After the Foolish Beauty Wore Women's Clothes and Married the Brutal General - Chapter 6
Chapter 6: Why Did He Start Talking Nonsense?
Nan Jianxue got goosebumps all over from Liang Qifeng’s sudden display of intimacy, disgust rising in his chest. Of course what I want is for you to get lost, he thought.
He lifted a hand, wanting to push Liang Qifeng away, but the moment he touched him, Liang Qifeng pressed his hand down instead.
Liang Qifeng lowered his head slightly, leaning close to his ear and whispering, “Do me a favor.”
Nan Jianxue had absolutely no intention of helping him.
But when his peripheral vision caught Gu Lianxin smiling cheerfully at them, he hesitated.
After a moment’s thought, he whispered, “You’ll have to pay me.”
Liang Qifeng gave the faintest “mm” in reply, and only then did Nan Jianxue release him.
Yet Liang Qifeng still didn’t actually touch him—his hand hovered in the air, as if terrified of sullying itself.
Nan Jianxue simply grabbed his hand and placed it on his own waist.
Now it was Liang Qifeng’s turn to feel uneasy.
It wasn’t that he’d never touched Nan Jianxue before—after all, he had just carried him over earlier, and even last night they had plenty of physical contact.
But those were different: last night was because of an assassin, and today was because of his injury. Both were special circumstances, not like this moment—pretending to be affectionate just for show.
He wanted to pull his hand back, but Nan Jianxue pinned it firmly in place, gripping so tightly it felt like the skin beneath their touch was burning.
Compared to Liang Qifeng’s stiffness, Nan Jianxue appeared perfectly at ease.
After all, he was originally a man himself—being held like this by Liang Qifeng didn’t feel like anything at all. He even leaned lightly into his embrace, looking genuinely affectionate.
Gu Lianxin’s smile deepened, and she asked when they were planning to have children.
Nan Jianxue… Nan Jianxue quickly began dodging the question.
It was really just to humor the old lady—he could have casually answered anything. But to say the words “have children” out loud was something he couldn’t bring himself to do. Instead, he nudged Liang Qifeng with his elbow, urging him to pick up the topic.
Liang Qifeng either didn’t understand or simply didn’t want to answer. He lowered his eyes, lost in thought, ignoring Nan Jianxue’s prodding.
Nan Jianxue twisted the hand that was still on his waist.
Liang Qifeng remained unmoved.
So thick-skinned?!
Nan Jianxue was speechless. He forced a smile, leaning closer and murmuring under his breath, “Answer her yourself, or I’ll start making things up.”
Liang Qifeng still didn’t open his mouth.
Fine then, don’t blame me!
Nan Jianxue pursed his lips, lowered his head slightly, and put on a shy expression. “Th-this… it’s not really up to me.”
Seeing her finally give an answer, Gu Lianxin’s smile grew warmer. “Between husband and wife, isn’t everything a matter of discussion?”
Nan Jianxue blinked, his gaze darting briefly toward Liang Qifeng before quickly pulling back. Tilting his head shyly, he said in an even smaller voice, “Well… that depends on how hard he works at it.”
Gu Lianxin froze for a moment, then immediately turned to look at Liang Qifeng.
Liang Qifeng was also stunned—he never expected Nan Jianxue to say something like that. He bit down on his words as he looked at him. “And just how do you expect me to ‘work hard’?”
Nan Jianxue only kept that shy expression. He didn’t say a word, just raised his sleeve to cover his face before turning away.
Silence often speaks louder than words.
Liang Qifeng almost laughed from sheer anger.
Gu Lianxin, however, regarded him with a complicated expression. “Before… before, when we arranged a teacher for you, did you not take the lessons seriously?”
Liang Qifeng: “…”
For young heirs of noble families, once they reached a certain age, the household usually arranged a concubine to “enlighten” them. Years ago, Liang Bailing had sent one to his room, but since he disliked women, he refused her, and the matter was dropped. Before his marriage, his grandmother, worried he’d embarrass himself on the wedding night, specially hired a “teacher” to instruct him in bedroom matters. He hadn’t even met the person’s face before driving them away, let alone learning anything.
Gu Lianxin could already guess the truth from his expression, and her brows furrowed. “This is such an important matter. How could you be so careless? Between husband and wife, harmony in these things is crucial.”
She spoke with utmost seriousness, but Liang Qifeng’s scalp prickled with dread. He never imagined he’d one day have to discuss such things with his grandmother. At that moment, he just wanted to escape.
When she mentioned calling the teacher back, Liang Qifeng finally cut her off: “Don’t listen to her nonsense.”
As he spoke, he glanced at Nan Jianxue—only to catch a provocative gleam in his eyes.
His brow twitched. Gritting his teeth, he said, “This kind of thing isn’t up to me alone. We’ll learn together.”
