After Marrying the Villainous Prime Minister in My Brother’s Stead - Chapter 46

46: Recovering from Injury, a Serious Kiss.

You can’t argue with an injured person.

Gu Que stepped forward and pulled back the blankets, only to see clothes soaked in bl00d. She took a deep breath and asked, “Do you have a death wish?”

For a moment, she felt a pang of heartache.

Yan Luo hadn’t expected her to ask that and was momentarily at a loss for how to respond. Instead, she wrapped her arms around Gu Que’s shoulders and said, “I serve the emperor, and my life is hers.”

“Nonsense! Your life is your own. What does it have to do with anyone else?” Gu Que was visibly upset. She slid her hands under Yan Luo’s knees and said, “Hold onto me. I’ll try my best.”

She steadied herself, gathered her strength, and took a deep breath before lifting Yan Luo. “You’re not that heavy, actually.”

Perhaps sickly people were just naturally light.

She asked Yan Luo, “How come all that sugar you consume doesn’t make you gain weight?”

Gu Que carefully stepped down from the carriage, unable to see the ground beneath her feet, so she moved slowly.

Yan Luo closed her eyes and didn’t speak. Zhi Zhi helped from the side, muttering, “Why are you so weak…”

Gu Que climbed the steps and called out to a maid, “Go find Granny Sun, quickly!”

Once inside, the gates closed behind them. Yan Luo opened her eyes and struggled to get down, but Gu Que refused. “Stay still. I’ll walk faster.”

Yan Luo looked at the sweat on the young man’s forehead and teased, “Are you using every ounce of strength you have?”

“Yes, all of it. So don’t move. If I walk faster, I’ll forget how tired I am.” Gu Que broke into a jog, a sense of dread creeping into her heart. In ancient times, even a common cold could be deadly. With so much bl00d lost, could Yan Luo die?

She suddenly shouted, “Go find Granny Sun!”

Yan Luo leaned against her, feeling the strength in Gu Que’s body. For a fleeting moment, she detected panic in Gu Que’s voice.

Yan Luo was curious—why was Gu Que so afraid?

If she died, shouldn’t Gu Que be happy? That way, her secret would remain hidden.

Wouldn’t that be better?

Gu Que ran as fast as she could, fueled by some inexplicable energy. When they reached the bedroom, she laid Yan Luo on the bed and exhaled heavily, her arms trembling from exhaustion.

She had held her breath the entire way, not daring to let go. Now, she was so tired she could barely lift her arms.

Granny Sun rushed in, her face paling at the sight of the bl00d. “Bring my medicine kit. Everyone out except one person.”

Gu Que didn’t leave. Instead, she turned to the maids and said, “All of you, out. I’ll stay.”

Yan Luo watched the two of them panic and couldn’t help but mock, “What are you so afraid of? The wicked live long. I won’t die…”

Gu Que snapped, “Shut up!”

Granny Sun echoed, “Shut up!”

They spoke in unison. Yan Luo fell silent, letting out a quiet hum.

Granny Sun used a dagger to cut open the bl00d-soaked clothes. She was on the verge of cursing but held back—Gu Que was present, and the Prime Minister had to maintain her dignity.

She clenched her teeth to suppress her anger. Gu Que’s face was pale as she watched the layers of clothing being cut away, each one drenched in bl00d.

Strangely, Yan Luo was still smiling. Didn’t she feel any pain?

Yan Luo pursed her lips and stared blankly ahead, her smile unwavering. Suddenly, she remembered something and turned to Gu Que. “You should leave.”

Gu Que refused. “I’m staying to help.”

“How can you help?” Yan Luo adjusted her breathing, forcing her eyes to stay open. Gu Que’s figure blurred in her vision. She knew it wasn’t Gu Que moving—it was her own exhaustion.

She felt like sleeping, but she knew if she closed her eyes now, she might never wake up. So she said, “Gu Que, tell me a joke.”

