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

"You've been so busy, it's really kind of you, Mother, to take some time to visit my little courtyard," Zhu Xiaoyan said sarcastically.

Madam Chen looked rather displeased, but because Princess Chu was present, she couldn't lash out. In truth, their relationship as mother-in-law and daughter-in-law was naturally far from good.

Madam Chen glanced at the two women, Princess Chu and Zhu Xiaoyan. Seeing that Princess Chu's expression was normal, she quietly felt relieved, thinking that Zhu Xiaoyan probably hadn't said anything she shouldn't have.

"I've been here for quite a while now, it's time for me to leave."

Gu Qingwan stood up, supported by Baoqin, and prepared to leave with Baoqin and Siqi.

"Thank you for coming to see me today, Your Highness. I will definitely visit you at the Prince's residence when I feel better," Zhu Xiaoyan said.

Gu Qingwan nodded. "Madam Hou, shall we go?"

"Oh, let's go now, Your Highness, please watch your step."

On the way back, Gu Qingwan thought about everything that had happened at the Marquis's residence. She felt that the whole thing was so simple. Princess Zirui must have received some news to be in such a hurry to come back.

Halfway there, they happened to run into Prince Lu Yan.

"Your Highness, did you come from the Crown Princess's courtyard?"

"The young master is not in a hurry."

Lu Yan's eyes were full of tenderness, his lips curved into a smile, and his tone was unusually relaxed: "Mother is helping with household affairs. Now, the Princess is the one with the noble status. Lu Yan should be by the Princess's side."

Putting aside Gu Qingwan's current feelings, even Siqi and Baoqin were finding it hard to bear. Was this prince walking on a knife's edge? Was he flirting with their princess?

Gu Qingwan smiled, a smile that startled Lu Yan. He hadn't expected the Princess Consort of Chu to be such a stunning beauty; no wonder she had captivated the King of Chu.

He took a step forward with an air of elegance.

"Your Highness, I advise you to think carefully before you act."

"Oh?" He raised an eyebrow. "Your Highness must speak with me about how I should behave."

At this moment, Madam Chen caught up from behind and happened to see the Crown Prince standing very close to the Princess of Chu. She couldn't see the Princess of Chu's expression, but the frivolous expression on the Crown Prince's face made her heart skip a beat.

She rushed forward, taking three steps at a time, and said, "Why is the young master here? Has the second prince left?"

Lu Yan put away his frivolous expression and said, "Replying to Mother, I just heard that the Princess went to see Xiaoyan. I was afraid that the people below would neglect her, so I came to check. I didn't expect that the Princess was already leaving. As for the Second Prince, he has his cousin by his side."

"That's not good either. The Second Prince is a distinguished guest after all. Your cousin is a good man, but he is still young. It would be better if the Prince had him by his side to give him some guidance. As for the Princess, I'm here."

Gu Qingwan didn't respond, but the heir of the Marquis of Yi'an didn't make way for her either.

Siqi said, "Please, the heir of Marquis Yi'an, move aside and do not block the Princess's path."

Lu Yan then took a half step back and said, "The banquet in front has been set up. Would Your Highness like to move over there?"

Gu Qingwan ignored him completely and walked past him, ignoring Xiao Chen behind her as well.

Watching the departing figure of the Princess Consort of Chu, Madam Chen couldn't help but stomp her foot. But now was not the time to talk to her. She lifted her skirt, took the hand of her maid, and chased after the Princess Consort of Chu.

That evening, Madam Chen nervously sent her personal maid to summon the young master, but he was late in arriving, and she became extremely anxious.

The prince arrived late at night, sauntering in.

"What's wrong with you today? How dare you mess with the Princess Consort of Chu!"

Faced with Madam Chen's accusations, Lu Yan remained unperturbed. He calmly found a seat, poured himself a cup of tea, and said, "What's wrong with me? I didn't do anything, Princess Consort of Chu? Heh."

Seeing his frivolous expression, she knew he had fallen into his old habits again.

Lu Yan, the heir of the Marquis of Yi'an, has no other faults except that he likes beautiful women. But everyone has a love for beauty, and there is nothing wrong with liking beautiful women. However, he is particularly fond of other people's wives.

“Lu Yan, listen to me. I don’t care what others do, but you can’t afford to offend Princess Consort Chu. If the Prince of Chu finds out, our Marquis’s mansion will be finished.”

Ms. Chen was still somewhat scared.

Lu Yan reached out and pulled Xiao Chen into his arms, lifting her chin as he said, "Don't worry, no one can shake your position. Although the Princess of Chu is beautiful, I know she's just a rose, something to admire. You're still my favorite, so why are you jealous?"

Madam Chen blushed and said, "Can you be serious? I'm not jealous, I'm genuinely scared. Don't I know what kind of person you are? You... In short, you can't mess with the Princess Consort of Chu, no, you're not even allowed to think about her!"

"Okay, okay, I'll listen to you. You're the only one I care about."

Having received Lu Yan's promise, Xiao Chen's body softened. She leaned against her and said, "You haven't come to see me for several days. Are you angry with me?"

"You still know?"

"Yanlang, I did it all for you. I know it was my fault, but I didn't expect Zhu Shi to be able to come at that time."

Lu Yan's eyes darkened. He knew very well whether Xiao Chen had done it on purpose or not, but since it had already happened, and he also had feelings for Xiao Chen, he was willing to let it go.

"Alright, I don't care whether you did this on purpose or not, but I'll only forgive you this time. You know that Zhu is carrying my child, and for all these years I haven't let her get pregnant for your sake. But look at my age. In the capital, people my age have a whole bunch of children. I've done this much for you, and this is the limit of what I can do."

"Yanlang, I know how good you are to me, and I promise I won't do it again. Besides, if you want children, I can help you..."

"No way!" Lu Yanyi refused firmly, "I've told you before that this idea is absolutely unacceptable. You should get rid of this thought as soon as possible."

"Yan Lang, I..."

"Alright, there's nothing more to say about this. Let's leave it at that. If there's nothing else, I'll head back."

Little Chen didn't expect Lu Yan to come and leave. Usually, even if Lu Yan was angry, he would stay overnight.

"Aren't you staying here tonight?"