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

"Look, is Mother different from before?" Consort Shu said, cupping her cheeks in her hands as she looked at Xiao Han.

Xiao Han took a closer look and understood her intention. He smiled helplessly.

He reached out and pinched Consort Shu's face, saying, "Hmm, smooth and fair, feels nice."

Consort Shu lightly slapped his hand and scoffed, "You're so glib."

She touched her face and said, "Yesterday I was chatting with the other concubines in the garden, and they all said that Mother's skin has improved! They all asked Mother for the secret."

"After using the skincare products you brought for Mother Consort, the maids and aunts in the palace all said that Mother Consort's skin has become much fairer and smoother."

"See if you can get some for the other concubines. Price is not a problem; they have plenty of money."

Xiao Han hesitated for a moment. She had said yesterday that she would be helping out at the pharmacy for the next few days, so she was afraid she wouldn't have time to make medicine.

"I need to go back and ask about this matter. She's probably too busy these next few days. I'll ask her if she still has any stock."

"I see!" Consort Shu looked troubled upon hearing this. "Then go back and ask. If you don't have time to go to the palace, send someone to deliver a message. Otherwise, if they ask, I won't know how to answer."

“Alright… I’ll ask when we get back.” Xiao Han agreed and continued, “The weather is getting colder these days, Mother Consort, please take good care of yourself and don’t catch a cold.”

He turned and instructed Aunt Yu, who was standing beside him, to fetch the cloak.

"It's alright, I'm not cold. Your mother isn't a child anymore. But you, now that you're not by my side, you must take good care of yourself, understand?"

He didn't stay in Consort Shu's palace for long before leaving.

While passing through the Imperial Garden, I saw Xiao Ba practicing swordsmanship, while Xiao Jiu was practicing alongside him.

This reminded him of his youth and the days he spent living in the palace.

On weekdays, he would study at the Imperial Academy with his brothers, and in his spare time, he would practice swordsmanship with them and exchange skills.

He was about the same age as his sixth brother, though they were slightly younger. Back then, they often had bruises on their faces.

He was younger and shorter than them, so he spent more time practicing.

After a period of diligent practice, he gradually became able to keep up with his older brothers.

At that time, the emperor would often come here to instruct them in sword practice, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.

The once kind and gentle father now feels distressed whenever he sees them.

Time flies so fast. Now we all live in different places. Although we can still see each other often, we have lost the closeness we had in our youth.

"Xiao Ba, Xiao Jiu," Xiao Han called out and walked towards them.

The two stopped what they were doing upon hearing his voice, and smiled warmly as he walked towards them.

The two stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Seventh Brother."

He smiled and said, "You're practicing swordsmanship! How's it going?"

Xiao Yi grinned and said, "Seventh Brother... I've learned a new sword technique. Let me show you."

After saying that, he stepped aside, picked up a wooden sword and started twirling it. He performed a standard sword routine, finishing with standing at attention and returning the sword.

It does have that kind of imposing presence.

He ran happily to Xiao Han's side, carrying his wooden sword, and asked with a look of seeking praise, "Seventh Brother... how was my swordplay?"

After a moment's consideration, Xiao Han commented: "The movements are standard, the sword-wielding posture is smooth, and the sword posture is light, but it lacks strength. You need to work harder on your arm strength."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yi straightened his expression and said, "Yes, I will continue to work hard."

Xiao Heng, the eighth brother, said from the side, "Seventh brother... look at mine." With that, he ran off and leaped away.

Xiao Heng is now fourteen years old, but upon first glance, his handsome appearance and upright posture already make him a refined and gentlemanly young man.

As the wooden sword was drawn, the sword shadows were numerous, the swordsmanship was exquisite, the steps were light and agile, and the movements were smooth and flowing. Finally, the sword was sheathed and the fist was clasped to finish the performance.

Xiao Yi clapped and cheered, and Xiao Han clapped along with him.

He patted Xiao Heng on the shoulder, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Your swordsmanship is exquisite, and your strength is just right. Not bad. Keep up the good work, and you can break through to do even better."

Xiao Heng wiped the fine sweat from his forehead and nodded obediently: "Yes, I will continue to train."

“Me too, me too,” Xiao Yi chimed in, raising his hand.

Xiao Han affectionately pinched his cheek: "Okay, you two work hard together."

Nangong Ming's side

A couple of days ago, a few little beggars were loitering around the gate of the mansion. When the gatekeeper saw them acting suspiciously, he went up and chased them away.

The little beggar hurriedly said, "Didn't they say there's a reward for providing clues? That's why we're here to provide clues."

After listening, the gatekeeper pondered for a moment. The beggar wandered around the streets and knew a lot of things; perhaps he really had come to provide clues.

"Please wait here, I'll go in and inform them." He went in to find Liu Yu and explained the situation to him.

Liu Yu asked him to bring the person in. After the little beggar came in, he told him what he had seen at the snack street a few days ago.

"That sister looks almost exactly like the one in the portrait, even prettier. She also has a red mark between her eyebrows. If you don't believe me, you can go to the food street and ask around. Many vendors have seen it."

Liu Yu was skeptical, but they didn't seem to be lying, so he thought about it carefully.

"I have received the message. I will investigate this matter later."

Afterwards, he gave them some silver and had them escorted out of the mansion.

One of the little beggars went out and then ran back in: "Um... I also know where she lives."

Liu Yu was about to walk into the house when he heard the little beggar's words, so he stopped and turned around to say, "Oh, then tell me where she lives!"

The little beggar's eyes darted around, and he mustered his courage to say, "That depends on how much money you give me."

Liu Yu took out a ten-tael silver ingot, saying, "If the information you provided is useful, this is yours."

The little beggar's eyes lit up when he saw the ten taels of silver. Usually, when others gave him tips, they would only give him a few copper coins.

"The Prince of Qin's residence, she should be living there. The uncle with him is the one who asked me to go to the Prince of Qin's residence to find her."

Upon seeing the silver, the little beggar blurted out everything he knew.

After listening, Liu Yu gave him ten taels of silver as promised, and he left happily with the money.

Following the information provided by the little beggar, Liu Yu ordered his men to conduct a detailed investigation.

With detailed clues, the matter was quickly resolved. In the afternoon, the person who had inquired came back to report that the incident was indeed true, and it was almost exactly as the little beggar had described.

They also found out that their dispute eventually went to the government office, and it was the King of Qin who settled the matter.

After listening, Liu Yu reported the information he had found to Nangong Ming one by one.

Nangong Ming sat at the tea table, leisurely brewing tea around the stove.

After listening to Liu Yu's report, he brewed some tea and said, "Judging from the speed at which the portraits were taken down a few days ago, it's possible that it was the Prince of Qin's residence."

Liu Yu rolled his eyes and continued, "Then... should we continue the investigation?"

"Go to the Prince of Qin's residence and inquire whether there is a woman surnamed Long living there."

Liu Yu nodded and immediately went to make the arrangements.