Mu Qingyao cast a cold glance, filled with anger, feeling that this was not protection but surveillance.
Frankly speaking, she had planned to sneak away today, but now with a large group of people, all skilled individuals, following her, could she possibly escape? Her future seemed rather bleak.
Perhaps she should ask Changsun Zhu if they could leave.
Fengfen City was bustling with activity.
Street vendors hawked their wares, mostly cheap goods and daily necessities for ordinary folk.
The shops lining the streets were a dazzling array of everything imaginable, overwhelming the senses.
Businesses like restaurants and teahouses seemed to be the most popular, with crowds outside and a constant stream of carriages and fine horses. As it was nearing noon, many people were looking for meals, so restaurants and inns were packed with arriving and departing guests.
Qingyao ambled slowly down the street, her beautiful, pretty eyes scanning the surrounding crowd, which consisted of ordinary people.
Looking back, Ying Feng followed them closely, causing her further distress. The more she looked, the more she felt that Ying Feng was sent by Changsun Zhu to monitor them.
On the street, many people automatically made way for their group, casting glances and whispering amongst themselves.
Qingyao was somewhat bewildered but understood why they were making way upon seeing Ying Feng; everyone recognized people from the Crown Prince's mansion.
They walked and browsed, and although there were many interesting and delicious things on the street, Qingyao couldn't muster any enthusiasm.
She felt like a caged bird now, a pitiable one, jumping from one cage to another.
The group wandered aimlessly down the street, like headless flies.
Ying Feng opened her mouth several times, wanting to ask Miss Mu to return, but seeing Miss Mu's displeasure and her cold glares, not knowing what they had done to offend her, she dared not say a word.
Just then, someone rushed directly across the street. Qingyao, afraid of harming the child in her belly, quickly dodged to the side. The person brushed past her and ran off.
In an instant, her pupils flickered, her lips tightened, but she remained silent. Only after the person and those chasing him had passed did she seem to remember something, patting her pocket and letting out a horrified scream.
"My wallet, my wallet is gone! That person stole it! It had my belongings! Quick, Ying Feng, catch him!"
Upon hearing this, Ying Feng's expression changed drastically. She dropped a sentence to the three maids behind her: "Take care of Miss Mu."
She then led a few guards and rushed forward, chasing after the thieves.
Meanwhile, Qingyao's expression darkened. A chilling aura emanated from her, and she glared at the three maids from the Crown Prince's mansion beside her: "Hurry and help Ying Feng! If my things are lost, none of you will have an easy time. Go and help!"
Seeing Miss Mu's anger, the three maids dared not say anything more. They darted forward, helping Ying Feng deal with the thieves.
On the street, Mu Qingyao, holding the little fox, seized this critical moment and quickly commanded her subordinates: "Quick, retreat."
"Yes," the group retreated swiftly, disappearing down another street in an instant. Ying Feng, who was fighting with the thieves, immediately saw Mu Qingyao's actions. Her face turned pale, and with a flash of her body, she no longer cared about the wallet and flew towards them.
On the street, there was no sign of Miss Mu. The streets and alleys were filled with people, but Miss Mu was nowhere to be seen.
Ying Feng's expression was extremely grim. She turned and scanned the maids behind her: "You go back immediately and inform the Crown Prince. I will lead people to search the street. If you see Miss Mu, I will bring her back."
"Yes," the maid dashed off to inform the Crown Prince, while Ying Feng, with a few guards and two young maids, swiftly turned into a side street.
Mu Qingyao and Mo Chou and the others finally escaped Ying Feng's surveillance. They all breathed a sigh of relief and smiled.
"This is great, we've finally escaped their surveillance. What do we do now? Where do we go?"
"Let's go, find a shop and buy some clothes to change into. We can't walk on the street like this, it's too conspicuous. Changsun Zhu will find us quickly."
Qingyao commanded calmly, and the group headed towards the other side of the street.
Just then, over a dozen expressionless figures in black cloaks emerged, quickly following the figures ahead and blocking their path in an instant.
Mu Qingyao retreated, and the group huddled together. The dozen figures opposite them had bloodthirsty gazes, their faces devoid of any expression. As they breathed, their robust energy and profound inner strength were evident. What could they do?
Mu Qingyao's expression was gloomy. She couldn't understand why someone would target them as soon as they escaped Ying Feng and the others. Was it the thief just now?
A sharp glint flashed in her dark eyes. So it was all a setup. If they had avoided Ying Feng and the others, what did that mean?
These people must be afraid of being recognized by people from the Crown Prince's mansion. Who could they be? The people behind those women, what wicked methods they employed! It seemed she really couldn't stay at the Crown Prince's mansion.
"What are you doing?"
Qingyao spoke coldly and charmingly, stalling for time, hoping some powerful person would pass by and save them.
However, this street was sparsely populated. The few people who passed by were so scared they fled in disarray, ignoring their plight, let alone saving them. Were they going to die here today?
"Kill!" The dozen people opposite them said nothing more. The man leading them drew the saber from his back, emanating a chilling aura, and roared.
The dozen people swiftly drew their sabers, flashing and surrounding the group. Qingyao threw the little fox in her hand to Mei Xin, her body sinking, her hands crossed, calmly watching the men. Seeing them attack, she didn't dare to be careless.
"Up."
There were only three martial artists among them. Mo You's martial arts were slightly stronger. Mu Qingyao dared not move too much, fearing injury to the child in her belly. Mei Xin, on the other hand, had no martial arts at all, and holding the little fox, she let out screams amidst the clashing of blades.
Qingyao, while mindful of her belly, also had to look after Mei Xin, making her flustered and overwhelmed. The enemies, each highly skilled in martial arts and bloodthirsty, attacked with deadly intent. In an instant, Mo Chou was struck by a sword. Qingyao cried out in pain: "Mo Chou, be careful!"
Just as she finished speaking, she saw a flash of a saber aimed at Mei Xin. Qingyao could no longer care about herself or the child in her belly. She turned and forcefully pushed Mei Xin, making her dodge the saber, while she herself fell into the opponent's sword energy. A chilling gust swept over her, and the saber lunged directly at her.