The Prime Minister Claims She's Pregnant - Chapter 41

The cup in Ming Yi’s hand trembled slightly. She caught Gu Jinse’s eye and said, “There is no such clause in our agreement.”

Gu Jinse, eyes filled with cold fury, stared her down.

Ming Yi took a small sip of wine and whispered, “The Second Prince’s Consort is an expert at brewing; even someone like me, who rarely drinks, finds this enjoyable.”

“Do you like her wine, or do you like her?” Gu Jinse’s gaze didn’t waver.

Hearing the gritting of teeth in that voice, Ming Yi couldn’t help but chuckle. “The Second Prince says that often. But you should know, if I truly liked her, where would there be a place for you?”

“That may be so, but look at this dynasty. Have you ever seen a daughter marry a girl? The Emperor would break your legs. You would have no choice but to watch the person you love marry into the Imperial family,” Gu Jinse said, punctuating every word.

“That actually makes some sense,” Ming Yi replied with a faint smile. “If I did like her, what could you do about it?”

Gu Jinse stared at her for a long time. Finally, she picked up her wine cup, drained it in silence, and dropped one last sentence: “I’m going to eat you up when we get home tonight.”

Ming Yi was startled. She looked up, but all she saw was the elegant curve of Gu Jinse’s neck and profile. The candlelight reflected off her skin like sunlight on fresh snow.

The guests at the banquet were a mixed crowd, but the Consort’s maternal family was nowhere to be seen. It was as if she had married into the Second Prince’s residence as a solitary soul, without friends or kin.

The Second Prince sat happily with a consort on each arm. The other guests remained stiff and formal. A cold edge gradually rose in Ming Yi’s eyes. “Second Prince, you’re going to lead my husband astray.”

Seeing the icy expression on Ming Yi’s face, the Second Prince instinctively let go of his two side-consorts and dismissed them. He then turned to Director Gu. “Was the mission to the traveling palace successful?”

“Replying to Your Highness, everything went smoothly,” Gu Jinse answered.

The Second Prince chuckled twice to himself before turning to speak to his Consort. However, she ignored him entirely, sipping her wine as if the Prince owed her a fortune.

The couple didn’t even bother to maintain a facade of affection. Gu Jinse found it strange and looked toward the Consort, only to have Ming Yi grab her hand. “Drink.”

Ming Yi raised the wine cup to Gu Jinse’s crimson lips. “Drink more. Look less, and talk less.”

Gu Jinse gave a cold laugh. “You’re feeling guilty.”

“There are too many things I feel guilty about; this isn’t one of them,” Ming Yi continued to ply her with wine. “Quickly now, drink. If you drink, I’ll let you ‘eat’ when we get home.”

Gu Jinse was speechless. “Can’t you at least try to hide it? Are you that afraid I won’t know what’s in your heart?”

“It doesn’t matter. We are married by agreement,” Ming Yi answered quite seriously.

Gu Jinse’s eyes widened, her lashes trembling as if tears were about to fall. This is too much, she thought. To sleep with me for the sake of another woman, and then throw ‘marriage by agreement’ in my face. Looking at the woman who was usually as gentle as water, Gu Jinse felt her heart being toyed with. She suddenly felt exhausted. “Actually, I don’t like you either. Tonight, we sleep in separate beds.”

Hearing these aggrieved words, a ripple of light passed through Ming Yi’s clear eyes. This youngster was so blunt; a little provocation and she became impulsive. No wonder she had fallen for Gu Jinhuan’s traps in the past.

She reached out and patted Gu Jinse’s head affectionately. “Why so angry? You must realize that we are the ones who are legitimate. Everyone else is just a passing cloud.”

Gu Jinse dodged her touch. “Can you please speak like a human being for once?”

“Human talk, eh?” Ming Yi sighed softly, considering her words. “The Consort and I knew each other when we were young. She helped me a great deal, but I was destined never to be with her.”

Gu Jinse was stunned. “So you did love her?”

“I don’t love anyone,” Ming Yi refused to admit it.

At first, it sounded like a confession, but on second thought, it was a non-answer. Gu Jinse was full of frustration and felt like she’d had enough. She took a deep breath. “I’m angry.”

Ming Yi finally couldn’t hold it in. She leaned against the table and laughed softly.

The Consort, who had been watching them, finally caught an opening. “Chancellor Ming, what are you laughing at?”

“I’m laughing at how childish my husband is,” Ming Yi replied, looking up to offer a polite smile to the Consort.

