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

"It would be best if you could get along well," the old lady said happily. "The most precious thing in a family is harmony. When you sisters are all in harmony, the master can work for the Emperor with peace of mind."

"Don't worry, Aunt, Rou Niang will definitely help my sister take good care of Master and you." Rou Niang's obedience is just like the little girl in the old lady's memory. She also felt that it was a match made in heaven. Finally, there was someone in the mansion who was close to her.

Gu Hanjiao held her mother's hand and slowly said, "Congratulations, Grandmother, congratulations, Father! Our family has gained another member. The family will be even more lively in the future."

These words struck a chord with Gu Ziming, who nodded in satisfaction. His biggest worry these past two years had been his inability to have another child. Seeing that Gu Changfeng was no longer a capable successor, he felt he would be ashamed before his ancestors even in the afterlife if he couldn't raise a suitable successor.

"However, I still want to remind you, Aunt, that we are, after all, an official family, and Father is the Prime Minister. You must not use the term 'Aunt' in the future. It's best to distinguish between 'aunt' and 'cousin'. Otherwise, it will be difficult to distinguish between relatives and concubines..." Gu Hanjiao saw that the old lady's expression was not good and quickly changed the subject, "Hehe, it's fine for us family members. It's just that I'm afraid that if you get used to calling her that, when guests come to our mansion, not to mention those from far away, even the palace maids will be coming. The Third Prince will also come to pay his respects to Grandmother from time to time after he finishes his work. That way, we won't be laughed at by others."

Gu Ziming thought about it for a moment and realized that Jiao'er was right. Since his daughter became the Third Prince's wife, there were many people outside who fawned over him, and many ladies wrote visiting cards to Wang Shi. It would indeed be bad if he encountered such a large number of people coming and going.

Rou Niang was a very perceptive woman, and she quickly curtsied and thanked her, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, Second Miss. I was ignorant and didn't know proper etiquette. I will pay attention to it in the future."

The old lady was also very pleased with Rou Niang's obedient and sensible nature: "That's good, that's good. Daughter-in-law, do you think it would be more suitable to arrange a place for Aunt Rou?"

The old lady didn't want to offend Wang Ruyan too much, since Wang Ruyan was now in charge of the household affairs, and her son still had feelings for her. Going too far might arouse her son's old feelings for her, which would be bad.

“Mother, Aunt Rou’s arrival was sudden, and I didn’t prepare a courtyard. How about letting Aunt Rou squeeze in with Aunt Li tonight?” Wang Ruyan meant that Aunt Rou and Aunt Li should stay together. They were so busy these days that they didn’t need to pay any attention to her, and the old lady and master probably wouldn’t say anything.

“That won’t do. Why don’t you stay in my courtyard?” the old lady suggested.

This was exactly what Wang Ruyan wanted to hear. If they were living in the old lady's courtyard, how could the master, no matter how thick-skinned, possibly come to his mother's courtyard to be affectionate with his concubine? For a scholar like Gu Ziming, face was the most important thing.

As expected, Gu Ziming was somewhat unwilling.

"I'm fine with living anywhere, even if I have to squeeze in with Sister Li," said Aunt Rou.

“What’s so difficult about that?” Gu Qingwan suddenly spoke up, drawing everyone’s attention to her.

Seeing Gu Qingwan's expression, Gu Hanjiao seemed to realize something was wrong and wanted to stop her, but it was too late. She heard Gu Qingwan say, "The courtyard that Madam prepared for Qingwan last time is still there and in good condition. Aunt Rou can move in directly."

Gu Ziming frowned and said, "Isn't Jiao'er living here?"

"My sister is getting married soon and she's reluctant to leave her wife. I heard she's living with her in the main courtyard," Gu Qingwan explained.

