After Marrying the Villainous Prime Minister in My Brother’s Stead - Chapter 50

50: Gu Yan, I Married Your Sister!

“One-way mirror glass? Wait, why do you want this kind of glass?” Gu Que was puzzled. Was she planning to kill someone?

Yan Luo replied, “To present to Her Majesty. I’ve fallen out of favor and need to salvage some dignity.”

The Empress was also a woman who loved novel trinkets. After receiving the glass last time, she had it installed everywhere.

Gu Que thought for a moment and asked, “How much do you need? I’ll ask in advance.”

“Give me the blueprint. You handle it.” Yan Luo had received a blueprint from the Empress for a transparent house—Her Majesty’s whims were unpredictable.

Gu Que nodded. “Alright, I’ll take care of it tomorrow.”

Yan Luo wasn’t joking. The blueprint was in the study, and the next day, she handed it to Gu Que.

Gu Que naturally went to the shop to inquire. The shopkeeper explained everything in detail, but the cost was substantial. Gu Que had no choice but to front the money. Then she turned to the Scholar to ask if he’d buy the floral crown.

Gu Que still wanted to sell Yan Luo’s floral crown.

Yan Luo didn’t object when she found out. The crown had been exchanged for several carts of treasures—it was definitely worth it.

Once the deal was done, the Scholar left a message for Gu Que: This floral crown is a bit unusual.

Gu Que: How so?

Scholar: It was used by ancient nobility. The wealth of those high-ranking officials and nobles was unimaginable. The pearls on it are naturally formed, and it looks like a burial object.

Gu Que: Burial object your ass! My wife is alive and well!

Scholar: My mistake, my mistake. What I meant is that there’s a symbol on it from a hidden dynasty.

Gu Que: Wei?

Scholar: Yes. During the Wei Dynasty, there was a prime minister known for being cruel and tyrannical, who slaughtered an entire dynasty.

Gu Que: Go to hell! What kind of wild history is that?

Scholar: Don’t get mad. I’m just quoting unofficial history. After the dynasty fell, it almost vanished from history. I only remembered this because of the symbol on the crown. Does your wife have any other treasures?

Gu Que: What exactly do you want?

Scholar: Is your wife’s family tomb raiders?

Gu Que: They’re wealthy and don’t need to rob tombs. By the way, what happened to that prime minister in the end?

Scholar: The entire dynasty disappeared. No one knows where they went.

Gu Que: Do you have the book? Let me take a look.

Scholar: I’ll go look for it. You see if you can find any other treasures and ask your wife if she knows how to preserve them.

Gu Que: Fine, you go look, and I’ll ask. Oh, what was that prime minister’s name?

Scholar: I forgot. I think her surname was Yan. She was a woman.

Gu Que: Alright.

It matched. Prime minister, woman, surname Yan…

Gu Que logged off and sighed deeply. An entire dynasty wiped out—did she kill everyone?

Considering the rumors about Prime Minister Yan, it was entirely possible.

That night, Yan Luo returned, bringing with her a thousand taels of gold—a reward from the Empress. Yan Luo didn’t keep any for herself, giving it all to Gu Que.

Gu Que was dumbfounded. She had never seen so much gold in her life and didn’t know whether to be happy or worried.

Yan Luo was generous. “Buy whatever you want.”

“I want to buy floral crowns. Want to come with me?” Gu Que planned to buy some more to sell to the Scholar. That way, she’d have more Taobao coins and could stock up on silk and goat milk soap to sell for a while.

Her funds were tight, and the Marquis’s estate’s belongings were registered and couldn’t be touched freely. Only this reward belonged to her, not Gu Yan.

Yan Luo was puzzled. “Why do you need so many floral crowns?”

“The foreign merchants like them. I can trade for things I want. Prime Minister Yan, let’s go pick some out now, okay?” Gu Que was eager to fill her Taobao coins and be worry-free.

“No need to buy. Check the storeroom—there are plenty there. Keep the gold for me.” Yan Luo smiled faintly, her lips curling in a way that was different from usual—less mocking, more enchanting, even heart-fluttering.

Yan Luo was beautiful, a rare kind of beauty. Words like “pretty” or “elegant” couldn’t fully capture her, especially the aura she carried.

Looks were innate, but aura was cultivated over time.

