The Foolish General's Mute Spouse - Chapter 77

77: It Really Is You

Fu Yu’an bowed to her and asked what the matter was.

Concubine Jue smoothed her hair by her temples and smiled. “Nothing much. It’s the Lantern Festival, so I came to see Mother. I also brought some pastries for you—they were freshly made by the imperial kitchen.”

Xia Xiu craned his neck to peek into the food box, while Fu Yu’an simply smiled and accepted the treats graciously.

Thinking carefully, it did seem that she had always been exceptionally kind to him, especially since he had arrived at the general’s residence. She would frequently send gifts over every now and then.

Fu Yu’an absentmindedly ran his fingers over the food box, lost in thought.

Xia Xiu hopped onto the carriage and, seeing that Fu Yu’an hadn’t moved, lifted the curtain to call out to him.

“What are you spacing out for? Hurry up and get on!”

Fu Yu’an snapped out of his daze, handed the food box to Xia Xiu, and boarded the carriage.

As the carriage slowly began moving, Fu Yu’an said, “Though I hate to admit it, she’s been so attentive to me. Could it really just be Sister-in-law exaggerating to scare me?”

Xia Xiu opened the food box, his eyes sparkling with delight. He didn’t pay much attention to Fu Yu’an’s words, his mind entirely on the pastries.

“Who knows? They say time reveals a person’s heart. After all, she’s a high-ranking Concubine in the palace—someone so cunning and resourceful would have no trouble winning people over! You can’t just focus on her kindness, you know!”

Fu Yu’an thought that made sense. With insufficient evidence and Fu Yanxiao still investigating, it was best to maintain a cordial relationship on the surface for now.

“These pastries are delicious—try some!” Xia Xiu mumbled with his mouth full, pushing the box toward him.

Fu Yu’an had no appetite and waved it off. “You eat them. I’m not hungry. Sometimes I really envy you—carefree and simple-minded, with Fu Yanxiao treating you so well.”

“Well, it’s not bad. Doesn’t the general treat you well too? You two are in love—once everything is settled, won’t your good days come? Honestly, An’an, you’re just too sensitive. Living like this must be exhausting!”

“…” Fu Yu’an fell silent, pressing his lips together. “Maybe. I just… can’t help overthinking things.”

Xia Xiu nodded, then added after a moment, “It’s probably because of your difficult childhood. Growing up in the cold palace, you had to constantly watch your step and be cautious. Once that kind of temperament takes root, it’s not easy to change.”

Fu Yu’an rubbed his fingers together but didn’t deny it.

Someone who grew up relying on no one, never knowing what love was—how could they easily devote themselves wholeheartedly to another?

Truth be told, he couldn’t bring himself to fully immerse in love. He often wondered what he would do if Qi Ren ever grew tired of him. He always had to leave himself a way out.

Rather than pinning his hopes on receiving love from others, it was better to secure his own sense of safety.

“Later, I want to buy a lantern for Fu Yanxiao. Even though he said it was childish last year, this year I’ll buy an even more childish one!” He patted the crumbs off his hands and asked with a smile, “How much silver did you bring? I want to buy a slightly more expensive one!”

“I brought about… Wait, I think I left my money pouch back at the mansion.”

“…”

The carriage stopped halfway and turned back toward the general’s residence.

When they reached the gate, Fu Yu’an hopped down and waved at him. “Wait here for a moment. Xiao Zhu and I will be right back. I’ll also bring those illustrated books I mentioned to you last time.”

It was already dark, and the two of them didn’t carry a lantern, hurrying toward Guhe Courtyard by the light of the moon.

“The pouch should be on the bedside table in the bedroom—I think it’s there. Xiao Zhu, go check. I’ll go find the books for him,” he said quickly, his steps never slowing, though his eyelids kept twitching.

He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was about to happen.

Before they even reached the courtyard, they suddenly heard a familiar voice from the path ahead.

“Why haven’t you left yet?!”

It was Concubine Jue’s voice.

The two exchanged a glance. Fu Yu’an couldn’t make out the face of the person she was speaking to, but the figure seemed familiar.

Why was she reprimanding a servant here?

He had no intention of eavesdropping, but her tone was too strange.

Leave? Who was supposed to leave?

Wait—Aunt Ni had mentioned a few days ago that she was leaving. Could it be…?

Sure enough, another voice answered—frail, trembling, and laced with the muffled thuds of kowtows.

“Your Highness, spare us! My daughter and I truly have nowhere to go during the New Year! I promise, we’ll leave right after the Lantern Festival—not a single word will leak!”

So Aunt Ni’s urgency was because Concubine Jue was forcing her out.

But the two of them had never interacted before. Why would Concubine Jue want her gone?

He motioned to Xiao Zhu, and the two hid behind a rockery, watching carefully.

“You’d better keep your word! Sparing your life back then was already mercy. This time, it’s only because I pitied your daughter and didn’t want her to lose her mother. How can you be so ungrateful?!”

“Your Highness, spare me! It was my fault for not following your orders back then. You showing mercy was already a kindness—I would never dare betray you!”

“Enough, enough. What’s the use of saying all this? Even without you, someone else would have killed her. Though, honestly, I thought I’d be able to take Yu’an under my care afterward. Who knew the Emperor would be so heartless…”

Her tone was wistful, but Fu Yu’an felt as if all the bl00d in his body had frozen.

It really was her…

She really was the one who killed his mother…

All her care for him over the years was just guilt, just compensation for her conscience…

He stood frozen in place, while Xiao Zhu also trembled in disbelief, so furious she nearly passed out.

No wonder, back when Mother passed away, she said Concubine Jue deserved to die—it turns out Her Highness’s mother’s death really was connected to her!

Fu Yu’an was utterly flustered, unsure how to face Qi Ren and Concubine Jue.

And then there was Second Madame, who had genuinely treated him well.

He touched the jade pendant at his chest, his emotions in turmoil.

The murderer he had hated for so many years was now right before him, yet he was powerless to do anything—he couldn’t even step forward to confront her.

The two of them stood behind the rockery for who knows how long, not even noticing when their conversation ended.

“Yu’an? What are you doing here?!”

A shocked exclamation rang in his ears, snapping him back to reality. He turned to see Concubine Jue’s panicked, disbelieving expression.

Just moments ago, he had been wondering how to face her, and now, caught off guard, he found himself unexpectedly composed.

Fu Yu’an’s expression was cold as he stepped out from behind the rockery and stood before her, asking:

“It really was you who killed my mother, wasn’t it?”

“I… Let me explain, Yu’an, I didn’t… She was the one trying to harm me, I had no choice… I… I’m sorry…”

“…So it really was you.”

His tone was eerily calm. Concubine Jue couldn’t explain, never imagining that the secret she had kept hidden for so long would be exposed like this.

Her silk shawl slipped to one side as she frantically reached for his hand, but Fu Yu’an stepped back, avoiding her touch, his gaze icy.

“So all the kindness you showed me, all the gifts you sent to me and Qi Ren—was it all out of guilt, to make up for what you did?”