Queen O's Timid Fugitive A - Chapter 52

52

The midday sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating a white porcelain vase on the wooden table, where a single peach blossom branch stood, its petals drifting toward the bed as they were caught by the breeze.

Jiang Ciqing cautiously glanced at the bed, only to quickly avert her eyes.

At this moment, she hardly resembled a noble prince. Dressed in plain, short robes and kneeling by the bedside with her knees bent, her slightly disheveled black hair fell loosely, and her listless expression drooped pitifully. Aside from her still-straight posture, everything about her exuded a sense of vulnerability.

With another furtive glance, she saw the person lying on the bed, their expression faint and cold. Those half-closed peach-blossom eyes, usually full of mirth, now seemed shrouded in the chill of a spring night, untouched even by the glaring sunlight.

Jiang Ciqing shrank her neck, inwardly cursing herself again…

Last night, after Xu Fusheng had confessed everything, Jiang Ciqing had honestly recounted her own secrets, particularly mentioning her mother’s passing. Xu Fusheng, filled with guilt, apologized profusely and comforted her gently. Eventually, overcome by exhaustion, they fell asleep in each other’s arms.

At dawn, when the physician came to change the bandages and apply medicine, Jiang Ciqing instinctively leapt out of bed to hide, only to be stopped by Xu Fusheng, who grabbed her wrist and refused to let her leave. That’s when she learned the physician was an ally, and the events of the previous day had been orchestrated by Xu Fusheng to stall the Fifth Prince.

Naturally, Jiang Ciqing was furious. She blamed Xu Fusheng for causing her half a day of panic. After much coaxing and repeated assurances from Xu Fusheng that she would never hide anything again, Jiang Ciqing calmed down.

But then, right after that promise, Jiang Ciqing’s face froze as she suddenly remembered something she hadn’t confessed.

Xu Fusheng didn’t know she was skilled in martial arts.

While Xu Fusheng didn’t see her as a frail, sickly person like Liang Ji and others did, she still believed Jiang Ciqing’s health was somewhat delicate and that she wasn’t capable of wielding weapons. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have secretly sent two rabbits to her during the autumn hunt.

Upon hearing this confession, Xu Fusheng, who had been gentle all night, gave a faint smile before mercilessly kicking Jiang Ciqing off the bed.

Compared to the secrets they’d shared before, this seemed trivial, but to Xu Fusheng, it was a genuine betrayal. She hadn’t even spoken yet when—

Jiang Ciqing dropped to her knees with a thud, her attitude dripping with sincerity as she said, “I was wrong.”

And so…

And so, the earnestly repentant Lady Jiang had been kneeling ever since.

With another guilty glance, she saw Xu Fusheng still wearing that cold, indifferent expression. Jiang Ciqing lowered her head dejectedly, subtly lifting one knee to relieve the strain.

No wonder some used kneeling as punishment. It seemed simple and unremarkable, but it was a true test of endurance. No wonder some people’s legs gave out after kneeling all night—it was exhausting.

Jiang Ciqing, unaware of how to slack off, kept her back and thighs rigidly straight, her bent knees forming a perfect right angle as if measured by a ruler. Even with her martial arts training since childhood, she couldn’t kneel for half an hour without feeling it.

She subtly lifted her left leg for a moment’s rest, then her right, the muscles aching and numb. She stole another glance to the side, only to lock eyes with Xu Fusheng’s amused, crimson gaze.

She didn’t know how long Xu Fusheng had been watching.

Jiang Ciqing instantly looked away, her knees slamming back to the floor, her spine straightening even more.

Then came a soft, teasing voice from the side: “The Jiang family head’s stance is a bit lacking. Been too busy learning to act, have you?”

Jiang Ciqing: …

She didn’t dare respond, only pursing her lips and silently lifting her hands to tug at her earlobes, her attitude growing even more earnest and sincere.

The person on the bed found it both exasperating and amusing, coldly tossing out, “The Jiang family head seems quite practiced. Have you been disciplined by some Omega before and still haven’t confessed to me?”

This demanded an explanation. Jiang Ciqing, suddenly anxious, twisted on her knees and turned to say firmly, “No! You’re the only one I’ve ever liked.”

The usually stoic block of wood had finally bloomed.

Xu Fusheng raised an eyebrow, her expression softening slightly, but then she smirked and said, “What about Qin Yun’er’s token of affection? Someone cherished it so much they’d pick it up and blow the dust off if it fell.”

Jiang Ciqing’s face fell. She knew Xu Fusheng could be petty, but to get jealous over a child? Helplessly, she explained, “She’s just a kid.”

“A kid can just casually exchange tokens of affection?” Xu Fusheng shot back immediately.

