Madam Feng trembled with rage at her self-righteous demeanor, suppressing her fury as she said, "It is only out of concern for Qing'er’s safety that I am so anxious. I shall lock this side gate today to prevent intruders from entering. Does Qing'er have any objections?"
Before Shen Qing could respond, Nanny Li, who was beside her, walked over to the side gate and slid the bolt shut.
Madam Feng held the key and said hypocritically, "If you wish to leave the estate in the future, Qing'er, just come and ask me for the key. I am doing this for your own good."
Shen Qing remained smiling. "Many thanks for your concern, Madam."
Seeing this, Madam Feng left triumphantly with her people.
Once they were far away, Qing'er finally exhaled and asked in a low voice, "Miss, how did you know they were going to search?"
Shen Qing smiled faintly. "Madam Feng has always been suspicious. Since I left the estate yesterday, she must have sent someone to watch me. However, she assumed I would hide those things in my room, not knowing I had already moved them."
Qing'er’s eyes were full of admiration. "Miss, you are truly brilliant! But now that Madam Feng has locked the side gate, what are we to do when we need to go out?"
"It is of no consequence," Shen Qing said calmly. "With the side gate locked, she will surely think I cannot get out and will let her guard down, which will actually make it easier for me to act."
Shen Qing was reading in her room when Qing'er hurried in and whispered, "Miss, I have managed to pick up some news."
Shen Qing put down her book, signaling for Qing'er to continue.
Qing'er lowered her voice, her tone filled with mystery. "All the maids and older servants who served the Madam back then were dismissed. I only found out about one named Cuier, who is now working as a menial laborer at a manor outside the city."
A cold glint flashed in Shen Qing’s eyes. She tapped her fingers lightly against the tabletop, creating a faint sound. She stood up and walked to the window, her gaze as cold as frost, yet a faint, enigmatic smile played on her lips. "Qing'er, come with me out of the estate."
Qing'er was startled, her brows knitting together. "Miss, the side gate is locked. How are we to get out?"
Shen Qing smiled slightly, a flash of craftiness in her eyes. "Who said we must use a gate?"
She turned to Qing'er and said, "Throw the main gate wide open—the wider, the better. Madam Feng wants to lock me in? Then I shall show her that while she can lock a gate, she cannot lock me away."
Though somewhat confused, Qing'er obeyed and pushed the main gate of the Star and Moon Pavilion wide open, the door panels groaning with a heavy sound.
Shen Qing stood inside the threshold, her gaze sweeping across the courtyard. She saw several women peering in, clearly sent by Madam Feng to keep watch.
Shen Qing let out a soft laugh and whispered to Qing'er, "Let's go. We will climb over the low wall in the back courtyard."
Qing'er’s eyes widened, her tone laced with worry. "Miss, you have an injury on your shoulder. How can you climb a wall?"
Shen Qing waved her hand, her tone light. "It is fine. This minor wound is nothing. Besides, Madam Feng believes my shoulder injury has yet to heal, so she will certainly lower her guard. This is our opportunity."
The two quietly circled to the back courtyard. Shen Qing looked up at the wall, which was not particularly tall, a glimmer of mischief in her eyes.
With a light leap, she grabbed the top of the wall, moving with the agility of a swallow; one would never guess she had an injury on her shoulder. Seeing this, Qing'er was both surprised and impressed, and she quickly scrambled over after her.
Qing'er couldn't help but give a thumbs-up, her eyes full of worship. "Miss, your skills are those of a true heroine!"
Shen Qing tapped her on the head, her tone indulgent. "Qing'er, stop the chatter. Which way to the manor outside the city?"
"Miss, that hurts!" Qing'er rubbed her head, then pointed to the path ahead. "Miss, follow me. I know the way."
Qing'er led Shen Qing through several narrow alleys. The walls on both sides were high, blocking out most of the sunlight and leaving the air cold and damp.
A musty odor filled the air, and occasionally, rats scurried past their feet with a rustling sound.
"Miss, once we cross this alley and walk a bit further, we will be outside the city," Qing'er whispered.
Shen Qing nodded and was about to respond when she suddenly heard a burst of rapid footsteps behind them. She turned abruptly to find several ragged-looking men closing in on them, their faces twisted with leering, malicious smiles.
"Well now, whose little beauties are you, finding your way to a place like this?" the leader grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth, his tone insolent.
Two lackeys followed behind him—one as thin as a bamboo pole, the other as round as a ball. The three standing together looked like a caricature.
Qing'er turned pale with fright and gripped Shen Qing’s sleeve tightly. "Miss, what do we do?"
Shen Qing’s expression turned cold. She shielded Qing'er behind her and said with steady composure, "Gentlemen, we are merely passing through. If we have caused any offense, please forgive us."
The man chuckled, his gaze raking over Shen Qing like a starving wolf spotting its prey. "Passing through? This isn't a place for delicate little ladies like you. Why not play with us brothers instead? We’ll make sure you have a good time."
Shen Qing’s heart sank; she knew it would be difficult to end this peacefully today.
She quietly slipped a dagger from her sleeve, gripping it in her hand, her voice remaining calm. "Gentlemen, if you seek money, we have some silver on us—you are welcome to take it. But if you seek anything else, I fear you will be disappointed."
At these words, the man’s face darkened, his tone turning vicious. "If you refuse a toast, you will be forced to drink a forfeit! Brothers, get them!"
The men lunged toward Shen Qing and Qing'er. Shen Qing’s eyes sharpened, and just as she was about to strike, a cold shout rang out: "Stop!"
The voice was low and commanding, carrying an invisible sense of pressure.
Shen Qing looked up to see a man in black standing at the mouth of the alley. It was Xiao Yu. His features were stern, his gaze like a blade, and his right hand gripped a long sword, the tip gleaming with a cold light.
Wrapped around his left arm was that terrifying, notorious Purple Snake—Ziyu. Ziyu flicked its scarlet tongue, its cold, dark eyes fixed steadily on the men as if gauging its prey.
"Who the hell are you?! Daring to ruin our fun!" Although the leader spoke with bravado, his feet involuntarily retreated half a step.
Xiao Yu did not answer. He merely watched him coldly, the long sword in his hand raised slightly, its tip pointing directly at the man’s throat.
Ziyu seemed to sense its master's killing intent; it slowly slithered down from Xiao Yu’s arm and coiled around his shoulder, flicking its tongue and letting out a low, ominous hiss.
The lackey behind the leader saw the snake and his face drained of color. He stammered, "B-boss, the... the Purple Snake!"
"What snake? I don't care if it's a snake! Get him! There's three of us, we're not afraid of one man!"
The lackey as thin as a bamboo pole was so terrified he couldn't even speak properly. He leaned into the leader and whispered, "B-boss... the Purple Snake! That’s General Changning’s Purple Snake!"