Pregnant with the Empress’s Alpha Heir - Chapter 28.1

Though this marriage proposal was simple, without too many extravagant ceremonies, the mutual honesty between them was enough for Yu Zhi Tao to remember it for a lifetime.

After the initial wave of emotion, shyness gradually surfaced, her cheeks burning hot.

After a tender moment, Pillow Qianqiu had to leave for a meeting. Yu Zhi Tao was all too happy to send her off quickly, needing time alone to process her overflowing emotions.

Pillow Qianqiu looked at her: “Will you be alright by yourself?”

“Or would you like to come with me to the conference room?”

Yu Zhi Tao shook her head: “No, I wouldn’t understand anything. What would I do in the conference room?”

“Ah Jiu, you should go now. Don’t be late.”

Pillow Qianqiu lowered her gaze: “You’ll be bored staying alone in the palace.”

Yu Zhi Tao let out a soft laugh, seeing right through her: “I’ll be perfectly fine alone. It’s you who doesn’t want to be apart from me, isn’t it?”

Pillow Qianqiu held her hand, silent.

Yu Zhi Tao took a deep breath: “Go on. The sooner you leave, the sooner you can come back.”

“I can ask the maids to show me around, help me get familiar with the place.”

Perhaps it was the phrase “come back soon” that finally convinced Pillow Qianqiu. She nodded: “Alright, wait for me then. I’ll return quickly.”

Yu Zhi Tao nodded.

Only then did Pillow Qianqiu take her leave, striding away with her attendants.

Watching her figure disappear beyond the door, Yu Zhi Tao exhaled, pressing her hands to her still-flushed cheeks.

Meanwhile, Pillow Qianqiu arrived at the conference room with swift efficiency.

The council of elders had more or less heard about the previous night’s events. Before Pillow Qianqiu’s arrival, they had been whispering among themselves.

But with little concrete information, they only knew that the girl taken away last night was the eldest daughter of the Yu family and that she might be carrying the Emperor’s child.

Since nothing had been confirmed, the elders regarded these rumors with skepticism.

The moment Pillow Qianqiu entered, the previously murmuring conference room fell silent.

A few of the older council members had intended to assert their seniority, but one glance at Pillow Qianqiu’s expression made them straighten up in their seats.

The young Emperor had not convened such a formal meeting in a long time, making them nearly forget who truly ruled this palace.

Without wasting words, Pillow Qianqiu exchanged brief greetings before addressing her main concerns.

“I’ve summoned you all today for two matters.”

“First, regarding my marriage. Due to urgent circumstances, the wedding must be completed within half a month.”

“Second,  the Empress Dowager and the Eldest Princess will be departing for a recuperative retreat on a healing planet.”

“Do any of the elders have questions?”

The moment she finished speaking, the conference room erupted into discussion.

Among the council, several were loyalists of the Empress Dowager and the Eldest Princess. Hearing the second announcement, they panicked.

But when they tried to rally others to protest the Emperor’s decision, they realized no one around them cared about the so-called Empress Dowager or Eldest Princess.

The news of the Emperor’s impending marriage was far too sensational!!!

After some debate, Huo Feng, the council’s leading figure, spoke on behalf of the group.

“Your Majesty, regarding your marriage is the chosen Empress the young lady from the Yu family whom you took away last night?”

Pillow Qianqiu countered: “Who else could it be?”

Huo Feng coughed lightly: “I’ve heard the lady is already with child.”

“The royal physicians previously confirmed that Your Majesty is…”

“Then, Miss Yu, whose child is it in your belly?”

Wan Qing’s heart raced when she heard this question.

This was the moment she had been waiting for!

After receiving Zhen Qianqiu’s glance, she lifted her chin and, with her subordinates, tossed copies of the medical report in front of each elder.

The report, freshly issued by the royal hospital the previous night, revealed. The child in Yu Zhitao’s womb was indeed Zhen Qianqiu’s descendant. Moreover, its potential was no less exceptional than Zhen Qianqiu’s had been in her youth.

Huo Feng scrutinized every word on the report with his team.

Once he confirmed what he was seeing, he stood and bowed to Zhen Qianqiu. “In that case, this old man offers his early congratulations on Your Majesty’s wedding.”

Many in the Elder Council followed Huo Feng’s lead, and seeing his concession, they too bowed in congratulations.

The Elder Council held no real power they merely advised the ruler on matters concerning the empire’s fate.

If Yu Zhitao’s pregnancy resolved the crisis of imperial succession, and given her status as the eldest daughter of the Yu family, most of the council had no objections.

As for minor details,

Who would dare provoke the still-young Empress over such trivialities?

Only Lin Rumeng’s faction couldn’t hold back.

At the far end of the conference room, Huang Shan stood. “Your Majesty, please reconsider.”

He cleared his throat. “Your marriage is a matter of great importance, how can it be decided so abruptly? Furthermore, the Empress Dowager remains in the palace. Shouldn’t her opinion be heard?”

Zhen Qianqiu regarded him coldly.

