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

"Then let's set up a stage in the front yard, with seats on both sides. We'll leave the main gate wide open, and let anyone who wants to watch see it without stopping them, as long as it doesn't block the important people from entering or leaving. We'll have someone keep an eye on the back yard; there shouldn't be any problems," Gu Qingwan suggested.

"Qingwan's idea is good, let's do it this way."

"Actually, Qingwan came up with the idea through her second brother's thoughts. Her second brother is the most amazing."

“Little Qingwan is still so good at talking, but your second brother is a narrow-minded person. You stole my credit, so you have to make it up to me,” Ning Chengze said with a smile.

"Second brother..."

"What my second brother said is true. Qingwan recently acquired a landscape painting by Qiu Daozi, but I don't know if it's real or fake."

"real or fake!"

"Qingwan will send someone to deliver it to Second Brother's room shortly."

"Then there's no need to trouble your people, sister. I'll personally escort you back later and take a look at the painting while I'm at it."

"You brat, you're always thinking about your sister's things, you're good for nothing and can't do anything right!" Our Duke was so angry that he slapped the second young master on the back of the head, making Ning Chengze wince in pain.

“Grandmother, look at Father.”

"You deserve it!" Old Madam Ning teased.

"Oh, oh, oh, Second Brother got beaten up! Second Brother got beaten up!" Ning Chenghao, who never misses a chance to stir up trouble, kept yelling.

"How dare you laugh at your brother! I'll teach you a lesson you won't forget!"

When Ning Chenghao saw Ning Chengze chasing after him, he got up and ran away like an eel. The two ran into the yard and started fighting, but of course Ning Chengze still let Ning Chenghao have his way.

The whole family watched them fight and then continued eating together. Laughter filled the meal. Sure enough, not long after, the palace also bestowed two dishes. Seeing that everyone had finished eating, the old lady waved her hand and said, "It's alright, please sit down and continue eating!"

Since everyone was already full, they didn't plan to eat dinner together anymore; whoever was hungry could have the kitchen prepare something and send it over.

"Go back and rest. There's no need to come over again tonight. We'll talk about it tomorrow," the old lady instructed.

After everyone had mostly dispersed, Ning Chengze straightened his clothes and prepared to sit in Gu Qingwan's courtyard. The two chatted and laughed along the way. In fact, Ning Chengze was a good-natured and talkative person, and Gu Qingwan was happy to talk to her second brother.

"Second brother, are you still not used to life in the army?"

"You know me perfectly well; my ambitions lie elsewhere."

"But will my maternal grandfather and uncle agree?"

Ning Chengze thought for a moment: "I don't want to agree in my heart, but I will agree in the end."

Gu Qingwan nodded. She understood that this generation of Duke Ningguo was different from the previous generation and even further back. In the past, it was always an only son, and the title and military merits were inherited. But this generation had three men. The emperor would definitely not allow all the brothers to have military merits. The eldest brother had already inherited the title of heir, so the matter was settled. If he made a name for himself in the army, the Ning family could not produce another general. It would arouse the suspicion of the higher-ups.

"What does Second Brother think?"

"His Majesty is not a cold-blooded and heartless person. He shouldn't make things so embarrassing for us. I will tell my grandfather that I am going out to do business. If I do go out to do business, His Majesty will grant it."

Gu Qingwan stopped in her tracks, her eyes filled with complex emotions. Her second brother's talent and martial arts skills were no less than her eldest brother's, and his passion for military affairs was even deeper. Over the years, he had followed his maternal grandfather to the border and had also achieved some minor military merits. Did he really have to give up this promising career for the sake of the family?

“You don’t have to see me like that. I think this is fine. Maybe it’s not what we think. His Majesty may have other plans. It’s just a pity for Hao’er.”

Gu Qingwan continued walking forward. In fact, no matter who becomes emperor, they will all suffer from the same disease, called paranoia, always worrying that their power will be taken away.

The emperor sent the Ning family disciples who had reached a certain age to the battlefield for training, simply to keep a backup plan for himself. If one of them was lost, another could take his place. If it was a long-term situation, he would leave them in the lower ranks, preferably without any military power in their hands. This is the mindset of an emperor.

Back then, the Ning family was unaware of all this, wholeheartedly devoted to serving the country. It wasn't until Xiao Yuheng ascended to the throne and falsely accused the Ning family of disloyalty, claiming that father, sons, and brothers controlled military power and threatened the imperial authority, that the tragedy of the entire family being wiped out occurred...

"Qingwan, why do you look so pale?"

"Oh, it's nothing. Perhaps His Majesty has other plans, just as Second Brother said. By the way, Second Brother, how's my herbal medicine clinic in the south?"

"Don't worry, with your second brother here, business will be smooth sailing. I'll send you the money I earn later."

"No need, Second Brother, keep it. You should keep an eye on the business over there. I'm unlikely to go there much in the future, and I have many expenses. I'll give the shop to you, Second Brother."

