The Foolish General's Mute Spouse - Chapter 84

84: You Go Protect… Your Wife

Qi Ren raised his fist, threatening to punch him: “No money for you—how about a slap instead?”

With that, he strode down the steps without another glance.

Tang Xiao, unwilling to give up, chased after him, still intent on probing his thoughts for Xia Xiu’s sake.

“Hey, hey! Didn’t you say last night you wanted to copy that letter? I brought it for you! Xiu’er read it and reluctantly decided to give it to you. Take good care of it!”

He pulled a crumpled envelope from his pocket—the very same one the man before him had desperately tried to snatch away the night before.

Qi Ren sidestepped him, brows furrowed in irritation. “What are you doing? Don’t go looking for trouble!”

Tang Xiao forcefully shoved the letter into his hands, grinning. “Such a stubborn man! Tomorrow, you’re leaving for the southern border, while he’s all the way up north—a hundred thousand miles away from you!”

“Who cares how far he goes? What does it have to do with me?”

If he ran so far away, it was clearly because he didn’t want to see him. Once he left the capital, they’d probably never cross paths again.

Qi Ren clenched the letter in his hand, nearly crushing the paper to dust.

Gritting his teeth, he stormed back to his estate and locked himself in the storeroom, lost in thought.

Fu Yu’an had left in a hurry, taking only a few clothes and some silver notes. All the dowry items—including those several chests of books—remained untouched in the storeroom.

He found a clean spot to sit, pulled out the letter, and smoothed it open.

The handwriting was familiar, the tone was familiar, but those warm, caring words weren’t meant for him.

He read it again carefully, confirming that not a single line mentioned him. His heart twisted with disappointment once more.

What did I do wrong to make him leave so decisively?

Qi Ren couldn’t understand. The letter crumpled and smoothed in his grip as the same fury and confusion from months ago surged through him, threatening to drown him.

Fine! Who needs him anyway!

With a derisive snort, he stood and marched out of the storeroom, summoning Li Ke.

Li Ke still had no idea what had happened. Xiao Zhu, fearing his impulsiveness, had kept her pregnancy a secret from him.

And just as she’d predicted, the moment Li Ke heard the news, he was ready to fly to his wife’s side immediately.

He understood her loyalty to her master, but for the past six months, he’d been hoping their masters would reconcile.

That way, he and his wife wouldn’t have to live apart.

“First, go to Sizhou City to meet up with… your wife. His intention was for you to take Xiao Zhu away.”

“General…”

Of course, he longed to see his wife, but…

“Mm… What I mean is, a pregnant woman’s body is relatively weak, and her master probably doesn’t have much ability to protect herself, let alone protect Xiao Zhu… You can go… protect… your wife.”

The words came out haltingly, but his face remained stern, making it impossible to detect any awkwardness in his phrasing.

Instead, it seemed as though he were carefully delivering each word with deliberate gravity.

Riren had to admit—his heart still couldn’t let go of him.

This arrangement would allow him to leave as well. If it was all a misunderstanding, he would find a way to make amends. But if the other party truly had grown weary of him… then cutting ties for good might be necessary.

Li Ke couldn’t have asked for more. Understanding his thoughts, he knelt down gratefully to express his thanks, then immediately packed his things and left.

They would set off tomorrow, inevitably putting even more distance between them.

…

Sizhou was located in the far north, so even by June, the weather wasn’t as unbearably hot as the capital in previous years.

This was excellent for Xiao Zhu’s pregnancy.

Siqi stood outside the study, holding the neatly written calligraphy sheets, waiting for the young master to finish his conversation with the black-clad man who had suddenly barged in last night.

It had been terrifying! That man had just scaled the wall, grabbed him, and demanded to know where Xiao Zhu was. With such an aggressive demeanor, wasn’t he just some enemy coming for revenge?!

So, he led the man to the side room and had the guards surround him with weapons at the ready.

Poor Fu Yu’an, who had just fallen asleep, was roused again. When he saw Li Ke, his shock outweighed his irritation, and he barely slept a wink the rest of the night.

After what felt like an eternity—so long that Siqi thought it was almost time for lunch—the study door finally opened.

He saw the stranger’s face, bright with excitement—rugged and tanned, grinning so widely his mouth might split.

Siqi: “…”

“This kid’s adorable! What’s his name?”

Li Ke crouched down and raised an eyebrow at him.

Siqi didn’t dare answer. He shook his head, lips pressed tightly together, and quickly slipped into the study to find the young master.

Fu Yu’an’s expression was equally complicated, staring blankly out the window, lost in thought.

Siqi closed the door and called out cautiously.

“Young Master?”

“…”

“Young Master! Are you alright?”

“Hm? Oh, I’m fine.”

Fu Yu’an forced a smile and walked over to him.

Si Qi handed him the calligraphy he had practiced to be checked, his mind still preoccupied with the unfamiliar man. Yet, he wondered if he shouldn’t ask so many questions.

After all, it was the young master’s private matter… But hadn’t he heard something before about Sister Xiaozhu’s husband or the like?

“That’s Xiaozhu’s husband. He’ll be staying in the residence. You can call him Brother Li.”

“Oh! Sister Xiaozhu’s husband!”

So Sister Xiaozhu’s husband was so tall and imposing—clearly a skilled martial artist!

Now there was no need to worry about her being bullied!

Fu Yu’an took the calligraphy to the desk to review it, pulling out a chair for him to sit.

Si Qi swung his legs as he waited for his homework to be checked, his mind still swirling with questions.

After a moment’s hesitation, his curiosity got the better of him, and he asked softly, “Young Master… is Brother Li from the capital?”

Fu Yu’an’s brush paused briefly before he replied with a quiet “Mm.”

“Then… was the young master also from the capital before?”

“…”

This time, Fu Yu’an didn’t answer. Instead, he lifted his gaze and stared straight at Si Qi, his eyes tinged with faint sorrow, the rims slightly red.

Si Qi inwardly panicked, regretting his words instantly.

“I’m sorry, Young Master… I shouldn’t have asked. I spoke out of turn…”

“It’s fine. I was just reminded of something sad.”

A fragment of the past.

Si Qi didn’t dare press further, lowering his head to stare at his own nails in silence.

How could someone as kind as the young master have sorrows? Who wouldn’t like him?

How strange.

After a long while, Fu Yu’an finally finished reviewing, taking much longer than usual.

He handed the paper back with a smile. “Not bad. You’ve improved compared to before. It’s not too late for you to have started learning, though you missed a few years in between. If you want to make a name for yourself in the imperial examinations in the capital, you’ll need to keep working hard.”

Si Qi let out an “Ah!” and took the practice sheets, noticing indeed that there were fewer red corrections than in previous days.

“Take the imperial exams in the capital? But wouldn’t that mean leaving you, Young Master?”

“I can’t take care of you forever, Si Qi. Besides, didn’t you say becoming the top scholar was your father’s wish for you?”

Si Qi mumbled under his breath, “It was his wish, not mine…”

“…”

“If your studies go well, perhaps I’ll accompany you to the capital for a while to help you prepare for the exams.”

Fu Yu’an walked around the desk and patted his head with a smile.

Si Qi made a noncommittal sound, his resolve wavering.

“But… I don’t want to be an official in the capital… Young Master, you yourself don’t even want to stay there—why would you send me?”

Fu Yu’an’s hand stilled, and the smile faded from his face.