Pregnant with the Empress’s Alpha Heir - Chapter 22.2

“I’ll be quite busy during this period and might not be able to reply to your messages right away. If you run into any trouble you can’t handle, go to her.”

She emphasized, “I’ve already contacted her in advance, so don’t worry about imposing.”

“Heng Ying has deep roots on Academia Star. She can help you with many things.”

Ah Jiu didn’t use her own influence, afraid that Yu Zhitao might draw the attention of her mother or Zhen Wuyou. Instead, she entrusted her to an old friend she hadn’t seen in years.

In truth, from the moment Yu Zhitao left her sight, a specialized security team would be protecting her around the clock.

Throughout their separation, they would provide Yu Zhitao with 24-hour comprehensive protection.

Unaware of any of this, Yu Zhitao simply saved the number into her wrist-mounted neural interface and nodded. “Got it.”

Ah Jiu said nothing more, only gently patting her head. “It’s time. Board the ship.”

Yu Zhitao let go of her hand and walked toward the boarding gate.

She turned back every few steps, reluctant to part, and called out, “Ah Jiu, finish your business quickly and come see me on Academia Star!”

“Okay,” Ah Jiu nodded.

She remained at the terminal, watching through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows as Yu Zhitao’s starship ascended into the sky.

Only when it disappeared from sight did she finally turn away.

Outside the terminal, a black hovercar waited silently.

Ah Jiu strode straight to it, opened the door, and took her seat.

On the adjacent seat, a confused little kitten padded across the soft leather upholstery.

When Ah Jiu sat down, the kitten finally spotted its familiar owner and excitedly leaped onto her lap.

Ah Jiu stroked its head, and when it rolled onto its back, she rubbed its round little belly.

After just a few days apart, she had actually missed this little creature.

After snapping a photo and sending it to Yu Zhitao, who was now aboard the starship, Ah Jiu placed the kitten back on the seat.

“Be good,” she said.

Xiao Jiu understood and obediently curled up on the cushion to rest.

The hovercar finally set off, heading straight for the heavily restricted central zone of the upper city.

Entering the imperial palace required passing through numerous checkpoints, but this unassuming little vehicle breezed through unimpeded, eventually landing directly on the palace’s rear garden landing pad.

Inside the car, Ah Jiu had already changed her coat and put on the auxiliary visor she used to wear at all times.

The visor was actually combat gear originally, she needed it on the battlefield to assist in targeting enemies. Later, even after returning to the palace, she never took it off, afraid that facing her mother’s piercing gaze directly would be too unbearable.

Wan Qing stood waiting nearby. As Ah Jiu stepped out of the car, she and the others bowed deeply.

“Your Majesty!”

“Meow?”

Xiao Jiu spoke before Ah Jiu could, tilting its head at the strange group of people.

Ah Jiu scratched the back of its neck in reassurance.

So, a dozen palace guards each formidable enough to crush a man single-handedly, stood dumbfounded as they watched their Emperor, who had been missing for three months, right before their eyes…

Petting a cat?!

Fortunately, all of them were well-trained and swallowed their questions, maintaining their usual composure on the surface.

After soothing Xiao Jiu, Zhen Qianqiu also known as Ah Jiu, finally looked up and gave them a slight nod.

“Dismissed.

“Whatever matters there are can wait until tomorrow.”

The elder sister’s formal name was Zhen Wuyou, while the younger sister’s was Zhen Qianqiu.

Their names were given by the previous emperor.

The elder sister had been frail and sickly since childhood, dependent on medical pods. Even revealing her identity publicly was deemed too risky, as it might disturb her fragile health. Thus, she was named Zhen Wuyou, “Worry-Free” in the hope that she would live a carefree life.

The younger sister, burdened with high expectations, was given the name Qianqiu, meaning “A Thousand Autumns.The nicknames Xiao Wu and A Jiu were also real, derived from the numbers in the phrase “the imperial throne.”

The late emperor’s intentions had always been straightforward, he had hoped that Zhen Qianqiu, with her superior Alpha physique, would shoulder the responsibility of caring for her sister and the empire.

Unfortunately, things had not unfolded as beautifully as he had envisioned.

After Zhen Qianqiu finished speaking, most of the guards withdrew, leaving only Wan Qing and a few trusted attendants.

