Queen O's Timid Fugitive A - Chapter 21

21

The sky was high and blue, the morning dew yet to dry on the vast wilderness already tinged with autumn hues. The withered grass stretched out in a sea of yellow, and a swift hunting dog darted through like the wind, following the scent of bl00d left by an injured prey in the grass, chasing after it in hot pursuit.

“Fifty thousand troops beaten back time and again? How can Chen Ya be so useless?” A hushed voice carried a tone of frustration and disappointment.

“Yesterday, news came of another defeat. I think…” The conversation abruptly halted, and the two figures hiding in the shadows simultaneously glanced in another direction.

On the flattened ground, cleared of weeds, tents adorned with various clan crests surrounded the largest and most luxurious central encampment. Every few meters, soldiers clad in iron armor stood guard, their vigilant eyes scanning the surroundings.

Nearby, noble youths of high status gathered in small groups, chatting and laughing. But now, their voices fell silent, all eyes turning toward the grandest tent.

The unhurried sound of hoofbeats approached, gradually revealing a figure. Astride a tall steed was a woman dressed in a teal riding outfit, her dark hair tied into a small bun at the back of her head. Her features were sharp and striking, though the high collar of her attire couldn’t fully conceal the bandages wrapped around her neck. Her face was pale, devoid of color, making one worry she might be thrown from the horse at any moment.

Perhaps sensing the same concern, the few guards riding close to her stayed near the horse, their brows furrowed with worry.

“The Jiang family head is here? Wasn’t she bedridden with injuries…” A man in the distance suddenly realized, muttering to himself. It had been over a month; surely she couldn’t still be confined to bed.

“I thought she’d request leave,” another person nearby chimed in.

“Maybe she’s been ill for so long she’s come out to clear her mind?” someone else suggested.

As they speculated, Jiang Ciqing had already reached the tent. She gently pulled the reins to stop the horse, then dismounted with clean, practiced movements. Yet, as her feet touched the ground, she swayed slightly, struggling to steady herself.

The guards beside her hurriedly stepped forward, their faces filled with concern.

“It’s fine. Wait here,” Jiang Ciqing waved them off, then walked toward the tent’s entrance.

The soldiers on either side, having received prior instructions, promptly lifted the curtain for her.

Inside, the lively chatter paused as all eyes turned toward the entrance. Jiang Ciqing kept her gaze forward, walking straight ahead without glancing sideways.

At the center of the tent, seated in a high position, was a man with golden hair and blue eyes. Though nearing seventy, he looked as frail as someone in their nineties. Deep furrows from constant frowning marked his brow, and his withered skin hung loosely on his bony frame. His narrow, cloudy eyes occasionally glinted with a sharp light.

Jiang Ciqing remained composed, as if oblivious to the gazes upon her. She stopped five meters away, took a step forward with her left foot, knelt on her right knee, placed her left hand on her knee, and slightly bowed her head. “Commoner Jiang Ciqing pays respects to Your Majesty.”

The Emperor of Nanliang, his hands crossed over a golden staff, sat wrapped in a dark fur cloak that seemed to engulf his frail body. His eyes appeared to look straight ahead, yet he remained silent, as if slow to react, leaving Jiang Ciqing kneeling on the carpet.

Those below remained still, and as she bowed, the white bandages around her neck became even more conspicuous.

The tent wasn’t crowded—only the Alpha princes and princesses sat in order on either side, along with Xu Fusheng, the Omega rumored to be out of favor with the Emperor, seated beside the Third Princess.

Whatever they had been discussing earlier, the tent’s sole Omega still wore a faint smile.

“Ciqing?” The old Emperor finally spoke, tilting his head slightly with a hint of confusion before breaking into a kindly smile. “Ciqing is here! Rise quickly. Is your health improving?”

Before Jiang Ciqing could respond, he waved a hand. “You frail little thing, come to Uncle’s side. Didn’t I tell you to come by carriage?”

Jiang Ciqing stood, her expression softening with a touch of gentleness and even a hint of docility. She obediently walked to Emperor Liang Chen’s side and knelt beside him, saying, “I’m much better, but Aunt Sun was still worried and wouldn’t let me leave the house. I was bored to death cooped up inside, so I took the chance to join the autumn hunt.”

At this, she allowed a trace of childish frustration to show, her hands resting naturally, her back slightly hunched, as if she were a defenseless younger relative in the presence of an elder.

Emperor Liang Ji laughed heartily, advising kindly, “You’re nineteen and still so playful? With your frail health, you really should rest more.”

Jiang Ciqing pouted, neither refuting nor agreeing.

Instead of being upset, Liang Ji seemed like a doting grandfather. He turned to the old servant standing silently by his side like a shadow and said, “Where are the tonics I told you to bring? Have them sent to Ciqing’s tent later…”

The silent First Prince suddenly spoke up, “Ciqing, how effective were the medicines the physician prescribed last time? Shall I send more?”

The Third Princess quickly added, “I have some fine medicinal herbs as well. I’ll have them sent to Ciqing’s residence.”

The Fifth Prince hurriedly chimed in as well.

The once-quiet tent suddenly buzzed with noise. Jiang Ciqing, the subject of this attention, withdrew her expression and knelt quietly behind the Emperor, only occasionally responding with a few words.

She knew this so-called concern was merely the heirs echoing the Emperor’s words. Whether she accepted it didn’t matter—what mattered was Liang Ji’s attitude.

Her peripheral vision caught a glimpse of the Omega she hadn’t seen in a while, sitting silently as if an outsider. To her, this display of familial affection seemed less enticing than the grape wine on the low table.

