Clouds and Moon Shadow

Chapter 10 Seeing Rong Qingqing Again

Looking at the young master in front of him, who was at most eleven or twelve years old, but with clear eyes and a calm demeanor that was beyond his years beneath his youthful appearance, Manager Zhang was a little undecided.

Gu Qingyue was unaware that acupuncture was not commonly used in this era, but since the shopkeeper had kindly reminded her, she naturally agreed.

"Thank you, shopkeeper. I learned this method of healing from a master and wanted to try it out. If I master it, I'll have another skill to rely on," Gu Qingyue said jokingly.

Upon hearing this, Manager Zhang was taken aback. This young boy really knew this skill? Immediately, his goodwill towards Gu Qingyue increased even more. This was not an opportunity that ordinary people could have. He had the good fortune to see it once before. According to Master Miao, a wealthy man in the town, it was a very mysterious medical skill. If one was proficient in it, it would be possible to bring the dead back to life and heal the wounded.

"Can your jewelry store make these?"

Manager Zhang snapped out of his daze and quickly put away the blueprints. "No problem, this is much simpler than jewelry making."

"However, it may take about ten days," Manager Zhang smiled. "We have received many jewelry orders recently, so we'll have to trouble you to wait a bit, young master."

“Okay, no problem, I’ll come back in ten days to pick it up,” Gu Qingyue nodded.

Gu Qingyue finally felt a little relieved after negotiating the price with the shopkeeper and paying the deposit.

Just as she was about to walk out the gate, Gu Qingyue thought for a moment and then turned back.

"Shopkeeper, I have a jade pendant here. Could you please take a look at it?" Gu Qingyue took out the purple jade pendant from her bosom.

Stroking the small, exquisite jade pendant, Manager Zhang narrowed his eyes. It looked strangely familiar; he seemed to have seen the pattern somewhere before.

"May I ask, young master, what is this jade pendant?" Manager Zhang asked tentatively.

"Oh, it was a gift from an elder, but I'm too young to appreciate its value and don't know what's so special about this purple jade pendant," Gu Qingyue said, subtly observing the shopkeeper in front of her.

Gu Qingyue thought to herself, thankfully, she had recovered her health and looked quite well. She was also dressed decently. Otherwise, the shopkeeper might have suspected that the jade pendant was stolen, and trouble might have come knocking on her door.

“This purple jade should be top-grade Kunlun purple jade. Judging from the carving, it should be the work of a master. As for the semi-circular shape—there should be another half,” Manager Zhang said thoughtfully.

Gu Qingyue seemed to be deep in thought.

"Thank you, shopkeeper. I'm very grateful for your help." After bidding farewell to Shopkeeper Zhang, Gu Qingyue left the silver shop with the jade pendant.

"Bang-------" As soon as Gu Qingyue stepped out, she saw a teacup fly out from the second floor across the street and smash onto the street, causing pedestrians to look up.

"Get out, or don't blame me for being ruthless!" came an angry female voice.

Gu Qingyue glanced at it, patted her clothes, and prepared to leave.

She had only taken a few steps when she suddenly realized that the voice coming from upstairs sounded somewhat familiar. To be honest, she had extraordinary hearing.

It's Aunt Rong!

Had she run into trouble? Gu Qingyue turned around and strode up into the teahouse.

"You're utterly ridiculous! Shameless!" Aunt Rong's roar rang out again.

"You shameless woman, don't push your luck. My parents have been kind to you. Now that you've come this far, isn't marrying me your only way out? Do you think your husband will ever come back to you?" A deep male voice was filled with contempt and mockery.

"Marry you? Dream on!" Aunt Rong's voice was firm and resolute.

Gu Qingyue finally managed to squeeze through the crowd of onlookers outside the door and saw the two people standing in front of the table. The woman was imposing and extremely angry, while the man was short, pot-bellied, and arrogant.

"Aunt Rong, what happened?" Gu Qingyue walked a few steps to the round table, consciously blocking Rong Qingqing's way, but speaking to the middle-aged man in front of her.

Rong Qingqing never expected that, under these circumstances, a thin and frail young man would stand in front of her.

"Who are you?" This kid's voice sounds so familiar! Faced with such a handsome and clean-cut young man, Rong Qingqing was a little taken aback, but this kid does look familiar!

"It's me, Qingyue," Gu Qingyue said helplessly. Her appearance had changed quite a bit. When Rong Qingqing saw her, it was when she was at her most disheveled, so she might not have recognized her at first.

Rong Qingqing was taken aback. Gu Qingyue? That unlucky kid from the temple?!

"Who are you? Kid, let me give you a piece of advice: don't meddle in other people's business. You can't handle this anyway!" The aggressive voice of the man opposite interrupted the two men's sizing each other up.

"Then I'm going to see this through to the end today," Gu Qingyue said slowly, smoothing her sleeves with a calm and gentle gaze.

"You!" The man laughed in anger. This kid was at most eleven or twelve years old. Could he even withstand one of his punches? He hadn't even grown any hair yet, and he was already trying to be a hero and save a damsel in distress?

"Qingyue, stand in the back and don't worry about it," Rong Qingqing finally realized. How could she let such a young child stand in front of her and stand up for her?

"Aunt Rong?" Gu Qingyue was pulled behind Rong Qingqing and asked helplessly.

"Stay put," Rong Qingqing turned her head and looked at the lewd man in front of her. "Zhang Dafa! It's true that your mother was kind to me back then, but that's why your whole family was released from slavery. You've only been a free citizen for a few days, and you already want to ride on the heads of your former masters?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Qingyue raised an eyebrow. So Zhang Dafa was actually a servant in Aunt Rong's household? And who was Aunt Rong?

Rong Qingqing's sudden harshness made Zhang Dafa tremble for a moment. He was not a bold person, but Rong Qingqing had come to him for help, and he wanted to take advantage of the situation. After all, Mingjing Manor was no longer as powerful as it used to be.

Thinking of this, his previously timid heart hardened again. Mingjing Manor had long changed hands, and Rong Qingqing's parents had both passed away. Now, it was practically the Third Master Rong who was in charge. What did he have to fear from the woman in front of him?

"Heh! Miss Rong, have you forgotten your current situation? I remember that Third Master Rong didn't treat you very well!" Zhang Dafa said mockingly, looking at Rong Qingqing's angry face.

Rong Qingqing paused. Zhang Dafa was right. She had long since lost her presence at Mingjing Manor. After her mother's death, all her power was taken away by her third uncle. She was now just an orphan.

The thought of her husband's disappearance because of her caused her heartache and made her want to die.

"What? You're willing to marry me? Don't worry, I promise I'll treat you very well, Miss," Zhang Dafa said, seeing the changing expressions on Rong Qingqing's face. He thought she had finally given in, so he quickly coaxed her in a gentle voice.

Gu Qingyue rolled her eyes as she watched from behind. This man was far too arrogant. Although she still didn't understand where Rong Qingqing's family was or what had happened there, she could clearly see that this lecherous man was simply delusional.

She couldn't stand it anymore.

"I'm talking to you, hey, you, you're dreaming too much, get out of here!" Gu Qingyue's face was no longer gentle as before, but instead sharp and ruthless.

After saying that, she raised one foot, and the chair next to her shattered into pieces.