After Marrying the Villainous Prime Minister in My Brother’s Stead - Chapter 38

38: Having a Baby, Let’s Have a Baby Together.

The morning mist lingered, and there were few pedestrians on the streets. Carriages passed by the gates of various mansions, all tightly closed, unlike usual.

Gu Que wasn’t foolish. She knew something had happened in the palace and urged the coachman to go faster.

Upon returning to the Marquis’s residence, the steward was already waiting for her. “The Marquis said that as soon as you return, you may go see him directly.”

Marquis Yongle had risen early and was fishing by the lake. In the hazy morning mist, fish leaped out of the water one after another.

Gu Que stepped forward to greet him, and the Marquis went straight to the point: “Worried about the Prime Minister?”

“Yes, she didn’t return yesterday. I’m concerned about her.” Gu Que admitted frankly.

The Marquis laughed. “Why worry about her? She’s a master at stirring up storms—how could she possibly suffer?”

Gu Que couldn’t share his cheerfulness. Her head drooped, and she didn’t feel like responding.

The Marquis glanced at her and said, “No backbone. Last night, there was a family banquet in the palace. All the elder princesses and Prince Huaizhang brought their wives and children. Tell me, since they’re all members of the imperial family, what was the Prime Minister, an outsider, doing there?”

Gu Que didn’t know and couldn’t answer. The Prime Minister was close to the Emperor, the two inseparable. It wasn’t strange for her to attend a family banquet.

Marquis Yongle set aside his fishing rod and looked at the rising sun in the morning mist. “Prince Huaizhang is no different from the two princesses.”

Gu Que felt as if enlightenment had struck her. She instantly understood. “Yesterday’s banquet was a trap set for Prince Huaizhang?”

“Did Prime Minister Yan not give you any hint at all?” Marquis Yongle sighed. This daughter of his had acted beyond his expectations. “Staying by her side isn’t about muddling through life, idly waiting for your brother to return.”

Gu Que smirked coldly. “What else can I do? Consummate the marriage with her?”

“You…” Marquis Yongle was left speechless.

He picked up the fishing rod again, sprinkled some fish food into the water, and said leisurely, “Apart from consummating the marriage, can’t you think of anything else? The banquet was arranged by Prime Minister Yan. Didn’t you hear even a whisper of it?”

“No. How did you hear about it?” Gu Que retorted.

Marquis Yongle replied, “Zhi Zhi told me. If you were running around like a headless fly, I was to steady you.”

“Then why didn’t she tell me?” Gu Que asked, puzzled.

Marquis Yongle shot back, “How should I know? I wanted to ask you—how have you been living your life? Your pillow partner keeps things from you. What use are you?”

“She, she…” Gu Que couldn’t find the words. Prime Minister Yan acted out every day, constantly clamoring to consummate the marriage. Gu Que wished she could stay eight feet away from her.

Marquis Yongle sighed. “Go to the palace gates and take a look. Don’t just bury yourself in books all day. Ignoring the outside world is a dead-end way of studying. Do you want to become a bookworm?”

Gu Que hung her head under the scolding, too lazy to argue. Marquis Yongle offered a few words of comfort, and she seized the moment to ask, “When will my brother return?”

“Soon. A few days ago, the physician said he’s much better. What are your plans?” Marquis Yongle was somewhat exasperated. Every time she came back, she asked the same question. He asked about her plans because the Emperor was eyeing the second young lady of the Marquis’s residence, insisting she enter the palace.

With Prince Huaizhang eliminated, the Empress Dowager lost an arm, and the Emperor’s influence would grow. By then, the Marquis’s residence would be caught between a rock and a hard place.

Offer a daughter to gain favor?

Marquis Yongle couldn’t bring himself to do such a shameful thing. But if he refused, the entire Marquis’s residence would be in danger.

If he followed Prime Minister Yan’s suggestion and found someone else to replace Gu Que, then Gu Que would lose her identity.

He sighed heavily. Gu Que’s mood improved slightly. “I’ll naturally remain as Gu Que.”

Marquis Yongle glanced at her, his heart growing heavier. He warned her, “The Emperor has her eye on the second young lady.”

Gu Que’s heart clenched, remembering the way the female Emperor had looked at her. Anger surged again. “I’ll go back and think about it.”

Such matters required consulting Prime Minister Yan!

Marquis Yongle reminded her, “As for the marriage prospects, you can consider them first. At any rate, the dowry won’t embarrass you.”

The Marquis’s residence was wealthy. No one would be treated unfairly, least of all Gu Que, the legitimate daughter. Only her status was somewhat lacking.

