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

Among this group of people, Gu Qingwan is, after all, an elder, so she still needs to act like one.

“Take some more torches down there and take a look. Since someone is so sure that there are contraband items on my estate, it can’t be baseless. While everyone is here, it would be better to find out more.”

Xiao Yuheng stood in the place closest to Gu Qingwan. When Uncle Chu was in the capital, he could only steal glances at Gu Qingwan from afar. How could he have such an opportunity to get so close to her?

"Auntie is right. Second Brother, do you have enough manpower? If not, I will send some more people to help. Second Brother, please don't be so polite with me."

"The Crown Prince hasn't said anything, but Third Brother is so eager," Xiao Yuhuai couldn't help but say sarcastically.

Someone whispered something to the Crown Prince, who then said, "Since they've all come, please come in. However, those people they brought shouldn't come in. They should all wait outside. These are all important people here. If anyone is offended, no one can take responsibility."

"What's wrong? Who's here?" Xiao Yuheng asked.

Xiao Yuhuai was also very curious. Lu Yan reacted quickly and whispered a reminder in Xiao Yuhuai's ear. Xiao Yuhuai thought to himself that something bad was about to happen.

He asked softly, "Have we found the one we arranged?"

Lu Yan also shook his head. This was the strangest thing. In order to keep the Chu Prince's Mansion from moving this time, they had been planning for a long time. Not only did they confiscate the privately stored weapons, but he also secretly had dead people buried near the manor.

It was supposed to be a done deal. Early in the morning, he sent someone to invite the Prefect of Jingzhao to report that there was a murder case here. He said that Xiao Yuhuai's manipulation of the tenants was all to successfully frame Princess Chu. But now nothing has been found. The Prefect of Jingzhao, Lord Zhao, is also a strange person. He is very difficult to get along with despite his young age.

Xiao Yuhuai is now starting to think, "It's easy to invite a god, but hard to send him away," and what should he do now?

"My estate is quite lively today, but I wonder what Lord Zhao is doing here." Gu Qingwan couldn't help but sigh. She didn't know why the Second Prince Xiao Yuhuai would go to such lengths to cause trouble for the Chu Prince's Mansion, even at the cost of exposing his true colors that he had hidden for many years. Could it be that he couldn't wait to seize the throne?

Zhao Zimin was a young man. He was dressed in a white robe, and although it was winter, he still carried a folding fan in his hand as he strolled in.

Upon entering the courtyard, he saw a house full of distinguished guests, and he calmly greeted each of them in turn.

"Rise, Lord Zhao. What brings you here?" The Crown Prince was the most distinguished person here, so it was only right that he should ask.

"Your Highness, someone came to the Jingzhao Prefecture early this morning to report that a murder had occurred on this estate, and that the landlord was being harsh and abusive towards the tenants. So I brought people here to investigate."

The crowd looked at each other, somewhat confused. Xiao Yuhuai quickly stepped forward and said to Zhao Zimin, "Lord Zhao, perhaps that person lied. This is the estate of the Princess of Chu. I have already led men to search it, and we did not find what you described. Moreover, the tenants were all gathered here just now, saying that the Princess of Chu treated them very well. What you said is not true."

"Oh? So someone made a false report? And it was a frame-up against the current Princess Consort, which is extremely serious. I must investigate thoroughly to find out if there was any deliberate arrangement to frame Princess Consort Chu. Such a crime is enough to lead to the confiscation of her property!"

Xiao Yuhuai felt that Zhao Zimin wouldn't have any witnesses. It was all agreed that the man only needed to report the case and then find a way to escape. Moreover, the people Lu Yan sent were all skilled, so sneaking away quietly would be an easy task.

"Fortunately, I had a backup plan and forcibly detained the person who reported the crime. As long as we interrogate him properly, I'm not worried that he won't tell the truth!"

