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

As the saying goes, "Jiang Taigong fishes, and those who are willing will take the bait," so there will always be someone willing to wait for you. Before Qingwan and Siqi had walked far, they encountered Aunt Li from the mansion under the covered walkway.

"Greetings to the young lady." Aunt Li greeted Gu Qingwan with a hint of nervousness, followed by a timid little girl.

Gu Qingwan looked at her timid little daughter with a smile that also seemed to be scrutinizing her. Aunt Li nervously tucked the little girl behind her, but then, remembering her purpose, pulled the child out again.

"Qing'er, hurry up and pay your respects to your elder sister."

The child named Qing'er cautiously lowered her head and stepped forward, whispering, "Hello, elder sister."

Gu Qingwan nodded, raised her hand and touched the child's hair. This was Gu Hanqing, the daughter of Concubine Li, the only illegitimate daughter in the mansion. Concubine Li was quite resourceful to have given birth to the child and raised her to adulthood under Wang Ruyan's nose.

"Qing'er, you're too kind. It's such a coincidence that I met you here," Gu Qingwan said.

“Young Miss…yes, what a coincidence. I also heard that you were returning to the manor today. I didn’t know I would run into you here.”

"Perhaps we are destined to be together."

Upon hearing this, Aunt Li's eyes lit up: "Where is the eldest young lady going?"

"My second sister is still in the courtyard. It's been a while. I don't know where to go, so I'm just wandering around."

When Aunt Li heard that the eldest young lady had made the second young lady give up her courtyard on her first day back at the mansion, she thought that the eldest young lady's methods were truly remarkable. Aunt Li no longer hesitated. She looked at Gu Hanqing beside her and decided to take a gamble. The older the child got, the less she could wait.

“Then…then why don’t you come over to my place for a cup of tea and wait a while, Miss?” Aunt Li suggested.

Gu Qingwan nodded in understanding: "Then I'll have to trouble you, Auntie."

Siqi thought to herself, just as Miss Gu Qingwan had said. There really was someone waiting. Miss Gu Qingwan was truly a genius.

When we arrived at Aunt Li's courtyard, there were several peach trees in the yard. The yard wasn't big, but it had a unique charm.

"Please sit down, Miss. My courtyard is small and rather simple. Please don't mind." Aunt Li warmly welcomed Gu Qingwan.

"Thank you, Auntie." Gu Qingwan looked around and said, "The last time I came to your place was many years ago. Back then, there was another Aunt Han in the backyard. Where is she now?"

Upon hearing this, Aunt Li paused in her tea-pouring, saying, "Miss, you may not know this, but Sister Han passed away a few years ago due to a difficult childbirth. However, there are still some new ladies in the manor, all given to us by the Old Madam, so it's still quite lively."

"That's a real shame," Gu Qingwan said regretfully.

Back when her mother was alive, there were two concubines in the mansion: Concubine Li and Concubine Han. One was a concubine her mother had chosen for her father, and the other was a concubine the old lady had given to her son. Later, another concubine arrived, Wang Ruyan, whom her father had brought home from outside.

Relying on the old lady's influence, Aunt Han was arrogant and often bullied Wang Ruyan, who was brought back by Gu Ziming. After becoming pregnant, she wanted to roam around the mansion with her head held high, but for some reason, she miscarried.

Aunt Li came from a respectable family, but her family had fallen on hard times. Her brother and sister-in-law had no choice but to send her to the Gu family as a concubine. She was well-educated, gentle, and never offended anyone or competed for favor.

After Gu Qingwan's mother passed away, Wang Ruyan was officially recognized as the wife, and Aunt Han no longer dared to bully Wang Ruyan. However, she became pregnant again not long after, and the doctor said it was a boy. Wang Ruyan took good care of him, providing him with good food and drink every day. Gu Ziming said that Wang Ruyan was a person who repaid evil with kindness.

But in the end, she suffered a difficult childbirth and both she and her unborn child died; it was said that the baby was a full-term boy.

In the same year, Aunt Li suffered from severe morning sickness and became thin. The doctor said that it was likely to be a girl. No one in the mansion paid attention to her, and she successfully gave birth to Gu Hanqing.

Gu Qingwan tapped her finger on the table. Was it really such a coincidence? Did no one really notice? Perhaps only Aunt Li knew the secret behind this.

Aunt Li chatted casually about the affairs of the mansion over the years, partly to curry favor with Gu Qingwan and let her know about the affairs of the Prime Minister's mansion, and partly to see how capable Gu Qingwan really was and whether it was worth the risk.

"Young Miss, are you leaving again this time?"

"What you're saying, Aunt? I'm a young lady, and no matter how long I stay, I'll get married and leave. Only you won't leave, and Qing'er will also have to get married when she grows up, won't she? I just don't know what kind of good family Madam can find for Qing'er?"

