The Foolish General's Mute Spouse - Chapter 89

89: Arriving in the Capital

The weather in the capital in September was about the same as in Sizhou in August—wearing an outer robe felt too hot, but taking it off made one feel chilly.

Si Qi was young and wore only a thin, short-sleeved martial arts outfit, making him seem like summer compared to Fu Yu’an, who bundled himself in two layers of outer robes and still had to keep his hands tucked in to avoid the cold—truly a contrast between winter and summer.

Though he had claimed not to want to come to the capital, saying it would only bring his master sorrow, he was still a teenager at heart, fascinated by everything new. He kept leaning out of the carriage window to look around, glancing back at Fu Yu’an’s expression every now and then. Seeing no particular reaction, he would stick his head out again.

The coachman, Old Wu, was a playful old man with no children of his own and a particular fondness for youngsters. Noticing Si Qi’s childlike curiosity, he teased, “If the young master keeps poking his head out, what if some young lady takes a fancy to him and tosses him a sachet? Hahaha!”

Si Qi froze, immediately pulling his head back inside and sitting properly, not daring to look out again.

Fu Yu’an couldn’t hold back a laugh. “He’s just scaring you. There aren’t such bold young ladies—no need to be afraid!”

Si Qi puffed out his cheeks and retorted, “I’m not afraid! I just don’t want people seeing you, Master!”

His voice had inexplicably turned hoarse last winter, and no amount of loquat syrup had managed to restore it since. His once-clear adolescent tone had deepened into something low and rough, somewhat resembling Qi Ren’s.

He had also grown quite a bit taller, nearly catching up to Fu Yu’an.

Fu Yu’an looked at him with a sense of pride, feeling something akin to “my daughter has grown up”—even though this was a young man, and not his own child.

“This opportunity is hard-won. Once you’re there, don’t go looking for trouble,” he instructed. After a pause, he added, “But if anyone bullies you, don’t hold back on my account. Just fight back. If it really comes to it, we can always switch to another academy. Besides the Imperial College, there are plenty of other prestigious schools in the capital.”

Unless absolutely necessary, he didn’t want to draw attention to himself.

But he also didn’t want Si Qi to suffer in silence.

Most students at the Imperial College were from noble families, with a few like Si Qi—exceptionally talented scholars recommended by their local prefectures—but their status was inevitably lower than those with power and influence.

Si Qi rolled up his sleeves and flexed his arm for Fu Yu’an to see. “Don’t worry, Master. No one can bully me!”

The two exchanged a smile. A gust of wind lifted the curtain slightly, revealing the familiar streets outside. Fu Yu’an’s chest tightened with discomfort.

According to Xiao Zhu, Qi Ren had already returned to Nanjiang. Though they hadn’t crossed paths, it at least spared him the risk of an encounter.

He patted his chest, leaned back against the carriage wall, and let out a deep sigh.

…

Xiao Zhu and the others hadn’t entered the city with Fu Yu’an—it was all to avoid drawing attention.

“I lied to His Highness,” Xiao Zhu said. “I told him the general had already left the capital. If he bothers to inquire, he’ll easily find out I was lying.”

Li Ke took the little ingot from her and helped her down from the carriage, pursing his lips. “We’ll deal with it if they meet. In fact, I hope they do.”

“That’s true. His Highness is a closed book. If the general takes the initiative to ask—even if it’s a forceful interrogation—as long as things are cleared up, it’ll be for the best.”

Li Ke nodded, then hissed and asked, “You’ve always refused to tell me—why did you leave in such a hurry back then? Was there some kind of trouble?”

Xiao Zhu shook her head, saying nothing. She took the little ingot and walked straight into the general’s residence.

Such a decisive departure couldn’t have been impulsive. His Highness must have long wanted to leave.

Qi Ren wasn’t at the residence; he was in the palace playing chess with the emperor.

Now that he had transformed into the emperor’s only maternal uncle, once he fetched the second madam and left, he likely wouldn’t have any further dealings with his elder brother’s family.

A tall, lean eunuch entered and whispered something to the emperor.

The emperor waved him away, placed a chess piece, and looked up to meet Qi Ren’s probing gaze. Smiling, he said, “News has arrived. Your subordinate, his wife, and daughter have reached the general’s residence.”

“…”

“There’s no… no sign of the person you were thinking of…”

“Who’s thinking of him? It’s better if he doesn’t come!”

The emperor shrugged, thinking to himself, I never mentioned anyone. And yet you say you don’t care—your reaction is written all over your face!

He sighed and changed the subject. “When do you plan to leave this time? It’s just past Mid-Autumn Festival. Grandmother still wants you to stay and keep her company a while longer.”

Qi Ren shook his head. “No, I need to get back and keep an eye on things. The south is restless. I can’t afford to delay too long.”

“At least stay a bit longer. And stop using that excuse with me—they’ve already sent envoys to sue for peace! After all these years, they’ve long been beaten into submission by you!”

“Then there’s nothing for me to do here. I might as well fetch Mother and leave sooner. If the Empress Dowager weren’t so devoted to fasting and Buddhist rites, I’d take her with me too!”

The emperor protested, “If you take everyone away, what’s left for me? A solitary ruler—truly alone now!”

Qi Ren waved his hand and dropped the subject. The emperor studied his furrowed brow and understood.

He had always avoided the capital, even skipping the New Year last time. Surely, it was because he feared stirring up painful memories.

But it was truly strange—how could things have ended so abruptly? That seventh prince’s temper was as unpredictable as ever!

“Fine. It’s almost September, and the Imperial Academy is reopening. They’re short of an archery and horsemanship instructor. Go teach the children for half a year. If you take a liking to any of them, you can bring them to the southern frontier!”

Qi Ren knew he had no patience and dreaded nothing more than teaching children. This assignment was clearly pushing him into a pit of fire.

He was just about to refuse when the emperor added, “I heard a young scholar from Sizhou has arrived in the capital, only fourteen or fifteen years old—talented and promising! With no parents or family ties, it’s hard for him to climb the ranks here in the capital. If you take a liking to him, once the imperial exams are over, I’ll send him to Nanjiang to join you. How does that sound?”

“From Sizhou?”

He frowned in disbelief and asked again for confirmation.

The emperor nodded. “I heard he was picked up and raised by someone else. The recommendation letter moved me to tears. It’s rare for a child from humble origins to rise to prominence—this boy might just break the mold.”

“What’s his name?”

“His surname is Fu, called—”

“Fu Siqi?”

“Ah, that’s the one!”

“…”

Qi Ren stood and bowed to him, his expression unreadable. “It seems there’s indeed no other pressing matter. Besides, my mother hasn’t been feeling well lately. In that case, this humble general has no choice but to respectfully comply!”

The emperor narrowed his eyes and said, “Good.” thinking to himself that this tactic had worked like a charm.

See? He still clearly cared about that person! Why pretend to be cold and indifferent?

Fu Yu’an had bought a residence in the western part of the city, far from both the general’s estate and the imperial palace.

However, it was quite close to the Imperial Academy, making it a convenient arrangement.

He secretly reconnected with the bookstore owner, Mr. Huang, and continued their collaboration under a new identity.

He had transferred ownership of the bookstore in Sizhou, but there were still unfinished illustrated stories he needed to complete. Now, he could move them all to Mr. Huang’s shop.

Mr. Huang was a businessman—there was no need to worry about loose lips.