Queen O's Timid Fugitive A - Chapter 57

57

On a misty spring morning, the capital was cloaked in a veil of fine rain, like delicate white silk. The distant mountain peaks blurred into the haze, and the soft patter of rain mingled with faint human voices, creating a hushed tranquility.

The guard standing outside the small courtyard finally saw his replacement arrive. His stern expression softened slightly, and his rigid posture slumped, as if a taut rope had snapped. His deliberately low voice carried a trace of irritation as he said, “You’re late.”

By protocol, the shift change should have happened at dawn.

The newcomer scratched his head with an sheepish grin, offering an apologetic explanation. “This rainy weather makes it too easy to oversleep. Datong didn’t wake me, and we both dozed off.”

The other quickly chimed in, “I’ve got two jugs of good wine in my room. Brother Zhang, take them later as our apology.”

A few extra minutes of standing for two jugs of wine brought a faint smile to the guard’s face. He patted the other’s back and lowered his voice further. “Fine, I’ll let it slide this time. But next time… hmph.”

His tone shifted, and he added solemnly, “The master returned late last night, and…” He trailed off, raising an eyebrow, the implication clear. “They’ll definitely sleep in today. Be sharp and don’t go knocking while they’re still asleep.”

The replacements nodded knowingly, one of them saying gratefully, “Thanks, Brother Zhang.” Disturbing the master’s sleep would surely earn them a punishment.

Moments later, footsteps faded, and the surroundings fell quiet again.

Inside the room, the soft rustle of fabric broke the silence. Through the half-lowered bed curtains, a black-haired girl could be seen, her hand covering her eyes to block the piercing light. Her slightly swollen lips, marked with faint bloodstains, stood out against her pale, slender shoulders and neck, where faint red finger marks were visible.

Having slept late, Jiang Ciqing was forced awake by her biological clock, her mind still foggy. It took her a while to shake off the grogginess. As clarity returned, a wave of soreness surged through her arms, making her hiss in discomfort. It wasn’t a matter of weakness—just her own recklessness.

By day, she hammered iron relentlessly; by night, after bathing and changing, she rushed from the beast-fighting arena to the princess’s residence. From carriage to chair to bed, from words to touches, she barely paused. Concerned about Xu Fusheng’s shoulder injury, she opted for positions that favored Xu Fusheng’s comfort over her own.

An ordinary blacksmith would rest for days after forging a blade, yet Jiang Ciqing, young and robust, managed to stay conscious despite the strain.

Her arms felt weighed down by countless weights. She couldn’t fathom how she’d managed to raise them to shield her eyes upon waking, as even lifting them now was a struggle.

After a few attempts, she disturbed the person in her arms, who unconsciously nuzzled closer, their disheveled silver hair brushing against her, causing the Alpha to tense and her breathing to grow heavier.

The oblivious Omega remained nestled against Jiang Ciqing’s arm, her face almost buried in her embrace. The blanket had slipped, revealing a rounded shoulder wrapped in gauze.

Jiang Ciqing finally lowered her aching arm, her vision briefly darkening before slowly adjusting to the light.

The room was a mess—clothes strewn from the threshold to the chairs and floor, none neatly placed, a testament to the previous night’s chaos.

The bold Alpha from last night grew shy as memories flooded back. She reverted to her usual reserved, courteous self, steeped in old-world elegance.

How could she have said such things?

Love at first sight…
Lust at first sight…

Jiang Ciqing squeezed her eyes shut, convinced she’d been bewitched by beauty. Besides, the Omega’s pheromone was tequila—bold and intoxicating. It must have clouded her judgment, emboldening her timid heart.

But every word she’d spoken was sincere, however chaotic or unpolished. Her childhood tutors might have scolded her for her clumsy phrasing, but at least she’d conveyed her true feelings.

This thought eased her embarrassment slightly.

At least she’d bared her heart to the Omega, and despite her shy awkwardness, she’d received a response from the one she loved.

If, in the future…

“Even if heartlessly abandoned, I shall not be ashamed.” Jiang Ciqing murmured, her thoughts drifting to a line from a poetry booklet she’d stumbled upon as a child, now resurfacing unexpectedly.

“Who does A’Ci plan to marry?” A hoarse, sleepy voice suddenly sounded by her ear.

Startled, Jiang Ciqing jolted and looked down. The person in her arms gazed up lazily, her peach-blossom eyes captivating despite their sleepy haze, a faint smile curling her lips like a languid silver-furred fox.

Seemingly unaware of startling her, Xu Fusheng continued lazily, “Who does my Alpha want to marry?”

Jiang Ciqing, who had just calmed herself, opened her mouth but fumbled for an explanation, awkwardly changing the subject. “When did you wake up?”

Noticing the Alpha’s flushed earlobes, Xu Fusheng thought to herself: Are all Alphas like this? Prone to tears and easily embarrassed.

Deciding not to tease further, she graciously followed the clumsy topic shift. “Just now, when you were fidgeting.”

So she’d been awake for a while. Jiang Ciqing muttered under her breath, “Why didn’t you say anything when you woke up…?”

Xu Fusheng raised an eyebrow.

She’s getting bolder, complaining now.

Her spring-like eyes twinkled with amusement as she countered, “You didn’t say anything either.”