Yes, that's right. The young lady will eventually leave, but she has to stay in this mansion forever. And what about Qing'er? What will she do when she reaches a certain age? Is there really no way out?

Seeing Aunt Li's concerns, Gu Qingwan beckoned to Gu Hanqing, who was secretly watching her, and the child slowly approached Gu Qingwan.

Gu Qingwan said, "I understand your concerns, Aunt. To be honest, I can help you with your request, but I don't know if you can grant my request."

"Young Miss!" Aunt Li looked at Gu Qingwan in surprise. "This concubine... what demands could this concubine, who has lived in the inner courtyard for so long, possibly have? There's nothing I can do to help Young Miss."

"Don't rush, Auntie. Think it over carefully. If you have no reason, why did you wait for me in that place today? Think about it, and you'll find one. Compared to Wang Ruyan, I seem to be a better support for you."

Aunt Li gritted her teeth and pulled Gu Hanqing to kneel on the ground.

“Miss, I came to your manor because of the late Madam’s kindness. You know that I have a clean background and some integrity. I am only doing this to appease Qing’er. If you can grant us both our wish, I am willing to do anything.”

Gu Qingwan gave a wink, and Siqi understood and closed the door.

Gu Qingwan stepped forward to help Aunt Li and Qing'er up, and whispered something in Aunt Li's ear that only the two of them could hear: "Qing'er is a boy, isn't he?"

This wasn't a question, but a statement! Aunt Li's body went limp instantly; if Siqi hadn't supported her, she probably would have collapsed to the ground.

Aunt Li stared at Gu Qingwan as if she had seen a ghost. How could she know? No one but herself and her personal maid should know about this. How did she find out?

Aunt Li recalled that when she and Aunt Han were pregnant at the same time, she didn't dare to make a fuss at first, unlike Aunt Han who was so unrestrained and wandered around with her maid even before her belly was big.

Moreover, relying on the old lady's favor, Aunt Han looked down on Wang Ruyan, who had become the principal wife. But Aunt Li was different. She had no status or position, and after the late madam passed away, she could only rely on the master's favor to survive.

But the truth couldn't be hidden any longer. Aunt Li's belly grew bigger. At that time, Wang Ruyan invited a doctor who was known as a gynecological expert to examine the two of them. The doctor said that Aunt Han was carrying a boy. However, because she was constantly vomiting and dizzy, the doctor said that she was most likely carrying a girl, and that her pregnancy was weak and she might not be able to keep the baby.

Therefore, the entire Gu family focused their attention on Aunt Han, forgetting about Aunt Li. Now that they think back, Aunt Li's body was getting weaker day by day, and everyone thought that Aunt Li would not be able to give birth.

Aunt Han's pregnancy was highly valued. The Gu family had only had one boy in many years, and their offspring were not numerous, so the old lady and the master paid extra attention to it.

She greeted him three times a day, and the master would visit her every day. Wang Ruyan also sent him all sorts of good tonics like water flowing free of charge. At that time, everyone said that Wang Ruyan was generous. No matter what request Aunt Han made, Wang Ruyan would agree with a smile. Even the master felt guilty towards Wang Ruyan.

As for Aunt Li, she only had better food, nothing else. However, Aunt Li was very careful and cautious. She would rinse every dish with clean water and then have her personal maid, Xiao Kui, cook it in a small pot before daring to use it.

During that time, Aunt Li would have the kitchen prepare spicy dishes and send them over every day. Even a bowl of noodles would have lots of chili peppers. Meanwhile, Aunt Han wanted to eat sour food all the time and would have someone go out to buy pickled plums to satisfy her craving. Actually, Aunt Li also liked sour food. Every day when the kitchen sent over spicy food, she would secretly remove the chili peppers and have Xiao Kui put in the vinegar she had hidden.

She carefully endured until the delivery. Aunt Han went into labor first, and everyone in the mansion went to help, but the old lady said that pregnant women shouldn't go out as it was bad luck for the woman in labor, so she obediently stayed in the courtyard and didn't go out.

However, somehow Wang Ruyan found out that she had sent Xiao Kui to buy vinegar, which aroused Wang Ruyan's suspicion. That day, Xue Niang, who was by the lady's side, came to deliver something, saying that the lady was too busy to leave, so she asked her to come and take a look. After Xue Niang left, for some reason, Aunt Li, who was not supposed to give birth, slipped and went into labor early.

Xiao Kui hurriedly tried to find the midwife through the back door, but the back door was tightly shut. The madam said that if Han Yiniang was giving birth, there might be thieves sneaking into the mansion and wouldn't let her open the door. Xiao Kui stuffed a lot of silver into her pocket before she could leave.

