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

Li Qianyu stared at her father in disbelief. She had considered many possibilities: perhaps she would be forced to kneel in the ancestral hall, or perhaps she would be confined to her quarters. But she never imagined her father would banish her from the family. If she were no longer a daughter of the Li family, she wouldn't even be worthy of being a concubine, let alone a secondary wife. What would happen then…

"Father...do you really not want your daughter anymore? All I want is to marry the person I love, is it really that serious?"

"Child, are you really that clueless or just pretending!" Madam Li truly didn't know how her eldest daughter, who had always been so intelligent, could make such a blunder at this moment.

Li Qianyu's eyes darted around. She lowered her head. How could she not know? Although she was a young lady from a respectable family, her father had never hidden anything from her. He would also call her to his study to hear her opinions on matters of state.

"Whether you understand or not, you know it in your heart. Today, kneel in the ancestral hall and think carefully about what choice you want to make."

Seeing her father about to leave, Li Qianyu suddenly grabbed his sleeve and said, "Father! The Imperial Concubine said she would give me an explanation. If we refuse the Imperial Concubine, what will you expect me to do? Then everyone in the capital will know that I have lost my reputation. Do you want to force me to hang myself in the ancestral hall to accompany our ancestors?"

"Are you threatening your father?" Lord Li stared at Li Qianyu in disbelief and slapped her across the face.

Li Qianyu dropped her father's clothes and lay down on the ground. Madam Li was so frightened that she quickly picked up her daughter, crying and yelling at Lord Li.

"Why are you hitting your daughter! What's wrong with her just liking someone? Why are you hitting her!"

Lord Li, somewhat exasperated, flicked his sleeves and said, "You! Think about it carefully yourself!"

"Mother, sob sob sob." Li Qianyu finally couldn't hold back and buried her face in her mother's arms, crying uncontrollably.

"My child, my poor child, how could you be so foolish!" Madam Li, filled with resentment, slapped Li Qianyu's back twice and then hugged her tightly.

"Mother, you must help your daughter! I need to see the Third Prince!"

Madam Li looked at Li Qianyu in disbelief. "At a time like this, when your father is about to kick you out of the house, you still want to see the Third Prince? What kind of bewitching potion has he given you?"

"Mother……"

"Don't say anything more. Just stay here and reflect on your actions. I'll go see your father and see if there's anything else I can do."

Madam Li gave Xiaomei some instructions, telling her to take good care of her young mistress. She also left two old women at the door to watch over Li Qianyu and prevent her from sneaking out. She went to discuss the matter with her husband, thinking that they couldn't just ruin their daughter like this.

All of this was witnessed by Li Jingge, who was hiding by the door. She never expected that her usually aloof older sister would do such a shocking thing. From childhood to adulthood, it seemed that her sister was the apple of the family's eye. Her parents only had eyes for her sister and not for her. Even outsiders praised the eldest daughter of the Li family, not Li Jingge. This time, the apple of the Li family's eye had done such a disgraceful thing...

As expected, good news doesn't travel far, but bad news travels fast. The story of Miss Li risking her life to save the Third Prince has become the talk of the town. Even when Lord Li went to court recently, his fellow officials were saying that he had a good daughter who was selfless and righteous. This was supposed to be a compliment, but it made Lord Li feel ashamed. What family would raise a daughter who would run off to save a man?

Lord Li knew that his family had kept this matter very secret. The fact that it had been leaked must have been the work of Consort Yu. Hmph, did Consort Yu think she could force him to submit with such means? He was reluctant to let his daughter become a nun, but would his family side with the Third Prince if his daughter married him?

Wishful thinking. He thinks the Li family is loyal to the court and His Majesty, and if the Third Prince has such virtue, he will naturally do his best to assist him when he ascends the throne.

However, the Crown Prince is virtuous and acts with composure, and His Majesty is very satisfied with him. If the Third Prince is honest and upright, he will surely become a wealthy and leisurely prince in the future, and his daughter will not suffer. Moreover, he himself has an official position, so the Third Prince would not dare to bully his daughter.

This matter needs to be resolved as soon as possible, but it absolutely cannot be the Li family that takes the initiative first. If they do, we will be in a very passive position. Therefore, we need to consider this carefully.