Jiang Ciqing blinked, her sluggish mind struggling to keep up. Something felt off, but she couldn’t find a retort. Stammering, she said, “It’s not the same.”

“What’s different?” Xu Fusheng shot back quickly.

Her dark, glossy eyes grew serious, as if ready to rise and debate. Her mental gears clicked, and she began, “I…”

Before she could finish, Xu Fusheng cut her off with her usual commanding tone. “Quiet.”

The gears jammed again. The little Alpha instinctively obeyed but was visibly reluctant.

The Omega, knowing exactly what she was thinking, sighed in exasperation, muttering about her lack of charm before patiently explaining, “It’s too early for this.”

Jiang Ciqing, not entirely clueless, softened her tone. “Good morning…”

“Wrong.” If Xu Fusheng were a teacher, she’d be the least patient one, striking a red X before the student could finish.

Jiang Ciqing pursed her lips, surprised that her usually sharp mind was failing her. Hesitantly, she tried, “Sister…?”

“Wrong.”

“I like…”

“Wrong.” Xu Fusheng said coldly, her tone icy and unyielding, offering no hints.

The Alpha, who had never failed a test, tightened her lips. Her hand on the Omega’s waist unconsciously tightened, as if grappling with a profound puzzle. She stopped guessing, racking her brain for the right answer.

But Omega’s thoughts were elusive. Not only did she fail to find the answer, she grew more confused, finally looking at Xu Fusheng with pleading, pitiful eyes.

Thankfully, Xu Fusheng wasn’t heartless. With a resigned sigh, she scolded, “Silly dog,” before tilting her chin up and pressing a kiss to her soft lips.

Outside, a commotion stirred, and a petal fell, crushed into the mud by the drizzling rain.

The good student finally understood—the answer wasn’t to be spoken but shown. She tightened her arms, pulling the Omega closer, and deepened the kiss, proving her quick wit.

The rain outside grew heavier, dark clouds gathering ominously, as if ready to engulf the capital. The air was heavier than dusk, oppressive and somber.

The guards outside the courtyard stepped back, pressing against the damp wall to avoid the rain, though it offered little shelter.

Then, the two guards exchanged a glance and abruptly stepped forward into the rain.

A surge of tequila pheromones flooded out, bold and domineering, sweeping through like a conquering force.

Guarding the gate was no menial task—only the strongest, most trusted Alphas under Xu Fusheng’s command were assigned here, coveted by many. Yet even these high-ranking Alphas were overwhelmed by the Omega’s pheromones, retreating ten steps to escape its reach.

Fortunately, the onslaught didn’t last long. A clean, crisp bamboo scent emerged, unhurriedly enveloping the tequila’s intensity. What was once a throat-burning liquor softened into a refreshing bamboo brew, gently reined in. The seemingly gentle bamboo scent revealed its Alpha nature, marking the rampant pheromones and pulling them back into the courtyard, allowing no trace to escape.

The tangled bedding half-spilled onto the floor, and the half-drawn curtains were gripped tightly by a kneeling figure, her knuckles pale and veins faintly visible, as if enduring something unbearable.

Jiang Ciqing sank into the soft bed, her half-closed eyes tinged with peach-pink. A droplet fell, brushed away by her long lashes, sliding down her cheek to leave a dark stain on the pillow.

The guards outside, recovering, cautiously stepped back to their posts, confirming the tequila scent was subdued. Their armor and clothes, soaked by the rain, clung uncomfortably to their skin. Exchanging a glance, they sighed heavily. Waking late hadn’t spared them from this ordeal—both young, hot-blooded Alphas caught in the moment.

“A’Ci,” a voice called, hoarse and slightly hurried, lacking its usual melodious cadence.

Jiang Ciqing, slow to respond, looked up after a moment and mumbled, “Hm?”

Her wet, puppy-like eyes looked like those of a pitiful dog whose food had been taken, confused by the interruption yet too timid to protest, only able to accuse with her gaze.

The “smart” student who had just been praised earned another red X. Her vision darkened as she realized, belatedly, that her eyes had been covered.

The little Alpha was dazed. With her sight gone, her other senses sharpened—the touch of a tongue, the chime of bells under the eaves, the rich scent of liquor, and the coolness of the rain-soaked air.

“Silly dog,” came the critique again.

Jiang Ciqing finally understood, raising her chin in the darkness.

The brewing storm unleashed, rain pounding the ground, splashing in all directions. The copper bells under the eaves swayed wildly in the wind, clanging incessantly.

The bed curtains were yanked down, silver hair spilling over fluttering shoulder blades, concealing moonlit skin and scattered red marks.

“This damn Nanliang, always raining,” one guard grumbled.

“Barbarian lands are better. Sure, they’re dangerous, but at least the seasons are pleasant. Spring there isn’t this endless drizzle—feels like mold’s growing on the walls. So annoying,” the other replied, equally frustrated.

Their mood lifted slightly when a servant brought them raincoats. One muttered, “Wonder when we’ll return to the barbarian lands. This Nanliang…”

“Shh,” the other hissed, face stern. “Watch your words.”

They fell silent, donning the raincoats and standing like statues.

All was quiet except for the relentless rain. A purple flash of lightning lit the sky, and the darkness deepened.