The Prime Minister Claims She's Pregnant - Chapter 6

Ming Yi strode boldly into the dressing room of the newly appointed Tanhua.

The gathered scholars were astonished, murmuring among themselves about the identity of this woman. The court had many female officials, often of similar age, and they frequently interacted privately, bringing perspectives that differed from their male counterparts. Debates were common in the court. With the Empress Dowager presiding over court affairs and promoting female officials, there was a subtle indication of a more balanced distribution of power.

This year’s scholars couldn’t distinguish one female official from another and were left gaping in disbelief.

Inside the room, Gu Jinse, seeing it was her, breathed a sigh of relief. Pointing at the robe draped over her, she said, “Look, it’s so hard to put on.”

The top three scholars all wore red silk robes, vibrant in color with sleeves that fluttered gracefully.

Gu Jinse had already removed her outer robe, revealing a slender figure beneath her white undergarments, with a pale neck and a glimpse of snowy skin at her chest. Ming Yi glanced at her, recalling only Gu Jinse’s appearance from their hazy encounter that day. Seeing her now, she found her even more captivating. “You can’t even put on a robe properly, yet you dare to take your brother’s place.” she began.

Before she could finish, Gu Jinse covered her mouth. “Ancestor, please don’t say such things.”

Ming Yi blinked, her breathing quickening. In the next moment, Gu Jinse withdrew her hand as if burned, hastily explaining, “I didn’t mean to, please forgive me.”

Ming Yi’s eyes darkened as she stared at Gu Jinse’s flushed face, puzzled. Why was she so shy today, after their passionate encounter? Watching the flustered look in the young woman’s eyes, she smiled faintly. “When will you come to propose marriage?”

Gu Jinse, too embarrassed to meet her gaze, stammered, “Soon, soon.”

Ming Yi sneered, “You want me to marry your younger brother, is that it?”

Gu Jinse: “…” Is she a mind reader? No, no, I just wanted to get engaged to embarrass Gu Jinhuan.

She waved her hands dismissively. Ming Yi raised an eyebrow. “I’ve already killed Gu Jinhuan. Now, you are the Tanhua.”

“Why would you kill someone?!” Gu Jinse jumped up. That was the Gu family’s eldest grandson, the child their grandfather had painstakingly raised, a top scholar.

Ming Yi’s expression was cold, her features sharp and mature, her pale face accentuated by light makeup. She stared intently at Gu Jinse. “You slept with me. Did you think it would be that simple? I took on the crime of deceiving the emperor for you. Did you think I would let myself remain in danger?”

Gu Jinse was furious. Ming Yi smiled gently. “I’m the one who secured your position as Tanhua. My husband must be exceptionally talented.”

“Gu Jinse, behave yourself, and I’ll send Gu Jinhuan back to Yuhang. If you don’t, I can send him to meet the King of Hell anytime.”

Gu Jinse’s anger deflated. Though the words were spoken in a gentle tone, she felt no joy. “I’m already engaged,” she said.

“Oh? To whom? Do you still like men?” Ming Yi found it strange. How dare she get engaged and still provoke her? She had quite the nerve.

Gu Jinse’s expression darkened. “I forgot which family it was. I only heard it in passing. You know I don’t like men. Marrying anyone is the same to me.”

It was just a marriage of convenience. She had already planned to help the man take several concubines and live a carefree life herself.

Ming Yi raised her hand, her fingers resting on Gu Jinse’s collarbone. Instantly, a delicate cherry blossom hue spread across Gu Jinse’s ears. Ming Yi spoke slowly, “I’ll break off the engagement for you.”

Gu Jinse trembled, her gaze fixed on Ming Yi’s exquisite features and fair skin. She was beautiful, naturally elegant, like a lotus emerging from clear water.

“Raise your hand, I’ll help you put on your clothes.” Ming Yi’s voice was steady and clear, like mountain streams flowing down after the thawing of dark ice in spring, carrying an indescribable nuance.

The robe was red, with intricate patterns embroidered on the cuffs, a garment many scholars dreamed of wearing.

Ming Yi’s hands roamed freely over Gu Jinse’s body, her nimble fingertips making Gu Jinse’s heart race wildly. As she gazed at Ming Yi’s radiant features, the memory of that day flooded her mind. Her breathing grew hot and rapid, washing over Ming Yi’s face.

Ming Yi’s fingers paused slightly. She lifted her gaze, arched an eyebrow, and smiled. “Why are you so nervous? I’m not some ferocious beast.”

