Little Pink Starfish

The Princess So Noble She Has No Friends

While Yu Xiaoxiao was busy eating and drinking and Gu Xinglang was bustling about, packing for their journey, a sinister conspiracy unfolded swiftly and silently behind the scenes. Though Zhao Qiuming and Consort Zhao were now both under house arrest—one fallen from power, the other fallen from favor—their former prestige still carried weight. And there were still many like Wu Zhen, who held onto desperate hope. This time, the Zhao father and daughter had put everything on the line, exchanging a phoenix for a vermilion bird.

After the Ministry of Rites finished recording the list of gifts, Gu Xinglang and Xiao Wei went to the Inner Court’s storeroom to inspect them before they were sealed. Both took extra note of the red jade statue, and Xiao Wei muttered, “Isn’t that a phoenix?”

Gu Xinglang, also unclear on the distinction between a phoenix and a vermilion bird, echoed, “Looks like a phoenix to me.”

The eunuch director of the Inner Court, trying to sound knowledgeable, chimed in, “Prince Consort, the Chief Eunuch said a Zhu Bird is also called a Zhuque—it’s phoenix-like.”

“I see,” both men nodded, brushing off any further thought.

Where did this logic come from? The Chief Eunuch heard it from Qinghai, who got it from Emperor Xianzong. So ultimately—this mess was His Majesty’s fault.

Before departure, Yu Xiaoxiao thought about how she’d be gone for half a year and bought a large bundle of spirit money and gold ingot offerings, which she piled in the courtyard and burned for Huanü.

In just two months, Wang Mama had seen her princess burn paper offerings at least five times. She firmly believed they were for the late Empress—after all, who else would the princess mourn so regularly?

Seeing her again squatting in the yard, burning more, Wang Mama walked over and said, “Princess, offering paper money is best saved for Qingming or the Winter Festival. The late Empress would understand your filial piety. Don’t dwell too much—it’s not good for your health.”

Yu Xiaoxiao glanced at Wang Mama, then silently divided the stack into two piles.

Wang Mama: … Wait—so these weren’t all for the Empress?

Yu Xiaoxiao silently wished the paper would burn faster so she could get out of here quickly.

“Princess,” Wang Mama asked, “who are these offerings for?”

Still watching the flames, Yu Xiaoxiao thought to herself: she had bought more this time, and the pile was burning slowly.

“Princess!” Wang Mama’s tone sharpened.

“For a friend,” Yu Xiaoxiao said, pointing at one pile. “That one’s for my mother.”

Wang Mama was devastated. The late Empress… how grieved must her spirit be in the heavens?

“It’s late. Why aren’t you asleep yet?” Yu Xiaoxiao asked, trying to change the subject. “Aren’t you going to torment the Taoist tonight?”

“Who is this friend of yours?” Wang Mama pressed. She had watched the princess grow up in the deep palace. When had she ever made a close friend?

“You wouldn’t know her,” Yu Xiaoxiao said. Spotting that the flames had mostly died down, she stood up and stomped out the last glowing embers. “You should go to bed. Or go look for that Taoist.”

These days, everyone loved seeing Wang Mama clash with Tianxingzi—it made life at the Gu estate much livelier.

Wang Mama stepped in front of her retreat path, standing firm. “Who is this friend?”

“She was a girl,” Yu Xiaoxiao replied. “Don’t worry, Mama—not a man.”

That alone was enough to ease Wang Mama’s mind. Still, she asked, “Princess, I’ve never left your side. How could you have a friend I didn’t know about?”

Yu Xiaoxiao blinked.

“Your Highness is of noble status,” Wang Mama said. “Not just anyone can befriend a princess.”

“Mama,” Yu Xiaoxiao finally understood. “Are you saying I’m so noble I can’t have friends?”

Wang Mama: …

At that moment, Gu Xinglang entered the courtyard with Xiao Zhuang and Xiao Wei behind him.

“Xiao Gu,” Yu Xiaoxiao waved to them. “You’re back!”

Gu Xinglang came up beside her, glanced at the two piles of ash at her feet, and asked, “You were burning offerings for the late Empress again?”

Xiao Zhuang chimed in, “Princess, the Empress must miss you too.”

Xiao Wei nodded. He’d been thinking the same thing.

Yu Xiaoxiao cringed. Why did everyone remember the Empress… except her?

Wang Mama bowed to Gu Xinglang and walked off.

The three men stood still, but from her departing back, they could sense… sorrow. Deep, profound sorrow.

“What happened to Mama?” Gu Xinglang whispered to Yu Xiaoxiao.

“Oh, she just realized I’m too noble to have friends,” Yu Xiaoxiao said. “Now she’s depressed over it.”

The three men immediately understood. Wang Mama had probably meant to lecture the princess, but in the end… got emotionally wrecked by her instead.

Yu Xiaoxiao shook her head. “Mama’s menopause is no joke. Honestly, how could I not have friends?”

“I’m going to check on Bear One and Bear Two,” Xiao Zhuang said quickly and ran off. Who dared be friends with a royal princess? Maybe someone out there did, but he definitely wasn’t brave enough.

Gu Xinglang took Yu Xiaoxiao’s hand. “Let’s go inside.”

At this point, Gu Third Young Master didn’t ask for much—just as long as his wife didn’t torture him.

Back in their room, with the charcoal brazier burning, it was as warm as spring. Yu Xiaoxiao blew out a breath, and it formed a white cloud before her eyes.

“Cold?” Gu Xinglang touched her cheek. Finding it warm like her hand, he was relieved.

Yu Xiaoxiao sat in a chair, grabbed a sugar candy from the table, and popped it into her mouth. “So, what did my dad want from you this time?”

Taking off his cloak and pouring a glass of water, Gu Xinglang said, “His Majesty asked how we should arrange things for the Seventh Prince.”

Yu Ziyi had always been someone Yu Xiaoxiao selectively ignored. The final, tragic image of her little brother in her past life had left her emotionally distanced from him. Only now did she remember—he was still being raised in the Gu estate.

Gu Xinglang sat down and pulled Yu Xiaoxiao onto his lap. They shared a single chair, snuggled together, and he whispered, “What do you want to do about him?”

“My dad won’t raise him?” she asked.

“His Majesty wants to bring him back to the palace,” Gu Xinglang said. “But I’m worried. We won’t be in the capital. With only Madam Wei and the others there, I’m not sure they can protect him.”