After Marrying the Villainous Prime Minister in My Brother’s Stead - Chapter 80

80: No, I Won’t Let You Eat!

The Prince of Guangping cried his heart out, wailing and sobbing until Yan Luo had a splitting headache.

A grown man crying like this—Yan Luo could hardly wait to kick him out.

When Wu Wu brought over a farewell poem, the prince cried even harder, his face a mess of tears. Clutching the poem, he lamented, “I was too late! The young master still remembered me before he passed…”

Yan Luo said, “Your Highness, please stop crying.”

The prince waved his hand, “My heart aches… Ah, Prime Minister, I—I’ve lost my composure.” He suddenly remembered that the prime minister had also lost her husband and must be grieving too. Hurriedly wiping his tears, he apologized repeatedly, “I’ve been discourteous, truly discourteous. Prime Minister, please accept my condolences. I’ll take this and… and leave now.”

He wanted to cry more but couldn’t let the prime minister see it. With that, he rushed away.

Wu Wu watched his retreating figure, puzzled. “Prime Minister, what was he crying about?”

Yan Luo sighed helplessly, “He was crying because his confidant died.”

Wu Wu suddenly understood, “Ah, he should cry then. If Tinglan were gone, I’d cry my heart out too.”

Yan Luo lowered her gaze and looked at her, “Is Tinglan your confidant?”

“Of course! Tinglan makes so many delicious things, things you can’t find anywhere else. Isn’t that what a confidant is?” Wu Wu replied seriously, staring at the prime minister with solemn eyes.

Yan Luo laughed, “You little glutton.”

The prince left, and the servants reported it to the marquis. The marquis closed his eyes, a single tear slipping down his cheek. “I understand,” he said.

In the afternoon, Yan Luo took the two children and left, with Gu Que accompanying them.

Before departing, Gu Que asked about her younger sisters’ marriage prospects. The marquis said, “See if any of your former classmates are suitable.”

Gu Que thought of the younger brother of the husband of the eldest daughter of the Yan family and mentioned it.

Gu Ling was a concubine’s daughter, incomparable to Gu Que, so naturally, she couldn’t aim too high.

The marquis said, “Go and inquire. If his character is good, it can be arranged.”

Gu Que agreed. When they got into the carriage, she asked Yan Luo for her opinion.

Yan Luo said, “It’s a good match. The eldest sister’s husband’s family is surnamed Zhang. He holds a minor position, but there’s one thing—the Zhang family is dependent on me. Once Gu Ling enters their household, they’ll treat her well.”

For a woman, marriage is like a second birth. A bad marriage can ruin a lifetime.

Gu Ling was different from Gu Que. Gu Ling was an ordinary girl raised strictly within the inner chambers, without any special skills. At home, she relied on her parents; after marriage, she would rely on her husband. But as long as her natal family was influential, her in-laws wouldn’t dare mistreat her.

Gu Que understood this well, which was why she brought it up.

The two of them hit it off immediately. Yan Luo returned to the residence and first spoke to the old madam, asking her to approach the eldest daughter of the Yan family.

The eldest daughter had already considered the match. When the old madam mentioned it, she happily agreed and went home to discuss it with her mother-in-law.

The Zhang family was simple, unlike the complex Yan family. The younger brother in question was the legitimate son of the second branch, known as Academician Zhang. His household was clean and tidy. Upon hearing the news, he was overjoyed.

Academician Zhang had never met Gu Ling but had been classmates with Gu Yan and had seen Gu Que at the mourning hall. Given how striking her elder siblings were, the younger sister’s looks surely wouldn’t be bad.

The two families quickly reached an agreement. Since the Gu family was in mourning, they decided to invite Prime Minister Yan to act as matchmaker the following spring to finalize the marriage.

Yan Luo agreed and went home to tell Gu Que.

