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

"I just sat down, and my sister didn't even give me a chance to speak. With so many questions, which one should I answer?" Gu Qingwan replied, her expression still cold.

"Yes, it's because the younger sister is too excited to see her older sister. After all, it's been a long time." Gu Hanjiao was a little surprised. In the past, Gu Qingwan would be overjoyed to see her and liked to keep her by her side. But ever since she fell into the water, every time she came to see her, she was either sick or unable to receive guests, or the old Duke Ning wanted to take his granddaughter to the border for a few days. She rarely had the opportunity to see Gu Qingwan.

As a result, Gu Qingwan rarely showed her face in the capital. She never participated in tea tastings, flower arranging, or banquets among the noble ladies and socialites of the capital. Over time, everyone almost forgot that such a person existed and assumed that Gu Hanjiao was the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister's mansion.

Because the men of the Ningguo Duke's Mansion were not in the capital, they kept a very low profile. Even if they received a visiting card or an invitation, the Ningguo Duke's Mansion would decline and close its doors to guests. For the Emperor, it was more reassuring to use such an important minister who had no popular support but held military power. The Empress would also occasionally summon Lady Ning to the palace for a visit or bestow some gifts upon her, informing everyone of the royal family's attitude towards the Ningguo Duke.

Gu Qingwan took a sip of tea from her teacup. Her maternal grandmother liked to drink Six Melon Seed Tea, which had a light flavor and was quite thirst-quenching. Most importantly, it was very economical. She then said, "By the way, on my way back, I passed through Changqing and happened to meet my sister's maternal grandmother, Madam Wang. She misses my sister very much and asked me to bring her some things."

Gu Qingwan paused deliberately, and indeed saw Gu Hanjiao's awkwardness; after all, she was still young. Old Madam Ning listened to the two sisters' conversation with a smile, her eyes closed, without interrupting.

"If you have time, sister, please visit your maternal grandmother more often. You're calling my grandmother so affectionately here; I wonder what Old Madam Wang would think if she heard that," Gu Qingwan replied politely but indifferently.

Gu Hanjiao was stunned when she heard this, feeling somewhat embarrassed, and then her ears turned red. Her maternal grandparents' family were only minor officials of a few ranks, not worth her attention.

If she were to mingle in the circles of the capital, those daughters of prominent families would look down on someone like her. That's why she always followed Gu Qingwan around when she was little, calling Gu Qingwan her maternal grandmother. With the Ning family as her backing in the capital, who would dare to look down on her?

Gu Qingwan had never said anything like this before, so why this time...?

"Sister is right. I do miss my maternal grandmother very much, so seeing Madam Ning is like seeing my maternal grandmother."

Gu Hanjiao looked at Madam Ning with a pitiful expression. Madam Ning understood Gu Hanjiao's aggrieved intentions perfectly well. It was just a child's little thought, nothing to them.

"It's better to be clear about the distinction. The Duke of Ning only has one daughter, my mother, and daughters of the Ning family are not allowed to become concubines." Gu Qingwan took a few sips of tea.

This was a real slap in the face for Gu Hanjiao. Although her mother was the Prime Minister's wife, everyone knew that her mother was promoted from a concubine, which was despicable. No one said it because of her father's official position, but everyone knew what she was really like in private.

Now, Gu Qingwan has brought it up, leaving Gu Hanjiao in an awkward position.

Madam Ning remained silent. Although her hair was gray, she had a broad face, clear eyes, and a robust body. Back in the day, she was an iron lady who had followed the old master to the battlefield. Even just sitting there, she exuded an imposing aura.

When Gu Hanjiao saw that Old Madam Ning did not speak up for her, she felt annoyed, but she did not show it on her face. "Did I say something wrong and offend you, sister? I was just concerned about you. Please don't take it to heart." She was about to cry as she spoke.

"It's alright." Gu Qingwan sneered inwardly. They were really setting traps for her at every turn. If she lost again, it would be a disservice to God. "I was just kindly reminding my sister, but I didn't expect her to overthink it."

