After Marrying the Villainous Prime Minister in My Brother’s Stead - Chapter 65

65: Warmth, You’re not sincerely trying to please me—you’re sincerely trying to please your sister-in-law.

Gu Que interpreted her words as: model.

Gu Que gave up. Prime Minister Yan was not being serious—the “model” she mentioned definitely wasn’t normal.

Yan Luo took a step back. “Then… then keep your clothes on.”

Gu Que was stunned. “Then why did you just ask me to take them off?” Have some shame!

A beast in human clothing!

Gu Que left, stomping away angrily. Yan Luo’s painting was only half-finished, so she couldn’t leave. She watched helplessly as Gu Que’s figure disappeared beyond the courtyard.

Young girls are still a bit shy.

In other words, she hadn’t yet learned what it meant to ask for a favor.

Tsk, tsk. Yan Luo wanted to paint a portrait of a young girl, but her interest in the poetic landscape before her suddenly waned.

She set down her brush and sighed, summoning her advisors for a discussion.

Gu Que was dragged off by Granny Sun to do manual labor again. She wanted a heating lamp—one that could provide warm, sunlight-like illumination for medicinal herbs in winter.

A lamp required electricity, which meant a generator. Gu Que had a headache. It couldn’t be done quickly, and wiring was needed. Granny Sun was pressing her relentlessly.

Gu Que stayed behind to work on the engine.

That night, another explosion rocked the Ministry of Justice prison. Lu Song was jolted awake and rushed to the scene, where he burst into tears at the sight of the ruined walls.

Yan Luo was also summoned. Holding a hand warmer and sipping sweet milk, she arrived leisurely.

Lu Song wept loudly, unable to hold back his sobs. “Prime Minister, my Ministry of Justice is gone…”

His crying was so comical that Yan Luo nearly laughed. Suppressing her amusement, she covered her lips with her hand and said, “If it’s gone, rebuild it. I’ll have the Ministry of Finance allocate funds.”

Lu Song gradually stopped crying, wiping his tears fiercely. “This official will go see His Majesty.”

Yan Luo was shivering from the cold. The late-night chill was unbearable, and the tip of her nose had turned red. She sniffled, then turned and climbed back into her carriage.

It was too cold—cold enough to make one’s head spin.

Even sitting in the carriage, she couldn’t leave. Yan Luo leaned against the compartment, half-asleep, but the cold seeped deeper into her bones.

She forced her eyes open. The darkness before her was overwhelming. Straightening her posture, the chill crept up from her feet. She closed her eyes again.

Cold and exhausted.

Outside, the noise was chaotic, punctuated by occasional sobs. Suddenly, she smiled. They’re so useless. When my brother died, no one cried.

Her brother had left only a pool of bl00d behind.

“Prime Minister Yan…”

Someone was calling her. The voice was pleasant. Yan Luo opened her eyes—it was Gu Que.

Gu Que held her hands, her gaze gentle. She bent down to remove Yan Luo’s shoes and pressed her palms against the soles of her feet.

Yan Luo frowned. Her feet warmed instantly, heat spreading through her skin.

She was puzzled. Gu Que looked up, her cheeks flushed. “These are heating pads. They’ll keep you warm. Are your knees cold?”

Yan Luo felt the warmth seep into her body, soothing her. She stared blankly at Gu Que, as if caught in a beautiful dream.

Then, warmth enveloped her knees. It didn’t feel like a dream.

After a dazed moment, Yan Luo reached out to touch Gu Que’s face. It was warm. Not a dream.

“Why are you here?”

“It’s too cold. I knew you wouldn’t be able to bear it, so I came to check on you.” Gu Que smiled brightly, her breath visible in the cold air.

Yan Luo leaned down and kissed her forehead, deeply moved. “Aren’t you cold?”

Gu Que laughed. “When are you going back?”

“Let’s wait a bit. This involves the Ministry of Justice. Minister Lu was crying. The palace gates aren’t open yet, so we’ll have to see His Majesty.” Yan Luo had recovered. She reached for her hand warmer, but it had gone cold.

