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

"Miss, today is the Second Prince's flower-viewing banquet. It's rare that you still remembered to send the invitation to the Duke's mansion." Baoqin held the gold-lettered invitation, looking at the exquisite patterns and the beautiful calligraphy. She thought it was indeed worthy of being from the palace; such an invitation would be quite nice to display.

“Sister Baoqin, look at what you’re saying. Our young lady just doesn’t like to go out, but that doesn’t mean the people in the capital have forgotten about her. After all, she’s the only young lady in the Duke’s mansion, so who would dare to neglect her?” Ruhua came in from outside carrying food. “Take the Empress’s annual rewards for example, no one can be negligent.”

"That's only because of the Duke's influence. Don't say that when you get out of here," Gu Qingwan whispered to Ruhua.

Ru Hua realized she hadn't kept her mouth shut, and stuck out her tongue, a little embarrassed.

"I understand, Miss. I just spoke without thinking. Please have Sister Baoqin sew it up for me with an embroidery needle."

These words made Gu Qingwan, Baoqin Siqi, and the others laugh.

"What delicious food did Ruhua bring today?"

Besides her high level of martial arts skills, Siqi also loves to eat. Her appetite has been spoiled by Ruhua. Of course, she has not forgotten the rules. After obtaining Gu Qingwan's approval, Siqi opened the food box, inside which was something covered in mud.

"What is this?" Siqi poked at the mud, which was still a little hot to the touch. "Are you going to eat mud tonight, Miss? Are you really that poor, Miss?"

“Yes, your young lady is in dire need of money right now, she’s so poor she’s practically eating dirt,” Gu Qingwan replied.

Hearing Siqi mention Baoqin, he was also a little puzzled, so he followed to take a look. There was indeed a lump of mud in the food box, which was charred black.

"What do you know? I was afraid it would get cold on the way here and wouldn't taste good, so I didn't break the mud. Get up quickly, this stuff is best eaten while it's hot."

As she spoke, Ruhua took out a small silver hammer from her sleeve and gently tapped the lump of mud a few times. Cracks appeared on it, and an enticing aroma wafted out.

"Why does it smell like lotus leaves? Let me guess, is it a lotus leaf dish?" Siqi couldn't wait to start guessing.

No, you guessed wrong.

Ru Hua continued peeling away the mud, revealing a layer of lotus leaves inside. But there was something else inside the lotus leaves. Peeling back the lotus leaves revealed a roasted chicken with a crispy, shiny exterior coated in honey. Taking a deep breath, the fragrance of the lotus leaves masked the greasiness of the chicken. And upon closer inspection of the air, there was even a strong aroma of mixed grain rice.

"What is this, Ruhua? It looks so delicious!" Siqi stared intently at the chicken, unable to look away.

“Yes, it smells so good! And there’s even a hint of food in it!” Baoqin was also surprised.

As Gu Qingwan watched the group of people discussing the food on the table, she felt that this was the kind of carefree life she had always lived, a world of difference from the scheming she had in her previous life. Gu Qingwan had no other thoughts but to cherish this life.

"Sister Baoqin is still the best. This is called Beggar's Chicken, but I've improved it. I've stuffed it with the eight-treasure rice that Miss loves the most."

"Wow! I can't wait!" Siqi rubbed her hands together and circled around the table. "Miss, when are you going to start eating? Share some with us too!"

"You can eat now. Ruhua, serve me some, and you can have the rest."

When Ru Hua heard that her young mistress was about to have dinner, she opened the other food boxes. Inside were some tools. Ru Hua helped Gu Qingwan remove the best part of the roast chicken and then took a small colorful bowl and scooped out a large spoonful of eight-treasure rice.

"Miss, you must eat more this time. It took me a whole day to prepare this. I picked fresh lotus leaves from the pond this morning, caught a chicken myself, and marinated it for a day. I also soaked the ingredients for the eight-treasure rice at noon, which is why it is so fragrant and soft. As for the mud, I used the dew from the lotus leaves to mix with the mud, which eliminated the fishy smell of the mud."

"Okay, I understand. I will eat all of these you served, not a single one left."

Gu Qingwan has a small appetite and is never full no matter what she eats. Even so, she is not picky about food and eats whatever is available. When she was at the border, she ate dry steamed buns or flatbreads with the soldiers without frowning. She can naturally blend into various environments.

Ru Hua went to great lengths to please Gu Qingwan's appetite. Every day, when she had nothing to do, she would research medicinal cuisine or other delicacies, coming up with all sorts of dishes, just so that Gu Qingwan would eat one more bite and perhaps she would suddenly find a flavor she liked.

"Miss, the clothes and jewelry have arrived." Shi Shu came in from outside carrying clothes and a set of jewelry on top.

Gu Qingwan stood up and walked to the clothes, glancing at them briefly. The jewelry on them was exquisite, but not ostentatious, which suited Gu Qingwan's taste perfectly.

"Leave it to Baoqin. Baoqin, you can think of something suitable to wear tomorrow."

"Oh, don't worry, Miss." Baoqin took the clothes and walked into the inner room.

"The two managers said that business has been very good these days, all thanks to Miss's guidance. They are planning to show their respect to Miss." Shi Shu relayed the two managers' words to Gu Qingwan.

Gu Qingwan smiled broadly: "Tell them to stay calm and keep your pace steady; this is just the beginning."

"Yes!"

"Siqi, have you finished doing what I asked you to do?" Gu Qingwan asked.

"Don't worry, Miss. I went to see Boss Yin the day before yesterday and gave her everything you gave me. However, the boss was a little surprised at first. She asked me where all these things came from. I said they were all given to me by our Miss. Then the boss praised them repeatedly, saying that they were all good things that could make the girls in the brothel famous."

Gu Qingwan nodded. The entertainment district was the fastest place to spread news. As long as they knew, half the matter would be settled.

Ru Hua brought out a bowl of white fungus and lotus seed soup and placed it in front of Gu Qingwan. The tableware was also neatly arranged. Gu Qingwan washed her hands with the water basin that Si Qi brought. At this time, Shi Shu also came up to serve her and handed her a handkerchief.

"Alright, this is enough for me. You guys come sit down and share the rest."

The group exchanged glances, and without any pretense, they happily joined Gu Qingwan for dinner. Their young lady had said that meals tasted better when no one was around, and indeed, when they ate with her, she ate more.

Gu Qingwan watched the four maids having a lively meal together, and Siqi and Ruhua fighting over a chicken leg, and she was in a very good mood.

However, the thought of the flower-viewing banquet tomorrow made Gu Qingwan's heart sink. In her previous life, it all started with a flower-viewing banquet.

In her past life, Gu Hanjiao shone brightly at the flower-viewing banquet, and her poems were praised by everyone present. Her beauty was pure and refined, captivating countless nobles and aristocrats. The ladies of noble families praised the Prime Minister's wife for raising such a child.

However, things may not be like that now. The gears of fate have finally turned to the flower viewing banquet, and we have started again. This time, I, Gu Qingwan, am ready.

Gu Hanjiao and Xiao Yuheng, I wonder if you're ready?