Pregnant with the Empress’s Alpha Heir - Chapter 35.2

Watching the door close, Zhen Qianqiu went to the living room to hear Wan Qing’s report of the day’s events.

Overall, it matched her expectations, when with Yu Zhi Huai and Gu Yingying, Yu Zhitao wholeheartedly enjoyed her leisure time.

After hearing the report, Zhen Qianqiu remained silent for a long while.

Wan Qing stood waiting for her response, growing increasingly nervous as the silence stretched on.

Finally, Zhen Qianqiu spoke: “Does Zhitao feel uncomfortable with you around?”

Wan Qing was taken aback before answering: “This subordinate didn’t directly participate,  Madam didn’t seem to mind.”

Zhen Qianqiu asked further: “Wan Qing, do you find those things enjoyable too?”

Wan Qing replied: “This subordinate wouldn’t know.”

Zhen Qianqiu rubbed her temples: “Do you think I should try more of the things Zhitao likes?

“Surely they can’t be harder than physical training. Maybe with enough ‘practice,’ I could get used to them?”

Wan Qing glanced up cautiously: “This subordinate believes. Your Majesty shouldn’t force yourself.”

Zhen Qianqiu said: “But I want to be with her.”

The identity of “her” needed no explanation.

Wan Qing advised: “This subordinate believes Madam loves Your Majesty as you truly are. She doesn’t wish to change you.

“In fact,  Madam has been trying hard to match Your Majesty’s pace too, without either of you forcing yourselves.”

Zhen Qianqiu shook her head: “I don’t want her to struggle so much.

“If one of us must change to bridge our differences, I want to be the first to take that step.”

With that, she stood up: “You may retire now. Rest early, if Zhitao goes out again tomorrow, you’ll need to escort her.”

Left speechless, Wan Qing could only salute formally before withdrawing from the apartment with her team.

Meanwhile, Yu Zhitao emerged from her shower to find Zhen Qianqiu already waiting in bed.

She approached to see Zhen Qianqiu watching a movie.

Yu Zhitao suddenly burst out laughing.

“Didn’t you call this movie childish just days ago? What’s this, ‘the fragrance of truth’ moment?”

A faint blush colored Zhen Qianqiu’s cheeks: “Ahem, I just realized you might have been right before. Perhaps I didn’t fully grasp its essence.

“Watching it again, I find the love-hate entanglement between the protagonists,  well  quite moving.”

Yu Zhitao stared at her wide-eyed for several seconds before cupping Zhen Qianqiu’s face: “Hmm, what’s gotten into my Ah Jiu?”

Zhen Qianqiu looked at her in confusion.

Yu Zhitao became even more certain: “You’re not my A-Jiu! My A-Jiu would never say something like that.”

She curled her lips, mimicking Zhen Qianqiu’s tone from a few days ago: “My Ah Jiu would only say, ‘What a boring plot. Something that could be explained in two or three sentences gets dragged into a misunderstanding, only learning their lesson after three years apart.'”

After saying this, she collapsed laughing into Zhen Qianqiu’s arms.

Zhen Qianqiu gently patted her back to help her catch her breath: “Your Ah Jiu can change too. For example, she’s becoming more like you.”

Yu Zhitao stopped laughing.

She looked up, wrapping her arms around Zhen Qianqiu’s neck: “Hey, why should my Ah Jiu change? I love you just the way you are.”

Zhen Qianqiu seemed surprised.

She asked: “I often disagree with you. Don’t you find me difficult to get along with?”

“How could I?” Yu Zhitao widened her eyes, “Disagreements are completely normal! If I had to say, I actually find it super cute when you seriously explain things to me! Hahaha.”

Zhen Qianqiu looked puzzled: “Cute?”

Yu Zhitao nodded vigorously.

But Zhen Qianqiu wasn’t satisfied: “Sometimes I feel so distant from you, always afraid I might accidentally lose you.”

Yu Zhitao’s mind wasn’t really focused on this, so she didn’t dwell on the deeper meaning of those words.

She just instinctively knew that Ah Jiu needed comfort now.

