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

“Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine is right. Although I am not at home and do not spend much time with my sister, she is kind-hearted by nature. This time, she must have been confused by her concern.” Gu Qingwan stepped forward and took Gu Hanjiao’s hand.

The moment Gu Hanjiao's hand was grasped by Gu Qingwan, she felt a chill run down her spine. She couldn't understand how such a cold hand could be, as cold as a lifeless corpse. Gu Hanjiao instinctively pulled her hand away from Gu Qingwan.

Everyone saw the moment Gu Qingwan was thrown aside. Gu Hanjiao realized what had happened and felt a little embarrassed, but she didn't know what to say to make up for her unintentional actions.

"Qingwan, your sister is also frightened. Don't take it to heart." Wang Ruyan stepped in to help her daughter at this moment.

"Madam, you're too kind. My sister is understandably sensitive after what she's been through. But Miss Meng, please don't take it to heart. As her older sister, I apologize on her behalf," Gu Qingwan said to Meng Yanran, who was standing beside Old Madam Meng.

"Qingwan, you don't need to be so polite. If you hadn't been there to vouch for me, I would have been in a terrible situation by now!" Meng Yanran said casually. She genuinely liked Gu Qingwan, and what she said was true. Today, thanks to Gu Qingwan, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

"Yanran is so presumptuous, she dares to speak so recklessly in front of the Emperor and Empress."

After hearing her grandmother's reminder, Meng Yanran stuck out her tongue and hid behind her grandmother.

"It's alright, this is how children should be. I feel happy to see my subjects enjoying harmonious family life."

At this moment, the Third Prince Xiao Yuheng, who had been silent on the side, also began to pay attention to Gu Qingwan. The woman in front of him was different from the one he had seen at Caiyi Pavilion that day. Back then, she stood in the shadows so that no one could see what she looked like. Her mother had already found someone and wanted her to marry Gu Qingwan, but she had refused. However, today, Gu Qingwan was not only calm and intelligent but also had a graceful appearance.

Her appearance is different from Gu Hanjiao's. Gu Hanjiao is the kind of petite woman who evokes a protective instinct, while Gu Qingwan has the air of a capable housewife. With such a princess consort, the household must be very peaceful. In addition, with the Prime Minister's Mansion and the Duke's Mansion as her backing, she must have no worries.

Xiao Yuheng felt a little regretful for not listening to his mother's instructions, but it wasn't too late. However... Xiao Yuheng looked at Gu Hanjiao beside him and was unwilling to give up. Wouldn't it be a wonderful story if both could be achieved?

No one knew what Xiao Yuheng was thinking at that moment, but the greed in his eyes was noticed by the King of Chu, and the atmosphere around him immediately turned cold. This kid was eating what was in his bowl while eyeing what was in the pot; he really needed to be taught a lesson.

"Father, today's events were all caused by Yuheng's poor handling of the situation." Xiao Yuheng seemed to only realize now that the elegant and refined Third Prince had returned.

"Hmph, so you still know it was you who did this."

"Father, I will take full responsibility for what happened today. I hope that you will grant my request to Miss Gu."

"Your Majesty, there's nothing more to do here. It's getting late, so I'll take my leave now." Xiao Jingchen rose to take his leave.

Seeing that the Prince of Chu had risen to take his leave, everyone else followed suit. The Emperor ignored the Third Prince's request and departed with Fuming and the Prince of Chu. After the Emperor left, no one bothered the Empress any longer.

Standing outside the Queen's Palace.

Consort Yu walked at the front. She stopped and said with a smile, "Let's give the Third Prince a chance to make amends. Yuheng, go and see off Madam Gu, Madam Ning, and Old Madam Meng."

"Your Highness is too kind. My family and the Prime Minister's residence are not on the same path."

“The Duke’s Mansion and the Prime Minister’s Mansion are not on the same route. We are on the same route as Old Madam Meng. Third Prince, you should escort Madam Gu away.” Madam Ning had no patience to deal with Consort Yu anymore.

"Qingwan, why don't you come home with me today? Your father misses you very much," Wang Ruyan said.

"Thank you for your kindness, Madam. It's getting late, and Qingwan needs to go back to pay her respects to her maternal grandmother. I won't bother you at the Prime Minister's residence today," Gu Qingwan replied politely.

"Oh, Miss Gu, you're too kind. We're just at home, how could we be bothering you? Let me see, you two are truly lovely sisters. It's fate that we can be sisters." Consort Yu said meaningfully, shaking hands with Gu Qingwan and Gu Hanjiao.

Gu Qingwan felt disgusted, and Gu Hanjiao was also unhappy. She didn't expect Consort Yu to have such thoughts. However, she was in a dilemma and hadn't made up her mind yet, so she couldn't show any unpleasant emotions on her face.

“Miss Gu, I was blind that day and didn’t recognize you. Please don’t take offense.” Xiao Yuheng wanted to make his presence known to Gu Qingwan, but Gu Qingwan didn’t appreciate it at all. She just nodded without a smile and stood behind Madam Ning.

After the Ning and Meng families left, only Madam Gu and Consort Yu remained. Consort Yu was still wary of Prime Minister Gu's power, and holding Madam Gu's hand, she said, "It's getting late today, and I can't keep you in the palace any longer. Don't worry, my dear, I also like you very much, and I believe the Emperor will issue an edict soon."

Gu Hanjiao nodded shyly. She looked up at the Third Prince, but he stared at Gu Qingwan's departing figure for a long time, unable to come back to his senses. This made Gu Hanjiao feel a sense of crisis.

"Thank you for your trouble, Your Highness. I will definitely speak to my husband about this when I get back," Wang Ruyan replied.

"Yuheng, go and see Miss Gu off."

This time, the mother and daughter did not refuse, because the matter had probably already spread like wildfire outside the palace. If the Third Prince was there to escort her back, at least Gu Hanjiao's reputation could be preserved, and at the very least, it would let others know that Gu Hanjiao becoming a prince's consort was a foregone conclusion.

"Mother, I have something to discuss with you. How about I send my personal guards to escort Madam and Miss?"

“Third Prince…” Gu Hanjiao looked at Xiao Yuheng with a wronged expression.

"I'm tired today too. Go and see Madam Gu off. We can talk about it tomorrow!" Consort Yu was somewhat dissatisfied with the Third Prince's behavior today. Although it was a good thing that he had feelings for Miss Gu, it would have been a good thing if today's incident hadn't happened. But today's incident made things much more troublesome. It's easy to imagine how difficult it would be for Prime Minister Gu to marry his two daughters to her.

Moreover, he couldn't possibly pass the Emperor's test. He was only able to marry one because of Miss Gu Er's offer of herself, and then he had to add Miss Gu Da to the mix... Although it was difficult, it was worth a try for the sake of the Duke of Ningguo's mansion.

Consort Ning watched the departing figure, narrowed her phoenix eyes, and thought she would have to think about it carefully when she got back.