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

Ba Quan watched as the two young ladies' carriages departed one after the other. Logically, the eldest young lady's carriage should have been in front, but the second young lady seemed to be deliberately trying to outdo the eldest, making her carriage leave early.

These were not things Ba Quan should care about. He had completed the task assigned by the Prime Minister, sent the two young ladies out, and prepared all the necessary tonics before going with them. He could then return to report.

Inside the study, Gu Ziming was staring blankly at a painting when he heard the noise behind him and knew that Ba Quan had returned.

"How did things go?"

"Reporting to your Excellency, it has been taken care of. The two young ladies have already departed, and the gifts you asked us to prepare are following behind them."

Gu Ziming looked at the painting in front of him with a complicated expression, the Third Prince's words still echoing in his ears.

Gu Ziming has been a figure in the imperial court for a long time. The Third Prince does have a better chance of success, but it seems that it is not worth it for the Gu family to gamble their entire fortune.

"How is things in the palace?"

"There is no news yet."

"Report any news you have immediately. You can go now."

"Yes."

"By the way, when the young lady returns, have her come to the study. I have something to tell her."

Gu Hanjiao sat in the carriage for a while, feeling sullen. She couldn't understand why her father insisted that Gu Qingwan come along.

She didn't know before that the Third Prince had feelings for Gu Qingwan, and now that she does, she's even less willing to bring Gu Qingwan along. With their wedding approaching, she doesn't want any complications.

However, she had no choice but to obey her father's orders. If she directly resisted, she might not even be able to leave the house. Fortunately, Gu Qingwan looked sickly and probably couldn't do anything funny.

Gu Hanjiao stared at the small ice basin inside the carriage. Although the carriage was small, it was very cool inside thanks to this little thing. However, the wind blowing in through the window cracks contrasted with the temperature inside, making it hot and uncomfortable.

I'll have to find a way to get the craftsmen in the manor to modify the doors and windows of this carriage, so that it will be more comfortable to ride in when I go out.

Bored, she thought about how she had given away her ice-making method a while ago. Although she had received some benefits, she hadn't actually made any real money out of it.

Currently, all I have is a rouge shop that generates some income. Although the products in the shop are quite profitable, it's not a sustainable solution. After all, modern cosmetics are really difficult to manufacture, and it will become a problem in the long run.

After I marry the Third Prince, I'll have plenty of opportunities to spend money, so I need to find ways to increase my income. The heroines in the book all built up their own businesses before they succeeded, and I should do the same.

Thinking of this, Gu Hanjiao couldn't help but reveal a mocking expression.

The women here value their status and position, regard merchants as inferior, and consider money as dirt, but they cannot live without money for a moment. Like her mother, they all use their dowries to make some extra money for the household management.

Little did she know that only when she was wealthy and financially independent could she stand shoulder to shoulder with her husband.

"Miss, I've never seen the pastries you made before, and they're even chilled! It must be so refreshing to have a bite on such a hot day," Chunlu said enviously, holding the food box.

Gu Hanjiao raised an eyebrow and asked, "What? You ate it secretly?"

Chunlu quickly shook her head, "No, no, how could this servant dare to steal food? It's just that this food box feels cool to the touch, so I just felt compelled to say something. I think the Third Prince will definitely like it."

"I know you wouldn't dare. Hold on tight, or I'll shake you apart." Gu Hanjiao held up a small bronze mirror and looked at her reflection.

"Don't worry, Miss, I guarantee your feelings will be conveyed to your future son-in-law without any reservations," Chunlu said sweetly.

"If you ask me, our young lady is talented in every way. The young master is so lucky to have married her. In her words, she is capable in both the living room and the kitchen, and can also earn money to support the family. If something so novel were put out there, it would definitely be snapped up."

Qiu Shuang secretly tugged at Chun Lu, who was flattering her, signaling Chun Lu to tone it down. Chun Lu sensed it and awkwardly shut her mouth.

Gu Hanjiao looked at her bangs and thought they looked extremely beautiful. Everyone here had smooth foreheads, and their high hairlines made them look old. Ever since she started wearing these airy bangs, many noble ladies in the capital have been copying her.

Gu Hanjiao glanced at the food box that Chunlu was holding and silently pondered.

The contents of this food box are naturally modern desserts called Snow Skin Mooncakes. Gu Hanjiao thought for a long time before coming up with a way to make them using the available ingredients, but it took a lot of effort, and her own small kitchen wasn't very efficient.

The cook in the small kitchen tried to teach her for a long time, but she still couldn't understand it. In the end, Gu Hanjiao had no choice but to cook it herself. Even so, she failed many times. Her arms are still sore from cracking eggs.

