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

Gu Hanjiao felt that she would be driven crazy soon. She didn't care about anything anymore. She pulled the quilt over her head and continued to lie on the bed, ignoring Liu Mama who was beside her.

Chunlu and Qiushuang were originally keeping watch for the young lady together, but Qiushuang saw that Chunlu was so sleepy that she dozed off, so she told her to go back and rest first. The two of them were staying up together during the day and still couldn't serve the young lady properly.

Qiu Shuang watched as her young mistress remained unmoved, and Granny Liu's expression gradually darkened. No one who gets up early in the morning would have a pleasant expression.

"Granny Liu, you've worked so hard, getting up so early. I just heated up a bowl of milk soup. Would you like to have some to soothe your stomach?" Qiu Shuang approached Granny Liu and slipped a purse into her hand.

Granny Liu weighed the bag in her sleeve and felt it was fairly heavy, so she didn't make things too difficult for Qiu Shuang. She just glanced at Gu Hanjiao's back and said, "You're right. It's only just dawn. Maybe I got up too early, but it's about time. You should help Miss get up first."

Only then did Granny Liu waddle out with her enormous waist, but she didn't go far. She simply sat down in the outer room and ate a small bowl of milk pudding.

Gu Hanjiao angrily threw the blanket off the bed, her hair disheveled, and stared wide-eyed at the outside, "What are they? How dare they torment me like this!"

"My lady, please keep your voice down. We finally managed to get Granny Liu out of here. Please get up now."

"I won't get up! Let's see what they can do!"

Qiu Shuang could tell at a glance that Gu Hanjiao was throwing a tantrum. From the way she served Gu Hanjiao, she knew that Gu Hanjiao's temper seemed good on the surface but was actually terrible, especially her morning grumpiness, which was a real headache. Before, no one in the manor dared to provoke the legitimate daughter, but now that two fearless people had arrived, it was bound to be a head-on confrontation.

“My lady.” Qiu Shuang sat on the edge of the bed, tugged at Gu Hanjiao’s sleeve, glanced outside and whispered to Gu Hanjiao, “Miss, these two nannies were sent by the Imperial Concubine. You can’t disobey the Imperial Concubine’s wishes before you’re even married into the family. If the Imperial Concubine uses your manners against you later, you’ll suffer a lot.”

"Even if she is the mother of the Third Prince, she will be confined to the palace and unable to leave easily in the future. How can she still control me?"

“Miss, why are you suddenly acting like a child? You’ll have to go to the palace sooner or later. Just bear with it. I inquired about it yesterday, and this Granny Liu is relatively easy to deal with. Once the things are in place, things will be easier for you. Get up quickly, Miss. If Granny Xin comes later, she might give you a good scolding for getting up.”

Gu Hanjiao didn't hear anything else, but what Qiu Shuang said about Granny Xin made Gu Hanjiao's mind suddenly clear. Yes, if Granny Xin came, she would make her repeat the matter of getting up over and over again.

Thinking of this, Gu Hanjiao did not hesitate any longer. She quickly got up and helped Qiu Shuang get dressed and wash up. Before leaving, she checked her makeup and made sure there were no problems before going out.

When Granny Liu saw Gu Hanjiao come out, a smile appeared on her lips. Gu Hanjiao probably didn't know that this was just the beginning. The two of them had been entrusted to come with a mission. Granny Liu was fine because she was recommended by the Empress. Although Consort Yu was the birth mother of the Third Prince, the Empress still held the title of legitimate mother.

Before they arrived, Consort Yu gave them many benefits, so they naturally did their best. Especially Granny Xin, who was a nanny in Consort Yu's palace. The Empress had also secretly sent someone to tell her to always put Granny Xin first and not to have any conflicts with her. After all, it was a matter between Consort Yu and her mother-in-law. Granny Liu could just treat it as a two-day rest before returning to the palace.

Therefore, Granny Liu would accept any benefit as long as it came, and she would try not to offend Granny Xin. However, it seems that the Second Miss is a person of principle. She was able to endure it without uttering a sound yesterday. I wonder if she can get through today?

"Greetings to the Second Miss, please rise." Granny Liu spoke respectfully, having eaten and drunk her fill. As governesses, they had long since ingrained etiquette in their minds and would never allow anyone to find fault with them, otherwise they would not only lose face for themselves but also for their masters.

"Granny Liu, you've worked hard, getting up so early. Granny Liu hasn't had breakfast yet, has she? Qiu Shuang, take Granny Liu to have a good breakfast before coming over. You won't have any energy if you don't eat well all day."

"Replying to Second Miss, this servant has already eaten. If Miss has no objections, then let's begin our lesson."

Gu Hanjiao stared at Granny Liu in disbelief. She had just gotten up and hadn't even had a sip of water yet. And Granny Liu had just accepted the purse from Qiu Shuang, so how could she be here now...?

"Hehehe, Granny, I haven't had breakfast yet, how about..."

"Second Miss, there's no need to rush. Breakfast is also part of our lessons today," said Granny Liu with a smile.

Gu Hanjiao swallowed her anger, which was about to rise, and asked with a forced smile, "This nanny, could you tell me about the course schedule you have arranged? That way I can be mentally prepared."