Jiang Ciqing lowered her eyes slightly.

What a pity—she was seated beside the Emperor and couldn’t taste that grape wine.

After a while, the Emperor kept Jiang Ciqing, Xu Fusheng, and a few others for lunch. Afterward, he returned to his own tent to rest for a bit until the bell tolled.

The autumn hunt had followed the same pattern in recent years. The old Emperor no longer had the energy to devise new activities, and the attendees were happy to keep things simple. After listening to a string of ceremonial thanks to the heavens and earth, the highlight of the day arrived—the prize of the autumn hunt.

Jiang Ciqing didn’t listen closely, nor did she care much. The prize, whoever won it, would never fall into her hands. It had to have nothing to do with her.

So, no matter how excited those around her grew, she only managed a faint smile in response.

Until…

All eyes suddenly turned to her. Startled, Jiang Ciqing hurriedly stepped forward to thank His Majesty for his consideration.

This autumn hunt brought two unprecedented events. First, the Emperor granted Jiang Ciqing permission to leave the hunting grounds empty-handed. While the hunt had few rules, there was one ironclad law: regardless of ability, everyone had to bring back at least one or two kills to preserve the imperial family’s dignity.

The Emperor’s special permission was unheard of, and some were astonished by the favor shown to the Jiang family. Not only had palace physicians been sent to treat Jiang Ciqing, and medicines delivered, but now she received such an honor…

People exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable.

The second unprecedented event was the Emperor’s permission for Xu Fusheng, an Omega, to participate in the hunt.

These two exceptions caused the previously lively atmosphere to fall silent. Each person, lost in their own thoughts, rode into the forest with their respective groups, and for a moment, the only sound was the clatter of hooves.

Jiang Ciqing rode alone, her expression neither joyful nor sorrowful. Occasionally, an Alpha passing by invited her to hunt together, but she declined, citing her health.

After entering the forest, she glanced back. The aged Emperor no longer participated in the hunt and would return to camp once all participants had entered the forest. Farther away, some Omegas who had just arrived stood by their sedan chairs, laughing and teasing. The autumn hunt was not only a chance for Alphas to show off but also an opportunity for many noble Omegas to choose a suitor.

A few years ago, an ordinary noble Alpha had unexpectedly won the hunt and gained the favor of the Prime Minister’s Omega daughter.

But none of this concerned Jiang Ciqing. She wandered leisurely, half-closing her eyes, reins loosely in hand, her horse moving at a leisurely pace. Were it not for the bow slung over her shoulder and the long sword at her waist, no one would think she was here for the hunt—she looked more like a lazy noble out for a springtime ride by the lake.

Riding alone deeper into the forest, she left behind the clamor of the crowd. Sunlight filtered through sparse leaves, and another withered leaf drifted down.

Her mind replayed everything since leaving the Jiang family and venturing out—every move and word from the old Emperor, the First Prince, the Third Princess, and others, carefully dissected and pondered.

A faint rustling sound snapped her attention. Jiang Ciqing’s eyes shot up, her hand instantly gripping the hilt of her sword as she held her breath and peered into the foliage.

A glimpse of white fur appeared among the sparse underbrush. The hunting grounds were stocked monthly with wild animals brought from elsewhere, so the forest teemed with game—crowded, even—making it easy for even unskilled hunters to bag a few kills.

She exhaled softly, relaxing her grip. She had no intention of competing for the hunt’s top prize but couldn’t return empty-handed either. Though the Emperor had granted her an exception, that didn’t mean she could idly linger until the end.

Sometimes, what the Emperor gives is merely for show, not a genuine gift.

Jiang Ciqing understood this well. A foolish rabbit had conveniently wandered into her path. She drew the bow from her shoulder, her left arm steadying it as her right hand plucked an arrow, casually nocking it and aiming at the flash of white.

Whoosh!

The arrow in her hand didn’t fly. The sound came from behind. Jiang Ciqing tensed, whipping around just as a black arrow sliced through the air, grazing her cheek and pinning the rabbit to the grass. It didn’t even struggle, dark bl00d pooling like a small stream.

A half-inch cut appeared on her cheek, a thin wound caused by the arrow’s sharp wind. Bl00d beads dripped down, stark against her already pale face.

Jiang Ciqing tightened her grip on the startled horse, her eyes flashing with cold intent as she looked toward the source of the noise. Moments later, the figures emerged.

Leading them was a golden-haired, blue-eyed male Alpha, broad-shouldered and narrow-waisted. His youth betrayed an ambition he couldn’t yet conceal, his chiseled features carrying an air of arrogance.

“Ciqing?” He froze upon seeing her, then glanced at the slain rabbit. The Fifth Prince, who thought he could act freely away from his older siblings, had unwittingly stumbled upon someone he couldn’t afford to cross.

Jiang Ciqing composed herself, nodding slightly. “Your Highness.”

She seemed unperturbed.

As the Fifth Prince prepared to speak with an apology, a silver-haired woman rode forward, still holding her bow, the black arrows in her quiver swaying.

The sharp scent of tequila brushed past as she retrieved the rabbit with her bow and rode off with her prize, not sparing a glance in their direction.

Cold and brazenly arrogant.

Jiang Ciqing pressed her lips together and said, “The hunt is important. I won’t delay Your Highness further.” With that, she rode off in the opposite direction.

The Fifth Prince, meanwhile, let out a relieved breath. Young and competitive, he had lost to his older brother over a mere pheasant the previous year. This year, he couldn’t afford to waste time. With a glance, he led his group to chase after Xu Fusheng.