Queen O's Timid Fugitive A - Chapter 36
36
Creak!
The wooden door of the forge creaked open with a grating sound as the axle turned, releasing a thick, stifling smell of charcoal fire mixed with scorching heat. The knee-high snow outside melted under the warmth, softening its edges in the faint sunlight, resembling clouds that had fallen to the ground.
Having spent an entire day in the forge, Jiang Ciqing couldn’t help but shiver. He dutifully draped the coat he’d tossed aside over his shoulders, tucking his hands into his sleeves like an old man as he stepped out.
Today, no one stood guard. Except for the essential patrols, everyone else had been given the day off, busy preparing for New Year’s Eve at home.
Jiang Ciqing stomped his feet, already stiff from the cold after only a short while outside. Perhaps it was his age, but he no longer found much excitement in this holiday. He’d escaped to the forge early in the morning, tinkering all day without much to show for it. Part of it was his concern about leaving the forge unattended, and part was his restless mind. In the end, he produced a piece of scrap iron, just like the kind Di Changjie made, and tossed it aside. He only left when Aunt Sun sent someone to knock on the door.
Aunt Sun had been with the Jiang family for over a decade and was well-versed in organizing the holidays. Everything was arranged as usual, following past traditions, and Jiang Ciqing had no objections.
The elegant and grand estate was adorned with rows of red lanterns, and neatly written couplets, specially commissioned, were pasted on either side of the doors.
Jiang Ciqing crossed the winding corridor to find the dining room already filled with dishes—fish, chicken, venison, and more—crowding the large round table to the brim.
As per custom, they first paid respects to the ancestors before sitting down to eat. Jiang Ciqing went through the familiar motions, then began the annual ritual of politely insisting that Aunt Sun join him for the meal.
Most of the servants in the estate were orphans with nowhere to go for the holidays, so Jiang Ciqing had them stay. Having Aunt Sun around already felt awkward enough, so a few more people didn’t make much difference.
When he finally picked up his chopsticks, Aunt Sun couldn’t help but nag, “It’s the New Year, and you’re still hiding in the forge. You haven’t fully recovered yet—you should rest more in your room.”
Jiang Ciqing nodded, his clear and aloof features tinged with a hint of melancholy. He lifted his wooden chopsticks, but finding nothing appetizing, he merely picked at his rice before setting it down.
Aunt Sun noticed but didn’t think much of it.
On a day meant for family reunions, it would be strange if Jiang Ciqing were in high spirits.
She continued, “You can’t stop taking your tonic. I’ve already had it prepared—it’ll be sent to your room later. Don’t forget to drink it.”
Jiang Ciqing nodded again.
Aunt Sun kept rambling—about taking care of his health, resting more, and then, as always, slipping in a mention of the emperor’s grace and his marriage prospects.
The small white porcelain bowl was placed back on the table, spotless, not a grain of rice left, as if it had just been washed.
Jiang Ciqing stood, telling them to take their time eating, and left.
Aunt Sun finally stopped nagging, her gentle tone carrying one last instruction: “Don’t linger too long. Come back early.”
As was tradition, after the New Year’s Eve dinner, the head of the Jiang family would visit the small village at the back of the mountain.
Aunt Sun couldn’t figure out why, but the two thousand guards stationed there were openly acknowledged, kept under the legitimate pretext of loyalty to old retainers. They had built homes and lived in the village, serving the Jiang family for generations.
She had accompanied Jiang Ciqing there a few times and saw no threat. Most had become honest farmers, with a few younger ones serving as Jiang Ciqing’s personal guards. It was no different from an ordinary village—just the Jiang family’s way of honoring old ties.
The strict defenses were to protect the Jiang family’s renowned forging techniques, the best in the world. Aunt Sun not only understood but even thought the Jiangs were too lax compared to other prominent families in Nanliang. After a few visits, she stopped thinking about it altogether.
Compared to the oppressive atmosphere of the main estate, Jiang Ciqing was noticeably lighter at the back mountain. He visited every household, eating a bite or two and exchanging blessings. The villagers treated him like a beloved younger relative, saving the best food for him. By the time he was halfway through, he’d eaten eight pieces of fish belly, four or five pieces of beef tenderloin, and was holding a lamb rib in his hand.
His collar was stuffed with red envelopes. Everyone knew he didn’t lack money, but the envelopes weren’t just about the few coins inside—they carried heartfelt blessings. Jiang Ciqing accepted them all with a smile, offering auspicious words in return.
