Pregnant with the Empress’s Alpha Heir - Chapter 24.1

After spending a day sorting out her emotions, Yu Zhitao boarded the bus back to the Yu family home the next day.

Her heart remained uneasy, with a subconscious belief that her father might no longer care for her. But given the circumstances, she had to give it her all regardless.

If the Yu family path was completely blocked, she would have to confess directly to Ah Jiu or return to take a leave of absence from school.

The weekday bus was nearly empty, aside from Yu Zhitao, there were only two female students sitting in the back.

They had been scrolling through their smart devices separately when suddenly, one of them gasped in surprise.

The next second, she slapped her companion’s shoulder excitedly: “Quick, quick! Check the royal family’s official account!!”

“What’s happened?” Her companion winced, rubbing the sore spot. “Did the Empress announce a galaxy-wide consort selection? Why so excited?”

The first girl paused, then giggled foolishly: “Not quite, but it’s still pretty explosive.”

Before her friend could search, she blurted out: “Turns out the Empress has an older sister!

“The news says the Grand Princess was previously in poor health, so her existence wasn’t publicized. Now that she’s recovered, she’s been officially registered in the royal records.”

Her companion finally saw the news too.

More rational, she kept refreshing the screen, puzzled: “That’s it? Just this one announcement?

“Not even a single photo?”

The first girl realized: “You’re right, that is strange. Comments and reposts are disabled too.”

Her companion speculated: “They did mention the Grand Princess was frail since childhood. Maybe they’re still protecting her privacy.”

“Yeah,” the girl nodded.

With such scarce information online not even major media outlets jumping on the story her interest quickly waned.

Exiting the page, she sighed: “Ah, whatever, not worth caring about.

“I’ll just keep waiting for the Empress’s consort selection announcement.”

“Hahaha,” her companion shook with laughter, “Have you no shame? Really think the Empress would hold an equal-opportunity selection across the galaxy?”

“Obviously,” the girl lifted her chin. “A person should have dreams.

“Maybe the Empress prefers Omegas like me!”

“Pfft,” her friend scoffed.

After a thought, she joked: “Stop dreaming.

“Next royal announcement might just be the Empress’s impending marriage.”

Pausing, she had a sudden inspiration and added cheerfully: “With the royal consort already pregnant, we might even get a little princess soon!”

“Nonsense! Nonsense!” The girl flailed her arms, hitting her companion. “The Empress has zero dating rumors! I forbid such talk!”

“Alright, alright, I’ll stop,” her friend surrendered under the assault.

Yu Zhitao had been leaning against her seat, quietly watching the endless stream of vehicles outside.

The girls’ boisterous play eventually drew her attention.

Lazily opening her smart device, she searched and indeed found the Grand Princess topic they’d mentioned.

This suddenly reminded her of Yu Zhihuai.

Her nominal younger brother had first told her about this. As an Alpha participating in the Grand Princess’s “groom selection banquet,” she wondered how he was doing now.

So after getting off the bus, she placed a call to Yu Zhihuai.

Yu Zhihuai came straight to her doorstep to pick her up.

The call hadn’t been clear, so the moment Yu Zhitao got into the car, he urgently asked, “Big sis, why are you back?”

“There’s a document that needs Father’s signature. You could’ve just mailed it back, why come all this way yourself?”

He seemed to have just come from the training room, his body reeking of sweat.

Yu Zhitao rubbed her nose. “Mmm, it’s a very important document. I was afraid I wouldn’t explain it clearly, so I came back myself.”

“Whatever.” Yu Zhihuai started the car. “Let’s head back first, then talk.”

When they arrived at the Yu family estate, the guards stopped them.

Faced with Yu Zhihuai’s confusion, one of the guards stammered, “Young Master, Mr. Yu previously instructed that the eldest young miss isn’t allowed to return.”

“Bullshit instructions!” Yu Zhihuai grabbed the man by the collar. “Can’t you tell that was just my dad venting in anger?”

“She’s my big sister, the rightful eldest daughter of the Yu family. What right do you have to stop her?”

The guard yielded. “U-understood. It’s fine, you can go in.”

Only then did Yu Zhihuai let go and stride back to the car.

Yu Zhitao was touched. “Zhihuai, thank you.”

Yu Zhihuai ruffled his hair. “What’s there to thank me for?”

“Big sis, don’t take it to heart. I’ll deal with them properly later.”

Yu Zhitao laughed. “Seems like that beating you took at the bar wasn’t for nothing.”

