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

"Your Highness, you are drinking my water. Siqi, please go and get Your Highness a new cup."

Upon hearing Gu Qingwan's words, everyone turned their attention to the King of Chu, and sure enough, the King of Chu nonchalantly picked up the tea beside him and prepared to drink it all in one gulp.

"I thought it was prepared for me since no one else was using it. It turns out it's for Miss Gu. I was being rude." King Chu's easygoing manner made Gu Qingwan roll her eyes inwardly.

This guy is just here to join in the fun and doesn't mind the excitement.

"Brother Heng, you must stand up for Jiao'er! You must save my mother and my brother!" Gu Hanjiao didn't care about any of that. She knew in her heart that if something really happened to her mother, her path to marriage would be much more difficult, and right now, even her dowry wasn't fully prepared.

At this moment, Xiao Yuheng couldn't care less about anything else. Seeing that Gu Ziming didn't intend to scare him, he realized that Gu Ziming really was going to divorce his wife and abandon his children.

"Your Excellency, are you aware that if you were to do this, many officials would impeach you first thing tomorrow morning?" Xiao Yuheng cherished Gu Ziming's support and was no longer so aggressive.

"I have already discussed this matter with the Yu family, and it has been properly resolved. However, in the end, Prime Minister Gu still needs to make up for the debt."

"Qingwan disagrees with what the Third Prince said. Qingwan was there at the time, and it was clearly written down that it was the Third Prince's Consort who received the grain. How did it involve our Gu family? Could it be that the Third Prince is planning to use the Consort's dowry before even getting married?"

Gu Qingwan asked sharply.

"I am not the kind of prince who lives off my wife's dowry!"

What was said in jest was taken seriously by the listener. Gu Ziming was a man who rose to power by relying on his wife's family, and he hated it the most when people brought up this topic.

Sure enough, Gu Qingwan was even happier when she saw Gu Ziming's not-so-pleasant expression. Seeing his beloved in a good mood, Xiao Jingchen also inexplicably felt much better, and even the scars on his face seemed much more amiable.

"It would be best if there were none. If there were none, then the things on the IOU wouldn't be something my Gu family would repay. Besides, the Yu family is your maternal family, so ultimately it's your own family's business, Third Prince."

Xiao Yuheng said with a dark face, "This suggestion was put forward by Miss Gu!"

"It was indeed my suggestion, but if I hadn't offered such a pertinent suggestion, the matter probably wouldn't be resolved by now. Do the Third Prince and Second Sister have a better idea?"

They really didn't have any better ideas. If it were someone else from the Yu family, Xiao Yuheng could use his power to suppress them, but it was that slippery Yu Linglong that he couldn't do anything about.

“My daughter is right. Since it is something that the Third Prince’s wife owes, whether you, the Third Prince, repay it or use her own dowry to make up for it, it has nothing to do with my Prime Minister’s Mansion.”

"Father...Father, what do you mean by that?" Gu Hanjiao asked incredulously.

"A married daughter is like water spilled from a cup. Don't go out tomorrow. Stay home and prepare for your wedding."

"The porridge distribution will last for three days. What will I do tomorrow if I don't go, Brother Heng..."

"You can have your eldest sister go in your place tomorrow. She is the eldest daughter of the Gu family and can fully represent the Gu family. Your marriage to my daughter is just around the corner, so the most important thing is not to cause any more trouble."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the person Gu Ziming had sent to the ancestral hall entered from outside with the family genealogy.

He crossed out Gu Changfeng's name in front of the King of Chu and the Third Prince.

"Gu Changfeng has ruined the family's reputation, lacks ambition, and brought shame to the family. Today, he is removed from the Gu family genealogy. From now on, regardless of his life or death, wealth or poverty, he will have nothing to do with the Gu family."

"No! Father, you can't do this. You must think it over. Once you make this change, it will be too late to regret it. Even if you add it back, it will still deeply hurt the bond between father and son."

Gu Hanjiao gripped the pen tightly in Gu Ziming's hand, not caring that the ink on the pen was dripping onto her dress.

