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

Seven days have passed since the Duke of Ningguo and his entourage returned to the capital. On their first court session after resting, the old Duke of Ningguo submitted a memorial to abdicate and retire. The Emperor tried to persuade him to stay, but eventually understood and agreed to the old Duke of Ningguo's memorial. He decreed that the old Duke of Ningguo's eldest son, Ning Xiulan, would become the Duke of Ningguo, and his eldest son, Ning Chenglin, would become the heir apparent. He also bestowed upon the old lady of Ningguo the title of First-Rank Imperial Lady and upon Lady Ningguo the title of Third-Rank Imperial Lady.

From then on, the Ningguo Duke's mansion once again became as beautiful and eye-catching as a blooming flower.

Lady Ning politely declined all the congratulatory offers from outsiders to the mansion. This was the usual practice of the Ningguo Duke's mansion. Even when favored by the Emperor, they were extremely careful and never showed any arrogance. The old Duke also stopped entertaining guests, citing poor health.

However, the Duke of Ningguo and his heir accepted some necessary business dealings with the household, while the Duke of Ningguo declined the rest, citing the need to prepare for his mother's birthday.

Therefore, those in the capital who wanted to befriend the Duke of Ning's family spontaneously prepared gifts to visit and offer birthday greetings on that day. The Duke's family was currently favored by the Emperor, and they also had two young men of suitable age, especially the heir. The heir of the Ning family was handsome and dignified, and if he married into the family, he would definitely become the future mistress of the house. Which family wouldn't be envious of this position?

Even Gu Ziming prepared a birthday gift, because it was Madam Ning's birthday, so he would definitely go in person.

"My lord, I..."

"You shouldn't go. The Ning family will definitely be unhappy to see you." Gu Ziming felt that if Wang Ruyan went, Old Madam Ning would definitely not give him a good look.

Gu Ziming was still thinking about forming another marriage alliance with the Ning family. It would be good if Gu Qingwan married into the family, and at the very least, he would have a concubine's daughter.

Wang Ruyan's face changed upon hearing this: "My lord, what are you saying? I am the wife of the Prime Minister and the future mother-in-law of the Third Prince. Why can't I go?"

Ever since her daughter got engaged to the Third Prince, Wang Ruyan felt that she could stand up straight and speak to Gu Ziming with more confidence.

"Ignorant woman! If you go, won't the old Duke and Madam remember Qingwan's mother?"

"Give me a break! Are you still thinking about that dead man? Are you still planning to arrange a marriage with the Ning family? Or are you trying to find a good marriage for that little slut's daughter in the backyard?"

"What kind of talk is that! Is that something a matriarch should say!" Gu Ziming was somewhat embarrassed and angry. He really didn't know how the woman who used to be as gentle as water had become like this.

"You! You're unreasonable! Go if you want! But if the Ning family makes things difficult for you, don't blame me for not warning you! Humph!" Gu Ziming angrily turned and left.

"I'm unreasonable? How am I unreasonable! I am your legal wife! I am the legitimate wife of the Prime Minister! I am the mother-in-law of the Third Prince! Why can't I go? How dare they give me attitude!" Wang Ruyan paced around the room angrily.

Gu Hanjiao had already heard her parents arguing outside the door, so she didn't go in. When her father came out, she deliberately avoided him and only went in after he had passed by.

"Why is Mother so angry?" Gu Hanjiao walked over, avoiding the clutter in the room.

"Jiao'er? When did you arrive?" Wang Ruyan's mood improved after seeing her daughter: "You have no idea what your father just said. He actually wouldn't let me attend Madam Ning's birthday banquet. If I don't go, those ladies from prominent families will probably laugh at me behind my back."

Gu Hanjiao felt ashamed of her mother, but if her mother didn't go, not only would her mother lose face, but Gu Hanjiao would also be ridiculed.

Although her father would be there, he and the Third Prince would be on the male guests' side, leaving her alone on the female guests' side. In the past, she was close to Gu Qingwan and could still talk to the Ning family. But ever since she was humiliated by Gu Qingwan at the Ning family last time, she had no dignity left.

"Mother, please calm down. Prepare a decent gift and go to the Duke's mansion with your daughter. You don't need to worry then. With the Third Prince there, those people won't dare to look down on you."

“My dear child understands your mother’s thoughts better than your brother. I don’t know where your brother is messing around. I never see him all day long.”

Gu Hanjiao hated her mother talking about her good-for-nothing brother in front of her, so she ignored her and left.

