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

Consort Yu sat by the Third Prince's bedside, looking at her son's face, which had turned pale from the pain. Her fingertips trembled. Fortunately, she had returned in time and there was still room for everything to be salvaged.

“Your Majesty, we encountered a landslide on our way back. It was Miss Li who arrived in time to bring the Third Prince back for treatment,” Laiwang said, kneeling on the ground.

"Miss Li? Which Miss Li is it?"

"This servant did not know which household she belonged to at first. I only glanced at her when I got out of the carriage just now. She is Miss Li Qianyu from Minister Li's household."

"How could it be her? Where is she now?"

"Miss Li has been placed in the side hall. However, Miss Li also seems to have a fever. When I brought Doctor Nie here, I also brought his apprentice. The examination should be completed by now."

Consort Yu nodded, and seeing that her son was sleeping soundly, she ordered one of the imperial physicians to stay there, while she prepared to take another imperial physician to the side courtyard.

Laiwang stopped Consort Yu, wanting to say something but still hesitant.

Seeing Laiwang's hesitation, Consort Yu got up and took Amber to the outer room, asking, "Speak."

"Your Majesty, the Third Prince had already developed a fever on the way. When we arrived at our residence, Miss Li was disheveled when we opened the door, as if she was trying to warm the Third Prince up..." Laiwang stopped there. As a servant, he needed to avoid discussing such an unrefined scene as that of a young lady from a prominent family. In case Miss Li became a member of the household in the future, his excessive talking would displease his master.

Consort Yu's pupils contracted. She understood what Laiwang meant. He was saying that Miss Li had had intimate relations with her son, but not in a way that was considered shameful. It was because they had saved someone's life, and this matter needed to be handled properly.

It might not be long before Minister Li's residence comes looking for her. Consort Yu asked Amber beside her, "Amber, how is this Miss Li?"

Amber thought for a moment and carefully chose her words before saying, "Your Majesty, Miss Li has also visited our palace before. At that time, Your Majesty praised her for being calm and composed. The last time I saw Miss Li was at the welcoming banquet for the Northern Rong. I heard that Miss Li is a woman of both talent and beauty with the demeanor of a lady from a prominent family. She is indeed a good match for our Third Prince."

Consort Yu nodded. She would have to see what this Miss Li was like in a while, since she hadn't seen her for so many years. If possible, it would be good to let her enter the palace. Just thinking about how the Emperor had betrothed that Gu Hanjiao to his son as a princess made Consort Yu feel like she had a stone stuck in her chest, and she couldn't feel comfortable no matter what.

Although she had previously taken a liking to Gu Hanjiao, Gu Hanjiao's recent actions had displeased her. First, she plagiarized, then she had an ambiguous relationship with the Third Prince, and then there was the matter of her falling into the water and her dowry.

What displeased Consort Yu even more was that at the welcoming banquet that day, Gu Hanjiao wore the same dress as another one worn by Consort Yu.

Women always make two dresses, symbolizing good things coming in pairs. After buying the one that was no longer available, she chose another dress. Unexpectedly, Gu Hanjiao also had that spare dress. This angered Consort Yu so much that she cut it to pieces with scissors and had it burned that night. How could a woman who loves beauty allow herself to wear the same dress as someone else?

Minister Li is currently in charge of the Ministry of Revenue. If he could be employed by the Third Prince, it would be very good. It would also cause trouble for Gu Hanjiao. As the future mother-in-law, Consort Yu was only happy.

"Laiwang, go and send someone to the Minister's residence to inform Madam Li that Miss Li has saved the Third Prince and is currently at the Third Prince's residence. Tell them not to worry."

The doctor that Xiaomei brought earlier pricked Miss Li's fingertip twice to draw blood, which provided some relief. The doctor prescribed medicine and told Xiaomei to find someone to decoct it and give it to Miss Li to induce sweating. Not long after, someone came to say that Doctor Nie wanted him to go back.

Xiaomei was left alone, holding a prescription, on the verge of tears.

What should I do now? The doctor has left again, giving me a prescription, but now I'm all alone, and there's no one to help me. I'm not familiar with the Third Prince's residence, and I don't know where to get the medicine or where to brew it. If the doctor leaves, won't I be lying here all alone again? What if something happens to me?

The young lady's wet clothes haven't been changed yet, and no amount of blankets can help. What should we do?

"Miss, Miss, it's all Xiaomei's fault! What are we going to do? The doctor has left too, sob sob sob..."

"Why are you crying?" Li Qianyu opened her eyes and comforted Xiaomei beside her. "The doctor gave me an acupuncture, and I feel fine. Go find me some clean clothes; this sticky feeling is really uncomfortable."

"But Miss, what will you do all by yourself if Xiaomei leaves?"

"How is Miss Li?" Consort Yu asked with concern as soon as she entered the room.

Xiaomei had never met Consort Yu before, and for a moment she didn't know who the person was and forgot to pay her respects. Amber, who was beside Consort Yu, whispered a reminder: "This is Consort Yu, quickly help your mistress to pay her respects."

Xiao Mei rushed forward in a panic to help Li Qianyu up. Li Qianyu also knew that the person who came was Consort Yu, but unfortunately, her body was too heavy. She used a lot of strength and was sweating, but she still couldn't get down properly.

"Good child, lie down and get comfortable." Consort Yu stepped forward and personally supported Li Qianyu's back.

This touch was quite infuriating; the wetness of her hand infuriated Consort Yu. She touched Li Qianyu's forehead again and said, "You're burning up like this, and you're still wearing wet clothes. How are you taking care of your young lady?"

