After the Foolish Beauty Wore Women's Clothes and Married the Brutal General - Chapter 20

Chapter 20: Once You Put on a Pretty Dress, I’ll Consider It.

Huo Chun was completely dazed when he was carried over from the Imperial Academy of Medicine.

He had been doing his job perfectly well when several men clad in armor suddenly arrived, claiming their master wished to see him and that he must take a trip. Surprisingly, the palace guards didn’t even stop them.

His colleagues were all startled, thinking something had gone wrong, and flocked over to ask questions. However, the soldiers looked fierce and menacing; fearing a conflict, Huo Chun followed them of his own accord.

He was then invited into a carriage and driven all the way to the Mansion of Grand Princess Anle.

Seeing the destination and recalling the vague attitude of the men who fetched him, his expression changed instantly, and he hurried into the mansion.

Just as he reached the courtyard, he heard the energetic voice of Grand Princess Anle: “Put it back for me!”

Several household guards held bedding in their arms, looking awkwardly from Nan Jianxue to Liang Qifeng, unsure whether they should move.

“The Imperial Forest Guards have withdrawn, so why keep this bed?” Liang Qifeng smiled. “The bed is too soft; I’m not used to sleeping in it.”

“Then where do you want to sleep?” Nan Jianxue glared at him. “If you dare say you’re sleeping on the bed, I’ll kick you out!”

Liang Qifeng arched an eyebrow. “Then I’ll sleep on the small daybed.”

Nan Jianxue: ?

He looked at Liang Qifeng with a hard-to-describe expression.

That small daybed was placed inside her bedchambers for Qingqian’s use; when Nan Jianxue was sick and needed care, Qingqian would make do on it. To her, it was a bit narrow and not particularly comfortable to sleep on, so she generally wouldn’t use it unless absolutely necessary.

If Liang Qifeng were to sleep there…?

Looking at his physique and then at Qingqian’s small frame, Nan Jianxue said, “Don’t go crushing the daybed!”

“Then I’ll just have to buy another one,” Liang Qifeng said. “I’ll have someone get one later and place it by the screen.”

Hearing that he didn’t intend to sleep on the bed, Nan Jianxue agreed readily: “Fine then.” After agreeing, he felt something was off and frowned, “Isn’t that still right next to the bed?”

“Your bed is huge; are you afraid I’ll see something?” As Liang Qifeng spoke, his gaze shifted to the old imperial physician standing at the door. “Lord Huo, what are you doing standing there?”

Only then did Huo Chun quicken his pace, approach, and kneel to salute them both. He asked, “Has there been a change in the Princess’s condition?”

“No, I want you to examine a prescription.” As Liang Qifeng spoke, he pulled a piece of paper and a pill from his robe. “See if there’s any problem with the medicine.”

Huo Chun took the prescription and looked at it, then sniffed the pill, nodding slightly. “There should be no problem with it.” He paused, saying hesitantly, “Is this the antidote the General found?”

Liang Qifeng wasn’t surprised. The Imperial Academy of Medicine wasn’t useless; they might not be able to develop an antidote immediately, but they certainly had made some progress. They simply hadn’t dared bring it to Nan Jianxue before being certain.

“I obtained it from someone,” Liang Qifeng said. “Lord Huo knows him as well.”

A look of confusion appeared on Huo Chun’s face as he hesitated: “Is it… a physician from the common folk?”

Liang Qifeng shook his head and said, “His name is Huo Wenkang.”

Huo Chun was dazed for several breaths before realizing who “Huo Wenkang” referred to. His expression changed drastically: “Impossible… Wenkang… he… he… he…”

He “he’d” for a long time without producing a coherent sentence, looking as though he were about to faint. Liang Qifeng offered a word of comfort: “Don’t worry, I’ve already thrown him into the dungeon. He’s still relatively in one piece for now.”

Huo Chun felt his head buzzing and immediately kowtowed to beg for mercy for his grandson.

Nan Jianxue, sitting nearby, couldn’t help but kick Liang Qifeng: “Stop it.”

Liang Qifeng chuckled and ordered the guards to bring the man over, then explained to Huo Chun how the prescription had been obtained.

Huo Chun’s head continued to buzz: “That rascal… this, this, this…”

Nan Jianxue, seeing his face turn green with rage, said hurriedly, “Don’t worry, Liang Qifeng is just scaring him; he hasn’t done anything.”

