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

Gu Hanjiao devoutly bowed to the real Bodhisattva, her heart filled with a myriad of emotions as she looked at the colorful image before her.

She finally managed to get out of the ancestral hall, and when she heard from her mother that her father was already negotiating the marriage with the Third Prince, Gu Hanjiao felt a little relieved. After all, she hadn't forgotten the affection she had for her father since she was a child.

As for that old hag who had been a demon for so long but still couldn't hold onto the power of managing the household, although her mother was having some difficulties recently, her grandmother said that since she still had the energy to manage the household, taking care of her mother-in-law shouldn't be too difficult.

The old lady had no other way but she managed to find one, making the mother, who had been the housekeeper for so many years, go to her every day to establish rules. Fortunately, the mother was resourceful.

"Mother, you've had a hard time lately. It's all my fault for causing you so much worry." Gu Hanjiao stepped forward, took her mother's hand, and helped her up from the prayer mat.

"It's all worth it for your mother, brother and sister, no matter how much she has to sacrifice."

“But my mother had to go to that courtyard every day to set rules, and my grandmother didn’t care about my mother’s feelings at all.”

At this point, Wang Ruyan felt a little annoyed, but she quickly said, "It's okay. Once you've married the Third Prince smoothly, I'll have plenty of time. Soon she won't be able to keep running around like this."

Gu Hanjiao didn't say anything. She knew that her mother was definitely not as weak and helpless as she appeared on the surface. Sometimes she felt that she should learn from her mother.

"Let's not talk about Mother anymore. Did you make a wish just now, my dear?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Hanjiao couldn't help but show a girlish embarrassment on her face: "It's just... I just hope to be with Your Highness for life."

"What!" Wang Ruyan looked at her daughter in surprise. How dare she say such a thing? Seeing that no one was around, she pulled her daughter away and said, "Jiao'er, you can only tell your mother this. You can't let outsiders know."

"Why?"

“Why? This is called being jealous. You’re not even married yet, how will other families view you? Besides, even ordinary families can’t avoid taking concubines or maids. And the other party is royalty. Not to mention, there are two concubines alone, not to mention others. In the future…” Wang Ruyan paused, speaking somewhat subtly, “In the future, there will be no shortage of people. If you have this mentality, you will definitely suffer.”

Gu Hanjiao curled her lips in disdain, feeling quite unconvinced. People in this era have such deeply ingrained ideas that if they want something, there's nothing they can't do.

Furthermore, if it succeeds, I will be the first person in history to achieve this, and such a story will be remembered for all time.

Gu Hanjiao became happier and happier as she thought about it. Wang Ruyan could tell what her daughter was thinking just by looking at her expression, but she thought that she was still young and would grow up eventually.

Gu Hanjiao looked up and happened to see Meng Yanran pulling Gu Qingwan as they headed to the main hall to offer incense.

"Oh, my sister is here too! Sister Meng is here too."

"What a coincidence to run into Madam and Sister here." Gu Qingwan nodded slightly.

"Greetings, Madam." Meng Yanran ignored Gu Hanjiao and only gave a perfunctory greeting to Madam Gu.

This was the second time Wang Ruyan had seen Gu Qingwan. Every time Gu Qingwan addressed her as "Madam" and her attitude made Wang Ruyan feel that she was being reminded that she was a concubine and did not deserve respect.

Seeing her mother's displeasure, Gu Hanjiao said, "Sister has been away from home for many years and no one has taught her manners. Calling her 'Madam' is too formal. Sister should call her 'Mother' instead."

"My darling!" Wang Ruyan was unable to stop her daughter in time.

Meng Yanran was stunned when she heard this, and then she chuckled.

"Call Qingwan whatever you want, as long as you feel comfortable. We're family, there's no need to be so formal. Your sister is just concerned about you; in her eyes, you're even closer than her own sister."

Wang Ruyan held Gu Hanjiao's hand and explained that she didn't know what was wrong with her daughter. She said that she was smart, but sometimes she would do silly things.

Gu Hanjiao didn't understand why her mother was pulling her so hard. Logically speaking, Gu Qingwan was showing no respect for her elders. Her mother was the legal wife, and even if she wasn't her biological daughter, she could still say a few words to her. She really didn't know what her mother was worried about.

