After Marrying the Villainous Prime Minister in My Brother’s Stead - Chapter 42

42: Lesson—Cry for Me, Will You?

The legal system of the Great Wei Dynasty paled in comparison to modern management systems. In Gu Que’s impression, if someone dared to cause trouble in modern times, they could simply call the police. But here?

If it were an ordinary person, it might be manageable. But when dealing with the offspring of officials, where officials shielded one another, any effort would be futile.

Gu Que closed her eyes to think of a solution. She couldn’t step forward herself—if this shop were exposed to the Marquis’s household, it would inevitably fall into Gu Yan’s hands.

She took a deep breath. The troublemakers hadn’t left yet, but they had already smashed everything in sight. There was nothing left to destroy.

Gu Que got out of the carriage, and the voices inside reached her ears:

“My master said, wanting your goods is giving you face. Don’t be shameless!”

Forced buying and selling!

Gu Que suddenly understood. Her mind raced, and she stepped forward, saying, “What’s going on here?”

The shopkeeper, seeing the owner arrive, immediately relaxed. But Gu Que shook her head at him, signaling him not to speak, and continued, “I am Gu Yan, the Young Master of Yongle Marquis’s household.”

The other party’s expression changed instantly upon hearing that she was Gu Yan, the Young Master of Yongle Marquis’s household. Their arrogance vanished, replaced by a forced smile. “This lowly one is from the Duke of Wei’s household. The heir sent me to buy milk soap, but they refused to sell. If they won’t sell, why even open the shop?”

Gu Que understood and glanced at the shopkeeper.

The shopkeeper, emboldened by the presence of his backer—even though a duke outranked a marquis, Prime Minister Yan was not someone to be trifled with—immediately said, “Today’s stock is sold out. I told him to come back tomorrow, but he smashed my shop. Young Master, please stand up for me.”

Scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants—merchants were the lowest and most despised class. Gu Que knew this well and sighed. “I can’t make a decision here. Let’s report it to the authorities.”

“Then report it!” the servant from the Duke of Wei’s household shouted.

Gu Que nodded. “Fine, report it. Shopkeeper, calculate the total damages. The Duke of Wei will compensate, right?”

“Young Master, you jest. This lowly one did nothing wrong. He’s the one at fault. And for such a trivial matter to anger our Duke, do you think it’s worth it?”

Gu Que smiled lightly, forcing herself to remain composed. “Is that so? I only know reason, not the Duke. Besides, whether it’s worth it is my concern, not yours.”

The other side had numbers, but they wouldn’t dare lay a hand on her—the Young Master of a marquis’s household. Beating the Young Master of a marquis’s household wouldn’t be easily resolved.

A shop assistant went to report the incident to the authorities. The shopkeeper brought a chair for Gu Que to sit. Seeing this was going to be a prolonged standoff, the other side didn’t dare delay and sent someone back to summon reinforcements.

The two sides were deadlocked. Gu Que’s coachman also sent someone back to the residence for help.

When Tinglan heard the news, she was stunned. Should she seek Prime Minister Yan’s help in this situation?

That didn’t seem appropriate. After a moment’s thought, she sent someone to the Marquis’s household to inform the Marquis.

The Young Master was a man—it wouldn’t be proper for his wife to intervene. Only his father could step in.

The yamen officers arrived quickly. Seeing the radiant young master, they didn’t recognize which family he belonged to and stepped forward to inquire. Upon hearing it was the Yongle Marquis’s household, they were startled at first, then remembered that Prime Minister Yan’s newlywed husband was the Young Master of Yongle Marquis’s household. They hurriedly bowed in greeting.

Gu Que waved her hand. “No need for formalities. Since things have come to this…”

“The Young Master—the Young Master is here!”

Gu Que looked up and saw a young man striding in, dressed in an apricot-colored round-collar robe with a white jade belt. She immediately stood up, straightening her posture.

Zhao Liwen, the heir of the Duke of Wei’s household, was the second son of Duke Wei and Zhao Yan’s younger brother. He had just been named heir. He was the same age as Gu Que but was already a father—his son was three years old.

Doing the math, he had become a father at sixteen. Gu Que was speechless.

Zhao Liwen walked straight up to Gu Que. “So, you’re the freeloader, Young Master Gu?”