“The General did well,” Huo Chun said angrily. “He deserves a lesson!” He paused and kowtowed to Liang Qifeng again, asking if the General could take in his worthless grandson for a few more days.

Liang Qifeng smiled: “You want him to stay locked up?”

Huo Chun replied with a “Yes” and proceeded to scold his grandson with great emotion, saying that jade cannot be polished into a tool without being carved. He begged Liang Qifeng to help him with this one favor for the sake of his old age.

Liang Qifeng’s gaze shifted to the side: “This is the Princess’s Mansion; I am not the one you should be asking.”

Huo Chun paused and looked at Nan Jianxue, who was whispering to the maid beside him. Suddenly, he felt he couldn’t bring himself to ask. He always felt that Grand Princess Anle and a dark, terrifying dungeon were completely unrelated concepts.

But Nan Jianxue wasn’t as detached from the world as he thought. Hearing Liang Qifeng’s inquiry, he agreed immediately, saying, “If you want him to eat better, remember to pay for his meals.”

It was just a tease, but unexpectedly, Huo Chun shook his head immediately: “Whatever the prisoners eat, he eats!”

Nan Jianxue deeply felt the love his Imperial Mother and Royal Brother had for him.

“But what if he gets scared out of his wits?” Nan Jianxue said. “Your grandson doesn’t look like a particularly brave type.”

“If he turns stupid, this old servant can needle him back to lucidity,” Huo Chun said. “The Princess may torment him as she wishes. Without this, how will he learn to be afraid!”

Nan Jianxue nodded: “Then go wait outside for a bit and see him. We’ll talk about the medicine later.”

Huo Chun nodded, stood up, went into the courtyard, and knelt directly to the side.

Nan Jianxue was stunned for a moment, ordered the door to be closed, and couldn’t help but sigh: “Playing the part to the full. He really wants to give his grandson a lesson.”

“He should be taught,” Liang Qifeng said. “I don’t fear a slow person, but I do fear a stupid one. This time he just brought some random prescription for you to eat; what about next time? Next time there’s no telling what he might do, and by then the entire Huo family will be dragged down with him. It’ll be too late for regrets.”

Nan Jianxue nodded: “You’re actually quite suited to teaching unfilial sons.”

“Teaching children is just teaching children; why ‘unfilial sons’?” Liang Qifeng laughed. “What, am I not worthy of having a filial son?”

Nan Jianxue glanced at him and said, “You don’t look like someone who can get along well with a son.”

Liang Qifeng was stunned, then let out a very soft laugh: “Indeed.”

The emotion in his voice suddenly dropped as he smiled: “Then how about no son, but a daughter instead?”

“A daughter might be afraid of you; you’re so fierce.” As Nan Jianxue spoke, he leaned in a bit closer, checking his expression. Seeing that he wasn’t smiling even while saying he wanted a daughter, he asked, “Why the sudden bad mood?”

Liang Qifeng looked at her: “Want to know?”

Nan Jianxue nodded: “If you don’t want to say, it’s fine.”

“So understanding.” Liang Qifeng smiled. “It’s nothing, just felt that what you said was right.”

Nan Jianxue recalled his words and said hesitantly, “The part about you not being able to get along with a son? I just said it casually. If you’re unhappy, I’ll take it back.”

Liang Qifeng shook his head and suddenly asked, “Nan Jianxue, do you want children?”

Nan Jianxue was dazed by the question. The next second, he struck out: “I’m trying to comfort you and you’re acting like a rogue with me?!”

Liang Qifeng’s sudden moodiness was also dispersed. He smiled and brushed away the hand, saying, “I didn’t say I’d make you bear them; how is that acting like a rogue?”

After saying that, he was hit even harder.

Just then, a terrified “Grandfather!” from Huo Wenkang came from outside. Nan Jianxue immediately stopped his movements, stood up curiously, moved to the door, and poked his head out to watch.

Upon seeing his grandfather, Huo Wenkang immediately rushed to him and knelt, apologizing with tears and snot flowing, saying it was all his fault for involving the elder. He slapped his own face while telling Huo Chun to stop worrying about him.

Nan Jianxue shook his head at the sight: “If something were truly wrong, how could the old man be kneeling there waiting for him in one piece? How stupid.”

Liang Qifeng said, “It’s also possible he knows you are merciful and won’t kill the innocent, so he’s acting pitiful to get Huo Chun to bail him out.”

