The Prime Minister Claims She's Pregnant - Chapter 60

Inside the house, the two were at each other’s throats. Yue Chang was so furious that she retreated to her room and ignored everyone, while Ming Yi went to the study to meet with her aides.

The group of onlookers exchanged glances. Gu Jinse, in particular, wore a profound and unfathomable smile. Auntie Yue Chang’s temperament was like a cannon; one spark and she would ignite, whereas Ming Yi was born with a cold and detached demeanor.

 

When gunpowder meets a block of ice, the ice shatters and the gunpowder is spent.

 

Chun Yue asked, “Should we go comfort them?”

 

“They have been together for over twenty years. Were they not fine before we came along? Why should we interfere? If we try to persuade Auntie Yue Chang, she will definitely urge us to have children. Can we? We simply cannot.”

 

“We could go persuade the Prime Minister.”

 

“Persuade the Prime Minister? Let me tell you, Auntie Yue Chang asked if we had consummated the marriage. I hesitated and did not explain clearly, so she rushed in to find the Prime Minister. Tell me, would I not just be asking for a scolding?”

 

Chun Yue suddenly realized. “So it was your doing. You had better stay far away, or perhaps use something else to cover it up.”

 

“Cover it up?” Gu Jinse was puzzled.

 

“It was a tactic Madame used to use: use a small mistake to cover a big one. That way, the punishment would be lighter,” Chun Yue said thoughtfully.

 

Gu Jinse was dumbstruck. “Is it not adding one crime to another and punishing both together?” Her mother’s logic was truly unique.

 

Chun Yue was confused. After thinking for a moment, she nodded and said, “That seems to make sense. Then what will you do?”

 

“Leave it for now. I am going to the shops today to take a look.” Gu Jinse also had a headache. Thinking of the business matters, one thing followed another, all mysteriously tangled together.

 

The courtyard was quiet, yet the atmosphere was tense.

 

Gu Jinse led Tun Tun out. Several aides were standing by the side gate of the Gu estate, anxious to enter. Everyone was busy with their own affairs.

 

While walking the streets, Gu Jinse inevitably bumped into some acquaintances. She encountered Du Yan while she was in a shop picking out hairpins and jewelry.

 

Seeing her, Du Yan spoke first: “Is this your shop?”

 

Gu Jinse nodded. “If you like something, take it. Consider it a gift from the Prime Minister.” She could not say it was from herself, as that would be a major mistake. Especially for someone like her who was plagued by rumors, it was better to keep her distance.

 

But Du Yan said, “I am picking out some winter clothes for Zhang Mingqian.”

 

“Then send them in the Prime Minister’s name.” Gu Jinse considered herself quite savvy.

 

Du Yan shook the hairpin in her hand, her expression cold and her tone sarcastic. “Is Manager Gu always this generous to her female confidantes? I suppose so. You can throw away a thousand pieces of gold for a singing girl, so you clearly do not lack money. I heard even the Yu family is falling over themselves to send you gifts.”

 

“Take it or leave it.” Gu Jinse’s expression turned cold. She had no patience for these sisters-in-law; none of them were easy to deal with.

 

Du Yan was choked up. “I touched upon your past, and now you will not even maintain the pretense.”

 

Pretense my foot!

 

Gu Jinse did not know what kind of rumors this person had heard and did not care to explain. “What does it have to do with you?”

 

“I,” Du Yan turned pale and said, “The Prime Minister and I are close friends. Since you are deceiving her like this, how can I sit by and do nothing?”

 

“And how do you plan to handle it? Throw a tantrum in my shop or demand an apology? Oh, which one do you prefer? Sorry, I do not like either. If you are buying a hairpin, I treat you as a customer. If not, I will treat you as if you are here to make a scene.” Gu Jinse held her patience. Since childhood, she had particularly hated being the scapegoat for Gu Jinhuan.

