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

Things always change in an instant. Overnight, Princess Nazha was made a Rongfei and placed in the harem. The Third Prince and Gu Hanjiao were also betrothed. Although the date was not officially announced, the Ministry of Rites was instructed to calculate the time. However, what surprised everyone was that the Third Prince's principal wife would become the infamous Miss Gu.

However, some people say that the Third Prince values ​​Miss Gu's noble character the most. Others say that Miss Gu and the Third Prince are in love, but every time this relationship is mentioned, people can't help but think of their romantic affair at the flower viewing banquet.

The Northern Rong delegation completed its mission, and Prince Hu returned home with the gifts from the Emperor of Daqing. Everything was peaceful and uneventful, as if the delegation had truly only come to deliver a princess for a marriage alliance and sue for peace, and as if they had genuinely submitted to the emperor. But their true purpose was probably only known to them. ...

Legend has it that Consort Rong's temper became much milder in the palace. She spent her days researching what to eat and dancing in order to win the emperor's favor. According to the young palace maids, even they would blush when they saw her dancing.

However, while some people occasionally comment on Princess Nazha's persistent pursuit of the Third Prince, no one would be so foolish as to openly cuckold their own son. Especially since he's the Emperor; one wrong move and they could lose their heads.

The imperial edict was quickly delivered to the Ning family father and son at the border. Since they often traveled and had little to carry, they set off to return home lightly equipped.

Upon receiving the letter from the Duke of Ning saying he was coming back, Old Madam Ning was so happy she ate an extra half bowl of rice. The entire Ning family was overjoyed; with their master backing up, even the servants could stand tall. Although no one dared to provoke the Ning family, the absence of their husbands certainly made them keep a low profile.

Gu Qingwan was also very happy. She had been staying at home these past few days, not wanting to cause any more trouble. She just hoped that her maternal grandfather and the others could return home quietly and that there would be no more ups and downs during this period. She even refused Meng Yanran's invitation to go out and play. As for the Gu family, they were probably happy for a while because of this arranged marriage, and they didn't have time to think about doing anything else.

Ning Chenghao has been so happy these past two days that he can't even concentrate on his studies, and his martial arts skills aren't as good as before. Moreover, he keeps coming back to ask Madam Ning when her grandfather, father, and brother will be back, which is giving Madam Ning a real headache.

Finally, Madam Ning couldn't take it anymore and asked Gu Qingwan to teach the boy a lesson. Gu Qingwan then instructed Ning Yi to give Ning Chenghao a good beating.

It was indeed very effective; these last few times, Ning Chenghao was so exhausted that he had to return to the hospital.

He lay on the bed, unable to get up. After several rounds, Ning Chenghao finally couldn't take it anymore and ran to find Gu Qingwan.

"Sister, sister, please save me!"

Today, Ning Chenghao was abused by Ning Yi again. Instead of returning to his own courtyard, Ning Chenghao ran to Gu Qingwan's place.

Gu Qingwan was sewing clothes in her room. She had just asked Siqi to ask Prince Xiaoyi for his measurements. Gu Qingwan wanted to make a set of loungewear for the prince. The last time she went to the prince's mansion, he was wearing clothes for going out. She wondered if he should get himself a few sets.

Gu Qingwan thought she would make him a set herself, and leave the rest to Caiyi Pavilion. After all, her skills were indeed limited; she was more suited to killing people with a knife, and embroidery was not her forte.

Gu Qingwan couldn't help but laugh when she heard Ning Chenghao's weak and listless call.

"What? You've been behaving yourself these past few days? No more jumping around like that?"

"Sister, please make Ning Yi stop, Hao'er is about to collapse from exhaustion." Ning Chenghao lay on Gu Qingwan's soft couch as if he had no bones and couldn't get up.

"Then will you still cause trouble at home?"

"Sister, I'm so happy!" Ning Chenghao muttered. "You don't know how long it's been since I've seen Grandfather and Father. This time they're leaving, Hao'er insists on going with them!"

"What will happen to your mother and grandmother if you leave, my child?"

"Then...then isn't my sister at home?" Although Ning Chenghao was reluctant to part with his mother and grandmother, he still wanted to go to the border with his father and the others to defend the country.

Gu Qingwan sighed. She knew that this was a sentiment inherent in the men of the Ning family, and no one could dissuade them from it.

"Then you should take advantage of this time to stay home and spend time with your grandmother and mother, and study hard to improve your abilities so that you can help your grandfather and father. Otherwise, what can you do besides cause trouble? You'll only cause your family unnecessary worry," Gu Qingwan earnestly advised.

“Sister…” Ning Chenghao lowered his head in disappointment and buried his face in the pillow. On one hand, he felt that his sister was right, and on the other hand, he felt that he was really not good enough. Even his sister, a girl, was someone he could not catch up with. This time, his grandfather and father would definitely be very disappointed in him when they came back.

Gu Qingwan could see that the little guy was feeling down, so she quickly comforted him gently, "You're still young, there's no need to set such high standards for yourself. It's easy to feel frustrated if you don't meet them. At your age, you should focus on learning your lessons and practicing your martial arts well with your master."

