Love in Red Dust - Chapter 10
Chapter 10
Once inside the princely manor, she knew better than to gaze around. She followed the rules, keeping her focus strictly on the tips of her toes. She trotted along behind the young eunuch, crossing narrow corridors and small bridges, until a burst of floral fragrance washed over her. Unable to resist, she lifted her eyes and was taken aback—there was a massive field of plantain lilies! The buds were not flamboyant, but they were elegant and upright, filling the garden in thick, vibrant clusters that occupied more than half the space.
So, this Prince enjoyed gardening. Even though princes were high-ranking and powerful—said to be the Emperor’s own brothers—they were actually heavily constrained. Without an imperial decree, members of the imperial clan could not wander out of the capital at will. Their world was small, and they spent their time within their manors developing personal hobbies. Once the doors were closed, they could perform opera, raise dogs, or feed pigeons; they could even hold a funeral for themselves just for fun, and no one could stop them. But they couldn't just walk out the door; stepping out meant bearing the dignity of a prince. Standing there, they represented the prestige and face of the Great Ying nobility.
This was Dingyi's first time inside a princely manor, and her childhood memories could not compare to such pageantry. The Censorate strictly governed etiquette and architectural specifications everywhere; one's residence had to match one's rank. Things like the color of the painted eaves or the size of the ceramic beasts on the roof ridges were all under strict regulation. When her father was a second-rank official, his residence was only allowed grey roof tiles. Unlike this place, where the main gates and grand halls were covered in green glazed tiles—it was true what they said: whether something was noble or not depended on its tiles.
It was, after all, a phoenix’s nest, and walking through the garden, she was tense all over. The deeper she went, the more timid she became. She was not eloquent and had no idea how to sway the Prince, and with Xia Zhi waiting to be saved, she found herself in a dilemma that nearly broke her spirit.
After passing through a central door, Guan Zhaojing was waiting on the other side. She stepped forward and bowed, and the head eunuch pointed ahead. "The Prince is at Yangxian Study. I’ve vaguely mentioned you to him, but I don't know the ins and outs of your business, so you will have to answer for yourself. Remember: answer only what is asked. Do not be garrulous, and do not deceive him. The rules in the Prince's manor are strict; don't end up throwing yourself into the fire along with your senior brother."
Dingyi agreed, trembling, and asked, "How did the Prince look when he heard what you said?"
Guan Zhaojing glanced at her, thinking of his master—a man who was always like still, deep water, unlike the Seventh Prince, who could stir up waves without a breeze. He hummed. "If he weren't willing, would he have ordered you to be brought in? Listen carefully: there are a few things you must be especially mindful of when meeting the Prince. Speak directly to him, and don't lower your head; if you bow, he won't see you. Speak slowly. If you rattle on like beans in a jar, only you will understand what you're saying, and that’s useless."
The implication was that she must consider the Prince's ears. Dingyi understood. She bowed and said, "I have remembered everything. Thank you, Chief Steward, for your guidance."
Guan Zhaojing waved his hand and led her toward the lake. On the opposite bank was a two-story pavilion with upturned eaves. A vast, open space in front of it was already covered by an overhead awning. Everyone knew the "treasures" of the capital's wealthy: awnings, fish tanks, pomegranate trees, tutors, fat dogs, and plump maids. The first three were inanimate objects, but they were essential. Whenever the fifth month arrived, noble households would hire awning-makers to construct a cooling shade to the height and dimensions of their courtyard, only tearing it down when the summer ended. The Prince’s awning was different from common ones. While civilian awnings were like tongues sticking out to block wind and sun, the manor’s awning was shaped like a hood tailored to the pavilion, supported by ramie cloth on all sides, with an opening at the front that could be lifted for entry and exit. When not in use, it was sealed tight; not even a mosquito could fly inside.
When Dingyi reached the front, a eunuch specifically responsible for the curtains let her through. Her heart was so filled with worry for Xia Zhi that she had no time to marvel at the exquisite craftsmanship of the awning. Under the shade hung two glass lanterns, brilliant and bright, illuminating the person standing before a blue-and-white porcelain fish tank. He was no longer dressed in the stern official robes he wore last time; instead, he was in a sky-blue gown with a jade belt cinched at his waist. He stood there, his silhouette graceful and refined, his profile like carved jade.
The Prince seemed nonchalant, yet she dared not relax. She stepped forward and offered a respectful bow. "This lowly one, Mu Xiaoshu, offers my greetings to the Prince."
The man feeding the fish returned the food to its box and lifted his eyes. "Rise."
This was the second time she had heard his voice. Without seeing the person, just hearing the sound, it was hard to describe the feeling. It was as if a fingertip had plucked a string—a crisp, resonant, and clear sound that seemed to cleanse the soul.
