Queen O's Timid Fugitive A - Chapter 23

23

Clang!!!

On the afternoon of the third day, a deafening bell resounded through the entire garden, signaling the end of Nanliang’s grandest event, the Autumn Hunt Competition. As the bell tolled, the high-pitched neighs of horses echoed, and startled birds in the forest took flight, their wings flapping wildly.

The old emperor had been escorted out of the war camp and was seated in a high position, a thick tiger-skin blanket draped over his knees. His eyes were half-closed as he rested, a faint smile on his weathered face, suggesting he had been enjoying himself these past few days. Though he could no longer ride into the forest, his guards could capture game for him, allowing him to draw a bow or wield a knife, reliving the vigor of his youth.

Surrounding him were numerous Omegas and noble ladies who had brought their children along. The rare sight of small sedans, typically unseen in daily life, became commonplace here. Several were parked together, their doors wide open to allow young masters and misses to rest inside.

But these sedans weren’t just for transportation or shade.

These vehicles, recently developed, were impractical on roads outside the capital, which were paved with cobblestones. Beyond the city, roads were often a rough mix of mud and gravel, making sedans less convenient than horse-drawn carriages. In particularly uneven areas, servants had to carry the sedans on their shoulders. Despite the hassle, the sedans served a purpose: they were a status symbol. Both Omegas and Alphas used them to evaluate one another. Owning a sedan, one of the rarest items in Nanliang, signified wealth, status, and influence.

Those Omegas who arrived without sedans were relegated to the lowest tier, standing far away, craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the event.

A rustling sound came from the forest, and a black-haired Alpha in riding gear emerged first, leading a spirited horse. The Alpha showed no signs of fatigue, with two rabbits and a pheasant casually dangling from the saddle, swaying with each step.

This figure didn’t look like a competitor in the midst of a hunt but rather a leisurely young noble who had grown bored of frolicking in the mountains, waiting for the bell to signal their return.

With no other competitors yet in sight, all eyes naturally turned to the Alpha. Jiang Ciqing’s expression remained calm, exuding confidence, even hinting at a trace of good humor.

Dismounting and leading the horse forward in one fluid motion, Jiang Ciqing approached the emperor with unhurried steps and performed a perfectly formal salute.

The old emperor opened his eyes, glanced around her, and a wry smile appeared on his aged face. “Didn’t I specifically allow you to return empty-handed?”

Jiang Ciqing could only…

She scratched her head, resembling a mischievous child who hadn’t listened to their elders, and replied somewhat sheepishly, “This one couldn’t resist, Your Majesty.”

The real reason couldn’t be spoken aloud. During the entire Autumn Hunt, the only time she had drawn her bow, someone else had beaten her to the shot. The game hanging on her saddle—two rabbits and a pheasant—had been neatly placed beside her when she woke up that morning. Still groggy, the young Alpha had initially mistaken the sight for an offering to a deity.

“You… take care of your health,” Emperor Liang sighed, rubbing his temple. After a mild reprimand, he waved her away.

As they spoke, another rider returned, prompting a gasp from the watching Omegas. The young Alpha, carrying a considerable haul of game, puffed out his chest with pride. Though his spoils might not compare to those still in the forest, they far surpassed Jiang Ciqing’s meager pheasant and two rabbits.

Thanks to the contrast, this Alpha received enthusiastic cheers that later arrivals could only dream of.

Jiang Ciqing didn’t mind. She strolled to the registration area and called out her name loudly, “Please record my results, sir.”

The official in charge, an elderly man in his fifties or sixties with sharp eyes, looked at her small haul with a rare expression of uncertainty. “Master Jiang…”

In all his years, he had never seen someone submit such a modest collection. This was, after all, the current head of one of Nanliang’s most prestigious families.

Jiang Ciqing merely smiled. “Just record it as is.”

“Y-Yes, of course,” the official glanced toward the emperor and quickly complied.

“Oh, and since it’s recorded, I’ll take these back with me?” Jiang Ciqing raised an eyebrow, her tone carrying a hint of the playful arrogance of a spoiled noble teasing an honest official.

By custom, the game was supposed to be stored in a designated area after registration to prevent cheating and to verify the kills. Exceptional kills, made with flawless arrow shots that left the pelts pristine, would even be displayed for praise.

But Jiang Ciqing’s three meager kills…

The official doubted anyone would bother inspecting them.

He glanced at the emperor again before nodding. “Master Jiang, you may take them.”

“Thank you.” Jiang Ciqing said with a clasped-fist salute, then casually picked up her spoils and sauntered toward her camp.

Ah Fu, Di Changjie, and a few others had been waiting for her. They rushed forward, some taking the horse’s reins, others grabbing her items, and some showering her with exaggerated praise like sycophants.

“Look at this pheasant our master hunted—so plump, with a sharp beak! It’s practically the tyrant of the garden’s chickens!”

“And these rabbits! Look at those sturdy hind legs. One kick, and they could probably leap two meters!”

The gist was clear: these weren’t ordinary kills, and their master was extraordinary.

The old official’s eyelid twitched. Decades of maintaining composure as a courtier nearly crumbled in that moment.

Once they reached a quieter area, far from the emperor’s earshot, Ah Fu’s expression shifted to one of concern. “Master?”

Di Changjie tightened his grip on the rabbit pelt, his eyes flicking to the bandaged neck.

Jiang Ciqing’s expression softened, and she gave a slight shake of her head, signaling there was no need to worry.

The group visibly relaxed.

Jiang Ciqing took two steps forward, then paused. Unlike her earlier light, carefree stride, her steps were now heavy and deliberate, leaving noticeable imprints in the grass.

Ah Fu and the others immediately understood—this was her way of showing that her injury had healed, and they needn’t worry.