Such venomous words. Gu Que was furious and humiliated but recalled Yan Luo’s advice: never let others see your emotions. Stay composed. She replied, “And you’re the heir of the Duke of Wei’s household who ordered his servants to force a sale and then smashed the shop when refused?”

Zhao Liwen flushed with anger. He was much taller than Gu Que, putting her at a clear disadvantage in a standoff. So, Gu Que wisely sat back down. “Since the heir isn’t interested in reasoning, let’s take this to the yamen.”

“Gu Yan, don’t get cocky. Don’t think marrying Prime Minister Yan makes you superior. My Duke of Wei’s household can crush your Yongle Marquis’s household with a flick of a finger.” Zhao Liwen sneered, glancing around and finding no chair.

Soon, a servant knelt behind him, hands on the ground, and he sat atop him.

Gu Que’s eyelids twitched. Damn it. There was no reasoning with someone like this. She didn’t want to argue anymore and stood up. “To the yamen.”

Servants from the Duke of Wei’s household emerged from the shadows to block her path. The yamen officers didn’t dare intervene. Zhao Liwen lazily said, “Young Master Gu, leaving so easily? Shouldn’t you apologize?”

Gu Que was livid. She took two deep breaths, turned around, and said, “I’m not leaving—I’m going to the yamen to reason this out. Blocking me like this—are you admitting you’re in the wrong?”

“Young Master Gu, meddling in others’ affairs without knowing your own limits. Who do you think you are, trying to play the hero?” Zhao Liwen brushed off nonexistent dust from his sleeves, his attitude utterly arrogant.

The insults made Gu Que’s face burn. Zhao Liwen mocked, “Young Master Gu, did you gain confidence in bed and now think you’re the strongest man outside of it?”

“You—” Gu Que trembled with anger but couldn’t find a retort. She knew nothing about Zhao Liwen except that he was the heir of the Duke of Wei’s household.

Watching his arrogance, Gu Que forced herself to calm down. She glanced at him and said, “How do you know how strong I am? Were you peeping?”

Zhao Liwen choked. Gu Que pressed on: “Are you jealous? Too bad—Prime Minister Yan is mine. You can only watch. Heir Zhao, if you dare lay a hand on me today, will you even dare to step outside tomorrow?”

“Freeloader—”

“So what if I’m a freeloader? Can you even manage it? Zhao Liwen, I won’t let this matter rest today. If the yamen won’t handle it, I’ll go to the Ministry of Justice. If the Ministry won’t, I’ll beat the imperial drum. If you’re not afraid of humiliation, why should I, the one helping, be?”

Zhao Liwen was stunned into silence.

“Young Master!” Zhizhi emerged from the crowd, grinning as she walked up to Gu Que. She glanced at the other side, her eyes gleaming with excitement. “Fighting? Bring it on. I can take on ten at once.”

“No need. Let’s go to the Ministry of Justice and invite Heir Zhao along. Also, summon the Duke of Wei. I don’t want to talk to a childish brat.” Gu Que was truly angry now. She ignored Zhao Liwen and asked the shopkeeper, “Have you tallied the damages?”

The shopkeeper handed her a sheet filled with writing. “Everything’s listed here.”

Gu Que glanced at it. “The counter is broken too. It’s made of high-quality sandalwood—add it to the list.”

The shopkeeper complied. Zhao Liwen took two steps back and signaled his servants to step forward. Zhizhi gripped her sword and stood in front of Gu Que. “Young Master, if I win, can I have White Rabbit Creamy Candy?”

“No—ice cream. Master said it’s delicious.”

Gu Que smirked coldly. “Win, and you can have whatever you want. But fight outside—don’t wreck the shop.”

She still had a business to run.

Zhizhi nodded and crooked a finger at them. “I won’t hit heads. Breaking legs will do.”

Zhao Liwen, newly named heir and riding high, saw only a little girl opposing him and felt no fear.

At his command, the servants rushed forward. Zhizhi didn’t draw her sword—she knocked them out with one punch each. In moments, they were all writhing on the ground.

She crooked her finger at Zhao Liwen. “Come on, hurry up. I’ve got urgent business.”

Gu Que called out, “Zhizhi, escort Heir Zhao to the Ministry of Justice for a talk.”

