The Eldest Daughter Returns: Imperial Uncle, I'm Pregnant!

Gu Qingwan and Ning Chengze stood together and glanced at each other, their smiles almost bursting out. But things still needed to end amicably.

People outside watched as the guards, dressed in the Ning family's insignia, carried things away from the Prime Minister's residence, one load at a time, and began to gossip.

"What's going on here? There are so many things!"

"Didn't you see? These are people from the Duke of Ningguo's mansion."

"Then what are they moving? Isn't today the Second Miss's wedding day? I'm so confused!"

"You don't know, do you? If I remember correctly, this was the late Madam's dowry." An older man said, "When the old Duke married off his daughter, it was a magnificent procession of red bridal procession, comparable to that of princesses and royal consorts. There was even an empress adding to the dowry. I've only ever seen such a scene once in my life."

"Oh, so the wedding favors displayed inside just now were from the late Madam's dowry?"

"This...this is just too low-class!"

"Be careful, don't you know? I heard that the one inside was carried up." The man muttered cautiously.

"Everyone knows that, right? Miss Gu is quite pitiful. If it weren't for the Ning family, she probably wouldn't even have been able to keep her mother's dowry, would she?"

"That's exactly it..."

Seeing Si Qi nodding in agreement, Gu Qingwan made her own decision. She stepped forward and said to Gu Ziming, who was about to leave, "Father! Father, please let me see my sister's gift before you leave."

Gu Ziming was so angry upon hearing this that he almost fainted.

"I've already said it, but you insisted on doing it this way. Don't blame me for not showing any fatherly affection!" Gu Ziming thought Gu Qingwan had regretted it, and since he was indeed angry, and heard from a servant that the discussion outside had already started, Gu Ziming said, "Second Young Master Ning, I won't see you off! Someone, close the gates!"

"Let's go, sister. The Gu family doesn't welcome us." Ning Chenghao left with Gu Qingwan. Gu Qingwan didn't show any grief or despair, as if she wasn't the one being driven away.

The Prime Minister's residence also began to purge its inhabitants; those who were not family members were asked to leave by the servants, and the gates of the residence were closed.

After settling her mother in, Gu Hanjiao rushed to the front yard and saw Gu Qingwan and Ning Chengze leaving. The gate was tightly closed. Gu Hanjiao looked at the mess in the yard. Where was the magnificent splendor from before? Apart from the things sent by the Ministry of Rites, there were only a few lonely boxes left, all of which were pretty but useless...

Inside the hall, King Chu listened to Xiao Yi's report, nodded, put down his teacup, and said to Gu Ziming who had entered, "I know about what happened outside. Since I am needed to testify, I cannot ignore the Ning family's reputation. However, I still have great faith in the Prime Minister's character."

Gu Ziming forced a broad smile: "Of course, of course."

"Alright, now that the Prime Minister's family matters are settled, let's not delay here any longer, Lord Song, please continue."

"Yes, Your Highness." Lord Song came out and picked up the gift list. He was about to continue with the Ministry of Rites' procedures, but then he didn't know where to start. He asked somewhat awkwardly, "Prime Minister, what do you think?"

"Third Prince..." Gu Ziming asked the Third Prince, who was sitting there deep in thought and not speaking.

Xiao Yuheng raised his head, his face still gentle, as if unaffected by today's events, and said, "It's alright, those were just minor incidents. As long as the date is set, that's good. I don't care about anything else."

The King of Chu nodded: "No wonder His Majesty always praises you. Yuheng is steady and loyal in his actions."

"That's right, that's right. The Third Prince has a good reputation among us. Everyone says that the Third Prince will become a wise and virtuous king in the future," Lord Song flattered.

The atmosphere returned to normal. The Ministry of Rites completed the procedures and set the wedding date for the second day of the tenth lunar month, saying that this day was the best day according to the compatibility of the horoscopes, with clear autumn skies and cool, refreshing weather, making it a perfect day for the wedding.

With the date set, no one lingered at the Prime Minister's residence. They all departed, seeing off the Prince of Chu and Minister Song of the Ministry of Rites. Gu Ziming then led the Third Prince to the study.

"Third Prince, today's matter was due to my inadequacy, but fortunately there were no major mistakes."

"It's alright, Prime Minister Gu. This prince won't care about such a small matter, as long as Jiao'er doesn't feel wronged." Although the Third Prince was furious, he knew that Prime Minister Gu was very useful. Gaining Prime Minister Gu's support was equivalent to gaining the support of most of the civil officials.

"Your Highness can rest assured. Now that the marriage is settled, I will do my utmost for you. I only hope that you can remain calm and composed so that you can achieve great things." Gu Ziming felt that the Third Prince had a promising future. Now that the two families had become related by marriage, even if he did not take sides, outsiders would think that they were one family.

"Oh? What brilliant idea does Prime Minister Gu have?"

Gu Ziming stroked his beard with an air of mystery, smiled, and took a memorial from the desk in his study, handing it to the Third Prince.