Gu Que was naturally delighted. She returned to the residence and asked her father to prepare the dowry. Gu Ling wasn’t the madam’s daughter, so the madam wouldn’t provide the dowry. The marquis would prepare it himself, and Gu Que would also contribute.

Gu Que moved out of her original bedroom and into a courtyard near the garden, next to Granny Sun’s quarters, separated by a wall. Granny Sun called her over early in the morning to help with chores.

Yan Luo was displeased. “She’s my person. How can you shamelessly order her around every day?”

“Your person? She hasn’t married you yet. How is she yours? No matter what, she’s still a member of the Huo family,” Granny Sun retorted, hands on her hips.

Yan Luo was furious. She glared at Granny Sun and stormed off to court in a huff.

The new emperor was weak-willed and couldn’t make decisions. The empress dowager held the reins of power, and the court officials were dissatisfied but powerless.

After court adjourned, everyone whispered among themselves. The female emperor detained the prime minister for tea, saying she had received some fine fabrics and wanted to gift them to the second Miss Gu.

She spoke of trivial matters between women, so the empress dowager didn’t pay much attention and left with her entourage.

Yan Luo accepted the fabrics—they were indeed of excellent quality. She planned to give them to Gu Ling for her dowry.

After a few words, the new emperor brought up the empress dowager, saying earnestly, “Prime Minister, I beg for your assistance.”

Yan Luo smiled. “The empress dowager treats Your Majesty as her own.”

“Does she? Her own daughter is still alive. A few days ago, I heard her discussing with Duke Wei about sending the second Miss Gu to her. Think about it—if my fifth sister is unhappy, she won’t treat the second Miss Gu well. Abuse would be common.” The new emperor smiled coldly.

She leisurely watched the prime minister.

Yan Luo chuckled. “Is that so? I think the daughters of Duke Wei’s household are quite suitable. The legitimate daughters would be even better. Why not send one to the fifth princess? What do you think?”

The new emperor frowned. Recently, Duke Wei hadn’t shown her any respect, arrogantly ordering her around under the empress dowager’s protection.

“The prime minister’s idea is indeed good, but Duke Wei would never agree.”

Yan Luo fell silent, instead touching her right shoulder and sighing. “The weather is bad, and my shoulder hurts. The physician said I must be careful, or I might lose it. Then I’d be a cripple.”

“Of course…” The new emperor suddenly paused, understanding Yan Luo’s implication. Duke Wei was the empress dowager’s right-hand man. If Duke Wei were gone, the empress dowager’s power would suffer greatly.

In an instant, it was like a revelation.

Yan Luo said, “My shoulder hurts. I won’t keep Your Majesty any longer.”

The new emperor pondered alone in the hall but couldn’t think of a good plan. After sitting for a long time, she still felt she should entrust the matter to the prime minister—only she dared to cut off the empress dowager’s arms.

But why would she help?

She needed to offer a reward.

The new emperor looked at her own hands. She was just a puppet—what could she give that the prime minister would want?

Power? The prime minister already controlled half the court, sharing influence with the empress dowager.

Beauty? The young master of the Gu family had just passed. The prime minister likely had no interest in romance.

What else was there?

The new emperor agonized over it but couldn’t find an answer.

After much deliberation, the imperial consort arrived.

The new emperor was a puppet, and the imperial consort had even less power—just an empty title.

Seeing the emperor’s troubled expression, the consort boldly asked, “Your Majesty, are you unwell?”

The new emperor’s gaze fell on his face. In terms of handsomeness, he was far inferior to Gu Yan, even in literary talent. If Gu Yan hadn’t fallen ill, how could this man have taken first place?

The couple sat facing each other. The new emperor asked her husband, “How do you cut off someone’s arm?”

The consort looked at her delicate face, his heart stirred. Suppressing the urge to reach out and touch her, he said softly, “First, strike when they least expect it. Second, it depends on how sharp the blade is. A single clean strike is simplest. If you want to take it slow, you lack the strength.”

