Is My Wife Pregnant Today? [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 20.1

Zelan could not recall how he had spent the time before finding Yu Xianqing.

Albert led them out from the eye of the storm, and Zelan handed over his sword for inspection.

A monitor had been installed on the sword.

But at some point, it had been removed.

The remaining wreckage was repaired by highly skilled military programmers until it produced a magnetic field reaction with the synesthesia device; following this clue, Albert and the others found them.

Zelan took a deep breath. Not only did his internal organs ache, but even his ribs throbbed with a faint pain.

Along with that, the monster in his belly gave him an uncomfortable kick, as if unsettled by the breeder’s emotional fluctuations.

His stomach was already showing slightly. It was clear that the cub was large, most likely a strong little leopard.

His fingers pressed down with slight force, bringing a piercing pain that pulled Zelan’s sanity back a little.

Since the moment of conception, this child had been unstable. He didn’t know whose bad habit the child had inherited, but it especially loved rolling around in his belly.

As a result, it became even more unstable.

The sound of the half-baked doctor knocking came from outside the door.

“Your Highness, the surgery has been arranged. We can begin at any time.”

The door was pushed open, and a handsome face carrying a chill appeared before him, scaring the doctor so much he almost started crawling around on the floor on the spot.

“Let’s go.” Zelan urged coldly.

The doctor followed behind miserably. The thought that the third-generation eldest Imperial grandson was about to perish at the hands of someone who usually delivered piglet litters made his vision go dark.

He might just be the legendary “Regicide.”

Before even entering the examination room, Zelan smelled that unpleasant scent of disinfectant. His footsteps paused, and the thing in his belly began to churn violently again.

“Sir!”

Just then, Albert arrived panting. Seeing the situation, he hurriedly stopped Zelan: “Wait a moment, I have intelligence to report!”

“What is it?”

Zelan stopped. The doctor almost crashed into his back before being impatiently grabbed by the scruff of the neck and tossed far away by Zelan.

Albert leaned in and whispered. As he spoke, Zelan’s brow immediately furrowed into a small mound like a mountain range.

“The Imperial Concubine and Qi Lin have disappeared.”

That single sentence made Zelan frown fiercely. Albert continued in a low, hurried voice, “You asked me before to investigate the culprit who drugged you. Later, we found a composite agent in the home of the Canine tribe. It took a long time to test the ingredients, but it’s basically certain that this matter is inseparable from that dog Qi Lin.”

“Sir, I have reason to suspect that the Imperial Concubine is currently being held hostage by that dog!”

“…” Zelan looked at his serious expression with a half-smile. If he didn’t understand Yu Xianqing—if he had believed that pure and harmless facade—perhaps he would have reached the same erroneous conclusion as Albert.

“Do you know that humans have been the masters of dogs for tens of thousands of years?” Zelan said coldly. “They have a real knack for domesticating cats and dogs.”

Albert’s confident expression slowly turned to confusion: “…Huh?”

Zelan: “They even breed pet rabbits. For the sake of aesthetics, they breed deformed lop-eared rabbits.”

Albert’s rabbit ears twitched inexplicably.

“Humans are that kind of creature.”

Zelan tightened his jaw. It was unclear if he was saying this to others or to himself.

Albert watched his superior cautiously, unable to guess his thoughts.

“We have now discovered the Imperial Concubine’s tracks. Someone left markers along the way. Do I need to go and bring him back?”

“…I will go personally.”

Zelan fell silent for a moment, then suddenly revealed a mocking smile, his hand pressing against the star-sword at his waist.

Trying to run while he was missing in battle?

It’s useless.

No matter where he runs, someone will be watching him.

Perhaps trust was a false proposition from the start, because humans never told him the truth. Those words about loving him, being willing to stay for him, and never betraying or leaving him were all fake.

Zelan put on a cloak to hide his abdomen. Perhaps knowing they were going to see the biological father, the little monster became unusually quiet.

If, before arriving at the cave, Zelan’s only thought was to lock the human by his side and never let him leave for a single step…

Then, after seeing the human with flushed cheeks sleeping peacefully in the arms of the Canine beastman, only extreme, burning rage remained in Zelan’s heart.

That rage was like a volcano, causing his sanity to incinerate into ash in an instant.

Even though Qi Lin immediately released those restless hands upon seeing him, Zelan stared at him deathly. No one would doubt that in the next moment, he would personally sever the doctor’s arms.

“…Take them away.”

Zelan practically crushed every syllable to keep himself from ordering Qi Lin’s immediate execution.

The guards pinned Qi Lin to the ground and gagged his mouth.

Yu Xianqing was taken from the other’s arms. Zelan’s hand pressing the star-sword slowly relaxed. Abruptly, he stepped forward, practically snatching Yu Xianqing from the guard’s arms and hugging him under his own cloak.

Only then did he realize the human’s body was scorching hot, like a massive furnace.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Zelan glared with bestial vertical pupils, looking at the speechless Qi Lin with murderous intent. “He’s burning up like this, and you still took him on the run?”

