The Prime Minister's Deceitful Husband - Chapter 1

“Fifth Young Master, a distinguished guest has arrived in the front courtyard. Madam says she would like you to come and meet them. Fifth Young Master, please quickly change into some nice clothes.”

 

The maid’s voice drifted through the wooden door into the room. Luo Shuheng, who had been sitting at the table lost in thought, turned deathly pale, the color draining even from his lips.

 

No, I can’t go.

 

He dug his nails deep into his palms, hatred churning in his eyes.

 

“Fifth Young Master?”

 

Luo Shuheng steadied his mind and suppressed all emotion. He reached out to touch the teapot on the table, it was still scalding hot.

 

He lifted the teapot and poured the boiling tea onto a handkerchief. In his haste, the tea splashed onto his fingers, making him hiss in pain.

 

“Fifth Young Master?”

 

Ignoring the pain, he pressed the hot handkerchief to his face. A searing heat seeped into his skin. A moment later, when he lifted the cloth, his once fair complexion had turned a flushed crimson.

 

He glanced in the mirror, then deliberately messed up his neatly combed hair and flicked a few drops of tea onto his face with his fingertips.

 

“Fifth Young Master? Did you hear me?”

 

After confirming there were no flaws in his act, he shed his outer robe and slipped under the covers, wrapping himself in the quilt until only his head remained visible. Pinching his nose, he said weakly, “Qingmei, tell Second Aunt that I caught a cold last night. I’m afraid I might offend the Distinguished Guest, so I won’t be attending.”

 

“How did you catch a cold?” Qingmei’s voice was laced with anxiety as she pushed open the door and entered.

 

Luo Shuheng coughed a few times. “Cough, cough… I don’t know. The weather probably changed last night and I wasn’t paying attention. I must have caught a chill. I’m feeling a bit unwell today.”

 

Seeing Luo Shuheng’s face flushed red, Qingmei said urgently, “I’ll go report to the Madame right away and call a physician.”

 

Luo Shuheng panicked. “No! I get terrified the moment I see a physician. I’m afraid I’ll only get worse. I’ll just rest in my room with the doors and windows shut tight. I’ll wrap myself in this brocade quilt and sweat it out—I’ll be fine.”

 

Qingmei disagreed. “You need medicine when you’re sick. We can’t just prescribe something without a physician’s visit. We still need to call one. Fifth Young Master, stay wrapped up for now. I’m going to find the Madame.”

 

Listening to her footsteps fade away, Luo Shuheng gritted his teeth and threw off the brocade quilt. A wave of cold air seeped through his thin inner garment, and he shuddered.

 

Less than half a quarter-hour later, the sound of bustling footsteps echoed outside the door again. It seemed there was more than one person.

 

Luo Shuheng pulled the quilt up to cover himself, turned over to face the inside of the room, and rubbed his face hard.

 

With a loud *clatter*, the door was pushed open, and a gentle female voice rang out: “Heng’er, how did you catch a cold? Quickly, let Second Aunt take a look.”

 

The moment he heard that voice, the hatred in Luo Shuheng’s eyes could no longer be concealed. Fortunately, he had been facing away from them the whole time, so no one noticed.

 

He said in a muffled voice, “I’ve worried Second Aunt. It’s nothing major, just that I wasn’t careful and caught a chill last night.”

 

He Lin Yue chided him, “How could you be so careless? Doctor, please examine my Heng’er quickly.”

 

Luo Shuheng’s heart tightened. “Second Aunt, I don’t want to see the doctor. Make him leave.”

 

“Then you don’t have to see him. Just keep your back to him, let him take your pulse, and prescribe some medicine.” He Lin Yue walked to the bedside, grabbed Luo Shuheng’s arm, and dragged him out. Her voice was gentle, yet her grip was firm. “Heng’er, be a good boy.”

 

Luo Shuheng’s body went stiff, his heart pounding like a drum. He waited anxiously for the doctor to take his pulse, silently praying that his ruse of feigning illness wouldn’t be discovered.

 

“The Fifth Young Master has indeed caught a cold. I will write a prescription right away.”

 

Luo Shuheng let out a sharp breath of relief and quickly pulled his arm back under the covers.

 

A flash of disappointment crossed He Lin Yue’s eyes. “Please, Doctor, write the prescription. Qingmei, take good care of the Fifth Young Master.”

 

“Yes, Madam.”

 

Once the others had left, Luo Shuheng dismissed Qingmei as well. “Qingmei, I’m a little thirsty. I’d like some hot water.”

 

“Fifth Young Master, I’ll go get it for you right away.”

 

The room fell silent instantly. Luo Shuheng rolled over on the bed, raised his hand, and stared intently at his fingers.

 

His knuckles were neither thick nor dark, his skin bore no cracks—his fingers were slender and fair, just as they had been when he was still with the Luo Family.

