The Prime Minister Claims She's Pregnant - Chapter 5

Gu Jinse waited for half a day, but even as the crowd dispersed, she still hadn’t seen Gu Jinhuan.

The steward was puzzled and tried to reassure her, “Perhaps you were mistaken. The young master might have already returned to the residence.”

Gu Jinse was only half-convinced and decided to head back first.

Upon arriving home, there was no sign of Gu Jinhuan not even his servant. The steward grew anxious and sent someone to inquire at the Vice Minister’s residence.

By dusk, the Vice Minister had sent an invitation for Gu Jinhuan to attend a banquet. Though it was framed as a social gathering, the real intention was for Gu Jinhuan to reproduce his examination essay from memory so the Vice Minister could review it.

But as it turned out, Gu Jinhuan had never even gone to the Vice Minister’s residence.

Panic-stricken, the steward was calmed by Gu Jinse, who relayed a message to the Vice Minister’s envoy: “Please inform the Vice Minister that I am somewhat tired and will visit tomorrow.”

Only then did the envoy return to deliver the message.

Unable to contain his frustration, the steward exclaimed, “What is the young master thinking, leaving without a word? Is he deliberately trying to embarrass the master and mistress?”

“Go ahead and scold him if you want. I’ve run out of energy for that,” Gu Jinse waved her hand wearily. What else could she say about such an unlucky younger brother?

They would have to wait for the exam results. If he didn’t pass, they would pack up and return home. As for the Vice Minister’s household, they could simply say he was ill and needed a few days’ rest.

There was no other option.

When the exam results were announced, Gu Jinhuan was still nowhere to be found. Left with no choice, Gu Jinse led the steward to wait outside the examination hall.

The area was packed with people. As a woman, Gu Jinse couldn’t squeeze through the crowd, so she sent the steward to check the results, secretly hoping he had failed.

The steward pushed his way through, getting jostled so much that he lost a shoe. Finally, he saw the list.

It would have been better if he hadn’t looked, the moment he did, he fainted on the spot.

Gu Jinhuan had placed first in the imperial examination.

Gu Jinse was baffled. Was there something wrong with the standards of ancient exams? Gu Jinhuan had been fooling around with women right before the exam, his mind clearly elsewhere, how could he have come in first?

She couldn’t make sense of it and stood there in a daze for a long time.

Meanwhile, Ming Yi, standing at the entrance of the examination hall, noticed the stunned young woman and smiled faintly. Gu Jinhuan’s literary talent and insights were indeed exceptional. With the imperial exam over, the palace examination still lay ahead.

Barring any surprises, he was sure to rank among the top three.

Du Yan hurried over and asked, “Prime Minister Ming, shall we enter the palace to see His Majesty?”

The results were out, and preparations for the palace examination were underway.

Ming Yi stood with his hands behind his back, unmoving, his gaze fixed on Gu Jinse.

Du Yan followed his line of sight and recognized the young man. Curious, she asked, “Who is that?”

Ming Yi replied, “From the Gu family of Yuhang.”

“The one who placed first in the imperial exam?” Du Yan exclaimed in surprise. “I thought he’d be an old man.”

Gu Jinhuan’s writing style was rather unconventional. When the examiners reviewed his paper, they had disagreements, but Ming Yi ultimately made the final decision.

Before the rankings were finalized, the names were concealed, so no one knew whose paper it was. Only after the decision was made and the name revealed did they see it was Gu Jinhuan.

Ming Yi was slightly surprised, but the ranking was already set Gu Jinhuan was the top candidate.

However, according to reports from the Gu family’s spies, Gu Jinhuan had never returned after the exam.

He had likely run off again or rented a place to indulge in romantic affairs with his lover, leaving Gu Jinse to worry.

Du Yan remarked, “Another hot commodity has appeared.”

Many families were eager to snatch a promising son-in-law from among the top candidates. With Gu Jinhuan’s striking looks and his exam success, he was bound to cause a stir.

Ming Yi suddenly asked, “Are you interested, Minister Du?”

Du Yan replied indifferently, “Even if all the men in the world died, I wouldn’t want him.”

Ming Yi nodded. “Agreed.”

“What’s there to agree with? Do you have some idea?” Du Yan found it strange since when had Ming Yi taken such an interest in that young man? She kindly reminded her, “He’s only seventeen. The Gu family won’t approve.”

A woman like Ming Yi might be brought home to be worshipped like an ancestor, but she was hardly the type to serve a husband and raise children.

