After Marrying the Villainous Prime Minister in My Brother’s Stead - Chapter 67

67: Devoured, Not Even the Bones Left.

The bright moon hung in the sky as Yan Luo smiled faintly at Gu Que, her voice tinged with bitterness: “Elder Huo was my maternal grandfather.”

The pent-up resentment in her chest suddenly dissipated, and she let out a long sigh of relief.

“Tomorrow, I’ll go kowtow to him for you. Is that alright?” Gu Que’s heart ached, but seeing the smile on Yan Luo’s face, she felt as though that smile was like a demon’s claw gripping her throat, making it hard to breathe.

Yan Luo leaned against the pillow, her eyes slightly closed as she slowly accepted the reality before her. Exhausted, she said, “Then go. Tell him that the things he couldn’t accomplish, I will.”

Yan Luo fell asleep, the smile on her lips unchanged—gentle and serene.

Gu Que helped her lie down, covered her with a blanket, and then called for Granny Sun to take her pulse.

After checking her pulse, Granny Sun’s expression darkened. “Her pulse is chaotic. I’ll prescribe some medicine. Make sure she drinks it. And don’t mention Elder Huo. I’m afraid she won’t be able to bear it.”

Gu Que nodded. “I’ll go to the Huo residence tomorrow. Will you come with me?”

“Me?” Granny Sun paused, her lips curling into a self-deprecating smile. “What would I go for? I don’t deserve to be there. You go alone.”

“I understand.” Gu Que held her breath and asked quietly, “Did Elder Huo die of illness?”

“If it were illness, she wouldn’t have vomited bl00d.” Granny Sun speculated. “Life, aging, sickness, and death are dictated by fate. She’s always been clear-headed about such things and wouldn’t be so deeply affected.”

Gu Que sighed. She knew who was responsible. If it were an ordinary person, Yan Luo would have acted immediately. She wouldn’t have bottled up her anger.

Granny Sun went to prepare the medicine, while the maids brought hot water. Gu Que thought about washing Yan Luo herself but hesitated.

Washing her would require undressing her. If she did that, Prime Minister Yan would surely strip her naked the next day.

It was better to leave it to Yan Luo’s personal maids.

Gu Que decided to take the initiative to step back.

But when Chunlu entered, Gu Que’s heart filled with regret.

Chunlu was a maid from the Yan family who had served Yan Luo since childhood. In daily life, her status was equal to Tinglan’s, but Tinglan was more knowledgeable, making Chunlu seem inferior in comparison, and thus less noticeable.

But she was still Yan Luo’s dowry maid.

Helping her mistress wash was a common duty.

When Chunlu entered, she didn’t sense anything amiss. But as she approached Yan Luo, the way the young master looked at her changed.

Chunlu froze, not daring to proceed. “Perhaps… you should do it?”

Gu Que shook her head and retreated to the side. “You do it.”

“No, you should.” Chunlu grew nervous. The way the young master looked at her was as if she were an enemy. A thought occurred to her, and she quickly stepped aside. “You and the Prime Minister are married. It’s fine. You do it.”

Gu Que didn’t move.

Chunlu felt uneasy. “When the Prime Minister wakes up tomorrow, I’ll tell her it was me.”

Gu Que nodded. “Then you may leave.”

Chunlu exhaled in relief and hurried out. What was wrong with Young Master Gu?

Now with the perfect task in hand, Gu Que tested the water temperature—it was a bit too hot, so she let it cool.

She glanced at Yan Luo, puzzled. Should she wring out the cloth first or undress her first?

If she wrung out the cloth first, it would cool by the time she undressed Yan Luo.

If she undressed Yan Luo first, she might catch a chill.

This was quite the dilemma.

While the water cooled, Gu Que pondered the issue. In the end, she decided to wring out the cloth first and start by washing Yan Luo’s face.

Yan Luo’s skin was flawless, though tonight it looked pale and weak. Gu Que gently wiped her face, then her neck, and finally her hands.

