Pregnant with the Empress’s Alpha Heir - Chapter 27.1

At six in the morning, Zhen Qianqiu opened her eyes right on time.

For a few seconds, she felt disoriented, the exhaustion from the deep marking still lingering. But soon, the soft breathing of the person beside her against her neck brought her back to awareness.

Zhen Qianqiu carefully turned her head, quietly gazing at Yu Zhitao’s sleeping face.

Last night’s events had been earth-shattering in her decades of life.

From discovering Yu Zhitao’s disappearance, to finding her again, and then confirming the news that her little Omega was pregnant,

Each and every one of those moments now felt surreal, yet they had truly happened.

And all of it was inextricably tied to this one person lying beside her.

Unconsciously, Zhen Qianqiu curled her lips into a smile.

She knew what people said about her that she was cold and unapproachable. But for some reason, when she was with Yu Zhitao, she never hesitated to show her joy.

Thinking this, she leaned down and gently pressed a kiss to the corner of Yu Zhitao’s lips.

She thought it was a stealthy enough gesture, but as she pulled away, she saw Yu Zhitao stir slightly, she had been sleeping soundly just moments ago.

Half-lidded and still groggy, Yu Zhitao mumbled, “Ah Jiu,  you kissed me in secret.”

Zhen Qianqiu chuckled.

Instead of retreating, she boldly leaned in again under Yu Zhitao’s drowsy gaze, pressing another kiss directly to her lips.

Yu Zhitao wasn’t fully awake yet, her hand resting on Zhen Qianqiu’s shoulder whether in resistance or encouragement, it was hard to tell.

But sometimes, Zhen Qianqiu couldn’t be bothered to care.

All she knew was that in this moment, she was utterly content. Without thinking, her hand drifted to Yu Zhitao’s waist.

Yu Zhitao flinched back slightly.

Clearly, the deep marking from last night had already taken its toll on her.

So Zhen Qianqiu restrained herself and withdrew her hand.

When the kiss ended, Yu Zhitao was still heavy with sleep.

“Do we have to get up now?” she murmured.

“It’s still early,” Zhen Qianqiu replied, not needing to check the time. “Sleep a little longer. I need to step out for a bit.”

Yu Zhitao immediately wrapped her arms around Zhen Qianqiu’s neck. “Where are you going?”

Zhen Qianqiu paused. “The training grounds.

“Zhitao, do you want to come with me?”

She rubbed Yu Zhitao’s waist. “You could use some exercise too.”

The next second, Yu Zhitao retracted her arms and burrowed deep into the blankets.

“Ah Jiu, you go ahead.

“Be careful at training, okay?”

What kind of person would drag their sore, exhausted body out of bed at the crack of dawn after a night of “intense exertion” just to suffer through another round of training?!

Just the thought of it made Yu Zhitao feel like being apart from Ah Jiu for a little while wasn’t such a bad thing.

Zhen Qianqiu didn’t push her.

She kissed Yu Zhitao’s forehead and, once sure she had fallen back asleep, quietly slipped out of the bedroom.

Outside, the maids on duty were already waiting.

Years of military life had ingrained in Zhen Qianqiu the habit of not needing attendants, but this time, she called one over and softly instructed her on the details of looking after Yu Zhitao.

The maids were professionals many of these matters had already been discussed with Dr. Lin the night before.

But as Zhen Qianqiu spoke, they listened with rapt attention.

If they didn’t have anything to do, they might very well lose their jobs! Now that they finally had a pregnant future empress, they couldn’t afford to slack off!

Seeing their diligence, Zhen Qianqiu nodded in satisfaction.

After completing all this, she dismissed the guards and stepped out alone.

However, contrary to what she had told Yu Zhitao, she did not head to the training grounds. Instead, she passed through the garden and arrived at an exquisite pavilion beside the palace.

Early-rising maids, busy with their tasks, spotted her and hurried over in surprise to pay their respects.

“Your Majesty.”