"Sister is right." Gu Hanjiao twisted the handkerchief in her hand until it was full of wrinkles. She was clearly furious but couldn't find a reason to lash out. She had never been treated like this before.

Chunlu, the maid standing behind her, couldn't stand it any longer and stepped forward to defend her mistress. "Young Miss, you're being too aggressive. Our young lady got up before dawn to bring you home. You're not grateful, but why are you reopening old wounds?"

"Chunlu! How dare you! You have no right to speak in front of the old lady!" Gu Hanjiao shouted.

Chunlu knelt down on the ground with a thud. "Please forgive me, Madam. I just couldn't bear to see our young lady being wronged."

"Hehe, it's all just a joke between sisters, why did you all take it seriously? Get up, it's so lively this early in the morning."

Gu Qingwan sat there upright, as a legitimate daughter of a prominent family would not argue about right and wrong. Gu Hanjiao, who had always disguised herself as a pitiful, seemingly weak but talented and innocent girl, was somewhat flustered today.

"This little maid's temper has grown quite a bit. My sister is gentle by nature, so you must be careful. When we leave later, I will have someone load the things that Old Madam Wang asked me to bring onto the carriage for my sister."

"What? Isn't my sister coming back to the Prime Minister's residence with me? Father specifically asked me to come and bring my sister home. My sister is away from home all year round, and Father misses her very much. If the servants hadn't heard that my sister had already returned, Father wouldn't have known about this. Now that he doesn't know, he immediately sent me to bring my sister home to reunite her with his daughter."

"Don't know? That shouldn't be the case. Has Prime Minister Gu misunderstood? I already wrote a letter to him and sent it yesterday. Did he not receive it?" the old lady asked Gu Hanjiao.

"Perhaps the messenger outside wasn't thorough enough. Jiaojiao will definitely report to Father when we get back, so please don't worry, Grandmother." Gu Hanjiao's visit this time wasn't authorized by her father; she had only told her mother. She had planned to bring her back quietly, thinking that her mother would be able to handle her. However, she hadn't expected Gu Qingwan to be so difficult to deal with this time.

"Sister, next time you go out, make sure you recognize people before you call them, lest you get a reputation for being a snob," Gu Qingwan interjected casually.

"That's true." The old lady nodded. "Miss Gu has always had a good reputation in the capital. We can't let this old woman ruin it. By the way, has Miss Gu had breakfast yet?"

“Reporting to Grandfather…” Gu Hanjiao paused, “Reporting to Madam, I ate early and came to visit you.”

Just as Gu Hanjiao was about to continue speaking, Granny Fang led Ruhua in from the doorway. "Madam, breakfast is ready. Please take your seats."

"Alright, alright, I'm hungry too. Wanwan, let's go eat." The old lady said with a smile. "Miss Gu, why don't you stay and have some more?"

Gu Hanjiao smiled somewhat awkwardly, steadied herself, stood up and curtsied. "Since Madam is having breakfast, then I won't disturb you any longer. I'll visit you another day."

Madam Ning looked at the younger generation with a kind smile. "Very well, very well. Mama Fang will prepare some gifts for the Second Miss to take back. We'll send someone to deliver them to the Second Miss's home and also tell Prime Minister Gu that Wanwan will visit him again in a few days and bring back the things Wanwan brought for the Prime Minister."

"No need, Madam, I..." Gu Hanjiao quickly stood up to refuse. If her father found out that she had come here without permission, he would definitely punish her.

Throughout the entire process, Gu Qingwan simply drank water or sat with her head down. It wasn't that she was unwilling to make any moves; she was afraid that if she looked up and saw that familiar face again, she wouldn't be able to resist killing Gu Hanjiao. The past events were still vivid in her mind; how could she not hate them?

I failed to kill my enemies in the past, but I will definitely take revenge on them one by one in this life.