Gu Que glanced at her. Yan Luo’s face was deathly pale, her eyes devoid of their usual spark. The eyes were the window to the soul, and right now, Yan Luo must be in unbearable pain, possibly on the verge of passing out.

“A joke? I don’t know any. But I have a new ice cream—it’s called ‘Cutie Pie.’ Want some?” Gu Que forced a grin, though her throat felt tight. Without waiting for Yan Luo’s response, she ran out.

“Ting Lan, bring the icebox. Hurry!”

“O-okay!” Ting Lan and the other maids had been waiting outside. Hearing the order, she immediately dashed off.

At a time like this, decorum and propriety were the last things on anyone’s mind.

Gu Que returned to the room and kept talking to Yan Luo. “Yan Luo, if you die, I’ll take concubines. A dozen of them.”

Granny Sun’s lips twitched. She added, “When I was practicing medicine outside, there was a woman who died. Her husband had married into her family, so after her death, all the wealth became his. Before the seventh-day mourning period was over, he already brought his mistress into the house. Young Master, do you have a mistress?”

“No.” Gu Que didn’t catch the implication at first but quickly corrected herself. “Well, I could have one.”

Yan Luo was furious. She tried to raise her fist but couldn’t lift her arm. She glared at Gu Que. “Where?”

Gu Que stammered, “Uh… everywhere.”

Granny Sun couldn’t help but laugh. Young Master Gu was such a simpleton—what kind of answer was “everywhere”?

Honestly, he couldn’t even pretend to be a scoundrel properly.

Ting Lan brought in the icebox, and Gu Que asked Yan Luo, “Want some?”

Yan Luo squinted, listening to the buzzing sound. Her body felt weak, her vision blurred. A sweet scent drifted into her nose.

Was that the “Cutie Pie”?

Would it make her cute? Gu Que was cute. Yan Luo’s lips curled slightly. Gu Que leaned in. “Prime Minister, are you sleepy?”

“Mm…” Yan Luo was barely conscious. She didn’t feel pain—just an overwhelming weakness. Her eyelids fluttered, and suddenly, she caught a whiff of something sweet.

Was that the “Cutie Pie”?

Gu Que sighed. “She’s passed out. When will she wake up?”

“Hard to say. The wound didn’t hit any vital organs, but she lost too much bl00d.” Granny Sun slumped onto a stool, utterly drained.

Maids came in to clean up. Gu Que stood to the side, the icebox placed nearby. She glanced at it, then waited until the maids finished before approaching the bed to look at Yan Luo.

Granny Sun went to prepare medicine while Gu Que called Zhi Zhi over to ask what happened.

Zhi Zhi explained, “Her Majesty likes visiting the soap shop. Today, she dragged the Prime Minister along. Suddenly, assassins emerged from the crowd—it was impossible to tell who was a civilian and who was an attacker. There were too many of them. I could barely protect myself. If it were just the Prime Minister, she could’ve handled it, but Her Majesty was there too. The assassins were targeting Her Majesty. The Prime Minister could’ve dodged, but she chose to step in.”

Gu Que sighed. The Prime Minister was loyal to the emperor. If something happened to Her Majesty, Yan Luo would suffer the consequences. As long as the empress lived, Yan Luo’s path would be smoother. They were on the same boat. Gu Que understood Yan Luo’s dilemma.

But who could save Yan Luo now?

A doctor?

Even Granny Sun said she had done all she could.

Gu Que sat on the footrest and turned on the “Sound of Nature,” playing Spring Banquet, Yan Luo’s favorite. She didn’t move, just sat there listening.

Granny Sun brought the medicine. “She hates taking medicine. Nine times out of ten, she’ll secretly dump it.”

“I’ll handle it.” Gu Que stood and took the bowl.

Granny Sun noticed the strange sound and looked around until she spotted a small black device. She picked it up, and when music started playing, she startled and set it back down.

Gu Que said, “Granny, help me.”

