After Marrying the Villainous Prime Minister in My Brother’s Stead - Chapter 47

47: Shake, Shake, Turn Off the Sound.

French Kiss?

Gu Que’s whole body broke out in goosebumps. She sternly refused, “You should rest first. Once your injury is healed, you can do whatever you want.”

Yan Luo naturally didn’t believe her nonsense but couldn’t resist teasing her: “Once I’m better, we’ll consummate the marriage.”

Gu Que laughed, “Grandma said your body isn’t fit for consummation.”

She was a little smug, her entire demeanor shifting, her eyes sparkling with mischief. Yan Luo, with her eyes closed, couldn’t see the light in her eyes but could hear the playful tone in her voice. “Young Master, don’t get too cocky. Debts must always be repaid.”

Gu Que chuckled, almost laughing out loud. Yan Luo fell asleep again, so Gu Que didn’t say anything more. A wicked thought arose in her heart, and she reached out to do something naughty.

She pinched Yan Luo’s cheeks, tugged at her ears—the texture was delightful, so she couldn’t help but pinch them a few more times.

All her grievances were vented!

By noon on the fifth day, Yan Luo was fully awake. The Empress also arrived, and the two chatted for a while. Gu Que stayed outside, watching over the medicine pot.

Half an hour later, the Empress emerged from the bedroom in high spirits. She glanced at Gu Que but didn’t trouble her, leaving happily.

Granny Sun squatted nearby sorting herbs, watching the Empress’s retreating figure with a low mutter: “She’s far less formidable than her father.”

Emperor Wen had at least one son, though he died young. His younger brother, Emperor Wu (the late emperor), had even worse luck—his consorts bore twelve daughters but not a single son.

Their youngest uncle, Prince Huaizhang, had much better fortune, with a pile of sons and many descendants, though none destined for the throne.

After Granny Sun’s comment, Gu Que entered the room. Yan Luo began discussing the assassination attempt.

It was orchestrated by the heir of Prince Huaizhang.

However, his target was Yan Luo. He hadn’t expected the Emperor to be traveling incognito, which added the crime of regicide to the charges. The entire Prince Huaizhang household couldn’t escape blame. The Empress Dowager and the Emperor had been arguing for days without resolution.

The Emperor’s intention was for Yan Luo to return to court as soon as possible to stabilize the situation. Not a single member of Prince Huaizhang’s household was to be spared.

Gu Que gasped, her heart trembling. She asked Yan Luo, “How many people are in the prince’s household?”

Yan Luo, weak and pale, her skin dull and lacking luster, smiled faintly. “Over three hundred.”

“That many…” Gu Que was shocked again. Thinking about it, the Gu residence only had two masters, yet with guards, maids, servants, and grannies, there were already seventy or eighty people. Prince Huaizhang’s household had dozens of masters, so by that ratio, three hundred wasn’t excessive.

She couldn’t help but feel uneasy. “Will… will they all be killed?”

“You should understand the principle of leaving a threat alive—giving them a way out is giving yourself a dead end.” Yan Luo’s tone was icy, her smile deepening.

Gu Que fell silent. If the assassin had succeeded in killing the Prime Minister, the outcome would have been entirely different. The heir of Prince Huaizhang would have been the victor. Since Yan Luo survived, how could she let them off?

Just then, Leng Mian arrived.

Leng Mian rarely visited the Gu residence after being dismissed. Gu Que didn’t know where she lived and asked a few questions upon seeing her.

Leng Mian looked haggard, her brows weary. “I have my own residence.”

“You have your own house…” Gu Que exclaimed in surprise. Truly, a strong general has no weak soldiers. Owning property was a sign of strength. After all, in the modern era, some people toiled their whole lives without ever owning a home. Leng Mian, so young, already had a house—impressive!

Leng Mian glanced at her. “Young Master, do you think I don’t deserve a house?”

“No, no, go on in.” Gu Que felt it was hard to explain. She couldn’t very well say, “Actually, where I’m from, owning a house is a really big deal.”

Leng Mian entered, and Yan Luo opened her eyes at the sound.

“You look exhausted?” Yan Luo took one look at her. Leng Mian had strong self-control; if she hadn’t pushed herself to the limit, she wouldn’t show such fatigue.

Leng Mian pulled up a stool and sat by the bed. “Minister of Justice Lu Song has arrested the heir and imprisoned him. The prince’s residence is sealed off. Right now, the court is divided. The Empress Dowager wants to spare one bloodline, but the Emperor refuses.”