Gu Jinhuan was so outstanding, and Old Master Gu’s reputation still carried weight, why would they ever allow someone like Ming Yi, an “older unmarried woman,” into their family?

“Hmm.” Ming Yi acknowledged without explanation, then turned and left.

Gu Jinse stood frozen for a long time before finally snapping out of it, cursing under her breath, “Don’t you dare let me see you again, or I’ll make sure you’re done for.”

Just then, Minister Gu also arrived. Several younger members of the clan had taken the imperial exams, and he had some free time today to come check the results.

As Ming Yi stepped out but hadn’t yet boarded her carriage, Minister Gu hurried over to greet her. Ming Yi turned and returned the courtesy, congratulating him, “Minister Gu, congratulations. Gu Jinhuan has topped the metropolitan examination.”

Minister Gu was momentarily stunned, then beamed with joy. “The Chancellor flatters me.”

Ming Yi boarded her carriage and departed, with Du Yan following closely behind. Minister Gu personally went to the Gu residence to find Gu Jinhuan.

Gu Jinhuan wasn’t there, so Gu Jinse took his place, calling out “Uncle” a couple of times.

Minister Gu was overjoyed. Seeing her, he couldn’t stop praising her. Gu Jinse could hardly force a smile she felt like crying but held back, stepping forward to deal with the situation.

There was still the palace examination to come, so Minister Gu didn’t dare delay her time. After offering a few words of encouragement to focus on her studies, he returned to his residence and wrote a letter back to Yuhang to share the good news.

After he left, Gu Jinse lay on the bed, fuming. She wanted to curse but had no energy left, so she picked up a book and started reading.

As she read, she muttered under her breath, “I hope she never comes back, or I’ll break her legs.”

In this world, all trades were considered inferior only scholarly pursuits were held in high regard. Studying was the best path forward.

Just before the metropolitan examination, Gu Jinhuan sent a letter back: “I’ll return only when you acknowledge Seventh Lady. As for the palace examination, my elder sister can handle it.”

Gu Jinse was dumbfounded. “How, how can someone be so shameless? He… he… he…”

She stammered for a long time, unable to form a complete sentence. Gu Jinse was on the verge of tears.

The steward caught his breath, unsure what to do, and suggested, “Why don’t we just go along with it? Let’s go back.”

Suddenly, Gu Jinse asked, “Do we have to take off our clothes for the palace examination?”

The steward was taken aback. “I don’t know. Probably not.”

There was no affection between Gu Jinse and her younger brother their personalities clashed, and their values didn’t align. Gu Jinhuan, arrogant about his talents, had always looked down on her. Perhaps driven by sheer anger, she gritted her teeth and declared, “Fine! I’ll go take the palace examination. It’s just writing essays, I can do that too.”

Minister Gu had come to encourage her with such high hopes. If she were to skip the exam, it would cause an uproar and bring trouble.

Besides, Gu Jinhuan was just too infuriating.

The next day, fueled by a night of sleepless rage, she marched off to the examination with fierce determination.

Ming Yi spotted her but showed no reaction. Du Yan, however, exclaimed in surprise, “He’s really quite handsome.”

“Is he? Just average, I’d say.” Ming Yi remained calm. It seemed Gu Jinhuan had gone missing, how interesting.

Ming Yi walked over to her. Gu Jinse grew nervous and asked, “Do we have to take off our clothes?”

Du Yan, following behind, was shocked and instinctively took a few steps back. They’re having an affair!

Ming Yi turned and glanced at Du Yan. Du Yan chuckled softly, bowed, and stepped away to avoid interrupting them.

Once Du Yan was out of earshot, Ming Yi asked, “Where is Gu Jinhuan?”

“I don’t know. Are you going to report me?” Gu Jinse replied listlessly, thoroughly disheartened. She hung her head, her gaze lowered, and in that instant, she caught sight of ‘Du Yan’s’ hands.

Recalling that night, she whispered, “You’re not married, are you?”

Ming Yi curved her lips and nodded. “Are you going to marry me?”

Gu Jinse felt utterly miserable. A few days ago, she had acted on impulse, and as time passed, she regretted it more and more she shouldn’t have come to take the exam in someone else’s place. But since she was already here, she couldn’t just leave. Gu Jinse had no choice but to flatter her: “If you let me in to take the exam, I’ll marry you.”

Ming Yi, having gotten her way, wore a cold expression but smiled. “Fine, you may go in.”

In that moment, Gu Jinse’s mood lifted considerably. Emboldened, she asked another question: “Can you help me find Gu Jinhuan?”

