The Foolish General's Mute Spouse - Chapter 44

44: A Deep Bond That Envies Others

Xiao Zhu hadn’t gone far. When she saw Qi Ren come out, she grew even more puzzled.

Wasn’t he inside just now? Why didn’t anyone answer earlier?

Full of doubts, she stepped inside and saw Fu Yu’an leaning against the desk in a daze.

“Your Highness?”

“…”

Xiao Zhu cautiously approached and noticed his slightly swollen, red lips. She immediately understood.

Fu Yu’an finally seemed to snap out of his trance and looked up at her.

“Do you have any orders, Your Highness?”

Fu Yu’an stared at her for a while, his expression conflicted. After a long pause, he finally blurted out, “When are you and Li Ke getting married?”

Though usually bold and straightforward, Xiao Zhu was still an unmarried young woman. Caught off guard by such a question, her face instantly turned bright red.

“Ah… that’s still up in the air… What are you talking about?!”

Fu Yu’an smiled. “Xiao Zhu, though we are master and servant, I’ve always regarded you as an elder sister. You’ve suffered so much following me all these years. Only if you can settle down and have a family will I truly feel at ease!”

Xiao Zhu sighed. “I understand your kindness. But Li Ke… he’s still going to follow the general back to the southern border eventually. He never brings it up, and I don’t know how to ask.”

Those who march off to war likely fear they might not return and end up burdening the women waiting for them at home.

Fu Yu’an nodded, somewhat helpless. “Li Ke is highly skilled in martial arts. You don’t need to worry too much.”

It was unclear whether he was comforting her or himself.

Qi Ren had fought in countless battles. The last time Fu Yu’an saw his back, it was crisscrossed with scars—some old, some new—each one painful to look at.

Xiao Zhu said, “Let’s talk about this later! There’s no hurry. But you, Your Highness… why do you seem so down lately? Is something troubling you?”

“What troubles could I have?” Fu Yu’an rubbed his temples. “Perhaps it’s the erratic weather. I’ve been feeling listless lately, and my appetite hasn’t been great.”

In truth, he was struggling over whether to leave Qi Ren.

Part of him felt that staying like this was fine, but another part couldn’t bear the thought of being trapped in the capital for the rest of his life.

Xiao Zhu picked up the empty plate nearby and bowed. “Then I’ll ask the kitchen to prepare some appetizing hawthorn cakes.”

He gave a slight nod. Once she left, he sighed again, stood up, and glanced around aimlessly. With nothing else to do, he headed to the study to draft next month’s manuscript.

Ah, I just remembered—Xia Xiu hasn’t sent me his draft yet, he thought. Since I have nothing to do now, I might as well go to the prince’s residence to see him.

Qi Ren had disappeared again. Fu Yu’an called for him twice at the door, but there was no response.

Prince Qing’s Mansion.

Xia Xiu was overjoyed and personally welcomed Fu Yu’an at the entrance, leading him back to his own courtyard, holding onto his arm the entire way.

“Ah, I was just about to go look for you! How long has it been since we last met?” he exclaimed excitedly, bustling about to have pastries and tea prepared while showering Fu Yu’an with questions and concerns.

Fu Yu’an wasn’t quite used to such enthusiasm, but knowing it came from a place of goodwill, he had no choice but to endure it.

He explained the purpose of his visit, and Xia Xiu slapped his forehead in realization, quickly apologizing for having forgotten.

Fu Yu’an watched him dart around with a mix of amusement and helplessness, feeling a twinge of envy for his energy.

“Is Prince Qing not at the mansion?” he asked.

Xia Xiu nodded. “They’re busy with their discussions, and we can focus on ours—no need to worry about being disturbed!”

“Them…?”

“Yeah!” Xia Xiu seemed surprised. “Your husband is here in our mansion too, you know? He arrived just a short while before you did. I thought you two had planned it!”

This wasn’t entirely unexpected. Whenever Qi Ren went out, it was usually either to the Yu residence or the prince’s mansion.

