Pregnant with the Empress’s Alpha Heir - Chapter 31

Wan Qing had spent the entire day on edge.

Ever since the incident at noon when “the Emperor leaped through the window for a secret rendezvous with the Empress,” she had become even more vigilant, deploying an additional squad to secure the perimeter tightly.

So, when the newlyweds were finally able to meet “openly” around five o’clock, she heaved a huge sigh of relief.

Yu Zhihuai, who was also mingling in the ceremonial procession, looked at her sweat-dampened forehead in confusion.

“Deputy Commander Wan? Were the Emperor’s arrangements particularly exhausting?”

As a member of the Empress’s family, he had spent the entire afternoon accompanying Yu Zhitao and had no idea what had transpired on Zhen Qianqiu’s side.

Wan Qing glanced at the imperial couple on the float, waving graciously to the crowds on either side.

She licked her lips. “I’m just mentally drained…”

“Huh?” Yu Zhihuai blinked in surprise.

Then, scratching his head, he sighed in admiration. “You’ve truly devoted yourself heart and soul to Her Majesty… It seems I still have much to learn!”

With that, he clenched his fists as if suddenly energized, earning himself a few subtle eye rolls from Wan Qing.

She really couldn’t understand.

The Empress appeared so poised and dignified, so how could her younger brother be as clueless as a silly deer?

Utterly baffling.

But she didn’t dwell on it for long, quickly shifting her attention back to observing their surroundings.

The distance from the ceremonial hall to the banquet venue wasn’t particularly long, but because the float moved at a snail’s pace barely faster than a normal walking speed, the journey felt endlessly drawn out.

Based on rehearsal data, this segment was expected to last about an hour and a half to two hours.

On the float, Yu Zhitao was both nervous and exhilarated.

From the moment she reunited with Zhen Qianqiu, her entire body had been trembling nonstop.

The afternoon wedding ceremony had been private, conducted under the watchful eyes of Yu Zhihuai and other staff. But this float procession was different, surrounded by cheering crowds and cameras broadcasting the event live across the star system.

Exposed to so many gazes and cheers for the first time, Yu Zhitao felt completely out of her depth.

Fortunately, Zhen Qianqiu had been secretly holding her hand the entire time.

The warmth of her lover’s palm was the best reassurance, keeping Yu Zhitao from making a fool of herself in her excitement.

And so, maintaining a somewhat stiff smile throughout the ride, she finally exhaled in relief as the distant endpoint came into view.

With her nerves settling, she finally had the energy to focus on other things.

During the earlier briefing on wedding procedures, the staff had mentioned that when the float passed close to the crowds, the Emperor and Empress could, if conditions allowed accept small gifts offered by the people.

For instance, right now, Yu Zhitao could see many in the crowd holding up bouquets, hoping to catch her and Zhen Qianqiu’s attention.

Zhen Qianqiu would never engage in such gestures, and Yu Zhitao herself had been too overwhelmed to even think about it.

As a result, after over an hour, the two of them hadn’t accepted a single gift.

Meanwhile, the vehicles trailing behind carrying Wan Qing and Yu Zhihuai were practically buried under flowers and adorable trinkets.

With the imperial couple refusing gifts, the responsibility had fallen to them to salvage the situation.

Seeing this, Yu Zhitao’s sense of duty flared up.

This couldn’t go on!

Coincidentally, at a corner ahead, a little boy around four or five years old was perched on his father’s shoulders, clutching a pastel-colored flower wreath tightly in his hands.

Yu Zhitao’s attention was completely drawn to the child.

She resolved to at least accept this little one’s heartfelt gift.

So, as the float approached the father and son, she subtly tried to free her left hand from Zhen Qianqiu’s grasp,

After all, receiving a gift properly required both hands.

Unfortunately, for some reason, Zhen Qianqiu completely missed her hint!

Thus, when Yu Zhitao half-rose to accept the wreath, her restrained left hand prevented her from leaning out far enough.

With a startled cry, she tumbled back into the carriage from the momentum, landing lightly atop Zhen Qianqiu.

