After Marrying the Villainous Prime Minister in My Brother’s Stead - Chapter 75

75: Longing, Just Longing.

Between mother and daughter, one must be hurt.

Yan Luo scoffed. The Empress Dowager didn’t seem to care at all. “Just the matter of seizing married women alone is something the common people will never tolerate. Prime Minister, take your time to consider. But if you delay any longer, I’m afraid Miss Gu Er will soon be sleeping in the Emperor’s bed.”

The Empress Dowager appeared calm, but her heart was already in turmoil. Persuading Yan Luo was no simple task—she had to offer sufficient temptation.

Yet, she could never have imagined that everything had been orchestrated by Yan Luo herself.

What Yan Luo wanted was precisely the scene before her: the Empress Dowager deposing the Emperor and installing a new ruler.

Mother and daughter tearing each other apart—now that was truly entertaining.

Yan Luo chuckled lightly. “The Empress Dowager is at her wit’s end. Why do you think I would help you?”

The Empress Dowager replied, “Because I am the Emperor’s mother.”

“Her Majesty and I have been close for years. Why should I betray her? What does the Gu family’s life or death matter to me?” Yan Luo’s voice was icy, her smile radiant. Yet, the moment she lifted her gaze, it was like a winter gale—sharp as a blade.

The Empress Dowager was shaken by those eyes, feeling an inexplicable pressure. Though they were the same age, Yan Luo carried a far more imposing presence than the Emperor.

Struggling to steady her emotions, she said, “Prime Minister, don’t you understand the principle that ‘when the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold’?”

The female Emperor had acted unkindly. The Gu family was the Prime Minister’s in-laws. Out of respect for Yan Luo, she should never have dealt such a harsh blow. Yet, she had deliberately slighted the Prime Minister.

“Prime Minister, have you made your decision?”

Yan Luo, however, asked, “If I take command of the Imperial Guards, what about Prince Xiang?”

The Empress Dowager was stunned. Yan Luo’s aura was overwhelming—she felt like she was making a pact with a tiger. Once this matter was settled, Yan Luo would have to be eliminated.

But for now, she still needed her.

She said, “If he lives, I’ll leave him to you.”

“No. Your Majesty must first issue an edict with me, condemning Prince Xiang to death. Only then will I feel at ease.” Yan Luo smiled faintly.

The Empress Dowager was on the verge of madness. Yan Luo was severing her right-hand man. But Prince Xiang had already disappeared. Even if she issued the edict, Yan Luo might not find him.

She agreed. “Fine, I’ll issue the decree at once.”

“Good. Since we’re doing this, we must act swiftly. At tomorrow’s court session, I will welcome Your Majesty’s return to court.” Yan Luo smiled, her face adorned with her trademark grin.

The Empress Dowager issued the decree, granting it to Yan Luo. The charge was collusion with Prince Liang.

Yan Luo nodded. “I thank Your Majesty. Tomorrow, you need only appear. If you can persuade them, all will be well. If not, a blade at their throats will suffice.”

With that, she left.

Exiting Ciming Palace, she headed straight for the Ministry of Justice.

Lu Song hurried over upon hearing the news. Seeing the Empress Dowager’s decree, he was shocked. “Why did Her Majesty issue this decree?”

“A traitor must naturally be executed.” Yan Luo’s tone was indifferent. Yet, only she knew the turmoil in her heart—the suffocating weight, the labored breaths.

Lu Song was stunned but followed the Prime Minister’s lead. “Why trouble yourself with this? Leave it to me.”

“Minister Lu, we’ll handle this together. I’ll speak; you listen.” Yan Luo stopped and ordered, “Prepare poisoned wine.”

Lu Song, dependent on the Prime Minister, dared not disobey. He led the way to carry out the task.

Yan Luo stepped onto the newly laid bricks, inhaling the scent of fresh mortar as she slowly pushed open the prison cell door.

