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

Gu Qingwan held the Empress Dowager's hand and habitually placed her wrist on it. She felt that the Empress Dowager's pulse was indeed good, but she was also suffering from many of the age-related ailments that one would expect from someone of her age.

"Mother should take more walks and take good care of her health in daily life."

"I know what you're saying. The imperial physicians come to check my pulse every day, which is very annoying to me. I don't have anything else to do, so I can just let them come every now and then. But the emperor won't allow it and insists on checking my pulse record from time to time. I don't know how to send those imperial physicians back."

Gu Qingwan smiled and said, "Mother, just treat it as a way to pass the time. With people coming and going, Mother won't be too bored."

"I need to pass the time. I just think it would be best if everyone could stay quiet and not cause any trouble at Wanshou Palace." The Empress Dowager rubbed her head, as if she had a headache.

Gu Qingwan didn't understand why the Empress Dowager would say such a thing, so she looked at Granny Chang for an answer.

Granny Chang, understanding the situation, explained from the side, "It's all because of Consort Yu. Ever since the Second Princess was betrothed to Prince Buffy, Consort Yu and the Second Princess have never had a moment's peace. They're either causing trouble for the Emperor or the Empress, and now even the Empress Dowager can't have any peace and quiet."

"Hasn't the wedding date between the second princess and Prince Buffy already been set? The day is fast approaching."

"That's right. However, it seems there's something going on in Buffy Kingdom. The Second Princess's wedding might not be able to be held here. According to King Buffy, he wants Prince Buffy to bring the Second Princess back to Buffy Kingdom so they can get married there."

Upon hearing Granny Chang's words, the Empress Dowager said disapprovingly, "Although Anning is not a quiet girl, she is still a princess of our Daqing. I think it would be unfair to Anning to marry according to their customs."

Gu Qingwan felt that she couldn't say anything from her position, but she thought of Duke Wen. That day, Duke Wen clearly didn't want Anning to marry into the Kingdom of Bafi, but now there was no movement. What were they planning?

She glanced at the Empress Dowager discreetly. The Wen family was the Empress Dowager's maternal family. What exactly had her maternal family done, and did the Empress Dowager know about it?

For example, Consort Yu.

The Emperor made it very clear that there would only be one Wen family woman in the harem besides the Empress Dowager, and no other Wen family woman would be allowed to marry into the royal family. Including when the Prince of Chu was choosing a consort, he would not consider a Wen family woman. Otherwise, Wen Rou would not have waited so long in vain.

However, it is obvious that Duke Wen wants to interfere in the royal family. Now, it is unknown what means he used to make his illegitimate daughter become a concubine. Then, the third prince Xiao Yuheng is the grandson of the Wen family.

No wonder Xiao Yuheng was able to ascend the throne so easily; it's clear that Duke Wen must have played a part in it.

"What's wrong? Why are you so quiet right now?" The Empress Dowager was chatting with Gu Qingwan when she suddenly didn't hear a response. She subconsciously looked over and found that Gu Qingwan was lost in thought.

"Without the Empress Dowager, I think the Emperor's attitude is already clear. The law of the country is greater than the law of the family. Consort Yu should not act like this. But from an emotional point of view, I can understand Consort Yu. After all, Consort Yu only has this one princess. It is indeed hard for her to leave after she is married off to a distant place."

The Empress Dowager sighed, "Who can argue with that? I also feel sorry for her. In my entire life, I've only had the Emperor and the Prince of Chu as my children. I have no princess by my side. But when the Prince of Chu chose to leave the capital for the border, I couldn't sleep for nights on end. He finally came back, and now..."

Gu Qingwan was speechless. How did things come full circle?

"Don't worry, Mother. This time, the Prince is just going to check on the garrison. If there's nothing else, he will hand over the affairs in the south to the Prince of Yunnan. At that time, your daughter-in-law will come to Wanshou Palace with the Prince every day to keep you company. Just don't find us husband and wife annoying."