As he left one house, a child who’d already finished eating and was playing with fireworks outside looked at him enviously. Amused, Jiang Ciqing crouched down and gave the child a blessing.
The child, quite clever, returned the gesture by tying a red string from his wrist onto Jiang Ciqing’s, solemnly saying, “Peace and safety.”
Traditionally, elders gave red strings to younger ones to ward off evil and wish for safety, while between lovers, it symbolized a bond, like a thread tying their fates together. But a younger person giving one to an elder?
Jiang Ciqing had never heard of such a custom, but he smiled, ruffled the child’s hair, and kept the string on his wrist, treating it as a charm for protection.
After making his rounds, he arrived at Di Changjie’s house. The Di household was quieter. Di Changjie’s parents had gone missing years ago after being sent on a mission by Jiang Wendao. Though no one spoke of it openly, it was assumed they had passed. Before Di Changjie married, he, like Jiang Ciqing, would hop from house to house, eating here and there.
There were dozens like Di Changjie in the village, raised with the Jiang family’s support and the villagers’ care.
The village had a school and a martial arts hall. The children studied together at first, then were sorted based on their talents and interests. Those skilled in calculations or business were sent to manage the Jiang family’s private forges and shops. People like Ah Fu and Di Changjie became Jiang Ciqing’s personal guards.
Despite Di Changjie’s rough appearance, he was completely devoted to his wife. A couple of years ago, he’d happily invited Jiang Ciqing for drinks, but now, with his Omega pregnant, he didn’t even dare buy alcohol. He did everything himself, practically glued to her side.
Jiang Ciqing found it exasperating and left after only a few minutes.
He kept moving, but at the last house, he hesitated outside, staring at the light spilling through the lattice window, his lips pressed tightly together.
It was the Liao family.
The Liao family’s small courtyard wasn’t remote, but Jiang Ciqing had passed by several times without daring to enter. He’d deliberately saved it for last, dreading the sorrowful gazes of Liao’s parents. If not for his recklessness, their young daughter wouldn’t have died so early…
His slender figure stood taut in the snow, like a brittle bamboo stalk ready to snap under the wind and snow.
If it weren’t for him…
He recalled the naive, absurd thoughts he’d had recently, tugging at the corner of his mouth. The weight on his shoulders grew heavier, pressing down like a stern warning.
The Jiang family and the imperial court were destined to be irreconcilable enemies.
Creak!
After an unknown amount of time, the wooden door opened. The lively chatter inside stopped abruptly. Jiang Ciqing looked up blankly, meeting Ah Fu’s gaze. The soft lamplight softened Ah Fu’s usually cold features, giving him an unexpected warmth.
Seeing Jiang Ciqing, Ah Fu showed no surprise. Unlike the mask Jiang Ciqing wore, Ah Fu always seemed calm and indifferent. He walked straight toward him.
“Ah Fu,” Jiang Ciqing called softly.
“Uncle and Aunt Liao have been busy all day. They’re too tired to stay up and want to rest early,” Ah Fu said first, then pulled a red envelope from his pocket. “Here, this year’s red envelope. Don’t go in and disturb them.” His tone was flat as he stuffed the envelope into Jiang Ciqing’s arms and pulled him away from the courtyard.
Jiang Ciqing froze, catching a glimpse of a familiar silhouette on the lattice window as he turned. A pang of sourness stung his nose.
“Want to drink?” Ah Fu’s abrupt question snapped Jiang Ciqing back to reality.
“Huh?”
The young Alpha’s face looked slightly bewildered.
Ah Fu casually slung an arm over his shoulder, dropping the usual master-servant formality, acting as if possessed by Di Changjie.
Jiang Ciqing blinked, confirming he hadn’t mistaken the person.
“I’m asking you—drink or not?” Ah Fu shot him an impatient glance.
Jiang Ciqing nearly refused, but the words changed as they left his mouth: “Where are we drinking?”
“Just drink. Follow me,” Ah Fu said, trudging through the snow.
Jiang Ciqing frowned, noting that Ah Fu didn’t smell of alcohol and didn’t seem drunk, so he followed with bold steps.
When Ah Fu grabbed two jars of wine from his house and led him to a remote part of the village, Jiang Ciqing realized what “follow me” meant.
He silently eyed the snow-covered mounds nearby. He wasn’t afraid—he’d played here as a kid, even roasting rabbits with the others. But drinking here in the middle of the night…
It was a rare experience, to say the least.
Ignoring Jiang Ciqing’s thoughts, Ah Fu walked to a low, secluded mound and sat inside a flimsy shelter made of bamboo and straw, somehow still standing despite the harsh winter.
