After Marrying the Villainous Prime Minister in My Brother’s Stead - Chapter 15

15: Wangzai, Has Prime Minister Yan Fallen for the Young Master?

Yan Luo was the female emperor’s study companion. She entered the palace at thirteen, joined the court at fourteen, and was now twenty years old—two years older than Gu Que. Yet, those two years made a world of difference.

Yan Luo had been immersed in court politics for six years, while Gu Que remained an outsider. Gu Que had excelled in the provincial, metropolitan, and palace exams, but despite her brilliance, she was still no match for Yan Luo.

After stepping forward, Yan Luo presented four cups of wine to the four elders in front of her. Gu Que didn’t recognize them, but they all wore beards—some even white with age—indicating their advanced years.

After the toast, the four elders smiled warmly and drank the wine. Yan Luo took the cups back with a gentle smile and placed them on the tray before returning to her seat as the host.

Gu Que didn’t ask questions, but Yan Luo quietly explained, “The first is Prince Huaizhang, the emperor’s uncle.”

Gu Que nodded. “I’ll remember.”

“The second is Duke Enguo, who is the same age as the late emperor. Though the late emperor has passed, he’s still alive.”

“The third is the emperor’s maternal uncle, the Empress Dowager’s younger brother, also known as Duke Weiguo.”

“The last one is the youngest, Prince Kangle, the emperor’s youngest uncle.”

Gu Que memorized them all, nodding repeatedly. Yan Luo suddenly added, “Remember their faces—they’re all old foxes. Right now, the Empress Dowager interferes in court affairs, sharing power with the emperor. Duke Jinguo, who was involved in the imperial exams, is part of the Empress Dowager’s faction.”

Gu Que pondered for a moment. There was only one person on the throne—how could others meddle? The discord between the Empress Dowager and the emperor led to factions among the courtiers. The exam incident was likely Duke Jinguo’s attempt to promote his own people, while the emperor and the prime minister conspired to remove him entirely.

Duke Jinguo also controlled military power. This time, the Empress Dowager was bound to suffer losses.

Her thoughts wandered as the guests below toasted and laughed, enjoying themselves.

Yan Luo remained seated in the host’s position. Subordinates came to toast her, and she never refused—she drank every cup offered.

After more than a dozen cups, her complexion remained flawless. Gu Que, worried about her health, whispered to Tinglan.

Moments later, Tinglan brought a cup of milk to Yan Luo’s table. Gu Que said, “This is sweet milk—very sweet. It can help with the alcohol.”

It was actually Wangzai milk, rumored to counteract drunkenness. She wasn’t sure if it worked, but it was certainly better than sobering tea.

Yan Luo, who loved sweetness, found the Wangzai milk perfect for her.

Without suspicion, she picked up the sweet milk and drank. The rich, sugary flavor made her eyes narrow in delight. She took another sip.

Before the next toast could arrive, she had already finished the cup. Seeing this, Gu Que asked Tinglan to prepare another.

At that moment, Yan Luo suddenly grasped Gu Que’s wrist and softly called, “Young Master?”

Gu Que looked up. Yan Luo’s eyes were like frost and snow, glistening like glass, exuding elegance and unparalleled beauty.

“Hmm? I’m here.” Gu Que replied gently, afraid of startling her.

Yan Luo smiled. “Where did this milk come from? Why is it so sweet?”

Gu Que grinned. How could a drink made for children not be sweet?

Amid the guests’ laughter, she whispered, “If you like it, I have many more sweet things—sweeter than honey. When you have time, Prime Minister Yan should try them.”

This time, Gu Que didn’t say, “As long as you like it.” Instead, she told Yan Luo she had plenty more to share—holding nothing back.

Yan Luo smiled. Her grip on Gu Que’s wrist tightened momentarily, then loosened as Prince Huaizhang approached.

Yan Luo immediately released Gu Que and greeted him with a smile. “Your Highness’s presence today is an honor.”

“Prime Minister Yan is too kind. As the first female prime minister of Great Wei, the emperor went to great lengths to elevate you. You must not disappoint her.” Prince Huaizhang said amiably, though his gaze lingered on the fair-skinned, delicate Young Master Gu. He sighed. “Prime Minister Yan is fortunate to have such a husband.”

Yan Luo chuckled. “Your Highness has over a hundred concubines. Why envy me?”

Her tone was slow, her voice pleasant, and her smile elegant. Prince Huaizhang, the emperor’s uncle, was noble and powerful. Concubines meant nothing to him—even at fifty, with a granddaughter of marriageable age, he still kept fifteen-year-old concubines.

Gu Que frowned, her eyes briefly flashing with disgust before she suppressed it, pretending nothing had happened.

Prince Huaizhang left with a smile.

Yan Luo took another sip of the second cup of sweet milk, her lips stained with a drop. She wiped it away with a handkerchief.

The banquet lasted until dusk. Gu Que saw off the last guest, while Yan Luo, slightly tipsy, had already retired to rest.

Returning to the main hall, Gu Que collapsed onto a chair, exhausted. Weddings were tiring, but hosting guests was even more draining.

Maids efficiently cleaned up the remnants of the feast. Tinglan brought Gu Que another cup of sweet milk, which she gulped down. She couldn’t help complaining to Tinglan, “This is exhausting.”