Gu Que’s heart raced. Her eyes bright, she reached out to grab Yan Luo’s hand. “Let’s go check the storeroom.”

Yan Luo glanced at the pale fingers wrapped around her wrist. Oh? Has she forgotten her manners, or is she too excited to care?

Tsk. Yan Luo shook off her hand. “When I hold your hand, you dodge. When you hold mine, I’m just supposed to accept it?”

A bucket of cold water drenched Gu Que’s excitement. She asked Yan Luo, “Why are you so petty?”

“The ancients said, ‘Only small-minded people and women are hard to deal with.’ I’m a woman, and my heart is narrow.” Yan Luo smirked coldly. “Take the floral crowns yourself.”

With that, she turned and left.

Gu Que stood there, baffled. What just happened?

It’s just holding hands. Was it necessary to get so angry?

A woman’s heart is as deep as the ocean—utterly unfathomable.

Gu Que was stunned but didn’t want to waste the opportunity. She took the keys and opened the storeroom.

Yan Luo had brought all her belongings when she married. The Yan family was wealthy and had given her a generous dowry. Yan Luo had also been an official for years, amassing considerable wealth, not to mention gifts from various households. The contents far exceeded Gu Que’s expectations.

She could sell soap for a lifetime and not match even a tenth of this storeroom’s value.

Her heart raced as she stepped inside, touching this and that. She spotted an ancient jade piece and couldn’t resist taking it.

On one shelf were rows of floral crowns, each with dazzling gemstones and exquisite craftsmanship.

Gu Que glanced over and picked two of the simpler ones—the Scholar couldn’t afford the more extravagant ones.

Two crowns and one ancient jade—Gu Que returned triumphant, informing the steward to remove the items from the inventory.

Back in the study, she tossed the items into her shop.

This time, the Scholar didn’t show up—probably busy.

Gu Que returned to the bedroom.

After waiting two or three days, the Scholar still hadn’t responded. Others inquired but doubted their authenticity. Gu Que brushed them off with a few words and didn’t proceed with the deals.

Over the next few days, Prime Minister Yan was nowhere to be seen. Rumor had it she’d left the city for an inspection.

Prime Minister Yan didn’t discuss her plans with her bedmate. She left without a word, only remembering to send a message home after getting into bed at night.

With her newfound freedom, Gu Que packed her bags and moved to the warm house for a couple of days. It was the perfect time to enjoy watermelon, and she could indulge to her heart’s content.

Gu Que had installed an air conditioner, making nights incredibly comfortable.

Both women vanished without a trace. When Granny Sun came to visit in the evening, she found the courtyard empty and wondered if they’d gone out without her.

Tinglan explained, “The Prime Minister left the city. The Young Master said she was going back to the Marquis’s estate to see the Marquis and his wife.”

Granny Sun felt a pang of loneliness. Perhaps she’d grown accustomed to the bustle, and the sudden quiet felt unsettling.

She wandered around the courtyard, admiring the flowers, glancing at the sky, then visiting the eastern side room to see Qiongju.

Qiongju had grown a bit and slept less than before. At the moment, she was sucking on her hand—a habit the nursemaid had to watch closely, lest the little one stuff her fingers into her mouth with loud, wet smacks.

Granny Sun played with her for a while but soon grew bored and went back to sleep.

Gu Que was in heaven, lying in the air-conditioned room eating popsicles. Xiyu stood outside, staring at the roaring air conditioner, reaching out to touch it. Whoa—hot air blasted out!

So hot!

Xiyu dashed back inside, only to be hit by a chilling gust—like a sinister wind, freezing her in place.

Too scared to move, she heard Gu Que call her over for watermelon. “I won’t eat. It’s too cold!”

Xiyu turned and fled. Gu Que laughed hysterically, slowly savoring a piece of watermelon. Living a modern life in ancient times requires some serious skills.

Like installing air conditioners, growing watermelons, and understanding electrical circuits.

Gu Que was content. After finishing the watermelon, she read a book about rice cultivation for a while and went to bed punctually at ten.

In contrast, Yan Luo was having a rough time. Her injuries hadn’t fully healed, and the bumpy journey made her back ache.

At night, the hard bed made her waist hurt so much she barely slept. Waking up early to continue traveling left her exhausted.

