Chapter 3 The Lonely Moon is Hard to Settle

Su Qing sat in the Eros Inn with a trace of unease—an unease born from her composure. The calmer the surface, the more turbulent the undercurrents within.  

Because Mu Qing Shi was studying her. Meanwhile, Jiu Jiu had long since finished eating and gone to tend to the osmanthus trees.  

But Su Qing couldn’t take a single bite.  

“Does the young master have something to say?” Su Qing felt that Mu Qing Shi had been acting unusually since his reappearance.  

The man in green robes across from her inhaled the fragrance of his tea, his eyes carrying a gentle breeze.  

“Why not guess what Qing Shi wishes to say?”  

His expression was utterly composed, without a hint of guilt.  

Su Qing considered it but found mind-reading far too tedious—better to refuse outright.  

“Su Qing cannot guess!”  

Mu Qing Shi chuckled softly. “The lady simply doesn’t wish to guess.”  

Such a firm reply clearly meant she couldn’t be bothered to indulge him.  

Su Qing wondered when Mu Qing Shi had become so roundabout—he had never been like this before.  

“The thoughts of Young Master Qing Shi are not something just anyone would dare guess, nor could they fathom. If such a person existed, they would surely have already taken residence in the young master’s heart!”  

Mu Qing Shi smiled. “This person has indeed taken residence, but I have not entered theirs. Who knows if I’ll end up heartbroken?”  

Only then did Su Qing understand—he was speaking of this. Asking her was likely an attempt to glean a woman’s perspective on such matters. Unfortunately, only the person involved could truly know.  

“If the young master wishes to know, then ask that lady directly.”  

Not wanting to waste time on such matters, Su Qing prepared to return to her room.  

Mu Qing Shi sighed helplessly. “If I could ask, why would I be struggling?”  

Su Qing paused. “If you love her, whether you ask or not, she will know eventually.”  

With that, she turned and left.  

Mu Qing Shi, clad in his austere green robes, was both amused and exasperated. “So clever, yet so foolish now. Truly, what is there to say?”  

He poured himself another cup of tea and sipped slowly.  

Soon after, the next client sent a letter. Few knew Su Qing’s true identity—even clients only regarded her as a master of some skill. Whether she was a demon or not was something they likely never considered—unless, of course, the client was a demon themselves, like Le Hen.  

This client was named Yue Zi An, a famed courtesan of the House of Rouge who sold her talents, not her body. As for why she sought to erase her memories, that would only become clear once they reached Chang’an.  

Chang’an was divided into the East and West Markets, open by day and closed by night. Though that was the rule, the night also held the Demon Market—hidden behind barriers and strict regulations, ensuring ordinary folk never discovered it. But any demon with a bit of cultivation knew it was a lively place reserved solely for their kind.  

Modeled after the splendor of the Tang Dynasty, the Demon Market allowed demons to indulge in pleasures forbidden by daylight. That was its purpose. And every demon abided by its order, everything running smoothly.  

But Yue Zi An was human. Naturally, Su Qing and the others would spend the night in the Demon Market, lodging at an inn there. Preparations had to be made accordingly.  

Jiu Jiu packed an abundance of snacks made by Mu Qing Shi, claiming even the chefs of Chang’an couldn’t rival his skill. Su Qing had no choice but to relent after some persistent coaxing.  

And Mu Qing Shi? He simply gave Jiu Jiu a knowing look from the side.

Jiu Jiu received the order and immediately rolled her big round eyes, grinning as she said, “Auntie Su Qing, can Qing Shi gege come along too? I like him!”

Su Qing frowned upon hearing this. “You call him ‘gege’ but call me ‘auntie’—what kind of generational order is that?”

Jiu Jiu froze, realizing she had stepped on a landmine. Su Qing had never cared about this before, but ever since that day when Jiu Jiu had slipped away under the pretense of tending to the osmanthus tree, Su Qing had been frowning more often. And now, of all times, she had to bring it up!

Thinking quickly, Jiu Jiu resorted to her usual tactics. “Auntie Su Qing, Jiu Jiu has no parents and was bullied all her life. It’s rare to meet someone as kind as Qing Shi gege. If you don’t agree, then I won’t go either!”

This excuse had worked many times before, and it was foolproof. Besides, Su Qing had grown accustomed to the child’s help. Suddenly having to manage alone would only lead to chaos.

So, Su Qing agreed—though not because of Jiu Jiu. She suspected Mu Qing Shi was hiding something, though it certainly wasn’t about the woman he fancied. Matters of romance held no interest for her anyway.

They had visited Chang’an City many times before, but this time, they were in the East Market, a bustling street lined with horse traders, silk shops, goldsmiths, taverns, teahouses, Houses of Pleasure, and more. The dazzling array of sights overwhelmed the senses. Even though they had been here often, new additions always caught their eyes, making them linger a little longer.

They had arranged to meet Yue Zi An in a private room at a teahouse. After waiting nearly an hour, a woman in a green gauze dress slowly lifted the curtain and entered, her face unable to conceal her sorrow.

“Thank you for coming,” Yue Zi An said as she sat down, her eyes like autumn rain falling on blossoms as she studied the three before her. When her gaze met Mu Qing Shi’s, she flinched slightly, sensing a wintry chill. She realized then that the warmth hidden beneath those thick clouds was reserved for one person alone.

Noticing Yue Zi An’s unease around Mu Qing Shi, Su Qing explained, “Young Master Qing Shi is always like this. Please don’t take offense, Miss Zi An.”

Jiu Jiu, nibbling on snacks she had brought along, glanced at Mu Qing Shi’s smiling face and chimed in, “Sister Zi An, don’t be scared. Qing Shi gege is really nice, honest!”

Yue Zi An couldn’t help but smile at Jiu Jiu’s innocent, wide-eyed look. “I understand,” she said.

Eyes never lie. Though Mu Qing Shi’s gaze was sharp, it lacked the greasy leer of those who sought only pleasure. By that measure, he was undoubtedly a good man.

Su Qing sipped her tea, her eyes on Yue Zi An as she asked calmly, “Why do you wish to erase your memories?”

At this, Yue Zi An let out a sigh laden with unshakable bitterness. “He promised me forever, only to marry another. If that’s the case, I’d rather forget and start anew!”

##### This story isn’t historically accurate, so some details are glossed over. Dear readers who love historical accuracy, please don’t dwell on it too much. If you enjoy it, stay tuned for more!