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

Since this was Meng Yanran's first time visiting the Duke's Mansion, she naturally had to visit Old Madam Ning and Madam Ning first, and also bring over the gifts that her grandmother had asked her to bring. Gu Qingwan also arrived early to keep her grandmother company. Old Madam Ning also liked Meng Yanran very much and chatted with her for a while.

"Good child, you're so thoughtful. If you want to come and play, just come. There's no need to be so polite." Old Madam Ning heard the people next to her saying that Miss Meng had brought gifts this time.

"Madam, you're too kind. My grandmother said this is my first time visiting your home, so it's essential to observe proper etiquette. However, my grandmother also said that you and she are close friends, so even if I act like a monkey, I'm sure you'll be understanding. That's why you felt comfortable letting me come. Otherwise, given my personality, my grandmother would never have let me go out alone. Yanran is really benefiting from your presence!"

"I also really like Sister Yanran. We felt an instant connection when we first met." Gu Qingwan responded to Meng Yanran at the right time, and the two sisters smiled at each other.

Hearing Meng Yanran's playful response, both Old Madam Ning and Madam Ning smiled.

“Mother, look how lively the child is. She complements our Qingwan perfectly. I think the two sisters are a good match.”

"Madam is right. I like Qingwan very much. I feel that we get along very well. My grandmother also told me to play with Qingwan without worry."

"What a straightforward and good child. How are your grandmother and mother?" Old Madam Ning nodded. How could she not understand what Old Madam Meng meant? Thinking back to their friendship when they were young, all the noble ladies in the capital looked down on her for her coarseness, but Old Madam Meng alone treated her like a sister with such a gentle nature. If it weren't for these years...

"Don't worry, Madam. My grandmother is still in good health. She asked me to check on you before she came and to give you my regards. My mother is pregnant and it's inconvenient for her to go out, otherwise she would definitely have come with Yanran this time."

"So your mother is pregnant! That's wonderful news! No wonder I didn't see her at the flower viewing banquet last time," Madam Ning said hastily.

"Yes, Madam. I didn't tell you at the last banquet because my mother was not yet three months old, so..." Meng Yanran said apologetically.

"It's alright. Pregnant women need to be careful in everything they do. Now that you've been so honest with my family, it shows you don't consider us outsiders. Your Meng family is having a lot of good things happen to you. My old sister is really enjoying her retirement."

"Yes, Grandmother also told Yanran not to be shy."

"Haha, you child, you should have come to our manor to keep Qingwan company long ago,"

Madam Ning nodded. "Shulan, prepare a gift and send it to the Marquis's residence with Miss Meng later. I should also go and see my old sister, but unfortunately..."

"Daughter-in-law understands, Mother, don't worry, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future."

"Grandmother, I see you're tired, so I'll take Sister Yanran with me." Gu Qingwan saw the nostalgia in her grandmother's eyes and quickly stood up to speak so as not to upset her grandmother too much.

"Alright, alright, you two go and have fun. Yanran, don't be too reserved. Tell the kitchen to prepare lunch." Old Madam Gu instructed.

"There's no need for us to prepare anything. Qingwan told me early this morning that she wanted to entertain Miss Meng herself in the small kitchen."

Upon learning that Gu Qingwan planned to entertain Meng Yanran in her courtyard, the old lady nodded in agreement: "Oh? That's even better. Ruhua's skills are truly excellent."

Meng Yanran nodded and said, "Then Yanran is really lucky to have such a delicious meal."

"Aunt, Hao'er will be home from school soon. I'll have someone pick him up and bring him to my yard for lunch. The kitchen has prepared grilled fish today, and I'll send some over to Grandmother and you as well."

“Okay, Hao’er talks about Ruhua’s cooking every day. He can hardly get anything else to eat. You don’t need to send anyone to call him. He’ll run over as soon as he smells the food.”

"Ha ha ha ha"

Old Madam Gu smiled and told the two sisters to go play by themselves, while she locked herself in the small Buddhist hall. Madam Ning didn't interfere too much with their play, only instructing them to be well taken care of and to send someone to ask her for anything they needed. She then went back to her room to look at the account books that Gu Qingwan had sent that morning.

The two returned to Gu Qingwan's courtyard hand in hand.

"I've been so cooped up! You finally accepted my invitation, otherwise, I wouldn't know where to go for some fresh air." Gu Yanran lifted her skirt and stepped across the courtyard, starting to chatter on and on to Gu Qingwan.

"Sister Yanran, you've come at the perfect time. I was just wondering when I could see you again."

"Hey! If I had known you were feeling cooped up too, I should have come to visit you sooner. I don't know why Grandma keeps me from going out."

"Old Madam Meng is also cautious. Although the flower viewing banquet had nothing to do with us, it still affected our two families to some extent. Moreover, my sister and I know the truth very well."

At this point, Meng Yanran suddenly gripped Gu Qingwan's hand tightly and pulled her quickly into the house.

Seeing this, Baoqin and the others brought in the prepared snacks and then went out to give the two of them some space to talk.

Seeing that no one was around, Meng Yanran let go of his hand, took a sip of tea, and said, "I know how dangerous that day was without needing anyone else to tell me. It's all thanks to you."

"Did Sister Yanran tell your grandmother?"

“I did tell you, of course I had to tell you. After I got back, my grandmother summoned my mother, father, and brother into the house. I told them everything. My mother turned pale with fright, and my father almost smashed his teacup and wanted to go to the Emperor to demand an explanation.”

Gu Qingwan shook her head. "I'm afraid that won't work. Since His Majesty has made his decision, it's a done deal. Your family will have to swallow your grievances. Fortunately, Sister Yanran didn't suffer any losses."

Meng Yanran held Gu Qingwan's hand and patted the back of her hand: "My grandmother said the same thing. The higher-ups may not be unable to guess what happened this time. However, this incident also shows that someone wants to take advantage of our Marquis's mansion. My grandmother told us to be extremely careful in our future actions. Afterwards, she asked me to take my mother back first. My grandmother then asked my father and brother to stay and talk. She left late at night."

"Sister, you told me about this in such detail..."

"Don't worry about me. Although I may act rashly, I know what to say and do. My grandmother already told me what to do before I came. There's no need to hide anything from you. I'll just say what I want to say."

Gu Qingwan nodded. She understood that Old Madam Meng had agreed to her becoming friends with Meng Yanran, and was also conveying the message to the Duke's Mansion in this frank way that although the two families did not have close contact, their feelings for each other had not changed.

Think of the Meng family. Like the Ning family, they were loyal and upright people who never took sides. However, it was precisely because of their integrity that they were framed and their fates were not good, just like the Ning family. In particular, Meng Yanran's brother, such a handsome young man, was framed and lost his reputation. He also contracted syphilis and died in depression. Meng Yanran's mother, who was pregnant, also miscarried as a result.

"By the way, Sister Yanran, why didn't your brother bring you here today?"

"My brother?" Meng Yanran was a little surprised that Gu Qingwan suddenly asked. "My brother was supposed to bring me here today, and he had arranged the time, but he couldn't make it because you came to call me in advance."

"I was abrupt."

"It's alright, it's alright. I couldn't wait to come. My brother is too busy, who knows what he's doing? I usually don't let him come with me when I go out." Meng Yanran waved her hand dismissively.

"By the way, Qingwan, there's something interesting you'd like to hear."

"whats the matter?"

"It's all over the restaurant about your sister, Gu Hanjiao!" Meng Yanran looked at Gu Qingwan with an exaggerated expression, as if to say, "How could you not know about something this big?"