The Foolish General's Mute Spouse - Chapter 65

65: Fainting from Anger

A dark figure appeared at the door. The wooden door was flung open from the inside, and Qi Ren, eyes bloodshot and trembling with rage, stormed out without a word.

Concubine Jue’s heart skipped a beat—had the conversation gone badly?

She tiptoed inside and saw Fu Yu’an leaning against the table, massaging his temples, looking utterly exhausted.

“What happened? Why are you two fighting again? You know he has a temper—you should be more patient with him!” Concubine Jue asked gently.

“It’s a long story. Don’t worry, I’ll talk to him again and smooth things over.” he replied wearily, clearly drained from the earlier argument.

Concubine Jue suddenly realized something. “You didn’t bring up the matter of taking a concubine again, did you?”

Fu Yu’an remained silent, which was as good as confirmation.

“Don’t be upset. His mother acted impulsively back then, but deep down, she still considers you her second son. Let’s put this aside for now, alright?” Concubine Jue said anxiously. “Besides, I can see how much you two care for each other. Why keep pushing him to take a concubine? Are you really okay with it? Be honest.”

Of course, he wasn’t okay with it. But if Qi Ren was going to take a concubine eventually, it was better for Fu Yu’an to suggest it himself—at least it would make him appear magnanimous.

Being stabbed by someone else and stabbing yourself might hurt differently, at least psychologically.

“Your Highness, I’m still a man. He can’t possibly stay with me for the rest of his life.” Fu Yu’an said bitterly. “Sooner or later, he’ll have to take a concubine to continue his family line. Since it’s inevitable, why not do it sooner? Now that we’re in the capital, you could even help pick someone suitable.”

“Don’t think like that. Ren’er has never been close to any women since he was young… Maybe he’s just naturally inclined toward men! If you keep forcing him toward women, won’t that only hurt him?”

Fu Yu’an didn’t know what Qi Ren had been like before.

Qi Ren came from a prestigious family—his father was a great general, and his elder brother was a renowned military prodigy. Even if his mother had been of humble status, she was deeply favored. Compared to Fu Yu’an, a prince who was both lowly and unloved, their circumstances were as different as heaven and earth.

By the time Fu Yu’an learned his name, Qi Ren was already a celebrated war hero beloved by the people.

He didn’t know whether to believe Concubine Jue’s words. He didn’t dare trust anyone—only himself.

“My mind is a mess.” he murmured, too tired to force even a polite smile. “Please go back for now. I’ll talk to him properly later.”

Concubine Jue hesitated, standing at the door for a long moment, but he didn’t react further. He truly had no energy left to engage.

With no other choice, she left. Fu Yu’an stood up to close the door before collapsing back into his chair.

He reflected on whether he should have brought up the topic now.

Logically, Qi Ren was still deeply infatuated with him. To douse that passion with cold water like this was…

Forget it. Maybe he should go look for him.

But where would he even go?

The capital was so vast—how could he possibly find him?

Fu Yu’an sighed deeply, bracing himself against the table as he stood up and staggered toward the door.

Xiao Zhu was waiting anxiously outside. Fu Yu’an’s eyelids drooped, his entire demeanor listless.

“I heard you two arguing earlier. Did the general make you angry again?” she asked cautiously.

Fu Yu’an shook his head. “It’s my fault. Did he say where he was going?”

Xiao Zhu shook her head.

“Then I’ll go look for him.” Fu Yu’an’s hand gripping the doorframe tightened slightly. His head was heavy and muddled, yet he couldn’t shake the worry that if he were to cause trouble outside, it would be hard to handle.

He pressed a hand to his forehead, blinking heavily as if his eyelids weighed a thousand pounds, making it difficult to keep them open.

The scenery before him gradually blurred. Finally, his strength gave out, and he collapsed to the floor.

Xiao Zhu’s anxious face seemed to flash before his eyes. Then, he closed them and lost consciousness.

…

Li Ke searched through most of Chang’an but couldn’t find Qi Ren anywhere.

He had been to Yu Liao’s place, Prince Qing’s residence, several taverns, and even the pleasure quarters—yet there was no trace of him. It was as if he had vanished. No one knew where he had gone.

Xiao Zhu was inside the room tending to the unconscious Fu Yu’an when Li Ke tiptoed in. She immediately noticed him and raised a finger to her lips in a hushing gesture.

The two stepped outside, and Li Ke shook his head. “I’ve looked everywhere, but I just can’t find him. Even passersby said they haven’t seen him.”

Xiao Zhu’s face was full of worry and frustration. “How could he just disappear?! Given the general’s current condition, there aren’t many places he could go. It’s almost dark—where else could he be?”

Li Ke patted her shoulder helplessly. “He must still be furious. The general has always had a temper. But he doesn’t hold grudges—once he cools down, he’ll come back on his own.”

Xiao Zhu twisted the cloth in her hands and sighed. “I guess that’s all we can do for now.”

“How is His Highness? Still unconscious?”

“The physician came and said it was due to a surge of agitated energy. He prescribed some medicine—we’ll brew it once His Highness wakes up.”

“The general must have said something awful to make His Highness faint from anger.”

“Not necessarily. It seems His Highness was the one who brought up taking a concubine first, and that’s what started the argument… I really don’t understand them.”

Li Ke didn’t understand them either. They always seemed so deeply in love, more affectionate than anyone else, yet when they fought, it was intense enough to make someone pass out.

Were they lovers or enemies?

“Ah, never mind! Their affairs are beyond us.” Li Ke tugged at his sleeve, ready to leave again. “I’ll go look for him one more time. If he’s out drinking alone and gets caught by the night patrol, it’ll be trouble!”

Xiao Zhu gasped and waved him off hurriedly.

A faint call came from inside the room. Xiao Zhu’s heart leapt, and she rushed back in.

Fu Yu’an lay on the bed, his eyes half-open as he gazed at her.

Xiao Zhu brought over a cup of warm water and carefully helped him sit up against the headboard.

“Your Highness, water.” she said, her heart aching as she gently helped him drink half the cup.

Fu Yu’an closed his eyes briefly, as if still struggling to regain his bearings.

“Has your headache eased? The physician came earlier and performed acupuncture.”

He let out a weak hum in response, raising a hand to rub his temples.

“Xiao Zhu.” he called softly, “I think… after you get married, I should still leave.”

“What?!” Xiao Zhu was stunned. “Why?! You and the general clearly care for each other—why would you leave? And if you go, what will happen to the general? What about me?”

“You’ll have Li Ke to take care of you. I’m at ease with that. As for Qi Ren… I want to be a little selfish.”

“…”

“I still prefer living alone. All these emotions, these entanglements… to me, they’re just burdensome and unnecessary.”

“…” Xiao Zhu couldn’t understand.

If he had said this in the past—back when they were in the cold palace—she would have believed him without question. But now?

“Don’t you love him?” she asked quietly, unable to hold back as a woman’s heart demanded.

Fu Yu’an shook his head. “It’s not a matter of love. Do you understand? Yes, I do like him—he’s upright, bright, and treats me well. But Xiao Zhu, my life isn’t just about him. I don’t want to spend my whole existence revolving around a man.”