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

Early that morning, Madam Ning and her entire family waited outside the door, hoping to see a familiar figure at the corner of the long street.

"Hey, hey, hey, what's the old lady doing?" a peddler carrying tofu asked a vendor at a nearby stall.

"Hey, you don't know, do you? Today is the day that the Duke of Ningguo and the General are returning. The old lady has been waiting here for a long time."

"Oh, the Duke and the General are coming back! This is wonderful news!"

"So you didn't see that we also came here early to set up our stalls and wait?"

"The Duke and the old lady are such good people. They let us set up a stall outside the door and never chased us away. They even occasionally let people from the mansion patronize our business."

"You don't need to tell me, just look at this basket of mine." A woman mysteriously pulled open the lid of the basket.

"You think you're the only one who's prepared? I'm prepared too."

More and more people gathered by the roadside, all eager to welcome the Duke of Ningguo home. They had prepared their own things, including freshly made pancakes, vegetables, eggs, fish, and other local specialties.

"What kind of family is the Duke's Mansion? Do they need all these things you've prepared?" A sarcastic voice came from behind, and everyone looked at him with strange eyes.

"This young man looks unfamiliar, he must be from out of town. But he should know that our Duke is not eating or drinking well in that border area. He must be craving our hometown food when he comes back."

"That's right, look at my pickled radish. It's the most delicious thing ever. I remember last time, before the Duke left, the old lady had someone buy a lot from my house. I think the Duke would like it, so I made some more."

"Then let's wait and see, it looks like it'll be soon."

When the sun had risen, a servant rode up on horseback.

"Madam, Madam! The Duke and the Heir Apparent have arrived at the city gate!"

"Alright, alright, let's wait here."

"Madam, please go back first. The Duke instructed them to go to the palace to express their gratitude before returning. Don't wait here any longer; we don't know what His Majesty's plan is."

The old lady nodded and gave silver to the messenger. She knew that every time they returned from a military campaign, they had to go to the palace to express their gratitude. However, the emperor was very considerate of them and always told them to go home and reunite with their family after a few words. It would not be too late for them to come back to court after resting for three to five days.

Of course, to show his great favor, His Majesty would also send imperial dishes and gifts during the lunch that day to demonstrate his importance.

"Then let's go back first. It's good that we're back. A little longer won't make a difference."

"It's mother."

Gu Qingwan was helping Old Madam Ning turn around and go back when she saw the crowd in front of her starting to get restless.

"Madam, Madam, this is just a small token of our appreciation. Please take it back to help the Duke recover!"

"Yes, yes, and also ours, please accept this small token of our appreciation, Madam!"

"Thank you so much, everyone!" Old Madam Ning responded warmly. "Take these home with you. We all have some at home. Please take them home and enjoy them."

"No, our Duke's Mansion doesn't have these. Last year, the old Duke even said my cakes were delicious!"

"And mine too!"

The old woman smiled and waved her hand hurriedly: "Alright, alright, then I thank you all. Someone, distribute the silver to everyone, make sure you don't receive too little. Take your things home carefully, they are all from your kind hearts, don't let them go to waste."

"Don't worry, Madam."

"We don't want it, we don't want it. Please don't be so polite, Madam."

"If you don't want it, this old woman doesn't want it either," said Madam Ning, seemingly a little resentful.

"Madam, my wonton stall is right outside the door. When the old Duke returns, I'll cook them for you. Please have someone bring them in. They should be eaten while they're hot!"

"Yes, yes, yes," the old lady agreed repeatedly.

Gu Qingwan knew that whenever the Ning family returned, there would be such a scene in front of the door. She had even seen them bring their own old hen to nourish her grandfather's body.

However, the old lady was kind and always gave money, and more than she was entitled to, which helped build a good reputation for the Ningguo Duke's Mansion.

The entrance to the Duke's mansion was bustling with activity, with many small vendors setting up stalls, all waiting to cook a hot meal for the Duke.

After returning, the Duke of Ningguo and his entourage went straight to the palace to express their gratitude. The Emperor, along with the Prince of Chu, had made time early to wait for them in the Imperial Study.

The Duke of Ningguo and his heir, both of whom held titles and had rendered meritorious service, went into the palace, leaving the two brothers and Ningguo's subordinates outside the palace to await imperial orders.

"Duke Ningguo, please rise quickly." The Emperor personally came down to help Duke Ningguo up.

"Your Majesty, the proper etiquette must not be disregarded!"

Seeing that the Duke of Ningguo was so determined, the Emperor did not stop him and waited until he had received the greetings from the two men before speaking.

"Your Excellency, you have worked hard this time. You and your son have won consecutive victories for me, ensuring the stability of the border. I feel ashamed of you."

"Your Majesty is too kind. This is the duty and mission of the Ning family!"

