Little Pink Starfish

On Pulling Strings for Whom

Before Xiao Wei could say anything, the old Taoist quickly cut in and said to Yu Xiaoxiao, “Let’s deliver the birthday tribute to Chiyang City first. After we attend Li Xiaoyuan’s birthday banquet, then we can talk about the medicinal men.”

Yu Xiaoxiao acted like she hadn’t heard him and continued speaking with Xiao Wei, “We’re going to Baihu to check on Zuo and You anyway—let’s go there first.”

Xiao Wei said, “Princess, I have no objection, but you’ll have to ask the Prince Consort too.”

One glance at Gu Xinglang lying unconscious in his arms, eyes shut tight, and Yu Xiaoxiao’s little flicker of excitement was instantly doused. Right, while fighting Mo Wen and Yongsheng Temple to the death, she still had to find a doctor for her Xiao Gu. Frequent fainting, no visible organ damage—Yu Xiaoxiao gently ran a hand over his forehead. Was it a neurological issue? Or maybe a growth in the brain, pressing on his nerves?

Just then, Jiang Zhuojun stepped forward and said, “Princess, with the temple in flames, perhaps we should leave before continuing this conversation.”

The old Taoist clicked his tongue at Yu Xiaoxiao a few times. Seeing that this little monster was laser-focused on Gu Xinglang, he could only sigh and walk ahead alone, his back looking a little dejected.

“Let’s go,” Xiao Wei said as well.

Yu Xiaoxiao kept her head down as she walked. In a world without X-rays, how was she supposed to figure out what was wrong with Xiao Gu?

Jiang Zhuojun quietly asked Xiao Wei, “Is the Prince Consort’s health poor?”

Xiao Wei replied, “General Jiang, you’ve probably heard about how our Prince Consort was once wrongly imprisoned.”

Jiang Zhuojun nodded. “I’ve heard a little.”

Xiao Wei said, “He’s just still recovering.”
He didn’t know why, but he instinctively didn’t want Jiang Zhuojun to know that Gu Xinglang might be seriously ill.

“I see.” Jiang Zhuojun seemed relieved. “That’s good.”

“Thank you for your concern,” Xiao Wei said and quickened his pace, catching up to walk beside Yu Xiaoxiao.

“Xiao Wei,” she said, “I think Xiao Gu might be seriously ill.”

“Then we’ll find a doctor, Princess. The world’s big—there must be someone who can treat him.”

Yu Xiaoxiao sighed. Can I say I don’t trust this world’s medical standards?

Seeing her so disheartened, Xiao Wei tried to comfort her again. “Maybe the injuries he suffered in prison left lingering damage. He just hasn’t fully recovered yet.”

“This doesn’t feel like an injury,” Yu Xiaoxiao shook her head, staring at Gu Xinglang with worry.

Xiao Wei now wanted to sigh too.

The ex-pirates at the temple gate spotted Yu Xiaoxiao’s group coming out and quickly ran to meet them.

Seeing Xiao Wei carrying Gu Xinglang, the First Boss asked, “What happened to the Prince Consort?”

“He’s injured,” Xiao Wei said vaguely. “He’ll be fine once he wakes up.”

First Boss looked at Yu Xiaoxiao. “Princess, the Prince Consort’s hurt?”

Yu Xiaoxiao nodded half-heartedly.

The Second Boss whispered, “With all that blood, you call that ‘just a little injury’?”

The First Boss shook his head. If Xiao Wei said it, there was a reason—they shouldn’t pry.

“Let’s head back,” Yu Xiaoxiao said to everyone.

Together, the group started down the mountain.

Behind them, one of the main halls of the temple collapsed with a loud boom, consumed by flames.

Yu Xiaoxiao didn’t even look back and kept walking.

Xiao Wei, carrying Gu Xinglang, didn’t turn his head either.

The old Taoist eyed the dozen or so crates being hauled by the former pirates. “What’s in those?”

“Red jade vermilion birds,” First Boss replied. “We’re not about to abandon our tribute, are we?”

“And you helped yourself to a few extras, didn’t you?” the Taoist asked.

“Well,” First Boss said, “everyone in the temple’s dead. Whoever grabs it owns it, right?”

The Taoist counted the crates. “There’s gotta be more treasure in Bodhi Temple than that.”

“We barely had time to grab this much,” First Boss said, glancing at the Taoist. Honestly, this guy didn’t lift a finger.

“Boss,” a pirate came running up. “That general hasn’t moved.”

They turned and saw Jiang Zhuojun still standing in front of the burning temple gate.

“What’s he doing?” First Boss asked.

“This is Bodhi Temple,” the Taoist murmured.

As Fengtian natives siding with Yu Xiaoxiao against Yongsheng Temple, the pirates didn’t understand what he meant.

“This isn’t just any old temple,” the Taoist said, looking at the burning ancient structure. He shook his head and sighed deeply.

First Boss hurried to clarify, “Let’s be clear—the fire wasn’t our doing.”

“I know,” the Taoist said. “It was divine punishment.”

That phrase sent a chill down First Boss’s spine.

“Let’s go,” the Taoist said, turning back down the mountain.

“Creepy old man,” First Boss muttered behind him.

Up front, Yu Xiaoxiao whispered to Xiao Wei, “Xiao Wei, don’t tell Nanny Wang about Xiao Gu’s condition.”

Xiao Wei stared at her in surprise.

She spread her hands. “If she knows Xiao Gu is sick, she’ll worry and might dislike him. You know how fierce Nanny can be when she’s upset.”

Xiao Wei’s mouth twitched. Other than their princess, he’d never seen Nanny Wang like anyone.

“Xiao Wei?” she prompted.

“I understand,” he replied.

Yu Xiaoxiao looked back at the snow-covered path, trudging forward through the knee-deep drifts.

Xiao Wei sighed. Their princess had never understood human nature. But for the Prince Consort, even she was learning.

Jiang Zhuojun finally turned away from the burning temple as its gate collapsed into ash. In Zhuque, this temple had once held the highest status. Now, “Buddha’s protection” and “enlightened mercy” were nothing more than lies.

By the time everyone returned to the mountain cave they were using as a base, it was already midnight.

Nanny Wang immediately noticed Xiao Wei carrying Gu Xinglang and asked, “What happened?”

“He’s lightly injured,” Xiao Wei said again. “No need to worry, Nanny.”

Nanny Wang glanced at Yu Xiaoxiao. So many went up there, and only this one came back carried?

Yu Xiaoxiao said, “Nanny, isn’t the fire up on the mountaintop beautiful in the dark?”

Nanny Wang: …

The old Taoist slumped down inside the cave, utterly exhausted from the repeated trips.

Yu Xiaoxiao said, “Nanny, can you boil some hot water? Xiao Gu’s all dirty—I want to wash him.”

“Yes,” the old Taoist agreed. “Boil water. Bodhi Temple’s feng shui was cursed. We all need a bath to cleanse the bad luck.”