‘What happened to Hwa-eun!?’

I asked urgently, and Hwa-eun explained the situation.

‘It’s still just twitching. Ah, I think one side is getting a little thinner? One corner feels a bit more fragile. When I opened the window, the light coming in made it look like the inside is starting to show through. Is it waking up now?’

‘R-Really!? I’m on my way now, so just hold on a little longer.’

‘Got it, So-ryong.’

Listening to Hwa-eun, it seemed like Moji and Soji’s metamorphosis was imminent.

She said one side looked thinner, which might mean the silk inside was starting to dissolve.

Silkworm moths usually melt the silk from the inside, pierce through one side, and emerge, so it’s common for the cocoon to appear thinner in that area.

I urged the four Gold Guard escorts to hurry.

At this rate, I wouldn’t even get to witness the kids awaken.

As their father, it was practically their coming-of-age ceremony—I couldn’t possibly miss that.

“Let’s pick up the pace!”

“Understood. Let’s move!”

“Yes, sir!”

With the four Gold Guards escorting me, we quickened our steps toward the port.

But as soon as we entered the marketplace leading to the harbor, I felt the burning stares of people.

Even earlier, when we passed the upscale housing district, some people glanced at us, but now the stares were fixed—glued to our group.

Wherever we moved, their eyes followed.

A man carrying food trays bumped into a tree while staring at us and fell, and another man with baskets slung across his shoulders lost balance and rolled down the embankment.

‘What the hell? Is it because I’m being escorted by Gold Guards?’

That had to be it.

Their presence was drawing all the attention.

Trying to escape the stares, I quickened my pace—but the skirt kept catching under my feet, making it awkward.

The skirt kept getting stepped on, so I grabbed one side and grumbled inwardly.

The thing was damn uncomfortable.

Of course, there was one upside.

It was breezy.

The kind of breeze you’d never get in pants—it was something only a skirt could offer.

Still, that didn’t matter right now.

‘How do women walk around in these things? It’s so inconvenient. Sure, it’s cool, but still. No, I shouldn’t be thinking about that. Moji and Soji are what matter now.’

Picking up speed toward the boat, I finally arrived at the riverside, and spotted the brothel formerly run by Eunuch Heo.

We had to pass by it.

Two Gold Guards were stationed ahead on security duty.

As they noticed our group, they gave a slight nod and asked,

“Where are you rushing off to?”

“Ah, we’re escorting the young lord to the boat under orders from the Bureau of Suppression.”

“Young lord?”

“Ah, you’ve been on the outer patrols lately, haven’t you? Just know that’s the situation.”

“O-Oh, right. Got it.”

As the Gold Guard warriors exchanged greetings and passed by, I took a glance at the brothel.

A few days ago, it had been gaudy and glamorous, but now the doors were busted open, the window paper was full of holes, and the sour stench of spoiled food wafted out from inside.

The Gold Guards had stormed the place that night and dragged everyone out—judging by the current state, I could tell exactly what had gone down.

I’d have to check with the Beggars’ Guild to see if they caught everyone, but it looked like they busted in during business hours—so it’s unlikely anyone escaped.

‘They’ll be sick with worry. That was their biggest operation in the Central Plains, and it just got wiped out.’

Smirking to myself, I kept moving—then saw the ship ahead.

Now I really broke into a run.

Seeing it just ahead made my heart race—I had to run.

–Tap tap tap.

Gripping my skirt, I sprinted straight from the port entrance to the ship.

At the bow, my older brother and sister-in-law had just disembarked—looked like they were planning to go somewhere.

“Senior! I’m back. Where are you headed?”

“Oh, hey So-ryong. Huh!?”

“S-Sosukja?”

They stared at each other, then turned to me—and my brother recoiled in shock.

My sister-in-law’s eyes were wide as saucers too.

“Uh?”

Maybe it was because of the Gold Guards behind me?

