Queen O's Timid Fugitive A - Chapter 62

62

When the warm spring breeze swept into Nanliang, Li Zhile, leading the merchant caravan, finally returned on horseback.

Jiang Ciqing stood at the city gate, just as she had when she sent Li Zhile off last year.

The caravan stretched out like a long dragon, its end nowhere in sight. The moment Li Zhile caught sight of Jiang Ciqing, she abandoned the main group and spurred her horse forward.

“Ah… Ciqing!” She gripped the reins tightly, forcing the steed to rear up, halting in a dangerously dramatic pose.

Despite her refined appearance—clean-cut, with silver-rimmed round glasses perched on her nose and emerald-green eyes exuding scholarly elegance—her movements were sharper than a soldier’s. Before the horse’s hooves even settled, she swung a leg over and leaped off, striding toward Jiang Ciqing.

Jiang Ciqing’s usually composed face lit up with rare excitement and joy. She stepped forward, arms outstretched, and the two collided mid-air, embracing tightly.

“You’re finally back!” Jiang Ciqing’s typically steady tone carried a hint of elation as she clapped Li Zhile’s shoulders enthusiastically to express her happiness.

Not to be outdone, Li Zhile raised her hands and returned the gesture with equal vigor.

Thus, at the bustling city gate, two grown adults stood thumping each other’s backs like they were beating watermelons, the sound echoing loudly. At first, it might have been an unconscious act of excitement, but it soon turned into a deliberate, childish competition. Both gritted their teeth through the pain, pretending to be unfazed with breezy nonchalance.

No need to care about appearances—Li Zhile was Jiang Ciqing’s childhood friend, closer than others like Ah Fu or Di Changjie. With Ah Fu and the others, the master-servant divide grew more pronounced as they aged. They might joke and chat, but they always deferred to her, respecting her status.

Li Zhile, however, was simply her friend—a bond forged through generations of friendship between the Jiang and Li families, from their great-grandfathers’ time, solidified through years of growing up and playing together.

Finally, Jiang Ciqing let go first, stepping back to create some distance. She looked Li Zhile up and down and remarked, “You’ve lost a lot of weight.”

Li Zhile grinned carelessly. “I’m not lazing around at home getting fat. Traveling’s bound to shed a few pounds. But you…”

She frowned. “Why are you so thin again? I heard you fell ill on the road?”

Though they hadn’t seen each other in half a year, she remembered what Jiang Ciqing looked like before she left. Not exactly chubby, but at least with some flesh on her face. Now, she looked almost skeletal, her features sharper and more defined, her bones protruding. When Li Zhile had patted her back earlier, it felt like hitting a concealed weapon—so bony it hurt her hand.

Jiang Ciqing paused, her thoughts drifting to the events of winter. With her mood so heavy, she had little appetite, and the cold season burned through fat to keep warm. It was no wonder she’d lost weight.

But those matters weren’t suitable for discussion in public, so she only said, “It’s a long story. We’ll talk back home.”

“Alright,” Li Zhile agreed readily, then shifted gears. “Stay at my place tonight? I’ve got some things I want to talk about too.”

Jiang Ciqing raised an eyebrow, smiling. “So secretive. You’ve been dodging since a while back—what’s this all about?”

Li Zhile winked playfully. Thankfully, her refined looks kept it from seeming sleazy. “It’s good news, you’ll see soon enough.”

“I hope it’s good news.” Jiang Ciqing teased with a laugh.

As they spoke, a carriage bearing the Li family crest rolled up to the gate. Li Zhile called out and went to oversee things, unable to relax even at the final moment.

The caravan had to undergo inspection by the city guards, register their goods, and pay taxes. Any guards or servants hired from villages or towns along the way were thoroughly questioned before entering the city.

Once cleared, the carriages moved into the city toward the family warehouse. Li Zhile directed the unloading and dealt with eager merchants already clamoring for goods. She’d be busy for at least half a month after this return.

Jiang Ciqing shook her head, not foolishly standing around waiting. Instead, she slipped into a nearby carriage, settling comfortably against soft cushions, avoiding adding chaos to Li Zhile’s work.

Li Zhile, seasoned from years of trade, handled everything smoothly. As the Huai’an Prince, Jiang Ciqing’s presence alone was a powerful deterrent, ensuring no one dared harbor ill intentions. In the Imperial City, the Jiang family name carried significant weight.

Besides, as Nanliang’s largest trading family, the Li family enjoyed special privileges. For instance, they’d sent word ahead yesterday, and today, dozens of extra guards were stationed at the gate to assist with inspections and unloading, speeding up the process. The long line of carriages steadily entered the city.

Leaning against the carriage wall, Jiang Ciqing’s calm, deep eyes peered through the lifted curtain, quietly observing the lively bustle outside.

Her heart was a mix of joy and apprehension. She was excited to formally share her relationship with Xu Fusheng with Li Zhile—the first time she’d openly discuss her feelings with someone. With Ah Fu, Di Changjie, and others, it had only been hinted at, never explicitly stated. The village elders had heard through them, so Jiang Ciqing felt a nervous thrill, like introducing a girlfriend to friends for the first time, both anxious and exhilarated.

Her apprehension stemmed from knowing Li Zhile was completely in the dark about this, and she’d likely face a barrage of complaints later.

Thinking of this, Jiang Ciqing instinctively shrank back, though the smile on her lips didn’t fade.

