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

After observing for a while, Wenrou said with a hint of deeper meaning, "The Prince is a cold-hearted person, but he is different when it comes to Miss Gu."

As she spoke, she stepped forward, tore off the pastries in front of Gu Qingwan, and placed the untouched pastries next to her on top of them.

"After all, it was used by the Prince. The Prince is a big man and doesn't care about such trivial matters. Miss Gu, please don't be angry."

Gu Qingwan simply smiled. She was well aware of Wenrou's hostility towards her. All these years of waiting for him had only been for his sake, so Gu Qingwan could understand that.

The Empress Dowager seemed to have taken Wenrou's first words to heart. She glanced thoughtfully at Gu Qingwan and then turned to speak to Old Madam Ning.

"Older sister, this must be your precious child. I don't see him often even though I'm in the palace. But seeing him today, he is indeed beautiful, and he has a resemblance to you when you were young."

Madam Ning couldn't hide her joy at the compliments. Gu Qingwan's appearance was the most similar to her own when she was young, and she really enjoyed it when others praised her child like that.

"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager has a good memory; she still remembers what I looked like when I was young. But let's not talk about it; I was too reckless back then and made quite a few jokes."

"Oh, don't say that. Those who mocked you back then were just envious of your carefree and authentic life. Go out and ask around, who wouldn't envy you back then, the one who was pampered by the old Duke?"

"You're already this old. Your Majesty, please don't tease me in front of the younger generation. Come, come, Qingwan, come here quickly so Your Majesty can see you. If it weren't for Your Majesty, my grandmother wouldn't have been able to have you back then."

After hearing this, Gu Qingwan slowly stood up, placed her hands neatly in front of her waist, and walked forward steadily step by step. She nodded slightly, but did not appear humble or nervous, yet she still showed respect for her superior. Such a performance made the Empress Dowager and the old nannies and aunts around her nod in approval. Even a palace concubine would have to spend many years cultivating such demeanor and manners.

Gu Qingwan lived up to expectations; her bowing was flawless and perfectly standard, so much so that even the governess couldn't find any fault with it.

"Your humble servant, Gu Qingwan, greets Your Majesty the Empress Dowager and wishes Her Majesty a long and blessed life."

"Good, good, what a good child. Get up now. Look at your manners. This is quite different from your grandmother. Back then, your grandmother was a person who didn't follow any rules. I don't know how she started to follow rules as she got older, and she even taught you to be so well."

"Why is Your Highness bringing up things from the past again?"

"Hahaha, let's not talk about it anymore. It's just that whenever I see my old sister, I can't help but think of the past, Granny Chang."

"The old slave is here."

"Go and bring me the gold necklace with auspicious floral patterns that I wore when I was young. Consider it my gift to Miss Gu."

"Yes."

Upon hearing this, Madam Ning immediately stood up and said, "How can this be? That necklace was worn by the Empress Dowager when she came of age. How can it be given to a child like Qingwan?"

"Well, since it's for a child, of course it's fine to wear. Besides, I'm already this old, there's no use in keeping such a youthful thing. It's better to leave it to the young people."

Granny Chang quickly brought up the necklace. When she opened the box, it was still glittering with gold and was very well preserved. It was carved with peach branches and adorned with rare pink gemstones. The center of the necklace was shaped like a ruyi (a traditional Chinese symbol of good fortune).

Wenrou felt a pang of resentment watching from the side. She naturally knew the origin of this necklace. Back when the Empress Dowager was still Miss Wen, the empresses in the palace specially sent someone to deliver it as a congratulatory gift on the day of her coming-of-age ceremony. The Empress Dowager had never mentioned such a fine thing to her before, so what merit did Gu Qingwan have?

Despite her jealousy, Wenrou was no pushover either. She quickly stepped forward and took the collar from the tray.

Gu Qingwan was taken aback; she hadn't expected Wenrou to suddenly pull this stunt.

"Aunt really likes Miss Gu. Wenrou also likes Miss Gu very much. I wonder if Wenrou can become friends with Miss Gu? Here, let me help you put this on. I believe it will look great."

The Empress Dowager chimed in, "Yes, yes, yes, put it on so I can see it. I love pretty young girls the most."

Gu Qingwan couldn't refuse. Wenrou, upon hearing the Empress Dowager's words, put the necklace on Gu Qingwan directly. However, because Wenrou's body was covering her, her technique wasn't exactly gentle. A strand of hair got caught on the necklace's gemstone, and Wenrou simply yanked it off, almost making Qingwan lose her temper.

When Wenrou saw Gu Qingwan's pained expression, a hint of smugness crept into her eyes.

"Oh, Aunt, look, Miss Gu looks really good in it."

Gu Qingwan quickly bowed and expressed her gratitude: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your kindness."

The Empress Dowager sat there, squinting as she stared blankly at Gu Qingwan. She seemed to see her younger self in her, also wearing palace attire and this necklace. Back then, the late Emperor had even said she was beautiful…

Seeing the Empress Dowager lost in thought, Granny Chang quickly stepped forward to remind her.

"The Empress Dowager is probably stunned by the beautiful girl."

As soon as Granny Chang spoke, she pulled the Empress Dowager back to reality. She smiled and said, "That's right, it's no exaggeration to say that a person is more beautiful than a flower. Granny Chang, go to the inner room and bring me the knots I made a couple of days ago. I'll tie them on Qingwan. She'll look even more beautiful with those two knots on."

"Absolutely not. I am already overwhelmed with gratitude for the Empress Dowager's gifts. How could I possibly receive anything from Her Majesty herself?"

"Yes, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager," Old Madam Ning echoed from the side.

"It's just a little trinket for when you have nothing else to do, why are you so anxious? Granny Chang, go and tie it on Qingwan. I think this necklace and that pendant match Qingwan's palace dress perfectly today."

Wenrou couldn't help but feel jealous. Why did the Empress Dowager treat Gu Qingwan so well when they first met? Was it just because she was the granddaughter of Old Madam Ning?

"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager is so fond of Qingwan. If we're talking about pretty girls, I think Miss Wen is one in a hundred." Old Madam Ning couldn't just let others praise her own child; she had to return the praise appropriately.

"Hehehe, Wenrou, girl, come here quickly and let Old Madam Ning take a look. This is my niece from my maternal family. She is the most obedient and well-behaved. She was sent to the palace to accompany me. It is all thanks to her."

"Miss Wen is gentle and generous, and she has an air of elegance about her. She must have received personal instruction from the Empress Dowager."