In the carriage, she dozed off, her mind foggy. When meeting local officials, she had to force herself to stay alert.

It’s easy to adapt to luxury but hard to go back to hardship.

For the next two or three days, she was listless—until she arrived at the Gu family’s villa.

The Marquise of Yongle visited the temple to burn incense every month, sometimes even staying overnight. Leng Mian had followed her a few times and discovered that after going to the temple, she would descend the back mountain to a secluded villa.

Leng Mian had staked out the villa for half a month. No one came out, but someone regularly delivered groceries.

In other words, the villa was isolated, and whatever happened inside remained a mystery.

Perhaps Gu Yan had never gone to Jiangnan at all but was recuperating in this villa. Li Niang’s brother, still in prison, had also confessed that the siblings had never left the capital, further proving Gu Yan wasn’t in Jiangnan.

What Third Madam had seen back then was today’s Gu Que. The one she loved was Gu Que—Gu Yan had nothing to do with it.

As soon as Yan Luo entered, she yawned. Leng Mian emerged from inside. “Prime Minister, everything’s under control. That person is in bed.”

Yan Luo blinked slowly. “Is he handsome?”

“Behind the brocade curtains, I didn’t get a good look. But he’s definitely not as good-looking as the Young Master.”

“Forget it. Let’s go in together. I’m curious—where did the Marquise of Yongle get the courage to have a sister replace her brother and mock me?” Yan Luo strode inside.

The villa was elegant, filled with flowers and fresh air.

The servants—gatekeepers, maids, and old women—had all been tied up and confined by Leng Mian. Now, even if the Prime Minister killed Gu Yan, the Marquis’s household wouldn’t know who did it.

Yan Luo walked slowly, admiring the scenery and chattering to Leng Mian. “Do you think she’d be mad if I killed Gu Yan?”

“The killer of her brother? Of course she’d be mad.”

Yan Luo tsked. “Then I won’t kill him. I’ll just scare him to death.”

“Scare him to death? How?” Leng Mian didn’t follow. How could someone healthy just die from fright?

Yan Luo chuckled. “Suicide. There are many ways—slitting wrists, poison, starvation, jumping into a river, off a building, or even a tree.”

Leng Mian choked. “Jumping from a tree won’t kill you.”

“Others might survive, but Gu Yan’s health is poor. He might just drop dead.”

The two stopped outside the room. Not a soul was in sight—just silence. Yan Luo cleared her throat. Leng Mian tensed. “Are you feeling unwell?”

“No, just setting the mood to scare him.”

Leng Mian said, “What if he’s so scared he dies on the spot?”

“Even better. Saves me the trouble.”

Leng Mian teased, “If you’ve got the guts, don’t save him.”

Yan Luo didn’t reply, glaring at her instead. “If he dies, you take the blame.”

“You think the Young Master would believe I killed him? You’re my master—anyone with half a brain would know you ordered it.” Leng Mian laughed.

Yan Luo said, “What if she doesn’t use her brain but her toes to think?”

Leng Mian was speechless.

The two entered together. The stench of medicine hit them. Leng Mian stepped forward. “Young Master Gu, my master is here.”

“Prime Minister Yan!” Gu Yan covered his mouth, coughing lightly as he lifted his head to meet the woman’s gaze.

His expression was calm, neither humble nor overbearing, even carrying a hint of Gu Que’s innocence.

What the hell.

Leng Mian brought a stool, and Yan Luo sat down gracefully. “Young Master Gu, I never imagined you and Gu Que would look so alike.”

Most twins resemble each other, but male-female twins usually have some differences. Yet Gu Yan and Gu Que were strikingly similar—though his features were sharper, his aura more masculine.

That was the difference between men and women.

“Has Prime Minister Yan come today to annul the marriage?” Gu Yan’s face was sallow, his eyes sunken and lifeless.

Yan Luo studied his appearance, comparing it in her mind. The siblings were worlds apart.

At first glance, Gu Que was stunning, captivating countless women—Princess Jinyang couldn’t forget her.

But Gu Yan? Utterly plain, his eyes dull. One look, and he blended into the crowd.

That was just the first impression. What about long-term interaction? Gu Que’s face was pleasing to the eye, but Gu Yan?

Yan Luo didn’t dare think further. She smiled. “I’ve already married your sister.”