By the time Li Zhile returned, it was noon. When she finally looked up after finishing her tasks, the sun was setting. She hurriedly washed up, changed into clean clothes, and rushed to the courtyard.

The Li family, merchants for generations from the previous dynasty to Nanliang, hadn’t abandoned their ancestral home like the Jiangs, who moved to the mountains. Their sprawling estate, with its gardens, pavilions, and ornate architecture, retained the old dynasty’s style. Li Zhile once joked that the house suited Jiang Ciqing better, with her penchant for wearing old Chu-style robes.

Servants had already set up a meal in a pavilion by the estate’s scenic lake, as per Jiang Ciqing’s instructions.

Li Zhile nodded slightly at the arrangement—she’d planned the same. Though her household wasn’t as rife with eavesdroppers as the Jiangs’, this matter was serious and required caution. The pavilion, situated in the lake’s center with no rocks or trees nearby, was perfect. With the white curtains drawn, no one could eavesdrop.

Footsteps approached. Jiang Ciqing leaned against the wooden railing, gazing at the lake, lost in thought. She didn’t turn until Li Zhile called, “A’Ci.”

Turning, they sat face-to-face, suddenly laughing. Though only apart for half a year, it felt like a lifetime.

“Eat first, or…?” Jiang Ciqing leaned against the carved railing, unusually relaxed. Her usually rigid posture softened, one arm stretched along the wood, her clear eyes warmed by a touch of spring.

“I grabbed a couple of pastries earlier. You hungry?”

“I drank a lot of tea this afternoon.” Jiang Ciqing replied.

That meant they’d talk first.

Their gazes met mid-air, each with their own thoughts. After a brief silence, they spoke simultaneously, hesitating, “I…”

Both paused.

Jiang Ciqing frowned slightly. “You go first?”

“Your turn. Mine’s a bit complicated.” Li Zhile said hesitantly.

“Mine’s complicated too. Hard to explain quickly.” Jiang Ciqing replied, even more reluctant, as her story involved events from four years ago.

The breeze lifted the curtain’s edge, and the orange glow of dusk enveloped the city, softening the mountain outlines and the lake’s reflection of lush trees. The world settled into a half-light, half-dark stillness.

“Well…”

“How about…”

They spoke simultaneously again, this rare, fumbling conversation dragging on without reaching the point. Finally, Li Zhile picked up a wine cup. “A drink?”

As the saying goes, wine bolsters courage.

The white porcelain cups clinked, amber liquid spilling onto the dishes. After a few sips, Jiang Ciqing finally spoke, “Zhile, I have…”

But their childhood rapport was too strong—Li Zhile spoke at the same moment, “I’m getting married.”

“I’m in love with an Omega.”

Their words landed, and they stared at each other in silence.

Jiang Ciqing’s brows furrowed, her obsidian eyes filled with shock and confusion.

Li Zhile’s hand trembled, the cup nearly slipping as she opened and closed her mouth, finally blurting, “Which Omega?”

“Xu Fusheng,” Jiang Ciqing answered without hesitation.

Li Zhile’s hand shook, and the cup fell to the ground. Her face was full of disbelief. “Xu Fusheng?! The Xu Fusheng from the wildlands? The S-class Omega?!”

“Didn’t you… didn’t you dislike her and refuse to deal with her?!” Li Zhile’s shock was palpable, her silver glasses slipping crookedly on her nose. Even facing bandits on the road hadn’t rattled her this much.

“Forget that for now—how are you suddenly getting married?” Jiang Ciqing cut in, her expression serious, eyeing Li Zhile like she’d been duped. She worried something had happened on the road.

“That’s not the issue here! Are you saying you’re pining for Xu Fusheng?” Li Zhile, more concerned for her friend than her own news, pressed on.

“You explain your marriage first!” Jiang Ciqing’s tone grew stern, a bold idea flashing in her mind. “Don’t tell me you got some Omega pregnant?!”

That would explain the rushed return and marriage plans!

The more she thought, the more plausible it seemed, her gaze turning suspicious.

A scoundrel Alpha right beside me?!

“Who—who got anyone pregnant?! Jiang Ciqing, what’s going on in that head of yours?!” Li Zhile stammered, her face flushing.

“Then what?” Jiang Ciqing pressed relentlessly.

Li Zhile struggled, unable to spit it out, and stiffly changed the subject. “Just… a few times. Tell me about you—how did you fall for Xu Fusheng?”

“A few times?!” Jiang Ciqing latched onto the key detail, narrowing her eyes and clicking her tongue. “A woman from Beidi? You’ve had quite the adventure…”

“Don’t change the subject! Tell me about your Xu Fusheng. How did…”

“She marked me.” Jiang Ciqing said calmly, emboldened by Li Zhile’s admission.

“Marked?!” Li Zhile’s eyes widened, unable to believe this was her childhood friend. She knew how conservative Jiang Ciqing was about such matters, vowing to have only one Omega in her life.

The evening breeze rippled the lake, and the two sat staring at each other, feeling like strangers.

“You…”

“You first!” Li Zhile interrupted, clearly thinking Jiang Ciqing’s situation was more outrageous. She was just getting married—her friend had been marked!

Jiang Ciqing opened her mouth but ultimately spilled everything honestly.

Li Zhile’s expression shifted with the sunset—purple, then green, growing increasingly contorted.

“Jiang Ciqing, you scoundrel Alpha!” Her furious, anguished cry pierced the white curtains, startling a koi fish that flicked its tail and darted away as the sky darkened further.