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

"Why is Auntie here?" Gu Qingwan quickly went forward to greet her.

"I heard you were going to the Gu family tomorrow, so I came to see you right away. What? Have you decided to go back?" Madam Ning was practically begging for permission after hearing the news, but when she heard that it was Gu Qingwan's own wish, she couldn't refuse the girl. So the Duke simply sent her to ask what was going on.

"Yes, that's true. The Gu family sent word today that my grandmother has fallen ill and they want me to go back to take care of her. I can't refuse now," Gu Qingwan explained.

"I don't think it's about taking care of the sick at all. It's about getting your mother's dowry back so they can get rid of their eye problems, isn't it?" Madam Ning was very angry. Calling Qingwan back at this critical moment, who knows what kind of torment she would suffer. Thinking of this, Madam Ning was even more unwilling for Qingwan to go back.

"No, we're not going. I can just have someone send some tonics over."

Looking at her somewhat childish aunt, Gu Qingwan found it amusing: "Aunt, you can't be so stubborn. It's not like you're staying here permanently. Going back to check on her won't cause any major problems."

"But you can't come back if your grandmother's illness doesn't get better. What if she keeps faking her illness?"

"Don't worry, illnesses always get better. Even if they don't, Qingwan will send a message to her aunt to find a royal physician to take a look, and she'll definitely be fine." Gu Qingwan stood behind Madam Ning, massaging her shoulders to relax her.

"You're a good child. I don't know how the Gu family could be so blind as to treat that fish eyeball like a luminous pearl, while you've been tarnished." Madam Ning was indignant. Where had the Gu family's hearts gone? They couldn't even see such a good child.

“Aunt.” Gu Qingwan sat down next to Madam Ning and took her hand, saying, “Aunt, even if they don’t call me back, I will find a way to go back.”

"how?"

Gu Qingwan frowned, hesitated for a moment, but still decided to be honest: "I always felt that my mother's death was suspicious. When my mother was pregnant with my younger brother, her mental state was always very good. How could she and her unborn child have died in the end? I don't believe in the story of a difficult childbirth."

"What! You mean Jingxian, she..." Madam Ning looked at Gu Qingwan in surprise. When Gu Qingwan nodded in confirmation, Madam Ning slumped into the stool and muttered to herself, "Yes, now that you mention it, I also feel something is wrong. I remember I went to see your mother before she gave birth. At that time, your mother was in very good health. I never thought that would be the last time we sisters-in-law saw each other."

“Aunt, please don’t be sad. So Qingwan is going back to take a look. If we find any evidence, we can seek justice for our mother.”

Upon hearing this, Madam Ning tightly grasped Gu Qingwan's hand and said, "Then it's even more dangerous. Does your maternal grandmother know?"

Gu Qingwan shook her head and said, "I only told my aunt about this. Of course, this is just my suspicion. Maybe I'm overthinking it. I'll tell my grandmother after I find out the truth. But my grandmother is old, and I don't want her to suffer any more shocks."

Madam Ning nodded and sighed, "Since you have a purpose, your aunt won't stop you. However, you must take the four maids, as well as Ning Yi and Ning Er, with you. Your aunt knows you can protect yourself, so having these people with you will put our minds at ease. If anything happens, just have them come out to deliver messages. Now that your uncles and brothers are all at home, you can go with peace of mind and confidence!"

Gu Qingwan smiled and said, "I know, Aunt, but there's one more thing I need to trouble you with."

"What is it?"

“If I go there, I can’t rule out that Wang Ruyan and my grandmother are after my mother’s dowry. Moreover, Gu Hanjiao is getting married again, so they are even more anxious. The dowry that can be taken back is in the mansion, and there are still some that haven’t been taken back. My aunt is thinking that when the time comes, she will go and ask for them back.”

"Hey, I thought it was something serious. Don't worry, I won't leave them a single penny. I've been helping you organize your dowry these past few days. You have no idea how lecherous those leeches are; they've swindled a lot of good stuff!"

"Besides silver and utensils, I've also taken back most of the land and shops. Some of them have been replaced by Wang Ruyan's own people. If they're too difficult to handle, I'll just send them all away. It's not easy for me to do things in the mansion, so I have to rely on my aunt. I'll keep Shishu here. She knows a lot about these things. If she needs any land deeds, house deeds, or indentures, just tell her."

"You want to leave Shishu behind? You should keep her with you. These are the people you're used to using."

"Don't worry, Aunt. The other three are more than enough. I'll leave Shishu and Ningyi outside, firstly to relay messages for us, and secondly to be prepared in case of any unforeseen circumstances."

Madam Ning nodded, thinking that made a lot of sense. If someone couldn't get out, someone would have to be outside to meet them, right?

After everything was arranged, Siqi brought the letter that Xiaoyi had delivered. Gu Qingwan asked Siqi to give the handful of gold melon seeds to Xiaoyi and also asked Xiaoyi to take a purse to her.

