The Foolish General's Mute Spouse - Chapter 54

54: Not Deeply Attached

Fu Yu’an stumbled out the door, dripping wet, and nearly tripped and fell on the threshold.

Xiao Zhu had been waiting outside and was startled by the sight.

“Prepare another room for him—let him sleep alone tonight!” Fu Yu’an whispered, shivering as a cold gust of wind hit him.

Xiao Zhu quickly acknowledged the order and hurried off to the side chamber.

Fu Yu’an wrung the water from his clothes and followed inside.

Everything could wait until he sobered up!

Poor Qi Ren, who had scrubbed himself clean in the bathtub, waited until the water turned icy but never saw Fu Yu’an return.

A maid knocked lightly on the door with a lantern and called out, “General, His Highness says he caught a chill and is afraid of passing it to you, so he’ll rest in the side chamber tonight. You should retire soon as well!”

Qi Ren gritted his teeth in frustration but could do nothing about it.

The alcohol had mostly worn off by the time he stepped into the tub. He thought things would proceed naturally, but once again, Fu Yu’an had slipped away!

That little liar!

…

The next day, Fu Yu’an woke up freezing.

He had forgotten to close the window again. Before bed, Xiao Zhu had mentioned leaving it open to air out the room since it had been unused for a long time and was damp.

But once opened, it was left that way all night.

Already drenched and exposed to the cold wind earlier, Fu Yu’an’s “pretend chill” had now turned into a real one.

The next morning, Qi Ren had intended to confront him, but Fu Yu’an looked utterly drained, his lips pale, so Qi Ren swallowed his anger.

He stepped forward to support Fu Yu’an by the arm and asked gently, “How did you catch a cold? It’s all my fault—I shouldn’t have dragged you into the pond!”

Fu Yu’an waved him off, coughing twice, his voice thick with congestion. “It’s nothing. Just have the physician prescribe some medicine, and I’ll be fine. No need to hold me—it’s just a minor chill!”

The way he looked, anyone would think he had contracted some grave illness!

Ignoring his protests, Qi Ren stubbornly guided him to the dining table, guilt weighing heavily on his heart.

Fu Yu’an sneezed, his face growing even paler.

Qi Ren leaned in, pressing their foreheads together.

“At least there’s no fever.” he murmured. “Xiao Zhu! Go fetch a physician!”

“Xiao Zhu already left to get one. I’ll eat, then rest. You go attend to your duties—no need to fuss over me.”

Fu Yu’an was both amused and exasperated by Qi Ren’s exaggerated concern. Though he brushed it off verbally, inwardly, he was delighted.

In all these years, Qi Ren was only the second person besides Xiao Zhu to care for him so deeply.

How unpredictable life could be!

“How can I not fuss?” Qi Ren refused to relent. “We’re family—how could I not care when you’re sick? Besides, this is my fault. I was the one fooling around and got you into this state!”

Fu Yu’an coughed again, his mood lifting despite his discomfort. “Do you remember your drunken antics last night?”

Qi Ren stiffened slightly, then nodded awkwardly.

Fu Yu’an patted his shoulder. “A man sheds no tears until his heart is truly broken. Seeing you cry shattered my heart.”

His words said one thing, but his expression clearly showed he was enjoying the spectacle—there wasn’t a trace of heartbreak in his eyes.

Qi Ren was so embarrassed he wished he could vanish into the ground.

“That bastard Fu Yanxiao didn’t even stop me—let me drink so much!”

“Alright, alright.” Fu Yu’an set down his chopsticks and looked at him seriously. “I shouldn’t have gone out with Xia Xiu and neglected your feelings. From now on, if you’re unhappy, I’ll try not to go out and stay home to keep you company, okay?”

Qi Ren was about to agree when it struck him—wouldn’t that make him seem overly clingy?

Begging for his lover’s company? Wasn’t that something only a neglected spouse would do?

A great general like him, iron-willed and unyielding—how could he act like some pining housewife?!

So he refused. “No need! You two are good brothers. When I was younger, I went out with friends all the time—what’s the big deal?”

What’s the big deal? It’s not like he could steal you away from me!

Fu Yu’an beamed, knowing full well he was just too proud to admit it.

“I’m really glad you think that way.” he said, feigning deep emotion. “You’re so understanding.”

Qi Ren, flattered by the praise, grew a little bashful and quickly brushed it off with modest denials. The two exchanged a few more compliments before finally letting the matter rest.

Before long, Xiao Zhu returned, leading the physician who often visited the residence—along with an unfamiliar face, a fair-skinned, clean-shaven man with delicate features.

Since when did the physician take on such a disciple?

Unexpectedly, the “disciple” stepped forward and bowed to Fu Yu’an. “Your Highness, I am Xiao Dezi from the Crown Prince’s palace.”

Fu Yu’an immediately understood and had someone escort him to the First Madam’s courtyard.

The autumn hunt was in three days, and the Crown Prince was being far more cautious this time, sending word only now.

llness strikes like a landslide, but recovery is as slow as untangling silk. Despite daily doses of medicine, his condition didn’t improve drastically—only a gradual lightening of his body’s heaviness. Who knew how much longer it would take?

…

The autumn hunt was held outside the city. Fu Yanxiao had gone, leaving Xia Xiu bored out of his mind, so he had no choice but to visit the general’s residence to see Fu Yu’an.

Unfortunately, Fu Yu’an was still ill. Though Xia Xiu claimed not to mind, it was still better to exercise some caution.

Qi Ren, unable to contribute much to their conversation, reluctantly excused himself and wandered off to the storeroom to study Fu Yu’an’s treasured box of books.

“He said he’d bring me back game, but he won’t return for two more days. Ugh, I miss him so much!” Xia Xiu propped his chin on his hand, his eyes full of melancholy.

Fu Yu’an couldn’t relate. Didn’t they just part this morning? How could he already be missing him?

“You two really are deeply attached.” he teased with a grin. “It’s only been half a day, tsk tsk!”

Xia Xiu didn’t hesitate, openly admitting, “We’re deeply in love—what’s wrong with missing him? Don’t tell me you wouldn’t miss Qi Ren if he were away?”

Fu Yu’an shook his head decisively. “No. He has his own affairs, and I have mine. What’s the point of constantly thinking about him? It’s not like I can just sit around all day, sighing over him like some lovesick fool.”

Xia Xiu sighed dramatically. “You’re so cold-hearted! Maybe your feelings just aren’t that deep yet. If you were like me and Fu Yanxiao, you’d probably miss him even more than I do!”

Fu Yu’an didn’t believe it. He couldn’t imagine losing himself in lovesick longing over a man.

Even though the stories he wrote often featured such devoted protagonists, he knew he could never be like that in real life.

Life was life, and emotions were emotions—they couldn’t be conflated.

Xia Xiu thought he was heartless.

“Alright!” Fu Yu’an stood up. “If you want to pine, go ahead. I still have paintings to work on—make yourself at home.”

“Okaaaay—” Xia Xiu drawled in response.

But he couldn’t stand being alone for long. After moping outside for only a short while, he scurried back to the study to find Fu Yu’an.

Peeking around the doorframe with a cheeky grin, he looked utterly shameless.

Fu Yu’an gave him a resigned glance. “Want some pastries or fruit? I can have the servants bring some.”

“No, no need!” Xia Xiu shook his head vigorously. “I’ll just watch. You keep working! Don’t mind me!”

Fu Yu’an nodded and ignored him after that.