Little Pink Starfish

Those Who Journey, Those Who Stay

The two prince-uncles didn’t understand, but among the princes, aside from Yu Ziqing who had already developed a sense of dignity, the Second to Fifth Princes instinctively covered their butts the moment they heard Yu Xiaoxiao say “you know what I mean.” Oh, they knew. If they disobeyed or turned into bad kids, they’d better be ready for a beating from their royal sister when she returned. Unless their little butts got whooped raw, the matter wouldn’t be over.

Everyone stood around in small groups chatting, and after a full two incense sticks’ time, Gu Xinglang finally mounted his horse and gave the order: “Let’s go.”

Yu Xiaoxiao, riding her horse, waved farewell to her dimwitted emperor father, her two uncles, and her brothers, calling out, “I’ll be back!”

For some reason, Xianzong felt a pang in his heart when he heard his daughter say those words.

Once Yu Xiaoxiao and her group had left, Xianzong and the others turned back toward the city. Just then, two bailiffs and a man in prison garb—Zhao Beicheng—stepped out through the South City Gate.

Zhao Beicheng stood at the gate, looking south down the official road. He had heard that the princess and her husband were leaving the capital for the Vermilion Bird Base today. But now the road was busy with travelers and there was no sign of Yu Xiaoxiao anymore.

Originally, Emperor Xianzong had intended to execute Zhao Beicheng, but Yu Xiaoxiao didn’t want him dead. In the end, Zhao Beicheng was sentenced to exile in the harsh, remote mountains of the southwest. Today, not only were Yu Xiaoxiao and Gu Xinglang departing, but so was Zhao Beicheng.

Zhao Beicheng’s three younger brothers ran out from the city. As soon as they spotted their tall elder brother in the crowd, Zhao Second Brother shouted, “Big Brother!”

Zhao Beicheng turned around. Upon seeing his three brothers, his expression remained indifferent.

The three younger Zhao brothers approached, but seeing their elder brother’s cold demeanor made things awkward.

“Why are you here?” Zhao Beicheng asked.

“Father asked us to see you off,” Zhao Second Brother replied.

Zhao Third Brother handed him a bundle. “Big Brother, here’s some money and food for the road.”

Zhao Fourth Brother gave a bribe to the two bailiffs escorting their brother and said politely, “We’ll have to trouble you to look after our elder brother.” Zhao Fourth Brother had grown up in wealth and privilege—he’d never said polite words to such low-ranking men before. His expression was uncomfortable, but he still managed to say it.

The bailiffs had no reason to refuse a bribe and, upon accepting, one said, “Don’t worry, young masters. We’ll take good care of the eldest.”

Zhao Beicheng’s expression didn’t change. He handed the bundle back to one of the bailiffs and simply said, “I’m leaving.”

“Big Brother,” Zhao Third Brother quickly stepped in front of him. “Father is very ill—he’s bedridden and couldn’t come to see you off.”

When Zhao Qiuming had sent someone to kill him, Zhao Beicheng had already known—there would never again be any fatherly love between them. So upon hearing the news of his father’s illness, he simply said, “Then he should take care of himself.”

Zhao Second Brother, the most straightforward of the four, couldn’t help but ask, “Big Brother, are you blaming Father?”

“I made a serious mistake,” Zhao Beicheng said. “There’s no one else to blame. Take care of yourselves. Don’t worry about me.”

Zhao Third Brother’s expression darkened. “What do you mean by that, Big Brother?”

Zhao Beicheng looked at his younger brother. “Just pretend I’m already dead.”

And with that, he turned and walked south, toward the treacherous mountains of the southwest. Whether he was going to serve in the army or not, at least it would be a way to atone for his sins. As for the Zhao family—he was a discarded son. What more could he do?

Zhao Second Brother wanted to chase after him, but Zhao Third Brother held him back.

As they watched Zhao Beicheng’s figure grow smaller and smaller, Zhao Second Brother asked anxiously, “Does he hate us?”

Zhao Third Brother sighed. “Once Father pulls through this, he’ll call Big Brother back to the capital.” He didn’t know what new schemes their father was hatching, but it was clear that sending them to see off their brother had an ulterior motive. Of all the Zhao sons, only Zhao Beicheng had achieved anything in the military. If the family could survive this crisis, then their eldest brother would still be useful.

One of the bailiffs glanced at the bundle and asked Zhao Beicheng, “Young Master Zhao, if you really don’t want anything more to do with the Zhao family, why take their things?”

Zhao Beicheng finally smiled faintly. “If they’re offering, I’ll take it. No reason to suffer on the road just to make a point.”

The two bailiffs exchanged a smile. This Zhao heir seemed pretty pragmatic.

The three Zhao brothers returned to Fengjing. As they passed through the South Gate and into the bustling streets filled with red lanterns, Zhao Fourth Brother suddenly said, “Is it almost New Year already?”

Zhao Second and Third Brothers both paused. These past days had been so exhausting, they hadn’t even noticed—the year’s end was fast approaching.

Meanwhile, Zhao Qiuming lay in bed listening to the steward report on Yu Xiaoxiao’s departure.

“They didn’t check the birthday gift again?” Zhao Qiuming asked.

The steward replied, “No, Prime Minister. I watched from start to finish—Her Highness didn’t order another inspection.”

“I see,” Zhao Qiuming muttered.

The steward glanced at his master and hesitantly asked, “Sir, with the New Year coming up, should we start preparing?”

Zhao Qiuming turned to him and asked, “It’s almost New Year?”

“Yes,” the steward answered quickly.

Zhao Qiuming chuckled and sighed, “Another year, just like that.”

The steward didn’t dare respond.

“Start the preparations,” Zhao Qiuming said. “New Year should still be celebrated.”

The steward replied promptly. It was a good sign that his master still cared about celebrating—it meant he still had some will to live.

“While the Princess is off traveling,” Zhao Qiuming muttered, “it seems my days are actually a bit better than hers.”

The steward didn’t dare respond to that either.

So what was Yu Xiaoxiao doing at that moment?

She was staring at Miss Qian, who was riding beside her, shocked. “Why did you come too?”

Miss Qian replied, “I’m going to Vermilion Bird too. We’re heading the same way.”

Yu Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes as she looked at Xiong Er, whom Miss Qian had snatched from Xiaozhuang and was now holding. “If you like Xiaozhuang, just marry him. What’s the point of tormenting Xiong Da and Xiong Er all the time?”

Miss Qian immediately snapped, “Aren’t we sisters? You said I was your bestie, right?”

“Yes,” Yu Xiaoxiao nodded. Of course she’d admit it—who wouldn’t cling to a rich friend?

“If we’re besties, then stop mentioning that scumbag Gu Zhuang in front of me!” Miss Qian declared righteously.