The Consort felt slighted. Gu Jinse, fuming, stood up to leave and apologized to their hosts: “I’ve just returned from a long journey and am quite tired. This official shall return home to rest first.”

The Consort looked at Ming Yi. “And the Chancellor?”

“Husband and wife move as one; naturally, I am returning as well. May you have many more days like this, and may you be healthy and safe always.” Ming Yi raised her cup to the Consort, drained it, and then turned to the Second Prince. “Your Highness, if His Majesty knew you were neglecting your primary Consort, do you think he would be pleased?”

The Emperor valued reputation above all and had always shown the Empress respect. Even after the late Empress Dowager passed, though the Empress’s status had declined, they maintained the appearance of a loving couple.

The Second Prince chuckled lowly, watching them leave. He reached out to take his wife’s hand, but she didn’t look happy. Her body trembled, and she gave no response. The Prince quickly let go and smiled at the remaining guests. “Come, join me in wishing the Consort a happy birthday!”

Back at the residence, Gu Jinse dragged Tuntun into the study and interrogated her: “How could you not tell me that there was something ‘unclear’ between the Consort and Ming Yi?”

Tuntun looked as if she had swallowed a whole egg. Her mouth wouldn’t close. “Is there such a thing?”

The walking gossip machine had hit a wall. Tuntun frowned. “The two of them don’t even seem to know each other well. How could there be anything unclear?”

“Tuntun, you really need to update your system,” Gu Jinse snapped before storming off. Tuntun was left scratching her head, wondering if there was some secret she had actually missed.

Gu Jinse returned to the bedroom and gloomily downed two cups of tea. Ming Yi handed her a mandarin duck-patterned sachet. “Don’t be cross. Just consider it a case of me being young and ignorant. Didn’t you have a few instances of ‘first love’ when you were young?”

Gu Jinse didn’t take the sachet. Instead, she asked, “How old were you then?”

“Sixteen or seventeen, perhaps?” Ming Yi hesitated. It had been a long time.

Hearing this, Gu Jinse smiled, looking genuinely delighted. “Excellent. Then you are merely one of those ‘instances of first love’ for me, too.”

“That’s not fair. I’ve apologized, what more do you want? That past existed, I can’t just erase it,” Ming Yi argued. “What do you want from me?”

“I don’t want to talk to you anymore. I’m sleeping in the study. Ming Yi, I have some pride too.” Gu Jinse flicked her sleeves and left.

Ming Yi held the sachet and sighed. She looked at the maid, Chun Yue, and gave a formal smile. “Is your master always like this?”

“No,” Chun Yue stammered. “Usually, Master has a very good temper. There were only a couple of times… and that was when the Second Young Master made her truly furious.”

Ming Yi understood; she had become “Gu Jinhuan the Second.” She sighed, placed the sachet on the dressing table, and smiled. In the past, she would return home to handle state affairs and then sleep. Now, she had to try and decipher the mind of a young girl. It was truly exhausting.

She sat at the dressing table and looked at herself in the mirror. A ten-year age gap was a deep chasm; she realized she didn’t truly know what Gu Jinse wanted.

Neither of them slept well.

The next morning, Gu Jinse got up early for her duties at the Ministry of Revenue. When she stepped out, Ming Yi’s carriage was already waiting. She gave a cold “Hmph” and walked toward her own small carriage.

Inside the carriage, Ming Yi lifted the curtain. “Over here.”

Gu Jinse ignored her, marching past without a single glance.

Young people are full of fire and have big tempers. Ming Yi watched the youth march past like a victorious little rooster and smiled helplessly. Their destinations were different; the residence prepared two carriages, but they could have shared the road for a while.

When Gu Jinse arrived at the Ministry, her colleagues asked about the traveling palace. The journey had been quiet, and there were no issues with the accounts. A colleague started to speak, thought of something, stopped, and walked away.

Gu Jinse was puzzled. As she turned, she overheard snippets of conversation.

“With Chancellor Ming providing protection for the mission, of course it went smoothly. He has the Chancellor’s favor; how can we compare?”

“Did you hear? Wang Liang is dead.”

“How did he die?”

“Before he was exiled, people moved against him. The Chancellor didn’t intervene. Once he was out of the capital, they had no fears and struck on the road. Think about it—Wang Liang grew up with the Chancellor, and she didn’t lift a finger. Gu Jinhuan might end up the same way.”

Gu Jinse was stunned. The Chancellor handled it according to the law; how did she end up with a reputation for being cold and heartless? But she felt relief that Wang Liang was dead—justice for the twenty young girls.

