Pregnant with the Empress’s Alpha Heir - Chapter 23.2

She didn’t see her age as an issue. Though her body had only just reached adulthood, her soul was far more mature. Back on Earth, she had longed for a child of her own but couldn’t meet adoption requirements without being married. For this baby, she felt nothing but pure happiness.

As for Ah Jiu, she was even more mature than Yu Zhitao, both physically and emotionally.

But Gu Yingying wasn’t wrong were they ready to register their marriage and become each other’s legal spouses?

Yu Zhitao and Ah Jiu had never discussed the topic before. Now that it had been brought up, Yu Zhitao felt an unexpected hollowness in her chest.

She forced herself to rally. “I still have school, so we don’t have immediate plans to marry. But it’s fine! I can always get my parents to sign, right? Worst case… worst case, I’ll take a year off!”

Gu Yingying frowned. “Taozi, you need to think this through carefully.”

“No need!” Yu Zhitao met her gaze. “Yingying, I know you care about me, and I know what you’re hesitant to say. But no matter what happens, I’m willing to take responsibility for my choices! I will never give up this child.”

Gu Yingying stood stunned for a long while.

After coming to her senses, she sighed helplessly, “You’re really impossible.”

She opened her smart device and said, “In that case, I’ll do my best to help you.”

“Tomorrow is the last day before school starts. How about I schedule you for a comprehensive prenatal checkup at General Hospital?”

“I can even accompany you there.”

“Wuwu, Yingying, I don’t even know how to repay you for doing this!” Yu Zhitao’s nose turned red with emotion.

Gu Yingying sighed: “What can I say? Fate brought us together.

“I like you, and I won’t allow myself to lose a roommate like you!”

Yu Zhitao stuck out her tongue playfully.

The next day, Gu Yingying took her to the hospital.

A young man was waiting at the hospital entrance. Upon seeing them, he proactively came forward.

After introductions, Yu Zhitao learned this was Gu Yingying’s cousin whom she’d mentioned before – the one who worked at the hospital.

Gu Zhilan had taken the day off but specially returned to the hospital for them, which made Yu Zhitao blush with gratitude as she repeatedly thanked him.

The Gu siblings shared similar personalities – both were very easygoing. After brief pleasantries, the three quickly proceeded into the hospital.

Having a doctor as a guide made everything convenient. In the vast general hospital, the two Omegas didn’t have to wander around aimlessly at all.

While waiting for the examination, the three queued together, with Gu Zhilan sharing interesting hospital stories.

“You might not believe this, but last night, a senior in our department received a transfer order and was sent to the Capital Star overnight.”

Gu Yingying’s eyes widened: “Ah… with one senior gone, won’t your workload increase dramatically?”

Gu Zhilan shook his head: “The people from Capital Star are incredibly generous.

“They sent two specialists from the Mental Field Department to take over his duties during his absence.

“Our department group chat went wild with joy last night – we get to learn from industry leaders without increased workload.”

Yu Zhitao grew curious: “So does that mean your senior isn’t as skilled as those two experts?

“Then why would Capital Star exchange two experts for that one senior?”

Gu Zhilan shrugged: “It seems related to a research project he’s handling, and I heard…

“This time he’s going to the Royal Affiliated Hospital on Capital Star.

“Perhaps they need him to treat someone from the royal family.”

Gu Yingying gasped: “Is the Emperor sick?”

“Unlikely,” Gu Zhilan speculated. “Probably another royal family member.”

The queue moved quickly. Before they finished their gossip, it was already Yu Zhitao’s turn.

With nervous apprehension, Yu Zhitao entered the examination room, stiffly following the doctor’s instructions.

After two to three hours of tests across two different equipment rooms, the final results brought joy.

“The baby is extremely healthy!” The silver-haired obstetrician examined her medical records. “Tsk tsk, these mental field test values are remarkably high. I’ve never seen numbers like this before.

“Xiao Lan, come take a look!”

As a mental field specialist, Gu Zhilan was more qualified in this area than the obstetrician. Seeing he’d accompanied Yu Zhitao, the elderly doctor generously invited him to review.