Prince Huaizhang had been diligent in expanding his family—his youngest son was only two. The Empress Dowager’s intention was to spare this child, given his tender age.

Yan Luo laughed. “Her Majesty is quite the schemer. The courtiers will see her as compassionate and merciful, the people will praise her kindness, but who knows what ulterior motives she harbors? The Emperor has grown up and isn’t as obedient as before.”

A bird spreads its wings to fly, but the mother refuses, pressing down on its wings to keep it grounded. Will the bird obey?

Leng Mian replied, “Some courtiers argue the child is too young, just learning to walk. They suggest pardoning him, stripping his title, and banishing him from the capital as an act of virtue. In my opinion, they’re all talk—none of them were the ones stabbed, none walked through the gates of hell. They don’t care about your feelings at all.”

“Tell Lu Song to lure the Empress Dowager here to see me.” Yan Luo stared at the ceiling beams, smiling. “I understand the Empress Dowager’s intentions. She’s thinking that if the Emperor truly won’t obey, she’ll depose her and install a new one. Since that’s what she wants, I’ll grant her wish. It’s up to the Emperor to decide.”

“Prime Minister, what do you mean?” Leng Mian didn’t grasp Yan Luo’s plan. Why leave the Empress Dowager a way out?

Yan Luo smiled faintly without answering, closing her eyes. “I’m tired. Go deliver the message first.”

Leng Mian withdrew.

Gu Que entered right on cue, carrying a plate of pastries made by the kitchen according to Granny Sun’s instructions—something Yan Luo could eat in moderation.

She set the plate on the small table by the bed. Yan Luo sighed softly. “I don’t want these. They’re tasteless.”

Gu Que ignored her, placing the pastries down before climbing onto the sitting couch across from her, maintaining a safe distance.

Better to stay far away from trouble.

Yan Luo was still weak. After speaking with the Emperor and Leng Mian, she felt utterly exhausted and lacked the energy to banter with Gu Que. She lay in bed, drowsy.

Once she fell asleep, Gu Que retrieved the pastries, opened a bottle of soda, and pulled out a novel to read leisurely.

When Yan Luo woke up, even the last pastry was gone. She glanced over—the plate was empty. “You’re too much. Grandma made those for me.”

“The kitchen has more. Do you want some?” Gu Que didn’t look up. The same old tricks weren’t amusing anymore. Yan Luo never really wanted pastries—her mind was always scheming.

As expected, Yan Luo didn’t press further, falling silent for a long while.

Gu Que kept one ear open for her, knowing Yan Luo was plotting something mischievous.

Idle hands are the devil’s workshop. Online forums said palace concubines loved causing trouble precisely because they had nothing to do—boredom bred mischief.

The room was quiet for a long time.

Gu Que couldn’t quite grasp Yan Luo’s thoughts. After some consideration, she finally looked up.

Oh no—the moment she raised her head, she met Yan Luo’s intense gaze, her eyes brimming with resentment as if Gu Que had bullied her.

Gu Que couldn’t take it anymore. Remembering Yan Luo was still a patient, she approached and asked, “Are you uncomfortable somewhere?”

Yan Luo huffed softly. “My heart is uncomfortable.”

“Then keep being uncomfortable.” Gu Que retorted irritably.

Yan Luo didn’t respond, nor did she blink—just stared at Gu Que with those pitiful eyes.

“You—stop looking at me like that. If you have something to say, say it.” Gu Que was unnerved. Even without speaking, those eyes were unbearable.

Yan Luo said, “Go see Grandmother for me. Tell her I’m fine and that I hope my uncles won’t go easy on the assassin.”

“That’s it?” Gu Que was skeptical. She couldn’t believe someone would suddenly turn over a new leaf. Could you trust a person who suddenly became good?

Yan Luo lay immobilized, unable to even roll over, her arms weak. She pouted pitifully. “Read me a novel. Something romantic. Like the protagonists saying ‘I love you,’ ‘Do you love me?’ ‘I can’t live without you’—the life-and-death kind.”

“You—I’d better go deliver the message to the Yan residence first.” Gu Que took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. Indeed, one shouldn’t believe the Prime Minister could change for the better.

Yan Luo was meant to be a villain.

The worst kind.

Gu Que suddenly paused, turning back to glance at the bed. Yan Luo was so wicked—why did she still feel sorry for her?