"Miss, is your arm uncomfortable? Would you like me to massage it for you?" Qiu Shuang asked softly at the opportune moment.

Gu Hanjiao nodded, and Qiu Shuang, having received permission, sat a little closer and gently massaged Gu Hanjiao's arms.

"Miss has gone to such lengths; I believe the Third Prince will understand the difficulties you have faced."

"Well, I hope so. Miss is with us today, so you two should be more alert." Gu Hanjiao finally felt some relief from the soreness in her arms.

"I really don't know why Master made the eldest young lady come along. Look at her sickly appearance, is she going to be a burden to our young lady?"

"Spring Dew." Autumn Frost called out to Spring Dew in a low voice, disapprovingly. Spring Dew was always so outspoken; how could servants like them question the decisions made by their masters?

Chunlu pouted again. Lately, she felt that Qiushuang was being too controlling, but with her mistress still around, Chunlu didn't dare to say anything.

"Don't worry about it. If Father says to come along, then come along. Let my older sister see what the Prince's residence is like."

Gu Hanjiao ignored the friction between the two maids. In her opinion, it was good for people in the courtyard to have some conflicts, so that they could have a sense of competition and do things better and serve her better. Gu Hanjiao didn't care about the minor squabbles at all, and even encouraged them.

Gu Hanjiao continued to think about her own things. She had considered opening another dessert shop and making some delicacies that didn't exist in this era, such as birthday cakes, cookies, and jelly, but the current conditions weren't very good.

Not to mention the ingredients needed for such desserts, the tools are not handy and it is very troublesome to make them. Moreover, even if they are made, the quantity is very small, not to mention storage. In such hot weather, there is no refrigerator or anything, so they will spoil very easily.

While it's true that things are valued for their rarity, if something is made but doesn't sell, or if it spoils due to temperature, the losses can be enormous.

We did consider using ice, but that would increase the cost of the product...

Even if all the above concerns were overcome and ice was used, it would be awkward if a good chef couldn't be found. She, a princess consort and future empress, couldn't very well make and sell desserts herself. If the royal family found out, they would definitely not accept such a daughter-in-law.

Wouldn't she become the cook for nobles or even commoners? Wouldn't she be laughed at?

Therefore, everything should be considered from a long-term perspective. If all else fails, making money through food is a good option, but the prerequisite is to find a good pastry chef.

As she was thinking, the carriage came to a stop, and the driver whispered, "Miss, we have arrived at the Third Prince's residence."

With the help of her maid, Gu Hanjiao slowly stepped down from the carriage. She raised her handkerchief to shield her forehead from the glaring sunlight, squinting as she adjusted to the light. Before she could even look at Gu Qingwan who was following behind her, she suddenly narrowed her eyes and stared straight ahead.

Whose carriage was that?

Qiu Shuang followed Gu Hanjiao's gaze and saw a carriage parked on one side of the Third Prince's residence that was even more luxurious than her young lady's, with the finest silks on it.

"I'll go and ask."

Qiu Shuang hurriedly walked to the gate of the Third Prince's residence and gave the gatekeeper some loose silver. The gatekeeper smiled and bowed to Qiu Shuang. After all, she was the future mistress's personal maid, so it was not good to treat her poorly. After answering her questions, he hurriedly ran over to pay his respects.

"Greetings to the young lady."

"Hmm, get up." Gu Hanjiao brushed a stray hair behind her ear and asked casually, "Does the Third Prince have any guests today?"

"Replying to Miss, today it is Miss Yu who has come to the manor to visit the Third Prince."

"Miss Yu?" Gu Hanjiao frowned. Her mother had mentioned the Yu family's young lady yesterday, and she had already encountered her today?

"Yes, she is the Third Prince's cousin, Miss Yu, who has come to deliver some medicinal herbs to the Third Prince on the orders of the Imperial Concubine."

After hearing this, Gu Hanjiao narrowed her eyes, thought for a moment, and then saw Gu Qingwan following behind in the blind carriage. She immediately had an idea. She smoothed her hair and said with a smile, "Please go in and announce that the two young ladies from the Prime Minister's residence have come to visit the Third Prince. Qiushuang, give this young man some money for his trouble. He can use it to buy some tea on this hot day."

The servant took the loose silver coins from Qiu Shuang, beaming from ear to ear. He quickly bowed and thanked her, saying, "Thank you for your generosity, Miss. It's so hot, I can't keep you waiting here. Please come inside, and I'll go ahead and inform the Third Prince."

"Go."