 

His heart was a whirlwind of emotions. He had actually been reborn, returned to the very day he had met that Distinguished Guest in his past life.

 

He had to avoid the tragedy of his previous existence, find a way to gather evidence, and avenge his parents who had died wrongfully.

 

But he was merely a *ge’er* who couldn’t lift a finger or carry a load. All he had ever learned were the arts of song, dance, embroidery, and painting. He barely knew a handful of characters. How could he possibly gather evidence and seek revenge?

 

It was almost laughable. As the legitimate *ge’er* son of a wealthy merchant, he had been taught only skills meant to entertain others. Even embroidery and painting were things he had learned in secret.

 

In contrast, his older cousin, also a Ge’er, was taught the four arts—zither, Go, calligraphy, and painting—and how to manage the family’s accounts. He was never taught a single step of song or dance.

 

Luo Shuheng was nominally the master of the household, but in reality, he was nothing more than a plaything kept ready to be offered up to please others. Even the servants, who showed him outward respect, privately held him in utter contempt.

 

And today, his Second Uncle and Second Aunt were preparing to send him to that Distinguished Guest.

 

The guest was the magistrate’s son. In his past life, Luo Shuheng had been raised with a simple heart and trusted his Second Uncle and Aunt implicitly. When his Second Aunt called for him, he had gone without hesitation.

 

That single decision had plunged him into a life of endless bitterness, and he never knew a good day again.

 

Only later did he discover that his Second Uncle was complicit in his parents’ deaths. The only reason the couple had raised him so well was because of his face.

 

Luo Shuheng gently stroked his own cheek—smooth and flawless, without the hideous, centipede-like scar. His grip gradually tightened, leaving a red mark on his skin.

 

*Sometimes beauty is a double-edged sword.*

 

Luo Shuheng withdrew his hand and closed his eyes, his mind racing for a way to break this deadlock.

 

His Second Uncle and Second Aunt were determined to send him away. Even if he escaped this time, there would be a next time. Could he hide from them once? Twice? Three times?

 

He needed to find a way.

 

Perhaps it was the intense emotional turmoil combined with the freezing cold, but by the time Qingmei returned with the hot water, Luo Shuheng had already fallen asleep. Even in his slumber, his brow remained furrowed, as if weighed down by some heavy burden.

 

Qingmei set the kettle down and turned to look at Luo Shuheng on the bed. The concern in her eyes hardened into coldness as she muttered a low complaint, “Hmph, you wretched thing, ruining the Old Madam’s grand plans.”

 

Luo Shuheng shivered under the covers, which felt as cold as iron, offering no warmth at all.

 

Perhaps the chill from that day had finally taken hold. Luo Shuheng fell ill, and the sickness lasted for three days.

 

During this time, he was rarely conscious, spending most of his days asleep.

 

His Second Uncle visited once, offering a few words of concern before leaving.

 

His Second Aunt also came, this time bringing a physician to prescribe new medicine. She also mentioned the upcoming temple fair.

 

“Heng’er, your grandmother’s condition has worsened. The temple fair is in a few days. You’ve always been close to her, so I want to take you there to pray for her recovery. You must get well soon.”

 

Struggling against his illness, Luo Shuheng pressed, “Second Aunt, what’s wrong with Grandmother?”

 

“She was already frail, and the recent cold snap has weakened her further. Once you’ve recovered, you should go visit her. Seeing you will surely cheer her up and help her recover faster.”

 

Luo Shuheng agreed.

 

He had been keeping this in mind, and as soon as he recovered from his illness, he went to visit his grandmother.

 

His grandmother was old and had always been in poor health. The trauma of a parent burying a child had further weakened her, leaving her bedridden and mostly unconscious. Luo Shuheng could only see her once every ten days or so.

 

When Luo Shuheng arrived, he ran into his cousin, Luo Shuqing, who had just come out of the room. Luo Shuqing, like him, was a *ge’er* and had disliked him since childhood.

 

The moment Luo Shuqing saw him, he sneered, “You haven’t visited in over ten days, yet you manage to show up just when Grandmother is awake to curry favor. You certainly know how to time things, little cousin. No wonder Grandmother favors you.”

 

Luo Shuheng pressed his lips together and walked into the room without a word.

 

Luo Shuqing huffed coldly and left.

 

The room was filled with the bitter smell of medicine. On the bed, an old woman with white hair sat propped up against a soft cushion. The moment she saw Luo Shuheng, a smile spread across her face, and she beckoned him over with a loving gesture. “Come, sit here with Grandmother.”

 

Luo Shuheng sat on the stool by the bed and carefully observed her complexion. Seeing that she looked relatively spirited, he felt a bit relieved. “Grandmother, are you feeling any better?”