After returning the cloth to the water and wringing it out again, she untied Yan Luo’s robe to wash her chest.

She did it all in one go, her eyes fixed straight ahead.

Once finished, Chunlu took the water away, and Gu Que went to wash up before returning to bed.

Yan Luo’s body wasn’t warm, so Gu Que held her close, using her own body heat to warm her.

By midnight, Granny Sun brought the medicine, and the two of them managed to feed it to Yan Luo. Gu Que asked, “Will she wake up by morning? I’m afraid the palace will grow suspicious.”

“I’ll try. If she doesn’t wake, I’ll use acupuncture.” Granny Sun was also troubled.

Gu Que lay down again, the strong smell of medicine filling her nose, making her nauseous. She took a deep breath and nestled close to Yan Luo.

She was tired but didn’t dare sleep deeply, dozing off and waking intermittently.

Her self-control kept her in this state until near dawn, when she accidentally fell asleep.

Just as she closed her eyes, Yan Luo woke up. A warm hand rested on her waist, like the heating pads Gu Que had given her, the warmth seeping into her skin.

A strange feeling arose in her.

She didn’t want to push that hand away. She just wanted to stay like this, quietly pressed together.

Yan Luo was exhausted, but years of habit had conditioned her to wake up subconsciously. Normally, she could take a day off, but not today.

There was still some time before she had to rise, so she could linger a little longer.

Now awake, Yan Luo wouldn’t fall back asleep. Instead, she moved closer to Gu Que and slowly licked the corner of her lips.

Yan Luo attended court as usual. It was cold on the way, so Gu Que gave her a few heating pads to keep warm.

During the court session, someone proposed posthumous honors for Huo Mingtang, but the empress refused. Yan Luo’s expression darkened, but she remained silent.

After the session, the empress detained her to discuss Huo Zixu. Yan Luo said, “Three years of mourning. There’s no hurry to decide now.”

The empress waved her hand. “I want to settle this now.”

Yan Luo lifted her eyelids slightly. “Your Majesty, do not chill the hearts of the people. There’s no need to rush. Elder Huo was highly respected. If you act recklessly, it will tarnish your reputation.”

Concerned about her image, the empress hesitated. Having sat on the throne for so long, she had grown somewhat complacent. Fortunately, the prime minister’s reminder brought her back to her senses. “The prime minister is right. There’s no need to rush.”

“Prime Minister, are you busy today? Join me for a while in the glasshouse.”

Yan Luo declined, lowering her eyes. “I have official documents to handle. Your Majesty may summon Minister Wen for amusement instead.”

“She’s busy too.” The empress sighed, her interest waning.

Yan Luo seized the opportunity to leave and return to her office.

But as soon as she stepped through the door, a subordinate reported that Nanping had exploded, with countless casualties.

Yan Luo stood with her hands behind her back, facing the late winter sunlight, her eyes slightly closed as she murmured, “Well done.”

The office buzzed with agitation, everyone restless and coming to ask the prime minister for guidance.

“I don’t know. Wait for His Majesty’s decision.” Yan Luo couldn’t be bothered to explain further.

“Prime Minister, should we go to the palace to see His Majesty?”

Yan Luo found the man annoying. Couldn’t he see she had just left the palace? Going back would waste time. She tactfully refused. “You go ahead. I have many documents to review. I’ll see His Majesty after I’m done.”

The others couldn’t wait and rushed into the palace.

Yan Luo scoffed, returning to her own quarters to sit comfortably. Her head was spinning, and she felt terrible.

After resting for a while, she recovered slightly and began reviewing official documents.

Meanwhile, the Empress Dowager had fainted. Before losing consciousness, she muttered, “My… my Nanping…”

Imperial physicians were summoned to the palace, and the Empress urgently called her ministers to discuss the matter. Yan Luo dawdled, eating lunch leisurely before finally making her way to the palace. By then, the others in the hall were not only starving but had also been scolded until their faces were red.

Yan Luo, frail in health, requested a chair from the Empress and sat down, listening leisurely to the discussions.

