After Marrying the Villainous Prime Minister in My Brother’s Stead - Chapter 26

26: Turning Bad, Do You Like Me?

Yan Luo is different from the rumors. She is bad—utterly bad.

Gu Que, on the other hand, feels that she is also very good and has even come to like her current life. After transmigrating here, trapped within the Marquis Residence, she has witnessed countless cold and ruthless things. She once thought about resisting but ultimately found it futile.

The soap shop is her bottom line.

She doesn’t know how the original owner left—perhaps she couldn’t endure it anymore and drowned herself in the lake. Or perhaps it was because her engagement was abruptly called off, leaving her heartbroken.

Since she’s here, she might as well settle in. Life must go on.

In what was once a dull, tasteless, and anxiety-ridden existence, a bit of fun has suddenly appeared.

It’s harder to go from luxury to frugality than the other way around.

She admits that she’s grown fond of her current living environment. In just over ten days, her mindset has completely changed.

Yan Luo is wonderful. Even if she’s a cruel official, in Gu Que’s heart, she remains a beautiful person.

“Prime Minister Yan, do you have someone you like?” Gu Que asks.

Yan Luo is taken aback. “Me?”

Gu Que nods.

Yan Luo’s lips curl into a faint, cold smile. “I did.”

Gu Que is surprised. If she had someone she liked, why did she still marry Gu Yan? Could their engagement really have been that important?

People in ancient times keep their promises, but couldn’t they be flexible? A pang of sadness strikes her heart. Someone as wonderful as Prime Minister Yan shouldn’t have been ruined by Gu Yan.

“When I was little, there was an older brother who treated me well. I often played with him, but later…” Yan Luo pauses, thinking. What happened later?

Oh, right. That older brother betrayed her and caused the death of her younger brother.

Later, after she survived, she turned him into a cup.

Quite fitting.

She says with a smile, “Later, he died. I killed him.”

Gu Que’s face turns pale, and she dares not ask further. Yan Luo studies her expression and leisurely explains, “He betrayed me and harmed me. I thought his existence was a waste of food and a blight on humanity, so it was better to kill him. Don’t you think so?”

“How did he betray you?” Gu Que’s heart races uncontrollably. Betrayal leads to death?

Then… how many times has she deceived Yan Luo? Wouldn’t that mean she deserves to die many times over?

Panic sets in, her eyes flickering uneasily.

Yan Luo tugs at her sleeve and says, “He killed my friend.”

Gu Que’s heart settles. She looks down at the slender fingers resting on her sleeve and smiles faintly. “He deserved it.”

“Deserved it. Do you think I’m terrifying?” Yan Luo’s fingertips lightly brush the skin of Gu Que’s wrist—soft, with a delicate tenderness.

Gu Que is ticklish and wants to pull her hand back, but she accidentally meets Yan Luo’s gentle gaze, making her face flush.

“You’re not terrifying. A life for a life.” She swallows hard.

People’s perspectives differ based on their era and upbringing. Theory is one thing, but actions must adapt to circumstances.

Gu Que has learned to constantly remind herself that she’s in a different era and can’t apply modern morals here.

Take Yan Luo’s admission of killing someone, for example. By modern standards, she’d be in the wrong, but her status here places her above the law.

To put it bluntly, laws are made for the common folk.

Yan Luo plays with her hand, tilting her body slightly, her gaze tinged with fascination. Gu Que, unbearably ticklish, tries not to laugh.

She’s terribly ticklish but forces herself to endure. Yan Luo falls silent, turning her head slightly to reveal her ears, which are slightly red.

Gu Que is stunned. At that moment, Tinglan signals from outside. Gu Que doesn’t know what’s happening, but the next second, Yan Luo grips her wrist and whispers, “I’m thirsty. I want sweet milk to sober up.”

Gu Que has an epiphany—she’s drunk!

Is Prime Minister Yan acting out because she’s drunk?

No wonder she won’t let go of my wrist.

Yan Luo lowers her head, and Gu Que boldly studies her face. Under the candlelight, her skin is flawless, as if polished with whitening cream, glowing faintly.

There are many types of drunkenness. Some people flush, while others show no outward signs unless their behavior gives them away. Yan Luo is clearly the latter.

She doesn’t flush when drunk—she just clings to people.

