The Prime Minister Claims She's Pregnant - Chapter 3

The Gu family had no choice but to send their daughter to the capital. Over a decade ago, the Gu family had enjoyed some renown in the capital, but after the old master’s departure, the shifting tides of power had long since stripped them of their former glory. Even entering the city now required them to queue like ordinary commoners.

By the time the Gu family members made it into the city, night had already fallen. They looked around but saw no sign of Gu Jinse, and panic quickly set in.

Gu Jinse had an uncle in the capital who held the position of Vice Minister. For this trip to the capital, Vice Minister Gu had sent someone to meet her. However, the crowds were so dense that the messenger waited at the city gate for half a day without spotting her.

Upon learning that she was missing, Vice Minister Gu grew anxious. It was the Shangsi Festival, and many people had left their homes to celebrate, making the capital unusually crowded. Searching for someone under such circumstances was like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Gu Jinse’s maid burst into tears and told Vice Minister Gu, “My young master is exceptionally handsome. What if someone takes advantage of him? What will we do then?”

Hearing this, Vice Minister Gu’s lips twitched slightly. The capital was hardly short of handsome young men, and besides, a man wouldn’t suffer much, he might even enjoy the attention. The real concern was that someone might abduct and harm him.

Recalling his uncle’s past actions, Vice Minister Gu felt a chill of apprehension and immediately dispatched another group to search for her.

The commotion caused by her arrival in the capital left Vice Minister Gu with a growing dislike for this nephew.

The Gu family turned everything upside down, even reporting the matter to the authorities. When the officials learned that the missing person was the top scholar from Zhejiang, they dared not take the matter lightly and had a portrait drawn to aid in the search.

Overnight, word spread that the grandson of the Gu family from Yuhang had gone missing in the capital.

At the break of dawn, the person in question emerged from an inn to buy clothes for the person still in bed. Prompted by an inn attendant, she borrowed a carriage and headed to the morning market.

By the time she returned, the sky had just brightened. She quietly placed the clothes on the small table by the bed, settled the inn bill, and then inquired about the location of Vice Minister Gu’s residence.

It was already noon by the time she arrived at the Gu residence. She knocked on the door, and the gatekeeper glanced at her. The young man before him had fair skin and dark, piercing eyes, standing with his hands behind his back like an immortal who had gracefully descended from the heavens to their doorstep.

Knowing the customs of ancient times, Gu Jinse quickly spoke up, “I am Gu Jinhuan from the Yuhang Gu family. I was separated from my family yesterday.”

“So you are Candidate Gu! You’ve returned!” the gatekeeper exclaimed excitedly, immediately sending word into the residence while ushering her inside.

Gu Jinse smiled faintly, stepped over the threshold, and followed the gatekeeper into the estate.

As a newcomer to the capital and a guest in a relative’s home, she naturally adopted a respectful and proper demeanor especially since this relative’s status far surpassed her own family’s.

The disparity between the two households was vast. If she were to gaze around curiously, it would only reveal her lack of sophistication and invite ridicule.

Upon entering the main hall, before she could steady herself, an elegant middle-aged man hurried in. Guessing that this was her uncle, she promptly bowed and said, “Your nephew pays his respects to Uncle.”

Vice Minister Gu paused, studying “Gu Jinhuan” carefully. His eyes lit up, and he suddenly recalled the maid’s words: a young man like this would indeed be in danger out in the open.

The capital’s social customs were liberal, with many princesses and noblewomen who, dissatisfied with their consorts, kept numerous male companions. It was not unheard of for them to abduct attractive men right off the streets.

“Gu Jinhuan” appeared refined and graceful, with flowing sleeves and a faint smile gracing his lips. His fair, radiant complexion and rosy lips were precisely the kind of features that could easily capture the hearts of princesses and noble ladies.

Vice Minister Gu averted his gaze, excused him from the formalities, and asked, “Nephew, where were you yesterday?”

“Yesterday, I came across an injured woman and couldn’t bear to leave her behind, so I took her to an inn. She left this morning,” Gu Jinse said with a smile, her eyes sincere.