Finally, the day of Madam Ning's birthday arrived.

On this day, the Duke's mansion was bustling with activity, with guests coming and going in an endless stream. Just as Gu Qingwan had said, even without an invitation, people would still come to give gifts, and it would be impolite for the host not to entertain them.

Today, not only high-ranking officials and dignitaries have come, but also many ordinary people and residents of Ningjiazhuang Village have come to celebrate the old lady's birthday. They know that the old lady will not dislike the gifts they bring.

The people who came from the manor were also arranged to have a meal at a suitable place. This time, Gu Qingwan came to the side gate to check if the groceries she had just bought had been prepared, and she happened to see Wang Dazhu and his sister coming to deliver congratulatory gifts.

"Miss!"

"Oh? It's you two siblings?" Baoqin recognized them too.

"Hehe, we gathered some gifts from our village for the old lady. They're nothing special, just local specialties from the village." Wang Dazhu scratched his head a little embarrassedly.

"It's alright, Grandma won't mind. You two siblings should find a place to sit down and have a good meal. There's a stage set up in front of us. Go and take a look after you've finished eating. It's a rare opportunity to come all this way, so have some fun."

"Thank you so much, Miss! Thank you so much, Miss!" The brother and sister thanked her profusely, their faces beaming with smiles, as they helped carry the things they had brought to the kitchen.

When Gu Qingwan arrived in the kitchen, she saw everyone working busily. When Li Mama, who was in charge of the kitchen, saw Gu Qingwan, she quickly came over to greet her.

"Why did you come here, Miss? The kitchen is a mess and smells of cooking oil. Please go back home."

"My aunt asked me to come and see if there are any problems with Li's mother that need to be resolved."

"Don't worry, Miss, Madam has made all the arrangements perfectly. Please go back now."

Gu Qingwan nodded and led Baoqin and Siqi to Old Madam Ning's courtyard.

"Siqi, don't stay by my side today. Go and keep watch in the courtyard to prevent anyone with ill intentions."

"Don't worry, Miss. Ning Yi and Ning Er are both guarding the study."

Gu Qingwan nodded and took Baoqin to the courtyard. Today, the women would come here to talk to the old lady. As soon as Gu Qingwan entered, she saw the old lady of the Meng family and her maternal grandmother sitting together, holding hands and talking.

Seeing Gu Qingwan go inside, Old Madam Ning waved her hand repeatedly: "Qingwan, come quickly and greet Old Madam Meng."

"Greetings, Madam." Gu Qingwan curtsied in greeting.

"Good boy, get up quickly. I haven't had a chance to give you a gift since we met a few times before. Here, take this and I'll give it to you."

Gu Qingwan stepped forward and was taken by the hand of Old Madam Meng, who gave her a translucent agate and chalcedony bracelet. What was most rare was that the bracelet was evenly and thoroughly red.

"This... is too expensive."

“Child, just take it. This is your mother’s dowry,” said Madam Meng, who was heavily pregnant, standing beside her.

"Then Qingwan is even less acceptable," Gu Qingwan declined.

"Old lady, why are you giving such an expensive thing to a child?" said Madam Ning.

"I think you're getting senile. You don't even recognize this bracelet?"

Upon hearing this, Old Madam Ning leaned over and immediately laughed, "So you're giving the things I gave you to my granddaughter?"

"What do you mean by that, Grandmother?"

"This bracelet was a gift I gave to Sister Meng when I did her dowry years ago."

"Yes, your maternal grandmother gave me a pair, so I gave one to you and the other to Yanran. It's better if you two sisters each have one," Grandma Meng explained.

"Yes, Qingwan, look." Meng Yanran rolled up her sleeves to reveal the bracelet.

"Then you should keep it," said Madam Ning.

Gu Qingwan nodded and quickly took it, saying, "Then Qingwan thanks the old lady for her kindness."

“That’s a good child. You two haven’t seen each other in a long time. Yanran talks about you every day at home. You two sit together and play.”

"Qingwan is busy entertaining the young ladies today, so Yanran should learn from her and lend a hand," said Madam Meng.

"Don't worry, Mother!" Yanran said with great loyalty, making everyone in the room burst into laughter.

"Looking at the two of them reminds me of the two of us back then," said Madam Ning.

"No."

At this moment, Madam Fang came in and said, "The Prime Minister's wife has arrived with Miss Gu."

Madam Ning's expression immediately turned sour.