“You’ve grown up a lot.”

Yu Zhihuai flushed red. “What are you talking about?”

“That was a fair fight between me and your Ah Jiu not me getting beaten up!”

“Besides, I’m still young. I was going easy on her.”

The last sentence was clearly lacking in confidence, his voice so soft it was almost inaudible.

Yu Zhitao burst into laughter. “Hahaha, alright, I get it.”

Outside the Yu estate.

Two men in suits were stumped.

“Boss, this is the noble district of the capital planet. Security is tight everywhere, we can’t follow them in. Why did that Miss Yu go there? What do we do now?”

The other man replied, “Don’t worry, she can’t stay in there forever.”

“Notify the shift change. We’ll stake out the nearby exits for a few days.”

The subordinate nodded. “Understood!”

After parking the car, Yu Zhihuai carried Yu Zhitao’s large backpack and led the way into the house.

He explained, “Father’s at work, Mother’s visiting friends, and Second Sister, like you, left for the Academy Planet a few days ago.”

“Right now, I’m the only one home. I’ll take you to your room.”

Yu Zhitao hummed in acknowledgment and quietly followed him.

Though Father Yu had spoken in anger, he wasn’t truly heartless.

In the Yu household, Yu Zhitao’s room remained exactly as it had been furnishings and belongings untouched with even the maids cleaning it daily to keep it spotless.

Sinking into the plush bedding of a noble family’s home again, Yu Zhitao sighed in contentment.

After resting for a short while, Yu Zhihuai returned with a small snack.

He set it down on her desk.

“Big sis, rest for now. I’m heading back to the training room.”

“If you need anything, just call me.”

Yu Zhitao stopped him.

“Ah, wait.”

She asked, “Zhihuai, when will Father be back?”

Yu Zhihuai sighed. “No idea.”

“You’ve seen the news, right? The Grand Princess’s matter has been made public. Father’s been swamped these past few days, barely even coming home, he’s been sleeping at the department.”

“Oh, I see.” Yu Zhitao exclaimed, “I saw the news.”

“But announcing the Crown Princess is such a major event, yet there doesn’t seem to be much reaction on the Star Network. What’s Father been busy with?”

“Let me tell you, this is exactly what’s strange about it.”

Talking about gossip instantly energized Yu Zhihuai.

He stopped walking and pulled up a chair to sit directly in front of Yu Zhitao.

“Elder sister, you might not know this.”

“Originally, the higher-ups planned to make a grand affair of the Crown Princess announcement. The Empress Dowager had invited hundreds of news outlets, preparing for a three-day-long press conference.”

“I thought to myself, wow, they’re going all out, it would’ve rivaled the scale of the Empire’s 3000th anniversary celebration over a decade ago!”

Yu Zhitao was puzzled.

“Really? Then what happened? Was all that canceled?”

“Yes, canceled.” Yu Zhihuai nodded mysteriously. “Guess who called it off.”

Yu Zhitao laughed: “That’s hardly a guess. Who could override the Empress Dowager?”

She tilted her head: “So the Emperor personally intervened? Why would the Emperor do that?”

Seeing she’d guessed correctly, Yu Zhihuai dropped his teasing tone.

“It was indeed the Emperor, only the Emperor could do such a thing.”

“As for why… how would I know? No one can fathom the Emperor’s thoughts.”

He spread his hands: “So there you have it. The Emperor ordered the media coverage to be limited to a Class C event level.”

“Father hasn’t been home these past few days, leading his team in constant media monitoring.”

Yu Zhitao nodded in understanding.

But then she grew concerned: “What about my documents then?”

Yu Zhihuai waved it off: “No worries, there’s still Mother.”

“She went out with friends but will be back tonight. She should be able to sign whatever documents you have, right?”

Yu Zhitao’s expression stiffened slightly.

“Mother…”

Yu Zhihuai wasn’t stupid, he knew the relationship between Yu Zhitao and their mother wasn’t the best.

Seeing her hesitation, he gallantly offered: “Don’t worry, give the documents to me. Mother dotes on me the most, I’ll wear her down for you.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Yu Zhitao opened her bag and retrieved the document.

Yu Zhihuai took it.

“Let’s see… signature documents for the university? That shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Regarding the student’s pregnancy during enrollment and subsequent…”

At this line, he froze as if petrified, staring blankly for five or six seconds.

Yu Zhitao held her breath.

She mentally chanted: “It’s coming, it’s coming. This was inevitable.”