Minister Gu: “…” He had expected some romantic encounter, but he hadn’t imagined it would be a heroic rescue of a beauty.

He asked, “Did you bring that woman back with you?”

“No, I left her with some silver at the inn. I believe she can take care of herself. I’m sorry for causing you worry yesterday,” Gu Jinse replied, bowing apologetically.

Minister Gu had initially intended to scold her, but his nephew’s polite apology and the fact that it was an act of rescue made it difficult to be too harsh. He said, “The capital is a place where all sorts of people gather. Don’t do this again in the future. Without knowing someone’s background, you shouldn’t act recklessly.”

Gu Jinse lowered her gaze. “I understand. Please help me find my servant.”

“Very well. Will you stay at the residence?” Minister Gu breathed a sigh of relief, then couldn’t help but glance at ‘Gu Jinhuan’ again. If he passed the imperial exams, he would surely secure a good marriage. Thinking of this, he smiled and said, “Since you’ve just arrived in the capital and may face inconveniences, why not stay at the Minister’s residence? You can focus on your studies here, and we can provide some support.”

The Gu family of Yuhang was a prominent clan with many members. This year, five or six of them were taking the imperial exams, and all were staying at the Minister’s residence.

Gu Jinse was different. Her family was wealthy and had directly purchased a house. Before leaving home, her parents had reminded her to live in her own residence and avoid getting too close to others.

Gu Jinse had no choice but to decline. Minister Gu tried to persuade her to stay, but in the end, she returned to the Gu residence.

Minister Gu arranged for guards to escort her.

The Gu family was truly wealthy, especially Gu Jinse’s maternal grandfather, who was a well-known affluent household in Jiangnan. It was said that when Madam Gu married, her dowry stretched for miles, stunning the entire capital. Gu Jinse enjoyed her life and didn’t feel that crossing over into this world was a hardship. After all, she had money, looks, and lacked nothing.

Two months earlier, the Gu family’s steward had already begun preparing the residence. A few days ago, the preparations were completed, with two courtyards specially arranged, one reserved for Gu Jinse.

Gu Jinse entered the residence. Though it featured the charm of a Jiangnan garden, it couldn’t compare to the elegance of the Gu family’s estate in Yuhang. Fortunately, she would only be staying for half a month, leaving once the exams were over.

Her courtyard bore a plaque with the inscription: “East Wind Comes of Its Own.”

The courtyard was spotlessly clean, with cleaning women standing in the corners. Her personal maid, Chunri, was so excited she hugged Gu Jinse, nearly in tears.

Chunri had grown up with Gu Jinse. Gu Jinse was not one for strict formalities and treated her well. This time, she had brought Chunri along to prevent her identity from being exposed.

Covered in dust from the journey, Gu Jinse, who was particular about cleanliness, couldn’t wait to take a bath. As she did, she asked Chunri, “Any news about that ‘ancestor’?”

“Yes, she’s on her way. Or rather, she’s being brought here by force,” Chunri replied as she tidied the bed.

Gu Jinse stepped into the bathtub, sighing and lamenting for a moment before feeling utterly speechless. She thought of a phrase: “rendered speechless.”

After she sighed, Chunri entered and spoke from behind the screen. To prevent Chunri from seeing, Gu Jinse vigorously scrubbed herself with a towel until the surrounding skin turned red, wincing in pain before finally stopping.

She let out a long sigh. Chunri suddenly asked, “Oh, Miss, why is the back of your neck so red?”

The redness on her neck was from a mosquito bite. Gu Jinse slapped the water’s surface and said directly, “You wouldn’t believe it. It’s only early spring, but somehow a mosquito appeared and kept biting my neck.”

“Really?” Chunri was half-convinced and stepped closer to take a look.

Gu Jinse instructed her, “Have all the trunks from yesterday been unpacked? Go check on them. I’ll bathe by myself.”

Spring was sent away, and Gu Jinse breathed a sigh of relief, lying back in the bathtub with a heavy sigh. She had no idea whether Gu Jinheng would make it in time for the exam. If he didn’t, would she really have to take his place?

