After Marrying the Villainous Prime Minister in My Brother’s Stead - Chapter 30

30: Come Here. If You Oppose Me Again, I Won’t Like You Anymore.

At this moment, Gu Que’s head was spinning, yet the fair skin before her eyes was exceptionally clear.

So clear she could even see the fine hairs!

Gu Que reached out, gripping Yan Luo’s clothes. The lips moistened by saliva felt cool—or was it hot?

Was it cold or hot?

Gu Que couldn’t tell, but her breath was warm, and the hand gripping her waist was cold. Her nostrils were filled with Yan Luo’s scent—aloof yet carrying a faint fragrance.

The carriage rumbled along, the clamor of pedestrians growing louder.

What were they doing?

Two girls were kissing.

Finally, Yan Luo felt it was enough. She released Gu Que’s waist and let go of her lips.

In that brief moment of breath, Gu Que’s rationality returned. She stared at Yan Luo in disbelief. “You… you… you’re going too far.”

Yan Luo chuckled. “I kissed my own husband. How is that going too far?”

“You…” Gu Que was at a loss. As a modern woman, she had actually been teased by an ancient girl.

Humiliating!

Yan Luo raised an eyebrow. “What about me? Others can’t touch you, but I can. I’m your wife, properly married with three matchmakers, six betrothal gifts, and carried into your home in a grand procession.”

Her tone was utterly shameless, perfectly matching the reputation others had of her.

Gu Que fumed but couldn’t deny the truth. Their marriage was indeed arranged by their parents and conducted with all proper ceremonies—it was legitimate.

Fine, she wouldn’t argue with an ancient.

Gu Que forced herself to calm down and shifted slightly to the side, putting distance between them.

Yan Luo got out of the carriage, taking Leng Mian with her.

Where was she going?

Gu Que wanted to ask but hesitated. After a moment of silence, Yan Luo had already walked away, and Gu Que didn’t speak up. She understood now—Yan Luo was busy. Those three days of marriage leave had been her most leisurely time.

She lifted the carriage curtain, watching that unyielding figure recede into the distance. Her hand rose, touching her own lips.

So kissing was such a delightful thing—pleasurable and thrilling.

She didn’t dislike it. Especially during the kiss, that aloof fragrance carried a hint of sweetness.

Perhaps it was Yan Luo’s charm.

As the figure disappeared, Gu Que’s vision blurred, her gaze fixed on the empty air. So kissing a girl could be this sweet. She let the curtain fall and instructed the coachman to return home.

When Yan Luo returned to the guild, it was still bustling, but the fat merchant was no longer in the main hall.

He had been captured, gagged, and dragged into the inner courtyard.

Yan Luo entered through the back, avoiding the crowd outside. After this commotion, Gu Que’s orders might be canceled.

Poor little girl, working so hard!

Inside the inner courtyard stood a row of guards clad in black embroidered with flying fish, swords at their waists, imposing and stern.

Leng Mian pushed open the door, and muffled cries came from within. Yan Luo walked in, smiling faintly. Making someone live in agony was actually quite simple.

For people to turn toward goodness was hard.

But to embrace evil? Extremely easy.

Yan Luo sat in the chair at the center of the room, watching the terror on the other’s face. Leng Mian removed the cloth gagging him, and he immediately gasped for air. “Who the hell are you?”

“If you can’t recognize Mount Tai, then your eyes are useless. Leng Mian.” Yan Luo shook her head slightly, her eyes amused.

As soon as she spoke, a scream erupted in the room.

Yan Luo covered her ears in disgust. Outside, the exhibition continued, and when someone inquired about the noise, they were told a cat had jumped off the roof and startled someone.

No big deal—the exhibition went on!

Inside the room, the man clutched his eyes in agony. A dagger was embedded in one, and he writhed on the floor, still demanding to know who she was.

Yan Luo didn’t answer, quietly observing his suffering—rolling, struggling, howling. She wondered: Is this how everyone behaves when hurt?

No, her brother hadn’t.

When her brother was thrown to his death, he hadn’t been in such pain.

Suddenly, she spoke again. “Leng Mian, continue.”

Another cry of pain followed—both eyes were now blind.

Leng Mian said, “He might die from the pain.”

Yan Luo blinked slowly and shook her head. “No, pain doesn’t kill.”

She watched as the screams grew weaker, the struggles less violent. “See? He’s not dead.”

“Who… are you?!” the man roared hoarsely.

“Zhao Quan, I still remember your name.” Yan Luo rested her chin on her hand, her face pale, a smile frozen on her lips. “I remember clearly. Have you forgotten me?”

Zhao Quan froze, his bloody hands covering his eyes. “You… who are you?”

“If you’ve forgotten, then there’s no need to remember.” Yan Luo sighed. “You’ve been dealing with Prince Huaizhang’s manor, sending them silver. There must be account books.”

“Who the hell are you?!” Zhao Quan struggled to stand, took two steps, and collapsed, crawling forward on hands slick with bl00d.

Yan Luo curled her lips. “I am my brother’s sister.”

“Brother’s sister…” Zhao Quan suddenly stiffened, his hands propping him up, bl00d pooling beneath him.

For a moment, he seemed to forget the pain, listening to that icy voice as his thoughts screeched to a halt. “You’re… you’re…”

“Don’t dirty those words!” Yan Luo’s voice turned sharp and mad.

“No, you should be dead…” Zhao Quan cried out. “They wouldn’t let you live.”