“Mmph!”

Coming to her senses, she barely registered her own state as she anxiously looked at the boy. “My wreath…”

Finally understanding her intention, Zhen Qianqiu acted, the vehicle was moving slowly enough. After steadying Yu Zhitao, she effortlessly pivoted, bracing one knee on the seat as she leaned past her consort.

Everything happened in an instant. By the time Yu Zhitao processed it, deafening cheers erupted around them

The Empress had executed a flawless maneuver to retrieve the woven wreath that had nearly slipped through the Queen’s fingers.

Holding her prize, Zhen Qianqiu presented it to Yu Zhitao. “You wanted this?”

Yu Zhitao’s nose flushed pink.

She muttered under her breath, “We really lack coordination!”

Zhen Qianqiu arched an eyebrow. “Hmm?”

“You should’ve let go earlier,” Yu Zhitao whispered. “Then I could’ve gotten it myself without embarrassing myself.”

“No embarrassment,” Zhen Qianqiu chuckled, gently pinching her cheek.

Yu Zhitao immediately recoiled. “Ah! Don’t! You’ll ruin my makeup!”

Zhen Qianqiu teased, “Didn’t we already smudge it once at noon by the window?”

Yu Zhitao shot her a covert glare, hissing, “The stylists redid it afterward!”

Pushing further, Zhen Qianqiu suggested, “Then we’ll have them redo it again later.”

“Absolutely not!” Yu Zhitao batted her hand away. Their playful bickering soon made her forget the earlier awkwardness.

Zhen Qianqiu gazed at her fondly before carefully placing the wreath atop Yu Zhitao’s head already adorned with a veil, yet the floral crown settled perfectly.

Unable to see herself, Yu Zhitao fidgeted. “Doesn’t this look… strange?” She’d originally meant to hold it.

Leaning close, Zhen Qianqiu murmured admiringly by her ear, “You’re breathtaking.”

Yu Zhitao’s cheeks burned, but she finally stilled, wearing the wreath obediently.

Surrounding cameras captured every moment, broadcasting this sweetness across the star network in real-time. The royal couple’s affectionate exchange sent the internet into a frenzy, with livechat comments exploding:

[AHHH the Queen looks ethereal with that wreath! I want Her Majesty to crown me too!]

[I came prepared for romance but THIS sweetness is lethal! Their love is legendary!]

[LMAO is it just me or was Her Highness lowkey salty about not catching the wreath herself?]

[“+1. But the way the Emperor leaned out to catch the wreath was seriously handsome!!”]

Yu Zhihuai sat in the car, cheerfully joining the crowd leaving comments. Every time he saw someone praising Yu Zhitao, he’d eagerly go like their comment.

As he scrolled, he shared the reactions with Wan Qing beside him.

“Hahaha, Deputy Wan, look they’re all saying how dashing the Emperor’s movements were!”

Just then, the live feed suddenly cut to another angle, briefly showing Wan Qing’s darkened expression on screen.

Only then did Yu Zhihuai belatedly notice that his deputy seemed… unhappy.

Puzzled, he poked Wan Qing’s arm.

“Uh… Deputy Wan?”

Wan Qing slowly turned her gaze toward him.

Yu Zhihuai gulped involuntarily. “So… Deputy Wan, are you in a bad mood?

“You look kinda… grim.”

Wan Qing silently turned her head back, fixing her stare on Zhen Qianqiu ahead.

“His Majesty’s action just now was far too reckless. It’ll definitely be criticized later.”

“Huh?” Yu Zhihuai blinked, confused.

He wasn’t sure which of Zhen Qianqiu’s actions she meant after all, ever since catching the wreath, the Emperor had been interacting nonstop with Yu Zhitao.

After a moment’s thought, he casually picked up a wreath from the car and playfully placed it on Wan Qing’s head.

“Pfft!” Yu Zhihuai clapped a hand over his mouth.

Unlike Yu Zhitao, Wan Qing wore a stiff military cap, making the floral wreath perched atop it absurdly comical.

He couldn’t hold back, laughter burst out.

