The Prime Minister Claims She's Pregnant - Chapter 10

Ming Yi possessed a unique blend of purity and allure.

It was utterly irresistible. Gu Jinse felt it deeply, the corners of her lips curling into an enigmatic smile.

Ming Yi was momentarily stunned, her fair skin flushing like the morning glow. She averted her gaze, her tone turning cold and sharp as she spoke again, “Hanlin Gu, aren’t you afraid?”

In her view, Gu Jinse had an innate fearlessness unafraid of heaven or earth yet she was also sensible and knew not to act recklessly. Such a person hovered between innocence and maturity, as if untouched by hardship.

Gu Jinse was half naive and half cautious. Her naivety showed when she took her brother’s place in the imperial exams, ignorant of the rules and acting impulsively. Her caution, however, was evident in her meticulous and careful handling of affairs.

In short, she had been spoiled by her family and had no idea how cruel the outside world could be.

Gu Jinse replied, “If I die, will you become a widow?”

“So that’s how it is. But I must tell you, I’m not marrying you because of what happened that day. Even if I had lost my chastity, I wouldn’t care. Our marriage will be by agreement once His Majesty passes away, we will divorce. At that time, half the prime minister’s estate will be yours. How does that sound?” Ming Yi negotiated.

How did the wealth of the prime minister’s estate compare to that of the Gu family? Gu Jinse didn’t know, but she wasn’t short on money. She said bluntly, “Why not Gu Jinhuan?”

Ming Yi shook her head. “A man who acts on selfish desires, disregarding his family and grandmother, merely for a moment of pleasure, is unworthy of being my husband. Secondly, he is not as cautious as you. Whatever you need, I can provide. Even if you desire intimacy, you could have me use Gu Jinhuan.”

“Stop right there. No, he doesn’t deserve you,” Gu Jinse cut her off directly. Gu Jinhuan was nothing but a scoundrel!

The hall was bright and clean, warm light streaming through the windows like scattered gold dust upon the floor.

Taking a deep breath, Gu Jinse faced the woman before her. Her delicate features carried a cool elegance, from her forehead to her jawline pale, smooth, and refined, exuding a mature intellectuality. Gu Jinse’s curiosity got the better of her, and she whispered, “A marriage by agreement is fine, but you must tell me why you want to marry.”

“In the eyes of the world, a woman is only considered complete once she is married,” Ming Yi said.

Gu Jinse was puzzled. “Is it that simple?”

Ming Yi nodded.

Gu Jinse didn’t believe it. “Then why do you want to divorce?”

“Once His Majesty passes away, I will resign from office. I won’t need a marriage. His Majesty saved me and taught me; I am repaying his kindness,” Ming Yi explained.

Gu Jinse remained skeptical. Something felt off, though she couldn’t pinpoint what. Giving up, she said, “Tomorrow, I’ll ask my uncle to arrange for a matchmaker to propose. But first, let me ask: am I to marry into your family?”

“There’s no need. Marrying into my family would make you look down on yourself. If you don’t wish to strive in the court, you could marry in,” Ming Yi clarified.

Gu Jinse said, “I want to marry into your family.” That would crush Gu Jinhuan and make it impossible for him to ever hold his head high again.

Ming Yi saw through her thoughts and shook her head. “I don’t need you to marry in. Besides, don’t you think I…”

Prime Minister Ming hesitated, and Gu Jinse instantly understood. “You’re very young, not old at all. Prime Minister Ming, you are truly beautiful.”

Ming Yi was taken aback, her ears tinged with the color of cherry blossoms. She couldn’t help but look up was this young girl comforting her?

Gu Jinse met her gaze with a gentle smile. “I don’t think you’re old, Prime Minister Ming. For a woman to enter the court and become an official is no easy feat. A man might not become prime minister by twenty-seven, but you have achieved it. The world disapproves of you only because you are a woman. If you were a man, who wouldn’t praise you as young and accomplished? Don’t you agree?”

The two conversed pleasantly. Ming Yi was quite satisfied with the young woman and raised an eyebrow with a light laugh. “Thank you. Once your mother arrives in the capital, I hope she will handle the arrangements.”