“Sure, I can break his legs for you,” Ming Yi replied humorously.

Gu Jinse was taken aback. So the esteemed Minister Du was actually this easy to talk to rumors really couldn’t be trusted. Happily, she went in to take the exam.

The palace examination wasn’t presided over by the emperor himself but by the examiners, most of whom were high-ranking officials. This time, even Zhang Mingqian had come.

After the exam ended, the papers were graded by the examiners and then presented to the emperor to determine the rankings.

Gu Jinse didn’t dwell on it anymore. Having passed the peak of her anxiety, she went home and slept for two full days. She woke up on the third day, the day the results were posted.

She had placed as the Tanhua, the last among the top three.

Steward Liu Mi wept bitterly, but Gu Jinse sneered and said, “What are you crying for? Go home and deliver the news. Also, tell Grandfather that I’ve arranged a fine marriage for Gu Jinhuan.”

Liu Mi was astonished. “Which family?”

“The Du family in the capital Minister Du Yan,” Gu Jinse replied with a smug smile.

Liu Mi fainted on the spot. That was one of the feared figures in the court! Moreover, she was already twenty-five, while the young master was only seventeen.

How could they be a match?

When Liu Mi came to, he vehemently opposed the idea, but Gu Jinse retorted, “It’s common for husbands to be over ten years older than their wives. Why can’t a woman be eight or nine years older than a man?”

Liu Mi was left speechless. “Th-this… this is unreasonable!”

Gu Jinse paid no heed. The deal was done, and it was too late for regrets now. She just wanted to scare Gu Jinhuan a bit. When he returned, he could beg and plead to have the engagement called off himself.

As the steward wept bitterly, Gu Jinse was in high spirits. She freshened up and went out to enjoy herself.

Coincidentally, Minister Gu’s residence was hosting a banquet and had sent someone to invite her, but she missed it completely. At the banquet were Ming Yi, Du Yan, and several other examiners, it was meant as a thank-you banquet. By custom, it should have been hosted by Gu Jinse’s parents, but since they were far away in Yuhang, Minister Gu had taken care of it on their behalf.

After waiting for a while without seeing her, Minister Gu decided not to wait any longer and gave the order to begin the feast.

After the banquet ended, Du Yan, on behalf of her friend Ming Yi, probed Minister Gu: “Has Tanhua Gu married yet?””

Minister Gu, having drunk some wine, was a bit muddled. He paused for a moment before shaking his head. “Not yet.”

In a few days, during the palace announcement and the flower-adorned parade, many would try to snatch a son-in-law from among the top candidates. If they didn’t bring it up soon, it would be too late.

Minister Gu suddenly understood and sobered up instantly. He quietly asked, “What does Minister Du mean by this?”

“In a few days, during the flower parade, Tanhua Gu is so handsome, Minister Gu should be cautious,” Du Yan hinted subtly.

“I understand what Minister Du means,” Minister Gu replied with a smile.

Du Yan left. Minister Gu was puzzled his nephew was truly in high demand.

On the day of the Golden Palace Announcement, Gu Jinhuan was nowhere to be seen, so Gu Jinse had no choice but to enter the palace herself. First, she had to collect the robes of the Tanhualang (Third-Ranked Scholar), then kneel before the emperor to express her gratitude, and finally parade through the city streets. This was the most glorious day for scholars.

After receiving the robes, Gu Jinse needed to change out of her own clothes. But as a woman, she had to request a private room to change in.

The robes were difficult to put on, and after struggling for a long time, she still hadn’t managed to wear them properly. She grew frantic, feeling utterly helpless.

The Zhuangyuanlang (Top Scholar) waited outside and knocked on the door, asking, “TGu Tan Hua, do you need any help?”

The Zhuangyuanlang was thirty years old, already married with children, and had a caring disposition toward younger scholars. His own son was thirteen, just four years younger than Gu Tan Hua.

Gu Jinse panicked, clutching the robes tightly. “No, no need. I’m almost done.”

She was growing increasingly anxious. Everyone else had already changed and was standing in the courtyard chatting leisurely about the day’s events, the Flower-Adorned Parade and the tradition of catching a son-in-law under the rankings, which were considered delightful tales.

Suddenly, Ming Yi arrived. Her gaze swept across the courtyard, but she didn’t see Gu Jinse. She asked the Zhuangyuanlang, “Where is Gu Tan Hua?”

The Zhuangyuanlang bowed and pointed toward the room.

Without a second thought, Ming Yi pushed the door open and entered. Everyone’s eyes widened in shock had she just gone in like that?