“After Shedding My Armor, I Await Marriage” Chapter 71

Gu Fu regretted it, truly regretted it.

If she had known that hugging Fu Yan in public and spinning him around would make him angry, she would have held back, no matter what. She would have waited until they were alone to express her joy.

Now, the mistake had already been made, and all she could do was think of a way to make up for it. However, Fu Yan wasn’t giving her any chance to be alone with him, and his attitude had reverted to how it was when they first met—distant and cold, as if he were an otherworldly figure, detached from human emotions.

Gu Fu was extremely anxious but feared that trying to coax him in front of others would only make him angrier. So she had no choice but to endure it and first focus on finishing the handover of duties.

By the time everything was settled, it was already evening. The governor of Sui Prefecture and the accompanying officials couldn’t stay overnight in the military camp, so they had to return to the city before nightfall.

“Let the esteemed officials stay at my residence for the night,” the governor of Sui Prefecture suggested.

Gu Fu’s eyelid twitched, remembering that this governor had always tried to marry his daughter to her. He often invited her to his residence, and the governor’s daughter, who had grown up on the border, was bold and enthusiastic. She often proclaimed that she would marry only the best. Taking advantage of the fact that the border didn’t have as many strict rules as the capital, she frequently appeared at banquets, either performing or pouring drinks. Once, when Gu Fu drank too much and stayed overnight at the governor’s mansion, she almost ended up in the young woman’s private chambers.

Now that Fu Yan was here, a man from the capital, and a Imperial Preceptor at that, not to mention handsome… no, absolutely not. Fu Yan must not stay at the governor’s residence.

Gu Fu’s internal alarm bells were ringing, and she immediately suggested taking Fu Yan to stay with her. Although the northwest wasn’t yet her stronghold, Wei Xiao, when he was in power, had accepted a lot of bribes, leaving several residences in the northwest as gifts.

Although these residences had now all been confiscated, one was kept as a temporary place for Gu Fu to stay while in the northwest.

Gu Fu had stayed there a few times, and since she had nothing else to do for the next few days, she personally led the accompanying officials there.

The servants in the residence had all been replaced, and the guards were retired soldiers from the army. The only remaining staff were elderly, rough-handed women, with not a single maid in sight.

To avoid drawing attention while entering the city, Fu Yan had specially worn a hood, only removing it to reveal his face once they were inside. The reaction from the people in the residence was the same as it had been in the military camp—they all thought they were seeing a deity.

A few of the elderly women, when no one was looking, even clasped their hands together and quietly prayed to Fu Yan’s back, muttering under their breath with their eyes closed.

Gu Fu saw this, wanting to laugh but holding it back. She turned her head and instructed the women to tidy up the main courtyard for the Imperial Preceptor to stay.

One of the older women, speaking in a thick northwestern accent, asked Gu Fu, “General, are you returning to the camp tonight?”

Gu Fu shook her head, “I’m not going back.”

The old woman looked confused. “The main courtyard is for the Imperial Preceptor; where will you stay?”

Gu Fu replied matter-of-factly, “The main courtyard doesn’t have just one room.”

The woman understood and went on to tidy up the side room of the main courtyard.

That evening, a grand meal was prepared to entertain the officials from the capital. Normally, these officials, knowing that Gu Fu was a woman, wouldn’t have dared to casually dine at the same table with her. In fact, throughout the journey here, they had been mentally preparing themselves, knowing that she was someone who mingled in the military, to avoid feeling uncomfortable.

However, after spending the whole day observing Gu Fu’s behavior and commands in the camp, they were surprised to find that despite being a woman, her conduct was indistinguishable from that of any man. Gradually, they forgot about her gender altogether. During dinner, they started chatting freely, and before they knew it, they were even drinking the strong liquor of the northern region alongside her.

Gu Fu was notorious for never losing a drinking match, and tonight she was doing it on purpose. By the time the banquet ended, the officials were all thoroughly drunk, as limp as mud.