Was there something wrong with her?

The Yan residence had been sending people daily to check on Yan Luo. Aunts, uncles, and maternal relatives had all visited once.

Gu Que brought gifts to the Yan family—it would be impolite to go empty-handed. Upon arrival, the eldest madam greeted her immediately, asking, “How is Xiao Qi?”

The eldest madam’s concern was genuine, not feigned. Gu Que was touched and replied, “She’s awake. She sent me to deliver the news. She’s also worried about troubling you all these days.”

Servants unloaded the gifts from the carriage. The eldest madam glanced at them, smiling slightly before leading Gu Que to see the matriarch.

Gu Que relayed Yan Luo’s message to the matriarch.

The matriarch was displeased. “Of course, we won’t go easy on them. Even if Xiao Qi doesn’t speak, we won’t let the assassin roam free. The Empress Dowager may favor them, but that’s her concern. Rest assured, Young Master, I’ll have them petition for severe punishment.”

Gu Que nodded. Though she didn’t understand Yan Luo’s motives, her duty was done, and it was time to return.

After she left, the eldest madam asked her mother-in-law, “What does Xiao Qi mean by having the Young Master deliver this message?”

Why involve the Yan family in offending the Empress Dowager?

The matriarch glanced at her daughter-in-law. “You’ve benefited from Xiao Qi’s influence. Now that it’s time to be of use, you’re backing out?”

The eldest madam flushed. “That’s not what I meant.”

The matriarch said calmly, “Xiao Qi wants to pressure the Empress Dowager. As for her ultimate goal, I don’t know. The Yan family and the Prime Minister share the same interests—we must support her.”

The next day, several Yan family officials submitted memorials stating their stance: no leniency, punish according to the law. The Emperor, bolstered, was overjoyed, while the Empress Dowager was at a loss.

In the following days, various factions made their positions clear. The Empress Dowager, cornered, personally visited the Gu residence to speak with the Prime Minister.

Yan Luo had improved slightly—she could move while lying down but couldn’t make large movements. Gu Que helped her outside to bask in the sun and get some air. A recliner was placed under the eaves, lined with a furry blanket. Yan Luo slowly lay down, wincing as her wound tugged.

Gu Que peeled an apple for her, mentioning the need to replenish vitamin C. Yan Luo didn’t understand, eyeing the red fruit in her hand. “Is this newly planted?”

“Yes.” Gu Que agreed, though she’d actually bought it. Apples likely weren’t introduced to China until the Ming or Qing dynasties, so they wouldn’t be available now. Later, she could buy land to cultivate apples on a large scale. Apples were a household staple—if grown, they’d surely sell well.

In fact, many fruits and crops could be experimented with, including rice…

Gu Que shuddered with excitement, turning to Yan Luo. “I’ve obtained some excellent seeds—high-yield rice. Should we let the people try them?”

Yan Luo narrowed her eyes, tilting her head. “Young Master, I’m the King of Hell, not a saint.”

“You’re the Prime Minister! Don’t you want the people to live in peace and prosperity?” Gu Que was thrilled.

Yan Luo sighed. “I’m the King of Hell who wants the world to perish with me, and you’re asking me to do good deeds to feed the masses? Have you lost your mind?”

“If you won’t go, I’ll do it myself. It’s almost summer—perfect for planting rice. I remember you have paddy fields. Lend them to me?” Gu Que suddenly had a grand vision. “If I become the largest grain supplier in Great Wei, wouldn’t that be amazing?”

“It would. But when I slaughter the world, who will you feed with your grain?” Yan Luo mocked. Such a child.

Gu Que ignored her. “Lend me the fields. I’ll pay rent.”

“They’re in the cabinet. Take them yourself.” Yan Luo sighed, baffled by Gu Que’s idealism. The world had done nothing for her—why help the world?

Such a naive child.

Gu Que happily went to fetch the deeds.

The Empress Dowager arrived in her imperial carriage. Yan Luo remained on the recliner, unmoving. When the Empress Dowager approached, she apologized weakly, “Forgive me, Your Majesty. This subject is unwell and cannot pay proper respects.”

The Empress Dowager waved it off—ceremonies were irrelevant now. She cut straight to the point, articulating her purpose eloquently, portraying herself as a compassionate bodhisattva.

