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

Without waiting for a reply, Gu Hanjiao pulled Gu Qingwan toward their seats.

Even Madam Ning was shocked by Gu Hanjiao's actions; how could she do this...?

Gu Hanjiao's scalp was also a little hot. She didn't want to be so shameless, but the problem was that even if Hongxiu came back, she wouldn't find her a good seat. Only by being shameless could she sit in a seat near the front. Although she would be looked down upon by the Ning family, the Ning family wouldn't kick her out on the spot, otherwise wouldn't that give others a chance to criticize the Ning family for being heartless?

"Oh, Miss!" Siqi was also taken aback by Gu Hanjiao's shamelessness. By the time she realized what was happening, her young mistress had already been dragged away by Gu Hanjiao.

Gu Qingwan didn't struggle; she wanted to see what other tricks Gu Hanjiao had up her sleeve.

Gu Qingwan said slowly and deliberately, "If I were my younger sister, I would definitely sit obediently in the assigned seat instead of trying every means to get to the front."

Upon hearing this, Gu Hanjiao responded with a forced smile: "Of course you can't understand how I feel now that I'm down on my luck. You can laugh at me in your heart all you want. Call me shameless or selfish if you will, but all I want is a stable life for myself. Is that wrong?"

"There's nothing wrong with it, it's just..."

"Just what?" Gu Hanjiao looked at Gu Qingwan suspiciously.

"It's nothing, I'm just a little worried. Is what you're doing right, sister? Of course, if you think it's right to just do it, then go ahead and do it. But there are limited spots available. I can have Siqi wait outside, but it would be hard on you."

Hearing this, Gu Hanjiao's expression turned rather unpleasant. "Sister, there's no need for that. This table is very long. You can just squeeze in with me later."

"Didn't my sister say she was the most well-behaved? Why is she completely disregarding the rules now?"

"you!"

"Qingwan! You really are here!"

"Yanran!" Gu Qingwan was clearly delighted to see Meng Yanran.

Meng Yanran emerged from the crowd, excitedly grabbing Qingwan's arm and chattering away.

"I haven't been out to play for so long, I'm so bored. It was only with great difficulty that I managed to get my grandmother to take me out with her."

"Your grandmother is here too?"

“They’re here! Not only my grandmother, but my mother is here too. My father took my brother over there to talk and didn’t come with us. My grandmother told me not to cause trouble. I already thought the rules in the palace were strict, but it’s good that you’re here too. Why don’t we sit together?” Yanran said affectionately, pulling Gu Qingwan’s arm.

Gu Qingwan tapped Meng Yanran's nose and said, "You really can't stay still for a moment. Anyway, our two families shouldn't be too far apart. You should just stay obediently by your mother's side. This is the palace, so we shouldn't cause any trouble."

"Sigh, you're clearly a year younger than me, but you talk like an old woman, just like my grandmother." Meng Yanran frowned as she spoke.

"Huh? What are you doing here?" Only then did Meng Yanran notice that Gu Hanjiao was also standing beside her.

"Miss Meng, what you're saying is perfectly normal. Isn't it perfectly normal for my sister and I to be together?"

Meng Yanran asked with some suspicion, "Qingwan, didn't you sever ties with the Gu family? How come..."

"Yanran!"

A deep voice interrupted Meng Yanran's question. Turning her head, she saw that it was her brother who had quietly interrupted her.

"Have you forgotten all the instructions I gave you before you came?"

"Well, what brings you here, brother? Aren't you with Father?"

Meng Jiyue ignored his sister's question. He hadn't seen Gu Qingwan for a long time and had heard that she had been going through a lot of trouble recently. His eyes were filled with pity.

"How have you been lately, Miss Gu?"

"Thank you for your concern, Young Master Meng. Qingwan is doing well recently."

There were many people around, and even if Meng Jiyue wanted to say more, he knew that for the sake of both of them, he should keep his distance. So he simply nodded.

"Let's go, Father is back. I heard the banquet is about to begin. Grandmother and the others have already taken their seats. Don't linger outside."

Meng Jiyue didn't give Meng Yanran any chance at all and took her away directly.

Gu Hanjiao, being the person she was, immediately noticed that Meng Jiyue seemed to have feelings for Gu Qingwan. She teased, "This young master Meng truly lives up to his name, as bright as the moon. Sister, you shouldn't miss out on him."

Gu Qingwan snapped out of her daze and said with a grim expression, "In that case, sister, it's best not to say things like that carelessly in the future, lest you bring trouble upon yourself."

"Hehe, so even you get nervous, sister. Yes, who wouldn't be attracted to a man like that?"

Instead of getting angry, Gu Qingwan smiled and looked at Gu Hanjiao, asking, "What, is the Third Prince no longer enough for you? You're already thinking about other men before you're even married?"

Without waiting for Gu Hanjiao's reaction, he led Siqi inside.

Just now, Meng Jiyue said that Lord Meng has returned, so Grandfather must be coming back soon too. Gu Qingwan had no mood to pay attention to Gu Hanjiao anymore.

Seeing that Gu Qingwan really left without a care, Gu Hanjiao angrily rubbed her handkerchief, bit her lip, looked around, and followed her.

"Miss, how come the Second Miss's skin has become so thick? Even though Miss ignores her, she still follows me closely."

Gu Qingwan said, "We're almost inside the hall, so you'd better keep your mouth shut. If she really follows, she'll just be asking for trouble."

Gu Hanjiao's idea is too good to be true; she should just consider whether the Ning family would agree to it.

Gu Hanjiao still followed closely behind Gu Qingwan, completely disregarding the stares of those around her. Everyone around assumed that the Ning family had accepted Gu Hanjiao.

"Hey, sis, isn't that Gu Hanjiao?" Li Jingge asked Li Qianyu in her ear.

Li Qianyu naturally knew that Gu Hanjiao had also come today; they had met in the Imperial Concubine's palace. Li Qianyu shook her head and said, "Let's talk less."

Li Jingge pursed her lips and said no more. Originally she was not very interested, but she was very interested in Gu Hanjiao's appearance, so her eyes were focused on Gu Hanjiao.

Upon arriving at their designated seats, before Old Madam Ning and Madam Ning could even sit down, the old Duke and the Duke of Ning arrived together, followed by the Prince of Chu and the Third Prince. It seemed that the Emperor and Empress would arrive soon as well.

"Why haven't you taken your seats yet? The Emperor will be here soon," the old Duke asked.

"I've sat down. I was just wondering where you two had gone and was about to send someone to ask," said Madam Ning.

"Hey, what's there to ask? Please sit down." The old Duke was about to sit down when he saw Gu Hanjiao next to Gu Qingwan. He frowned, but since she was an elder, he couldn't very well ask.

Madam Ning naturally noticed the old Duke's displeasure, and it was also her fault for being so busy with social engagements that she hadn't noticed that Qingwan was always accompanied by Gu Hanjiao.

"Mother, what's wrong..." Madam Ning hesitated before speaking to Old Madam Ning.