“Oh, right.” Granny Sun put down the “Sound of Nature” and turned to assist Yan Luo.

Together, they managed to get half the medicine down Yan Luo’s throat. This time, Yan Luo was more compliant.

Granny Sun said, “You stay with her for now. I’ll be outside. At night, I’ll take over. She’s weathered many storms—she’ll pull through.”

“Granny, didn’t you notice? She didn’t cry. She lost so much bl00d, yet not a single tear.” Gu Que was puzzled. What kind of temperament allowed someone to endure so much pain? Ordinary people would gasp in pain from a cut finger, yet Yan Luo had a gash across her waist and didn’t shed a tear.

Simply put, she wasn’t normal.

Calling her an oddity wouldn’t be far off.

Yan Luo was strange. Her body was cold. Even in early summer, when the weather was warm, her hands remained icy. At night, when they slept close, her entire body felt like ice.

This time was even weirder. Gu Que had a thought—Granny Sun’s “storms” weren’t ordinary hardships. What kind of experiences could make someone so resistant to pain? Could it be that Yan Luo didn’t feel pain at all?

“Numbness dulls pain. When it’s unbearable, maybe tears don’t come.” Granny Sun didn’t know how to explain it. Looking at the unconscious figure on the bed, she was filled with regret—she still lacked the power to protect her.

She could do so little.

Granny Sun left, and Gu Que stayed alone. She didn’t dare blink, keeping her eyes fixed on Yan Luo. The music in her ears was beautiful but tinged with sorrow.

As night fell, Ting Lan came in to light the lamps. “The palace sent some gifts. The Yan family sent someone to inquire—it was the old madam’s message. She said to notify them if anything serious happens.”

The third madam was already mentally unstable and couldn’t come. The old madam was too elderly to handle the shock. Prime Minister Yan was a pitiable soul—when she fell ill or was injured, no one came to care for her.

“I understand. Tell the Yan family that the Prime Minister is fine.” Gu Que felt an unfamiliar weight, a sense of helplessness she’d never known before. She asked Ting Lan, “Are you afraid of pain?”

“Of course. Aren’t you?” Ting Lan found the question odd.

Gu Que nodded. “You can go now.”

“What would you like for dinner?” Ting Lan asked.

Gu Que shook her head. “I’m not hungry. You all go eat. Ask Granny what she wants and have the kitchen prepare it. Don’t neglect her.”

“Understood. But you must eat something. Should I have them make noodles?” Ting Lan glanced at the unconscious Prime Minister, her heart heavy.

Gu Que didn’t refuse and agreed.

After Ting Lan left, Gu Que climbed onto the edge of the bed and looked at Yan Luo’s paper-white face. Suddenly, she said, “Prime Minister, I’ll buy you some yuri novels—all about women disguised as men. You can read them when you wake up. Or I can read them to you.”

Gu Que found something to do. She bought a few books and sat by the footrest, reading aloud.

Word by word, page by page, her voice low and clear. When she reached a funny part, Gu Que laughed and said to Yan Luo, “You’d laugh too, right?”

“Prime Minister, the girl in this book smells so nice and has a perfect figure—slim waist, long legs. Do you think such perfect people really exist?”

Gu Que glanced at Yan Luo, her lips curling into a self-deprecating smile. “Your waist is slim, and your legs are long too. But you’re not perfect. Flaws make us human. We’re not clay figurines—we have emotions. Aside from your mischievous side, you’re actually a great person. You’re the best mistress this household could ask for.”

“Prime Minister, do you like the heroine in this book?”

“Prime Minister, don’t you think she’s foolish? Giving her life for someone who doesn’t love her—is it worth it?”

Gu Que read aloud while chattering away. The candle flame crackled softly.

She read a line: The two hadn’t seen each other in years, yet the affection in their eyes remained unchanged…

Suddenly, Gu Que paused and asked Yan Luo, “Do you think the kind of deep, heart-wrenching love in these books is real? I think they’re just bored.”