So she swung her long legs over and sat directly on Zhen Qianqiu’s lap.

Holding her lover’s neck, she planted a firm kiss on Zhen Qianqiu’s thin lips.

“Is this close enough?” Yu Zhitao asked with sparkling eyes.

Their faces were so close that Zhen Qianqiu’s nose was filled with Yu Zhitao’s faint peach-scented pheromones.

She licked her lower lip, less like being seduced by Yu Zhitao and more like deliberately trying to seduce her in return.

“Seems… still not quite enough,” Zhen Qianqiu said slowly.

Yu Zhitao muttered “you enchantress” to herself and, throwing caution to the wind, parted her lips to completely “offer” herself.

That entire night, she and Zhen Qianqiu remained tightly pressed together, with no “distance” between them whatsoever.

The benefit of thoroughly satisfying someone in one go became apparent the next morning when Zhen Qianqiu woke up glowing, greeting her with an unreserved bright smile the moment she opened her eyes.

This good mood lasted for days. Even when Yu Zhitao went out with Gu Yingying and others afterward, Zhen Qianqiu no longer wore a frown.

Rubbing her slightly sore waist, Yu Zhitao thought to herself that this was definitely a good deal.

Finally, the day she had been most looking forward to arrived.

On this day, while Zhen Qianqiu was reviewing documents, she suddenly received a call.

Yu Zhitao’s soft voice came through the communicator: “Ah Jiu, can you come pick me up? I’ve sent you the address.”

Naturally, Zhen Qianqiu wouldn’t refuse her request.

She was just curious: “Did something happen?”

With Wan Qing accompanying Yu Zhitao, if she simply wanted to return, she wouldn’t have specifically called to ask Zhen Qianqiu to come get her.

Hearing this question, Yu Zhitao evaded answering directly: “Then I’ll wait for you. Please hurry.”

Zhen Qianqiu didn’t press for details, simply replying: “Alright, I’ll be right there.”

She hung up and headed straight for the location Yu Zhitao had sent.

The address led to the top floor of a nearby luxury hotel. The front desk staff informed her that the entire top floor had been reserved and directed her to take the private elevator up.

The exclusive elevator went straight to the top without stopping. Soon, the doors opened automatically, and Zhen Qianqiu stepped out onto the highest floor.

As soon as she stepped out, she saw Wan Qing standing by the door.

Zhen Qianqiu approached: “Heng Ying? What are you doing here? Where’s Zhitao?”

Heng Ying loosened his tie, revealing a helpless expression, then cleared his throat and answered evasively: “Miss Zhen, welcome to the ‘The Luckiest Thing’ themed party.

“This is the aperitif prepared for you. Please enjoy.”

Zhen Qianqiu frowned. “Do you realize what you’re doing?”

Heng Ying took a deep breath. “I do, ahem. But I’ve already figured it out, compared to offending the Empress, it seems much more bearable to offend you directly.”

“The Empress?” Zhen Qianqiu’s expression softened slightly.

Heng Ying hadn’t spelled it out, but she had already guessed everything before her must have been arranged by Yu Zhitao.

Once she understood this, she relaxed.

Glancing at the drinks on the table, she didn’t hesitate and picked up the glass, downing it in one go.

Finally, she asked Heng Ying, “Finished. What now?”

Heng Ying produced a bill. “This is the price of the drink. Please settle the payment, Your Majesty.”

Zhen Qianqiu had no idea what he was up to but took the bill anyway.

She didn’t scrutinize the drink details, only glancing at the bottom, where the number “300,000” gave her pause.

Three hundred thousand.

This number held special significance for her and Yu Zhitao.

When they first met, Yu Zhitao had paid a 300,000 drink tab for her.

It was from that moment that their paths began to intertwine. That connection deepened over time, step by step, until they became indispensable to each other’s lives.

A faint smile tugged at Zhen Qianqiu’s lips. Without further hesitation, she swiped her card to pay the amount.

Only after confirming the 300,000 transfer did Heng Ying lead her to a door behind him, bowing respectfully. “Your Majesty, please proceed.”

Zhen Qianqiu nodded.

