Clouds and Moon Shadow

Chapter 11: Initial clues emerge

Zhang Dafa was so frightened that his legs went weak. Only then did he take a good look at the young man in front of him. Seeing the cold glint in the other's eyes, he moved his lips, wanting to curse, but for a moment he forgot to say it.

"Zhang Dafa, I did know Granny Liu for a time, and I did owe her a favor back then, but I also repaid her. I'll pretend I didn't hear those awful things you just said. You can leave now!" Rong Qingqing turned her face to look out the window, not wanting to look at the lewd man in front of her anymore.

Hearing Rong Qingqing's voice, Zhang Dafa finally came to his senses. He glanced at Rong Qingqing and the crowd gathered at the door, then stared at Gu Qingyue hatefully for a moment. He wanted to say a few harsh words, but when he saw the chair that had become a wreck, he chickened out. He could only keep a straight face and angrily fling his sleeves and leave.

Hearing that Zhang Dafa had left, Rong Qingqing plopped down on a stool, remained silent for a moment, and then said with difficulty, "I'm fine."

Gu Qingyue turned around and closed the door of the private room, shutting out all the gossipy eyes. She looked back at Aunt Rong, who appeared expressionless and calm, but her tightly clenched hands betrayed her inner anger and unease.

Rong Qingqing is truly furious today.

Granny Liu used to be a servant in her household. Since leaving home, she had traveled to many places and finally managed to find out that Granny Liu's house was near Rhino Town. She thought she could find a clue to her husband, even just a tiny bit. But it was all wishful thinking. Granny Liu had already passed away, and her son actually dared to try to use clues to get her to agree to marry him! Utterly shameless!

Therefore, the sorrows of the world are not shared. One may cherish past affections, but for the other, the person has long since passed away, things have changed, and that's it.

"What can I do for you?" Gu Qingyue asked calmly as she sat down opposite her.

Rong Qingqing looked up at the young man in front of her. His eyes were clear and filled with concern, which gradually calmed her heart.

"What can a little kid like you do to help me?" Rong Qingqing asked casually. "Have you found your family?"

"No, then what about you, Aunt Rong? Have you found your husband yet?" Gu Qingyue remembered that Aunt Rong had said she was looking for her husband during their escape.

Rong Qingqing gave a wry smile.

"It's not that easy," she said, not mentioning what had just happened, and Gu Qingyue didn't bring it up either.

Gu Qingyue wasn't one to meddle. Since the other party didn't want to talk about it, she didn't press for details. Although she did want to know and help, there were some things that others couldn't interfere with.

"So, what are your plans?" After all, Rong Qingqing was the first person to help and warm her when she came into this world, and she really wanted to help her within her power.

“I want to leave here tomorrow and search elsewhere. I came here to ask Granny Liu for clues, but --------” Rong Qingqing hesitated for a moment and finally did not continue.

Gu Qingyue waited for a while, and seeing that Rong Qingqing did not speak again, she stood up and said, "Aunt Rong, then I wish you all the best. I'll be leaving now." She paused and said, "I hope we can both get what we want and meet again someday."

After walking for a long time outside the teahouse, Gu Qingyue looked back and continued walking towards the inn.

She truly hoped that Rong Qingqing could find a husband soon, and that she herself could find her family as soon as possible.

During the ten days of waiting for the silver needles, Gu Qingyue went out early and returned late, and had become very familiar with the situation in Rhino Town.

Rhino Town is a complete replica of a small trading town in my previous life. It has trading markets set up in the east, west, south, and north, and the areas are meticulously divided according to the categories of traded goods. All kinds of small commodities are available, especially Chinese herbal medicines from the southwestern mountains, exquisite woven products with distinct styles from both countries, as well as various animal furs, silks and satins, tea, and even rare imported goods. Of course, there are also local products from the mountain people. Everything you need for eating, drinking, sleeping, and other daily necessities is available. If you can think of it, you can buy it.