He had considered finding someone else to replace his daughter in the palace. When she married later, she could do so as a Marquis’s illegitimate daughter. The difference between legitimate and illegitimate was significant, but it was better than entering the palace.

A storm was brewing. Faced with such matters, even a battle-hardened man like him felt helpless.

Gu Que went to the palace gates to fetch Prime Minister Yan. On the way, she felt hungry and ate a bag of instant noodles. Little did she expect that when she arrived, the place was lined with carriages—so many that they stretched beyond sight.

This was tough.

The coachman parked the carriage to the side, observing the ones ahead—belonging to various noble households!

Perhaps the officials were waiting to enter the palace. Gu Que wanted to cut in line, but this was no ordinary place. Cutting in line wasn’t an option.

She could only wait.

Gu Que sighed deeply. Meanwhile, the palace was shrouded in solemn silence. The palace servants didn’t dare speak. Prince Huaizhang was dead—he had eaten a kumquat and died.

The kumquat was a gift from Yan Luo to the Emperor, placed on the veranda. When Prince Huaizhang saw it, he remembered that the Empress Dowager’s palace also had some—he had eaten one before. It was a rare delicacy. Coincidentally, the Emperor was present. The Emperor plucked one to eat and, seeing him there, handed it to him before picking another for himself.

Freshly plucked from the tree, the fruit seemed harmless. Prince Huaizhang didn’t suspect a thing, even peeling it before eating.

He didn’t know the fruit had been injected with poison beforehand. Gu Que’s fruit, Gu Que’s syringe—both had been used.

The syringe’s needle was extremely thin, leaving no visible puncture marks.

Prince Huaizhang foamed at the mouth and died on the spot. All palace gates were locked, with no entry or exit permitted.

From top to bottom, a thorough investigation was underway. The palace was in turmoil. Without finding the culprit, the Empress Dowager wouldn’t rest.

Prince Huaizhang’s consort fainted from grief, while the heir gnashed his teeth, his eyes red with fury. Yan Luo was also trapped in the palace. But the female Emperor wouldn’t mistreat her, sending two or three songstresses to keep her entertained.

Yan Luo stared at the three beautiful faces, her mind brewing mischief: If I brought them back, would Gu Que get jealous?

After some thought, she realized Gu Que probably wouldn’t even glance at them, let alone feel jealous. She’d likely prepare rooms for them and, by nightfall, push Yan Luo into their quarters.

Forget it. Not fun.

Yan Luo continued staring at them.

The Empress Dowager didn’t trust Prime Minister Yan, even placing her under house arrest, forbidding her from leaving and having her searched and changed into new clothes. But nothing was found.

The songstresses sang. Yan Luo waved her hand. “Not pleasant. My husband sings better. Change it up—dance, in red dresses.”

The songstresses had no choice but to return and change into red dresses.

After one dance, Yan Luo frowned again. “Ugly as sin. Go to the Empress Dowager and tell her to summon my husband. She can sing and dance.”

At that moment, Gu Que, dozing in her carriage, suddenly sneezed. Who’s talking about me?

The message reached the Empress Dowager, who ignored Yan Luo’s request. What man sings and dances?

Nonsense.

Yan Luo continued amusing herself with the songstresses. Though she couldn’t leave, at least she had people to talk to. She hated sitting alone—it gave her headaches.

The four played a board game, with the losers stripping. Yan Luo was a master, and the other three were led in circles, stripped down to their undergarments.

Yan Luo generously waved them off just as the female Emperor arrived. Taking in the scene of debauchery, she nearly slipped and fell.

“Prime Minister Yan, what are you…” The Emperor stared at the three women, then at Yan Luo, still fully dressed. “Are you watching or planning to take action?”

Yan Luo glanced at her. “Playing a game. Want to join?”

“N-no, thanks.” The Emperor felt guilty and shooed the three away to dress and leave. Dismissing the attendants, she pulled Yan Luo aside for a private talk. But Yan Luo brushed her off. “I have a husband. Don’t touch me.”

“…” The Emperor froze. The married Yan Luo had changed drastically, becoming nearly impossible to reason with. She glared. “He’s dead. What’s your next move?”

“I want to see my husband. Summon her to the palace.” Yan Luo lowered her eyes, adjusting her sleeves without looking at the Emperor.

The Emperor wasn’t stupid. She knew Yan Luo’s temperament. Now wasn’t the time for sweet nothings. “Why bring her here?”

Yan Luo shot her a look. “Do you want to watch a spring palace painting?”

“Ah, this…” The Emperor was stunned. “Isn’t it because you have tasks for her?”