From start to finish, she didn’t say a word. After sitting for too long, she stood up and immediately felt the world spin around her. A nearby palace attendant reached out to steady her.

Seizing the opportunity, she excused herself to rest. The Empress couldn’t very well stop her and ordered someone to escort her back properly.

Once back at her residence, Yan Luo lay down immediately. Granny Sun forced a dose of medicine down her throat, making her eyes water. Granny Sun hardened her heart and ignored her tears.

Gu Que was at the Huo residence. Many people had come to pay their respects today, but news of the explosion in Nanping had also spread. This time, however, she remained unmoved.

It wasn’t that her moral compass was broken—it was simply that if the enemy wasn’t destroyed, she would be the one to die.

She wasn’t some naive saint. At a time like this, survival was paramount.

Most of the mourners were scholars, some of whom hadn’t even entered official service. Their words were impassioned and sharp, prompting the Huo family’s younger members to step in and calm them down.

The entire afternoon was spent discussing the Nanping army—mostly condemning the villains. In Gu Que’s eyes, these people didn’t know the full story yet arrogantly criticized from their self-righteous moral high ground, as if their opinions were the law and everyone else should bow to them.

Gu Que glanced at the coffin in the mourning hall and let out a quiet scoff. Huo Chengru hadn’t returned yet. Even if he rode day and night, it would still take two days.

After dinner, Gu Que finally returned.

Yan Luo had just taken her medicine and was feeling somewhat better. She lay in bed reviewing documents while Chunlu, who was literate, read them aloud for her.

Gu Que didn’t dare disturb them and quietly retreated. Granny Sun was in the side room studying medical texts, so Gu Que went to ask her some questions.

Granny Sun glanced at her. “Make sure she takes her medicine.”

An idea struck Gu Que. “Could you write down her symptoms? I’ll have someone else take a look.”

“You don’t trust this old woman?” Granny Sun was displeased. After all her efforts, she wasn’t even getting any credit.

Gu Que hurried to explain, “I know a foreign merchant who’s a physician. He’s very knowledgeable. I just want to try consulting him. Please don’t misunderstand.”

Though unhappy, Granny Sun didn’t delay. She silently picked up her brush and began writing. She knew Yan Luo’s condition best—chronic coldness, weak constitution, sensitivity to wind, and a tendency to catch colds easily. With careful nurturing, she could manage, but unfortunately, she was a workaholic who never rested.

“Her illness requires rest and a happy heart.”

“I know. It’s a sickness of the mind.” Gu Que understood the old woman’s meaning. Fortunately, Prime Minister Yan was optimistic and had a strong will.

Granny Sun wrote for half an hour, filling four or five pages. As she set down her brush, she sighed. “I hope your friend can help.”

Granny Sun was proud and confident in her medical skills, but at this point, she had no choice but to set aside her pride and pin her hopes on an unknown outsider.

Gu Que took the papers and, while Yan Luo was occupied, hurried off to consult the Great Scholar.

Gu Que: Help me out. I have a patient here with detailed medical records. Go to the hospital and see if there’s any way to treat her.

Great Scholar: Are you joking? Can’t you go yourself?

Gu Que: I can’t. If you succeed, your reward will be that ancient jade piece.

Great Scholar: You promise?

Gu Que: My word is my bond.

Great Scholar: Send me the records.

Gu Que left them at the shop and then asked, About that unofficial history—I wanted to ask, was that Prime Minister Yan actually a princess?

Great Scholar: A princess? It’s not mentioned. I don’t know. Could there be hidden details?

Gu Que was puzzled. Had the author of the unofficial history not known about Yan Luo’s true identity?

Gu Que: Does the book mention Princess Qiongju?

Great Scholar: Yes, it says she died of illness. Give me a few days—I’ll finish translating it. Don’t bother me lately; I’m about to lose my mind.

He went offline.

Gu Que opened her eyes and took a deep breath. So the book didn’t contain the full story either. She’d have to uncover the details herself. The book outlined the general events, but the specifics—especially the emotions involved—couldn’t possibly be fully captured in writing.