As she walked forward, Wan Qing immediately followed.

Her attention, however, kept drifting to the cat in Zhen Qianqiu’s arms.

She had never seen the emperor keep a pet before.

Yet the scene was oddly harmonious.

The iron-clad empress, usually unreadable in her emotions, cradling a tiny white kitten in her arms, it did nothing to diminish her authority. If anything, it made her seem more human.

Wan Qing was delighted by this change in Zhen Qianqiu.

But she quickly refocused and reported the pressing matter: “The Empress Dowager has summoned numerous officials to the palace. For days now, they’ve been deliberating in the council hall about publicly announcing the elder princess’s identity.”

“Does Your Majesty wish to intervene?”

Zhen Qianqiu didn’t even turn her head. “Does this really require days of discussion?”

Wan Qing replied, “From what I’ve gathered, the Empress Dowager believes the elder princess has been hidden away for too long. Her reappearance must be grand enough to shock the empire and make her status undeniable.”

“She has even invited the heads of all A-rank media outlets for an audience tomorrow to discuss coverage.”

Zhen Qianqiu scoffed. “Call off the meeting. Dismiss the media.”

Wan Qing finally felt supported and straightened her posture. “I’ll arrange it immediately. However… regarding the Empress Dowager…”

“Shall I summon Councilor Lin to reason with her?”

The Empress Dowager, Lin Rumeng, came from an old aristocratic family. The “Councilor Lin” Wan Qing referred to was her younger brother.

Now, only Councilor Lin and Zhen Wuyou locked away in the forbidden palace could sway the Empress Dowager’s emotions.

Fortunately, Councilor Lin had some sense of propriety. Seeing both as his nieces, he recognized Zhen Qianqiu’s competence and had, for the time being, sided with her.

“You go ahead,” Zhen Qianqiu declined the suggestion with a shake of her head. “I’ll return to my chambers to change, then speak to Mother myself.”

Wan Qing was taken aback.

Everyone in the palace knew the Empress Dowager despised the emperor.

Things had been tolerable before, but after Zhen Wuyou’s near-execution, every encounter between mother and daughter had devolved into shouting or worse.

Over time, Zhen Qianqiu had stopped visiting altogether.

Wan Qing didn’t understand why, after just three months away, her emperor had undergone such a transformation.

But that didn’t stop her from obeying.

“Understood.”

With that, she withdrew to carry out her orders.

Zhen Qianqiu returned to her quarters, changed, settled Xiao Jiu in her bedroom, and headed for the council hall.

By the time she arrived, most officials had already left. Even from outside the doors, she could hear her mother’s furious shouts at the servants.

Zhen Qianqiu entered through the side door.

In the corridor, Yu Zhihuai was quietly questioning his father.

He had been assigned a nominal position under his father’s supervision. Today, his father brought him along to make an appearance before the Empress Dowager.

“Father, what’s going on? Who was that person just now who dared to openly defy the Empress Dowager?”

His father glared at him. “That’s the Emperor’s adjutant, you ignorant fool! Keep quiet, we’ll talk outside.”

Yu Zhihuai reluctantly closed his mouth, though countless questions swirled in his mind.

Why would the Emperor’s adjutant oppose the Empress Dowager? Did this mean the Emperor himself was challenging her authority? His eyes lit up as he felt he’d stumbled upon some royal secret.

Just then, he caught a fleeting figure disappearing around a corner ahead. Though he didn’t get a clear look, something about the person felt familiar, making him unconsciously exclaim, “Huh?”

The next moment, his father delivered a sharp slap to the back of his head.

“Damn brat, I told you to keep quiet!”

This finally subdued Yu Zhihuai, who walked on with his head bowed in meek submission.

Inside the council chamber.

Everyone had withdrawn, leaving only Empress Dowager Lin Rumeng and a few attendants.

When Zhen Qianqiu entered, the still-youthful-looking matriarch rushed forward and grabbed her collar. “You’re back? Why did you come back? Why didn’t you just die out there?!”

Zhen Qianqiu pushed her away.

In the past, she wouldn’t have resisted, but things were different now. As a top-tier Alpha, breaking free from an Omega’s grasp was as effortless as breathing.

Lin Rumeng froze in shock.

“Mother, mind your decorum,” Zhen Qianqiu said calmly. “Everyone’s gone. If you have nothing else, you should retire to the palace for rest.”