Xiao Yuhuai and Lu Yan's hearts skipped a beat. This Zhao Zimin was so powerful that he was able to keep the person at bay. You must know that this person's skills are definitely not ordinary. He was specially trained by Lu Yan.

"Hehehe, I thought my second brother was capable of much, but it turns out he can even invite Lord Zhao, who is known for his superior principles."

Xiao Yuheng was extremely depressed recently. The Second Prince, who had always followed him blindly, had suddenly become so outstanding. Moreover, because he had trusted him too much, he had entrusted him with many tasks. Now, if it weren't for Duke Wen's reminder, he would still be kept in the dark. The Second Prince had planted many people in the Six Ministries through him.

Even the Ministry of Revenue, if it were to place someone in a position, should be the one to do so. Even Li Xinhan, the Minister of Revenue, as the father of the Third Prince's wife, should be supporting him. But that old man is stubborn and unyielding.

While he was still putting in his best effort, that bastard Xiao Yuhuai actually managed to turn two chief officials under the Ministry of Revenue into his own people.

And that Lu Yan, it turns out he was Xiao Yuhuai's man from the beginning, those two scoundrels who colluded!

"Third brother, don't talk nonsense. You'd be better off going to see what's going on with Prince Buffy. Father has already assigned you to receive the envoys. Instead of coming here to make sarcastic remarks, have you even done your job properly?"

"Very well, Second Brother is right. I will go back now and properly receive my envoy. Your Highness, you and Prince Lu can stay here and enjoy yourselves."

After saying that, Xiao Yuheng turned and left.

In fact, Duke Wen did not agree with Xiao Yuheng coming today, but Xiao Yuheng was worried about Gu Qingwan and was afraid that she had been framed. If he were there, at least he could ensure that no one would dare to offend her, so he came along.

However, he hasn't seen any useful clues yet. He still has a lot of things to do. The imperial examination will be held after the New Year. This examination is of utmost importance. Gu Ziming died too suddenly, which has reduced the number of people he can rely on. Only by placing his people in key positions during this imperial examination can he have more strength to compete with the Crown Prince.

And then there's Xiao Yuhuai. I never expected that Xiao Yuhuai would also participate in the struggle for the throne. He really has quite the appetite.

Gu Qingwan watched the two bickering like dogs, and felt extremely happy. Even though the weather was still a bit cold, she felt exceptionally wonderful.

"Lord Zhao, I'm sorry to have troubled you today."

"Oh, it's alright, it's alright. How could I have come all this way for nothing? We've caught the person who slandered the Princess. He's a dangerous individual. Since the Prince isn't in the capital right now, investigating such suspicious individuals is my duty. Besides, this person is quite skilled in martial arts; otherwise, my men wouldn't have been able to chase him so far before catching up."

Gu Qingwan smiled and nodded, saying, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Lord Zhao. I'll definitely come to thank you another day."

"Since Your Highness wishes to express your gratitude, why wait until another day?" Lord Zhao said mysteriously.

"Oh? Lord Zhao, you may speak frankly."

Zhao Zimin clasped his hands and kowtowed twice, saying, "Well... Your Highness, my elderly mother at home wants to eat some refreshing green vegetables like radishes, so I heard that Your Highness's family owns a hot spring resort..."

Gu Qingwan immediately understood Zhao Zimin's meaning. She had already arranged for people to manage the hot spring resort, and she hadn't expected it to be so successful.

“That’s easy. Tomorrow I’ll have someone pick some vegetables from the estate and send them to your residence.”

Zhao Zimin smiled so much his eyes narrowed. "Of course, of course. Then this humble official will take his leave."

Zhao Zimin was originally worried about how to ask the Princess of Chu for vegetables. If he went to buy them, the Princess wouldn't be short of money, and he couldn't buy them anyway. But if he went directly to her door to ask, he might be misunderstood by some people who thought he was trying to curry favor with the Prince of Chu. This was really worrying.

