Chapter 12: Talent

“Meow, meow, meow……”

The little kitten meowed while coquettishly rubbing its fluffy cheek against Gu Yanfei’s chin. The few white whiskers at the corners of its mouth trembled with its movements; it was as cute as could be.

The *Classic of Mountains and Seas* states: “On the Mountain of Lishi, there is a beast. Its shape is like a wildcat with a white head and tiger claws; it is named Liangqu.”

The little fur-ball before her eyes was the spirit beast Liangqu back in the Yaoling Realm. It had been her contracted spirit beast, accompanying her for over a hundred years, and the name “Qingguang” was one she had given it herself.

In her memories, Qingguang had always been majestic and invincible.

But now…

Gu Yanfei held the kitten by the scruff of its neck, watching as its four paws flailed helplessly in the air. The soft, tender pads on its paws looked like little plum blossoms, and it looked pitifully adorable.

“Forget it, being a cat isn’t bad either.” Gu Yanfei whispered to herself, the corners of her lips curling into a smile. The faint smile spread to her brows and eyes, and a touch of softness appeared in her gaze.

It’s good. Qingguang is here too; she is no longer alone.

Gu Yanfei cradled the kitten in her arms and gently stroked it. The kitten felt so comfortable that it kept meowing, its voice sweet and syrupy.

Its joyful meows echoed through the hall, with enough vigor to linger for three days.

The sound of the cat reached outside the hall. Old Madam Gu heard it and couldn't help but stop, asking in a deep, stern voice, “Why is there a cat?”

“Old Madam, it is likely a stray cat from somewhere,” the round-faced old nanny replied respectfully.

“Quick, go kill that cat and throw it out!!” Old Madam Gu’s face darkened as she issued the harsh order.

At her command, the old nanny and several other matrons turned and headed toward the main hall, striding forward with an air of ferocity.

“Grandmother,” Gu Yunzhen frowned slightly, trying to persuade her, “it’s just a little cat…”

“Shut up!” Old Madam Gu coldly interrupted Gu Yunzhen, her expression icy.

Gu Yunzhen gripped her handkerchief tightly. Seeing that the matrons had already stepped into the hall, she quickly hurried after them.

Behind her came Old Madam Gu’s displeased voice: “Zhen-jie’er!”

Gu Yunzhen didn’t stop, returning to the main hall in two or three quick steps.

“Second Sister…” Gu Yunzhen had only said three words before she fell silent, staring in astonishment at the scene before her.

The old nanny and the matrons were all gazing infatuatedly at the kitten in Gu Yanfei’s arms, speaking one after another

“Oh, you poor thing, did we scare you?”

“Are you hungry? Shall I go get you some dried fish?”

“I remember there is goat milk in the kitchen; I’ll go fetch some.”

“……”

The matrons were scrambling to curry favor with the kitten.

Gu Yunzhen was stunned.

After a long moment, she finally found her voice and asked, “Second Sister, is this your cat?”

“Meow-woo~~” the calico kitten in Gu Yanfei’s arms meowed lazily.

Those clear, emerald-green cat eyes were like the shimmering surface of the sea under the sun, or perhaps the brightest stars in the night sky—mysterious, enchanting, and soul-stirring.

The moment she met its gaze, Gu Yunzhen felt as if something had struck her heart; it felt numb, tingling, and sweet.

“Meow!” The kitten struggled twice, jumped out of Gu Yanfei’s arms, and ran quickly toward the outside of the hall.

Gu Yanfei chuckled and beckoned for Gu Yunzhen to follow.

The three-colored fur-ball leaped agilely over the high threshold and bumped right into the sight of Old Madam Gu outside the hall, its pair of fluffy pointed ears twitching.

This, this… could this be… a cat?!

Old Madam Gu’s expression changed drastically, as if she had seen something filthy. She hurriedly stepped back two paces, pointed at the fur-ball, and shrieked, “Kill it! Quickly, kill it…”

Her hysterical appearance had long since lost its previous grace and dignity.

The kitten ignored her and continued running, leaping onto a stone table. It then nonchalantly licked its right front paw and glanced at Old Madam Gu.

Its green eyes were like silk, brimming like water.

The soft, fluffy ball now radiated a sense of lofty arrogance, as if looking down upon all living things—elegant, proud, and lazy.

What a beautiful cat!

The expression of the previously fierce-looking Old Madam Gu softened visibly, becoming kind and gentle.

Her gaze became completely fixed on the kitten. She instantly forgot how to speak and even forgot to breathe, feeling her body and soul completely conquered.

“It is my fault.” Old Madam Gu’s eyes were vacant; she almost wanted to kneel. A sense of guilt welled up in her heart, surging as if to swallow her whole.

This kitten was so small, so cute—how could she have been so cruel as to take its life!

She was truly a sinner, deserving of death!!

“……” Gu Yunzhen watched this scene with a gentle gaze, her smile soft and gratified.

She thought to herself as a matter of course: Exactly, it’s so cute, how could anyone not like it?!

“Big Sister, why does Grandmother hate cats?” Gu Yanfei asked casually.

Gu Yunzhen leaned into Gu Yanfei’s ear and whispered, “Grandmother was born in the Year of the Rat. Many years ago, she had her fortune told, and that Daoist priest said that cats would clash with her.”

As she spoke, she didn’t feel that there was anything wrong with the scene before them at all.

Old Madam Gu bent down, her line of sight level with the kitten on the stone table, and asked solicitously, “Did I scare you?”

The proud cat waved its paw perfunctorily, as if telling her not to bother it.

When it turned to face Gu Yanfei, it wore a completely different face, meowing ingratiatingly several times: “Meow, meow, meow!”

“Alright, I know you’re hungry.” Gu Yanfei raised her hand to pat the little one and scooped it up onto her shoulder.

It seemed that after Qingguang came from the Yaoling Realm to this small world, even though it had turned into a cat, its racial talent of “Charm” hadn’t been lost—in fact, it was even more at home than ever.

Amidst the kitten’s urging meows, Gu Yanfei left, passing by Nanny Xu just as she arrived.

Nanny Xu didn’t even look at Gu Yanfei, rushing straight to Old Madam Gu to report solemnly, “Old Madam, this servant has found out clearly: His Highness the First Prince has arrived in Danyang City, which is why the Prefect ordered the entire city to be under martial law!”

Old Madam Gu instantly sobered up. Her hand trembled slightly, and the sandalwood prayer beads slipped from her grasp, falling to the ground.

Gu Yanfei, not far ahead, also heard these words and couldn't help but pause, her eyes flickering.

In her previous life, on this day, she had already been in the capital.

During the first few months after arriving at the Marquis’s estate, she had been practically under house arrest. Not only had she never gone out, but she had been cut off from information, never hearing anyone mention that the First Prince had been to Danyang City.

Gu Yanfei only paused for a moment before continuing on her way as if nothing had happened.