Or did Hwa-eun forget to tell them I was coming back?

I quickly leapt aboard and addressed my brother.

“Ah, those folks are just here to escort me. Ah, Gold Guards, thank you very much. You can return now.”

“Yes, young lord. We’ll take our leave.”

Since I ran ahead, they were catching up in armor and looked winded—I bowed to them and then asked my brother a favor.

“Senior, I don’t have anything on me right now, but could you give them a couple silver coins for a drink before they head back? I’ll pay you back shortly.”

“Oh, no need to...”

“No, really, I insist. It’s my gratitude.”

“O-Okay. So-ryong... When did my little brother start acting like this...”

After saying goodbye to the Gold Guards and asking my brother to spare them a little silver so they could have a drink on the way back, I stepped onto the deck.

On the deck, the boatmen were working as usual, and as always, Geom-ryong was practicing his sword swings.

He was the most diligent of the Dragon Fangs when it came to training.

Behind him, the other Dragon Fangs were sitting in chairs, drinking tea in the shade of the mast.

“Training again today?”

As I asked, everyone on deck suddenly stopped moving, and Geom-ryong turned to look at me, feigning shock.

“Who?”

Always joking.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Senior Geom-ryong was diligent in his martial arts, kind in nature, and good in every way—but he just couldn’t resist messing around.

The moment he spotted an opening, he’d toss in a joke or prank.

Even now—his younger brother just got back from being dragged off by the Gold Guards after days, and he’s pulling the “Who are you?” routine?

He didn’t even know what I’d been through.

They thought I was tortured by the Gold Guards, or dragged away by the eunuchs of Dongchang, and they were terrified.

And that wasn’t even the worst of it.

“Didn’t I already have to endure the crown prince’s perverted, goosebump-inducing gaze?”

‘What a whirlwind. All that in such a short time.’

With a sigh, I said,

“Ugh. Please stop with the jokes, Senior. Who else would it be? It’s me, So-ryong. Has everyone been well? Ah, let’s catch up later—there’s something urgent I need to check inside.”

–Pfffft!

Gungbong spit his tea all over Ji-ryong, who normally would’ve jumped back in horror, but now just sat there in a daze.

Yang Seong-hu and Geom-bong blinked at each other.

The atmosphere felt strange, but that wasn’t important right now.

Moji and Soji were awakening.

I threw open the door to my cabin and dashed inside, calling out Hwa-eun’s name at the top of my lungs.

The man who loves you, So-ryong, has returned!

“Hwa-eun!”

“Ah! So-ryong! Huh?”

“Rong! What—?”

Squeak? 『Daddy?』

Shiaa? 『So-ryong?』

Pii?

Turning toward the box where Moji and {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} Soji had been moved during the boat transfer, Hwa-eun and Sister Seol looked back at me with bright faces.

The kids, who’d also been staring at the box, turned their gazes to me.

I quickly rushed over, knelt beside the box, and gently patted the kids’ heads, checking on their condition.

“How are they?”

Bathed in light streaming into the cabin, the silvery cocoons sparkled—one corner had definitely turned faintly translucent.

It looked like they were working hard inside, melting their own silk.

I explained to the two of them.

“They’ll definitely awaken soon. But if what Hwa-eun said happened about half a shichen ago and they still haven’t emerged, then I’d guess it'll be a few more shichen.”

It wouldn’t have been surprising if they had already emerged. One part looked translucent, but not a single section had completely melted through.

They were likely trying to break free from their own thread—the thread of a Silver Silkworm, which was probably the toughest and most durable silk in the world—so of course it was taking time.

Even though it was their own silk, it still took a while to dissolve it.

“Hang in there, you two!”

I cheered them on, telling them to stay strong.

That’s when I heard Hwa-eun and Sister Seol calling out from behind.

“...So-ryong?”

“So-ryong-ah?”

Something about their tone made me turn around, confused.

“Yes?”