Zhao Liwen, realizing the situation was dire, tried to flee. Zhizhi kicked him down, tied him up with rope, and gagged him with a handkerchief before tossing him into the carriage and delivering him straight to the yamen.

The yamen officers didn’t dare interfere.

Zhizhi said, “No need for the Young Master to come. I can handle this alone. Don’t worry—he’ll get at least forty lashes. I heard what he said earlier. The Prime Minister won’t let him off. Honestly, his mouth is better off gone.”

Gu Que frowned. Zhizhi drove the carriage away just like that, with the yamen officers scurrying after her.

The onlookers watched the spectacle, but no one dared intervene. Gu Que, however, no longer had a carriage to return home. The shopkeeper quickly hitched the shop’s carriage for her.

Back at the residence, the Marchioness of Yongle arrived. At the sight of her, she demanded, “Why show off when it’s none of your business? Don’t bring trouble to the name of Young Master Gu.”

Gu Que was exasperated but couldn’t retort. She ordered Tinglan, “Escort the Marchioness back.”

The Marchioness’s face darkened. “What do you mean? Can’t I even scold you? Look at what you’ve done—a marquis’s Young Master squabbling like a commoner. Disgraceful!”

“Tinglan!” Gu Que barked.

Tinglan hurried to usher the Marchioness out.

“You’re throwing me out?” The Marchioness stared at her daughter in disbelief. “Now that you’re married, you dare treat me like this? Let me tell you—Prime Minister Yan favors you because you’re Gu Yan. If you weren’t Gu Yan, would she even glance your way?”

Tinglan panicked and tried to soothe her. “My lady, the Young Master is in a bad mood. You—”

“A bad mood? She brought it on herself! Out of all the people on the street, why did you have to play the hero? Do you know who that was? The heir of the Duke of Wei’s household—the Empress Dowager’s family! Even the Emperor treats them with respect. Who do you think you are, challenging them?” The Marchioness was beside herself with anger. Picking a fight for no reason—was she tired of living?

She had no sense of propriety.

Gu Que ignored her and walked away.

The Marchioness wasn’t finished. Gu Que turned and said, “If Gu Yan doesn’t return, don’t come back. I’m afraid if you do, I won’t be able to resist telling Prime Minister Yan this secret.”

“You—” The Marchioness paled.

Gu Que left without another glance.

The Marchioness was speechless for a long moment. When she recovered, she wept—cursing Gu Que’s unfilialness—but didn’t dare make a scene. Covering her mouth with a handkerchief, she returned to the Marquis’s household.

The Gu residence was quiet again.

Gu Que, exhausted, sat silently in her bedroom. Tinglan, after seeing the Marchioness off, rushed back.

The room was eerily still. Tinglan approached cautiously and found the Young Master despondent. She coaxed, “The Marchioness is biased. Don’t take it to heart. If you’re feeling stifled, why not take a trip outside the city? This servant would love to visit the manor. The weather’s lovely today—shall we go together?”

Her young mistress was different from others. When other young ladies were upset, they could go out with friends. Her young mistress, as a “man,” couldn’t mingle with girls or socialize with men.

Over time, her young mistress became a loner with no friends.

“I’m fine. Go have fun. I’d like some quiet.” Gu Que wasn’t exactly depressed. The world was what it was—one person’s strength was too meager to change anything.

Since she was here, she might as well make the best of it. She was just a little sad, her heart weighed down by unvented frustration.

Tinglan was shooed out and lingered anxiously at the door. Just then, she spotted a figure and brightened.

Yan Luo had returned to change clothes. There was a banquet at noon, and a fresh outfit was in order.

After dismissing Tinglan, Yan Luo entered and said, “Young Master, I’m off to a banquet. Will you join me?”

Gu Que sat slumped at the round table. At the sound of her voice, she looked up. Yan Luo, in court robes, was walking toward her.

“Young Master Gu, why so glum?” Yan Luo smiled sweetly, lifting Gu Que’s chin to plant a kiss on her lips. “You’re so beautiful.”

Gu Que laughed and swatted her hand away. “Whose banquet?”

“Minister Lu’s grandson’s full-moon celebration. They didn’t want a big affair and invited me to name the child.” Yan Luo’s lips curled, clearly in good spirits.

