After Marrying the Villainous Prime Minister in My Brother’s Stead - Chapter 72

72: Comforting You, Why Bathe in Broad Daylight?

A monster hung from a transparent bag.

Yan Luo didn’t need to guess to know it was Gu Que’s doing. She didn’t leave either, just stood at the doorway while the maidservants came out to watch the commotion.

Yan Luo took the bag down and saw a small wooden box inside.

Inside the box lay a small fan-shaped hairpin. The pin seemed to be made of gold, but the peculiar thing was that the fan could open and close—it was movable.

Yan Luo pursed her lips and smiled—a smile of pleasant surprise.

Beneath the fan were pearl tassels. She touched the tassels as Gu Que walked up to her. “Do you like it?”

“The ingenuity of this hairpin lies in the movable fan,” Yan Luo commented. She had seen too many rare and exquisite items, and hairpins and crowns far surpassed what Gu Que had ever encountered. But this time, Gu Que’s taste was impeccable.

The two held hands and entered the room, while the maidservants exchanged glances, equally amused.

Yan Luo played with the hairpin but turned to see the monster following them inside. She asked curiously, “Does it obey your commands?”

“Mhm. What do you want it to do?” Gu Que knew she must be plotting something mischievous and handed her the remote control. “What are you planning?”

Yan Luo stared at the monster, her eyes deep and contemplative. “How much weight can it carry while flying?”

“I don’t know. I’m not sure. You’re not thinking of making it carry ten pounds of stones, are you?” Gu Que joked.

The two sat at the table. Yan Luo rested her chin on her hand, her expression solemn, not blinking. Gu Que poured her a cup of tea and reminded her, “Such a huge monster would scare people. It’s not suitable for daytime—nighttime would be better for scaring people.”

“Scaring people?” Yan Luo sneered. “What if we used this on the battlefield?”

“The battlefield?” Gu Que was stunned. Seeing her icy smile, she grew nervous. “It could disrupt morale, but an archer could shoot it down with one arrow.”

Yan Luo shook her head. “Can it spray liquid medicine?”

“It… seems possible.” Gu Que nodded. A few years ago, when she returned to her hometown, she happened to see large-scale farmers using drones to spray pesticides on rice fields. But how to operate it would require some research.

Still, wouldn’t this be a bit… strange?

Gu Que found it odd, but Yan Luo’s calm eyes sparkled with excitement. “Research it. Test it first. I’ll wait for your good news.”

With that, she cupped Gu Que’s face and kissed her.

Gu Que: “…” Another beauty trap.

Gu Que looked at her, lips pressed together, silently calculating in her heart. She leaned in and whispered in Yan Luo’s ear, stating her demanding conditions.

In an instant, Yan Luo’s eyes narrowed. She pushed Gu Que away and glared at her coldly.

Gu Que laughed, curling her lips. “If you don’t want to, forget it.”

She just wanted to see Yan Luo wear that V-neck red dress from before—no ulterior motives. One look would be enough to satisfy her.

Yan Luo scoffed, pinching Gu Que’s chin and staring into her eyes. “Do your parents know how wicked you are?”

Gu Que couldn’t stop laughing. “They don’t, but you do.”

Yan Luo touched her own earlobe, then grabbed Gu Que’s hand to feel it. “Touch it—it’s burning. All because of you.”

This was her way of agreeing. Gu Que smiled triumphantly. Tomorrow, she’d send someone to fetch the dress. Tomorrow night, Yan Luo would wear it.

That night, the two didn’t engage in mischief. Instead, they studied the drone’s manual.

By midnight, Gu Que’s eyes were sore, and she refused to read any further, pulling Yan Luo to sleep.

Yan Luo was also drowsy and fell asleep as soon as she nestled against Gu Que.

Early the next morning, Wu Wu came knocking. Tinglan, seeing an unfamiliar face, asked about Zhi Zhi’s whereabouts.

Wu Wu said, “She’s fallen out of favor. The Prime Minister dismissed her. From now on, I’ll be on duty.”