With that in mind, Gu Que gave up hope on the unofficial history.

Just then, Chunlu came out. Gu Que went over to ask about Yan Luo.

Chunlu said, “The Prime Minister has gone to sleep.”

Gu Que nodded and tiptoed into the room, catching a faint glimpse of the woman on the bed but not daring to approach. She kept her distance.

Since Yan Luo was asleep, Gu Que didn’t disturb her further. She ate dinner with Granny Sun in the side room. The old woman’s appetite wasn’t great either—she only managed half a bowl of rice before setting it down.

After dinner, Granny Sun sat by the window, gazing at the sky outside. As Gu Que prepared to leave, the old woman stopped her for a chat. “You know about her situation now?”

Gu Que nodded. Yan Luo had deliberately let her find out.

Granny Sun sighed mournfully. “Second Young Miss, I feel like I won’t be able to accompany her much longer.”

“Grandmother!” Gu Que quickly cut her off, trying to console her. “You’ll be with her for a long time. I won’t leave her either.”

She didn’t know how else to reassure her. What Granny Sun wanted was her commitment, so she said, “As long as I’m alive, I’ll stay by her side.”

The word “forever” was too vast. Life was ever-changing, and the only certainty was that as long as she lived, she could do as she wished.

Granny Sun smiled and waved her off. “I’m tired.”

Gu Que turned and left the room, returning to the main bedroom and settling onto the daybed.

The room was silent. Gu Que picked up her tablet and played a single-player fruit-slicing game, finding it oddly satisfying.

When it was time, she bathed and slipped into bed, sleeping beside Yan Luo.

As usual, Yan Luo woke at dawn. Seeing the person beside her sleeping soundly put her in a good mood. She leaned over and kissed Gu Que.

Gu Que burrowed deeper under the covers. Yan Luo tugged at her ear. “Gu Er, Gu Er.”

“That sounds awful.” Gu Que yawned and opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was Yan Luo’s smiling face.

Yan Luo said, “Let me kiss you.”

Gu Que’s heart trembled, recalling Granny Sun’s words: Second Young Miss, I feel like I won’t be able to accompany her much longer.

“Go ahead,” Gu Que said, unusually compliant.

Yan Luo froze, staring at her. “Something feels off. Why are you agreeing so easily?”

“You’re unbelievable. I say yes, and you start overthinking it. Do you actually prefer forcing yourself on people?” Gu Que couldn’t help but complain. She quietly grabbed Yan Luo’s hand, pinned her legs down with her own, and leaned over her. “Let me give you a few hickeys.”

Yan Luo: “……”

No, no—this was all wrong.

Before she could figure it out, Gu Que captured her lips.

“Prime Minister! Prime Minister! Time for court!” Zhizhi stood outside the door, clutching a steamed bun and shouting. “His Majesty summoned you three times last night! Just now, another message came—you’re to go early and speak with him before the assembly!”

The two inside didn’t stir, but Granny Sun, temporarily staying in the side room, was jolted awake. She threw on her clothes, marched over, and pinched Zhizhi’s ear, scolding angrily, “What are you howling about so early in the morning? If you scare them like this, how are they supposed to make babies? You owe me a grandchild!”

“Ow, ow—Grandmother, have mercy!” Zhizhi hopped in place.

The maids waiting in the corridor stifled their laughter. Tinglan and Chunlu exchanged glances, grinning widely.

Yan Luo woke up and left for court at the last minute. Predictably, the Emperor detained her afterward.

The Emperor led her to a side chamber for a private discussion. As soon as they got close, she noticed something odd. “Your neck…”

Oh ho, the Prime Minister has changed.

The Empress found it quite novel. Yan Luo nonchalantly adjusted her collar, trying to cover the marks while still showing off: “It’s nothing, just marital bliss.”

The Empress laughed. “Young Master Gu looks so frail—who would have thought he could make you so infatuated?”

“Your Majesty thinks too much. We didn’t do anything last night,” Yan Luo raised an eyebrow.