Gu Hanjiao naturally heard such rumors as well. She suddenly suspected that the reason Laiwang wouldn't let her in that day was because Miss Li was inside.

"This Li Qianyu puts on a show of being a proper lady in public, but she can actually do such a despicable thing. She shamelessly lifts her robes and lies on top of a man. Is she so desperate for a man that she's gone mad!"

Seeing that no one was around, Chunlu softly reminded her, "Miss, what should we do now? I heard that Consort Yu is..."

"What do you mean, what to do? I am the Third Prince's Consort, personally bestowed by the Emperor. No matter what Li Qianyu does, she can never catch up. Would a prestigious family like the Li family allow their daughter to become someone else's concubine?"

"But it's a concubine..."

"Let's go, take the wheelchair and head to the Third Prince's residence. I must see the Third Prince this time!"

Gu Hanjiao had lost her patience with Laiwang. For the past two days, she had been visiting the Third Prince's residence every day, but the Third Prince was either sleeping or about to sleep, and Laiwang would block the door and not let her in. Gu Hanjiao didn't believe there was nothing fishy going on. Today, she brought some things with her. If Laiwang still wouldn't let her in, then she wouldn't be polite. He was just a servant. So what if she made a move?

Gu Hanjiao dressed up, wearing white, which was Xiao Yuheng's favorite color. To show how much she cared for him, Gu Hanjiao asked Qiu Shuang to apply extra powder to her face, making her look pale and her eyes full of affection, which made her look pitiful.

Carrying all the things, they went to the Third Prince's residence in a grand procession. This time, however, Laiwang did not stop her, because Consort Yu happened to be visiting the Third Prince as well.

As soon as Gu Hanjiao entered the room, she saw Xiao Yuheng wearing a white nightgown, looking somewhat sickly as he leaned against the headboard. Consort Yu had removed her nail guards and was feeding Xiao Yuheng medicine.

Gu Hanjiao's eyes were filled with tears. "Third Prince, how did you get so badly injured? Let me see how your wound is."

Gu Hanjiao rushed to the window, gazing affectionately at Xiao Yuheng, tears welling up in her eyes. If it were before, Xiao Yuheng would have surely taken Gu Hanjiao into his arms and comforted her, but now his mother was sitting right next to him. Was this really a good idea?

"Cough cough cough, I'm fine, Mother Consort is still here..." Xiao Yuheng reminded her tactfully.

As if waking from a dream, Gu Hanjiao quickly let go of Xiao Yuheng's hand and greeted Consort Yu: "Greetings, Your Highness. I was worried about the Third Prince's health and couldn't help but care for him whenever I saw him. I forgot to greet Your Highness, please forgive me."

Consort Yu certainly wouldn't make things difficult for Gu Hanjiao at this time, but the way she looked at Gu Hanjiao was indeed not very friendly. So many days have passed, and as the Third Prince's fiancée, why can't she come and serve the Third Prince? Even if they haven't had a wedding ceremony yet, can the imperial decree be disobeyed?

"You're worried about Heng'er, so why don't you come and stay by his side? Don't forget you're Heng'er's future wife. It's been so many days, and I've only seen you this once! What good is just talking about being worried?"

"Your Highness..." Gu Hanjiao felt very wronged. She came every day, but that dog servant Laiwang blocked her from entering every day. Even if Consort Yu came every day, how could it be such a coincidence that she could run into her?

"Mother, please don't blame the Second Miss. I heard from Laiwang that the Second Miss comes every day, but unfortunately, I'm always asleep, so she's made several trips for nothing."

“Even if you’re asleep, she can still serve you.” Consort Yu couldn’t stand her son protecting this vixen so much. Apart from her pretty face, she had managed to seduce her outstanding son so much that he disregarded everything else. How many times had this Gu Hanjiao tarnished his reputation?

"They haven't even had the wedding ceremony yet, and this is affecting the young lady's reputation..."

"Reputation! What reputation does she care about? Her reputation is long gone! That Miss Li sacrificed her reputation to save you. In my opinion, Miss Li is far superior to that person!"