Sure enough, Yu Zhihuai leaped up from his chair.

“You, you, you’re pregnant?!”

Yu Zhitao nodded meekly, shoulders hunched.

“I, I’m going to be an uncle…” Yu Zhihuai floundered before suddenly snapping back to reality. “Wait, no!”

He glared at Yu Zhitao: “Elder sister, you’re having a baby?!”

“Was it that bastard’s doing?”

Yu Zhitao whispered: “Ah Jiu isn’t a bastard…”

“You’re still defending her!” Yu Zhihuai felt like he might explode. “Didn’t I specifically buy you contraceptives? Didn’t I remind you to take precautions?”

“How could you no, how could she?”

He took a deep breath to calm himself: “This isn’t the time for that. Yu Zhihuai, stay calm.”

“You’re a strong Alpha. Nothing can shake you.”

Yu Zhitao nearly burst out laughing at his reaction, but the tense atmosphere helped her hold it in.

After completely calming down, Yu Zhihuai sat back in his chair and switched into interrogation mode.

“Where’s Ah Jiu? How could she let you come home alone when something this big happened?”

Yu Zhitao answered seriously, “Ah Jiu has some matters to attend to recently, so we’ve been apart for a while.”

Yu Zhihuai was furious. “She has matters to attend to?

“Is she inheriting a throne or something? Disappearing at a time like this?”

Yu Zhitao waved her hand. “Don’t get mad yet.

“Ah Jiu doesn’t even know about this… She probably still thinks I’m attending classes at the Academy Star.”

“She doesn’t know?” Yu Zhihuai slapped his thigh. “Then tell her, sis!

“Right now, this instant, call her.”

He planted his hands on his hips. “You call her, and I’ll give her a piece of my mind.

“What kind of Alpha can’t even control their own urges and doesn’t even know their Omega is pregnant?!”

Yu Zhitao sighed. “There’s actually a bit of a misunderstanding here.”

Mainly, both she and Ah Jiu had assumed that being together wouldn’t result in a baby.

Now, Yu Zhitao explained, “And,  I don’t want to tell her about this yet.

“Even if she knew, we couldn’t get married within a month anyway.”

“Sis, have you lost your mind? Why wouldn’t you tell her?” Yu Zhihuai found this utterly absurd. “She’s the one who got you pregnant, of course she should take responsibility!

“Honestly, I already think she’s not good enough for you. And now she’s not even going to step up?”

As he spoke, he opened his smart device and scrolled through his contacts.

Three seconds later, he angrily shut it off. “Damn it, I don’t have her added.

“Just let me find out where that coward is hiding, and I swear I’ll, ahem, I’ll bring people to beat her teeth in!”

When it came to bluster, Yu Zhihuai was always reliable.

After his rant, he turned to Yu Zhitao. “Sis, what do you plan to do now?”

Yu Zhitao took a deep breath. “I want to settle the school documents first. At least for the first semester, the pregnancy won’t be obvious, and I don’t want to waste time.

“That’s why I came home.”

Yu Zhihuai frowned. “So you’re definitely keeping the baby?”

He hesitated. “Are you really sure about this? You’re the eldest daughter of the Yu family are you really going to tie yourself to some no-name pretty boy for life?”

“I don’t see myself as a noble family’s eldest daughter anymore, and Ah Jiu isn’t some no-name pretty boy!” Yu Zhitao wrapped her arms around her belly. “I’m keeping this child no matter what. Even if I end up getting expelled, I won’t give her up!”

Yu Zhihuai was speechless. “You’re being ridiculous.”

But Yu Zhitao replied, “It’s not ridiculous. I know exactly what I’m doing.”

Yu Zhihuai fell silent.

He suddenly realized that Yu Zhitao was right.

She truly did know what she was doing, and she had more courage than most people.

Just like before, when she left the Yu family after breaking off her engagement, and their father cut off all her financial support.

Like everyone else in the Yu family, Yu Zhihuai had assumed she’d come crawling back in a few days to apologize.

But Yu Zhitao never did.

No one knew how an Omega like her had managed to carve out a place for herself in the upper districts of the capital planet despite the Yu family’s retaliation.

But when Yu Zhihuai saw her in that bar, he instinctively understood.

Even without Ah Jiu or that stable guqin performance job, Yu Zhitao probably wouldn’t have turned back.

She knew exactly what she wanted and clearly understood how to achieve it through her own efforts.

As for regrets?

