Little Pink Starfish

A Confused Imperial Father-in-Law

The two young attendants tossed Qingyu into the dense forest and then promptly ran back to rejoin the northbound caravan. Whether she lived or died—why would two youths from Zhuri care about the life of a slave girl from Fengtian?

Qingyu lay face-down amidst the fallen leaves. Towering trees surrounded her, their intertwining crowns blocking out the sky. Fear of death gripped her heart, and she burst into loud sobs. But soon, hatred welled up again. If she survived this—if—one day she would trample all those who had looked down on her: Yu Linglong, Gu Xinglang, Jing Mo. Even if she became a vengeful ghost, she would repay this humiliation a thousandfold!

Back in the city, Yu Xiaoxiao sneezed inside the carriage and felt a sudden, inexplicable chill.

The carriage came to a stop in front of the Big Bowl Restaurant. Rubbing her nose, Yu Xiaoxiao hopped off. Two guards carefully lifted Gu Xinglang out of the carriage.

The restaurant owner ran out and dropped to his knees at the sight of the princess.

Yu Xiaoxiao flashed in front of him and said, “No need to kneel. Boss, I’m back to eat at your place again.”

The boss quickly stood, still nodding and bowing. If the princess came daily, he’d be thrilled!

Gu Xinglang was sitting at the restaurant entrance when he suddenly heard a jingling of small bells. He turned his head swiftly and saw a young peddler in his twenties carrying a pole with crates on either end, filled with wind chimes and bells of all shapes and sizes.

Seeing Gu Xinglang’s interest, the peddler hurried over, but the guards blocked him—no orders, no approach.

“Let him come,” Gu Xinglang said calmly.

The peddler approached and asked, “Would you like to buy a bell, sir?”

Gu Xinglang picked up a small copper wind chime and gave it a shake. The soft, clear jingle rang out. He didn’t find it irritating this time. Strange… why did it seem so grating the last two times I heard this sound?

The peddler, puzzled why such a noble-looking young master would be buying children’s trinkets, still looked hopeful for a good sale.

Gu Xinglang kept staring at the wind chime as if trying to decipher a secret from it.

“Ten copper coins per strand,” the peddler offered.

The two guards frowned. Ten coppers? That’s enough for two meals!

“Eight if you’re serious,” the peddler quickly added.

Gu Xinglang glanced at the peddler, then signaled his guard to pay. The guard handed over five coins and snapped, “Take it and go.”

The peddler, stunned at the low payment, looked to Gu Xinglang, who remained fixated on the bell. In the end, he dared not argue, picked up his load, and moved on—resenting the stingy noble but keeping his mouth shut.

“Little Gu! Come eat!” Yu Xiaoxiao shouted from a second-floor private room.

“We’re going up,” Gu Xinglang said, stashing the bell into his sleeve.

Inside the room, Yu Xiaoxiao already had a table full of dim sum in front of her, clearly in high spirits.

“The boss hired a new chef,” she told Gu Xinglang cheerfully. “He says if it’s not tasty, he won’t take a coin. So no matter what, let’s say it’s awful, okay?”

Gu Xinglang…

She stuffed a piece of pastry into his mouth, then two into her own.

Gu Xinglang took out the wind chime and handed it to her. “This is for you.”

Yu Xiaoxiao gave it a glance.

“Do you like it?” he asked.

Yu Xiaoxiao wasn’t too interested in anything that couldn’t be eaten. Like the jade hairpin Gu Xinglang had gifted her before, it didn’t matter much. Still, seeing the look in his eyes, she nodded. “I like it.”

Gu Xinglang tied the bell to her waistband and gently flicked it—ding-ding-ding.

“Nice sound,” Yu Xiaoxiao said. “Three bells.”

Gu Xinglang kept playing with the bell, thinking how pretty she looked with a bit of ornament.

Yu Xiaoxiao’s face darkened. Wait, dogs wear bells. Is my little Gu treating me like a pet?!

“I want to get you some more jade pendants,” Gu Xinglang said. “What kind do you like?”

“I have lots. Nanny keeps several chests,” Yu Xiaoxiao replied honestly.

“Then why don’t you wear any?”

“Don’t like them.”

“Let’s find some you do like,” Gu Xinglang said, holding her hand.

Yu Xiaoxiao: …

“After lunch,” he added.

“My dad has plenty. If you like them, let’s ask him for some,” she suggested.

Gu Xinglang froze. Ask her dad for jewelry? He’d probably want my head!

At that exact moment, Emperor Xianzong truly did want Gu Xinglang’s head.

“What did you say?!” he yelled in the imperial study. “Repeat it!”

Xiao Wei bowed respectfully. “It was His Highness the Prince Consort who ordered me to deliver the monks to Your Majesty.”

Xianzong slammed the table. After a long silence, he shouted, “The princess beats people up, and he sends them to me?!”

Xiao Wei had to speak up for his master. “I believe His Highness the Prince Consort had no choice and hoped Your Majesty would intervene.”

Xianzong laughed coldly. Why in the world did I marry my daughter to that Gu brat?