After Marrying the Villainous Prime Minister in My Brother’s Stead - Chapter 29

29: Boundaries, I’ll Make You Lose Your Composure.

Was Gu Que really that good-looking?

The Great Wei Dynasty revered elegance and refinement, favoring scholars above all. There was even a saying: All trades are beneath contempt; only scholarship is exalted. Scholars were admired, and the top three candidates in the imperial examinations were considered incarnations of the literary star. Gu Que was delicate and refined, exuding an air of scholarly grace. As a girl, her skin was flawless. Though she wasn’t as tall as the average man, she wasn’t far off either. Dressed in official robes, she was peerlessly handsome.

Gu Que had made it to the palace examinations—a level not just anyone could reach. One had to pass the provincial, metropolitan, and finally the palace exams to earn the title of Tanhua (the third-place scholar).

A common saying went: The top scholar is easy to attain, but the Tanhua is hard to come by. The top scholar relied on literary talent, but the Tanhua required both talent and looks.

The Tanhua scholar was both talented and handsome. Gu Que’s face could withstand scrutiny—even the empress and her courtiers agreed she was attractive.

Had the empress known Gu Que was a woman, she would’ve long since taken her into the palace.

At this thought, Yan Luo’s heart chilled. She said, “Enough, I won’t tease you anymore. Change into something nice, have your shopkeeper bring the goods, and don’t show your face.”

In the Great Wei, merchants were looked down upon. Gu Que was a noble heir and had taken the imperial examination path.

Gu Que didn’t share this mindset. In her mind, everyone was equal. She was never much of a scholar, preferring to tinker with soap-making.

Yan Luo added, “Wear black so people won’t stare at you all the time.”

Gu Que: “…”

The capital’s merchant guild had existed since ancient times, gathering renowned traders from across the land. It wasn’t something just anyone could join—ordinary shopkeepers with a couple of stores couldn’t get in. The nobility also owned shops, but they disdained joining.

Gu Que was different from the nobility. She wanted to make money through commerce and focused her efforts on business. But all this was a secret—no one in the marquis’ household knew.

When Yan Luo found out, she didn’t see anything wrong with it. Earning an honest living to support oneself was better than relying on others.

Hmm… She thought of the phrase relying on others and instinctively glanced at Gu Que.

The young girl had rosy cheeks and lips. She would marry someday. Here, though she was technically the master of the house, it was all a lie.

Was she really relying on others?

Yan Luo found it amusing. Would Gu Yan ever return?

Suddenly, she realized how comfortable men had it. Someone like Gu Yan, once recovered, could hold office and have a wife.

Tsk. Such men lived so easily!

But what if he never came back? The little girl would have to keep her company for life.

Yan Luo’s lips curled into a deeper smile.

Gu Que was puzzled. “What are you laughing at?”

Yan Luo replied, “At how good-looking you are.”

Gu Que ignored her.

Merchants were wealthy, and the guild was located in a prime spot—a three-courtyard estate on the Imperial Street. At the gate, groups of merchants were chatting.

“Have you heard? The prime minister went to Tongzhou and slaughtered people.”

“Yes, I just heard this morning. They say she skinned someone alive and brazenly sent it to the palace as a gift for the empress dowager. How audacious!”

“A heart as venomous as a snake’s. How many wrongful cases were there when she was in the Ministry of Justice?”

“They say the emperor favors women, and the prime minister is beautiful…”

Hearing this, Gu Que’s eyes widened in disbelief. Were the emperor and the prime minister lovers?

Who was cuckolding whom?

Yan Luo listened quietly as they painted her as a seductress who used her looks to beguile the emperor. The little girl beside her seemed equally shocked, her eyes frozen wide.

Was she so easily swayed?

Without thinking, Yan Luo reached out and pinched Gu Que’s earlobe. Gu Que frowned. Yan Luo sighed, “Your ears are indeed soft, but your resolve should be firmer. If you doubt me, why don’t we consummate our marriage tonight? How about it?”

“C-Consummate?” Gu Que’s face flushed. How had this topic come up?

Yan Luo nodded. “You can verify whether the emperor and I have that kind of unspeakable relationship. Explanations are meaningless—this is the only real proof.”

“I don’t doubt you, Prime Minister. If I demanded proof, it would mean I don’t trust you—an insult to your integrity. We can’t consummate.” Gu Que smartly countered, “I have absolute faith in you.”

As soon as she finished speaking, the merchants’ gossip reached their ears again.

“I heard the emperor trusts her implicitly, making her prime minister against all norms. And I heard her husband is frail—their marriage is just for show.”

“Ah, poor Young Master Gu.”

“They say his literary talent is exceptional. What a waste of such brilliance…”

Their carriage was right behind the gossiping merchants, separated only by a curtain. Yan Luo turned to look at the frail little girl beside her and reached out to touch her face.

Gu Que stiffened, too startled to move.

Yan Luo’s hand was cold—even halfway through spring, it hadn’t warmed.

Her fingers trailed from Gu Que’s cheek to her lips, her thumb brushing the corner of her mouth. She sighed softly, “What a pity. Young Tanhua Gu’s literary talent is exceptional—such a waste of brilliance.”

Gu Que refused to be teased and pushed her hand away. “Not as captivating as the prime minister’s faint smile.”

“Oh? Then… do you like me?” Yan Luo smiled, her red lips pursed, her delicate brows cool and composed.

Gu Que replied, “Who wouldn’t adore such a rare beauty?”

Yan Luo’s smile vanished. She straightened, clearly displeased, and pushed open the carriage door to step out first.

