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

Xitong Palace.

Gu Qingwan followed Princess Anqing to Xitong Palace, but she did not see Consort Yu, who had said she wanted to see her.

Although a palace maid was serving tea and snacks, which was considered impolite, Gu Qingwan didn't touch any of it. Princess Anqing, however, tasted the tea. Gu Qingwan knew that even if the Imperial Concubine had designs on her, she wouldn't dare harm Princess Anqing in the slightest.

"Miss, this doesn't seem like they're trying to make it up to us," Siqi muttered quietly from the side.

"Siqi, be careful what you say," Gu Qingwan gently reminded her. Fortunately, there was no one around. Once you enter the palace, you have to be extremely careful because there will always be someone watching you from some unknown corner. Having finally gotten another chance, Gu Qingwan only hoped that she and her four maids could have a peaceful end.

Thinking of her past life, the ever-smiling Ruhua died tragically in front of her because of a small mistake, and Siqi... Gu Qingwan felt inexplicably heartbroken when she thought of Siqi.

Siqi was startled when she saw the complicated look in Gu Qingwan's eyes. She thought she had made a big mistake and quickly apologized to Gu Qingwan in a low voice, "Miss, it was my fault. I won't do it again."

"Oh dear, I'm late."

Gu Qingwan put on a standard smile, stood up steadily, and placed her hands neatly in front of her waist: "Your subject Gu Qingwan greets Your Highness the Noble Consort, wishing Your Highness eternal youth and long life."

"Look, look, her whole demeanor is even more noble than that of the noble ladies who have lived in the capital for many years. Old Madam Ning has done a good job teaching her."

"Thank you for your kind words, Your Highness. Qingwan would never dare to disappoint my grandmother's careful guidance." Gu Qingwan didn't need to be so humble at this moment. Since the Ningguo Duke's Mansion had been brought up, it was no longer just her business.

"Oh dear, I didn't even notice that Princess Anqing was here. How rude of me."

Princess Anqing was the eldest legitimate princess. Even if she was facing a noble concubine, she was just a concubine with some dignity. So, from the beginning, Princess Anqing calmly sat in the first seat on the left and drank the tea served by the palace maid.

Princess Anqing was a woman who knew how to enjoy life. Consort Yu was the richest woman in the palace, and all her possessions were of the highest quality, such as this tea.

"Your Highness, there's no need to be so polite. I happened to run into Miss Gu in the Empress Dowager's palace. We were going to play a game of Go, but Your Highness sent someone to invite Miss Gu. I figured I had nothing else to do, so I came along. We can continue our game in a bit."

"I apologize for disturbing Your Highness's enjoyment," Consort Yu said, seemingly somewhat embarrassed.

"It's alright, it's not a wasted trip. The tea here is even better than the tea that was sent as tribute from the Empress Dowager's palace. Anqing is in for a treat." With that, Princess Anqing took another sip.

"Hehe, the things here in Xitong Palace are naturally not comparable to those in Her Majesty the Empress's palace. If the princess likes them, I will have some prepared and sent to Her Majesty the Empress and the princess later."

"Then Anqing will thank Your Majesty in advance."

"Your Highness is too kind," Consort Yu replied with a smile, then turned to Gu Qingwan, who was still standing there silently, and said, "I just saw Miss Gu and her maid talking quite animatedly. I wonder what they were saying?"

"Your Majesty is so thoughtful. It was my little maid who was ignorant and couldn't help but admire the magnificence of Your Majesty's palace." Gu Qingwan gave Siqi a wink.

Siqi immediately knelt down upon receiving the message: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. It was this servant who was ignorant of the rules."

"Oh, what's the big deal? Get up, she seems like a good child." Consort Yu casually grasped Gu Qingwan's hand: "Last time we met was too rushed, and I didn't have a proper chat with Qingwan. Oh, I hope you don't mind if I call you Qingwan, Miss Gu?"

"Your Majesty's kindness is overwhelming," Gu Qingwan said, bowing slightly and deftly withdrawing her hand from Consort Yu's grasp.

Princess Anqing couldn't help but smile slightly upon seeing this, but she quickly and subtly concealed it.

"Hehe, this girl is really polite. I'm sorry you were in such a hurry last time. Amber, bring it up for Miss Gu."

A moment later, the head palace maid named Amber brought out a set of male concubines.

"This is a gift from me to Miss Gu, and also to make up for the grievances you suffered last time," Consort Yu explained with a smile.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. His Majesty compensated Qingwan last time, so Your Majesty need not spend any more money." Gu Qingwan naturally knew that what Consort Yu had given her was a good thing.

The tray held a complete set of pearl jewelry. Gu Qingwan did indeed like pearls, especially since there was a top pearl the size of a baby's fist, which was truly a rare sight.

However, the more valuable something is, the less you should accept it.

"There's no need for such a expense, Miss Gu, please accept it without worry. Princess Anqing, don't you think this male concubine is a good match for Miss Gu?"

Princess Anqing got up and walked to the tray. She picked up a hairpin and said, "Your Majesty, the things here are naturally of good quality. Look at the pearls, they are full and round. More importantly, they are all about the same size, which is very rare. And the top pearl is even rarer."

"Princess Anqing has a truly discerning eye."

“However…” Princess Anqing paused and put down the hairpin in her hand, “This set is indeed a bit too expensive for Miss Gu. How about this…”

Princess Anqing took a jade bracelet from her wrist and put it on Gu Qingwan's wrist: "I have taken the liberty of giving the jade bracelet that my father once gave to Anqing to Miss Gu, which will also put Your Majesty's mind at ease."

“Princess…” Gu Qingwan looked at Princess Anqing in confusion, but Princess Anqing shook her head at her.

"That won't do!"

"What? Does Your Highness look down on the gifts bestowed by the Emperor?" Princess Anqing asked.

