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

—It turns out there really are people who love someone through memories, year after year, never contacting them, not even having their way to stay in touch. If fate allows, they will eventually meet again, perhaps in ten years, perhaps twenty years, perhaps forever…

"I really didn't know about this. Luckily, I found you sooner, otherwise, I might have been tricked without even realizing it." Ning Chengze shook his head. He had been very careful, but he didn't expect that someone with ulterior motives would still see it.

"It's alright. Now that we know their plan, there shouldn't be any major problems if we're prepared. For now, Second Cousin, you'd better hide in the Prince's Mansion and wait for news from Grandmother."

"Okay, I'll listen to you."

After settling Ning Chengze in, Gu Qingwan noticed that Zuo Siqi hadn't returned yet, and she was wondering whether to send a letter to the Prince.

"Your Highness, the Princess has sent someone to urge you. Should Your Highness go over there?" Baoqin came in to report.

“I had forgotten about this. Let’s go over there now. Baoqin, if Siqi and Shishu come back later, let them go eat. Come to me again when you’re serving them tonight.”

During the day, the sky was clear and the sun was warm, but now it has started to snow. Judging from the appearance, it has been snowing for a while, and the flowers and trees outside are covered with a light layer of snow.

Seeing the princess standing there lost in thought, Baoqin gently stepped forward and said, "The weather has been bad these past two days. Perhaps the prince's letter has been delayed by the snow. Your Highness, please be patient."

"Yes, bad weather can cause delays, but it's only a day or two later. Concern can cloud judgment, so let's wait a little longer."

Upon entering the courtyard, one could see Princess Qingxi bustling about outside. When Princess Qingxi saw Gu Qingwan approaching, she disregarded the snow falling outside and came out.

"Oh dear, you're the host, you're the one who's treating us to dinner, why have you made us wait so long? If you don't come soon, I'm taking Xiao Chang Le and the food to your yard to find you."

"Something came up and I was held up, so I rushed over. By the way, why didn't you stay inside and keep warm? What are you doing out here?"

"Let me tell you, I've brought some really good stuff today, so come in quickly."

As Gu Qingwan watched the servants carefully place a small pot of glowing red charcoal into the fire, she vaguely knew what Princess Qinghe was about to do.

Pushing aside the curtain at the door, a wave of warm, fragrant air rushed towards her. Gu Qingwan hadn't felt particularly cold to begin with, and now that the floor was heated, she couldn't wear her cloak any longer.

"Qingwan!"

"Yanran, what brings you here?" Gu Qingwan was somewhat surprised, not expecting that Princess Qinghe would bring Meng Yanran along when she visited the Marquis of Yongyi's residence today.

Meng Yanran hadn't seen Gu Qingwan for a long time, and she missed her terribly. She hugged Gu Qingwan's arm and started talking about her.

"Oh, you have no idea how bored I was inside. Luckily, Qinghe came to visit me today. My mother's estate sent over a whole lamb and fresh venison. My mother said she would give me a break so that Princess Qinghe and I could come over here for some roast meat."

Gu Qingwan poked her head helplessly and said, "Today is the Winter Solstice. Instead of staying home with your mother and brother, you came here. Aren't you afraid your grandmother will scold you? And what about your mother now that you're here? What about your aunt..."

“I told her not to come along, but she was so determined to come and have fun.”

Meng Yanran pouted and said, "I didn't come empty-handed. Besides, my brother is coming back today, so it doesn't matter if I'm not home. As for my cousin, with my brother here, how dare she cause trouble? Let me tell you, that kind of person can only act like a scoundrel in front of my father and grandmother. In front of my mother, she doesn't even dare to raise her head."

Gu Qingwan took her seat with the help of Baoqin and the others.

"What, your mother has freed up her hands to deal with that guy?"

Meng Yanran picked out the food she liked and stuffed it into her mouth, then gestured to the servants beside her to bring over the marinated meat and grill it.

"That day you reminded my mother about Peng Cao, right? My mother secretly told my brother and me. My brother and I naturally paid attention. My cousin was indeed up to no good. She insisted that I was too young to hold a baby and offered to help me carry the baby back. I disagreed, and she tried to trip me when there were many people around. Luckily, my brother was there."

Princess Qinghe couldn't hide her smile when she heard the name Young Master Jiyue.

"That's right, who is Young Master Jiyue? He's certainly no match for such a small trick."

Meng Yanran suddenly smiled like a little fox, "Do you want to come to my house for a couple of days? My brother is coming to pick me up."

Princess Qinghe awkwardly pushed Meng Yanran's face away with her fingers and said, "I think I won't go. If I go, Qingwan will be bored all by herself."

"What's so boring about it? I heard Princess Chang Le has been brought here. By the way, where is the princess?"

"I'm here!" a soft, sweet voice came from the doorway.

