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

"Mother..." Madam Ning felt incredibly warm inside. She was probably three times lucky to have married into such a kind family. Her parents-in-law treated her like their own daughter, her husband was very considerate, and her sons were all successful and didn't cause her any worry. If there was any regret, it was that she didn't have a daughter. Qingwan was a very thoughtful child who made up for her regret. She had been cared for for so many years, and it was time for her to stand up and protect this family from the wind and rain!

The next morning, Gu Qingwan sent Ning Er to the Chu Prince's residence to deliver a letter saying she wanted to visit him and wondered if it was appropriate. The Chu Prince's residence replied that she was very welcome and that Gu Qingwan could come anytime.

So Gu Qingwan decided to have breakfast and go there early while the weather was still cool. It was already May, and although it wasn't the hottest time yet, the summer heat was gradually showing. After the sun came out, the heat was unbearable.

"Siqi, is everything ready? We should be leaving soon."

"Replying to Miss, everything is ready. I just checked it, and everything you and Madam instructed to prepare is ready in an orderly manner."

Gu Qingwan nodded: "That's good. Although there are no elders in the Chu Prince's Mansion, it's our first time visiting, so we can't be impolite."

"That's what the lady said."

"Qingwan, is everything ready?" Madam Ning came out from the inner courtyard and looked at the luggage being packed.

"Don't worry, Aunt."

"Alright, it's getting late, let's go early. Don't worry when you get to the Chu Prince's residence. Your maternal grandmother said that we have some connection with the Chu Prince. For the sake of your maternal grandfather, I'm sure the Chu Prince won't make things difficult for you."

"Qingwan will remember this."

Gu Qingwan was also very nervous on the way. She had lived two lives but had never been to the Chu Prince's mansion before. This was her first time going to his house, getting closer to him and getting to know him. It would be a lie to say she wasn't nervous. In the past, it was Xiao Jingchen who came to see her. This time, she was going to see him openly and legitimately.

Ever since the Chu Prince's Mansion received Gu Qingwan's invitation, everyone in the mansion has been busy, especially the steward, Uncle Hua, who is so busy that he can't stop talking and his feet are constantly on the ground. Even the floor in front of the gate has been swept countless times, and it looks like you can see your reflection in it.

Xiao Jingchen didn't stop them from being so busy. Actually, he was a little nervous and happy, but he didn't show it on his face and continued to sit in the study reading.

Xiao Yi, however, couldn't stay still and kept craning his neck to look around.

"What? Can't stand anymore?" Xiao Jingchen asked without looking up.

"Hehe, Your Highness." Xiao Yi scratched the back of his head sheepishly.

"How are those two little ones?"

"I went to see them, and they're not easy to discipline. Those two little ones either ignore you or bare their teeth; they're very difficult to communicate with."

Xiao Jingchen put down the book in his hand, thought for a moment, and said, "Let's go, come with me to take a look."

Xiao Yi actually really liked those two little creatures. They were wild and lacked the ability to resist, but they were also quite a headache. Just bringing them back yesterday tore his clothes to shreds. His brothers were quite fond of them and teased them for most of the night.

Unexpectedly, Miss Gu came to visit these two little ones at the manor today. Others may not know, but Xiao Yi knows that this is probably a case of ulterior motives.

Speaking of which, it's been a long time since the Prince and Miss Gu have met alone. This opportunity is too rare, and Xiao Yi is happy for the Prince.

Before long, Gu Qingwan's carriage arrived at the Chu Prince's residence, and Uncle Hua's face was full of smiles.

"Miss Gu has arrived! I am so sorry for not welcoming you properly."

"You're too kind, Prince Chu's residence. May I ask how to address you?"

"This old servant is the steward of the Prince's mansion. Miss, please go inside quickly. The Prince has gone to see the two wolf cubs and will be back soon," the steward said.

"Steward, you're too kind. Your Highness is very busy, and it's Qingwan who has been bothering you." Gu Qingwan knew that there was no mistress in the Chu Prince's mansion. Apart from Xiao Jingchen, the steward was the one who managed the mansion, so she couldn't treat him as an ordinary servant.