Their smiles grew genuine, and they resumed their loud praise of the pheasant’s magnificence and the rabbits’ cunning.

Onlookers nearby shook their heads, thinking the Jiang family head was gifted in forging blades but lackluster in other areas…

They didn’t notice Ah Fu subtly scuffing the ground, erasing the footprints Jiang Ciqing had left behind.

More competitors gradually emerged from the forest, their hauls similar in size. Without Jiang Ciqing’s stark contrast, the earlier gasps and cheers didn’t resurface.

Then, a group of young riders in vibrant attire burst out of the forest, and the crowd fell silent.

The leader, with sharp, haughty features, carried a fox over his shoulder and dragged a boar and a long-horned deer behind him, with countless smaller animals hanging from his saddle. He glanced ahead, confirming he had beaten his imperial siblings, then slowly rode forward.

The Alphas behind him also had impressive hauls, eliciting gasps from the nearby Omegas. After this Autumn Hunt, matchmakers would likely be knocking on their doors.

But Jiang Ciqing’s gaze lingered on the last figure—a red-clad Omega, specially permitted to participate in the hunt.

Her vivid attire stood out starkly against the withered trees and fallen autumn leaves. Too far to see her expression, Jiang Ciqing noted she carried little: just two foxes dangling casually from her saddle, echoing Jiang Ciqing’s own nonchalance.

“Master, shall we roast these tonight?” Di Changjie grinned, holding up a rabbit. The others nearby swallowed hard, clearly eager.

These men, in their youth, had been experts at chasing chickens and rabbits in the mountains. Now, as adults, they restrained themselves for the sake of propriety, unwilling to compete with the younger generation for wild game. It had been a while since they’d indulged in such treats.

Jiang Ciqing shot them a sideways glance, her tone neutral but her words icy. “If you want to eat, catch your own. Don’t touch mine.” She reached out as if to snatch the rabbit back.

Di Changjie dodged with a sheepish grin, unfazed. “Alright, alright. How about we make soup tonight to nourish you?”

Jiang Ciqing rolled her eyes. “Stop eyeing them. I’ll handle it myself.”

The group froze, exchanging complicated looks.

Ah Fu hesitated before blurting, “Just tell us how you want it prepared, Master. We won’t take it.”

The others chimed in with similar assurances.

Who could forget the time young Jiang Ciqing nearly set the mountain ablaze while trying to roast a rabbit? The incident had almost destroyed their ancestral home, prompting stern warnings from the elders never to let her near a fire again.

Jiang Ciqing’s lips twitched, and she muttered reluctantly, “Ever heard of Wu Xia Amon?”

“Sure, sure, whatever Amon you want—just don’t start a fire,” they replied, brushing her off.

“Don’t light a fire, and we’re good,” another added, their voices dripping with placation.

Fuming, Jiang Ciqing turned away, glaring ahead.

The Fifth Prince’s results had been tallied. It took four or five servants three trips to carry his haul, the highest score so far. The Omegas nearby gazed at him with starry eyes, likely boosting his rank on the empire’s list of eligible Alpha bachelors.

The old emperor stroked his beard, a satisfied smile on his face, and beckoned the prince to sit beside him.

Meanwhile, Xu Fusheng, after having her two foxes recorded, left with her spoils.

Jiang Ciqing instinctively touched the back of her neck, where the lingering scent of tequila mingled with bamboo, fermenting into a unique, sweet bamboo liquor.

In the end, she hadn’t crossed the final line, just like three years ago. Back then, it was out of consideration for her age; now, it was the location. But aside from that final step, everything else—kisses, touches—had happened. The Omega, frustrated, had grabbed her neck and bitten down hard on her gland.

Like a parched desert finally drenched in potent liquor, her bamboo scent unfurled, and even her healing gland recovered faster, temporarily suppressing her heat.

Her companions were still debating how to cook the rabbit.

Jiang Ciqing swallowed, her subtle Adam’s apple bobbing, though whether from hunger or something else was unclear.

Her gaze never wavered from the red-clad figure, teetering on the edge of her heat and the cusp of her susceptible period. An Alpha in such a state was naturally clingy, but she forced herself to restrain her instincts, not daring to approach.

Her thoughts drifted to the previous night, in the quiet cluster of tents. In a small, secluded tent at the edge, the campfire outside crackled with sparks, while inside, mist rose. The woman’s eyes were tinged with the flush of desire, her hand pressed to her mouth to stifle her breaths.

The camp was silent at night, every rustle or murmured sleep-talk audible. Jiang Ciqing had to be cautious, suppressing her own breaths as she left her mark. When she occasionally emerged from the thin blanket to breathe, sweat dripped from her forehead.

Xu Fusheng hooked her neck, fingers threading through her hair, urging her on.

“The First Prince has emerged!”

A shout snapped Jiang Ciqing out of her reverie. She licked her dry lips, her gaze still fixed on the red-clad woman.

For some reason, she turned to Di Changjie. “Are there still osmanthus cakes these days?”

“Y-Yeah, aren’t they everywhere this time of year?” he replied, confused.

“Then buy some more tomorrow,” Jiang Ciqing said with a nod.

“Huh? Didn’t you say…” Di Changjie stopped himself, grinning at the thought of this regained errand. “Alright, I’ll get up early to queue.”

Jiang Ciqing said nothing more, her eyes returning to the distance. Her mind finally settled on something serious, like the invitation from the Fifth Prince she’d encountered earlier…

The First Prince’s results were tallied, surprisingly matching the Fifth Prince’s. The Fifth Prince, who had been basking in fatherly affection with the emperor, froze, his eyes fixed on the forest, where the Third Princess had yet to emerge.

Jiang Ciqing smirked. What a show.