“She’s just a feeble scholar who ignores the outside world. What can she accomplish? I just want to hear her sing. Right now, you can’t act, and I can’t leave. Might as well find some amusement to pass the time.”

The Emperor didn’t believe her. “He can sing?”

“Yes, and beautifully.” Yan Luo was proud.

The Emperor studied her for a moment. “I’ll speak to the Empress Dowager. The palace gates must reopen. If they stay closed much longer, the capital will panic, and the people will riot. That would be disastrous.”

Yan Luo nodded. “Bring those three back. Being alone is so dull.”

The Emperor stepped over the threshold, grateful for her mental preparation to avoid another stumble. Prime Minister Yan seems… different.

Compared to before marriage, she’d changed.

She never used to play with women—or men, for that matter. The Emperor remembered that during the previous reign, one year during the imperial exams, there was a handsome top graduate who fancied Yan Luo and deliberately arranged “chance” encounters. Later, Yan Luo had him banished from the capital.

Now, after just one night apart from her husband, she couldn’t bear it?

Has Prime Minister Yan also succumbed to the charms of men?

By dusk, the palace gates reopened, and news spread: Prince Huaizhang had died after eating a kumquat.

No one knew what a kumquat was or where it had come from.

Gu Que was at the gates. When she heard the news, her heart sank. She knew Prime Minister Yan was behind it—the kumquats were hers. This meant she was now caught in the storm.

What exactly is Prime Minister Yan’s game?

Soon, a eunuch emerged from the palace. Spotting the Gu family carriage, he approached to inquire. Gu Que lifted the curtain, and the eunuch beamed. “Prime Minister Yan wishes to see her husband. His Majesty has ordered this servant to escort you into the palace.”

Gu Que understood and nodded. “Thank you for your trouble.”

Her politeness pleased the eunuch. “Young Master is too kind. Please follow me.”

Gu Que disembarked, taking everything from the drawer with her—small trinkets, neither poison nor weapons. Even if discovered, they’d be harmless. Especially Yan Luo’s “heavenly voice.”

Entering the palace gates, Gu Que’s heart pounded. She recalled palace intrigue from TV dramas, where people were summoned to the palace and secretly killed.

She suddenly regretted not asking more questions earlier.

The journey passed in silence. She grew afraid—terrified. She glanced around, even considering whether to buy self-defense tools like an electric baton.

The palace was vast, too large to take in at a glance. She entered at dusk, and by the time it grew dark, they still hadn’t arrived.

The deeper they went, the more sinister it felt. Gu Que swallowed hard. Suddenly, the eunuch stopped, turning left into a palace.

She hurried after him and soon spotted a familiar figure outside the hall.

Instantly, the weight lifted from her heart. She quickened her pace, nearly breaking into a run, her joy unmistakable. “Prime Minister Yan.”

“Husband.” Yan Luo’s brows also curved into a smile. Unlike usual, today she wore palace attire.

Her clothes had been taken away by the Empress Dowager’s people. Now, from head to toe, she was dressed in palace garb. Palace attire differed from outside clothing. With summer approaching, it was time for cross-collared robes.

The cross-collared robe paired with a breastband left the neck bare and the chest slightly exposed, exuding allure.

When Gu Que saw her, she couldn’t help but laugh, recalling the V-necked red dress from Dream of the Red Chamber. She climbed the steps, and Yan Luo took her hand, leading her inside.

Attendants lined both sides—dozens of palace maids and eunuchs, including the three songstresses.

When they saw the family Gu’s heir, they were astonished. Only a celestial being like him could deserve Prime Minister Yan’s title of “husband.”

However, they weren’t ordinary palace servants—they were spies.

Soon, word reached the Empress Dowager.

“Gu Yan has entered?” The Empress Dowager reclined against a pillow, her tone laced with surprise. “Did he bring anything with him?”

“Empty-handed. Prime Minister Yan was overjoyed to see the Young Master. Right now, the two are probably inseparable.”

Coincidentally, Jing Yang, who was massaging the Empress Dowager’s legs, overheard. She lifted her gaze to glance at the eunuch.

At that moment, the Empress Dowager asked, “What about those three?”

“Reporting to Your Majesty, they’ve also left. Prime Minister Yan didn’t touch them—they just played games, with the losers stripping.”

“I thought Prime Minister Yan favored women. Turns out she’s no different from the Emperor. What kind of ability does this Gu Yan possess to have bewitched her so? Make arrangements. I’ll go see for myself.” The Empress Dowager sat up, her eyes sweeping over Jing Yang. “You’ll accompany me.”

Jing Yang bowed in assent.

The food in the palace—Yan Luo dared not eat it, and neither did Gu Que. Yet, not eating would leave them starving.