Uncle Hua was overjoyed to hear this. As Xiao Yi had said, Miss Gu was indeed very knowledgeable, reasonable and polite: "Miss is too kind. There are not many female relatives in the Prince's Mansion. I'm afraid we will have to make do with our hospitality. We are all a bit clumsy, so please don't mind."

"Not at all, please go ahead with your business. I'll wait here for Your Highness."

"Alright, alright, if you need anything, just call someone. This old servant will go and invite the Prince over."

They escorted the person to the waterside pavilion, a cool and bright place where people wouldn't gossip about Miss Gu and the Prince of Chu, nor would they let others know about their conversation—it was the perfect place.

After the steward left, Siqi boldly spoke to Gu Qingwan: "Miss, this Chu Prince's mansion is really big."

"Yes, the Prince of Chu is the only younger brother of the current emperor, so his mansion must be quite large."

"It's just that there's not much scenery here."

"The prince is not often in the capital, and since there are no women to manage the mansion, it naturally lacks some charm in terms of scenery."

Siqi nodded and looked around the waterside pavilion. She saw a woman with a servant approaching from the shore, carrying a fruit platter.

"Miss, wasn't it said that there were no women in the Prince's mansion? What is that person here for?"

Gu Qingwan put down her cup and looked at the place Siqi had mentioned. Sure enough, Gu Qingwan frowned. She really didn't know who this was. She had never heard of the Prince of Chu taking a concubine or having a maidservant. However, she might be mistaken, since she had very little interaction with the Prince of Chu in her previous life.

"A-Ning greets Miss Gu."

The woman who claimed to be Aning was dressed in pink, not in the attire of a maid or servant. It seemed she was not a servant of the Prince's mansion. Before figuring it out, Gu Qingwan decided it was best not to make any rash moves.

"Thank you."

Seeing Gu Qingwan's coldness towards her, A Ning felt that Gu Qingwan looked down on her. Thinking of this, A Ning felt even more that Gu Qingwan was an arrogant and hypocritical noblewoman who was not worthy of the prince.

"Please forgive me, Miss Gu. Aning has been busy helping the Prince with the household affairs and has not been able to greet you in time."

"It's alright." Gu Qingwan nodded with a smile.

"Heh, please enjoy, Miss. I don't know what Miss Gu's tastes like, so I hope you won't find it offensive." A-Ning didn't mind Gu Qingwan's coldness and still treated her very warmly, acting like the head of the household.

Siqi was unhappy. She knew about the relationship between the prince and the young lady. How come the prince didn't seem like the kind of person who would be interested in women? How come there was such a person in the manor?

"Miss Gu, you may not know this, but there are no maids serving the Prince. All of the Prince's affairs are handled by Aning. Few people come to visit the Prince's residence. Miss Gu is the first among the female members of the family. The household is inexperienced and may be somewhat neglectful."

Gu Qingwan heard the words. Was this telling her that this A Ning was the only woman in the Prince's mansion, or rather, the Prince? Was she special?

"It's alright, I'm just here on imperial orders to come and see His Majesty's rewards."

Ah Ning couldn't contain herself any longer. Wasn't this Miss Gu curious about her identity? Was her indifference genuine, or did she simply not care about the Prince at all? If the Prince found out, he would definitely regret misjudging her!

Suddenly, Aning stood up and asked with a somewhat aggrieved expression, "Miss Gu, is there something I did wrong that made you feel disgusted? Please tell me if I did anything inappropriate."

Gu Qingwan was getting impatient. Had this A Ning lost her mind? Her methods were so underhanded!

Sure enough, the prince brought Xiao Yi to the waterside pavilion.

"Your Highness, I pay my respects to Your Highness."

"Get up."

Ah Ning moved her lips and stood next to Xiao Jingchen, personally serving him tea and water. Xiao Yi touched his nose awkwardly. He looked at Si Qi and was about to smile as a greeting, but Si Qi snorted and turned her head away, ignoring him.