The Empress didn’t believe her. “If not last night, then when?”

Yan Luo lied shamelessly: “A few days ago.”

The Empress was baffled. “A few days ago? How is that possible? How could they last that long?”

Yan Luo looked up at the sky. “The intensity was different. The young master is a man—it’s not the same as with a woman.”

The Empress believed her. After puzzling over it for a while, she touched her own neck, then looked at the happiness on Yan Luo’s face and began to think—maybe I should try it tonight too.

Once she resolved that, the two turned to serious matters.

“Nanping lost over ten thousand people—the damage is catastrophic. The scale of the gunpowder explosion is shocking. However, I’ve decided to ban the public purchase of sulfur and other related materials from today onward. Without these things, no matter how skilled they are, they’ll be powerless,” the Empress declared confidently.

The two sat facing each other. Yan Luo lifted her eyelids slightly. “Does Your Majesty think this will eradicate the problem?”

“Of course not, but at least it will restrict their movements.” The Empress was in a much better mood and even smiled at Yan Luo. “Prime Minister, I want to know where they are.”

Yan Luo asked, “Why?”

The Empress’s heart stirred. “I want their gunpowder.”

“They do have their own methods,” Yan Luo also showed admiration. “But they’re rebels—they can’t be trusted.”

“I’ll recruit them first, obtain the formula, and then eliminate them one by one.” The Empress smiled. “It’s a shame they’re hiding in the shadows.”

Yan Luo didn’t respond. The Empress’s plan was wishful thinking—as if everyone else were fools.

Is she the only smart one here?

The Empress suddenly said, “I think the gunpowder division should be handed over to you, Prime Minister. Wen Fu knows nothing about it.”

Yan Luo smiled. “I lack the expertise.”

The Empress insisted, “Don’t refuse, Prime Minister.”

“I’m willing, but my body is weak. I’ve been feeling dizzy these past few days. If I take on another responsibility, you might lose me at any moment.” Yan Luo declined again, her expression half-smiling.

The Empress didn’t dare press further. The Prime Minister’s health really was poor.

The two chatted as ruler and minister, but the Empress never once mentioned how to deal with the Nanping army. Yan Luo pretended not to notice, continuing to play the role of a harmonious subject.

The Empress invited Yan Luo to stay for lunch, but Yan Luo declined, citing a busy schedule.

Back at the government office, Leng Mian reported that Huo Chengru had returned overnight, encountering two assassination attempts on the road but fortunately escaping unharmed.

Yan Luo held an official document, looking at Leng Mian leisurely. “Leng Mian, don’t you think the Empress is too idle?”

“If you blow up the Glass Palace, she won’t have time to show off,” Leng Mian said bluntly.

Yan Luo agreed. “You handle it.”

Leng Mian: “…”

Yan Luo had her own connections in the palace. Transporting gunpowder inside wasn’t difficult—even if security was tight, it wouldn’t be a problem. The real issue was that after the explosion, the secret passage would be exposed.

Leng Mian was reluctant. “We could blow up somewhere else.”

Yan Luo asked, “Where?”

Leng Mian thought for a moment. The late Emperor’s tomb had already been blown up, and his bones were turned into a cup and gifted to the Empress. The Empress Dowager was still alive—there didn’t seem to be anything else worth blowing up.

After some consideration, she said, “Then let’s blow up the Glass Palace.”

Yan Luo waved her hand. “Never mind. Tell Wu Qing to return to Tongzhou. Also, it’s time to act in Jiangnan.”

Leng Mian grinned. “I’ll go to Jiangnan. Take care of yourself, Prime Minister.”

“I’m perfectly fine. Go have fun. If you find anything interesting, remember to send it to me,” Yan Luo instructed.

Leng Mian was reluctant to leave, wanting to say something sentimental, but Yan Luo waved her off. “Hurry up and go. Let me rest for a couple of days.”

“Prime Minister, I’m leaving.” Leng Mian slipped away quietly.