“It could also be that you’re too scary, and he truly believes you would kill the innocent.” Nan Jianxue watched as Huo Wenkang kowtowed several more times to Huo Chun, calling himself unfilial. He couldn’t help but sigh, “Although he’s stupid, at least he isn’t a bad person, and he’s decent to his grandfather.”

Liang Qifeng nodded: “Hopefully after this time, he will truly learn to behave.”

Again, the mood suddenly dipped. Nan Jianxue was truly curious, but felt Liang Qifeng probably didn’t want to talk about it, so he had to endure. But he couldn’t endure for long. While Huo Wenkang and Huo Chun were embracing, he finally couldn’t help but speak: “I’ve never thought about having children.”

Liang Qifeng looked at her: “Why?”

Why else? Naturally because I am a man and cannot give birth, and in this life, there is no hope of marrying a wife.

“Because I never thought about getting married,” Nan Jianxue replied. “Look at my Royal Sisters; they don’t have children either.”

Liang Qifeng asked again: “Is it because of Grand Princess Anping and Grand Princess Anyang, or do you not want to yourself?”

“I don’t want to myself,” Nan Jianxue said. “Is this important? Why are you asking in such detail?”

Liang Qifeng smiled: “Because I don’t want to either.”

Nan Jianxue was dazed for several breaths before realizing his meaning. His ears turned a bit hot, and he reached out to hit him.

“Shh.” Liang Qifeng caught his hand and pointed outside. “We’ll be discovered in a moment.”

Nan Jianxue gnashed his teeth in anger. Who was to blame for this?!

Liang Qifeng smiled as he pulled her up and sat back at the table, saying, “You know I have many younger siblings, right?”

Nan Jianxue nodded: “Your father’s inner courtyard is very crowded.”

Although it was the truth, hearing Nan Jianxue say it still felt a bit ironic to Liang Qifeng. He let out a scoff: “Yes, thanks to him, my family is considered flourishing. However, I mostly dislike those siblings, with only one exception.”

The biological mother of that younger brother died during a difficult labor, so as soon as he was born, he was given to the grandmother to be raised. But the grandmother was in poor health and lacked the energy to look after him, so the child was mostly raised by servants. When he got older, he became close to Liang Qifeng. The two were very similar both lost their mothers early, both hated their father, and both were raised by their grandmother so they had a very good relationship.

“I was the Crown Prince’s study partner and was in the palace most of the time, so I wasn’t very clear on the situation at home,” Liang Qifeng said. “I always thought he was a very well-behaved child.”

Until one day, Liang Qifeng heard that he had fought with someone at the Imperial Academy and was about to be expelled by the master. He didn’t believe it at first and went to investigate. Upon checking, he found out that the boy was completely wasting his days at the academy.

He didn’t study properly, skipped classes every day to go drinking with a few classmates, and the fight happened because the two of them had a conflict over a girl the previous day. The brother hadn’t won the girl, and after coming to the academy, he was stung by a few words from the other side and started fighting out of discomfort.

Hearing this description, Nan Jianxue couldn’t help but show a look of disgust.

Liang Qifeng smiled and continued explaining: “I asked him then why he did it, and he blamed me for not looking after him.”

The brother blamed him for living a life of luxury in the palace as the Crown Prince’s study partner while not considering how miserable he was outside the palace, saying his life at home was worse than death and he could only feel better by going out for a few drinks with classmates.

Nan Jianxue frowned: “You aren’t his father.”

Liang Qifeng nodded: “But I was too young then and didn’t think things through clearly.”

Because the brother said that, he felt guilty and thought it wasn’t a major issue both sides had problems, it was just a fight. Even he and Nan Zhanyuan would have disagreements, let alone two classmates who weren’t very familiar with each other. He took his brother to apologize to the master, made him promise not to do it again, and negotiated with the other party to move past the incident.

Perhaps the matter truly wasn’t significant, or perhaps it was because of the Crown Prince behind him; in any case, the matter passed.

“I handled similar incidents twice more later on,” Liang Qifeng said. “Until he actually killed someone.”

Nan Jianxue was stunned.

He had gone out drinking, drank too much, a conflict arose, and he ended up killing someone. Knowing the family wouldn’t protect him, he could only beg Liang Qifeng.

“I was already at the border then; Azhuan (Nan Zhanyuan) handled the matter,” Liang Qifeng said. “When I received his letter, I couldn’t say what I was feeling.”

Nan Jianxue couldn’t imagine it either, but he knew it must have been very complex and painful. Self-blame, regret, anger, and many more emotions.

Nan Jianxue asked, “You… had Royal Brother handle it according to the law?”