Prince Xiang looked up abruptly. Seeing her, he struggled against his chains, but the heavy irons pressed down on him, making it hard to breathe.

Yan Luo presented the decree. “The Empress Dowager has condemned you to death. See for yourself—this is her decree, stamped with her seal.”

The imperial edict was placed right before Prince Xiang’s eyes. His gaze turned sharp. “Impossible… She wouldn’t dare…”

They were on the same side. How could that woman dare?

Yet, this was reality.

Yan Luo chuckled. “Why wouldn’t she dare? Prince Xiang, where does your confidence come from?”

Prince Xiang froze for a moment, then took a deep breath. He had followed the late Emperor onto the battlefield. After the initial panic, he steadied himself.

“Prime Minister, you’re still young. You don’t understand the Empress Dowager’s heart.”

Yan Luo took back the decree, dropped it at her feet, and stepped on it, revealing her gentlest smile. “This junior is willing to listen.”

Prince Xiang was filthy, disheveled, his royal dignity and pride trampled under Yan Luo’s feet.

Before this moment, he had resented Yan Luo. But now, he realized he had become a pawn to be discarded.

He said, “I want to see my son.”

“I’m afraid that’s not possible.” Yan Luo refused.

Lu Song arrived, holding a cup of poisoned wine. Prince Xiang panicked. “I have a secret to share with the Prime Minister.”

Yan Luo took the wine and placed it on the ground five steps away. She waved Lu Song off.

Lu Song retreated, closing the door behind him. The moment it shut, he heard a sentence that shocked him to the core:

“Emperor Wen did not die of illness.”

Inside the cell, Yan Luo tapped the decree lightly with her toe, her eyes dark as an abyss. “How interesting. But what does that have to do with me?”

Prince Xiang stared at the poisoned wine, his heart racing. Yet, seeing the Prime Minister step on the decree with such arrogance, a voice in his head whispered: The Prime Minister can help me.

He said, “Prime Minister, the Emperor you know had already killed someone by the age of seven or eight.”

Yan Luo raised an eyebrow. “A royal princess killing someone isn’t unusual.”

“She set fire to Princess Qiongju and burned her alive.” Prince Xiang shouted in agitation.

Outside the door, Lu Song’s legs nearly gave way.

A child of seven or eight setting fire to her own cousin—how vicious was that?

Inside, Yan Luo smiled faintly. “That is quite thrilling. Minister Lu, bring him paper and ink.”

Then, she turned back to Prince Xiang. “Write it down. Once you’re done, your son will come to see you.”

Yan Luo was utterly gentle, her eyes warm as the sun. Prince Xiang felt she didn’t resemble a Prime Minister but rather a goddess—the kind meant to be cherished and protected, sheltered from all harm.

Facing death, people often did the unthinkable, driven by the instinct to survive.

Prince Xiang, with no way out, obeyed Yan Luo’s every command.

When he finished writing, Yan Luo glanced at it and handed it to Lu Song. The latter, already weak-kneed, couldn’t even bring himself to look at it.

Yan Luo sighed. “What are you afraid of? This has nothing to do with you.”

Lu Song shook his head frantically. “Knowing too much leads to an early death.”

Yan Luo insisted on handing it to her. “You’ll keep it?”

“No, no! I’m incapable!” Lu Song waved her off.

Yan Luo sighed again. “Fine, then go.”

Lu Song fled without looking back.

Yan Luo tucked away the confession and summoned Wu Wu, handing her the keys. “Tell them only one can leave. The other must drink the wine.”

Wu Wu nodded. “I’ll handle it.”

She tossed the keys into the cell. Prince Xiang’s son lunged for them, but Wu Wu said, “You go drink. It’s time to fulfill your filial duty.”

The son froze, then threw the keys away. “No… no…”

Wu Wu clicked her tongue. “How unfilial. If your father lives, the princedom remains. Your death would secure your siblings’ futures. Why can’t you see that? Ah, if only I had a father—I’d be filial to him.”

