Chapter 8: 008 Stalking

Black represents mystery, coldness, and darkness. In her modern life, she dealt in intelligence and had always lived in the dark world, never exposed to the sunlight; naturally, she had a special fondness for black clothing.

A hint of doubt flickered in Cui'er's eyes. In the past, Miss wouldn't even use a black veil, let alone black clothing. Suddenly, a cold gaze shot toward her. Upon meeting Feng Qingzhuang's deep, cold eyes, Cui'er couldn't help but shiver. What a terrifying gaze! She obediently walked to the wardrobe and rummaged out a piece of black clothing.

"This one will do." Feng Qingzhuang squinted her eyes at the black long dress in Cui'er's hands and nodded with satisfaction. The hem and cuffs of the black dress were outlined with white embroidery in the shape of pear blossoms. Although the fabric was ordinary, at least it had no patches and could be worn in public.

"Miss, where are you going?" Cui'er asked curiously.

"I naturally have a place to go. Stay in the courtyard and do not go out, lest those shrewish women come looking for trouble again." A rare flash of tenderness passed through Feng Qingzhuang's cold eyes as she instructed with concern.

"This servant will keep Miss's instructions in mind."

The warm sunlight spilled over the earth, adding a touch of warmth to this chilly late autumn season. Holding Little Gold, Feng Qingzhuang walked leisurely out of the back gate of the Minister Chen's Manor with slow, relaxed steps.

"Little Gold, have you scouted the location of the Prince Qing's Manor?" Feng Qingzhuang stroked Little Gold's oily rat fur, walking slowly while feeling the prosperity and bustle of the capital.

"Master, I just arrived in this different world, and you won't even let me catch my breath?" Little Gold's bean-sized rat eyes rolled around as it complained discontentedly.

"If you want to catch your breath, then catch it slowly." Feng Qingzhuang smiled wickedly, and her movements became rougher, nearly plucking out the golden rat hairs one by one.

"Heartless Master, stop rubbing! I've already scouted it clearly!" Little Gold pleaded repeatedly and hurriedly told Feng Qingzhuang the location of the Prince Qing's Manor.

"That's more like it." The wicked smile vanished, replaced by a gentle, beautiful expression, and her movements instantly became tender again, as if that wicked smile had never appeared.

On the main street, people came and went in a lively scene. Shops lined both sides of the street, and the sounds of shouting and peddling were endless. Restaurants and tea houses were crowded with guests, filled with the sounds of laughter and conversation.

The person and the rat walked at a moderate pace, as if they were taking a stroll in their own backyard, slowly heading toward the direction of the Prince Qing's Manor.

"Master, you truly have boundless charm. We've only been out for a little while and you've already been targeted by a flower-stealing thief." Little Gold's bean-sized eyes were filled with the gleeful light of a rat. It curled its lip and joked; after all, it was a spiritual beast, and its perception was naturally powerful.

"Since he has taken an interest in me, then we shall wait for him at the corner ahead." Feng Qingzhuang remained calm and composed, speaking slowly. That blatant gaze had been following her since she left the back gate of the Minister Chen's Manor. She wanted to see which deity dared to stalk her.

At the corner, by the entrance of a quiet alley, Feng Qingzhuang's figure flashed. She held her breath and relaxed her entire body, her aura merging with nature so completely that even a top-tier expert would be unable to detect her presence. This method of extreme aura concealment was something she had specifically learned from a hidden master back in the modern era to evade the pursuit of the underworld. To learn this move, she had spent an entire month carrying water; from the bottom of the mountain to the top, the seven or eight li of winding, rugged mountain paths had nearly broken her waist.

"Eh? Where did the person go?" A clear voice, like a spring, was swallowed by the noisy street.