“It’s not a token of affection. She’s just a kid who doesn’t know better. When she grows up, she’ll laugh at herself for taking it seriously…”

“So the Jiang family head wants her to take it seriously?”

This was getting ridiculous!

Jiang Ciqing, tongue-tied and unable to argue, resorted to a soft, pleading, “Sister.”

Here we go again with that tactic.

Xu Fusheng glanced at her, the blanket loosely draped at her waist, her silk nightgown accentuating her graceful curves. Her shoulders and neck were wrapped in bandages, her silver hair falling casually, not intimidating but utterly captivating.

Jiang Ciqing’s gaze wavered, her subtle Adam’s apple bobbing. She hadn’t had a sip of water since waking, and she was indeed parched.

The Omega on the bed knew exactly what she was thinking. With a glare, she seemed ready to call her over just to kick her off the bed again for good measure.

Noticing Jiang Ciqing’s attempt to look obedient, Xu Fusheng’s irritation grew. She said, “Kneel properly.”

Jiang Ciqing, who had just turned slightly, immediately snapped back to her original position.

“Hands.”

The hands that had accidentally dropped were raised back to her ears.

Xu Fusheng let out a soft tsk. Now she knows she’s wrong? Why didn’t she realize it before?

What a frail, martial-arts-free invalid. Even while fleeing with her, Jiang Ciqing kept up the act, eating wild fruits every day to maintain the facade. When enemies closed in, she even threw away her weapon to avoid exposing herself, taking a near-fatal blow to her back to protect Xu Fusheng, gambling with her life rather than revealing her skills. If something had truly gone wrong…

The thought made Xu Fusheng’s teeth itch with anger. No wonder she escaped the barbaric lands so easily—she was a martial artist.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. She shot a cold glance at the Alpha, who she’d found charmingly delicate last night but now found utterly displeasing. “Haven’t eaten, have you? Can’t even keep your back straight.”

Of course she hadn’t eaten—she’d been kneeling since waking up. Jiang Ciqing, believing her posture was perfectly straight, blinked but didn’t dare argue. She wished she could tie a ruler to her back to prove her point.

Knock! Knock, knock!

A sound came from the door, followed by a steady male voice: “My Lord.”

Both women in the room froze.

Without Xu Fusheng’s permission, the person didn’t dare enter, standing quietly outside.

Jiang Ciqing didn’t dare move, kneeling obediently.

Xu Fusheng glanced at her exposed arms and legs and said, suppressing her temper, “Go put on some clothes.”

Only then did Jiang Ciqing dare stand. Her fair skin made the bruises on her knees from kneeling so long starkly visible, tinged with purple. Her steps faltered slightly from the pain.

Xu Fusheng looked away, unwilling to see her. “Find somewhere to sit.”

She couldn’t stand seeing Jiang Ciqing’s pitiful, un-Alpha-like expression.

Jiang Ciqing draped a wide robe over herself and, pushing her luck, sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing her knees with both hands. She thought to herself, no wonder Aunt Ling always made Uncle Ling kneel—it really hurt…

When the guard entered upon command, he saw Jiang Ciqing with her head lowered, curled up at the foot of the bed, looking utterly docile.

As expected of the Lord, even the proudest Alpha could be tamed into an obedient pup. He silently praised her in his heart before addressing her formally: “My Lord.”

Unaware of his thoughts, Xu Fusheng nodded slightly, then kicked out with her foot under the blanket.

This time, it wasn’t out of spite—Jiang Ciqing had pressed down on her blanket.

Jiang Ciqing blinked, scooting over to the very edge of the bed, looking even more pitiful.

“Speak,” Xu Fusheng said, ignoring the dramatic Alpha. She pulled the blanket up to cover her shoulders before speaking.

The guard, head lowered and eyes fixed on the floor, said in a deep voice, “Liang Ji issued an edict this morning, ordering the Eldest Prince of Nanliang to head to the border city today. He’s already preparing to depart.”

At this, Jiang Ciqing paused, a flicker of complex emotions in her eyes.

It wasn’t surprising. The border city was in the midst of urgent warfare, with a hundred thousand troops already dispatched days ago. The court had only now hurriedly appointed a commander. Liang Ji’s haste was understandable, but the Eldest Prince was still less capable than the Third Princess. No wonder the Emperor didn’t favor him, not even bothering to put on a show of father-son affection before rushing him off to the border, as if afraid others wouldn’t see his ambition for military glory.

As someone from a military family, Jiang Ciqing wasn’t as skilled at acting as the low-born Third Princess.

But this was exactly what she wanted to see. Rubbing her bruised knees absentmindedly, she pondered.

