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

"Xue Niang, tell me, what have I done for this? Why does the master treat me like this? I've devoted myself to the Gu family, but have I always let them look down on me like this? Even Jiao'er... Jiao'er is blaming me as her mother. Xue Niang, am I such a failure? Waaah!" Wang Ruyan cried.

"Madam, Madam, please don't give up on yourself like this. We've come this far, you mustn't give up," Xue Niang comforted Wang Ruyan, patting her back.

"Yes, we've come this far with great difficulty, and only you can understand the hardships we've endured."

“Madam, this is just a small mistake. You see, Miss is about to become a prince’s consort, and the young master has also come of age. If you arrange a good marriage for him, won’t the Prime Minister’s mansion be under your control in the future?”

“Yes, you’re right. I’ve finally made it this far. With the two children doing well, no one can touch my position. But lately, Master has been ignoring me, and he’s also showing disdain for Changfeng…” Wang Ruyan seemed to suddenly realize something and tightly gripped Xue Niang’s arm: “Master! Could Master know something?”

Xue Niang's expression changed. She looked around and, seeing no one else, laughed and said, "Madam, you should forget about that matter. Back then, no one else knew about it except you and me."

"Are you sure?"

“This servant is certain. Madam, please cheer up. Master won’t do anything to you right now. Miss’s wedding date has been set, and there are only about four months left. You still have to work hard for Miss.”

Wang Ruyan wiped away her tears, helped Xue Niang stand up, and thought to herself, "Yes, I have to pull myself together. I still have to take care of my two children. My daughter is so successful that even Gu Ziming doesn't dare to touch her. Back then, she could even defeat Ning Jingxian. Why should I be afraid of anyone else today?" Especially her daughter, who is always going against her.

"If it weren't for Gu Qingwan, I wouldn't have made such a fool of myself on both occasions!"

"Madam, in my opinion, it would be best to find a way to bring the young lady back."

"Why bring that jinx back!"

"It's more reassuring to have it under your nose than to have it out of your sight, isn't it? This young lady seems very strange to me, but I can't quite put my finger on what's wrong. You'd better be prepared."

Wang Ruyan listened and felt that Xue Niang's words made sense. If she had gotten Gu Qingwan under her control earlier, this whole dowry issue wouldn't have happened. She needed to think carefully about how to get Gu Qingwan back, and ideally, she could also control her marriage.

"Madam, why don't you go to the old lady? Perhaps she can help..." Xue Niang suggested.

Wang Ruyan's eyes lit up. Yes, she should go find the old lady, that money-grubbing woman. If she found out that Gu Qingwan had taken so many things, the old lady would definitely not sit still and would definitely make Gu Qingwan come back and find a way to get those things out.

"Help me pack up, we'll go find the old lady later." Having made up her mind, Wang Ruyan became energetic again. She, Wang Ruyan, was definitely not able to get to where she is today by just using the tricks of coaxing men.

Inside the study, Gu Ziming suppressed his anger, sat down at his desk to drink tea, and asked, "Tell me about it."

Gu Hanjiao didn't speak, but went forward and filled the inkstone on Gu Ziming's desk with water. Then she took out a small bottle from her purse and poured out white powder. The powder dissolved in the water in no time.

"What is this?" Gu Ziming asked, frowning.

"Father, please calm down."

Sure enough, after a while, crystals began to form on the surface of the water inside the inkstone. The crystals slowly spread out and eventually formed a small piece of ice. Although it did not completely turn into ice and there was still some water inside the inkstone, it was enough to surprise Gu Ziming.

Gu Ziming immediately stood up: "This is!"

"Father, this is what I meant by ice-making. However, the purity of this powder is not high enough, so it cannot achieve the best effect. If we find someone to develop it, I believe that mass production should not be a problem."

"This!" Gu Ziming picked up the small medicine bottle and examined it for a long time. "If this succeeds, it will be the most rare thing ever. Not to mention making a fortune every day, even thousands or tens of thousands of gold coins would be possible." Gu Ziming was so excited that he looked as if he could already see chests and chests of gold being carried into his mansion.

Seeing her father's happy expression, Gu Hanjiao continued, "I found this by chance in an old book, and I didn't expect it to actually be useful. Father, just set up a shop outside, but don't put it in your name to avoid anyone causing you trouble. Also, have someone dig a cellar to store the ice. As the weather gets hotter, many high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital will be using large quantities of ice."

“If we could supply the palace then, the Emperor would definitely look at the Gu family differently!” Gu Ziming said.

"Father, I think it's best not to let the Emperor know. Even if we do let him know, we should put the ice-making business under your and the Third Prince's control. Otherwise, wouldn't we be doing all the work for someone else?"

Upon hearing the name of the Third Prince, Gu Ziming put down the small bottle in his hand, stroked his beard, and said, "Jiao'er, sit down and let's talk."

"Thank you father."

"Although you are about to marry the Third Prince, it's best not to entrust the ice-making to him."

"Why?"

“The Third Prince has the Yu family behind him. You should know that the Yu family is the most famous imperial merchant in Daqing. If the Third Prince finds out about the ice-making technique, he will definitely have the Yu family handle it for him. At that time, there will be no chance for our Gu family. Although you are the Third Prince’s consort, the Yu family will not really side with you. The one who can support you is still your father.”

