Gu Qingzhao had already anticipated this slap. Before Gu Yuande’s hand could fall, she seized his wrist. Tilting her head with a mocking smile, she said, “Father, don’t be so eager to strike me on Fourth Sister’s behalf. Perhaps you should first see what’s wrong with her.”
“And besides, even the Ministry of Justice requires evidence before passing judgment. If you wish to punish me, shouldn’t you first prove my guilt?”
Gu Yuande froze. Since when did this daughter dare speak to him like that?
While he was still stunned, Gu Qingzhao had already stepped up to Gu Qingjin. “Doctor Bai, would you kindly examine my Fourth Sister and see what’s truly the matter?”
Though Bai was best known for treating bone ailments, diagnosing minor illnesses by pulse was hardly beyond him.
Seeing that Gu Qingjin did not refuse, Gu Qingzhao guessed she herself was unaware of her pregnancy.
By calculating Qin Yuan’s birthdate from her previous life, Gu Qingzhao knew that Gu Qingjin’s pregnancy should have begun this very month. In that past life, a month later Gu Qingjin claimed she had dreamt of their grandfather and insisted on going to the old estate to pray for him—only returning to the capital two years later.
Now, everything aligned perfectly.
Doctor Bai’s fingers rested on Gu Qingjin’s wrist. Though he tried to mask it, Gu Qingzhao caught the flicker of shock and fear in his eyes.
But a physician accustomed to serving noble households always knew what to say—and what to leave unsaid.
Moments later, Doctor Bai said calmly, “Fourth Miss has eaten something that disagreed with her. I’ll prescribe a remedy. But her diet must be carefully managed. Third Madam, perhaps you should come with me to discuss how best to nurse her back to health.”
Others were puzzled, but Gu Qingzhao understood. Doctor Bai intended to inform Xiao Hongshuang privately. A discreet payment would be enough to keep him silent for years.
Yet before his words settled, a maid’s voice rang from outside: “Miss, this servant has invited Doctor Cao.”
Gu Qingzhao quickly explained, “Father, Third Aunt—I specifically asked Doctor Cao to come, to ensure Fourth Sister’s ankle is properly treated so no lasting injury remains. Since he is here, why not let him examine her as well? Two physicians mean greater certainty.”
Relief washed over her. Doctor Cao was said to hail from the Valley of Divine Healers, and it seemed true—Chunlan had shown him their token, and he had agreed to come.
At her words, Xiao Hongshuang turned eagerly toward the door. Seeing that it was indeed the famed Doctor Cao from the northern district, she exclaimed, “Quickly, invite him in!”
In the capital, no physician was more renowned. Yet his temper was eccentric, and ordinary folk rarely even glimpsed him, let alone persuaded him to make a house call.
Doctor Cao entered with aloof dignity and merely nodded. Once he confirmed the patient, he stepped forward to take her pulse.
Doctor Bai hurriedly interjected, “Third Madam, Fourth Miss’s illness is not serious. There’s no need to trouble the divine physician.”
But Xiao Hongshuang ignored him entirely, too intent on Doctor Cao. She did not notice the panic flickering in Doctor Bai’s eyes.
Doctor Cao sat, placed his fingers on Qingjin’s wrist, and after a moment withdrew his hand. “This young lady has been pregnant for over a month.”
The study fell silent for a heartbeat—then erupted into chaos.
Xiao Hongshuang stepped up to Doctor Cao, jabbing a finger at his nose as she cursed, “Have you been bribed? My daughter isn’t even married yet—how could she possibly be pregnant?”
“As a physician, you cannot spout nonsense. A wrong diagnosis is one thing, but you’ve ruined my daughter’s reputation!”
Her heart was in turmoil. If her daughter truly were pregnant, it would spell disaster. But no matter the truth, she had to insist the doctor was lying.
Gu Yuande, equally shocked, exclaimed, “Pregnant? Impossible! Jin’er has always been so obedient—how could she be with child?”
It was the first time Doctor Cao had ever been so brazenly doubted. His beard bristled with fury. “I have practiced medicine for decades. How could I possibly be mistaken?”
Xiao Hongshuang, losing all reason, nearly clawed his face with her sharp nails.
Though over fifty, Doctor Cao was nimble. He leaped back several steps, narrowly avoiding disfigurement. Once steady, he muttered under his breath, “Shrew.” He despised the petty intrigues of the inner household. Were it not for the Valley Master’s token, he would never have come today.
Meanwhile, Gu Yuande strode up to Gu Qingzhao, his voice heavy with accusation: “Did you arrange this? Did you bring him here just to smear your sister’s name?”
Gu Qingzhao laughed lightly. “Father, I don’t understand your meaning. I invited Doctor Cao to treat Fourth Sister’s ankle. How does that count as deliberate malice?”