“He came out on his own—I didn’t know,” Fu Yu’an said. “Does he come to the prince’s mansion often?”

Xia Xiu thought for a moment before replying, “Not really often. Given his situation, he goes to the Yu residence more frequently since there’s a child there who can cover for him. Fu Yanxiao also visits the Yu residence a lot.”

Fu Yu’an nodded thoughtfully. Xia Xiu let out a puzzled “Huh?” and asked, “Aren’t you two married? How come you don’t even know his whereabouts? Doesn’t he tell you?”

This caught Fu Yu’an off guard.

“Why would he tell me? Besides, we were only matched by the Emperor’s decree. In reality… we still live our own separate lives…”

Xia Xiu let out an exaggerated “Ah!” clearly unconvinced. “But he seems to really like you! Last time he was here, he asked me if there was anything you particularly liked. He said that even though you’re married, he’s never given you a proper gift. I don’t believe it!”

Fu Yu’an sighed, unsure himself. “Can I ask you for a favor?”

“Go ahead.”

“My heart is always uneasy,” he said. “I know he has feelings for me, but he’s never said it outright. It’s just… a little affection here and there. But I don’t want to muddle through life like this. I—”

Xia Xiu was startled: “Look at those hickeys on your neck, then tell me again you don’t want to live like this forever!”

Fu Yu’an awkwardly tugged at his collar, momentarily at a loss for words.

Lately, he’d been feeling inexplicably restless. The more kindness he received, the more insecure he became.

Sometimes, lying awake in the middle of the night, he couldn’t stop thinking about what the future held. He’d seen too many cases in the palace of new favorites replacing the old, and he had nothing particularly captivating to hold Qi Ren’s interest. No matter how he looked at it, their relationship seemed destined to end in separation.

If he fell too deeply, he might be the only one left heartbroken.

The better his present life became, the more afraid he grew.

Xia Xiu stared at him with a complicated expression for a while before finally sighing. “What do you want me to do to help?”

Fu Yu’an forced a smile. “Don’t tell anyone yet—not even Prince Qing. I’m not sure myself.”

“Fine then!” Xia Xiu threw up his hands helplessly. “We’re friends. No matter what you decide, I’ll support you. Don’t worry. Things will work out somehow!”

“Mm.” Fu Yu’an was deeply moved. He never expected that his first friend besides Xiao Zhu would be someone so boisterous and utterly different from him in temperament.

“Thank you.” he said softly, smiling.

The two chatted happily, and before they knew it, it was time for dinner. A servant came to inform them that the prince, knowing Fu Yu’an was visiting, had prepared a feast and invited him to join.

Xia Xiu grinned. “General Qi must still be here too—this is definitely his idea!”

Fu Yu’an smiled but said nothing.

When they arrived at the hall, sure enough, Qi Ren was there, smiling at him. When he saw Fu Yu’an enter, he even waved him over. “Yu’an, come here!”

Xia Xiu gave him a little push. Fu Yu’an stumbled a step forward, feeling oddly shy in such a public setting.

Qi Ren pulled out a chair for him and asked warmly, “What would you like to eat? I’ll serve you.”

His attentiveness sent a shiver down Fu Yu’an’s spine.

It was too strange. The simpler, more foolish version of Qi Ren had been far easier to be around.

Prince Qing laughed heartily and exchanged a glance with Xia Xiu. “The two of you truly share a deep bond. It’s enviable!”

Fu Yu’an’s chopsticks trembled, and a piece of food fell onto the table.

Seeing this, Xia Xiu nudged him and scolded lightly, “An An is shy. Mind your own meal!”

“Alright, alright!” Prince Qing ruffled Xia Xiu’s hair. “My mistake. I won’t speak so carelessly next time, okay?”

Qi Ren served another dish onto Fu Yu’an’s plate, then noticed him staring blankly at Prince Qing and Xia Xiu, puzzled.