Fortunately, Gu Hanjiao didn't say much.

Gu Qingwan said nonchalantly, "Madam must have other things to do, so I won't bother you any longer."

"Master Huang has already started divination and fortune telling. Qingwan, since this is your first time here, would you like to go with us? It's quite rare that Master Huang only does three divinations each time."

"Thank you for your kindness, Madam. Qingwan is just here today with Sister Yanran for sightseeing."

Wang Ruyan nodded without saying much. As more and more people gathered, she had to put on a loving mother's act again, but Gu Qingwan didn't give her the chance and took her leave.

"Madam, Master Huang has already started. Let's hurry over there," Xue Niang interjected at the opportune moment.

Meng Yanran held Gu Qingwan's hand and whispered, "That Gu Hanjiao is too funny. You are a proper legitimate daughter, which is different from her. What is that lady's situation? Is she worthy of you calling her 'Mother'? I've really opened my eyes today."

"Sister Yanran, there are too many people and too much chatter here, so let's ignore them and go offer incense and pray for blessings while no one is around."

“Yes, yes, yes, but it’s really lively at Master Huang’s place. Let’s go take a look later,” Meng Yanran said.

When Gu Hanjiao and her group arrived at Master Huang's place, there were quite a few people gathered around. However, Master Huang said that he would only tell fortunes for those who were destined to be told. Since no one knew who was destined to be told, they gathered around to see if they could catch the master's eye.

When Gu Hanjiao and the others arrived, Wang Ruyan saw that there were indeed several ladies she knew from the capital. This made things even better. Once they returned, she would see who dared to say anything bad about Jiao'er.

Master Huang, dressed in a Taoist robe and holding a whisk, stood there with an air of otherworldly elegance.

"Thank you all for your support. Today, on the fifteenth, I pray that Heaven will bless our nation with peace and prosperity, and that your families with good fortune."

"Thank you, Taoist Priest, for your kind words."

Master Huang looked around, and everyone around him held their breath, hoping that he would be one of the destined ones today.

Master Huang spotted Xue Niang in the crowd. Sensing Master Huang's gaze, Xue Niang covered her mouth with a handkerchief and moved closer to her young mistress, Gu Hanjiao. Master Huang nodded slightly in understanding.

Suddenly, Master Huang's eyes widened and he looked at Gu Hanjiao in the crowd. The others followed his gaze, puzzled.

“This young lady… has quite the bearing of a dragon and phoenix. I… would like to ask the old Taoist priest to come with me.”

"My God! Such a magnificent appearance!" The crowd suddenly gasped in disbelief; it was simply unbelievable.

Wang Ruyan and Gu Hanjiao were also a little stunned. It was supposed to be a harmonious union of phoenix and dragon, so how did it become a union of dragon and phoenix? But thinking about it, it made sense, so they didn't think too much about it and followed them inside.

"Miss, please draw a lot."

Gu Hanjiao obediently drew a scallion from the scallion tube. It read: "Soaring three thousand miles high, one can become the Jade Master and sit in the clouds."

"Master, what do you think..." Wang Ruyan asked Master Huang, holding up a fortune stick.

"Your daughter is an exceptional person, but unfortunately, she is a woman. However, if I could have her as a virtuous and capable wife, she would rise rapidly in rank, bringing me only benefit and no harm. But the second half of the sentence..."

"Master, is there anything wrong with this?"

Master Huang touched the floating dust and looked at Gu Hanjiao with a rather meaningful expression, which made Gu Hanjiao feel a little guilty.

“Miss, you shouldn’t be so ambitious. No matter where you come from, now that you’re here, you should follow the rules. Otherwise, you might encounter some unnecessary trouble.” Master Huang said no more.

"My son is in trouble?" Although he had taken the money, Master Huang's reputation wasn't unfounded. If he really had a correct prediction, that would be...

"Madam, please calm down. Miss is so intelligent, how could she not understand? Today I have glimpsed a great secret of heaven, I hope Heaven will not blame me."

"Rest assured, Taoist priest, I will send people to burn plenty of incense money."

Upon hearing that the Prime Minister's residence should offer more incense, Master Huang nodded and instructed, "Child, I am going into seclusion. Do not neglect the worshippers outside."