Gu Hanjiao was a step too late. She had only just thought of that courtyard herself, but she hadn't chosen it because she disliked it. Now, it had benefited Aunt Rou. What should she do next? Gu Hanjiao had originally planned to ask her father and grandmother to let Gu Qingwan give up Youlan Courtyard to her when the palace maids came. Gu Qingwan would then stay in the courtyard she had prepared beforehand, and the courtyard would be returned to Gu Qingwan when the maids left. She thought that her father would agree for the sake of the family's reputation.

But now that Aunt Rou has moved in, things are getting complicated.

"That's settled then. Rou Niang can go stay there later. I'll have Xi Que bring you two more maids. We can add the rest later," the old lady said. "Later, we'll add two more first-class personal maids and four second-class maids. Tomorrow, Wang Shi, you can have a matchmaker come and pick a few people to come in."

“Mother! This is against the rules. A concubine shouldn’t be treated like this,” Wang Ruyan said.

"Then let's just make her a concubine. She's our own relative and your master's cousin. What's wrong with making her a concubine?" The old lady's idea was to give Rou Niang the status of a concubine, but Wang Ruyan would never agree to it.

“Mother, this is utterly unreasonable. Just because a mistress is brought in doesn’t mean she’s automatically given the status of a concubine. How are you expecting your daughter-in-law to manage the inner quarters?”

"How to manage it? Manage it however you want. You entered the family when you were pregnant, and you're still the legal wife now. Do you see anyone saying anything about it?" the old lady retorted directly.

The old lady had always disliked Wang Ruyan and had been instigating her son and grandson to distance themselves from her over the years. Unfortunately, she was getting old and there was nothing she could do.

The old lady kept sending people into her son's and grandson's yards, but none of them could keep Gu Ziming. Now that her own niece had finally come, how could the old lady let go of such a good opportunity?

Wang Ruyan's eyes turned red from being choked, and it seemed she was about to resort to her usual tactics of crying, making a scene, and threatening suicide.

Rou Niang didn't want Gu Ziming to think that her family was in turmoil because of her. The eldest young lady had told her that what the master valued most was a quiet and harmonious backyard. As for any trouble that didn't happen in the courtyard, Gu Ziming usually turned a blind eye and was too lazy to ask.

Rou Niang said, "Madam, Master, what you say makes sense. I am of dubious origin. It is already very generous of you to allow me to come in."

"How can you say your origins are illegitimate? You're my niece, how can your origins be illegitimate?"

"I do not wish to cause any more trouble for the family, and I hope that the old lady will grant my request."

Looking at his understanding little cousin, Gu Ziming felt extremely relieved.

He also wanted to finish things here as soon as possible. He was tired after a long day, so under Gu Ziming's mediation, both sides compromised and agreed to elevate Rou Niang to the status of a concubine after she gave birth to a boy, which would be more legitimate.

It was getting late, and a light rain began to fall outside. The group left the old lady's Fulu Courtyard one after another.

Gu Ziming held the umbrella himself, pulling Aunt Rou into his arms, with most of the umbrella covering her. He whispered something to her, which made the woman in his arms smile.

Supported by Gu Hanjiao, Wang Ruyan witnessed this scene and felt an urge to tear Aunt Rou to pieces to vent her anger. When the master was kind to her, he never thought of this kind of behavior, such a public display of affection.

"Mother!" Gu Hanjiao grabbed Wang Ruyan's hand impatiently. The pain in her hand brought Wang Ruyan back to her senses. She looked at Gu Hanjiao with some confusion. Gu Hanjiao said in a low voice, "Mother, as long as we're alive, we can always make a comeback. Let's go back first!"

Gu Changfeng had been drinking heavily and partying outside for several days. After being knocked unconscious by Gu Qingwan, he simply fell into a deep sleep and slept until dark.

After dark, Gu Changfeng's head was throbbing with pain. He hit his head hard with his hand, hitting the wound directly. The pain made Gu Changfeng wince and wake up instantly.

"Someone come here! Someone come here!" Gu Changfeng was furious when he saw that no one had come to serve him even though he had been awake for a while.

Dong Rong rushed in, lit a lamp, and approached him: "Young Master, you're awake? How are you feeling?"

