CHAPTER 23

Chu Yu's mind was in a bit of a mess.

She felt like she had touched on some important clues, but lacking the crucial piece of the puzzle, she remained in a state of confusion. What was even more frustrating was that she couldn't figure out which piece was missing.

After standing outside Shu Yanyan's building for a while, Chu Yu took a deep breath and turned to find her hover car parked outside. It drove autonomously back to the palace.

At this moment, all she wanted was to return to her chamber, take a shower, and wait for Shu Yanyan to send the photo so they could have a proper conversation.

A conversation about the mysterious Shu Qing.

A conversation about their new future together.

Thinking about this, Chu Yu's mood improved slightly. However, reality didn't go as smoothly as she had anticipated.

As soon as Chu Yu returned to the palace, she encountered her mother, who seemed a bit stern. The Empress dowager saw her as if she had found a lifeline and held onto her, refusing to let her leave.

"Why have you been running around so much lately? I can never find you when I need you."

Chu Yu patted her mother's back to comfort her and said, "What happened? You can let Xiao Yun inform me."

The Empress dowager glared at her. "Do I have to rely on your adjutant to pass a message  when I want to find my own daughter?"

Chu Yu smiled apologetically, "Of course not... What I meant is, if you want to find me, you can let me know in advance, and I won't go out."

The Empress dowager chuckled, "Hmph, at least you have a conscience."

She took a sip of water and got to the point, "TIM Media came for an interview. Their reporters were getting on my nerves, so I used the excuse of taking a break and came out for some relief. You've come back just in time. Freshen up and join me inside."

TIM Media was one of the largest multinational media organizations in the universe, with significant influence throughout. Their interviews were known for being bold and acerbic, capturing the attention of intelligent beings across the universe, but also drawing complaints from many interviewees.

Even as the Empress dowager of the Huaqi Empire, she still had to give them some face during this official interview.

Chu Yu was somewhat surprised by the statement and even glanced at the time on her smart bracelet to confirm. "They're coming for an interview this late at night?"

The Empress dowager nodded, smoothing out the stray hairs near her ears. "In the next few days, your aunt and I are going to the Ziran Planet for some rejuvenation treatment, so I don't have time to accommodate them. I thought about it and decided to let them come tonight and finish the interview quickly."

Chu Yu understood.

She found it somewhat amusing, but she couldn't just let her own mother be harassed by the media. After thinking for a moment, she nodded and said, "I'll go back and change into a different outfit. Wait for me here."

The Empress dowager grabbed her and looked her up and down. "I hadn't noticed until you mentioned it, but isn't your current outfit quite nice?"

She gossiped, "Are you dressed so elegantly like this because of you have a date?"

Objectively speaking, Chu Yu's simple attire didn't align with the description of "elegantly dressed." But if compared to her previous dressing style, this outfit did stand out more.

Having watched her daughter grow up, the Empress dowager immediately sensed something out of the ordinary.

Chu Yu rubbed her nose. "...I guess, not really."

She had indeed carefully chosen her outfit for the daytime garden event, but she had encountered too many interruptions today, especially that person named Fang, which had put her in a very bad mood. Chu Yu secretly decided not to consider today's experiences as her first date with Shu Yanyan.

"What does it matter?" The Empress dowager's eyes lit up. "Who is it?"

She guessed, "Could it be that Ge Meng? Well, Beta would be fine too. As long as you're happy, I won't interfere."

Chu Yu shook her head and explained again, "It's not Ge Meng."

She requested, "She and I are just ordinary friends, Mother. Please don't misunderstand."

"Not Ge Meng?" The Empress dowager frowned deeply. "If it's not her, then who?"

She couldn't recall Chu Yu being close to any other child.

Chu Yu paused for a moment and said, "There are still some things that need to sort out before our relationship can be confirmed. Once things are settled, I will bring her to meet you."

At this point, she thought for a moment and administered a preemptive strike to her own mother, saying, "Let's make it clear in advance. We made an agreement that you can't oppose anyone I like."

"Oh, how could I possibly oppose!" The Empress dowager was completely ecstatic.

Chu Yu had led a simple and contented life for several decades, and she had even prepared herself for the worst-case scenario—that her daughter would remain alone for the rest of her life. Now that she knew Chu Yu had someone she was interested in, it was enough to make her happy.

Chu Yu observed her mother's expression and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

"That's good."

She gave a small hint, "At that time, besides the Empress of the Empire, there will be another surprise."

The Empress of the Empire already came with a little princess, so that should count as a "surprise," right?

Chu Yu had been a little concerned initially, as even though the mindset of this era was relatively open, not everyone would be accepting of her having an unexpected grandchild. But as soon as she thought about Yunmiao's adorable appearance, Chu Yu instantly gained confidence.

Yes! If it's Yunmiao, it will definitely be a huge surprise.

The Empress dowager couldn't hold back anymore. "A surprise? Another surprise? What kind of surprise?"