Yan Luo remained impassive. The Empress Dowager was thick-skinned, and Yan Luo couldn’t be bothered to expose her. Without changing her expression, she said, “This subject is still injured.”

The Empress Dowager suddenly understood. “Name your terms.”

“This subject wants the Six Ministries.” Yan Luo stated.

The Empress Dowager was furious. “Wishful thinking. I’ll give you the Ministry of Personnel.”

Yan Luo smiled. “Very well.”

Her quick agreement made the Empress Dowager regret her offer. The Ministry of Personnel controlled appointments and evaluations. With the Ministry of Justice already in Yan Luo’s hands, she’d now have a third of the Six Ministries under her control.

But the words were already spoken. The Empress Dowager couldn’t take them back and left in a huff.

After her departure, Yan Luo submitted a memorial to the Emperor, echoing the Empress Dowager’s plea for leniency.

The Emperor had no choice but to spare the child. The men of Prince Huaizhang’s household were beheaded, the women exiled or conscripted into the army. However, the prince’s daughters were also executed.

On the day of the executions, the marketplace was packed with kneeling figures, including many children. Some, too young to understand, grinned at the executioners approaching them, laughing even harder—until their small heads rolled to the ground.

The soft-hearted wept, cursing the court and the Prime Minister.

By the day of the executions, the Prime Minister could already walk on her own. Gu Que was nowhere to be seen—she’d gone to inspect the paddy fields outside the city.

She wanted to farm, to plant rice. She’d acquired new seed varieties, along with pesticides and fertilizer.

Excited, she loaded ten carriages, leading a bustling procession. Before leaving, she even hugged Yan Luo, overjoyed.

Recalling her radiant face, Yan Luo suddenly felt gloomy. She spoke to Grandma, who was tending the stove: “Grandma, is farming really that exciting?”

“She thinks farming can earn money—it’s practical. What’s wrong with that?” Granny Sun squatted by the stove. “She’s willing to work hard, without scheming or flattering to achieve her goals. Don’t you like that?”

“Foolishly kind.” Yan Luo scoffed. When there was a shortcut, why not take it? “Grandma, if you had a bright path ahead, would you deliberately avoid it? What’s she thinking?”

“She knows her limits. She feels unfit for politics, so she works hard at commerce. Isn’t that good? Such a girl is rare—better than you.” Granny Sun shot Yan Luo a glare. “You’re despicable, using even the Yan family this time.”

Yan Luo admitted freely, “I was never a good person.”

Granny Sun asked, “Why did you spare that child?”

“Who would suffer most with that child alive?” Yan Luo smiled faintly, a rare hint of malice in her expression.

Granny Sun was puzzled. “Wouldn’t you suffer?”

Yan Luo shook her head. “I won’t. The Emperor will. The Empress Dowager is foolish but ambitious. She wants to keep a royal descendant to threaten the Emperor, not realizing it only drives them further apart. Without my intervention, mother and daughter are already at odds.”

Granny Sun frowned. “Does the Empress Dowager want to be emperor?”

“Who knows?” Yan Luo sighed, then asked Granny Sun, “Do you think she’s reached the fields yet?”

Granny Sun fanned the flames, annoyed. “How many times have you asked this morning? What will you do when her brother returns?”

Yan Luo gazed at the sky. The sunlight was harsh, but she didn’t flinch, meeting it directly with a faint smile. “I’m a villain. What do you think I’ll do?”

“You…” Granny Sun was too angry to speak. “What if she gets mad?”

“Why would she? I arranged a marriage for her.” Yan Luo said.

“What marriage? What nonsense are you spouting?” Granny Sun was alarmed.

Yan Luo explained, “To Huo Chengru. Gu Que seemed quite pleased, though she doesn’t like Huo Chengru. If she doesn’t like him, why is she happy? What’s her angle?”

Granny Sun was utterly baffled. “Are the two of you out of your minds?”

Yan Luo didn’t elaborate. Let them think she was crazy.

Gu Que inspected the paddy fields, asking about yields—they were shockingly low, barely two hundred catties per mu. Modern hybrid rice could yield over sixteen hundred catties per mu.

She went to the estate, leading the workers in soaking and germinating the seeds. The steward didn’t understand the methods but kept silent, thinking the young master from the city knew nothing and was just showing off. The seeds he’d brought were unheard of—clearly swindled by some charlatan.

The steward looked down on him but kept it to himself, following orders. If things went wrong, it was the master’s fault, not theirs.

