Chapter 12

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“Meow, meow, meow…” The kitten mewed while affectionately rubbing its fluffy cheek against Gu Yan Fei’s chin. The few white whiskers on its lips quivered with its movements, making it as adorable as could be.

The Shan Hai Jing states, “On the Li Stone Mountain, there is a beast shaped like a cat with a white head and tiger’s paws, called the Liangqu.”

The little furball before her was a Liangqu, a spiritual beast in the Yao Ling Realm, and it had been her contracted spirit beast, accompanying her for over a century. She had named it Qing Guang.

In her memory, Qing Guang had always been majestic and invincible. But now…

Gu Yan Fei picked the kitten up by the scruff of its neck, and its four little paws flailed helplessly in the air. The soft pads of its feet resembled tiny plum blossoms, making it look pitifully adorable.

“Fine, being a cat isn’t so bad,” Gu Yan Fei murmured to herself, a smile tugging at her lips. The soft smile spread to her eyes, filling them with a gentle warmth.

How wonderful—Qing Guang was here too. She was no longer alone.

Gu Yan Fei cradled the kitten in her arms and gently petted it. The little cat was so comfortable that it kept meowing continuously, its voice sweet and sticky. Its joyful meows echoed through the hall, with a resonance that seemed to linger in the air. The sound reached outside the hall, and Old Madam Gu heard it, causing her to stop in her tracks. She sternly asked, “Why is there a cat?”

“Madam, it’s probably a stray cat from somewhere,” the round-faced old maid respectfully replied.

“Quick, kill that cat and throw it out!” Old Madam Gu ordered harshly, her expression stern.

At her command, the old maid immediately turned and led a few women toward the main hall, walking with heads held high, exuding an air of ruthless determination.

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

“Silence!” Old Madam Gu cut her off coldly, her gaze indifferent.

Gu Yun Zhen clenched her handkerchief and, seeing that the women had already entered the hall, quickly hurried after them. Behind her, Old Madam Gu’s displeased voice called out, “Zhen’er!”

Gu Yun Zhen didn’t stop, quickly making her way back to the main hall in just a few strides.

“Second Sister…” Gu Yun Zhen had only managed to say three words before falling silent, stunned by the scene before her.

The old maid and the other women were all gazing at the kitten in Gu Yan Fei’s arms with rapt attention, speaking to it in turns:

“Sweetie, did we scare you?”

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

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

The women were competing to shower the little kitten with affection.

Gu Yun Zhen was completely dumbfounded. After a moment of struggle, she finally found her voice and asked, “Second Sister, is this your cat?”

“Meow~~” The calico kitten in Gu Yan Fei’s arms let out a lazy meow. Its clear, emerald green eyes resembled the shimmering surface of the sea under the sunlight, or perhaps the most brilliant stars in the night sky—mysterious, enchanting, and captivating.

In the instant their eyes met, Gu Yun Zhen felt as if something had struck her heart—leaving it tingling, warm, and sweet.

“Meow!” The kitten wriggled a bit, then leaped from Gu Yan Fei’s hands and quickly ran out of the hall. Gu Yan Fei chuckled and motioned for Gu Yun Zhen to follow her as they went after the kitten. The calico furball agilely leaped over the high threshold and dashed straight into Old Madam Gu’s view. Its pair of fluffy pointed ears twitched slightly.

This, this… could it be… a cat?!

Old Madam Gu’s expression changed dramatically, as if she had seen something filthy. She quickly took two steps back, pointing at the furball and shouting in a sharp voice, “Kill it! Quickly, kill it…”

Her hysterical demeanor had completely shattered the composed and dignified image she had maintained before.

The kitten ignored her and continued running forward, leaping onto a stone table. It then nonchalantly licked its right front paw and glanced at Old Madam Gu. Its green eyes were soft and shimmering like flowing water. At that moment, this fluffy little furball exuded a kind of aloof arrogance, as if it were looking down on all beings—elegant, proud, and yet lazily so.

What a beautiful cat!

The originally furious expression on Old Madam Gu’s face visibly softened, becoming gentle and kindly. Her gaze became completely fixed on the kitten. In that instant, she forgot how to speak and even to breathe, feeling as though her entire being was captivated.

“It’s my fault,” Old Madam Gu muttered, her eyes wide and unfocused, nearly dropping to her knees. A wave of guilt surged up within her, threatening to overwhelm her.

How could she have even thought of taking the life of such a tiny, adorable kitten!

She was a sinner, deserving of a thousand deaths!!

Gu Yun Zhen watched this scene with gentle eyes, her smile soft and comforting. She naturally thought to herself: Exactly, it’s so cute—who wouldn’t love it?!

“Elder Sister, why does Madam dislike cats?” Gu Yan Fei asked casually.

Gu Yun Zhen leaned close to Gu Yan Fei’s ear and whispered, “Grandmother was born in the Year of the Rat, and many years ago, she had her fortune told. The Taoist priest said that cats would bring her bad luck.”

As she spoke, Gu Yun Zhen didn’t find anything odd about the scene unfolding before her.

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

The haughty kitten lazily waved a paw, as if to say, “Don’t bother me.”

But when it turned to face Gu Yan Fei, its demeanor changed completely, and it let out several endearing meows: “Meow, meow, meow!”

“Alright, I know you’re hungry,” Gu Yan Fei said, patting the little creature and lifting it onto her shoulder.

It seemed that even after Qing Guang had traveled from the Yaoling Realm to this small world, its racial talent for “enchantment” remained intact, and it was thriving even more as a cat.

Amidst the kitten’s insistent meowing, Gu Yan Fei left, just as she crossed paths with Xu Momo.

Xu Momo didn’t spare Gu Yan Fei a glance and hurried straight to Old Madam Gu, reporting solemnly, “Madam, I’ve confirmed that the First Prince has arrived in Dan Yang City, which is why the prefect ordered a citywide lockdown!”

Old Madam Gu snapped back to reality, her hand trembling slightly. The string of rosewood prayer beads slipped from her grasp and fell to the ground. Not far ahead, Gu Yan Fei also overheard the conversation. She paused, her eyes flickering with a glimmer of thought.

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

During the first few months after arriving at the marquisate, she had been almost entirely confined, not allowed to leave, and cut off from any news. She had never heard anyone mention that the First Prince had been in Dan Yang City.

Gu Yan Fei paused only briefly before continuing on her way, as if nothing had happened.

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