The Prime Minister Claims She's Pregnant - Chapter 50

Mentioning another woman so abruptly caused Ming Yi’s eyes to flicker slightly. “She is average,” she remarked.

Gu Jinse dropped the subject. Back at home, she tumbled onto the bed and clung to Ming Yi, refusing to let go.

 

After the Mid-Autumn Festival, the days grew cooler. Since leaving the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince had managed several practical affairs, earning constant praise from the Emperor, who seemed eager to proclaim his virtues to the world. Gu Jinse, meanwhile, spent her days lying around like a salted fish, utterly devoid of ambition.

 

During these unmotivated days, the Ministry of Revenue finally welcomed a new Minister: Shu Zhi, the younger brother of General Weiyuan.

 

Back when she was getting married, Gu Jinse had sent Shu Zhi’s wife to the magistrate’s office, causing the resentment between their two manors to run as deep as the sea. Gu Jinse felt she had no talent for political resistance; rather than being hounded to death, she figured it would be better to simply resign. However, she did not understand the protocol for resigning in ancient times, so she planned to ask Ming Yi when she got home.

 

Her plan was beautiful, but the other party did not wait for her. In front of all her colleagues, Shu Zhi gave her a scathing scolding, mocking her for having no ability and relying on a woman to rise in rank.

 

Gu Jinse looked up from the lecture, met his gaze, and said, “Does your wife know you are speaking to me this way, Sir?”

 

The room suddenly went quiet. Seeing Gu Jinse’s innocent expression, her colleagues wore looks of inexplicable horror.

 

“Gu Jinhuan, what is the meaning of this?” Shu Zhi’s beard quivered with rage.

 

Gu Jinse smiled playfully. “When the Chancellor and I married, I offended your wife. How about I go to your manor another day to apologize to her? Please do not be angry anymore, alright?”

 

It was a blatant case of public revenge for a private grudge.

 

Everyone immediately understood that the superior was making life difficult for his subordinate. Faced with Gu Jinse’s humble offer of an apology, Shu Zhi was stunned. He had not expected her to bring up the old scandal so directly. Feeling his dignity slipping, he snapped, “Stop speaking such nonsense!”

 

“It is the truth. I shall go to your house tomorrow to apologize to Madam. It is only right, truly right.” Gu Jinse gazed at her superior with such fervent enthusiasm that she seemed terrified of being scolded again.

 

Shu Zhi was speechless and stormed off, flicking his sleeves.

 

Instead of letting him go, Gu Jinse chased after him, shouting, “Master Shu, do not go! I truly wish to apologize!”

 

After he left, her colleagues crowded around asking for the reason. Gu Jinse initially refused to speak, but when they would not let her leave, she reluctantly told the story of how the old Madam of General Weiyuan’s manor had sent a white handkerchief to her wedding and how her own house had been splashed with black dog blood. Naturally, she omitted the fact that she was the one who had splashed the dog blood on the other party.

 

She also mentioned how the old Madam had put on airs at the Chancellor’s Manor to try and disrupt the wedding. The crowd gasped. A colleague comforted her, “Brother Gu, do not take it to heart. You were in the right. If someone insulted my wife like that, I would not just kick them out; I would do something much harsher.”

 

As everyone offered their sympathies, Gu Jinse accepted them gracefully. The moment work was over, she dragged a cart full of gifts to General Weiyuan’s Manor to apologize. Along the way, she had gongs and drums playing while Tuntun shouted at the top of her lungs, “Our Supervisor knows her mistake! She will never kick Madam Shu out again! We beg Master Shu’s forgiveness!”

 

By the time they reached the gates of the General’s Manor, a large crowd of curious commoners had gathered behind the procession.

 

Tuntun, possessing great strength, struck the gong with a deafening boom. Gu Jinse covered her ears, dismounted slowly, and yelled, “Master Shu, I have realized my mistake! Rest assured, if Madam Shu or your mother ever come to interfere with my marriage again, I promise to treat them as honored guests! I speak no lies!”

 

After shouting several times, the manor steward came out, looking pale and red with embarrassment, and tried to invite her inside. Gu Jinse refused to budge. “Has your master forgiven me? If not, I will not enter.”