Gu Qingjin, seeing the situation spiral out of control, grew flustered. Deep down, she knew the physician spoke the truth. Her monthly cycle had been delayed for some time, and lately she had been plagued by nausea—though she hadn’t thought much of it.
Now, hearing Gu Qingzhao’s words, she was certain: her sister had done this on purpose. Perhaps Gu Qingzhao had discovered her affair with Prince Cheng, Qin Jingming. Perhaps she had already guessed the pregnancy.
Because of Qin Jingming, Gu Qingjin had always harbored resentment toward Gu Qingzhao. Now that her shame was exposed, she could not bear it.
“Mother, Second Uncle—Third Sister has slandered my virtue. I cannot live!” With a sobbing cry, she rushed toward the wall, intent on ending her life. Her resolve was fierce, her desperation absolute. The maids and servants below hurried forward together to restrain her, and thus no harm was done.
Gu Qingzhao looked at the fury on Gu Yuande’s face, the worry in Xiao Hongshuang’s eyes, and the naked panic on Gu Qingjin’s expression. Her heart brimmed with satisfaction. Reborn into this life, if she lived quietly and accomplished nothing, it would insult Heaven’s mercy.
“Enough!” Gu Yuande smashed a teacup, restoring silence to the room. “Servants, reward both physicians and see them out.”
Turning to the doctors, he added, “Today’s incident has made you laugh at us. I hope this matter ends here.”
Though Doctor Cao was eccentric, he was a man of principle, and Gu Yuande did not fear him spreading rumors. As for Doctor Bai, he was clearly a man who knew the times—silver would silence him easily.
Once the doctors were dismissed, Gu Yuande barked, “Confine Third Miss. Without my permission, no one is to see her.”
“Summon the household physician to re‑examine Fourth Miss’s pulse.”
“And as for today’s events—if anyone dares to breathe a word outside these walls, guard your lives carefully.”
It was clear he meant to seal every mouth present. Even if Gu Qingjin truly was pregnant, he intended to conceal it and maneuver around the truth.
Xiao Hongshuang let out a breath of relief, stroking Gu Qingjin’s shoulder in comfort.
As Gu Yuande finished his orders, a servant woman stepped forward to drag Gu Qingzhao away. She shrugged, about to speak—when a man’s cold voice rang out from outside: “Who is pregnant? It seems the Gu family has a joyous occasion today.”
The moment Imperial Uncle Song Chu entered, a gleam of excitement flashed in Gu Qingzhao’s eyes.
For days, the capital had been abuzz with rumors that the Imperial Uncle had died in Zhangye, far to the northwest.
But Gu Qingzhao knew the truth: today he would return to the capital, transformed. The gentle, jade‑like man of the past had become mercurial, ruthless, and sharp. She was eager to see how Gu Qingjin would explain her pregnancy to her betrothed.
Inside the study, everyone except Gu Qingzhao looked at Song Chu as though they had seen a ghost.
Gu Yuande stepped forward, greeting stiffly, “Imperial Uncle, you’ve returned to the capital.”
Had it not been for the scandal of Gu Qingjin’s possible pregnancy, he would have rejoiced at Song Chu’s safe return. But now…
Song Chu merely gave a curt “Mm,” and entered without expression. He wore a straight robe of dark‑green Hangzhou silk embroidered with entwined lotus, overlaid with a black kesi cloak adorned with cranes. Silver thread traced drifting clouds along the hem, shimmering faintly as he walked—an aura of nobility radiating with every step. Without a word, his presence filled the study.
Gu Qingzhao shivered instinctively. The Crown Prince and Empress were under house arrest, yet this Imperial Uncle’s power seemed greater than ever.
Because of Gu Qingjin’s betrothal, no one had ever suspected her of entanglement with Prince Cheng, Qin Jingming.
But now she understood: Gu Qingjin’s marriage alliance with the Song family was most likely part of Prince Cheng’s scheme. After all, the Crown Prince’s bid for the throne relied most heavily on the Song clan’s support.
If not for the fact that, in her previous life, Imperial Uncle Song had sent word three days later to break off the engagement, it was uncertain whether Gu Qingjin would have carried that child to term.
Though Song Chu himself had initiated the annulment last time, the engagement still stood in this life. And Gu Qingzhao did not believe he could stomach such a blatant humiliation.
At the thought, Gu Qingzhao’s lips curved into a faint smile. But when she lifted her gaze, she met Song Chu’s cold, probing eyes. Her face stiffened; she lowered her gaze and stood quietly with feigned composure.
Song Chu glanced at her, then took a seat. “The Duke has yet to say—who exactly is pregnant?”
Gu Yuande’s mind faltered. He jabbed a finger at Gu Qingzhao and declared, “It’s her! This wretched girl has lain with a man in secret and conceived a child.” With that, he ordered the servant women before her, “Well? Take Third Miss away at once—she has brought disgrace upon this household!”