 

“With this attitude, I wonder what the Prime Minister sees in you?” Du Yan softened and whispered, “I heard that singing girl is still at the Gu family home in Yuhang.”

 

“Lord Du is certainly well-informed. You know things even I do not,” Gu Jinse said sarcastically.

 

“Fine, I will not argue with you. I heard you are going to bring that singing girl to the capital?” Du Yan stopped pretending and spoke directly.

 

“No such thing. Even if I died, she would not come to the capital. Keep picking; if you see something, just take it.” Gu Jinse waved her hand grandly. “I have things to do. I am leaving.”

 

After the argument, she felt mysteriously refreshed. Having found a target for her frustration made a difference.

 

Gu Jinse went to Yong’an Tower in high spirits. Upon entering, the second manager came to greet her; Ying Hui was not there.

 

The second manager was also a woman, younger than Ying Hui. She greeted Gu Jinse with a smile that revealed a pair of small tiger teeth. “Manager Gu, why have you come?”

 

“To buy some food. Where is your head manager?” Gu Jinse found it strange that Ying Hui was absent during the day.

 

“The head manager is busy. Whatever you need, I can handle it just as well.”

 

“Is your head manager often away lately?” Gu Jinse smiled.

 

She was beautiful, and when she smiled, she was as gentle as water. The second manager smiled too. “She is likely busy with affairs.”

 

The second manager still said she was busy, which meant she had been absent frequently of late. Gu Jinse asked no further because too many words lead to slips, and she smilingly ordered several dishes to be sent to the Gu estate.

 

The second manager agreed with a smile and watched Manager Gu leave.

 

After boarding the carriage, Gu Jinse could no longer smile. She asked Tun Tun, “Is this part of your intelligence?”

 

“Yes. Ying Hui went to see the Emperor. You know, she is very beautiful, and the main thing is that her eyes and brows somewhat resemble the eldest Miss Zhao.” Tun Tun giggled. “But the one who resembles the eldest Miss Zhao the most is Consort De.”

 

That last sentence was the most biting. Gu Jinse recalled a Republican-era romance drama she had watched years ago. The female lead’s father had a “white moonlight” love who had died. The father then married nine wives, all of whom supposedly looked like the white moonlight.

 

Did the Emperor also have a hobby of collecting look-alikes?

 

The carriage suddenly stopped. Tun Tun lifted the curtain; it was Assistant Minister Gu.

 

Gu Jinse rubbed her head. What a headache. Assistant Minister Gu was bound to start another speech about the greatness of striving for the clan.

 

Assistant Minister Gu practically jumped into the carriage with startling speed. He stooped to open the door, mysteriously chased Tun Tun away, and sat in her place. He said urgently, “Do you know a major event has occurred?”

 

Gu Jinse: “?”

 

“The Prime Minister’s biological mother was the eldest Miss of the Zhao estate, a sister from the same mother as Consort De. That is the Zhao family whose peerage was stripped recently due to corruption.”

 

“Yes, that is no secret.”

 

“That naturally is not a secret. But years ago, your grandfather reported that the eldest Miss Zhao committed adultery, which angered Old Master Zhao to death. These things, I only found out recently.”

 

“So what? There were many rumors back then; it was not just grandfather.”

 

“Oh, what I want to talk about is the lover! Eldest Miss Zhao’s lover was the Emperor!”

 

This time, Gu Jinse could not sit still. A chill ran through her. Assistant Minister Gu did not notice her reaction and continued to drop bombs: “It is precisely because the Emperor and Eldest Miss Zhao had such a romance that the eldest Miss refused to speak until her death to protect his reputation. After she died, the Emperor was overwhelmed with guilt. He chose Consort De, the eldest Miss’s younger sister, to enter the palace as compensation to the Zhao family.”

 

“Is that so?” Gu Jinse gave a forced laugh. He was very well-informed; it was a bolt from the blue.