After this sarcastic remark, she picked up the keys and unlocked Prince Xiang’s chains. “The Prime Minister has granted you a way out.”

Prince Xiang didn’t move, staring at his son with a dark expression.

Wu Wu left, but not far, stopping at the door. Then she asked the Prime Minister, “A battle between father and son?”

Yan Luo smiled. “Would you raise a hand against Zhi Zhi?”

Wu Wu pursed her lips. “I don’t like her, but she’s my senior sister—someone I’d trade my life for.”

Yan Luo patted her head. “Escort him out of the city. Have someone follow him and lead him to Prince Liang.”

No one knew the capital’s defenses better than Prince Xiang. Prince Liang would surely welcome such an ally.

Yan Luo finished her tasks and returned home.

Gu Que was hiding under a tree, enjoying the shade and making shaved ice. The other servants sat beneath the tree, weaving knots and chattering merrily.

When Yan Luo returned, the maids scattered like birds, leaving only Gu Que behind.

Gu Que asked, “Why are you back so early?”

“The weather’s about to change, so I came back early.” Yan Luo stared at the bowl in Gu Que’s hands.

Gu Que pretended not to notice. “How is the Third Madam’s health?”

“Much better. She just overindulged in the cold.” Yan Luo rested her chin on her hand, gazing at Gu Que. “Gu Er, who do you think is prettier—me or the Emperor?”

Gu Que paused, giving her a look. “Have you lost your mind?”

Yan Luo sighed. “You’re so beautiful, like a painting.”

Gu Que: “…” Nothing good will come of this.

She focused on making shaved ice, ignoring her. Yan Luo leaned in, kissing her brow. “Gu Er, Gu Er.”

“You’re so annoying.” Gu Que couldn’t take it anymore, scooping a spoonful of shaved ice and stuffing it into Yan Luo’s mouth. “Wear a dress for me tonight, okay?”

Yan Luo savored it but found it lacking compared to ice cream—missing that creamy sweetness. She shook her head. “I want ice cream. If you give me some, I’ll wear the dress.”

Gu Que was stunned. “You’ll go to any lengths for ice cream. Fine, I won’t look.”

The Prime Minister, for the sake of ice cream, had abandoned all dignity.

Tsk, tsk. Gu Que found her even more amusing.

“Ah, Gu Er, all my pride in life is gone. You owe me.” Yan Luo sighed repeatedly.

Gu Que stared at her. “Your pride was shattered by ice cream. That’s not my fault. When your health improves, you can have as much as you want.”

Yan Luo: “Then in the next life.”

Gu Que: “Next life, I’ll open an ice cream shop and wait for you.”

Yan Luo’s eyes lit up. “Then I’ll come find you early.”

“Next life, your health will be perfect.” Gu Que suddenly smiled. People only pinned their hopes on the next life when they were helpless in this one.

If this life could be fulfilling, why think of the next?

Gu Que’s heart softened inexplicably. Yet, if she wanted a long future with Yan Luo, she couldn’t afford to be soft now.

The two smiled at each other.

Summer nights were sweltering but peaceful. They dined in the courtyard, dismissing the servants and lighting candles all around.

A candlelit dinner.

That night, Gu Que handed Yan Luo a medicine packet, saying, “Grandma gave it to you.”

“And then?” Yan Luo waited for the rest.

Gu Que leaned in, whispering in her ear.

Instantly, Yan Luo’s face turned red. “She’s too wicked. Tomorrow, I’ll uproot all her herbs.”

Later, the candles burned brighter.

Behind the brocade curtains, silhouettes overlapped, and wanton sounds arose.

The usually disciplined Prime Minister nearly didn’t wake up. Wu Wu had to call her several times before she stirred. She nudged Gu Que, who woke up and grinned at her.