Aunt Li had made preparations long ago and had already informed her brother and sister-in-law. On that day, her sister-in-law came in through the back door with a basket on her back and helped her deliver the baby.

Upon hearing the news, Wang Ruyan rushed over to visit her. Xiao Kui carried out a baby, and Wang Ruyan personally went forward to uncover the swaddling clothes. Seeing a baby girl who looked somewhat unwell, she felt relieved, gave her a few instructions, and then left.

When Aunt Li left, her sister-in-law from her maternal family still carried a basket and left through the back door. No one knew what was in that basket.

But things were different for Aunt Han. She struggled until dawn, but the baby still hadn't been born. It was said that the baby was too big for a difficult labor and she suffered a postpartum hemorrhage, resulting in the death of both mother and child.

Some say that Li Yiniang's child caused the death of Han Yiniang's child, and from then on, the master didn't treat the mother and daughter well. The people in the mansion were opportunists, and seeing that the masters didn't like them, they cut back on their food and drink in their courtyard.

Aunt Li was a woman of principle; the master only named the child after the baby had been a month old.

On the day the child turned one month old, Aunt Li took the child to ask the master to name him. Gu Ziming glanced at the lush green grass casually and said, "Let's call him Gu Hanqing."

Aunt Li wasn't upset; she thought, "So be it, it's just grass, it's got a strong will to live." Later, after Aunt Li recovered, she began to change herself, thinking about how to please Gu Ziming.

It was through Li Yiniang's knowledge and manners that Gu Ziming began to notice them, and life in her courtyard started to improve.

"Miss, you have no idea how hard I've suffered all these years!" Aunt Li cried, her eyes red and swollen, eager to tell Gu Qingwan all the grievances she had endured over the years.

Gu Qingwan could understand. A woman who used to like simple and elegant things was now dressing up in a more glamorous way, which showed how much a mother would do for her child.

“Qing’er is growing up, and I can’t keep it a secret forever. Besides, Qing’er needs to go to school and study. I can’t let her be locked up in the backyard and have her life ruined.” As she spoke, Aunt Li pulled Gu Hanqing’s hand and knelt down in front of Gu Qingwan.

"Young Miss, I beg you, please help Qing'er! I'll do anything for you!"

Gu Qingwan stepped forward to help the mother and son up, and said slowly, "Auntie, don't get so agitated. Be careful, the walls may be overheard."

Upon hearing this, Aunt Li immediately covered her mouth with a handkerchief, and only sobs could be heard.

Gu Hanqing's eyes were full of stubbornness. Although they were brimming with tears, he held them back from crying. He had grown up and was more mature than most children. He naturally understood what his mother was saying.

Gu Qingwan said gently, "Auntie, I will help you. After all, you know that after my mother passed away, there is no one in this mansion I can rely on. Sooner or later, Qingwan will also get married. If Qing'er becomes successful, I, as her older sister, can also benefit from it. It's much better than Changfeng, isn't it?"

“Young Miss…” Aunt Li instantly understood that the young lady was also pitiful. The madam passed away early and did not leave behind any brothers to support the young lady. The master did not care about the young lady, so assisting Qing’er would also be beneficial to the young lady.

"This matter requires careful consideration and cannot be rushed. Fortunately, I will be staying for a while after I return, so please do not worry too much, Aunt. Just like before, we should not give ourselves away."

"I'm fine, it's just that I'm worried about Qing'er's studies... Other children have already gone to school to get their first education, it's me who's held Qing'er back."

“Auntie…” Qing’er placed her little hand on Auntie Li’s arm, trying to comfort her.

"Qingwan understands your concerns, Aunt. Don't worry, it won't be long before Qing'er is able to go to school and make friends as if he were the young master of the Prime Minister's mansion."

Aunt Li was overjoyed and knelt down to kowtow to Gu Qingwan. Gu Hanqing's small eyes also sparkled with anticipation and joy. Looking at his elder sister in front of him, he didn't know why he trusted her so much.

"However, Qingwan also has something she would like to ask her aunt for help with."

Aunt Li wiped away her tears and said, "Miss, whatever your command, I will go through fire and water without hesitation."

"It's not that serious. I'll tell you later. I have to go now, otherwise you might get into trouble. Siqi, leave a bag of silver for your aunt."

Siqi took out a heavy purse and gave it to Aunt Li.

"This...I cannot accept it."

"Please take this, Aunt. Buy some good food for Qingdi to help him grow taller; he's too thin. Also, someone will come to investigate later. Just say you only wanted some money from me. I think you know what to do, Aunt. She knows you're after money and won't make things difficult for you."

Aunt Li nodded gratefully.