The Prime Minister Claims She's Pregnant - Chapter 53

A woman’s pregnancy is no rare occurrence, but when the Emperor tests the waters, he always has a secondary motive.

Ming Yi’s expression shifted instantly, but Gu Jinse remained as composed as ever. She said with a beaming smile, “I told him that you caught a cold during the banquet last night, and he breathed a sigh of relief. Honestly, what is the big deal if a subordinate gets pregnant? Is he expecting you to stay barren your whole life?”

A boss this heartless should be avoided at all costs. What a pervert!

Ming Yi sat up abruptly, staring at her smile. “What is there to fear? His Majesty already has one foot in the grave. By the way, how was the wedding at the Yongping Manor?”

“Not very lively,” Gu Jinse replied honestly. “There weren’t many guests. It seems everyone knew our intentions. Even if they didn’t come to the Gu Manor, they didn’t go to the Yongping Manor either. You see, your influence definitely surpasses theirs. You used to be too indifferent, which gave them the chance to bully you. From now on, you must live with intent. If there is to be suffering, let everyone suffer together. Consort De has certainly quieted down quite a bit.”

“Alright, alright.” Ming Yi surrendered. Facing that non-stop little mouth, she was helpless. After all, a temporary victory meant little in the long run.

Gu Jinse, however, was already brewing more mischief. She looked at Ming Yi, her mind spinning. “Should we stage a scene where you ‘catch a cold’ and then ‘discover’ a pregnancy?”

“And where are you going to get me a baby ten months from now?” Ming Yi asked crossly.

Gu Jinse was left speechless, genuinely wondering: Where does one acquire a baby on short notice?

Ming Yi ignored her and ordered hot water to be prepared. She then fixed her gaze on Gu Jinse. “It is time for you to go to the office.”

“I know. I’m leaving now.” Gu Jinse left with a face full of exaggerated misery.

The two went about their respective business. As autumn deepened, the weather turned much cooler, requiring extra layers in the mornings and evenings. Gu Jinse had the servants prepare her autumn wardrobe early; half of the clothes were red.

The Yu family in Jinling sent a massive haul of gifts—five or six carriages filled to the brim with Jinling specialties and plenty of silver and gold.

The Yu family’s way of gifting was simple and crude: dazzling pearls, beautiful headpieces, and high-quality winter furs. Gu Jinse brought a handful of pearls to Ming Yi. “Do you like them? Shall I have some headpieces made for you? I think the hairpins on the Third Princess are quite nice; I’ll have some similar ones made for you.”

The Yongping Manor was also wealthy and frequently supported the Third Princess, making the other princesses green with envy. There was nothing they could do; her maternal uncles were reliable.

Ming Yi’s maternal uncles, on the other hand, were utterly unreliable—better left unmentioned.

Ming Yi looked over the thick gift manifest. “Your uncles likely started preparing these gifts the moment they left the capital. It is a pity we cannot help them much. I thought about transferring your father to the capital, but with his inexperienced temperament, he would likely cause trouble. Yuhang is far from the capital; distant water cannot put out a nearby fire.”

“Mother sent two letters saying she found a good doctor for Sister Ashang—wait, I mean Aunt Ashang. She’s trying to get her illness cured. She might stay in Yuhang for a while longer and told us not to worry; she is doing well.” Gu Jinse’s mood improved. “Sister Ashang is so beautiful, even more so than me. Mother always says if she were healthy, she would definitely have children by now.”

“Do you want children?” Ming Yi asked suddenly.

“I don’t. I just feel bad for her,” Gu Jinse said, spreading her hands. “Alright, I’m going to check on the shops during my day off. Take a look at those gifts and see if the manor can use them all. If you have any close friends, send some over. You are the head of the house; you arrange it.”

At the mention of being the “head of the house,” the usually cold and self-contained Ming Yi burst into a laugh. She quickly straightened her face. “You aren’t allowed to keep making me laugh.”