Yan Luo sat up straight and opened the document, but Gu Que’s smiling eyes flashed in her mind. She pursed her lips—why am I suddenly thinking of her?

Troublemaker. A real troublemaker.

Yan Luo took out her treasure and toyed with it. As soon as she turned it on, an image appeared—the troublemaker asleep.

That night, when she returned late, the troublemaker was already asleep. She had secretly taken a photo.

After glancing at it, she turned off the device and resumed handling official business.

The Huo family’s descendants were scattered across the country. To allow them to return and see Elder Huo one last time, the family delayed the funeral.

The news of Elder Huo’s death was overshadowed by the Nanping incident. The Empress Dowager was bedridden for two days before struggling to get up and summoning ministers to denounce the rebels.

By late February, the Huo family held the funeral. Meanwhile, bad news arrived from Jiangnan—a granary had been blown up, and tens of thousands of bushels of grain were looted by the people.

Jiangnan was a key tax region, a land of fish and rice, traditionally prosperous. The grain in this granary was meant to be transported to the capital. Now, it was all gone.

Not only was the granary destroyed, but the government’s salt ships were also sunk.

In early March, Prince Liang, whose fiefdom bordered Jiangnan, rebelled. Prince Liang was the late Emperor’s uncle—the Empress’s great-uncle—and raised the banner of avenging Emperor Wen, accusing the late Emperor of fratricide and usurpation, and denouncing the current Empress’s illegitimate claim to the throne. He also condemned the assassinations of Elder Huo and other loyal ministers.

By the time the news reached the capital, it was already mid-March. Curious, Gu Que asked Granny Sun, who had once served in the palace, about it.

Prince Liang was the late Emperor and Emperor Wen’s uncle, a concubine-born prince. The three had been close in childhood but grew apart after Prince Liang was enfeoffed.

Prince Liang had been especially fond of Emperor Wen. Years ago, when Emperor Wen passed away, he had wanted to return to the capital to mourn but was refused by the late Emperor.

Now, he had rebelled.

Gu Que sighed. “His courage is impressive. If it were me, I wouldn’t dare.”

Granny Sun lay on a chair, gazing at the clouds in the sky, and sighed. “If he hadn’t rebelled, he could have remained a carefree prince. Why go through all this?”

“Grandmother, I admire him,” Gu Que said sincerely.

That evening, Yan Luo returned in high spirits. After dinner, the two sat on the bed playing with the tablet, watching a historical drama.

The drama depicted the clashing of arms on the battlefield, bl00d staining the yellow sand, and the court’s schemes—loyal ministers framed, good generals executed.

Yan Luo couldn’t stop criticizing: “This person is too stupid.”

“How can this guy not see through it?”

Gu Que swiped and showed her a clip about Su Shi.

After watching, Yan Luo sighed. “I wish I had such a capable younger brother. With him around, I could cause as much trouble as I wanted.”

Gu Que was speechless. “You’re already more of a troublemaker than him. He wanted to be a good official—you just think about how to blow people up.”

“I didn’t even blow up the Empress’s Glass Palace. What a pity,” Yan Luo lamented. Then she whispered to Gu Que, “Do you have any portable gunpowder? The kind you can toss in and run?”

Gu Que: “Heh.” Silence.

Yan Luo couldn’t resist her smug expression and bit her twice, trailing from her neck down to her chest.

So soft. Without the chest binding, even softer.

She pinched the flesh there and threatened Gu Que: “If you don’t tell me, I’ll bite it.”

Gu Que took a deep breath, grabbed her hand, and bit back.

Ouch— Yan Luo frowned but didn’t relent. “If you don’t talk, I’ll devour you tonight.”

Gu Que smirked. “And if I do?”

“Then I’ll devour you a little later.” Yan Luo compromised, kissing her lips gently. “You know my methods. If you refuse, I’ll eat you until not even your bones remain.”

“Prime Minister Yan, with all this confidence—aren’t you afraid I’ll eat you first?” Gu Que kindly reminded her. As an ancient person, where do you get this confidence?