The Prime Minister Claims She's Pregnant - Chapter 23

Gu Jinse was a woman of the modern world with an open mind; she wouldn’t react with outward hostility to a stranger’s approach. After all, the girl was a representative of the country’s high-society elite, and being rude could lead to unnecessary trouble. However, she also knew that food was a sensitive matter—one simply doesn’t give or take it from strangers. If the girl ate something and got sick, or if the food was tampered with, Gu Jinse would be the one left holding the bag.

She politely declined the request for company, saying, “I am betrothed to Prime Minister Ming. If I were to dally with you in broad daylight, people would call me a profligate. Please, Miss, stay your path.”

With that, she hurried away.

The girl was left stomping her feet, watching the red silhouette disappear. She bit her lip and turned away in a huff.

Thus ended an ancient “pick-up” attempt.

As Gu Jinse walked, she wondered if that carriage accident had been deliberate—a staged event just to facilitate a “chance encounter.” She shuddered; perhaps she was being a bit too vain. Shaking off the messy thoughts, she calculated how much further it was to the Prime Minister’s manor.

The capital was massive. There were no taxis and no bike-shares. Relying on her two legs meant it would likely be dark by the time she arrived. A trip between the South and North districts could take a carriage an entire day. Fortunately, the nobility tended to cluster together; the manors were only separated by a few streets. The books usually described grand manors having wide alleys and weapon racks by the gates, but she hadn’t seen a single one since arriving.

Maybe I’m in a fake transmigration, she mused.

As Gu Jinse walked ahead, Ming Yi and Zhang Mingqian followed in their carriage. Having lost the bet, Zhang Mingqian sat inside in sullen silence.

Ming Yi watched as Gu Jinse alternated between walking and jogging, her pace hurried as she headed straight toward the Prime Minister’s manor.

“Is he really walking all the way there?” Ming Yi couldn’t quite grasp the girl’s logic. Shouldn’t she find a quiet spot and wait for her family to find her? Carrying bags of snacks to the Prime Minister’s manor on foot… it seemed a bit beneath the dignity of a court official.

The ten-year age gap felt like a deep chasm in that moment.

Ming Yi rested her chin on her hand, watching the rushing figure. Zhang Mingqian leaned over as well. “The Yuhang Gu family is a famous lineage… did they raise a son who’s a bit lacking in the head?”

What noble young master runs to his fiancé’s house on foot, without servants, a carriage, or a horse? Didn’t he care about face? If his fiancé found him embarrassing and broke the engagement, it would be a total loss.

Ming Yi simply said, “I’m hungry. I want sweets. Do you want some?”

Zhang Mingqian nodded. “If it’s free, I’ll eat anything.”

Ming Yi: “…”

The driver caught up to Gu Jinse and called out, “Supervisor Gu! My mistress is in the carriage.”

“What a coincidence!” Gu Jinse breathed a sigh of relief, her eyes bright. She climbed onto the carriage clutching her many packages. Upon seeing a third person inside, she hurriedly bowed. “Prime Minister. Minister Zhang.”

The sun was dipping into the west, painting the horizon in layers of magnificent crimson. As the door opened, Gu Jinse stood silhouetted against the sunset before choosing a seat near the door.

Zhang Mingqian observed the “young man.” He wore a red robe with subtle bird patterns. His frame was slender—especially his waist, which looked lithe and strong.

Gu Jinse handed a package to Ming Yi. “I tried the rose crisps; they’re quite good. You should try some.” She then offered another bag to Zhang Mingqian. “Minister Zhang, would you care for some?”

Zhang Mingqian arched an eyebrow. “I don’t believe the Supervisor and I are well-acquainted.”

Gu Jinse blushed. The woman had a point—it was improper to push food on someone you barely knew. She nodded. “My apologies, this junior was out of line.”

As soon as she said it, she unwrapped the package and popped a pastry into her own mouth.

Zhang Mingqian: “…” This person is far too blunt. She says she won’t give it, and then she really doesn’t. What a blockhead.