Last night, Xu Fusheng had confessed that the assassination was indeed her doing. To clear herself of suspicion and pin the blame on the three royal heirs, she had to pretend to take a bullet for Liang Ji, which grazed her back and only scratched Liang Ji’s arm.

Their goals were aligned. Liang Ji’s death wouldn’t resolve everything. They needed to destabilize Nanliang and destroy the royal family to settle their bl00d feud.

For now, the three heirs seemed balanced, but if Liang Ji were gone, the Eldest Prince, backed by the military, would likely take the throne. The Third Princess and Fifth Prince, no matter how unwilling, would be powerless against the army’s might.

But with the Eldest Prince leaving the capital, the other two now had an opportunity…

As the bruises on her knees began to fade, Jiang Ciqing sank into thought. The guard, having finished his report, left, and a group of servants brought in breakfast.

Yesterday, after the Fifth Prince left, he had invited Jiang Ciqing to his residence. Thinking of her plans to see Xu Fusheng that evening, she had declined outright.

But now, with the Eldest Prince appointed to leave for the border, the Fifth Prince was surely restless. It would be a pity not to stir the pot and seize this opportunity.

As she mused, the person on the bed threw off the covers and stood. A high-level Omega’s recovery was remarkable, and since it was only a flesh wound, aside from needing to sleep on her stomach and avoid straining the injury, it didn’t hinder her much.

Noticing the movement, Jiang Ciqing snapped back to attention, immediately standing to support Xu Fusheng and fetching a coat to drape over her.

Her attentiveness was so eager it was as if she might sprout a tail and wag it to show her obedience.

The princess’s mansion wasn’t as lavish as one might expect. The wooden table held only a few simple dishes. Jiang Ciqing glanced at them without surprise. Xu Fusheng wasn’t picky about food, likely due to her tough childhood in the barbaric lands. As long as it wasn’t inedibly bad, she didn’t care.

Helping Xu Fusheng sit, Jiang Ciqing reached for a nearby stool, only to hear Xu Fusheng’s cold hum. Her knees buckled, and with a thud, she knelt again, ever so obediently.

Xu Fusheng nodded slightly, picking up a plain steamed bun from the table, clearly intent on teaching her a lesson.

But how could Jiang Ciqing let her stay angry? Drooping pitifully like a scolded puppy, she nudged Xu Fusheng’s knee gently, realizing obedience wasn’t enough and switching to a new tactic. Her voice grew softer and more pitiful with each plea: “Sister, I was wrong.”

Xu Fusheng glanced at her, relenting enough to toss her a piece of the bun. The Alpha tilted her head to catch it, her tongue brushing Xu Fusheng’s fingertip, though her expression remained innocent, betraying nothing.

The Omega raised an eyebrow, her captivating eyes shimmering with charm. She wiped her thumb across her index finger, then tore off another piece of the bun and offered it.

Jiang Ciqing’s dark hair half-covered her eyes, her obsidian gaze clear and pure as she leaned forward to take the piece.

Xu Fusheng’s lips curled, but her eyes darkened.

The Alpha was obedient, eating each piece offered without pause, her cheeks puffing out like a squirrel’s as she chewed. Occasionally, she glanced up, as if seeking approval.

So Xu Fusheng fed her the entire bun, and the unrelenting Alpha nibbled at her fingertip, softly pleading, “Sister, I’m thirsty.”

Dry foods like buns could make one parched, and Jiang Ciqing, who hadn’t had a sip of water since waking, was indeed thirsty.

Xu Fusheng’s gaze swept over the soy milk on the table, but she smiled, pulling her finger free and trailing it along Jiang Ciqing’s jaw before gripping her neck lightly. With a half-smile, she said, “No water here.”

Her fingertips grazed the pulsing artery, leaving faint red marks on the delicate skin.

Jiang Ciqing, kneeling but not blind, could see the soy milk on the table. She shifted her knees slightly closer, tilting her chin in a way that invited Xu Fusheng’s touch.

She knew what Xu Fusheng liked and how to soothe her anger.

Another peach blossom petal, shaken loose by the wind, drifted to the floor. Long, slender fingers wove through Jiang Ciqing’s dark hair, pressing down firmly.

The bruised, purple knees, now accustomed to the strain, didn’t lift for relief this time.

Xu Fusheng, as always, had no real defense against her. Amid low, ragged breaths, Jiang Ciqing quenched her thirst.

The awakening city buzzed outside, the sound of brooms sweeping the streets mingling with servants’ soft complaints about last night’s rain ruining carefully tended flowers. The morning sun shone brightly, a warm breeze stirring.

Someone swallowed a mouthful of water, their hoarse voice pleading, “Sister, I was wrong.”