After Marrying the Villainous Prime Minister in My Brother’s Stead - Chapter 63

63: Peach Blossom Eyes, a Drunken Yet Awake Gaze, Extremely Gentle

Gu Que was drunk. Upon hearing the news, Yan Luo hurried over to pick her up.

Once they left the outer courtyard, Gu Que, who had sobered up on her own, opened her eyes: “They were touching my hand, and you didn’t even care?”

Yan Luo smiled and asked, “Should I have chopped their hands off for you?”

Gu Que snorted coldly. “Take Qiong Ju and let’s go home!”

She didn’t want to stay a moment longer.

The couple bid farewell to her family and returned home. Soon after, an invitation arrived from the Huo family—Elder Huo would be visiting the next day.

Gu Que was puzzled. “Logically speaking, shouldn’t you be the one visiting the Huo residence?”

Yan Luo replied, “My official rank is higher than his. It’s perfectly reasonable for him to come. Besides, Huo Chengru didn’t return for the New Year. It’s only natural for him to ask about his grandson’s situation.” There was another reason—he wanted to see Granny.

After saying this, she handed the invitation to the steward. “Make the arrangements.”

The steward acknowledged the order.

The two returned to their bedroom. Qiong Ju went back to the eastern side room, while Yan Luo took a nap. Gu Que asked about the city wall incident and repeated what she had heard earlier.

Yan Luo lay on the bed, her gaze deep. “Every family has spies in the palace. The emperor deliberately leaked the news, so it’s normal for the families to receive the information early this morning. As for Zhao Chu, he’s just a smokescreen to appease the common people.”

Gu Que asked, “Does this person really exist?”

“Zhao Chu was executed years ago. He had many children—probably around ten or so. When the incident happened, I was only eight or nine and didn’t know the details. Whether it’s true or not doesn’t matter anymore. What’s important is that the emperor has resolved the matter and covered it up.” Yan Luo rolled over and patted the space beside her, smiling. “Do you want to nap too?”

“Let’s watch a drama. I’ll show you a palace intrigue series—it’s really good.” Gu Que pulled her up. “I’ll give you some inspiration for palace schemes.”

“Palace intrigue? What’s that?” Yan Luo was puzzled. Based on the literal meaning, she guessed, “Is it about power struggles in the palace?”

Gu Que fetched her tablet, pulled up a random video, and handed it to Yan Luo. She then moved a small table onto the bed, set out some melon seeds, snacks, and drinks, and even dug out some dried duck necks and potato chips from a box.

The small table was soon piled high with treats. Excited, Gu Que pulled Yan Luo into binge-watching. “Look, there are so many women in the palace. Do any of them catch your eye?”

The two sat side by side, Yan Luo on the inside and Gu Que on the outside. When Yan Luo turned her head, she saw Gu Que’s delicate profile and her long, snow-white neck. Her interest was piqued. “I want to leave a hickey.”

Gu Que, who had just taken a bite of potato chips: “…”

“It’s broad daylight—that’s not appropriate.” Gu Que covered her neck.

Yan Luo blinked seriously. “So you’re saying it’s fine at night?”

“At night… we’ll talk about it then.” Gu Que hastily stuffed a tomato-flavored potato chip into Yan Luo’s mouth, changing the subject. “Do you want milk? Should I get you a bottle?”

Yan Luo chewed the chip and said earnestly, “Having you is sweet enough. I don’t need milk.”

Gu Que was stunned. “Why are you so cheesy?”

“Cheesy? What’s cheesy?” Yan Luo didn’t understand.

Gu Que explained, “It means your words are a bit too sweet. Understand?”

Yan Luo pondered this. “I think I get it. Do sweet words come off as cheesy?”

“Not all of them, but what you just said was cheesy. Look.” Gu Que pointed at the woman in palace attire on the screen. “Is she pretty?”

Yan Luo looked up and frowned at the scene of a group of women being judged by a man. “Is this a selection for the imperial harem?”

Gu Que excitedly nodded. “Yes, yes! Exactly!”

“I understand what palace intrigue means now. A bunch of women fighting over one man—are they out of their minds?” Yan Luo scoffed. What’s so great about men? Are they as lovely as women?

She pressed the pause button. “Boring. Is there a story about a bunch of men fighting over one woman, only for the woman to choose someone else in the end?”

Gu Que sighed. “No. Why don’t you write one?”

“I’m too busy. Otherwise, I would.” Yan Luo sighed.

Gu Que quickly suggested, “How about this—when you retire from politics in the future, we’ll write novels together. How does that sound?”

