Little Pink Starfish

Too Long Apart for Sorrow to Take Root

While Yu Xiaoxiao was still brawling outside the northern gates, Gu Xinglang had already brought Miss Zhao Third to the vicinity of the Zhao residence. After the carriage stopped, he looked at her and said, “Go home.”

Seeing that Gu Xinglang truly had no intention of stopping her, Miss Zhao turned and ran toward the gates of her former home.

The Second-in-Command looked uneasy and offered, “Your Highness, should I follow her to keep watch?”

Gu Xinglang shook his head. “If you go, it’ll raise suspicion within the Zhao estate.”

Only then did the Second-in-Command give up the idea.

“Let’s fall back,” Gu Xinglang ordered.

The group retreated a few hundred meters and took up position on a quiet corner of the street.

At the Zhao gates, Miss Zhao Third stood anxiously. The estate’s gate—recently damaged by Yu Xiaoxiao—had just been replaced, the fresh wood still unpainted. The patchy repair gave the whole entrance an air of decline.

She took a deep breath and knocked.

The gatekeeper peeked through the small hatch and asked, “Who are you looking for?” As she had been raised in seclusion, not even household staff knew her.

“I’m looking for the Fourth Young Master Zhao,” she said after a mental scroll through her family.

Normally, the gatekeeper might have just ignored a random plump girl asking to see a young master. But the Zhao family’s situation had changed. After a moment’s thought, he replied, “Wait here,” and went off to deliver the message.

Inside, Fourth Young Master Zhao had just finished a long night of searching and was preparing to rest. Upon hearing someone had come asking for him—a fat young lady—he immediately guessed the truth and rushed into Zhao Qiuming’s bedchamber.

Second Young Master Zhao yawned. “Didn’t we tell you to go rest?”

Fourth Brother ignored him and leaned close to their father. “Father, I think Third Sister has come back.”

Zhao Qiuming, still resting from his medicine, slowly opened his eyes.

“Shall I bring her in?” asked the Fourth Son.

“How do you know it’s her?” Zhao Qiuming asked.

“The gatekeeper said she’s fat,” he replied bluntly. “Who else but Third Sister would it be?”

Second Young Master said, “Then what are you waiting for? Go bring her in!”

Third Young Master stayed silent, watching his father closely. Can we really afford to let her back?

“She vanished for the night,” Zhao Qiuming murmured. “Why return now?”

“Maybe she stayed at an inn?” Second Young Master offered.

“Or a family took her in,” said the Third.

“And what’s the problem with that?” Second Brother asked.

“The issue is who took her in. If it’s one of our enemies, then her return is a threat,” Third Brother said grimly.

The room fell silent.

“I’ll go ask her,” Fourth Brother offered.

“Let her go,” Zhao Qiuming said quietly with a wave of his hand.

“Father?!” Second and Fourth Sons cried in unison.

“She left us. Let her stay gone,” Zhao Qiuming said, eyes closed again, voice laden with pain.

Third Young Master turned and left, leaving his brothers staring at each other.

Outside the gates, Miss Zhao waited nervously. When the door opened again, she stepped forward eagerly.

But Third Brother stared at her coldly. “Why are you here looking for my fourth brother, miss?”

She was stunned.

“There’s no one with you?” he asked, glancing around. Then, lowering his voice, he added, “Father said: since you left, don’t come back.”

She stared blankly.

“Go,” he said, unshaken. “Take care of yourself. And from now on… never say your surname is Zhao.”

“I—” she tried to speak.

“Do you want our whole family to die for you?” he cut her off.

She remembered what Yu Xiaoxiao had said—about accusing her father of treason.

The little gate shut again. Behind it, Third Young Master stood alone, wondering how things had come to this—when a daughter of the Zhao family could no longer be acknowledged as kin.

Miss Zhao stood dazed outside the gates before turning and walking away in a trance. Gu Xinglang had been right. Her father would not accept her again.

“Third Young Master,” a guard said from the carriage. “That girl is walking back alone.”

The Second-in-Command murmured, “Zhao Qiuming really is heartless.”

“We’re leaving,” Gu Xinglang said with a glance at her.

But they had barely walked a few steps when a gasp erupted from behind. Turning back, the Second-in-Command saw Miss Zhao collapsed in the street.

Without hesitation, he rushed to her side, scooped her up in his arms, and ran toward Gu Xinglang’s carriage—only to pause mid-way, confused.

