Little Pink Starfish

Young Master Gu, Helpless and Lost

The imperial physicians examined Gu Xinglang for a long while before concluding: the prince consort’s five senses had been sealed with golden needles.

This only deepened Xianzong’s confusion. Did Mo Wen really think sealing someone’s senses was enough to kill his son-in-law?

Gu Xingnuo asked, “Can it be reversed?”

The physicians shook their heads.

An elder in the room said, “Your Majesty, this humble servant once heard that the State Preceptor himself knows how to seal acupoints using golden needles.”

Xianzong slapped his forehead. Something wasn’t adding up. Wait, so it was Chengguan who sealed the prince consort’s senses? Did the fighting happen between his son-in-law and the guards instead of with Mo Wen? How could that make any sense?

Gu Xingnuo clenched his jaw so tightly it nearly bled, but his expression remained composed. He asked, “So what you’re saying is, my brother’s acupoints can only be unlocked by the State Preceptor himself?”

One physician nodded.

Xianzong was alarmed. “But Chengguan’s gravely injured—who knows when he’ll wake up? If he doesn’t, my son-in-law will stay like this?!”

Gu Xinglang now lay on the bed in clean clothes, peaceful and pale, breathing lightly as if simply asleep.

Xianzong stared at him for a moment, then muttered, “Here we are worrying ourselves sick, and this kid’s just peacefully napping.”

The elder didn’t know whether or not to beg forgiveness at that moment.

Just then, the Gu residence steward ran up and called from outside the door, “Your Majesty, there’s a young monk named Wangyue at the gate. He says he’s the State Preceptor’s disciple and wishes to see him.”

“Wangyue is indeed Chengguan’s disciple,” Gu Xingnuo said quickly.

“Bring him in,” Xianzong ordered.

Soon, the steward led the boy monk to the door.

“Come in,” Xianzong said.

As the steward opened the door, the little monk ran inside, but upon seeing that his master wasn’t present, his face fell with disappointment.

Seeing the tears welling in the monk’s eyes, Xianzong said, “Why are you crying? The princess is treating your master. If something really happens, you can cry then.”

Everyone in the room: …

In a way, the emperor was just as bad at saying comforting words as his daughter.

Wangyue wiped his eyes and knelt to Xianzong.

“Get up,” Xianzong told him. “Wipe those tears away. That’s an order.”

Gu Xingnuo waved the monk over. “Little master, come here.”

Wangyue glanced at Xianzong.

The emperor nodded.

The monk ran to Gu Xingnuo. “I’ve seen you before.”

“Yes,” Gu Xingnuo replied, gently patting his bald head. “I once visited the State Preceptor. Little master, do you know how to undo a golden needle seal?”

Wangyue nodded. “Yes.”

Gu Xingnuo grabbed the boy’s wrist in excitement. “You really can?”

Wangyue flinched in pain but still nodded. “Master taught me.”

“Then go examine the prince consort,” Xianzong urged.

“Please,” Gu Xingnuo said, releasing Wangyue and bowing slightly.

Wangyue walked to the bed, gently examining Gu Xinglang’s eyes, nose, mouth, and ears. “It was my master who sealed his points.”

“We know,” Xianzong snapped. “Just unlock them already.”

“Your humble monk obeys,” Wangyue replied.

Seeing such a small monk speak so grandly, Xianzong didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

At that moment, the shadow guards arrived at the Gu residence. They didn’t even wait to be announced, simply standing outside the hallway.

Xianzong turned to the elder. “Come with me. Let’s talk somewhere else.”

The elder accepted the command and, after glancing at Gu Xinglang, followed the emperor out.

Once they were gone, Gu Xingnuo rose and walked to the bed. “Do you need anything to undo the seal?” he asked the boy monk.

Wangyue shook his head. “How’s my master?”

Thinking of Chengguan’s wounds, Gu Xingnuo couldn’t bring himself to say “He’s fine.” All he could offer was a vague response. “The princess is treating him.”

Wangyue pouted but started working on unlocking Gu Xinglang’s meridians.

Gu Xingnuo took a deep breath. He didn’t know if the person who would wake up would still be the younger brother he had raised. And if he wasn’t… Gu Xingnuo had no idea what he’d do. All he could do now was wait helplessly.

Meanwhile, in a room filled with the smell of vinegar, Yu Xiaoxiao was focused on suturing Chengguan’s wound with the help of the civilian doctors.

Granny Wang stood guard outside.

Tianxingzi tried to sneak closer, but the fierce Auntie guarding the door was too terrifying. The old Daoist was torn.

In another parlor, Xianzong sat with the elder, listening to the shadow guards report that they hadn’t found Master Fenglin. He patted his chest lightly—Fenglin wasn’t dead. Maybe that would dampen Mo Wen’s fury?

But the thought disgusted him. You’re already trying to kill the man—what are you doing hoping to appease him? What are you even thinking, you idiot?!

The shadow guards looked at Xianzong’s twisted expression. Wait… Is he upset that Fenglin’s still alive?

“Has someone gone to Dali Temple?” Xianzong asked.

One guard replied, “Yes, Your Majesty. Thirteen has gone to call for reinforcements.”

“Dismissed,” Xianzong waved them off.

The guards left and concealed themselves in the shadows.

The elder said, “Your Majesty… what in the world is going on?”

Xianzong gave a bitter smile. “Master Gu… I fear our Fengtian may be nearing its end.”

The elder, startled, jumped up from his seat. “Your Majesty! What’s happened?”

Xianzong gestured for him to sit and told him everything about the plan to assassinate Mo Wen.

The elder sat speechless.

Xianzong asked, “How long could Wangxiang Pass hold back enemy forces?”

The elder hesitated. “Your Majesty, I mean—where did Mo Wen go?”

“You still want to pursue him?” Xianzong asked.

“Can’t we?” the elder replied.

“All our best warriors are already gone,” Xianzong said softly. “If even they failed, anyone else I send is just walking to their death.”

“Then send troops.”

“That would be like publicly announcing that I, Yu Ningsheng, am executing Mo Wen of Eternal Life Temple,” Xianzong said with a shake of his head. “Then we may as well prepare for war with the Five Kingdoms. Besides, how many soldiers would it take to actually kill him?”

The elder asked, “Why did Your Majesty want Mo Wen dead in the first place?”

“I…” Xianzong was at a loss. Why did I insist on killing Mo Wen? Have I been possessed?