Jiang Ciqing followed, his peripheral vision catching the name “Liao Yuchun” carved on a stone tablet. He trembled slightly, memories of childhood flooding back. They’d run around as a group, he and Di Changjie always charging ahead, while Ah Fu trailed slowly behind, accompanied by the Liao family’s daughter.
Back then, Jiang Ciqing didn’t understand love, only caring about riding horses, shooting arrows, and catching rabbits. He hadn’t noticed the gentleness in Ah Fu’s hands as he helped Liao Yuchun onto a horse, only growing annoyed at their dawdling and urging them to hurry.
He remembered how Liao Yuchun was predicted to likely differentiate as a Beta, and how Ah Fu’s family disapproved of their closeness. But Ah Fu didn’t listen, using Jiang Ciqing as a shield, always asking him to call Liao Yuchun out, then tagging along openly.
Jiang Ciqing’s lips tightened, a glimmer of moisture flashing in his obsidian eyes.
Ah Fu pretended not to notice, plopping onto the ground and pulling the red cloth off a wine jar. The rich aroma of the liquor instantly warmed the chilly air. He handed the jar to Jiang Ciqing and said, “Drink!”
He added, “Tonight, we drink till we drop.”
Jiang Ciqing took the jar and replied, “Alright.”
Snowflakes drifted onto the solitary grave, the nearby straw shelter swaying in the wind. The two sat on a tattered mat, clinking their jars together with a thud. The scent of wine wafted down the mountain, drifting toward the lively, opulent imperial palace.
“Fusheng,” a deliberately softened voice called out gently. The Fifth Prince, dressed in an elaborate ceremonial outfit and holding a wine glass, approached the terrace.
As a prince, he’d seen all sorts of strange and extraordinary things in the palace since childhood and quickly accepted that Xu Fusheng had become his imperial sister. To them, her status didn’t matter—what mattered was whether she could be a useful ally.
Unlike the composed First Prince or Third Princess, his eyes were filled with smug pride, no doubt fueled by the recent praise and flattery for his victorious return. He said, “Why are you hiding out here?”
Xu Fusheng, dressed in a long gown and a white fur coat, had ruby-like eyes reflecting the dazzling lights from the hall. Her striking, profound features carried a half-smile, exuding an intoxicating charm.
Though she saw him approach, she didn’t respond, merely swirling the purple-red wine in her glass as snowflakes settled on her silver hair.
“Is it too stuffy inside?” Liang Anmu stepped closer, continuing on his own, “That Alpha from the Zhang family is still looking for you in there.”
Xu Fusheng leaned lazily against the railing.
“All the prominent Alphas from Nanliang’s noble families are here. See any you like? I can help you scope them out,” he said with a chuckle, his tone carrying the typical Alpha arrogance, as if an Omega had to pair with an Alpha, or it was some grave mistake.
“You’re not getting any younger. If you fancy an Alpha, tell Father so he can arrange a marriage,” the Fifth Prince, the center of attention tonight, slurred slightly from the wine, spouting his self-righteous nonsense.
Xu Fusheng took a sip of wine, the cold liquid sliding down her throat like shards of ice, slightly stinging.
“You’re an Omega, so you should find an Alpha soon…” The Fifth Prince’s words were cut off.
Xu Fusheng turned to him with a smile, her stunning features glowing with vibrant color, like peach blossoms blooming in winter, breathtakingly beautiful.
Liang Anmu froze. Even accustomed to the beauties of the harem, he was still stunned by Xu Fusheng’s allure.
Is this what an S-tier Omega is like?
He attributed it all to the hierarchy of Alphas and Omegas.
Xu Fusheng just smiled lightly, stepping closer. Her wine-scented fingers brushed his collar, her voice soft and teasing as she said, “There’s a snowflake here.”
Liang Anmu stammered a response, gripping his glass tightly.
Xu Fusheng showed no surprise, her beauty confident and natural. But beneath his awestruck gaze, she caught the hidden Alpha desire for conquest and arrogance, stirring a flicker of disgust in her.
Unbidden, the image of another figure appeared in her mind—a slender Alpha, unlike any she’d met. He lacked the typical Alpha pride or aggression, always treating everyone with equality and calm. Even when pushed to his limit, he never used his Alpha pheromones to dominate, only saying helplessly, “I’m an Alpha.” His gaze was clear and pure, like a pristine forest pool.
Xu Fusheng blinked, stepping back with a smile. “It’s cold and windy out here. Let’s go back inside.”
The Fifth Prince nodded dazedly, following her back into the hall.