Tinglan’s face paled. “Why was she dismissed?”

Wu Wu didn’t know Tinglan and casually replied, “She flirted with a sister, and the Prime Minister wasn’t happy, so she was let go.”

Tinglan’s face turned ashen. “Just a few words, and she was kicked out?”

She knew Zhi Zhi hadn’t meant it—she was just being playful. The Prime Minister and the Young Master were deeply affectionate, inseparable every day. Zhi Zhi was just a child, mimicking what she saw her masters do—no ill intent, no malice.

She stomped her foot. Wu Wu finally noticed her. “Are you that sister?”

Tinglan ignored her. Chunlu, hearing the commotion, came over and pulled Wu Wu aside. “What nonsense are you spouting?”

Wu Wu realized her mistake and quickly explained to Tinglan, “She didn’t leave—she’s recovering from an injury.”

“She’s injured?” Tinglan was puzzled.

Chunlu pinched Wu Wu’s ear hard. “Do you have a big mouth? Or are you the only one with a mouth? If you’re so capable, why don’t you fly to the heavens?”

No one dared to mention Zhi Zhi’s matter in front of Tinglan. The Prime Minister disliked it, and the maidservants avoided the topic in private. Wu Wu, with her big mouth, had blurted it out for everyone to hear.

After scolding Wu Wu, Chunlu told Tinglan, “The Prime Minister punished her with a few strikes. She’s recovering and will be back in a few days. Don’t listen to Wu Wu’s nonsense. If you miss her, go to the back row of houses to see her.”

The servants had their own quarters. Zhi Zhi lived in the row of houses near the back gate, alongside other maidservants—all girls living together.

Tinglan and Chunlu, as senior maids, lived in the western corner of the main courtyard. Tinglan had never been to the back row but knew of its existence.

After seeing the Prime Minister off, Tinglan asked the Young Master for permission to visit Zhi Zhi.

Gu Que was busy with her own affairs. Hearing this, she looked up. “Do you feel guilty?”

Tinglan lowered her head and didn’t speak.

Gu Que didn’t press further. “As long as you’re not angry, it’s fine. Take some tonics from the storeroom for her. Clear the air—since you live under the same roof, don’t let resentment fester.”

“This servant understands.” Tinglan smiled brightly and quickly curtsied in gratitude.

Gu Que shooed her away.

Tinglan went to the storeroom, picked out some tonics and medicinal supplies, placed them in a basket, and carried it to the back row of houses.

The Gu residence was vast. It took nearly half an hour to walk from the front gate to the back. Tinglan left before sunrise, and by the time she reached the back row, the sun was already high.

Tinglan knocked on the door. “Come in,” Zhi Zhi responded.

Tinglan pushed the door open and peeked inside. “Zhi Zhi?”

Zhi Zhi was lying on the bed, reading a martial arts manual. Hearing the familiar voice, she startled and tried to sit up, yelping in pain as her face flushed red.

Tinglan rushed forward to support her. “Why are you in such a hurry?”

“Sister, you’re not angry anymore?” Zhi Zhi grinned happily.

Tinglan said, “Why would I be angry with you? I only found out about this from Wu Wu.” Helping Zhi Zhi lie back down, she asked curiously, “Why are your names so strange?”

Zhi Zhi and Wu Wu. It sounded like small animals burrowing, making squeaking and grunting noises.

Zhi Zhi lay on her stomach and immediately explained, “When we first met the Prime Minister, we were still young and stammered nervously. The Prime Minister gave us new names. I’m older, so I’m Zhi Zhi, and my junior sister is Wu Wu. I think Zhi Zhi sounds much better—Wu Wu is so awkward.”

After saying this, she looked proud and asked Tinglan, “Sister, don’t you agree?”

Tinglan was amused and praised her, “Your name sounds better.”

Zhi Zhi grew even prouder. Her butt no longer hurt as she pulled Tinglan into chatter about their sect.