Heng Ying made no move to follow, but she didn’t mind.

She knew Yu Zhitao must have arranged something else waiting for her.

The new room was empty except for a small white cat in the corner.

Xiao Jiu had grown from a tiny kitten into a graceful adult. But now, its left hind leg was tied to a table leg.

Yet this “actor” was far from professional even “tied up,” it showed no sign of distress. As Zhen Qianqiu approached, it lazily licked its front paw.

Zhen Qianqiu crouched before it, affectionately scratching its chin.

After leaving the bar, Yu Zhitao had taken Xiao Jiu in. When they first met, its left hind leg had been injured.

Fortunately, the injury wasn’t severe. Xiao Jiu recovered and stayed by their side, witnessing their journey from sharing a bed with divided hearts to becoming soulmates.

Warmth surged in Zhen Qianqiu’s chest. She reached out and untied the cloth binding Xiao Jiu’s leg.

Freed, Xiao Jiu let out a soft “meow” before striding gracefully to lead Zhen Qianqiu to the door on the left.

The next room was designed like a forest. Upon entering, a teasing wand emerged from the bushes on the right, successfully luring Xiao Jiu away.

Once again alone, Zhen Qianqiu ventured deeper into the woods.

Flowers bloomed and fruits perfumed the air, but she had a destination in mind, pausing for no scenery until she passed a peach tree.

Laden with plump, juicy peaches, it caught her attention. She reached up and plucked one.

The peach had ripened to perfection, its delicate fuzz-covered skin peeling away effortlessly at the slightest touch.

Inside, the pink-hued flesh glistened with juice, shyly revealing itself.

Zhen Qianqiu took a gentle bite, the succulent flesh yielding its sweet nectar, flooding her mouth with flavor.

From the moment they met, the two had shared an intimate connection.

What she had assumed would be a fleeting encounter turned into an addiction, one taste of this peach, and she was hooked.

Occasionally, Zhen Qianqiu would look back on their past with regret, wishing their first time had been more perfect, a tender collision between two hearts not yet fully open.

Yet she also felt grateful.

Grateful that she was the one who had tasted the peach. Grateful she had tasted it early.

The most beautiful things in life, delayed even a moment, become wasted time.

After just two bites of the peach, a soft sound came from the left, and another door slid open automatically.

At the exit, a porcelain dish and fresh water awaited. Zhen Qianqiu set the peach aside, washed her hands, and then stepped slowly into the new room.

The fourth room had projection screens covering all four walls.

Each screen played a different video, but the theme was the same, every one featured Yu Zhitao playing the guqin at the Van & Dream Bar.

When Zhen Qianqiu met Yu Zhitao, she was at the lowest point of her life.

She had lost all passion and purpose, even briefly considering ending it all to spare her mother and sister further burden.

It was in that haze of despair that Yu Zhitao, cradling her guqin, pulled her out of the mire.

Born into privilege like Zhen Qianqiu, Yu Zhitao had known the world’s luxuries. Yet when she was cast out of her family, penniless and alone, she refused to give up.

At the time, Zhen Qianqiu found her baffling.

Even when she could barely take care of herself, Yu Zhitao still fretted over raising a helpless kitten and taking in a stranger like her.

But watching Yu Zhitao’s relentless determination, she found it oddly endearing.

For the first time, she realized she didn’t need the prestige of an empress, nor did she have to prove herself exceptional, to be cherished to have someone pour their heart out for her.

Yu Zhitao’s poorest days coincided with Zhen Qianqiu’s deepest inner turmoil.

Yu Zhitao traded her guqin for survival, yet its melodies also soothed Zhen Qianqiu’s restless despair.

Back then, in their rented apartment, Yu Zhitao practiced the guqin daily. Though her early attempts were clumsy and out of tune, Zhen Qianqiu found them beautiful.

Every note, every phrase, moved her deeply.

Snapping out of her memories, Zhen Qianqiu quickly identified the right direction among the four videos, only one had been recorded by her own hand, never shared with anyone else.

As she approached that wall, a sensor activated, and the panels parted, creating just enough space for her to pass through.

