Marrying a Disabled General and be His Wife

The next day, Chu Qingyi finished her preparations for the reception and promptly left the princess’s mansion. As the carriage turned onto a street away from the mansion, she suddenly realized she had forgotten something vital – she didn’t know where Tan Chuyan was, and Young Master Yan hadn’t informed her either. This was a problem.

How could she pick him up?

Chu Qingyi’s expression turned sour, and Lan Yue, her attendant, offered her a plate of peach blossom cakes, saying, “Princess, what’s troubling you? If you share your concerns, I might be able to help you find a solution.”

Chu Qingyi took a bite of a peach blossom cake and sighed, “Do you have any ideas to locate Tan Chuyan’s current residence?”

Lan Yue hesitated, “I’m afraid I don’t possess such information. However, the general might have an idea. He met the Fifth prince from Qi Kingdom a few days ago.”

“They met?” Chu Qingyi crumbled the cake between her fingers.

“When did this happen? Why was I unaware?”

Lan Yue handed her a delicately embroidered handkerchief, “It was the night before the news broke that Young Master Yan would be traveling to Jing Kingdom. There was quite a commotion. The general confronted the Fifth Highness, holding the swords to his neck.”

Chu Qingyi realized that in those days, her focus had been entirely on winning over Young Master Yan, so she hadn’t paid attention to other events.

“Is he still alive now?” Chu Qingyi interrupted Lan Yue, contemplating.

“He must be alive. Why would Young Master Yan ask me to protect a deceased person?” She raised her voice, “Turn around and go to the General’s Mansion.”

.

Upon reaching the General’s Mansion, Chu Qingyi saw Ji Bei and Feng Chilie, disembarking from a carriage. Ji Bei was a strong man, so he skillfully stabilized himself and the wheelchair.

He lifted Feng Chilie, who was sitting in the wheelchair, and placed them securely on the ground.

Chu Qingyi drew back the carriage’s curtain and asked, “With things the way they are, why are you still going to observe the morning training of the Wolf Eagle Cavalry?”

The Wolf Eagle Cavalry typically trained in the morning, but now, due to their losing sight of Tan Chuyan, he had added evening training as well.

The Wolf Eagle Cavalry brothers must have been feeling very tired.

However, Feng Chilie was indifferent. He leaned back comfortably in the wheelchair, “We need to see if they’ll be vigilant in the future.”

Feng Chilie went on to share more details about the day Tan Chuyan had escaped.

It turned out that the two new recruits who were guarding the carriage assumed that a sick man inside wouldn’t cause any trouble, so they chatted casually and weren’t particularly attentive to their duty.

Tan Chuyan seized this opportunity, easily subdued one of the guards, and made his escape.

Feng Chilie was surprised that it had been so effortless for Tan Chuyan to escape his watch. However, with Chu Qingyi’s protection, it would be challenging for him to take any action against Tan Chuyan in the future. If he were to mistreat Tan Chuyan, Chu Qingyi would certainly retaliate.

Young Master Yan was the one to blame for getting involved with Tan Chuyan.

Chu Qingyi was also perplexed by the matter, but Young Master Yan had always been enigmatic, so it wasn’t unusual for him to undertake mysterious actions.

Chu Qingyi refocused on the present situation and waved to Ji Bei. “Ji Bei, help move General Feng inside. You can return now. I’ll keep an eye on him.”

Ji Bei followed her instructions and with a strong arm, he hoisted Feng Chilie into the carriage.

Feng Chilie glared at him from inside the carriage, “You’re so obedient.”

Ji Bei lowered his head, thinking to himself, “The princess can make you scream just by looking at you. How could I not be obedient?”

After settling in the carriage, Feng Chilie sat up straight, resting his hands on his knees. “Sister, you mentioned something from a few days ago.”

Chu Qingyi continued, “Let’s talk about Tan Chuyan’s situation.”

Feng Chilie wondered if he was about to settle scores with that sickly man. He wasn’t afraid of anyone, except Chu Qingyi – it was almost like fearing his mother.

The saying “an elder sister is like a mother” suited Chu Qingyi perfectly.

When she was seven, Feng Chengjian brought her back to the General’s Mansion to raise her. Seeing how little five-year-old Feng Chilie wasn’t welcomed by everyone, she remembered her own early days in the palace.

Moreover, he was the blood relative in the fifth generation, so she paid extra attention to him, protecting him at every turn. This bond between them grew stronger, and Feng Chilie genuinely feared her.

As a child, when Feng Chilie misbehaved, Chu Qingyi would give him a good beating, fearing he might turn out crooked. He might appear moody, but he was more of a trickster than anything else.

They say he’s unpredictable, but in reality, he’s just a prankster who enjoys playing tricks on people. Seeing Feng Chilie nervously looking at her, Chu Qingyi leaned on the armrest.

“Don’t be anxious. I’m here either to confront you or to inquire about Tan Chuyan’s current residence.”

Feng Chilie relaxed, “Eldest sister, didn’t you investigate before coming to pick me up?”

“Why should I investigate? If I already knew, would I have to come looking for you?” Chu Qingyi shot him a glance, and Feng Chilie clenched his teeth.

Tan Chuyan was indeed a swindler, not just in business but also in daily life.

The thoughts of freedom from accountability still troubled Feng Chilie.

However, the prospect of avoiding consequences was rather appealing. Feng Chilie explained, “I don’t know where he is. That night, I was feeling down and asked Ji Bei to take me out for a walk. I happened to bump into him on the street.”

Chu Qingyi gave him a look as if to say, ‘Why bother talking?’

Feng Chilie quickly added, “But don’t worry, elder sister. I should be able to find him.” He opened the carriage’s curtain and instructed the coachman, “Turn around and head to Ling-han Pavilion!”