Nan Jianxue: “?”
He immediately turned toward Gu Lianxin, softening his voice. “Grandmother, this sort of thing… we’ll handle it ourselves.”
Gu Lianxin chuckled and let the matter drop.
They sat a little while longer. When Gu Lianxin began to look tired, the two said their farewells.
She didn’t press them to stay, only reminding, “Carry the princess back.”
Liang Qifeng nodded, and without breaking their current pose, scooped Nan Jianxue up into his arms.
“Shoes.” Nan Jianxue pointed to the ground.
Only then did Liang Qifeng realize he was still barefoot. But with his hands full, he could only say, “Let Qingqian fetch them.”
“Fetch? I need to wear them.” Nan Jianxue frowned. “What would it look like if I went out like this?”
Liang Qifeng almost retorted that being carried out in his arms didn’t look any better, but one glance at his grandmother’s disapproving eyes made him swallow the words. He set him down, picked up the shoes and socks, and put them on him himself—then even asked, with unusual care, “Does anywhere feel uncomfortable?”
Nan Jianxue shook his head.
Only then did Liang Qifeng move to lift him again.
Nan Jianxue instantly backed away, shaking his head. “Don’t carry me. Give me a piggyback.”
Liang Qifeng frowned. “What’s the difference?”
“There is,” Nan Jianxue said seriously. “It just feels different.”
Liang Qifeng suspected he was scheming something again, but didn’t argue. To him, it made no difference anyway.
He turned and crouched down.
Nan Jianxue climbed onto his back without hesitation. “Let’s go.”
Liang Qifeng gave his grandmother a parting word and carried him out.
He was already tall, and with Nan Jianxue on his back, the latter’s view was even higher than usual. The world looked subtly different from this angle.
Nan Jianxue reached out to poke Qingqian, who walked alongside them.
She immediately looked up. “Princess, what is it?”
“Nothing.” Nan Jianxue fiddled with her hairpin. When she pouted and dodged away, he burst out laughing.
As they passed under an osmanthus tree, he plucked off a few blossoms.
The branch shook, scattering a shower of golden petals over their heads, which even drew a few little animals to peek over curiously.
Liang Qifeng gritted his teeth. “Nan Jianxue, you—”
“It’s that cat from before!” Nan Jianxue wasn’t listening at all. Clinging to his shoulders, he pointed to the railing ahead. “And that must be its wife.”
Liang Qifeng followed his gaze—sure enough, beside the orange tabby perched a mottled calico.
“Quick, let’s go over.” Nan Jianxue urged, patting him.
Liang Qifeng was dumbfounded. “Did you forget how you twisted your ankle?”
“I remember. That was your fault,” Nan Jianxue replied flatly. “The cats did nothing wrong. Hurry up.”
Liang Qifeng: “…”
Still, after a pause, he carried him over.
Once close, Nan Jianxue immediately stretched out his hand, holding out the osmanthus blossoms.
The orange cat eyed him warily. After a few breaths, seeing no movement, it leaned forward to sniff before retreating with half-closed eyes.
Nan Jianxue beamed, then brought the flowers to his own nose. The fragrance was rich and sweet.
Seeing his good mood, Qingqian asked, “The osmanthus in the manor is blooming too. Should I have some picked for making cakes?”
Nan Jianxue shook his head, placing the blossoms atop the cat’s head instead. When it shook them off, he laughed again. “Let’s go back.”
So Liang Qifeng carried him away.
He could tell Nan Jianxue was in high spirits—the proof was in his legs swinging nonstop, and in the way he couldn’t resist tugging at leaves from every tree they passed.
When another leaf slapped him in the face, Liang Qifeng finally snapped, “Keep your hands to yourself.”
“Can’t help it,” Nan Jianxue said. “Don’t you ever feel the urge to grab them?”
“…No,” Liang Qifeng said flatly.
“Oh.” Nan Jianxue nodded solemnly. “Well, I do.”
Liang Qifeng: “…”
“It’s just that the leaves are right at my face,” Nan Jianxue explained.
Before, they were above his head and he never paid attention. But now that he’d “grown taller,” he couldn’t resist.
Hearing this, Liang Qifeng started to wonder if that orange cat had possessed him—why else this compulsion to paw at everything in sight?
Fortunately, once they left the garden, Nan Jianxue’s antics stopped. After all, he was still a princess; he had to keep up appearances. It would look terrible if others saw him playing with leaves.
Liang Qifeng breathed a sigh of relief and carried him out of the Liang residence.
He had just set him in the carriage when several Imperial Guards approached.
The sight of them gave Liang Qifeng a headache. Frowning, he asked, “What is it now?”
The leader saluted. “By His Majesty’s order, we are to escort the Princess and Consort back to the palace.”