It turned out the few of them came from the same sect. Leng Mian was eight or nine years older, while Zhi Zhi and Wu Wu were orphans picked up by Leng Mian. Seeing them pitiful, she took them in.

Later, the sect pledged loyalty to the Prime Minister. Leng Mian entered the Prime Minister’s service, and the two younger ones naturally became the Prime Minister’s people.

However, Zhi Zhi’s martial arts were better, while Wu Wu was greedy for money. The Prime Minister felt her temperament was unstable and assigned her minor errands.

Zhi Zhi grew even prouder as she spoke. Tinglan listened, rolling her eyes. Where was the stability? Their temperaments were identical—both were childish.

Zhi Zhi said that in a few days, she’d return to duty and kick Wu Wu out.

Tinglan looked down at her, smiling with crescent eyes. “You two are so amusing.”

Zhi Zhi and Wu Wu—the Prime Minister was quite an interesting person herself.

After comforting Zhi Zhi for a while, Tinglan left the tonics behind and returned to attend to the Young Master.

Gu Que had been busy all day and finally realized that agricultural spray drones were different from the one she bought—she’d have to purchase another.

Her eyes ached. She put on a steam eye mask and lay down to rest, then went to buy a new one.

Oh dear—this one cost tens of thousands.

Gritting her teeth, Gu Que bought the best model, planning to have Yan Luo reimburse her when she returned.

However, Yan Luo didn’t return—she was detained at the palace by the Empress Dowager for dinner. Why?

Naturally, it was about handling Prince Xiang’s matter with a high approach but a soft landing.

Yan Luo refused. With the Huo family’s matter still unresolved, how could she let it go? She wouldn’t budge. The Empress Dowager said plainly, “The Huo family matter is also a misunderstanding. Why must the Prime Minister be so stubborn?”

“His Majesty believes Elder Huo is disloyal,” Yan Luo stated bluntly.

The Empress Dowager prioritized the bigger picture and had a broader perspective, while the Emperor clung to past grievances. Comparatively, Yan Luo found the Empress Dowager easier to handle.

A child throwing a tantrum was the most annoying.

The Empress Dowager sighed, personally standing up to take the wine jug from a palace maid and pour Yan Luo a drink. “His Majesty is still immature. Please bear with her, Prime Minister. To be frank, she has never let go of the events of her childhood. You know her temperament—the Huo family matter is likely a wrongful accusation.”

The Empress Dowager pouring wine forced Yan Luo to drink. She took a small sip. “Your Majesty is too kind. His Majesty is diligent. This matter should be left to the Three Judicial Offices for investigation—I cannot decide.”

“The Prime Minister is too modest.” The Empress Dowager didn’t press further. Lu Song had been the most vocal, jumping around eagerly, overshadowing the Dali Temple and the Censorate, almost eager to pin a rebellion charge on Prince Xiang.

Lu Song had always obeyed the Prime Minister’s orders. Thus, the Empress Dowager had no choice but to seek Yan Luo’s favor.

Yan Luo drank the wine. “To be honest, Your Majesty, I’ve also been troubled lately.”

The Empress Dowager frowned, curious about what could trouble the Prime Minister. She remained silent, waiting for her to continue.

Yan Luo had a low alcohol tolerance. After one cup, she appeared slightly intoxicated and confessed, “His Majesty is fixated on my husband’s younger sister.”

“The Second Miss Gu?” The Empress Dowager was shocked. His Majesty still hadn’t given up?

Yan Luo, riding on the alcohol’s effects, said, “A few days ago, the Second Miss returned to the capital. His Majesty sent people to kidnap her. Fortunately, my men intervened. Your Majesty, if the censors learned of this, it would damage His Majesty’s reputation.”

The Prime Minister was drunk. The Empress Dowager smiled faintly and poured her another cup. After Yan Luo drank it, the Empress Dowager said, “I will handle the Second Miss’s matter.”

Hearing this, Yan Luo was generous in return. “I also believe Prince Xiang is innocent.”

The two reached an agreement.

The Empress Dowager sent a trusted palace maid to escort the drunken Prime Minister back to her residence.