 

“Grandmother is much better now,” the old lady said, taking Luo Shuheng’s hand. “You’ve lost weight… I heard from the servants that you were ill recently. Are you fully recovered now?”

 

Luo Shuheng nodded. “Grandmother, I am completely better.”

 

The old lady’s withered fingers gently brushed over Luo Shuheng’s brow, her expression momentarily vacant as if she were seeing someone else through his face. “Heng’er has grown up now.” His features were becoming more and more like her son who had died young.

 

She withdrew her hand. “It’s time we started planning your marriage. I’ll only be at ease once you’re wed.”

 

“Grandmother…” Luo Shuheng lowered his gaze, as if shy.

 

He didn’t want to marry. Once he did, he would have to leave the Luo Family, making it even harder to search for evidence.

 

The old lady patted Luo Shuheng’s hand. “In a few days, I’ll have your Second Aunt find you a suitable husband.”

 

“Grandmother, I still want to stay with you longer.”

 

An unreadable glint flickered deep in the old lady’s eyes. “This marriage must happen, and it must happen soon. Otherwise, I fear I won’t live to see my Heng’er wed. While I’m still alive, I can at least help you vet the candidates.”

 

“Grandmother…” Luo Shuheng sensed there was a deeper meaning behind her words.

 

After chatting for a while, the grandmother grew tired. Luo Shuheng helped her lie down, tucked her in, and then left.

 

Once he was gone, the grandmother sighed.

 

It wasn’t that she was unaware of the second son and his wife’s ulterior motives toward Heng’er. But she was old and gravely ill, truly lacking the energy to look after him. Now, her only hope was to find a way for Heng’er to escape the Luo Family.

 

Three days later, the weather was clear, and the sunlight brought a welcome warmth. He Lin Yue took Luo Shuqing and Luo Shuheng to Rongshan Temple outside of town.

 

Their town was called Chengxi Town. Just outside it lay Rongshan Temple, which held a temple fair every year on the fifteenth day of the second lunar month. Many people would attend, and He Lin Yue always brought them along.

 

Luo Shuheng had always looked forward to the temple fair, as it was one of the few opportunities he had to go out.

 

But this time, he no longer felt the anticipation. He keenly sensed that the purpose of this trip was not so simple.

 

The sounds of gongs, drums, hawkers’ cries, and chatter drifted into the carriage, and the aroma of food wafted past his nose. Luo Shuheng gazed at the mother and son talking intimately opposite him, his heart feeling as heavy as a stone.

 

Luo Shuqing clung to He Lin Yue’s arm and wheedled, “Mother, I want to see the monkey show later, and buy some of those pretty flour figurines.”

 

“You little rascal,” He Lin Yue said, affectionately tapping Luo Shuqing’s nose. “It’s not often we get to go out. I’ll let you have your way today.”

 

“Thank you, Mother! You’re the best!”

 

“Heng’er, you can buy whatever you like later too.” He Lin Yue handed Luo Shuheng a few dozen wen. “Take this for now. If you need more, just ask your Second Aunt.”

 

Luo Shuheng took the money. “Thank you, Second Aunt.”

 

Luo Shuqing shot him a glare, then turned back to shake He Lin Yue’s arm. “Mother, you’re biased! You gave him money but not me!”

 

Helpless against the fuss, He Lin Yue gave him some money as well. “Here, here, here. Is this enough?”

 

Luo Shuqing weighed the silver ingot in his hand and shot Luo Shuheng a triumphant look. “Mother is the best!”

 

Luo Shuheng clenched his coin purse and lowered his head, refusing to look at them.

 

The carriage stopped at the foot of the mountain. The two ge’er put on their veiled hats, stepped off the carriage using the footstool, and followed He Lin Yue up the mountain path.

 

Behind them, Qingmei directed several servants to carry the incense and other offerings.

 

The path to Rongshan Temple was long. Along the way, vendors had spread old cloths on the ground, displaying their wares for sale.

 

Mountain produce, snacks, straw-woven toys, baskets, wooden basins… everything imaginable was for sale.

 

Luo Shuqing chattered excitedly, sharing his observations as he clung to He Lin Yue’s arm. Luo Shuheng followed silently behind them.

 

Halfway up the path, Luo Shuqing grew tired and clamored for a break. He Lin Yue complied, and the group found a spacious spot to rest.

 

Luo Shuheng found a stone to sit on alone, his gaze drifting aimlessly over the passing travelers.

 

“Zeyan, can you really sell this rabbit?”

 

“Of course.”

 

A tall scholar in a thick blue robe passed in front of Luo Shuheng. He was handsome, exuding a gentle, scholarly air. His robe was faded from washing, and he carried a bamboo basket on his back, suggesting he wasn’t wealthy.

 

Luo Shuheng’s heart jolted.

 

It’s him.