Liang Qifeng nodded.

When Nan Jianxue went back with Liang Qifeng last time, he didn’t see him speak to any of his brothers. He asked, “Did Royal Brother… have him killed?”

Liang Qifeng shook his head: “It was a brawl, the situation was complicated. In the end, he was sentenced to prison.”

Nan Jianxue understood: “He’s still in prison then.”

“No, he’s dead,” Liang Qifeng said. “He couldn’t endure hardship. After a few days in prison, he couldn’t take it anymore and wanted to get out, so he sent me a letter.”

“And then?”

“And then? Then Azhuan went to see him,” Liang Qifeng said. “He warned him not to cause any more trouble, to serve his sentence obediently, and to stop bothering me.”

Nan Jianxue was silent for a moment: “Sounds like something Royal Brother would do.”

“But he didn’t listen,” Liang Qifeng gave a bitter smile. “Not long after, he died because he got into a fight with someone in prison.”

Nan Jianxue was speechless. He roughly understood the situation with the brother. No mother, a father who didn’t care, and a formidable elder brother who couldn’t control him—he likely grew into a little tyrant who would explode with rage at a single word and fight people, thinking his brother would fix everything.

Liang Qifeng said, “I’ve thought many times, if that incident at the academy had been used to teach him a lesson instead of me fixing it, would things… not have developed to that point.”

Nan Jianxue didn’t answer. “What if” scenarios were impossible to prove, but the process and the result were both too tragic; no wonder Liang Qifeng didn’t want to talk about it.

Nan Jianxue felt a bit guilty: “I’m sorry.”

Liang Qifeng was stunned.

“I shouldn’t have asked,” Nan Jianxue said. “If there’s something like this again, you don’t have to say it.”

Liang Qifeng, however, smiled: “It’s not something that can’t be mentioned. Many years have passed. I truly was hit hard at the time and even had a fight with Azhuan over it, blaming him for being too harsh.”

But mostly, he couldn’t accept reality and needed a vent. Nan Zhanyuan happened to be involved, so he became the target.

Liang Qifeng said, “I even thought that if I hadn’t taken him too seriously back then, he wouldn’t have reached that point.” If he hadn’t intervened, given the child’s talent and brains, he wouldn’t have caught his father’s attention. He likely would have grown up under his grandmother’s wing until a certain age, then had his mother arrange a passable marriage, living a mediocre and ordinary life in the mansion.

But as he grew older, Liang Qifeng gradually became more open-minded and let it go.

“So that’s why you don’t want children,” Nan Jianxue said with realization. “Because of your brother?”

Liang Qifeng nodded.

No one is born knowing how to raise a child. Most people, after becoming parents, either learn from their own parents or do the exact opposite. Liang Qifeng was the latter, but he couldn’t escape the shadow of the former. His mother died early, and while his father cared for him somewhat, with his heavy workload and a harem full of wives and children, the attention he received was limited. He was raised entirely by his grandmother.

Although his grandmother would occasionally teach him about the ways of the world, most of the time she simply doted on him and gave in to his every whim. He wanted to treat his brother as his grandmother had treated him, not wanting to be a bastard like his father. So he shouldered his brother’s troubles and taught him character, yet failed to watch him closely for various reasons. In the end, the half-baked teaching he provided was even worse than the neglect his father would have given.

“It’s also possible he was just born bad,” Nan Jianxue said. “Imperial Mother also dotes on me and gives in to my every wish, yet you see I didn’t turn out bad.”

Liang Qifeng looked at her.

Nan Jianxue added, “Besides, how old were you then? You hadn’t even figured out your own life and yet you wanted to teach others. You were being too arrogant.”

Hearing him solemnly advise him, the smile on Liang Qifeng’s lips never faded.

“I truly don’t care anymore,” Liang Qifeng said. “It’s just that the matter gave me a… lesson.”

Nan Jianxue comforted him: “Then it’s fine. You like men.”

Immediately after saying that, his face was pinched by Liang Qifeng.

“Nan Jianxue,” Liang Qifeng said angrily. “You insist on mentioning that?”

“I was twying to comfowt you.” Nan Jianxue patted his hand away, frowning and rubbing his face. He said aggrievedly, “Next time you act pitiful, I won’t comfort you.”

“Who’s acting pitiful?” Liang Qifeng laughed. “I’m just sharing my heart so you can understand me better.”