Gu Zhilan first glanced at Yu Zhitao for consent before approaching to examine the documents.

What he saw surprised him too.

“Yes, the values are exceptionally high.” He explained to Yu Zhitao, “Look, these two indicators have peaked. Barring any complications, I can confidently say this child will definitely be an Alpha or Omega – and an exceptionally superior one at that.”

“Didn’t you see the Asin coefficient? The probability of being Alpha is higher, Omegas have weaker physiques, their values wouldn’t be that high,” the elderly doctor interjected.

“Yes,” Gu Zhilan nodded.

As he spoke, he looked at Yu Zhitao and smiled admiringly. “Miss Yu herself is a top-tier Omega. The child’s other mother must be an exceptional person as well, right?”

Hearing someone mention Ah Jiu, Yu Zhitao blushed slightly.

“She’s far more outstanding than I am.”

“Both are good kids,” the old doctor concluded cheerfully.

After the two professionals finished their analysis, Yu Zhitao’s earlier unease had completely vanished.

She said joyfully, “So, you’re saying the baby is very healthy now and will grow up to be exceptional, right?”

The doctor nodded. “That’s correct.

“Your own health is also in good condition. As for things to pay attention to… let me check…”

After a moment, she frowned. “The test results show that you and your partner haven’t completed a deep bond yet. That’s not good.

“You should contact your partner and complete the deep marking as soon as possible.”

Yu Zhitao froze for a second before nodding quickly.

Her voice was barely above a whisper. “Alright, I understand. Thank you, Doctor.”

The old doctor didn’t even turn around.

While typing up a prescription for prenatal supplements on her smart device, she continued listing various precautions without pause.

Yu Zhitao had the recording on, but she still listened attentively.

After the check-up and collecting the supplements, Gu Zhilan invited the two girls to a nearby meal and personally escorted them back to their dorm.

That night, lying in bed, Yu Zhitao reopened her chat log with Ah Jiu.

The conversation had stopped the day before, with no reply from Ah Jiu yet.

Perhaps because of the pregnancy, her mind raced all night, leaving her restless.

The next day, dark circles under her eyes, she attended the enrollment ceremony with Gu Yingying.

But upon arrival, she was told she couldn’t enter.

Yu Zhitao was stunned.

She knew she hadn’t passed verification, but she hadn’t expected to be barred from the ceremony as well.

Gu Yingying wanted to step out and keep her company, but Yu Zhitao persuaded her to stay.

After reassuring Gu Yingying, she walked back to the dorm alone.

Fortunately, the dorm remained accessible to her.

Over the next two days, Yu Zhitao confirmed that without resolving the liability waiver, she was effectively stranded, unable to go anywhere on campus except her dorm.

As for the major transfer application she had been hoping for, she couldn’t even find where to begin now.

Yu Zhitao packed her bags simply and booked a ticket back to the capital planet.

The night before her departure, Gu Yingying looked at her worriedly. “Peach, are you sure you’ll be alright alone?”

Yu Zhitao folded her clothes neatly. “Of course! I grew up on the capital planet!”

She even managed to joke, “And don’t worry about the baby, it’s still early. Other than my appetite growing so much I might turn into a chubby soon, there are no negative effects at all.”

Gu Yingying laughed obligingly.

“That’s good.”

With the semester just starting, she was swamped with work and couldn’t spare the time to see Yu Zhitao off.

So, she busied herself packing Yu Zhitao’s luggage and preparing snacks for the flight.

Meanwhile, at the Heng family estate on Academia Star.

Heng Ying was flirting with a new beauty when a subordinate barged in hurriedly.

Heng Ying had no choice but to send her young lover away first, rubbing her temples as she asked, “What’s the matter?”

“Miss Heng, the Omega lady you previously instructed us to protect discreetly seems to be preparing to leave Academy Star and return to Capital Star.”

“I came to seek your instructions since she’s leaving Academy Star, should we continue to follow and protect her?”

“Leaving Academy Star?” Heng Ying found it strange. “Didn’t she just start school?”

“Why would she return at this critical moment?”

Her subordinate remained silent, clearly unaware of the reason.

