Is My Wife Pregnant Today? [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 9

When Yu Xianqing left, Zelan’s ears were drooping back so far they were like “airplane ears,” but even then, the human didn’t spare him a second glance and hurried back to his room.

 

For quite a while after that, the two didn’t cross paths much.

 

The matter of Zelan drinking away his sorrows at the Queen’s birthday banquet eventually reached the Emperor’s ears. He ordered Zelan to be placed in solitary confinement, but the order was blocked by Al’s plea. In the end, Zelan was only punished by being made to hand-copy the “Orc Child-Rearing Scripture” ten times a day.

 

Unlike his idle brother, Al, as the First Prince and the undisputed crown prince, always had numerous and complex tasks. The Imperial Royal Family held a high status, and each star sector had its own territory managed by local lords. Although the Emperor was still relatively young, he often deliberately delegated power to Al to handle.

 

During this period, perhaps because the Empire’s public security was too stable, the frequency of Al’s visits to the Imperial Mansion to see Zelan increased significantly. Every time he came, Yu Xianqing was nowhere to be found in the mansion.

 

Even an orc as dull as Zelan noticed something was wrong. Every time he visited, Al’s topics of conversation would intentionally or unintentionally lead back to Yu Xianqing. For example—

 

“Does Mr. Yu like the bracelet I sent?“

 

“I heard Mr. Yu also likes drinking tea; let’s find a chance to chat sometime.“

 

“Why isn’t Mr. Yu here? Did you bully him?“

 

…and so on.

 

At first, Zelan thought his big brother was just concerned about his married life, but the more he thought about it, the more off it felt. Logically, since he had already married Yu Xianqing, his big brother should address that human as “sister-in-law.” But he kept calling him “Mr. Yu.” Zelan stirred his tea, which he had mangled into something resembling paste, and couldn’t help but ask:

 

“Why do you call Yu Xianqing that?“

 

Al: “Hmm?“

 

Zelan corrected him: “He has already married me. You should call him sister-in-law.“

 

Al simply gave a smile and took a sip of his tea, offering no response.

 

Zelan tapped his fingertips on the table, feeling a wave of inexplicable irritability. Al blew on his tea; the high-quality Longjing leaves tumbled in the hot water before slowly sinking. Zelan didn’t like tea; he pushed his cup aside and stared at Al. Suddenly, an uncertain thought crossed his mind, making his heart drum.

 

Al called his brother’s name.

 

“Zelan, I remember your grades in Orc history were very poor when you were a child.“

 

“My schooling indeed wasn’t great. You know I only like leading troops and fighting wars.“

 

“It doesn’t matter. I’ll teach you.“

 

Al spoke unhurriedly: “Roughly tens of thousands of years ago, humans left the original Blue Planet. Through cosmic radiation, some mutated into the first orcs. This part of the orcs slowly adapted to the harsh environment of the universe and survived. The human population, however, declined sharply and later became a protected species.“

 

Zelan propped up his forehead: “I know. Because humans and orcs can marry and have children, and the offspring born from unions with humans are often exceptionally outstanding—far exceeding the average level—humans were frequently plundered and traded, causing the birth rate to drop significantly.“

 

These were all old, worn-out stories.

 

Al nodded. “But there is one more point you don’t know.“

 

He said nonchalantly, “In the beginning, in the remote star systems, in order to increase the fertility rate, we orcs practiced a system of brothers sharing a wife.“

 

The hand Zelan was using to prop up his forehead slammed onto the table instantly, letting out a loud bang. Al looked up; his brother, who used to look at him with eyes full of light, now wore a guarded and dangerous expression, as if looking at an enemy.

 

“Big brother, what do you mean?“

 

Zelan felt Al must be insane for saying such words. He stood up to touch Al’s forehead.

 

“Do you have a fever, or did you take the wrong medicine?“

 

Before his hand could touch him, the personal guard beside Al stopped his movement.

 

“It doesn’t mean anything; it’s just a thought for now.” Al looked at Zelan gently. “Zelan, listen to your brother. Sit down and calm down first.“

 

Calm down?

 

Zelan looked at Al in disbelief. “How do you expect me to calm down? I—”

 

Al suddenly interrupted him.

 

“Don’t you hate humans the most? Now that I’ve just said a word, why are you so agitated?“

 

Zelan slowly sat back down. Over the years, Al believed he understood his younger brother very well. He softened his tone.

 

“I know you married him for my sake.“

 

“Yu Xianqing is the only living human in the world. His genes can compensate for the Royal Family’s genetic defects accumulated over the years. Especially as a human, he holds immense prestige among the common people. If he is willing to be the future Queen, then I wouldn’t mind it.“

 

“…I mind.” Zelan looked at him in disbelief, enunciating every word clearly. “I don’t care what those backward customs say; he is my spouse according to the law.“

 

Only his.

