Little Pink Starfish

Happiness Came Too Suddenly

When Xiao Wei arrived at Gu Xingnuo’s courtyard, the imperial physician had just finished taking his pulse. After reviewing the prescription left by the previous doctor, the physician adjusted a few ingredients and told the old general, “Young Master Gu has suffered severe internal injuries. He’ll need several months of rest and recovery.”

The old general looked at his eldest grandson lying pale on the bed and sighed deeply. He clasped his hands to the physician and said, “I’m leaving the capital the day after tomorrow. My grandson’s health will be in your hands, my lord.”

The physician quickly returned the gesture, repeating, “I wouldn’t dare.”

At this moment, Xiao Wei approached the door and asked the young servant standing there, “Is the young master inside?”

Everyone in the Gu household knew Xiao Wei was part of the princess’s entourage, so the servant quickly nodded. “Yes, he is.”

“The prince consort requests Young Master Gu’s presence,” Xiao Wei said quietly. “Could you please let him know?”

The servant’s expression darkened. Young Master Gu is gravely injured, and the third young master still wants him to go over?

From inside the room, the old general’s voice called out, “Is that Xiao Wei?”

“Yes, it’s me,” Xiao Wei replied promptly.

“Come in,” said the old general.

Xiao Wei stepped inside.

After sending the physician out with the steward to prepare the revised medicine, the old general turned to Xiao Wei and asked, “Does the princess need something?”

Xiao Wei glanced at Gu Xingnuo, who looked dizzy and pale. The man didn’t seem like he could even sit up.

“Xiao Wei?” the general prompted again.

Only then did Xiao Wei lower his head and say, “Marshal, His Highness requests Young Master Gu’s presence. He said there’s an urgent matter.”

The general’s face darkened. What’s wrong with this grandson of mine, summoning his injured brother at night like this?

Gu Xingnuo opened his eyes. “Xinglang wants to see me?”

“Yes, sir,” Xiao Wei replied, stepping closer. “The prince and princess said it’s urgent.”

Gu Xingnuo, hearing that, forced himself up and said to the general, “Grandfather, I’ll go to Xinglang. You should rest—it’s late.”

“What could be so urgent that it can’t wait until morning?” the general frowned.

Gu Xingnuo lowered his voice. “I think it has to do with Yongsheng Temple.”

That name made the general’s heart tighten. He’d already heard that Mo Wen had arrived in the capital.

Gu Xingnuo called for attendants. Xiao Wei stepped forward to help him dress.

Before long, Gu Xingnuo was being carried in a reclining chair by two servants, with another holding a lantern and Xiao Wei walking beside them, heading for Gu Xinglang’s courtyard.

Madam Sun watched from under the eaves but didn’t step forward to inquire.

As soon as Gu Xingnuo arrived, Yu Xiaoxiao was the first to greet him at the door with a cheerful “Big Brother!”

Gu Xingnuo was confused. Didn’t they just fight monsters? Why is my sister-in-law this happy?

“Big Brother, come in!” Gu Xinglang called from the side hall.

Gu Xingnuo entered and was momentarily dazed by the brightness. “Xiao Wei said it was urgent. What’s going on?”

Gu Xinglang pushed three silver notes toward him.

Gu Xingnuo glanced at them and immediately asked, “Is this part of the princess’s dowry?”

“No,” Yu Xiaoxiao shook her head.

Then how did my brother get so much money?! Gu Xingnuo was in disbelief. “What happened?”

Yu Xiaoxiao explained breezily, “It’s the pocket money Hua Daddy gave to Consort Hua. I took it. To save her life, Xiao Gu and I decided to give it to you.”

Gu Xingnuo’s head throbbed. What kind of nonsense…?

Gu Xinglang pulled Yu Xiaoxiao to sit beside him and explained about her visit to Consort Hua’s palace just because she wanted to eat sunflower seeds.

Gu Xingnuo sat frozen for a long while, unable to react.

Yu Xiaoxiao asked Gu Xinglang, “What’s wrong with Big Brother?”

“Let him process it,” Gu Xinglang said. This wasn’t the kind of thing one could digest quickly.

Gu Xingnuo stared at the silver notes. So I suddenly have 40,000 taels at my disposal? Happiness really does strike like lightning…

Yu Xiaoxiao waited for a bit, then turned to Gu Xinglang. “Are we really eating fried peanuts tomorrow?”

Gu Xinglang nodded. “Of course.”

Yu Xiaoxiao said nostalgically, “I’ve only eaten them once. They were so good.”

Gu Xinglang was puzzled. Fried peanuts? Isn’t that a basic dish? Why doesn’t the palace serve them?

Yu Xiaoxiao sighed. She recalled her days with the “Dead Dog” man, surviving on compressed biscuits. Once, after he seduced a busty female chef, she cooked them fried peanuts—it was a divine meal. Pity it was a one-night stand, and then it was back to dry rations.

“If you want, we can eat them every day,” Gu Xinglang offered.

“Really?!” Yu Xiaoxiao brightened instantly.

Gu Xinglang watched her and chuckled, poking her cheek. “Peanuts or pig’s head meat—what do you like more?”

“Um…” Yu Xiaoxiao hesitated. “I like both.”

“What if you could only pick one?”

After some serious contemplation, Yu Xiaoxiao licked her lips and slapped the table. “I want both! Fight me!”

Gu Xingnuo sat nearby, covered in metaphorical black lines. Is this the time for flirting?!

He cleared his throat.

Yu Xiaoxiao looked over.

“Princess,” Gu Xingnuo asked. “You’re really giving this money to me?”

“Of course,” she replied. “Buy land, buy food.”

Gu Xingnuo said, “I’ll repay you.”

“No need,” Yu Xiaoxiao waved it off. “It’s not even my money.”

Thinking of Consort Hua suddenly losing 40,000 taels, both brothers silently mourned for her. How unlucky does one have to be to cross paths with Princess Linglong?