Tinglan smiled. “You’re the host—of course you’re tired. Tomorrow is the bridal return visit, where you’ll be the guest and can rest. Sleep early tonight, and you’ll feel better tomorrow. By the way, will you sleep together again tonight? Prime Minister Yan is drunk and might not wake for a while. You could sleep in the study—I’ll take care of her.”

“No, I’ll rest here. Keep an eye on things. I’ll sleep on the couch—consider it separate sleeping.” Gu Que shuddered at the thought of sleeping in the study. Yan Luo would be displeased.

Tinglan helped her up. “I’ll handle things. Be careful—don’t fetch blankets yourself. Let the maids do it.”

“Alright, you go ahead.” Gu Que waved Tinglan off. She was just tired, not incapacitated.

Back in the bedroom, Yan Luo lay on the bed, the curtains drawn. Gu Que didn’t dare approach. She had a maid bring a blanket and slept on the couch instead.

Exhausted, she fell asleep instantly.

Morning sunlight streamed through the cracks in the window, rousing Gu Que.

She sat up groggily. The bed was already empty, the blankets neatly folded—proof of how soundly she’d slept.

A full night’s rest left her refreshed, though she needed a bath. She called for maids to prepare water and fresh clothes.

As Gu Que entered the bathing chamber, Yan Luo returned from the study. Noticing the missing youth on the couch, she asked a maid, who pointed to the bath. “The Young Master said she felt uncomfortable and went to bathe.”

Gu Que and Yan Luo had an agreement: when Gu Que bathed, Yan Luo was never to enter. Moreover, the bath chamber’s lock had been changed—something the maids didn’t know about. Clearly, Gu Que had done it.

Yan Luo sat at the dressing table, her gaze falling on the little tiger pattern on her fingernails. She smiled inexplicably, then opened her jewelry box and saw the lipstick Gu Que had given her.

They’d known each other for barely half a month, yet the young master had already seeped into every corner of her life.

After a simple grooming session, Gu Que emerged from the bath.

Steam clung to her, her cheeks flushed from the heat, her eyes bright. Spotting Yan Luo, she curved her lips. “Prime Minister Yan is back.”

“Did you sleep well last night? I didn’t wake you when I got up—you looked so peaceful.” Yan Luo explained. She held the lipstick, a shade closer to cherry blossom than bold red. Today’s bridal return visit was the perfect occasion to wear it.

Gu Que was fully dressed in a blue robe, the tiger sachet from Yan Luo hanging at her waist. The refined young master exuded a newfound vigor, leaning toward a more heroic aura.

She nodded at Yan Luo. “Very well. I was tired yesterday and didn’t expect to sleep so long. How are you, Prime Minister Yan?”

“I’m fine.” Yan Luo applied her makeup. Today, she looked different from yesterday—perhaps because she was returning to her family. Her orange dress leaned toward soft elegance.

Gu Que loved seeing her gentle side. A domineering beauty with a tender smile was both stunning and captivating—unmatched in splendor.

Since coming here, Gu Que had learned many poems. Though she’d never seen the legendary beauties who could “make fish sink and geese fall” or “outshine the moon and shame flowers,” Yan Luo had redefined her understanding. She’d never imagined a woman could be so breathtaking.

She chuckled to herself and stepped outside, breathing in the fresh air. Yan Luo followed, her lipstick a shade matching her dress in the sunlight. She asked Gu Que, “Is there any more of yesterday’s sweet milk?”

“Yes, there’s some left. If you like it, I’ll have more prepared.” Gu Que snapped out of her daze, not daring to look directly at Yan Luo. She felt being too close would be sacrilegious.

She smiled. Yan Luo listened intently, studying her pink-white face. “Will it be there when I want it?”

Gu Que paused, not understanding. Bluntly, she replied, “Even if you crave it in the middle of the night, it’ll be ready.”

Yan Luo sighed, deciding not to dwell on her denseness, and ordered maids to serve breakfast.

Today’s breakfast was different—there was pasta, sprinkled with sesame seeds, fragrant and inviting.

Yan Luo eyed the yellow noodles skeptically. Gu Que picked up a few strands with chopsticks, ate them, then looked up with a grin. “It’s sweet. You’ll like it.”

She ate with relish. Yan Luo copied her, trying a bite. It was indeed sweet.

“What flavor is this?”

Gu Que thought carefully. Tomatoes didn’t exist here—not even as “western red persimmons,” which had been introduced to China during the Ming Dynasty.

“Honey, with some fruit,” she said.

Yan Luo enjoyed it, finishing the entire plate. A maid brought sweet milk, which she sipped slowly, unfazed by the sweetness.

She laughed. “Being with you, Young Master, might make me fat. There’s a saying among women: ‘To win a man’s heart, first win his stomach.’ You’ve certainly won mine. Without you, I might not even manage a single meal.”

Gu Que replied earnestly, “No matter how far you go, if you want it, I’ll deliver it to you.”

Yan Luo’s smile faded slightly. “Oh? How dutiful of you, Young Master.”

Her tone was odd. Gu Que sensed something amiss and didn’t dare respond, burying herself in breakfast instead.

Beside them, Tinglan frowned.

Has Prime Minister Yan fallen for the Young Master?