 

Al gave a light laugh and shook his head.

 

“I have no intention of competing with you. Besides, this matter doesn’t have much to do with you anyway; we must respect Mr. Yu’s opinion. He must have liked the bracelet I gave him that day, right?“

 

Recalling the scene at that time, Zelan finally realized the true meaning. His gaze slowly turned cold, and his voice lowered. “You already had this intention when you came that day?“

 

“In the beginning, I truly just wanted to give a gift. As the First Prince, some appearances are necessary. However, from my observation, he is very beautiful and very dignified—you know, the Empire just happens to lack such a Queen.“

 

“That is still no reason for you to propose such an excessive condition to me. He is mine!“

 

If not for his regard for their sibling bond, Zelan would have loved to kick the table over. In his impression, his brother had always been gentle, polite, and acted with propriety. Why would he say something like this?

 

“No, he only belongs to himself.“

 

Al didn’t care about Zelan’s childish declaration of sovereignty.

 

“Zelan, you are still the same as before; once you decide something is yours, you won’t let go… But as far as I know, since he accepted the bracelet, you two have never had sex again. Does he really like you that much?“

 

Zelan looked at him in shock, as if meeting Al for the first time. How did Al know about such a private matter…? His brain turned a thousand corners, and finally, he didn’t even know how he managed to ask:

 

“Yu Xianqing… told you?“

 

the person opposite him smiled without saying a word.

 

“What do you think?“

 

At dinner time, Yu Xianqing was feeding fish by the pond. Fiery red koi swam in the crystal-clear pond, their beautiful tails like a wisp of a quietly burning flame.

 

“How pleasant. Without doing anything, you have someone like me who loves small animals to feed you into fish balls.“

 

Yu Xianqing fed the bait, sighing with emotion. An attendant hurried through the corridor to notify him.

 

“Your Highness, the Prince requests your presence.“

 

Yu Xianqing stood up from beside the rockery. It was a bit strange; he had been studying other knowledge during this time and indeed hadn’t found time for “official business” with Zelan. He might as well go.

 

Entering the hall, the first person he saw was Al. He calmly performed a salute and then sat down beside Zelan.

 

Whether it was an illusion or not, Zelan seemed to be in a bad mood, his brow tightly furrowed. Today he was wearing a serious black military uniform, which made his waist look very slim, and his legs were tightly wrapped in jet-black long boots. The silver hair paired with the dark colors made his features look exceptionally vivid and stunning; those eyes looking over were like sapphires embedded in velvet.

 

It was just that these two gems seemed to be covered in a layer of grey today. Yu Xianqing immediately realized that this meal today would probably not be simple.

 

He was cradling a black box in his arms. After he sat down, the box was taken away by a servant for storage.

 

Before Zelan could speak, Al, who was opposite them, asked first: “Mr. Yu, what is this?“

 

Yu Xianqing: “A small gift.“

 

Interest sparked in the First Prince’s eyes: “May I be so bold as to ask who it is for?“

 

Hearing this, Zelan also turned his head slightly to look at him.

 

“It needs to be kept a secret for now.” Yu Xianqing smiled and shook his head.

 

Under normal circumstances, Zelan would have snorted coldly and scolded him for being mysterious. But at this moment, he only glanced at the box and turned back, showing only a gloomy profile to Yu Xianqing. His chin was held tight, and he sat bolt upright. Through the stiff military uniform, Yu Xianqing could even feel that the muscles all over Zelan’s body were tensed.

 

The only thing that clearly expressed his mood was probably the leopard ears on his head, which were almost stretched into “airplane ears.” …Confirmed, he was in a very bad mood.

 

Yu Xianqing quietly withdrew his observing gaze, only to find Al still looking at him.

 

“I have been busy lately and didn’t have time to personally offer my greetings during your wedding. I hope Mr. Yu will be understanding.“

 

Al raised his wine glass. Under the light, the prosthetic arm made of metal glinted with silver light. On the Star Network, the most common story about Al’s missing arm was that when Zelan was eight years old, he broke into a forbidden zone; Al went in personally to rescue him and lost an arm to save his brother.

 

It was also because of this that Zelan viewed Al through a filter as thick as lard.

 

“To show my apology, I will punish myself with a drink.” Al finished speaking and drained the glass.

 

He drank very cleanly, but his excuse wasn’t very good. Given the situation at the time, it was as if he were afraid Yu Xianqing would die the next day. Never mind “greetings,” Al probably wished he could have stripped Zelan’s clothes and thrown him onto the bed himself, saving the time of undressing to get straight to the main point.

 

Yu Xianqing had no doubt that if it weren’t for the fact that Al himself “didn’t work,” he would have gone into battle personally. However, to this First Prince, there seemed to be no difference between the two.

 

Yu Xianqing had seen too many covetous gazes. No matter how well Al hid it, he could recognize the ambition and desire beneath the gentleness—Al was interested in him.