The Empress Dowager regained her composure.

“Don’t call me mother! I have no child who would imprison their own sister, only allowing us to meet once a month, you beast!”

Zhen Qianqiu met her gaze.

She was accustomed to such treatment, though it still stung slightly. But this time, she didn’t just endure the verbal abuse.

“You should understand without me, Zhen Wuyou would likely be dead by now, and you wouldn’t be here enjoying your twilight years in comfort.”

This was the first time Lin Rumeng had heard her speak this way, leaving her momentarily speechless.

“You… you…”

Zhen Qianqiu had had enough.

She turned to a guard behind them. “Escort the Empress Dowager back to the palace. She’s been overworked lately ensure she gets proper rest these coming days without any disturbances.”

The guard responded, “Yes, Your Majesty!”

The palace ultimately answered to Zhen Qianqiu. Despite Lin Rumeng’s protests, she was promptly escorted away.

Ignoring the curses hurled at her retreating back, Zhen Qianqiu approached the conference table and reviewed the nearly finalized proposal.

Wan Qing approached her side. “Your Majesty.”

“Terminate these projects. Also, have the royal spokesperson meet me here tomorrow,” Zhen Qianqiu ordered.

Wan Qing responded eagerly, “At once!”

During Zhen Qianqiu’s absence, she had been thoroughly disgusted by the Empress Dowager’s actions.

In Wan Qing’s view, the public had no need to know about Zhen Wuyou, she should have been executed long ago for attempting to assassinate the Emperor!

Now that Zhen Qianqiu had returned in time to halt this farce, the gloom that had weighed on Wan Qing for three months instantly lifted like clouds parting for sunshine.

“Does Your Majesty require any preparations?” she inquired.

Zhen Qianqiu replied, “I need to discuss the public announcement regarding the Grand Princess with him. As for what needs to be prepared, handle it as you see fit.”

Wan Qing froze in shock.

Having served Zhen Qianqiu for many years, she mustered the courage to confirm, “Your Majesty… still intends to reveal the Grand Princess’s identity?”

“Of course,” Zhen Qianqiu nodded.

Otherwise, how could a child born to Zhen Wuyou ever become the empire’s heir?

Wan Qing fell silent.

Unable to decipher Zhen Qianqiu’s thoughts, unaware that she had already decided to abandon everything here, she could only step back and bow. “Understood.”

Zhen Qianqiu nodded slightly, her gaze drifting through the conference room window toward the distant sky.

At this moment, Yu Zhitao was likely still seated in the spaceship cabin, awaiting landing.

Thinking of her usual adorable demeanor, Zhen Qianqiu couldn’t help but smile.

Academy Star

Huaqi Comprehensive University was a prestigious first-tier institution in the Huaqi Star Sector.

Their procedures for welcoming new students were already well-established. After completing her registration and paying tuition fees, Yu Zhitao returned to her dormitory to find her luggage neatly arranged by the school’s dormitory robot.

These robots were assigned one per floor, collectively owned by all students on that level, and responsible for assisting everyone.

Yu Zhitao’s dorm was a double room, numbered 619.

When she arrived, her roommate hadn’t yet appeared. Finding her assigned bed, she lay down comfortably.

“Ah, Huaqi University is so convenient. I didn’t even need any help. Ah Jiu just worries too much.”

After resting for a while, she got up and sent a message to Ah Jiu to confirm her safe arrival.

An hour later, her roommate arrived.

In the Omega dormitory, the newcomer was also a petite, sweet Omega girl.

Polite and friendly, she even brought a small gift after introducing herself.

“It’s a doll I made myself. I hope you like it,” Gu Yingying said shyly, her cheeks flushed.

This left Yu Zhitao feeling a bit embarrassed.

“Sorry, I… didn’t prepare anything in return.”

“That’s alright,” Gu Yingying smiled. “I’m just happy you accepted my gift.”

Yu Zhitao took the small box and immediately offered, “Then let me play a song for you.”

Gu Yingying’s gentle and cheerful personality made it easy for Yu Zhitao to bond with her. Over the next few days, she showed Gu Yingying around campus, familiarizing her with the surroundings while gathering important information.

On the third day, their department was scheduled for a physical examination at the T Campus.