Ming Yi gave a faint smile and asked, “Where did you come from? Why are you all alone?”

Gu Jinse swallowed the pastry and looked at Ming Yi with a bright smile. “My uncle is unwell, so I went to check on him. On the way, a lady from the Marquis of Yongping’s house said her carriage was broken and asked to use mine. I couldn’t very well refuse, so I agreed. But then I saw her chasing after me on the street. It was very strange.”

The youth looked radiant, his speech simple and his manner refreshing. Zhang Mingqian had heard of the legendary Elder Gu and expected his grandson to be a pedantic, old-fashioned bore. What she saw today was the exact opposite. The person across from her looked at Ming Yi with eyes full of sparkling delight.

Both Ming Yi and Gu Jinse were eating, leaving Zhang Mingqian to watch them with a dry throat. Gu Jinse didn’t dare offer again, and Ming Yi was pointedly not sharing.

Fearing an awkward silence, Gu Jinse started talking about how the pastries were made, eventually asking if Ming Yi liked sweets.

Ming Yi remained silent, so Zhang Mingqian answered for her: “Whether she likes them or not, what could you do about it?”

“My mother loves making desserts,” Gu Jinse replied without much hidden meaning. “If the Prime Minister likes them, I can learn.” She actually knew how to cook quite well and knew that sweetness could lift one’s mood.

However, she assumed someone like Ming Yi didn’t eat sweets, or perhaps didn’t have any favorites.

Ming Yi ate her pastry slowly and methodically, her every movement exuding elegance. Rose crisps were crumbly, yet not a single flake touched the corner of her mouth—a testament to her rigorous upbringing.

Gu Jinse, by contrast, had crumbs all over her lips. Her mother hadn’t taught her such strict manners, saying as long as she wasn’t embarrassing, it was fine. Compared to the palace-level etiquette Ming Yi displayed, the Gu family fell short.

“I don’t have a specific favorite,” Ming Yi said, lowering her gaze. “If you like them, you can make some. I’m not picky.”

Gu Jinse interpreted this as: I’ll eat whatever you make. She beamed.

Zhang Mingqian slowly closed her eyes. She was beginning to understand why Ming Yi was so set on this Gu boy. He was considerate, kind-hearted, and knew how to maintain distance from others. That was enough. A partner for Ming Yi didn’t need to hold the world’s power; they just needed to make her feel at ease. Ming Yi was dominant and often unreasonable; Gu Jinse’s fluid, water-like personality was the perfect balance.

When they reached the manor, Zhang Mingqian left without having tasted a single crumb, as Gu Jinse had all the sweets carried inside.

Gu Jinse could be quite petty; she remembered small slights for years. She still remembered when Gu Jinhuan stole her amber bracelet, or the time he tricked her into going out and left her in a strange place where she was nearly kidnapped. She remembered it all.

Once inside, Gu Jinse had a cup of tea and sat properly in the guest hall. Ming Yi sat in the main seat, a few steps away. After a brief conversation, Gu Jinse prepared to leave. Before she went, she caught Ming Yi’s eye—the Prime Minister didn’t seem quite as warm as before.

The rumors swirling through the city had clearly hurt her.

Gu Jinse felt helpless. In this world, there were too many rules. She couldn’t give a 100% guarantee that the marriage would happen. In an uncertain world, such a promise would just be a lie. She boarded her carriage with a sense of gloom, unable to shake the cold feeling from their talk.

When she got home, Madam Gu was discussing the wedding with the servants. Gu Jinse walked up slowly. “Mother, Grandfather refuses. Why are you still arranging things?”

“I’ve written to your father,” Madam Gu said without looking up.

“What did you write?”

“Nothing much. Just discussing a divorce. Once we divorce, I’ll take my dowry with me. I told him to start getting his affairs in order so he isn’t in a panic when the time comes. Se-er, when I married your father, my dowry stretched for ten miles. Compared to me, you’re lacking quite a bit.”

“I’m your mother, and there are things I must teach you. A family’s attitude can be seen through the dowry. You… are failing.”