Gu Que’s lips twitch. She nods at Tinglan by the door, signaling that she understands—Prime Minister Yan is acting out because she’s drunk.

However, Prime Minister Yan’s drunken antics are oddly elegant. Most people make a scene, crying or shouting, but she just sits there, holding someone’s wrist.

…Adorable, really!

She opens her mouth and asks, “Do you want milk?”

Yan Luo nods. “Yes, but I’d rather have ice cream.”

“I’ll have someone fetch one from the ice cellar. How about that?” Gu Que is unusually accommodating. No point arguing with a drunk. She adds, “Just one.”

“There’s none left in the ice cellar.” Yan Luo releases Gu Que and looks up at her, eyes blazing. “Because I ate them all.”

Gu Que: “…” What happened to her poised, authoritative persona?

“Your body can’t handle the cold. You’ll feel worse.”

Yan Luo scoffs. “It’s already weak. If I eat it, I eat it. Can it get any worse?”

Gu Que is speechless. What kind of logic is this?

This is called “smashing the pot after breaking it”—giving up entirely.

She’s a little angry, but Yan Luo leans in close, staring straight at her. “What’s wrong with a young girl eating ice cream? Is it too much to ask?”

“Well… no, it’s not.” Gu Que shrinks back slightly, her spine pressing against the chair as she tries to create distance.

It’s just too close.

“Since it’s not too much, get me another one.” Yan Luo orders.

Her voice is softer than usual, almost coaxing, like a child begging for candy.

Gu Que nearly falls for it but snaps back to reality. “Won’t your stomach hurt?”

“It’ll hurt, but I’ll eat it first and deal with the pain later.” Yan Luo smiles.

If Gu Que didn’t know her personality, she’d never believe she was drunk. Her eyes are clear, her demeanor unchanged, her posture elegant—nothing like a drunkard.

Hearing such shocking words, Gu Que freezes. After a long pause, she presses a hand to her chest. In the midst of this fog, she senses that Yan Luo has suffered some deep hurt.

A hurt so profound it leaves a lifelong scar.

Her heart pounds—not from infatuation or nervousness, but from shock and a pang of heartache.

She takes a deep breath. “Let’s go to sleep.”

“What about the milk? The ice cream?” Yan Luo counters, her eyes smiling, devoid of authority, only gentleness.

At this moment, Gu Que feels something shift inside her—like she can’t breathe. She calls Tinglan to fetch milk, instructing her to heat it first.

She doesn’t understand Yan Luo’s words, but she can accept them.

How could she not embrace someone so wonderful?

Gu Que smiles and boldly pinches Yan Luo’s cheek, waiting for her to get angry.

Strangely, Yan Luo doesn’t get angry. Instead, she looks at her and says, “Do it again.”

Gu Que stifles a laugh and pinches her again.

Tinglan brings the milk, and Yan Luo drinks it all in one go. Then, as if nothing happened, she heads to the bathhouse to wash up, followed closely by her maids.

Gu Que is dumbfounded. What just happened feels like a dream. She pinches her own cheek and looks at Tinglan. “I just pinched her face.”

“Were you dreaming?” Tinglan mocks her mistress. Prime Minister Yan is clever, dignified, and authoritative—why would she let someone pinch her face?

Gu Que argues, “It’s true! Her skin is so soft, so smooth…”

Tinglan freezes. “You took advantage of Prime Minister Yan’s drunkenness to flirt with her.”

“I—I didn’t!” Gu Que’s face burns.

Tinglan pokes her chest. “Pinching her counts as flirting!”

Gu Que huffs. “She touched my hand first. That means she flirted with me first.”

“That doesn’t mean you can flirt back. She’s your sister-in-law!” Tinglan chides.

Gu Que spits, “I flirted anyway. Smash the pot after breaking it—why not? Go tell Mother if you want. Tonight, I’ll even sleep holding her.”

With that, she turns and leaves, leaving a dumbfounded Tinglan behind.

What is the Second Young Lady doing?

What does “smash the pot after breaking it” mean? Does she not want a peaceful life anymore?

If she really sleeps holding her, how will they keep the secret?

Tinglan’s scalp tingles with dread. The Second Young Lady has lost her mind.

After washing up, the two lie down separately—Yan Luo on the inner side, Gu Que on the outer.