This was a tradition at Huaqi Comprehensive University—freshmen underwent health checks before official enrollment. Based on the results, the university would tailor military training plans to avoid overexertion or insufficient conditioning.

Gu Yingying clung tightly to Yu Zhitao’s hand.

“This is so scary. Are we lining up for blood tests? Peach, aren’t you afraid?”

Yu Zhitao, being more mature, wasn’t particularly nervous—it was just a quick prick.

Besides, with advanced technology in this era, it wasn’t even that painful.

But still…

“I’m not scared of the pain, but I keep feeling like there’s a weird smell here,” Yu Zhitao said, pressing a hand to her chest. “I’m worried I might throw up later.”

Gu Yingying reassured her, “I don’t smell anything.

“But my stomach feels off too. Maybe it’s because we skipped breakfast—we’re probably just hungry.”

Yu Zhitao nodded in agreement. “Right, let’s finish the check-up quickly so we can grab something to eat.”

Their department wasn’t particularly large, with only about three hundred students, so all the procedures moved along swiftly.

Yu Zhitao and Gu Yingying breezed through the examinations without any issues—until they reached the “lesion scan” station, where things took an unexpected turn.

Gu Yingying had already texted to say she’d completed her check-up and was waiting outside.

Yu Zhitao watched nervously as the doctor placed the scanner on her abdomen and remained silent for an unusually long time. She swallowed hard.

“Doctor… is there something wrong with me?” she asked cautiously.

The white-coated doctor stared at the screen with a serious expression.

“Did you know you’re carrying something small inside you?”

Yu Zhitao’s mind went blank at the words.

“C-carrying something? D-do I have a tumor?”

The doctor shot her a mildly disdainful look.

Seeing Yu Zhitao’s genuine confusion, she decided to be blunt. “You’re pregnant.”

Yu Zhitao’s mind blanked out again.

“What?”

“Miss Yu, our school doesn’t discriminate against married or even pregnant students.

“I’ll prepare a certificate for you. Within a month, you’ll need to have your legal spouse or your father come in to sign some paperwork.”

The doctor handled the matter with bureaucratic efficiency.

Yu Zhitao was completely flustered.

“Wait, sorry, Doctor—just to confirm, you’re saying I’m… pregnant?”

The doctor frowned slightly.

Yu Zhitao was young—if not for the clear records, she might have suspected her of being a deceived minor.

Of course, the “minor” part didn’t apply, but “deceived” might still be a possibility.

“Yes, you’re pregnant. About a month along—too early to detect unless you came here specifically.

“Do you need me to contact the police for you?”

Yu Zhitao scrambled off the examination table in a panic.

“No, no, that’s fine! Thank you, Doctor, I understand—I’ll handle it!”

With that, she grabbed the paperwork the doctor had prepared, straightened her clothes, and hurried out.

The doctor called after her…

Xing: “Remember that document? Without the liability waiver signed, you’ll be temporarily suspended from school.”

Yu Zhi Tao’s face flushed red. She hastily replied with a “Got it” before fleeing in a fluster.

In the hallway, Gu Ying Ying was startled to see her walk out with a pale face.

“Peach… Did they find something wrong with your check-up?”

Yu Zhi Tao shook her head. “No, it’s not that.

“Ying Ying, I’m a little overwhelmed right now. I… I need to go back to the dorm and calm down.”

This was the final check-up, so the two of them were free to leave.

Gu Ying Ying, being considerate, didn’t press further. She escorted her back to the dorm, told her to rest quietly, then headed to the cafeteria to buy breakfast for her.

After lying in bed for a while, the exhaustion from the morning’s rush faded, and Yu Zhi Tao finally regained her composure.

Coming to her senses, she immediately ordered a few pregnancy test kits online.

As she waited for the delivery, her anxiety gradually transformed into joy.

Earlier, she had just been too shocked—completely unprepared for this possibility. But now that the initial shock had worn off, all that remained was pure happiness.

“If I’m pregnant… it must be Ah Jiu’s. The doctor said it’s been a month, and the timing matches.

“But Ah Jiu told me she was sick, that she couldn’t get me pregnant. Could she have been misdiagnosed? When we were together, everything was so perfect—there’s no way she could have issues in that department!”

Excited, she grabbed her phone, eager to share the news with Ah Jiu right away!