Little Pink Starfish

A Lovable Character

Xiao Wei looked at Gu Xinglang — right now, only the Prince Consort could stop the Princess.

Gu Xinglang was struggling to figure out what to say to keep his wife from impulsively rushing off to slaughter Yongsheng Temple.

Yu Xiaoxiao glanced at her plan. She wasn’t sure how the actual execution would go, but theoretically, she felt it was perfect. “Once your leg heals, Little Gu, we’ll set off,” Yu Xiaoxiao told Gu Xinglang.

Both Gu Xinglang and Xiao Wei breathed a sigh of relief — it looked like they still had some time left to live.

Yu Xiaoxiao folded up the plan and stuffed it into her pocket. “Later I’ll show it to Wuhuan and Big Brother. They’ve both stayed at Yongsheng Temple — I need to hear their thoughts.”

Last night, when Yu Xiaoxiao mentioned Wuhuan, Xiao Wei hadn’t been there. So hearing the name now, he was shocked. “Who?!”

“Wuhuan,” Yu Xiaoxiao said casually, “the National Preceptor of Zhuri. You didn’t know?”

Xiao Wei broke into a cold sweat — he knew nothing!

Gu Xinglang briefly explained to Xiao Wei how National Preceptor Wuhuan had come to Fengtian, then warned him, “His Majesty doesn’t want this made public. We mustn’t speak of it.”

Xiao Wei sat at the edge of the bed, staring blankly at his princess. In just one night, even National Preceptor Wuhuan had appeared?! Clutching his chest, Xiao Wei felt like his heart couldn’t take it.

Yu Xiaoxiao brought over two meat buns she had saved, handing one each to Gu Xinglang and Xiao Wei. “Eat quickly. After we eat, we’ll go home.”

Gu Xinglang looked at the meat bun in his hand — made by the imperial kitchens, surely delicious — but he had no appetite. Kneading the bun slightly, Gu Xinglang asked, “Did Xiaozhuang and the others return to the manor? Is Miss Li alright?”

At that, Xiao Wei jumped up from the bed like he was on fire, dropping the half-eaten meat bun on the floor.

Yu Xiaoxiao froze too. Crap — she had completely forgotten about Xiaozhuang and Da Dangjia!

Seeing their reactions, Gu Xinglang knew something was wrong, but he still clung to a thread of hope. “You didn’t forget them, did you?”

“Hehe,” Yu Xiaoxiao gave a dry laugh.

Gu Xinglang covered his forehead. No need to say more — his wife had definitely forgotten.

Xiao Wei trembled slightly and asked, “W-where do you think they are now?” Last night the imperial guards and palace eunuchs had scoured the palace inch by inch. Were Xiaozhuang and the others still alive?

Yu Xiaoxiao frowned and said, “I told them to wait for me at the palace gates after the prayer hall burned. They might’ve already left the palace. All they had to do was fly over the walls — simple.”

Xiao Wei shook his head hard. “Princess, Xiaozhuang can’t fly over the walls.”

Yu Xiaoxiao said, “So you mean they’re still in the palace?”

Of course! Xiao Wei wanted to scream. They were definitely still trapped inside!

Gu Xinglang said calmly, “There’s been no report of assassins being captured. Xiaozhuang and the others are probably fine.”

Xiao Wei nearly rolled his eyes — easy for the Prince Consort to stay so calm when it didn’t directly involve the Princess!

“I’ll go find them,” Yu Xiaoxiao said, preparing to leave.

Gu Xinglang instructed, “Xiao Wei, go with the Princess.”

Xiao Wei quickly answered yes and followed Yu Xiaoxiao outside. But once they got to the courtyard gate, Xiao Wei hesitated — if he went with the Princess, what about protecting the Prince Consort and the Seventh Prince? They needed a guard too!

Yu Xiaoxiao saw him dawdling and asked, “Something wrong?”

Xiao Wei looked at Yu Xiaoxiao, equally worried. Who knew what kind of trouble their Princess could stir up wandering alone through the palace? He wished he could split himself in two.

“Princess,” just as Xiao Wei was torn with indecision, Grandmaster Chengguan arrived with a few attendants at the courtyard entrance.

“Grandmaster?” Yu Xiaoxiao looked at Chengguan and instinctively stared at his handsome face.

Chengguan smiled, walked over to her, bowed, and said, “This humble monk greets the Princess.”

“Ah, no need for that,” Yu Xiaoxiao quickly waved her hands. “Are you here to see me?” Seeing a handsome older man come looking for her first thing in the morning — was there something romantic here? Yu Xiaoxiao pondered it. Although she was supposedly a lovable character, she truly hoped she wouldn’t accumulate too many suitors.

If Chengguan could hear her thoughts, he would definitely lose his smile. Luckily, he couldn’t read minds. Still smiling, he said, “I heard the Prince Consort is ill. I came to visit him.”

Oh, he wasn’t here for her. Yu Xiaoxiao sniffed and pointed toward the sleeping quarters. “Little Gu’s inside, lying down. Go on in.”

“Princess, are you going out?” Chengguan asked.

“Uh,” Yu Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes and said, “I’m going to say good morning to my father.”

“What?” Chengguan didn’t understand.

Xiao Wei hurriedly explained, “Grandmaster, the Princess is going to greet His Majesty.”

Hearing that she was visiting Emperor Xianzong, Chengguan stepped aside and said, “The palace is chaotic right now. After paying your respects, come back quickly and leave for the Gu estate with the Prince Consort and Seventh Prince.”

“Okay,” Yu Xiaoxiao agreed cheerfully.

Chengguan continued to smile at her.

Yu Xiaoxiao looked at Xiao Wei. What did this mean? Were they supposed to say goodbye with a kiss or something?

Xiao Wei whispered, “The Grandmaster is letting the Princess go first.”

Yu Xiaoxiao scratched her head and headed toward the courtyard gate.

Xiao Wei bowed once more to Chengguan and quietly pleaded, “Grandmaster, I’ll accompany the Princess to see the Emperor. May I trouble you to…”

“I’ll wait here for your return,” Chengguan interrupted gently. “Guard the Princess well. Go.”

Xiao Wei bowed again and chased after Yu Xiaoxiao.

After leaving the study courtyard, Yu Xiaoxiao looked around at the deserted grounds and asked, “Wasn’t this supposed to be where the princes studied? Where are my brothers?”

Xiao Wei whispered, “After the assassination attempt yesterday, they probably won’t be coming today.”

“Skipping lessons just because of that?” Yu Xiaoxiao immediately raised her eyebrows disapprovingly. “You need to study diligently to improve every day! Is my father raising sons or raising delicate flowers?”