The Eldest Daughter Returns: Imperial Uncle, I'm Pregnant!

Chapter 399 The Princess Consort of Chu Saves the Emperor

The rebel army had breached the outer city walls; flames soared into the sky, and the sounds of battle were deafening. Inside the palace walls, the imperial guards were retreating in disarray, their blood staining the white marble steps. The emperor was trapped in the Taiji Hall, its doors tightly shut, the remaining guards holding their swords, but they were already at their last gasp.

"Mother, what should we do?" The Empress was also somewhat panicked at this moment. The chaotic palace was like a living hell.

At this moment——

"drive!"

A clear shout pierced the night sky, and a snow-white steed burst through the palace gates like lightning, its hooves trampling the flames as it headed straight for the Qianqing Palace. The rider, dressed in a dark, fitted outfit, with her long hair tied high and a long sword gleaming coldly in her hand, was none other than Princess Consort of Chu—Gu Qingwan!

"Stop her!" the rebel general shouted.

Dozens of rebel soldiers surrounded her with knives. Gu Qingwan's eyes turned cold, and with a flick of her wrist, her longsword swept out like a dragon!

"Zheng——!"

Wherever her sword passed, blood splattered, and rebel soldiers fell one after another. Her movements were as swift as a swallow, her swordplay fierce and relentless; not a single person could get within three feet of her!

"It's Princess Consort of Chu!" The commander of the Imperial Guards recognized her, his eyes lighting up with hope. "The Princess Consort has come to the rescue!"

Gu Qingwan did not answer, but spurred her horse and galloped straight towards the Taiji Palace. The rebel archers were already in formation, ready to fire, and arrows rained down upon them!

Her gaze darkened, and she abruptly reined in her horse. The white horse neighed loudly, its front hooves rearing up high, miraculously dodging the rain of arrows! At the same time, she flicked her left hand, and a hidden weapon flew out from her sleeve, causing several archers to fall to the ground!

"Open the palace gates!" she shouted sternly.

Gu Qingwan dismounted, swung her long sword, and cut down the last two rebel soldiers blocking her way. She walked a few steps to the Empress Dowager's side and held the Empress Dowager's cold hand. The Empress Dowager did not mind the bloodstains on Gu Qingwan's hand at this moment. She only felt that these hands gave her an infinite sense of security. The Prince of Chu had found her a good daughter-in-law. She was a daughter-in-law who was one in a million. However, compared with the Empress, she was obviously inferior.

"Protect the Empress and all the ladies!" Without time to think, the Empress Dowager commanded sternly, stepping forward herself. "I want to see who's playing tricks!"

The Dragon Guards quickly split into two teams. One team escorted the women to safety, while the other team followed the Empress Dowager into the Qianqing Palace. As soon as they stepped through the palace gates, a strong stench of blood assaulted their senses.

"Empress Dowager..." Consort Xi stammered, "Princess Consort of Chu!"

The Empress Dowager didn't even glance at her and walked straight in. The Emperor was also shocked. Why did the Empress Dowager suddenly come when he had given instructions?

Gu Qingwan smiled and said, "If it weren't for Consort Xi sending someone to invite me, why would you be so shocked to see me?"

The Dragon Guards pounced out like ghosts. Consort Xi screamed and tried to escape, but a Dragon Guard grabbed her by the back of the neck with one hand and lifted her back like a chick. Xiao Yuheng drew his sword to resist, but the Dragon Guard commander flashed in front of him, pressing two fingers together on his wrist. Xiao Yuheng felt a numbness in his arm, and his sword clattered to the ground.

The Emperor sighed, "Mother, didn't I tell you to wait in Cining Palace with the women? Why did you still come here?"

"You are my son. What will you do if the Crown Prince gives the Dragon Guard to Cining Palace? We are mother and son anyway. If something happens to you, your mother will not survive either. It would be more reassuring if we were together."

The Emperor sighed. The Empress Dowager had planned for the two brothers all her life and never forgot him even in her old age, which moved him deeply. He patted the Empress Dowager's hand to show that he knew her feelings and helped her sit on the soft couch.

Duke Wen's face turned completely red. He never dreamed that the soldiers he had trained for so long would now be pinned to the ground and hacked to pieces by the Dragon Guards like rotten cabbage leaves. The fat on Duke Wen's cheeks trembled slightly.

He looked at the Empress Dowager and said, "Empress Dowager, the Third Prince is your own grandson and also the grandson of the Wen family. Supporting him to the throne is a hundred times better than supporting that Crown Prince!"

"Stop talking. They are all my grandsons, there is no difference. Speaking of the Wen family bloodline, the emperor also has the Wen family bloodline. Why don't you show any pity for him? Instead, you want to turn the father and son against each other. What are you really thinking!"

"What could I possibly be thinking? It's all for the sake of the Wen family. You hold a high position and don't care about the Wen family's life or death at all. The emperor sees the Wen family as a thorn in his throat and will remove them sooner or later. If I don't plan ahead, the Wen family will disappear sooner or later!"