By now, Zhen Qianqiu understood Yu Zhitao’s intentions.

Suddenly, she recalled Heng Ying’s words at the beginning, this game was called “The Luckiest Thing.”

Was this “luckiest thing” referring to Yu Zhitao’s own experiences?

Her heartbeat quickened, but she had no time to linger, stepping forward into the next room.

The scenes that followed were all tied to their early days living together.

There was one where Zhen Qianqiu, enclosed in a glass room, relived Yu Zhitao’s perspective watching her fend off the Yu family guards. Another required her to wield a bow and arrow, defending a virtual palace from monstrous invaders.

Level after level, scene after scene, it was as if she was reliving every meaningful moment of their journey together.

At last, she entered the only outdoor scene.

The rooftop balcony of the hotel had been transformed into the semblance of a greenhouse. The structure was dilapidated, its walls crumbling, with only fragments hinting at its former glory.

The most heartbreaking detail was that this greenhouse held no flowers at all.

Every plant Zhen Qianqiu laid eyes on was lush with foliage but bore only monotonous blooms.

As she walked forward, her breath caught when she spotted a figure at the far end.

Yu Zhitao looked up at her with a smile. “Whew, Ah Jiu, you finally made it.”

Zhen Qianqiu’s eyes suddenly stung with moisture.

Even though they had only been apart for half a morning, seeing Yu Zhitao again made her feel as though an eternity had passed.

The Emperor suppressed the surging emotions within her, her eyes reddening from the effort.

She stepped beside Yu Zhitao and glanced at the flowerpot and fresh soil in front of her. “What’s all this?”

Yu Zhitao blinked mysteriously. “Flower seeds.”

“Flower seeds?” Zhen Qianqiu was momentarily confused.

Yu Zhitao nodded.

She handed a small shovel to Zhen Qianqiu and said cheerfully, “Since there are no flowers in the greenhouse, I brought you a seed.

“Once it blooms, you won’t feel lonely anymore.”

Zhen Qianqiu grasped her hand.

Urgency gripped her, but words failed her so she simply held Yu Zhitao’s palm tightly.

Yu Zhitao tilted her head in confusion.

“Ah Jiu?”

Zhen Qianqiu could only voice her thoughts plainly.

“I’m not lonely. Stay with me.”

Yu Zhitao blinked and whispered, “Shh! Don’t get sidetracked, you have to finish planting the flower first!”

In the dreams she’d had, the young Ah Jiu in the palace had eventually received a budding plant. Later, Yu Zhitao realized that the bud symbolized the child she and Ah Jiu would have.

Back then, neither of them had been aware of the child’s existence, yet it had already left its mark in their hearts in its own way.

She had always wanted to raise a flower with Ah Jiu, and she’d chosen this special day to finally plant the seed.

It had to be done together that was what made it meaningful.

But to her surprise, Zhen Qianqiu, who had obediently followed her setup and overcome every challenge, now refused to cooperate at this final step.

She set aside the gardening tools in her hand.

She set it down and pulled her into an embrace.

Zhen Qianqiu said, “I know, Zhitao. The flowers or rather, our child are the greatest gift you’ve given me.”

Having revealed the significance of this moment, she continued, “But what truly ended my loneliness and uncertainty wasn’t the child, nor anyone or anything else.”

Taking a deep breath, she spoke slowly, word by word, “It was Yu Zhitao. It was you.”

She was grateful for everything she had gained during this time, rediscovering the meaning of life, the child soon to be born.

But all of it combined couldn’t compare to a single Yu Zhitao.

Caught off guard by this confession, Yu Zhitao laughed before melting into her arms, deeply moved.

Sweet tears traced her cheeks as she mumbled, trying to hold back her sobs, “Hmph, you cheater, A-Jiu. That’s not fair.”

Zhen Qianqiu simply held her close.

“I could be patient and cooperate when we were apart,” she murmured. “But more than reliving old memories, it was the thought of seeing you again that drove me forward.”

“Now that you’re here, how could I possibly focus on anything else?”

Yu Zhitao’s face flushed crimson. She sniffled, wiping her tears on Zhen Qianqiu’s shoulder.

