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

Aside from being lethargic, Xiao Jingchen hasn't shown any other unusual symptoms lately. However, Gu Qingwan doesn't dare to slack off at all. She has searched through medical books and ancient texts, trying to find a more reliable way to remove the Gu worms from Xiao Jingchen's body.

Xiao Jingchen saw this but neither urged nor comforted her, because he knew that only by doing so could Qingwan feel better.

"There's a lot of talk outside saying that Wang Ruyan is a descendant of the Xia King's Mansion. I don't know where that rumor came from."

"Where? It's just a stupid idea from a fool. But it's alright, at least it can protect Wang Ruyan's daughter, isn't it?"

Gu Qingwan stopped her hand that was grinding medicine. "Gu Hanjiao? It's interesting. If Wang Ruyan was the last descendant of the Xia King, then now that Wang Ruyan is dead, wouldn't the bloodline of the Xia King's mansion be Gu Hanjiao herself? If the Emperor is merciful, it wouldn't be unreasonable to bestow upon her the title of County Princess."

Xiao Jingchen thought the idea was pretty good. "What's wrong with bestowing a title upon someone as a county princess? It's just a title. If we can really find out who's behind it, then that would be killing two birds with one stone."

"The person behind this?"

This is Gu Qingwan's private pharmacy. Even Xue Chun has a hard time getting in. There are poisons and formations outside. If someone hadn't been there to guide him, he probably would have died.

Therefore, when speaking here, Xiao Jingchen has no need to deliberately avoid anything.

"The incident at Xishan seems to point to a prince in the capital, but the prince may just be being used."

"Xiao Yuheng?"

“Yes, our investigation previously pointed to Xiao Yuheng as the source of the mining and profits from Xishan. But that was just a cover. There were even greater profits that did not go to the Third Prince’s residence. Furthermore, the things inside Xishan are connected to the Southern Frontier. It seems that the people behind it are making bigger moves.”

"Was the Third Prince being used?"

"That's about right. His Majesty has a vague feeling that the methods used here are too similar to those of the Xia King back then. Now that the Xia King's orphan has suddenly appeared, it's a good time to see what they are planning."

Gu Qingwan nodded and continued to grind the medicinal herbs. Since she returned to the capital, there have been constant events. They all seem to be about the struggle for the throne among the princes, but in reality, they are turbulent. Is this really the Xia Prince's Mansion?

To everyone's surprise, the Emperor did not conduct much investigation and bestowed the title of County Princess upon Gu Hanjiao, the concubine of the Third Prince, and rewarded her with a great deal of gold and silver.

Everyone was discussing what the Emperor meant by this move, but Duke Wen disagreed, saying, "It's just that the Emperor is concerned about his reputation and doesn't want people to talk about the fratricide he committed back then. He's using the title of a county princess to silence the gossip and let everyone see how well our Emperor treats the descendants of the Xia Prince's family."

"Lord Duke, we don't understand this. Even if you're going to bestow the title of County Princess, why not investigate beforehand? What if it's a fake..."

"What does it matter if it's true or false? If the Emperor says so, then it is. It's just for the world to see. Look at that county princess, has the Emperor mentioned the jade tablet?"

Everyone fell silent, suddenly realizing the Emperor's sudden decision that morning. This newly appointed county princess was nothing more than a title. Now that the Xia Prince's Mansion no longer existed, what was the point of a county princess who appeared out of nowhere with no background?

After everyone understood, they prepared to go back and tell their wives and daughters that they should avoid Consort Gu whenever they saw her, so as not to lower their status.

Inside the Second Prince's residence, Xiao Yuhuai angrily smashed several cups.

"Who is that Gu Hanjiao? How dare she impersonate the orphan of the Xia Prince's Mansion and even the Emperor! If he acknowledges Gu Hanjiao's identity, does that mean he condones Father's absurd and disgraceful actions? How vicious! Father is already in his grave, and this dog of an emperor still wants to smear him!"

"Second Prince, be careful what you say, for walls may have ears!" This person was none other than Zheng Yang, who had been missing for a long time.

"Mr. Zheng, how can I, Your Highness, be careful with my words? My father has been insulted, and I wish I could kill him to vent my anger!"

Yes, Xiao Yuhuai only recently learned that he was the last surviving member of the Xia Prince's Mansion. When he found out about this secret, he felt both excited and inexplicably uncomfortable.

Xiao Yuhuai clearly remembered that not long ago, his mother, Consort Xiang, passed away. The imperial physician said it was due to worry and illness. Now it was winter, and his mother was already in poor health, so she passed away.

It was at this moment that Zheng Yang came up to him, and one of Consort Xiang's personal maids told him that he was not the emperor's son, nor Consort Xiang's son, but the orphan of the Xia Prince's Mansion.

At first, Xiao Yuhuai did not believe such an explanation. How could he, a prince, suddenly become the orphan of a traitor?

However, the evidence became too overwhelming. According to the palace maid, Consort Xiang was actually a former member of the Xia Prince's household. To repay the Xia Prince's great kindness, Consort Xiang exchanged her own son for a child from the Xia Prince's household, and that child was Xiao Yuhuai.

The Xia Prince's mansion still retained many powerful forces. A mysterious woman brought Zheng Yang to seek refuge with the young master, intending to seize power. This mysterious woman was none other than Consort Xi, recommended by the Second Prince to the Third Prince, who then presented her to the Emperor.

According to Consort Xi, he is the son of the Xia King's most beloved concubine and the Xia King's favorite child. Whether he becomes the heir apparent or the crown prince, he will definitely be his.

"Mr. Zheng, what you said about me being the only surviving member of the Xia Royal Family... that matter..."

"Young Master, even at this point, do you still doubt your identity? Why is Consort Xiang so worried that she has fallen ill? It's because she is restless day and night because of this secret. Back then, Consort Xiang was in love with Prince Xia, and risked execution to replace you, Young Master. She also risked her life to entrust your information to us. How could you..."

"Alright, alright, I was just asking. How could I have any doubts? But why did someone suddenly appear again this time? And Gu Hanjiao got a county princess for no reason."

Mentioning Gu Hanjiao softened Zheng Yang's eyes. She was his daughter. Although they hadn't recognized each other yet, thankfully no one could bully her now.

That's right, the people who informed Gu Hanjiao were them, and it was also their idea to let Gu Hanjiao announce that she was a descendant of the Xia Prince's Mansion. Although the master might not be happy to know this, there was nothing that could be done, since the Chu Prince's Mansion had already begun to suspect the Xia Prince's Mansion because of what happened in Xishan.

"It's alright, young master. You just need to know what happened. But we can't keep looking back and forth like this. We need to move forward on this important matter."

"Take a walk? I'd like to take a walk too, but look at my situation now. The Emperor has given up on me and plans to make me a carefree prince."

"It doesn't matter what the Emperor thinks, but you can't think like that."