 

After Assistant Minister Gu finished, he wiped the sweat from his forehead. “Years ago, when the Emperor adopted the Prime Minister, why was it so timely? Turns out there was a reason behind it.”

 

“Uncle, how did you come to know such secrets?” Gu Jinse did not understand. Who would dare leak such a massive secret? Consort De and the Weiyuan General’s estate certainly would not speak of it. If Ming Yi wanted to speak, she would not have kept it hidden for over twenty years.

 

This secret should have vanished with the Emperor’s passing. Now that word was out, what about the Emperor’s reputation?

 

She did not understand. Assistant Minister Gu continued: “This is a secret I worked hard to uncover. It is being whispered both inside and outside the palace. As the Prime Minister’s bedfellow, do you know nothing at all?”

 

“Ah, those things. I have heard rumors. Uncle, take my advice: do not discuss this behind anyone’s back. It has been hidden for over twenty years; the Emperor will certainly not be pleased. Do you want to be the one to stick your neck out? Let this secret rot in your stomach. If friends are also discussing it in private, advise them to stop. The Emperor values his reputation immensely; as his subjects, you should keep your mouths shut.” Gu Jinse was worried. If such a huge matter was exposed, she wondered if the Prime Minister would come under attack.

 

Back then, the Prime Minister was small, and the harm from words would have been limited. Now she was a prominent figure and a high-ranking official; how could she withstand the filth and insults?

 

She fell into thought. Assistant Minister Gu’s back broke into a cold sweat. “Your analysis is correct. When I get home, I will tell the family to pay no mind to these things. Nephew, you are with the Prime Minister every day; if anything happens, you must tell your uncle first.”

 

“That goes without saying. We are all one family; do not worry. But Uncle, you must not speak of this to others again.” Gu Jinse looked troubled. This matter was too terrifying; a secret involving the sovereign was an affair of state. In modern times, this would lead to a total internet ban.

 

Assistant Minister Gu got out and left. Gu Jinse watched him board his own carriage, took a deep breath, and called Tun Tun back. She first asked about the rumor.

 

Tun Tun did not hide it. She said, “It spread from the palace. It has been passed by word of mouth since the Empress’s funeral. Assistant Minister Gu’s news is a bit late. Currently, it is circulating among the high-ranking officials.”

 

Gu Jinse’s face turned cold. “What do I pay you for? You did not even tell me about such a major thing. Are you not ashamed to take the monthly wages I give you?”

 

“You did not ask! Besides, it only just started spreading. It is only now reaching the second-tier families. In another seven or eight days, when the third-tier families are done whispering and the whole city knows, it will not be too late for you to get angry,” Tun Tun giggled.

 

“You,” Gu Jinse was so angry she could not speak. She exercised her boss’s privilege: “Half of this month’s wages are docked.”

 

The steady person finally jumped up. “Oh, oh! I will not do it again! Please forgive me this once. It was the Prime Minister who told me to hide it from you. Go ask her!”

 

Gu Jinse ignored her and ordered the driver to speed back to the Gu residence.

 

Along the way, Tun Tun pleaded and shifted the blame to the Prime Minister. Gu Jinse remained silent. When they reached the gate and the carriage stopped, she jumped down immediately.

 

Tun Tun was almost in tears.

 

There were many people outside the study, an endless stream of aides and officials arriving to report. Left with no choice, Gu Jinse went to see Auntie Yue Chang first.

 

The auntie was still angry, but she was sewing shoe soles. She smiled when she saw Gu Jinse. “Master is here! Do not worry, I will not stay angry with Hua Nu.”

 

“Auntie, I want to know some details about Eldest Miss Zhao,” Gu Jinse said with deep sincerity.

 

Yue Chang was slightly surprised and had to look at her. “What is Master saying?”

 

Gu Jinse used her most casual tone to recount the rumors and waited anxiously for Auntie Yue Chang’s outburst.

 

To her surprise, Yue Chang looked at the young person gently and explained, “My lady was very well-bred, but power is oppressive.”

