The Prime Minister Claims She's Pregnant - Chapter 13

Gu Jinse said, “I understand. I will leave the marriage arrangements to you.”

“Good, I will make sure it is a grand affair. By the way, where is your brother?” Madam Gu finally remembered her son.

“Chancellor Ming said he was sent back to Yuhang.”

Madam Gu sighed. “It would be for the best even if he were beaten to death. If he had to fall for a singing girl, he could have at least picked a pretty one. But no, he chose one so ugly. To think he would abandon his parents to elope with her—he must be blind.”

Gu Jinse did not comment. As Madam Gu continued her chatter, Yinghui personally served the dishes.

Madam Gu cheered up again. After they had finished their meal, they returned to the Gu residence. The next day, she went to visit Vice Minister Gu to discuss the marriage. Gu Jinse did not know the details of their conversation, as she had to accompany the Emperor.

The Emperor’s health was failing, and he did not see many officials. Her job was to take notes, which was relatively easy.

The Emperor also loved beauty and enjoyed summoning Gu Jinse to attend to him. This allowed her to meet many high ranking officials and gain some understanding of the court dynamics.

Chancellor Ming and the Crown Prince were on bad terms, though the reason was currently unknown.

The Emperor had six sons. The Crown Prince was the eldest, though his biological mother’s identity was obscure. The younger sons all had influential families on their mothers’ sides. By calculation, their support was no less than that of the Crown Prince.

During this time, she also saw Ming Yi. When Ming Yi met the Emperor, her expression was solemn and stern. She never smiled and kept her gaze fixed on the ground, standing as straight as a pine tree.

On some days, they met up to three times, but Ming Yi always looked straight ahead, never once glancing at Gu Jinse.

One day, the Emperor caught a cold. While drafting an edict, Gu Jinse held the brush while the Emperor pondered for a long time. She held her breath in concentration.

The Emperor suddenly asked, “Official Gu, how did you and Chancellor Ming meet?”

The atmosphere in the hall was oppressive, and the bitter smell of medicine was nauseating. Gu Jinse quickly put down her brush and replied, “During the Shangsi Festival, I encountered Chancellor Ming. She was feeling unwell, so I escorted her to an inn.”

The Emperor remained silent and said nothing.

The hall felt cramped, and Gu Jinse felt lost and anxious.

After a long while, the Emperor dismissed her.

Once out of the hall, she breathed a sigh of relief. Returning to her station, her colleagues were talking.

The Crown Prince had made a mistake and was ordered to reflect in the Eastern Palace. Ming Yi had impeached the Eastern Palace for not following regulations, noting that their standards far exceeded the law.

A colleague said, “The Eastern Palace has a thousand guards, which is far too many. The Emperor usually turns a blind eye and never cared before. But Chancellor Ming pointed it out in open court, leaving the Crown Prince humiliated. This time, even the Emperor is displeased. Tell me, why would Chancellor Ming do this?”

Gu Jinse did not understand either.

When she finished her shift and went home, Madam Gu was sulking. Upon seeing Gu Jinse, she vented her frustration. “That aunt of yours said I must be crazy to seek a marriage with Chancellor Ming for you.”

Gu Jinse pressed her lips together to hide a smile. Indeed, only someone as eccentric as Madam Gu would happily agree to such a marriage.

She did not dare say this for fear of being hit, so she asked, “Then what will you do?”

“I am not familiar with the capital and cannot find a matchmaker. What do you suggest?” Madam Gu had a headache, then she smiled. “Ask your wife.”

This was the best and simplest solution. Gu Jinse nodded.

Madam Gu added, “The Du family also intended to form a marriage alliance with you. Your aunt said anyone from the Du family would be better than Chancellor Ming, but I kept quiet. I heard the princesses and county princesses all like you. You really are something.”

Gu Jinse did not dare mention being cornered by the Third Princess. She smiled slightly and said, “Your daughter in law is also very beautiful.”

“Ashi, I want to meet her. I am so unreliable; what if I end up hurting you?” Madam Gu was actually quite anxious. A marriage between two women was an absurd thing, but she did not think it was bad. If they liked each other, that was enough. She had similar thoughts when she was young but gave them up due to pressure.

Therefore, when her sister in law pointed at her and called her unreliable, she did not argue.

But at this point, she was still afraid.

“Mother, do not worry. She is very capable. We just need to wait; she will handle everything.” Gu Jinse said. There had been no news regarding the promotion the Third Princess mentioned. She was not sure if Chancellor Ming had blocked it or if the Third Princess had lied to her.

She suspected the former was more likely.

In fact, it was the former.

The day Madam Gu arrived and they ate at Yongan Tower, Ming Yi had gone to the palace to see the Emperor. She dismissed everyone and handed in her resignation.

The Emperor was shocked. He sat up abruptly and looked at the resignation letter, which cited ill health. He asked curiously, “What is wrong with your health?”

Ming Yi lowered her eyes and said calmly, “I am pregnant and wish to resign. I hope Your Majesty will grant it.”

It was a blatant threat.

The Emperor was stunned for a long time. “Are you throwing a tantrum at me?”

“Your Majesty, I am indeed with child. If you do not believe me, you may summon the imperial physician to take my pulse.” Ming Yi was composed, showing no fear.

Her persistence left the Emperor helpless. Since the Empress Dowager passed away, he felt his own life slipping away. There was so little he could do, and Ming Yi was all he could leave for the Crown Prince.

“I will grant you a month of leave to recover.” The Emperor sighed.

Ming Yi stood still and did not give thanks. A month of leave was his way of wanting her to deal with the child.

Where the Emperor could not see, she curled her lips into a smile. If Gu Jinse were here, she would surely die laughing.

She loved to laugh so much; she would definitely be doubling over.

