After Marrying the Villainous Prime Minister in My Brother’s Stead - Chapter 53

53: Kissing—Why Isn’t There Kissing in the Novel?

Bathing together as husband and wife—not too much!

Gu Que was dumbfounded. Remembering Yan Luo’s usual tactics, she took the initiative to jump into the trap: “I’ll find you a manga. You go take a bath first.”

Yan Luo achieved her goal and left, satisfied.

Gu Que collapsed onto the bed. While no one was around, she hurriedly searched for another manga online. Before buying, she asked the seller: Does this have explicit content?

Seller: I don’t know.

Gu Que: It’s your book, and you don’t know?

Seller: Dear, I didn’t write it. I really don’t know.

Gu Que: Forget it.

Seller: Honey, I recommend you check out children’s books instead.

Gu Que: ……

Yan Luo bathed quickly. Gu Que randomly picked one for her, flipping to the end—usually, that’s where the juicy parts would be.

But there was nothing. Just the two protagonists staring at each other, saying, I love you.

Gu Que sighed in relief and handed the manga to Yan Luo: “I’m going to take a bath.”

Yan Luo was pleased and instructed her: “Take your time.”

The moment Gu Que stepped off the bed, her foot slipped, and she fell flat. What does “take your time” even mean?

The two went their separate ways. Yan Luo leaned against the pillow to read, while Gu Que went to bathe.

By the time Gu Que fell asleep, Yan Luo was still reading. Even top students stay up all night reading novels…

When Gu Que woke up, the lights were still on, and Yan Luo was still reading. Confused, she asked, “Aren’t you sleeping?”

“Not tired.” Yan Luo was engrossed. She pulled Gu Que over and asked, “What does ‘chasing your wife into the crematorium’ mean? What’s a crematorium?”

“A crematorium is where bodies are burned. ‘Chasing your wife into the crematorium’ means…” Gu Que racked her brain. “Generally, it’s when the woman likes the man at first, but the man ignores her or even does things that hurt her. Later, the man falls for the woman and does everything to win her back.”

“I see.” Yan Luo pondered deeply, her eyes darkening. “Does the woman forgive the man?”

“Some do, some don’t. It depends on the plot.” Gu Que was sleepy, curling up in a corner and yawning. “In the one you’re reading, did she forgive him?”

“Haven’t finished yet. If she forgives him, she must have some serious issues. Granny should give her a few acupuncture needles.” Yan Luo smiled, glancing at Gu Que, who was already asleep—her face fair and peaceful.

Yan Luo leaned over and pinched her cheek: “Gu Que, if it were you, would you forgive?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never been in love.” Gu Que impatiently swatted her hand away. “Stop reading novels. They’re all nonsense meant to deceive people. Don’t take them seriously. Go to sleep.”

Yan Luo got slapped but wasn’t angry. Instead, she moved closer and blew a breath against Gu Que’s neck.

“Stop…” Gu Que shrank back, opening her eyes to meet Yan Luo’s smiling gaze. Under the warm lamplight, her usual sharpness softened into something tender.

The room was silent. The maids on night duty were likely already asleep.

The only sound was Gu Que’s heartbeat. Yan Luo’s lips curled—her signature mischievous expression.

Yan Luo said, “The people in the manga got together before marriage. We’re married, and yet…”

“Granny said you shouldn’t consummate the marriage this year.” Gu Que said righteously, grabbing Yan Luo’s hand and stuffing it under her own blanket. “Sleep.”

“Tsk tsk tsk. Earlier, you said you cared about me, that you’d enter the court for me. Now you’re rejecting me. A man’s heart is as unfathomable as the ocean. Fine, I’ll sleep.” Yan Luo turned away, pulling the blanket over her head—clearly sulking, waiting to be coaxed.

Gu Que yawned lazily. Coax you? Yeah, right. Sleep.

Yan Luo waited until she fell asleep, but the little one never came to comfort her. The next morning, she dragged Gu Que out of bed. “Why didn’t you coax me last night?”

It wasn’t even dawn yet. Yan Luo had to attend court, but Gu Que didn’t. Half-asleep, Gu Que fished out the manga from under the blankets and handed it to her: “Here, I’ll coax you. You’re so pretty, so gentle.”

“Are your eyes even open?” Yan Luo smirked coldly.

Gu Que, still drowsy, yawned: “If I opened my eyes to tell a joke, I’d be struck by lightning. So I’m keeping them closed.”

Yan Luo froze, her smile deepening. She ordered Zhizhi: “Go find an iron chain.”

Gu Que immediately scrambled out from under the blankets. Yan Luo chuckled: “A little marital fun—is that too much?”

“Marital fun?” Gu Que shivered and hurriedly apologized. “I was wrong earlier. I’m sorry. I’ll buy you more manga, okay?”

Yan Luo sneered: “No.”

Gu Que panicked: “How about some videos?”

Yan Luo kept smiling: “Only children choose. I want both.”

Gu Que: …… This is karma.

Duke Wei had lost two sons in a row.

He had three legitimate sons—two were already dead, and the youngest, born to his second wife, was only eight.

According to tradition, he should petition to make the youngest his heir. But rumors spread that he was cursed, and his current wife refused to let her son become the heir.

Duke Wei was beside himself with worry. His colleagues mocked him, but Duke En, a military man who didn’t believe in superstitions, advised him to make the youngest his heir.

With his brother’s support, Duke Wei petitioned to name his eight-year-old son as heir.

When Yan Luo found out, she asked Granny Sun: “How old was your brother when he died?”

Granny Sun replied softly: “He was only eight.”