Gu Que handed her a heating pad. “This will stay warm for about two hours. Change it when it cools.”

Yan Luo examined the soft object in her hand. It was slightly sticky and clung to her skin, but it was wonderfully warm. In an instant, heat spread through her entire body.

Yan Luo said, “You should go back first.”

“I… I’d rather stay with you.” Gu Que was still shaken. Earlier, when Yan Luo had been leaning against the carriage with her eyes closed, her body icy cold, Gu Que’s hands had trembled in fear.

She didn’t want to leave. She wanted to stay with Prime Minister Yan.

Yan Luo was no longer cold. She even held Gu Que’s hand and pulled out her phone.

Gu Que stopped her. “Little ancestor, get some sleep. I’ll watch over you.”

“I can’t sleep. It’s too noisy outside.” Yan Luo stubbornly unlocked her phone. The light illuminated Gu Que’s face, filling Yan Luo’s heart to the brim.

The contrast between emptiness and fullness was striking. Yan Luo had grown fond of this feeling—of her heart being full.

She smiled softly and leaned against Gu Que, closing her eyes.

Once warm, the body naturally grew drowsy. Yan Luo barely managed a few words before falling asleep.

Gu Que quietly took the phone and turned it off, plunging the carriage back into darkness.

Outside, the clamor continued, punctuated by the occasional sob. Gu Que ignored it and closed her eyes, joining Yan Luo in sleep.

At dawn, the noise subsided. The first light of morning crept in.

Lu Song returned from the palace, calling for the prime minister in a panic.

Yan Luo woke up. Lu Song lamented, “Prime Minister, His Majesty said to rebuild the prison first.”

“That’s good news.” Yan Luo yawned lazily. Beside her, Gu Que also stirred, reaching out to touch Yan Luo’s hands. The heating pads were still warm but fading.

Gu Que fetched new ones. Outside, Lu Song continued, “This official requested troops, but His Majesty refused.”

The Ministry of Justice was understaffed compared to the Imperial Guards. The explosion had dealt a heavy blow.

No wonder Lu Song was crying. After years of hard work, ending up in such a miserable state was truly tragic.

Yan Luo lifted the carriage curtain and looked at the shivering man in the morning light. She sighed. “I’ll see if I can recruit civilians to help the Ministry of Justice. Don’t move your people.”

The Ministry of Justice prison held many secrets—accumulated over generations of officials. Now, it was all gone.

Lu Song wanted to cry but had no tears left. The mastermind behind it all, Yan Luo, smiled. “Minister Lu, don’t worry. Leave the reconstruction to me.”

Lu Song’s spirits lifted instantly. He bowed deeply in gratitude.

Yan Luo waved him off. “I’ll go see His Majesty. You know how to investigate.”

“This official understands.” Lu Song breathed a sigh of relief. When it came to investigations, he was far more capable than the Imperial Guards of the Gunpowder Department.

The carriage began to move. Gu Que asked curiously, “Why are you helping him?”

Yan Luo closed her eyes. “Am I helping him?” She was helping herself. The Ministry of Justice prison held many treasures. There were too many bone china pieces at home—it wouldn’t hurt to bring some over.

Both had their own motives. Gu Que didn’t press further. She couldn’t win an argument with Yan Luo, and she had her own troubles.

Yan Luo entered the palace. Gu Que went home to sleep.

Gu Que had only managed a few hours of sleep. The moment she got home, she collapsed into bed and slept through lunch.

When she woke up, it was already dusk. Granny Sun was in the courtyard chatting with Tinglan, asking repeatedly whether the two had consummated their marriage.

Tinglan, still an innocent maiden, blushed and lowered her head. “It seems not.”

Granny Sun sighed. Turning, she saw Gu Que emerge and beckoned her over. “Let me ask you something.”

Gu Que’s steps were unsteady. She yawned repeatedly. “Granny, don’t rush. I’ll take care of it tonight. Has the prime minister returned?”

Granny Sun frowned. “Why are you two so busy?” Too busy to consummate the marriage.