Gu Que knew she was upset, but there was nothing she could do. She couldn’t lie and say, I like you.

Better to let her be angry—she could always be coaxed later.

A single popsicle could solve this!

After Yan Luo stepped out, the merchants had already dispersed. Leng Mian presented their invitation, and the gatekeeper let them in.

Gu Que was dressed in black, Yan Luo in red—the stark contrast in colors made them even more striking. As soon as they entered, many stopped to stare.

Did the merchants recognize Yan Luo?

Yan Luo was a woman, unlike men who frequented taverns and public places. She traveled by carriage and rarely showed her face. These merchants came from all over—how would they know this was the seductive, ruthless prime minister they’d just been slandering?

When they saw the beautiful woman, their first thought wasn’t of politics but of admiration. Paired with the handsome young man in black beside her, it was a match made in heaven!

The two walked inside without speaking to anyone. Soon after, the soap shop’s manager arrived, followed by two assistants carrying a large chest.

The hall had display counters. The manager took out the soaps and arranged them—this time, there were twelve new varieties, each displayed separately.

Once placed, they immediately drew a crowd. The manager was bombarded with questions.

Though he couldn’t make decisions, he could answer their queries. After some discussion, they realized these items were too expensive and turned to the cheaper, ordinary soaps.

Yet the fragrances were exquisite, filling the hall with lingering scents.

Many merchants bought some to take home—after all, these items weren’t available elsewhere. They’d make lovely gifts for wives and children.

As they bought, they suddenly realized these luxuries weren’t restricted.

Some high-end goods weren’t sold to merchants, reserved instead for the nobility. These were new products, not yet released—even the nobility didn’t have them.

Merchants were shrewd. Sensing an opportunity, they placed larger orders, requesting all twelve varieties.

Today’s orders far exceeded Gu Que’s expectations. She turned to Yan Luo.

Yan Luo ignored her, still angry.

Gu Que sighed. “I’ll treat you to a popsicle when we get back.”

Yan Luo straightened and explained matter-of-factly, “After the noblewomen received the milk soaps, they surely sent people to inquire about them. This is the capital’s merchant guild—news spreads fast here. They’ve heard about it. Milk soap is rare, something noblewomen covet. Why wouldn’t they want it too? The price might be steep, but the chance to rival the elite is too good to pass up.”

In short, it wasn’t about the soap itself but the unparalleled sense of superiority.

Gu Que understood—luxury was about the thrill of exclusivity.

Today’s exhibition featured all sorts of novelties, but Gu Que’s orders were the most numerous.

Yan Luo sat to the side, her gaze fixed on a plump man in his forties. She watched him intently, chin propped on her hand. After a while, Gu Que followed her line of sight.

“Who’s that?” Gu Que asked curiously.

Yan Luo said, “That man was once a eunuch.”

Gu Que was surprised. “But he has a beard.”

Eunuchs didn’t grow facial hair.

Yan Luo smiled. “It’s fake. I came today to kill him.”

Gu Que’s heart skipped a beat. Yan Luo added, “But your business is doing well, so I won’t act. I wouldn’t want you blaming me for ruining things.”

“N-No, I wouldn’t.” Gu Que panicked. When she met Yan Luo’s dark, unreadable eyes, a sudden fear gripped her.

Today’s exhibition was for merchants to network and showcase their best goods. Orders were placed on the spot. But at critical moments, the guild served a greater purpose.

The guild’s leader was Yan Luo—a position she’d secured through her machinations.

She’d given Gu Que this opportunity and didn’t want to ruin it, so she shelved her plans.

But once back in the carriage, she regretted it. After days of planning, why had she given up?

She glanced at the person beside her and recalled the emperor’s words: Those close to you may be your downfall.

What to do when the downfall was right beside her?

Distance herself?

Kill the downfall?

Yan Luo hadn’t decided yet.

Gu Que held a stack of thick orders and hefty deposits. Her reputation was established—now she just had to deliver on time.

She hadn’t expected things to go so smoothly and felt even more grateful to Yan Luo.

A pale hand lifted the carriage curtain, staring boldly into the sunlight without blinking. Yan Luo wondered, Why is Gu Que so different?

Some people dazzled with their uniqueness, drawing others in effortlessly.

But Gu Que? Aside from her face, what virtues did she have?

Was she just a pretty face?

This time, the cold and calculating Prime Minister Yan was genuinely puzzled.

She questioned her own decision today, even regretting it. Why had she given up?

That man—no, not a man, a eunuch—had fled and changed his name, daring to return to the capital.

Yan Luo glanced at the delighted young man beside her and wondered what she had been doing at eighteen. Two years ago—it was still fresh in her mind.

The late emperor had just died, and the new empress was constrained at every turn. Yan Luo had been on edge, scheming day and night for her. Yet she knew the empress was a lost cause. Still, she’d tried.

Facing the sunlight, she smiled and said, “Stop the carriage.”

Gu Que was startled. “Prime Minister?”

“There’s something I need to take care of. Go back first.” Yan Luo’s expression was calm, betraying nothing. But her smile was gone, and her usual aloofness made her intimidating.

Gu Que suddenly grabbed her sleeve—careful not to touch her wrist.

She remembered boundaries and dared not overstep.

Looking at the fingers clutching her sleeve, Yan Luo met her gaze. After a moment, she suddenly reached out, her arm encircling Gu Que’s waist, pulling her closer.

She held her by the waist and, in one swift motion, captured her lips.

You remember boundaries? Then I’ll make you lose your composure.