Yan Luo, though physically spent, hurried to rise. The moment her feet touched the ground, dizziness overwhelmed her. Gu Que quickly steadied her, immediately regretting. “No more tonight.”

Yan Luo: “You think it’s over just because you’ve had your way?”

Last night…

Yan Luo left for court, accompanied by Zhi Zhi and Wu Wu. Gu Que stayed home. Zhi Zhi, having been home for so long, had gained a noticeable amount of weight.

Wu Wu teased her, “Careful, or you’ll be too fat to lift your sword.”

Zhi Zhi snorted. “Sister Tinglan’s cooking is delicious. Best of all, it’s free.”

That last part especially appealed to Wu Wu.

Wu Wu licked her lips and asked the Prime Minister, “Can I stay home tomorrow?”

Yan Luo lifted the carriage curtain, mocking her. “Tinglan willingly cooks for her. What makes you think you deserve the same?”

Wu Wu didn’t understand. “Why not me?”

Zhi Zhi gloated. “Exactly—not you. Only me.”

Wu Wu still didn’t get it. “Do I have to pay? I have money.”

Yan Luo laughed. “Not even a thousand taels can buy what the heart desires.”

“That’s too expensive. I won’t eat then.” Wu Wu balked at the mention of a thousand taels.

The two stopped at the palace gates. Yan Luo proceeded on foot. The road was quiet, colleagues walking briskly past her while Imperial Guards stood at every tenth step, watching them closely.

Yan Luo strolled leisurely. Dawn had just broken, the light faint. She walked so slowly that her colleagues gradually overtook her. Lu Song, walking briskly, glanced back and saw the Prime Minister moving at a snail’s pace.

Lu Song slowed down. “Prime Minister, we’ll be late.”

Yan Luo glanced at her. “My legs hurt.”

Lu Song didn’t understand and worriedly suggested, “Should I fetch a carriage for you?”

“No need. Go ahead.” Yan Luo wasn’t in a hurry, taking three steps and pausing, counting silently. Today, the Imperial Guards had tripled in number.

Entering the hall, the Emperor had yet to arrive.

After another quarter-hour, the Emperor still hadn’t appeared.

The Emperor’s faction grew anxious and approached Yan Luo. She shook her head. “I don’t know.”

Soon after, the Empress Dowager arrived.

The ministers exchanged uneasy glances. The Emperor’s faction was the first to react, demanding, “Where is Her Majesty?”

The Empress Dowager ignored them, step by step ascending to the throne. Everyone’s hearts leaped into their throats. The Emperor’s faction pinned their hopes on the Prime Minister, urging her to speak.

In the entire court, only the Prime Minister dared to confront the Empress Dowager.

Yan Luo stepped forward. “Empress Dowager, is Her Majesty unwell?”

“The Marquis of Yongle submitted a memorial to me yesterday. Only then did I learn of the Emperor’s grave mistakes. The Marquis has been loyal to the throne, yet this is his reward—how pitiable. My heart aches for him.”

The Emperor’s faction understood: the Empress Dowager was holding the Emperor hostage to command the nobles. Yet, the Emperor’s crimes were too severe to defend.

The Empress Dowager continued, “The late Emperor entrusted me with her care. Now, I have failed. To recognize one’s faults and correct them is the greatest virtue. Today, I shall rectify my mistake. My daughter is unfit to rule. From now on…”

“Empress Dowager, weigh your words.” Yan Luo interrupted. “Her Majesty is still young. She can learn from her mistakes.”

“Still young?” The Empress Dowager sneered. “If I recall correctly, she is the same age as the Prime Minister.”

Yan Luo feigned embarrassment, glancing at her colleagues, signaling them to speak.

But at that moment, palace guards flooded the hall, drawing their swords and pointing them at the assembly.

Blades at their throats.

Even the Prime Minister dared not speak out of turn. One wrong word, and heads would roll.