The Empress Dowager looked at Duke Wen as if he were a dead man: "Stubborn and unyielding." In the Empress Dowager's mind, no one could touch her two sons.

Looking at the chaotic scene, Duke Wen knew that Xiao Yuheng was beyond saving and had been tricked by that fool, the Second Prince.

"Very well, now that both princes have forced the emperor to abdicate, I will take it upon myself to purge the court of corrupt officials."

"Since things have come to this, then... Ah!" Duke Wen never imagined that he would die in such a ridiculous way.

No one noticed that Lady Jiang, the Duchess of Wen—who was always gentle and virtuous and never argued with anyone—was now tightly gripping a dagger in her sleeve, her knuckles white, and her eyes surging with boundless hatred.

In a flash, Jiang suddenly pulled a dagger from her sleeve, and with a cold glint, stabbed it fiercely into the back of Duke Wen!

"Pfft——"

Blood splatters!

Her gaze remained fixed on Duke Wen. Suddenly, Madam Jiang laughed, a laugh that was both shrill and maniacal.

"Lord Duke..." her voice suddenly rose, "Tell me—whose son is Wenliang?!"

Duke Wen's expression changed drastically.

Duke Wen staggered a few steps, turned around in disbelief, and looked at his wife of twenty years, his eyes filled with shock: "You...you've gone mad?!"

Jiang gripped the dagger tightly, tears streaming down her face, yet she laughed maniacally: "I'm insane? You're the one who drove me insane!"

She suddenly drew her sword, and the Duke of Wen groaned as blood instantly soaked his brocade robe. The entire room erupted in uproar, and the guards rushed forward, but the Empress Dowager raised her hand to stop them.

"Let her finish speaking," the Empress Dowager said coldly.

Jiang trembled all over, pointing at Duke Wen, her voice hoarse: "Twenty years ago, I carried my child for ten months and gave birth to my legitimate son, but you...you switched my own son with mine!"

She suddenly pointed at Wen Liang, her eyes filled with boundless hatred: "This bastard is not my son at all! He's your and that vile woman Song's illegitimate child! You made me raise the son of my enemy for twenty years! How cruel you are!"

Duke Wen's face turned deathly pale. Clutching his wound, he gritted his teeth and said, "Nonsense! Wen Liang is your son!"

"Ha..." Madam Jiang gave a bitter laugh, "You still want to lie to me?"

She pulled a yellowed letter from her bosom and slammed it to the ground: "This was written by Madam Song before she died! She confessed that she gave birth to your illegitimate child, and you, to cover up your shameful act, sent my own son away and gave me her bastard to raise!"

The audience erupted in uproar!

Wen Liang's face turned deathly pale, and he staggered backward, stammering, "No...it's impossible..."

Tears streamed down Jiang's face, her voice hoarse: "I've investigated for ten whole years! My son... my own son, you sent him to the countryside, where he starved to death! And you made me raise the son of my enemy as your precious treasure! You deserve to die, you deserve to die!"

Duke Wen's face turned ashen, yet he still forced a cold laugh: "Absurd! You've been deceived by treacherous people, daring to assassinate your own husband at a palace banquet! Guards, seize her!"

Just as the guards were about to step forward, Madam Jiang suddenly raised a dagger, pointed it at her throat, and shouted fiercely, "Anyone who dares to come closer, I will kill myself immediately!"

She looked around at everyone, her eyes filled with despair: "Do you know? This hypocritical Duke not only betrayed me, but also kept countless mistresses and contracted a whole host of venereal diseases!"

She abruptly ripped open her collar, revealing a hideous red rash on her neck: "See that? This is what he gave me! He ruined my life!"

Duke Wen's expression changed drastically: "Shut up!"

Jiang laughed even more maniacally: "What? Scared? Are you afraid the world will know that the dignified Duke Wen is actually a filthy, despicable hypocrite?"

She abruptly turned to the Empress Dowager and knelt heavily: "Your Majesty! Your Majesty the Empress Dowager! Today, I risk my life to expose Duke Wen Hongda—he colludes with foreign officials, secretly communicates with enemy states, and even keeps assassins in his residence, plotting a rebellion!"

Duke Wen flew into a rage: "You vile woman! How dare you slander me?!"

Jiang sneered, "Slander?!" She suddenly pulled a stack of secret letters from her sleeve. "These are all evidence of his dealings with the enemy states in the north! He framed the Duke of Ning and secretly plotted to assassinate Prime Minister Gu—all of this was his doing!"

The Emperor's gaze turned cold, and he said in a deep voice, "Bring it here."

The secret letter was presented, and the more the emperor read it, the more somber his expression became.

Upon seeing this, Duke Wen finally panicked: "Your Majesty! Empress Dowager! Please see the truth! This is a frame-up!"

The Emperor coldly raised his eyes: "Uncle, what else do you have to say?"

Duke Wen gritted his teeth, suddenly sprang up, and tried to escape!

"Stop him!" the Empress Dowager shouted.

