Moonlit Calamity: The Dragon Girl's Life of Idleness is Broken

When they arrived at the entrance, they saw many guards secretly watching outside. They were probably off duty tonight and wanted to find out what was going on. The crowd outside was talking all at once.

Bronze chased after her, smiling, and said, "I'll take Miss Long back."

Long Chuqing didn't want to trouble others: "No need, I know the way."

Bronze continued, "It's getting dark, I'll light a lamp for the young lady."

Long Chuqing glanced at him and said, "Whatever you want."

Bronze chuckled inwardly, thinking, "Will the master praise me for having such good judgment? Hehe..."

The people in the hall looked at Long Chuqing and Qing Tong who had left, then turned to look at Xiao Han in unison, before looking away after receiving a cold look from him.

Everyone thought to themselves, "Qing Tong, you lackey, you actually abandoned the prince. You're dead meat."

Xiao Han turned to Qingying and Qingyang and said, "Now that everything is alright, you two should get some rest tonight."

Qingying and Qingyang stood up and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Your Highness."

Now that there was a solution and they were all safe, there was no need for them to stay any longer. Xiao Han stood up and walked out, instructing Uncle Zhong to prepare a meal.

Uncle Zhong hurriedly went down to make arrangements.

As she left Wenxin Courtyard and was heading towards Qiushui Pavilion, Long Chuqing's stomach suddenly growled. She had eaten dinner in the evening, and it was now past 9 PM, two hours later.

She gave an awkward laugh: "Well, the Prince's mansion provides dinner early, and after doing some exercise, I'm actually a bit hungry."

Qing Tong expressed his understanding: "When I first came here, I was not used to it either. I ate early and got hungry quickly. I would get hungry as soon as it got to night. Every time I ate dinner, I would take two extra steamed buns to have as a midnight snack."

After thinking for a moment, Qing Tong said, "I'll go to the kitchen and see if there's anything else to eat. I'll bring it to Qiushui Pavilion for you later."

"Okay, thank you," Long Chuqing said without hesitation, admitting that she was indeed a little hungry.

Bronze handed the lantern to Long Chuqing and then walked towards the kitchen.

Long Chuqing watched Qing Tong's departing figure, then looked at the lantern in her hand. She didn't know whether to take it or throw it away, mainly because it was difficult to carry while using a cane!

At this time, most of the servants in the mansion had gone back to bathe and rest, because some of them had to get up very early, so they didn't see anyone along the way.

She looked around, and finally picked up her lantern and slowly walked back.

While passing through the long corridor, they encountered Xiao Han, who was returning to Qinli Courtyard.

Seeing her walking alone with the lantern, Xiao Han caught up with her and asked, "Where's Qing Tong? Didn't he say he'd bring you back? Why did he leave you all alone?"

Long Chuqing looked at him, slightly embarrassed: "He went to the kitchen to find me something to eat."

"Didn't you have dinner?"

She honestly replied, "I've already eaten, I ate early, and now I'm a little hungry," and her stomach actually growled in agreement.

Long Chuqing was speechless for a moment, then gave an awkward laugh: "Hehe, well, I'm sorry you had to see that."

"I haven't had dinner yet. If you're hungry, we can eat together."

"I still..."

Before he could finish speaking, Uncle Zhong and Qing Tong brought over the food.

"Your Highness, Miss Long," the two called out.

Xiao Han instructed Qing Tong and Uncle Zhong: "Bring the meal to the nearest living room."

"Yes," Uncle Zhong replied, carrying the food to the living room next door.

Qing Tong glanced at Long Chuqing, then at Xiao Han. After receiving a calm and composed look from Xiao Han, he turned and followed Uncle Zhong.

After the two left, Xiao Han took the lantern from Long Chuqing's hand: "Let's go."

"Um……"

Although Long Chuqing was walking smoothly, she couldn't walk fast. Xiao Han didn't say anything, but followed her slowly with the lantern.

When they arrived in the living room, the food was already laid out. Uncle Zhong and Qing Tong had been whispering to each other for a while, and no one but the two of them knew what they were saying.

The table wasn't big; it was a small table that could only seat four or five people for meals.

After they sat down, Uncle Zhong ladled a bowl of chicken soup for each of them.

There are also four home-style dishes: braised pork, steamed fish, braised pork tenderloin, and a tofu casserole with tofu, wood ear mushrooms, cabbage, etc.

Long Chu thanked Uncle Zhong, then picked up the soup and took a sip. It contained angelica root, which nourishes qi and blood, and had a particularly fragrant aroma. The chicken soup had a delicate and delicious taste.

After drinking the soup, Xiao Han looked at Uncle Zhong and Qing Tong standing to the side and asked, "Do you want to eat some with me?"

The two shook their heads vigorously, "No need, no need."

Then Uncle Zhong pulled Qing Tong away.

Long Chuqing glanced at their departing figures, then turned to Xiao Han and said, "Then I won't stand on ceremony."

She tried every dish, and they all tasted great.