“Think about it—some people struggle just to put food on the table and clothes on their backs. What room do they have for ‘heart-wrenching love’?”

“Only the wealthy can afford such emotions. The poor are too busy scraping by to have time for this kind of intense romance.”

“Prime Minister, I’ve been poor. I know what it’s like when a single coin can break a hero. Books like these are just for passing the time—no need to take them seriously. Don’t you agree?”

One person, one candle, one book. Gu Que rambled on until the early hours of the morning. Granny Sun came in and felt Yan Luo’s forehead—no fever.

Gu Que asked, “Isn’t it good that she doesn’t have a fever?”

“Her body is strange. She doesn’t get fevers when she should, and when she shouldn’t, she burns up until her brain nearly fries. With so much bl00d lost and such a large wound, a fever might actually be better. You go rest—I’ll watch her.” Granny Sun muttered to herself.

“I don’t want to leave. Why don’t you sleep for a bit and take over at dawn?” Gu Que wasn’t sleepy at all, just parched and craving water.

Granny Sun refused. “Don’t push yourself just because you’re young. You’re the backbone of this household—you should know your limits. Whether it’s you or me watching, it’s the same.”

Gu Que had no choice but to leave, taking the book with her to spare Granny Sun any awkwardness.

Outside, she spread a quilt in a corner of the outer room and lay down, staying out of the maids’ way while remaining close enough to hear any movement.

Her throat was unbearably dry, but she didn’t want water—she grabbed a bottle of soda instead.

After drinking, she felt refreshed and covered her face to sleep.

She trusted Granny Sun’s care and managed to sleep for a short while, waking less than two hours later to take over.

At dawn, they forced another dose of medicine down Yan Luo’s throat. By noon, her fever spiked, and Granny Sun sighed in relief before adjusting the prescription.

Gu Que kept vigil for most of the day. Many colleagues came to visit, all received by the steward. Hearing the Prime Minister was still unconscious, they expressed sympathy, exchanged a few words, and left.

By midnight, the fever broke. Granny Sun was puzzled—usually, breaking a fever was difficult, so why had it been so easy this time?

Gu Que took the first watch again, and Granny Sun the second.

At daybreak, they administered another bowl of medicine together. Then, Wen Fu arrived.

Granny Sun asked, “Who’s that?”

Gu Que: “A political enemy.”

Granny Sun didn’t understand. “What’s a political enemy?”

Gu Que explained: “An adversary at court.”

Granny Sun nodded repeatedly. “Go chase her away.”

“I can’t. She’s here on the emperor’s behalf. At most, I can keep her from entering. Wait for me.” Gu Que sent someone to fetch her formal robes. A political enemy demanded presentability—she couldn’t embarrass the Prime Minister.

Granny Sun was baffled. “You dress up to see guests?”

Gu Que couldn’t explain it either. She just felt she couldn’t let Yan Luo lose face. She needed to face the enemy looking sharp.

Wen Fu had already entered the courtyard. Bearing the emperor’s decree, the servants didn’t dare stop her, and she strode in unimpeded.

As Wen Fu stepped into the yard, Gu Que walked out to meet her. “Minister Wen.”

Wen Fu halted. She had come straight from the palace, dressed in official robes and a cap that made her delicate face appear even smaller—a classic beauty with an air of fragility.

But after spending every day with Yan Luo, Gu Que’s aesthetic standards had been set impossibly high. Wen Fu’s delicate beauty didn’t faze her.

Gu Que was calm, but Wen Fu froze. The young man’s eyes were strikingly bright, brimming with an unearthly vitality. Those eyes alone were mesmerizing, and his entire demeanor exuded scholarly refinement—pure and flawless.

As the Divine Strings Song said: “His beauty is peerless, unmatched in this world.”

Wen Fu was stunned but quickly regained her composure, finally understanding the Prime Minister’s pride.