The last words were sharp. Gu Jinse’s breath hitched. “Mother, with you here, I’m not afraid.”

“Don’t bring me into it. Your father is stingy; he wouldn’t give me Gu Jinhuan’s original assets, but I let it slide. Now this drama starts again. Is face more important or family? Your uncle is the laughingstock of the city, and your path is blocked. Who caused all this?”

“Gu Jinhuan,” Madam Gu hissed, looking at her daughter. “You once asked me why I don’t like my own biological son.”

Gu Jinse nodded. Her mother was a kind soul whom everyone praised, yet she harbored a dislike for her own son.

“Se-er, you don’t remember things from before you were seven or eight, but your elder sister does. That winter, your sister said it was Gu Jinhuan who pushed you into the water.” Madam Gu’s hands, holding the ledgers, felt numb.

Gu Jinse gasped, her eyes wide with panic. Madam Gu continued, “I urged your father to take a concubine and have more sons; Gu Jinhuan is a waste. Your father wouldn’t listen, and your grandfather was too obsessed with face to allow a concubine. Se-er, I’m telling you this: once you’re married, don’t expect your brother to help you.”

“Mother… is there a misunderstanding?” Gu Jinse gripped her own palms. “Mother, he is your son.”

She felt a pang of sympathy. The real Gu Jinse was dead, and her mother only had one biological child left. Besides, their elder sister was “simple” and often spoke in circles; she might have been mistaken. A life-and-death matter needed to be clear.

Madam Gu laughed coldly. “Perhaps. Yuhang is far from the capital. I will insist on this wedding. Se-er, I am securing a future for you.”

Gu Jinhuan would eventually lead the Gu family. If the siblings were at odds, Se-er would lose her biggest backer. Meeting Ming Yi was her destiny and her salvation.

Gu Jinse frowned, feeling a sense of dread. “We are essentially scheming against the Prime Minister.”

“The Prime Minister is scheming against you too. She must marry, and choosing you is the best outcome. You two are simply using each other. Se-er, do not feel pity. You are in no position to pity a woman as powerful as her.” Madam Gu raised an eyebrow. “Don’t you want to marry her?”

“I do,” Gu Jinse nodded. “A woman as beautiful as the Prime Minister is rare. And she said if we divorce, half the property is mine. Mother, how much do you think that would be?”

“No less than the entire Gu family estate,” Madam Gu smiled, her expression finally relaxing. “That is why I say this is your fortune.”

“Since I don’t need to worry about the family’s stance, I’ll go back tomorrow and explain to the Prime Minister that the wedding date remains unchanged.” Gu Jinse looked into her mother’s loving eyes. “Mother, being your daughter is my fortune as well.”

“Being Gu Jinhuan’s mother is my misfortune,” Madam Gu replied.

Gu Jinse: “…”

The next day, Gu Jinse waited outside Ming Yi’s office after work. Tu-Tu told her, “Squatting here is useless. Someone did it before and scared the Prime Minister; if she sees you doing it, she won’t be happy.”

Gu Jinse’s eyes widened. With no one around, it was the perfect time for info. She pulled Tu-Tu aside. “Did your Prime Minister have a fiancé before me?”

Tu-Tu looked at her new master’s earnest face and figured it wasn’t a huge secret. “Yes. The Empress Dowager arranged a marriage, but the man died. He died mysteriously. Many people said the Prime Minister didn’t want to marry him and had someone use ‘methods’ in the dark. But I know his death had nothing to do with her.”

“I bet it was a frame-up. How old was the Third Princess then?” Gu Jinse immediately thought of the resident troublemaker.

Tu-Tu shook her head. “The Princess was only eight or nine. This was over ten years ago. After he died, Consort De wanted to recommend her own nephew to the Prime Minister. She was so smug, talking about ‘marrying within the family’ and ‘doubling the joy.’ I didn’t quite get it, but she definitely didn’t have good intentions.”

Gu Jinse chuckled. Modern soap operas loved the “cousin-marrying-cousin” trope. Consort De was truly shameless. It seemed she had forgotten all about driving her own sister to her death.