 

“I know. What I want to know is: did Eldest Miss Zhao take her own life, or was she murdered?” Gu Jinse’s tone was extremely serious and her attitude was devout.

 

Yue Chang snorted. “My lady would not easily take her own life, if only for Hua Nu’s sake. Even if she were divorced, she had property. Even if she suffered the cold stares of others, she would have raised Hua Nu well.”

 

“Oh, then it was murder. Who killed her?” Gu Jinse understood a mother’s heart. Especially since the Prime Minister was small and essentially without a father; if she lost her mother as well, she would be alone and helpless. A loving mother would not do that.

 

But Ming Yi’s attitude toward everyone was very peaceful. Even if you provoked her, she did not get angry, nor would she hold it against you. It was impossible to tell who had done it. Or rather, the killer had not been found for all these years.

 

It seemed more like the latter.

 

Yue Chang closed her eyes and stopped speaking.

 

Gu Jinse continued to fish for information, asking this and that. Yue Chang uncharacteristically remained silent. Gu Jinse refused to give up and deliberately said, “Why does the Prime Minister dislike the Crown Prince so much? When he was adopted, the Crown Prince was still small and knew nothing of the situation. Is the Prime Minister being a bit excessive?”

 

“Excessive?” Yue Chang opened her eyes and glared at Gu Jinse. “Do not speak if you do not know the inside story! Do you know how the adoption happened back then? Do you know what happened after?”

 

Gu Jinse did not lose heart after being scolded. Instead, she spoke with a smile: “Then tell me, teach me some of the inside story. You do not know that the rumors outside have already spread. I am also afraid the Prime Minister will be sad. I want to comfort her, but I do not know how. Tell me, what should I do?”

 

The young person sighed softly, her attitude extremely sincere. Yue Chang’s heart softened for a moment, and she could not help but say, “It truly was all his fault.”

 

Gu Jinse nodded. He is the dog Emperor!

 

“Years ago, Hua Nu was sick. The General was away, and the Old Madame favored the second branch. The doctor my lady called was incompetent and could not cure Hua Nu’s illness. My lady was anxious. I was anxious too. I heard there was a doctor outside the city who was skilled at treating children’s illnesses, so I took the initiative to take my lady out of the city. Think about it: staying home was waiting for death; going out of the city offered a glimmer of hope. Hua Nu was my lady’s life, and mine as well.”

 

“The lady listened to my advice and had the carriage ready, and we went out of the city together. Strangely enough, we encountered assassins as soon as we left the city. Swords have no eyes; we were terrified and lost. Later, his attendants saved us. Not only did they save our lives, but they also summoned imperial physicians to treat the illness.”

 

“Tell me, where else could you find such a good person? Who knew he was an evil man. Alas, once Hua Nu was better and lively again, she was celebrating her birthday at the villa. My lady had two cups of wine, and he came and chased us all out.”

 

“Later, the lady wanted to die. Hua Nu was young and just cried and cried. After that time, she was pregnant with the Crown Prince.”

 

Gu Jinse: “.” A single hit. The success rate was truly high.

 

“My lady was soft-hearted and could not bear to abort the child. She kept it from the General’s estate and the Zhao family and gave birth. That old thing, the General’s mother, did not care about my lady and never asked. Old Master Zhao came to visit and asked a few times, and the lady always said it was a servant’s baby. Later, the lady asked him to take the baby away; something would eventually go wrong if he stayed by her side.”

 

“That man took him away. The lady cried for a long time, and the matter passed. Later, that man would not give up and always came to find the lady. Somehow, he was discovered by Old Man Gu. The General had not returned for seven years and had married the daughter of a local wealthy family at the border, giving birth to an eldest son; the joyous news had already been sent back. Once the affair was exposed, Old Master Zhao was angered to death. The old woman of the General’s estate divorced the lady on her son’s behalf. The Zhao family lost all face and constantly scolded the lady. Those were minor things. Later, the Crown Prince came and brought fruit for Hua Nu.”

