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

"Your Highness, we've arrived just ahead."

Gu Qingwan composed herself and sat up straight. The carriages of the Prince of Chu's residence had the privilege of entering the palace directly, so the guards at the archway saw the insignia of the Prince of Chu's residence carriage and, as was customary, glanced at the letter from the Prince's residence. Without saying a word, they let the person in.

The carriage creaked and groaned loudly on the palace road. The palace was truly quiet, a quietness that was suffocating. This suddenly reminded her of how she was imprisoned in the cold palace in her previous life.

The palace walls were so high that even birds seemed unable to fly in.

"Your Highness, are you alright?" Baoqin asked worriedly when she saw her face suddenly turn pale.

"nothing."

When the carriage reached the second gate of the palace, it could not go any further, because beyond the second gate lay the sleeping quarters of the various masters in the palace.

Gu Qingwan led Siqi and Baoqin off the carriage and steadily made her way to the Empress Dowager's side.

Upon arriving at the entrance of the Empress Dowager's Longevity Palace, they saw Granny Chang waiting for them early at the palace gate.

With a friendly smile on her face, Gu Qingwan quickened her pace.

"Why is Granny Chang waiting here?"

"This servant greets Your Highness, the Princess." Granny Chang did not put on airs because she was an old servant of the Empress Dowager; instead, she bowed to Gu Qingwan very politely.

"Granny, get up quickly."

Encouraged by Gu Qingwan, Granny Chang straightened up, turned half her body to the side, and bowed slightly as she explained, "The Empress Dowager was overjoyed when she learned that the Princess Consort was coming to the palace to visit today. She asked early this morning if the Princess Consort had arrived yet. I was afraid that the Empress Dowager would be too anxious, so I went to the gate to check myself. Coincidentally, the Princess Consort arrived just as I arrived."

Gu Qingwan naturally knew that what Granny Chang said was just empty talk. She must have been waiting here for quite some time before she said she had just arrived.

"Thank you for your trouble, Granny. I will explain to the Empress Dowager in a moment. I didn't leave home late today, but I was delayed by Princess Zirui. By the way, Granny, I brought you some medicinal herbs and fashionable clothes from the Chu Prince's residence. Please don't mind them. You can even take them back and give them to your maid. I will have someone send them to you in a moment."

Granny Chang smiled so much that her eyes narrowed into slits. "This servant is already so frail, yet Your Highness still remembers me. Your Highness, please go inside quickly. I just sent a maid to inform the Empress Dowager."

As expected, upon entering, Gu Qingwan saw the Empress Dowager sitting there with a displeased expression. She knew that the old lady was probably throwing a tantrum again.

Thinking back to what my grandmother used to tell me about the Empress Dowager, I realized that people who got along well with my grandmother must have some similar temperaments.

"Your daughter-in-law greets Your Majesty and wishes you a long and healthy life."

"Hmph, it's amazing that you still remember your mother, I. Anyone who didn't know better would think you're living such a carefree life in the palace that you've forgotten you even have a mother-in-law."

Hearing the Empress Dowager's teasing, Gu Qingwan was not angry. She patiently explained, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. It's just that the household has been too busy. The Prince said he was going to the south, and I was busy preparing things for him. I was afraid that there might be some shortages, so I didn't have time to visit you."

The Empress Dowager became even angrier when the King of Chu was mentioned.

"Can't you stop Chen'er from leaving? Do you know how dangerous the south is? I finally managed to bring Chen'er back to the capital, and finally got him to agree to marry. How come he still wants to run away after marrying a princess? In the end, it's because you're useless and can't keep Chen'er's heart!"

Upon hearing this, Gu Qingwan instantly understood why the Empress Dowager was unhappy. She must be angry that the Prince of Chu had disobeyed her and gone to war in the south again.

Gu Qingwan sighed and said, "Mother, please calm down. The Prince... he is an ambitious man. Before he left, he said that he must resolve the remaining issues this time and eliminate any future troubles. Then he would have no need to come to that place again. By then, the Emperor's empire would be more secure, the Empress Dowager would be able to enjoy her later years in the palace, and he would stay in the capital with me to raise children... That's why I let the Prince go. I really couldn't bear to break the Prince's wings. Please understand, Mother."

The Empress Dowager was taken aback; clearly, she hadn't expected her son to think this way.

"Did he really say that?"

"It's true."

The Empress Dowager was no longer angry. She sighed and said, "Alas, Chen'er has sacrificed so much for the Emperor, for me, and for Daqing. You are his princess and his beloved, so you must understand him better. Since that's the case... so be it."

Gu Qingwan listened silently as the Empress Dowager spoke to herself.

"What are you standing there for? I've been waiting for you all morning! Come up and help me stand up and walk around!"

"Yes, yes, yes." Gu Qingwan smiled and stepped forward to help the Empress Dowager up, explaining, "Mother, please don't blame me. I did intend to come early today, but I ran into Princess Zirui when I went out."

"Zirui? That girl came to the capital? Is it for her daughter?"

"Your Majesty has a good memory. That's right. Princess Zirui wants her daughter-in-law to introduce an imperial physician to her."

"Oh, it's nothing serious. Just send someone to the Imperial Hospital to let them know when you leave. Zi Rui is away from the capital most of the time, so please take good care of her. I heard her daughter..."

"The Heir Apparent's Wife of the Marquis of Yi'an".

"Yes, yes, the Princess Consort of Yi'an Marquis is not feeling well. You should go and see her."

"Mother is so thoughtful," Gu Qingwan said with a charming smile.

“That’s natural. Although Chen’er is not in the capital, you are the Princess Consort of Chu and the wife of the head of our Xiao family. You are the face of the Chu Prince’s Mansion, so there are some things you must do properly so as not to disgrace our Xiao family.”

"Your Majesty's teachings will be remembered." Gu Qingwan said, supporting the Empress Dowager's hand. "Mother, when I came here just now, I saw that the scenery in the garden was quite nice. Shall we go and take a look together?"

"Really? I suppose those green plum trees must be in bloom. Let's go take a look."