Queen O's Timid Fugitive A - Chapter 17

17

The sunlight was intense, and the streets were bustling.

Two people walked side by side, maintaining a palm-width distance between them. The chestnut-curled Omega wore an exquisite little dress. Though her features weren’t particularly delicate, her round and adorable face, dotted with freckles against fair skin, made her look like a doll displayed in a glass cabinet. Her fluttering eyes, whenever they glanced at the person beside her, revealed a mix of admiration and joy.

The other person, however, appeared much colder—or perhaps it was simply that nothing about her had changed. Her brows and eyes were as cool and distant as ever. Though she responded gently whenever the other spoke, a trace of boredom still flickered in her gaze when it wandered elsewhere.

Deep down, she resented this kind of matchmaking. Besides, she was already a marked Alpha—what was the point of going on blind dates? To emulate those frivolous scions of noble families who couldn’t stay loyal?

A well-bred, disciplined Alpha like herself couldn’t possibly accept such wanton behavior. Noticing the Omega’s subtle attempts to inch closer under the guise of accident, Jiang Ciqing silently took another step to the side.

“Ciqing, what hobbies do you usually have?” Chu Nongxi changed the subject to something painfully dull. It wasn’t that she lacked conversational skills, but the other party’s constant disinterest made any topic impossible to sustain.

“Forging blades,” Jiang Ciqing answered matter-of-factly.

“Ah…” Chu Nongxi let out an awkward laugh. “Forging blades… Ciqing really is diligent, no wonder you’re called a master at such a young age.”

“Mm,” Jiang Ciqing nodded, not even bothering with false modesty. Her eyes drifted toward the lively streets. It had indeed been a long time since she’d last strolled around. The previous time, her mind had been preoccupied, and she hadn’t paid much attention. Now, she felt an urge to wander.

The Southern Liang Kingdom hadn’t been established for long, and its capital was built upon the ruins of the old dynasty. Thus, the streets and buildings still bore traces of the previous era. Modern red-brick Western-style houses stood jumbled alongside ancient wooden structures. In the crowds, traditional Hanfu and short jackets mingled with shirts and Western trousers, creating a strangely harmonious dissonance.

“Ciqing, look at that little rabbit! So cute!”

Jiang Ciqing glanced sideways. A glass figurine of a rabbit hugging a carrot. “If you like it, buy it,” she said, then took another step back to emphasize her stance.

Chu Nongxi, the pampered young miss of the Chu family, was left speechless.

What kind of Alpha was this? Normally, after an Omega expressed interest, shouldn’t the Alpha rush to pay?

Jiang Ciqing remained unfazed under the other’s shocked gaze. It wasn’t that she couldn’t afford it—it was just that the imperial capital had an unspoken rule: Omegas were delicate and fragile by nature, and Alphas were expected to indulge and pamper them. If they went out together, the Alpha usually footed the bill.

But this situation had arisen too abruptly. She couldn’t help but suspect ulterior motives and had no choice but to maintain this cold distance.

Chu Nongxi came from a prominent Southern Liang family. Her ancestors were among the founding heroes who had fought alongside Emperor Liang to establish the kingdom. Nowadays, the Chu family still held multiple positions in court—and most importantly, they belonged to the Crown Prince’s faction.

Why had Aunt Sun arranged for her to meet the Chu family’s young miss?

Had that person finally made a choice?

Jiang Ciqing’s eyes darkened.

The steady, mild-mannered Crown Prince, backed by the military; the cunning, politically savvy Third Princess who had won over the civil officials; and the Fifth Prince, a promising A-grade Alpha deeply favored by the emperor.

Was this an attempt to force the Jiang family to pick a side sooner?

Ever since the emperor had accepted Xu Fusheng’s surrender, the princes and court officials had grown noticeably more restless. The Third Princess had already hosted three banquets this month, and the Crown Prince—who usually looked down on the Chen family—had deigned to visit them personally.

And what about the Fifth Prince?

Could he really have had no involvement in this blind date?

Her thoughts were a tangled mess. Lost in contemplation, Jiang Ciqing didn’t notice the other girl inching closer.

Chu Nongxi’s eyes sparkled with delight. Setting aside her family’s instructions, she genuinely found Jiang Ciqing appealing.

This was one of the most eligible Alphas in the imperial capital—born into a noble family, exceptionally talented, and undeniably attractive. Most importantly, her conduct was impeccable. There were no rumors of Jiang Ciqing entangled with any Omegas. Having grown up in high society, Chu Nongxi was all too familiar with its sordid underbelly. Someone like Jiang Ciqing was a rare find, which was why she was being so forward now.

Up ahead, a crowd had gathered, blocking the street. Chu Nongxi’s eyes gleamed with mischief as she pretended to walk forward nonchalantly.

Jiang Ciqing followed absentmindedly, not paying attention to what lay ahead.

The fabric of their sleeves brushed as they walked, the hem of Chu Nongxi’s skirt grazing Jiang Ciqing’s well-proportioned calf.

“Ah—!”

A burly man ahead suddenly stepped back. The two were already squeezed into the narrow passageway, and the man’s movement sent the Omega stumbling sideways.

Instinctively, Jiang Ciqing reached out, her hand closing around the other’s forearm. Chu Nongxi only came up to her shoulders, appearing petite and delicate beside the long-limbed Alpha. From the side, it looked like the shy, reserved Alpha wanted to embrace her companion but didn’t dare, restraining herself to a loose hold.

