The Foolish General's Mute Spouse - Chapter 45

45: Getting Scolded for Buying a Sugar Figurine?

“What’s wrong?” he asked softly.

“Nothing.” Fu Yu’an smiled at him, thinking of something else.

I’m so envious of them.

The meal passed with little enjoyment. Qi Ren kept serving him dishes, occasionally asking if he needed water, mirroring how Fu Yu’an had once cared for him.

Fu Yu’an felt somewhat embarrassed but couldn’t help stealing glances at the couple across from them, observing how they interacted. The more he compared, the stranger the atmosphere between him and Qi Ren seemed.

On the way back, Qi Ren noticed his unusual mood and draped his own outer robe over Fu Yu’an, leaning in slightly to ask, “What’s on your mind?”

Fu Yu’an shook his head, saying nothing.

Xiao Zhu, watching from behind, sighed quietly, unsure whom to pity more.

His Highness’s heart is so heavily guarded, and the general lied to him first. Trying to win his trust? Good luck with that!

The night market was bustling with activity. Since neither of them had brought a carriage, Qi Ren glanced back at Xiao Zhu and gave her a look. She immediately understood and asked respectfully, “Your Highness, I see some snacks over there. Shall I go buy some for you?”

Before she could finish, Qi Ren approved, “Go ahead! I’ll take care of your master!”

Xiao Zhu quickly turned and left, leaving the two of them to stroll alone.

Fu Yu’an smiled helplessly. “Why’d you send her away?”

“I wanted to walk with you alone. Having others around ruins the mood.”

“Haven’t we walked together before? What’s the difference?”

Qi Ren stumbled over his words for a moment before finding a suitable reply, his voice tinged with dejection. “It’s not the same. Before, you were always taking care of me. Now, I want to take care of you.”

Fu Yu’an stopped walking and met his gaze. After a moment, he suddenly smiled. “Alright.”

His tone was soft and sweet, making Qi Ren’s heart skip a beat. He wanted nothing more than to pull him into his arms and kiss him.

But this was a crowded market. He had to restrain himself.

“You seemed unhappy today, why?”

“Huh? I wasn’t unhappy.”

“Really? You seemed a little down. Are you still angry with me?”

“Angry about what?”

Qi Ren stopped at a sugar painting stall and asked the vendor to make a rabbit.

The vendor worked quickly, and soon Qi Ren handed the sugar figurine to Fu Yu’an. “I lied to you before… I thought you might still be upset.”

Fu Yu’an studied the lifelike little rabbit in his hand and sighed. “You had your reasons. I understand. If I were in your place, I wouldn’t have trusted others so easily either.”

The words carried an ambiguous tone, leaving Qi Ren unsure whether they were sincere or sarcastic.

Silence fell between them again.

Fu Yu’an took a bite, snapping off the rabbit’s ear. The sweetness spread across his tongue.

Qi Ren chuckled. “I didn’t think you’d actually eat it.”

Fu Yu’an froze for a moment at his words, then bit off the other rabbit ear and asked, “Why would you think that?”

“I thought you’d dismiss it as something only young girls like, that you’d just take it back for Xiao Zhu.”

Fu Yu’an scoffed, giving him a mocking smile. “Oh? So you knew it was something girls liked, yet you still gave it to me? What, have you accompanied so many girls to night markets that you forgot who you’re with now?”

Qi Ren was utterly baffled, unsure how he’d managed to offend him this time.

How did I even get scolded for buying a sugar figurine?

“I didn’t—” He wanted to say he’d never taken girls to night markets, but then he remembered the “palace maid” from five years ago and guiltily swallowed his words. Instead, he explained, “There was one girl before… but she’s already passed away. Are you jealous?”

Fu Yu’an raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Passed away?”

So there really was another woman besides me, the cross-dressing one back then!

This damn man!

Thinking of that girl, Qi Ren couldn’t help but feel a pang of melancholy. “She was such a lively girl. What a shame!”

Fu Yu’an let out a dry laugh. “You’re quite something too.”

“??”

“Alright, if we’ve got nothing better to do, let’s head back. What’s the point of wandering around so late? I’m not some little girl, I don’t even like this sugar figurine.”

His smile was bright, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

Qi Ren blinked. “If you don’t like it, I can buy you—”

“Don’t bother.” Fu Yu’an cut him off. “Save your money for the little girls!”

He bit out the last three words with deliberate emphasis, each syllable dripping with venom.

With that, he shoved the half-eaten sugar rabbit back into Qi Ren’s hands and strode off toward the general’s residence.

Qi Ren, utterly perplexed, muttered under his breath, “But you were the one who asked…” Then, as if venting his frustration, he took a bite of the rabbit’s head before hurrying after him.

Qi Ren was emotionally dense and thick-skinned. After being inexplicably scolded by Fu Yu’an, he didn’t dwell on it.

Fu Yu’an, having slept too much during the day, found himself tossing and turning, unable to sleep late into the night.

Qi Ren’s breathing was steady—he’d been asleep for a while.

Fu Yu’an carefully lifted the arm Qi Ren had draped over him, got up, and slipped out the door.

Outside, the moonlight was clear as water, spilling silver across the ground.

It had rained yesterday, making the air even colder. The fruit trees in the courtyard were shedding leaves nonstop—by tomorrow, they’d probably have another two or three piles to sweep up.

The parrot on the eaves wasn’t asleep either. It didn’t make a sound when it saw him, simply turning its head to stare at Fu Yu’an.

He chuckled softly, unhooked the parrot’s cage, and set it on the stone table before sitting down and staring blankly at the courtyard wall.

Is Qi Ren actually a cut sleeve homosexual?

He clearly used to like women and never said anything about liking men.

But if he doesn’t like me, why did he kiss me?

He’s so strange.

Ah! Could it be that he’s just toying with me for novelty’s sake?

That damn man!

Lost in his thoughts, he didn’t even notice the soft creak of the door opening behind him. It wasn’t until a wave of warmth enveloped him and someone draped a cloak over his shoulders that he realized Qi Ren had arrived.

“Can’t sleep?”

“Mm, weren’t you asleep?”

Qi Ren poked the parrot and replied, “I’ve been at war for years—I’m a light sleeper. I knew the moment you got up.”

Fu Yu’an: “…”

“Something on your mind?” Qi Ren asked.

Fu Yu’an shook his head. “No. I slept too much during the day. You should go back—it’s cold at night. I’ll sit for a bit and then return.”

Qi Ren wasn’t about to let him wallow in melancholy alone. Saying “it’s nothing” while practically wearing “I’m upset” on his face—wasn’t that just an open invitation for comfort?

He sighed softly, wrapped an arm around him, and pulled him into his embrace, letting Fu Yu’an rest his head on his shoulder.

Fu Yu’an was surprisingly docile, offering no resistance as he obediently leaned against him.

Qi Ren kissed the top of his head and murmured gently, “I’m here. What are you worried about?”

Fu Yu’an shook his head slightly, keeping his petty, almost resentful thoughts to himself.

Forget it. Xia Xiu was right—cross that bridge when we come to it. It’s not like anyone needs someone else to survive!

The parrot on the table mimicked, “I’m here! I’m here!”

Fu Yu’an couldn’t help but laugh and reached out to poke it, only to notice the parrot was busy fiddling with the latch mechanism on its cage.

Fu Yu’an: “…”

The mechanism was simple—just a nudge would release it. The two of them watched as the bird unlatched the door itself, hopped out, and strutted in circles on the table.