Yan Luo trembled. The Empress Dowager declared, “The Emperor, filled with remorse, has abdicated. Princess Jinyang is hereby named the new ruler.”

Princess Jinyang had no mother or maternal relatives, making her easy to control. Moreover, she was filial, always deferring to the Empress Dowager.

The abdication edict was handed to the Prime Minister by a eunuch. Yan Luo took it, glanced over it, and said, “This is Her Majesty’s handwriting.”

She passed it to others for verification. All confirmed it was the Emperor’s writing.

Yan Luo was astonished. In just one night, how had the Empress Dowager managed this?

In an instant, the situation had transformed. The Empress Dowager had won.

She waved her hand. “Bring the new Emperor into the palace.”

Some wanted to protest, but colleagues held them back, pointing at the blades behind them. At this moment, survival was paramount. One person’s defiance could implicate others. Even those with unyielding principles, on the verge of speaking out, were vehemently dissuaded by their peers.

The hall was tense, everyone’s hearts simmering like oil in a wok. Even Yan Luo had shed her usual smile.

Princess Jinyang received the decree in her residence. She glanced at her silent husband, suddenly recalling the radiant Young Master Gu—as dazzling as a star in the sky, a great poet unmatched even by the top scholar.

At this moment, she despised her plain-looking husband.

She handed the decree to him. “Shall we go together?”

Lin Biwen suddenly understood—this was the throne, the object of countless dreams. How could he not desire it?

A moment later, husband and wife set off together for the palace.

The streets were quiet. Upon entering the palace gates, Lin Biwen abruptly asked, “Does Your Highness have someone you love?”

“How could I? My heart belongs to you, my husband.” Princess Jinyang smiled faintly.

Lin Biwen chuckled but said nothing.

Husband and wife entered the hall. The ministers bowed.

A eunuch read the decree. The assembly hailed the new ruler.

The Empress Dowager announced the coronation for the following day. The Minister of Rites frowned. “Your Majesty, it’s too soon. I fear…”

“No matter. Keep it simple.” The Empress Dowager waved him off.

The Minister of Rites wanted to argue, but Yan Luo discreetly signaled him to stand down. The rites officials had no choice but to accept the decree.

No one was allowed to leave. The palace gates were sealed.

Outside the palace, Gu Que, upon hearing the news, flipped through the book’s pages. Recently, only one major event was recorded: the old Emperor’s abdication and Princess Jinyang’s ascension.

Gu Que was puzzled. She had skimmed the book recently—how had she missed this?

She searched for the section on Gu Que’s death but found nothing after several attempts. It had vanished without a trace.

Strange.

Gu Que went online to contact the Great Scholar.

After waiting several minutes with no response, she logged off and continued reading. The book stated that the Prime Minister had conspired with the Empress Dowager to depose the old Emperor and install a new one.

Is the capital about to change hands?

She couldn’t understand—where had that segment of history gone?

Could it be that, as events unfolded, this unofficial history was also changing?

Gu Que was restless. She wanted to return to the Marquis’s residence, but it was heavily guarded, barring entry to anyone.

With no one to consult, she could only wait for Yan Luo’s return. The book recorded that the Prime Minister would emerge unscathed.

By dusk, there was still no news from the palace.

Not only the Gu residence but the Yan family also sent inquiries. Gu Que didn’t dare reveal the truth, only saying there was no news from the palace.

Granny Sun came to see her. “She hasn’t returned?”

“No. Grandma, you must believe in her. She’s formidable—she’ll come back unharmed.” Gu Que comforted her, though she herself wasn’t confident.

By 9 p.m., Zhi Zhi returned, saying, “The Emperor has abdicated in favor of Princess Jinyang. The coronation is tomorrow. Once the ceremony ends, the Prime Minister will return.”

Gu Que wasn’t surprised, calmly accepting it. She knew something unforeseen had altered the course of events.

“Good. Will you leave again?”

Zhi Zhi replied, “I’m staying to protect you. You mustn’t leave the residence.”