Shortly after lying down, Gu Que feels movement. Before she can open her eyes, her ear is pinched.

By Prime Minister Yan!

Shocked, Gu Que realizes Yan Luo is holding her ear, peacefully drifting off to sleep.

What kind of strange habit is this?

Holding someone’s ear to sleep—how is she supposed to sleep like this? Gu Que swats Yan Luo’s hand away, and Yan Luo immediately wakes up, her eyes filled with confusion, as if asking, Why did you hit me?

A few seconds later—oh no, her hand is back.

Gu Que doesn’t dare push her away again and closes her eyes in frustration. She makes a mental note: Next time Yan Luo is drunk, she’s sleeping in the study.

Far away from Prime Minister Yan.

Yan Luo sleeps soundly, waking up without any discomfort. Gu Que, on the other hand, has dark circles under her eyes.

Yan Luo shows some self-awareness. Upon waking, she tilts her head to examine Gu Que’s ear—unharmed. Then, pretending nothing happened, she dresses and leaves for court.

As she walks away, Gu Que lets out a disgruntled snort. Yan Luo pauses for half a step, blinks, and continues on her way.

Gu Que is so angry she could scream. She sighs and goes back to sleep, not waking until noon.

The mansion is uneventful—everything is under Yan Luo’s control, so Gu Que rarely needs to manage anything.

After waking up, she eats. Meanwhile, a small banquet is being held at the palace.

Palace banquets come in several forms. Today’s noon banquet was impromptu, hosted by the emperor. Yan Luo is present, along with other courtiers aligned with the emperor.

Before leaving, Yan Luo gives each official a gift—a bar of milk soap.

Most men don’t understand such things, so Yan Luo explains it’s for their wives to enjoy. They accept it, planning to take it home to their spouses. Some find it amusing and consider gifting it to others, but a quick glance around reveals—everyone has one.

If they give it to someone else, word might get back home and cause trouble.

After the banquet, the female emperor asks Yan Luo, “Why did you give them these?”

“Exchanging gifts is normal.” Yan Luo replies mildly.

The emperor knows she won’t get a straight answer but notices a remaining bar in the palace maid’s hands. “For me?”

“If Your Majesty likes it, keep it. If not, I’ll gift it to someone else.” Yan Luo says.

The emperor beckons the maid, who steps forward and presents the milk soap on a tray.

The emperor examines it, running her fingers over the leaves and the white “soil.” “It smells lovely. Bathing with this would be like the finest perfume.”

“Naturally,” Yan Luo smiles.

The emperor doesn’t understand Yan Luo’s motives, but she likes the soap and keeps it. As Yan Luo prepares to leave, the emperor asks, “What about the person you were looking for?”

“Your Majesty, I couldn’t find her,” Yan Luo shakes her head slightly. “It’s not easy to find someone in this vast world. Meeting once may be fate, but such fleeting connections are fragile.”

“Fate?” The emperor smirks. “Your husband’s eyes resemble that girl’s. Later, I recalled he has a twin sister. Could it be her?”

Yan Luo’s heart skips a beat. How annoying.

Absolutely infuriating—this lustful woman!

She maintains her composure. “Your Majesty, I’ve never met that girl. She was raised in Jiangnan and, from what I hear, couldn’t even leave her bed. It couldn’t be her.”

“I know it’s not her. I’d like to meet her. What do you think?” The emperor’s eyes gleam as she lowers her voice. “They say twins look identical. If your husband dressed as a woman, would he resemble his sister?”

Yan Luo finds this amusing. “Have you lost your mind?”

The emperor complains, “After Zhao Yan broke his leg, she set her sights on Zhao Er.”

Zhao Yan is the eldest son, the same age as the emperor. Zhao Er is his younger brother, three years his junior—meaning he’s three years younger than the emperor.

The emperor can’t stand it. A seventeen-year-old brat!

Yan Luo stands there listening. What a headache. She wants to go home—back to Gu Que, to see what new treasures are in her “box of wonders” today.

But the emperor’s ranting is endless. Yan Luo sighs inwardly. Suddenly, the emperor asks, “Lend me your husband for a day. Would that be alright?”

Yan Luo’s eyelid twitches, her expression darkening instantly. “What for? To dress him as a woman and play pretend for you?”

The emperor grins sheepishly. “Half a day?”

