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

"How to say?"

"Look, ever since my cousin got engaged to Sister Gu, you no longer have to suffer through the summer heat. Even the Yu family is benefiting from your continuous supply of ice basins."

"That's true. I heard that you were the one who came up with this ice-making recipe?"

Gu Hanjiao said, "Your Majesty, I happened to read a miscellaneous book, which contained some records. I tried to do it a few times when I had nothing to do, and I have made some small progress. It is thanks to the wisdom of the Third Prince that it was through his improvements that the people were able to benefit."

"Yes, His Majesty also said that this is a good thing. If the costs can be reduced in the future, ordinary people will not have to suffer in the summer."

Yu Xinqiu's eyes darted around before she continued, "Not only that, but last time at my cousin's place, I was fortunate enough to see Sister Gu bring over some snow skin mooncakes. They looked and smelled amazing, something I'd never even heard of before. It's such a shame I didn't have the chance to try them."

"Speaking of that snow skin mooncake, the Third Prince sent me two the other day. It tasted absolutely delicious. In this hot summer, a bite of it made me feel cool and happy. It was sweet. I had the kitchen try to make it several times, but they were unsuccessful. I was quite disappointed. I even sent someone to ask the Third Prince, but the boy wouldn't say anything."

Gu Hanjiao was still very grateful to the Third Prince. He did not force her to do it just because his mother liked it. This was the first step to a successful marriage. You must make your husband's heart be with you.

"My cooking skills are rudimentary; how could I possibly deserve such praise from Your Highness?"

“What’s so difficult about that? Aunt, while Sister Gu is here, I’ll have her go to the small kitchen and make you a portion.”

As soon as she finished speaking, not only did Gu Hanjiao frown, but even Consort Yu reprimanded her with disapproval, saying, "What nonsense are you talking about? Jiao'er is the daughter of the Prime Minister's family, so how can she enter the palace to work in the kitchen, a place full of grease and smoke, for me? Qiu'er, is this the kind of upbringing you received in the Yu family?"

"Aunt, please forgive me. Qiu'er was being unreasonable."

"Think before you speak and act in the future. Don't act impulsively. This is a one-time exception."

Gu Hanjiao saw that Consort Yu was criticizing Yu Xinqiu, but she also knew that it was all for her benefit, so Gu Hanjiao cooperated and said something in a similar manner.

"Your Majesty need not blame Miss Yu. I have brought the recipe with me today and will give it to Aunt Yingyue later. I believe the kitchen in the palace will make it even better than the one in our Prime Minister's residence."

As she spoke, she took out what she was holding and handed it to Aunt Yingyue.

When Yingyue opened the first sheet, it was indeed Xue Meiniang's recipe, but the second sheet surprised her. She quickly handed it to Consort Yu.

Consort Yu took it in her hand and looked at it over. She was quite surprised to find that it was a document transferring a portion of the profits from Gu Hanjiao's cosmetics store.

"What are you..."

"Your Majesty, I am grateful for your many acts of protection. I am sure Your Majesty has everything you need. This is just a token of my filial piety, and I hope Your Majesty will not find it offensive."

As the saying goes, "A fool wouldn't make money if he could."

Although Consort Yu is now a Noble Consort with power and her family provides her with a constant stream of money, who hates money?

Consort Yu also owned some properties, but only a small portion. The palace did not allow concubines to have dowries, so it was even more forbidden for them to acquire properties outside the palace without permission.

Consort Yu got all her money from her family; nothing beats having money in your own hands.

Besides, the skincare products in Gu Hanjiao's cosmetics shop are highly sought-after items in the capital. Although Gu Hanjiao usually gives them to me as gifts, if I become the owner, I can have whatever I want.

Moreover, these items are quite valuable. Gu Hanjiao has given her half of the cosmetics store, so she doesn't think it's a small amount.

But she still had to put on a show. She glanced at Yu Xinqiu below, who was staring curiously at her hand, and cleared her throat.

"Cough cough cough, Qiu'er, go and see how Amber's breakfast is going. I remember Jiao'er loves steamed pumpkin cake with golden threads. Have Amber prepare a portion as well."

But it was clear that Consort Yu did not want Yu Xinqiu to know about this matter, or to put it more bluntly, she did not want the Yu family to know.

Yu Xinqiu nodded obediently and got up without the slightest hesitation.

Yingyue dismissed all the other palace servants, leaving only herself to serve Consort Yu.

"My dear, I accept your kind intentions, but this is far too much. I've also heard from Heng'er that this Makeup Pavilion is the culmination of your hard work..."

"Your Majesty, it's alright. You are the mother of the Third Prince, and will be my mother in the future. It is only right that I be filial to you. You know that I have no business experience. I was able to start this cosmetics shop entirely thanks to the Third Prince. But the Third Prince is a man, after all. He will need Your Majesty's guidance in the future to make it even better."

Consort Yu was so flattered by Gu Hanjiao that she was completely disoriented.

"Yes, Heng'er is quite capable, but he's not very skilled at household chores. From now on, these things will all be handed over to you..."

Consort Yu glanced at what she was holding, hesitated for a moment, and then continued.

"I will accept these things for now. Actually, I am already this old and have no use for these money and material possessions. I just want to save some money for you. There will be many places where you will need money in the future. You are young and do not know how to manage money. When you learn to manage money, these things will all be yours."