“I was just thinking of those stories about ‘The Overbearing Merchant and His Little Wife.’ They always write something like, ‘Our master hasn’t laughed this happily since he was a child.’ See? That’s exactly you.” Gu Jinse doubled over with laughter. Thinking of those melodramatic plots, she wished she could bring some modern books for the Chancellor to read.

Ming Yi turned red from the teasing. Her eyes avoided Gu Jinse’s as she got up and fled the room.

Gu Jinse leaned over the desk, laughing until tears came. Isn’t it fun when the tropes from books come to life?

The General Weiyuan Manor held a “Return to the Bride’s Home” banquet and actually sent an invitation to Ming Yi.

The melodrama took a sharp turn. Gu Jinse felt they were setting a trap, or perhaps the Marquis of Weiyuan found out the Emperor was the “other man” and wanted to make peace.

“Are you going?” Gu Jinse asked.

“What would I go for?”

“To play! To tear off their ugly masks. It’s a ‘revenge story’ rhythm; it’ll be satisfying.”

“I am not going. It has nothing to do with me. Burn the invitation.”

“Don’t do that! Let’s have some fun. Shu Zhi is my boss, after all. What if he makes my life difficult?” Gu Jinse feigned fear, clutching her chest. “Are you just going to leave me to my fate?”

“You are fit to be an actor; you play the villain quite vividly.” Ming Yi couldn’t help but expose her little scheme. “Shu Jingyue’s mother is on her second marriage. Her previous husband was a local merchant. After he died, she met the General. I heard she donated a lot of grain and clothing to the army, so she has quite a bit of prestige.”

Gu Jinse’s eyes sparkled with gossip. Ming Yi shot her a look of utter helplessness and continued, “Shu Jingyue takes after her father. I heard she is quite masculine and has been on the battlefield; her martial arts are excellent. If you meet her, your small frame won’t survive her mockery. What could you possibly do there?”

“I’ll use my mouth! I can debate a crowd single-handedly,” Gu Jinse said, her morale undiminished.

Ming Yi mocked her, “By repeating the story about the Emperor again?”

Gu Jinse deflated. “Is that not allowed?”

“It’s boring. I am not going,” Ming Yi said, appearing entirely uninterested.

Gu Jinse sighed and continued to egg her on. “She’s practically knocking on your door to provoke you. Are you just going to wait for her to curse you?”

“Let her curse first.” Ming Yi brushed her sleeves and stood up, leaving Gu Jinse with a tall, elegant view of her back. Her green dress exuded grace and a total indifference to fame and fortune.

Feeling bored, Gu Jinse rolled around on the small couch. Dealing with a slow-tempered person was truly a trial. She yelled out at Ming Yi’s back, “Our personalities are incompatible!”

Ming Yi paused and looked back. “Then I shall beat you into submission.”

Ming Yi’s life motto since childhood: If you aren’t convinced, I’ll beat you until you are. The Crown Prince was the prime example.

Gu Jinse ducked her head. She had suffered under Ming Yi’s hands before and didn’t want to fall for it a second time.

After the banquet, everything returned to peace. Ming Yi went to court, and Gu Jinse continued her “salted fish” lifestyle. While she was lying around, her boss retired, and a supervisor had to be chosen to fill the vacancy.

Her colleagues began sending gifts everywhere, cramming at the last minute. It was a stark contrast to Gu Jinse, who didn’t move a muscle.

Ming Yi couldn’t stand it and urged her, “You should put in some effort too.”

“Effort for what? I have a beautiful wife and a fortune; I can just lie here and eat. I don’t want to move. And don’t you dare pull strings for me; I like things just the way they are.” Gu Jinse rolled over, giving Ming Yi a nonchalant view of the back of her head.

Ming Yi was speechless. Fine, let’s just go to sleep.

The “salted fish” was eventually dragged before the Emperor. The Emperor advised her earnestly, saying that since Ming Yi’s rank was so high, as her husband, she should work harder and not be so lazy. Aside from the daily check-in, she had no achievements to speak of. If this continued, others would mock her for “living off a woman.”