“Not even a minute. That’s my husband. Find your own imperial consort. Have him wear skirts for you every day. Don’t you find it disgusting to covet another’s spouse?” Yan Luo refuses sharply, visibly angry.

“I was just joking. Look how upset you are,” the emperor rolls her eyes and criticizes Yan Luo. “You’ve changed. In the past, you’d give me anything I wanted.”

“Can this be given? That’s the person I’ll spend the rest of my life with.” Yan Luo glares at her and turns to leave. “I’m going home.”

This is utterly exhausting.

Yan Luo can’t go home just yet. The Huo family’s young master has beaten the drum at the palace gates, accusing Prince Huaizhang of wrongdoing. Halfway home, she’s summoned back.

All she wants is to go home and look at Gu Que’s ears. Is that too much to ask?

Under Emperor Wen’s rule, the Huo family was part of the imperial in-laws. Even the late emperor wouldn’t dare slight them. But now, with a female emperor in power, the Huo family is out of favor.

The emperor and Princess Qiongju were the same age. Back then, the Huo family doted on their granddaughter, praising her at every banquet, making the emperor feel inferior despite being the same age.

Gradually, she grew to dislike the Huo family.

Now that the Huo family’s young master has beaten the drum, the emperor doesn’t want to deal with it and dumps the matter on Yan Luo.

Yan Luo orders the young master restrained, but he’s skilled in martial arts. A fight breaks out at the palace gates, and eventually, outnumbered, he’s captured. Yan Luo doesn’t publicize the incident, simply dumping him back at the Huo residence.

Then, she returns to her mansion.

But Gu Que isn’t home.

After lunch, Gu Que went back to the Marquis Residence to pay respects to her parents.

Gu Que dislikes the Marquis Residence. She’s not a child and can distinguish good from bad. The Marquess of Yongle’s wife favors sons over daughters, showing little affection for her. She often says, “Your brother is frail. We should take extra care of him.”

Hearing this repeatedly has worn on Gu Que, but filial piety binds her. What can she say? She can only listen with her head bowed.

Today, she first visits Qingzhi. The two children, raised in different environments, have grown similarly—their faces rounder, no longer as gaunt as when they first met.

After a brief visit, she goes to see the Marquess and his wife.

The Marquess of Yongle tells her, “Liniang’s brother is dead.”

Gu Que is stunned. “Beaten to death in prison?”

“Yes. He shared a cell with several others and was killed for speaking rudely.” The Marquess has a headache. This wasn’t just a prison brawl—it was Yan Luo’s doing.

Yan Luo has always been ruthless. Dead is dead, but his daughter should know. After speaking, he waits for her response, but she remains silent. He looks up to see her fiddling with her ear.

He asks, “I’m talking to you. Why are you touching your ear?”

“It’s nothing. He had ill intentions. May he be reborn into a better life. I’ll have someone set up a memorial tablet for him at the temple to pray for his soul. Liniang doesn’t know my identity. If she escaped, so be it.” Gu Que says.

The Marquess tells her, “Liniang may not have escaped.”

Gu Que is shocked. “Why?”

“She shared a bed with your brother. How could she not know you’re not Gu Yan? I’ve had her detained. We’ll decide what to do when your brother returns. I initially wanted her killed, but I didn’t want to add to your brother’s sins, so I’m holding her for now.”

Gu Que is disgusted. She looks up. “Have you considered that when my brother returns, Yan Luo might not be able to tell us apart?”

“She’s part of the Gu family now. Naturally, she’ll prioritize us. Besides, women always put their husband’s family first after marriage. Moreover, she has a cold constitution.” The Marquess emphasizes the last point.

Gu Que relaxes slightly, glaring at him rebelliously. “This is moral blackmail.”

“Moral blackmail?” The Marquess looks puzzled. He continues, “If she finds it unacceptable, she can divorce later. You’ll soon take the imperial exams and will surely pass. In a few years, your rank won’t be low. By then, if the Prime Minister wishes to divorce, she can.”

Gu Que laughs, nearly fainting from anger. “You’re using her.”

The Marquess mimics his daughter by touching his ear. “Am I?”

Disgusting! Gu Que leaves, returning only to be angered again. Next time, she won’t come back.

As she steps over the threshold, the Marquess calls out again, “I’ve found a match for you—the son of a former subordinate. He’s nineteen.”

