After Marrying the Villainous Prime Minister in My Brother’s Stead - Chapter 10

10: Warming Up, Prime Minister Yan’s Body is Cold.

Yan Luo couldn’t tolerate cold. She was always well-protected from the chill, but yesterday’s wedding disrupted many of her habits, exposing her to the cold. Before she could even enter the ancestral hall, she fainted.

As Yan Luo closed her eyes, the last thing she saw was the young man’s worried expression.

Expressions could be faked, but that panic was genuine. Yan Luo sank into darkness, only to land in a warm embrace.

The young man’s body was soft, lightly fragrant, with fair skin and well-defined bone structure. Yan Luo had seen many skulls in her time—her specialty was burning bones into ash and turning them into bone china.

The first piece of bone china she ever saw was made from her father’s skull. Back then, she was parched with thirst when someone handed her a cup of water. The water was clear.

It was placed before her, and without hesitation, she picked it up and drank. As she licked the rim of the cup, the person suddenly spoke:

“Little Princess, do you think this cup is beautiful?”

The cup was ordinary, without even the usual patterns. Out of fear, she nodded.

“You have good taste. I like that.” The person laughed wildly, then gripped her neck and lifted her off the ground with a mocking smile. “If I used your bones to make a vase, it would surely make flowers bloom.”

Her father’s skull was burned to ash and fashioned into a cup, clinking and clattering. For days afterward, she vomited until she nearly passed out.

Yan Luo was running a fever, her forehead scorching to the touch. Terrified, Gu Que rushed to fetch a physician. In this era, an unchecked fever could be fatal. She ordered someone to summon a doctor while she carried Yan Luo back to her own quarters.

But the moment she laid Yan Luo on the bed, the Prime Minister woke up, staring fixedly at her.

“Prime Minister Yan… Prime Minister Yan?” Gu Que called softly, waving a hand in front of her face. “I’ve sent for a doctor. Please hold on a little longer.”

“Gu Yan.” Yan Luo suddenly spoke, her voice hoarse. Her gaze swept around the room before settling on the young man’s fair face, exuding an inexplicable pressure that sent chills down Gu Que’s spine.

Gu Que quickly responded, “I’m here. Don’t speak. Just rest.”

Yan Luo lowered her eyes and lazily called out “Gu Yan” again. Gu Que answered once more, studying her vacant expression. “Are you uncomfortable?”

“I’m fine. No need to alarm anyone. I’ll be better after some sleep.” Yan Luo reached out and grasped Gu Que’s wrist.

Though Yan Luo’s forehead burned, her hand was icy. Gu Que’s heart sank. “You can’t sleep. Let me talk to you for a while.”

Yan Luo’s expression showed no abnormality—it was even serene. But her eyes lacked their usual brilliance. She stared blankly ahead, her lips parting slightly. “The blankets were cold last night.”

All night, she had felt freezing.

Gu Que was stunned, staring at Yan Luo’s flawless complexion. Was it really that cold last night?

It shouldn’t have been. The blankets were new and had been sun-dried for days. She herself had slept comfortably. How could they have been cold?

She didn’t argue, instead replying earnestly, “I’ll add another blanket tonight.”

Footsteps sounded outside—a maid leading the household physician in. The Marquis’ residence kept a doctor on call for emergencies.

Hearing the steps, Yan Luo’s eyelashes fluttered slightly. “Extra blankets are no good. Too heavy.”

Gu Que was at a loss. But since Yan Luo was feverish, her words probably weren’t rational. She nodded in agreement.

The physician entered, stopping behind the screen. “Young Master, what are your symptoms?”

“No need. Send him away.” Yan Luo’s tone was calm, but her eyes were unfocused, her head dizzy. Still, her posture remained impeccable, her back straight.

Gu Que didn’t understand Yan Luo’s reasoning. Why refuse treatment when ill? She wanted to persuade her, but Yan Luo had already laid back down, closing her eyes, her fair face radiating tranquility.

If she refused, Gu Que couldn’t force her. She dismissed the physician and asked for a basin of hot water.

Before the water arrived, the Marquise rushed in. “What’s going on?”

“She didn’t sleep well last night.” Gu Que brushed it off, wringing out a cloth to place on Yan Luo’s forehead. After drying her hands, she discreetly slipped them under the blankets to feel Yan Luo’s hands—freezing cold.

People with cold constitutions had chilly beds.

Her mother noticed the small gesture and frowned. “Let the maids handle this. The two of you shouldn’t be so close.”

This was the contradiction—having Gu Que impersonate her brother while discouraging intimacy between them.

Gu Que lowered her eyes and slowly withdrew her hand from the blankets. “I understand. Mother, please ask Uncle and the others to return home. We’ll reschedule the family banquet.”

