Clouds and Moon Shadow

Chapter 127 The Man Behind Master Qian

According to the investigation, Mr. Qian's real name is Qian Jingxuan, and he is 31 years old this year.

He passed the imperial examination at the county level in his teens and was known far and wide in his hometown for his intelligence.

Later, due to a family tragedy, he was left all alone.

He did not continue to participate in the provincial examination, but instead followed his mother's last wish and married his cousin Hu Shanshan.

But his wife passed away less than two years later.

Later, his cousin, who was also Qian Zhengdao's father, introduced him to another girl, but she also died in less than two years.

Thus, the renowned intelligent boy became an ominous figure, believed to bring misfortune to his father, mother, and wife.

Qian Jingxuan was unwilling to remarry or stay in his hometown. He sold all his property and went to Lizhou, intending to make a living by doing some small business there.

He was naturally intelligent, and he opened a small restaurant, which he managed quite well.

However, less than a year later, the small restaurant caught fire, and all the property was lost.

To make matters worse, the fire at the small restaurant collapsed a wall, killing an elderly neighbor next door.

Therefore, he was convicted of negligence and imprisoned for three years.

Two years later, Qian Zhengdao managed to rescue him ahead of schedule and placed him in one of Qian Zhengdao's small businesses as a shop assistant. He lived like this for five years.

Five years later, Qian Zhengdao funded the opening of the Bamboo Ritual Hall and promoted Qian Jingxuan to a minor manager position.

Even now, the owner of Zhuli Hall is Qian Jingxuan, who is respectfully called Master Qian by his peers.

It is said that he is ruthless and decisive, and everyone who has dealt with him is afraid of him.

Gu Qingyue thought that if she had the same experience and the same bad luck as him, she would probably have become a serial killer by now!

The man in front of me was quite calm and composed; he was not to be underestimated!

If the information Liu Feng gathered was true, she felt a little sorry for him.

“Just call me Young Master Yue,” Gu Qingyue said, picking up her teacup but not drinking. Instead, she gave the man in front of her a meaningful look.

Something had been added to the tea; Gu Qingyue knew it just by bringing it close to her nose and smelling it.

Mr. Qian was slightly taken aback, his eyes becoming even more profound.

Gu Qingyue looked into the man's eyes and casually asked, "How should I address you, sir?"

"Xuanlang," came the man's deep voice.

Gu Qingyue twirled the name on her tongue, almost bursting with excitement. This name—was it really that alluring?

Gu Qingyue used all her might to suppress her emotions and nodded casually.

"Is Young Master Yue dissatisfied with the tea at Zhuli Pavilion?"

Qian Jingxuan stared quietly into Gu Qingyue's eyes, his gaze carrying a hidden meaning.

"How could I dare? I just wanted to talk to you more."

As she spoke, Gu Qingyue put down the teacup and pushed it in front of Qian Jingxuan.

"How about Xuanlang drinks first as a sign of respect?"

Gu Qingyue looked at Qian Jingxuan with a smile.

She could sense that Qian Jingxuan's body stiffened for a moment after she finished speaking.

However, he immediately leaned back in his chair, a captivating smile spreading across his lips, and his aura intensified even further.

"Young Master Yue is joking. It's alright if you don't want to drink."

He then pushed the tea and snacks towards Gu Qingyue, indicating that she should try them.

While Gu Qingyue and Qian Jingxuan were testing each other, Yue Ling followed the handsome young man into a small courtyard.

The young man, with a spring-like smile in his eyes, invited Yue Ling inside.

"Young Master Ling, please rest for a moment. I will go and fetch your zither to entertain you," she said, turning around.

With a thud, the boy collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

Yue Ling pinched her brow, realizing she might have been a little too rough with her touch.

This boy is innocent too, alas, what a sin!

He dragged the boy to the couch next to him, laid him down, fed him a sleeping pill, and covered him with a blanket.