She threw herself into her work, and the day passed quickly. When she stepped out of the gates, Ming Yi’s flashy carriage was there. Ming Yi lifted the curtain. “Director Gu, shall we?”

“I have my own legs, my own carriage, and I can go home by myself,” Gu Jinse refused bluntly.

Ming Yi frowned. “How many days are you young people going to stay angry?”

Gu Jinse looked up, meeting her inquisitive gaze. “This has nothing to do with being young. Even if I were old, if you were unfaithful in your heart, I would still be angry.”

“Heaven be my witness, I haven’t even touched her hand,” Ming Yi said calmly.

“But you wanted to in your heart, didn’t you?” Gu Jinse gritted her teeth, her eyes clear. “I hate that you’re half-hearted.”

“My heart only has you. Why won’t you believe me?” Ming Yi explained. She felt like a little rabbit was about to hop away to someone else’s garden because it couldn’t get a carrot. Dangerous!

Gu Jinse sneered. “My mother told my father ‘my heart only has you,’ too. Do you believe her?”

“Madam Gu is unique; naturally, I don’t believe her.” Ming Yi felt she was nearly being convinced she was a two-timer. She thought for a moment and decided to lower her guard. “To be honest, I am new to love as well. I don’t know what you’re thinking. I’ve spoken poorly, and I apologize. Will you accept?”

The Chancellor’s humility left everyone nearby in a state of absolute shock. The colleagues who had followed Gu Jinse out quickly ducked back inside the gates, terrified of being remembered by Ming Yi for witnessing her vulnerability.

Gu Jinse, however, was not easily swayed. She challenged her: “You were the one who said it was your first love, yet now you say you are only just touching upon love. I may be young, but I am not a fool.”

Ming Yi sighed. “Could you let me off just this once? I am not very good at lying.”

The people hidden behind the gate burst into laughter, the sound carrying clearly to the street. Ming Yi looked at the dark wooden doors and remarked, “See? Even they are laughing at me.”

Gu Jinse ignored her. Indeed, Ming Yi’s inconsistent stories proved she was a poor liar. “I’m going home,” Gu Jinse said, turning toward her small carriage.

As she walked slowly, Ming Yi climbed down from her own grand carriage and followed her like a shadow, climbing right into the small one after her.

The officials from the Ministry of Revenue emerged from behind the gates, exchanging meaningful looks. One finally spoke up: “I think the Chancellor has someone in her heart, and Director Gu found out.”

The Chancellor had never been this subservient, even before the Emperor. Whatever she had done wrong must be severe.

“It seems so. Things are definitely serious. Director Gu rose to the top in a single step, but who would have thought…”

“Director Gu is still a bit too young.”

The “young” Director Gu lifted the carriage curtain to look outside, while Ming Yi watched her profile. “You should learn from your mother,” Ming Yi suggested.

“My mother doesn’t love my father,” Gu Jinse sneered. “If you want me not to love you, that’s fine. Why don’t I set you up with the Second Prince’s Consort? It wouldn’t be hard. I can just turn a blind eye and act like nothing happened. After all, this is a marriage by agreement; there was never meant to be love involved.”

Ming Yi froze. “Are you giving up on me?”

“I don’t like half-hearted people, especially someone as formidable as you. I can’t outplay you, so it’s better to let go early.” Gu Jinse spoke out of spite. She was too exhausted from work to maintain her anger, leaving only a lingering trace of resentment.

After ten years of a slow-paced life, the sudden change to the capital’s rhythm had every cell in her body screaming in protest. And the woman who pushed her into this fire was now trying to use her guilt over an ex-flame to initiate something “indescribable” with her. It was utterly hateful.

She had been angry for a long time, and Ming Yi had apologized for just as long, but Ming Yi never quite hit the mark—until they were almost home.

Ming Yi slowly began to speak about the Second Prince’s Consort. “She was the official wife appointed to the Second Prince by the late Empress Dowager. The day I met her was the day she entered the palace to offer thanks.”

Gu Jinse was startled. “This… this is shocking.”

“It was very simple. After we met, she often entered the palace to accompany the Noble Consort. Naturally, we saw each other more often. You know I had many enemies in the palace; she helped me a few times. Before she married, she sought me out and said she didn’t want to marry anymore. She asked if I had any thoughts of leaving.”

“To elope?” Gu Jinse was stunned. Were noble ladies in high society this direct?