Gu Que’s face flushes. She stops and glares at him. “I don’t want to.”

She’s not the original owner and has no interest in men, especially strangers.

The Marquess feels uneasy under her gaze and coughs. “He knows your identity. In a few days, I’ll invite him to the mansion. Meet him once. If you like him, we’ll arrange the engagement.”

Gu Que refuses to agree. The Marquess pleads, “This is your chance. Just meet him. If you like him, we’ll proceed. If not, we’ll pretend it never happened.”

“You’re already eighteen—no longer young. If not for your brother, you’d be married this year. Even the best girls must marry. Don’t worry. Your dowry will be substantial.”

Gu Que, worn down, relents. “I’ll come back to meet him.”

The Marquess finally smiles. “How is the mansion? If you need anything, I’ll send more.”

The Yongle Marquisate has some wealth. Though no one holds court positions, they’re no worse off than other noble families—hence the second branch’s desperation to cling to power.

Her father offers money, and Gu Que accepts. Every bit counts.

A small box filled with silver notes brings her joy as she leaves. The Marquess watches her go, smiling wryly.

For someone like him, all hope lies in his son. But his son is useless. Now, his hope rests in his grandson.

If he can hold on long enough to raise his grandson, the marquisate will remain with the main branch.

Moreover, with a stepmother like Yan Luo, his grandson’s future is secure.

Yan Luo’s cold constitution makes pregnancy unlikely. Qingzhi isn’t just the Gu family’s hope—he’s Yan Luo’s as well.

The Marquess leans back in his chair, closing his eyes slowly. A thread of determination keeps him going.

With the silver in hand, Gu Que goes shopping.

If she doesn’t spend it, it’ll go to Gu Yan. Better to use it all today.

The box contains a thousand taels—a small fortune by modern standards. In Dream of the Red Chamber, a concubine’s daughter’s dowry is three thousand taels.

The Marquess is generous, and Gu Que won’t be stingy either. She spends it all in one go.

Two carriages are filled to the brim. She doesn’t buy jade or other valuables—those would just end up with Gu Yan anyway.

She buys food, toys, and gifts for the mansion’s maids—even a cartload of soap for them.

Using Gu Yan’s money to buy soap feels incredibly satisfying. She’ll use the profits to buy lipstick for Prime Minister Yan.

Perfect!

By the time she returns to the mansion, it’s dark. Servants unload the carriages, carrying in piles of goods. The maids are stunned.

Lengmian takes one look and exclaims, “Did the heavens rain silver on the Young Master?”

“I bought a lot of things—all for you. Go pick what you like. No need to attend to me now.” Gu Que is generous.

Tinglan hears this, lifts her skirts, and runs off. After two steps, she notices Lengmian still standing dumbfounded and drags her along. “If we’re late, there’ll be nothing left!”

Lengmian is pulled away. Inside, Yan Luo opens the window. “Young Master Gu, do I get anything?”

“What do you want? Aside from ice cream, I’ll give you anything.” Gu Que doesn’t enter but walks to the window.

Separated by the window, they face each other.

Gu Que’s courage has grown. She can now look Yan Luo in the eye, though her heart still races.

Yan Luo gazes at her ears, wanting to touch them again. She also wants to apologize for last night’s “crime.” After a day of thinking, she still doesn’t know how to make amends.

What does Gu Que like?

Gu Que seems to have everything. Ordinary treasures don’t catch her eye. Yan Luo ponders and asks, “Do you like me?”

“Huh?” Gu Que is baffled. Like her?

They’re both girls. “Like” doesn’t seem the right word. If she says no, she does feel a pang for Yan Luo.

She doesn’t quite understand Yan Luo’s meaning.

After a two-second delay, Yan Luo closes the window. “I want ice cream.”

The window shuts, leaving Gu Que dazed. At the mention of ice cream, her eyelid twitches. “You can’t. Your stomach will hurt.”

Yan Luo says nothing more—certainly not last night’s nonsense. She lets Gu Que inside and asks, “Why did you buy so much?”

“Father gave me money, so I spent it.” Gu Que grins, her eyes sparkling, her skin glowing.

Yan Luo stares at her in disbelief. The once well-behaved girl has turned mischievous.

It’s a bit hard to adjust to.