The deputy commander stayed behind at the camp, while two others, the Left- Wing Commander, with his carefree nature, and Lin Yi, who hailed from the capital, were invited to accompany Gu Fu. At her subtle signal, they made sure to get the capital officials thoroughly drunk, but they all avoided pouring drinks for Fu Yan.

The Left- Wing Commander didn’t dare speak to someone like Fu Yan, who seemed like a celestial being, fearing even a slightly impolite tone might offend him. Lin Yi, on the other hand, was respectful because his mother was a devout follower of the Imperial Preceptor, and he held a deep reverence in his heart, which kept him from trying to trick Fu Yan into drinking too much.

Neither of them dared, and neither did Gu Fu. So, while the other officials were carried off, Fu Yan calmly stood up on his own and, led by the steward, went to the main courtyard to rest.

Gu Fu followed behind, but Fu Yan never looked back. Once he entered the room, he shut the door.

The steward turned and saw Gu Fu standing there, about to bow in greeting, but Gu Fu waved him off, dismissing him.

After the steward left, Gu Fu approached the door, raised her hand, and knocked—

…

After the banquet, Lin Yi was just about to head to his room to rest, but before he could go in, the Left- Wing Commander slung an arm around his shoulder and dragged him out of the guest courtyard.

“There were too many people around during the day. Let’s take this chance to ask the general how she knows that Imperial Preceptor.”

Lin Yi, who had drunk a bit at dinner and just wanted to sleep, responded, “You can ask yourself.”

The Left- Wing Commander glared at Lin Yi. “If I had the guts to go alone, do you think I’d be dragging you along?”

Lin Yi had no response and was dragged by the Left- Wing Commander to the main courtyard.

Neither of them knew that Gu Fu had arranged for the main residence in the courtyard to be prepared for Fu Yan. They sneaked past the patrolling guards, heading straight for the main residence. However, before they could even see the door, they heard Gu Fu’s voice:

“Wangxi? Wangxi, can you open the door? Let me in, please. I know I was wrong.”

The two immediately froze, exchanged glances, and then simultaneously began to back away.

Just as they exited the courtyard, they heard the crisp call of a bird from inside.

The Left- Wing Commander crouched down by the flower bed outside the courtyard, holding his head in his hands with a shocked expression, as if he couldn’t believe what he’d just heard.

Lin Yi, still confused, asked, “What’s wrong?”

The Left- Wing Commander replied, “Did you hear that bird call?”

Lin Yi nodded, “Yeah, so what?”

the Left- Wing Commander explained, “That was a signal used by the scout camp. When the general used to serve in the scout camp, he used that exact set of codes.”

Lin Yi’s expression turned serious. “What did the general say?”

The Left- Wing Commander could tell from Lin Yi’s reaction that he had misunderstood the situation. He thought it wasn’t quite appropriate to explain, but couldn’t resist telling him, “The general said he wants to sleep with the Imperial Preceptor.”

Lin Yi froze, hesitating before asking, “Are you sure that was the scout camp’s signal?”

Why did it sound so… improper?

the Left- Wing Commander replied, “It used to be proper, but I don’t know which idiot twisted the signals into something so indecent. That’s why they eventually stopped using it.”

Ignoring Lin Yi’s shock, the Left- Wing Commander mused, “All those rumors about the general being a woman came from the capital. Do you think it’s because our general and the Imperial Preceptor have something going on, and that’s why the capital spread those rumors?”

Lin Yi didn’t know that Gu Fu was a woman. His father’s letters from the capital hadn’t mentioned anything about it, but he had heard similar rumors circulating in the military. Now that the Left- Wing Commander brought it up, Lin Yi furrowed his brow instinctively.

The Left- Wing Commander continued, “The people in the capital are so ignorant.”

Realizing Lin Yi was from the capital too, the Left- Wing Commander quickly added, “I didn’t mean you, of course. I just think, if they had to pair a man and a woman, why not say the Imperial Preceptor is a woman? They must be picking on our general because she doesn’t have anyone standing up for her in the capital.”

