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

When Gu Qingwan returned home, she indeed saw her aunt anxiously waiting in the mansion, and Gu Qingwan felt a pang of guilt.

When Ning Chenghao saw his mother there, his happy mood from the day's outing was instantly replaced by fear. He lowered his head and slowly walked to his mother's side.

"Mother." The child looked like he knew he had done wrong, which made Madam Ning both amused and exasperated.

"How dare you be so bold!" Madam Ning tapped his forehead.

"Aunt, it's Qingwan's fault. She shouldn't have taken Hao'er to Qingquan Temple."

"It's alright. I'm at ease wherever Hao'er goes with you around. It's just that Hao'er's willful and reckless behavior of running off without a word is really worrying."

"Mother! You're so biased! You don't care when my eldest and second brothers go to war with Father, but you restrict me wherever I go in the capital! It's so unfair! I'm going to tell Father!"

"Can you compare to your brothers? Even if your father came, it wouldn't make a difference! Go back and stand in horse stance for an hour."

Ning Chenghao thought this punishment was nothing; his master made him squat for two hours every day.

"Plus, one hundred repetitions of the large characters!"

"Huh? That's too ruthless!"

Madam Ning grabbed his ear and led him into the courtyard: "You're really something else, you'll climb onto the roof and tear off the tiles if you don't discipline yourself for a day. Luckily, I kept it from your grandmother. She's so old, and I'm still making her worry. Be careful, or your father will make you copy the characters a thousand times!"

"Sister, save me!"

"Calling you 'sister' won't help. Luckily, your sister is here today. Qingwan, you should go back and rest. I need to teach this arrogant brat a lesson!"

Gu Qingwan nodded: "Aunt, I also had some oversights today, but fortunately there were no mistakes."

"Don't take it to heart. It's your brother who deserves to be disciplined, and your auntie just happens to be itching to do it too."

After sending Ning Chenghao back, Gu Qingwan returned to her own courtyard to rest for a while, and the people in the courtyard also began to get busy.

Ever since the day Master Huang donned his armor, the news spread like a spring breeze to everyone in the capital, making it seem as if it were only natural for the Third Prince to marry Miss Gu.

Everyone knows that besides the Crown Prince, the Third Prince is the most outstanding. However, it also feels a bit awkward. Gu Hanjiao has the qualities of a phoenix; if the Third Prince marries her, what will become of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess?

Could it be that the Emperor is going to depose the Crown Prince? Or perhaps depose the Crown Princess and force the Crown Prince to marry Miss Gu?

It's not very good-looking no matter what.

Inside the Imperial Study, Prime Minister Gu had been waiting for a long time, but the Emperor simply kept his head down and reviewed the memorials, paying no attention to him whatsoever. Gu Ziming was also wondering what he had done wrong, but after thinking about it carefully, he couldn't figure it out.

The worst part is that I drank a lot of water before coming, and I didn't have time to go to the toilet in the rush, so now I feel really uncomfortable.

After a long while, the emperor looked up from a pile of memorials and saw Gu Ziming.

"Prime Minister Gu has been handling a lot of things for me recently. I am truly grateful for your hard work."

"Your Majesty is too kind. It is my duty to share Your Majesty's burdens."

The Emperor took a sip of tea, leaned back in his chair, and said, "My dear minister, the day for the imperial concubine selection is approaching again. I am concerned about the war on the frontier, but I am not easy to persuade the Empress Dowager. Do you have any ideas?"

Gu Ziming felt a little calmer upon hearing this. It turned out that the emperor was concerned about the selection of concubines. The emperor was worried about the national treasury, and had already ordered the empress to cut back on the food, clothing and other necessities for the harem. If more people were to enter the palace, it would be a considerable expense.

"Your Majesty, it is actually because the Empress Dowager is thinking about Your Majesty's offspring."

"I understand, that's why I have a headache."

"Since Your Majesty does not wish to hold a grand ceremony, then select two women of marriageable age to enter the palace. This would satisfy the Empress Dowager's wishes, avoid a major conflict, and demonstrate Your Majesty's boundless benevolence."