What do you think? Oh dear.

Dong Rong was startled to see blood seeping from the bandage on Gu Changfeng's head and quickly went to check the wound: "Young Master, don't touch it with your hands, it's bleeding."

"Ouch, be gentle with me, you're going to kill me!" Gu Changfeng cried out in pain as he lay on the bed. "You clumsy thing, get out of here! Where are my maids? Chunliu? Where did Chunliu go?"

Dong Rong said with some difficulty, "Young master, the ladies in our room have all been punished by the madam to kneel in the corridor. She said they can only get up when you wake up."

"Well, I'm awake now, so hurry up and call me over! Ouch, it hurts so much."

There was another flurry of activity in the courtyard. When Wang Ruyan heard that her son had woken up, she quickly sent someone over to check on him. The old lady was also very worried about her eldest grandson. After settling Aunt Rou in, she sent Xique over to see how he was doing.

Gu Changfeng was impatient with Xue Niang, finding her just as long-winded as his mother. He was about to impatiently send her away when Xi Que arrived. Xue Niang knew Gu Changfeng's temperament, so she didn't leave immediately but waited for Xi Que to join her.

Sure enough, Gu Changfeng spotted the magpie, his eyes practically sparkling with excitement, and he grinned lewdly: "Oh, isn't this Sister Magpie?"

"Young Master, the Old Madam sent me to check on your injuries."

"How can you see from so far away? Come here, Sister Magpie, come closer and take a good look at my wound. Ouch, it really hurts so much."

Seeing Gu Changfeng's frivolous manner, Xique was displeased, but as a servant, she could not do anything to her master. She could only patiently say, "Judging from your confident tone, young master, it seems there is nothing seriously wrong. In that case, this servant will go back and report to the old lady."

Seeing that Magpie was about to leave, Gu Changfeng reached out and grabbed her on the bed. Fortunately, Magpie managed to steady herself in time, otherwise she would have been pulled onto the bed. Magpie struggled but could not break free from Gu Changfeng's grasp.

Then Magpie said with a displeased expression, "Young master! Please show some respect. After all, I am someone who serves the old lady!"

"Oh, oh, oh, why are you angry, Sister Magpie? I just wanted Sister Magpie to see things more clearly so I could go back and report to Grandmother. How was that disrespectful?" Gu Changfeng boldly touched Magpie's hand.

Finally, the magpie could no longer bear it and, ignoring the pain, tried to free her hand from Gu Changfeng's grasp. Gu Changfeng, taking advantage of being in his own room, held on recklessly and refused to let go, even trying to pull the magpie onto his bed.

Hearing that something was wrong, Xue Niang, who was standing at the door, rushed in and rescued Xi Que. With a smile on her face, she said, "It seems that the young master is still a bit tipsy. Xi Que, don't worry about it. Are the people outside dead? Hurry up and serve the young master!"

Gu Changfeng saw Xue Niang turn back and interfere, and immediately lost interest. He lay on the bed with his face to the wall, remaining silent.

Magpie stared at Gu Changfeng's retreating figure with red eyes, bit her lip without saying anything, and turned to leave.

Watching the departing figure, Xue Niang said to Gu Changfeng with a painstaking tone, "Young master, why did you offend that magpie? She is the one that the old lady uses most at her side. Aren't you afraid that the magpie will go back and complain to the old lady and make her angry again?"

Gu Changfeng curled his lip and said, "She's just a maid, what else could she be? Alright, alright, you should leave now."

Xue Niang sighed helplessly and left.

It's said that the old lady gave Gu Changfeng whatever he wanted. Even if he wanted the moon, she would have someone pluck it from the sky for him. Everyone in the mansion knew that Gu Changfeng was a womanizer. Those who wanted to climb the social ladder didn't even need to put in the effort to seduce the young master; he would take the initiative to pull them into bed. Therefore, the young maids in the mansion who didn't have any wicked thoughts would stay far away from Gu Changfeng whenever they saw him.