The steamed fish was fresh and not fishy at all, the tofu casserole was tender with a slightly crispy outer skin, and the side dishes inside were also delicious. The braised pork tenderloin had a light sweet and sour taste, and it tasted fantastic. She especially liked the braised pork and ate several pieces.

Xiao Han noticed and asked her, "Do you like braised pork?"

Long Chuqing nodded: "The chefs in the manor are quite skilled; everything they make is delicious, especially the braised pork."

Xiao Han picked up a piece of fish and put it in his bowl. He stopped and looked at her, saying, "The chef who makes braised pork used to be an imperial chef. He used to work in the palace and only studied this one dish."

"It's fatty but not greasy, lean but not dry, definitely better than what you get outside. Can he cook other dishes?" Long Chuqing asked.

"I can, but I'm not an expert. My best dish is braised pork."

“Some people dedicate their entire lives to doing one thing to the extreme, and that’s considered success. Look at him, he’s quite successful. He was a royal chef in the palace when he was young, and after retiring, you rehired him. Wouldn’t you say that counts as success?” Long Chuqing said with a light smile.

As Xiao Han ate, he listened to her say, "Hmm, now that you mention it, it's true."

He became thoughtful. He had never thought about this kind of question before. He was born into a position of power and was surrounded by people of high status and influence. Success, yes! Everyone has their own life. As long as you do what you want to do well and get recognition from yourself or those around you, that is also a kind of success, regardless of status or wealth.

He glanced at Long Chuqing, then continued eating.

Long Chuqing felt a little down. She talked about others so eloquently, but when she looked at herself, she felt like a hodgepodge, stuffing everything into the pot. Thinking about it, she picked up a piece of braised pork and sighed.

Xiao Han asked, puzzled, "Why are you sighing?"

"it's okay no problem."

Then she comforted herself, saying that she was just very talented, haha.

The two continued eating, the flickering candlelight casting shadows on their faces, creating a harmonious atmosphere that seemed to imbue the moment with special meaning.

After eating, I didn't see Uncle Zhong or Qing Tong anywhere.

In late September, in the stillness of an autumn night, a gentle breeze blows and stars twinkle, like a tranquil melody.

Holding the lantern, Xiao Han accompanied her slowly on the way back to Qiushui Pavilion. At this time, all the servants in the mansion had gone back to rest, and the surroundings were quiet, with the occasional chirping of insects.

The two walked quietly for a while, then Xiao Han turned to look at her and asked, "Does your leg still hurt? Are your injuries healed?"

Upon hearing this, Long Chuqing paused for a moment, then continued walking: "My injuries have healed, and my legs don't hurt as long as I don't touch them."

"Are you getting used to living in the Prince's mansion?"

Long Chuqing smiled and replied, "Yes, I'm used to it, and I'm quite comfortable here."

She's used to being free, likes to travel around, and is adaptable, so she doesn't have the mindset of being particular about her bed or home; she's used to staying anywhere.

Xiao Han smiled and said, "You'll get used to it. I hope your subordinates didn't neglect you while I was away!"

"No, my leg is inconvenient, and I haven't left the hospital for the past few days. Granny Lin and Ziguang have been very kind to me."

"If you need anything, you can ask Steward Zhong, and he will make arrangements. You can also ask Qing Tong Qingying."

“Mmm,” Long Chuqing responded softly.

They continued walking towards Qiushui Pavilion without saying another word. Only the occasional flickering lantern cast indistinct shadows of the two figures on the ground.

Hidden in trees, on rooftops, and in secluded spots, the guards on duty tonight all cast curious glances their way.

The first bodyguard thought, "My lord, didn't you see that the girl has difficulty walking? You should have carried her back. Oh dear, what a waste of such a good opportunity."

The second bodyguard thought, "Master really doesn't understand romance. He just walks around like this. He should be helped and supported. Ugh, this is so worrying."

The third bodyguard thought, "This is a big deal. It's the first time I've ever seen a prince walking side by side with a girl. I have to talk to the brothers about this when I get back."

Guard Number Four thought, "Wow, Master is so clever! Carrying a lantern under the night sky, strolling with a beauty under the stars, what a romantic scene! Not bad, you've improved."

At this moment, the two had no idea about the various scenarios that the guards were conjuring up in their minds.

After seeing Long Chuqing off, as soon as he stepped out of the Qiushui Pavilion courtyard, Qing Tong came to greet him.

He smiled obsequiously, "Your Highness, the hot water is ready. You can take a bath when you get back."

Xiao Han glanced at him, flicked his sleeve, and strode away, saying, "He had such a fawning look on his face."

The following day, as agreed, Qing Tong came to Qiu Shui Pavilion to meet Long Chuqing in the morning to see the person who had cast the Gu spell.

When Long Chuqing arrived, several people were standing in front of the dark prison door, including Doctor Yuan, Qingying, Qingyang, Qingsong, and Xiao Han.

Upon seeing Xiao Han there, Long Chuqing thought to herself, "Wasn't he off to court?"

Doctor Yuan greeted her with a smile, "Good morning, Miss Long!"

Good morning, Dr. Yuan.