak, so Qi Ren set the burly man down and roared back, “This is the Seventh Prince! Open the gates now! We have urgent business!”

The soldiers on the wall saw him bare-chested, with a child in tow—hardly the picture of nobility. In the dim light, they couldn’t make out any faces and refused to believe him, yelling at them to scram.

Qi Ren was about to leap up and teach them a lesson when Fu Yu’an stopped him.

“They’re just following orders. No need to make things difficult.”

“A bunch of blind bastards! The one shouting loudest up there used to feed horses in my camp, and now he’s flipping tables on me!”

“Enough, enough! I know of a small gate we can use. Follow me.”

Only then did Qi Ren rein in his temper. Grumbling, he hoisted the man back onto his shoulder and followed Fu Yu’an to the side entrance.

The city wasn’t crowded, though the pleasure districts were still bustling with noise.

Qi Ren took the group back to the estate first to reassure the old madam of their safety. Li Ke wasn’t there—likely still searching at the foot of the mountain.

“My child! Why are you only coming back now?” The old madam was terrified, and seeing his injuries, she nearly lost her wits, frantically checking his wounds.

Fu Yu’an soothed her with a few words, briefly explained the situation, then took the woman and child back to Guhe Courtyard.

Qi Ren dumped the unconscious man in the courtyard, rubbing his sore shoulders, and ordered the servants to tie him up in the woodshed.

“We’ll report to the authorities at dawn.” Qi Ren said. “Once Li Ke returns, have him inform Prince Qing first. He’s been handling a few cases for the Dali Temple recently.”

Fu Yu’an nodded, tugging at his thin robe as an autumn breeze made him sneeze.

The distant sky was beginning to lighten—dawn wasn’t far off.

Qi Ren then ordered the servants to heat water, rousing the entire household into action.

Fu Yu’an sniffled, feeling it unnecessary to make such a fuss.

But since Qi Ren insisted, he might as well accept it. After all, if he caught a cold, wouldn’t he be the one suffering in the end?

Before long, Li Ke returned with Xiao Zhu in tow. He had planned to continue searching, only to find Qi Ren lounging in the courtyard, gnawing on a peach with his legs crossed.

Li Ke: “How did you get back?!”

Qi Ren spat out the pit and raised an eyebrow. “Disappointed?”

“This subordinate wouldn’t dare.” Li Ke quickly knelt and saluted. “I searched all night at the base of the cliff but found no trace of you. The assassins have already been dealt with.”

“All dead?”

“…They took poison.”

Qi Ren stood up, brushing the leaves off his clothes. “Dead is fine. Otherwise, Yu’an would’ve been exposed.”

Li Ke found his tone strange-unnaturally intimate. Yet Qi Ren himself seemed oblivious, pointing toward the inner room. “Yu’an is sleeping inside. Tell Xiao Zhu to keep quiet. Also, help me deliver someone to the authorities!”

He briefly explained the situation to Li Ke, who fell silent for a moment, glancing between Qi Ren and the inner room as if wanting to say something but ultimately holding back.

Xiao Zhu emerged, wiping her tears, and knelt before Qi Ren, kowtowing three times with a heavy thud. “Thank you, General, for saving my master’s life!”

Qi Ren was momentarily at a loss. Logically, the assassins had come for him-Fu Yu’an had been dragged into it because of him. There was no “life-saving” to speak of.

But the mood wasn’t right for blunt honesty, so he just urged her to rise.

Wiping peach juice on his clothes, Qi Ren pointed to the woodshed. “Good timing. The two of you can handle this together. As for the mother and child, ask them what they plan to do. If they’ve got nowhere to go, they can stay here as servants.”

Xiao Zhu nodded and left with Li Ke to take care of things.

The main room was silent. Qi Ren quietly closed the door, only to find Fu Yu’an sitting by the bed, awake for who knew how long.

He walked over, opened the window, and sat beside him. Just looking at him filled Qi Ren with a soft, tranquil warmth.

He really does have some kind of magic, Qi Ren thought. Like a bodhisattva saving all living beings-more soothing than the finest calming incense.

Though it might sound exaggerated…

“Why didn’t you sleep more?” He leaned in, pinching Fu Yu’an’s earlobe playfully.

Fu Yu’an dodged slightly, avoiding his gaze, his voice still husky from sleep. “Xiao Zhu came in and woke me. Couldn’t fall back asleep.”

Qi Ren chuckled, pressing Fu Yu’an down onto the bed and leaning over to nuzzle the back of his ear. “Sleep with me a little longer. I’m exhausted.”

Fu Yu’an parted his lips slightly, then let out a soft “Mm” utterly compliant.

Qi Ren was immensely pleased by this pliant demeanor. Kicking off his shoes, he climbed into bed, wrapping Fu Yu’an tightly in his arms, utterly content.

Fu Yu’an peeked out from under the blanket, his dark hair spilling across the pillow as he stared at Qi Ren.

The intensity of that gaze made Qi Ren’s bl00d heat. Amused, he pinched Fu Yu’an’s waist, making him shiver and avert his eyes.

“What’s wrong? Keep looking at me like that, and I’ll kiss you.” His large hand wandered down Fu Yu’an’s back, his own desire flaring as his gaze darkened.

Fu Yu’an looked up at him again. His loose sleeve slipped down, revealing a pale, delicate arm that draped over Qi Ren.

His expression remained cool and detached, as always, but his actions were bold and suggestive. The contrast was irresistible to any man-let alone one who already had designs on him.

He was rewarded with a fierce, almost punishing kiss.

His lips ached from the friction, but Fu Yu’an only closed his eyes in pleasure, clinging to Qi Ren and pressing closer.

He’s so passionate, Qi Ren thought.

Does he like me a little too?

He must! Otherwise, why would someone so reserved and proud take the initiative to ask for a kiss?

The thought made his heart ache and swell, his mind buzzing. The muffled, suggestive sounds in his ears and the eager advances of the one he loved became the best remedy.

In one swift motion, he flipped the man beneath him, grabbed his wrist, and pressed a kiss to it, his sharp canine teeth grazing and teasing the delicate skin.

The dazed look in Fu Yu’an’s eyes gradually cleared, the slight pain from the bite bringing him back to his senses. He pushed at Qi Ren weakly.

“It’s still… daytime…” His efforts were futile, his brows furrowing tightly. “Let me go!”

Qi Ren had no intention of listening. He held him down, wild and unrestrained, murmuring sweet nothings—calling him “darling” whispering his name in a low, hoarse voice that lured him deeper into the turbulent sea of passion…

Outside the window, a few sparrows perched on the sill, chirping as they preened each other’s feathers.

Inside, daylight streamed in brightly, but the heavy bed curtains were drawn, obscuring the scene within. Only the occasional muffled pleas for mercy could be heard, mingled with a man’s low laughter—so shameless that even the birds dared not linger, spreading their wings and fluttering away.

Qi Ren, bare-chested, got out of bed to fetch a basin of water and carefully wiped down the blushing “quail” hidden behind the curtains.

The moment the cloth touched him, Fu Yu’an flinched slightly, but Qi Ren quickly pulled him out, refusing to let him hide.