The Foolish General's Mute Spouse - Chapter 63

63: Couples Quarrel but Soon Make Up

Li Ke was startled and quickly knelt down, saying he didn’t dare, his attitude so sincere that Qi Ren wondered if his joke had gone too far.

Qi Ren told him to rise and handed him the bundle: “Take this to the room first. I’m going to Prince Qing’s residence to find Yu’an.”

Li Ke didn’t know about their quarrel and assumed Fu Yu’an had gone to watch an opera with Xia Xiu again. So he obediently accepted the order and even reminded his master not to force the other to come home.

Qi Ren gave him a complicated look but ultimately didn’t mention their argument, waving his hand impatiently to dismiss him.

He deliberately changed into a fresh set of clothes, pocketed the two rings, and spent the entire journey trying to figure out where he had gone wrong.

By the time he arrived at the gate, he still hadn’t figured it out, so he simply gave up.

Prince Qing was in the palace, so Qi Ren was led by a servant to Xia Xiu’s courtyard, where he saw the two of them digging a pit to roast sweet potatoes.

Fu Yu’an had two streaks of ash on his face but looked to be in high spirits, which made Qi Ren feel a pang of disappointment.

He never smiles this happily when he’s with me. How come he’s always so carefree and cheerful around this kid?

If Xia Xiu weren’t Prince Qing’s man, Qi Ren would have already knocked him to the ground.

Tall and imposing, Qi Ren stood there like a conspicuous pillar, hard to miss even in the dark.

Fu Yu’an stood up, his smile vanishing instantly, his tone icy: “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at home admiring the longevity lock?”

Qi Ren’s fingers, tucked in his sleeves, brushed against the small wooden box, and he finally realized the reason for Fu Yu’an’s anger.

This was just…

Too bizarre.

How could he be angry over this?

He couldn’t understand it, but couples had to adjust to each other somehow. Qi Ren thought, It’s my fault for not understanding him well enough.

Smiling, he stepped forward, took out the ring box, and handed the smaller one to Fu Yu’an. He grabbed his hand and slid the ring onto his ring finger without waiting for permission.

Beside them, Xia Xiu let out a soft gasp. Fu Yu’an’s face instantly flushed red, and he kicked Qi Ren lightly, complaining, “There are people here! What are you doing?!”

But Qi Ren ignored him, lifting his hand to press a reverent kiss to the back of it. “It’s my fault. I should have put the ring on you first. I’m sorry.”

Xia Xiu beside them was practically itching to take notes, inwardly marveling at how smooth Qi Ren was while also thinking how thoroughly Fu Yu’an was wrapped around his finger.

Qi Ren took out the other ring and placed it in Fu Yu’an’s hand: “Here, will you put mine on for me too?”

Fu Yu’an’s face burned even redder, utterly unable to handle such public displays of affection in front of others.

He shot a quick glance at Xia Xiu, who immediately took the hint, looked up at the sky, and muttered something about “having things to tidy up inside” before fleeing the scene.

Qi Ren chuckled softly, pulling Fu Yu’an into his arms. The warmth of his body seeped through their winter clothes as he pointed at the ring and silently urged him again, extending his hand.

Fu Yu’an sighed as if resigned and obediently slid the ring onto Qi Ren’s finger.

Qi Ren’s hands were large, with prominent knuckles and calluses from years of martial arts training—rough yet broad, always making Fu Yu’an feel enveloped whenever they held hands.

Satisfied, Qi Ren examined it, then took Fu Yu’an’s hand and placed their hands side by side to admire them together.

He looked at it with satisfaction, then took Fu Yu’an’s hand and placed their hands together, examining them closely.

“Don’t… don’t look! We’re in someone else’s house!” Fu Yu’an was so embarrassed he resembled an ostrich trying to bury its head in the sand. He wished he could hide his face in the freshly dug dirt pit.

“Mmm, I’ll look again when we get home.” he replied contentedly, withdrawing his hand and tucking both of theirs into his sleeves. “Come home with me?”