Yan Luo smiled.

Five or six days after the decree was issued, the young heir drowned. Duke Wei wept bitterly, and his wife fainted from grief.

When Granny Sun heard, she cursed: “Do you even have a heart?”

Yan Luo smiled faintly.

Seven days after the death of Duke Wei’s heir, it was the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Gu Que prepared gifts—it was customary. Yan Luo had been so busy she hadn’t come home for days. After sending out the gifts, Gu Que went to inspect the rice paddies.

The rice was about to ripen, and the managers were overjoyed. They told Gu Que: “This year’s harvest is blessed by the weather. Each mu will yield at least 400 catties—double last year’s output!”

Gu Que smiled but didn’t comment. This was still low yield—likely due to environmental factors.

She wasn’t satisfied, but the managers were thrilled.

Back at the mansion, Gu Que sighed. Yan Luo handed her two appointment letters: one for the Bureau of Military Affairs (a den of dragons and tigers) and another for a local magistrate position to gain experience.

Gu Que wanted to choose the Bureau of Military Affairs, but she couldn’t even understand classical Chinese. She hesitated.

Yan Luo, unusually patient, analyzed it for her: “The Bureau is a snake pit. Wen Fu was promoted rapidly because they wanted to control it, but it belongs to the Empress Dowager.”

The Bureau of Military Affairs was akin to the modern Central Military Commission, while the Ministry of War was more like the Department of Defense. However, the Bureau held real military power, while the Ministry was just an empty shell—a tactical command center.

“The Secretariat and the Bureau are locked in a power struggle—a proxy war between the Empress and the Emperor. If you want to go, think carefully.”

Gu Que’s scalp tingled. She didn’t want to go anywhere—she just wanted to farm.

She couldn’t decide. Yan Luo already knew her answer: “You should stick to farming.”

Gu Que stayed silent, wrestling with herself. Finally, she said, “I’ll try.”

“Don’t. Are you short on money? Is someone bullying you? I don’t want to worry about you. Let’s drop this.” Yan Luo, exasperated, tore up the two letters and glanced at the stunned Gu Que. “Just focus on being the perfect Young Master Gu.”

Without giving Gu Que a chance to respond, she turned and left.

Gu Que swallowed her words. But she was weak and ordinary—mediocrity wouldn’t suddenly become extraordinary.

At dinner, neither brought it up again. Yan Luo asked about the rice.

Gu Que sighed: “Not good. About 400 catties per mu.”

“400 catties…” Yan Luo was surprised. She put down her chopsticks, studying Gu Que’s obvious disappointment. “Is that low?”

“Very.” Gu Que sighed. “There must be a problem somewhere. I haven’t been there enough to figure it out—maybe the soaking ratio was off, or the soil isn’t suitable.”

When it came to farming, Gu Que’s demeanor changed—she became confident, unlike her usual clueless self.

Yan Luo didn’t press further. Picking up her chopsticks, she said, “I’ll ask the Ministry of Agriculture for you tomorrow.”

“No need. I want to solve it myself.” Gu Que quickly refused.

Yan Luo sensed something off: “Why?”

Gu Que stammered, her face turning red: “What if they take my seeds?”

“Take your…” Yan Luo understood and laughed. “They would. The Ministry would study your seeds and distribute them to farmers next year. Don’t you want that?”

Gu Que stayed silent. Right now, she didn’t. She had a selfish thought—until she became stronger, she wanted to keep them for herself.

Her silence made Yan Luo pause. Gu Que has changed. What made her like this?

Last time, she was happy to share. Now?

She wanted to keep it for herself.

Yan Luo didn’t understand but respected her choice: “I’ll find you some experts.”

Gu Que agreed, burying herself in her rice bowl without another word.

She avoided the topic, but Yan Luo understood. People don’t turn selfish overnight—there’s always a process.

But Gu Que’s actions weren’t exactly “bad.” As the saying goes, men die for wealth, birds die for food. Gu Que worked hard for those seeds—why should she give them away for free?

After dinner, there was dessert—a mousse cake.

Yan Luo eyed the unfamiliar pastry and took a bite. The taste was different from usual. “Young Master, you could open a dessert shop.”

Gu Que finally smiled. “These things don’t keep well. I’m not keen on the idea. If you like it, I’ll make it often.”

Yan Luo glanced at her. Since when did this girl become so obedient? The change is unsettling.

The two ate dessert, lost in their own thoughts.

Yan Luo hadn’t teased her much lately. Seeing her smile, she couldn’t resist: “Husband, it’s been so long since you kissed me.”

“The cake is sweet enough. No need for more sweetness.” Gu Que stuffed her mouth with cake.

Yan Luo said, “The cake isn’t as sweet as you. You’ll finish your cake eventually. I’ll wait.”

Gu Que: …… She really leaves no room for escape.

Gu Que couldn’t eat anymore. Whether she kissed her now or later, it was inevitable. She put down the cake and leaned in.

“No pecks. I want the kind where tongues intertwine.” Yan Luo wasn’t satisfied—every time, it was just a quick peck.

Gu Que asked, “Did the novels describe kisses like that?”

Yan Luo paused, thinking back. Actually, no. But she lied: “I forgot.”

“You’ve never seen it. Novels don’t write that—it’d corrupt the youth, spread obscenity.” Gu Que explained carefully.

Yan Luo laughed at her: “Since when is kissing between husband and wife obscene? Who made that rule? Stop making excuses. You’re clearly lying.”

Gu Que also laughed, asking seriously: “Then explain why the novels you read don’t have it?”