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

Ronghua Lane is a residential area with courtyards of varying sizes, but these are all nice courtyards that only wealthy families can afford. There are even rumors that Ronghua Lane is where the men of the capital keep mistresses, and that there are many women there who are not to be offended. Of course, these rumors are spread by the small vendors who deliver vegetables there.

Gu Ziming also arranged for his little cousin to stay here. These days, he would come here whenever he had free time. Every night when he came back, he would see a light on in the main house for him, which made Gu Ziming feel at home. Sometimes when he came back late, Rou Niang would have already gone to sleep. She didn't wait for him or flatter him. She was more like an ordinary family's wife, which made Gu Ziming feel extremely comforted and at ease.

He came here after getting angry at home today, and just then Rou Niang rolled up her sleeves and personally brought out two dishes from the small kitchen.

"Huh? Cousin, didn't you go back to the manor? Why are you here?" Sun Peirou asked in surprise.

Gu Ziming stepped forward and glanced at the dishes in Rou Niang's hands. They were just two simple home-style dishes, but they made Gu Ziming's frustration disappear. "It's nothing. I just wanted to come and see you. Why are you cooking by yourself? I've told you many times to just leave it to the servants. If you need more servants, just ask. I'll have the servants bring in two more tomorrow."

"Cousin, there's no need to spend money. This is more than enough. I'm bored here, so cooking a meal helps pass the time. Since you're here, please come in and sit down."

Sun Peirou led Gu Ziming into the room, served him the food and had the maid pour him wine. She stood up and said, "Cousin, please sit down for a while. I'll go change my clothes and come back later."

Gu Ziming pulled Rou Niang's hand into his arms and asked, "Why are you changing your clothes?"

Seeing this, the servants around quickly and tactfully left to make room for their masters.

“Cousin, Rou Niang just finished cooking and she smells of cooking oil. If she doesn’t change her clothes, she might offend your senses.”

"This is what a home should feel like." Gu Ziming arranged for his little cousin to sit down next to him, and thought with endless emotion, "If only the manor could be as quiet and comfortable as this place. I'm already exhausted from being out here, and when I get back there will be a whole bunch of trivial things waiting for me to deal with. Sigh, I really don't want to go back anymore."

"Cousin, please don't say such things. Madam... Madam is also good. She works very hard managing such a large family business." Sun Peirou said kindly to Wang Ruyan while pouring wine for Gu Ziming.

"Rou Niang, have a drink with me today."

Sun Peirou hesitated for a long time. She frowned and took the wine glass from Gu Ziming's hand, but instead of drinking it, she put it on the table. Under Gu Ziming's somewhat puzzled gaze, Sun Peirou pulled Gu Ziming's big hand and placed it on her lower abdomen, saying, "Cousin, it seems that we are pregnant with our child here."

Gu Ziming was momentarily stunned by the joy. He stared incredulously at Sun Peirou's belly, gently rubbing it with his large hand: "You mean? I'm a father again?"

Rou Niang laughed and said, "Cousin, you have so many children, why are you still acting like you just became a father?"

These words reminded Gu Ziming of how Ning Jingxian told him she was pregnant. It was his first time becoming a father, and he was naturally overjoyed, like a child who didn't know how to express his happiness. Even though Gu Qingwan gave birth to a daughter, Gu Ziming was still incredibly happy and held his own daughter, teaching her to read and write.

But when did he start to drift further and further away from his first wife, until Jingxian moved into Youlan Courtyard with her daughter and stopped coming out? Only then did they become like strangers. Now, when he sees his daughter, it's as if he's seeing a stranger. He has forgotten the heart palpitations he felt when they first met.

Sun Peirou didn't interrupt Gu Ziming's recollection, letting him think blankly for a long time until he came to his senses. He smiled and said to Sun Peirou, "This is a good thing. It's our child. Of course, I'm looking forward to it. From now on, you don't need to go into the kitchen anymore. Just leave everything to the servants."

Sun Peirou nestled into Gu Ziming's arms and said, "I'm really looking forward to it too. I wonder if it's a boy or a girl. The doctor said the pulse indicates it's a boy, so he can study and learn to read with his cousin..."