Xiao Mei was so frightened that she immediately knelt on the ground, crying and saying, "Your Majesty, please save my young lady! The other set of clothes that our young lady prepared was covered by the Third Prince on the way here, so now there are no clothes for her to wear. The doctor just gave the young lady an acupuncture and prescribed medicine, but I am all alone and I am worried about leaving the young lady alone to find someone to help her."

"Cough cough cough, Xiaomei. Don't talk nonsense."

Consort Yu helped Li Qianyu pull the quilt up a bit; the quilt was also a little damp.

"Is that so? Imperial Physician, please examine Miss Li first. Someone, quickly go to the backyard and ask those concubines and maids for two sets of clean new clothes for Miss Li..." Consort Yu thought for a moment and said, "Never mind, Amber, you go to our carriage and bring me my clean clothes for Miss Li to change into."

"Your Majesty, how can this be? Cough cough cough..." Li Qianyu coughed in surprise.

"Good child, you saved my son, this favor is too much to ask." Consort Yu patted Li Qianyu's hand and said to the maids below, "Hurry up and find two clean new quilts for Miss. If you treat Miss Li poorly like this, and something happens, I'll fire you all!"

"Your Majesty, Miss Li fell ill due to a cold entering her body, coupled with worry and mental strain. I have reviewed the prescription the doctor gave her and it is acceptable. I will add two more nourishing herbs to it and have them decocted..."

Consort Yu didn't care what kind of medicine was used, as long as the imperial physician said there was no problem. However, she still had to maintain appearances: "Hurry up and prepare the medicine for the young lady. Use the best ingredients. If it's not enough, tell me and I'll have someone send some from the palace."

"Cough cough cough, thank you Your Majesty. I'm sorry for causing you trouble."

The once quiet side hall suddenly became lively, with servants bustling in and out in an orderly manner. Li Qianyu changed into new clothes and lay on the clean bedding that the servants had prepared, which was much more comfortable than before.

Amber came over and said, "The Third Prince just woke up. The imperial physician served him medicine and he fell asleep again. The imperial physician said there's nothing seriously wrong with him."

Upon hearing Amber mention the Third Prince, Li Qianyu immediately asked with some concern, "Auntie, how is the Third Prince? Cough cough cough..."

With Consort Yu's approval, Amber spoke up, "Replying to Miss, the Third Prince is currently fine, thanks to your timely arrival. However, his leg still needs some rest."

Hearing this, Li Qianyu's heart ached, and she said with tears in her eyes, "It's all my fault. If I had arrived sooner, perhaps the Third Prince wouldn't have suffered this calamity."

"Good child, thanks to you, but I'm curious how you met the Third Prince?"

Li Qianyu thought to herself that Consort Yu had indeed become suspicious. No one would believe that a well-bred young lady who rarely left her home would appear on a mountain road outside the city by such coincidence, and even save the injured Third Prince by such a coincidence.

Li Qianyu coughed twice, covering her mouth with her hand, which gave Xiaomei a look. Xiaomei understood and quickly knelt down to explain to Consort Yu.

"Your Majesty, my young lady heard from outsiders that Master Huang prophesied in front of the Prime Minister's residence a few days ago that the Third Prince was in trouble. My young lady was so worried that she couldn't eat or sleep, and took all her belongings to Qingquan Temple to ask Master Huang to tell her fortune. At first, the master refused to tell her fortune, saying that heavenly secrets cannot be broken and that telling her would incur divine punishment. My young lady begged and pleaded, willing to bear all the divine punishment just to save the prince, so Master Huang took pity on her and told her fortune..."

"Xiaomei! Stop talking nonsense! Cough cough cough..." Li Qianyu was very satisfied with what Xiaomei said, but she also had to pretend to scold Xiaomei for talking too much.

Consort Yu's eyes flickered, and she took Li Qianyu's hand, removing a gold-inlaid jade openwork bracelet from her own arm and placing it on Li Qianyu's wrist, saying, "Don't blame your little maid. It's all thanks to you that the Third Prince was able to escape danger. The Third Prince is the heir of the dragon; how could saving him bring divine retribution upon you? I've also heard about what you did. You are a well-educated and virtuous young lady from a prominent family, and you've gone to such lengths for my son. I will certainly not let the Third Prince down with this kindness."

"Miss!"

"Don't speak yet. This bracelet was given to me by the Emperor when I was made a Noble Consort. Now I'm giving it to you as a promise from me," said Noble Consort Yu.

Li Qianyu looked at the bracelet on her wrist and murmured, "Your Majesty, how can this be?"

"Let me ask you a question: do you have feelings for my son?"

Li Qianyu was taken aback by Consort Yu's direct question, but when she turned around, her face was flushed red, whether from embarrassment or fever. She knew this was not the time to be shy; she had to show her determination to Consort Yu.

Li Qianyu struggled to her feet and knelt on the bed, saying to Consort Yu, "Your Majesty, I have admired the Third Prince since childhood. Even without what happened today, I would still have followed him. I just don't know how the Third Prince feels about me..."

Just then, Madam Li walked to the door and heard Li Qianyu's words, and she froze on the spot.

Consort Yu naturally noticed Madam Li at the door. With a smile on her lips, she pretended not to see her and nodded repeatedly, instructing Amber to help Li Qianyu lie down and rest. "Your reputation has also been ruined by my son. Since I gave you this bracelet, I will definitely give you an explanation. You should rest well."