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

"Elder sister, you must save me! Only you can save me now. If this continues, my aunt and I will die. My aunt usually only goes to Aunt Rou's place to do needlework, and even now that the Madam knows, she still tortures her in every way. Elder sister..."

Gu Hanqing knelt on the ground, her mouth taut into a straight line, her hands clenched tightly, as if the boy in front of her was about to collapse at any moment.

"Miss, this is too much!" Baoqin came out from behind. "Young Master, how could you do such a beastly thing?"

"Qing'er, sit down. Remember not to get angry. Anger will only diminish your wisdom." Gu Qingwan pulled Gu Hanqing up and patted his shoulder to comfort him. "If you want to defeat your enemy, you must calm down, find their weakness, and strike them down in one blow. Especially when facing an enemy stronger than you, you must defeat them in one move."

Gu Hanqing listened to Gu Qingwan's words with a mixture of understanding and confusion. Even though he didn't fully grasp them now, Gu Qingwan's words would be like his mentor throughout his life, accompanying him through important milestones and helping him become a renowned prime minister.

"But elder sister, what should we do next? And..." Thinking of this, Gu Hanqing moved her lips and hesitated for a moment before finally speaking her mind: "Elder sister, I'm not young anymore, and what Aunt taught me was really limited. I want to go to school..."

Gu Qingwan understood that this child would be the most promising child in the Gu family, and she would never let this child fall into the hands of the filthy devils of the Gu family.

"Don't worry, this matter will be settled soon. The first thing is to restore your identity. Only after your identity is restored can we discuss going to school. As for going to school, there will be some time. After autumn, the Mountain Foothill Academy will recruit a batch of students, and then we will send you there to study, okay?"

Upon hearing the words "Shanlu Academy," Gu Hanqing's eyes suddenly lit up. It was a place that countless students dreamed of. Almost everyone who went there could pass the imperial examinations and achieve a degree. Not to mention, every year, two of the top three students would come from there.

"If I could go there, that would be the best thing ever. It would be my destiny. But even if I regain my status, I'm still just a son of a concubine. How can I be qualified to study at the academy?" Thinking of this, Gu Hanqing felt even more distressed and dissatisfied with her status once again.

Gu Qingwan naturally knew what Gu Hanqing was thinking, so she said, "How do you know you can't become the legitimate son? Even if you're not the legitimate son, my maternal grandfather and the chief scholar of Shanlu Academy are old acquaintances. It wouldn't be impossible for him to write you a letter of recommendation. Besides, Shanlu Academy doesn't care about these things. As long as the legitimate son or the illegitimate son can pass the exam, they can go to study. You must not put the shackles of legitimate or illegitimate son on yourself."

At Shanlu Academy, anyone from official families, merchant families, or humble backgrounds, regardless of whether they are legitimate or illegitimate, male or female, can participate in the entrance examination. After passing the examination, students will be assigned to classes based on their scores.

In her past life, Gu Qingwan begged her maternal grandfather to write her a letter of recommendation and disguised herself as a man to take the entrance exam. Later, she learned that her maternal grandfather had saved her life with the chief student here. Otherwise, given her identity, even if she disguised herself as a man, she would have been exposed sooner or later, and her reputation would probably have been ruined long ago.

"You can put your mind at ease now. The time is not far off. You should hurry up and prepare for the entrance exam. As for your status, it will be settled soon. Go back now. At this point, Gu Changfeng will not dare to do anything to you."

Gu Hanqing had no suspicions. As she straightened her clothes and prepared to take her leave, she suddenly asked, "What if my aunt asks me about it when I get back..."

Gu Qingwan sighed and said, "Your aunt is a good person. She has done everything she can to protect you over the years. If she asks you, just say what you want to say. In short, she won't harm you."

Gu Hanqing nodded. He naturally knew his aunt. Although she was a short-sighted woman, she had given him her all.

Watching Gu Hanqing's departing figure, Gu Qingwan seemed to be deep in thought. Back then, Aunt Li was already quite a formidable character for managing to protect Gu Hanqing and even manage to deceive the current Madam. Her behavior in the mansion over the years was probably another form of self-protection for her.

In her past life, Aunt Li was framed by the madam for having an affair and caught in the act. Gu Hanqing was also labeled as not being a descendant of the Gu family and was almost beaten to death and kicked out. Now, who knows who is having an affair?

