After Marrying the Villainous Prime Minister in My Brother’s Stead - Chapter 43

43: Eaten—Where Did Such Wild Words Come From?

Prime Minister Yan Is Acting Up Again!

Gu Que pretended to be a turtle, telling the coachman to drive the carriage to the soap shop.

The shop was in chaos, and it would take at least three to five days to reopen. However, the neighboring store was almost ready. The two entered through the backyard, and Yan Luo asked curiously, “Why didn’t you go through the front door this time?”

“Her Majesty wants my glass, but I don’t want to sell it.” Gu Que said gloomily.

Yan Luo replied, “Give it to me. I’ll handle it.”

Gu Que glanced at her. “Fine.” She just wanted peace and didn’t wish to deal with the empress.

The tavern had been completely transformed. Exquisite soaps of all kinds were displayed under transparent glass—untouchable but clearly visible. Gu Que explained, “This is glass, but if it breaks, it can cut you.”

Yan Luo skeptically reached out to touch it. It was smooth like a mirror, and she found it fascinating. “If we used this for windows, we could see the scenery outside just by looking up.”

Her eyes sparkled like a child’s, and Gu Que’s heart softened. “If you like it, I’ll install it when we get back. It’ll only take a day. I can even do it myself.”

“You can do it too?” Yan Luo was amazed.

“Of course. When you return from court tomorrow, you’ll see a whole new window. But we’ll need curtains.” Gu Que said.

Yan Luo gazed at her, her thoughts drifting. What kind of girl is Gu Que? Do foreign merchants really have so many novel items?

The court had a Honglu Temple to receive foreign envoys, and Yan Luo had seen many exotic tributes. But apart from glass beads, none of Gu Que’s items matched what she’d encountered.

Gu Que had so many treasures. If foreign merchants had them, they would’ve offered them to the Great Wei emperor first.

The gramophone, flashlight, and other items were all extraordinary. Could they really come from foreign merchants?

After a brief contemplation, Yan Luo regained her composure and wandered around the shop. The store had two floors: the first floor carried ordinary goods, while the second floor housed high-end items.

She asked Gu Que, “Have you thought about taking portraits for people?”

“No. Such things shouldn’t be exposed to the world. Just treat them as toys.” Gu Que shook her head. “Her Majesty is already eyeing the glass. If she finds out about this, do you think we’ll have peace?”

Gu Que understood the principle of not flaunting wealth.

Soap was a daily necessity, not too extraordinary. But a camera was different.

Yan Luo’s lips curled slightly as she glanced at her. “Up to you. Clean this place up a bit and reopen tomorrow. After today’s incident, business will surely boom.”

Gu Que smiled. “I even picked an auspicious day.”

“An auspicious day? Will it make you money? Man conquers nature.” Yan Luo mocked.

“Fine. You go back first. I’ll stay here to supervise. See you tonight.” Gu Que decided not to leave. The shop was too messy and would take a while to tidy up.

Yan Luo left, returning to the palace to see the empress. With Prince Huaizhang dead and Duke Wei restless, plans needed to be made.

Upon entering the hall, she found the empress playing with Wen Fu. When the empress saw Yan Luo, she immediately pushed Wen Fu aside and asked cheerfully, “I heard you beat Zhao Liwen.”

Yan Luo bowed. “Just a few dozen strokes. Nothing major.”

The empress whispered conspiratorially, “Did you want to kill him?”

Yan Luo smiled. “I wanted to skin him alive and pull out his tendons.”

The empress shuddered and quietly asked, “Were you that angry because he bullied your little husband?”

Yan Luo replied, “He deserved to die!”

The empress didn’t press further, clutching her chest and widening her eyes. “You’re so petty.”

“I came to ask if Your Majesty has made a decision.” Yan Luo glanced at Wen Fu standing by the table. “Your Majesty should be focusing on strategy now.”

The empress, embarrassed, said, “Wen Fu, you may leave.”

Wen Fu bowed and slowly retreated.

The two then discussed how to devour Prince Huaizhang’s territory in the shortest time possible.

The next day, the shop reopened. Gu Que left to catch up on sleep.

Business was exceptionally good, with a steady stream of customers. The imperial exams were rescheduled, but the Gu family’s heir fell ill and missed them, even a month later when they were held.

Classmates expressed regret, sending letters of consolation after the exams.

On the day the results were announced, Yan Luo personally went to the examination hall.

Next came the Jinshi (successful candidates) parade, where the top scholars rode through the streets adorned with flowers—a grand spectacle in the capital. Many women would come out to admire the Tanhua (third-place scholar), though this year’s Tanhua was over thirty and not as handsome as Gu Que. The Zhuangyuan (top scholar) was a poor scholar from Jiangnan in his twenties, still unmarried.

Many families would “catch a son-in-law under the rank list”—selecting unmarried scholars to marry their daughters. It was a pity Gu Que fell ill and missed the opportunity.

Gu Que watched the parade with her classmates, who lamented, “If you hadn’t gotten sick, you’d have at least made the second-rank top scorer.”