Gu Hanjiao nodded, feeling that her father's analysis made a lot of sense. The Yu family was not related to her and would definitely not help her gain a foothold in the Third Prince's mansion. In the end, the Yu family would be the real beneficiary, and not a single penny of the money would go into her pocket. On the contrary, in the long run, the Third Prince would only remember the Yu family's contributions and forget that she was the one who really came up with the plan.

"My father's foresight is far beyond what I can achieve."

"My dear, don't be discouraged. You were raised by your father. In terms of knowledge and experience, you are no less than any of the men outside. It's just a pity that you were born a boy. My Gu family would have a bright future. What a pity." Gu Ziming thought of his only son, Gu Changfeng, who was a hopeless case, and felt very melancholy.

"Father..." Gu Hanjiao felt very resentful. What happened to her daughter? Why has everyone been so sexist throughout history? She was clearly very outstanding, but no matter how she performed, she was never seen or recognized. Gu Hanjiao felt very resentful.

"Alright, Jiao'er, I'm already very pleased that you can be such a good father to me. There's still a long road ahead. If you take steady steps, you'll definitely lead the Gu family to even greater heights." Gu Ziming looked at Gu Hanjiao with a meaningful gaze.

Gu Hanjiao nodded: "Your daughter will certainly live up to your father's expectations."

"Write down the formula for this medicine powder, along with the usage and precautions. I will find a trustworthy person to make it. Write it down here." Gu Ziming personally ground the powder, made room for the desk, and sat down in front of the soft couch with his teacup.

Looking at his grown-up daughter, Gu Ziming was reminded of how Gu Hanjiao used to stand on his chair and write big characters when she was little. He never imagined that time would pass so quickly. That little girl who was not even as tall as the table has now grown into a graceful young woman who is about to get married.

"Recently, your father and the Third Prince have a lot of things to do. You should listen to your father and stay at home. If you can't manage, you can look into other things. In short, don't cause any more trouble. Your marriage should be peaceful and stable."

"Father's words are correct, but what about the daughter's dowry?"

"Sigh, it's all the result of your ignorant mother's actions." Gu Ziming slammed down his teacup. "Don't worry about the dowry. Your father will find a way to take care of it for you."

Gu Hanjiao nodded and continued writing, but she seemed to mention it unintentionally: "Sigh, I don't know what's wrong with my sister. If we had talked things out when she was at home, none of this would have happened."

"Gu Qingwan? That wretched child! I think she was born to bring me bad luck!"

"Father, please don't say that. After all, my sister didn't grow up at home; she was raised by the Ning family. It's inevitable that she'll be a little distant from us. If she had stayed at home after returning to the capital, these misunderstandings wouldn't have happened. I'll have to explain to her when the time is right that I didn't mean to take any of her dowry."

"What are you going to explain to her? I think she's been spoiled rotten by the Ning family. She's practically turned against the city gate."

"I suggest we find an opportunity to bring my sister home. Qing'er in the manor is too young. Only my sister and I are about the same age. I also want to talk to her. In time, my sister will understand Father's good intentions and will not be instigated by the Ning family to do things that hurt our loved ones and please our enemies."

These words struck a chord with Gu Ziming. After all, Gu Qingwan was also his daughter, and it must have been the Ning family who had corrupted her.

Seeing that Gu Ziming was hesitant, Gu Hanjiao knew that her goal had been achieved, so she didn't say anything more. After a while, she picked up the paper and blew the ink off it.

“Father, it’s written down. Here you go. If you have any questions, just send someone to find your daughter.”

Gu Ziming looked at the list as if it were a treasure, nodding repeatedly: "Remember not to tell the Third Prince for now. Father will give you half of the profits."

Gu Hanjiao said, "What does my daughter need these for? As long as our Gu family is doing well, that's enough. However, my daughter does have a request."

"Oh? Come and listen."

"My father also said that I should stay at home and learn the rules, and learn how to manage the household affairs from my mother. I want to ask my father for a rouge shop, so that I can practice and if the business is good, I can save some pocket money for myself."

"Hehehe, what's so difficult about that? What have you wanted since you were a child? I've done it all for you. Go back now, and I'll have someone deliver the deed to the shop to you in a couple of days."

"Father is so good to his daughter, I'll go back now!" Gu Hanjiao said happily and left.

When Gu Hanjiao reached a secluded spot by the door, her face darkened. A few days ago, she had asked the Third Prince for a pastry shop, but he hadn't delivered on his promise yet, seemingly angered by her mother's behavior. Besides some farmland and estates, her dowry consisted of small, struggling shops, offering little opportunity for her to showcase her talents. Renovating them would be a significant expense, so she could only take advantage of her father's good mood to ask him for a cosmetics shop. She planned to make some beauty products to fill her purse first.

And Gu Qingwan, all those things you took will be returned one by one sooner or later. No one in the Ning family can do anything to you, but once you return to the Gu family, it won't be up to you anymore!

Regarding their attitude towards Gu Qingwan, the mother and daughter were unusually in sync and agreed on the same point. After Gu Hanjiao finished speaking with Gu Ziming, Wang Ruyan also tidied herself up and went to the old lady's courtyard. Their purpose was very clear: to make Gu Qingwan come back, shut the door, and beat the dog, so that Gu Qingwan would vomit up everything she had swallowed.

But if they knew that this was exactly what Gu Qingwan wanted, they would probably regret their decision today.