Gu Qingwan made a move instantly; with a flash of silver light, Duke Wen's legs were broken, and he fell heavily to his knees!

Looking at her husband, who was covered in blood, Jiang's eyes showed no pity, only deep-seated hatred.

"Wen Hongda, you killed my son and ruined my life..." She slowly approached, a dagger pressed against his heart. "Today, I will make you pay for your crimes in blood!"

"Pfft——"

The dagger plunged deep into his heart!

Duke Wen stared wide-eyed, unable to believe until his death that he would die at the hands of his most docile wife.

Jiang drew her dagger, tears streaming down her face, yet she smiled with relief: "My son... your mother has avenged you..."

The Empress Dowager remained silent for a long time before finally speaking slowly: "The Duke of Wen has committed treason; the evidence is irrefutable. His property is to be confiscated immediately! Wen Liang…"

She looked at the pale-faced young man and said calmly, "Since he is the son of an illegitimate child, he shall be demoted to a commoner and forever forbidden from entering the capital."

Jiang slowly knelt down and kowtowed heavily: "This humble woman... thanks the Empress Dowager for her grace."

After saying that, she suddenly raised the dagger and pointed it at her heart—

"Stop her!" the Empress Dowager shouted urgently.

However, it's too late.

With a smile on her lips, Jiang plunged the dagger deep into her chest.

"My life... has been so bitter..." she murmured, "Finally... I'm free..."

Blood stained the palace bricks, and the spring banquet was shrouded in deathly silence.

Only the wind, carrying fallen petals, gently brushed her face, as if wiping away her last tear.

Gu Qingwan touched her belly. She hadn't expected that Jiang would end her life in such a resolute way. She remembered that Jiang was very gentle, but when it came to avenging her son, her daughter had clearly been forgotten.

The letter in Jiang's hand was sent by her, and the dagger in Jiang's hand was also secretly dropped around Jiang by palace servants by her. Even Jiang's ability to break through the heavy guards to assassinate Duke Wen was also due to her having someone let Jiang go.

As expected, Jiang did not disappoint her.

After all, they were the Empress Dowager's family. At this moment, the Empress Dowager seemed to have lost all her energy and leaned on the palace maids. Gu Qingwan stepped forward to support her.

"Mother, leave this place to the Emperor. Your daughter-in-law will accompany you back to rest."

The Empress Dowager held Gu Qingwan's hand tightly. "Why didn't you tell me you were pregnant? If I hadn't just found out, how long were you planning to keep it a secret? Let's go to Cining Palace and have a good talk."

The Empress Dowager ignored everyone and left with Gu Qingwan in her arms.

The Empress was clearly frightened, but fortunately the Crown Prince was by her side. With his reminder, the Empress regained her senses. There were still so many officials' families in the palace who needed her to settle down.

"Alright, let's end this farce here. Guards, throw the traitor into the dungeon."

Thus, the palace rebellion came to an end.

The Empress Dowager, supported by her nanny, slowly entered the hall. Her phoenix eyes slightly lifted, sweeping over the furnishings. Several newly picked plum blossoms sat on a golden nanmu table, their subtle fragrance adding to the room's refined elegance. A slight smile played on her lips as she sat down on the rosewood phoenix-carved couch, her fingertips gently tracing the intricate embroidery on her sleeves.

Gu Qingwan wore a moon-white palace dress embroidered with silver crabapple blossoms, with only a white magnolia hairpin in her hair. Her steps were light yet dignified.

The Empress Dowager's gaze fell on her. Seeing that she looked well, a hint of satisfaction flashed in her eyes. She said gently, "Sit next to me."

Gu Qingwan thanked the Empress Dowager and sat down on the embroidered stool beside her, her hands folded on her knees, her posture respectful.

The Empress Dowager carefully examined her and noticed that her belly was already slightly protruding. Her expression softened and she asked, "I heard that you are pregnant. Has the imperial physician examined you carefully?"

Gu Qingwan lowered her eyes slightly and replied gently, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the imperial physician has examined the pulse and said that the pregnancy is stable and only requires rest and recuperation."

The Empress Dowager nodded, gently twirling the sandalwood prayer beads in her hand, and said in a gentle tone, "This is a good thing. King Chu is away fighting wars all year round. Now that you are pregnant, he should feel more at ease."

Gu Qingwan smiled slightly, a hint of tenderness in her eyes: "His Highness will surely be pleased to learn of this."

Upon hearing this, a hint of relief flashed in the Empress Dowager's eyes: "He cares about you, so I am at ease." She paused, then added, "Is there anything wrong? If so, please tell me, and I will have the Imperial Hospital take good care of you."

Gu Qingwan shook her head and said softly, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am fine, but I have been feeling a bit sleepy lately. The imperial physician said it is a normal reaction and nothing to worry about."

The Empress Dowager nodded slightly, her gaze lingering on her face for a moment before she suddenly said, "Now that you are pregnant, you need to be extra careful with your diet and daily life. I have some of the finest bird's nest here. I'll have the nanny send it to you later. Stew a pot of it every day; it's very nourishing."