 

She continued to babble on as if there were no end to it. Finally, Shu Zhi personally came out to usher her in just to stop the spectacle.

 

A moment later, Gu Jinse walked out with a beaming face. The commoners had mostly dispersed. Tuntun struck the gong one last time and bellowed, “Congratulations to our Supervisor and Master Shu for reconciling their past grievances!”

 

After three such shouts, Shu Zhi, unable to bear the public humiliation any longer, retreated deep into his manor.

 

Gu Jinse returned home satisfied. Since they had not accepted the gifts, the cartload was brought back. By the time she reached the manor, the moon was high. Ming Yi had just finished meeting with her aides and was eating noodles. She looked up in surprise. “Back from walking the monkey?”

 

Gu Jinse burst out laughing. “It was quite effective. You should try it sometime. You should have seen Shu Zhi’s face; it was hideous. Let us see if he dares to make things difficult for me again.”

 

Dinner was chicken soup noodles. The broth had been simmering all day, and the aroma was rich. Gu Jinse, who was starving, ate two bowls in a row. Afterward, the two sat under the veranda eating fruit and chatting peacefully.

 

“Shu Zhi is a military official. His promotion to Minister of Revenue was suggested by my biological father. After guarding the border for so many years, seeking official positions for family is only natural.”

 

“The borders have been stable for years; his contributions are not small.”

 

Gu Jinse noted that Ming Yi spoke of her biological father as if he were a mere acquaintance. Her tone was calm and her heart undisturbed. She asked, “Have you ever met him?”

 

“No, not even once. When the scandal broke back then, he did not return.” Ming Yi bit into a fruit, the sourness hitting her teeth. “I wonder. After he left the capital for the border, he found other women. He could marry, have children, and live such a good life. Everyone says he is a heroic Great General. But my mother, she guarded the home for him, and after she made a mistake.”

 

“Many times, I wonder. If he had been home, if he had never left, would those things have happened?”

 

Gu Jinse frowned. The Emperor was truly unkind. A subject guards the border for him, and he seduces that subject’s wife and then refuses to make amends. It was truly the height of wickedness.

 

“There is no use discussing what ifs. Besides, given his unreliable nature, he would not have been much better to you if he had stayed in the capital. He has scumbag written all over him.”

 

Ming Yi laughed. “True. You think very clearly. Let us go to sleep. In a few days, during the break, the autumn scenery will be lovely. Let us go out of the city to play.”

 

“An autumn outing? Or are you going on business and taking me along for the ride?” Gu Jinse guessed the latter. Ming Yi was so busy; how could she have time for a simple pleasure trip?

 

Ming Yi lowered her eyes, her long lashes trembling slightly. “I want to go see my mother.”

 

“Oh, to see Mother.” Gu Jinse understood immediately. She instinctively squeezed Ming Yi’s hand and smiled. “Your mother is my mother, too. Whether you acknowledge my mother is up to you, though I doubt she would recognize you. Think about it: you are twenty-seven, and she is thirty-four. She would resent you for making her sound so old.”

 

Ming Yi gave a soft smile.

 

They returned to the room to sleep. Each stayed on their side, and Ming Yi once again placed a bowl of water between them. Gu Jinse could not understand. “We have been together three times already. Why are you still guarding against me like I am a thief?”

 

“I am not guarding against you; I am guarding against myself,” Ming Yi said with a smile.

 

Gu Jinse did not believe her. “Do you think I am that easy to fool? You are a very quiet sleeper; you do not move around at all.”

 

“Is that so? My mother said I used to crawl from the head of the bed to the foot in my sleep.” Ming Yi preferred to reveal her own embarrassing secrets rather than back down.

 

Gu Jinse was speechless. “Good grief, you are even more shameless than I am.”

 

Defeated, she lay down on her side of the water bowl and stared at the rafters. Ming Yi fell into a pleasant sleep.

 

When she woke up, Gu Jinse felt her limbs were stiff. She was forced to get up for work, grumbling as she dressed. Ming Yi listened to the muttering until she heard the phrase “salted fish,” after which it went quiet.