Hearing such words from a beauty with an aura of restraint was hard to resist. Unable to withstand the provocation, Gu Jinse blurted out, “Don’t provoke me, or I might end up devouring you again.”

Devour? Ming Yi didn’t understand. Gu Jinse intensified her threat, “If you keep touching me, I’ll kiss you.”

A restrained beauty like her ought to despise such words.

Ming Yi blushed and withdrew her hands, well aware of Gu Jinse’s boldness. After that night, she had ached all over for four or five days. She turned to leave, but her eyes caught the slight curl of Gu Jinse’s lips. In that instant, she understood it was a threat, a blatant one.

They were both adults, and when it came to intimidation, ten Gu Jinses were no match for Ming Yi. She took a step forward, her gaze icy, and raised a hand to poke Gu Jinse’s chest. “Go ahead, kiss me then.”

“I…” Gu Jinse was at a loss for words, recalling the events of that day. The woman was usually aloof, but when she let loose, it was overwhelming. Oh no, I’ve gone too far, Gu Jinse quickly backtracked, “I was just joking.”

“But I’m serious.” Ming Yi’s eyes swept over her before settling on the nape of her neck. “Let me give you a gift.”

Gu Jinse breathed a sigh of relief. “What gift?”

“Something red.” Ming Yi smiled faintly.

Once the robe was properly fastened, Ming Yi pushed the door open, stepped calmly over the threshold, and swept her gaze over the crowd. The courtyard was filled with scholars who had yet to enter officialdom, and none dared meet her eyes. They all bowed respectfully, lowering their gazes.

Ming Yi left the central courtyard with an air of indifference.

The top scholar reacted swiftly and hurried into the room. Gu Jinse was now fully dressed, the vibrant robe accentuating her snow-white skin.

“Which official was that?”

Gu Jinse rubbed her sore neck and sighed. “Secretariat Director Du.”

“Director Du?” The top scholar was astonished. As a newcomer to the court, he didn’t know many people, but the Secretariat was a highly confidential department. Puzzled, he asked, “How do you know Director Du?”

Gu Jinse froze. She had forgotten to ask what exactly had happened that day, how a high-ranking court official ended up sleeping in an alley.

She brushed it off casually. “She knew my grandfather.”

Grandfather Gu was renowned throughout the land, and the top scholar knew of him, so his doubts were quickly dispelled. But as he lifted his head, he caught sight of the red mark on Gu Jinse’s neck. As an experienced man, he recognized it instantly and froze in shock.

Scholar Gu and Secretariat Director Du had just engaged in something intimate.

Soon, officials from the Ministry of Rites came to hurry them along, and the group proceeded to an audience with the emperor.

They lined up according to their rankings and entered the hall one by one to meet the emperor.

The emperor, now in his forties, was in poor health. For years, he had been suppressed by the empress dowager and the former chancellor. Last year, after the empress dowager passed away, the emperor joined forces with Ming Yi to purge the empress dowager’s faction, execute the chancellor, and replace officials, bringing about the current state of affairs.

Gu Jinse’s robes were tailored to her measurements, fitting perfectly. As the youngest among them, she stood out conspicuously in the crowd.

Entering the grand hall, a dense throng of people stood ramrod straight. Eunuchs announced the names, and the top three scholars stepped forward.

Ming Yi was absent. Du Yan and Zhang Mingqian observed from outside the hall. Zhang Mingqian’s gaze lingered on Gu Jinse until Du Yan reminded her, “Stop looking. She’s already spoken for.”

Today was the day of “catching a son-in-law under the rankings,” and the youngest Tanhua (third-ranked scholar) would undoubtedly be the most sought-after. Coupled with Old Master Gu’s stellar reputation, it added further luster to Gu Jinshi’s name. A scion of a scholarly family, a distinguished lineage.

Zhang Mingqian was surprised. “Have you set your sights on her?”

“Even if I had, it wouldn’t matter. Someone else has already claimed her.” Du Yan sighed with a mix of regret and schadenfreude. “His Majesty has several princesses. Today, with the flower-adorned parade, might the Gu family produce a royal son-in-law?”

“Unlikely. During the metropolitan exams, Gu Jinhuan’s essays sparked controversy. His critiques of court shortcomings and unconventional views caught the emperor’s admiration. Such a talent wasted as a royal consort would be a pity. Moreover, not only will he not become a royal son-in-law, but he probably won’t even become a noble consort.”

Du Yan glanced at her. “Who do you think will win her hand?”