Liang Qifeng wanted to refuse, but seeing how they immediately surrounded the carriage, he guessed Nan Zhanyuan must have issued strict orders again. After a moment’s thought, he said, “Bring me a horse.”
The guards exchanged glances, clearly hesitant.
Liang Qifeng’s brows knit tighter. “Must I say it twice?”
One of them hurried off to fetch a horse, though the rest still stood guard warily, afraid he’d ride off.
Liang Qifeng paid them no mind, mounted up, and rode lazily alongside the carriage.
Inside, Nan Jianxue was chatting with Qingqian, saying he wanted the osmanthus flowers from the manor made into incense.
She agreed, and Nan Jianxue then shifted the conversation to Liang Qifeng.
He expected criticism, but to his surprise, Nan Jianxue praised him instead—for applying his medicine and carrying him earlier.
Though his tone was begrudging, it was genuine praise nonetheless.
So easy to please, Liang Qifeng thought.
When Nan Jianxue asked Qingqian to pick something nice from the storeroom for him, Liang Qifeng couldn’t help but smile faintly. He nudged his horse forward, quickening his pace to ride ahead.
The leading guard eyed him warily. “General, what are your orders?”
“Stop at Xinghua Lane,” Liang Qifeng instructed.
The guard hesitated for a moment but then complied.
Nan Jianxue, oblivious, kept chatting away until he realized the carriage had been stopped for some time.
Suspicious, he signaled Qingqian with his eyes.
She went to lift the curtain and asked the driver, “Why have we stopped?”
“It was the General’s command,” the driver explained.
“Did he say why?”
“No. But from the look of it, it didn’t seem urgent. He should be back soon.”
Qingqian returned to the carriage and whispered, “Princess…”
“I heard,” Nan Jianxue muttered, displeased. “Why do I have to go back with him?”
“This was His Majesty’s order,” Qingqian reminded gently. “Please endure it a little longer—we’ll be at the Princess’s residence soon.”
Nan Jianxue pouted but gave a sullen “mm.”
Before long, Liang Qifeng returned.
He lifted the curtain to see Nan Jianxue slouched and fiddling idly with the sachet at his waist.
“You’re so slow.” Nan Jianxue sat up at once, complaining, “You’d better have had an important reason, or I’ll be mad.”
Liang Qifeng didn’t explain—he simply handed him a paper packet.
Nan Jianxue blinked in surprise, then took it and sniffed. A sweet, nutty fragrance of pine nuts filled his nose.
His eyes lit up. “Is this the pine nut cakes Grandmother mentioned?”
Liang Qifeng nodded. “Freshly made.”
Nan Jianxue quickly opened the packet and popped one into his mouth. Soft, sticky, and sweet, with the rich aroma of pine nuts—it was so delicious his eyes squinted shut in delight.
After eating two, he remembered Liang Qifeng and held out the packet. “Want one?”
“No.” Liang Qifeng shook his head. “You eat.”
Nan Jianxue didn’t eat any more himself either. He carefully rewrapped the cakes before looking at him suspiciously. “Why are you being so nice, buying these for me?”
He hadn’t expected Liang Qifeng to follow his grandmother’s instructions after leaving her sight.
Liang Qifeng replied, “I need a favor. Consider it a bribe.”
Nan Jianxue: “?”
Suddenly, the cakes didn’t taste so sweet anymore.
Clutching the packet, he eyed him warily. “What favor? You’d better explain first—this little bundle of pastries won’t buy me over.”
“Relax,” Liang Qifeng said. “It’s just a small thing.”
With that, he dropped the curtain and left, leaving Nan Jianxue staring blankly for a long moment before snapping out of it. He yanked open the window and shouted, “You still owe me money! And now you want another favor?!”
Liang Qifeng needed a moment to realize he meant the previous “debt of gratitude.” He only shrugged. “Debts are easier when you already have a lot.”
Nan Jianxue: “?”
That tone—like he never intends to pay me back at all?!
He retorted immediately, “If you don’t pay me back, I won’t let you owe me again!”
“Then think about how much you want me to repay,” Liang Qifeng said evenly. “If you can’t decide, I’ll assume it doesn’t count.”
Nan Jianxue: “?”
He cursed him shameless and dropped the curtain, sulking back into the carriage—already pondering what to demand.
What he truly wanted was for the two of them to divorce. But with his imperial brother in the way, that was impossible. So he figured he might as well squeeze as much money as possible out of him—better prepared in case his brother pulled some scheme again.
Thinking this, he turned to Qingqian. “How much wealth do you think Liang Qifeng’s family actually has?”
She blinked in confusion. “Ah?”
“I need to know how much money to ask for without losing out.”
Qingqian: “???”
The princess only twisted his ankle, not his head. Why on earth is he suddenly talking nonsense?
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