As she spoke, Sun Peirou's voice trailed off. Gu Ziming noticed something was wrong and quickly pulled her aside. Looking down, he saw his little cousin crying. He hurriedly wiped her tears, asking, "Why are you crying?"

“It’s my fault for being so useless. I’m fine with following my cousin no matter what, but when I think about our child, I don’t know how he will walk in this world with a mother like me.”

Gu Ziming understood Sun Peirou's underlying meaning: she was now just an outsider, not even a concubine or maidservant, and the child she gave birth to would be a despised illegitimate child of the lowest status.

“Cousin, Rou Niang has never asked you for anything. If you pity Rou Niang, take the child back to the manor after she gives birth. I don’t ask the madam to raise the child. I just want the master to find a trustworthy concubine to raise our child. As long as he has a proper identity, Rou Niang will feel it’s worth it.” As she spoke, Sun Pei Rou wiped away her tears again.

This request is indeed not excessive. Rou Niang has never mentioned wanting to come into the manor with him and be given a title or anything like that. This is the first time she has made such a request for the sake of her child. Moreover, this request does not harm Gu Ziming's interests. She is thinking of Gu Ziming and the child in every way. How could Gu Ziming not feel sorry for her?

"Don't overthink it. I'm here for you. How could I let you and the baby be separated? Just focus on your pregnancy and leave everything to me."

"If Madam finds out...should Cousin inform her first?"

Gu Ziming narrowed his eyes, recalling that no children had been born in the manor over the years. The only ones who grew up were Wang Ruyan's two children. Especially after Jingxian's baby boy was lost and Aunt Han also miscarried, he had his suspicions, but he hadn't had the time to investigate. Now that his beloved was finally pregnant with a boy, he should be even more careful.

"Not for now. Everyone in the courtyard must keep quiet. No one is allowed to say a word about your pregnancy. Anyone who dares to spread rumors will be beaten to death," Gu Ziming said fiercely.

“Cousin…” Sun Peirou seemed a little scared and trembled.

"Don't be afraid, I'm protecting you. I'll arrange the doctor. Just stay here and take good care of yourself. Giving me a big, healthy son is the most important thing." Gu Ziming was feeling down when he thought about how useless Gu Changfeng was in the manor. He thought he had really ruined the future of the Gu family. But he didn't expect such a pleasant surprise. While he was still in his prime, it shouldn't be a big deal to raise another descendant.

"I'll leave everything to you, cousin. I'll definitely take good care of myself during this pregnancy. But what if it's a girl?" Sun Peirou asked with some worry. She knew she couldn't let Gu Ziming have such high expectations. If he thought it was a boy from the beginning but it turned out to be a girl, the disappointment would definitely ruin their childhood friendship. It was better to lower his expectations first.

"So what? I love my daughter too. I love any child that is mine. But I still hope you can give birth to a son. You know, I only have one good-for-nothing son, Changfeng." Speaking of Gu Changfeng, Gu Ziming wanted to go back and get a board to beat him. How could he, who was so handsome and ambitious when he was young, have given birth to such a thing?

"Speaking of the eldest young master, Rou Niang happened to see him when she went shopping in town a while ago. If the servants hadn't mentioned him, I wouldn't have known that he was the eldest young master. He probably looks like the madam, right?"

Rou Niang's unintentional remark sparked a flash of inspiration in Gu Ziming's mind. He hadn't really looked at his son properly; did he resemble his mother? It seemed like he didn't look very much like her.

Do you think Changfeng looks different from me when I was young?

"Pfft, cousin, you're really joking. Even though we haven't seen each other for so many years, Rou Niang still remembers what you looked like when you were young. Although we didn't eat very well, and you were a bit thin, you were still a healthy and handsome young man, unlike the eldest young master who was pampered from childhood and is tall and strong." Sun Pei Rou said with a sigh, thinking of the past, "What we ate back then, and what these young masters eat now, it's really incomparable. Even the child in my belly is much better off than I was when I was a child in my hometown."

Gu Ziming remained silent, listening to Rou Niang recount their childhood in their hometown while nestled in his arms. However, what he was thinking remained a mystery to others.