Gu Jinse sat dejectedly on the floor, wanting to say, “You are not a fish, how can you know the joy of a fish?” But she swallowed the words. You couldn’t reason with the Emperor, so she just listened.

After a long lecture, the Crown Prince started in on her. But the Prince’s words were too stiff; eventually, he implied that if she didn’t improve, she should get a divorce.

Gu Jinse widened her eyes and asked, “Does the Chancellor know about this? Is Your Highness not afraid of being pinned down and beaten by the Chancellor the moment you leave this hall?”

As a child, the Crown Prince was beaten by Ming Yi every few days. The attendants didn’t dare say anything, and though the Prince wanted to hit back, he was no match for her, and the Empress didn’t care for him. If he complained to the Emperor, the Emperor would just say, “You can’t even beat a little girl? How embarrassing.”

Having his old shame brought up, the Crown Prince turned beet-red and shut up immediately.

The Emperor continued the lecture for a long time before finally saying, “Since you are unwilling, I shall reject Ming Yi’s proposal for your promotion.”

With her promotion hopes dashed, Gu Jinse bowed deeply, expressing tearful gratitude. However, the moment she left the hall, her smile vanished. The Emperor had never intended to promote her; he was just putting on a show for the Chancellor.

After the palace trip, the Emperor issued a decree in the afternoon. The lucky colleague who got the promotion cheered and announced a celebratory banquet at Yong’an Tower that night.

Gu Jinse declined, but since all her colleagues were going, she looked out of place. She had to send someone to explain to the Chancellor and remind her to pick her up early to help her escape.

Ming Yi was discussing matters with colleagues at the office. Upon hearing the message, she nodded. “I understand.”

The colleague found it strange. A minor promotion, and it didn’t go to Gu Jinhuan? Since the Chancellor didn’t explain, he didn’t dare ask.

Inside Yong’an Tower, the colleagues celebrated with mutual flattery. Gu Jinse, who felt like an outsider, had already eaten two pork trotters. Yinghui walked over and handed everyone a jar of wine. “I brewed a jar of plum blossom wine last year and opened it a few days ago. This is for all of you.”

Gu Jinse didn’t even look up, focusing solely on the desserts in front of her. The way the colleagues looked at Yinghui changed; she noticed and gave a mocking smile.

Yinghui noticed Gu Jinse and poured the wine personally. “Supervisor Gu, why do you always eat this pork trotter every time you come?”

“If it’s good, I’ll eat more. Manager, you got my lady drunk last time. Are you coming for me today?” Gu Jinse pushed the wine away. “Pork trotters are greasy; if I drink, I’ll surely vomit.”

Yinghui gave a lithe smile, her figure swaying as she handed the wine cup to a waiter and walked away. Total vixen!

Gu Jinse smiled and went back to her trotter. After three rounds of drinks, the colleagues suggested going to a pleasure boat to play and hiring a few songstresses.

“I’m afraid that’s not a good idea. We have to go to the office tomorrow. Besides, if so many of us are seen, someone will impeach us. Zhou Bi still hasn’t come back to this day.” Gu Jinse stood up, feeling a bit too full. She pointed at the bright moon outside. “The bright moon enters my heart, and this heart shall not waver. My wife would be unhappy.”

With that, she turned and left.

The others heard that line—The bright moon enters my heart, and this heart shall not waver—and were about to praise it, but then they suddenly remembered that Gu Jinhuan’s wife was the Chancellor. They sobered up instantly and bid each other farewell to head home.

Gu Jinse boarded her carriage. The ride was bumpy, and after she got off, she couldn’t help but vomit up everything she had eaten. The doorman cried out and rushed to support her.

After vomiting, her stomach still felt a bit uneasy, too much grease. A cup of tea would fix it. She straightened up with a smile and headed home happily.

Ming Yi loved tea. She always had a cup while reading documents under the lamp. When Gu Jinse returned, she naturally picked up Ming Yi’s tea and drained it. The tea was fragrant with a sweet aftertaste, and the temperature was perfect.