“Mmph, mmph…”

Qi Lin had no way to defend himself; he could only roll his eyes at Zelan.

“Do you want to leave me that badly…” Unfortunately, Zelan was immersed in his own thoughts and did not notice Qi Lin’s abnormality, muttering to himself, “It’s a pity you can never run again.”

—Break his legs, lock his limbs, and trap him in an elaborately crafted golden cage, never to take half a step out again.

That was the vow he had once spoken to Yu Xianqing; it was a pity the other party hadn’t taken it to heart.

But it didn’t matter. As long as the human was still there for one day, he would belong to him, and would never be able to escape without permission.

He didn’t know how long had passed in the dream world.

Yu Xianqing struggled to wake from the nightmare. His entire body felt as if it had been doused in water, and his clothes were a messy, crumpled heap, making him frown slightly.

It was that similar nightmare again.

Lately, he always dreamed of the same scene: a giant black leopard chasing him, playing and frolicking in the meadows or mountain forests. Just like a puppy, it liked to play fetch with him.

Each time, he would play with the black leopard for a long time; they had almost become friends.

But before the dream ended, the black leopard was always killed in various ways.

Sometimes it was a knife from nowhere; sometimes it was the break of dawn, and the moment the sunlight pierced through the clouds, the black leopard’s body would disperse like mist.

After that, Yu Xianqing would fall into a familiar palpitation—that terrifying premonition of having lost something important.

“Awake?” A familiar voice came.

Yu Xianqing narrowed his groggy eyelids before fully opening them.

The bright light of the star poured into the spacious room. Under the halo, a tall figure sat by the bed with his back to the light. His silver-white curly hair seemed to glow, while his features were cast in shadow, tracing only a deep silhouette as expressionless as a sculpture.

“Zelan…” Yu Xianqing spoke, his voice so raspy it sounded as if he had been fed a handful of sand. He subconsciously licked his lips.

Zelan looked down, staring at his dry, peeling lips. He extended a long arm to bring over a glass of water, watching coldly as Yu Xianqing struggled to sit up, then roughly squeezed his chin and poured it down.

“Cough, cough, cough…”

Sure enough, the human choked. He coughed desperately, and the feverish flush that had just receded from his cheeks reappeared in a sickly glow. He pursed his glistening lips and revealed a weak smile: “Thank you. If, cough, it wasn’t so violent, it would be even better.”

The muscles on Zelan’s face twitched slightly. He suddenly asked with interest: “You think this is violent now?”

Yu Xianqing’s head was a bit dizzy. Facing Zelan’s meaningful yet cold smile, he only then seemed to notice something was wrong.

“Ah.”

As he moved his hands and feet, the chains on his limbs made a clattering sound.

Heavy and cold.

“Zelan?” Yu Xianqing looked up at him in shock. “What did I do wrong? Why have you locked me up?”

Seeing his shocked and confused expression, Zelan’s heart, which had been dead with rage, felt a twisted sense of pleasure at the success of his revenge.

“Don’t you know in your own heart?”

He suddenly stood up from his seat, looking down at the other from a height. The change in position startled Yu Xianqing; his eyelashes trembled slightly, and his eyes carried a hint of fear.

Yes, just like that. Look at him with those fearful eyes, knowing clearly who truly holds the power over his life and death.

“I don’t understand what you’re saying.” Yu Xianqing blinked rapidly. “I heard you were missing and was very worried, so I had Qi Lin take me to find you. I thought you might need a doctor…”

“Shut up. You have no right to offer an explanation.” Zelan immediately interrupted him rudely. “How did you know the specific location? Albert could never have told you that.”

“…I…”

Yu Xianqing’s body stiffened, and he slowly curled himself up. “I guessed it.”

This answer only made Zelan even more furious.

“Liar.”

He suddenly gripped Yu Xianqing’s shoulder, his vertical pupils glowing with the dangerous light of a wild beast. For a moment, Yu Xianqing had the illusion of being caught.

“The truth is, you installed a tracker on the gift you gave me. Although the tracker was damaged at some point, you had other ways of knowing my whereabouts.”

Zelan stared at Yu Xianqing. When Yu Xianqing tried to look away, Zelan pinched his chin with enough force to crush his bones, forcing him to meet his gaze.

“For example—colluding with the enemy?”

“…”

Yu Xianqing’s chin hurt terribly, as if it were about to be crushed. He shuddered as if from the cold, his gaze watching him alertly without blinking.

Zelan slowly straightened up. Even though the words had come from his own mouth, Yu Xianqing’s expression of forced composure was clearly that of someone whose secret had been exposed. Even Zelan couldn’t help but feel a massive sense of absurdity.

How many shady things had this human done behind his back?

Had the freedom he gave before been too much?

His stomach suddenly began to churn violently. Zelan hadn’t eaten much these days anyway, and now he was so hungry it was painful. He covered his abdomen, but when he felt that protruding curve, he pulled his hand away as if startled awake.

“I’m sorry.”

