The Foolish General's Mute Spouse - Chapter 75

75: The Murderer

“She said it wasn’t certain—she’s always been suspicious. She said if the woman’s unborn child turned out to be a princess, it might not matter, but if it were a prince, given how much the Emperor doted on her, it could threaten her own position.”

At this point, Fu Yu’an had a rough idea of who the woman the Emperor had brought back from outside the palace was.

“So she sent someone to drug the woman, causing her to go into premature labor. The mother was destined to die, but if the child was lucky enough to survive, she planned to take it in and raise it herself.”

“But at the time, the Emperor was furious and refused her request, adamant that the child had caused the death of his beloved concubine.”

Fu Yu’an listened in silence, his emotions a tangled mess.

There was anger, sorrow, and disbelief all mixed together, leaving him unable to even cry.

“You… why are you telling me this?” He forced himself to stay calm. “I don’t know if what you’re saying is true or not.”

The eldest sister-in-law sighed and patted his shoulder. “I can tell you genuinely care for Qi Ren now, but secrets don’t stay buried forever. Now that you know, if you truly want to leave, to get away, I can help you.”

“No need.” He took a step back, eyeing her warily. “Whether what you’ve said is true or not, that was Concubine Jue’s wrongdoing—it has nothing to do with Qi Ren. This matter still needs verification. Sister-in-law, I’ve always respected you. I hope you’re not fabricating stories to drive a wedge between us.”

“I’m doing this for your own good! This is the truth, Yu’an. Even if I didn’t tell you, look at how guilty Concubine Jue acts—do you really think she won’t confess on her own?”

“I don’t understand what you’re trying to say, sister-in-law. For now, I can still call you that. My mind is a mess. Let me think it over myself. I’ll take my leave now.”

His heart was in turmoil. Part of him thought she was lying, but another part couldn’t fathom why she would deceive him.

He had witnessed Concubine Jue’s care for him over the years. She had always been favored by the Emperor—if she had truly wanted to adopt him, it would’ve taken just a word from her.

But she hadn’t.

So how much of what his sister-in-law said was true, and how much was false?

Fu Yu’an’s mind buzzed incessantly. On one hand, he felt she had no reason to lie to him; on the other, he couldn’t believe Concubine Jue was that kind of person.

He didn’t even bother with formalities before leaving, staggering out the door in a daze, where he saw Qi Ren and the eldest Qi brother basking in the sun outside.

The two brothers were silent, the atmosphere awkward.

When Fu Yu’an emerged from the house, the wooden door creaked.

Qi Ren immediately went to him, startled by his pale complexion.

What had his sister-in-law said to him this time?

“Let’s go back.” Fu Yu’an murmured, visibly distracted. He didn’t take Qi Ren’s outstretched hand, lowering his head as he headed for the gate.

Qi Ren glanced back at the house in confusion before hurrying after him.

“What’s wrong? What did sister-in-law say to you?” He grabbed his hand, but Fu Yu’an tried to pull away, failing to break free.

“Never mind.” He forced a smile and decided to keep the matter to himself for now.

Whether it was true or not, it had nothing to do with Qi Ren. Until things were completely clear, he couldn’t let him know.

“You really shouldn’t come here again.” the other insisted stubbornly, pulling his arm. “Every time you leave, you end up upset. And when I ask what’s wrong, you never tell me.”

Fu Yu’an let out a soft laugh, his eyes curving into a pleasant arc.

“Really, it’s nothing. I just felt a bit emotional seeing your sister-in-law all alone—it reminded me of something.”

Having spent so many years in the cold palace, he had become most skilled at masking his emotions and spinning lies on the spot.

Qi Ren suddenly understood, thinking he must have been recalling those difficult years in the palace.

Words like “I’ll stay with you forever” had already been said too many times. Qi Ren wasn’t one for sentimentality, so he simply patted his hand and sighed softly.

The first three days of the new year passed in comfort. Though Fu Yu’an’s heart was in turmoil, on the surface, he remained calm and composed, showing no signs of abnormality.

On the seventh day, there was a lantern festival in the streets. After days of lounging at home eating and drinking, Xia Xiu finally couldn’t take it anymore and invited Fu Yu’an out.

Fu Yu’an, troubled as he was, agreed to the outing.

The lantern festival was an annual affair, though neither of them had ever paid it much attention before.

Holding a bag of candies, Fu Yu’an sat on the second floor, watching the opera performance across the river.

“What’s wrong? You seem out of sorts.” Xia Xiu mumbled around a piece of pear candy.

Fu Yu’an unwrapped the oil-paper package in his hands and said without looking up, “It’s nothing. A few days ago, when I went to pay New Year’s respects to Qi Ren’s sister-in-law, she said some things that bothered me.”

“Huh?” Xia Xiu immediately shifted his attention from the stage, concerned. “She didn’t scold you, did she? Ruining your mood during the New Year?”

“No, not that,” Fu Yu’an waved it off. “I just found her… strange. The way she acted and everything—it was all very odd. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I can’t figure out what she’s up to.”

“A woman’s heart is as deep as the ocean, after all. What did she say to you?”

“She said that the one who caused my mother’s death back then was Qi Ren’s elder sister, Concubine Jue.”

“?!”

Xia Xiu was also shocked.

“How could that be? I mean, how would she know? She must be lying! Why would she bring this up during the New Year? Does she not want you and Qi Ren to be happy together?”

Fu Yu’an shook his head. “I don’t know what she meant. It’s hard to tell how much of what she said is true or false unless I confront her and Concubine Jue directly. But Concubine Jue wouldn’t just leave the palace so easily!”

Xia Xiu scoffed. “Although the methods of concubines vying for favor in the palace can be ruthless, I always thought Concubine Jue treated you quite well! Didn’t you say she even hoped you and the general could live happily together? Could it be guilt?”

“I don’t know. It’s been so many years. My mother only left me that one agate bracelet. My wet nurse passed away long ago, and Xiao Zhu isn’t much older than me—there’s no way to investigate.”

“Maybe your sister-in-law is just trying to drive a wedge between you! Don’t trust her too much.” Xia Xiu unwrapped a piece of candy and handed it to him. “I’ll ask Fu Yanxiao to look into it for you. If what she said is true, what will you do?”

Fu Yu’an didn’t know.

What could he do? Right now, he and Qi Ren were deeply in love, inseparable as honey and syrup. He couldn’t just break it off because of this.

But staying together would surely leave a knot in his heart. Was it right to be with the younger brother of the woman who killed his own mother?

Xia Xiu felt deeply sympathetic and, after returning home, asked Fu Yanxiao to secretly investigate the matter for him.

Fu Yanxiao burned the letter in his hand over a candle, thought for a moment, and said, “Give it some time. There’s a lot going on lately—I probably won’t have the chance to look into it.”

“What could possibly be happening during the New Year?” Xia Xiu didn’t believe him. Wrapping his arms around his waist, he cooed, “It’s not even the fifteenth yet! You’ve been running out every day these past few days, coming home very late. What exactly are you busy with?”

Fu Yanxiao chuckled softly and patted his head reassuringly. “Big matters. If you’re bored at home, go to the general’s residence and play with His Highness. I’ll help you look into that matter—don’t worry.”