Ming Yi was stunned for a second and bit her lip. “Why are you drinking my tea?”

Gu Jinse told a blatant lie. “Your tea is sweet. I won’t drink any other tea, only yours. It’s sweet to the core of my heart.”

“More nonsense,” Ming Yi said helplessly.

Gu Jinse was dissatisfied. “Why didn’t you come to save me?”

“Oh, I forgot,” Ming Yi realized. She stole a glance at the other, only to see her suddenly flare up in anger.

“You don’t care about me at all!” Gu Jinse slammed the table, appearing utterly enraged. She threw a little tantrum, shouting, “You just don’t care about me!”

Uh oh, the temper is flaring.

Ming Yi surrendered. “I was wrong. I will definitely change next time.”

“I don’t believe you!” Gu Jinse turned and left. “I’m going to sleep in the study. I don’t want to see you.”

These were words spoken in anger. Ming Yi was baffled. She looked at the documents spread across the table, then at the empty tea cup. She didn’t quite understand how a single banquet could trigger such a temper. It was quite irrational.

After a brief moment of self-reflection, Ming Yi went back to work.

In the study, Gu Jinse was too hungry to sleep. She tossed and turned before finally getting up to sneak into the kitchen for some barbecue. In this era, barbecue technology was half-baked, mostly focused on roasting meat without much variety.

There were still people on night watch in the kitchen. Gu Jinse looked over some ingredients and had someone wash a crucian carp. She sent a servant to prepare the grill while she picked out some vegetables and had the cook wash them. Once the fish was ready, she had it marinated with salt.

After a lot of work—or rather, a lot of talking—everything was ready. The maid carried the grill toward the study. Tonight was mostly vegetarian; Gu Jinse set the only meat dish, the carp, to one side, calculating that the time wasn’t right yet.

A moment later, a savory aroma drifted from the study. Ming Yi, in the adjacent courtyard, smelled it and sent a maid to investigate. The maid reported the truth. Ming Yi went to sleep, reassured.

The next day, Ming Yi returned quite early. Before the sun had set, she was changing into new clothes in the bedroom. Chunyue brought a letter from Yuhang.

Madam Gu had temporarily stayed in Yuhang for Gu Jinshang’s treatment but had bought a house and moved out of the Gu family estate. After Gu Zhi failed to persuade her otherwise, he had to let her go.

Then, Tuntun handed over another letter: Old Master Gu was looking for a “new wife” for his son.

The words “new wife” made Ming Yi pause. There were only second wives, so where did a “new wife” come from? She wanted to mock Tuntun for using the wrong word, but she swallowed the comment; it was a bit disgusting.

She immediately said, “Write a letter to inform Madam Gu.”

Tuntun replied, “Tuntu already knows, so Madam Gu should as well. However, Madam Gu is open-minded; she long had the intention of taking a concubine for Gu Zhi, but he refused. Also, does the ‘new wife’ mentioned mean that Madam Gu successfully obtained a divorce?”

“If it were successful, Gu Zhi wouldn’t be going to see Madam Gu every few days. Send more people to keep an eye on Old Master Gu and ensure Madam Gu’s safety. Tell Tuntu to guard Madam Gu at all times,” Ming Yi said with a cold laugh.

“I’ll go right away!” Tuntun jumped up and left to handle the task.

Ming Yi changed into a casual dress and called a maid. “Did someone send venison over today?”

“They did. It’s in the kitchen, already marinated. Would you like to eat some?”

“Have them bring it over,” Ming Yi replied.

As the sun fully set, Gu Jinse just emerged from the Ministry of Revenue and boarded her carriage. It wasn’t dark yet, and from a distance, she saw the Third Princess riding a horse. Previously, she had always worn silk dresses, but today she was in a red riding outfit with her long hair in a bun, looking very heroic.

Gu Jinse instinctively hid in the carriage. When meeting a member of the powerful elite, the best way was to hide. She moved fast, and the Third Princess didn’t see her, riding straight past the Ministry of Revenue. It seemed she wasn’t there for her.

