Queen O's Timid Fugitive A - Chapter 16

16

“Master!”

A thin mist lingered over the mountains, and dewdrops slid down the veins of leaves. A cheerful, burly man strode forward through the damp, black mud.

“Master, why did you wake up so late today?” he asked as he walked.

Jiang Ciqing, who had just been wearing a faint smile, instantly stiffened at the corners of her lips. Today, she wore only a black riding outfit, her medium-length hair tied into a small braid at the back of her head, revealing clear black pupils. The contours of her eyes were sharp as if carved by a knife, with downturned corners that further blurred her already androgynous features.

The magic core in her arms pressed against her ribs—the real reason for waking up late was something she couldn’t reveal.

Before she could speak, the man across from her grinned and began boasting: “I got up early today and rushed to the pastry shop to queue up. I bought the first batch of osmanthus cakes and delivered them to that Omega lady.”

As soon as the words fell, Jiang Ciqing’s expression grew even stiffer.

Early in the morning? Rushed over?

She thought of the Omega’s mocking, half-smiling expression…

“However, that Omega wasn’t awake yet, so I didn’t get to hand them to her personally. But don’t worry, Master! I told her guards that you repeatedly reminded me last night to wake up early to buy the pastries and deliver them…” He deliberately raised his eyebrows, his expression screaming, I get it, I’ve got your back. Despite his rugged and upright appearance, he now looked utterly ridiculous.

Repeatedly reminded? Rush over early?

Jiang Ciqing clenched her molars, her eyes burning with suppressed anger as she glared at this dark-skinned, foolish oaf who was still basking in his own brilliance.

“Ah, Master, let me tell you—if you want to court an Omega, you’ve got to be sincere. It’s not just about strolling around and sending pastries. You need heart,” he said earnestly. As someone who had successfully wooed the most beautiful and gentle Omega in the neighboring village, he was brimming with confidence in this area.

Since her dignity had already been thoroughly trampled, Jiang Ciqing gritted her teeth and forced out a question: “Then, in your opinion, what should I do?”

Hearing this, the man’s eyes gleamed with excitement, even carrying a hint of pride. Heaven above, our young master has finally awakened! She’s finally realized she needs an Omega!

Fighting the urge to burn incense on the spot, the burly man didn’t forget the matter at hand and pulled out his treasure trove of advice: “To court an Omega, you must have three hearts and one courage.”

“Oh?”

“First, attentiveness, patience, and perseverance. Attentiveness means always paying attention to the other person’s moods—capturing the details. Like today’s osmanthus cakes—you should’ve delivered them in person.”

“Really?” Jiang Ciqing’s gaze drifted into the distance as she responded nonchalantly.

“Of course! Not only should you deliver them personally, but you should also visit every day, persisting patiently until you get a response,” he instructed meticulously.

“And the courage?”

“Aiyo…” He winked, his expression turning suggestive.

Jiang Ciqing responded with a polite yet confused smile.

He smacked his hand in frustration. “Master, your comprehension is too lacking!”

“This courage means seizing the moment and going for it!”

Jiang Ciqing, ever the diligent student, repeated: “Seizing the moment and going for it?”

“Yes, yes, yes! You can’t just chase after someone forever. You’ve got to recognize the right moment. When the moment comes…” He chuckled, his eyes narrowing into slits.

“And when the moment comes, what are you going to do?” A chillingly threatening voice sounded from behind his neck.

Jiang Ciqing silently took a step back and smiled.

The burly man, still lost in his own world, instinctively answered: “Go for it! If you don’t act now, do you plan to stay single for the rest of your life?!”

Wait…

That voice?

His pupils constricted violently, his muscles tensing instantly. Only then did he feel the piercing cold of the morning.

“Di Changjie, you seem very experienced, huh?”

The sturdy, six-foot-tall Di Changjie forced out a gentle smile, turning stiffly. “Wife, let me explain…”

“Explain? You’d better kneel at home and explain.”

“W-Wait?! A real man stands tall between heaven and earth—how could he kneel…?” Di Changjie tried to plead for help, only to see his master’s retreating figure, hands clasped behind her back. In just those few sentences, she had already walked several meters away.

His honest face straightened, righteous and solemn: “As the saying goes, a man kneels to heaven, earth, and his parents. But my parents passed long ago, and my wife rules the household. So kneeling to my wife is only natural.”

…

Leather boots crunched over bamboo leaves. Jiang Ciqing, now in high spirits, even hummed an unknown tune. Faintly, she could hear something about a rainy night, a wooden cabin, promises made and broken, and something about a hug?