"Hao'er doesn't understand, why go to the battlefield to study? Isn't it enough to just master martial arts?"

"That's not right. Have you ever seen a general who isn't learned and resourceful? If you only have martial arts skills, you're just a brute. Without wisdom, you'll only cause the people who follow you to die. Hao'er, your thinking is wrong. Have you forgotten the military strategies and tactics your grandfather taught you? Those are all knowledge." Gu Qingwan didn't expect Ning Chenghao to have such a strong preference for martial arts over literature.

Ning Chenghao nodded, as if he understood. His grandfather and father had both said that fighting a war was not something that could be accomplished with just a big sword. Now that his sister was saying the same thing, there must be a reason for it. Thinking of this, Ning Chenghao jumped off the bed.

"Hey, where are you going?" Gu Qingwan called out from behind.

"I'll go ask my master what a resourceful general is!" Ning Chenghao now felt that his sister's words made a lot of sense. He had many people to protect, and he absolutely could not let his ignorance harm those he cared about. Although there were some things he didn't quite understand, his father had said in his letter that if he didn't understand something, he should ask his sister and his master. His sister had already answered the questions, so he would go ask his master.

Of course, Ning Chenghao also had another thought in mind: he didn't want to disappoint his grandfather, father, and brothers who had returned.

Seeing Ning Chenghao full of energy again, Gu Qingwan knew that the child must have understood something. Although Ning Chenghao was spoiled at home and pampered by the old lady, he was essentially a good child who understood things very quickly.

At this moment, Shishu came in: "Miss, the Gu family has started preparing the dowry, but we heard from our people that the manor's storeroom has also been opened."

"Don't worry, hopefully they can buy more so that things won't look too bad that day."

"But Miss, what if they sell Madam's things?"

"No, my mother's things are all rare and precious, some of which cannot be bought with money, and they are reluctant to part with them."

Gu Qingwan was right. Wang Ruyan was definitely reluctant to sell or use the things left behind by Ning Jingxian. Those were all good things, rare to find both in and outside the capital.

Wang Ruyan and Gu Hanjiao also wore a lot of fine jewelry to make a good impression.

"Mother, your daughter has finally stood tall!"

"Yes, from now on you will be the Third Prince's consort. Even my mother will have to bow to you." Wang Ruyan was even happier. That was the Third Prince! From now on, she would be the Third Prince's mother-in-law.

From now on, the noble ladies in the capital will have to look up to her, and who will dare to laugh at her in private for being a concubine who was promoted?

"Mother, the date hasn't been set yet, but you should start preparing my dowry as soon as possible."

"Don't worry, Mother has saved all the good stuff in the storeroom for you."

"Then let's send someone to buy some better things, as well as farmland and shops. Mother, please make some preparations," Gu Hanjiao said.

Wang Ruyan's expression darkened upon hearing this. Although the things in the mansion belonged to the previous owner, she could still make her own decisions about them. However, the land and shops outside required deeds and property ownership certificates, and she couldn't do whatever she wanted with them.

What's even more infuriating is that the Ning family took it all away, and because of this, Wang Ruyan lost a lot of money!

"Alright, Mother knows. By the way, when the time comes, you should mention your brother to the Third Prince more often, find a job for your brother, and help him out."

Gu Hanjiao frowned. This mother only had eyes for her brother: "My brother has our father's approval and is the eldest son of our family, so Mother doesn't need to worry about him."

"That won't do. Your brother has always been a worry for me. You're marrying the Third Prince and you're not going to help your brother? Once your brother is better, you'll have more confidence!"

Gu Hanjiao impatiently put down her teacup, picked up a pile of fine fabric, and went back. She really didn't want to listen to her nagging. Her brother was always useless; his only use was getting their mother into the Gu family.

She expects this older brother to back her up? Humph, it's good that he doesn't cause trouble.

As Gu Hanjiao predicted, ever since Gu Hanjiao became the Third Prince's wife, Gu Changfeng has indeed been invited to dinner and drinks every day, and people have been flattering him as the Third Prince's brother-in-law.

"Young Master Gu will surely help us in the future."

"Sure, sure, hahaha."

"Young Master Gu will be a member of the royal family from now on, and who knows, he might even rise to a higher position in the future!"

"You can't say things like that." Although Gu Changfeng was drunk, he was too scared to talk nonsense outside because he had been beaten by Gu Ziming.

"Yes, yes, yes, it was all our nonsense. We'll punish ourselves with three cups of wine, hahaha."

"Oh? Young Master Gu, I heard that a new girl has come to the brothel. She sings exceptionally well. Let's go there to have some fun after we finish our meal."

"This...it's getting late, isn't it?" Gu Changfeng hesitated.

"Don't hesitate, Young Master Gu, let's go!"

The group of people pushed and shoved each other as they left.

Time always flies by, but for the Ning family, it seemed to drag on endlessly until the day when the Ning family father and son returned to the capital finally arrived.