After Marrying the Villainous Prime Minister in My Brother’s Stead - Chapter 20

20: A Child? Me? I Have a Child?

“One who eats another’s food is softened; one who takes another’s gifts is weakened.” After eating a portion of ribs, Yan Luo took a lantern and went to the kitchen to find Gu Que. Outside the kitchen, it was pitch black, but inside, the lights were bright. Gu Que preferred well-lit spaces, so whenever she was there, she would light four or five lamps.

Yan Luo left the lantern outside and stepped in.

Gu Que was crouched by the stove, tending to the fire. On the cutting board lay a plate of candied apples. Yan Luo glanced over and saw the apples coated in fine strands of sugar, so delicate they almost looked fluffy.

Gu Que looked up and saw Yan Luo’s back. Startled, she called out, “Prime Minister Yan?”

Yan Luo was staring at the sugar strands, her fair fingertips hovering over them, as if wanting to touch them. She ignored Gu Que, instead reaching out to feel the strands, then licked her fingertip.

In that instant, Gu Que watched her movements and involuntarily swallowed.

“So sweet, even sweeter than the sweet and sour ribs earlier.” Yan Luo murmured to herself. After savoring the sweetness, she finally remembered the person behind her and slowly turned to look at Gu Que, who was covered in soot. “What is the Young Master doing?”

“I wanted to make some barbecue.” Gu Que replied, pointing to the candied apples on the cutting board with a smile. “Do you… like that?”

“I do.” Yan Luo said, turning back to pick up the plate of candied apples. “How should I eat this?”

“Aren’t you afraid of getting fat? High sugar content makes you gain weight easily.” Gu Que muttered under her breath, her eyes sweeping over Yan Luo’s waist, abdomen, and chest before she swallowed her advice.

The proportions were perfect—far more perfect than her own.

She found a stainless steel fork from the sink and handed it to Yan Luo. “Eat less, or you’ll get fat.”

Yan Luo shook her head, took the fork, and ate a piece of apple. The intense sweetness burst on her tongue, slowly spreading to her heart.

Gu Que studied the subtle expression on Yan Luo’s face and sighed inwardly—she really did have a sweet tooth.

“How did you make these sugar strands?” Yan Luo asked, still savoring the taste.

Gu Que grew cautious and replied mysteriously, “That’s a secret.”

Yan Luo was surprised. Young Master Gu was actually playing coy now. She didn’t press further and instead brought up the imperial examinations.

“I’m studying.” Gu Que sighed internally. Truthfully, she couldn’t focus at all. She had thought taking the exam once would be enough, but who knew she’d have the bad luck to run into a cheating scandal? It was downright unlucky.

She was utterly unwilling. She’d much rather focus on her tavern.

“Hmm,” Yan Luo hummed in acknowledgment, leisurely eating the apple with elegant grace.

Seeing how much Yan Luo was enjoying it, Gu Que lost her appetite for barbecue. She patted her own waist and compared it to Yan Luo’s—better not eat.

Between bites, Yan Luo casually mentioned the key points to note for this round of examinations. The previous one had been a setup—the Emperor wanted to seize the Duke of Jin’s military power and had deliberately lured him into a trap, manipulating the exam conditions. This time, however, everything would be strictly by the book, far more rigorous.

Yan Luo’s voice was soft but clear, explaining everything in detail, from the basics to the finer points.

When she finished, the apples were gone. Gu Que promptly handed her a cup of tea. Yan Luo took a sip, her gaze flickering over Gu Que.

Gu Que noticed and smiled brightly at her.

Yan Luo was momentarily stunned. As a woman herself, she had to admit that Gu Que’s smile was captivating—genuine and sweet.

“It’s time to go back.” Yan Luo set down the teacup.

Gu Que nodded. “Will the Prime Minister return to the study?”

The speaker had no ulterior motives, but the listener took it to heart. Yan Luo replied, “No, to the bedroom.”

Gu Que was dumbfounded. Why was she going back to the bedroom all of a sudden?

Yan Luo didn’t give her time to think, lifting her skirt to step over the threshold and walking off with the lantern. Gu Que trailed behind her, following closely until they reached the bedroom. Tinglan, spotting Yan Luo from afar, felt her heart skip a beat—why was she back again?

Master and servant shared the same thought. Tinglan quickly ordered water to be prepared for the two to wash up.

The maids in the bedroom bustled about. Yan Luo entered and saw that the furnishings were unchanged, the room filled with a faint, sweet fragrance. She sniffed and asked Gu Que, “Did you change the incense?”

“It’s perfume, peach blossom scented—light and slightly sweet.” Gu Que answered without thinking.

Yan Luo suddenly recalled Lengmian’s words: Being with her, there’s a new surprise every day.

The Empress had once said that married life was dull—seeing the same face every day. If the couple shared refined interests, it might be bearable. But with a blockhead, one might as well suffocate themselves out of boredom.

Gu Que didn’t fit either category. Though she was a bit naive, her mind was quick and full of clever ideas. The only question was what her twin brother, Gu Yan, was like.

After a brief moment of distraction, Yan Luo snapped back to reality. “It smells nice.”