“Ci-Ciqing,” Chu Nongxi’s voice was bashful, but she couldn’t help taking half a step closer, rising onto her tiptoes to look up at the other with hopeful, adoring eyes.

The scent of lavender flooded the air.

Jiang Ciqing lowered her head slightly, eyelids half-lowered, and uttered a confused, “Hm?”

Almost instantly—before their eyes could even meet—Jiang Ciqing released her grip and stepped back sharply, suppressing her irritation as she said, “It’s crowded here. Miss Chu should be careful not to get jostled.”

Chu Nongxi blinked, bewildered. For a well-bred Omega to actively release pheromones was already an audacious breach of decorum.

Yet this Alpha showed no reaction at all?

Weren’t Alphas supposed to be unable to resist an Omega’s pheromones?

For a moment, she doubted her own appeal, forgetting even to be angry.

Jiang Ciqing pressed her lips together, subtly wiping her hand against her pants before taking another step back to widen the distance. “There’s a decent restaurant up ahead. If Miss Chu is tired, we can stop for a rest.”

It was only four in the afternoon—far too early for dinner.

Chu Nongxi was stunned, unsure how to respond.

Jiang Ciqing, however, eagerly strode ahead.

Once they had dinner, she could leave, right?

Chu Nongxi had no choice but to hurry after her. Loud discussions reached her ears, and though she hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, she couldn’t help but overhear.

“The queen from that barbarian land is truly beautiful. No wonder she’s an S-grade Omega…”

“Hah, no matter how beautiful, she’s still surrendered to our Southern Liang, hasn’t she? Though the emperor still hasn’t issued a decree. Do you think he’s planning to…” The man chuckled suggestively.

“Planning what?” his companion asked, confused.

“You blockhead! The emperor personally ordered the Fifth Prince to accompany Xu Fusheng on a tour of the capital. Doesn’t that tell you something?”

The other man suddenly understood, slapping his forehead. “You mean—the emperor wants the Fifth Prince to marry Xu Fusheng!”

Chu Nongxi didn’t hear the rest because the person ahead suddenly stopped, as if waiting for her. She quickly caught up, reaching out to grasp the other’s arm, only for Jiang Ciqing to sidestep her.

Jiang Ciqing merely nodded in acknowledgment, her sharp jawline growing even more pronounced as she suppressed the gloom in her eyes.

“Ciqing, you…” Chu Nongxi was puzzled.

“Miss Chu, stay close. It’s easy to get lost in this crowd,” Jiang Ciqing said stiffly, her ostensibly caring words coming off as brusque.

Cut off before she could finish, Chu Nongxi had no choice but to change the subject. “No wonder it’s so crowded. The Fifth Prince and Xu Fusheng must be here.”

“His Highness is beloved by the people. It’s only natural they’d want to catch a glimpse of him,” Jiang Ciqing replied neutrally, though her peripheral gaze unconsciously drifted toward the commotion.

Compared to her earlier perfunctory responses, this was practically verbose. Chu Nongxi’s eyes brightened, thinking she’d finally found a topic of interest, and quickly added, “I remember when the Crown Prince toured the streets last year—Taiping Street and Zhen’an Street were both packed. You couldn’t even turn around.”

Jiang Ciqing continued walking as she replied, “The Crown Prince is kind and benevolent. The people naturally want to be near him.”

Hearing the head of the Jiang family praise the Crown Prince, Chu Nongxi immediately forgot her earlier frustration and smiled. “The Crown Prince is often praised by scholars for his ruler-like virtues. If he hadn’t married early, this task wouldn’t have fallen to the Fifth Prince.”

Jiang Ciqing’s expression stiffened, but she didn’t comment.

Chu Nongxi continued, “But it’s no loss. This Xu Fusheng…”

Remembering the rumors of Jiang Ciqing’s infamous feud with Xu Fusheng—including how Jiang Ciqing had once called her “eccentric” to the Crown Prince’s face—Chu Nongxi’s tone turned disdainful.

“A savage from the barbarian lands could never compare to the noble, virtuous daughters of the Zheng family. If you ask me, the emperor should just give Xu Fusheng some trinkets and be done with it.”

Jiang Ciqing’s brow furrowed as she belatedly recalled Xu Fusheng’s current predicament.

The emperor’s stance remained ambiguous, and the noble families dared not approach her openly. Though they coveted her S-grade Omega status and endless supply of magic cores, beyond that, she was merely a surrendered prisoner. They wanted to win her over yet still looked down on her—how could these proud aristocrats respect a self-made upstart?

It was the same way a century-old family would scorn a nouveau riche.

“Miss Chu should mind her words,” Jiang Ciqing warned, her tone icy, her eyes darkening.

Only then did Chu Nongxi realize such discussions were inappropriate for a public setting. She was about to suggest they continue over dinner when Jiang Ciqing abruptly said, “I just remembered there’s something I need to take care of today.”

Chu Nongxi’s mouth fell open.

“Let me escort Miss Chu back first,” Jiang Ciqing offered politely.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the crowd shifting in another direction, as if following someone’s departure. A flash of silver hair peeked through the gaps, and Jiang Ciqing froze—they hadn’t left yet?

“Ciqing, you…” Chu Nongxi tried to protest.

But Jiang Ciqing was already walking away. “Let’s go,” she said curtly, heading in the opposite direction.