"And Mother! Where is Mother? Qiushuang, go find Mother quickly and stop Father from doing such a foolish thing!"

"Hehe, are you saying your father is confused? You really are going to be a royal daughter-in-law, you even dare to say such things to your father."

"No, Father, that's not what I meant..."

Gu Qingwan knew in her heart that this was probably the best way to deal with Gu Changfeng.

This would both preserve the Gu family's reputation and spare his life. After all, he was a child they had doted on since childhood, and even if it were just a cat or a dog, they would still have feelings for him.

As for Wang Ruyan, Gu Hanjiao shouldn't have any illusions. Now that the woman is in the old lady's hands, it's already a miracle that she's not immediately thrown into a pig cage.

"release!"

Gu Hanjiao shook her head, tears streaming down her face.

"I'll say it again, let go!"

"Father, Father, you can't do this! Mother hasn't agreed yet, Father. Have you forgotten that you've always loved my brother and me the most since we were little? You even said that we were gifts from God."

"I was blind! Get out of my way or I'll kick you out too!"

The King of Chu didn't react much; he had come to see Gu Qingwan, but Xiao Yuheng had a different story.

Gu Hanjiao is his princess consort. What would it mean if she were expelled from the family? Suddenly, he glanced at Gu Qingwan, who was sitting quietly there, and his mind started to wander again.

If Gu Hanjiao were gone, would the Gu family have to marry their eldest daughter to him?

The King of Chu noticed Xiao Yuheng's gaze, slammed the cup down heavily, and said in a deep voice.

“Third Prince, your princess consort is crying like that, and you are completely unmoved. Your eyes are still wandering around. What, are you dissatisfied with the marriage bestowed upon you by your father? You were the one who begged for it yourself.”

"Your Majesty, you flatter me. I dare not."

"Hmph, whether it's not that he dares or that he doesn't want to, those are probably two different things." Xiao Jingchen had completely lost his previous indifferent attitude. Gu Qingwan sighed inwardly, realizing that love really could make a person foolish.

This was undoubtedly adding insult to injury for Gu Hanjiao. Her family was already in complete chaos, and if the Third Prince was disappointed in her, all her ambitions and ideals would be in vain.

But she couldn't care less about anything else right now. She moved closer to Gu Ziming, tugged at his sleeve, and said, "Father, this is ultimately a family matter. Why don't you deal with it after the Prince and the Third Prince have left? Even if it's just for your daughter's sake, okay?"

"Second sister, please don't make things difficult for Father anymore. Someone will explain things to you later," Gu Hanqing said, stepping forward to comfort him.

"You illegitimate son, what do you know! Even if my brother is expelled, you are still an illegitimate son born to a concubine, a worthless thing!"

Gu Hanqing, having been scolded, naturally wouldn't rush to comfort her anymore. What's even more interesting is the Third Prince, Xiao Yuheng. Although he has a noble status, he is ultimately just an illegitimate son, constantly overshadowed by the legitimate son and the Crown Prince. No matter how outstanding he is, he will never gain the favor of his own father, the Emperor.

Gu Hanjiao's words were undoubtedly like rubbing salt into Xiao Yuheng's wounds.

Xiao Yuheng pursed his lips and said unhappily, "Prime Minister, I have come here today to seek justice, not to watch you deal with your family affairs!"

"Of course, with the Prince here, no one dares to deceive the Third Prince. This matter has already been settled. I have already ordered the servant who colluded with the foreign traitors to be beaten to death, and I will also sell his aunt Xue Niang shortly. Now that the Prince and the Third Prince are witnessing this, Gu Changfeng is no longer a descendant of the Gu family. If the Third Prince is still not satisfied, his life or death will be entirely up to him."

"Prime Minister, are you trying to pin all the blame on me?"

Gu Ziming smiled and said, "How could that be? The Third Prince is also getting married to Jiao'er. Seeing how loving you two are, His Majesty will surely be pleased."

Then Gu Ziming took out another piece of paper and began to write a letter of divorce, while Gu Hanjiao knelt on the ground and begged for mercy.