"This... naturally, what His Majesty bestows must be of the finest quality, but this is originally my duty, how could I allow the princess to spend so much?"

"Alright, alright, the palace banquet is about to begin. I'm still waiting to play a game of piano with Miss Gu. Your Highness, please don't refuse. If you really feel bad, you have so many good things to give to Anqing."

"This humble woman thanks the princess for her generosity and the noble consort for her kindness." Gu Qingwan quickly expressed her gratitude. She naturally knew that Princess Anqing was rescuing her, so how could she not be grateful?

Moreover, the Crown Prince is kind-hearted. Judging from the last time the King of Chu sent the Crown Prince to call her out, the King of Chu probably thought highly of the Crown Prince. Gu Qingwan accepted this kindness.

“But…” Consort Yu looked rather displeased, angry that Anqing had come to ruin her plans. She glanced at Gu Qingwan’s teacup and then gave Amber a look.

At this moment, Amber, holding the plate, shook her head with difficulty, and Consort Yu's expression became even more unpleasant.

"Alright, Your Highness, please hurry up and get ready. The palace banquet is about to begin, so don't be late. I'll take Miss Gu with me." Princess Anqing had already asked for her, so Consort Yu naturally dared not refuse.

"That's what the princess said."

"This humble woman thanks Your Highness for your hospitality. This humble woman will take her leave now." Gu Qingwan bowed to Consort Yu and then left with Princess Anqing.

After Princess Anqing and Gu Qingwan left, Consort Yu twisted the handkerchief in her hand hard. At this moment, the Third Prince came out from the back hall.

“Mother, this Miss Gu is very clever,” the Third Prince said.

"Hmph, she's not just clever, she probably knows what we're thinking and hasn't even touched the tea or snacks. I've said it before, Miss Gu is the most suitable to be the principal wife."

"Mother's vision is truly insightful and farsighted; I am ashamed of my own inferiority." Looking at Gu Qingwan, the Third Prince Xiao Yuheng felt somewhat regretful. If he had listened to his mother earlier, he wouldn't have had to take so many detours.

Consort Yu stared at Gu Qingwan's cup of tea and said, "She was lucky this time. If it weren't for Anqing, she wouldn't have been able to leave so easily no matter what."

"But Mother, this is too risky. What if Father blames us..."

"What do you know? What can you do even if you blame her now that the deed is done? She still has to marry you. In order for her to live a good life, the Ning family also has to think about protecting us, mother and daughter. Besides, if you had listened to your mother earlier, we wouldn't be in this situation."

“Mother is right, it is my fault, but now?” Xiao Yuheng knew his mother’s plan. Although he had some concerns, he obeyed and came to Xitong Palace early.

Consort Yu did not tell him the specific details, but Xiao Yuheng roughly knew that his mother had prepared a secret medicine.

Once the drug is applied, it won't have an immediate effect. Instead, it requires alcohol consumption. Once Gu Qingwan drinks at the banquet, the drug will take effect, making her feel like she's drunk. Although she won't lose her strength, she will lose most of it, and her mind will become hazy and unclear. At that point, as long as he appears in time, everything will fall into place.

Although the plan didn't work out, Xiao Yuheng felt somewhat relieved. He didn't want to use such methods to get Gu Qingwan; instead, he wanted to get to know her better and let her get to know him.

"Just because it didn't work this time doesn't mean it won't work next time. Let's take it slow." Consort Yu narrowed her eyes fiercely.

"And that Gu Hanjiao, if I hadn't sent someone to inquire whether you were planning to keep it a secret from me until His Majesty bestowed the marriage upon her?" At this point, Consort Yu was so angry that her head ached.

Originally, I thought Gu Hanjiao was a good person. Although she had some concubine-like mannerisms, it was fine since my son liked her. I could just discipline her properly. But I never expected her to be so hopeless.

"Jiao'er, she..."

"Stop defending her." Consort Yu disliked her son's protection of a woman, especially one who was not virtuous. "But it's all for the best. She climbed into your bed herself. Giving her a concubine is already an act of imperial grace."

Xiao Yuheng naturally knew long ago that Gu Hanjiao could only be his concubine. His father had previously scolded him for his poor judgment in choosing a woman. If such a woman were to become a prince's consort, the royal family would be disgraced and ridiculed. If it weren't for Prime Minister Gu's sake, she would probably only be a concubine.

"What did Father say?"

Speaking of the Emperor, Consort Yu said with some melancholy, "Alas, when it comes to your father, I can't even guess what he means."

"Did Mother mention Miss Gu to Father?"

"As I've said before, I've also subtly expressed my desire for Miss Gu to be my primary wife, and I even cited the story of Ehuang and Nüying..."

"What?! How could Mother use such a story!" Xiao Yuheng was quite shocked. What did Ehuang and Nüying mean? Those were blessings only the Emperor had. Was she implying that he also had such ambitions?

"What's wrong? Is something amiss?" Consort Yu was somewhat cunning but lacked education; years ago, when people in the palace mocked her, she was reeking of money.

"Well... never mind," Xiao Yuheng didn't know what to say. "I'm sure Father Emperor won't agree."

"So that's why you resorted to this desperate measure. I really don't know what His Majesty is thinking. Does he intend to leave Gu Qingwan to the Crown Prince as a concubine?"

Upon hearing Consort Yu's words, Xiao Yuheng's eyes darkened, his expression becoming inscrutable.

"Your Majesty, it's almost time. Shall we change and go?" Amber reminded her.

"Mother, please change your clothes. Your son will go ahead and speak with the ministers."

"Go ahead, go ahead. I also need to dress up nicely. My mother loved the clothes you sent yesterday. Tonight, I'm sure I'll outshine her," Consort Yu said confidently.