Zhen Qianqiao motioned for them to rise.

She asked, “Did the Eldest Princess visit the Empress Dowager’s chambers last night?”

The maids hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Last night, the Eldest Princess and the Empress Dowager talked through the night. In the end, she stayed to sleep in the Empress Dowager’s quarters.”

Zhen Qianqiao nodded.

Her gaze drifted toward the depths of the pavilion, and a peculiar feeling suddenly surfaced in her heart.

In truth, as a child, she had always longed to sleep beside her mother. But for as long as she could remember, such an opportunity had never been granted to her.

Her mother had always doted more on the frail Zhen Wuyou, pouring all her attention and affection into her.

In her naive youth, she had believed that falling ill or getting injured might earn her even a sliver of her mother’s concern. So once, during training, she deliberately let go and took a fall, ending up in the hospital with bandages wrapped around her.

That night, stubborn and insistent, she demanded to stay in her mother’s bedroom, just like her sister.

Back then, she was still young, and Lin Rumeng, then the Empress couldn’t refuse her. She had the maids bring in a recliner and let Zhen Qianqiao sleep by the door.

She even reminded Zhen Qianqiao not to move too much at night, lest she disturb Zhen Wuyou, who was sleeping beside her in the bed.

After that, she abandoned such thoughts entirely.

Now, years later, hearing that Zhen Wuyou could still sleep by their mother’s side, she found herself devoid of the envy and jealousy she once felt.

The faint scent of cherry cream still lingered at the tip of her nose, and she already knew what she ought to hold onto.

“Have they woken yet?” Zhen Qianqiao inquired.

The maid replied, “Not yet.”

After a brief pause, she added, “Does Your Majesty have urgent business? Should this servant go in and wake the Empress Dowager and the Eldest Princess?”

Zhen Qianqiao glanced at the time and said indifferently, “No need. It’s fine.

“I’ll wait for them inside.”

Based on her understanding of Yu Zhitao, after last night’s exertions, there was no way she’d be able to rise before eleven in the morning.

She had ample time to settle this matter.

The maid softly acknowledged with a “Yes” and guided her into the pavilion.

Around eight o’clock, the door to the Empress Dowager’s chambers opened.

Zhen Wuyou, impeccably dressed and groomed, appeared at the doorway. Seeing Zhen Qianqiao seated in the parlor, she showed no surprise.

“You’ve waited long,” Zhen Wuyou said with a smile, her tone polite, as if addressing a guest. “Have you eaten breakfast?

“Shall I have them prepare something?”

Zhen Qianqiao set her teacup down on the table. “No need.”

Zhen Wuyou glided gracefully to her side. “You’re in good spirits today, actually finding time to visit Mother?

“It seems that girl last night must have pleased you greatly.”

Zhen Qianqiao shot her a cold glance.

At times, she found it surreal, Zhen Wuyou’s face, nearly identical to her own.

And because she knew it so well, she could see past Zhen Wuyou’s smile, glimpsing the disdain hidden beneath that feigned expression.

In the past, she had never dared to dwell on it, always brushing it aside.

But now, as she truly faced her elder sister, she realized that this disdain had solidified into something tangible like a sharp blade pointed directly at her.

“I came today because there’s something I want to say to you,” Zhen Qianqiao stated.

Zhen Wuyou raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

Rubbing her knuckles, Zhen Qianqiu said calmly, “I’ve prepared a recuperation planet for you near the Muteta Nebula.”

“The doctors say it’s rich in vegetation with fresh air, perfect for a patient like you to rest quietly.”

Zhen Wuyou’s hand trembled. “What do you mean by this?”

Zhen Qianqiu stood up, meeting her gaze evenly. “I mean, for the sake of your health, you should start packing today and leave immediately.”

“So you’re sending me away?” Zhen Wuyou laughed sharply. “Calling it recuperation is just a pretense, you’re actually exiling me to be imprisoned!”