Indeed, the new emperor was too weak, almost completely suppressed, with little chance of turning the tables.

But if she weren’t powerless, the empress dowager wouldn’t have chosen her.

The new emperor brooded. The prime minister’s blade was exceedingly sharp—she just didn’t know how to wield it.

Frustrated, the prime minister returned to her office.

Lu Song came to report. She mentioned the new emperor’s attempts to win her over.

Lu Song frowned. “What will you do?” He was now entirely dependent on the prime minister. The empress dowager and the late emperor had killed Emperor Wen—usurpers.

Yan Luo said, “You and I are loyal to Great Wei.”

Lu Song sighed. Who didn’t want to be loyal to Great Wei? But now, the country was in chaos. With the Princes of Xiang and Liang rebelling, if enemies invaded, Great Wei would be in grave danger.

He asked, “What do you plan to do?” The line of Emperor Wen had been wiped out—the legitimate lineage was gone. What could they do?

Yan Luo remained silent for a long time. Lu Song didn’t dare speak either. Over the past few days, he had guarded the secret, unable to sleep at night. After the young master of the Gu family died, the tension in his mind suddenly snapped.

People die—that’s all. The young master was only nineteen. The prime minister had loved him to the bone, yet he was gone just like that.

Yan Luo didn’t say more, only stating, “The emperor is dissatisfied with Duke Wei. We’ll just watch and not interfere.”

“This official thinks the emperor is too inexperienced. One more thing—with enemies at the gates, the empress dowager is truly irresponsible.” Lu Song vented his frustrations. With war imminent, the empress dowager deposed the emperor—wasn’t that handing their weaknesses to the enemy?

The empress dowager was ambitious and selfish.

Yan Luo paused, her lips curling into a cold smile. “She’s always been selfish.”

At that moment, her eyes held a hint of coldness, and hatred.

Lu Song didn’t know what to say. Yan Luo, however, felt exhausted and stood to dismiss him.

That evening, upon returning to the residence, Yan Luo felt unusually tired. She lay on the couch, not wanting to get up, and soon drifted into sleep.

She dreamed of her childhood—her aunt entered the palace to accompany her mother, bringing her cousin along. The aunt and her mother were close, chatting about everything. Her father had only her mother, but her uncle was different—he had many women, some even gifts from subordinates.

Her uncle never refused. Gradually, he had many daughters but no sons. Her father, with only one wife, had a son—a stroke of luck.

Her aunt complained bitterly, and her mother comforted her gently. Later, her mother said her aunt’s resentment was too heavy, all because her uncle took in too many women.

In the dream, her mother was incredibly gentle, holding her and soothing her.

Chun Lu attended to the prime minister. When it was time for dinner, she called several times but got no response. Alarmed, she hurried to fetch Granny Sun.

Granny Sun administered a couple of acupuncture needles, and Yan Luo slowly woke up. Yan Luo was displeased. “I finally got to see Mother. Why did you poke me?”

Granny Sun retorted, “Don’t you want Gu Que anymore?”

Hearing Gu Que’s name, Yan Luo smiled. Leaning on Chun Lu’s hand, she sat up and looked around. “Where’s Gu Que?”

“In her own courtyard.” Granny Sun put away the needles, staring at her. “What’s troubling you?”

Her body was already weak. Overthinking could make her sleep forever.

Granny Sun was worried. “Replace all the maids and matrons in your courtyard. Have Gu Que move back in. You’re scaring me like this.”

Without Gu Que, her Highness would have no companion and might do something drastic.

Only by replacing the servants with new ones—who wouldn’t recognize Gu Que—could they avoid connecting her to the former young master of the Gu family.

Yan Luo leaned against the pillow, rubbing her forehead. “Granny, lately I’ve been feeling palpitations, as if my heart stops sometimes.”

“What did you say?” Granny Sun froze, her face paling. She quickly set down the medicine box and took Yan Luo’s pulse, quietly instructing Chun Lu, “Fetch Miss Gu.”