“Are you in a hurry?” Gu Jinse asked, puzzled.

Ming Yi nodded.

Gu Jinse didn’t press further as a palace attendant came to summon them.

Gu Jinse left the palace, while Ming Yi went to see the Emperor.

The Emperor was frail. Although he had already appointed a Crown Prince, he remained uneasy and relied heavily on Ming Yi for all matters.

Seeing Ming Yi, he breathed a sigh of relief and inquired about court affairs. Ming Yi answered each question one by one.

As dusk fell and the matters were reported, Ming Yi suddenly spoke, “Your Majesty, I beseech you to grant me a marriage.”

The Emperor was shocked, his mouth agape. Ming Yi had once declared she would never marry in this lifetime, why was she suddenly changing her mind? He immediately composed himself and asked, “To whom?”

Ming Yi stood tall and graceful, the candlelight from above spilling over her. “The Tanhualang of this year’s imperial examinations, Gu Jinse.”

“Ah, him.” The Emperor smiled, recalling the fair and handsome young man. Upon meeting him, he felt the common saying might indeed be true: “A man of unparalleled beauty, rare in this world.” Since the flower-adorned procession through the streets, many had taken a liking to Gu Jinse. With his good family background and clean reputation, he had captured the hearts of many unmarried young women.

The Emperor relaxed and remarked, “He is a fine young man witty, humorous, gentle, and well-mannered. Does he,agree?”

Ming Yi replied, “He does. I wish to wait until the Gu family proposes, and then for Your Majesty to grant the marriage.”

“You’ve thought this through thoroughly,” the Emperor said with a hint of sarcasm. If the man’s family proposed, it would signify his genuine intent, and the imperial blessing would then be the icing on the cake.

Ming Yi paid no mind to the Emperor’s tone and was about to express her gratitude when he suddenly asked, “Do you love him?”

“Your Majesty, I do not,” Ming Yi answered.

The Emperor was puzzled. “If you don’t love him, why marry him?”

“Thanks to the Third Princess,” Ming Yi stated bluntly, lifting her gaze to meet the Emperor’s. Her eyes were deep and intense as she continued, “That day, the Third Princess invited me to a tavern for a talk and drugged my tea with an aphrodisiac. Not only that, she summoned street beggars to humiliate me. I fled into an alley, where Imperial Academician Gu rescued me. The drug was potent, and I had no choice but to give myself to her.”

The Emperor frowned, staring into Ming Yi’s eyes, and remained silent for a long time.

For a daughter of the imperial family to commit such an act was beyond disgraceful. This was his own eldest princess. Ming Yi had kept it hidden, and he could only swallow his pride and say, “I will punish her. You have suffered. You are already the Chancellor, I don’t know how to make it up to you.”

“Your Majesty, Imperial Academician Gu,” Ming Yi gently reminded him.

The Emperor understood and smiled faintly. “Today, I wondered why you, who never complain of grievances, suddenly spoke up. So, you came prepared. Rest assured, I will find an opportunity to bestow favor upon him.”

“I thank Your Majesty,” Ming Yi said, bowing gracefully with the poise of a slender bamboo, neither subservient nor arrogant.

As she left the palace, the moon hung high in the sky. Gu Jinse, who had not left, approached her immediately upon her exit.

Ming Yi stopped, but Gu Jinse said, “Let’s go to a restaurant for a meal, shall we?”

Ming Yi was baffled and glanced at her skeptically. “Why go to a restaurant?”

“A restaurant, a restaurant is convenient,” Gu Jinse replied, flustered by the question. Shouldn’t they go out for a meal after confirming their relationship? She had already convinced herself did Ming Yi find it inappropriate?

Caught off guard by the question, Ming Yi stared directly into her eyes, wary. “Home is convenient too.”

Gu Jinse frowned. Does this person even know how to date? Could she be completely clueless about romance?

“If you won’t go, I’ll go by myself.” She waved her hand and walked toward the Gu family’s carriage.

After taking a few steps, Ming Yi remained standing in place. Gu Jinse sighed, “Come on, keep up.”

Ming Yi lifted her foot to follow, but in her heart, she thought: This person is so audacious. Does she think that just because something happened between us, she can recklessly blackmail me?