The Prime Minister Claims She's Pregnant - Chapter 21

Ming Yi appeared quite frail, but her personality was incredibly stubborn. When Gu Jinse lightly brushed her nose with the tree leaves, Ming Yi’s face flushed instantly. She opened her mouth to scold her, but then caught sight of the Third Princess watching them from afar.

Immediately, she relaxed her hand, her eyes clouded with an unreadable emotion, but she silently permitted Gu Jinse’s playful behavior.

Gu Jinse smiled at her, leaning in extremely close, greedily inhaling her fragrance.

“Prime Minister Ming, do you enjoy blushing?”

“Prime Minister Ming, do you have any other men you like?”

“Prime Minister Ming, why are you blushing again?”

Gu Jinse chattered on, her casual words seeming intentional. A crimson hue swept across Ming Yi’s face as she looked up: “Supervisor Gu, do you have no sense of shame?”

“Supervisor Gu, do you even know how to blush?”

“Supervisor Gu, do you have any other women you like?”

Gu Jinse leaned forward, resting her head on Ming Yi’s shoulder so they both shared the shade of the single branch. Ming Yi’s heart skipped a beat, and she pursed her lips tightly. The skin of her neck felt itchy where it rubbed against the other, and she moved to push her away, but Gu Jinse spoke: “Prime Minister Ming, I don’t like any men. I think our meeting was fate.”

“Gu Jinse.” Ming Yi’s body was half-hidden under the leaves, her neck flushed red. She spoke softly, while Gu Jinse smiled toward the Third Princess. “Prime Minister, do you think we should act more affectionate in front of the Princess, or keep our distance?”

They were tucked away, almost pressed against one another. Since they were betrothed, a little intimacy wasn’t technically improper. However, Ming Yi was the head of all officials and a paragon of dignity; how they behaved was entirely up to her.

The sunlight was piercing, and as they stood together, their long shadows merged into one, making them look exceptionally devoted.

Ming Yi didn’t need to look up to know the Third Princess was fuming. She couldn’t help but smile, warning Gu Jinse: “Any man she sets her eyes on rarely escapes. You are the exception.”

The Third Princess had been spoiled by the Empress Dowager since childhood. When it came to men, the Empress Dowager never let her go wanting. There had once been an heir to a dukedom as handsome as Gu Jinse, but he was already married. When the Princess showed interest, he fled as if escaping a flood. Eventually, the Princess simply kidnapped him into her manor.

Three days later, the man was sent back out, barely clinging to life.

The Empress Dowager offered a few verbal scoldings, and then life went on as usual. Gradually, the Princess grew wilder, aided by the Crown Prince. Their list of misdeeds was not short.

At the Qionglin Banquet, the Princess had tried her old tricks again. This was the first time she had failed.

As Gu Jinse waited for an answer, the Chief Eunuch arrived, flicking his horsetail whisk. “His Majesty is awake. He requests the Prime Minister enter the hall for an audience.”

Ming Yi accepted the decree and told Gu Jinse: “Let’s go in together. Stay away from the Third Princess.”

The hall was thick with the scent of medicine. Gu Jinse held her breath as they rounded the screen. Palace maids brought two stools. The Emperor leaned against a bolster while the Empress fed him medicine spoonful by spoonful.

The Empress appeared dignified and elegant, her expression incredibly gentle as she chatted with the Emperor. After finishing the medicine, the Emperor looked at Ming Yi. “Sit.”

The Empress handed the empty bowl to the Chief Eunuch and said to the Emperor, “Your Majesty is unwell; do not overexert yourself. Everything can be left to the Crown Prince.”

Hearing that the Emperor summoned Ming Yi immediately upon waking but didn’t ask for the Prince at all, Gu Jinse realized: the Emperor did not favor the Crown Prince.

The Emperor said, “There is a family banquet at noon. Empress, go and prepare. Ming Yi is to be married soon; she is a woman with a husband-to-be now.”

The Empress shot a glance at the Prime Minister, looking displeased—after all, she had been confined for a month and harbored resentment. Ming Yi feigned ignorance. As the Empress walked past her, she stopped and whispered, “His Majesty trusts the Prime Minister more and more.”

Ming Yi didn’t answer. She didn’t even acknowledge the remark.

Gu Jinse held her breath. Friction between the highest levels of the state meant that even a small spark could cause an earthquake in the capital.

The Empress left in a huff. Ming Yi looked straight ahead, her emotions showing no ripple. The Emperor spoke of a few trivial political matters, and Ming Yi listened and nodded. After barely eight or nine sentences, the Emperor wanted to sleep.

Gu Jinse found it baffling. To be summoned so urgently just for a few insignificant words—this kind of “favor” felt very strange.

Outside the hall, the Third Princess and the Crown Prince stood to one side, their gazes venomous. When Ming Yi looked up, the Princess tilted her chin up arrogantly.

“Prime Minister, what is she so proud of?” Gu Jinse didn’t understand. Ming Yi’s power far exceeded that of the Eastern Palace. Even if the Prince succeeded the throne, he would be dependent on Ming Yi. Conversely, once the Emperor died, the status of the legal princesses would inevitably be affected.