Wait… why am I carrying her to him? What do I expect him to do now?

---

Meanwhile, back at the Gu residence, Gu Xinglang’s return was reported to the household steward.

“Is the princess back?” he asked from inside the carriage.

“No, Third Young Master,” came the reply.

“Head to the north gate,” Gu Xinglang instructed. “Watch closely. Don’t miss her.”

“Yes, sir!” the commander shouted and the team turned around again.

The steward, watching them go, hurried to Lady Xu’s courtyard.

Inside, Old Madam Gu and Lady Xu were sitting together when he entered.

“Didn’t you say Third Young Master returned?” Old Madam Gu asked.

“He’s gone to pick up the princess,” the steward replied.

Old Madam Gu’s expression darkened. Xu-shi is preparing to move out, and none of her sons have even asked why?

“You may leave,” said Lady Xu calmly.

The steward bowed and retreated without raising his head.

“Why are you doing this?” Old Madam Gu asked her daughter-in-law again. “Who in this household has made you feel so wronged? Tell me. I’m still alive—I’ll make it right!”

Both Sun-shi and Lin-shi were standing off to the side. When they heard Old Madam Gu’s words, Lin-shi glanced sideways at Sun-shi. Who would dare force Lady Xu out if Gu Dashao didn’t approve it?

Sun-shi lowered her head and ignored the look.

“It’s my own decision,” Lady Xu said quietly. “No one forced me.”

“Your decision?” Old Madam Gu said. “You expect me to believe that? You’ve had decades to leave. Why now?”

Lady Xu didn’t answer. She couldn’t tell the truth—that her eldest son had forced her out. He might be unfilial, but she would not let him bear that guilt.

“You say nothing again?” Old Madam Gu flared. “What kind of sons let their mother be thrown out like this?!”

Sun-shi and Lin-shi both knelt at once.

With the men away, Old Madam Gu could only wring her hands. “What can I even do anymore?”

Lin-shi spoke up, “Grandmother, you know my husband never gets involved in household matters.”

“Hmph!” Old Madam Gu scoffed. “He’s a general, sure. But you—what are you doing? Blind and useless?”

Lin-shi laughed bitterly to herself. So much for fairness. You scold the sons one moment, then defend them the next. It’s always the daughters-in-law’s fault.

“Sun-shi,” Old Madam Gu turned to her, “what’s going on?”

Sun-shi bowed again. “Grandmother, my husband said only that Lady Xu wishes to leave for spiritual retreat.”

Old Madam Gu slapped the armrest. Again with this excuse!

Lady Xu said softly, “Please don’t ask anymore. I only wish for peace—to seek in the next life what I could not have in this one.”

Old Madam Gu sat in silence, shaken by the words.

“Everyone says long partings bring sorrow,” Lady Xu said faintly. “But I… don’t feel anything anymore.”

Old Madam Gu shook her head slowly. She remembered when her own son had died young—how she had wanted to die too. But the grass on his grave had grown taller year after year, and now, she barely thought of him anymore.

“Sun-shi manages the household well,” Lady Xu added. “Please allow me to leave in peace.”

“What’s the point of this suffering?” Old Madam Gu sighed.

Lady Xu sat still, silent. It was only then that Old Madam Gu noticed her hair—her temples had gone white.

Lin-shi asked, “Why now? The family Buddha hall is right here in the manor. Why is it suddenly unsuitable?”

“Stand up,” Old Madam Gu commanded.

Lin-shi rose at once.

Turning to Sun-shi, who was still kneeling, she added, “Must I beg you to rise?”

Sun-shi quickly stood. “Mother, I only wanted to understand why you suddenly wish to leave.”

Lady Xu glanced at her two daughters-in-law. Just one compliment to Sun-shi’s management and they’re already measuring each other up? “The household is fine,” she said. “My son manages it now. If he approves, then I will leave.”

Lin-shi sneered inwardly. So no matter what Gu Dashao does, he’s always right, huh?

Sun-shi stood quietly. As a wife, she followed her husband—whatever he decided, she would support.

“Fine,” Old Madam Gu said at last. “Your sons are grown. If you want to go, then go.”

Lady Xu stood and bowed deeply. “Thank you for your blessing, Mother.”

Old Madam Gu stood and gently patted her hand. This daughter-in-law is a fool. Once you’re dead, you’re gone. There’s no ‘next life’ to pray for.