The Foolish General's Mute Spouse - Chapter 81

81: Changing Skies

A thunderclap exploded at the horizon as a fine spring rain began to patter down, filling the air with the scent of damp earth and something unspoken.

Pedestrians hurried along the streets, and vendors packed up their stalls to take shelter from the rain.

Not far away, a squad of armored soldiers marched briskly down the road.

The crowd quickly made way, unsure what trouble had arisen this time.

“Are those the Imperial Guards? Where are they rushing off to?”

“Who knows? Earlier this morning, I saw a group of burly men entering the city—they didn’t look like ordinary folk!”

“This… could it be someone’s plotting…”

“Shh! Don’t say such things! Don’t!”

The soldiers moved swiftly past Chang’an Street, turned a corner, and merged with another squad.

Raindrops splashed against their armor, sending up tiny sprays of water.

“General!” A bearded man at the front saluted a figure standing in the shadows, holding an umbrella. His tone was deferential.

The man walked a slow circle, inspecting the troops, then nodded in satisfaction.

“Good. You are the sharpest blades of Great Yan, the sturdiest shields guarding the imperial city. Today’s mission allows no failure!”

“Yes, sir!”

The soldiers roared in unison, their fervor palpable.

The man nodded again, then leaned in to give the commander a few more instructions. The oil-paper umbrella carved out a dry space in the narrow, dingy alley.

“Proceed as planned. Tomorrow, remember… good…”

The rain grew heavier. As the general led the soldiers away, the man lifted his gaze to the overcast sky. His eyes held no trace of life—cold and detached, like a beautiful but emotionless statue.

…

Jingren Palace.

Servants hurried in and out, their expressions grave.

The moment Fu Yangyao stepped inside, he was hit by the pungent smell of medicine.

He frowned slightly but quickly smoothed his features back into a mask of dignified sorrow.

“How is His Majesty?”

He found Concubine Jue and knelt beside her, speaking in a hushed tone.

Concubine Jue shook her head, her gaze fixed on the bed.

The Empress knelt beside the Emperor, weeping bitterly. Every few sobs, she coughed—her own health far from robust.

The Emperor lay emaciated on the bed, clearly at death’s door.

“Any word from your uncle?” Concubine Jue whispered.

Fu Yangyao nodded, signaling that everything was prepared.

“My… sons… where?” The Emperor’s voice was hoarse as he forced the words through cracked lips.

The Empress quickly leaned in, clutching his hand.

“They’re all kneeling below, Your Majesty. Which one do you wish to see?”

Even the recently deposed crown prince hurriedly rushed back from outside, disregarding his house arrest, and made a scene in front of the hall. Now he’s kneeling at the very end of the procession.

“Send them all away. I want to speak to Yaor alone.”

“…”

The empress, hearing this, looked somewhat surprised, then nodded despondently and dismissed everyone.

Indeed, His Majesty had already given up completely on Jiacì.

Concubine Jue cast a deep glance at the emperor on the dragon bed, then dabbed her tears with a handkerchief.

…

Ningchi Palace

On the way out of the main hall, she had exchanged a few more words with the empress. The latter could barely maintain her facade now, her face tense as she coughed incessantly, her words sharp and unpleasant.

“She’s so arrogant! Why must Your Highness tolerate her to this extent?!” The maid was furious, grumbling indignantly the entire way.

Concubine Jue covered her lips with a light laugh, unbothered by the empress’s attitude.

Looking up, she couldn’t see the sky—the rain was blocked by the canopy of the palanquin.

As they turned the corner toward the gates of Ningchi Palace, a man holding an umbrella approached from the east. The umbrella was tilted low, obscuring his face.

Qi Ren tightened his grip on the handle, lifting it slightly to meet her gaze.

Concubine Jue rubbed her temples and gestured toward the palace gates. “Let’s talk inside.”

…

“Si Qi! Stop playing in the water outside! Come help the young master grind ink!”

Xiao Zhu stood at the doorway, hands on her hips, shouting at the little boy splashing around in the pond.

Si Qi startled, scrambling clumsily out of the water and onto the shore. He grinned ingratiatingly at her. “Sister Xiao Zhu, don’t be so fierce! You’re not alone now—what if you get agitated and harm the baby?!”

Xiao Zhu laughed and rapped him on the head. Si Qi yelped, clutching his head as he dodged.

“Oh, so now that your stutter’s gone, you’ve got a sharp tongue, huh? Daring to tease me? No chicken drumstick for you tonight!”

“Aiya, my dear sister! Please don’t—I was wrong, alright? I’ll go right now!”

Terrified at the thought of losing his drumstick, he immediately begged for mercy, picking up his shoes and dashing toward the study.

Xiao Zhu shook her head in amusement, calling after him while supporting her lower back. “Change your clothes first! It’s only May—are you trying to catch a chill?!”

Si Qi waved his shoes at her, grinning so wide his eyes nearly disappeared.

He changed into dry clothes in his room before finally daring to seek out Fu Yu’an in the study.

He was sitting in the room, staring blankly at the empty letter paper, lost in thought.

“Young Master.”

Si Qi bowed and walked to the desk to help him grind ink.

An opened letter lay beside the desk. Si Qi peeked at it and faintly made out the character “Xia.”

“Young Master is actually writing a letter? Since coming here, I’ve never seen you write to anyone!”

His complexion was much better than when he had first been taken in. Though he was short and small, it turned out he was already thirteen years old.

It was just that he had suffered from long-term malnutrition, leaving him rather thin and stunted.

Fortunately, he was still at an age where he could grow. With proper nourishment, he could still recover.

Fu Yu’an sighed softly, lowering his gaze as he murmured, “Something has happened in the capital.”

“Ah? What happened?”

“His Majesty has passed away. The former Crown Prince attempted a coup but failed. He was… driven to the edge of a cliff by the Fourth Prince and his men, and fell to his death.”

At the time, Qi Ren had been so busy—likely because of Fu Jia Ci’s affairs.

He stared blankly at the letter paper, unsure how to respond.

Fu Yang Yao had gotten his wish and ascended the throne. The Empress had hanged herself, while Concubine Jue became the Empress Dowager.

They had all obtained what they desired.

“Such a major event, yet there hasn’t been any news of it recently!”

Fu Yu’an patted his head and smiled. “This letter was delivered by express courier. Sizhou is so far from the imperial capital—it’ll probably take half a month for the news to spread here.”

“That long…”

“Mhm.”

It had been several months since arriving here. Xiao Zhu was still pregnant, and though he had urged her to return, she refused, remaining utterly loyal to him.

Now, her belly was growing day by day. He couldn’t let the child be born without a father!

The thought weighed heavily on him, and he didn’t know how to reply to Xia Xiu.

And then there was Qi Ren… He was probably furious. Rumor had it he had become increasingly stern and unapproachable. Anyone who dared mention Fu Yu’an’s name in front of him usually faced dire consequences.

He stood up, gritted his teeth, and finally began writing.

This was the first time in nearly half a year he had contacted the capital. Once Xia Xiu received this letter, he would surely show it to Prince Qing, and eventually, it might even reach Qi Ren’s hands.

Ah, then he had to choose his words carefully.

He didn’t even know what he was hoping for.