 

“After the Crown Prince left, the lady was gone. Although I am a servant, I understood exactly what happened. That person says he loves you when he is happy, but turns his back and refuses to recognize you when he is not. He can kill you.”

 

Gu Jinse was shocked. “Was it the Emperor who did it?”

 

“Hua Nu says it was the Empress, but the more I think about it, the more it does not seem right. What kind of person is he? How could he let his wife go find trouble for his lover? Master, think about it: where we lived, would the Empress know? I do not think it was the Empress, but Hua Nu insists it was. She said she believes his love for the lady was real.” Yue Chang’s eyes narrowed, her thoughts returning to many years ago. “I do not believe he had feelings for the lady. When he looked at Hua Nu, there was light in his eyes, it was clear happiness. He did not have that for her. I think what he liked was the lady’s face and the lady’s body.”

 

The words were too blunt for Gu Jinse to know how to respond. This kind of plot, if placed in a Republican drama, would be as melodramatic as it gets. The Emperor had no power while the Empress Dowager held it; the Emperor had to look at the Empress’s face to some extent. To have no ability yet still steal a taste was truly disgusting.

 

If the Empress did it, it was just melodrama. If the Emperor did it, he was a scoundrel, not only melodramatic but even more disgusting.

 

But from this, it could be seen that the Crown Prince absolutely could not be separated from Eldest Miss Zhao’s death. No wonder the Prime Minister would dislike her own younger brother.

 

Gu Jinse pursed her lips. It was bad enough that she was unlucky enough to encounter a scoundrel brother like Gu Jinhuan; who knew the Prime Minister was in the same boat. They were truly a well-matched pair.

 

After learning the general story, Gu Jinse returned to her bedroom. Tun Tun was crouching by the door, sighing. Chun Yue was surprised: “Why are you sighing?”

 

“The Manager docked half a month of my wages.” Tun Tun could not lift her head.

 

Gu Jinse pretended she had not heard.

 

The autumn sun was shining brightly. Gu Jinse moved a lounge chair and slept in the sun with a blanket. She called Tun Tun over: “I will give you a chance to redeem yourself. Go find out the progress of this matter. There is no need to tell the Prime Minister. Tun Tun, you must know my feelings for her. If you hide things from me again, I can easily kick you to the outer courtyard and halve your wages.”

 

“Manager, you are truly a good person! Rest assured, this time, I will definitely give you the latest news.” Tun Tun was overjoyed and immediately jumped up from the ground.

 

Gu Jinse paused for a breath, sighed, and lay down to rest.

 

Three quarters past noon, with the sun overhead, Ming Yi returned.

 

Seeing the swaying lounge chair, it looked extremely comfortable. She just watched the chair rock up and down. Gu Jinse’s small face was flushed red by the sun; she clearly felt wonderful.

 

Late autumn had arrived; bathing in the sun was a form of health preservation.

 

Gu Jinse saw her, her smile a bit subtle. “You are back.”

 

Ming Yi leaned down with interest, meeting her flickering eyes. “A-Se, why are you flustered?”

 

“A-Se is not flustered.” Gu Jinse sat up straight, her forehead touching Ming Yi’s. Their breath mingled. In that moment, it felt as if she were breathing in the air Ming Yi exhaled.

 

Ambiguity!

 

Gu Jinse did not move. Ming Yi stared at her, the sunlight illuminating their profiles and warming their bodies.

 

“A-Se seems very flustered.” Ming Yi narrowed her eyes, her gaze moving slightly downward, her heart racing. Gu Jinse reached out to cover her eyes. “Where are you looking? Oh, you have turned bad. A few months ago, you would blush at the slightest thing. Wait, no. You still blush now, but your eyes wander.”

 

Ming Yi admitted it frankly: “I learned it from A-Se.”