Lin Yi hesitated before pointing out, “But the general is shorter than the Imperial Preceptor.”

“What’s wrong with being shorter? The lady owner of that tavern we frequent is shorter than the server, but they’re still husband and wife,” the Left- Wing Commander argued.

Lin Yi was speechless.

“In my opinion, with that temper of the Imperial Preceptor,” the Left- Wing Commander glanced around nervously, making sure no one was nearby before continuing, “our general must have to coax him all the time. Honestly, they should be the ones spreading rumors that the Imperial Preceptor is a woman, not making up stories about the general. It’s just bullying. Now that they’re on our turf, we can’t let them take advantage anymore.”

The Left- Wing Commander went on and on, finally finishing his rant. He stood up and said, “It’s settled. If those capital officials dare spread rumors about the general again, I’ll set them straight. Alright, let’s go back.”

…

Outside the main house, Gu Fu had noticed the Left- Wing Commander and the others approaching, but when she saw them leave on their own, she paid them no mind, focusing on getting Fu Yan to open the door.

There was no movement from inside, but Gu Fu knew Fu Yan wasn’t asleep. After being apart for so long, there was no way he could sleep without her.

Gu Fu decided to use her trump card—she spoke in a secret code they had used when infiltrating the gunpowder depot and threw in a suggestive line to urge Fu Yan to open the door.

Sure enough, after a moment, the door opened. Fu Yan looked the same as when he had entered—his face still stern, which made Gu Fu itch with excitement.

Gu Fu squeezed inside, closed the door, and leaned into Fu Yan’s arms, standing on her tiptoes to kiss him.

Fu Yan hesitated for a moment, pressing his lips together, but he couldn’t hold back. He let Gu Fu deepen the kiss.

The small tension between them dissolved with that kiss. Fu Yan’s hand, which had been hanging by his side, wrapped around Gu Fu’s waist, and the two moved in sync toward the bed.

Clothes were shed piece by piece, and as the bed curtains fell, Gu Fu gasped, slightly regretful. “I can’t get pregnant right now, so I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you.”

They couldn’t go all the way, but there were other things they could try.

To her surprise, Fu Yan pulled out a small bottle, his breath still a little heavy. “Contraceptive pills.”

Gu Fu hadn’t expected Fu Yan to be so well-prepared. Excited, she took the bottle, but the weight in her hand made her pause. “It’s empty?”

“This pill is harmless, but you have to take it a month in advance. After finishing the course, it takes a year and a half for the effects to wear off,” Fu Yan said, slowly catching his breath. “I started taking it after the New Year.”

It was the first time Gu Fu had ever heard of a contraceptive for men. Feeling both curious and a little nervous, she asked, “Are there any side effects besides preventing pregnancy? Like…”

It was as if Fu Yan knew exactly what Gu Fu was about to ask, and he immediately answered, “No.”

Gu Fu raised an eyebrow.

Fu Yan lowered his gaze, maintaining his usual cool and detached demeanor, though his voice softened a little. “I’ve already tested it.”

A mischievous smile slowly curled at the corner of Gu Fu’s lips as she leaned closer. “Tested it? How?”

Fu Yan held Gu Fu’s gaze for a few seconds before, ever so slowly, lowering his forehead onto her shoulder. His white hair slipped down, revealing ears that had turned red with heat, as if silently pleading: Please don’t ask.

But the more he acted like that, the more Gu Fu wanted to know. She held onto him tightly, persistently teasing, “Don’t stay silent—come on, tell me how you tested it.”

Fu Yan ignored her, but she kept at it, refusing to let him off the hook. Finally, he relented and mumbled, “I used one of your clothes.”

Gu Fu took her time savoring the meaning of the word “used.”

“Well, that was awfully lucky for that piece of clothing,” she chuckled, her words dissolving into the air between their lips. “But that doesn’t count. You’ll have to use me this time. Only when I say it counts, does it count.”

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