“In a sense. But I refused. You know I have many things to do. Even if you asked me to leave right now, I wouldn’t go.” Ming Yi’s expression turned wistful. “To me, she is like Zhang Mingqian or Du Yan—nothing more. If there was any ‘first love,’ it was her feeling, not mine.”

She smiled self-deprecatingly. “Gu Jinse, why do you think a cold person like me would have feelings? How could a heartless person like me be immersed in romance like an ordinary girl?”

Ming Yi’s smile was deep, but it carried an unspeakable weariness that didn’t match her years. Gu Jinse suddenly understood the rumors. Ming Yi truly was perceived as heartless.

“Don’t try to trick me. Why did you go to the banquet yesterday?”

“The Second Prince took another side-consort. The Noble Consort scolded him and told me to go comfort his wife. That’s all.”

“Then why didn’t you say so last night?” Gu Jinse felt like she was being played again, especially since that line from last night had been so confusing.

Watching the sunset, Ming Yi asked, “If I liked someone else, why would I do those things with you? Are you silly? No wonder Madam Gu warned me repeatedly that you are easily provoked.”

“So it’s my fault now?” Gu Jinse felt it was beyond reason.

The carriage stopped and they stepped out. Tuntun met them at the door. Seeing their unhappy expressions, she still stepped forward to report: “Tu Tu sent a letter saying that Lord Gu refuses to let her go. She doesn’t know what to do and is asking both of you for clear instructions.”

Inside the house, Tuntun handed the letter to Gu Jinse. “Her tone seems quite frantic. The trouble she’s facing must be significant. Director, should we have Tu Tu come back?”

“It takes seven or eight days for a letter to arrive. By now, Madam Gu should be back in Yuhang. She will help Tu Tu, so don’t be nervous. Let’s wait a few more days,” Ming Yi comforted the girl. Looking at Tuntun’s confused eyes, Ming Yi realized the girl likely knew nothing of the Gu family’s dirty secrets.

“My mother will have a way. Once I have time, I’ll prepare a courtyard for my sister,” Gu Jinse said, handing the letter back. “We wait and see. Tuntun, write back and tell Tu Tu to listen to everything my mother says.”

After Tuntun left, the room fell silent. With no major issues at court, their focus shifted to Gu Jinshang. Ming Yi looked at Gu Jinse’s flushed face and soft skin. Her heart stirred, and she reached out to touch her. “In your memory, was Gu Jinshang always… like that?”

“I didn’t see her until six months after I woke up. It was a summer storm, and she was standing in the rain, cursing the heavens. Even with the lightning and thunder, she wasn’t afraid of anything. I pulled her inside and changed her into my clothes. Mother said she was an adopted daughter of the Gu family, my sister. After that, I took her everywhere with me.”

“She’s very good. Her mind stayed at age seven or eight. Most people that age are already quite obedient; she can even do small chores. I’ve decided—I’ll bring her here and take care of her for the rest of my life.”

Ming Yi’s hand paused at the corner of Gu Jinse’s lips. She smiled gently. “You should be good to her.”

Without Gu Jinshang, there would be no Gu Jinse.

The two reached an understanding and enjoyed dinner happily. During the meal, Ming Yi brought up the Second Prince’s marriage again. “The Prince personally asked for that marriage; he liked her. But one month after the wedding, she began arranging many concubines for him. The Empress praised her generosity, but the Noble Consort said she simply didn’t love her son.”

“Chancellor, only when one doesn’t love do they push their husband to others,” Gu Jinse said.

Ming Yi chuckled. “Only those who have loved know the meaning behind those words. It isn’t that women are naturally jealous; it is about love. Any woman who takes the initiative to find concubines for her man has nothing to do with the word ‘love’.”

Ming Yi understood this well, and she could see the affection in Gu Jinse’s eyes. As she smiled, Gu Jinse suddenly kissed her on the lips.

It was entirely unexpected.

As warm breath brushed against her, Ming Yi consciously let go of her guard, trying to suppress her trembling as she melted into the moment. Her response grew, the rapid breathing and racing heartbeat pushed her further into the depths of feeling.

Gu Jinse pulled back slightly, her teeth nipping at Ming Yi’s ear. “You teased me last night.”

“Did I?” Ming Yi shrank back slightly. The hot summer air and that breath made it nearly impossible to sit still. She pressed her tongue against her teeth, trying to control her reaction, and answered her own question: “I didn’t.”

“Does what you said then still count?” Gu Jinse saw through her. She wrapped her arms around Ming Yi’s shoulders and whispered: “I can carry you over there.”