 

That evening, the Emperor hosted another family banquet. The Crown Prince and his consort attended, chatting and laughing. Gu Jinse, sitting opposite them, was baffled. “How does the Crown Princess manage to look so happy?”

 

“Interests,” Ming Yi replied nonchalantly, taking a sip of tea.

 

Gu Jinse feigned taking a drink from her wine cup, covering her mouth with her sleeve to whisper, “The Crown Princess is truly magnanimous.”

 

“Extremely magnanimous,” Ming Yi agreed with a hint of admiration.

 

Gu Jinse lowered her lashes and peeked at Ming Yi. “I think it is interesting. Look, the husband and wife are very much alike. Do you not think the Crown Prince and Princess seem a bit familiar?”

 

“Like the Emperor and Empress,” Ming Yi said, her words as precious as gold.

 

Gu Jinse smiled, her lips curving. As she lowered her sleeve, she quickly straightened her posture, acting as if nothing had happened. Opposite them, the Crown Princess toasted her husband; they looked harmonious and joyful.

 

Seeing this, Ming Yi suddenly remarked, “In a few days, it will be the second Seven for the Marchioness.”

 

After someone dies, a sacrificial meal is offered every seven days to ensure they do not become a hungry ghost.

 

The Crown Prince’s expression shifted instantly. His hands holding the wine cup trembled slightly. The Crown Princess’s gentle facade vanished; her face turned cold as she countered, “Is the Chancellor pitying her, or pitying someone else?”

 

“I pity her, and I pity others.” Ming Yi did not back down, meeting the Princess’s gaze directly. “Does the Crown Princess have something specific in mind?”

 

“Chancellor, the Crown Princess is just jealous.” The Third Princess rose from her seat and walked over to her brother and sister-in-law, raising her wine cup. “I heard Father has arranged another marriage for my cousin. It is the daughter of General Weiyuan, his eldest legitimate daughter.”

 

Gu Jinse froze. Isn’t General Weiyuan’s eldest legitimate daughter Ming Yi?

 

She looked at Ming Yi, who was staring down at the bamboo patterns on her sleeves, seemingly lost in her own world with no intention of refuting the claim.

 

The Crown Prince was also stunned. “Third Sister, where did you hear this news?”

 

The Third Princess looked incredibly proud. “It was discussed between Father and Mother. They said General Weiyuan has worked hard and achieved much, and his daughter is already twenty years old, a perfect match for my cousin.”

 

Ming Yi remained silent. Gu Jinse, feeling a surge of irritation, spoke up: “The two of them are indeed a match. Third Princess, do you know where General Weiyuan is stationed?”

 

The Third Princess froze, staring blankly at Gu Jinse. The young gentleman in her eyes smiled at her, his voice soft, his face like jade, exceedingly elegant. She could not help but smile back. “I do not know. Do you?”

 

Ming Yi suddenly looked up, staring coldly at the Third Princess. Caught off guard by the glare, the Princess felt a shiver of fear. Ming Yi’s authority was well-established, and it frightened her into taking two steps back.

 

The Crown Prince suddenly added, “The daughters of General Weiyuan are all married. The one the Third Sister mentions is divorced and has been living at home for two years.”

 

The Third Princess was stunned. “She was married?”

 

The Crown Princess echoed her husband’s sentiment: “She is not an official; at twenty, of course she has been married. Besides, the place General Weiyuan guards.” She paused, covering a smile with her sleeve. “It is a land of barbarians. Let alone a second marriage, there are those who marry three or four times. It fits the Heir perfectly.”

 

A divorcee for a widower; a perfect match!

The Third Princess returned to her seat in a huff, flicking her sleeves in frustration.

The first round concluded just as the Emperor and Empress arrived. Everyone rose to receive them, and the Emperor smilingly motioned for them to be seated.

 

The gathering today was quite comprehensive; every concubine with offspring was present. The young princes sat in a neat row, and the little princesses sat even more upright. In this dynasty, princesses were typically used for international marriages to stabilize the court, and few were permitted to remain in the capital.

 

Below the Third Princess were several younger princesses. The Fourth Princess was fourteen years old, born to Consort De. Consort De was clearly favored, having given birth to the Seventh Prince and the Eighth Princess as well; all four of her children were living and healthy.