Chun Lu agreed promptly.

Granny Sun checked her pulse for a long time before saying, “Don’t overthink things. Rest is best. Your illness… I can’t cure it. It’s up to you to recover. Your Highness, is revenge really that important?”

Yan Luo lowered her arm, staring at her. “A’Weng is dead.”

Four simple words rendered Granny Sun speechless. Empress Jingde was dead, Emperor Wen was dead, the little prince was dead, Old Madam Huo was dead, Old Master Huo was dead—all the important people in her Highness’s life were gone.

If they had died naturally, it would have been fate. But they hadn’t.

Granny Sun felt a lump in her chest, unable to voice any comforting words. She only said, “I’ll prepare medicine for you. Take a pill when you feel unwell.”

Gu Que arrived, rushing into the room, her breath uneven, her eyes full of panic.

In that instant, the heaviness in Yan Luo’s heart vanished. She felt inexplicably better, touching her chest in surprise.

Who would have thought—Gu Que was her medicine.

Yan Luo closed her eyes, a smile tugging at her lips. “Gu Que, I’m a little tired. Read me a novel, will you?”

“Okay.” Gu Que agreed without hesitation, her eyes flicking to Granny Sun. Granny Sun told her, “Who knows what she’s thinking? She almost died.”

Gu Que grew even more anxious. Gu Yan’s death was still fresh in her mind. She stared intently at Yan Luo.

Yan Luo beckoned her over and, right in front of Granny Sun, said, “Come here. Let me kiss you.”

Granny Sun: “…”

Granny Sun hurriedly left. Gu Que approached but hadn’t even sat down when Yan Luo hooked an arm around her neck and kissed her.

The two of them tumbled onto the bed, clinging tightly to each other.

After a long while, Yan Luo ran out of breath first and let go, her face flushed, her fingers playing with Gu Que’s hair.

Gu Que was the same, her lips slightly numb, her heart pounding wildly. They’d kissed many times before, yet her heart still raced as if it were the first time.

The two lay side by side on the bed, eyes locked. Yan Luo smiled. “I dreamed of Mother.”

Comparing carefully, Gu Que carried her mother’s aura—a deep-rooted kindness, a purity untainted by the world.

Gu Que pulled her up. “Do you still feel unwell?”

“Much better. I’m hungry.” Yan Luo used Gu Que’s strength to stand but felt dizzy the moment her feet touched the ground. When she recovered, she met Gu Que’s worried gaze and grinned. “You haven’t surprised me lately.”

Gu Que thought for a moment. “Let’s go to the storeroom. There are lots of little trinkets there.”

“Let’s go!” Yan Luo was thrilled, dragging Gu Que out in a hurry.

Granny Sun, returning with medicine, watched Yan Luo’s brisk steps. Where was the lifeless demeanor from before? She looked perfectly fine now.

Fuming and sighing, she called Chun Lu over. “Except for you and Tinglan, replace all the servants here. Move all of Miss Gu’s belongings back.”

So annoying—these two were driving her mad.

Chun Lu hesitated. “Outsiders might not keep secrets.”

“Replace those who serve closely first. We’ll see about the rest.” Granny Sun handed the medicine to Chun Lu. “Remember to brew it and make sure she drinks it. And when she takes the medicine, send Miss Gu away so she doesn’t cause trouble.”

Yan Luo was already troublesome about taking medicine. With Gu Que around, she’d whine and fuss, refusing to drink.

Send Gu Que away, and she’d behave.

The two entered the storeroom. Gu Que found a small rechargeable tiger-shaped lamp and handed it to Yan Luo.

“What’s this?” Yan Luo held the lamp, immediately recognizing the little tiger. It resembled the tiger on her manicure—a round head with a protruding button. She pressed it lightly, and with a click, light shone from the round head.