“Your Majesty, you are mistaken. You have already devoted half your life to the Third Prince, and you should enjoy the rest of your life. I know that Your Majesty is not short of money, but I think you are not short of anything else. Money is not important. The main thing is that you can use your favorite skin care products anytime, anywhere.”

"Look how eloquent this child is, then I will accept him."

"There is one thing I need to ask of Your Majesty."

"What is it?" Consort Yu asked warily upon hearing this.

"It's nothing serious, but I hope that Your Highness will put in a good word for Cai Zhuang Ge in front of the ladies and young women in the future."

Hearing this, Consort Yu breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Of course, there's no such thing as a bad thing if I set my sights on something. Don't worry. Also, don't worry too much about Qiu'er. Heng'er is, after all, a prince, he..."

"Your Majesty need not worry, I understand everything you have said. However, the most important thing now is not who is by the Third Prince's side, but to get the Third Prince out of his current predicament as soon as possible, since the Crown Prince will be returning to the palace soon."

"You're right. It would be best if Heng'er could get through this difficult time smoothly. These past few times have felt like they were all aimed at Heng'er. It seems that the Crown Prince was behind it all. Even what happened to your brother..."

Consort Yu was clearly still angry that Gu Changfeng had implicated the Third Prince, who was sentenced to "death" without even having a chance to defend himself before the Emperor. How could the Third Prince's faction not be furious?

However, Prime Minister Gu, who was clearly part of the Third Prince's faction, did not fare well either. The Emperor not only reprimanded him but also revoked his right to preside over the next imperial examination, forbidding Prime Minister Gu from even getting involved.

Therefore, from a broader perspective, the Third Prince suffered a very significant loss this time.

"Your Majesty need not worry. My brother has indeed been a burden to the Third Prince, but every cloud has a silver lining."

"How to say?"

"To be frank, I hope Your Highness will forgive me. As His Majesty gets older, his suspicions also grow. Right now, His Majesty is really angry, but after a while, once he comes to his senses, he will wonder why the Third Prince has been hit one after another."

Gu Hanjiao didn't finish her sentence, because it would lose its meaning if she did. According to the novels and TV dramas she had read, such constant attacks would only arouse the suspicion of those in power. This was the emperor's balancing act. After the crown prince returned, the emperor would definitely give the third prince an important position again in order to check the crown prince's power.

Consort Yu nodded. Yes, she had been blinded by anger lately, blaming the Prime Minister's Mansion. In fact, the Prime Minister's Mansion had also suffered considerable losses. No wonder Heng'er always advised her not to worry.

“It was my mistake.” Consort Yu took Gu Hanjiao’s hand and said, “You are a good person, Heng’er did not misjudge you.”

"Your Majesty is too kind."

Yingyue, who was standing nearby, seemed hesitant to speak. Consort Yu also noticed this and, after thinking for a moment, had someone send Gu Hanjiao away.

"Good child, I know your feelings. You must be tired after coming here so early in the morning. Someone, take Miss Gu to the flower hall to wash her hands. We'll have breakfast together in a little while."

After Gu Hanjiao left, only Consort Yu and Yingyue remained in the main hall.

"Just say what you have to say."

"Your Highness, this... Master told us before not to acquire any properties outside without permission, to avoid any trouble."

"That's what Father said, but it was all Linglong's doing. Besides, it was a gift from my future daughter-in-law, and I only received half of the proceeds. It's nothing. You're just being too cautious."

"But the empress..."

“Yingyue, you came to the palace with me. You are my most trusted confidante. You were not sent by Father to spy on me.”

Consort Yu was clearly not listening to Yingyue's earnest advice. Yingyue usually contacted the Yu family on her behalf, and over time Consort Yu had become somewhat dissatisfied. Moreover, a letter from home recently criticized her for acting irrationally.

Consort Yu suspected that Yingyue was secretly sending messages home.

Yingyue immediately knelt down, "Your Majesty, what you're saying... is even more cruel than killing me! I've followed you all this way, and I've always done it for your own good."

Consort Yu thought for a moment, and perhaps her words had hit a nerve. She personally helped Yingyue up and comforted her softly.

"It was my fault, please don't be angry."

"I dare not."

"It's also your fault for always contradicting me." Consort Yu sighed and said, "I know your concerns, but I've seen that Father and the Yu family no longer value me as much. Linglong's words carry more and more weight, but that girl doesn't listen to me and keeps criticizing me!"

“Yingyue, I am suffering inside, so I must make plans for myself and the Third Prince as soon as possible.”

"What is there for Your Highness to worry about? The Yu family is still ruled by the Master."

"What about after that? What will happen after Father is gone? So we must find a way to make the Third Prince strong as soon as possible, so that he can sit on that throne and keep the Yu family firmly bound."

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty, I am too kind. I am always afraid that there are risks outside that might implicate you and the Third Prince."

"It's alright. Isn't the Prime Minister's residence blocking our way? I think Gu Hanjiao just wants to use my reputation to boost her product's fame so she can sell it for a better price."

Yingyue didn't say anything more after hearing this. She knew that once the Empress made a decision, it was usually irreversible. However, Yingyue began to worry.

Previously, the Empress listened to her family and thus progressed smoothly. Now, however, she wants to make her own decisions, and in just a few days, she has made frequent mistakes. But Yingyue cannot tell her family, otherwise the Empress will truly despise her.

Yingyue sighed silently to herself, thinking, "Well, since I'm here, I might as well make the best of it."