 

Though the Fifth Prince had died young, Consort De accounted for two of the Emperor’s six sons. However, today she looked like a peony struck by frost, completely devoid of her usual spirit. The Noble Consort continued to insert herself between the Emperor and Empress, while the wet nurses worked hard to look after the little princesses. It was a scene of domestic harmony.

 

With the overbearing Third Princess as a contrast, the Fourth Princess appeared exceptionally well-behaved. She sat in her place, neither speaking nor looking at anyone, simply keeping her head down to eat.

 

Looking closely, her features bore a slight resemblance to Ming Yi. Especially when she was silent, she possessed a cold, detached aura; one could see a glimpse of the fourteen-year-old Ming Yi in her.

 

After observing for nearly half an hour, Gu Jinse noticed something strange. From the moment she started paying attention, she had not heard the Fourth Princess say a single word. While the Third Princess sat in front of her chattering incessantly, the Fourth Princess remained stoically quiet.

 

“Chancellor Ming, is the Fourth Princess unable to speak?”

 

Ming Yi suddenly looked up, following Gu Jinse’s gaze. The Fourth Princess sat with lowered eyes and remained silent, appearing isolated from the world. Gu Jinse pressed further, “I have only heard of the Third Princess’s temper, but no one mentions the Fourth.”

 

“She is mute. She swallowed muting poison when she was eleven.”

 

“Why did she take poison?”

 

“Three years ago, the Second Princess was ordered into an arranged marriage. She was unwilling and attempted suicide by jumping into a river. While she was clinging to life, His Majesty intended to choose one of the other two as a replacement: the Third Princess or the Fourth. At that time, the Empress Dowager was still alive. She declared that the Third Princess was of legitimate birth, so everyone assumed the Fourth Princess would be chosen. Later that night, the Fourth Princess drank the poison. She fell into a coma, and when she woke up, she could no longer speak.”

 

Ming Yi continued calmly, “The Fifth Princess was only eight then, so she managed to avoid the situation. His Majesty ordered the Second Princess to be saved, and fortunately, she survived. You should understand now why the Eldest Princesses of this dynasty act so outrageously without anyone criticizing them; they are all survivors who escaped arranged marriages.”

 

Gu Jinse was shocked. Looking at the young girl diagonally opposite her, she could not help but feel a wave of pity.

 

Since the Third Princess had failed to gain an advantage in her earlier provocation, she spent the rest of the banquet sitting in her place chatting and laughing with others, occasionally mocking the Fourth Princess. In short, she did not dare provoke Ming Yi again.

 

Gu Jinse was happy to be left in peace, though she kept glancing at the Fourth Princess. She could not keep her thoughts to herself. “Tell me, Consort De is usually so arrogant. How could she fail to act at such a critical moment?”

 

“The Empress Dowager was still alive then. If she had not favored the Third Princess, it would not have fallen to the Fourth. There have been many legitimate princesses in this dynasty sent for arranged marriages. But the Empress Dowager said the Third Princess was filial and she wanted to keep her around longer. Consort De and the Zhao family were helpless. After the Fourth Princess drank the poison, Consort De was utterly devastated.”

 

Gu Jinse was lost in her own thoughts, remembering a TV drama where a child faked being mute to escape a trap. She instinctively asked, “Is she truly mute, or is she faking it?”

 

A princess sent for marriage must be healthy. By becoming a mute, the Fourth Princess ensured she would never be sent away.

 

Ming Yi frowned, staring at the girl’s clear eyes in a daze. Gu Jinse was so clever that she would eventually be silenced for knowing too much.

 

Ming Yi ignored the question and looked down. Catching sight of the Crown Princess adjusting the Crown Prince’s robes opposite them, she turned to Gu Jinse and reached out to straighten her shoulders. “Stop staring around.”

 

Gu Jinse loved wearing red. Madam Gu thought red was auspicious. When she was small, she looked cute in primrose, but as an adult, she looked beautiful in red. She had inherited her mother’s taste; red robes occupied half her wardrobe. Today, she wore red inside with a silver robe over it, making her face look as radiant as a peach blossom.

