Clouds and Moon Shadow

Chapter 256 Rescuing the Cui Mother and Daughter, a Conspiracy

Gu Yuanen nodded. "Most of the women from the capital come here. They usually stay at the temple for a few nights, eat vegetarian food, and listen to Buddhist teachings. It is said to be very effective..."

Seeing that the three women were interested, Gu Yuanen began to talk about how women in the capital liked to visit Ci'en Temple.

According to Gu Yuanen, Ci'en Temple has been built for more than 300 years. The temple is filled with ancient trees and is quiet and peaceful. Ladies and young ladies from prominent families love to come here to worship Buddha, offer incense, and fulfill vows.

The temple is built against the mountain, with a large peach and plum grove behind it, and a waterfall on the side following the mountain's contours. Below the waterfall is a small lake, which is a great place to cool off and admire the lotus flowers in the summer.

The elegant pursuits of appreciating peach blossoms in spring, lotus flowers in summer, chrysanthemums in autumn, and plum blossoms in winter captivated Gu Qingyue and her companions.

"Ah------", suddenly, a scream shattered the harmonious and joyful atmosphere.

"Miss, Young Master," Butler Qiu immediately rode his horse to the front of Gu Qingyue and Gu Yuanen, and together with Cui Shuming and Jiang Wan, protected the two.

Gu Yi had already drawn his long sword in the distance, looking at the carriage convoy that had suddenly scattered on the hillside with a solemn expression.

Gu Qingyue peered into the distance through the figures of the group.

Halfway up the mountain, a group of men in black rushed out of the forest like a tide.

In a matter of moments, the guards around the carriages were scattered and in disarray, and screams of women came from the three carriages. The scene was truly terrifying.

"Should we do something about it?" Jiang Wan was stunned by the situation. After she came to her senses, she quickly asked Gu Qingyue.

Gu Qingyue paused for a moment, then shook her head.

The current situation is unclear; both sides seem to have their own wins and losses. Let's observe further before making a decision.

“She’s a woman from Minister Cui’s household,” Steward Qiu said after squinting and examining her closely for a while.

"Minister Cui?" Gu Qingyue didn't know which minister Cui was, but she knew that he must hold a very high official position.

Gu Yuanen's expression was serious. "Minister of War."

Gu Qingyue was startled. The Nanzhao delegation must already be in the capital, and Minister Cui would undoubtedly be at the negotiating table. If something were to happen to the women of the Cui family now…

Gu Qingyue sensed a conspiracy.

"Save them!" Gu Qingyue and Gu Yuanen exchanged a glance and said in unison.

Having said that, the six horses shot off like arrows towards the foot of the mountain.

"Help me-------", as you get closer, the heart-wrenching screams are chilling, especially the screams from the second car.

Gu Qingyue and the others exchanged a knowing glance, and then Gu Qingyue led Cui Shuming and Jiang Wan toward the second car.

The carriage had been forced to stop by the roadside. The horses that had been pulling the carriage were nowhere to be seen. Lying diagonally on the carriage shaft were the coachman and a young maid, their eyes wide open in death.

Inside the carriage, a man in black was desperately dragging a pale yellow figure out of the carriage, seemingly trying to kidnap the woman.

"Get away---Ah---Help me, ahhh!" The woman's shrill screams echoed along the mountainside.

Cui Shuming drew her sword and immediately flew over. The man in black was caught off guard and was pierced through the heart, collapsing in the carriage.

"Don't be afraid, young lady," Gu Qingyue leaped onto the carriage shaft, while Jiang Wan and Cui Shuming turned around and shielded the carriage tightly, blocking all the men in black who tried to get on.

Gu Qingyue lifted the carriage curtain, and the woman in yellow covered her head in terror, repeatedly shouting, "Get out, get out—" trembling all over, completely unaware of Gu Qingyue's cries.

Gu Qingyue rolled her eyes helplessly and patted the woman's shoulder.

"Girl, it's alright now."

Cui Jiaojiao felt the light pat on her shoulder and finally reacted. She shakily raised her head, her small face covered with tears, and looked at Gu Qingyue in fear.

Gu Qingyue was a little stunned. This little girl was so cute! Round eyes, round face, chubby lips... Uh, Gu Qingyue wanted to pinch her cheeks.

"Miss?" Gu Qingyue looked at the woman blankly for a long time without speaking, thinking she was frightened, and quickly spoke again.

Cui Jiaojiao was truly terrified!

But her stunned reaction just now wasn't just because she was frightened, but because she was amazed by Gu Qingyue's appearance!

She had seen many noble ladies in the capital, but she had never met a woman like Gu Qingyue.

Her smile was radiant, like the blossoming flowers of April. It wasn't just her pretty and bright appearance, but also a kind of indescribable charm. It was as if the area around her would glow, making people afraid to look directly at her.

She raised her hand, wanting to grab Gu Qingyue's skirt. She didn't know why she had this thought; it was just that at this moment, listening to the shouts of killing outside, she wanted to do this, as if she would be safe once she grabbed Gu Qingyue's skirt.

"Alright, stop spacing out, get up and sit down," Gu Qingyue said, kicking the black-clad man's corpse out of the car.

The fighting outside the car continued.

A quarter of an hour later, Gu Qingyue heard a whistle, and the remaining men in black flew into the forest and disappeared without a trace.

"Miss," Jiang Wan's voice rang out from outside. "Are you alright? The man in black has escaped."

"Hmm," Gu Qingyue peeked out from behind the carriage curtain, and was about to get off when she felt her skirt tighten.

"Don't go, little sister," Cui Jiaojiao finally couldn't help but grab Gu Qingyue's skirt, feeling relieved.

The girl in front of her was clearly younger than her, but she couldn't help wanting to pull her close for comfort.

"May I ask your name, young lady?" She had tried to ask the girl's name in the carriage, but she just smiled and wouldn't say. Cui Jiaojiao was unwilling to give up and still wanted to ask.

Gu Qingyue turned around and patted Cui Jiaojiao's shoulder, indicating that she was alright. After lingering for a few moments, Cui Jiaojiao let go of her hand, feeling embarrassed.

"I came with the steward and young master of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion," Gu Qingyue said before jumping off the carriage.

The Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion? Cui Jiaojiao felt relieved.

Gu Qingyue jumped off the carriage, and Cui Jiaojiao followed suit.

"Mother!" As soon as she stopped, she nodded gratefully to Gu Qingyue and immediately ran towards the carriage in front.

It turned out that the Cui family, mother and daughter, had gone to Ci'en Temple to observe a vegetarian fast in order to consecrate the jade Guanyin statue they had acquired for the sixtieth birthday of Old Madam Cui. They stayed at the temple for three days and were setting off to return to the capital today when they unexpectedly encountered assassins.

Madam Cui looked like a very kind woman, with a small, round face that gave her a cheerful and benevolent appearance. Cui Jiaojiao looked exactly like her.

She, along with Cui Jiaojiao and her maids and servants, repeatedly curtsied to Gu Qingyue and the others, expressing her gratitude profusely. She also stated that upon returning to the capital, she and Lord Cui would personally visit to express their thanks before she continued her journey with Cui Jiaojiao and the guards.

After discussing it, Gu Qingyue and the others decided to leave Gu Yi behind to investigate any clues. They needed to find out who was behind this, who wanted to kidnap the mother and daughter, and who Minister Cui had offended.

Gu Qingyue and the rest of the group followed the Cui family mother and daughter's carriage at a distance on horseback until they had seen the group far out of Yushan Town and into the plains.

The group then left the main road and took a shortcut towards the capital.