The emperor nodded and said, "You are right, my dear minister."

Just as Gu Ziming was feeling smug, he heard the emperor say again, "I've heard that your beloved daughter is..."

The emperor looked at Fuming, who was serving beside him, and Fuming understood immediately: "Your Majesty, it is Miss Gu Hanjiao, the second young lady of the Gu family."

"Yes, yes, yes, that one with the destiny of a phoenix and a luan bird, I wonder if Your Excellency would be willing to part with her?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Ziming immediately knelt down: "Your Majesty, I only have this one daughter. Moreover, the Third Prince and my daughter were already in love, which is inappropriate."

"Ah, I had completely forgotten about it until you mentioned it. You and the Third Prince were caught in disarray and went to the Empress's palace to settle the matter, right?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Ziming pressed his head to the ground and said, "It is my fault for failing to educate my son properly. I beg Your Majesty to punish me."

"Speaking of which, the Prime Minister has dedicated his entire life to the court, and has indeed lacked time in educating his children. I heard... Fuming heard something again?"

"Oh, Your Majesty, I heard that the Prime Minister's son was drinking and playing around outside, discussing the position of Empress."

When Gu Ziming heard that it was his own son who had caused him trouble, he wished he could go back and whip him right now.

"Ah, yes, yes, it's all over the place. If I don't take your daughter in, won't other people have something to say? Besides, the Crown Prince is doing a good job, and I'm very satisfied with him."

"It is my son who is unruly, daring to speak ill of the royal family while drunk. I will certainly punish him severely when I return! The rumors outside are completely unfounded. When I return, I will order my daughter to pray for the safety of the border regions."

After saying that, Gu Ziming lowered his posture even further.

When the emperor saw Gu Ziming's state, he felt that it was about time. He just wanted to give him a warning, since Gu Ziming was capable of handling things.

"I think you have misunderstood, my dear minister. I know that Miss Gu and the Third Prince are in love with each other. I am not one to break up a couple, and I am willing to help them be together."

"Your Majesty!" Gu Ziming was completely bewildered by this reversal.

"My dear minister, you may return now. I will have the Empress issue the decree later. However, Prime Minister, you should take good care of the inner quarters."

Gu Ziming quickly expressed his gratitude: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness. I will definitely discipline my children well when I return."

With a heart full of trepidation, Gu Ziming didn't even know how he got out of the Imperial Study. His back was already soaked with sweat. As soon as he stepped out of the palace gate, a gust of wind blew him cold, and he suddenly felt the urge to urinate.

Gu Ziming couldn't worry about anything else. It was inconvenient to find a place to use the restroom in the palace, and there was no one in the offices of the imperial court at this time. Gu Ziming hurriedly left the palace.

The first thing I do when I get home is to take care of my three urgent needs.

"Hmph, men, bring that bastard here!"

Gu Ziming never expected that all the suffering he had today was caused by that wicked beast. The Emperor was clearly using the imperial concubine selection as a pretext to reprimand him. He also didn't know how such rumors had spread outside, making the Gu family feel like they were being grilled in a frying pan.

Fortunately, his daughter's marriage was settled, which gave him some comfort. However, he was still his only son. How could he entrust his entire family to him if things continued like this?

Regarding having children, Gu Ziming felt he needed to work harder. His mother was right; he had to plan ahead for the future.

The Duke's Mansion.

"Miss, someone from the Prime Minister's residence said that the Prime Minister was summoned to the palace, and the first thing he did upon returning was to go to the toilet for a long time. Then he sent people to tie up the young master and beat him severely," Siqi reported.

Gu Qingwan nodded: "Have the people I asked you to arrange last time been prepared?"

"Don't worry, Miss, everything is ready."

"That should be enough for tonight, go ahead."

"Yes, this servant will go with Ning Er to make the arrangements."

Gu Qingwan thought to herself, "Father, isn't this how I fulfill my filial duty to you? I hope you like it."