The Foolish General's Mute Spouse - Chapter 88

88: The Opportunity to Enter the Imperial College

When Little Yuanbao was eight months old, Siqi passed the provincial imperial examination and became a juren, a successful candidate in the provincial exam.

The academy’s teacher was overjoyed. Initially, he had only let Siqi take the exam as a trial, not expecting much, but to his surprise, the boy actually succeeded.

The teacher personally came to the residence to congratulate him. Normally stern, the teacher couldn’t stop smiling this time, repeatedly praising Siqi as a rare talent.

“This is the youngest juren (Provincial Graduate) in Weizhou’s history! Keep working hard, and the title of Number One Scholar will surely be within your reach!” The teacher patted his shoulder in admiration.

Fu Yu’an smiled and chimed in, though inwardly, he never truly expected Siqi to become a zhuàngyuán

Fame brings trouble, and high positions aren’t necessarily good things.

Especially after experiencing so much himself, Fu Yu’an only wished for Siqi to live a safe and peaceful life.

But Siqi had once said he wanted to become an official—specifically, to serve in the south. Fu Yu’an had to respect his choice.

As they were exchanging pleasantries, another announcement came from outside: the prefect of Sizhou had arrived, wishing to meet this young juren (Provincial Graduate) in person.

It was an obvious attempt to forge connections.

Fu Yu’an felt a surge of distaste but couldn’t afford to offend the man. So, he had Xiao Zhu lead the guest in while he retreated to the study.

Li Ke knocked and entered, holding out a letter.

Fu Yu’an paused in flipping through his book and looked at him questioningly.

“It’s from the general. He’s asking when we’ll return.”

“Why give it to me?”

“This subordinate thinks it would be good for you to read it. Some parts of the letter don’t seem meant for us—rather, they seem specifically for you.”

“?”

Fu Yuan’an skeptically took the envelope and looked up at Li Ke, who stood there awkwardly, sensing something was off.

The letter was crumpled and worn, having traveled all the way from the southern border to Sizhou—likely sent two months ago.

The handwriting was as familiar as ever—bold and vigorous, the strokes nearly piercing through the paper.

Fu Yuan’an’s fingers slowly traced the edges of the letter, his lips pressed together as he read it twice without finding a single word about himself.

He handed the letter back and narrowed his eyes. “Where does it say it’s for me?”

Li Ke stepped forward, spreading the letter on the table and pointing to a particular passage. “This subordinate is not well-read, but these lines here seem to be telling me to take care of my health, saying I should dress warmly because I suffer from cold intolerance. But I’ve trained in martial arts since childhood—drilling in the snow during harsh winters was routine. How could I possibly be cold-intolerant?”

Fu Yuan’an nodded, finding his reasoning somewhat convincing.

“Your Highness, we all know you suffer from cold intolerance. Last year, even with the floor heating blazing in the estate, you still needed extra blankets. So this must be the general thinking of you but being too embarrassed to say it outright, which is why—”

“Li Ke.”

Fu Yuan’an smiled, cutting him off. He folded the letter and stuffed it back into Li Ke’s hands. “Don’t overthink it. I’m not cold-intolerant either. These words must be for Xiao Zhu—after all, she just gave birth.”

“Your Highness…”

“I see he’s urging you all to leave. Since there’s nothing pressing here, why not set off back to the capital after Mid-Autumn? If the timing’s right, you might even return with him. With him protecting Xiao Zhu, I’d feel more at ease.”

Li Ke’s expression darkened. Clenching the letter tightly, he gritted his teeth and suddenly dropped to his knees before Fu Yuan’an.

Fu Yuan’an was still smiling, but the warmth didn’t reach his eyes.

“Oh dear,” he said, bending to help him up. “What’s this about? If you have something to say, say it standing.”

“Your Highness, I’ve served you since I was five years old. Twenty years—I know you better than most. In all that time, I’ve never seen him care for anyone the way he cares for you. Whatever misunderstanding lies between you, can’t it be resolved? Why must you torment each other like this?”

“What torment? I grew tired of him, so I left. Isn’t that reason enough? Besides, he’s been perfectly indifferent. Neither of us is suffering—this isn’t torment, it’s liberation.”

His voice grew so soft at the end it was almost inaudible, his gaze lowering, unfocused, as if staring at nothing.

Li Ke refused to believe it.

“But that day, I clearly heard—”

No, if he admitted to eavesdropping, His Highness would surely be furious. And if he mistakenly thought the general had ordered it, things would only get worse.

Fu Yuan’an lifted his eyes. “Heard what?”

Li Ke hesitated, then muttered, “Nothing.”

…

The prefect didn’t stay long—likely displeased at not meeting the master of the house. After exchanging pleasantries with Siqi and presenting some gifts as tokens of praise, he left.

Fu Yuan’an amused himself by coaxing Little Yuanbao to say “mother.”

“She’s not even a year old yet. It’s no use teaching her, young master. Don’t waste your effort!” Xiao Zhu laughed, handing the baby a rattle to clutch in her chubby little hands.

“At least give it a try. What if she’s also exceptionally bright? She might just become the first female top scholar in our Great Yan!”

“Young master, you’re joking! How could women ever take the imperial exams?”

Fu Yu’an shook his head. “You never know. Back then… the Empress Dowager once proposed allowing women to attend public schools and take the exams. His Majesty was very supportive at the time. Who knows? It might just happen.”

Xiao Zhu wasn’t too concerned about this. Having one exceptionally clever child like Si Qi in the family was enough—any more would just be exhausting.

“By the way,” she finally seized the chance to voice the thoughts that had been weighing on her for days, “the other day, the governor came and asked if Si Qi would be willing to go to the capital. He said he had connections and could secure him a spot to study at the Imperial College.”

Fu Yu’an almost instinctively wanted to refuse upon hearing “go to the capital” but then he remembered he couldn’t be so selfish—just because he was afraid didn’t mean Si Qi should miss such a rare opportunity.

Studying at the Imperial College had been one of his own childhood dreams.

But back then, with the former crown prince bullying him at every turn, there was no way he could leave the Cold Palace, let alone openly enroll in school.

His early education had been taught by Xiao Zhu’s wet nurse, and later, he had studied on his own, secretly having books brought in from outside. The conditions couldn’t have been harsher.

That was why he couldn’t bear to let Si Qi pass up this chance.

But…

“Are you and Li Ke going to Nanjiang?” he asked. “I don’t want to go to the capital.”

Staying at the Imperial College would mean committing to three to five years, and he didn’t want to stay there that long.

Besides, if he happened to run into someone who recognized him, it would only lead to unnecessary awkwardness.

Xiao Zhu was also torn. “Li Ke has to go to Nanjiang. I’ve heard the southern states have been repeatedly provoking our borders. He doesn’t feel at ease leaving the general there alone.”

Fu Yu’an understood her answer from those words.

Xiao Zhu was leaving too. If Si Qi really stayed in the capital, it would likely just be the two of them relying on each other.

And he’d have to keep living under an assumed name.

Fu Yu’an closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. “Fine, fine! This opportunity is too rare to let the child miss out. I’ll go along too—at least I can take care of him.”

The best hiding place is in plain sight. As long as he was careful, he could leave as soon as the exams were over. Surely, he wouldn’t be exposed.