Yu Xianqing saw Zelan’s expression of enduring pain. His eyes turned red—it was unclear if it was from anger or sadness. Yu Xianqing repeated once more:

“I’m sorry, I didn’t do it on purpose.”

“Aren’t you usually so eloquent? Why can you only say these two sentences this time?”

Zelan caught his breath, reaching out to pull the chain at the head of the bed. Yu Xianqing was dragged toward him, seeing those blood-red, beast-like eyes even more clearly.

“Whatever else you’re hiding from me, you’d better explain it all at once.” Zelan pinched his chin, his two fingers stirring in the other’s mouth. The glove carried the unique fishy smell of leather. Just as Yu Xianqing was about to bite down, Zelan withdrew his hand and said in a low voice, “Otherwise, never speak again.”

“You… you want to pull out my tongue?” Yu Xianqing was shocked and angry. He tried to move, but the chain around his neck left a deep red mark, nearly suffocating him.

“…How dare you?”

“Watch and see if I dare.”

Zelan smiled contemptuously. Seeing Yu Xianqing so pathetic and fearful, the initial blazing pleasure of revenge grew fainter and fainter, until now, leaving behind only a dull, ash-like irritability.

“I will first break your legs, lock you up, and do everything you once did to me.” Zelan squeezed Yu Xianqing’s thigh. Yu Xianqing’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You want to fuck me?”

“What else?” Zelan almost laughed in anger. The human still hadn’t recognized his status as a prisoner. “Pleasing me is the only way you stay alive.”

He threw the other aside like trash. As he turned to leave, the chains rattled violently. Ignoring the danger of being strangled, Yu Xianqing shouted behind him:

“Your Majesty! The Emperor will not allow you to treat me like this! Oh, and Prince Air! Prince Air promised to marry me, he definitely won’t let you treat me like this!”

A massive undercurrent surged within, screaming to devour everything.

“Good, very good.” Zelan laughed instead of getting angry. “I want to see how my Imperial Father and good Eldest Brother can pierce through hundreds of millions of light-years to save you!”

Yu Xianqing coughed weakly: “If they knew I was being treated like this, you wouldn’t have it easy either.”

“You’re threatening me.” Zelan said coldly. “Don’t worry, I’m afraid before they even arrive, you’ll already be dead in the dungeon.”

He left extremely fast. The door slammed shut, leaving the room in deathly silence.

Yu Xianqing coughed for a long while. When he finally steadied his breathing, he leaned back against the headboard, slowly adjusted his breathing, then lifted his nightgown to look at his thigh.

He’s really strong; it’s already bruised.

“I don’t understand why you lied to him.” 005 said, “I said you would die, but I didn’t expect you to die at the hands of the task target. How absurd.”

“How do you know I’ll die?” Yu Xianqing swept away the fear and helplessness he had shown facing Zelan, chatting with the system as if making small talk. “Zelan won’t kill me.”

“Why are you so certain?”

“Based on that blow I took to my thigh.”

Yu Xianqing said: “Zelan has a grudge regarding this aspect, he won’t stop until he’s f*cked me. From a certain perspective, my life depends on when I lose my chastity back there.”

“…” 005 froze for five seconds. “What do you mean?”

Why wouldn’t Zelan kill him before the messenger did that kind of thing?

“Literally.” Yu Xianqing replied, “I don’t talk to creatures without an ass.”

005: “…”

Shielded from the God’s gaze, it cursed “psycho” under its breath.

Albert walked out of the interrogation room covered in blood, looking exhausted. When he saw Zelan sitting in the chair, he forced himself to report.

“Qi Lin has confessed everything.”

Zelan gave an “mhm” and signaled him to continue.

Albert gritted his teeth. Thinking of the content to follow, he closed his eyes and spoke with a sense of fatalism.

“According to his statement, he used to work for Prince Air. As for the agent that almost caused you permanent damage, it was jointly discussed by several chief ministers and Prince Air, and administered to you in three separate doses to cause a disturbance in your mating period, achieving their… goal of seeking the Imperial heirship.”

Albert spoke while breaking out in a cold sweat. Who didn’t know that Prince Zelan usually respected his elder brother the most? Anyone who said otherwise would be punished. Now, Qi Lin had confessed, and it was going to result in Albert getting scolded.

But after waiting for a long while, the expected explosion of rage did not come. He only heard his commander’s voice say coldly: “What else?”

Albert spoke quickly.

“He also said, said… during that entry into the Forbidden Zone years ago, while you were unconscious, the person who truly saved you wasn’t Prince Air, but… your Mother Queen.”

With a “snap,” Zelan’s finger resting on the chair snapped off a corner of the armrest, the hard alloy material turning into powder in his hand.

“—What did you say?”

“According to his account, Prince Air’s hand injury was treated by their family back then, which is how they learned the secret. Prince Air wasn’t the one who went to save you at all!”

“Nonsense!” Zelan trembled all over. “The one who took me to the Forbidden Zone was that madwoman! If she wanted me to live, why would she have taken me to die with her?”