After Marrying the Villainous Prime Minister in My Brother’s Stead - Chapter 11

11: Dumplings, Nothing Tastes Better Than Dumplings.

Yan Luo’s body was so cold that no one dared to touch her. The lingering chill of early spring made it easy to fall ill.

Gu Que carefully lay down, clasping her hands behind her head, muttering to herself: “You’re a woman, I’m a woman—we’re the same. Getting close is for your own good.”

In contrast to Yan Luo, Gu Que’s body was warm, like a charcoal fire.

Only the two of them were in the room. Outside, the maids chattered away, with Tinglan leading the conversation as the younger maids eagerly asked about the new residence.

Tinglan rolled up her sleeve to show off the glass bracelet bestowed by the young master. “What do you think? Isn’t it pretty?”

“It’s transparent! Look, it even sparkles!”

“That’s not sparkle—it’s color. There’s color inside, like a rainbow.”

Tinglan proudly flashed it at them before tucking it away again. “Everyone in our courtyard has one, even the cleaning women. What do you think of that?”

“Ah… Sister Tinglan, we want to go too!”

Tinglan scoffed. “Back when you were asked to come, none of you spoke up. Let me tell you, Prime Minister Yan is wonderful—she even gave us scented soap!”

Inside the room, Gu Que overheard this. Tinglan was clearly teasing them—the glass bracelets had only been given to her. The other maids in attendance hadn’t received any.

When they were first moving to the new residence, the servants in the courtyard were too intimidated by Prime Minister Yan’s imposing reputation to go. Tinglan was doing this on purpose.

Under the covers, it was warm. Gradually, drowsiness overtook her, and her eyes slowly closed.

Outside the window, the sunlight was gentle, casting a golden glow through the panes.

The room was so quiet that the noise outside seemed even louder. Yan Luo was roused by the clamor. When she woke, she felt an unusual warmth. Opening her eyes, she was met with a strikingly beautiful face.

Gu Que was asleep, her eyelids drooping, her fair complexion radiating a soft, docile charm. A man wouldn’t have such delicacy—clearly, her disguise as a male wasn’t very convincing.

Cross-dressing required a certain appearance, and Gu Que’s looks didn’t fit. Yan Luo had never met Gu Yan and didn’t know what he looked like. She couldn’t fathom where the Gu family found the audacity to attempt this.

Gu Que lacked the heroic bearing of a man. If she had trained in martial arts, she might have carried a sharper aura. But she had no such skills, and though she mimicked masculine mannerisms to some extent, her every smile and gesture betrayed her.

Gu Que’s body was warm, and Yan Luo found it comforting. She didn’t reject the closeness—instead, she closed her eyes and savored the warmth.

Warmth was hard to come by, and Yan Luo accepted it without hesitation.

When one grows accustomed to coldness, it becomes a habit. But who would willingly return to the cold after experiencing warmth?

By afternoon, the Marchioness of Yongle came again to urge them. Leng Mian stopped her: “The Prime Minister and the young master are inside. Wait while I announce you.”

Leng Mian served the Prime Minister, so the Marchioness knew her place and waited politely by the door with a smile.

Yan Luo woke first, her eyes clear and bright, her expression cool. She sat up carefully, making sure not to disturb Gu Que.

Perhaps because fever had become routine for her, once it broke, she recovered as if nothing had happened. She dressed herself and got out of bed. When Leng Mian entered, Yan Luo was standing before the bronze mirror, her lips curved slightly, yet exuding an unusual pressure.

She studied her reflection, sensing something different. After a moment, she realized the mirror here wasn’t as fine as the one in her bedroom. She stared at it indifferently as Leng Mian stepped out.

The door shut with a thud, startling Gu Que awake. Before her eyes were fully open, she bolted upright, her face tense.

Ever since transmigrating into the body of the cross-dressing Gu Que, she hadn’t had a single peaceful day. Even her dreams were about being discovered and thrown into prison for her crime.

In a panic, she threw off the covers and scrambled out of bed. Yan Luo turned slowly and handed her robe to her, asking unhurriedly, “Did the young master have a nightmare?”

The question doused the fire in Gu Que’s heart, instantly calming her. She relaxed and smiled. “How is the Prime Minister feeling?”

“Much better. Shall we return?” Yan Luo lifted a hand to adjust the hairpin in her bun, her movements graceful and exuding an air of elegance.

Her grace carried the poise of nobility, every gesture refined, her demeanor suffused with aristocratic dignity.

Gu Que didn’t dare look up. She took the outer robe and put it on, saying, “The second branch has already left, but we’re expected to stay for dinner. Are you hungry? I’ll have some food brought in. What would you like?”

Yan Luo didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she turned back to the mirror, her lips pursing slightly before she said, “Dumplings.”

Nothing tastes better than dumplings.

Gu Que froze, her hands pausing on her belt. Slowly, she asked, “Do you like dumplings?”

“I was reminded of a saying.” Yan Luo didn’t turn around but observed the girl on the bed through the mirror. Gu Que’s hands stilled for just a moment before resuming.

That fleeting hesitation made Yan Luo think of a joke.

Gu Que asked casually, “What saying?”

Yan Luo replied, “Nothing tastes better than dumplings.”

Gu Que’s mind went blank. Instinctively, she nearly blurted out the scandalous follow-up: Nothing is more fun than playing with your sister-in-law.

She quickly steadied herself, keeping her composure, and said calmly, “Please wait. I’ll have them prepare some for you.”

“Thank you.” Yan Luo responded politely.

Gu Que didn’t dare stay any longer. Yan Luo’s gaze was too sharp, as if it could pierce through her thoughts and cast her into hell.