Yan Luo was delighted, her smile blooming from her eyes. Gu Que was momentarily dazed, her heart warming.

Prime Minister Yan was just a big child at heart.

Yan Luo collected a pile of little trinkets, packed them into a box, and carried them back to her room. That night, she skipped the study and played with her new toys in her room.

She asked Gu Que, “Is this thing a lamp?”

“Yes, but it doesn’t last as long as an oil lamp.” Gu Que explained, “It runs on something called electricity, which is like lamp oil. This has electricity inside, powering the light. These things are bright, but your room is already well-lit.”

Though the items were nice, Yan Luo didn’t lack for them. They were just playthings.

Yan Luo played for a long time, and Gu Que stayed with her. But Chun Lu eventually chased Gu Que away, saying Granny had ordered her not to stay during medicine time.

Gu Que saw the logic and slipped away while Yan Luo wasn’t looking.

Yan Luo smelled the medicine and looked around for Gu Que. Oh no—she was gone. Covering her nose, she backed away, but Chun Lu wouldn’t let her. “If you don’t drink it, I’ll fetch Granny. She said… she said…”

Chun Lu faltered, too scared to continue.

Yan Luo pressed, “What did she say?”

Chun Lu lowered her head, embarrassed. “If you refuse to drink, she’ll have Miss Gu whip you with a cane.”

Yan Luo scoffed. “Impossible.”

Chun Lu smiled and whispered, “That time you got drunk, Miss Gu looked for a feather duster.”

Yan Luo: “…”

“Tomorrow, you’re demoted to the kitchen as a fire-stoking maid.” Yan Luo was furious but took the medicine, closing her eyes and downing it in one go.

Chun Lu finally relaxed, taking the empty bowl and scurrying away.

Gu Que returned and handed Yan Luo a strawberry-flavored lollipop.

Yan Luo gave her a sidelong glance but took it without pride, popping it into her mouth. She bit down lightly—ouch, it was hard!

Gu Que said, “This is meant to be sucked slowly, not bitten.”

Gu Que picked up a novel and read to her. Yan Luo took the candy out and examined it under the light. It was nearly transparent, like spun sugar, but pink—close to plum red.

Having just taken medicine, Yan Luo smelled of herbs. Leaning against Gu Que, she felt an unusual softness. Playing with the candy, listening to Gu Que’s voice, she felt much better.

What a troublemaker.

Yan Luo sighed deeply. Suddenly, she understood her mother’s pain back then—separation truly was agonizing.

After finishing the candy and rinsing her mouth, the two lay down.

This time, Gu Que wore women’s sleepwear and didn’t bind her chest. Pressed together, Yan Luo felt the difference and couldn’t help poking her chest.

Gu Que swatted her hand away. “You have them too.”

Yan Luo leaned closer, peering at her collar. “They’re different.”

Gu Que burst out laughing, patting her head like an elder. “Sleep.”

“Gu Que, I ate candy. My mouth is sweet. Do you want a taste?” Yan Luo offered herself.

Gu Que refused. “If I taste it, it’ll never end. Do we want to sleep or not?”

Granny had said they should exercise restraint. She turned over, ignoring Yan Luo, and urged her to sleep.

Yan Luo savored the candy’s flavor and asked, “Do you have more candy?”

Gu Que played turtle. Any more candy, and her teeth would rot.

“Give me some tomorrow. I want ten.” Yan Luo muttered to herself, tugging at Gu Que’s collar. “Turn over. I won’t touch you.”

Gu Que, pulled backward by her neck, had no choice but to turn over. Yan Luo was pleased. “I’ll share the candy with them tomorrow.”

“You’re giving candy to those men?” Gu Que was incredulous. Who would believe it? They’d be laughed at.

Yan Luo smiled. “Does it sound absurd?”

Gu Que nodded. Yan Luo immediately said, “What if I poisoned the candy?”

Discussing murder in bed—Gu Que was too stunned to speak. Yan Luo said serenely, “One candy, their lives—worth it.”