“Married…” Gu Yan was stunned, his parted lips showing he had no idea about the marriage. “Impossible… Mother said my sister was just… just…”

Yan Luo nearly laughed herself to death. “Your mother had your sister take your exams and marry in your place, deluding herself that I’d accept you when you returned.”

A few words were enough to shatter Gu Yan, sending him into a coughing fit.

Yan Luo didn’t interrupt, waiting for him to recover.

After a long while, Gu Yan finally caught his breath. “Why… have you come?”

“Just to see you. And to tell you that your sister is exceptionally talented—her poem at the palace exam made her famous overnight. If you want to take her place, you’ll need to improve your literary skills. Also, she’s very popular. Young ladies in the capital can’t forget her after one meeting. If I weren’t watching closely, they’d all be clamoring to marry her.”

“She also has many little gadgets I’ve never seen before. My mother and grandmother adore her.”

“Her Majesty admires her literary talent and wanted her to join the court directly, but she declined, saying she’d enter through the imperial exams. Oh, and she came in third. As a scholar, you know the unspoken rule—the top three must be both talented and handsome.”

“Looking at it this way, she’s truly outstanding. Gu Yan, what do you have to compare?”

“Your failing health? Or your parents’ favoritism? You’re a man hiding here while your sister takes your place in public. Putting aside the crime of deceiving the Emperor, do you take me for a fool?”

“Even a blind person can hear. Do you think women are so weak you can fool them like this…”

Gu Yan’s face turned red with shame. Covering his mouth, he coughed violently, veins bulging on his forehead. After a fit of hacking, he spat out a mouthful of bl00d.

Leng Mian frowned. Yan Luo remained expressionless. Is Gu Yan’s health this bad?

How did he father a child?

She almost suspected Li Niang had cuckolded him.

After coughing up bl00d, Gu Yan’s lips trembled, his throat emitting muffled sounds. His eyes rolled back, and he collapsed.

Leng Mian rushed to help. The villa’s physician was also released to tend to him.

Only Yan Luo remained seated, watching Gu Yan faint. Her heart was cold as iron.

Death would be so convenient.

Unfortunately, the physician’s acupuncture revived him, warning that he mustn’t be provoked again.

No more words could be said. Yan Luo returned to the capital to report to the Emperor. By the time she left the palace, dusk had fallen.

Gu Que wasn’t home. Yan Luo deliberately kept her return a secret, planning to catch her misbehaving.

But things took an unexpected turn—after Yan Luo left, Gu Que had also disappeared, claiming she’d gone back to the Marquis’s estate for a few days.

Yan Luo knew her habits. Returning to the Marquis’s estate was unlikely—she’d probably gone to the warm house.

She didn’t stay home either, heading straight to the warm house to catch Gu Que.

What was Gu Que doing?

She was making watermelon shaved ice. The weather had been hot lately, killing her appetite, so she decided to use the abundance of watermelons for a refreshing treat. Xiyu watched eagerly, asking repeatedly if it was ready.

“Patience is a virtue. Don’t rush.” Gu Que coaxed the child.

Xiyu fidgeted until the doorbell rang. “I’ll get it—probably the neighbors.”

But when she opened the door, it wasn’t the neighbors—it was Prime Minister Yan.

Xiyu gulped, pointing in Gu Que’s direction. “She’s making watermelon shaved ice. Perfect timing.”

Arriving just in time to eat—Yan Luo’s exhaustion vanished, replaced by excitement.

Xiyu trailed behind her, sighing. The young mistress only made two servings. Now I won’t get any.

Gu Que wasn’t up to mischief. She was lounging in the air-conditioned room, cozy under a blanket, utterly relaxed.

“Why is it so cold in here? How much ice did you use?”

“Prime Minister Yan, you’re back!” Gu Que leapt up from the lounge chair, overjoyed, and reached for her hand.

Unlike Yan Luo, Gu Que came from the modern world and didn’t hide her emotions. Happiness was happiness, and right now, she was thrilled.

Why was she so happy?

Yan Luo couldn’t guess. Was it just because she’d returned?

Was that worth such excitement?

The whims of young girls are truly unfathomable.

Yan Luo searched the room but found no ice—only a strange, towering golden object emitting cold air.

Like the biting wind of winter, but refreshing in summer.

“What is this? The ‘Frozen Palm’ from novels?”