Yan Luo glanced at her disdainfully. “I’m very busy. Why don’t you write it?”

“I won’t. Writing novels requires brains, and I don’t have any. I won’t write.” Gu Que shrank back. “Reading novels is enjoyable, but writing them makes your hair fall out.”

“Let’s watch short videos instead.” Yan Luo swiped around on the tablet, exclaiming in surprise repeatedly. After browsing for a while, she finally asked Gu Que, “Why aren’t there any?”

By then, Gu Que had already finished a bag of chips. She chuckled leisurely. “I don’t watch short videos. This is my device, and I like palace intrigue dramas. Isn’t it nice to look at a bunch of beautiful women?”

This only made Yan Luo more displeased. She glared at Gu Que. “You already have a wife. How can you still look at other women?”

Gu Que was baffled. “They’re celebrities. It’s fine to look at them.”

“Celebrities? Not even the moon is allowed. I’m confiscating this.” Yan Luo hugged the tablet and poked Gu Que’s chest. “Why can’t you be more self-aware? Wen Fu flaunts herself in front of me every day, and I never glance at her.”

“Fine, I won’t watch anymore. Let’s sleep.” Gu Que resigned herself and moved the small table away, abandoning the snacks. Next time, she’d find a historical drama to watch. If women were off-limits, she’d watch men.

The two lay side by side in silence. Yan Luo suddenly asked, “Are you a deity?”

The mood shifted from cloudy to overcast. Gu Que laughed. “I’m just an ordinary person.”

Yan Luo admired her. “You’re amazing.”

The mood brightened again. Gu Que was delighted and turned to face her. “Why is your mouth so sweet?”

Yan Luo also turned, and the two lay face to face, their eyes locked, seeing only each other.

“Because you’re beautiful. I only care about looks, not brains. As long as you’re pretty, even if you had the brain of a pig, it’d be fine.” Yan Luo gazed at her affectionately.

Gu Que nearly cursed. “Are you deliberately insulting me?”

Yan Luo said, “I’m praising you—saying you’re beautiful, that you’re perfect, just a bit slow. Think about it—what else do you have besides your pretty face?”

Gu Que actually took the suggestion seriously. She was just an ordinary person. She couldn’t compete with Yan Luo in brains, money, or power. Yan Luo could crush an ant with effort, but crushing Gu Que would take just a word.

“I guess… I really am useless.”

Yan Luo burst into laughter. “A pretty face with no substance.”

Gu Que glared. “People outside call you the King of Hell.”

Yan Luo frowned, displeased, and leaned in to kiss her. Gu Que covered her mouth. “Living King of Hell, if you keep kissing me, I’ll turn into a grease stain.”

Yan Luo sneered. “Fine, I won’t kiss you ever again.”

Gu Que smirked. Yeah, right.

The two woke up to find it already dark. Yan Luo got up and left without a word, slipping out through the back door.

Gu Que wasn’t worried. She got up and continued watching the palace intrigue drama. Life was too dull—it needed some excitement.

Gu Que watched alone until midnight, but Yan Luo still hadn’t returned. She draped a coat over herself and sent someone to check the study.

Was she angry?

Yan Luo went to meet Wu Qing, the son of Zhao Chu. Wu Qing had been restless ever since the incident involving the late emperor’s tomb came to light.

Compared to his unease, Yan Luo was calm. “What are you afraid of?”

Wu Qing said guiltily, “I’m afraid of implicating the Prime Minister.”

Yan Luo replied indifferently, “Why should I be afraid? If they’re pointing fingers at you, let’s stir up even more trouble. How should we do it?” She rested her chin on her hand, thinking. “Blow up the Xiang Palace?” She paused, then shook her head. “No, she’d find out and never let it go. Let’s think of something quieter.”

Wu Qing was stunned. He dared to look up and saw the Prime Minister smiling—unlike her usual smiles, this one seemed genuine, even natural.

He took a deep breath and asked softly, “Why can’t we blow up the Xiang Palace?”

“The gunpowder formula was provided by the Young Master. Naturally, we have to respect her opinion. You don’t know—she’s a troublemaker, tormenting me every day.” Yan Luo sighed, but the corners of her lips curled into a sincere smile.

Wu Qing understood—the Prime Minister had fallen into a dangerous situation, such as falling for someone…

“Prime Minister, would you give up your plans for the Young Master?”

“Abandon them?” Yan Luo snapped out of her thoughts. “She has nothing to do with the plans.”

Wu Qing pressed, “What if there’s a conflict?”

Yan Luo’s expression darkened. “If that day ever comes, I won’t choose her.”