 

Ming Yi was dissatisfied with her constantly staring at other girls. She narrowed her eyes and lowered her voice. “Have some respect for my dignity. I am a woman too.”

 

Gu Jinse tilted her head. Ming Yi’s fingertips brushed against her neck. It was itchy, like the flick of a feather. She could only swallow hard. The other woman’s eyes were shifting between light and dark, clearly showing her displeasure.

 

After straightening the robe, Ming Yi’s hand moved to Gu Jinse’s waist, fiddling with the jade belt. Beneath the belt was a piece of exquisite jade.

 

Gu Jinse felt her heart race. She was nervous and her throat felt dry. Ming Yi, looking graceful, seemed to be enjoying herself. Gu Jinse took a breath as Ming Yi tightened the jade belt, as if she intended to snap her waist in two.

 

Opposite them, the Crown Princess watched as Supervisor Gu’s face turned from pink to bright red. Holding her breath, the Princess suddenly smiled and secretly took the Crown Prince’s hand. “They are very much in love.”

 

“It is just what you see on the surface,” the Crown Prince snorted. “Gu Jinhuan is not faithful when he is out. He even caused a scene before Father last time. Chancellor Ming’s deep affection is ultimately being wasted.”

 

“Is that so?” The Crown Princess raised her eyebrows in feigned pity, though she sneered inwardly.

 

After being “disciplined” by Ming Yi, Gu Jinse immediately became well-behaved. She picked up her wine glass and took small sips, her red ears betraying her embarrassment.

 

Ming Yi acted as if nothing had happened. Instead, she took the wine from Gu Jinse’s hand and took a sip, leaving a lipstick mark on the rim of the cup.

 

Gu Jinse thought, Is this a declaration of sovereignty? This is ridiculous!

 

As Gu Jinse stared blankly at the wine glass with the lip print, that fair, slender hand reached out again, taking the cup and draining the wine in one gulp.

 

After the glass of wine, a flush rose to Ming Yi’s snow-white cheeks. Her light makeup took on a touch of seduction, and the wine glistening on her lips added a hint of desire.

 

She looked cold, elegant, and fiercely determined.

 

Gu Jinse stared dazed for a moment. The Second Prince suddenly spoke up, “Elder Sister, you have your own wine. Why are you drinking Brother-in-law’s?”

 

Ming Yi swirled her wine glass, her eyes lifting slightly. “You have your own clothes. Why are you wearing your secondary consort’s?”

 

The Second Prince was speechless, his face burning. The Princess Consort beside him acted as if she had not heard the remark, not even lifting her head.

 

The Noble Consort, who had been entangled with the Emperor and Empress, suddenly said, “The Second Prince has so many women that he likely doesn’t know what marital love looks like. Do not bother arguing with a fool; it is exhausting.”

 

Gu Jinse wanted to laugh. The Noble Consort was just like her own mother—extremely harsh toward her own son, though others didn’t know just how bad the son truly was.

 

The family banquet ended peacefully. Gu Jinse and Ming Yi left together, followed by the Crown Prince and Princess, with the faint sounds of the Fifth Princess trailing behind. The Second Prince and his consort walked in front. The Second Prince was drunk and supported by a maid; his consort wouldn’t touch him at all, as if even a brush against him would bring bad luck.

 

The Third Princess was too noisy, sounding like ninety-nine ducks quacking non-stop.

 

Ming Yi had been holding Gu Jinse’s hand, but the noise gave her a headache. She suddenly stopped and looked at the Third Princess. “If you say another word, I will throw you into the river.”

 

The Third Princess froze, remembering how Ming Yi had snatched the wine earlier. She huffed and hurried away. Even the Crown Prince and Princess sped up, fearing they would be left behind and subjected to more misery.

 

Gu Jinse, not understanding the gravity of the situation, simply held Ming Yi’s hand. Ming Yi raised her hand and gestured to her. “Come here.”

 

As the words fell, Ming Yi reached out and embraced Gu Jinse. A passionate kiss pulled the dazed girl into a whirlwind of romance.

 

The five people in front were so shocked they were speechless. The Third Princess stomped her foot, and the Crown Princess hurriedly pulled her away. “Let’s go, quickly!”