Zhen Qianqiu’s tone remained indifferent. “You always think in extremes. Since long ago, you’ve twisted my goodwill into something malicious. But,”

“Isn’t it true?” Zhen Wuyou interrupted impatiently.

Zhen Qianqiu raised her hand. “I wasn’t finished.”

“What I wanted to say is, this time, you’ve finally guessed correctly.”

“You’re right. That is exactly my intention.”

Zhen Wuyou’s flawless composure finally cracked.

She had never imagined Zhen Qianqiu would confront her with such unyielding resolve. So much so that she wasn’t prepared, had no idea how to handle this version of Zhen Qianqiu.

Where had things gone wrong?!

“You have no right to do this!” Flustered, she first outright denied Zhen Qianqiu’s words.

Then, she retreated in panic, hesitated, and turned back into Lin Rumeng’s bedroom.

Zhen Qianqiu knew what she intended and wasn’t in a hurry, sitting back down calmly.

Sure enough, about two or three minutes later, the Empress Dowager Lin Rumeng emerged, leading Zhen Wuyou by the hand.

“You lunatic!” Lin Rumeng began berating Zhen Qianqiu the moment she appeared. “Have you lost your mind? Wuyou is your own sister, what are you trying to do?”

“You want to send my precious Wuyou to some backwater planet? I won’t allow it!”

Zhen Qianqiu countered, “Has Mother ever considered that I am also her younger sister?”

“What has she done to me?”

Lin Rumeng’s eyes flickered with unease.

Then, she rallied her indignation. “You, an Alpha, have already caused Wuyou so much suffering!”

“She made a mistake in a moment of poor judgment, why must you cling to it so stubbornly?”

“Have you forgotten the magnanimity your father taught you?”

“Father taught me to be kind and generous to those close to me, but to strike my enemies with thunderous force.” Zhen Qianqiu looked at her mother. “Someone who has repeatedly tried to kill me is my enemy. The fact that I’ve tolerated it until now is already a betrayal of Father’s expectations.”

“You!” Lin Rumeng was too furious to speak.

She couldn’t be bothered to argue further and resorted to her usual trump card.

Like flipping a switch, Lin Rumeng’s flushed, angry face crumpled, her eyes instantly filling with murky tears.

“I won’t allow this!”

“Wuyou is my treasure, I will never be separated from her!”

In the past, Zhen Qianqiu would have softened at this display.

But now, she only found the theatrics crude.

She replied coolly, “I knew you’d say that, so this time, I’ve already made arrangements for you, Mother.”

Both Lin Rumeng and Zhen Wuyou stiffened at this.

Belatedly realizing something, their eyes finally showed a flicker of panic.

“Mother can’t bear to part with sister, so she should accompany her,” Zhen Qianqiu stated her decision word by word. “Actually, when arranging sister’s residence earlier, I’d already ordered the construction of a dowager empress’s palace on that planet.”

“This way, Mother can keep sister company without worrying about separation.”

“What,  what did you say?” Lin Rumeng trembled violently.

Zhen Qianqiu gave them no time to react: “Now that you know, start packing properly.”

“The dedicated spacecraft will arrive in two days to take Mother and sister there. Oh, and since the location is extremely remote, transport ships only come every six months. Mother should pack everything thoroughly and have all necessities purchased beforehand to avoid inconvenience later.”

After speaking, she gave them a slight nod and turned to leave.

Lin Rumeng was truly panicked now.

She couldn’t understand, even when Zhen Wuyou had nearly killed Zhen Qianqiu before, she hadn’t taken serious action.

Why was Zhen Qianqiu making such a decision this time?

She grabbed Zhen Qianqiu’s arm: “Qianqiu, wait! You can’t do this!”

“How will Mother and Wuyou survive outside the palace? You can’t abandon us like this!”

“And didn’t you bring home a girl last night? If you really intend to marry her, you’ll need an elder to officiate. How can you do this?”

Zhen Qianqiu firmly removed her hand.

“I can. I’m the Emperor, I can do whatever I wish.”

