The Foolish General's Mute Spouse - Chapter 90

90: Testing

The Imperial Academy had a long-established history. Aside from the sons of noble families, those like Fu Siqi, who were recommended by various provinces and counties, were all placed in the same class.

Although their classrooms were adjacent to those of the young masters from prestigious families, the two groups never interacted.

However, these students had genuinely earned their place through their own abilities and were often resented by the good-for-nothing scions of noble houses.

Yet, the latter dared not offend them outright, fearing that any one of them might become the next top scholar or imperial examiner—figures they would eventually have to curry favor with.

Fu Siqi, the youngest in his class, was also the tallest.

He thrived there, excelling in his studies and earning praise from all the venerable instructors.

When Fu Siqi returned home in the evening, he couldn’t stop chattering to Fu Yu’an about his experiences at the Imperial Academy, even during dinner.

“My classmates are all very friendly, though they seem a bit bookish and dull. During archery class, I saw students from the other classes—hm, they definitely look like young masters from noble families.”

Fu Yu’an smiled. “You’re also a young master from a noble family, more distinguished than any of them!”

“How can you compare… I don’t mean to look down on them, it’s just—”

“I know,” Fu Yu’an said, placing a piece of chicken in his bowl. “None of them are as clever as you. You’re the one with a bright future ahead. Don’t overthink it.”

If they were to compare backgrounds, Fu Yu’an thought, none of the noble families in the capital could hold a candle to royalty.

Siqi nodded emphatically, then suddenly remembered something. “Speaking of which, our class is truly lucky. Do you know who’s teaching our archery class? Go on, guess!”

Fu Yu’an pondered, listing a few names, but none were correct.

“An official higher than a military advisor? You’ve really stumped me. Could it be an old general?”

Siqi wagged a finger. “You got half of it right—it’s a general, but definitely not old!”

“Oh? I haven’t heard of any young generals in the capital with the leisure to teach at the Imperial Academy!”

Siqi grinned mysteriously, leaning in and lowering his voice to reveal the answer: “It’s General Qi, who came from the southern border—the Emperor’s maternal uncle! He’s incredible! A god of war!”

Fu Yu’an froze on the spot, his chopsticks clattering to the floor.

He turned to Siqi slowly, disbelief written across his face, and asked, “Qi Ren?”

Siqi, unaware of why he was reacting this way, nodded blankly.

Fu Yu’an felt as though he’d been struck by lightning. His first instinct was to pull Siqi out of the Imperial Academy—or even flee the capital with him immediately.

Reason eventually prevailed over impulse. Forcing himself to stay calm, he bent to pick up the chopsticks, but his hands trembled so violently that he failed several times.

Siqi, sensing something was wrong, picked them up for him and crouched beside him, looking up with concern. “Young Master, what’s wrong?”

Could there be some past grievance between him and that general?

No wonder the young master is unwilling to return to the capital—it turns out he’s afraid of his revenge!

He didn’t dare explain, didn’t dare meet his concerned gaze.

He suddenly stood up, avoiding eye contact as he turned away. “It’s nothing, I just suddenly have a headache. You eat first, I’m going back to my room to rest.”

He left in a hurry, not even glancing at him, and even tripped over the threshold at the door, barely catching himself on the doorframe to avoid falling.

Siqi called out to him again, but received no response.

Didn’t Xiao Zhu say he had already returned to the Southern Border? How could he be at the Imperial Academy?

He never liked children, yet now he’s taken on such a troublesome task.

Fu Yu’an locked himself in his room, skipping dinner. When he finally fell asleep, he dreamed of all the moments they had shared in the past, and when he woke in the morning, his pillow was damp with tears.

Siqi was eating in the main hall when Fu Yu’an walked in, his face haggard, dark circles under his eyes, looking utterly exhausted.

“Young Master…”

Fu Yu’an glanced at him, stepped forward, and patted his shoulder, instructing, “At the Imperial Academy, just say your parents passed away, and Old Wu is your adoptive father. If anything happens, go to him. You must never reveal my existence, understand?”

He added after a pause, “No matter who asks, you can’t say a word. Even if the Emperor summons you, you must insist you came with Old Wu.”

Siqi was deeply puzzled. He had spent the whole night thinking about it and still couldn’t make sense of it. Now, seeing Fu Yu’an like this—clearly having slept poorly—he was even more confused.

“Young Master, you’re being so cautious… could it be that you have enemies in the capital?”

Fu Yu’an froze for a moment, then after a long silence, slowly shook his head. “You could say that. In any case, be careful. If someone really comes looking for you, I won’t be able to protect you.”

Siqi immediately didn’t dare ask further. He hastily stuffed a few bites of steamed bun into his mouth and rushed off to the Imperial Academy.

That evening, when he returned, he told Fu Yu’an that General Qi from the equestrian and archery class had asked him again about his family.

Fu Yu’an’s brush paused mid-stroke. Keeping his head down, he asked as casually as possible, “Oh? What did he ask you? What did you say?”

“Exactly as you told me! He asked who I came to study with and whether I still had any elders in the capital.”

“And what did you say?”

His heart was uneasy, torn between hoping Siqi had told the truth and fearing that the other man would find out.

“I stuck to the story you gave me. But he didn’t seem to believe it. When I told him my parents had passed away, he asked where my adoptive father was from.”

“Did you tell him the truth?”

“No.” Siqi shook his head, a hint of pride in his voice. He raised his eyebrows and grinned. “I just said my adoptive father was a widower who died young, and that in recent years, I’ve been scraping by with the coachman, Old Wu.”

Fu Yu’an hadn’t expected him to say that. He could almost picture the expression on Qi Ren’s face at that moment.

He must have known at least a bit of the inside story, and he was just as bewildered by this so-called “widower” label.

In fact, at the time, Qi Ren’s furrowed brows weren’t just because he hadn’t gotten the answer he wanted—he was also deeply suspicious of this nonsense about being a widower.

This was undoubtedly something Fu Yu’an had taught the boy to say. Calling him a widower? Did that mean they thought he was dead?!

On a clear autumn day, the usually lively lakeside of the Imperial College was eerily quiet. Everyone avoided the temperamental General Qi, not daring to approach him.

“So, you’re here studying on your own—do you have enough money to get by?” He lowered his head to look at Si Qi, silently repeating the boy’s name in his mind.

Not simple.

Si Qi nodded. “The villagers and local officials, including the governor, have been very generous. Food and lodging aren’t an issue.”

Qi Ren nodded thoughtfully, then added, “If food and lodging aren’t a problem, then I suppose clothing might be?”

“This student—”

“The weather’s getting colder, and you’re still young, right at the age when you’re growing fast.”

Without letting him argue, Qi Ren gave a “kind” smile and patted his shoulder. “As it happens, I have a few spare sets of clothes lying around—it’d be a waste to just leave them. In a few days, you can take them back with you!”

Si Qi couldn’t figure out what he was really thinking, and that smile sent a chill down his spine.

Oh no, oh no—could this General Qi be the enemy my young master was talking about?!

What do I do? With his immense power and influence, how long will it take for me to help the young master get rid of him?!