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

"By the way, didn't you mention that your older brother came along today?"

"Hmm... I don't know either. I wasn't planning on having him bring it, but he was already waiting for me at the door when I left today. He said he had nothing to do today, so he came along for a stroll." Meng Yanran then pointed to the little guy in Gu Qingwan's arms: "How did this little guy just crawl out of the door?"

Gu Qingwan nodded, looking somewhat helplessly at the little guy Ning Chenghao who was sleeping soundly in her arms.

"I'm pretty much the same. A few days ago, Hao'er heard that I was going to Qingquan Temple and said that he could come along once he finished his homework. But yesterday, his aunt tested him and he didn't pass. He cried all afternoon and I don't know how early he was waiting for me at the door today. His little hands were ice cold."

After hearing this, Meng Yanran pursed her lips and smiled: "Kids are all quite playful. I used to do that with my brother a lot when I was little."

"I just sent the gatekeeper to inform my aunt that Sister Yanran is unaware of the special circumstances at home. I am also away from home most of the year. When I am home, Hao'er is quite attached to me."

"No, I want to protect my sister!" Ning Chenghao mumbled sleepily to Gu Qingwan.

"Alright, alright, go to sleep. I'll wake you up when we get there." Gu Qingwan patted Ning Chenghao.

Seeing the interaction between Gu Qingwan and her younger brother, she suddenly looked forward to the baby in her mother's belly. She thought that the baby would be just like Ning Chenghao, always wanting to cling to his older brother and sister. As she was thinking, she happened to see the hairpin on Gu Qingwan's head.

"Qingwan, your hairpin is so pretty! Where did you buy it?"

Gu Qingwan touched the hairpin that the person had given her, blushing slightly. Fortunately, the careless Meng Yanran didn't notice, and she replied, "The ordinary styles in the Treasure Pavilion are hardly considered beautiful."

"Nonsense, I'm a regular at Duobaoge, and I've never seen it."

"Oh dear sister, when I have time I'll go shopping with you, and I'm sure you'll be able to see something similar."

“Going for a stroll is a good thing, but this type of person is really not suitable for me. If I were to bring someone like that, it would look rather out of place. It would be more suitable for someone as ethereal as you. Speaking of ethereal, I think you and my older brother are truly destined to be together.”

Gu Qingwan smiled but remained silent.

Meng Jiyue, who was riding his horse alongside the carriage, also heard the conversation inside. After listening more closely, he realized there was no further conversation, but he was still very happy and rode his horse to the front of the group.

They ate some snacks that Ru Hua had brought in the carriage. The swaying of the carriage and Ning Chenghao's sweet snoring made Meng Yanran feel sleepy and want to doze off. Fortunately, the carriage suddenly stopped.

"We've arrived," Meng Jiyue said gently, tapping on the carriage from outside.

Upon hearing that they had arrived, Meng Yanran was the first to get up, open the car door, and jump out while holding onto Meng Jiyue's hand: "We're finally here! Whew, I was so suffocated! Qingwan, get out quickly, the air here is so fresh!" As she spoke, Meng Yanran took a deep breath of air.

Gu Qingwan woke up Ning Chenghao, who was rubbing his eyes. Hearing Meng Yanran's words, Ning Chenghao immediately perked up, jumped off the carriage, and was overjoyed.

Gu Qingwan tidied herself up and prepared to get out of the carriage. As soon as she stepped out, she saw Meng Jiyue waiting outside, reaching out to help her down. Gu Qingwan, being an experienced woman, was able to sense this to some extent. She simply smiled at Meng Jiyue without saying a word. At that moment, Si Qi happened to come over and helped Gu Qingwan out of the carriage.

Meng Jiyue looked at her empty palms and felt a little down, but she didn't show it on her face and remained gentle.

The maids and servants who had been following in the carriage also got out and followed their respective masters. Since Ning Chenghao had come on his own initiative without any servants, Gu Qingwan instructed Siqi and Ruhua to keep a close eye on Ning Chenghao.

This is the young master of the Duke's mansion. No matter what, we cannot be careless. Even if the young lady doesn't say it explicitly, the two of them understand what she means and follow Ning Chenghao without saying a word.

Ning Chenghao himself didn't feel anything was wrong; he was extremely happy.

"Little one, we're going to climb a mountain soon, are you sure you have the stamina?" Meng Yanran asked jokingly.

"Why not! Let's have a competition!"

"come!"

After saying that, the two started a race to see who would reach the entrance of Qingquan Temple first. They set off first, and Meng Jiyue and Gu Qingwan naturally followed with their entourage at a distance. Although they were a man and a woman, they had many maids and servants with them, so it didn't cause any problems. However, to outsiders, the two looked like a very well-matched couple.

Meng Jiyue said, "The carriage can only go this far; we'll have to walk the rest of the way."

“Of course, when you come here to pay homage to the immortals, you need to be more devout and do some things yourself.” Gu Qingwan didn’t say another word, kept to her duty, and steadily climbed the mountain to follow.

Sensing Gu Qingwan's aloofness, Meng Jiyue didn't say much. She simply walked halfway up the mountain and saw Meng Yanran and Ning Chenghao waiting for them in a flat area, panting heavily.

"Why did it take you so long to get up here? We're exhausted," Meng Yanran complained, panting.

"How can you two rush forward recklessly like that when climbing a mountain? If you don't get tired, who will? What, are you out of energy?"

"I'm alright..."

Gu Qingwan's breathing was steady, something that came naturally to her. She took a handkerchief and wiped Ning Chenghao's sweat, then took his hand and said, "Let's go together, take our time. The scenery here is beautiful, let's walk slowly and enjoy it."

Meng Yanran nodded and had her maids and servants help her fix her makeup. She and Gu Qingwan walked side by side, talking as they climbed the mountain, chatting from time to time.

"Qingwan, did you see that? There are more people here today than usual."

Gu Qingwan looked around and saw that there were quite a few people, both well-dressed and simply dressed: "Are there always this many people in this temple?"

"How could that be? You don't know, today is the fifteenth. It's said that Master Huang will come out today to read fortune sticks and predict the fates of the worshippers who come here. It's said that he's very accurate, the kind that's priceless."

"Then everyone in the capital can spend some money to have him take a look."

"No, Master Huang doesn't easily tell fortunes for people. He says that revealing heavenly secrets will shorten one's lifespan. He says that he is, after all, just a mortal and cherishes his life."

“That Master Huang is quite an interesting person,” Gu Qingwan replied with a smile. “Let’s go and see him sometime.”

As they spoke, they arrived at the gate of the temple. Baoqin whispered in Gu Qingwan's ear, "Miss, the people from the Prime Minister's residence have also arrived."

Looking from afar, Gu Qingwan saw that the people burning incense and paying homage there were none other than the Prime Minister's wife and Gu Hanjiao, mother and daughter. Gu Qingwan nodded with a smile. Regardless of whether there was food or not, the fish still couldn't resist taking the bait.

"Let's go. There are too many people here. Let's go to a private room to rest for a while, and then I'll arrange for the two sisters to offer incense." Meng Jiyue had already sent someone to make arrangements here. After all, the women would be having lunch here all day. In the capital, anyone with a certain status would send someone to prepare a private room for their family members in advance.