“As for officiating, Mother, you’re not my only elder. There’s no need for you to concern yourself with this.”

Lin Rumeng stood stunned for several seconds.

Seeing soft tactics failed, she gritted her teeth and shouted: “You bastard! What right do you have? Are you trying to exterminate us?”

“I demand to see my brother! I’ll call a council of elders! I won’t allow these atrocities!”

But Zhen Qianqiu had already reached the door.

Turning back for one final look at her mother and sister, she said: “Mother, if you wish to preserve any dignity, start packing now.”

“If not the guards will come tomorrow to oversee the relocation.”

Lin Rumeng tried to make a scene but nearly collapsed, only saved from complete disgrace by Zhen Wuyou’s supporting hand.

Seizing the moment, Zhen Qianqiu departed.

“Don’t panic, Mother,” Zhen Wuyou whispered as she guided Lin Rumeng toward the bedroom.

Just as she was about to close the door, a maid blocked the way.

“Your Majesty, the Emperor said to begin packing for relocation. Should we start now?” the maid asked hesitantly.

“Get out!” Lin Rumeng snapped, rushing into her room. “Nothing in this residence moves without my permission!”

The maids exchanged uneasy glances.

Zhen Wuyou left them behind, entering the bedroom and closing the door.

Unlike her distraught mother, she remained composed as she helped Lin Rumeng sit down.

“There must be a reason for Zhen Qianqiu’s sudden change,” she analyzed calmly.

After a moment of contemplation, she affirmed, “Something unknown must have happened to that girl last night.”

Lin Rumeng gritted her teeth. “Are you saying that girl bewitched Qianqiu into sending us away?”

Zhen Wuyou shook her head.

She didn’t think so: “I know Zhen Qianqiu too well, she would never fall for someone so scheming.”

“My guess is.”

Combining the fragmented information she’d gathered last night with her own deductions, Zhen Wuyou concluded, “The person Zhen Qianqiu cherishes so deeply must be inherently kind-hearted and gentle, with no trace of aggression.”

“She’s young, a traditional noble lady, perhaps well-educated, but certainly lacking in life experience.”

“Zhen Qianqiu is too proud; she wouldn’t confide her past to anyone, especially not the one she loves. So, it’s almost certain that girl knows nothing about our family affairs.”

Her judgment had always been impeccable, and Lin Rumeng didn’t doubt her in the slightest.

She was just puzzled: “Wuyou, if that’s the case, then why did Zhen Qianqiu suddenly lose her mind?”

Zhen Wuyou frowned. “It must be her protective instincts kicking in.”

“That girl has consumed her thoughts. She wants to drive us away to make room to protect her.”

“That vixen!” Lin Rumeng clutched her chest. “With her arrival, we’re finished.”

But Zhen Wuyou shook her head again.

She quickly moved to Lin Rumeng’s side, crouching down. “Mother, before the guards take over the villa, you must arrange for me to meet that girl.”

“If she’s the source of Zhen Qianqiu’s change, she must also be the key to resolving this.”

“If I can persuade her, there’s still a chance to turn things around!”

“Meet her?” Lin Rumeng hesitated. “It’s possible, but the people I’ve placed in the palace might be exposed.”

Zhen Wuyou smiled. “It’s fine.”

“If we can stay, won’t there be plenty of opportunities to win people over later?”

Lin Rumeng was enlightened. “You’re right.”

She raised her hand to activate her neural interface. “I’ll arrange it immediately. You go prepare, I’ll have you meet the girl alone this afternoon.”

Zhen Wuyou nodded confidently.

Meanwhile, Zhen Qianqiu remained unaware of the scheming in the villa.

After leaving, she headed to the training room.

Increasing her usual training intensity by one level, she worked up a full sweat, and the slight frustration she’d felt earlier dissipated.

After showering again, it was just noon. She changed clothes and returned to her chambers.

Yu Zhitao was still asleep. She approached the bedside and called softly.

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