Nan Jianxue immediately covered his ears, thinking to himself that with Liang Qifeng’s mouth, even if he were truly acting pitiful, there wouldn’t be any atmosphere. Once he opened his mouth, everything was ruined.

Liang Qifeng took his hands down and asked, “What about you? Why don’t you want to get married?”

Nan Jianxue glared at him: “What does it matter to you?”

“I have to know so I can apply the right remedy,” Liang Qifeng said. “Tell me.”

Nan Jianxue thought for a moment and said, “Because I like girls.”

Liang Qifeng: ?

“Are you serious?” Liang Qifeng said. “Who do you like?”

“No one in particular, I just like girls.” Nan Jianxue patted his hand away. “Once you put on a pretty dress, I’ll consider it.”

Liang Qifeng’s expression instantly became complex.

Him? In a pretty dress?

“You have quite unique taste,” Liang Qifeng said. “I won’t wear it. From now on, start liking men for me.”

Nan Jianxue ignored him and got up to check the situation outside. Seeing that the grandfather and grandson had finished crying and were talking, he whispered an order for someone to haul Huo Wenkang back to the dungeon, and then opened the door.

Huo Chun stood up and approached, saluting them both, saying, “Thank you, Princess, thank you, General. This old servant will return immediately to study this prescription.”

Nan Jianxue waved his hand, indicating he could go.

Once the man was gone, he turned back to Liang Qifeng: “If he can finish studying it today, I’m going to the palace tomorrow!”

“How is it solved?” Liang Qifeng said. “The people haven’t been investigated yet.”

“That’s your job,” Nan Jianxue said. “You need to catch the person quickly so Royal Brother can rest easy!”

“What about you? Aren’t you worried?” Liang Qifeng said. “Someone is lusting after you and plotting against you like this…”

“I have you all anyway, so what am I afraid of?” Nan Jianxue passed the buck with total confidence, truly not worried at all.

Liang Qifeng’s mood brightened upon hearing this: “Yes, I will resolve it. However… it’s likely the person won’t be caught.”

Nan Jianxue looked at him in confusion.

Liang Qifeng said, “Believe it or not, if we go looking for the man who sold the prescription to Huo Wenkang now, he’ll either be missing or dead.”

Nan Jianxue: “Surely not.” Although he said that, he actually believed it a little.

Liang Qifeng said, “Even that ‘secret ancestral prescription’ is likely fake. He was probably paid to put on a show in front of Huo Wenkang. It might not work on others, but for someone with Huo Wenkang’s brain… it was more than enough.”

Nan Jianxue instantly wilted: “Then do I need to be more careful when I go outside in the future?”

Liang Qifeng nodded: “It’s best to bring me along.”

Nan Jianxue: ? He suspected Liang Qifeng was doing this on purpose. He said hesitantly, “You said before that you were returning to the border after the Mid-Autumn Festival.”

“I could also not go back,” Liang Qifeng said candidly. “My lieutenant has followed me for so many years; it’s time he got some proper training.”

Nan Jianxue: ? “Does Royal Brother agree?” Nan Jianxue said. “You are the Great General, the God of War; it’s not good to be so lazy.”

“Why wouldn’t he agree?” Liang Qifeng said. “He’d love for me to stay in the capital until the New Year to have a child with you.”

Nan Jianxue snatched the cup by his hand and threw it at him.

In the afternoon, the new daybed Liang Qifeng ordered was delivered.

It was an in-stock item from the shop, with a simple and elegant design it was quite nice, but Nan Jianxue didn’t like it. His room had no such minimalist items. So with a wave of his hand, he ordered several more, wanting patterns that were beautiful, intricate, and not vulgar.

Liang Qifeng was confused: “Why do you need so many?”

Nan Jianxue said, “To give you variety, so you won’t get bored.”

Although he spoke considerately, Liang Qifeng had the illusion that Nan Jianxue wanted him to sleep on a daybed for the rest of his life.

“Forget it,” Liang Qifeng said. “I’ll chop that daybed up; I’m still sleeping on the bed tonight.”

Nan Jianxue thought he was just joking again and didn’t take it to heart; after all, Liang Qifeng hadn’t done anything to the daybed.

But he didn’t expect that when he returned from bathing in the evening, he would see Liang Qifeng sitting on his bed, holding one of his storybooks and reading. Seeing him arrive, Liang Qifeng immediately put down the book, revealed a slight smile, and said in a gentle tone: “You’re back. Let’s retire for the night.”

Nan Jianxue immediately took half a step back.

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