Upon arrival, Gu Que rushed out upon hearing the news. Heart aching, she touched Yan Luo’s face and smiled at the palace maid. “Thank you.”

Gu Que’s smile was radiant, like an orchid or jade tree. The palace maid blushed and hurriedly said, “Young Master Gu, you flatter me.”

Gu Que boarded the carriage, lifted Yan Luo, and slowly disembarked, then instructed Tinglan to reward the palace maid.

The palace maid accepted the reward and returned to report.

Back at the palace, the palace maid told the Empress Dowager, “Young Master Gu is gentle and courteous, like… like…”

The palace maid was too shy to continue, but the Empress Dowager smiled. “Are you also drawn to him? His Majesty is obsessed with his sister—she truly is a calamity. This girl cannot remain. Find a time to invite her into the palace. I want to see what kind of femme fatale she is.”

Yan Luo was drunk and loved touching ears.

Learning from past mistakes, Gu Que planned to tie her wrists that night. After washing up, she fetched a red silk ribbon. Unexpectedly, Yan Luo opened her eyes.

Startled awake.

“You’re tying me up?” Yan Luo shrank under the covers.

Gu Que didn’t realize she was awake and still grabbed her hands. Yan Luo resisted. “What madness is this?”

“Drunkards are better off tied up,” Gu Que insisted.

Yan Luo panicked, retreating to the inner side of the bed. “Look, I’m not drunk.”

“All drunkards say they’re not drunk.” Gu Que retorted.

Yan Luo stared at her with wide, pitiful eyes. “I’m really not drunk. I was pretending.”

Gu Que paused, holding the red ribbon, unsure whether to believe her. Drunkards loved spouting nonsense, and Yan Luo loved touching ears.

Should she trust her?

What if she started groping again at night?

Gu Que hesitated, recalling Yan Luo’s mischievous nature—utterly untrustworthy.

She couldn’t be trusted.

Gu Que stood frozen. Yan Luo’s heart sank. Angry, she said, “You don’t trust me? We’ve been married for over a year, spent so much time together, and you don’t trust me? You actually don’t trust me—how heartbreaking.”

Gu Que ignored her dramatics. Yan Luo was always like this when sober—if she wasn’t causing trouble while drunk, she wouldn’t be Yan Luo.

Yan Luo wanted to cry but had no tears. She glared. “Don’t touch me tonight.”

“Whoever touches me tonight is a dog,” Gu Que shot back, placing the red ribbon under the pillow. Without extinguishing the lamp, she climbed into bed.

The maidservant on night duty slept on a pallet by the outer chamber’s door. Tonight, it was Chunlu’s turn. Once the room fell silent, she also lay down.

All was quiet—everyone slept.

Gu Que drifted off but soon felt someone tugging her ear.

Instantly, she woke up.

Gu Que turned over and saw a pair of bright eyes.

Yan Luo timidly retracted her hand, pretending to close her eyes and sleep.

Gu Que gritted her teeth. “You’re a dog.”

Yan Luo didn’t respond, slowly, slowly inching toward the inner side of the bed before rolling over to sleep.

Gu Que was too angry to sleep. She flipped onto her side, wanting to bite her.

But she restrained herself.

Outside the door, Chunlu heard the noise and pricked up her ears, waiting in case her masters needed anything. After a while, hearing nothing, she lay back down.

Gu Que couldn’t sleep, listening carefully for movement behind her. Strangely, everything remained quiet.

After a while, drowsiness overtook her. She yawned—never mind, she was too tired.

Gu Que fell asleep. Moments later, Yan Luo turned over and poked her shoulder.

No response. She poked again. Gu Que didn’t wake.

Yan Luo, emboldened, touched Gu Que’s ear twice, satisfied, and went back to sleep.

When Gu Que woke first the next morning, she touched her ear and froze for a moment before wanting to sleep more. But a hand reached over and grabbed her ear.

Gu Que slapped the hand away. Yan Luo woke immediately. “You hit me?”