Wu Qing exhaled in relief. “My suggestion is to destroy the Ministry of Justice’s prison. It’s full of heinous criminals. Stirring up trouble there will create a big enough scene for the show to begin.”

“Do as you see fit. I’m going home—it’s time to sleep.” Yan Luo waved her hand, finding the matter troublesome, especially because of Gu Que.

Yan Luo quietly returned home, instructing the maids not to announce her arrival. She removed her cloak and carefully pushed the door open.

Oh? Watching a palace intrigue drama.

Yan Luo approached silently and asked, “Enjoying it?”

“Ah—!” Gu Que was startled—caught red-handed. Her face flushed red with guilt as she hurriedly turned off the tablet. “I was just bored waiting for you. Just a quick look. You’re back! Do you want a midnight snack?”

Yan Luo snorted. “I’d rather eat you. Is that allowed?”

Gu Que got out of bed, stuffed the tablet into a cabinet, and pushed Yan Luo toward the bathroom. “Let’s bathe together.”

Gu Que tiptoed and kissed her, then pushed her away dismissively. “I’ll let you take a bite when we’re back.”

Yan Luo’s eyes lit up. She pointed at Gu Que’s neck. “Here, here, and here—all of them.”

“Fine, go wash up. It’s almost midnight… Sister-in-Law!” Gu Que emphasized the last two words, winking at her teasingly, deliberately highlighting their relationship.

Unexpectedly, Yan Luo wasn’t fazed. Instead, she upped the ante. “I’ll bite you three times.”

Gu Que fell silent. Why wasn’t she playing by the rules?

The next morning, Yan Luo woke up early, while Gu Que took her time. Ting Lan came to help her dress.

The three red marks on her neck were very noticeable. Ting Lan smiled—she had already accepted the relationship between the Young Master and the Prime Minister. Seeing them so affectionate made her happy. “Should I get you a high-collared outfit?”

However, Yan Luo’s voice came from outside. “She’s a man—what’s there to fear? Wear something low-cut.”

Gu Que refused. “Do I not deserve dignity?”

Yan Luo walked around the screen and sneered. “Oh, so you do have dignity?”

“You…” Gu Que’s face burned, but there was nothing she could do. She muttered under her breath, “Shameless.”

Yan Luo didn’t hold back verbally, but for the sake of appearances, she dismissed Ting Lan. When they were alone, she said leisurely, “You called me ‘Sister-in-Law’ so sweetly. Aren’t you ashamed?”

“Ashamed?” Gu Que laughed. As a modern person, she wasn’t constrained by ancient morals. The word “ashamed” didn’t apply to her—she only felt a little guilty.

In the past, she had been confident and unburdened by guilt toward anyone. Now, she owed Gu Yan.

He was the only one she felt guilty toward.

“You knew my identity and still flirted with me. As the Prime Minister of the court, aren’t you ashamed?” Gu Que fired back.

Yan Luo smiled. “Only women and petty men are hard to please.”

Gu Que shamelessly retorted, “What a coincidence—I’m also a woman, and I’m hard to please too.”

Yan Luo froze, staring at her in surprise. Gu Que also fell silent. The two locked eyes, then suddenly burst into laughter.

For a moment, time stood still.

Yan Luo said, “Elder Huo is visiting today. Go play at Granny’s place.”

Gu Que agreed. “Is he staying for dinner? Also, aren’t we hosting a banquet?”

“No need. Too troublesome.” Yan Luo said. “In the past, when we lived with the Yan family, we hosted together. Now that we have our own residence, there’s no need for such formalities. I’ve always been lazy—they all know that. But starting tomorrow, we’ll visit the other families.”

Gu Que still didn’t quite understand the rules, but she decided to just follow Yan Luo’s lead.

Granny Sun was setting up a greenhouse. The maids stood by, eager to help, but Granny Sun refused until Gu Que arrived. She instructed Gu Que to set one up first as a test.

Gu Que glanced at it. “Did you remove the old ones?”

“Tore them out. Out with the old, in with the new. Hurry up.” Granny Sun was exhausted, her back aching as she massaged it. “I was afraid they’d ruin our greenhouse. Teach them how to do it. I’ll go have some tea.”

Gu Que sighed. She didn’t plan to do it herself either and called a few sturdy maids to help. The maids, used to manual labor, were strong and drove the stakes deep, ensuring the structure wouldn’t collapse in the wind.

With five or six people working together, progress was swift. By noon, one greenhouse was already set up. From a distance, the transparent structure revealed the plants inside.

Meanwhile, the study was deadlocked.