After dismissing the servants, Gu Qingwan opened the letter alone under the lamp. It was written by the King of Chu: "Recently, I have been patrolling the garrison camp. Do not worry."

Gu Qingwan laughed and scolded, "Who would miss you?"

Gu Qingwan carefully marked the letter and held it to her chest, then blew out the lamp and went to sleep with a smile on her face.

The next morning, Gu Qingwan calmly tidied herself up and then sat down to eat breakfast.

“Miss, what should we take with us so that I can pack and not be late?” Baoqin asked.

Gu Qingwan put down her spoon and said, "Since we're going to be late, let's not bring anything. The Prime Minister's residence is so big, how could it be short of us?"

Baoqin suddenly understood Gu Qingwan's meaning and nodded with a smile. However, it would be impractical to bring nothing at all, so she brought some things that the young lady was used to. It was just a small bundle, the kind that would easily be overlooked if placed in the carriage.

After Gu Qingwan finished her breakfast, she instructed Shishu to stay and earn money for her. Shishu had no complaints, because she was not as meticulous as Baoqin in taking care of her mistress, nor as skillful as Ruhua in preparing food. She was perfectly capable of protecting her mistress Siqi, and all she could do was manage the shops for her mistress.

"Don't worry, Miss. The renovation of the rouge shop on the street corner is almost finished. I will take care of the rest when you come back."

"I trust you to handle things, but I'll also need you to take care of your young lady's dowry."

"Then, Madam..."

"I have already informed Madam. You just need to cooperate. Aunt is trustworthy."

Shi Shu nodded. With Gu Qingwan's clear stance, Shi Shu knew what to do next.

The carriage wheels spun very fast, yet remained very stable, drawing astonishment from those on the street who watched the speeding carriage.

When the carriage arrived at the Prime Minister's residence, the gates were tightly closed, as if there was no intention to welcome Gu Qingwan home.

"Miss, should I go and knock on the door?" Siqi asked, puzzled. Wasn't she told to come home? Why hadn't the door been opened?

"Siqi, please get in. There's no need to knock on the door; we'll just wait here," Gu Qingwan said from inside the carriage.

Siqi obediently sat on the carriage shaft, and the carriage quietly stopped at the gate of the Prime Minister's residence.

People were coming and going on the street in front of the Prime Minister's mansion. Gradually, some people began to notice what was going on here. Some curious people even stopped and lingered, wanting to know some interesting things happening inside this grand mansion.

After a long while, the side door of the Prime Minister's residence opened a crack, and a head peeked out. It looked like an ordinary servant. Seeing that more and more people were coming from the door, the servant quickly ran out and stood in front of Gu Qingwan's carriage, replying obsequiously.

"Is Miss Gu inside?"

"You know it's the young lady, why don't you open the door right now!" Siqi said.

"Yes, yes, yes, I'll open the door right away. Miss, please get out of the carriage and come in with me." The servant hurriedly turned around and ran towards the side door, but when he turned back, he found that the young lady and the others had not followed and had not made any move.

"Young Miss..." the servant said awkwardly, "Young Miss, please go in quickly, the Old Madam is waiting for you."

"I won't make things difficult for you. Go back and tell the one inside the door that I am the legitimate daughter of the first wife. There's no reason for me to come home through the side door. The side door is for concubines. Qingwan is not worthy of it," Gu Qingwan replied coldly from inside the carriage.

The servant realized that the young lady was not easily fooled and was not the unruly girl from the borderlands that the servants had described. As a servant, he did not dare to go against the young lady, so he quickly ran inside to report the news.

Gu Hanjiao, who was standing behind the door, heard the servant's reply and sneered: "I didn't expect that Gu Qingwan would know these etiquettes. Only concubines are allowed to use the side door? Hmph, soon I won't even give you the chance to leave through the side door."

Gu Hanjiao straightened her clothes, adjusted the hairpins in her hair, and ordered the gatekeeper to open the door. The moment the door opened, Gu Hanjiao came out with Chunlu and Qiushuang on her face, looking anxious.

"Sister is back. I'm late, please forgive me."

"Miss! Second Miss, please slow down. Eldest Miss won't blame you for being late," Chunlu urged loudly from the side.

When the people outside heard that Miss Gu had come out, they were amazed to see the most talented woman in the capital. And indeed, she lived up to her reputation. Miss Gu was as beautiful as a fairy, dressed in flowing white robes, as beautiful as a celestial being. Most importantly, the smile on her face was kind and lovely, as refreshing as a spring breeze.

Judging from the tone of Miss Gu Er, the one in the carriage outside must be Miss Gu Da. In comparison, Miss Gu Da really is as rumored to be, not very well-mannered and arrogant. Some people in the crowd started to say that Miss Gu Da was not getting off the carriage for a long time because she was ashamed to be seen because she was ugly.

Sitting in the carriage, Gu Qingwan naturally heard the discussions outside. She raised the corners of her mouth, thinking to herself: What? Are they so impatient?