The room fell silent for a moment as Gu Que debated whether to mention the earlier incident.

Yan Luo took her hand without waiting for an answer. “Your wife will help you change.”

Gu Que blushed but obediently followed to the inner room to dress.

A sapphire-blue robe lent an air of elegance. The muted hue lacked the vibrancy of red but exuded refinement—like a figure carved from jade.

Yan Luo changed into a sapphire-blue narrow-sleeved double-layer dress and chose a white jade hairpin to skewer her bun. Her lotus-cold face, neither delicate nor flowery, carried a frosty aloofness that chilled the air.

Gu Que stared at the reflection in the mirror and gasped. This was the Yan Luo of outsiders’ nightmares—the Grim Reaper Prime Minister.

The two left together. At the Lu residence, the banquet hadn’t yet begun. Minister Lu, the Minister of Justice, had taken the day off specifically for this.

Minister Lu waited at the entrance for Prime Minister Yan and her spouse. Upon seeing them, he greeted them warmly and ushered them inside.

Inside, the house was packed. Madam Lu brought the baby for them to see, making small talk with Yan Luo. Minister Lu chatted with Gu Que—men had plenty to discuss.

Here, Gu Que was treated with respect, gradually forgetting her earlier displeasure.

Minister Lu had worked under Yan Luo for years. Despite her youth, Yan Luo was a seasoned hand at the Ministry of Justice, adept at investigations and interrogations.

As they spoke, Minister Lu repeatedly praised her. Gu Que, pleased, relaxed visibly.

A few more officials arrived. Unfamiliar with Gu Que, they approached Minister Lu and asked, “Did your Ministry of Justice beat up Zhao Liwen?”

“Who did it?” Minister Lu was startled. “I’m at home today, not at the Ministry.”

“Ah, right—the Minister isn’t in today. So who did it?”

Everyone was curious. Minister Lu asked for details. The official explained, “Zhao Liwen got cocky after being named heir. He sent someone to buy soap—you know how rare that stuff is, with only a few batches available. His people wouldn’t take no for an answer and smashed the shop. Coincidentally, Young Master Gu was there and spoke up. Zhao Liwen humiliated him, saying he’d ‘found confidence in bed.’ Can you believe that? The case went to the Ministry, and word spread that he’d been beaten—lashed and carried out, his mouth ruined. Honestly, he was asking for it.”

“Probably forgot about Prime Minister Yan’s ‘smiling tiger’ reputation. Rumor has it the Duke of Wei swallowed his anger and took him home without a word.”

Minister Lu gulped and turned to the person in question. “Y-Young Master Gu.”

Gu Que raised a brow. “Minister Lu, I know nothing about this.”

Yan Luo had thrown her under the bus again!

The officials, mid-rant, froze at the words “Young Master Gu” and turned to the delicate young master, their faces paling.

Gu Que smiled. “No need to stand on ceremony, gentlemen. I truly know nothing. You must believe me.”

Yeah, right!

Prime Minister Yan was no saint. Like master, like spouse—Young Master Gu was no pushover either.

Labeled a “troublemaker,” Gu Que was helpless.

Yan Luo, standing at the doorway, smiled faintly, her lips pressed into a cold line.

She stepped calmly over the threshold. “Gentlemen, if you’re curious, ask me. I was the one who beat him. If his aunt weren’t the Empress Dowager, I wouldn’t have let him walk out of the Ministry.”

Freeloader? Ridiculous. What freeloader? She was the one freeloading off Gu Que—Gu Que was the capable one.

Minister Lu was also taken aback. Ordinary people wouldn’t dare provoke the Duke of Wei’s household—the Empress Dowager’s family, the Emperor’s uncles. Picking a fight with them was asking for trouble.

As the host, he quickly smoothed things over. “It’s nothing serious. Let’s start the banquet.”

Yan Luo wasn’t idle either. She asked Gu Que, “After the meal, we’ll go to the Duke of Wei’s residence to demand compensation—at least a thousand taels.”

The list of damages was extensive. If they didn’t ask for more, Young Master Gu would remain sullen.

“I don’t want to go.” Gu Que frowned. “If a dog bites you, do you bite it back?”

Yan Luo said, “But you can break its legs. Watch it whimper on the ground, unable to jump around. Don’t you want to see that?”

