The Foolish General's Mute Spouse - Chapter 83

83: Drunken Antics

“To—the moonlight!” He tilted back, raising the wine jar toward the full moon on the horizon in a bold toast.

Tang Xiao couldn’t bear to watch.

Something on his finger glinted under the moonlight, fleeting as a spark.

Tang Xiao narrowed his eyes for a closer look—good heavens, how had that ring ended up back on his hand?!

Just yesterday during court, it seemed like he hadn’t been wearing it.

After a long moment of deliberation, Tang Xiao still couldn’t shake his concern. He pointed at Qi Ren’s hand and asked, “That ring… I thought you’d thrown it away.”

He had indeed tossed it once before, only to retrieve it a few days later.

The image of Qi Ren’s utterly despondent state at the time was still seared into Tang Xiao’s memory—a true human tragedy.

Hearing this, Qi Ren let out a cold laugh, raised his hand, and kissed the ring. With icy detachment, he declared, “I wear it to remind myself—emotions will only slow down this general’s sword!”

Just then, a servant hurried over with a report: “Your Highness! A letter from Sizhou has arrived! Should I deliver it to the young master or bring it to you first?”

Tang Xiao’s heart sank. Sure enough, before he could issue instructions, Qi Ren had already leapt down from the roof and snatched the letter from the servant’s hands.

“General, this letter is for—”

“I know. Shut up!”

“…”

The servant trembled in fear, casting a pleading glance at Tang Xiao. Seeing the situation was beyond salvage, Tang Xiao sighed and waved him off.

The servant fled as if his life depended on it.

“Didn’t you say emotions would only slow down your sword? What are you doing now?”

Tang Xiao chased after him, reaching out to grab the letter.

Qi Ren dodged effortlessly, shaking the envelope before tearing it open and pulling out the contents.

Tang Xiao slapped his forehead, muttering, “We’re doomed.”

Qi Ren, with his martial artist’s keen eyesight, scanned the letter intently under the moonlight.

The handwriting was familiar, but the ink was smudged in places—clearly, the writer had struggled over how to respond.

Fueled by alcohol, he read it all in one go.

Not a single word in the entire letter mentioned him.

Infuriating!

So he really didn’t matter anymore.

Fuming, Qi Ren flung the letter at Tang Xiao and stormed back onto the roof to drown his sorrows in wine.

From Qi Ren’s reaction, Tang Xiao could already guess the gist of the situation.

Hope had soared, only to be dashed—how pitiful!

He skimmed the letter quickly, tucked it into his robes, and his expression grew more serious.

Qi Ren continued chugging wine, the ring on his finger glinting faintly under the moonlight.

Tang Xiao chuckled softly and climbed up to stand beside him.

“What’s the meaning of this? Xiao Zhu is pregnant. Once Li Ke brings her back, you might finally get some concrete news about him during this time.”

“I know what he’s doing?” Qi Ren stared at the wine jar. “Back then, he left so decisively—who’d want to cater to him like he’s some kind of ancestor every day? Moody and unpredictable, I can’t even avoid him fast enough!”

“Maybe he had some unspeakable difficulties. What if it was all a misunderstanding? It’s better not to assume the worst.”

“A misunderstanding?” Qi Ren sneered, shaking the wine jar. “Even if it is, I won’t reconcile with him. It’s not that he’s bad, it’s just that I feel better alone now. I don’t want to go back to carefully guessing his thoughts like before—he’s just too sensitive, bottling everything up… Ugh!”

Fu Yu’an had a difficult childhood, so it was understandable that he was a bit sensitive. But what Qi Ren couldn’t accept was: since they had already understood each other’s feelings, why couldn’t Fu Yu’an trust him a little more?

They say a day as husband and wife brings a hundred days of affection. So many days had passed, yet they were still like strangers.

He really couldn’t understand him.

It was exhausting.

Seeing him finally pour out his feelings after so long, Tang Xiao felt a weight lift from his heart.

Before, Qi Ren had said nothing, refused to let anyone look for Fu Yu’an, and was terrifyingly silent—Tang Xiao had worried he’d make himself sick.

Now, finally, the alcohol loosened his tongue.

The only question was whether he’d remember any of this when he sobered up.

With a sigh, Tang Xiao was about to persuade him to go rest when Qi Ren suddenly raised his head and reached out to him.

“What?”

“Give me the letter! Where’s that letter?”

Tang Xiao was horrified, stumbling back and nearly slipping off the roof. Clutching the letter to his chest, he exclaimed, “This is for my Xiu’er! If you want one, go write your own!”

What kind of nonsense was it to try and steal someone else’s?

Qi Ren was being unreasonable, his face cold as he demanded the letter, refusing to listen to reason.

“Give it to me, quick! I’ll copy it and return it to you!”

“…” Tang Xiao was speechless.

How could he turn into such a lovesick fool when drunk? What kind of logic was “copying it”? Even romance novels would find this level of cheesiness unbearable!

Harassed beyond endurance, Tang Xiao reluctantly handed over the letter.

Qi Ren let out a relieved sigh and read it again under the moonlight—this time not skimming but scrutinizing every word.

After a long while, he finally looked up, his expression somewhat aggrieved. “Look! He asked after Xia Xiu, Li Ke, even Fu Yangyao—but not me!”

“Well, since he left so decisively back then, isn’t it normal he wouldn’t mention you in writing? Maybe he’s thinking of you in his heart!”

“Really?”

“…Of course it’s true!” Tang Xiao lied through his teeth.

He stood up and, seizing the moment Qi Ren was distracted, snatched the letter back. Comforting him, he said, “His Highness has always been reserved and introverted. You know how he is.”

Qi Ren pondered this and found it reasonable. Suddenly, he stood up, kicking the wine jar aside. It rolled away and shattered on the ground with a crash.

He leaped down from the roof and declared, “Then I’ll go find him and get a clear answer!”

“?!?”

Tang Xiao was startled. Seeing his demeanor, it didn’t seem like he was joking.

He deeply regretted agreeing to drink with him.

The entire prince’s residence had been thrown into chaos, and Tang Xiao spent half the night trying to calm him down, leaving him drowsy and exhausted for the court assembly the next day.

Qi Ren stood in the ranks of the military officials, lips pressed tightly together, dark circles under his eyes.

Fu Yangyao had successfully ascended the throne, and this uncle of the state had played an indispensable role. Seeing him in such a disheveled state, the emperor couldn’t help but express concern: “General Qi, why do you look so haggard? Are you ill from worry?”

Qi Ren reacted swiftly, stepping forward and cupping his hands in salute. “Your Majesty, it’s nothing serious. I’ve just been lacking rest lately, so I’m a bit fatigued. But it won’t interfere with tomorrow’s arrangements!”

“General Qi, you’re too formal. Your health comes first! You are a pillar of our Great Yan. You must take good care of yourself.”

Qi Ren forced a smile, bowed in acknowledgment, and said nothing more.

After the court session, he left alone, leaving officials who wanted to curry favor with him no chance to strike up a conversation.

Tang Xiao quickened his pace to catch up.

“So, sober now?”

“…”

“Judging by your face, did you not sleep at all after returning?”

Though this prince barely got a wink of sleep thanks to your antics, at least I managed to rest a little in the latter half of the night.

Qi Ren finally spared him a glance—resentful and cold.

“I blacked out. I don’t remember anything you’re talking about.”

“Who’d believe that!” Tang Xiao brushed off his court robes as he descended the steps, scoffing. “You’ve always had a high alcohol tolerance. Last night, you feigned madness and made a scene, and now you’re playing dumb? Pay me back for those koi fish in my rear garden!”