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

Everyone knows that the current Madam Gu was originally the Prime Minister's concubine who was brought up to the mansion. What's even more shameful is that even though she was a concubine, she got pregnant first, forcing the late Madam to agree to take her into the household.

The laughter of the new bride is heard but the tears of the old are not. Not long after the late wife passed away, Prime Minister Gu did not even wait a year before taking this concubine, which caused many people to gossip in private.

Moreover, the Ning family was the late Madam's maternal family, and the late Madam was an only daughter, so the Ning family's anger was only greater.

Since bringing back the late Madam's orphaned daughter, the Ning and Gu families have had no private interactions. The then-Prince Ning, who was still the heir apparent, even boasted that he would beat up Lord Gu every time he saw him. Today, on Madam Ning's special day, he has come to cause trouble for her. I wonder what Prime Minister Gu is thinking.

Madam Ning rushed in and leaned against Old Madam Ning, saying, "Lord Gu brought them personally, and the Third Prince is also by my side. Mother, the Duke and I..."

Madam Ning waved her hand, showing no displeasure on her face, and said, "Hehehe, guests are guests, there's no reason not to see them, it would seem impolite of us to refuse. Please come in."

Madam Meng nodded in agreement, agreeing with Madam Ning's point.

When Fang Mama went out to announce the arrival, she saw a woman wearing a purple-red dress with clusters of peonies enter. Gu Qingwan thought this was a bit too exaggerated. Didn't she find the jewelry in her hair too heavy? Gu Hanjiao, who came with her, was still dressed in white, still a fresh and elegant white lotus, with only a few jade hairpins as decorations in her hair.

"Hehehe, wishing the old lady a happy birthday." Wang Ruyan laughed exaggeratedly.

"Jiao'er greets the old lady and wishes her boundless happiness and longevity."

"Qingwan, look, this makeup on your face is way too thick! It'll probably fall off if you're not careful!" Meng Yanran whispered in Gu Qingwan's ear.

Gu Qingwan patted her hand, signaling her not to say anything out of line.

"Hehehe, thank you very much. It is an honor to have the Prime Minister's wife and Miss Gu grace us with their presence. I have failed to greet you properly. It is just a small birthday celebration for this old woman. Shulan, go to the front and arrange seats for the Prime Minister's wife and Miss Gu." It was obvious that Old Madam Ning did not really want to entertain the Prime Minister's wife.

Especially when she saw her earrings, which were her poor daughter's dowry, this shameless thing really had the nerve to think that the Ningguo Duke's Mansion wouldn't recognize them? It seems that after this period, Qingwan will have to get her mother's things back. It's a waste for these things to be defiled.

"Madam, you are too kind. It would have been inappropriate for us to come without receiving an invitation from your family, but my husband said that we are in-laws and there is no need to be so formal among family members. If my sister hadn't passed away so early, she would definitely have come much earlier on such an auspicious day. I am here on behalf of my sister and to offer my congratulations to you on your birthday." As she spoke, Wang Ruyan looked somewhat saddened.

In-laws? This Wang Ruyan really dares to say that. When the late Madam was alive, the Ning family and the Gu family were considered in-laws. Now that the late Madam is gone, what kind of in-laws are the Gu family to her? Her skin is thicker than a city wall.

Mentioning the deceased, especially the old lady's only daughter, at this time is truly baffling.

Seeing that the faces of Old Madam Ning and the other ladies had changed, Gu Hanjiao realized that her mother had said something wrong and that they were looking down on her. She quickly stepped forward and said, "Old Madam, it's been a long time since I've come to see you. I see that you are in better health than before. Since there are women here, it is not convenient for the Third Prince to come in. Please let me greet you on his behalf."

"Oh, the Third Prince is here too? Shulan, has the Duke gone to entertain him?" The old lady's expression softened slightly, not wanting to embarrass anyone today and make the Ning family a laughing stock.

"Replying to Mother, the Duke is ahead."

Madam Ning nodded, and Gu Hanjiao was overjoyed. Surely they still had to consider her status as the prince's consort? But she wondered what had happened to her mother; she had lost her composure and was becoming increasingly unseemly.

"Miss Gu, you're too kind. We heard that your wedding is coming soon? Let's congratulate Miss Xi in advance, and we'll be happy to have a drink with her at the wedding to share in the joy!"

