Roaring Dragon-Chapter 129.1: Mini Side Story: Breakfast

Wang Residence, Zheng’an Street.

Early morning. A fine misty rain blanketed the gardens. Servant girls in bright robes moved back and forth, delivering steaming dishes to a small pavilion by the lake.

Meiqiu sat beside a low table, a little fishbone-embroidered napkin tied around its neck like a bib, shaking its head as it waited expectantly for breakfast. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Linghu Qingmo hadn’t slept well after keeping watch ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) all night at Ye Shirong’s estate. She sat beside Meiqiu, sideways, staring silently toward the gallery entrance across the lake, brooding:

He kissed me, then ran straight to Doctor Lin’s house, and hasn’t come back all morning...

I said I wasn’t mad, so now he just does whatever he wants?

Once my three chances are used up, I won’t even speak to you again...

...

Princess Changning reclined on a carved bench, feeding a bowlful of colorful koi in the lake, her gaze tinged with concern.

“Xie Jinhuan fought so hard last night his robes were torn to shreds. But instead of returning and letting Duoduo help him bathe, he vanished. Where the hell did he run off to all night?”

“Guji~”

Meiqiu tried to wipe Qingmo’s neck with a wing, but sadly couldn’t reach.

Linghu Qingmo pulled her thoughts back and patted Meiqiu.

“He probably went to rest at Doctor Lin’s place. He’s been staying there the last couple nights.”

“Oh?”

Princess Changning turned to look at her. “So you shamelessly followed Xie Jinhuan all the way to the capital, and you’re telling me you spent all that time solving cases, and didn’t even spend a night together?”

Linghu Qingmo did spend the first night with him—until Doctor Lin showed up the next day.

Back in the capital, Doctor Lin had already been a close flame of his. Qingmo had only recently met him. Without an official investigation to use as an excuse, how could she shamelessly show up to steal someone?

Facing her bestie’s veiled teasing, Qingmo answered like an ice-cold goddess whose Dao heart could not be shaken:

“I came to the capital to investigate. Doctor Lin is his old flame. It’s natural he stays with her.”

“...Sigh.”

Princess Changning didn’t even know what to say about this emotionally stunted best friend.

She had seen Qingmo get close to Jinhuan first. Even with her parents secretly pushing her every day, she’d held back out of decency—not wanting to cut in. She’d let this drag so long it could flood a whole sea.

But Qingmo, despite being right there, was still dithering. She asked:

“So you’ve done nothing with Xie Jinhuan besides investigate?”

“Mhm.” Linghu Qingmo nodded like a proper frosty sect master untouched by mortal desires.

Princess Changning didn’t buy it one bit and turned to look at Meiqiu.

“Gu?”

Meiqiu glanced at the table full of delicacies. Since A-Huan wasn’t here, who could blame the bird for surrendering to the ‘food trap’ and spilling the beans?

It tilted its head, thought for a second, then pecked at the roasted duck’s head.

Princess Changning was sharp. After a moment’s reflection, she blinked in surprise and stared at the chilly beauty across from her.

“Qingmo... you kissed Xie Jinhuan?”

“Wha—?!”

Linghu Qingmo hadn’t expected Meiqiu to snitch! She immediately grabbed the bird mid-swipe, just as it was about to fly off with its reward.

“It’s just greedy! It wanted meat! Don’t go making assumptions!”

“Heh~”

Princess Changning saw her friend flustered and blushing—it was obvious this ice block wasn’t completely useless after all. She didn’t press further, just smiled and sliced a piece of meat, placing it on a porcelain plate before Meiqiu.

“Alright, alright, I won’t speculate. Let’s eat. Honestly, I’ve never kissed a man in my life. I’m curious—what’s it even like?”

That feeling was so weird—like getting hit with Palm Lightning. Her heart had been in chaos all night, tossing and turning...

But there was no way Linghu Qingmo could share something like that. She maintained her icy poise and picked up some crisp bamboo shoots, radishes, and mushrooms to place in Meiqiu’s plate.

“Guji?!”

Meiqiu looked up in horror. Seeing itself served a vegetarian platter, it tried to escape to the other side—only to be held firmly in place. All it could do was stare pleadingly at Princess Changning, eyes begging—Help! Save me!

Princess Changning, amused but sympathetic toward her favorite little snitch, picked up Meiqiu and fed it directly. Then, with a frown, she asked:

“Is Jinhuan’s home still intact?”

“It’s over in Xianyun Alley, but it’s been abandoned for three years. He planned to fix it up when he has time.”

“And you’re going to let him do that himself?”

Princess Changning turned her head and barked an order toward the courtyard:

“Old Hou! Go clean up Xie Jinhuan’s house. Move the best furniture from the heir’s quarters over.”

Steward Hou peeked in from the corridor, face full of worry.

“Your Highness, I’m afraid the heir’s quarters only have a bed left. The golden nanmu desk Prince Wang provided—it’s now two crates stacked together.”

Princess Changning rarely bothered visiting the east wing. Hearing that, her brows furrowed.

“What about writing supplies?”

Hou spread his hands. “The last time the Young Lord touched a brush was probably back in Danyang. He never uses that stuff here in the capital.”

“...”

Princess Changning fell silent. After a moment’s pause, she asked:

“Did Little Dezi get that 8,000 tael loan from the Crown Prince yesterday?”

“If he had, he’d have run straight to the gambling house. As for repaying Your Highness... that’s a problem for future him. What if he wins, after all?”

“...”

Princess Changning inhaled deeply, glancing left and right—clearly looking for a knife.

Linghu Qingmo, still putting on her cold beauty act, couldn’t hold it anymore. The corners of her lips twitched—but she quickly composed herself.

Meiqiu, having understood the gist of it, flapped its wings and stretched out its claws:

“Guji!”

Princess Changning said coldly, “Do what Meiqiu said. Whether he lives or dies doesn’t matter—but bring back the money!”

“Got it!”

Autor's Note: This bit was originally cut, but I thought it was too fun to lose. So here it is as a free side story.