Some fields hadn’t been planted yet. Gu Que arrived just in time, waiting for the seeds to sprout before planting. Once the seedlings grew, they’d be transplanted.

Gu Que’s seeds were different, and the stewards were skeptical. After she left, they huddled together to discuss.

“If we sow them and nothing grows, we’ll miss the season. Who’ll take responsibility?”

“He’s just fooling around.”

“If we lose this harvest, we’ll have no food.”

“Should we report this to the higher-ups?”

“Just ask—no harm in that.”

The stewards murmured among themselves while Gu Que returned home at dusk.

Yan Luo was in the bedroom reviewing documents. Seeing Gu Que covered in dirt, she laughed. “Do you really love farming that much?”

Gu Que didn’t dare get close, asking for fresh clothes and hurrying to bathe.

She’d been busy all day and was tired, but it felt fulfilling.

By the time she finished, Yan Luo was already asleep. Recently, Yan Luo had been sleeping early. Gu Que had asked Grandma about it.

Grandma said the Prime Minister’s body was severely damaged and needed long-term rest.

With Yan Luo asleep, Gu Que didn’t disturb her. She went to the kitchen for dinner, Tinglan following her. “What would you like to eat tonight?”

At this, Zhizhi jumped down from the tree like a falling leaf, chasing after them. “Young Master, can I join?”

Gu Que cooked for herself—she preferred her own meals, knowing exactly how to season them.

The two hangers-on had already eaten but shamelessly tagged along.

Gu Que took out two self-heating hot pots. Young people loved spicy, stimulating flavors.

Especially Zhizhi, who adored heat. Gu Que asked, “Want some fire noodles?”

Zhizhi, hearing “fire noodles,” immediately agreed without thinking.

Gu Que cooked two packs of fire noodles. Remembering how much young people ate, she mixed it all together.

“Young Master, why are there no chicken in fire chicken noodles? Did you skimp on the meat?” Zhizhi couldn’t help but complain.

Gu Que sighed. “They’re just called that. Do wife cakes have wives in them? Does fish-flavored shredded pork have fish?”

Zhizhi was dumbfounded. She took the noodles to the doorway to eat. The first bite was delicious.

But by the time she finished the bowl, her mouth was on fire. Gu Que laughed hysterically—she didn’t dare try it herself. Tinglan hurriedly brought water.

Zhizhi shook her head. “Drinking makes it worse. I’ll go cool off with a bath. Young Master, I’m heading back.”

Gu Que leisurely ate her hot pot, still pondering whether to plant apples and expand watermelon cultivation.

So much to do—her heart was suddenly full.

“Young Master, why are you smiling?” Tinglan was puzzled. “Did you find money?”

“No. Hurry up and eat. I’m full.” Gu Que dumped the broth and tossed the container into the stove to destroy the evidence.

Walking back helped digestion. The maids had already prepared her bedding. Recently, with Granny Sun gone, Gu Que slept on the floor while the maids kept watch outside.

Gu Que comfortably lay down, her body sore and exhausted. She fell asleep quickly.

In the morning, she was awakened by noise. Irritated, she grumbled, “Keep it down.”

But the sound grew louder, suddenly right beside her ear—sensual moans making her limbs go weak.

“Yan Luo! If you keep this up, I won’t let you watch anymore!” Gu Que was furious.

Her phone was in a transparent bag tied to a string. Yan Luo, early in the morning, dangled it in front of Gu Que.

The screen swayed before her eyes, the sounds assaulting her eardrums.

Gu Que covered her ears. Yan Luo looked down at her, feigning innocence. “I was just waking you up. Look, the sun’s already up.”

Gu Que had been exhausted the day before and slept late. Even the maids’ chatter hadn’t woken her. Yan Luo called twice, but she remained asleep.

Yan Luo had no choice but to deploy her ultimate weapon.

“Turn it off first.” Gu Que sighed, her eyelids too heavy to open. Living in luxury here had made her delicate—she couldn’t handle hardship anymore.

She lay back down. Yan Luo, in a rare act of kindness, said, “Sleep on the bed.”

“Don’t wanna move.” Gu Que burrowed under the blankets, hands over her ears. “Turn off the sound!”

Yan Luo ignored her, continuing to sway the phone, pacing back and forth—shake, shake.

Gu Que couldn’t take it anymore. She crawled out of bed and onto the main bed, immediately hit by the scent of medicine.

So bitter.