The speaker was Madam Luo. Her daughter, Miss Luo, always followed Gu Hanjiao's lead. This Lord Luo was just a minor official in the capital, promoted by Prime Minister Gu, so naturally, he spoke in favor of the Gu family.

"Thank you for your concern, Madam Luo. We don't know the details yet, but once it's finalized, we will definitely send you an invitation. We hope you will grace us with your presence."

“Of course, of course,” Mrs. Luo said with a smile.

"Since it's a joyous occasion, why is Miss Gu dressed all in white? It's not really appropriate to wear white for the old lady's birthday, is it?"

Today, Minister Li's wife, along with Li Qianyu and Li Jinge, also came. Upon entering, they saw Gu Hanjiao dressed in white and looking like a peacock, and Li Jinge couldn't help but make a few sarcastic remarks.

"Jinge, how dare you!" Madam Li scolded, then whispered a warning to Li Jinge, "You better behave yourself, and don't forget why you're here today!"

"Please forgive my daughter, Madam Gu and Miss Gu, for her rudeness." Madam Li stepped forward with a face full of apologies. Things are different now. Madam Gu is not only the wife of the Prime Minister but also the future mother-in-law of the Third Prince. She is a member of the imperial family. Even if she can't be respectful, she has to show some respect.

“Madam Li, there’s no need to be so cautious. I’m close to Sister Jinge, and what we said was just a joke.” Gu Hanjiao acted very generously, with the air of a princess consort. The ladies present nodded in agreement, feeling that Miss Gu was broad-minded.

"Hmph, what a fake good guy," Li Jingge muttered.

“Sister.” Li Qianyu shook her head. Her mother had already told her when she came that she was of marriageable age. The heir and the second son of the Duke of Ningguo were both good candidates. Her mother brought her here this time in the hope that it would help to arrange the marriage in the future. Her father also thought highly of the Ning family. However, she still had the Third Prince in her heart and did not want to give up. Sometimes she thought that she would be willing to be the Third Prince’s concubine.

If she told her parents this, they would definitely punish her. Even if a concubine was called a concubine, she was still just a concubine listed in the imperial register. But... Li Qianyu lowered her head, her eyes filled with loneliness and resentment. She dared not look up, afraid that Gu Hanjiao would see the stubbornness in her eyes.

Gu Hanjiao was oblivious, still basking in the compliments of those around her, but Gu Qingwan saw it all clearly. In her previous life, Li Qianyu had never married. After the Third Prince became emperor, the Li family originally planned for Li Qianyu to marry outside the palace, to the newly appointed top scholar promoted by the Gu family. They also intended to send the younger Li Jingge to the palace, but somehow, it was Li Qianyu who ended up in the palace, while it was her younger sister, Li Jingge, who got married.

At the time, many people didn't understand why she would give up being the mistress of the house to become a concubine in the palace. It wasn't until later, when she overheard Li Qianyu murmuring to herself under the flower trellis in the palace, that she realized that the reason Li Qianyu had never married was because she still had Xiao Yuheng in her heart. Thinking of Li Qianyu's waiting and infatuation in her previous life, Gu Qingwan felt a sense of resonance. In fact, the two of them were so similar at that time.

In Gu Qingwan's view, Li Qianyu is a very shrewd and composed woman. She hopes that Li Qianyu can see through Xiao Yuheng's hypocritical nature. However, if Li Qianyu is very persistent, then she might as well help her out, which can be considered as repaying the favor she did for her in the palace back then.

After Madam Li and her two sisters paid their respects to Old Madam Ning, someone came to deliver a message: "Old Madam, Madam, the Duke has sent me to inform you that the Prince of Chu, the Crown Prince, the Crown Princess, the Second Prince, and the Second Prince's wife have also arrived. He requests that you go and entertain the Crown Princess and the Second Prince's wife."

"Oh dear, the King of Chu and the Crown Prince have both arrived! This is too much for me." Old Madam Ning hurriedly got up to personally greet them.

“Mother, please sit down. Your daughter-in-law will come over,” Madam Ning said quickly.

"The old lady is so lucky! It's more lively with more people..." Everyone started saying nice things again.

Lady Ning quickly led her maid to the front to greet the princes' consorts.

Gu Hanjiao sat down and drank the tea brought by the maid, feeling that she was now on equal footing with the princes' wives.

