The Foolish General's Mute Spouse - Chapter 50

50: The Illicit Lovers

He let out a light laugh and said, “That analogy of yours is quite amusing!”

“And you’re still laughing!” Qi Ren gritted his teeth, but seeing his utterly carefree demeanor, his heart relaxed slightly.

Fu Yu’an reached out a hand, and Qi Ren pulled him onto the carriage.

Fu Yu’an glanced at the palace gates, then lowered the curtain and sighed, “Having lived in the palace for so many years, I’ve rarely seen these gates.”

Qi Ren tugged him back to his side, encircling the other’s waist before finally kissing him, venting the frustration in his heart.

…

Though the matter had been fraught with twists and turns, the outcome was at least favorable. However, Fu Yu’an couldn’t guarantee that the Crown Prince would take the bait, so he truthfully explained the situation to his sister-in-law.

He merely said that Fu Yangyao hadn’t agreed, so they had resorted to a scheme to appeal to the Crown Prince.

As for the storybook, since the Crown Prince had mistaken it for an account ledger, they simply removed the ledger’s cover and replaced it with the actual storybook’s.

“I wonder if the Empress will fall for it.” Fu Yu’an murmured, pouring tea at the stone table in Guhe Garden, his heart unsettled.

Nearly half a month had passed, and in a few more days, the Tan family would set off for exile. Yet, there had been no word from the Crown Prince’s side.

Qi Ren blew on the floating tea leaves and snorted coldly. “The Empress has fallen ill again. A few days ago, it was said she was running a high fever, delirious and babbling nonsense. Fu Jiazhi is a fool—he’ll make arrangements sooner or later.”

Fu Yu’an remained silent, refilling his cup.

“Speaking of which…” Qi Ren paused, as if recalling something, then asked, “The Double Ninth Festival is just around the corner. His Majesty seems intent on following the annual tradition of hunting in the outskirts of the city.”

Fu Yu’an: “With his physical condition, he still wants to go hunting?”

“That’s not our concern. The Tan family is set to be exiled in mid-September. If I were the Crown Prince, I’d seize this hunting opportunity!”

His expression was half-smirking. Fu Yu’an counted the days and suddenly understood.

“Have you ever been?” Qi Ren abruptly asked.

Fu Yu’an was momentarily taken aback. “To what?”

“The hunt!” Qi Ren leaned closer to him. “You’re a prince, after all. Have you never participated in the autumn hunts before?”

Fu Yu’an gave a bitter smile, sighed, and was filled with melancholy.

“I don’t know how to ride, so going would just be embarrassing. Besides, the Crown Prince and Father Emperor wouldn’t allow me to go anyway.”

His voice gradually softened toward the end, as if he had touched upon a painful subject.

Qi Ren’s heart ached for him.

In the palace, the emperor’s favor was the foundation of survival. Having lost his mother at birth and never winning his father’s affection, Fu Yu’an had undoubtedly endured a difficult life all these years.

If only he could have married me sooner—perhaps he wouldn’t have suffered so much.

“It’s alright. I didn’t like horseback riding or archery when I was young either. It was only because my father forced me, even scolded and beat me, that I eventually learned. If you’re interested, I can take you riding outside the city this afternoon!” Qi Ren said with a smile.

Fu Yu’an shook his head indifferently, not showing any willingness. “That’s all in the past, and I don’t like the jolting on horseback anyway.”

Qi Ren’s expression fell slightly.

Seeing this, Fu Yu’an quickly added, “But if you have time, going out of the city for a stroll would still be nice.”

“Then it’s settled!” Qi Ren immediately brightened, his spirits lifting. “I’ll go pick out a gentle horse for you right away, and we’ll go this afternoon! Just you and me!”

Just you and me?

Why the need to avoid others just for a horseback ride?

Ah, he must be worried that my skills are lacking and doesn’t want me to feel restrained in front of others, afraid I’d be laughed at.

Fu Yu’an smiled knowingly, thinking how considerate he truly was.

But the reality turned out to be far beyond his expectations.

The outskirts were indeed deserted, and with no servants or attendants accompanying them, it only played right into Qi Ren’s hands.

In the end, very little riding was practiced, and instead, Fu Yu’an was bullied so thoroughly he could barely stand.