Since her return to the palace, she had identified all the council members who had pledged loyalty to the Empress Dowager, Huang Shan was on that list.

She had previously ignored them, but now that they had exposed themselves, they had walked right into her hands.

A faint smirk curled her lips. “How thoughtful of you.

“Anything else to add?”

“W-well!” Seeing no way out, Huang Shan pressed on. “Regarding the proposal to send the Empress Dowager and the Grand Princess to the convalescent planet, I also find it inappropriate.

“Though the capital planet’s natural environment may not compare to the convalescent world, the most advanced medical technology is concentrated here. Could there truly be a better place for recovery than the capital?”

Zhen Qianqiu nodded.

She swept her gaze across the room. “Does anyone else share his sentiments?”

With Huang Shan leading the charge, several others from the Empress Dowager’s faction rose to support him, urging Zhen Qianqiu to reconsider both proposals.

Seeing that the fish had taken the bait, Zhen Qianqiu clapped her hands.

“I am not here to seek your opinions,” she said. “I am here to inform you.”

At these words, Huang Shan and his allies paled.

After a deliberate pause, she continued, “However, since you’ve so kindly revealed yourselves, I might as well cleanse the Elder Council of traitors.”

Without turning, she ordered Wan Qing, “Take these dissenters into custody. Investigate all their recent communications.”

Wan Qing bowed firmly. “Understood.”

Finally able to act with authority, she calmly directed her subordinates to escort Huang Shan and the others out.

The heavy wooden doors muffled their pleas as silence returned to the room. Zhen Qianqiu tapped the table twice.

“Any further questions?”

Among the rest, most recalled their past oversteps in dealings with the Empress Dowager and were frightened into silence by this warning.

In the ensuing quiet, Zhen Qianqiu nodded in satisfaction. “If there are no other matters, this meeting is adjourned.”

The assembly rose and responded with “Understood,” then filed out of the conference room one after another.

Huo Feng deliberately lingered behind. Only when the crowd had dispersed did he approach Zhen Qianqiu.

He bowed and inquired softly, “Your Majesty, this subordinate has another matter to seek your guidance on.

“The elders of the Yu family have entrusted me to ask regarding the detention of Yu Zheng and his wife. Given that they have offended you and the future Empress, how should they be dealt with moving forward?”

At the mention of this, Zhen Qianqiu’s brow furrowed.

She was displeased with the actions of Yu Zhitao’s parents, but no matter what, they were still her elders. Deciding how to handle them was a delicate matter.

After a moment’s thought, she replied, “The detention was merely a temporary lesson. As they are the future Empress’s elders, I will not take further action.”

Huo Feng exhaled in relief. “Your Majesty is wise.”

“However, ” Zhen Qianqiu looked at him and continued, “Yu Zheng is stubborn in his thinking and has a volatile temper. I believe he is no longer suited to remain as the head of the Yu family.”

Huo Feng was taken aback. “Your Majesty means?”

Zhen Qianqiu flexed her fingers. “The younger Alpha son of the Yu family shows promise. It would be more fitting for Yu Zhihuai to take over as the family head.

“What do you think?”

Huo Feng, being older and shrewd, immediately grasped her intent.

Replacing a family head was essentially a private affair, and handling it directly would be troublesome for Zhen Qianqiu. By voicing her wishes to Huo Feng, she was signaling for him to relay the message to the Yu family, prompting them to act on their own accord.

Understanding this, Huo Feng bowed deeply. “Your Majesty speaks with great wisdom. This old man shares the same view.”

After a pause, he added, “I will personally visit the Yu family and persuade them to see reason.”

Zhen Qianqiu nodded. “Good.

“I leave it in your hands.”

Huo Feng waved a hand. “It is no trouble.”

Having received his answer, he wasted no time and bowed before taking his leave.

For a moment, only Zhen Qianqiu and her close aides remained in the conference room.

But matters were far from settled. Zhen Qianqiu summoned Wan Qing to discuss the wedding arrangements.

Given that Yu Zhitao’s document required a response by the end of January, time was of the essence.

Fortunately, preparations weren’t starting from scratch.

Zhen Qianqiu said, “Previously, my mother made extensive preparations to announce Zhen Wuyou’s identity.

“Though those plans were halted, the groundwork remains.

“Given the urgency, we’ll build upon those existing preparations.”

Wan Qing hesitated.

“This subordinate worries that with such limited time, the results may fall short of expectations.”

After a brief consideration, Zhen Qianqiu replied, “It doesn’t matter. Neither Zhitao nor I care much for formalities.

“Besides, this situation arose unexpectedly. If the ceremony isn’t perfect, we can always hold a grander one later.”

Only then did Wan Qing relax. “Understood, Your Majesty.”

Zhen Qianqiu nodded. “Has the royal spokesperson arrived? I wish to speak with him personally.”

“He is here, waiting in the reception room below,” Wan Qing replied. “Shall I summon him?”

“Yes.” Zhen Qianqiu glanced at the time and gave a slight nod.

While waiting, she zoned out for a while.

Outside the window, flowers bloomed in splendid profusion, each vying for attention, yet they failed to capture even a sliver of her gaze.