Elder Huo wanted to see Granny Sun, but Yan Luo refused to budge. Huo proposed many conditions, but everything he could offer was insignificant to Yan Luo.

“Prime Minister, why are you so protective? Are you afraid she’ll say something she shouldn’t?” Elder Huo’s tone turned cold.

Yan Luo smiled. “What do I have to fear? She was Empress Jingde’s dowry maid—I’ve known that for a long time. Besides, what does Empress Jingde’s death have to do with me? On the other hand, you—why are you clinging to the past?”

“Prime Minister, you misunderstand. I’m not clinging to the past—I just want to know the truth.” Elder Huo swallowed his pride. “The rumors outside must have reached your ears. I believe there’s more to the story. If there’s any truth left, I must seek justice for my granddaughter.”

The Prime Minister chuckled. “Justice? She’s already dead. What’s the point? You’re old—why not retire peacefully and enjoy the scenery of Great Wei instead of meddling in old affairs?”

“Prime Minister, you’re mistaken—”

“Elder Huo.” Yan Luo raised her voice. “The Emperor dislikes her. Do you think your actions are helping her?”

Elder Huo was stunned. Yan Luo continued, “The two of them had many grievances. The more you interfere, the more you’ll push the Emperor to dig up her grave and desecrate her corpse.”

“How dare she!” Elder Huo slammed the table and stood up, glaring at Yan Luo. “She was Emperor Wen’s favorite daughter. How could the Emperor dare?”

Yan Luo sneered. “What wouldn’t she dare? Don’t you know the Emperor’s habits?”

After the female emperor ascended the throne, she committed several outrageous acts, including attempting to change Emperor Wen’s posthumous title and even trying to remove Princess Qiong Ju from the imperial mausoleum to bury her in an unknown location.

When the first incident occurred, the Huo family remained silent.

During the second incident, Elder Huo met with the Emperor. No one knew what was said, but the Emperor temporarily halted her plans. Privately, however, she told Yan Luo she still wanted to change Princess Qiong Ju’s posthumous title.

Yan Luo didn’t comment, only saying, “Elder Huo is still alive.”

The Emperor relented. Elder Huo didn’t know about this, but Yan Luo did.

Today, she laid it all out. “If you die today, tomorrow she’ll change the Princess’s posthumous title to something vile.”

Elder Huo collapsed into his chair, his face pale and his eyes lifeless. He couldn’t speak.

The study fell silent. Then, a tear rolled down his cheek. Yan Luo saw it and took a deep breath. “If you want to do something, I’ll help you.”

Elder Huo looked up. “Why would the Prime Minister help me?”

Yan Luo said softly, “Our families are now related by marriage. Shouldn’t I help?”

They were now on the same boat—if one suffered, so would the other.

Elder Huo calmed down slightly. After a moment of thought, he asked, “What if the Huo family does something improper?”

“What counts as improper?” Yan Luo countered. “The Emperor’s actions may be lacking, but they’re not excessive.”

Elder Huo scoffed. “That’s only because the Prime Minister is always cleaning up after her.”

Yan Luo sighed. “I receive the Emperor’s salary—it’s my duty to share her burdens.”

“I don’t need the Prime Minister’s help. I only ask that you turn a blind eye.” Elder Huo’s tone softened.

“Elder Huo, you should rest peacefully. However, I’ve captured Zhao Chu’s son.” Yan Luo abruptly changed the subject.

“Zhao Chu?” Elder Huo trembled, his expression shifting as he looked at Yan Luo. He swallowed hard. “Can… can…”

He couldn’t finish. Yan Luo nodded. “Yes. Consider this my gift to you. Please retire peacefully to your estate. You’re old—don’t cause trouble. Don’t die, or else I’ll have to work harder to protect your granddaughter’s grave.”

“Fine…” Elder Huo’s eyes welled with tears.

Elder Huo didn’t stay for lunch and left before noon. Gu Que had hot pot for lunch, and Granny Sun, intrigued by the novel meal, shamelessly invited herself to join.

Three pairs of chopsticks dug in, with Granny Sun eating the most enthusiastically. Between bites, she said to Gu Que, “Add some ginseng and donkey-hide gelatin. It’s good for health.”

Gu Que ignored her. Who puts ginseng and donkey-hide gelatin in hot pot?

Yan Luo interjected, “I think adding ice cream would be better.”

Granny Sun didn’t react. Gu Que didn’t respond. Yan Luo’s comment fell flat.

Eating hot pot during the New Year, Gu Que felt something was missing. Halfway through the meal, she asked Yan Luo, “Is there anything you’d like to eat? Besides ice cream.”