Leaning against a tree, he slid weakly to the ground, the corners of his eyes flushed red as he glared at Qi Ren warily.

The horse lowered its head to graze nearby, while Qi Ren approached again, taking Fu Yu’an’s hand and planting a light kiss on his wrist. He whispered softly, “Do you want me to carry you up?”

“No need.” Fu Yu’an couldn’t vent his frustration, struggling for a long time but still unable to stand. Just seeing Qi Ren made his scalp tingle.

He was so angry he could have hit someone. A few leaves rustled down, falling onto a pair of entangled lovebirds beneath the tree, though neither of them paid any attention.

…

The two of them didn’t return to the estate until sunset. Xiao Zhu was collecting laundry when she noticed Fu Yu’an walking unsteadily. Puzzled, she asked, “Your Highness, were you practicing horseback riding all afternoon? Why are you wearing the general’s outer robe? Ah, I told you it’s cold in the outskirts—you should’ve brought more layers!”

Qi Ren, holding Fu Yu’an’s discarded robe, tossed it toward her and said, “His got dirty.”

Fu Yu’an let out a soft “Ah” trying to stop him but failing. The robe landed squarely in Xiao Zhu’s hands. Instantly, Fu Yu’an’s face flushed red, and he lowered his head, rushing into the room.

Xiao Zhu stared at his reaction in confusion, shaking out the robe as she muttered, “What’s going on… Oh.”

She glanced up at Qi Ren, who looked utterly unbothered, and couldn’t help but feel that His Highness had been bullied far too ruthlessly.

How shameless!

Qi Ren smirked coldly, pressing a finger to his lips in a silencing gesture before turning to go coax Fu Yu’an.

Fu Yu’an had never done anything so outrageous in his life. Qi Ren lingered behind the screen outside, not daring to enter, offering repeated apologies and promises.

Fu Yu’an sat on the edge of the bed, sulking, constantly reflecting on whether he had been too indulgent with Qi Ren.

Though they hadn’t yet crossed the final line, Qi Ren’s actions were growing bolder, and the look in his eyes when he gazed at Fu Yu’an grew increasingly unrestrained…

It frightened him.

Yet, he couldn’t say he felt no anticipation at all…

Fu Yu’an despised this part of himself.

Lust was a blade hanging over one’s head! Qi Ren was strikingly handsome, his body solid and well-built, and when he pressed down, his presence was overwhelming. Deep down, Fu Yu’an couldn’t bring himself to resist.

Taking a few deep breaths, Fu Yu’an stepped around the screen to face him.

Qi Ren brightened immediately and moved to embrace him, but Fu Yu’an shrank back half a step, warning, “If you dare act recklessly again, you’ll sleep outside tonight!”

Qi Ren froze mid-motion, his raised hand slowly lowering as he reluctantly held back.

He knew the difference between one full meal and a lifetime of them.

Taking a step back, Qi Ren conceded, “I won’t, I won’t. I’ll stay still. Be good, An’an. Come here yourself.”

Fu Yu’an: “…”

The two stood in silent standoff, Fu Yu’an refusing to take even a single step closer.

Qi Ren clicked his tongue, his patience thinning. Just as he was about to stride forward and pull Fu Yu’an into his arms, Xiao Zhu suddenly walked in.

Fu Yu’an: “…”

Qi Ren: “…”

Startled by the strange tension between the two, Xiao Zhu clutched the pile of clothes in her hands and forced a smile. “The laundry’s dry. I came to put it away in the wardrobe. You two… carry on, carry on…”

“What kind of misfortune have I encountered today? Why is everything going so wrong!”

Fu Yu’an seized the moment while she was distracted and slipped out the door, with Qi Ren quickly chasing after him—

“She is not just your mother—she is also my daughter!”

In the bamboo grove, Elder Shu’s mournful sobs echoed.

“Good child, would you be willing to leave with me? ‘Yu’an, Yu’an’—your mother often spoke of this name long ago, hoping it would bring you peace. Yet now, it seems it has failed to grant you tranquility.”

Fu Yu’an stood frozen in shock, unable to process the revelation.

Now, all the strange occurrences from the past finally made sense.