Gu Que said, “Then go find Tinglan. Have her prepare something for you to eat.”

Zhi Zhi’s face lit up at the mention of Tinglan. “I’ll go. But if you leave, you must call me. The Prime Minister insisted.”

Gu Que nodded. “Understood. If the Prime Minister says so, I won’t step out.”

Zhi Zhi bounded off joyfully to find Tinglan.

Tinglan made her a bowl of noodles. Zhi Zhi recounted the events at the palace gates. “Sister, you wouldn’t believe it—the rites officials were escorted everywhere by guards. It was thrilling! I followed them and saw how terrified they were.”

Tinglan, a woman of the inner chambers unused to such storms, was stunned. “If only I were half as capable as the Prime Minister.”

Zhi Zhi ate her noodles while extolling the Prime Minister’s prowess. Tinglan listened with admiration. “The Young Master is also remarkable. Outsiders praise her as a great poet, a celestial literary star. She and the Prime Minister are different—she’s idolized by scholars. Both are extraordinary.”

Tinglan was captivated. “The Young Master’s brilliance is invisible to us, but the Prime Minister’s is evident. She smiles, but when her expression turns cold, it’s terrifying.”

“No, her coldness isn’t scary. It’s when she smiles that she kills. She smiles when she executes people, saying she doesn’t want to frighten them. But over time, they learned her habits—her smile became terrifying. They call her the ‘Smiling Tiger.’” Zhi Zhi whispered, “Outsiders speak highly of the Young Master—they call her a saint.”

The Prime Minister, in contrast, was the King of Hell.

A saint and the King of Hell—two who should never have crossed paths. Yet, the Young Master and the Prime Minister were deeply in love.

After finishing her noodles, Tinglan returned with a lantern, repeating Zhi Zhi’s words to the Young Master.

Gu Que murmured, “A saint and the King of Hell—what an interesting comparison.”

Tinglan, observing the Young Master’s smile, suddenly found it eerily similar to the Prime Minister’s—not genuine but laced with cold mockery.

It was unsettling.

In that instant, she felt the Young Master had changed. No longer soft and gentle, she now carried her own emotions—or rather, her own troubles.

Before, the Young Master had revolved around the Marquis’s household, pining for Lord Zhao and living in melancholy. After her illness, she became almost inhuman—never losing her temper, no longer infatuated with Lord Zhao, smiling at everyone.

Tinglan was startled by her own realization. Meanwhile, Gu Que was lost in her own world, waiting for Yan Luo’s return.

The V-neck red dress was ready. So was the medicine.

Will the Prime Minister return tomorrow?

If not tomorrow, the day after?

Gu Que began to drift, her gaze turning to the darkness outside—so dark it was maddening.

“Tinglan, fetch some wine.”

Tinglan was taken aback. “You drink?”

“I’m stifled.” Gu Que laughed at herself, suddenly realizing that drowning her sorrows was a foolish decision. Yet, she had no choice. If there were internet here, a single message would suffice to ease her loneliness.

“Then I’ll bring you some rice wine. Just a little.” Tinglan hesitated. Denying her might deepen her sorrow, leaving her sleepless.

A sip might bring relief.

As Tinglan turned to leave, Gu Que changed her mind. “Never mind. Drinking would only numb me. You go rest. I’ll sleep too.”

“Why not indulge just this once? What’s wrong with getting drunk? You’ve always been too restrained.” Tinglan persuaded her. “You’ve never drunk before. A small cup tonight might lighten your heart and bring peaceful sleep. Otherwise, you’ll have a long night.”

Not just Gu Que—the entire capital would lie awake tonight. The Emperor’s abdication, the new Emperor’s ascension—tomorrow, the court would be transformed.

“You’re mistaken. I don’t want to numb myself. I just miss the Prime Minister.” Gu Que said.

Just missing her—nothing more.

Merely longing.