Logically speaking, once things were out in the open, the next step should have been the wedding night.

Ugh, this is so frustrating. Granny Sun was so worried her hair had turned white. “What’s the prime minister busy with? She left in the middle of the night.”

Gu Que raised an eyebrow. “She blew up the Ministry of Justice prison and is now busy cleaning up the mess. Who knows what she’s thinking?”

Granny Sun was shocked. “Did anyone die?”

“Last night… probably. But let me tell you, it depends on who died.” Gu Que had learned her lesson and wasn’t so quick to judge anymore. She knew to ask first.

Granny Sun waved her off. “I’m going back.” She remembered that Zhao Quan was also in the Ministry of Justice prison. Had he been blown to bits?

It took the Ministry of Justice three to five days to dig out all the bodies. Some were unrecognizable, while others had been crushed to death by rubble. After the bodies were collected, the identification process began.

Two more days passed, but one person couldn’t be matched. The coroner cleaned the corpse’s face and noticed something odd—the body was relatively intact compared to others whose limbs were mangled. This one was only missing its legs.

The coroner, skilled in autopsies, could tell the legs hadn’t been lost the previous night—they’d been gone for a while. Several people worked together to clean the body further and discovered it was a eunuch.

A eunuch from the palace implicated many people. The coroners didn’t dare act without authorization and went to consult the prime minister.

The prime minister had a portrait drawn and presented it to the empress, who happened to be with the empress dowager.

The empress was impatient. “It’s just a eunuch. Why is the prime minister making a fuss?”

But the empress dowager took the portrait. It was Yan Luo’s own work, about 80-90% accurate. At a glance, the empress dowager froze.

Yan Luo asked, “Your Majesty, is something wrong? The subordinates didn’t dare decide, thinking a eunuch might have entered last night and failed to escape. That’s why I came to ask.”

“Nothing.” The empress dowager turned away, her expression uneasy, and casually set the portrait aside.

The empress changed the subject. Yan Luo naturally didn’t press further.

However, the empress dowager remained silent afterward. Only after Yan Luo left did she rise to speak to the empress. “That man was a eunuch serving Empress Jingde.”

The empress was shocked. “Zhao Quan?”

The empress dowager nodded.

“Why was he in the Ministry of Justice?” The empress was surprised. She’d heard of this smiling eunuch.

The empress dowager said, “Prince Huaizhang let him go. Summon someone to investigate why Zhao Quan was in the Ministry of Justice prison and what crime he committed. Get to the bottom of it.”

“But he’s already dead. What’s the point of investigating now? Why stir up trouble? It was probably a minor offense.” The empress didn’t want to investigate. The incident was too old—who would remember Zhao Quan? “Mother, don’t worry about it. Have him buried quietly.”

“No. Kill them.” The empress insisted.

Yan Luo fell silent. The empress pretended to persuade her. “Our Great Wei values filial piety. These are unfilial people—they deserve to die.”

This reasoning was flimsy. Killing people for being unfilial was excessive.

Yan Luo tried to dissuade her again, but the empress held firm. Yan Luo said, “If Your Majesty issues an edict, this subject will carry it out.”

The empress waved her off. “No need for an edict. Take your people and handle it quietly.”

Yan Luo hesitated. “There are many of them—over a hundred. Killing them all…”

The empress stared at her, her gaze icy. “That man was a eunuch serving Empress Jingde. He disappeared after the fire. He was a criminal.”

Yan Luo smiled. “But his adopted sons don’t deserve death. Why must Your Majesty insist?”

“He was a criminal.” The empress stood her ground.

Yan Luo shook her head. “Your Majesty is hiding something from me. You’re silencing witnesses. This subject can carry it out for you.”

The empress relaxed. “Do it.”

Yan Luo bowed. “This subject will proceed.” She retreated, smiling.

Sunlight bathed the steps. Yan Luo felt warmth seep into her body. Step by step, she walked away, smiling.

Back at her office, she summoned Lu Song and played a recording.