Ah, what a coincidence! Heaven wanted his elderly mother to have a delicious meal, and this opportunity was presented to him.

After the person who reported the crime explained his purpose, Zhao Zimin immediately ordered his men to arrest him. However, this man's martial arts skills were truly impressive. If it weren't for the young marquis's presence, they probably wouldn't have been able to capture him so easily.

Upon learning that Princess Chu was at her estate in the outskirts of the capital, he rushed over to speak with her without even changing his clothes. He knew that the fresh vegetables at Princess Chu's hot spring estate were incredibly rare and could only be obtained by the Chu Prince's residence and by the Empress Dowager and the Emperor in the palace.

Now that he has received the promise from the Queen of Chu, he will be able to boast about it to others in the future.

If Xiao Yuhuai knew that Zhao Zimin had come all this way just for those two bites of vegetables, he would be so angry he'd vomit blood.

Seeing this, the Crown Prince said, "It's freezing cold, Aunt Chu should go back soon. I also have some business to attend to, so I'll escort you all the way."

Gu Qingwan knew that the Crown Prince had something to say to her, so she took the opportunity to agree, saying, "Then let's do it that way. But is there anything else the Second Prince needs my cooperation with?"

Xiao Yuhuai's face was ashen. He was clearly seething with hatred, but he couldn't show it. He put on a different face and became very polite to Gu Qingwan, somewhat like the polite and somewhat timid Second Prince he had met before.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I have no experience and was deceived by a villain. Please don't blame me. I will definitely come to your residence to apologize another day."

"Not at all, Second Prince, you flatter me. It's just a small matter. Since His Majesty has entrusted you with the investigation of the Ning family, and since I am the Ning family's granddaughter, I naturally can't just stand aside. What's wrong with cooperating a little? Besides, your royal uncle is not in the capital right now, and I'm quite bored being alone in the Prince's mansion. I'm extremely happy to have you children playing with me today."

Princess Qinghe, standing nearby, was practically rolling on the ground laughing. If it weren't for the Fifth Prince Xiao Yuting pulling Princess Qinghe aside to propose a horse race to see who would reach the palace first, Princess Qinghe would have definitely ridiculed the Second Prince and Lu Yan to death.

Soon, Gu Qingwan set off back to the capital in a carriage, while the Crown Prince rode his horse alongside her.

The street was quiet, and there were hardly any pedestrians due to the cold weather.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. The Crown Princess has good news."

Gu Qingwan, sitting in the carriage and holding a hand warmer, nodded and said, "There should be good news. Has the spy in the Eastern Palace been found?"

"We've found it, but my nephew and the Crown Princess have discussed it and decided to hold off for now and observe first. If we can't eradicate it completely, there will be a second wave. However, we have a problem right now and hope that my aunt can help us."

"You said."

“I don’t want everyone to know that the Crown Princess is pregnant, but if we want to check her pulse, we need to ask the imperial physician. That way, we can’t hide it at all, and the Crown Princess will have to live in fear again.”

Gu Qingwan immediately understood the Crown Prince's meaning.

"This isn't a solution. I've agreed to what you said for now. In a couple of days, Princess Zirui will be hosting a plum blossom viewing banquet. I'll find an opportunity to take the Crown Princess's pulse. If there's nothing unusual, I suggest you don't take any pregnancy-preserving medications. After all, every medicine has some toxicity. Do you understand?"

Although Gu Qingwan herself is a doctor, in her eyes every medicinal herb has its own protective mechanism and is toxic. It just depends on the doctor's dosage and whether there are any incompatible things in the diet when taking the medicine.

In short, we should believe that the human body has its unique self-healing function. Appropriate medication can help alleviate symptoms, but she strongly disagrees with prolonged medication use, which is like being soaked in a medicine pot.

"I've taken everything to heart, Aunt. I'll tell the Crown Princess when I get back. But I hope you can remind her again, as you know, this child was hard-won, so..."