Sister Seol looked at me like I was out of my mind.

“You came all the way here like that?”

“Huh? Well, yeah. How else would I come? Why?”

I blinked in confusion and glanced at Hwa-eun, who came over, took my hand, and said with sparkling eyes,

“So-ryong, you look amazing—no, adorable!”

“?”

I could understand being called handsome, but adorable?

As I blinked, Dong-i popped out from between my chest and poked his head out.

Squeek!

“Ah, Dong-i, you must’ve been suffo—wait... wha...?”

And only then did I realize, from seeing Dong-i poke his head out between the collar folds, that I was still wearing the court lady outfit.

The slim, tightly belted waist and fluttery fabric clung to me perfectly.

‘Are you kidding me?!’

Yesterday, after returning from the Gold Guards with court maid Mirang, I’d gone looking for my clothes—but they were gone.

I figured someone had moved them aside, so I waited for the elders being interrogated, ended up falling asleep, and then, after talking to them and hearing Hwa-eun’s message, I’d run straight back—still in the court maid outfit.

And now, like a panorama unfolding in my head, I relived it all:

Me, rushing out of the Gold Guard quarters, skirt fluttering, running through the capital straight to the boat.

“Gyaaaaah!”

Unable to contain my shame, I screamed—and Hwa-eun and Sister Seol ran over, wrapping me up in hugs from both sides.

“So cute, right, Hwa-eun?”

“So cute, unni. Totally different from last time, don’t you think?”

“Mm-hmm. Whoever dressed you really did it right. It feels like we have a little sister!”

They seemed absolutely thrilled, but I was dying of embarrassment.

I had sprinted straight across the capital... in a skirt.

***

“Wow, I seriously almost fell in love with you just now, So-ryong. My God.”

“Even as a woman, I have to admit—you looked beautiful. Though, somehow... it made me sad.”

“Yeah, it weirdly felt like I lost something.”

And so began yet another round of torment.

The Dragon Fangs burst into the cabin at the sound of my scream—and the teasing began in earnest.

But what could I say?

It was my own doing.

At least they didn’t find out about the Crown Prince incident.

“So-ryong, just wear it a bit longer. This unni wants to admire you some more.”

“Me too, So-ryong.”

They were telling me to keep wearing it now?!

After I kicked everyone out, I quickly wiped off the makeup Mirang had applied and changed out of the court maid uniform.

As Hwa-eun helped me out of the skirt, she asked,

“By the way, whose outfit is this, So-ryong?”

“Ah, it belongs to Unmirang, a court maid from the imperial palace. Come to think of it, I should return it. She was the one who brought me to the Emperor’s chamber.”

“I’ll wash it and dry it nicely then. I was wondering how you were going to sneak in—I never expected crossdressing. Hehe.”

Was it the effect of the disguise?

Hwa-eun seemed in an especially good mood, smiling from ear to ear.

Well, if it lifted her spirits, then at least something good came out of it—but I swore to myself:

‘If I ever wear women’s clothes again, I’m a dog. A literal dog!’

And just as I made that vow, a sharp beam of light shot through the space between me and Hwa-eun like a laser.

“Whoa!?”

“Huh?”

We both turned toward the source of the light—and saw that one of the cocoons had a small hole.

From it, light was beaming out like a focused laser.

“The cocoon’s opened!”

Hwa-eun’s cry rang out as the hole widened.

Then, the cocoon burst open fully, and an explosion of brilliant light flooded the cabin, so bright it nearly blinded us.

As the light faded, a plump, silvery moth crawled out, trembling its body.

Its pure silver body shone so brightly it looked almost white—an utterly beautiful, adorable moth had emerged.

It was the most stunning and precious moth I had ever seen.

A new entry had just been added to the Ten Great Venomous Creatures of the Central Plains:

The Silver Silkworm Moth.

‘Silver Silkworm Moth, acquired! Add to collection!’