Lu Song turned pale. “Empress Jingde… Emperor Wen’s empress… How could… how could…”

As the Minister of Justice, Lu Song was no fool. The empress was silencing witnesses, implicating the fire—clearly, she was involved.

How old had the empress been during that fire? Only seven or eight.

This involved imperial secrets. Lu Song was terrified. Then he noticed the prime minister’s treasure. “What is this?”

“A precious item bought from foreign merchants.” Yan Luo tucked it back into her pouch, refusing to show it again. “Should they be killed?”

Lu Song hesitated. “It might not be appropriate. But if you disobey, you might…”

“Then we won’t kill them.” Yan Luo said casually. “I may not be a good person, but I’m not unjust. Minister Lu, I’m curious about that fire.”

“Prime Minister, this official wouldn’t dare investigate.” Lu Song waved his hands. Clearly, the empress was involved—who would dare provoke her?

Yan Luo said, “I’ll investigate. You were a Ministry of Justice clerk back then. Were you involved?”

“Prime Minister, why dig this up?” Lu Song panicked, closing the door and returning. “Let me speak frankly. The empress was only seven or eight then—she couldn’t have been the mastermind. It must have been the late emperor or the empress dowager. You’re throwing an egg against a stone.”

Yan Luo raised an eyebrow, a faint smile on her lips. “Are you saying the late emperor’s ascension was illegitimate?”

“Prime Minister! Prime Minister! Don’t say such things! Don’t drag me down!” Lu Song nearly jumped in alarm. Why was the prime minister being so obtuse today? This was something one could deduce silently—why say it aloud?

“Why panic? I was just speaking casually. You may leave.” Yan Luo had tested him. Since he had no intention of getting involved, she dropped the matter.

Lu Song retreated, trembling.

Gu Que worked for several days and finally installed the heating lamps. Granny Sun was overjoyed and gifted Gu Que a package of medicine.

Gu Que held the package curiously. “Granny, what’s this?”

“Medicine to strengthen your body—so you can consummate the marriage sooner.” Granny Sun circled the heating lamp, pulling Gu Que along. “A few times a day is good for your health. I mean the marital act, not the medicine.”

“Keep it for yourself.” Gu Que shoved the medicine back and ran away.

Granny was terrifying. Thankfully, she wasn’t a man—otherwise, Granny would be hounding her about children next.

This is life-threatening.

Gu Que ran back to her room for water, then sent someone to inquire when the shop could open. Later, word came from Prime Minister Yan: she wouldn’t be back for dinner.

Gu Que dined alone and didn’t feel like eating. She browsed Taobao for dinner options but only found diet meals.

After some searching, she spotted live crayfish. The Great Wei had no crayfish at this time.

Gu Que bought three pounds for garlic butter crayfish that night. The kitchen maids didn’t know how to make garlic butter, so Gu Que had to cook it herself.

As dusk fell, Yan Luo went to the Huo residence.

Under cover of night, no one noticed. Once inside, Elder Huo personally welcomed her. They went to the study to talk, with Huo Chengru following, hoping to ask about the Second Miss.

The outside world was unsafe. Last time, they’d discussed meeting, but then the Imperial Guards were bombed, and the marquis’s residence postponed the meeting.

Yan Luo ignored him and went to the study with Elder Huo.

Huo Chengru waited outside. Yan Luo got straight to the point, discussing the emperor’s affairs.

But her approach with Elder Huo was different. “Empress Jingde was your daughter. I’ve come to offer you a favor.”

Elder Huo was furious. “This man is Zhao Quan. His death is a pity.”

“I have his confession here. Would you like to see it?” Yan Luo smiled and opened her recording, explaining first. “This is a treasure I obtained. There’s also a written confession, but I can’t give it to you yet.”

The confession was Zhao Quan’s signed testimony—the final piece of evidence.

Elder Huo’s expression darkened, his fists clenched. Yan Luo reminded him, “Don’t get so angry you pass away. That would be my fault.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t close my eyes until the villains are dead.” Elder Huo suppressed his rage.