Just as she steadied her emotions and tried to gather her words, a noise came from the corner.

“Ah? Why isn’t the Emperor following the script? She didn’t plant the flowers, can we even proceed with the next step?” It was Yu Zhihuai’s voice.

The next second, he yelped in pain, “Ow! Wan Qing, why did you hit me again?!”

Whatever scuffle ensued in the corner, after some rustling, Yu Zhihuai sighed, “Fine, fine. Let’s just skip ahead.”

Raising his voice, he announced to Zhen Qianqiu and Yu Zhitao, “Now, the Emperor may kiss the Empress!”

Yu Zhitao was speechless.

She never expected Yu Zhihuai to pull such a stunt. The tender moment shattered into awkwardness, leaving her at a loss.

Fortunately, Zhen Qianqiu took charge. She called softly toward the corner, “Wan Qing.”

True to her reputation as the Emperor’s top aide, Wan Qing understood immediately. Without hesitation, she grabbed Yu Zhihuai by the ankle and dragged him out, ignoring his protests.

Before leaving, she dutifully reported, “All unnecessary personnel have been cleared from the balcony. Ahem. The Emperor may now kiss the Empress.”

With that, she exited, closing the door behind her.

Finally alone, Yu Zhitao chuckled awkwardly, “Well that didn’t go as planned.”

“It’s fine,” Zhen Qianqiu murmured, her gaze unwavering, as if nothing else in the world existed. “So, may we proceed with the kiss?”

Yu Zhitao blinked, then gently closed her eyes.

She said nothing, yet her silence spoke volumes.

Accepting the invitation, Zhen Qianqiu leaned in, capturing her lips in a kiss soft, sweet, lasting as long as a flower’s bloom.

When they parted, Yu Zhitao was breathless, her weight sinking into Zhen Qianqiu’s arms.

Holding her entire world close, Zhen Qianqiu bore the weight gladly.

“Do you know why I chose today?” Yu Zhitao asked.

The question genuinely stumped Zhen Qianqiu.

She conceded defeat and asked in return, “Why?”

Yu Zhitao wrinkled her nose. “Hmph, I knew you’d forget!”

She lifted her head, her eyes sparkling. “Ah Jiu, today is your birthday!”

Zhen Qianqiu was completely stunned.

“Birthday?”

Yu Zhitao nodded.

She had memorized the date when they registered their marriage.

Zhen Qianqiu came to her senses and chuckled softly. “I’ve never celebrated my birthday.”

Of course, Yu Zhitao knew. She could well imagine that Zhen Qianqiu’s mother and sister had never celebrated it for her.

She said, “Mm, it’s okay. The past is behind us. Ah Jiu, starting this year, I’ll celebrate your birthday every year, okay?”

Zhen Qianqiu’s heart softened, and she couldn’t help but pinch Yu Zhitao’s cheek.

“Alright, as you wish.”

Yu Zhitao wrapped her arms around her waist and said earnestly, “Ah Jiu, I mean it.

“The past doesn’t count. I want you to know that to me, your existence in this world is already the luckiest thing in my life.”

Then she smiled again. “You are the most precious being.”

Zhen Qianqiu stared into her eyes, even forgetting to breathe.

In the eyes of her mother and sister, she was the unwanted one, the sinful one.

She had almost believed that narrative herself, but Yu Zhitao called her the most precious.

She simply gazed at Yu Zhitao in a daze, watching until Yu Zhitao’s cheeks flushed and she shyly covered her face. “Mmm, why are you staring at me like that?”

Zhen Qianqiu lowered her head and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.

Yu Zhitao, feeling a little embarrassed, changed the subject. “Ahem, alright, we should go plant the flowers now.

“If you keep disrupting the schedule, the baby will get upset!”

Zhen Qianqiu smiled and softly replied, “Okay.”

In truth, at that moment, she had simply been bidding farewell to her past self.

The instant Yu Zhitao spoke those words, she felt a weight lift from her body.

If all the confusion of the past had been signposts leading her to the one she loved, then Zhen Qianqiu felt she could forgive every hardship.