"How is the Duke's leg?" the King of Chu asked.

The Duke of Ningguo was surprised to find the King of Chu there, and even more surprised that the usually quiet King of Chu would speak up to show his concern.

"Your Highness, my health is still good, but my legs... are an old ailment, so I have something to ask of Your Majesty this time."

"Just tell me what it is, there's no need to be so polite with me."

"Your Majesty knows that this old minister's knees have been frostbitten, and it has become even more severe this winter. I request to retire and recuperate in the capital, so that my son may inherit the title and continue to defend the country. I beg Your Majesty's permission!" With that, the Duke of Ningguo had his heir help the two of them kneel down.

"This..." The Emperor could indeed see that the Duke of Ning's knees were not as flexible as before. Years ago, he had almost ruined his legs from the cold in the harsh land. Now that he was older, it seemed that even kneeling was quite difficult for him.

Have you thought this through?

"Your Majesty, this old minister has made up his mind. Originally, I thought that even if my bones were buried on the border, it would be worthwhile... But now that I am still alive, I am very worried about my wife at home. To be honest, I have lived a life without shame before Heaven and Earth, but I have only wronged my wife..."

How could Your Majesty not understand? All the women in your household are in the capital, while the men are fighting on the battlefield.

"Very well, what does the Crown Prince think?" the Emperor asked.

"Your Majesty, I have my own selfish wish that my father could enjoy his old age at home. I believe I can take over my father's responsibilities and serve Your Majesty!"

"How could I not know you? Since you've all discussed it... Jingchen, what do you think?"

"For those who have fought on the edge of a knife, this may be the best ending and the most fulfilling ending for those who have fought on the battlefield."

The Emperor nodded in agreement.

"Alright, I understand. Go back and submit the memorial to the Duke, and I will approve it."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"Get up quickly. Your legs are not very strong. Prince Chu will escort the old Duke back on my behalf later. He will also bring the imperial physician to examine you. You can come to court again after a period of recuperation. There is no rush."

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. However, this old minister has another matter to discuss."

"What's the matter?"

The old Duke gestured to his son, and the heir stepped forward to report: "Your Majesty, among the enemy weapons seized from Nanning, there are markings of our Daqing."

Upon hearing this, the emperor slammed his fist on the table and stood up: "What!"

After thinking for a moment, the King of Chu stepped forward and said, "To be honest, the old Duke, I also intercepted military supplies being sent to the border a while ago, but they were not for our army."

"Has Your Highness captured anyone?"

"We still have no clue."

The emperor was so angry he couldn't speak. This was practically playing tricks right under his nose, handing weapons to the enemy—it was a slap in the face!

"Your Majesty, this is no small matter; we must take precautions."

"I understand. Old Duke, you should go back now. A couple more days won't make a difference. I will summon you to the palace in a few days to discuss this matter further."

The Duke of Ningguo and his son took their leave from the palace, accompanied by the King of Chu. The King of Chu remained very quiet, but the atmosphere around them was relaxed and easy to feel.

"When did Your Highness return?"

"I returned relatively early, and it's been quite some time."

"How are things on the Northern Rong side?"

"It won't cause any significant disturbance for the time being."

The group chatted casually for a while, and before they knew it, they had arrived at the gate of the mansion. When the people at the gate saw that the Duke of Ningguo had returned with his entourage, they quickly stepped forward to greet him.

"The Duke has lost weight."

"The young master has gotten darker."

"The young masters have all grown taller and changed a lot."

The area in front of the Duke's mansion was bustling with activity, and many vendors started cooking.

"Thank you all, fellow villagers!" Duke Ningguo clasped his hands and bowed in gratitude.

"Don't mention it, Your Excellency. Please come in. The old lady has been waiting for you for a long time. You don't need to worry about us here. We'll have someone bring the food to your table when it's ready! It'll be just in time for lunch!"

The young master thanked them profusely and instructed the steward to give them some more reward money. The people were very honest and refused to accept the silver reward money given by the old lady.

The King of Chu also left early. Today was a joyous day for the Ning family to reunite and should not be disturbed. He would go back for the time being and visit the young girl again in the evening.

After the father and his sons entered the mansion, the old lady and the madam both cried and laughed.

"You are finally back!"

"Look at you, still shedding tears. You're so old, aren't you afraid the children will laugh at you?"

"Who would laugh at me? Who would dare to laugh at me?" said Madam Ning. "My grandson. Come, come, let your grandmother see you."

"Greetings to Grandma!"

Looking at her eldest grandson, Madam Ning had mixed feelings. As for her son, she didn't say a word, but patted his head and pulled him into her arms.

He only has this one son, and perhaps he will spend his whole life waiting, thinking of, and worrying about them. At least he has come home.