Clouds and Moon Shadow

Gu Qingyue was quite surprised that this little child was willing to sleep at someone's doorstep rather than be someone else's son. Was this a four-year-old toddler?

So hard to understand!

Watching the constables walk away, Gu Qingyue spoke up: "Brother constables, could you help this child find his family?"

"Sure, what's his name? Where's he from? I'll report to the town's yamen and ask them to help look for him." A young yamen runner stopped and walked back to Gu Qingyue.

“Xiao Nian,” Gu Qingyue replied, “as for his family… he and his grandfather used to beg on Changhuo Street, but his grandfather has passed away…”

Gu Qingyue couldn't continue.

In those chaotic times of war, there were countless beggars, and Gu Qingyue saw quite a few along the way.

After thinking for a moment, Gu Qingyue gently shook the little one in her arms.

The little guy opened his eyes slightly, looking like he hadn't had enough sleep.

"Xiao Nian, do you remember where you're from? Who else is in your family?" Gu Qingyue asked as gently as possible.

“My home is in a thatched house. There’s my grandpa and a little dog in the house, but grandpa said it’s dead,” Xiao Nian said, pouting as if she was about to cry.

Gu Qingyue wanted to rub her forehead.

"Do you still remember what your village is called?" Gu Qingyue asked again.

Xiao Nian scratched her head, looking puzzled.

Looking at this little one with a face like a cat's, I feel overwhelmed.

“It’s called the village. There are many people in the village. Grandpa said he found me by the stream and praised me for being the prettiest,” Xiao Nian said proudly.

Gu Qingyue coughed up blood, and the constables were in a real bind.

"What's your grandfather's name?" Gu Qingyue asked in a desperate attempt to answer.

“Call him Grandpa! Everyone calls him Big Head Grandpa,” Xiao Nian said proudly.

Gu Qingyue collapsed to the ground and couldn't get up.

The constable had a long story to tell.

Mu Yun Chu, watching all this from afar, smiled.

This little guy is such a busybody!

"Let's draw a portrait of him and put it up in the nearby villages and towns," Mu Yun Chu suggested.

Although it seemed like a simple act, Gu Qingyue knew that it was already a great favor for ordinary people. In this era and in this border region, there were countless refugees. It was truly remarkable that someone could genuinely help a little beggar find his family.

"Yes," the constable quickly bowed.

After saying that, he picked up Xiao Nian and walked towards the house next door.

Gu Qingyue turned around and saw that Mu Yun Chu was still in the same spot, so she quickly went over to her.

"Thank you, you're such a good person," Gu Qingyue praised without reservation. Considering his good looks, it didn't seem so insincere to flatter him.

You think I won't recognize you just because you're wearing a mask? Hmph! Mu Xiaoqi!

If it weren't for the fact that you helped Xiaonian, I wouldn't bother saying nice things.

Hiding the beginning and the end!

However, it seems that it has nothing to do with her.

When the constables came out carrying Xiao Nian and holding a portrait, Gu Qingyue quickly went to greet them.

"This is... Xiao Nian?" Gu Qingyue almost didn't recognize her. She only called out her name because her dirty and tattered clothes hadn't changed.

The constable washed Xiao Nian's face to make a better portrait, and then... well, who would have thought!

This child is so cute and beautiful!

With narrow, fox-like eyes, a round face, long, dark, handsome eyebrows, and eyelashes that almost reach the sky, and a pouting little mouth, he has the appearance of a wealthy young master!

Gu Qingyue seriously doubted that Xiao Shun's claim that Xiao Nian and his grandfather made a living by begging was exaggerated. Looking at his round face, she could tell that he had never been hungry. Could it be that... because he was good-looking, he could ask for more food?

Gu Qingyue shook her head, banishing the strange thoughts from her mind.

"You'll have to take care of this child for now," the constable said cautiously. "Our yamen staff can't take care of children."

a bolt from the blue!

Why did it end up being my fault when I could just let a bolt of lightning strike her dead?

She only offered a tiny bit of sympathy!