Ming Yi watched the scene before the hall. The princes stood in small groups, stealing glances at her but not daring to approach. She took a deep breath. They used to trample her under their feet for sport; now that she held them under hers, of course they weren’t comfortable.

Suddenly, Gu Jinse covered her eyes. Her soft palms brushed against Ming Yi’s long lashes, causing a slight itch. “Staring at one thing for too long hurts the eyes. Close them and rest for a moment.”

Ming Yi slowly relaxed. In the darkness, she felt a hot breath against her face, making her heart feel scorched. Strangely, even with her eyes closed, Gu Jinse’s bright, sincere, and lovely smile remained etched in her mind.

A moment later, Gu Jinse let go. The princes and princesses had moved away, and Ming Yi sighed with relief.

At the noon vegetarian banquet, the atmosphere was somber for the Empress Dowager’s anniversary. The Emperor had issued strict orders against any disrespect. Consequently, all the consorts and royals were dressed in very plain attire.

The Emperor was still weak and sat limp. The princes didn’t dare make a sound, and Consorts Gui and De remained silent. Ming Yi and Gu Jinse sat just below the Emperor, above the Crown Prince. Opposite them was Consort Gui, followed by Consort De.

Consort De watched Gu Jinse for a long time until Ming Yi looked over. “Does Consort De have something to say?”

“I recall ten years ago, I wanted to arrange a good marriage for the Prime Minister,” Consort De said with a smile. “You said you would never marry. Only ten years have passed, and you’ve changed your mind. Do you simply feel my nephew wasn’t good enough?”

“You are quite right,” Ming Yi replied. “Is someone from the Zhao family worthy of me? Ten years have passed; I am the first female Prime Minister. And he? He remains an unknown nobody.”

Consort De choked on her words. “The Prime Minister seems to have forgotten how much I looked after her when she first entered the palace.”

“I remember your bowl of rice porridge,” Ming Yi smiled. “The one that was mostly a large bowl of water.”

Gu Jinse: “…” How shameless. No wonder she told her own sister to go die.

As Consort De moved to speak again, Ming Yi turned to the Third Prince: “Has Your Highness been sleeping well lately? I heard you were impeached for embezzling funds. I wonder if you’ve managed to pay it back yet?”

The Third Prince sat stiffly, clenching his jaw in silence.

The Second Prince let out a smirk, but Ming Yi continued: “If I were the Second Prince, I wouldn’t be able to finish this meal. The concubines in your manor are causing such a stir that someone has died. Have you figured out how to climb out of your ‘den of pleasure’ yet?”

The Second Prince’s face turned bright red. He clutched his stomach, claiming he was in pain, and was immediately escorted out by eunuchs. Consort Gui remained calm, saying nothing to defend her son.

With his two brothers gone, the Crown Prince finally played the role of the caring elder brother. He met Ming Yi’s gaze, but she spoke first: “Your Highness, conspiring with the Third Princess to drag Scholar Gu into her bed was not a very honorable thing to do.”

Gu Jinse: “…” Getting shot while lying down.

The Prince cleared his throat, stole a glance at the Emperor, and claimed there was business at the Eastern Palace before following his brothers out.

The Third Princess had endured enough. She snapped at Ming Yi: “The Prime Minister is certainly overbearing.”

“I am only slightly overbearing before His Majesty. It’s nothing compared to how ‘overbearing’ you are in bed. I wonder how many husbands you go through in a single night?” Ming Yi smirked.

The hall went silent. The Empress scolded the Princess: “Go and rest.”

The Princess stood up in a rage, glaring at Gu Jinse. “I am not married yet, but at least I won’t make my husband look bad unlike some people who are clearly betrothed yet remain indecently involved with other men.”

The Emperor’s lips quirked, and he looked at Gu Jinse with a hint of pity.

After the banquet, Ming Yi took Gu Jinse to her old palace quarters to rest before the evening ceremonies.

Gu Jinse looked at the sunny sky, feeling incredibly happy. Prime Minister Ming is truly amazing; she knows everyone’s secrets and wins every argument.

The palace path was wide, with glazed tiles shimmering in the sun. They stepped off the carriage, and maids came forward to bow. Ming Yi walked straight into the hall. Gu Jinse noticed the servants were all cautious and fearful, not daring to lift their heads.

Once inside, Gu Jinse relaxed her shoulders. Ming Yi sat on a divan and looked at her with an inviting gaze.

Gu Jinse’s lashes fluttered. She walked over, her eyes fixed on Ming Yi. The hall was filled with thick, swirling incense that made the air feel heavy. In a sudden rush of heat to her head, Gu Jinse stepped forward and hugged Ming Yi with all her strength.

She lost her composure, nearly knocking Ming Yi over. However, through some unknown willpower, she quickly let go. She felt restless and anxious; things were spiraling out of her control.

Ming Yi swayed from the impact, her gaze momentarily unfocused. Gu Jinse stopped, covering her nose and mouth, her eyes burning as she looked at her. “Prime Minister…”

Her voice was soft and weak. And at that moment, someone with their clothes half-open burst out from the inner chamber.