Gu Que smiled faintly. Not taking the exam suited her just fine—she’d let Gu Yan return and take it himself.

The Zhuangyuan, clad in red robes, basked in his glory. Gu Que found it dull and wanted to go home, but her classmates dragged her to drink. Socially anxious, she declined.

They teased her about being henpecked. She laughed it off, saying, “Prime Minister Yan is busy at court today. I have things to attend to at home. Let’s meet another time.”

On the way back, the streets were packed. Gu Que stepped out of the carriage for air when a handkerchief landed on her head.

She plucked it off and dropped it, hearing giggles from above:

“Is he a new Jinshi?”

“No, look at his clothes.”

“What a shame. He’s even handsomer than the Zhuangyuan.”

Blushing, Gu Que ducked back into the carriage.

The crowd was too dense, so the carriage stayed put. Noblewomen in the tavern watched intently until Princess Jinyang reminded them, “That’s the Gu family’s heir.”

A peerless gentleman, breathtaking at first glance.

Who wouldn’t love a handsome young man? Unfortunately, this one stood beside the prime minister. Once, even a princess might’ve dared to compete, but now, no one would cross Yan Luo.

The room fell silent.

Princess Jinyang, allowed by the empress dowager to watch the parade, never expected to see Gu Que—a figure so radiant he overshadowed the scholars’ brilliance.

That moment left many in awe.

By the time Gu Que returned home, it was dusk.

Yan Luo, as the chief examiner, wouldn’t be back tonight.

With Yan Luo away, Gu Que treated Tinglan to spicy hot pot and ice cream. Tinglan’s eyes sparkled.

Midway, Gu Que asked about Tinglan’s marriage plans. Tinglan, uncertain, said she hadn’t found a good match yet.

Gu Que dropped the subject, not wanting to pressure her.

Halfway through their meal, Zhizhi returned with news: “Her Majesty summons you to a banquet. Stop eating and change clothes. Tonight, Princess Jinyang is betrothed to the new Zhuangyuan.”

Gu Que hesitated. Such gatherings usually involved poetry contests—her weak spot.

Yan Luo teased, “Even if I stay silent, you won’t escape it.”

At the banquet, the empress announced the betrothal. The Zhuangyuan, to show off, was ordered to compose a poem for his fiancée.

Gu Que whispered to Yan Luo, “Do I have to participate?”

Yan Luo smirked. “I want to show you off.”

Gu Que groaned but complied, borrowing a poem from Li Bai.

The verse stunned everyone, even the Zhuangyuan.

The empress offered Gu Que a position, but she declined, preferring to earn it through the exams.

On the way home, Gu Que excitedly talked about Li Bai. Yan Luo, skeptical, asked, “Could you take a portrait of someone who’s already dead?”

Gu Que shook her head. “No, the person must be alive.”

Yan Luo fell silent, her smile lingering but her eyes cold.

Back home, Granny Sun waited with a lantern. She scolded Gu Que, sending her away to speak privately with Yan Luo.

Granny Sun, tearful, asked, “What are your plans? Will you be prime minister forever, serving others?”

Yan Luo avoided the question, saying, “Stay here. Let Gu Que and I take care of you.”

Granny Sun wept. “If you succeed, will you dare face the empress?”

Yan Luo smiled coldly. “Why see her?”

She then asked if Granny Sun wanted to see Zhao Quan, an old friend.

Granny Sun, terrified, asked, “What have you done to him?”

Yan Luo replied, “He’s alive, well cared for. I’m not that cruel.”

Granny Sun trembled, recalling the rumors of Yan Luo’s brutality.

Gu Que fiddled with her camera, snapping a photo of Yan Luo’s floral headpiece and uploading it to Taobao.

A scholar immediately messaged: I want that headpiece!

Gu Que: It’s my wife’s. Just showing it off, not selling.

Scholar: Then why post it?

Gu Que: Just for fun.

Scholar: What era is it from? The craftsmanship doesn’t look modern, but the colors are vibrant—like ancient techniques.

Gu Que: Just say it’s a fake.

Scholar: On closer look, it doesn’t seem fake.

Gu Que: Wife’s back. Bye.

Yan Luo entered, spotting her headpiece on the dresser—her dowry!

“Planning to gift my headpiece to a lover?” Yan Luo glared.

Used to baseless accusations, Gu Que calmly replied, “Just admiring it. It’s exquisite. I’ll get you another.”

Yan Luo declined. “I’d rather have ice cream.”

Gu Que changed the subject when Yan Luo asked for more novels.

Yan Luo, disappointed, lifted Gu Que’s chin. “There’s something you don’t know.”

Gu Que sighed. “I know. You’re wicked to the core.”

Yan Luo’s fingers touched her chest. “It aches. It needs novels to soothe it.”

Gu Que rolled her eyes. Yan Luo added, “If you don’t believe me, I’ll eat you.”

“W-what? Where did such wild words come from?” Gu Que stammered.

Yan Luo blinked innocently. “From the novels. They all say: I want to eat you.”