Emperor Wen had passed the throne to his brother, Prince Wu, only because both his children had died. If she were alive, why would the emperor have abdicated?

Yan Luo smiled, as if brushed by a spring breeze. “You should die. But if you hand over the account books, I’ll send you to Prince Huaizhang’s manor and let him hire a physician for you. How about that?”

This time, Zhao Quan laughed. “You won’t spare me, Little Princess. In terms of cruelty, you’re still far from it.”

“Oh? Then how about I break your legs and use your bones to craft a wine set for you to drink from? Sound good?” Yan Luo’s smile deepened. “It’s only fitting, after all the years you served my mother. You were her servant—did you cry when she died?”

“You didn’t cry, did you?”

“I remember you didn’t cry. You laughed. Why didn’t you cry?”

Yan Luo stared at him, the coldness in her eyes replaced by hatred. She stood abruptly. “Break his legs. I want to see how pretty wine cups made from his bones will look.”

After speaking, she closed her eyes. “Don’t kill him. My mother wouldn’t want to see him.”

A traitorous servant like this deserved to live—to live well.

After returning home, Gu Que changed clothes and slipped out through the back gate to visit the soap shop.

Today’s orders had poured in, and production needed to ramp up. The recipe was in her hands, so many tasks still fell to her.

She wore a crimson round-collared robe, her bright eyes and fair, delicate cheeks radiating the youthful vigor of a young man.

After leaving, she first went to her family’s tavern. The tavern only sold alcohol, and business was poor. She planned to close it and expand the soap shop.

This trip was to discuss the closure with the manager, then renovate the space to promote goat milk soap.

The soap shop’s reputation was growing, but production was lagging due to a lack of manpower. Goat milk soap couldn’t be made here—the low-temperature conditions couldn’t be replicated.

It was better to stock up from Taobao.

Once the plan was set, she had the manager hire workers—women only.

She spent half the day at the shop and didn’t return until dusk.

Yan Luo had come home early, bathed, and was now lounging on a recliner by the corridor steps. Her eyes were closed, as if utterly at ease.

Unlike the Yan residence, the Gu household had few chores. There was no large family to manage, so even on rest days, she could lie around without a care.

How blissful!

As Gu Que approached, Yan Luo spoke without opening her eyes. “Do we have ice cream today?”

Gu Que nearly tripped. “What kind do you want?”

“The kitten ones. I want five.” Yan Luo held up five fingers, waving them at Gu Que.

Gu Que thought for a moment, ignored her, and walked away.

Yan Luo sat up, turning to Leng Mian. “I think she’s gotten bold. She actually ignored me.”

“Did you think you had any dignity left?” Leng Mian mocked, barely stopping herself from adding: This is what you get for being gentle with her. Now she treats you like air.

Serves you right!

Yan Luo was at a loss. “What should I do, then?”

Leng Mian pondered. Gu Que was timid and soft-hearted. She hatched a plan: “Take her to your study and let her see it.”

Yan Luo’s expression darkened. She shot Leng Mian a glare. “What if she gets scared? Forget five ice creams—she won’t even let me see them.”

“Then what do you suggest?” Leng Mian was out of ideas. She was good at fighting, not coaxing, but she knew how to scare people. A while back, even Hearing Orchid would burst into tears at the sight of her. Lately, though, she’d gotten better—even bringing Leng Mian some wine.

Yan Luo lay still for a while, then suddenly stood and walked to the window, calling out to Gu Que inside. “Husband, let’s go to the study and read for a bit, shall we?”

Silence.

Yan Luo tilted her head, waiting patiently.

After a long pause, Gu Que’s voice came from inside. “If you want ice cream, fine—but just one. The kitten kind.”

Gu Que walked to the window and smiled at Prime Minister Yan.

Bathed in the setting sun, the twenty-year-old woman was haloed in light, her entire being exuding nobility, her brows relaxed, gentle as glazed jade.

Yan Luo was unlike any woman Gu Que had met—she was a scholar, her integrity innate, and a beauty, lovely as the Goddess of the Luo River.

Yan Luo smirked. “Leng Mian wants some too.”

“Fine, I’ll go get it. But you only get one. And no more making me write essays before the exams.” Gu Que said.

The youth’s soft features, wide bright eyes, and sincere smile were utterly disarming.

Yan Luo beckoned. “Come here.”

Gu Que stayed put.

Yan Luo sighed. Why wasn’t she afraid? Everything had to be said twice. She urged, “Come here. I won’t kiss you.”

Gu Que shuffled over, keeping the wide-open window between them. Yan Luo immediately pinched her cheek. “If you oppose me again, I won’t like you anymore.”

Not giving her ice cream counted as opposition?

Gu Que almost laughed. She swatted Yan Luo’s hand away. “You broke the agreement first.”

Yan Luo wasn’t happy either. “Did you say I couldn’t eat it?”

“But you can’t eat so much. It’s bad for your health. There’s plenty of ice cream, but you only have one body.” Gu Que argued.

“Oh, so you’re not just being stingy.” Yan Luo blinked, her tone slowing.

Gu Que snorted and left to fetch the ice cream.

Yan Luo stood rooted to the spot. After a while, Leng Mian approached, and Yan Luo immediately lifted her arm, complaining, “She pushed me just now.”

Leng Mian scoffed. “Why don’t you mention how you teased her first?”

You flirted first, then got pushed. Typical.