 

He perfunctorily returned the toast with a sip of wine, masking the contemplation in his eyes. To be honest, if he had a choice at the beginning, Yu Xianqing might have been more inclined to choose Al. Al had ambition and was someone he could collaborate with. He wasn’t as pure as Zelan; because there was profit to be made, a price could be clearly set, which was more conducive to negotiation.

 

But his mission target was Zelan. Al couldn’t carry a cub, though that didn’t mean he couldn’t be utilized.

 

The servant refilled the wine. This time, Yu Xianqing took the initiative to offer a toast and then drained it again. Al curled his lips. While Yu Xianqing was drinking, he naturally saw the bracelet the other was wearing on his wrist, shining brilliantly and radiantly as the light changed. It suited him well.

 

On the entire dining table, only Zelan’s wine glass was still full. Unlike the previous few days, this was a time for drinking freely, yet he had no heart for it, his five fingers tightly clutching the wine glass.

 

After Yu Xianqing swallowed the last sip of wine, the priceless jade cup in Zelan’s hand made a “crack” sound and broke.

 

Yu Xianqing turned to look and immediately frowned. He took out a healing spray from his space bracelet. Just as he was about to take his injured hand, Zelan dodged.

 

“It’s none of your business.” He yanked his hand away fiercely.

 

Weren’t you chatting very happily with big brother? You even talked about such private topics, so why bother with him now? His mother was right; humans are all promiscuous creatures.

 

“But you’re bleeding.“

 

Zelan always responded better to soft words than force. Yu Xianqing softened his voice, “Be good, I’ll bandage it for you.“

 

Zelan’s leopard ears twitched rapidly. He turned his face away and remained silent for a moment. Yu Xianqing lifted his hand. The moment their skin touched, he felt Zelan’s whole body stiffen for a second.

 

The human handled his wound simply. Inadvertently, Zelan caught a glimpse of Al. Al was looking at Yu Xianqing’s movements thoughtfully, almost intently.

 

In a corner where no one could see, Zelan ground his molars. He then took the initiative to hold Yu Xianqing’s hand back and turned his face around.

 

“It hurts.“

 

Yu Xianqing was slightly stunned. He looked up and met his gaze. Whether it was an illusion or not, the corners of Zelan’s eyes were a bit moist and red, like the color of rouge.

 

“It hurts and yet you dodged?“

 

“…“

 

Zelan didn’t speak, his expression gloomy and aggrieved, but he held Yu Xianqing’s hand even tighter. Like a cat that had been kicked by someone unknown and curled into a corner, scratching the master who cared for him, only to suddenly reach out a claw and hook the master’s clothes when the master was about to leave.

 

“Mr. Yu is very attentive to Zelan.” Al suddenly spoke up, his tone gratified.

 

“It seems you have a very good relationship. I originally thought Mr. Yu would dislike Zelan’s temper; my worries were truly unnecessary.“

 

Hearing this, Zelan stared intently at Yu Xianqing. Yu Xianqing said nonchalantly: “How could that be? His Highness is very good.“

 

After saying this, Al’s expression didn’t change, but Zelan visibly stiffened, a suspicious blush appearing on the tips of his ears.

 

He finished bandaging Zelan’s wound. Just as he was about to let go, his hand was seized by Zelan. Now it was Zelan who wouldn’t let go of his hand.

 

After the pleasantries, they began to eat. But even then, Zelan did not let go of Yu Xianqing’s hand.

 

“Your Highness.” He reminded him somewhat helplessly, “Can we eat first?“

 

“I’m not eating.” Zelan kept staring at him, his gaze not moving away for a second. “My hand hurts.“

 

Yu Xianqing’s hand holding the knife and fork paused. A doubt rose in his heart, and he voiced that doubt.

 

“Your Highness, are you… acting spoiled right now?“

 

“Your Highness, if you aren’t, then let go of me.“

 

If things continued to develop this way, Zelan would be stuck to him. It is well known that cats are liquid; rounding it up, Zelan was also a large piece of plasticine.

 

Zelan didn’t want to let go of Yu Xianqing at all. He subconsciously felt that Yu Xianqing was exactly as Al said—after all, who wouldn’t want to be Queen? Al was more powerful, wealthier, and gentler than him; anyone else would choose Al over him. Lacking a sense of security, he could only keep watching the other, not letting him escape. He had to touch his skin and feel his body temperature to soothe the anxiety in his heart.

 

Sour emotions fermented in the depths of his heart. He was unwilling. Although Al was proficient in everything and was a perfect lover, he couldn’t satisfy Yu Xianqing in bed, which was why he needed Zelan. At the thought of sharing the same person, Zelan wished he could destroy everything.

 

Yu Xianqing could only be his; no one could take him away, not even his brother.

 

“Yu Xianqing,” Zelan suddenly said, “feed me.”