Little Pink Starfish

“For Gu Xinglang, You’d Do Anything?”

After exiting the palace, Gu Xingnuo ordered Zhao Yingqin to be loaded into a small sedan chair. He himself turned once more to glance at the towering imperial palace gates behind him. Now that Consort Hua had fallen from favor, who among the thousands of palace beauties would next rise to dominance?

“Master Gu,” a general of the Imperial Guard approached him, pointing toward the sedan, “we’re ready to depart.”

“Thank you, General Qian.” Gu Xingnuo offered a courteous nod, mounted the horse his guards had prepared, and gave a calm but firm command: “To Huguo Temple.”

General Qian stepped aside, watching the once-imprisoned nobleman ride away in full regalia. Fate truly was unpredictable—only a few months ago, Gu Xingnuo had been a condemned prisoner in the imperial dungeons, and now he was again the proud heir of the Gu family.

Seated tall in his saddle, Gu Xingnuo’s heart was heavy with calculation. No matter which woman rose next in the palace’s favor, he would protect his younger brother and the princess, no matter the cost.

By the time Gu Xingnuo arrived at Huguo Temple with Zhao Yingqin, it was already late afternoon. Inside one of the monastery’s meditation rooms, Master Mo Wen stood with hands behind his back, gazing down at the unconscious Fenglin.

A monk entered silently and whispered to him, “Master, Gu Xingnuo has arrived with the Zhao girl.”

“Take him to the eastern guest quarters,” Mo Wen said without turning his gaze.

When Gu Xingnuo followed the monk into the eastern courtyard, Mo Wen was already seated inside, waiting.

“Master,” the monk called through the door, “Gu Xingnuo is here.”

“Bring the girl in,” came the reply.

Another monk stepped forward to take Zhao Yingqin from the eunuchs. Without a flicker of emotion, he lifted her mutilated body and carried her inside.

“You two wait outside,” Gu Xingnuo said softly to the eunuchs, who had been visibly nervous the entire walk.

Relieved, the eunuchs thanked him profusely and retreated from the courtyard.

Outside the courtyard gate stood National Preceptor Chengguan. Upon seeing him, the two eunuchs bowed low.

Chengguan gave them a gentle wave. “Wait near the temple gates.”

The eunuchs bowed again and quickly left.

Chengguan remained outside, watching Gu Xingnuo. Though calm in appearance, a trace of unease flickered in the preceptor’s heart.

Inside the room, Mo Wen stared at Zhao Yingqin for a long time before finally speaking. “What happened to her face?”

Gu Xingnuo replied, “She was tortured in prison. Her face was destroyed.”

“I believe I said I would be the one to interrogate her,” Mo Wen said lightly.

“There was unauthorized punishment carried out in the palace,” Gu Xingnuo answered. “The offenders have already been dealt with by His Majesty.”

“Fengtian…” Mo Wen murmured. “This trip has been filled with more surprises than I expected.”

“She is merely a criminal,” Gu Xingnuo said. “You may dispose of her as you wish.”

“You’ve always hated Zhao Qiuming,” Mo Wen observed with a sigh.

Gu Xingnuo didn’t deny it.

Mo Wen looked at Zhao Yingqin’s ruined face and said to his disciple, “She has excellent facial structure. The skin on her neck remains flawless. She must have been a true beauty. Such a pity.”

The monk said nothing. Years of service had taught him when not to speak.

“I believe I can restore her face,” Mo Wen said softly.

“Master, she harmed the Young Master,” the monk finally said.

“Her?” Mo Wen scoffed. “She’s not even half the match of Yu Linglong.”

The disciple lowered his head again.

“She’s merely a pawn. A pitiful one.” Mo Wen’s voice was almost gentle. “Take her to my meditation hall. Care for her.”

“Yes, Master.”

Gu Xingnuo watched as Zhao Yingqin was carried away. Only after she was gone did he speak again. “Master.”

From inside, Mo Wen’s voice came: “Yanruo, how have you been all these years?”

“I’ve been well,” Gu Xingnuo replied.

“Imprisoned unjustly, and still you hold no grudge?”

“A subject must obey the will of his sovereign,” Gu Xingnuo said humbly. “I dare not resent it.”

“‘Dare not’… meaning you do,” Mo Wen said with a smile.

Gu Xingnuo knelt at the threshold. “Master, the one who studied at Yongsheng Temple was me. Let me bear its burdens. I only ask that you spare Xinglang.”

“For Gu Xinglang, you’d do anything?” Mo Wen asked from the doorway.

“I beg you to grant my request,” Gu Xingnuo replied, one hand clutched over his wounded chest, each word deliberate.

“Where is Wuhuan?” Mo Wen’s figure appeared at the door, eyes falling directly on the kneeling Gu Xingnuo.