Gradually, her thoughts drifted involuntarily back to Yu Zhi Tao.

While she was busy preparing for their wedding, Yu Zhi Tao was strolling around the palace grounds with her attendants.

Dr. Lin had just visited to conduct a brief check-up and advised her to balance work with rest, suggesting light exercise when possible.

Yu Zhi Tao took the advice to heart and promptly decided to go for a walk.

The weather was perfect, and a gentle breeze rustled through the shaded paths of the imperial garden. As she walked, she felt utterly at ease.

A maid followed behind her, guiding the way and occasionally pointing out notable sights in the garden.

After walking for some time, Yu Zhi Tao grew tired and chose to rest on a bench beneath the shade of a tree.

She struck up a conversation with the maid: “Sister Yixuan, you’ve worked in the palace for over thirty years. Did you help raise A Jiu when she was little?”

Rong Yixuan shook her head.

“When I first entered the palace, I wasn’t in a position to interact with Her Majesty or other high-ranking figures. I only did menial tasks in the outer areas.

“But Her Majesty often moved about the palace, so I occasionally caught glimpses of her.”

Yu Zhi Tao asked, “Was A Jiu just as cool and quiet when she was young?”

Rong Yixuan thought for a moment before replying, “Her Majesty was even more reserved as a child.

“The Grand Princess was bedridden for years, and the Empress Consort spent every day by her side. Meanwhile, Her Majesty’s father was preoccupied with state affairs. She was practically alone in the palace, day in and day out.”

She then smiled faintly. “But since you arrived, Miss Yu, I’ve noticed Her Majesty has become much more cheerful.

“Aside from her birth father, I’ve never heard anyone else call Her Majesty by her childhood name.

“The fact that she shared it with you means you must be someone very special to her.”

Yu Zhi Tao covered her face bashfully. “A Jiu really is very good to me.”

Still, she couldn’t help but wonder: “Why was she only called by her childhood name by her father? Come to think of it didn’t the Empress Dowager or the Grand Princess ever call her ‘A Jiu’?”

Just as Rong Yixuan was about to answer, a voice suddenly came from behind a nearby tree.

“Mother always called me ‘Wu You’ and referred to her by her full name, ‘Qianqiu.'”

Before anyone could react, Zhen Wu You stepped out, holding the hem of her skirt.

“Miss Yu? A pleasure to meet you.

“I am Zhen Wu You,  Qianqiu’s elder sister.”

Rong Yixuan and the maids froze momentarily before bowing in greeting.

“Grand Princess.”

Yu Zhi Tao, however, seemed startled, sitting motionless on the bench.

Zhen Wu You addressed the maids. “Step aside for a moment. I’d like to speak with Miss Yu alone.”

Rong Yixuan moved in front of her. “Grand Princess, Miss Yu is Her Majesty’s honored guest. If you wish to speak with her privately, we must first seek Her Majesty’s permission.”

Zhen Wu You paused. “Is that what Her Majesty ordered?”

Rong Yixuan nodded.

But then, Yu Zhi Tao stood up. “It’s alright. Let the Grand Princess come over.”

She looked at Zhen Wu You. “I heard you’ve been frail since childhood but you seem quite healthy now.”

With her permission, Rong Yixuan hesitated before lowering her arm.

However, Yu Zhitao’s words reminded her Zhen Wuyou was indeed a defenseless Beta, so there was no need to worry about her harming Yu Zhitao.

Sure enough, Zhen Wuyou smiled and leaned closer.

“It’s all thanks to the doctors.”

She walked over and sat beside Yu Zhitao, patting the other end of the bench. “You should sit too.

“Hmm, calling each other by full names feels too distant. How about I call you ‘Xiao Tao,’ like my mother calls me ‘Wuyou’?”

Yu Zhitao sat back down on the bench. “Your Highness can just call me ‘Yu Zhitao.'”

Though her tone was gentle, her words firmly pushed back against Zhen Wuyou’s first attempt to bridge the distance between them.

Zhen Wuyou paused briefly but quickly regained her composure. “Alright, Zhitao.”

On the surface, Yu Zhitao maintained polite detachment, but her inner disgust was steadily growing.

To be honest, the woman bore a striking resemblance to Zhen Qianqiu, though her features were softer, exuding the refined elegance of a well-bred noblewoman.

Of course, Zhen Wuyou’s status was far higher, she wasn’t just any noblewoman but a genuine imperial princess.

Yu Zhitao had to admit that when she first saw that face, she felt an instinctive fondness.

But now she realized this wasn’t Ah Jiu. This was the seemingly sweet but inwardly unhinged Xiao Wu from her dreams.

No, she was the real-life Xiao Wu, the very person who had inspired that character.

Just thinking about the cruelty this woman had inflicted on her Ah Jiu, compared to how freely she now moved about the palace, made Yu Zhitao’s blood boil.

Not wanting to engage further, she cut straight to the point. “May I ask why Your Highness sought me out?”

Zhen Wuyou sighed, her gaze drifting to the flower beds ahead.

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