Chu Yu reassured her, "You'll find out when the time comes."

She took a step back. "I'll go change my clothes first. I'll deal with the interview first before we discuss it further."

The Empress dowager came back to her senses and nodded. "Yes, go ahead."

Chu Yu left as instructed.

Ten minutes later, she changed into her usual attire for receiving guests and returned to the grand hall of the palace.

While changing her clothes, she glanced at the time and couldn't help but send a message to Shu Yanyan.

[Chu Yu: What are you doing?]

[Shu Yanyan: ...Telling stories to Yunmiao and putting her to sleep.]

Chu Yu's lips curled up.

She could imagine that scene very well, and it made her look forward to a future where she could also be a part of that picture.

[Chu Yu: It seems like I should also pay attention to popular children's books soon.]

[Chu Yu: What kind of books does Yunmiao like? Can you recommend a few to me?]

Upon seeing this message, Shu Yanyan was paused for a moment.

Of course, she understood the hidden meaning behind Chu Yu's words. These beautiful hints pulled her into the imagined scene as well, causing her breath to quicken momentarily.

In the next moment, she felt a warmth at the back of her neck.

Shu Yanyan snapped back to reality and touched her gland, feeling the overly warm and sensitive skin in that area.

Luckily, Yunmiao on the bed had already fallen into a light sleep. Shu Yanyan quietly got out of bed, her face flushed, and grabbed the emergency kit before hiding in the bathroom.

Inside the emergency kit, there was a potent suppressant used to deal with Omega's estrus.

Shu Yanyan took two pills and tore open a suppression patch, placing it over her gland.

An instant cooling sensation swept over her, and with the pheromones blocked by the patch, she was able to catch her breath for a moment. But soon, she felt that same surge of heat returning.

In the mirror, the blush on her face had already spread, and her exposed head, neck, and even her hands displayed a faint pink hue.

Shu Yanyan pressed her forehead with her hand.

She couldn't feel whether it was hot or cold, but her intuition told her that she was definitely running a low-grade fever right now.

For Alphas and Omegas who have undergone deep bonding, if they are separated for more than three years, the bond will become null and void. Omegas will reenter irregular estrus cycles.

That's also why, in the Empire's laws, if a person goes missing for more than three years, they are automatically presumed dead.

Shu Yanyan calculated the time and realized that it was still about a month away from the full three years since she and Shu Qing separated.

But she didn't anticipate the unexpected events of tonight!

The kiss with Chu Yu in the corner downstairs had reawakened the memories of her partner within her body. Plus, even though Chu Yu didn't actually bite her gland, she had lingered and kissed it for a long time.

A traveler who had been dying of thirst in the desert, if by unfortunate chance they tasted a drop of water, that feeling of seeing hope but being unable to be saved would only drive them to mental collapse, ultimately accelerating their death.

Shu Yanyan was now in that situation!

She covered the location of her gland and vaguely realized that she would enter estrus earlier than expected.

She had learned from the doctor before that if her estrus arrived but she couldn't receive the soothing of a partner, the next step would be for her to be sent to the hospital to have the bond forcibly removed.

At this thought, Shu Yanyan panicked for a moment.

She reopened her smart brain and looked at her chat records with Chu Yu.

[Shu Yanyan: Where are you right now?]

After sending that question about Yunmiao's favorite bedtime books, Chu Yu noticed that Shu Yanyan hadn't replied for a while.

She thought she might have been too rash, and Shu Yanyan was shyly ignoring her, so she temporarily turned off her smart brain.

She planned to help her mother deal with the interview first and give Shu Yanyan some time to calm down.

When Shu Yanyan's new message came in, she was answering the host's questions.

"There have been opinions on the Star Network suggesting that your uncle is actually more qualified to be the Emperor than you. What are your thoughts on this matter?"

The Empress dowager, sitting by the side, couldn't help but snort and roll her eyes.

Chu Yu, however, didn't show any surprise. She just smiled and raised the corners of her mouth.

"I thought reality has already made everything clear."

Since Chu Yu ascended to the throne, the development of the Huaqi Empire has been evident to everyone, and no one can erase her accomplishments.

The host felt somewhat awkward but persisted, saying, "But the situation is different now. Previously, Huaqi faced external threats, but now the surrounding areas have already settled into peace. Don't you think the Empire needs a leader who is more benevolent and wise?"

It was at this moment that Shu Yanyan's message came in.

Chu Yu had set up special notifications for her, so when the message arrived, her smart bracelet trembled slightly.

Chu Yu secretly glanced at it and confirmed that it was indeed a message from Shu Yanyan.

However, in the interview hall, the host and several cameras were waiting for her response. She could only temporarily dismiss the idea of checking the message. At the same time, she slightly quickened her pace, wanting to end the interview as soon as possible.

"The Huaqi Empire does not lack leaders who are more benevolent. On the contrary, in the past century, my predecessors possessed such admirable qualities. Their methods of governance have guided me, and their experiences serve as constant reminders for me." As she spoke, she suddenly tapped the table with her finger, her gaze sharp with a hint of confusion.