"Second Miss, we haven't heard of the timetable you mentioned, but from what you've said, I can roughly understand. We don't have any specific arrangements, and I'll follow Granny Xin's instructions in everything. All I can tell you is that these ten days are all about helping you develop good habits, and I hope you'll be patient."

Gu Hanjiao felt utterly hopeless. When would this end? Before, when no one from the palace came, she looked forward to their arrival every day so that she could move into Youlan Courtyard. But now that they had come, even though it was only for ten days, it felt like ten months to Gu Hanjiao.

"Well... Granny Liu, since Granny Xin hasn't arrived yet, how about you let me have breakfast?" Gu Han smiled charmingly, seemingly coaxing Granny Liu, and took a hairpin from her hair and handed it to Granny Liu.

Although Granny Liu was fond of taking advantage of others, she was very sensible. Otherwise, she wouldn't still be able to work as a governess in the palace at her age. Granny Liu refused Gu Hanjiao's gifts, saying, "Second Miss, you should straighten out your thinking. Granny Xin will be here soon. There are some things you can't escape."

Seeing that she had been rejected, Gu Hanjiao didn't seem angry. Her eyes were slightly red as she whispered, "No, I just feel it's too hard. I've never experienced anything like this before..."

"If I may be so bold as to say that you have decided to become a royal wife, you will not only bear the glory but also the responsibility. From now on, your every word and action will represent the royal family. So, Miss, please put aside your grievances and continue to learn from me. If you continue to delay like this, it may be Granny Xin who will be teaching you."

As soon as Gu Hanjiao heard that Granny Xin was coming, she immediately perked up and abandoned her appeasement policy, sitting upright at the table. She knew that even if Granny Liu in front of her was someone who could be easily fooled with money, there had to be a limit. Granny Liu had already let her off the hook for what happened this morning.

"Then... Qiushuang, go and have someone prepare the meal."

"Second Miss, no rush, let's change your clothes and makeup first."

"Why are there restrictions on what I can wear? This is my own home," Gu Hanjiao asked incredulously.

“There’s nothing to compromise on at your own home, Miss, but the Imperial Concubine has mentioned it separately, saying that your clothes are too plain and your makeup isn’t very elegant. This is the Imperial Concubine’s opinion. Granny Xin will be coming to check soon, so it would be best if you changed now. I’ll just wait for you here.”

Seeing this, Gu Hanjiao understood what Granny Liu meant, so she didn't argue with her anymore. She took Qiushuang back to the inner room and tried to change her clothes as quickly as possible. Gu Hanjiao preferred facing Granny Liu to Granny Xin.

A sudden thought flashed through Gu Hanjiao's mind. She thought it would be great if Gu Qingwan were here too. She could learn etiquette with her and she wouldn't feel so bad. But then she thought it would be best if Gu Qingwan wasn't here. The Third Prince still misses her and has said he wants her to take his place. She wonders when the Duke of Ningguo will return to the border. It would be best if he took Gu Qingwan with him.

These days, the south has been experiencing continuous rain. Finally, a report came to the Emperor's desk that there had been flooding in Linqing, which had destroyed all the crops and fields. Many homes had also been flooded and ruined. In the report, the official in charge of Linqing advised the Emperor to make plans as soon as possible. The surrounding areas of Linqing had suffered from floods of varying degrees, and Linqing was the least affected. However, this still could not stop the influx of refugees into the capital.

After reading it, the Emperor handed over Xiao Yuheng, who was still in a wheelchair, and gave him a severe scolding in the Imperial Study.

"Didn't you tell me that everything was fine in the south, especially the places you praised so much? Yet, problems of varying degrees have appeared there. On the contrary, Linqing, which you said was not handled properly, suffered less damage. How do you explain this to me?!"

“Father, when I went there, I did accompany the local officials to inspect everything. The repairs are progressing smoothly, and the dikes look very sturdy…”

"Bullshit!" The emperor was so angry that he even swore. "At a time like this, you still won't tell the truth? Could it be that that Taoist priest really predicted it correctly?!"

"Father!" Xiao Yuheng, unable to kneel due to his wheelchair, could only bow his head and clasp his hands, saying, "I beg Father's wise judgment!"

Xiao Yuheng's legs would heal on rainy days, which the imperial physician said was a necessary process for wound recovery. However, his arms had an indescribable feeling, with pain mixed with itching, especially on rainy days, and he couldn't pinpoint the exact location of the itching.

These past two days, when he picked up a pen with his right hand, he realized that it was much more serious than he had imagined. His right hand was fine for other tasks, but when he did fine motor skills, such as writing, it would tremble uncontrollably.

He originally thought that with Prime Minister Gu's help, he had done a perfect job in inspecting the country on behalf of his father. Moreover, he thought that things had been handled perfectly before he arrived. The efficient work of those on Prime Minister Gu's list saved him a lot of trouble.

He only selectively visited a few places, such as Linqing, where repairs were indeed still pending, so the report on Linqing's situation was negative. For other places, he simply listened to the reports and glanced at their official documents before making a hasty decision.

Unexpectedly, it was precisely these things that made things easy for him that led to his downfall.