Jiang Ciqing shook her head and quickened her pace. She was just a pure, innocent little Alpha who hadn’t even inherited her throne—how could she possibly understand such things?

Stepping onto the dark wooden corridor, she scattered the morning shadows of bamboo underfoot. The white jade pendant hanging at her waist swayed gently—until…

Her footsteps halted.

“Aunt Sun,” Jiang Ciqing called softly.

The elderly woman standing by the wooden railing gave a slight bow, her hands folded in front of her as if she had been waiting for a long time.

“Master,” she replied, her cloudy eyes revealing a trace of warmth, like a stern elder who was strict yet gentle with the younger generation.

“Why are you standing here?” The Alpha scratched her head, sunlight falling on her brows, inexplicably adding a touch of youthful innocence.

“You’ve been unwell these past few days. I specially prepared tonic medicine for you.”

Jiang Ciqing frowned, a hint of distaste in her voice. “Didn’t I drink some a few days ago? His Highness the Crown Prince even sent a physician…”

“You didn’t finish it,” the old woman chided helplessly. “The physician carefully prepared the medicine, yet you only drank half. If not for Ah Fu telling me, you would’ve let the rest of the packets sit until they molded, wouldn’t you?”

That had been the plan…

Jiang Ciqing had always detested bitter medicine. Even when ill, she refused to take it. If not for the Crown Prince’s kindness, she wouldn’t have touched it at all.

Aunt Sun knew her too well—she had watched this child grow up. The moment Jiang Ciqing lifted a hand, she knew what she was about to do.

The old woman sighed heavily and turned to walk inside.

Jiang Ciqing obediently followed.

In the main hall, the brewed medicine had already been poured into a small bowl and placed on the table, accompanied thoughtfully by pastries.

Aunt Sun couldn’t help but nag: “When you’re unwell, you must take your medicine. Don’t avoid it just because it’s bitter. Good medicine tastes bitter.”

Then she changed the subject: “Changjie returned early today. I thought there’d be no osmanthus cakes to help with the bitterness, but he bought two portions—one for that Lady Xu and one for home.”

Jiang Ciqing glanced at the osmanthus cakes. Di Changjie had indeed bought two portions—one delivered to Xu Fusheng and one brought home. Thinking of what had happened earlier, Jiang Ciqing rubbed her nose, feeling a twinge of guilt.

Seeing her standing motionless, the old woman assumed she was reluctant and personally brought the medicine over.

Jiang Ciqing grimaced, taking the bowl reluctantly. Staring at the dark liquid steaming in the bowl, she hesitated, dragging her feet before finally taking a sip.

Aunt Sun waited patiently, standing by until she saw Jiang Ciqing lift the bowl, then finally showing a hint of satisfaction.

Then she said: “This old servant has arranged a meeting for the Master with the eldest daughter of the Chu family…”

Before she could finish, Jiang Ciqing, who had been about to down the medicine in one gulp, jolted violently and spat it out in an utterly undignified manner.

“What?!”

Aunt Sun’s gaze fell on the wasted medicine splattered on the ground, a trace of regret flashing in her eyes. “What are you doing? This medicine is precious…”

“What eldest daughter of the Chu family? Why arrange a meeting?” Jiang Ciqing was both shocked and furious, even forgetting to wipe the medicine from her lips.

But Aunt Sun replied matter-of-factly: “The Master has reached the age to seek an Omega for marriage. Otherwise, like last time…”

“I’m not going!”

“The eldest daughter of the Chu family is a rare A-rank Omega, gentle and virtuous…”

“What does that have to do with me?”

“The late Master entrusted this old servant to take care of you…” Aunt Sun suddenly grew sorrowful, as if Jiang Ciqing had done something terribly wrong.

“I… I’m only nineteen,” Jiang Ciqing was completely defenseless. After all, this was an elder who had watched her grow up. Last time, it was because of her insistence that Jiang Ciqing had reluctantly attended the Third Princess’s ball.

“Most Alphas have already found partners by this age.”

“I—I—” Jiang Ciqing felt a suffocating frustration, wanting to refuse multiple times but unable to bring herself to say it to the old woman.

“Fine… I’ll go,” she finally conceded.

Only then did Aunt Sun look pleased. “The Master should marry soon to put the late Master’s heart at ease.”

Jiang Ciqing forced a smile, her chest tight with irritation.

“There’s another bowl of tonic in the kitchen. This old servant will have someone bring it over.”

“Fine…”

A moment later, in the now-empty hall, the second bowl of medicine was poured into the flower bed. Jiang Ciqing stared at the osmanthus cakes on the table for a long time before finally taking one piece, hiding it in her palm, and stepping over the threshold to leave.