“I’ll inform them. You tidy up and leave the rest to the maids.” The Marquise instructed before casting another glance at the woman on the bed. This was the daughter-in-law the Gu family had married to manage the household. Once her son returned, all difficulties would resolve themselves.

Gu Que watched her mother leave, then returned to sit by the bed. Closing her eyes, she searched her Taobao store for fever-reducing medicine.

Her Taobao balance was running low. She needed to find a way to earn money.

When she opened her eyes again, she held a box of fever reducers. She called for a cup of water, helped Yan Luo sit up, and brought the pill to her lips.

The pill was small and easy to swallow, but Yan Luo refused to open her mouth. Forcing it was impossible.

Gu Que stared at that radiant face, swallowing hard. Without IV drips here, medicine was the only way to reduce the fever.

The windows were shut, and Ling Lan guarded the door. Alone in the room, Gu Que looked at the pill and hatched a reckless plan—she could feed it mouth-to-mouth.

Gu Que licked her lips, leaned down, and whispered into Yan Luo’s ear:

“Prime Minister Yan, you’re a woman, and so am I. I’m not taking advantage of you. If you don’t want this, open your eyes and take the medicine yourself. Okay?”

She repeated it twice, but the woman on the bed showed no response.

Gritting her teeth, Gu Que muttered again:

“You’re my sister-in-law. I respect you deeply. I won’t let you die. If you remember this later, don’t blame me. This is my first kiss, after all. If you don’t remember, then let’s pretend it never happened.”

Then, carefully holding the pill in her mouth, she leaned in and pressed her lips to Yan Luo’s.

Everyone had a unique scent. Up close, Yan Luo’s was rich and pleasant. Gu Que inhaled deeply.

Their lips touched, her tongue gently probing.

For some reason, Yan Luo’s lips were soft and warm. Gu Que’s heart pounded wildly—nervous yet exhilarated, as if her heart might leap out of her throat.

Perhaps she was too slow. The pill dissolved in her mouth, spreading a bitter taste.

Half-failed. Gu Que straightened up, panting heavily, and touched her burning cheeks in frustration. Her gaze softened as she looked at Yan Luo.

Taking medicine without illness could be deadly. She quickly rinsed her mouth with water.

If at first she didn’t succeed, she’d try again.

Once the fever reducer was swallowed, Gu Que smiled in relief, exhausted, and slumped onto the stool. She wondered if she should buy an IV drip.

IVs worked faster and spared suffering. Closing her eyes, she searched Taobao again. She had just over a thousand yuan left—she needed to spend wisely.

Soon, beads of sweat formed on Yan Luo’s forehead—the medicine was taking effect.

At noon, Leng Mian barged in. Ling Lan couldn’t stop her. She handed Gu Que a small bottle. “Make her take this.”

“What is it?” Gu Que took the bottle—no label. She eyed Leng Mian, who snapped, “Life-saving medicine.”

“I already gave her medicine. Look, her fever’s gone.” Gu Que clutched the bottle, brows furrowed.

Leng Mian checked Yan Luo’s forehead—indeed, no fever. She said, “Did you put a hand warmer in the bed last night?”

“A hand warmer? No.” Gu Que shook her head honestly. It was already spring—why would she need one?

Leng Mian scowled. “Prepare one tonight, or don’t even think about sleeping in that bed.”

“Fine.” Gu Que didn’t argue. She walked to the bed and slipped a hand under the covers—still cold. She asked Leng Mian, “Her body is freezing.”

Leng Mian glared. “Can’t you warm her up?”

Gu Que was baffled. How?

Leng Mian frowned, eyeing the red-clad young man—gorgeous but utterly clueless. A pretty fool.

“Prime Minister Yan’s health is poor. She’s especially sensitive to cold. Be more attentive.” She didn’t want to waste more words on this idiot.

Gu Que, inexplicably scolded, was still confused. Instinctively, she reached out to touch Yan Luo’s arm—cold.

Her shoulders—cold. Even her feet—cold.

Without external warmth, would she stay like this?

Gu Que wasn’t a doctor and didn’t know what illness this was. She decided to consult the household physician.

She slid both hands under the covers, clasping Yan Luo’s icy fingers, gently rubbing them. Soon, Yan Luo’s hands began to warm.

“Is this how you warm someone up?” Gu Que murmured to herself, suddenly enlightened. Without hesitation, she stripped off her outer robe and climbed into bed. She pressed close to Yan Luo, her gaze inadvertently skimming over the pale skin below her neck.

With just that glance, she covered her eyes again.

In the darkness, she remembered—she was a woman, and so was Yan Luo. What was there to avoid?

Comforted by this thought, she opened her eyes and boldly wrapped her arms around Yan Luo’s waist, pulling her into an embrace.