They had no choice but to eat. Gu Que leaned in mysteriously and asked Yan Luo, “Want some instant noodles?”

Yan Luo remembered—it was the same thing Leng Mian had eaten before. She nodded. “Sure.”

But just as she finished speaking, a voice announced from outside: the Empress Dowager had arrived.

The two exchanged a glance. Yan Luo grabbed Gu Que’s hand. “Don’t speak. She’s here to fish for information.”

“Understood.” Gu Que tensed up. The Empress Dowager and the female Emperor were the highest authorities.

The Empress Dowager swept in, surrounded by attendants, a young woman at her side. Yan Luo released Gu Que’s hand and bowed to the Empress Dowager and the princess.

Gu Que followed suit.

The Empress Dowager took her seat, and the servants brought brocade stools for the other three to sit nearby.

“Why has Young Master Gu come?” the Empress Dowager asked with a smile. Her intention in detaining Prime Minister Yan was obvious. She never expected the young heir of the Gu family to barge in on his own.

Yan Luo answered, “Replying to the Empress Dowager, it is because this subject missed her husband.”

“Ah, yes. That was my oversight—you two are newlyweds.” The Empress Dowager feigned sudden realization, then turned to Gu Yan. “I heard your child has already reached their first month. Bring them in for me to see sometime. When you get old, you crave liveliness—seeing you young ones brings joy.”

The Empress Dowager was amiable, nothing like the rumors suggested. Gu Que relaxed slightly. Beside her, Yan Luo said, “The Empress Dowager should urge His Majesty to appoint a royal consort soon, so you can hold your grandchild and enjoy your golden years.”

The Empress Dowager caught the subtext—it’s time to relinquish power and retire.

She didn’t take offense, merely smiling. “His Majesty is still young. If I don’t keep an eye on her, chaos might erupt. I heard she recently insisted on seeing the Gu family’s second young lady, even though the girl was ill. Tell me, what kind of behavior is that?”

Gu Que knew exactly what she meant—the Emperor was too unruly. But she stayed silent, waiting for Yan Luo to respond.

Yan Luo smiled faintly. “His Majesty was provoked. Everyone has their temper—she’s not made of clay. What’s truly detestable are those who deliberately provoke her, leading her to make mistakes. Such people deserve divine retribution. Don’t you agree, Empress Dowager?”

Her tone was gentle!

Yan Luo had impeccable self-control. She never lost her temper, but her words could be venomous—especially when her lips curled. Gu Que knew—she was up to no good again.

But Gu Que didn’t realize Yan Luo was already subtly mocking the Empress Dowager.

Just then, servants arrived with tea. The Empress Dowager accepted hers and didn’t respond. Princess Jingyang seized the moment to interject, “I noticed Young Master Gu will likely stay the night. Why not send someone to fetch fresh clothes?”

“Your Highness’s return today was quite a surprise. I heard you’ve been inquiring about this year’s imperial examinees. Any luck?” Yan Luo’s smile was ambiguous.

Gu Que was baffled. The princess meant well—why the hostility? She glanced up and saw Princess Jingyang pale, looking aggrieved.

Gu Que shot Yan Luo a look but kept her silence.

The Empress Dowager spoke. “The princess meant well. I heard Prime Minister Yan hasn’t eaten dinner. Was the food not to your liking?”

As she spoke, her eyes fixed on Young Master Gu.

Gu Que stayed quiet, enduring the Empress Dowager’s scrutiny without a word.

“I heard His Majesty has met Young Master’s twin sister?” The Empress Dowager abruptly changed the subject, no longer addressing Yan Luo but posing the question casually to Gu Que.

Gu Que replied, “Replying to Your Majesty, no. My younger sister is frail and has never been to the capital.”

“If she’s never met His Majesty, how could she haunt his dreams?” The Empress Dowager’s voice turned icy, her gaze sharpening with menace.

Gu Que pretended not to notice. “I heard His Majesty once met a young lady and became deeply enamored. That lady’s eyes resembled mine, so…” She paused, her lips curving. “His Majesty fancied my eyes and assumed my twin would be similar. Unfortunately, my sister is ill-fated and couldn’t live up to His Majesty’s favor.”

Her words rose and fell like a rollercoaster, leaving the listeners breathless—especially the Empress Dowager, who hadn’t known the Emperor was so infatuated with a pair of eyes that she’d covet another’s spouse.

The wife of a friend is off-limits—yet the husband is fair game?

For a moment, the room was dead silent.

Princess Jingyang discreetly studied Gu Que. She’d assumed the young master was gentle and meek, never expecting such boldness in mocking the Emperor.