Gu Que rolled her eyes. “They wouldn’t eat it.”

“Right, they wouldn’t.” Yan Luo had an epiphany. Looking at Gu Que with desire in her eyes, she said, “They won’t eat it, but you will.”

Gu Que didn’t understand. Before she could speak, her lips were sealed.

Gu Que: “…” It was all a trick. Deceivers always sweet-talked first.

But she loved it when Yan Luo coaxed her.

How lucky she was.

They kissed and then parted. Gu Que’s eyes were glazed with moisture, filled with nothing but Yan Luo.

Yan Luo, however, turned her back. “Sleep.”

Tease you, but won’t let you eat.

Gu Que was dumbfounded. “That’s it? No more?”

“Sleep.” Yan Luo closed her eyes, smug. Run away during medicine time? Just you wait.

Run again, and there’ll be a next time.

Gu Que sulked all night, while Yan Luo woke up refreshed and went to court.

After court, the new emperor couldn’t resist probing again. Yan Luo remained silent.

For half a month, the new emperor grew impatient, but Yan Luo was the sharpest blade—no one else could compare.

Gradually, the new emperor showered the prime minister with favors, sending a steady stream of rewards to the prime minister’s residence.

The empress dowager grew uneasy, but these were the emperor’s gifts—she couldn’t interfere.

As autumn cooled, the empress dowager hosted a chrysanthemum-viewing banquet, inviting unmarried young ladies from various households. Gu Que was naturally on the list, but Yan Luo, unusually, refused on her behalf.

Yan Luo had always been bold. The empress dowager could do nothing about her now. It was just a small banquet—she had to endure it.

The more Yan Luo hid Gu Que, the more curious the empress dowager became. By the Mid-Autumn Festival, she summoned Gu Que to the palace again.

Yan Luo refused once more. The new emperor advised the empress dowager, “Why trouble a young girl?”

Instead of calming her, this infuriated the empress dowager further. “Yan Luo is utterly insolent!”

The new emperor smiled faintly and said no more.

After the festival, Yan Luo went to Tongzhou to inspect the military camp. Gu Que wanted to go, but with two children at home, leaving them unattended wasn’t an option.

Yan Luo would be gone for only five or six days, so Gu Que stayed behind. Yan Luo left Zhi Zhi and asked her eldest uncle to look after Gu Que.

The moment Yan Luo left the city, the empress dowager’s decree arrived.

Gu Que smiled. She’d read about this in books—but in the end, it was the new emperor’s scheme.

The new emperor wanted to drive a wedge between the prime minister and the empress dowager, using the latter to send Gu Que to the deposed emperor. Ultimately, Yan Luo would return in time.

Facing the decree-bearing eunuch, she asked Zhi Zhi, “If I don’t want to enter the palace, what should I do?”

“Hard to refuse. Without the prime minister here, we lack the standing to defy orders.” Zhi Zhi was also troubled. She knew they couldn’t resist the decree. “I’ll disguise myself as your maid. We’ll enter the palace together. The Imperial Guards are the prime minister’s people. If anything happens, we can escape.”

“Good. I’ll go change.” Gu Que felt reassured. The empress dowager wasn’t foolish—if Gu Que reasoned with her, she could leave unharmed.

As for the new emperor—her plans would likely fail.

Gu Que left the residence. The eldest uncle of the Yan family received the news and recalled the prime minister’s instructions. His confidence wavered.

He couldn’t enter the inner palace. But while he couldn’t, the old madam could request an audience with the empress dowager.

The old madam said, “Even if I enter, what can I do? You’d do better to seek the Imperial Guard commander. If trouble arises, the guards can act faster.”

The eldest uncle slapped his forehead. “I’m a fool! I’ll go at once.”

The old madam cautioned, “Don’t act rashly.”

The eldest uncle didn’t dare delay and hurried off with his men.