Little Pink Starfish

Grandmaster Chengguan Is Also a Ruthless Man

As the legitimate son of a general’s household, Gu Xinglang really didn’t know much about poison. When Yu Xiaoxiao mentioned poisoning Mo Wen, he could only shake his head and say, “I can’t do that.”

Yu Xiaoxiao asked, “Why not?”

“I don’t know how,” Gu Xinglang said honestly.

“But Big Brother knows, right?” Yu Xiaoxiao remembered the poisoned dagger Gu Da had once given her.

Gu Xinglang also wasn’t sure where his elder brother got that weapon from. “But didn’t Mo Wen neutralize the poison on that dagger with no effort? That might’ve already been the strongest poison Big Brother has.”

Yu Xiaoxiao gave up the idea of poisoning. No matter how good she was at poisoning, it wouldn’t matter if Mo Wen was an antidote master.

Seeing his wife stabbing her chopsticks at her bowl absentmindedly, Gu Xinglang asked, “Do you still want to eat?”

“Yes,” Yu Xiaoxiao’s chopsticks dove straight into a lion’s head meatball soup. Not even Mo Wen could get in the way of her love for food.

—

Outside the Gu estate, Xiao Wei stood at the gate, hearing the gatekeeper say, “The princess and prince consort? They haven’t returned.”

“Then where would they go?” Xiao Wei muttered.

The gatekeeper gave a helpless shrug. “If you, the personal guard, don’t know, how could I?”

Xiao Wei stood there thinking. Where would they go?

The gatekeeper helpfully chimed in, “Maybe Third Young Master is accompanying the princess out for a stroll. There’s a lot to see in the capital. Is there anywhere Her Highness particularly likes?”

That jogged Xiao Wei’s memory—Her Highness doesn’t like to play, but she loves to eat. He looked up at the sky. Lunchtime is long past, but maybe they’re still eating?

“I’ll go check Big Bowl Restaurant,” Xiao Wei muttered, taking off running. If there was any eatery the princess loved most in the capital, it was that one.

—

Meanwhile in the imperial palace, Xianzong stared at Grandmaster Chengguan like he was dreaming.

“You said Abbot Mo Wen is returning?” he asked in a whisper. After so many disasters, His Majesty had a hard time believing he could get lucky.

Chengguan’s voice was calm as ever. “Yes, Your Majesty. The Abbot said there are matters in Yongsheng Temple. He and Master Fenglin will be leaving the capital this afternoon.”

“This afternoon?” Xianzong repeated.

Chengguan nodded.

Xianzong pinched his own thigh—hard—and winced. This wasn’t a dream. Mo Wen was really leaving?!

“Abbot Mo Wen said there’s no need to see him off,” Chengguan added.

Xianzong immediately put on a pained, reluctant expression. “How could I not? If he won’t stay longer, I can’t force him, but I must see him off!”

Chengguan saw only sincerity on the emperor’s face.

Xianzong motioned for Chengguan to sit and asked again, “He’s really leaving?”

“Yes.”

“Truly?”

“Yes,” Chengguan replied patiently again.

Xianzong felt like he could finally breathe. He slapped the imperial desk and exclaimed, “Then I’ll personally see him off!”

Chengguan shook his head gently. “If the Abbot said there’s no need for formality, perhaps Your Majesty should respect his wishes.”

Xianzong forced a look of sorrow and regret, though his heart was throwing fireworks. Mo Wen is finally leaving!

“Everyone out!” Xianzong suddenly shouted to the attending eunuchs and maids.

They quickly bowed and exited.

Xianzong stepped out from behind his desk and walked to Chengguan. In a low voice, he asked, “What happened at Yongsheng Temple?” Could it be some brave soul wiped it off the map while Mo Wen was away?!

Chengguan replied, “This humble monk does not know.”

Right, Xianzong thought. Chengguan was demoted and banished by Mo Wen—why would Mo Wen tell him anything?

“That’s fine, if you don’t know,” Xianzong chuckled. “Still… I really can’t bear to part with him. Hahaha.”

Everyone in the shadows: … Is that what “not bearing to part” looks like?

Chengguan sighed and said, “I spoke to the Abbot through the door. Your Majesty, he sounded… weak.”

Xianzong froze. Mo Wen? Weak? That immortal cockroach?

Chengguan looked directly at the emperor. “Your Majesty, I believe he’s injured.”

Xianzong’s legs went weak, and he nearly collapsed.

Chengguan quickly stepped forward to support him. “Are you all right, Your Majesty?”

No more smiles. His Majesty stood stunned. “Will the sun still rise in the east tomorrow?” he asked, bewildered.

Chengguan finally smiled. “You know, Your Majesty, I do not speak lightly.”

Xianzong waved weakly. “Let me sit. Give me a moment to recover…” My poor heart can’t take this.

But Chengguan didn’t give him a break. “If the Abbot is injured,” he said, “there’s only one person who could have done it.”

No need to say who—Xianzong already knew. His indestructible daughter. But even so, not in front of Chengguan would he admit it. “Perhaps there’s someone else,” he hedged. “I can’t think of any, but surely…”

“What do you think the Abbot will do once he returns to Yongsheng Temple?” Chengguan asked.

Xianzong’s heart chilled.

“And what if he dies in the capital?” Chengguan continued. “What will happen to Feng Tian then?”

Now his blood ran cold, too.

Chengguan leaned closer. “While the Abbot is still here, Your Majesty should make a decision.”

Xianzong swallowed. “What do you mean?”

“There’s only one way,” Chengguan whispered, “for Your Majesty to sever ties with this entire affair.”

Xianzong hunched over, but stretched out his neck to hear. “Wh-what way?”

Chengguan murmured, “Internal strife.”

If Yongsheng Temple fell into internal strife, then even if Mo Wen died, it wouldn’t be Feng Tian’s fault.

Xianzong stared at Chengguan in shock. Why had he never realized his national preceptor was this ruthless?