The Foolish General's Mute Spouse - Chapter 87

87: An Old Acquaintance

Before long, the subordinate returned, wearing a pained expression as he reported, “General, that woman said she met you in the capital and insists on seeing you in person!”

“She met me in the capital?”

“Yes. She also specifically emphasized that she’s not here to arrange a marriage for you.”

Qi Ren was puzzled and asked what the young girl looked like.

The subordinate described her as a rather dark-skinned girl wearing a large silver headpiece, looking very clever.

Qi Ren immediately realized who it was.

Why were they here?

Confused as he was, since they were elders, he respectfully invited them in.

Elder Shu struck her cane heavily against the ground twice and angrily demanded, “Dead wife? My Yu’an is still alive—how could you say such a thing?! Where is he? Bring Yu’an out!”

Qi Ren’s expression darkened instantly. He snorted coldly and said, “How should I know? He left without a word. I’m the one who’s baffled!”

“Ran away? Where to? Did you bully my grandson?!”

Qi Ren was truly at his wit’s end. How could he have bullied Yu’an? There had been no warning at all before he left.

Li Ke probably hadn’t gotten any answers either—otherwise, after nearly four or five months, there wouldn’t have been so much as a letter in reply!

“Who’d bother bullying him?! Anyway, he left. He doesn’t want me anymore. If you’re worried, go look for him in Sizhou. You won’t find him by waiting here.”

In no mood for further conversation, he flicked his sleeve and left, unwilling to stay any longer.

If I knew the reason, why would I have let him leave?

It had been almost a year now. Any anger should have cooled by this point. He was truly stubborn, digging himself into a dead end and refusing to come out!

Fine. Let’s see who outlasts whom. I’ll keep you company to the end!

He returned to his study, suppressing his anger as he continued writing a letter to Li Ke.

With just two months left until the New Year, the new emperor had issued an edict summoning him back to the capital for the celebrations, but he refused.

He hadn’t been here long, and the journey back was long and arduous—it would only delay matters.

Better to wait until next year. The Mid-Autumn Festival would be ideal—neither too hot nor too cold—perfect for returning to see his elder sister-in-law’s child. The chubby little boy had looked quite ugly when he left; he wondered how the child looked now.

Come to think of it, Xiao Zhu was due to give birth soon. Li Ke was probably beside himself with worry.

Would it be a boy or a girl?

Better a girl. Boys took after their mothers, and her mother was no easygoing person—just as stubborn as her master!

Outside the study, a few white birds flew past, plucking a fallen leaf before fluttering away.

“Damn birds! Dropping leaves everywhere! Ugh, this freshly made chicken soup…”

Si Qi held the bowl of soup and grumbled at the sky, not daring to bring it to Xiao Zhu now.

Forget it. Better to go back to the kitchen and ladle another bowl.

But all the essence of the chicken was in this one… Damn birds!

Muttering to himself, he turned around and decided to return to the kitchen for a fresh serving.

Fu Yu’an pressed a hand to his head. “Why are you going back? It’s not like I asked you to wash diapers. What are you afraid of?”

“Master, why are you here all of a sudden?”

“To check on Xiao Zhu. Fine, if you don’t want to go, forget it. I’ll take it in myself. Go review your lessons—I’ll check them later.”

Si Qi had meant to remind him about the leaf in the soup, but the mention of a lesson check startled him so much that he forgot. In a hurry, he excused himself and rushed back to study.

Fu Yu’an watched his frantic retreat with a sigh, shaking his head before heading inside.

The child had been born very weak. As a premature baby, it seemed she might stop breathing at any moment, terrifying Li Ke into staying awake for several nights straight to watch over her.

Xiao Zhu also looked haggard, as if she had truly walked through the gates of the underworld.

Fu Yu’an felt immensely guilty. Over the past month, he hadn’t brought up her leaving with Li Ke again.

She had just given birth, and the New Year was approaching. It was better not to dampen everyone’s spirits.

He carried the chicken soup inside, and Xiaozhu was startled: “Young Master, why are you bringing it in yourself? Where has that lazy Siqi run off to?”

Fu Yu’an set the tray down by the bedside and smiled. “He went to study, so I just brought it in on the way. How are you feeling? Is Little Yuanbao still crying nonstop at night?”

Little Yuanbao was just a nickname—her formal name, Li Yingxuan, had been given by Fu Yu’an.

Newborn babies weren’t exactly pretty, all wrinkled like little old men. Xiaozhu had even joked that when she first saw her, she thought she had given birth to some kind of monster and nearly fainted from frustration.

“Of course she cries. Luckily, Li Ke helps take care of her, and there’s Auntie Zhou too, so it hasn’t been too hard.”

Her smile was bittersweet yet full of happiness, and when she looked at her child, there was something shining in her eyes.

Fu Yu’an felt a pang of sorrow, wondering if his own mother, had she lived, would have taken care of him just as painstakingly.

Giving birth was no easy feat.

He leaned down to play with Little Yuanbao, trying hard to see traces of her parents in her tiny face.

Hmm, her double eyelids were just like her father’s—she’d surely grow up to be a bright-eyed beauty!

As he was lost in thought, Xiaozhu bit her lip and suddenly spoke up: “Young Master, could we stay until after the New Year?”

Her expression was conflicted, her tone pleading and hesitant.

Fu Yu’an was taken aback but couldn’t possibly refuse.

“I’m not trying to rush you, Xiaozhu… I… I’m sorry for causing your premature birth.”

“I know, I know the Young Master only has my best interests at heart. But if I leave, what will you do? Why don’t we all go together? You and the General should talk things out properly… You can’t really avoid each other forever.”

Fu Yu’an gave a bitter smile. “This really isn’t something that can be resolved with a talk. I don’t want to drive a wedge between him and his sister. He’s far from the emperor’s reach, with military power in his hands—if he falls out with the Empress Dowager… Besides, he used to like women. He’ll move on eventually.”

Xiaozhu glanced at Li Ke, who looked back at Fu Yu’an, only scurrying out with the washbasin after being glared at.

But he didn’t go far—just eavesdropped from the roof.

What did this have to do with the Empress Dowager? Why would His Highness say such a thing?

Could it be that they left because of her?

“I don’t know the General well, but I still hope… Never mind, do as you wish, Young Master. I only ask that you don’t lose hope. You say he’ll move on—then this servant hopes you can move on too, and quickly.”

Fu Yu’an: “…I’ll try my best.”

There are still many worthwhile things to do in this world—no need to keep dwelling on him.

Let it be just a dream, gone once awakened.

For now, I should focus on mentoring Siqi. He’s a promising talent.

Siqi let out a loud sneeze.

“In that case, there’s no need for you to rush off. Little Yuanbao shouldn’t endure long, bumpy travels either.” Though I’m not sure if Li Ke can afford to wait.

After all, he’s not my subordinate—who knows if he has other missions awaiting him?

Xiao Zhu finally felt relieved and gently touched her daughter’s cheek, murmuring, “Thank you, young master.”

She knew they’d have to leave eventually, and that His Highness and the general might never reconcile in this lifetime. But for now, she just wanted to delay a little longer—to stay and care for His Highness a few more days, lest he spiral into dark thoughts with no one to console him.