It seems that ancient times were not as resource-scarce as imagined, which allowed Gu Qingyue to indulge in a shopping spree. Everything she saw was new and exciting. Of course, she only bought food, mainly because she was poor.

During this time, she also kindly sold two recipes to the innkeeper and waiter who were known for rolling their eyes at her, earning twenty taels of silver. As a result, she has recently been able to feel the innkeeper's eager gaze whenever she enters or leaves the inn, as if to say: Think about it again, maybe there are new recipes.

Gu Qingyue pursed her lips, "She's quite business-minded."

The day to collect the silver needles had finally arrived.

Early in the morning, Gu Qingyue arrived at the jewelry store. Seeing the shopkeeper behind the counter, Gu Qingyue stepped inside.

When Manager Zhang turned around and saw Gu Qingyue, he walked up to her with great enthusiasm, his face beaming with a smile.

"Greetings, young master. Your order is ready. Please bring it out for me in a moment, and I'll let you see if that's alright," Manager Zhang said, giving a wink to a young shop assistant.

He turned around and gestured for Gu Qingyue to sit down in the rest area of ​​the front hall.

Looking at the shopkeeper in front of her, Gu Qingyue felt that his attitude was a little different from the last time they met. She thought that her business was not even a drop in the ocean for the jewelry store, so the shopkeeper was so enthusiastic, which made her feel a little uncomfortable.

Opening the wooden box, Gu Qingyue saw neatly arranged silver needles inside. She picked one up and tested its hardness. Hmm, it basically met her requirements.

"Not bad," Gu Qingyue said.

"That's good. This is our first time doing jewelry business, and we were afraid of delaying your business," Manager Zhang said with a smile.

Gu Qingyue: ...Looking at that expression, it's really hard to put into words.

Turning her head, Gu Qingyue picked out a few more needles to examine.

After examining it for a while, Gu Qingyue secretly vowed that when she had money, she would definitely forge a set of golden needles and make a name for the Phoenix Cry Golden Needle, which her grandfather had always wanted to promote, thus fulfilling her grandfather's wish from her previous life.

After closing the box, Gu Qingyue thanked Shopkeeper Zhang with satisfaction. Just as she was about to get up, she saw him lean over again and cautiously say, "Young Master, that purple jade pendant of yours last time, I remember seeing the pattern somewhere before." He then raised his eyebrows, as if waiting for Gu Qingyue to ask him more questions.

Gu Qingyue's eyes lit up, and she stared intently at him, waiting for him to continue.

After a brief pause, Manager Zhang, not waiting for further questioning and without putting on airs, smiled and continued, "I once saw it in a gold shop in Liquan County. The manager there is an acquaintance of mine. He once showed me a blueprint, saying that someone was looking for a jade pendant with this pattern and had asked me about it."

"When? Did they say who it was?" Gu Qingyue finally couldn't help but ask.

"About a year ago, it seems they only said he was a young master, and he looked very wealthy, but I don't know much about the specifics," Manager Zhang said somewhat embarrassedly.

After speaking, Manager Zhang carefully examined the young master in front of him. Although his clothes were ordinary, he exuded an aura that could not be ignored, as well as an innate nobility. He felt that this young master was no ordinary person, especially the sharpness that flashed in his eyes just now, which made even someone as used to seeing all kinds of people tremble.

As for inquiring about the jade pendant, although it was a bit strange, he didn't intend to pry into it.

Gu Qingyue stood up, paced back and forth twice, suppressed her excitement, and stopped. "What's the name of that Golden Pavilion?"

"Liufang Pavilion," Manager Zhang began.

"Thank you very much," Gu Qingyue said solemnly, paid for the silver needles, and handed a five-tael silver ingot to Manager Zhang before leaving the silver shop.

Zhang, the shopkeeper, was left behind, clutching the silver coins and grinning from ear to ear.