He tiptoed to the door, listening to the sounds outside.

Looking back at the boy sleeping on the tatami mat, something felt off.

What is he doing? Why is he covered with a blanket?

It's all the master's fault!

He even dragged himself into the mess by going to the South Wind Pavilion; he only likes women!

He was perfectly normal. Just thinking about the way that boy had looked at him gave him goosebumps.

After only a moment's thought, he strode over and ripped the blanket off the boy, throwing it on the ground before he felt a little better.

He then went out and began to explore each courtyard.

With a 'crash-----' sound, Yue Ling had just arrived at a large courtyard and was still standing outside the wall when she heard the sound of porcelain breaking.

Yue Ling was startled.

The next instant, he leaped into the courtyard.

Gu Qingyue and Qian Jingxuan, who were in the hall, naturally heard it as well.

Seeing Qian Jingxuan suddenly stand up, she also stood up.

Excuse me for a moment.

Qian Jingxuan cupped his hands in greeting and then strode towards the front yard.

Gu Qingyue paused for a moment, then followed his pace.

Just as I turned past the backyard corridor, I saw a middle-aged man also hurrying towards the front yard.

With a mustache and a steady gait, he exchanged a glance with Qian Jingxuan and immediately bowed, saying, "Master Qian."

Gu Qingyue raised an eyebrow; just as she suspected.

Qian Jingxuan gave him an annoyed look, then turned his face away and continued walking forward.

She didn't see the mockery that flashed in the middle-aged man's eyes the moment she walked past him.

Gu Qingyue happened to see this moment, and she seemed to be deep in thought.

The three of them hurried to the front yard, where a large crowd had already gathered.

Qian Jingxuan and Steward Zhou parted the crowd and entered the courtyard, with Gu Qingyue following behind them.

"What happened?"

Manager Zhou's voice rang out first in the courtyard.

Qian Jingxuan glanced at him but didn't say anything, his eyes only slightly cold.

"Reporting to Master Qian, it's Steward Zhou!" A servant rushed out of the room, his legs weak and his voice trembling.

"It was a dispute between the second master of the Liu family and Master Qin. The second master of the Liu family was seriously injured, and Master Qin also suffered some minor injuries."

The servant was sweating profusely. He had just been serving outside the courtyard, and this incident was partly due to the tip he had received from Master Qin.

If I hadn't succumbed to temptation and let Master Qin in, this wouldn't have happened.

But this kind of thing has happened before; it's not the first time that two masters have sought out the same young man. Today, he's just unlucky.

Have you seen a doctor yet?

Qian Jingxuan's voice was calm, even somewhat indifferent.

The servant was trembling, "We've already searched, but it hasn't arrived yet."

Gu Qingyue hesitated for a long time, wondering if she should go in and take a look.

Just as she was hesitating, someone said, "Young Master Yue has been frightened. Please go to the backyard to rest."

Upon hearing this, Gu Qingyue looked up and met Qian Jingxuan's cold gaze.

She paused for a moment, then nodded. "I have other matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving now. See you another day, Mr. Qian."

Qian Jingxuan nodded at Gu Qingyue's meaningful gaze and gestured for someone to see Gu Qingyue out.

As soon as Gu Qingyue stepped out of the courtyard, she heard Qian Jingxuan's somewhat lazy and indifferent voice again, "Manager Zhou, hurry up and go in and take a look. That Master Qin is an old acquaintance of yours. How can he be so heartless?"

"You!" Manager Zhou was furious upon hearing this, and only managed a heavy snort before entering the room.

Gu Qingyue raised an eyebrow; these two were quite interesting!

Gu Qingyue turned around the courtyard wall and saw Yue Ling standing not far away. The two exchanged a glance, nodded, and left the Bamboo Ritual Hall together.

"Master, there's something strange about that Bamboo Ritual Hall," Yue Ling said in a low voice. He sat in front of the carriage, acting as a temporary coachman.