Where does his confidence come from? The princess glanced at Prime Minister Yan. With such an outstanding wife, how could the husband be a fool?

The Empress Dowager pressed, “What exactly is the second young lady’s illness?”

Gu Que remained composed. “Replying to Your Majesty, it’s a congenital condition—difficult to cure.”

The Empress Dowager sighed, feigning regret. “What a pity—such a clever girl.”

Gu Que didn’t take the bait. You’ve never even met her—how would you know she’s clever?

The Empress Dowager deliberately lingered, asking about this and that. When the topic shifted to the Gu family, Gu Que answered. If it veered toward court affairs, she retreated into her shell, leaving Yan Luo to respond.

The Empress Dowager wasn’t entirely disappointed—she’d gleaned one piece of news: the Emperor is infatuated with Young Master Gu’s eyes.

Finally, something fresh. Timing it perfectly, she rose and led Princess Jingyang away.

As she crossed the threshold, Yan Luo suddenly called out, “Husband, let’s have a baby.”

The Empress Dowager smirked. They said Prime Minister Yan was cold and ruthless, yet she couldn’t resist a man. Control Gu Yan, and Yan Luo won’t dare rebel.

Everyone has a weakness—even the terrifying Yan Luo, who could make children cry!

Inside the hall, Gu Que ignored Yan Luo’s madness. How can two women have a baby? She handed Yan Luo the instant noodles. “Eat.”

Yan Luo stared at her, then declared loudly, “Feed me, or I won’t eat…”

Gu Que froze. Is a knife at your throat? What’s with the act?

“I won’t—” Before Gu Que could finish, Yan Luo leaned in and kissed her, swallowing her words.

You just kiss out of nowhere—no warning?

Princess Jingyang, who’d lagged behind, turned to look. The two were embracing. Blushing, she covered her eyes and hurried after the Empress Dowager.

Seeing her flustered, the Empress Dowager scolded, “What’s the panic?”

Jingyang peeked through her fingers. Wow, they’re already kissing—planning to make a baby right here in the palace?

“Have someone keep watch.” The Empress Dowager sneered. She wanted to see if Yan Luo’s affection for Gu Que was genuine.

Back in the hall, the two separated. Gu Que covered her mouth, baffled. Yan Luo offered no explanation, nibbling the instant noodles with distaste. “Too dry. I’ve been talking all day—I’m thirsty.”

Gu Que thought for a moment, then pulled out a bottle of Wangzai milk for her.

Yan Luo was astonished, circling Gu Que and patting her waist. “What else are you hiding?”

Gu Que backed away. “Stop touching me—quit it…”

The hall doors were open. The maids on the veranda stifled giggles. Who knew Prime Minister Yan’s husband-taming skills were so formidable?

Starved for affection!

Finally, Gu Que produced the “Heavenly Voice” device. “Want to listen?”

“Go close the door.” Yan Luo poked the little boy on the milk carton, muttering, “Why is he as cute as Gu Que?”

Gu Que didn’t catch that. She struggled to shut the heavy doors, then turned to find Yan Luo’s smile gone.

Her heart skipped a beat. Yan Luo crooked a finger, and Gu Que approached. In a whisper, Yan Luo said, “Prince Huaizhang is dead. Remember one thing—you didn’t grow those kumquats.”

Gu Que frowned. Yan Luo leaned closer, her breath brushing Gu Que’s ear. “I injected poison into the kumquats using your syringe. That’s how Prince Huaizhang died.”

Gu Que was stunned. Holy crap—what kind of devious plan is this? How did an ancient person come up with this?

Before she could process it, Yan Luo’s hand rested on her waist. Even through the fabric, Gu Que felt a chill.

“Remember—the kumquats were bought from foreign merchants. As for where those merchants went, they probably returned home.” Yan Luo smirked.

Gu Que felt as if she’d been plunged into an ice cellar, her heart frozen solid with fear.

Yet Yan Luo straightened, her smile sweetening. “Husband, you’re adorable when you space out—just like this little boy. Did you draw him?”

She effortlessly shifted from matters of state to trivialities, her lips curved in tenderness, as if her earlier words had vanished into thin air.

She sipped the sweet milk, a drop clinging to her lip. Gu Que watched her, taking a deep breath to steady herself. “Then how will you escape?”

“Why escape? I’m already here. If I can’t leave, I’ll stay.” Yan Luo chuckled softly, her gaze lingering on Gu Que. Noticing her unease, Yan Luo’s lips quirked. “Let’s have a baby.”

Gu Que’s head snapped up. “H-have… how?”

Yan Luo smiled. “The same way you and Li Niang did.”