Gu Jinse grumbled inwardly, but kept pressing for details: “And… what happened to that man?”

“He married his cousin and lived a mediocre life, utterly unworthy of the Prime Minister. For some reason, the son they had is a bit slow-witted,” Tu-Tu said in a low voice. “People started saying the Prime Minister did it—that she wouldn’t even spare a child. They call her ruthless to the core.”

“Did he marry his first cousin?” Gu Jinse asked, her brow furrowing.

Tu-Tu gasped, “Do you know about their family matters as well?”

Gu Jinse: “…” This is a textbook case of birth defects from consanguineous marriage. What does that have to do with Ming Yi? People really love throwing dirt on her. The Zhao family is truly a piece of work.

“Let me tell you, when cousins marry, the children often have health issues. Not all of them, but if luck is against you, it happens. Think about it—if siblings have the same blood, cousins still share a lot of it. That’s why they’re relatives. This has nothing to do with the Prime Minister.”

Tu-Tu listened with a look of half-understanding. Gu Jinse didn’t bother explaining the genetics further, simply reiterating that marrying close kin was asking for trouble eight or nine times out of ten.

The two of them squatted there until the afternoon session began, but they never saw Ming Yi.

Gu Jinse returned to the Ministry of Revenue in disappointment. Tu-Tu followed at her heels, trying to comfort her: “The Prime Minister is likely in the palace. After the recent scandal, the Third Princess was confined again. Honestly, how can someone be so brainless?”

“Perhaps when the Empress gave birth to her, she was in such a hurry she forgot to pack the brain.”

“I think so too. The Prime Minister says it’s because the Empress Dowager and the Empress spoiled her too much. Think about it—the Empress Dowager had no children of her own, and the Empress went through so much to have one daughter. Naturally, she’s the apple of their eye. The Empress Dowager’s doting was legendary; every tribute that came in went to the Princess first for picking.”

“Spoiled into stupidity… good, very good.”

Back at the Ministry, Tu-Tu bought two fried pancakes, and the two of them squatted by the entrance to eat. Tu-Tu grumbled between bites, “Following you, I can’t even get a decent meal.”

“We’ll eat at home tonight. My mother is making something delicious.” Gu Jinse looked at the ancient “pancake”—it was basically just a steamed bun…

After finishing, Gu Jinse went to her office to work while Tu-Tu sat to the side, yawning. The ledgers were piled high. Being new, Gu Jinse worked slowly, and her tasks kept piling up. By the time night fell, she still wasn’t done. She looked at Tu-Tu guiltily. “I can’t finish this. What should I do?”

Tu-Tu rolled her eyes. “I’m going to find the Prime Minister.”

She hurried out. Gu Jinse sat back and sighed. Of all the departments, why did I end up in the Ministry of Revenue, where there’s the most math? People said the Ministry was a “lucrative” post, but did she even dare take a bribe?

She rested for a moment until a subordinate arrived. It was a man named Tang Sui. He walked in with a smile, carrying a food box. “Supervisor, you’ve worked hard. Why not have some dinner?”

“No need, eat it yourself.” Gu Jinse was on high alert. In this den of tigers and wolves, one had to be careful. She looked down at the ledgers on her desk; every single one was vital. “You may leave now.”

“What’s the rush, Supervisor? Everyone has to eat.” Tang Sui ignored her and began setting out dishes and a jug of wine.

Gu Jinse watched him, her lips curving slightly. This man was setting a trap. An inferior offering dinner to a superior always had a motive. She stayed still and didn’t touch a thing. Tang Sui persisted, pouring a cup of wine and handing it to her. Gu Jinse took it and promptly poured it onto the floor. “Don’t get my ledgers dirty.”

She stood up, packed the ledgers into a chest, locked it in front of Tang Sui, and tucked the key into the pouch at her waist.

Tang Sui was stunned. This was unheard of—usually, people at least tried to save face. Gu Jinse looked at him. “Do you still want to drink, Tang Sui?”