“Not you, nor me. She was named Huiyuan (top candidate) by Minister Ming. To curry favor with her mentor, she’ll likely marry into Minister Ming’s faction.” Zhang Mingqian analyzed succinctly. Given Ming Yi’s penchant for recruiting talent, she would surely secure advantageous matches for her protégés.

The top three scholars were directly appointed to official posts in the Hanlin Academy, serving at the emperor’s side proximity to power meant rapid promotion, with the potential to become influential ministers within a decade.

The Zhuangyuan (top scholar) would be forty in ten years, while Gu Jinhuan was merely twenty-seven.

Du Yan sighed and whispered, “Do you think Minister Ming might take her for herself?”

“Minister Ming?” Zhang Mingqian hesitated. “Didn’t she say she wouldn’t marry?” Most women who entered officialdom remained unmarried, often labeled as eccentrics. She added skeptically, “The Gu family would never agree to such a match. An old cow eating tender grass.”

Du Yan chuckled. “What if the tender grass is willing?”

Zhang Mingqian narrowed her eyes, slowly turning to her companion. “Tender grass, untouched by harsh sunlight, is naive and easily deceived.”

Du Yan: “…” She might as well have accused someone of fraudulent marriage.

Amid their chatter, the palace ceremony concluded. The newly minted scholars filed out, led by Ministry of Rites officials for the parade.

Through the crowd, Zhang Mingqian caught a glimpse of Gu Jinhuan and smiled faintly. Du Yan, puzzled, asked, “What’s so amusing?”

“Laughing at Ming Yi’s superficiality.”

Du Yan rolled her eyes. “Perhaps the young gentleman is genuinely exceptional.” Sour grapes, she thought.

Who would have guessed that the formidable Secretariat Director Du, who struck fear into Gu Jinse’s heart, could make such a childish gesture.

Bidding farewell to Zhang Mingqian, Du Yan changed her robes and hurried to the street where the scholars were parading with flowers. A triennial spectacle, the streets teemed with crowds, and the taverns and teahouses lining the route thrived.

Meanwhile, standing among the onlookers, Gu Jinhuan stared in shock at his elder sister, clad in Tanhua robes and a scholar’s cap, radiant with triumph.

He wanted to shout, “It’s a fraud!” But as his mouth opened, no sound emerged. Two burly men behind him clamped a hand over his lips and tossed him into a carriage.

The streets were jammed, and the carriage couldn’t move. The men tied him up securely and sat outside, feasting on meat and wine.

Gu Jinse, astride a majestic horse, found her person adorned with numerous handkerchiefs. She picked one at random, spotted a name embroidered on it, pursed her lips, and tossed it away.

Then came a hairpin. She flung that aside too.

In contrast, the top scholar, now past thirty and empty-handed, said with envy, “Jinhuan is truly blessed.”

Gu Jinse was suddenly hit by a handkerchief. Impatiently pulling it away, she spotted the character ‘Yan’ embroidered on it. She looked up and saw an unfamiliar woman smiling coyly at her.

For some reason, the name ‘Du Yan’ came to mind, but she dismissed it, thinking it could just be a coincidence. She tossed the handkerchief aside.

By convention, any gesture made by the young ladies today was considered acceptable. Throwing a handkerchief to express affection was seen as perfectly proper, and no one found it inappropriate.

Du Yan had failed. She pulled Ming Yi over to the window, but Gu Jinse had already moved on, leaving only the sight of her retreating figure on horseback.

“She rejected me,” Du Yan sighed.

Ming Yi wasn’t surprised. Gu Jinse wasn’t the fickle type, and what had happened that day couldn’t be blamed on her.

The triennial spectacle had set the whole street abuzz. The young master of the Yu Hang Gu family, riding high on success, carried himself with both confidence and dignity, his gaze fixed steadily ahead.

Many followed just to catch a glimpse of Gu Jinhuan, some even losing their shoes in the frenzy, staring in rapt admiration.

No one considered it improper after today, such behavior would no longer be acceptable.

From the tavern above, shrieks and cheers echoed incessantly. Du Yan covered her ears, wishing she could stuff handkerchiefs into the mouths of those noble ladies.

Ming Yi warned her, “Next door is a group of princesses and noblewomen. Best not to provoke them.”

Princesses, born into privilege, were often arrogant and willful. It wasn’t that they couldn’t be challenged, but it would only lead to trouble. Ming Yi always steered clear of them, and today was no exception.

Just as she finished speaking, a voice from next door declared, “I want to marry Gu Jinhuan.”

Ming Yi smiled faintly, while Du Yan exclaimed in surprise, “She’s competing with you! Let me see who it is.”