"Miss, what should we do now?"

“Next, we’ll wait for Aunt Li. She has quite a few good things in her possession. For her son’s sake, she should be willing to come out,” Gu Qingwan said.

Upon hearing the servant's report, Gu Changfeng became so angry that he smashed the cups and saucers on the table and kicked the table over.

"These two little bitches, with their seductive looks, aren't they just there to be played with? What are they pretending to be, virtuous and chaste women! Sooner or later, I'll make those two little bitches pay, especially Gu Qingwan. Ever since she came back, nothing has gone right for her."

"Young master, the madam recently told you to study hard and not cause any trouble. After all, the second young lady's marriage is just around the corner, and you will have to take the academy's exams after the wedding."

"Shut up! Whose side are you on? If you're on Mother's side, get back here right now!"

"Young master, spare me! Young master, spare me!" The servant immediately knelt on the ground, not caring whether there were broken pieces of porcelain on the ground.

"Hmph, as the eldest son of the Prime Minister's family, how can I be accused of causing trouble? Even if Gu Hanjiao wants to become the Crown Princess, she is still my sister. In the future, won't she have to rely on me, her brother?"

"Yes, yes, yes, the Second Miss's biggest backer is still you. Without you, even if the Second Miss ascends to a high position, she will definitely feel uneasy." The servant flattered obsequiously. Seeing Gu Changfeng sit down in a good mood, he quickly got up and brought Gu Changfeng another cup of tea.

"You've got a good eye! It's a pity my sister doesn't have that kind of self-awareness."

"And that academy, who wants to suffer in that place? I am a legitimate son who will inherit the family business in the future, why should I go and suffer that rotten air?" Gu Changfeng seemed to have thought of something, and got up to leave with his servant: "Let's go to Mother's to ask for some money, while Father is not back, otherwise he will definitely be locked in the study to read those sleep-inducing things again."

"Going to Madam's place at this time...wouldn't Madam......"

"What are you afraid of? My mother has always doted on me. Just come with me and stop dawdling like a woman."

"What you say is true, young master. I know I was wrong."

Upon arriving at the main courtyard, Wang Ruyan was already informed of what Gu Changfeng had done. Wang Ruyan was so angry that she wanted to slap Gu Changfeng across the face right then and there. This beast had never done anything to bring her any honor except to cause her trouble.

"Madam, you must take care of your health."

"Xue Niang, tell me about this child. He can do whatever he wants normally, but why did he have to set his sights on the backyard? What will happen to him if the master finds out!"

"Madam, please calm down. Perhaps it's not like that. Although the young master is a bit mischievous, he would never do such a thing."

Before Xue Niang could finish speaking, Gu Changfeng burst in.

"Mother! Mother!"

"Feng'er? What are you doing here?" Before Wang Ruyan could react, she saw her son starting to look for something in her room.

"I'm asking you a question! What exactly happened at your grandmother's place today! That's your sister, even if she's not your biological sister, you can't do that! And it happened in your grandmother's yard, how could you be so bold!"

"And what exactly are you looking for!" Wang Ruyan was even more furious when she saw that Gu Changfeng was completely ignoring her.

"Oh dear, Mother, you're so long-winded."

Gu Changfeng impatiently picked at his ear. Seeing his mother like this made him even more irritable, but he didn't dare to openly defy Wang Ruyan.

"That's what Mother heard. No wonder Father doesn't come to your courtyard anymore. If it were me, I wouldn't want to come either. Look how gentle and considerate Aunt Rou is."

"What! You actually let your mother learn from a concubine!" This made Wang Ruyan so angry that she almost fell over backwards, but before she could react, she saw that Gu Changfeng seemed to have found a money bag in the inner room.

Gu Changfeng weighed it in his hand and said somewhat unsatisfiedly, "This little bit is fine, I suppose."

"You wretched child! Get back here! What are you doing here?!"

"Young Master, you can't take this. This is the monthly allowance for the servants. Please put it back quickly. At this critical juncture, you shouldn't upset Madam any further."

"Xue Niang, you're wrong about that. What's wrong with a servant's monthly allowance? Doesn't everything in this mansion belong to me? Besides, I need to go out and socialize now, how can I manage without some money? And everyone's after the Third Prince, I can't let my sister lose face, can I?"