"Brother, do I look like someone who can take care of children?" Gu Qingyue turned around in front of the constable, her petite figure quite obvious. "I'm still a child."

Gu Qingyue felt like crying inside.

The constable... he's not married yet, so he can't take him along. He lives alone; how can he take care of him?

The constable's pleading gaze fell upon Mu Yun Chu.

"Ask the child. He said there are only two people in his family. His grandfather passed away, so there's no one left," Mu Yun Chu said, looking at the three people in front of her, her head throbbing. Seeing the little girl's determination to find the boy's family, Mu Yun Chu kindly reminded her that even if they found them, unless someone in the village was willing to adopt him, they would have to find another way.

"Yes, yes, ask the person involved," Gu Qingyue realized.

"Xiao Nian, who do you want to follow in the future?" Gu Qingyue asked seriously yet gently.

“Sister!” Xiao Nian answered crisply.

a bolt from the blue!

Who told him that this great god is the older sister? Xiao Shun calls her brother, okay!

"Which sister is it? The yamen runner is the older brother, you know? Don't call him the wrong one," Gu Qingyue quickly tried to salvage the situation, winking frantically.

Turning around awkwardly, Gu Qingyue saw Mu Yun Chu casting a thoughtful glance at her, and her scalp tingled slightly.

Xiao Nian fiddled with her fingers and looked down: "I like you. You can beat up bad guys, you're very strong, and you can hug me. I..."

Another bolt from the blue!

"I'll take him!" Gu Qingyue quickly said.

If we don't stop her, everyone will know she knows kung fu. She's a refugee, wouldn't that arouse suspicion?

So what if there's another burden? We can find someone to adopt them down the mountain. Why are you being so stubborn? This little brat is ruining your life.

So, with a gentle and loving (but slightly aggrieved) smile, Gu Qingyue carried Xiao Nian down the mountain.

Watching the two figures, one tall and one short, grow ever more distant, Mu Yun Chu revealed a rare smile.

"Master, we found two dead guards in the secret passage. They were both killed with a single blow. They were already dead when we arrived," Mu Bei whispered in Mu Yun Chu's ear.

Mu Yun Chu turned around: "Did you spot anyone else?"

He stroked the thumb ring on his thumb, wondering about the possibility of a third party being involved.

"We haven't found anything yet. At the time, it was just that kid with the kids," Mu Bei explained. "I think that kid is very suspicious."

Mu Yun Chu looked at the end of the mountain road, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. Remembering what the boy had said about these children being prepared as medicinal ingredients for the Crimson Blood Gu, her eyes gradually turned icy cold.

"Never mind him, let's go back first," Mu Yun Chu said, then leaped into the air and disappeared into the forest in a few bounds.

The facts told Gu Qingyue that she was still too young and naive.

I asked seven or eight villagers at the foot of the mountain, but no one was willing to adopt Xiao Nian, even though he was a boy.

The reason is very simple.

Can’t afford it!

These days, many people sell their children; adding another mouth to feed would be even more difficult.

Of course, the way two or three families looked at Gu Qingyue and Xiao Nian made Gu Qingyue a little uneasy. One middle-aged man even looked at Gu Qingyue and said that as long as she was willing to give him five taels of silver every year, he could help feed and take care of Xiao Nian, and Gu Qingyue could take her back whenever she wanted.

Gu Qingyue?! She found someone to take care of her child and then made offerings to them every year? She's dreaming!

This guy clearly has wicked intentions. I bet if she gives him five taels of silver, he'll turn around and sell Xiao Nian, getting all that money for nothing.

Gu Qingyue ignored her and carried Xiao Nian out of the village.

An old woman in the village saw Gu Qingyue looking worried and kindly offered some advice.

“If you really can’t support your little brother, you can go to the town or county and see if there are any wealthy families who often hire servants. You can try, but…” The old woman looked at Xiao Nian, “He’s too young, he can’t do any work, and he eats too much…” The old woman couldn’t continue.

Gu Qingyue couldn't listen to it anymore either.

Holding her head in her hands, sitting on a large rock by the stream, watching Xiao Nian playing in the water beside her, Gu Qingyue really wanted to die.