The Third Prince and Prime Minister Gu arrived together, while the Second Prince came alone with his wife. They happened to meet the Crown Prince and the Prince of Chu at the gate. Everyone hurriedly came out to pay their respects. The newcomers thought to themselves, "Finally, our family has arrived. The arrival of the Prince of Chu and the Crown Prince shows how much the Emperor values ​​the Ning family." The common people outside thought, "The Emperor is indeed a benevolent ruler. Look how much he cherishes his subjects."

After everyone had finished their greetings, Madam Ning arrived just in time.

"Your Highness, my uncle and sister-in-law and I will go with Madam Ning to the inner courtyard to visit the old lady," the Crown Princess said.

"Go ahead." The crown prince nodded, leaving only the men standing together.

When Prince Ning Chenglin saw the King of Chu, his scalp tingled. He remembered what the King of Chu had said that day, and he felt very uncomfortable.

"Lord Duke," the King of Chu said.

"Your Majesty."

"I haven't congratulated you and the Crown Prince on inheriting the title yet."

"It's kind of you to remember, Your Highness. Thank you very much."

"Is the old Duke at home?"

"Father? Father is in the study. May I ask what business Your Highness has with Father?"

"I have some questions about military deployment that I would like to ask the old Duke. Is it convenient for me?"

“It’s convenient, Lin’er will take the prince there. Please, Your Highness.”

Although Ning Chenglin didn't want to, he didn't say anything, extended his hand and said, "Please," before leading the King of Chu inside.

The two remained silent throughout the journey, yet a different atmosphere permeated the air, which even Xiao Yi could sense. However, as a qualified guard, Xiao Yi knew that he shouldn't be curious about things he shouldn't be.

Ning Chenglin wanted to say something, as he was still very concerned about the King of Chu's attitude towards Gu Qingwan. However, he didn't know from what perspective to speak. These past few days, he had been thinking about whether it would be better to be honest with Gu Qingwan sooner rather than later. The two had grown up together since childhood and had feelings for each other. If Qingwan didn't reject him, then he could say that his long-awaited happiness had finally come to fruition. Moreover, his mother had privately asked him about his feelings towards Qingwan, and he knew that his family still supported their relationship.

But these past two days, every time he tried to confess his feelings to Qingwan, something else would interrupt him. He was so busy that he barely had time to breathe. When he finally stood in front of the woman he loved, he couldn't bring himself to speak. When he finally mustered the courage to speak, either that brat Ning Chenghao would come and cause trouble, or a maid would pass by, making the young master very depressed.

Before I knew it, we had arrived at the study.

Ning Chenglin knocked on the door: "Grandfather, the King of Chu has come to see you."

"The Prince is here? Come quickly! If the Prince hadn't come to see me, I would have had to send someone to invite him over!" The old Duke was clearly overjoyed.

The King of Chu smiled and nodded, then followed the old Duke inside with his hands behind his back, while Xiao Yi obediently stood at the door as a door god.

However, Ning Chenglin was somewhat surprised. When did his grandfather and the King of Chu become so close?

"Lin'er, go ahead and help your father. You can handle things here with your grandfather."

"Yes, Grandfather. I will come and call you when the time comes." Ning Chenglin nodded: "Your Highness, Chenglin takes his leave."

Xiao Jingchen nodded without saying anything, but the old Duke didn't seem to care.

"It's been a long time since we last met, Your Highness. How are things in the Northern Rong?"

"The old Duke won a battle in Nanning, so I naturally dared not fall too far behind. I'm doing alright, though."

"Hahaha, when did Your Highness learn to be humble..."

Listening to the conversation between his grandfather and the King of Chu, Ning Chenglin suddenly felt the gap between himself and the King of Chu. The gap was not only in terms of status, but also in terms of ability and experience. If it really came down to Qingwan making a choice, would he really have the confidence to compete with the King of Chu?

vestibule.

"The Crown Prince is so busy with state affairs, I never expected him to attend the Old Madam's birthday banquet," the Third Prince said sarcastically.

"If my third brother can come even though he's so busy, then of course I can too. Besides, I'm here with Mother's birthday gifts. If I forget, Mother will definitely punish me, hahaha." The Crown Prince said humorously.

"I also brought a gift from my mother. What a coincidence! I wonder what the Empress gave us? Let's make sure we don't give the same thing," the Third Prince said.

"Don't worry if it's too heavy, we'll find out soon enough. Come on in, I heard that the Duke of Ningguo has set up the stage. Let's go see what good shows we can watch today."

"There's no show to watch, we're just here for the fun of it all. Your Highness, please." The Duke of Ningguo politely invited the princes to the main hall.