In the inn room, Ming Yi had just woken up, feeling weak all over. She opened her eyes and stared at the blue canopy above her.

Memories of the previous night flooded her mind. After a moment, there was a knock at the door: “Guest, would you like some water?”

Ming Yi looked at the blue ceiling, listened to the attendant’s words, and replied, “Yes.”

The attendant pushed the door open and poured bucket after bucket of water into the wooden tub. Finally, he whispered a reminder, “I’ve left one bucket of hot water and one of cold. Your husband has already paid and instructed us to bring the water at this time. Take your time washing, and if you need anything, just call for me.”

Husband? Ming Yi frowned. That young girl from yesterday?

She had quite the nerve, claiming to be her husband.

The Gu family of Yuhang?

Ming Yi propped herself up, pushed aside the canopy, and her eyes fell upon a set of red embroidered robes and matching undergarments.

It had to be said, the girl was very thoughtful, arranging everything perfectly.

Ming Yi’s expression remained unchanged as she struggled to her feet. In her line of sight, she noticed a note: “The silver is under the clothes.”

Returning to the bedside, she picked up the clothes and found a sachet underneath.

The sachet was embroidered with a pheasant. Ming Yi picked it up and examined it five or six times, confirming it wasn’t a chicken. As for what it was originally meant to be, she couldn’t tell, it could have been a phoenix or just an ordinary bird.

Inside the sachet were several banknotes, both large and small denominations, along with a travel permit.

Why give her a travel permit? To make her leave the capital, or did they think she was some kind of improper woman?

Ming Yi stuffed the banknotes and travel permit back into the sachet, gathered the clothes, and went to bathe.

By dusk, she left the inn. The attendant handed her a large package of food, saying, “Your husband asked me to prepare this.”

Ming Yi accepted it but didn’t touch it. Having been tricked once, she knew better now.

“Keep it,” Ming Yi handed it back, turned around, and left the inn.

After half a month of twists and turns, the exam was the next day, and Gu Jinheng still hadn’t arrived. Gu Jinse was so anxious she paced around the room, cursing Gu Jinheng all the while.

“Are you just an animal driven by your lower half? Do you have any brains? Do you even realize how dangerous this is? You’re going to get me killed!”

“When I see you, I’m going to break your legs with a big stick, then marry that songstress off to a dead man in a ghost marriage so she’ll be a widow for life.”

“So angry, so angry, I’m so angry!”

Spring was flustered by her panic, at a loss for what to do. “Should we go ask Minister Gu?”

“Ask him? He’s my uncle, but even if he were my own father, there’s still a barrier between us. How can I trust him?” Gu Jinse was completely out of ideas. Here she was, the only one in charge, with no one to discuss things with.

Resigned to her fate, she said, “Let’s sleep. Tomorrow, we’ll go take a look outside the exam hall.”

Whether she would go in or not, she’d decide then.

The next day, at the entrance of the exam hall, candidates were filing in one by one. Gu Jinse huddled in the carriage, refusing to move, chewing on a plum candy. Spring, beside her, was frantic. “Are you going to take the exam?”

“I don’t want to,” Gu Jinse waved her hand. She was sure she’d fail.

Just then, Minister Gu arrived. Gu Jinse was startled and hurriedly got out of the carriage, bowing in greeting. “Uncle.”

“Why haven’t you gone in yet?” Minister Gu asked, puzzled. “Are you not ready?”

“Ready, I, I’ll go in right away.” Gu Jinse clutched her belongings and hurried toward the examination hall before the Minister of Rites could say another word.

The minister found it odd but couldn’t quite put his finger on why. At only seventeen, she was far from steady.

Gu Jinse found herself in a predicament with no way back. Rushing into the examination hall, she had just stepped over the threshold when someone called out, “Gu Jinheng.”

The voice sounded somewhat familiar, but she couldn’t place it. Having just arrived in the capital, she hardly had any friends. She’d spent the past half-month secluded at home where would she have met anyone? Let alone recognize a voice.

Her body stiffened as she turned around. When she saw the person’s face, she froze instinctively.

Oh no, this is bad.