The Foolish General's Mute Spouse - Chapter 49

49: Disgusting Gaze

Qi Ren was satisfied. He pulled Fu Yu’an by the waist into his embrace and said, “That’s more like it.”

Watching the two of them cling to each other as if no one else were present—Qi Ren even lowering his head as if to kiss him—Fu Yangyao suddenly felt that his name truly suited him.

He cleared his throat awkwardly, picked up the lantern, and walked out, his tone tinged with embarrassment: “I have matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave first. Ah… Uncle, you two… please mind your behavior!”

Qi Ren’s face flushed red. Once the other man had left, he quickly pecked Fu Yu’an on the lips and growled, “We’ll talk about this when we get back.”

Fu Yu’an met his gaze fearlessly and replied calmly, “I’ve made plans with Xia Xiu to watch a play tonight. I’ll probably be back very late, so don’t wait up for me. Go to bed first!”

Qi Ren: “…”

He gritted his teeth and gave Fu Yu’an’s buttock a hard pinch, warning, “If you come back too late, I’ll go with Prince Qing to catch you two! Then I’ll carry you home right in the middle of the street. How does that sound?”

Fu Yu’an immediately surrendered, patting his back soothingly. “I was just joking. I won’t be back too late.”

“That’s more like it!” Qi Ren narrowed his eyes in satisfaction, like a big cat that had been appeased.

…

The Crown Prince had already come of age years ago and, by custom, should have moved out of the palace to establish his own residence. However, Concubine Jue had whispered many things into the Emperor’s ear, dissuading him under the pretext of excessive expenses.

The Crown Prince was furious, but the Empress—who lacked favor—couldn’t intervene. They could only wait until Fu Yangyao also came of age next year before both could leave the palace together.

Fu Yu’an kicked a small pebble on the roadside, a mocking smile curling his lips.

He wondered if His Majesty would even live to see that day.

Naturally, the guards at the gate tried to stop them from entering, so Xiao Zhu resumed his old role, translating Fu Yu’an’s gestures: “Just go and announce us. Say the Seventh Prince has urgent business to discuss. Whether it’s approved or not isn’t your concern.”

The guards exchanged glances, hesitating for a long time.

So Xiao Zhu took out some loose silver from his sleeve and handed it to them. “We appreciate your trouble.”

The guards weighed the silver in their hands and glanced at the intimidating Qi Ren behind them before finally relenting. “Fine, but we’re just passing on the message. Whether His Highness agrees to see you or not is up to him!”

“Thank you, thank you!”

One guard stayed at the gate while the other went inside to deliver the message. Before long, he returned.

With a wave of his hand toward the inner courtyard, he said, “Go on in. His Highness says he’ll see you!”

The group entered the residence, greeted by a stifling, lifeless atmosphere. Palace maids and eunuchs swept the courtyard in silence, their expressions grim.

The head palace maid wore a stern face as she led the three into the main hall, where the Crown Prince was copying Buddhist scriptures at his desk.

Qi Ren took in the sight of the prince, his face full of suppressed rage as he forced himself to write, and bit his lip to hold back a laugh.

“What are you here for? To laugh at me?” The Crown Prince didn’t even look up, scoffing as he spoke.

Xiao Zhu translated Fu Yu’an’s gestures: “We’ve long been indebted to Your Highness’s… care. This visit is indeed to discuss an important matter.”

Only then did the Crown Prince deign to glance at them. When his eyes landed on Qi Ren, who stood with his arms crossed, he stiffened and took half a step back.

“What matter?” His wrist ached faintly as he eyed Qi Ren warily.

“It’s about the imprisonment of Minister Tan and his family…”

“Hmm?”

“To be honest with you, the wife of the General’s Mansion’s eldest young master is none other than Lord Tan’s daughter. Yesterday, she suddenly came to us, saying she had something to give to her father, which is why we’ve come to beg Your Highness for mercy—could they possibly meet once?”

The Crown Prince set down his brush and walked over to the group. Qi Ren stepped forward, shielding Fu Yu’an behind him, and growled, “What are you doing?! Stay back!”

“You—!” The Crown Prince was furious. “Is this the attitude you take when asking for a favor?”

Fu Yu’an smiled apologetically and stepped out to face him.

The Crown Prince asked, “How dutiful of her! The man’s already imprisoned—what could she possibly have to give him?”

Fu Yu’an shook his head.

“That, we don’t know. It seems to be some kind of storybook, though why she’d go to such lengths is beyond us. Perhaps it’s a rare edition?”

The Crown Prince nodded thoughtfully, then asked, “Aren’t you closer to Fu Yangyao? Why come to me instead?”

This question hit the mark. Without hesitation, Fu Yu’an launched into a stream of flattery: “The Fourth Prince and his mother have always looked down on us—why would they help? Besides, Your Highness carries far more weight with His Majesty than he ever could. What’s the use in begging him?”

Fu Jiaji had always been fond of having his ego stroked, surrounded as he was by sycophants. Hearing this, he immediately swelled with pride.

Seizing the moment, Fu Yu’an pressed further: “His Majesty values filial piety above all else. Now that you’re under house arrest, if he learns that you acted out of compassion for her devotion, he’d surely be deeply moved. Lifting the ban would be a matter of days!”

This reasoning was flawless. The Crown Prince, currently distressed over his confinement, grew intrigued by the idea.

Moreover, if she claimed to be delivering a “storybook” there had to be more to it—likely something like the deed to a suburban estate or account books. If he intercepted it and presented it to the Emperor, it could be another great merit!

Not only would it completely sever ties with that useless old man, but it would also earn him favor in his father’s eyes—a win-win!

Seeing his hesitation, Fu Yu’an knew when to stop pushing. “I’m merely the messenger. If this is truly too difficult for you, I’ll just have to report back truthfully to my sister-in-law. What do you think?”

Of course, the Crown Prince was itching to agree immediately, but his mother had always warned him to think twice before acting!

“Mm, I’ll take this under consideration. You may leave for now. If there’s news, I’ll send someone to the General’s Mansion.”

Fu Yu’an’s heart leapt with joy, and he promptly took his leave.

As they were leaving, the Crown Prince gave him a long, assessing look, hesitating as if he wanted to say something. After a drawn-out pause, he finally blurted out, seemingly out of nowhere:

“It’s been a while since I last saw you—you’re looking much better!”

In the past, he had been gaunt and frail, as if a gust of wind could knock him over, enduring all manner of humiliation with nothing but clenched teeth.

Now, his complexion was rosy, and his already striking features seemed to carry an unconscious softness, every glance and smile radiating an indescribable charm.

Indescribable charm…

Although the term was highly inappropriate to describe a man, he couldn’t think of a better one.

He glanced at Qi Ren, whose fierce and menacing expression made everything clear, and couldn’t help but sneer at him with a mocking smile.

Fu Yu’an was disgusted by the dirty, scrutinizing gaze directed at him, but he couldn’t retort. Instead, he humbly attributed his appearance to the good food at the general’s residence.

The two exchanged a glance, and Qi Ren shot him another warning glare before finally relenting, waving his hand dismissively to let him leave.

Once they were out of the palace, Qi Ren no longer bothered to hide his anger, his face dark and silent.

Fu Yu’an patted the back of his hand soothingly and said, “Don’t be angry. Why bother with a beast like him?”

“I just can’t stand the way he looks at you!” Qi Ren fumed. “Like a toad sticking out its tongue from a filthy gutter—disgusting!”