Little Pink Starfish

The Art of Sealing with Golden Needles

Xianzong stood at the gates of the Imperial Study, watching Chengguan and Gu Xinglang’s group disappear into the distance. With them out of sight, his nerves returned—he was plotting to kill Mo Wen. Was this really something he could pull off?

Inside the departing carriage, Chengguan chose to ride with Gu Xinglang rather than in his own sedan. Gu Xinglang, sitting stiffly, had barely spoken to the national master before his marriage—now, sitting in the same carriage, he was extremely uncomfortable.

As the carriage gently rocked out of the palace grounds, Chengguan finally stopped turning his prayer beads and spoke in a low voice: “Prince Consort, Mo Wen possesses a technique to control the human mind.”

Gu Xinglang blinked. He had heard of rulers using psychological tactics, officials manipulating subordinates, but mind control? “What?”

“The human heart is easily swayed,” Chengguan said, tapping lightly on Gu Xinglang’s chest.

Startled, Gu Xinglang glanced down. “You mean… Mo Wen can control me?”

Chengguan asked, “How much has your older brother told you about Yongsheng Temple?”

“Nothing,” Gu Xinglang shook his head. “He never speaks of it.”

Chengguan reached out and lightly touched the top of Gu Xinglang’s head.

“What are you doing, Master?” Gu Xinglang asked in confusion.

“When the time comes, I’ll use a golden needle technique to seal your five senses,” Chengguan said quietly, pointing to Gu Xinglang’s eyes, nose, mouth, and ears one by one. “If I fail today, seek out my disciple Wang Yue—he can undo the technique.”

This was the moment Gu Xinglang started to panic. Seal his senses? Fail? “Master,” he said, brushing away Chengguan’s hand, “you want to seal all our senses? Even if you had the time and skill, how are we supposed to fight Mo Wen blind, deaf, and mute?”

Chengguan replied calmly, “I am merely betting that Mo Wen will choose you.”

“What does that mean?!” Gu Xinglang asked sharply.

Chengguan sighed. “You needn’t ask.”

Gu Xinglang nearly leapt out of his chair. How can he tell me not to ask when we’re marching into a deadly mission? “Master, I can’t even walk right now—what would Mo Wen want with me?”

“You underestimate yourself,” Chengguan smiled.

“No, really—I literally can’t move! How am I underestimating myself?”

“Just remember what I said. His Majesty ordered you to follow my lead,” Chengguan replied, then folded his hands and began chanting sutras with closed eyes, ignoring further questions.

Gu Xinglang could only sit and stare. He couldn’t override royal orders and go back. He could only watch Chengguan and stew in anxiety.

Meanwhile, Gu Xingnuo stepped out of a grain shop and saw his younger brother’s carriage passing by with an unfamiliar group of men.

He called over a trusted guard. “Follow that carriage. Find out where he’s going and who those men are. But don’t disturb him—just observe and report back.”

The guard acknowledged the order and quickly mounted a horse to trail the carriage.

Back in the palace, Yu Xiaoxiao shoved the last beef meatball into her mouth and said, “That was good beef.”

Xianzong, who had barely eaten anything while watching his daughter devour everything, flung down his chopsticks. “Is there never enough food at the Gu household?!”

Yu Xiaoxiao dipped her steamed bun into the gravy and replied, “I’m well-fed.”

Xianzong turned to Xiao Wei. “How long has your princess been starving?”

“She wasn’t hungry at all, Your Majesty,” Xiao Wei replied. “They had a full meal at Big Bowl Restaurant before coming to the palace.”

Xianzong nearly vomited. “Stop eating!” he shouted. “Watching you is making me sick!”