Princess Chang Le was wearing a thick cloak, and the white fur on her hood made the little girl look even smaller. She stood there rubbing her eyes, letting the servants help her tidy up.

"Aunt, Chang Le has been sleeping for a long time, hasn't she?"

"Not long, not long, just right. Are you hungry? Come and eat."

"Oh my, Princess Chang Le, you're so adorable! I can't resist!" Meng Yanran said, picking up Princess Chang Le and giving her a good pinch on her cheeks.

"Alright, alright, you've scared the princess again."

Chang Le was initially taken aback by Meng Yanran's actions, but after a moment, she smiled and said, "It's okay, I like this older sister."

"Hahaha." Princess Qinghe laughed until her stomach hurt, "Chang Le calls me cousin and Yan Ran sister, but Qing Wan is aunt. Is Qing Wan too old?"

Gu Qingwan calmly sipped her warm wine and said, "Speaking of which... even the princess should call me aunt."

Princess Qinghe was stunned for a moment. She calmly picked up her chopsticks and said, "Hurry up and eat the meat, it's going to burn."

Meng Yanran touched her nose and started eating too, while Xiao Chang Le greeted her with a smile, "Auntie!"

Gu Qingwan happily picked up Chang Le and said, "Look how sensible our Chang Le is."

The group enjoyed a lively Winter Solstice meal, but Princess Qinghe drank quite a bit and was unsteady on her feet. Meng Yanran was also clearly not a heavy drinker, and the two drunkards walked out arm in arm.

Just then, Young Master Jiyue came to pick up Meng Yanran.

Meng Jiyue was taken aback when she saw Gu Qingwan. Gu Qingwan seemed to look even more beautiful than before. However, she also felt that what she was doing was wrong, so she quickly looked away and glanced at the drunkard in front of her with a helpless expression.

Although Princess Qinghe was somewhat drunk, she was still much better than Meng Yanran.

"Young Master Jiyue, Yanran's alcohol tolerance is not very good, so I brought some over for you."

Princess Qinghe's eyes were bright, and even though it was already night, Meng Jiyue could see his reflection in her clear eyes, which startled Meng Jiyue.

"I thank you, Princess. However, you seem to be a little drunk today. It's getting chilly, so please go back and rest so you don't catch a cold."

Princess Qinghe was taken aback, then her face lit up with joy: "Young Master Jiyue, are you concerned about me?"

"Huh?" Meng Jiyue was taken aback by the question, and then said, "Princess, you are of noble birth and your health is naturally precious. Since the Prince of Yunnan and his wife are not in the capital, you should take good care of yourself."

Princess Qinghe didn't say anything, but patted Meng Jiyue's shoulder, and then walked back with her maid, leaving Gu Qingwan wondering what Princess Qinghe was up to.

But since Qinghe had already gone back, she naturally wouldn't linger at the door.

"Your Highness, please take care on your journey."

"Your Highness, my younger sister has been very bothersome today. Thank you for your care."

"Yanran and I are close friends, so it's only right. It's getting late, so I won't keep you for tea, Your Highness."

Meng Jiyue bowed slightly to Gu Qingwan, then boarded the carriage and took Meng Yanran back.

Previously, he couldn't let go of Gu Qingwan, but he knew that his feelings would be discovered sooner or later, which would be bad for both of them. So he immediately set off to travel.

Fortunately, they returned in time, preventing their mother and sister from suffering any irreparable harm. Of course, we are also grateful that Princess Chu arrived in time; otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

But when he saw Princess Chu again today, he no longer felt the same inner turmoil as before. Seeing her current state, he knew that this was the best choice for Gu Qingwan, because only the Prince of Chu could give her enough freedom.

So when I liked her, I wanted her to have a better life. Now that she's doing well, hasn't that already achieved my original intention?

That way you can let it go.

"Brother, what are you laughing at? Let me tell you, Princess Qinghe's alcohol tolerance is only slightly better than mine."

"You should drink less alcohol in the future. Wait until you get back and see how your mother scolds you."

"Mother wouldn't do that. The meat and wine today were all prepared by you. By the way, did you bring the things Qingwan gave me?"

"I brought it, I brought it. You're really something, you don't even appreciate it when someone gives it to you."

“That’s my good friend, why should I be polite? And Princess Qinghe, she looks so smart but is actually a bit silly. Even I can tell that she likes my brother…”

As they were talking, Meng Yanran fell asleep leaning against her maid. Meng Jiyue was somewhat surprised by what Meng Yanran said without thinking.

Princess Qinghe, such a free and easy person, actually... actually liked him, but...

Meng Jiyue smiled and shook her head. It was just her sister talking nonsense when she was drunk; she shouldn't take it seriously.

Gu Qingwan watched as the carriage drove away and instructed the guards to keep watch at the gate. When she turned around, she was startled to see Princess Qinghe standing behind the gate.