Fu Yu’an shook his head. “No, I already promised Xia Xiu we’d roast sweet potatoes together. I can’t keep going back on my word!”

Qi Ren sighed helplessly and glanced toward the house, where he happened to catch Xia Xiu peeking furtively through the window.

The other man immediately ducked his head back inside and, as if to cover his tracks, shut the window with a snap.

Qi Ren could only laugh wryly. He had a feeling that if Fu Yu’an kept hanging around with this guy, he’d eventually become just as silly and scatterbrained as Xia Xiu.

“Fine, I’ll stay and help you. Can I have one of the sweet potatoes?” he asked gently.

Fu Yu’an nodded. “You can have as many as you want—I bought them all.”

Qi Ren smiled and patted his hand.

With the Prince of Qing away from the estate, Xia Xiu had no interest in eating properly and insisted on dragging Fu Yu’an into his mischief.

Neither of them had ever lifted a finger to cook before, so their knowledge of roasting sweet potatoes began and ended with digging a pit. They had no idea what to do after that.

Qi Ren took charge of the whole operation. He had only come to fetch his family for a meal, but unexpectedly ended up doing all the hard labor, getting himself covered in dirt and ash.

Afterward, he carried a few large roasted sweet potatoes back with him, claiming it was to let the folks at home try something fresh. The two had no choice but to comply—Fu Yu’an, in particular, didn’t want to walk down the street holding the things, so he handed them all over to Qi Ren.

At the gate, they happened to run into the Prince of Qing, who had just returned. Delighted, Qi Ren promptly dumped the entire bundle into the prince’s arms.

Catching a whiff of the aroma, the prince assumed it was a gift they had brought and politely said, “You didn’t have to bring anything! Come in, come in! Have you eaten yet?”

Qi Ren tugged Fu Yu’an back a step and waved as they retreated. “These were personally roasted by your young master—we won’t intrude any further. Farewell!”

“Personally roasted?” The prince’s heart leaped with joy, but before he could thank them, the two had already turned a corner and vanished.

Carrying the sweet potatoes, he headed inside. When Xia Xiu saw them, he was shocked at first, thinking they were snacks the prince had bought outside. But as soon as he unwrapped the oiled paper, his face fell.

“These are the ones I gave Yu’an! Why did you take them back?”

Prince Qing was taken aback. “Qi Ren gave it to me, saying you roasted it yourself.”

Xia Xiu shot him a disdainful look. “I dug the pit myself. Fine, whatever—eat it if you want!”

Prince Qing, utterly confused, hugged the sweet potato and followed him, completely clueless as to why he suddenly seemed angry.

…

Concubine Jue hadn’t stayed at the estate for more than a few days. With the New Year approaching, both Chang’an and the palace were under strict security.

If she lingered outside for too long, it was inevitable that the other Concubines would gossip behind her back.

…

At the tavern.

Qi Ren was the only one at the table drinking, and he even dragged Fu Yu’an into it. Concubine Jue glared at him, warning that alcohol could lead to trouble, but he paid no heed.

“What trouble could there be at home? Sis, have some too? It’s fruit wine—not spicy.”

The second wife watched the siblings banter with a warm heart, feeling deeply content.

This was how a family with both sons and daughters should be! If only her daughter had married an ordinary man, life would have been even better.

But alas…

The palace was such a ruthless place. It was a miracle she had managed to raise Yao’er with such care all these years.

“Why didn’t Fu Yangyao come with you this time?” Qi Ren asked as he refilled her cup.

Concubine Jue glanced at the wine and gave him a reproachful look. “He’s swamped. Ever since the Crown Prince was confined, a lot of his duties were dumped onto Yao’er. I don’t even know if he’ll get to enjoy the New Year in peace.”

The second wife chimed in, “It’s been so long since I last saw the Fourth Prince. I wonder if he’s grown taller.”

“Mother, Yao’er is already in his twenties—how could he still grow taller? You’re getting forgetful!”