"Is it cooler now?" Xiao Jingchen asked Gu Qingwan.

"It's indeed cool here. Thank you for your hospitality, Your Highness. May I ask where your two wolf cubs are?"

"I'll have someone bring some over for you to play with in a bit. It's too hot, so don't let it get too hot in the sun." Xiao Jingchen poured Gu Qingwan another cup of cool tea.

Gu Qingwan nodded.

A-Ning stepped forward and took the teapot from the prince: "This is the prince's favorite herbal tea. Miss is used to fine tea, so I'm afraid she won't like it."

Gu Qingwan finally found the person in front of her a bit noisy and frowned slightly. Siqi saw this and stepped forward.

"Your Highness, please forgive my indiscretion, but in our Ning Mansion, maids are not allowed to interrupt the conversations between their masters."

"You!" Ah Ning never expected that she would be ridiculed by a mere maid.

"Besides, since she's a maid, she should refer to herself as 'servant,' not just use her name."

Ah Ning clenched her fists angrily. In the past, she could use a hidden weapon or some tricks, but now her kung fu had been crippled, and she was powerless to even kill a chicken.

"Siqi, step back," Gu Qingwan commanded. "Your Highness, please forgive my maid for her insolence."

Xiao Jingchen put down his cup and said to A Ning, "Kneel down."

Ah Ning bit her lip, her eyes filled with stubbornness, but she still knelt in front of Xiao Jingchen.

Xiao Jingchen explained to Gu Qingwan, "A'ning is the steward's daughter. She will be getting married soon, so there's no need to worry about her."

Ah Ning stared wide-eyed and looked up at the person in front of her. Just a few words were enough to define her?

"Your Majesty!"

Gu Qingwan had an "oh, I see" expression, seemingly not taking it to heart, which made A Ning feel even more insulted.

Gu Qingwan coughed lightly: "Qingwan has come at an inopportune time today. Perhaps I should visit another day."

Xiao Yi thought to himself, "Oh no, the future princess must be angry. She left in anger on her first visit to the palace. What will happen in the future? My prince isn't the kind of person who knows how to coax people."

"Get down, and don't make me say it a second time!" Xiao Jingchen said lightly, neither displeased nor angry.

"Ah Ning, you should leave now. If the prince gets really angry, you'll lose your life." Xiao Yi earnestly advised her, unable to bear seeing Ah Ning make a mistake again, after all, they had been partners before.

Ah Ning bit her lip until it bled, kowtowed once, and left.

Gu Qingwan watched the departing figure, lost in thought. This A Ning must be no ordinary person. The prince explained that she was just the steward's daughter, but the fact that he could give this woman so much freedom showed that she was no ordinary person.

However, since the prince didn't say anything, she didn't press him further.

"Miss, please try this. This was bought by the Prince from Jufangzhai. The Prince said he didn't know what flavors you liked, so he bought one of everything. Would you like to try it?" Xiao Yi said with a smile.

"You're so talkative." Xiao Jingchen kicked him from behind.

Gu Qingwan and Si Qi both laughed.

"Your Highness has gone to so much trouble." Gu Qingwan looked at the table full of pastries, picked one up and tasted it. "I like them all. Don't buy so many next time. We've tried them all. What will we buy next time?"

Xiao Jingchen was also very happy; Gu Qingwan meant she would come again. Suddenly, a piece of pastry appeared in front of them, and Gu Qingwan took one and handed it to him.

"Would Your Highness like to try some?"

"Young Miss, the Prince..." Xiao Yi was about to say that the Prince did not like sweets when she was kicked again.

Xiao Yi stared wide-eyed as the prince ate the pastries he had never eaten before. Tears streamed down Xiao Yi's face. Sure enough, it was Miss Gu who could make the prince so obedient and not picky about food. Their lives as subordinates would be much easier from now on.

If Xiao Yi knew that the prince's palate would be spoiled by Ru Hua's skills, just like Gu Qingwan's, she would be even more distressed.