Yan Luo looked up. “You.”

“Then don’t eat. I’ll buy a watermelon later.” Gu Que thought for a moment. Online, she could find off-season black-skinned watermelons—thick rinds, but better than nothing.

She stepped out, and Granny Sun watched in amazement. Yan Luo explained, “She’s fetching a watermelon.”

A short while later, Gu Que returned with a plate of sliced watermelon. Granny Sun was dumbfounded, while Yan Luo greeted her warmly. “You’re so sweet.”

As Granny Sun ate the watermelon, she declared, “I don’t want to leave anymore.”

“Granny, Elder Huo said he won’t look for you anymore. You can return to your pharmacy and heal the people.” Yan Luo said pointedly.

Granny Sun ignored her and asked Gu Que, “Will you take care of me?”

Gu Que, ever the softie, nodded eagerly. “Of course. As long as I’m alive, I’ll take care of you.”

Granny Sun glared at Yan Luo. “I saved your life for nothing.”

Yan Luo chuckled. “Without me, would Gu Que even glance at you?”

Gu Que laughed, but Granny Sun felt awkward.

After lunch, a message came from the Marquis’s residence—the Huo family’s young master had a few days off and wanted to see the Second Miss.

Gu Que looked at Yan Luo. “Why did you give him time off?”

Yan Luo shifted the blame. “I’m not his superior. Besides, it’s normal to have time off during the New Year. Just meet him once. Huo Chengru has a white moonlight in his heart—seeing you is just his family’s coercion. Agree for now, and I’ll make sure he can’t come.”

“Fine. Tomorrow, I’ll go check the fields. I won’t accompany you to the banquet.” Gu Que remembered her wheat—it had been a while since she last checked.

Yan Luo looked at her. “How about I give you ten thousand acres of fertile land?”

Gu Que considered it and agreed. “I’ll become a grain tycoon—the biggest rice merchant in Great Wei.”

“Can’t you tell sarcasm? Can’t I take care of you? Why can’t you just stay home peacefully? If you’re bored, open a tavern. Why obsess over rice?” Yan Luo felt helpless.

“Prime Minister Yan, think about it—if there’s a famine, how valuable would grain be? Food is the people’s heaven. Isn’t that great?” Gu Que explained enthusiastically. “My seeds can triple the yield. Ten thousand acres would be equivalent to thirty thousand for others. Isn’t that good?”

Yan Luo pondered this. It did make some sense. She nodded. “I’ll handle the farming. I’ll buy some fertile land—thirty thousand acres. I’m short on silver. Do you have any?”

“That much? Isn’t it excessive?” Gu Que muttered to herself, wondering if Yan Luo was up to no good again. She had little trust in Yan Luo when it came to matters unrelated to love.

In the warm afternoon sunlight, the two lazed around in the room. Zhi Zhi stole a piece of cake, and Ting Lan pretended not to see.

Yan Luo generously shared her thoughts with Gu Que—in short, monopolizing Great Wei’s grain supply.

Gu Que: “…” She knew it—nothing good. A monopoly?

What kind of decent person would do that?

Yan Luo, however, analyzed it seriously. “Either don’t do it, or go all the way to the top.”

Gu Que laughed in exasperation. “Then why don’t you become emperor?”

“I’d like to. How about we rebel?” Yan Luo lounged comfortably, leaning against Gu Que and spouting nonsense. “We’ll kill the Emperor, and I’ll become empress. You can be my consort. Or you can be emperor, and I’ll be empress. How free would we be?”

Gu Que didn’t respond. She had no interest in usurping the throne—she’d rather stay home and enjoy life, free from want.

Yan Luo continued rambling. “Think about it—if you’re emperor, you can have anything you want. How carefree would that be?”

Gu Que cut her off. “Right now, I already have everything I want.”

“You’re so unambitious.” Yan Luo sighed. She knew Gu Que didn’t want to get her hands dirty. Suddenly, she remembered Wu Qing’s words: Prime Minister, would you give up your plans for the Young Master?

She froze, and Gu Que turned to look at her.

They were so close that Gu Que could see into Yan Luo’s eyes. She suddenly realized Yan Luo had the kind of eyes often described in romance novels—peach blossom eyes.

The books said: Long eyes with slightly upturned outer corners, resembling peach blossoms, hence the name.

Peach blossom eyes were captivating, with a gaze that seemed drunken yet awake, extremely gentle.

Gu Que smiled. “Prime Minister Yan, do you know you’re living the script of a true female protagonist? A female lead should have phoenix eyes, but you have peach blossom eyes instead.”