Gu Que understood her meaning immediately. “I’ll have Tinglan send some to the study as well.”

Yan Luo nodded in agreement, then glanced toward the bathroom. “Young Master, you go first.”

“Alright,” Gu Que didn’t refuse. She reeked of smoke and was covered in wood chips, whereas Yan Luo was spotless.

Gu Que hurried into the bathroom. Yan Luo sat at the dressing table, where a small box caught her eye—it wasn’t hers.

Inside the box lay a jade pendant, crescent-shaped and pale blue. When held up to the light, it revealed a wavy pattern.

The jade was of exceptional quality, clearly no ordinary trinket. Moreover, its crescent shape suggested it might be a token.

Yan Luo toyed with it in her hand. Tinglan, noticing, explained, “That’s the Gu family heirloom jade. The other half belongs to the Second Young Lady.”

The twins each held one half.

Yan Luo understood and placed the pendant back in the box, instructing Tinglan, “Help me remove my hairpins.”

Tinglan stepped forward, her movements stiff. She was used to serving the Young Master and could afford to be a little careless, but this was her first time attending to the Prime Minister.

The mirror clearly reflected Tinglan’s expression, and Yan Luo took it all in, studying the maid’s face.

The Gu residence was an ordinary marquis’s estate. With the Yongle Marquis’s legs crippled, the household had declined, a shadow of its former self, pinning all its hopes on the young master.

To place as a tanhua (third-ranked scholar) in his first attempt spoke volumes about his literary talent. Yet, he wasn’t the type to scheme, living a simple, uncomplicated life.

Yan Luo had met countless young men, but someone like Gu Que was truly rare.

Even her maid seemed guileless, diligent and cautious. Yan Luo suddenly asked, “What does your Young Master like?”

“Ah…” Tinglan was taken aback. “The Young Master likes… the Young Master doesn’t have any particular preferences.”

“None?” Yan Luo didn’t believe it. Most people had their biases—how could there be none?

A moment later, Tinglan caught on. “The Young Master studies hard every day and rarely sees outsiders. He hasn’t even met many young ladies.”

Was the Prime Minister worried the Young Master had a sweetheart?

She quickly clarified, “The Young Master hardly goes out. The ladies he meets are mostly his sisters in the household. He hasn’t even met his cousins.”

Just then, the bathroom door opened, and Gu Que stepped out. The two instinctively fell silent. Yan Luo stood. “I’ll go wash up.”

After she left, Tinglan recounted the earlier conversation to the Young Master.

Gu Que was astonished. “She’s been avoiding me because she’s worried I have someone else?”

“Why else would she sleep separately? Shouldn’t you explain?” Tinglan fretted.

Gu Que chuckled. “I’ll clear things up.”

Tinglan nodded. “You should make it clear.”

When Yan Luo returned, Gu Que promptly explained.

“You’ve misunderstood. I merely wanted to know what you like, not whether you had a woman outside.”

Gu Que insisted, “Prime Minister, rest assured, you’re the only one for me in this lifetime.”

Yan Luo smiled. “I believe you. Let’s sleep.”

Gu Que finally relaxed, glancing at Yan Luo. Her expression was normal, so Gu Que added, “I’ll be devoted to you.”

“How could I not know the Young Master’s feelings? Between husband and wife, honesty is enough.” Yan Luo lay down, her tone light.

Gu Que lay on the outer edge, keeping her distance—a forearm’s length apart. After a moment’s thought, she asked, “Are you cold?”

“A little.” Yan Luo said.

Gu Que reached over, touching her wrist. “Come closer. I’ll warm you up.”

With that, she scooted closer to Yan Luo. Yan Luo was about to refuse when a wave of warmth washed over her, and she couldn’t bring herself to push her away.

They pressed close together. Gu Que’s breath tickled Yan Luo’s neck, making her frown, but she endured it.

The Young Master meant well—there was no ulterior motive. As her body warmed, drowsiness crept in, and the two fell asleep nestled together.

Before dawn, Lengmian urgently knocked on the door. “Prime Minister! Prime Minister!”

The two on the bed jolted awake. Yan Luo felt warmth on her abdomen and instinctively reached down—it was Gu Que’s hand.

The moment they touched, Gu Que pulled back and scrambled up, throwing on her robe to answer the door.

The door opened, and a swaddled bundle was thrust into her arms. She froze. “What… what is this?”

“Your daughter,” Lengmian said coldly. “Who would’ve thought the Prime Minister would become a mother just seven or eight days after marrying you?”

“My daughter?” Gu Que was dumbfounded. She peeled back the cloth, revealing a tiny face with eyes still closed.

The child was so small, barely any weight in her arms.

Yan Luo emerged at the commotion. Lengmian explained, “The gatekeeper reported that a woman left this child and ran off. There’s a Gu family token inside.”

As she spoke, she handed Yan Luo a crescent-shaped jade pendant.

Yan Luo recognized it—the other half was in the box on the dressing table.

Gu Que stared at the pendant, knowing she couldn’t argue. Frowning in confusion, she asked, “I… I have a child?”

Lengmian produced a letter and corrected her, “Wrong. You have two. There’s a boy outside as well.”

Gu Que was stunned. “Twins?”