Just seeing how happily she and Ah Jiu lived in that tiny apartment without even a smart robot was enough to tell the answer.

What Yu Zhitao pursued had always been spiritual fulfillment far beyond material comforts.

At this thought, the reproach in Yu Zhihua’s heart faded before he could voice it.

He returned to his chair and sat silently with Yu Zhitao, lost in thought.

After a while, he sighed. “Mother won’t agree.

“She’s very cautious. For trivial documents, maybe, but for something this important, she won’t sign without Father’s approval.”

“It’s fine,” Yu Zhitao said. “I’ll talk to Father myself when he returns.

“Whether it works out or not, at least I tried. That way, I won’t have regrets.”

Yu Zhihua scratched his cheek. “Too bad we don’t know when Father will be back.”

He looked at Yu Zhitao. “Elder Sister, just stay at home for now. I’ll message Father later to see what he says.

“When he returns, I’ll go with you to meet him.”

Yu Zhitao was deeply moved.

As a transmigrator, she had initially felt no familial bond with Yu Zhihua.

She had left the Yu family without hesitation because she hadn’t yet considered them her true family in this world.

But Yu Zhihua had always acted responsibly, silently protecting and supporting her as her younger brother.

Even his initial conflict with Ah Jiu stemmed from a misunderstanding, he thought she was being controlled by a fraud ring.

In her past life, she had been an only child. This was her first time experiencing the warmth of having a brother.

“Thank you, Zhihua,” Yu Zhitao said, taking back the documents. “But there’s no need. This is my matter, I can handle it myself.

“Father is already upset with me. No point in dragging you into it and making him upset with you too.”

Yu Zhihua scratched his neck irritably. “Don’t say that.

“You’re my sister. Who else would I help if not you?”

With that, he stood up. “I’m heading back to the training room. You should rest.”

At the door, he paused.

Then, hiding behind it, his face slightly red, he asked, “By the way… Elder Sister, now that you’re expecting, shouldn’t you be careful with your diet?

“What would you like for dinner? I’ll have the kitchen prepare it.”

Yu Zhitao didn’t want to trouble him. “No need, just the usual. It’s not that complicated.”

Yu Zhihua pouted. “Then I’ll decide myself?”

Yu Zhitao nodded. “Sure, just pick whatever you like.”

“What I like?” he muttered under his breath while closing the door. “No way, gotta choose what my little niece would like.”

He headed downstairs but stopped at the staircase, plopping down right there as he pulled out his smart device to search.

The StarNet was flooded with pregnancy diet guides so detailed they listed what nutritional supplements to take at what hour.

Yu Zhihua scratched his head in confusion. “How is this harder than my cultural studies?”

Dizzy from reading, he nearly closed the page, only to hesitate at the last second.

“No, she’s counting on me for dinner.”

Gritting his teeth, he forced himself to keep reading.

That afternoon, the Yu family servants bustled in and out of the house. Whenever they passed the staircase, they’d see the young master standing motionless in the middle of the steps, muttering to himself while staring at his smart device screen.

With both adult Yus absent, no one dared disturb him, allowing him to quietly compile a complete recipe in peace.

Come evening, Madam Yu was dining out with friends and never returned home.

When Yu Zhitao came downstairs to find an entire table laden with sumptuous dishes, she hesitated, unsure where to begin with her chopsticks.

Yu Zhihuai enthusiastically recommended: “Start with some soup to whet your appetite. Then try the fish that fish is excellent, you should eat more of it.”

Forcing a smile, Yu Zhitao endured her brother’s unusual enthusiasm through what became her first dinner since returning to the Yu household.

Imperial Palace.

Having completed her first treatment course, Zhen Qianqiu was finally discharged from the hospital.

Without resting, she immediately summoned Wan Qing for a situation report.

Wan Qing had prepared thoroughly, presenting detailed updates on all major recent events.

Finally, Zhen Qianqiu inquired about the announcement regarding the Eldest Princess’s identity.

Wan Qing reported: “Everything proceeded exactly as Your Majesty commanded.”

“After the announcement, online discourse remained within our controlled parameters. We estimate netizens will forget the matter entirely within two more days.”

“Good.” Zhen Qianqiu nodded approvingly. “And my mother?”

“…The Empress Dowager made some disturbances initially, but has grown quiet recently.” Wan Qing continued, “Councilor Lin visited her and reported afterward that Her Majesty insists we must pay special attention to the Eldest Princess’s marriage arrangements.”

“Marriage…” Zhen Qianqiu murmured the word.