After a moment’s thought, Heng Ying arranged: “Continue following her as usual. If she returns to Capital Star, follow her there. Just maintain the same covert protection as before.”

“I’ll ask Zhen… I mean, that friend later to see what should be done.”

The subordinate nodded and left to make arrangements.

After he departed, Heng Ying dialed Zhen Qianqiu’s private line.

The busy signal made her frown, so she switched to calling the palace’s communication line.

After being transferred twice, the call finally connected.

But the person on the other end wasn’t Zhen Qianqiu, whom she wanted to speak with.

“Wan Qing?” After confirming the identity, Heng Ying said, “I need to speak with Her Majesty. Please transfer the call to her.”

“Her Majesty is currently unavailable to respond. If Major Heng Ying has urgent matters, you may relay them to me,” Wan Qing’s voice was slow but firm.

Heng Ying was taken aback.

“Why can’t Her Majesty take the call?”

“Major Heng Ying, with all due respect, that’s not your concern,” Wan Qing countered. “Rather, since His Majesty hasn’t summoned you, yet you’re using the imperial communication line, do you have something important to report?”

Hearing this, Heng Ying realized Wan Qing wasn’t aware of the previous arrangements Zhen Qianqiu had made.

She played dumb: “Nothing urgent, I just missed Her Majesty and wanted to catch up.”

“Since she’s unavailable, I’ll hang up now.”

Without waiting for Wan Qing’s response, she immediately ended the call.

“Whew, that scared me. Vice Minister Wan is still as stern as ever.”

She leaned back on the sofa.

“Whatever, why should I worry? Capital Star is Her Majesty’s territory. If that little girl returns, how could Her Majesty not know?”

Stretching, she headed toward the wine cabinet.

And so, with almost no one aware, Yu Zhitao quietly boarded a starship back to Capital Star.

After a day and a half of travel, she stood once more at the spaceport she had visited just days prior.

Back then, she had just left the apartment she’d rented for two months, ready to embrace her new life.

Now, standing in the same spot, she felt lost for a few minutes, unsure where to go.

Glancing at her smart device, she saw that Ah Jiu’s account icon in her contacts was still gray.

Yu Zhitao nearly burst into tears.

But she quickly chided herself for being overly emotional, roughly rubbing her tingling nose.

“So melodramatic.”

Then, shouldering her luggage, she strode out of the spaceport.

After spending some money to book a mid-range hotel nearby, Yu Zhitao got a good night’s sleep.

The next morning, she instinctively checked her smart device, only to find Ah Jiu had finally replied!

[I’m back.]

[Sorry for disappearing so long. What was that ‘big matter’ you mentioned?]

[You must be busy lately? How’s school going?]

Overjoyed, Yu Zhitao leaped straight out of bed.

She checked the time.

Because she hadn’t slept well the previous night, she didn’t wake up until 10 o’clock today.

This was a suitable time.

She rushed to the bathroom to brush her teeth and drank some water to ensure her voice sounded normal.

Then, she solemnly made the call.

At the Royal Affiliated Hospital,

Zhen Qianqian leaned against the hospital bed, attentively listening to Xi Shuwen’s report on her condition.

Fresh out of the healing pod, she had little strength but looked remarkably well.

Xi Shuwen was also beaming with joy.

The healing results this time had far exceeded the expert team’s expectations!

To be cautious, they planned to conduct another full-body scan for Zhen Qianqian, followed by gentle therapy to eliminate the last remnants of the illness.

This way, Zhen Qianqian’s body and mental domain could fully return to their peak condition.

It was a miracle, and everyone in the hospital was eager to see the final outcome.

Just then, a notification chime sounded from Wan Qing’s device.

Startled, Wan Qing was about to silence it when Zhen Qianqian said, “That’s my communicator. Give it to me.”

“…Your Majesty?” Xi Shuwen, in the middle of the most crucial part of her report, was slightly exasperated by the interruption.

Too weak to raise her voice, Zhen Qianqian murmured, “It’s fine.

“Didn’t you say I’ve already improved significantly? Surely I can spare a moment to take a call?”

Xi Shuwen replied, “Of course.

“I just can’t stand that Your Majesty prioritizes other matters over your own health.”