That's what they say. Ever since her daughter got engaged to the Third Prince, her family's status has risen accordingly. Those ladies who used to look down on her are now sending her invitations. At small banquets, people will come up to greet her and talk to her. But Wang Ruyan always felt that something was wrong.

"No way! Even if it's for your sister's sake, you'd better settle down for a while. The Mountain Foothills Academy is about to recruit students in late autumn, and you have to find a way to get in!"

Wang Ruyan caught her breath and ultimately wasn't fooled by Gu Changfeng. She did spoil Gu Changfeng, but for her own sake and for her children's future, Wang Ruyan was still clear-headed.

"Although the Prime Minister's mansion is incredibly wealthy, that's only because of your father. This official position isn't hereditary, and your sister and I will still have to rely on you in the future. If you can pass the exam and get a minor official position, with your father's influence and the Third Prince around, your future prospects might not be small."

"Okay, okay, I know, I know."

Gu Changfeng didn't seem to listen. He was about to leave when he noticed the hairpin on his mother's desk. He thought it was pretty and said, "This hairpin is nice. Mother is getting old, and wearing such a delicate color looks a bit out of place. Why don't you just give it to your son?"

After saying that, he hurriedly left again.

"You! You unfilial son!"

"Madam! Madam!"

Xue Niang quickly helped the swaying Wang Ruyan up. Wang Ruyan hated it most when people said she was old and faded, but these words came from her most beloved son. How could she not feel heartbroken?

"Madam, please don't take it to heart. The young master was just joking with you."

Xue Niang quickly helped Wang Ruyan sit down and poured her a cup of warm water to help her catch her breath.

After calming down for a while, Wang Ruyan thought that although Gu Changfeng was a scoundrel, what he said made sense. In the past, she had firmly captured Gu Ziming's heart with her gentleness and attentiveness. However, since becoming the mistress of the house, she could never act like a concubine again, as that would only make people laugh at her.

Even so, some people still bring up her status. Those arrogant and incompetent bastards, wait until her daughter becomes a prince's consort, and see how they dare to look down on her!

"By the way, what does Feng'er need money for? Don't we usually give him plenty?"

Xue Niang thought for a while and said, "Judging from what you're saying, it seems you want money to entertain your friends."

"Hmph, his friends? They're probably just a bunch of scoundrels."

"Probably not. Ever since Miss and the Third Prince got engaged, the Eldest Young Master has toned it down quite a bit, and there are quite a few people around him trying to curry favor with him..."

"We still can't let our guard down. You should send someone to keep an eye on him, lest he be misled by some bad people. We've finally made it this far, so we absolutely can't let our guard down. Now that Jiao'er's marriage is settled, Feng'er should also hurry up and find someone to marry him, taking advantage of the Third Prince's influence."

"Madam's considerations are so thorough. I'm sure that once the young master has finalized the marriage, he will be able to settle down and appreciate Madam's good intentions."

"Sigh, it's all because of my children. I'm their mother, how can I not worry about them?" Wang Ruyan made up her mind to put Feng'er's marriage on the agenda, but then she suddenly thought of Gu Qingwan, and her expression turned sour.

"I heard Gu Qingwan is back?"

"Yes, the servants said that the young lady has returned from seeing a doctor, and she does look much thinner than when she left."

"Sickly girl, why didn't she just die of illness outside?" Wang Ruyan's eyes flashed with malice. This Gu Qingwan was truly annoying her at every turn.

"No, Xue Niang, we have to find a way to get Gu Qingwan out of here, even if we don't kill her, otherwise I'll always feel uneasy."

"But Madam, our young lady's wedding is just around the corner. If something happens to the family now, it will be embarrassing for her. Perhaps... we could try to find a way to marry her off?"

Xue Niang's suggestion was rejected by Wang Ruyan. "I have thought of this method, but Gu Qingwan's marriage and the Ning family are matters that even Master cannot make a 100% decision on. Moreover, I have mentioned it to Master before, and he told me not to get involved."

"What should we do? Should we try some medicine?"

Wang Ruyan thought about it and realized that Xue Niang was right. The most important thing right now was to ensure that her daughter could get married peacefully. Everything else could be put aside for now.

"Let's see. See if there's an opportunity. If there isn't, don't take the risk."

"There should be. The young lady needs to take some medicine every day, so we can make use of that."

Wang Ruyan nodded. If this little bitch could leave quietly like her mother, it wouldn't be a bad thing.