Chu Qingyi understood the reasoning. Given Young Master Yan’s connection with Tan Chuyan, there was a good chance that Ling-han Pavilion might have information about Tan Chuyan’s whereabouts.

Furthermore, it was possible that Tan Chuyan even resided there.

Why hadn’t she thought of this sooner? Everyone had been quite occupied.

.

Upon arriving at Ling-han Pavilion, Yan Changfeng was waiting at the entrance. Chu Qingyi exited the carriage and asked Feng Chilie to remain inside. She couldn’t move him well, and she was wary of him getting into mischief.

Seeing Chu Qingyi disembark, Yan Changfeng approached her, addressing her as “Greeting to the Princess.”

“Excuse me,” Chu Qingyi inquired, noting his weathered appearance. “Is Young Master Yan waiting for me?”

Yan Changfeng confirmed, “Yes.”

He led Chu Qingyi inside the pavilion and served her a hot cup of tea, “When Young Master returned yesterday, he suddenly remembered that he forgot to inform the whereabouts of the Fifth Highness. He anticipated the princess’s arrival and had me wait to receive you.”

Chu Qingyi commented, “Young Master Yan is quite considerate.”

She raised her tea cup. “Is he still here now?”

Yan Changfeng replied, following Tan Chuyan’s instructions, “Young Master left last night, but before departing, he picked up the Fifth Highness to prevent the princess from searching for him. I’ll go upstairs to invite him.”

Chu Qingyi acknowledged, “Thank you.”

Upstairs, inside the room, Yan Changfeng knocked on the door and informed, “Young Master, we have a visitor.”

Tan Chuyan, who had just woken up, rubbed his eyes and yawned sleepily. “So early… You entertain the princess for a while. I’ll be down shortly.”

Yan Changfeng agreed and stepped back.

.

Tianbao assisted Tan Chuyan in changing his clothes, tying his hair, and freshening up. Afterward, he applied a light, flesh-pink rouge to Tan Chuyan’s lips, which helped make him appear healthier and livelier despite his pale complexion.

The rouge also served to moisturize his lips.

Tan Chuyan pursed his lips, and the improvement in his complexion was noticeable. Tianbao couldn’t help but admire the chance to be so close to this face every day.

He tidied up the make up and asked, “Your Highness, why didn’t you mention that you were staying here yesterday? What if the princess hadn’t come to Ling-han Pavilion to find you today?”

Tan Chuyan didn’t want to admit that he forgot to mention it due to his guilty conscience. He decided to divert the topic, saying, “I considered it a test for the princess to see how good her deductive reasoning is.”

Tianbao, skilled in being stupid, nodded earnestly, “That makes sense.”

.

The two of them then went downstairs. Tan Chuyan extended his apologies to Chu Qingyi, saying, “I apologize for keeping the princess waiting for so long.”

Tan Chuyan was known to have a soft spot for beautiful individuals, and facing someone like Chu Qingyi only made it easier for him to be accommodating.

Chu Qingyi responded, “It’s because I arrived too early. In the future, I may need Your Highness, the Fifth Prince’s, assistance in contacting Young Master Yan.”

Chu Qingyi was aware of the complex situation between Tan Chuyan and Feng Chilie, as they had undergone a ceremonial marriage but were not officially wedded. As a result, she addressed Tan Chuyan as “His Highness.”

Tan Chuyan assured her, “Princess, rest assured. Young Master Yan specifically instructed me regarding this matter before he left. I will convey your message and will not pry into its content.”

Chu Qingyi extended her invitation, “In that case, Your Highness, please pack your belongings and come with me to the Princess Mansion to stay temporarily. It will make our discussions more convenient, and you’ll be safe from any disturbances.”

Tan Chuyan pretended to consider it and said, “Very well, I’ll impose on the princess then.”

In the Qi Kingdom, there were strict rules that men and women were not allowed to ride together in the same carriage. However, the Jing Kingdom had a more relaxed and open culture, with fewer taboos, and it was common for men and women to share a carriage.

With the princess’s warm invitation, Tan Chuyan decided to join her in the same carriage. However, as soon as he entered, he had the urge to leave.

To his surprise, Feng Chilie was also in the same carriage!

Out of respect for the princess, Tan Chuyan found a seat and sat down. The carriage was quite crowded, with a person in a wheelchair, the princess and fifth prince, and two attendants. One of the attendants, unable to bear the crowded space, chose to ride outside in the carriage to enjoy the cool breeze.

Once the attendant left, Chu Qingyi kicked Feng Chilie forcefully and gave him a warning glare, ‘If you scare him away, you’ll have to answer to me.’

Tan Chuyan had heard about Feng Chilie’s fear of Princess Chu Qingyi, but witnessing it in person was another matter. He felt a bit sorry for Feng Chilie, as if he were on the verge of tears.

Although Tan Chuyan wanted to laugh, he decided to cough instead.

Sitting side by side, Chu Qingyi couldn’t see the amused glint in his eyes, but Feng Chilie had a clear view of it while sitting opposite them.

This cunning individual knows how to taunt him, and it grated on his nerves.

Feng Chilie clenched his teeth.

“Eldest sister,” Feng Chilie suddenly spoke up, “My residence is currently undergoing renovations, and I would like to stay at the Princess’s Mansion for a while. Would that be convenient for you, eldest sister?”

Chu Qingyi looked at him in surprise, “you said you didn’t want to see Tuoba Rou, so you asked me to receive her. But if you stay at the Princess Mansion, you’ll have to see her every day.”

Feng Chilie realized his blunder and cursed himself internally. He had indeed trapped himself with this request.

Tan Chuyan, feigning ignorance, asked, “Who is Tuoba Rou?”