"Your Highness, Third Prince, please, please save my mother and my brother!"

"Second sister, you'd better get up quickly. The family matters..." Gu Qingwan said somewhat cryptically, "The family matters are quite complicated. Father can handle things here. Why don't you go and see Grandmother?"

"Get out of my way! What are you pretending for? My mother is in trouble, and you must be secretly overjoyed!" Gu Hanjiao shoved Gu Qingwan's hand away.

"Second sister, how can you be so rude? Eldest sister meant well!"

"A kind intention? A kind intention, and you ganged up on us, mother and children, to bully us?" Gu Hanjiao cried out, her brows furrowed in anger.

"Your Highness, Third Prince, you must seek justice for Jiao'er! They completely disregard my status as a royal wife and are wantonly humiliating me..."

Xiao Yuheng couldn't bear to see a beautiful woman shed tears. Seeing this, he knew that things were not as simple as he had imagined. After all, the King of Chu was present, and he had to play the part completely. He stepped forward and helped Gu Hanjiao up.

"Come quickly, the ground is cold and it's not good for your health. The Prime Minister has his reasons for doing this. With me here, no one will dare to bully you."

"Brother Heng... Waaah!" Gu Hanjiao rushed into Xiao Yuheng's arms, clutching his clothes tightly as if she had grasped at the last straw.

Xiao Jingchen glanced thoughtfully at Gu Qingwan upon seeing this scene. Gu Qingwan felt a chill run down her spine under his gaze. Was Xiao Jingchen fantasizing that she could act coquettishly towards him like Gu Hanjiao?

Gu Qingwan quickly rubbed her arms; it was truly terrifying.

"Is Miss Gu feeling unwell and cold?" Xiao Jingchen asked.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. However, my father has already handed the matter over to you two, and our Gu family really has nothing left to say. My second sister has already taken responsibility and written an IOU. I don't know if this matter can quell the royal family's anger."

Xiao Jingchen stood up and thought for a while. At this time, Gu Ziming had also finished writing the letter of divorce.

"Three copies are to be made. I will send someone to the yamen to file them later. Your Highness may take a look first."

"No need. I think you've pushed the Prime Minister's mansion to its limits. As the saying goes, it's best to be lenient when possible. I'll take charge of this matter and approve of all of Prime Minister Gu's actions. As for the IOU, since it was the Second Miss who owed it, you two can discuss it after you get married."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

The Third Prince choked. He had a clear conscience. When had he ever forced Gu Ziming to divorce his wife and abandon his children? He hadn't. How could his uncle have become the culprit for Gu Ziming's separation from his wife and children just by talking to him?

"Uncle, I..."

"Your body is not fully recovered yet, and your father will definitely scold you for running away again. You should come with me. If he hears the news, he can just say that I took you out for a walk to relax. Don't worry."

Xiao Yuheng felt incredibly frustrated.

"Thank you for your concern, Imperial Uncle."

"Alright, alright, you two stop being so lovey-dovey. There's plenty of time for your wedding later. The Prime Minister is right. Since your wedding is approaching, it's not good for you to see each other so often."

After saying this, Xiao Jingchen turned and left. Before leaving, he gave Gu Qingwan a meaningful look. Gu Qingwan got up to see him off, as if she hadn't seen the Prince of Chu's flirtatious glance.

“Brother Heng…” Gu Hanjiao was reluctant to let the Third Prince leave, and wanted him to stay and support her.

"Jiao'er, you stay home and listen to your father. This prince must return now."

As the King of Chu walked further and further away, Xiao Yuheng could no longer care about Gu Hanjiao and had his servants help him catch up with the King of Chu.

Gu Ziming remained mostly silent throughout. He escorted the two men out of the mansion with Gu Hanqing, then, looking slightly tired, led them to the old lady's courtyard.

Gu Hanjiao didn't know what had happened at home, so she was determined to find out, even if she was covered in dirt.

As for Gu Qingwan, she knew that the real show had only just begun.