Consort Yu had been quite depressed these past two days. If Xiao Yuheng hadn't spoken up for Gu Hanjiao today, she might have just said a few sarcastic remarks and let it go. But now that Xiao Yuheng was protecting Gu Hanjiao at every turn, it made Consort Yu very unhappy.

"Your Majesty, it's my fault. I should have stood guard outside the second gate despite all the obstacles. I shouldn't have listened to Laiwang and said that the Third Prince was resting. I was worried about disturbing the Third Prince's recovery, so I didn't come in..." Gu Hanjiao stood there, sobbing softly. Her words implied that someone was preventing her from entering, and that it had nothing to do with her.

Laiwang was so frightened that he knelt down at the door and didn't dare to say a word. Xiao Yuheng, who was on the bed, was also displeased when he heard this. How dare Laiwang? He was just obeying his orders.

Ever since that dream, Xiao Yuheng has been averse to seeing Gu Hanjiao, and his mind is filled with thoughts of Gu Qingwan. Even now, whenever he sees Gu Hanjiao's face, he is reminded of the scarred figure from his dream.

Consort Yu frowned. "Can't you see that I'm still sitting here? Who are you trying to fool with your mournful face in your white robes? My son is still alive. It's not your place to come here and wail!"

These words were quite harsh, and Gu Hanjiao immediately stopped crying. She looked down at her white dress, which was the Third Prince's favorite style. It wasn't plain white; it was embroidered with exquisite patterns using silk. How could it have become... in Consort Yu's words?

"What are you looking at? Hurry up and change my clothes before you come back!"

"Your Majesty, please calm down. The Third Prince is still recovering from his injuries. Miss Gu came with good intentions. Your Majesty, please don't be so sharp-tongued. She clearly wants to care about the Third Prince, so please don't say such unlucky things." Amber whispered as she took the bowl from Consort Yu's hand.

"Yes, Mother, I know you're worried about me, but the Second Miss does come to the manor every day. Please calm down and don't hurt yourself, cough cough cough..."

Hearing that Xiao Yuheng was still concerned about his health even in his condition, Consort Yu's anger subsided, and she quickly pulled the blanket up for him.

"You're already like this, why are you still worried about your mother? Sigh, your mother said she wanted to bring you to the palace to recuperate. What good things are there in the palace? But you're all alone in your residence, and there's no one there who cares about you. It's so hot, and your legs are wrapped up so thickly. I'm worried about you."

"Mother, don't worry. Prime Minister Gu sent me several cartloads of ice. You see, you don't feel hot today, do you?"

It can be said that Prime Minister Gu is very thoughtful. Ice is not very cheap on the market now. Only the Yu family, who are very wealthy, can afford it in the palace. This time, her family sent a lot of tonics. Her father also wants to give a daughter to the Third Prince as a concubine. According to Consort Yu's idea, this would be the best. It has not been decided yet who to give, and Gu Hanjiao is still in front of us, so we will not tell the prince for the time being.

"Ahem, I was just anxious today, my dear, please don't take it to heart."

Seeing that Consort Yu's attitude had softened, Gu Hanjiao, who was good at knowing when to stop, said with slightly red eyes, "Your Majesty is right. I have been too worried about the Third Prince lately, so I rushed here without having time to properly tidy myself up. I have been impolite in front of Your Majesty."

"Good child." Consort Yu stepped forward and took Gu Hanjiao's hand. "Your father has been working so hard in court lately for the sake of the Third Prince. The Third Prince and I have both seen it and remembered it. You are his most beloved daughter, so naturally I will not mistreat you. I was wrong today. I will have Amber bring you something from the palace later to make it up to you."

"Your Majesty is too kind to me. As long as you and the Third Prince are happy, that's all that matters. I have a favor to ask: please allow me to serve the Third Prince here."

"Mother..."

“With you here, I am naturally at ease. What do you mean by ‘I am a subject’? From now on, we are family. I will definitely treat you like my own daughter.” Consort Yu frowned as she looked at Gu Hanjiao’s white dress again. “But girls should wear bright colors. Don’t wear white all the time. Occasionally, it’s called fresh and refined. But wearing it all the time is a bit unlucky.”

Gu Hanjiao's eyes were unreadable, and she said obediently, "Your Majesty is right. I have another set of clothes in the carriage. I will go and change into them in a moment."