Little Pink Starfish

A True Beauty with a Poker Face

“Let’s go home,” Yuxiaoxiao murmured, her heart thudding wildly in her chest. She leaned in and gave Gu Xinglang a quick kiss on the lips before hopping down from the carriage. Wow, she thought, *that line he just said—perfect 10 out of 10! At this rate, is Little Gu going to start teasing *her* one day instead?*

Watching her dash into the estate like a whirlwind, Gu Xinglang chuckled and told Xiao Zhuang and Xiao Wei, “Let’s head in.”

Yuxiaoxiao had barely stepped through the gates when she nearly collided with Gu Xingnuo. Behind him was a whole lineup of tall, brawny young men, clearly soldiers—muscles packed tight, all radiating a tough martial aura.

Gu Xingnuo didn’t bother with all that formal etiquette between a subject and a princess anymore. Smiling, he said, “Princess, you’re back?”

Yuxiaoxiao nodded and glanced at the group behind him. “Big Brother, are these your little buddies?”

That word—little buddies—made Gu Xingnuo’s smile twitch uncontrollably.

The group of soldiers exchanged awkward glances. Little buddies? That sounded way too innocent, too childish. They couldn’t help but imagine charging onto the battlefield shouting, “Come on, little buddies!” and all of them shivered. Horrifying.

Gu Xingnuo composed himself and introduced them properly, “They’re all brothers from the army who served under Xinglang. They came to see him.”

Hearing that these were her Little Gu’s “buddies,” Yuxiaoxiao instantly warmed to them. If they were Little Gu’s people, they were her people too! Trying to appear friendly and approachable, she made an effort to stretch her frozen facial muscles into a smile.

The group all stared as Her Highness manipulated her facial features into something she assumed was an expression of kindness. And in that moment, they all understood one thing:
Poker face is peak beauty.

Right then, Gu Xinglang was carried in by Xiao Zhuang and Xiao Wei. The moment he entered, he saw his big brother and all his old military brothers… staring fixedly at his wife. Gu Xinglang immediately felt a surge of annoyance. Is it normal to stare at someone else’s wife like that?!

“What are you guys doing here?” he asked sharply. He wasn’t feeling especially friendly anymore.

Yuxiaoxiao turned and said cheerfully, “Little Gu, your buddies came to visit you!”

Gu Xinglang rubbed his forehead, watching his wife contorting her face in all directions. This twisted mess of expressions… is his wife?!

Just then, Nanny Wang came rushing out of the inner courtyard. She’d heard that Gu Xingnuo had brought the Prince Consort’s military brothers to the gate, and she had hurried over immediately. Her main concern: to prevent her princess from saying or doing anything weird that would embarrass the Prince Consort in front of his comrades. A man’s pride—Nanny Wang believed—was even more important than his life. As a woman, one should never let her man lose face. Otherwise, he’d hold a grudge for life.

“Princess!” Nanny Wang stepped in front of Yuxiaoxiao and quickly wiped her face. Better to not smile at all than smile like that!

Yuxiaoxiao flinched the moment she saw Nanny Wang. Middle-aged women in menopause—truly the most terrifying force on Earth.

“Your clothes are soaked through,” Nanny Wang said as she glanced at her princess in Gu Xinglang’s robe, then shifted that sharp look toward Gu Xinglang. “The Princess was too careless. Come, let’s get you into dry clothes.”

Gu Xinglang looked away. Nanny Wang was someone even he didn’t dare mess with.

Yuxiaoxiao noticed that Xiao Zhuang and Xiao Wei were also dripping wet. Why didn’t Nanny Wang care about them?

The two guards kept their heads down. Nanny Wang had been in full fire-breathing mode lately. They’d rather go unnoticed.

“Princess, this way please.” Nanny Wang lifted a hand toward the inner courtyard. She knew the guards were wet too—but so what? Just dealing with the Princess was already a full-time job. Was she supposed to be their mom too?

Yuxiaoxiao obediently followed her inside.

Gu Xinglang let out a long sigh of relief and said to his big brother and the others, “She got caught in the rain. If she stays in wet clothes, she might get sick.”

Gu Xingnuo coughed lightly. “Let’s go inside. It’s been a long time since you’ve seen everyone. I’ve had the kitchen prepare a feast. You boys can catch up.”

The soldiers all thanked Big Brother Gu, then shared a silent side-eye at Gu Xinglang. Afraid the Princess will get sick? Yeah, right. What he was really afraid of was her wet clothes clinging to her body and giving them an eyeful. Still, after exchanging a few glances, the brothers had to admit—distorted facial expressions aside—Her Highness was a true beauty. Petite, yes, but the curves were there. In a few years, Little Gu had definitely hit the jackpot.

“Let’s go,” Gu Xingnuo said, giving Xiao Zhuang and Xiao Wei a meaningful look.

The two guards quickly carried Gu Xinglang toward the hall.

As they walked, Gu Xingnuo leaned down and whispered, “After the imperial edict was issued, Lord Ying and the others came to offer their congratulations. Even Prime Minister Zhao sent a gift. Said Zhao Beicheng was a disgrace, and he, as a father, was ashamed to face our grandfather.”

At his side, the fourth young master of the powerful General Li household, Li Yuanle, snorted. “Everyone knows how thick Zhao Xiang’s skin is. Might as well build a city wall out of it.”

Anyone who was on Gu Xinglang’s side was automatically at odds with Zhao Qiuming. The group burst into laughter at Li Yuanle’s comment.

As they passed the courtyard screen wall, Gu Xingnuo gave his younger brother’s shoulder a pat and whispered, “Catch up with your brothers. I’ll go keep Grandfather company. But don’t curse Zhao Xiang too loudly—walls have ears.”

Gu Xinglang nodded.

Gu Xingnuo waved to Li Yuanle and the others before heading to the main banquet hall where their grandfather was waiting.

Gu Xinglang led his brothers to a side hall. Once inside, he shut the door. Li Yuanle immediately turned to him and sighed. “When I heard what happened to you in the army, I wanted to come to the capital with men. But my old man refused. Said it would make His Majesty even more suspicious of the Gu family, and that I’d be signing your death warrant.”

Bo Zhao, second son of Grand Marshal Fu Yuan, slumped into a chair. “We almost didn’t get to see you again.”

Gu Xinglang waved them off gently. “Your fathers all did their best. What could you guys have done? I’m fine now, aren’t I?”

“…What about your leg?” one brother asked quietly.

“The Princess says it can heal. I’m just taking it slow.” Gu Xinglang smiled faintly. “What, if I end up crippled, you guys won’t be my brothers anymore?”

“Bullshit!” Li Yuanle spat on the floor. “Even if you die, we’re still your brothers. We already swore—if we don’t kill Zhao Beicheng, we’ll have no face to meet you in the afterlife.”

“Damn right,” the rest nodded. If they didn’t avenge Gu Xinglang, what kind of brothers were they?