“That works too. If I succeed here, I’ll expand this avenue. You have no idea how much the army needs medicinal herbs. Sometimes the imperial court’s supply is insufficient, and the soldiers have a hard time.”

"Yes, that's the idea behind my name, Nanbeipuzi."

“My sister has great foresight. However, if His Majesty has other plans, then I will have to return it to my sister.”

"Alright, don't worry about it for now. Here's the painting you wanted." The two of them went into the courtyard.

"I took it back and looked at it, then I left!" Ning Chengze walked away nonchalantly.

Baoqin brought in tea: "Oh? Why did the Second Young Master leave?"

"Maybe they're tired and need to go back to rest."

"Indeed, you've been traveling for so many days, you must be tired. Is this the tea?"

"Leave it to your young lady," Gu Qingwan smiled.

Gu Qingwan rested for a while in the afternoon. Perhaps she was relaxed or perhaps she was happy. When she woke up, it was almost dark.

"What time is it?"

"Oh dear, Miss, you're awake! The eldest young master outside... no, I shouldn't call him the young master anymore, he's been waiting for quite a while." Baoqin hurriedly came over to help Gu Qingwan get dressed.

Why didn't you call me when my older brother arrived?

"The young master said we shouldn't disturb Miss's sweet dreams..." Baoqin said with a smile, "The young master has always been the one who loves Miss the most."

"Alright, let's go." Gu Qingwan didn't respond and hurried over.

Sure enough, Ning Chenglin was sitting in the courtyard drinking tea.

"Why didn't you let Baoqin and the others wake me up when my older brother arrived?"

"It's alright, I haven't been here long, I'll just take a look at the scenery in your yard."

“Brother, what scenery is there in my courtyard? It’s all taken care of by my aunt. It’s almost the same as the mansion.” Gu Qingwan said, then picked up the teapot and filled it again.

“Of course it’s different. You’re our only daughter, and no one would want to part with you.”

"Big brother..."

"Oh, by the way, these are some little things I found at the border. You can take them and play with them."

Gu Qingwan saw Ning Chenglin take out a small box. The box didn't look particularly exquisite, but the smooth marks on it indicated that its owner must have taken it out and played with it often. The surface was smooth and shiny. When she opened it, she saw that it contained jewelry and other items, each of which was quite unique.

"Wow, so much! Thank you so much, brother."

"There aren't many. We've been too busy at the border to find many little things for you. These are all things we found in a hurry."

Neither of them were good at talking, so they sat together and watched the sunset for a while.

"Are you settling in well in the capital? Have any of those noble ladies bullied you?" Ning Chenglin broke the silence first.

Gu Qingwan shook her head: "No, no one dares to bully me. I'm quite used to life in the capital, there's nothing wrong with me."

Ning Chenglin rubbed his fingers and nodded. "That's good. I just came to see if you were doing well. I was worried that you were being ostracized in the capital. After all, those noble ladies aren't easy to get along with."

"Don't worry, elder brother. With Grandmother and Aunt here, no one will dare to get up and say goodbye."

"Big brother!" Gu Qingwan called out to the departing figure... and the figure stopped listening.

After thinking for a moment, Gu Qingwan finally said only, "Big brother, get some rest."

Ning Chenglin nodded and strode away.

Watching Ning Chenglin's departing figure, Baoqin stepped forward and stood behind Gu Qingwan: "Miss, actually, the young master... he's quite a good person."

Gu Qingwan knew very well whether her older brother was good or not, including his feelings for her, and she had clearly heard what he had just whispered. But it was precisely because he was too good that Gu Qingwan could not accept his feelings.

Not to mention that Gu Qingwan only regarded Ning Chenglin as her own older brother, she also didn't want this kinship to change its nature.

“Miss, I don’t understand. Madam treats you like her own daughter. If you marry into the family, the old lady, the old duke, and the duke will all be happier and won’t have any trouble. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?” Baoqin asked, puzzled. In her opinion, the Duke’s mansion was the best place for her young lady.

How could she not understand what Baoqin was saying? Her elder brother was an excellent husband choice; if she married into the Ningguo Duke's family, she would never have any conflicts with her mother-in-law. But... but she already had someone else in her heart...

“Baoqin, my elder brother will find a better match for him, just like my uncle and aunt, not me…” Gu Qingwan sighed.

"Miss, won't you reconsider? Won't you give the young master a chance?"

"Baoqin, put this box away carefully."

Gu Qingwan no longer wanted to explain anything. She felt that some things were simply missed once they were gone. Perhaps in other people's eyes, the two of them were the most suitable for each other, but for Gu Qingwan, there were too many things between them. The deep-seated hatred was all caused by her, so even if Gu Qingwan had to give her all, she would protect the Ning family, young and old, from all harm in this life.

I hope my brother can find a woman who truly loves him and whom he loves in return, to spend his life with, have children, and grow old together.