Ming Yi raised her eyes, which were like cold pools of water, and said, “Your Majesty, you have forgotten one more thing.”

The Emperor was lost in thought and did not see her expression. She was reminding him of Gu Jinse’s promotion. In the end, there was no choice; the Emperor gave a perfunctory agreement.

Consequently, Ming Yi was busy for several days. After handing over her duties, she went home, claiming she was unwell.

Gu Jinse was unaware of these changes. The disparity in their status was too great; news of Ming Yi could not possibly reach her.

Since Ming Yi was on leave, Gu Jinse did not see her for several days and felt strange. When she saw Du Yan, she asked about it.

Du Yan’s expression was peculiar. She only said, “Don’t you know the ‘good deed’ you have done yourself?”

“What have I done?” Gu Jinse was confused. Nothing seemed to have happened recently.

Du Yan glared at her fiercely and flicked her sleeve as she left, leaving Gu Jinse standing there like a monk scratching his head.

What did she do?

Du Yan was habitually harsh, so Gu Jinse did not ask further. She decided to visit the East Market after her shift and then head to the Chancellor’s manor to investigate.

Du Yan said it was her “good deed”?

What on earth was it?

When it was time to leave work, she slipped away before her colleagues noticed and instructed the carriage driver to go to the East Market. Ming Yi had grown up in the palace and had seen many rare treasures; something merely expensive would not catch her eye.

Gu Jinse selected some hairpins. The shopkeeper brought out some exquisite pieces for her to choose from.

“This is too much trouble. Wrap them all up.” Gu Jinse had a headache. If she had to choose, she would want them all. Only children make choices.

The shopkeeper’s mouth twitched with joy. “Young Master, are you sure?”

“Wrap them up. Be quick, I am in a hurry.” Gu Jinse was impatient.

By the time she reached the Chancellor’s manor, it was pitch black and nearly the hour of Hai. The attendant knocked, and soon a servant led Gu Jinse inside.

Ming Yi arrived with a cloak over her shoulders. Seeing it was her, a gentle smile touched her lips. “Why are you here?”

Gu Jinse boldly looked her over. Her expression was mild and her complexion looked good. She said proactively, “I have not seen the Chancellor for several days and missed you quite a bit.”

Ming Yi’s expression became serious. Today she wore a high necked dress with narrow sleeves, her skin beneath her neck appearing white as snow. Hearing this, she raised her eyes to look at her. “I have not seen the Scholar for a few days, and your tongue has become quite sweet.”

The atmosphere in the air suddenly changed, becoming strangely ambiguous.

Gu Jinse was tactful and immediately placed the brocade box on the table, saying softly, “I did not know what the Chancellor liked, so I bought everything the shopkeeper recommended.”

The corner of Ming Yi’s mouth twitched. What a silly child. She was no ordinary girl; how could she be swayed by such things?

Shopkeepers always push the best items. The pieces placed before Ming Yi were all top quality. Soft pearls shimmered in the candlelight, clearly of immense value.

There were also ruby pieces, with kingfisher feathers at the ends of the pins, their colors vibrant.

A diamond hairpin also shone brilliantly under the candlelight.

It was clear that the young woman before her had put in a lot of effort.

Ming Yi chose a pearl hairpin and said, “You have been thoughtful. I will be on leave for a month. Your family can send someone to discuss the wedding date.”

As she spoke, a gentle expression appeared on her face. Gu Jinse merely thought she had given the right gift and felt a warmth in her heart. She said, “Some other day, you should come to the Gu residence to see the courtyard. You can decide which room you like and how to renovate it. All the rooms, like the study, can be done according to your wishes. As for the betrothal gifts, I cannot find any high ranking officials to help, so I was thinking of having my mother do it. What do you think?”

When Gu Jinse decided on something, she would do it with all her heart.

Ming Yi held the pearl hairpin, her long eyelashes drooping like butterfly wings. “Official Gu, I heard the Third Princess is quite… persistent with you.”

After saying this, Ming Yi’s face reddened slightly. Fortunately, it was night, and the candlelight did not show it clearly.

The candle in the room crackled, each sound echoing in Gu Jinse’s heart. She did not quite understand the meaning of those words. Using common logic, the meaning was: I am jealous.

What should one do when a girlfriend is jealous?

Normally, one should give a gift and apologize. But she had just given a gift and had lost the initiative. Gu Jinse did not move. Jealousy came from a lack of security. She looked up at Ming Yi, who was looking down at the pearl hairpin in her hand, her expression unreadable.

She walked over and stood in front of Ming Yi. “Look up.”

Ming Yi did as she was told. Just as she raised her head, through the dim light, her lips met soft ones. She had kissed Gu Jinse.

Ming Yi’s entire body went stiff. She even forgot whether to move forward or back. In the end, she moved forward.

Gu Jinse released her and murmured, “Look, your lips are so soft, so why do you speak such harsh words?”

Ming Yi’s cheeks turned bright red with embarrassment. She stood up. “It is late. You should go home.”

Gu Jinse was still wanting more and asked her, “Since we agreed to a marriage by contract, am I allowed to touch you?”

Ming Yi’s expression darkened slightly. “Touch?”

“Like that night. I am telling you, you started it first. It is not that I am trying to flatter you. Actually, I also lik…” Before she could finish, Ming Yi had already left the reception hall, leaving a self absorbed Gu Jinse behind.

It was very dark outside. After leaving the Chancellor’s manor, the road was pitch black, but Gu Jinse’s mood was equally good. For some reason, seeing Ming Yi happy made her very happy as well.

Shared emotions.

The carriage rolled over the ground, making occasional sounds. Under the silent starry sky, the group hurried along.

Gu Jinse closed her eyes to relieve the fatigue of the day when, suddenly, the carriage came to a stop.