Wan Qing had already handed over the communicator, and Zhen Qianqian was pleased to see the name displayed.

She addressed everyone in the room, “Leave us for a while.”

As Wan Qing, the last to exit, closed the door, Zhen Qianqian finally answered the call.

To avoid letting Yu Zhitao see her in a hospital gown, she opted for audio-only instead of video.

“Ah Jiu?!” Yu Zhitao’s voice came through the communicator.

After five days in an unconscious state, even after leaving the healing pod, Zhen Qianqian still felt disoriented, as if floating midair with no ground beneath her.

But the moment she heard Yu Zhitao’s voice, it was as if she had finally found solid ground.

Unable to suppress a smile, she replied, “It’s me.”

Yu Zhitao sounded puzzled, “Why… aren’t you turning on the video?”

“I want to see you!”

“I want to see you too,” Zhen Qianqiu replied.

In the past, her father would leave for months at a time to fight for their country. She often missed him so much that she couldn’t even focus on training.

But with Yu Zhitao…

Even though they had been apart for less than ten days, it already felt like she had reached her limit.

“I’m not in a good position right now. How about I show you in a few days?” Given the circumstances, she could only placate her like this for now.

Yu Zhitao fell silent for a few seconds before asking, “How many days?”

Zhen Qianqiu was genuinely stumped.

She hadn’t even finished listening to Xi Shuwen’s report yet and wasn’t sure how many more days it would take before she could shed this hospital gown.

“I’ll hurry.”

“Oh.” Yu Zhitao clearly wasn’t satisfied with that answer.

Zhen Qianqiu chuckled and reassured her, “Don’t sulk.”

The two went back and forth with some trivial, everyday conversations typical of couples.

As the call neared its end, Yu Zhitao finally mustered up the courage.

She abruptly changed the subject and asked, “Ah Jiu, do you want to marry me?”

Zhen Qianqiu didn’t hesitate for even a second. “Yes.”

“Hehe.” Yu Zhitao happily rose onto her tiptoes. “Then… let’s go get our marriage license, okay?

“I want to make it official.”

But this request made Zhen Qianqiu fall silent for a long time.

She said, “Zhitao, I’m sorry.

“Right now, it’s really not possible.”

Yu Zhitao cut her off. “Just the license, no announcement, okay?”

She pressed urgently, “I’ll make a trip back to the capital planet, and you can sneak out. We’ll just get the license and that’s it!”

Zhen Qianqiu responded gently, “Zhitao, don’t rush. You deserve a proper wedding. Let me settle things here first, and then we’ll start preparing, alright?”

Yu Zhitao felt a lump in her throat.

She desperately wanted to tell her about the pregnancy, but the words wouldn’t come out.

All she could manage was a sullen, “I understand.”

Zhen Qianqiu sounded puzzled. “Zhitao… is something wrong on your end?”

Yu Zhitao shook her head. “No. It’s just… I miss you.”

Zhen Qianqiu sighed. “Be good. We’ll be together soon.”

Yu Zhitao gave a quiet “Mm.” “I’ll hang up now. There’s something else I need to do.”

Fresh out of the healing chamber, Zhen Qianqiu wasn’t in the best condition. She wanted to hear Yu Zhitao’s voice a little longer, but in the end, she didn’t say anything.

“Okay.”

The call ended, and Yu Zhitao slumped onto the carpet in defeat.

She couldn’t bring herself to say it.

Words and actions were different. Ah Jiu said she was willing to marry her just not right now.

Even if she didn’t know whether Ah Jiu had genuine reasons or what those reasons might be, she refused to use the baby as leverage.

It would make her feel like she was forcing Ah Jiu into marriage with the child.

Look, I’m pregnant with your baby, so within a month, you have to get the license with me and sign the papers!

That would make her and the baby seem like a threat, a burden.

Yu Zhitao never wanted it to be like that.

She sat hugging her knees for a long time before suddenly remembering something. Rummaging through her suitcase, she pulled out a document.

Aside from a legally recognized partner’s signature, one of the parents could also sign.

Yu Zhitao immediately pictured her father’s wide-eyed glare.