“Since you are busy, I shall take my leave.” Tang Sui changed his tune stiffly, cleared the table, and slunk away.

Gu Jinse laughed to herself. The man was a bit dim. He should have kept pushing the wine to get her drunk before stealing the key. Giving up that easily showed a lack of wit.

She shut the door, took the ledgers back out, and looked at the thick stack. Her forehead began to sweat. Does the Prime Minister do this kind of work? Probably not. She handled the “big picture” stuff, not the gritty details.

Night deepened. Gu Jinse lit a candle, and the room brightened. The wick crackled as she wrote feverishly. Outside, the Ministry fell silent as everyone left. As a beginner, she moved slowly, checking every entry with the same intensity she’d had during her high school exams.

The moon climbed high. Gu Jinse rubbed her neck, her head heavy with exhaustion. She leaned her head on the desk for a quick nap, figuring Tu-Tu would be back soon. The moment her eyes closed, she drifted off.

Suddenly, a pungent smell choked her awake. She opened her eyes to see a roaring fire outside. For a second, she was dazed. I just took one nap… am I going to die?

She rushed to the door and pushed. It was locked from the outside.

Premeditated murder.

Gu Jinse hurried back, threw the ledgers into the chest, and began dragging it toward the door. The fire had already reached the roof, causing a beam to collapse and smash onto her desk. Her heart hammered. She looked at the chest, gritted her teeth, and kept pulling.

After five or six steps, the smoke became unbearable. She covered her mouth, but her head was spinning. She sat on the chest, gasping for air. At the critical moment, she decided to abandon the chest. Life comes first. Mother said life is most important.

She ran to the window to push it open. As expected, it was sealed shut. Despite the massive fire, no one came to help. The situation was eerie.

The south window was already collapsing from the heat. The north window was intact, but sealed from the outside; she couldn’t budge it. The smoke entered her throat, making her feel as though her lungs were burning. It was agonizing.

Dizzy and unable to stand, she heard another crash as a pillar fell onto the chest. The pillar was mostly burnt through and didn’t weigh much; the chest remained intact. Amidst the suffocation, she slumped down, thinking: If I live through this, I am going to find Tang Sui and beat him to a pulp.

Another crash echoed. She shook her head, crawled to the chest, and finally lost consciousness. Her last thought was that if Tu-Tu came to save her, she’d see the chest—saving both the person and the records. If not… they’d go to the underworld together.

In her daze, she remembered the first time she saw Ming Yi. Such a beautiful woman, lying on the ground, her skin like white jade.

She closed her eyes. Then, a commotion came from the door. It was Ming Yi’s voice: “Put out the fire!”

Driven by a sudden burst of strength, she struggled up and shoved the fallen pillar off the chest, screaming with all her might: “Ming Yi! Ming Yi!”

The door burst open, and Tu-Tu rushed in. Seeing Gu Jinse, she moved to grab her, but Gu Jinse pointed at the chest. If she left and the ledgers were gone, she’d still be held responsible. Tu-Tu nodded, hoisted the chest, and charged out just as another beam collapsed.

Across the wall of fire, Ming Yi saw the girl. she suppressed the urge to charge in herself. The light was blinding. She took a step forward, but her guards held her back. “Prime Minister, you’ll be burned!”

Ming Yi felt like she was waking from a nightmare. She backed away slowly. Tu-Tu burst out again, this time with Gu Jinse on her back.

Gu Jinse coughed violently, looking weakly at Ming Yi. “It was… Tang Sui.”

Ming Yi nodded, her face grim. “I will have him caught.”

The girl’s clothes were scorched, her face was soot-stained, and her wrist appeared burned, but her eyes were still bright. Her voice was raspy, missing its usual softness. Ming Yi reached out, her fingers brushing the ash from the girl’s cheek. “Gu Jinse, you truly have a long life.”

“Ming Yi since I met you, I’ve been haunted by bad luck. One thing after another… I almost died,” Gu Jinse muttered.

Ming Yi’s fingertips lingered on the corner of the girl’s lips.