“Prime Minister Yan, you’re so childish.” Gu Que laughed, her eyes sparkling.

Yan Luo teased her, “Not childish. If you’re going to teach a lesson, do it thoroughly—or there’ll be a next time.”

If not for Gu Que’s involvement, Zhao Liwen would already be a corpse. This was the best outcome.

Besides, wasn’t watching the drama fun?

After the meal, the coachman drove the carriage to the Duke of Wei’s residence. Yan Luo glanced over the list of damages again and sent someone to knock on the door.

Yan Luo’s reputation was fearsome. Those who knew her methods didn’t dare provoke her lightly—but some fools never learned.

Zhao Liwen’s words hadn’t just insulted Young Master Gu—they’d trampled Yan Luo’s dignity.

This wasn’t over yet.

Seeing Gu Que hesitate, Yan Luo said, “Have you forgotten that husband and wife are one?”

Gu Que rolled her eyes. “When you threw me under the bus, why didn’t you remember that?”

No sooner had she spoken than the Duke of Wei’s steward called from outside the carriage, “Prime Minister Yan, the Duke awaits you.”

“See? This is self-awareness.” Yan Luo smirked.

Gu Que reluctantly followed Yan Luo out of the carriage, muttering, “I feel like I’m relying on your…”

“You mean ‘using power to bully others’?” Yan Luo’s gaze sharpened. “In the capital, who doesn’t? Zhao Liwen relies on his father’s influence. And you? A hopeless do-gooder. Everyone else is scrambling for advantage—why must you stand out?”

“Trying to be noble? Then why run a business? Young Master Gu, if you back down this time, someone else will bully you next time.”

Gu Que fell silent, then nodded obediently. She understood the principle of making an example—but walking through the Duke’s residence, replaying the incident, gave her a strange, indescribable feeling.

She couldn’t quite place it.

In the reception hall, the Duke of Wei sat sipping tea. Yan Luo sneered. “The Duke is certainly at leisure.”

“The Prime Minister has worked hard today.” The Duke set down his teacup, not bothering to offer tea, and stared coldly at Yan Luo. “The Prime Minister beat someone and still isn’t satisfied?”

“You know I’m a woman—skilled with needles. I considered slowly, carefully sewing that mouth shut. Then I remembered your eldest son’s legs were recently broken. If your second son were to lose his voice, you’d be heartbroken. So, I settled for a few dozen lashes. But official business is official business—your servants destroyed a shop. Compensation is due.”

Yan Luo handed the list to the Duke. “A rough estimate—five thousand taels.”

Gu Que’s head snapped up. Wasn’t it supposed to be one thousand? Had it quintupled upon entry?

“Prime Minister Yan, this is extortion!” The Duke slammed the table and stood, glaring at the audacious Prime Minister.

Yan Luo raised a brow. “Alternatively, we can return to the Ministry. I’ll have Zhao Liwen exiled—no fine required. You know the laws of the Great Wei better than I do.”

The Duke deflated instantly and waved a sleeve. “Fetch the silver for the Prime Minister.”

“Duke, discipline your sons. With so many sons—legs broken, tongues cut—you’ve still got a dozen more.” Yan Luo smiled faintly, her eyes like jade, exuding warmth.

Gu Que nearly laughed. So many sons, but at this rate, he’d soon have none to bury him.

Wait—since when had she become so vicious? Tsk.

Gu Que shook off the thought. Spending too much time with Yan Luo was warping her.

The accountant brought the silver—a large chest of ingots and some banknotes. Five thousand taels was no small sum. After some scrambling, they pooled cash and notes.

Yan Luo left triumphant. In the carriage, she told Gu Que, “Don’t be such a pushover. When Zhao Liwen insulted you, did you want to cry?”

Gu Que stayed silent. Yan Luo handed her the banknotes. “You take these. I’ll keep the silver.”

The notes totaled three thousand taels; the rest was silver. Gu Que, delighted by the windfall, beamed. Yan Luo teased, “Cry for me, will you?”

Wen Fu’s tearful face had been lovely. Gu Que’s would be even prettier.

Clutching the silver chest, Gu Que grinned. “Can’t cry now.”

Yan Luo sighed. “Next time, then. Cry for me, all right?”