She no longer had the patience to dress slowly. Hastily finishing, she fled the bedroom like a startled rabbit.

Tinglan was waiting outside. Gu Que grabbed her wrist and hurried away, but then she remembered Leng Mian’s presence and the impropriety of men and women touching. She let go as if burned.

“Go to the kitchen and order some dumplings. I’ll go see Father.” Gu Que inexplicably regained her composure and walked away at a normal pace.

Tinglan also glanced at Leng Mian before quickly leaving the bedroom.

Gu Que rushed to her father’s courtyard but didn’t find him. It wasn’t until she reached the lakeside that she spotted him brewing tea. Since losing the use of his legs, the Marquis of Yongle had grown reclusive, neither going out nor receiving guests. Sometimes, he fished by the lake or brewed tea.

The afternoon sun was warm, casting light over the Marquis’ aged face. Gu Que steeled herself and approached. “Father.”

The Marquis didn’t look up, focused on his task. Brewing tea required tranquility, free from distractions.

Gu Que spoke softly, “The Prime Minister treats me very well. She’s gentle.”

“Hmm.” The Marquis acknowledged this, then said calmly, “Women may be formidable in public, but they are gentle and submissive toward their husbands. Now that you’re married, your duty is to protect yourself. You don’t need to do anything else—just maintain a loving relationship with her. Never anger her. The Prime Minister is deep-minded, so don’t try to outwit her. Simply comply with her in all things.”

Yan Luo was the Prime Minister—the first female Prime Minister in history. No one needed to remind Gu Que of how formidable she was. Rather than fighting her, it was better to yield.

Never make an enemy of the clever.

Gu Que studied her father’s indifferent expression, her heart uneasy. “Father, how is Elder Brother’s condition?”

“Not well,” the Marquis murmured.

Hearing this, Gu Que could only sigh. She had no energy to continue the conversation. “Then I’ll take my leave.”

The water in the small kettle began to boil. The Marquis spoke again, “Stay for dinner. Your aunt will be joining us.”

The Gu family had two younger sisters, one of whom had married into the Qin family, whose patriarch held a fifth-rank position as a Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. The eldest Qin son was around Gu Que’s age and had also taken the imperial exams, but he failed. This time, he didn’t want to try again—he hoped to leverage Prime Minister Yan’s influence to secure a leisurely official post and climb the ranks slowly.

Not everyone was lucky enough to pass the exams. Gu Que considered herself blessed, but her cousin seemed too traumatized to continue.

Rumors of corruption in the recent exams had brought down many officials.

Though Gu Que knew some inside details, she didn’t elaborate. She nodded and said she understood before leisurely returning to her courtyard.

The dumplings hadn’t arrived yet. The maids under the eaves had dispersed. Yan Luo sat by the window, engrossed in embroidery. She had said she wouldn’t receive guests or attend to official matters for three days, and she meant it.

Gu Que walked in. The embroidery depicted a tiger, similar to the tiny one on Yan Luo’s fingernail. Looking closer, the stitching was meticulous and skillful. In less than half an hour, she had already outlined the tiger.

The noble ladies of ancient times were truly impressive. Gu Que sat across from her and watched the needlework in awe. “The Prime Minister is amazing.”

“Is that so?” Yan Luo replied absentmindedly, threading the needle past the tiger’s whiskers and back again. Though the motion seemed simple, her technique was unique. Unfortunately, Gu Que was a layman and couldn’t appreciate it.

Gu Que took the opportunity to praise her a few more times. Yan Luo’s eyebrows lifted slightly, and Gu Que seized the moment to say, “We’re staying for dinner. My aunt is coming.”

“Which family?” Yan Luo didn’t look up, still focused on the tiger.

Gu Que answered, “The Qins.”

“Your cousin is mediocre and cowardly. I’ll arrange a position for him in the Ministry of Rites. It’s one of the Six Ministries but rarely has much to do. How does that sound?” Yan Luo finally lifted her head, her eyes as warm as a spring breeze.

Gu Que’s face flushed at the sight, and she smiled foolishly in return. “That would be wonderful.”

“Then tell your aunt not to come.” Yan Luo lowered her head again.

Gu Que hesitated. Yan Luo sighed. “We must avoid suspicion.”

“Oh, I understand. I’ll send someone to relay the message.” Gu Que turned away. As a modern person, she wasn’t versed in these intricacies. Without Yan Luo’s explanation, she wouldn’t have known to avoid impropriety.

Gu Que went to deliver the message. Yan Luo stared at the tiger, her brows lifting slowly as she stroked it affectionately. But when a shadow appeared outside the window, her smile vanished.

“Prime Minister, the Prime Minister’s residence sent over a set of cups—four cups and a pot.” Leng Mian reported.

“Tell them to deliver it to the Gu residence in the future. No need to frighten Mother.” Yan Luo lowered her gaze, guiding the needle past the tiger’s mouth—then pricked her fingertip. She frowned.

Gu Que happened to return just then and saw Leng Mian outside. She kindly invited her in. “Come in and speak.”

“There’s nothing else.” Leng Mian turned and left.

Gu Que stared after her, puzzled by her odd behavior, but she didn’t dwell on it. Sitting back down, she noticed the bead of bl00d on Yan Luo’s finger. “You pricked yourself.”

Yan Luo shuddered slightly, wiping away the bl00d indifferently, as if it didn’t hurt.

Gu Que foolishly grabbed her wrist, concerned. “Your health is weak. Losing bl00d isn’t good for you.”

Yan Luo was taken aback by her concern. “It’s just a drop of bl00d.”