“It’s a fun gadget that keeps you warm in winter and cool in summer.” Gu Que nearly died laughing. Frozen Palm?

She pulled Yan Luo away. “Let’s go outside. It’s too cold in here—bad for your health.”

Yan Luo didn’t press further. The room’s chill was unnatural, like the dungeons of the Ministry of Justice—sinister and lifeless.

Once outside, Gu Que asked, “Are you tired? Want to stay here tonight?”

“Sure. Do you have clothes for me to change into?” Yan Luo was curious about everything here.

“I’ll have someone fetch them.” Gu Que sent Xiyu to retrieve them, telling her to hurry back. “When you return, help yourself to the shaved ice. Keep it quiet.”

There was another big child in the house.

Xiyu left, leaving only three people in the house—plus an elderly gatekeeper.

The old woman usually helped Xiyu tend to the greenhouse.

While waiting for the clothes, Gu Que took Yan Luo to pick watermelons—small ones, not too big. The beans were also ripe, and Gu Que picked some. “Stir-fried beans are delicious. Let’s skip sweets tonight and just have vegetables—all grown by me.”

Yan Luo glanced at her. The Young Master of a marquis, happily farming.

Yan Luo inspected the beans and other unfamiliar vegetables. Gu Que introduced them: “The long ones are cucumbers. You can eat them raw or cold-tossed. Many people eat them to lose weight. They might not suit your taste—not sweet, but refreshing.”

“Actually, how about steak for dinner? You don’t seem interested in these veggies.”

Yan Luo didn’t answer. Instead, she plucked one like she had with strawberries and took a bite. “Not tasty,” she said, handing it back to Gu Que.

“For something sweet, try this—honeydew melon.” Gu Que walked to the fourth row and picked one, rinsing it before handing it to Yan Luo.

Yan Luo eyed the green-and-gray rind. “Can you eat the skin?”

“I’ll peel it for you.” Gu Que eagerly took it back, setting up a table in the yard. With a fruit knife, she quickly sliced it.

She skewered a piece with a bamboo stick and beckoned Yan Luo over.

“Enjoy. I’ll make dinner.”

Yan Luo nodded, feeling oddly dazed, unable to keep up with Gu Que’s rhythm. Because here, everything was warm and cozy.

Gu Que’s life was carefree and comfortable—three meals a day, fruits and vegetables.

While Gu Que busied herself, Yan Luo ate two pieces of melon before returning to the strange room. At dusk, the day’s heat lingered, but stepping inside, the chill was immediate. Yet it wasn’t as icy as before. She approached the fan—no wind now.

Where had the wind gone?

Yan Luo boldly touched the fan blades—damp with condensation. She poked a finger inside. Still no wind.

“Where’s the wind?”

She fiddled for a while but found nothing. The room wasn’t as cold anymore, as if the wind had vanished.

Yan Luo lingered, even lying on Gu Que’s lounge chair to wait. Still nothing.

After a while, she checked again—nothing.

Like a child, Yan Luo wandered the room, searching for a hidden mechanism—a button to bring back the wind.

But no matter how hard she looked, there wasn’t even a protruding knob.

Yan Luo grew tired and slumped onto the chair.

“Prime Minister Yan, dinner’s ready.” Gu Que called from outside.

Yan Luo replied, “In here—come in.”

Gu Que pushed the door open and saw her lying there. “Are you hot?”

Yan Luo pointed at the strange object. “Is it broken?”

“No, I turned it off. The remote’s right next to you.” Gu Que laughed, picking up the remote from the side table. With a press of the button, a beep sounded, and the air conditioner whirred to life, the fan blades slowly turning as cold air blew out.

Yan Luo: “…”

Gu Que pulled her out to eat. “I lit some mugwort to repel mosquitoes.”

“No, I want to eat in here.” Yan Luo was too curious, her heart unsettled. This thing was too bizarre.

Gu Que didn’t refuse, moving the table inside. Night had fallen, and the room was brightly lit.

Yan Luo stood before the air conditioner, waving her hand in front of the fan, itching to experiment. Gu Que sensed danger and grabbed her wrist. “What are you trying to do?”

“I want to know where the wind comes from. Aren’t you curious?” Yan Luo stared intently at the white mist blowing from the fan.

Gu Que burst into laughter.