The next second, Wan Qing yanked the wreath off.

“Mr. Yu!” she snapped.

Yu Zhihuai struggled to stifle his giggles. “Wh-what?”

She glared. “Could you not cause trouble right now?”

Yu Zhihuai raised his hands in surrender. “Yeah, yeah, got it.

“I won’t, I swear I won’t.”

Wan Qing eyed him skeptically.

After a pause, she scooted away, putting deliberate distance between herself and this walking liability!

Ahead, the flower carriage carrying Zhen Qianqiu and Yu Zhitao had reached its destination and come to a stop.

From the vehicle, Yu Zhitao spotted familiar faces waiting outside the banquet hall.

She didn’t know many people in this world, but now, Shu Da, along with Gu Yingying and Gu Zhilan, who should’ve still been on Academia Star were all there.

Barely containing her excitement, she gave them a restrained wave.

Shu Da and Gu Yingying noticed, waving back enthusiastically.

Eager to meet them, Yu Zhitao shot an impatient look at Zhen Qianqiu.

Understanding, Zhen Qianqiu nodded.

Following staff directions, she stepped out first and moved to Yu Zhitao’s door, offering her hand to escort her inside.

Yu Zhitao placed her fingers lightly over Zhen Qianqiu’s palm, shifting her legs to step onto the red carpet in her eight-centimeter wedding heels.

But the next instant, her knees buckled, she stumbled.

Partly from sitting too long, two full hours in the carriage with barely any movement and partly from the tension that had wound her tight all day.

Luckily, Zhen Qianqiu was right there, steadying her instantly.

“Alright?” she murmured by her ear.

“Ugh,” Yu Zhitao nearly whimpered, “my legs… they’re numb.”

A staff member overseeing the procession hurried over. “Your Majesty… can you walk?

“This segment requires you and the Emperor to enter together.”

Yu Zhitao struggled to support herself. “Sorry, I—I can do this!”

Just as she attempted to stand straight again, she felt her feet leave the ground!

Zhen Qianqiu had actually swept her up into a princess carry in front of everyone!

Before Yu Zhitao could even gasp in surprise, cheers erupted both around them and in the live stream.

Yu Zhitao panicked. “Ah Jiu? What are you doing? Put me down this instant!”

Zhen Qianqiu took the opportunity to adjust her hold, smoothing out the intricate folds of Yu Zhitao’s dress. But from start to finish, she showed no intention of letting her down.

“Your legs went numb, didn’t they? Just stay put.”

Yu Zhitao flushed crimson. “But—”

Zhen Qianqiu lowered her head and whispered, “Does this count as being in sync now?

“I caught you just in time and saved you from embarrassment.

“Don’t forget to ‘repay’ me later.”

Yu Zhitao had already given up resisting and simply curled up in her arms, playing dead after all, it wasn’t her facing the cameras right now.

The leader of the Elder Council, Huo Feng, who had been invited to officiate the wedding, stood nearby in visible distress.

“Your Majesty, this is highly improper! It goes against protocol!”

Zhen Qianqiu strode right past him. “What protocol could possibly be more important than the Emperor cherishing her Empress?”

Huo Feng was left speechless.

Seeing that the Emperor wouldn’t be persuaded, he could only turn to Wan Qing, who had also stepped out of the carriage.

Wan Qing looked up. “Lovely weather tonight.”

Yu Zhihuai beside her blinked in confusion. “Huh? But it’s already nighttime, how can you tell?”

“Naturally. Let’s go inside and admire the moon,” Wan Qing declared decisively.

Yu Zhihuai scratched her head. “But the venue isn’t open-air…”

Wan Qing paid her no mind.

Doing her best to ignore Huo Feng’s pleading gaze, she practically fled after Zhen Qianqiu into the venue.

Once Zhen Qianqiu entered, all the guests outside surged in after her.

The situation had spiraled completely out of control.

Huo Feng gave a wry smile and shook his head before motioning to his subordinates to follow suit.

Well, the current Emperor always did things her own unconventional way!

As long as they were happy.

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