Little Pink Starfish

A Very, Very Good Woman

“What do you want to say?” Yu Xiaoxiao asked. Just looking at Wuhuan now made her feel a deep sorrow.

Wuhuan finally just shook his head.

Jing Mo stepped forward. “Mo Wen knows the National Preceptor is here with me.”

“What’s he planning?” Yu Xiaoxiao asked. “Send people to set fires and kill again?”

Everyone in the room glanced at each other—frankly, that was exactly what Mo Wen would do, and none of them could stop him if he did.

“Wen Fenglin has been poisoned,” Gu Xinglang said. “Mo Wen will probably be too busy with him for now.”

“I’ll leave Fengtian tomorrow,” Wuhuan said. He clearly had no interest in Wen Fenglin’s situation. “You all needn’t worry about me.”

Jing Mo frowned. “Leaving tomorrow? What if Mo Wen sends someone to assassinate you?”

“Life and death are up to fate,” Wuhuan replied.

“Not acceptable!” Yu Xiaoxiao slapped the tea table beside her, instantly smashing the redwood into splinters. Life and death are up to fate? She glared at Wuhuan. Nu had suffered and struggled to survive—what was it all for? “You have to live,” she said coldly. “You must live, no matter what!”

Wuhuan looked at Yu Xiaoxiao, stunned by her sudden intensity.

Xiao Wei coughed dryly. He understood why the princess was so emotional, but others—especially the prince consort—had no idea. Maybe they should tone it down a little?

“You’ll leave with Jing Mo,” Yu Xiaoxiao snapped at Wuhuan.

Jing Mo choked. So I’m the one who gets sent to die?

But Yu Xiaoxiao continued, “Jing Mo will definitely become emperor one day. If you follow him, you won’t go wrong. Mo Wen won’t be able to touch you.”

Jing Mo unconsciously straightened his back, feeling instantly reinvigorated—His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was healed by this confidence alone.

Gu Xinglang looked at Jing Mo. This guy will definitely become emperor?

“Jing Mo, when are you leaving?” Yu Xiaoxiao asked.

“Princess, can we not say it like that?” Jing Mo replied.

“What?” Yu Xiaoxiao blinked.

Xiao Zhuang interjected, “Princess, when you say ‘leave on the journey’ like that, it sounds like His Highness is going to die.”

Yu Xiaoxiao: “…”

“I can leave the capital anytime,” Jing Mo said.

“Then tomorrow,” Yu Xiaoxiao suggested.

“Before Mo Wen leaves the capital,” Gu Xinglang added, “would be better. That way he won’t be able to go after you directly.”

It was definitely safer to have Mo Wen trailing behind than standing right in front of them, waiting to strike.

Jing Mo nodded. “Then we’ll leave Fengtian tomorrow.”

“Your Highness,” Wuhuan turned to Jing Mo.

Jing Mo waved a hand. “The National Preceptor still has loyal followers in Yongsheng Temple. I suspect that’s why Mo Wen hasn’t made a move. He’s wary of something.”

“He doesn’t like killing,” Wuhuan said.

Everyone raised their eyebrows. You still think Mo Wen is a decent person?

“He prefers watching people suffer worse than death,” Wuhuan added.

“How vicious!” Xiao Zhuang cursed.

Xiao Wei shook his head. Mo Wen must be insane.

Gu Xinglang thought to himself, No wonder my brother treats Yongsheng Temple like a nest of vipers. Mo Wen’s that kind of man.

“Psycho!” Yu Xiaoxiao spat out sharply.

No one understood what “psycho” (bt) meant, but judging by the princess’s tone, it clearly wasn’t a compliment.

“Enough,” Wuhuan said softly. “I’m fine now. Princess, Prince Consort, you should go get some rest. You look exhausted.”

Gu Xinglang gritted his teeth. Does my wife need your concern?

Yu Xiaoxiao shook her head at Wuhuan first—not tired—then turned to Jing Mo. “When are you leaving tomorrow?”

Jing Mo thought for a moment. “Around noon.”

“Okay,” Yu Xiaoxiao said. “Little Gu and I will come see you off. And we’ll bring our Little Six too.”

Jing Mo smiled and nodded.

Yu Xiaoxiao then said, “I have a few words for Wuhuan. Can you all give us a moment?”

Jing Mo didn’t say a word—he simply turned and left.

Gu Xinglang looked confused. What could she say that I can’t hear?

Xiao Wei tugged Xiao Zhuang, and the two of them picked Gu Xinglang up and carried him out.

“Princess?” Gu Xinglang hated his injured legs all over again. They made him helpless—he couldn’t move, couldn’t protect, couldn’t even stay in the room!

“It’s just a couple of words,” Yu Xiaoxiao waved. “I’ll be out soon.”

After they were gone, Wuhuan looked at her. “What is it you wanted to tell me, Princess?”

Yu Xiaoxiao rubbed her nose awkwardly. “Well… I know you had a true love, but I never learned her name.”

Wuhuan chuckled. “Her name?”

“Yeah,” Yu Xiaoxiao nodded. “I want to know.”

“Her name was Hua Nu,” Wuhuan said.

“Hua Nu?” Yu Xiaoxiao blinked. “Her name was literally ‘slave’?”

“Yes,” Wuhuan said softly. “I should have given her a real name.”

“Hua Nu,” Yu Xiaoxiao murmured. “It sounds quite nice, actually.”

“If I die one day,” Wuhuan said, gazing at her, “I’d want both our names carved on my tombstone.”

Yu Xiaoxiao was stunned.

“If that’s not possible,” Wuhuan continued, “then I’d rather have no tomb and no name.”

“Are you giving me your final words?” Yu Xiaoxiao asked.

Wuhuan smiled. “Something like that.”

“You have to live,” Yu Xiaoxiao said, slapping his shoulder with a hard thud. “Hua Nu died. Don’t you want revenge for her? And your son? If you don’t kill Mo Wen, how will you face them in the afterlife?”

This time it was Wuhuan’s turn to be stunned.

“We can’t do anything about Mo Wen right now,” Yu Xiaoxiao admitted, “but there’s always a way. He can’t stay invincible forever.”

“Princess…”

“Stay alive. Find a way to make him suffer worse than death.” Yu Xiaoxiao placed her hand on his shoulder. “I’m going to fight Mo Wen to the bitter end. Will you help me?”

Wuhuan looked up at her, overcome by a deep sense of shame. He didn’t even have the courage this girl did.

“What’s the point of killing Wen Fenglin?” Yu Xiaoxiao pressed. “Sure, that pretty-boy coward deserves to die. But the real villain is Mo Wen. If not for him, would Hua Nu have died? Don’t say Wen Fenglin reported you. If Mo Wen wanted to destroy you, he would’ve found you no matter where you ran. Hua Nu would’ve died either way, right?”

Wuhuan was silent for a long time before finally whispering, “You’re right.”

“So drop the whole idea of dying with Wen Fenglin,” Yu Xiaoxiao said firmly. “You’re going to kill Mo Wen and live well. Make sure he dies with a heart full of regret!”

Wuhuan went quiet again.

Yu Xiaoxiao leaned forward and gently removed the wooden mask from his face. “I’ll come to Zhuri to check on you. We’ll fix your face. You’re Hua Nu’s man—don’t shame her. Take revenge, but live.”

Wuhuan’s lips trembled. He knew it was impossible, but still asked, “Have you seen Hua Nu?”

“No,” Yu Xiaoxiao straightened and looked him in the eye. “But I believe that a woman you could love must’ve been a very, very good woman.”