Little Pink Starfish

Verdant Mountains

Gu Xingyan was tied to a crooked tree in a mountain hollow by the big boss. Even with all his martial skill, Gu Second Young Master couldn’t resist after being force-fed a bowl of Soft Bone Powder by these pirates every day. If it weren’t for the thick ropes binding him and the tree trunk behind him supporting his weight, he wouldn’t even have the strength to stand.

The big boss was pacing restlessly around Gu Xingyan. He had already sent someone to the capital to investigate the Gu family’s situation—now all he could do was wait for that scout’s return.

“What exactly do you want?” Gu Xingyan asked coldly.

The big boss wanted to know that too—what exactly did he want?

Seeing the man’s troubled look, Gu Xingyan flared with anger. Was this bastard seriously looking wronged? He’d fallen into this ridiculous trap set by a bunch of unknown thugs. If anyone should be pissed, it was him!

“You’re really Gu Xingyan?” the big boss asked.

“I’ve told you. Whether you believe me or not is your problem. Why keep asking?” Gu Xingyan snapped.

“But Gu Xingyan’s supposed to be some big-shot general. How’d he get caught by us so easily?” the big boss muttered suspiciously.

Gu Xingyan nearly coughed up blood in frustration. Yes, he’d underestimated them. Who would’ve thought someone would dare attack him and Yu Ziyi right outside the capital? These lowlifes had set off fireworks to spook the horses, then set their carriage on fire. While he was fleeing with the Seventh Prince in one hand and old Nanny Wei in the other, they fell into a trap dug along a side path. A pit full of lime powder, no less! He couldn’t see, had an elder and a child to protect—and even his skill couldn’t save him from being tied up in the end.

The big boss muttered, “We only dug ten or so of those pits…”

Gu Xingyan sneered, “Yeah, on a narrow mountain path, ten lime pits. You really went all out.”

“You shouldn’t have taken that path then,” the big boss pointed at him.

Gu Xingyan gave the man a cold look. He was on the run—should he have taken the main road and waited to be chased?

The big boss scratched his head in distress. These three captives were driving him mad.

“Who are you people?” Gu Xingyan asked.

“You really Gu Xingyan?” the big boss shot back again.

For f—! They were back to this question again! Gu Xingyan spat at him, “If you’ve got the guts, just kill me.”

“You think I won’t?” the big boss challenged.

Gu Xingyan laughed coldly. If they wanted him dead, they’d have done it already. What were they waiting for?

The big boss continued circling Gu Xingyan. If this really was Gu Xingyan, and the Gu family found out Zhao Xiangye was behind this, there’d be hell to pay. When the Gu and Zhao families went to war, whichever side won, these pirates could claim they were forced and even say they passed intel to the victors. If Gu family won, they might even gain favor. If Zhao’s side won, well—he’d already planned to say there was a traitor in their ranks. Toss out a random corpse and be done with it.

Er Gouzi ran in from outside the valley, wiping his snot on his sleeve as he ran.

“Come here!” the big boss barked.

Er Gouzi stood before him, looking miserable.

“Where were you?” the big boss asked.

“My sister didn’t come,” Er Gouzi mumbled sadly.

The big boss smacked him on the head. Ever since hiding out in this mountain, he hadn’t seen a woman. Now Er Gouzi ran one errand to the city and came back fawning over a girl? Unacceptable!

Er Gouzi clutched his head and ran away in tears. He didn’t understand why the boss and second-in-command always got mad whenever he brought up his sister.

Gu Xingyan watched coldly. If he survived this, he’d definitely make that traitorous maid regret everything!

—

At the entrance of Ruyun Mountain, Gu Xinglang and his party had arrived.

The mountain’s tallest peak pierced the sky, which was how it got its name—Ruyun, “reaching the clouds.” It was autumn, but the forests were still lush and green. When the wind swept through, it carried a deep, hollow rustling from the woods.

Yu Xiaoxiao sat in the carriage, staring blankly at the towering mountain ahead. So this was what an unspoiled wilderness looked like. Looking at the sun-blocking ancient trees, she felt tears welling up—she was overwhelmed.

Gu Xinglang assumed his wife, raised in the imperial palace, had never seen real nature. He gently said, “Xiaoxiao, this is Ruyun Mountain.”

“I like it here,” Yu Xiaoxiao said, turning back to smile at him.

Gu Xinglang brushed his fingers over her curved, smiling eyes. “I like it too.”

“I’ll catch you a fat rabbit!” she declared and leapt out of the carriage.

The young generals outside saw a flash of pale red vanish into the trees before they could even react. All they caught was the knowledge that today, Her Highness was wearing a pale red dress.

“Xiao Zhuang, Xiao Wei,” Gu Xinglang called, lifting the curtain.

“Yes!” The two guards didn’t need further instruction. They jumped off their horses and dashed off after the princess, light-footed and swift.

“Just the two of them?” Li Yuanle asked, seeing all three vanish in the blink of an eye.

“They were once the Emperor’s personal shadow guards,” Gu Xinglang explained calmly while signaling a nearby carriage driver. “With them around, the Princess will be safe.”

Li Yuanle was stunned. He’d never heard of an emperor gifting his shadow guards as part of a dowry. Shadow guards were usually entrusted with state secrets—sworn to live and die with their ruler. Their current emperor was… one of a kind.

Just then, Nanny Wang’s carriage pulled up beside Gu Xinglang’s.

Gu Xinglang said, “Nanny, the Princess has already entered the forest. We’ve got another task to complete inside. Please wait here for a moment.” He left a few guards with her, then turned to the generals. “Let’s head in.”

Nanny Wang was still processing his words when the group disappeared into the woods. She was left behind—just like that!

—

Yu Xiaoxiao had already run deep into the forest. After taking in all the lush greenery, she realized something… The forest wasn’t exactly teeming with fat rabbits like she imagined. The plants were tall, the undergrowth thick. All she could hear were insect chirps—not a single rabbit in sight.

Xiao Zhuang and Xiao Wei finally caught up behind her, easing off their internal energy. Xiao Zhuang asked, “Princess, what’s our next move?”

Yu Xiaoxiao frowned. “Where are the rabbits? I don’t see a single one!”