“Whoever touches me is a dog,” Gu Que stared at her hand.

Yan Luo, caught red-handed, pouted. “You don’t love me anymore.”

“Who told you to drink?” Gu Que pointed out her mistake. Of all people to drink with, why the Empress Dowager? Did she have a death wish?

Yan Luo argued, “I wasn’t drunk—just three cups.”

Gu Que didn’t believe her, not a single word. She simply stared silently.

Yan Luo was on the verge of tears. “I wasn’t drunk.”

Gu Que exposed her. “You touched my ear last night.”

“I always want to touch ears when I drink—drunk or not,” Yan Luo admitted. “It has nothing to do with being drunk.”

Gu Que was speechless. What kind of habit was this? Truly bizarre.

With the matter clarified, Yan Luo habitually pointed to her cheek. Gu Que had no choice but to kiss her.

Yan Luo got out of bed, refreshed, and told her, “I’m leaving Wu Wu with you. Even if I enter the palace, Wu Wu will stay.”

“Understood,” Gu Que lazily replied, watching Yan Luo dress.

Before leaving, Yan Luo asked about last night’s events.

Yan Luo changed into court robes. Her stern expression exuded authority, sending chills down the spine.

“Just playing along with the Empress Dowager. Don’t worry—the Huo family should be fine now.” Yan Luo smirked. “It was quite fun.”

Gu Que didn’t buy it. The Huo family had nearly been wiped out—where was the fun in that? Only terror remained. The Huo family had hundreds of members, including infants who couldn’t even walk. If convicted, they would all have died.

Gu Que shuddered and burrowed under the blankets to sleep a little longer.

Yan Luo attended court, where the Empress Dowager declared Prince Xiang innocent. Yan Luo concurred, leaving the Emperor isolated.

After court, the Emperor questioned Yan Luo.

Yan Luo feigned remorse. “Last night, the Empress Dowager set a trap for me.”

“Why didn’t I know about this last night?” The Emperor was stunned.

Yan Luo glanced at her. “Your Majesty was too busy enjoying yourself in the glass room.”

The Emperor flushed with guilt. “Last night, the Empress Dowager sent me a stunning beauty. I found it amusing, so…”

Yan Luo sighed. “Your Majesty, the beauty trap was the Empress Dowager’s scheme. There was nothing I could do.”

“Forget it. Let it go.” The Emperor didn’t press further. “About Prince Xiang—is it true or false?”

Yan Luo shook her head. “I don’t know. The Huo family’s case was false, as we both know. As for Prince Xiang, Your Majesty should keep an eye on him.”

The Emperor was troubled. “I think Prince Xiang is just a reckless fool, easily manipulated. Someone likely used him to divert attention from the Huo family.”

“Your Majesty is wise.” Yan Luo nodded. “Your Majesty should issue an edict to release Prince Xiang and the Huo family to demonstrate your benevolence.”

Prince Xiang was declared innocent in court, and Lu Song also stated the Huo family was innocent. The Empress Dowager agreed—now, only the Emperor’s edict was needed.

The Emperor was furious, her chest aching. She ordered Yan Luo, “You handle it.”

Yan Luo bowed. “I will.”

At noon, under bright sunlight, Yan Luo rode her horse to the Huo residence. Suddenly, someone threw a bundle of rotten vegetables at her and spat.

Yan Luo was nearly knocked off her horse. Enraged, Wu Wu drew her sword to apprehend the culprit.

Yan Luo smiled and ordered, “Be merciful. Don’t kill him—just give him fifty strikes.”

Wu Wu grabbed the man—a scholar, red-faced and furious, shouting, “Elder Huo is a man of integrity! How dare you insult him—”

Before he could finish, Wu Wu punched him to the ground. The crowd erupted, clamoring to rescue him.

Yan Luo sat on her horse, radiant under the sunlight, her lips curling into a faint smile. “Anyone who wants to save him can take fifty strikes in his place. Then I’ll pretend this never happened.”

The crowd immediately fell silent. Wu Wu sneered at them. “Cowards.”

