Little Pink Starfish

Fierce Young Master Gu

Gu Xingnuo entered the Imperial Study and respectfully offered a formal bow to Emperor Xianzhong.

The emperor motioned for a eunuch to bring a round stool. Once Gu Xingnuo sat down, Emperor Xianzhong immediately got to the point:
“Speak—what really happened back when you were at Yongsheng Temple?”

Gu Xingnuo began to rise to respond, but the emperor waved his hand.
“Sit. It’s just the two of us here. Say whatever you need to say.”

Gu Xingnuo offered a bitter smile.
“Your Majesty, I went to Yongsheng Temple merely to train in martial arts.”

“I’m aware of that,” the emperor said. “But Mo Wen claims he wanted to take you as his disciple?”

Gu Xingnuo had anticipated this. He slid from his seat to kneel on the floor and bowed low.
“I did not report this to Your Majesty—this was my offense.”

Emperor Xianzhong actually felt relieved that Gu Xingnuo hadn’t become Mo Wen’s disciple. If the eldest grandson of the Gu family had joined the infamous temple, how could their tiny kingdom of Fengtian contain such a towering figure?

“Well…” The emperor narrowed his eyes. “Failing to become a disciple of Yongsheng Temple’s master would be embarrassing. But if you chose not to say anything, I can forgive you. Rise.”

Embarrassing? Gu Xingnuo’s mouth twitched. What’s there to be ashamed of?

The emperor picked up his teacup and took a slow sip.
“I recall Wen Fenglin was already at the temple when you were there. Could this have something to do with him?”

It was hard not to speculate—after all, even Wu Huan (the former heir of the temple) had tried to kill his former junior brother, all for a grudge. Was it possible that this charming “little pretty boy” Wen Fenglin had also schemed against Gu Xingnuo?

But Gu Xingnuo firmly denied it.
“Your Majesty, I lacked the aptitude. That’s why I was not accepted by Master Mo Wen. Besides, I was born into a military family. To fight for the country and serve Your Majesty—that has always been my wish.”

The emperor raised his eyebrows.
“But still—”

Gu Xingnuo looked up, eyes slightly reddened.
“My father passed young. When I knelt at his spirit tablet, I was grateful I hadn’t entered the temple. My grandfather was elderly, and my two younger brothers still small. Having me at home was better than not.”

The emperor was visibly moved.

Gu Xingnuo took a deep breath.
“Now, my family is well. My grandparents and mother are in good health. My brothers are grown and have families of their own. I have no regrets, Your Majesty.”

And indeed, there wasn’t the slightest hint of regret in his tone. This wasn’t an act. Emperor Xianzhong believed that.

“Good. You Gu men were born for the battlefield. You’re the rightful heir—holding the line is your duty.”

“Yes,” Gu Xingnuo bowed again. But inwardly, he rolled his eyes.
Oh? When the entire Gu family was thrown in prison, where was that sentiment, Your Majesty?

But Emperor Xianzhong didn’t notice. All he saw was that Gu Xingnuo had refused Mo Wen. That was worth respect. He gave Gu Xingnuo a long, admiring look.
So this smiling Gu heir is fiercer than he seems.
No wonder my daughter—also a warrior—chose him. What a pair.

When Gu Xingnuo lowered his head, waiting for further orders, Emperor Xianzhong finally said:
“You’re to escort Zhao Qiuming’s daughter to Huguo Temple. Speak with Master Mo Wen on my behalf.”

Gu Xingnuo blinked.
“The daughter?”

“Let the Master do with her as he will,” the emperor waved it off. “Same with Zhao Qiuming.”

“Then… what happened exactly?”

“Ask the Master yourself,” the emperor replied, clearly disinterested in details.

Gu Xingnuo acknowledged the order with a deep bow.

But instead of leaving, he offered,
“Your Majesty, since the girl is accused of assassinating the temple’s heir, I believe it would reflect well on Your Majesty to summon her for questioning personally.”

The emperor nodded. “Makes sense.”

Gu Xingnuo then added,
“When I visited the Ministry of Justice, the steward there told me Consort Hua had visited the dungeons.”

The emperor raised a brow.
“You went to the Ministry of Justice for what?”

“To question Chief Eunuch Jing,” Gu Xingnuo replied smoothly. “He may know something about the flying tree that injured the guards. You appointed me to investigate.”

That sounded reasonable.

But what was Consort Hua doing in the dungeon?

“Someone!” the emperor called out loudly.

A eunuch came scurrying in.

“Bring Zhao Qiuming’s third daughter here.”

The eunuch bowed and left immediately.

Consort Hua thought Gu Xingnuo wouldn’t dare meddle in the inner palace?

She clearly underestimated him.

Not long after, two eunuchs arrived at the Imperial Study, dragging an unconscious Zhao Yingqin between them.

“Bring her in,” the emperor said.

One steward stepped forward for a closer look and was startled.
“Your Majesty, her injuries… the blood might stain the floors.”

The emperor jolted to his feet. The girl Mo Wen asked for… and she’s been disfigured?!

He rushed out of the study.

Gu Xingnuo followed behind him, expression appropriately tense.

The emperor looked at the bruised, disheveled Zhao Yingqin and snapped,
“Lift her hair.”

A eunuch pulled the matted locks from her face—revealing a horrifying, burned visage.

The emperor staggered back instinctively.

Gu Xingnuo caught him just in time. “Your Majesty?”

Xianzhong closed his eyes. The stench of scorched flesh made it hard to breathe.

“How did this happen?” Gu Xingnuo demanded.

The two eunuchs holding her said she was already like this when they arrived.

The emperor shook off Gu Xingnuo’s hand, struggling to steady himself.
“You said… Consort Hua was in the dungeon?”

Gu Xingnuo answered quietly,
“Yes.”

The emperor murmured darkly,
“Consort Hua…”

But Gu Xingnuo, ever the strategist, calmly added:
“Your Majesty, the consort is known for her kindness. She and Consort Zhao are said to be like sisters. Surely, it wasn’t her who did this.”