Xiao Yuheng opened the memorial and saw that it was from the local official in Linshan. It said that the rainy season was approaching and the dam that was built last year was about to be completed, but it was still short of funds. He hoped that the court could allocate funds as soon as possible so as not to delay the rainy season.

"What does it mean?"

"Does the Third Prince not know? Last year, His Majesty ordered the Ministry of Works to improve the dam projects in various places. The rainy season is coming soon. After His Majesty reads this memorial, he will definitely send people down to inspect and check it."

"Does Prime Minister Gu intend for me, the prince, to volunteer?"

Gu Ziming nodded: "That is indeed what I meant. Firstly, the Third Prince went there on behalf of the Emperor, and whether the people under his command can be brought under his command depends on his abilities. Secondly, the Third Prince's reputation in the capital has not been good recently, which is largely due to my daughter. I want the Third Prince to go out and avoid the limelight. When he returns, the Emperor will see that you handled things well and will naturally not hold the previous matter against you."

Xiao Yuheng thought it was indeed a good idea. Rather than being pointed at and gossiped about in the capital, it would be better to go out and achieve some political success.

"Thank you for your advice, Prime Minister." Xiao Yuheng quickly stood up and bowed to express his gratitude.

"Absolutely not, it's just a small favor." Prime Minister Gu stroked his beard and handed the Third Prince a list: "These are my students, which may save Your Highness some trouble."

As Xiao Yuheng left the Prime Minister's residence and got into his carriage, his face immediately darkened. Did Gu Ziming really think that this little thing would make him forgive the Gu family for making him a laughingstock? Hmph, if it weren't for that old scoundrel's usefulness…

After seeing the Third Prince off, Gu Ziming's expression also darkened. It seemed that the Third Prince was quite satisfied with Gu Ziming's decision to side with him; otherwise, the Third Prince would certainly not have let the matter rest.

Remembering that his passive position was caused by Wang Ruyan and Gu Hanjiao, a glint of anger rose in Gu Ziming's eyes, and he turned and headed towards the main courtyard.

In the main courtyard, Wang Ruyan regained consciousness and was discussing with Gu Hanjiao how to escape this calamity when suddenly the door was kicked open from the outside by Gu Ziming.

Gu Hanjiao was so frightened that she stood in the corner and dared not say a word.

"Ignorant woman! I told you long ago not to covet Ning Jingxian's dowry, what promise did you make to me!"

"Master!" Wang Ruyan knelt on the ground, her face full of sorrow. "Master, I didn't want to either, but... but you know I don't have any wealth. I just want my daughter to have a grand wedding. And I didn't intend to use my sister's things. They were just for show. I will return them later."

Gu Ziming slapped him across the face: "Who do you think you are? I wouldn't even dare to covet her dowry, but you dare to! Now, is this the scene you wanted?"

Blood trickled from Wang Ruyan's mouth as she was slapped, and her hairpins fell off. "Master, master, I know I was wrong, I know I was wrong..."

"Listen to me, you'd better find a way to make up the rest. If you can't, you'll have to pay the difference with silver. Deliver it to the Duke of Ningguo's mansion in person by the end of the month!"

Upon hearing that she was to bear the entire burden alone, Wang Ruyan immediately forgot her fear: "Master! You can't do this! It's true that I used those things, but most of them went to the household. You must know how much the household's daily expenses are!"

"Father, Father, even if you don't consider Mother's achievements, you should at least consider her hard work, right?" Gu Hanjiao pleaded.

"You still have the nerve to plead for me? It's all because of you! Look at the mess you've made lately! You've completely disgraced your father!" Gu Ziming said, raising his hand.

"Heh, Father, are you going to beat the future princess consort?" Gu Hanjiao stood up with a cold laugh.

Gu Ziming never expected his sweet and gentle daughter to speak to him like that.

"What? You're not even married yet, and I, your father, have to kowtow and pay my respects to you, the future Third Prince's consort?!"

Gu Hanjiao calmed down. She still needed the Gu family to support her and couldn't afford to turn against her father.

Gu Hanjiao understood and knelt down, saying, "Father, it's all my fault. Please punish me!"

"Humph!"

At this moment, the servant who was with Gu Ziming came to tell him that the young master was kneeling outside begging for mercy.

Gu Ziming sneered: "Incompetent thing, where were you earlier? You were scared back home by Ning Er's two words. How did I give birth to such a thing! Tell him to get out! Get as far away from me as possible!"

"Father, please don't be angry. It was Jiao'er who caused this trouble. Jiao'er will handle it herself."

"You'll solve it? How will you solve it? How much money do you have to fill the hole?"

Gu Hanjiao stood up and whispered a few words in Gu Ziming's ear. Gu Ziming immediately stopped being angry and asked in surprise, "Are you serious?"

“Father, let’s go to the study and I will tell you the whole story,” Gu Hanjiao suggested.

Gu Ziming glanced at Wang Ruyan, who was slumped on the ground, and felt a surge of disgust. However, he had to consider his daughter's status as the Third Prince's consort, so he said nothing and turned to head towards the study.

Seeing that Gu Ziming had left and her daughter had also left, Wang Ruyan finally couldn't hold back and cried on Xue Niang's body.