“Official Wen Fu greets the Young Master. By His Majesty’s decree, I’ve come to inquire after the Prime Minister’s health.” Wen Fu stepped forward and bowed, her porcelain-white hands emerging from her sleeves.

Gu Que nodded, standing tall like a nobleman, hands clasped behind her back. She smiled and replied, “The Prime Minister is awake. She doesn’t want to see you.”

Wen Fu faltered, disbelieving. But such arrogant words were indeed in the Prime Minister’s style.

“I come on His Majesty’s orders. Does the Prime Minister dare defy the imperial decree?” She flushed with humiliation—Yan Luo was stripping her of dignity.

Gu Que chuckled lightly. “The Prime Minister walked through the gates of hell for His Majesty. I’m sure His Majesty won’t begrudge her this. Besides, the Prime Minister values her appearance. Your barging in would ruin her image. Minister Wen, why not return? Once the Prime Minister recovers, she’ll personally apologize to His Majesty.”

Wen Fu’s rank was insignificant. Without the emperor’s mandate, she wouldn’t have even set foot in the Gu residence.

Gu Que looked down on her. After spending so much time with Yan Luo, she was used to dealing with dukes and princes. Officials like Wen Fu weren’t worth a glance.

The woman stood right before her, and Gu Que knew her disdain was obvious. But such was the way of the world.

Wen Fu’s face reddened, tears welling in her eyes. Gu Que felt no pity—she wasn’t a man, after all, and had no patience for a woman’s tears.

Wen Fu left the Gu residence in tears.

Back in the bedchamber, Granny Sun had watched the whole scene. Recalling how Wen Fu’s tearful face could move anyone to pity, she clicked her tongue and asked Gu Que, “Didn’t you feel sorry for her?”

Gu Que: “Heh…” They were both women. Rather than pitying Wen Fu, she’d rather pity herself.

She couldn’t even live as a woman—wasn’t that far worse than Wen Fu’s plight?

The more she thought about it, the more she realized she was the most tragic woman of all!

Granny Sun watched her expression shift through a myriad of emotions and smiled. “Do you love the Prime Minister?”

This question again! Gu Que felt her ears were about to grow calluses. She sighed dramatically. “I love her. She’s all I see, all I think about.”

Granny Sun beamed. “Good, good. A happy couple is worth more than anything.”

“Granny, how long do you think it’ll take for the Prime Minister to recover this time?” Gu Que was worried about Yan Luo’s health. As for love and romance? She couldn’t care less.

Staying alive was what mattered most.

Granny Sun pondered for a moment, mistaking her question for something deeper, and replied with profound meaning, “Recovery will take a long time. Those kinds of activities will have to wait for now.”

“I—I was asking about her physical condition, not those things!” Gu Que’s face flushed scarlet with embarrassment.

Granny Sun gave her a look. “No need to be shy. I’ve been through it all too. I understand your struggles. Endure the hardships, and they’ll pass. Don’t dwell on them too much, and it’ll be fine.”

Gu Que was so mortified she couldn’t stand still and fled into the inner room.

Granny Sun sighed. What a shame for such a lovely girl to pretend to be a man—how exhausting.

Prime Minister Yan still hadn’t woken up. They had forced down many doses of medicine, with Gu Que and Granny Sun taking shifts to watch over her. Gu Que read two or three books—all yuri stories about women disguised as men—and without exception, every protagonist’s true identity was eventually exposed.

Gu Que: “…” Was this a hint that she, too, would be exposed?

The more she read, the more unsettled she became. Why did Prime Minister Yan like stories about women disguised as men?

After some careful consideration, a seed of doubt took root in Gu Que’s heart. Had her secret been uncovered?

But that didn’t make sense. Yan Luo was always talking about “Li Niang” and “playing with women.” If she knew the truth, she wouldn’t say things like, “You men…”

Gu Que quickly dismissed the thought. By the late-night shift, Granny Sun arrived, and Gu Que lay down on the makeshift bed to sleep.