The video lasted nearly half an hour. After watching, Elder Huo calmed down strangely, tears streaming down his face. No curses, no rage—just weeping.

Yan Luo watched silently, feeling oddly comforted. Elder Huo had cursed her for over a decade.

After a while, Elder Huo stood and bowed to her. Yan Luo quickly stepped aside. “Elder Huo, speak frankly. I’ll do my best to help.”

Elder Huo insisted on bowing. “I hope the prime minister will spare the lives of those hundred people.”

Yan Luo took a deep breath. “Then Elder Huo must warn them to flee.”

“Good. Consider this Huo Mingtang’s debt to you.” Elder Huo lowered his stance. “Empress Jingde, Princess Qiongju, and the prince—the Huo family will not let this go.”

Yan Luo stood. “That’s the Huo family’s affair. It has nothing to do with me.”

Elder Huo seeks justice? Ridiculous. Where is justice in this world?

Yan Luo left the study. Huo Chengru chased after her, asking about the Gu family’s Second Miss.

“The marquis’s residence said the Second Miss’s condition has improved. She’ll return in summer. My leave is only for these few days—I won’t be back in summer.”

Yan Luo stopped. “She’ll return in summer?”

Huo Chengru nodded. “Yes, that’s what the marquis’s residence said.”

Yan Luo smirked. “Good. When the time comes, I’ll arrange leave for you.”

Huo Chengru was deeply grateful. Yan Luo left the Huo residence through the back door.

Gu Que’s first attempt at garlic butter crayfish failed—it smelled awful and was inedible. The cooks didn’t dare breathe near it. Gu Que had it thrown out and used a pre-made sauce pack instead.

The second attempt succeeded. The garlic butter crayfish included finger-shaped rice cakes and cucumbers. The aroma of garlic was irresistible.

As Gu Que carried the crayfish back to the courtyard, the person who’d said she wouldn’t return for dinner arrived. Seeing Gu Que covered in soot, she asked, “What were you doing?”

“Eating crayfish.” Gu Que pointed at the table. “Have you seen these before?”

Yan Luo shook her head. “What are they?”

“Crayfish. They’re delicious. Change your clothes, and we’ll eat together. I’ll peel them for you—they’re amazing.” Gu Que enthusiastically beckoned Yan Luo.

Her enthusiasm was like the warm spring sun, comforting the heart.

Yan Luo changed clothes. When she returned, a plate of peeled crayfish and a glass of golden liquid awaited her.

Gu Que said, “Beer pairs well with crayfish—it washes away the day’s fatigue. You must be exhausted, right?”

She chattered away, peeling crayfish swiftly. Yan Luo watched intently. Gu Que seemed happy, rambling on and on.

Yan Luo sat down. Gu Que stuffed a piece of crayfish into her mouth. “Try it. Is it good? I’m wearing gloves to peel them—very clean.”

Yan Luo was particular about cleanliness.

“You’re very noisy tonight.” Yan Luo took a sip of Gu Que’s beer. Gu Que protested, “That’s mine! Drink milk.”

Her hands were gloved, so she couldn’t snatch it back. She glared. “Where are your manners?”

Yan Luo replied grandly, “You ate them.”

Gu Que ignored her and kept peeling. “Having someone peel crayfish for you is a luxury. Do you understand?”

Yan Luo ate without responding. Soon, Gu Que couldn’t keep up. She handed Yan Luo a piece of cucumber. “Eat this. I can’t peel fast enough.”

“Gu Que, have you peeled crayfish for anyone else?” Yan Luo propped her chin on her hand, watching the busy little bee. Her gaze softened.

Gu Que peeled one, Yan Luo ate one, occasionally sipping beer. Her posture was elegant. Gu Que looked at her, happily busy.

The night was warm and intimate, with maids waiting outside to serve.

“No. I’m actually very lazy. Meeting you made me work harder.” Gu Que shyly confessed, “Prime Minister Yan, you’re the first person I’ve sincerely wanted to please.”

“Tsk, tsk. You’re not sincerely trying to please me—you’re sincerely trying to please your sister-in-law.”