Then she ordered, “Bring the rods.”

Yan Luo ignored them, dismounted, and ordered the removal of the seals. She stepped over the threshold as screams echoed behind her.

Did it hurt?

Of course it did. Being beaten was the most painful.

Huo Zixu rushed out upon hearing the commotion, furious. Yan Luo spoke first. “Don’t be angry. I came to release you, but someone threw rotten vegetables at me. Don’t you think he deserved it?”

“Prime Minister, let’s talk inside.” Huo Zixu wasn’t unreasonable. A scholar provoking the Prime Minister deserved a beating—if not death, then at least severe injury.

They entered the main hall. Yan Luo didn’t mince words, stating her purpose outright.

She deserved credit and wouldn’t hide it.

Huo Zixu was stunned and immediately knelt. “Prime Minister, the Huo family will repay your kindness tenfold.”

Yan Luo sidestepped, refusing his gesture, and sat leisurely in an armchair. “Minister Huo, as things stand, even if the Huo family keeps a low profile, you may not escape unscathed.”

In other words, as long as the Emperor reigned, the Huo family would never know peace.

Huo Zixu remained kneeling, sighing deeply. “Before his death, my father said to heed the Prime Minister’s arrangements in all matters.”

“If you listen to me, return to your hometown. Tell others Elder Huo appeared in a dream, wishing to return home.” Yan Luo said.

The Huo family’s hometown was in Tongzhou, conveniently under the jurisdiction of Yan Luo’s military camp.

Yan Luo added, “Minister Huo, this is all I can do. In three years, if you wish to return to court, you may. If not, resign and focus on raising your children.”

Huo Zixu was grateful, bowing deeply. “Prime Minister, the Huo family has been reborn from calamity. We will never forget your kindness.”

“No need to remember. Just curse me less.” Yan Luo scoffed and left.

Outside the residence, the scholar lay half-dead on the ground, his lower body covered in bl00d. Yan Luo coldly ignored him, mounted her horse, and ordered, “Let’s go.”

The seals were removed. The troops withdrew.

Gu Que finally figured it out—the drone could spray water. Granny Sun heard the news and dragged her away. “Perfect! Water my plants.”

Gu Que: “…”

She was pulled along. Granny Sun handed her several buckets of water. “Spray!”

Using a tens-of-thousands-worth machine to water plants—Gu Que’s heart ached. Enduring the pain, she finished spraying.

Once done, Gu Que bolted, the drone buzzing after her.

Yan Luo also returned home, bathing in the middle of the day. Gu Que found it strange. “Why bathe in broad daylight?”

Wu Wu was indignant, hands on her hips. “Someone threw rotten vegetables at the Prime Minister—it was filthy! But I avenged her by beating him with rods.”

Gu Que ignored her and called out to the bathroom, “Prime Minister, do you need help?”

Wu Wu bounced over. “Chunlu is inside. Young Master, don’t go in.”

Gu Que’s expression darkened as she glared at Wu Wu. “Get lost.”

Wu Wu, flustered, retreated. Tinglan came over and pulled her away. “Why are you so tactless?”

Wu Wu wanted to speak, but the Young Master’s icy glare made her cover her mouth—don’t imitate Zhi Zhi, leave quickly.

Gu Que waited in the room. Soon, Yan Luo emerged, opening the door to a strong fragrance—soap, different from her usual incense.

Yan Luo had mysophobia. Bathing upon returning meant she was upset.

Gu Que approached and took her hand. “Let me dry your hair, okay?”

She led Yan Luo to sit before the mirror. Chunlu handed over a large towel, which Gu Que accepted with a smile, signaling Chunlu to leave.

Chunlu gestured toward the Prime Minister. Gu Que understood—Yan Luo was in a bad mood.

The Prime Minister cared deeply about appearances. Being publicly humiliated today had undoubtedly soured her mood.

“Prime Minister, unhappy women age faster.” Gu Que coaxed her cheerfully. “Smile, and I’ll get you ice cream.”