"To be honest, I don't quite understand why some people think I am not 'benevolent'."

"Do you really think a cruel monarch would allow their competitors to survive? Would they allow other voices to be heard?"

As if a violent storm was about to hit, the entire interview room fell into a kind of atmospheric pressure.

Silence filled the room.

On the other side.

Shu Yanyan tugged at her collar, using both her mouth and nose to breathe hard. But despite her efforts, she still felt like she was suffocating.

There was no movement on the smart brain screen, and she didn't receive the expected response to her inquiry.

Shu Yanyan was confused and even shook her wrist, suspecting that there was a problem with the signal here.

"What are you doing... reply, please reply!" She was disoriented and even began to mutter to herself.

Unfortunately, Chu Yu was preoccupied with affairs and hadn't even seen the message.

Shu Yanyan felt incredibly aggrieved.

In the midst of this overwhelming surge of heat and desire, the smart brain that could connect her with Chu Yu became her lifeline. She stared at the conversation box and sent messages in a daze.

[Shu Yanyan: Where are you?]

[Shu Yanyan: Why are you ignoring me?]

[Shu Yanyan: Are you going to... disappear suddenly again?]

[...]

More than ten messages sank into oblivion without any response. Shu Yanyan thought for a moment, opened her album, and sent the photo she had saved for a long time.

[Shu Yanyan: You wanted to see Shu Qing's photo, right? I'm sending it to you.]

[Shu Yanyan: Image]

[Shu Yanyan: Don't ignore me...]

.....

After a brief silence, the host finally regained his voice.

"Cough, cough, I believe the viewers can understand the Emperor's intention."

"Let's move on to the next topic, cough, I heard that the Empire has initiated a selection process for the Emperor's consort, but it doesn't seem to be going smoothly. The Emperor is already of age for marriage, yet there is no Empress or heir in the palace. Do you think this situation will have any impact on the continuity of the royal family?"

Chu Yu furrowed her brows slightly, and the Dowager Empress seated beside her took the initiative to respond.

"Of course not. The Emperor is still young, and there is no need to worry about the continuity of the royal family."

Her smart bracelet kept vibrating, and Chu Yu was growing increasingly restless. She knew Shu Yanyan well, and if she sent so many messages at once, something must be truly wrong.

Taking advantage of the Dowager Empress diverting everyone's attention, Chu Yu discreetly adjusted her angle and activated the privacy mode on her smart bracelet. She wanted to tell Shu Yanyan that she had something important to attend to and asked her to wait for a moment.

But as soon as she opened the smart bracelet, a photo appeared before her eyes.

The main focus of the photo was actually Shu Yanyan, but in the background, there was a tall woman facing the camera expressionlessly. Due to the blurred background, the woman's features were indistinct, with only a faint outline of her eyebrows and eyes.

But even with just those faint features, Chu Yu's heart almost stopped beating.

Others might not be familiar with her appearance, but she...

How could she mistake her own appearance?

In the photo, the woman in the background behind Shu Yanyan was unmistakably Chu Yu herself.

For these past few days, the clouds of uncertainty that had enveloped her heart finally gave way to a crucial revelation. Shu Qing's true identity was the final key that unraveled all the clues before Chu Yu's eyes.

While the Dowager Empress was still delivering official rhetoric, attempting to keep the host distracted, Chu Yu suddenly felt a jolt through her body.

She turned around and saw Chu Yu, who had been sitting next to her, abruptly standing up during the ongoing interview.

In an instant, all the eyes in the room focused on her.

As she took a step forward, seemingly intending to leave directly, the Dowager Empress hastily grabbed her sleeve.

"Emperor, what... what's the matter?"

Chu Yu: "Mother, I have something to attend to. I need to handle it right away."

The Dowager Empress furrowed her brows slightly. "But... the interview is about to end. Is it really necessary to go now?"

"Mmm." Chu Yu lifted her gaze to meet her gaze.

The Dowager Empress only noticed at this moment that her daughter's face was filled with a serious expression. She had only seen this look on Chu Yu's face when she had made the decision to lead the troops into battle.

Her mouth hung open, completely forgetting what she had intended to say.

Chu Yu said, "I'll go and bring the Empress back to the palace."

The Dowager Empress was left dumbfounded on the spot.

As she saw Chu Yu already reaching the door, she regained some awareness and asked, "W-We have an Empress now?"

Just when she thought the situation couldn't be any more shocking, Chu Yu stopped in her tracks upon hearing the question and casually dropped another bombshell, causing the interview room to erupt with astonishment once again.

"Oh, right, there's also a little princess."

After uttering those words, Chu Yu truly didn't linger anymore and led a contingent of royal guards as they strode out.

The Dowager Empress felt a bit dizzy.

But swirling above her head were clearly twinkling stars and little angels holding harps, making her feel faintly overwhelmed.

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