On the fourth day, Yan Luo finally woke up. Granny Sun was on duty at the time, and Gu Que rushed in immediately.

Yan Luo opened her eyes, looked at her, and said right away, “I dreamed you eloped with Li Niang and left me with your two children.”

Gu Que: “…”

“You’re awake. Do you feel any discomfort elsewhere?” Granny Sun ignored her nonsense. Even in this state, she couldn’t resist teasing the young girl.

Granny Sun checked her pulse, repeatedly asking how she felt, but Yan Luo instead said, “Someone promised me a ‘Cutie Pie’ and said they grew up eating them.”

Gu Que rolled her eyes and stayed silent, waiting for Granny Sun to finish the examination.

Granny Sun and Gu Que tacitly ignored her. After a while, Yan Luo, finding no reaction, closed her eyes again, ready to sleep.

Alarmed, Granny Sun quickly said, “I saw Li Niang.”

Exhausted, Yan Luo had no choice but to open her eyes again. “Is she pretty?”

Granny Sun didn’t answer, but Gu Que spoke up. “Wen Fu came, claiming to be here on His Majesty’s orders. I didn’t let her in, and she left in tears.”

“Did you feel sorry for her?” Yan Luo’s lips curved slightly as she leisurely studied the young man before her, who had visibly lost weight.

Gu Que replied, “Oh, I ached for her. Are you jealous?”

“Jealous? Of course not. How about I arrange for her to be your concubine? Having the esteemed Minister Wen as your concubine would be quite the status symbol.” Yan Luo smiled weakly. She had no strength left, and even these few words had drained her. She didn’t have the energy to tease Gu Que anymore—it was too tiring.

After checking her pulse, Granny Sun vacated the spot by the bed. “There’s some congee for you. Eat a bit, and I’ll go prepare the medicine.”

As she left, she signaled Gu Que with her eyes to step forward. Gu Que nodded and approached. “Prime Minister, Wen Fu is quite beautiful.”

Yan Luo, who had been half-squinting, opened her eyes fully and looked at the smirking young man. “Now I’m angry. The kind that can’t be coaxed away.”

Her complexion was still poor, her lips chapped and peeling. Gu Que felt a pang of pity and wet a cloth to moisten Yan Luo’s lips, saying as she did, “Then I won’t bother coaxing you.”

“Young Master, if you hand over all your treasures, I might forgive you.” Yan Luo winced slightly—her wound was starting to hurt. She frowned. So numbness could still give way to pain? She looked at Gu Que. “I think it hurts a little.”

“Your wound hurts?” Gu Que bolted upright in alarm.

Yan Luo shook her head. “My heart hurts.”

Gu Que sat back down, helpless. After a moment’s thought, she said, “I have a gaming console. Want to play?”

“What kind of game? Arrow tossing? Backgammon?” Yan Luo grimaced as the pain intensified. She took a shallow breath. “Young Master Gu, kiss me.”

Gu Que frowned. Yan Luo said seriously, “The novels say that when lovers are hurt, a kiss might make the pain go away.”

“That’s all nonsense. It’s not some miracle cure—just lies. How can someone as smart as you fall for that?” Gu Que sighed. A prime minister, of all people, believing such illogical drivel!

Yan Luo shot her a sidelong glance. “The books say if you don’t feel anything, it means you don’t love me.”

“I—” Gu Que was at a loss for words. She didn’t love the prime minister, but she couldn’t say that outright.

Cornered, Gu Que leaned down and pressed a light kiss to Yan Luo’s brow.

Yan Luo was drowsy. The fleeting touch left no impression—exhaustion dulled her senses. It took her a long moment to speak again. “No good. It still hurts. Kiss me properly this time—the kind where tongues tangle.”

“Y-You’ve been corrupted by those novels! That’s not happening!” Gu Que refused, her face burning crimson.