The horse galloped fast, and pedestrians couldn’t get out of the way. Some were knocked to the ground, groaning in pain. Gu Jinse couldn’t bear it and had someone go and help them up, checking for injuries and sending them to the clinic if needed.

Galloping on the street and disturbing the public—in modern times, that would be a legal violation.

Gu Jinse boarded her carriage, glancing at the pedestrians groaning by the roadside. Her heart felt bitter. After a moment, she lowered the curtain.

When she reached the manor, a carriage was parked at the gate. It was pitch black now. It was the carriage from the Yongping Manor, along with that familiar horse.

Good grief. The Third Princess and her twice-married cousin-in-law are here for a visit.

Gu Jinse took a glance and stepped over the threshold. Tuntun jumped out from the side. “Supervisor, guests are here. To maintain proper boundaries between men and women, you should go to your courtyard to wash up first. There is roasted venison in the courtyard; it smells delicious and is very nourishing.”

Tuntun spoke without thinking, but Gu Jinse’s face turned red. “I know.”

Nourishing for what?

Gu Jinse felt she was acting out of character. She touched her cheek and walked hurriedly.

In the parlor, the atmosphere was stagnant. Shu Jingyue and the Third Princess wore similar red riding outfits. The styles were slightly different, but their expressions looked as if they were cast from the same mold.

Shu Jingyue said, “Father frequently worries about the Chancellor, not knowing that the woman famous throughout the capital is his own daughter.”

“The General does not know that his daughter changed her name and refuses to acknowledge her ancestors,” the Third Princess added from the side.

Shu Jingyue sighed. “No wonder Father couldn’t find any word of his daughter for so many years. Poor Father and his heart full of fatherly love.”

The Third Princess continued, “Poor General. Now that Sister-in-law knows, she can tell the General so he can rest easy. However, some people are so unfilial that they haven’t cared about their own father for over twenty years.”

Ming Yi, sitting at the head, remained silent. She gazed at the green tea in her cup, letting them mock her as if she hadn’t heard a thing. She remembered a sentence Gu Jinse once said: “The Third Princess is a domineering ‘Green Tea’ (fake/manipulative person).” Then Shu Jingyue was a “Green Tea” without a brain.

She gave a small smile. The Third Princess couldn’t hold back. “What are you laughing at?”

Ming Yi’s eyes darkened. She set the tea aside. “Nothing. It is getting late. I have an appointment with my husband to eat venison on a boat tonight. I won’t see you two out.”

“I heard Supervisor Gu has literary talent but no real ability, living off a woman every day. I wonder if it’s true,” Shu Jingyue said with surprise, her heroic brows furrowed deeply. “Elder Sister, can you let Brother-in-law meet with me?”

“Meet? If you don’t care for your dignity, I still care for mine. The capital is a place of rules, unlike the barbarian lands. We maintain boundaries between men and women. If you are shameless, I still have a reputation to keep,” Ming Yi said with a light smile, her eyes sparkling like stars under the lamp.

“Ming Yi, who is the one being shameless?” Shu Jingyue slammed the table and stood up.

“Whoever is talking is the one being shameless,” Ming Yi replied.

Shu Jingyue walked forward in a rage. Tuntun jumped in and immediately blocked her path, saying, “Chancellor, the Supervisor is waiting impatiently.”

“Very well. Tuntun, see the guests out for me. Put a wooden sign at the gate saying, ‘Shu family members and dogs are not allowed inside,'” Ming Yi said pleasantly. Madam Gu’s method was quite good; it was worth borrowing.

Shu Jingyue cursed her as a “bitch.” Ming Yi stopped abruptly and turned back to look at her. “What did you say?”

“I said…” Before she could finish, Tuntun raised her hand and delivered a slap. She said with surprise, “Marchioness, look! What a big mosquito!”

Ming Yi thought: After staying with Gu Jinse for so long, everyone has become unreasonable!