Little Pink Starfish

We Can Still Have a Good Life

At this point, all Gu Xingnuo wished for was that Gu Xinglang could simply stay alive—training him for court or battlefield was far from his priorities. So when Emperor Xianzong gave that instruction, Gu Xingnuo only nodded absentmindedly, not taking it to heart at all.

“This is Qinghai,” Xianzong said, pointing at the young eunuch standing by his side. “He’ll be the new chief eunuch of the palace. Let him assist you in interrogating Jingzhong.”

Only then did Gu Xingnuo glance again at the handsome young eunuch—so this really was the man taking Jingzhong’s place.

Qinghai bowed respectfully to Gu Xingnuo.

Xianzong waved a hand. “Go to the Shenxing Division.”

Once Gu Xingnuo and Qinghai left, Xianzong summoned his shadow guards. “Come with me. I’m going out of the palace.”

…Again?

The guards were speechless. Was His Majesty now addicted to sneaking out in disguise?

“I have to check on the Grandmaster,” Xianzong added by way of explanation. “What? You have objections?”

Who would dare object to the emperor?

While Xianzong was changing out of his dragon robes for another undercover trip, Yu Xiaoxiao and Gu Xinglang were sitting indoors, facing Second Boss and Miss Zhao.

Wang momo let out a cold laugh.

Miss Zhao shrank behind Second Boss.

Wang momo snapped, “So, the two of you are planning a secret engagement?”

Second Boss, who had once been a pirate and bold enough to snatch women from villages, didn’t think this was a big deal at all. But Miss Zhao turned pale—unmarried girls couldn’t afford such talk.

Wang momo fixed her gaze on Miss Zhao. “Whose daughter are you really?”

Miss Zhao’s expression dimmed. She no longer had a home.

Wang momo’s lecture began: the gist was that Second Boss was a scoundrel, and choosing him over lifelong singleness was a mistake.

Eventually, Second Boss couldn’t take it anymore. “Why can’t I get married?” he protested, puffing his chest. “I’ve got money! I can feed a wife!”

“Oh, already calling her ‘wife’ before you’re even married?” Wang momo turned to Miss Zhao. “Have you two already consummated?”

Yu Xiaoxiao’s interest peaked. “You slept with Xiao Er?”

This single question broke both their defenses—they flushed crimson.

Gu Xinglang pulled his wife back. Even he couldn’t handle this topic.

Wang momo stared at Yu Xiaoxiao, aghast.

Realizing something was wrong, Yu Xiaoxiao quickly hid behind her husband and muttered, “Let’s pretend I didn’t say that.”

Wang momo turned to Second Boss. “You’ve already slept together?!”

Crash! Second Boss toppled over. Were these women for real?

Yu Xiaoxiao tried to step forward but was firmly held back by Gu Xinglang.

Miss Zhao, face scarlet, shook her head furiously.

“Are you without father or mother?” Wang momo asked.

Miss Zhao nodded. She had no home, no family.

Wang momo pointed at Second Boss. “Think carefully. This man is not a decent match. If you marry him, be ready for hardship.”

“I’ve got money!” Second Boss insisted.

“Shut it!” Wang momo glared. “You’re still depending on the princess.”

Second Boss deflated instantly.

Finally, Gu Xinglang spoke. “Are you sure about this?”

Miss Zhao looked at Second Boss.

He grew tense.

She nodded to Gu Xinglang. “I’m sure.”

Second Boss came back to life on the spot.

Yu Xiaoxiao clapped. “See? I told you they were a pair. I was right!”

Wang momo didn’t want to look at her princess. Matchmaking was beneath royal dignity—yet the princess seemed proud of it!

“Momo,” Gu Xinglang said. “I want to speak with them privately.”

Wang momo, though she often scolded Yu Xiaoxiao like the master of the house, still obeyed. She nodded and exited.

As soon as she left, Yu Xiaoxiao and Second Boss both felt like they could breathe again.

Second Boss turned to her. “Princess, you won’t stop us?”

“I’ve got no problem with it,” Yu Xiaoxiao replied.

“Prince consort?” Second Boss looked to Gu Xinglang.

Ignoring him, Gu Xinglang looked at Miss Zhao. “If you marry Xu Wei, you won’t be able to go back to the Zhao family. Are you really sure?”

Miss Zhao said softly, “There’s no going back anyway.”

“What if I offered you a way back?” Gu Xinglang asked. “And some money?”

Second Boss glared—was he trying to sabotage this? Then he realized Gu Xinglang’s intent: if she was marrying out of desperation, it was better to end it now.

“I don’t want money,” Miss Zhao said. “Even if I could go back, I wouldn’t.”

Only then did Gu Xinglang face Second Boss. “How did this happen?”

“She had nowhere to go,” Second Boss replied earnestly. “I want to treat her well. We figured it wouldn’t be so bad to make a life together.”

“Just don’t regret it later,” Gu Xinglang warned.

Miss Zhao shook her head again.

“Then go,” Gu Xinglang said. “The princess and I will arrange your marriage.”

Second Boss immediately dragged Miss Zhao outside. He’d been worried Gu Xinglang wouldn’t approve, since she was Zhao Qiuming’s daughter—but now that it was settled, he could finally relax.

In the courtyard, Miss Zhao still looked uncertain.

She had awoken in a medical hall to see this man beside her, fussing, calling for the doctor, anxiously asking if she was okay. In that moment, her heart had warmed. She had nothing left—no title, no future—yet he still cared. She believed a man like that couldn’t be bad.

Seeing her staring, Second Boss sighed. “Why are you spacing out again?”

She quickly lowered her head.

He looked at her, thinking how she’d been cast out by her family, utterly alone. His heart ached. He couldn’t offer much, but he could give her a warm home.

“Alright then,” he said gently. “As long as I’ve got a bite to eat, you’ll never go hungry. We’ll have a good life together.”