Little Pink Starfish

Gu Eldest Young Master Is Born to Worry

Gu Second Young Master looked around both sides of the street. Due to three large fires breaking out in the capital last night, the city was gripped with fear. The four gates of the city hadn’t been opened yet, so the early morning streets were sparse, with few pedestrians. The lack of people made the streets feel empty and lifeless.

Upon learning that his second brother had left the estate, Gu Xingnuo rushed out the side gate with two guards and spotted Gu Xingyan standing dazedly by the wall. He signaled the guards to retreat, then walked up to his younger brother and asked in a low voice, “Why did you leave the estate?”

Snapping out of his daze, Gu Xingyan glanced at his elder brother and pointed at the puddle of blood on the ground. “It was left by the arsonist.”

When Gu Xingnuo saw the blood, his first thought was that it might be from Mo Wen. But he didn’t believe someone like Mo Wen would be injured so easily.

“That bastard got hurt and still ran faster than a rabbit,” Gu Xingyan said. “I nearly broke my legs trying to catch up and still lost him.”

Gu Xingnuo crouched down to examine the blood and said casually, “We’re cavalry generals—being weak in lightness skill isn’t shameful.”

“Did Xinglang and the princess offend someone?” Gu Xingyan asked. “They captured Zhao Qiuming’s daughter. Was it Zhao Qiuming stirring up trouble?”

“He’s not that capable,” Gu Xingnuo replied.

Gu Xingyan fell silent. Thinking had never been his strong suit.

“He’s poisoned,” Gu Xingnuo said after staring at the blood for a moment.

Gu Xingyan looked down and was startled. The previously smooth ground now had small corroded pits. “What kind of poison is this? So vicious?” he exclaimed.

Gu Xingnuo slowly stood up. A poison that could even corrode stone—if ingested, it would destroy a person from the inside out. But if the person was poisoned, then they likely weren’t the one who set the fire. And if they did set the fire, how did they get poisoned themselves? Gu Xingnuo stood quietly, lost in thought, but couldn’t make sense of it.

“Let’s go back,” Gu Xingyan said, reaching out to support his brother.

“What’s wrong?” Gu Xingnuo was puzzled. Why was his brother suddenly holding him up?

Gu Xingyan said gruffly, “Your face looks only slightly better than a corpse. Brother, don’t you know you have internal injuries?”

Gu Xingnuo smiled faintly.

“Don’t laugh,” Gu Xingyan said, helping him walk. “Brother, if you go on like this, how can Grandpa and I feel at ease leaving the capital for Wangxiang Pass?”

“I’m fine,” Gu Xingnuo patted his brother’s hand. “Xinglang and I are still here.”

Gu Xingyan looked at his brother’s pale face, hesitated, then swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue.

“Last night, the princess, Xinglang, and I got our hands on a sum of money,” Gu Xingnuo said quietly, as if knowing what his brother wanted to ask. “Tomorrow, take Old Wu and the others back. Buy grain seeds and a lot of staple food along the way. With money in hand, rebuilding the manor won’t be difficult.”

“How much did you get?” Gu Xingyan asked.

“A lot,” Gu Xingnuo replied with a smile.

Gu Xingyan was bewildered. He had just taken a nap—how did they suddenly have a fortune? “Brother, you’re not telling me a bedtime story, are you?”

Gu Xingnuo said, “This time I’m not joining the army. You must take good care of Grandpa.”

“Why bring this up now?” Gu Xingyan rolled his eyes. “Would I not take good care of Grandpa?”

“Once you return to Wangxiang Pass, don’t lose your temper over the manor’s destruction with the other generals,” Gu Xingnuo continued. “Pretend nothing happened. Don’t even mention it.”

“How can I not mention it?” Gu Xingyan burst out. “Those bastards tossed us aside the moment trouble came, and I’m supposed to be polite to them? That was our Gu family’s ancestral land. Don’t they know what that means?”

“See?” Gu Xingnuo sighed. “You’re already worked up and we’re not even back yet. What are you planning to do?”

“I…” Gu Xingyan honestly didn’t know. His chest was full of rage, but he had no outlet.

“Investigate quietly,” Gu Xingnuo said, silencing him. “Find out everything that happened at Wangxiang while we were gone.”

“You think…”

“People who aren’t loyal are dangerous in the military,” Gu Xingnuo interrupted. “We used to dominate at Wangxiang, so things were hidden. This time is an opportunity.”

Gu Xingyan suddenly felt nervous. “Brother, I don’t know if I’m up to this.”

“Who else can I count on—Xinglang?” Gu Xingnuo asked.

Gu Xingyan looked at his brother’s bandaged arm, gritted his teeth, and said, “Got it. I’ll get this done for you.”

“I’ll assign you a few helpers,” Gu Xingnuo said. “Once you have results, don’t act rashly. Wait for me to arrive.”

“Alright,” Gu Xingyan nodded. “I’ll follow your lead.”

“Make connections with the new officers at the pass,” Gu Xingnuo reminded. “Life at the border is harsh. If they get along with the command, they’ll be more settled.”

“I know,” Gu Xingyan said, then added, “Brother, do you really think I’m useless?”

“You’re still rash, even after becoming a father,” Gu Xingnuo sighed. “How can I not worry? You’re the only one going with Grandpa this time. Be careful.”

Gu Xingyan had no choice but to nod. His big brother was born to worry—he probably couldn’t help himself even if he tried.

“Let’s go see Xinglang,” Gu Xingnuo said, changing the subject just as Gu Xingyan resigned himself to more scolding.

At that moment, Gu Third Young Master stared into the distance, his mind blank. Blowing up the stove with a puff of air? How was that even possible?

Xiao Wei had known that telling the truth would shock the Prince Consort.

Yu Xiaoxiao said regretfully, “I accidentally used too much strength.”

Both Gu Xinglang and Xiao Wei looked at her. Just how much strength did you use to blow up a stove?

“Little Gu,” Yu Xiaoxiao hung her head in guilt. “I wasted all that food.”

If she’d known this would happen, she wouldn’t have craved those noodles so badly. So frustrating—why were the stoves in this world so flimsy?

“Maybe the stove was already about to break,” Xiao Wei offered.

Gu Xinglang glanced at him. Do you even believe what you’re saying?

“We can’t let Momo find out,” Yu Xiaoxiao whispered. “What if she goes crazy?”

Gu Xinglang sighed. If Momo Wang found out his wife blew up a stove with one breath, she wouldn’t go crazy—she’d die of fright. “We won’t tell her,” he said. “Xiao Wei’s right—the stove was already on its last legs.” Whether others believed it or not, Gu Xinglang had convinced himself.

Author’s Note:

Second chapter of the day delivered.