"Qinghe, didn't you go back? What are you doing here?!"

Princess Qinghe's maid, Hongying, covered her mouth and chuckled, saying, "Our princess seems a little touched right now."

"Why did you have to be so nosy?"

"Yes, yes, I was too talkative. I'll slap myself when I get back."

Another maid, Duan Sui, chimed in, "Let me do it. I'll make sure Hong Ying learns her lesson."

Gu Qingwan probably knew what was going on, and she said, "You're already moved?"

Princess Qinghe, with Gu Qingwan supporting her by the hand, leaned against her and said, "Besides my father, who else has cared for me so much in such detail all these years?"

"I'm not happy with what you're saying. Don't I care about you?"

"Oh dear, of course you care about me too! What kind of time is this to be arguing with me? I mean, aside from men like my father, even though my royal uncle cares about me, he's still..."

Gu Qingwan patted her shoulder and said, "Young Master Jiyue is a good man. If you are destined to be together, you will surely be happy if you marry him."

"But my father and the Marquis of Yongyi, those two families..."

"There's nothing wrong with it. Let's try it out first. When are you planning to confess your feelings?"

Princess Qinghe blushed and said, "Let's... wait a little longer."

At this moment, Princess Qinghe was unaware that Meng Yanran had already sold her out, so whether Princess Qinghe waited or not seemed to be of little use.

Although Princess Qinghe had a good tolerance for alcohol, she was slightly tipsy today. After sending Princess Qinghe back, Gu Qingwan returned to her study, where Siqi and Shishu had already returned and were waiting for her for a long time.

"Your Highness, the matter has been taken care of."

What did your maternal grandmother say?

Siqi recounted the instructions the old lady had given Gu Qingwan. Gu Qingwan nodded and said, "Grandmother must be angry with me. She is always careful in her dealings with others, which is to be expected. Even if the Emperor trusts you, it cannot withstand the instigation of those with ulterior motives. Prepare early for tomorrow and hide the Second Young Master before dawn."

"I understand, Princess."

"Your Highness, I've made some progress as well. That heir of the Marquis of Yi'an is indeed no good. He sent someone to the 'Fireworks in March' shop to buy the strongest aphrodisiacs, and..."

"And what?"

"Moreover, when I was checking the shops, I found a place called an adult shop that opened not far from the brothel alley." Shi Shu's cheeks turned redder as she spoke. "Everyone says that this shop just opened, but business is booming, so I asked Ning Yi to take a look."

Ning Yi was called out by name, and he touched his nose awkwardly. He felt that if the Duke of the State knew about this, he would definitely skin him alive.

"What's wrong?" Gu Qingwan noticed Ning Yi's unease and asked.

"Oh? That princess is nothing special, it's just..."

Gu Qingwan frowned and said, "Say what you mean. When did you become so fussy?"

Ning Yi quickly said seriously, "Your Highness, I went in to check, and they were selling all sorts of things... things related to men and women, props and revealing clothes, everything imaginable."

"You scoundrel! You dare to spout such nonsense in front of the Princess, you're filthy her ears!" Baoqin scolded.

Gu Qingwan knew what they were talking about, and she waved her hand, saying, "This Gu Hanjiao does have some merit."

"Your Highness, how did you know it was Miss Gu who opened it?"

"Who else but Gu Hanjiao could come up with something like this? She's not pregnant, and she hasn't been seen since the baby's third-day celebration at the Marquis of Yongyi's mansion. I wonder what kind of mischief she's up to these past few days."

“Your Highness, how could such a proper young lady…” Baoqin found it difficult to speak.

"Never mind her. How's the Marquis of Yi'an's heir?"

"Your Highness, the Marquis of Yi'an's residence says that Miss Su from Jiangnan is pregnant with the heir's child and they plan to elevate her to the rank of concubine. If she gives birth to a son, she will be elevated to the rank of secondary wife."

"Pregnant? A concubine? When did this happen?"

"It's been these last two days. And the Lady of Yi'an said that she had a master calculate that the manor is not suitable for Miss Su to have a safe pregnancy. It's better to pay for it yourself. She plans to take Miss Su to the estate to stay until she gives birth and then return."

"Where are the people now?"

"The person has left."

"What about Miss Su's brother and mother? Were they also taken away by others?"

Gu Qingwan became increasingly suspicious. Su Xi didn't seem like the type to climb the social ladder, and her brother, being such an upright person, would never allow his sister to become someone's concubine. Could it be that Su Xi had been successfully framed by that scoundrel Lu Yan?

Gu Qingwan thought for a moment and said, "Baoqin, go and tell the princess and the princess that I will take them to our hot spring villa in the suburbs of the capital for a short stay in a couple of days. We will also stop by the estate of the Marquis of Yi'an and see how Miss Su is doing."

"It's the princess."