"Hehehe, I'm overjoyed, but you two should hurry up and have a child. It's the most important thing. Whether it's a boy or a girl, having a child will make the Chu Prince's mansion more lively."

Gu Qingwan touched her lower abdomen. She and the Prince of Chu had been intimate quite often, and they hadn't used any contraception. If fate allowed, she might have a baby by her side next month.

"Your Majesty, this matter cannot be rushed. The Prince and Princess have only been married for a short time, and you are already urging them to get married." Granny Chang spoke up at the right time to ease Gu Qingwan's embarrassment.

"You're right, I was indeed a little anxious." The Empress Dowager held Gu Qingwan's hand and said, "Don't feel pressured. I know it's all a matter of fate. You two are both in such good health, there must be nothing wrong. By the way, when you leave later, do you want the imperial physician to take your pulse? Hmm, taking your pulse will put my mind at ease."

Gu Qingwan was momentarily speechless, both amused and exasperated. The Empress Dowager was truly unpredictable, but this was also quite good.

She didn't spend much time with the Empress Dowager, but from the few times they did, it's clear that the Empress Dowager wasn't a difficult person to get along with. As long as she could accept someone, she would treat that person as one of her own.

However, Gu Qingwan also noticed something: the Empress Dowager was easily swayed, and her previous difficulties with her were all for the sake of that gentleness.

And most of the things that happened back then were because she was easily swayed and always listened to her family, which allowed the Wen family's ambitions to grow.

Speaking of the Wen family, Gu Qingwan was somewhat surprised, as she hadn't seen Wen Rou since she came in.

"Mother, isn't Miss Wen with you in the palace?"

When the gentle Empress Dowager mentioned this, a variety of emotions appeared on her face, including pity and anger. She felt pity for the child who had accompanied her in the palace for so long but ultimately failed to achieve her wish. She was angry that even if the child did not become the Princess Consort of Chu, she should not have acted like this and simply not come.

"She's not young anymore; she's long gone home and her mother has arranged a marriage for her." The Empress Dowager seemed to have thought of something, and suddenly said, "Qingwan, you should be more understanding of that child. So many years have passed..."

"Mother, I understand. The Prince and I both hope that my cousin can find a good marriage in the future. With the Empress Dowager's support, my cousin should be able to live a comfortable life as the head of the household."

"Yes, she is the eldest daughter of the Wen family, so she must be a good matriarch." These words were meant to comfort Gu Qingwan as well as herself.

The Empress Dowager had always resented not arranging for Wenrou to marry the King of Chu, but perhaps this was the only excuse that could make her feel that her decision was correct.

"Greetings to the Queen Mother."

They were strolling in the garden when Consort Yu and Princess Anning suddenly appeared out of nowhere, startling them.

"Consort Yu, what are you doing? You startled me!"

"Ah?" Consort Yu explained with a pitiful look, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. Today, I thought the weather was very nice, so I brought the princess for a stroll in the garden. I didn't expect to disturb Your Majesty's carriage. It is my fault."

When the Empress Dowager heard the word "princess," she looked back and indeed saw Princess Anning following Consort Yu. Gu Qingwan also noticed her.

Anning probably really didn't want to marry Prince Buffy. She's become so thin in just a few days. But that's the fate of a princess. If you enjoy the rights given to you by the country, then you must be prepared to sacrifice yourself for the country at any time.

Gu Qingwan found it strange that if Princess Anning did not want to marry far away for political reasons, then why was there still a hint of expectation in her eyes?

"I am well, Consort Yu."

"Oh, the princess has come today too. How is the princess?"

The two exchanged greetings. In fact, according to the rules, Gu Qingwan was the principal wife of the Prince of Chu, so she did not need to greet Consort Yu. After all, one was a wife and the other was a concubine. However, the concubine was the Emperor's concubine. Even if the Prince of Chu was the Emperor's younger brother, he was still a subject's brother. Therefore, it was important to do things properly in small matters.

To prevent people with ulterior motives from using this to make a fuss.

"Anning, come here to your grandmother. Let me take a good look at you. Has our little Anning lost weight?"