Her hands trembled within her sleeves. She struggled to compose herself, offered her thanks, and rose. She opened her mouth, but remembering Guan Zhaojing's instructions, she swallowed her words. One only answered when asked; one could not just talk to oneself. However, as Prince Chun remained silent, she looked at Guan Zhaojing in frustration. The head eunuch wore a wooden expression, so she could only hold her breath and wait.
Finally, a voice came from across the way: "Your senior brother offended the Seventh Prince’s dog. How did he offend it? Explain yourself clearly."
The Prince was a straightforward man—he didn't put on airs or ask why she had thought to come to him. It seemed as though he were willing to help. Dingyi took a breath. She dared not look at him, nor could she equivocate, so she chose a version of the story that didn't sound quite so shameful: "Reporting to the Prince, the Seventh Prince’s dog was unleashed. We happened upon it and brought it back to our home."
The same facts, two ways of telling them. This version was certainly better than saying, "We stole the Seventh Prince’s dog." She thought it over and felt she had explained it well, but the Prince’s next words left her stunned: "Return the dog, and the matter is settled. There are no knots that cannot be untied—why come to me?"
The Prince must have already guessed the truth! Dingyi gave a sheepish smile. The problem was exactly that—the dog’s appearance had been ruined, and after being "tinkered" with, it was now foolish and didn't even recognize its old master. Returning it was impossible. Her face twisted into a knot of misery. "That... well, returning it... I fear the Seventh Prince will not accept it..."
Prince Chun was calm and composed. "Why? Did you eat it?"
"Not exactly," Dingyi said, her fingers twisting nervously. "My senior brother had a momentary lapse in judgment and wanted it to help catch badgers, so he... gave it a slight makeover. The tips of its ears were clipped, and three inches of its tail were chopped off. The dog has become a badger-hunter now. If the Seventh Prince could accept it... it’s actually quite good at hunting badgers."
Had he known it would end up like this, he would have been furious too. To think that he, a Prince, was now dealing with such trivialities. When Zhaojing had entered to report, he had acted out of a sense of kindness. It was true that he had once put in a good word for a minor official at the execution ground; the matter had passed, and he hadn't given it another thought. But now the person had come knocking again with another request. Someone else might have been impatient, finding it troublesome to be entangled, but he didn't think that way. People who didn't understand the ways of the world were rare, and they only sought help repeatedly when they were truly at a dead end. Since he had already done one good deed, he didn't mind a second. However, after hearing the cause, he found it rather unseemly, and there was no need to get involved.
He paced with his hands behind his back. "If you cannot control your own hands, it is only right that you face the consequences. Coming to my manor will not help. It would be better to go before the Seventh Prince and kowtow a few more times. When his anger subsides, the matter will pass."
Dingyi had prepared for rejection, but when the reality struck her like a hammer, she found that, besides crying, she had no other choice. What was she to do? She couldn't find a way out. They said cats have cat-paths and dogs have dog-paths. Her line of work didn't have the fortune of being acquainted with high-ranking officials. Which of the great lords in the capital these days was easy to deal with? The Twelfth Prince was her only card, and now that he refused to help, she had a sinking feeling that Xia Zhi’s life was at an end.
The Prince had made his stance clear; this was his way of ordering a guest to leave. Guan Zhaojing gave her a look, signaling that she should kneel and take her leave. To his surprise, she remained dazed, her eyes fixed in place without moving, showing no intention of leaving.
Hongce was not particular about empty formalities and did not lack people to kowtow to him. Since his words were spoken, he intended to return to his study. But to his surprise, just as he turned around, the hem of his robe was tugged. Looking back, he saw that half-grown boy looking at him with a face full of supplication, his large eyes brimming with tears. Previously, he had only been paying attention to the boy's words; only now did he notice that the child did not look like an ordinary person. Perhaps it was because he was so young—he possessed a delicacy that lay between a boy and a girl. At a glance, one couldn't tell the gender. In all his life, very few people had dared to cry directly in front of him, if for no other reason than the strict rules of propriety. Of course, he had seen palace maids weeping behind their hands or soldiers wailing, but none were like this. Those eyes, blurred and enlarged by mist, the reddened nose, and the trembling lips made the child look truly pitiable.
"My master isn't home, and I have nowhere else to turn." She sobbed uncontrollably. Dragging on the Prince’s robe was a great sign of disrespect. She released her grip and knelt down, looking up with her face tilted. "If you refuse to help, my senior brother’s life is at an end. He is only twenty, and he doesn't know better. I beg the Prince to give him a chance to live. As long as the Prince extends a hand, I will serve you like a beast of burden for the rest of my life to repay you..."
Guan Zhaojing was frightened by this and hissed in a low voice, "You little brat! What did I tell you before we entered the garden? Have you forgotten it all? To be so brazen before the Prince—do you not want your life anymore?"
Dingyi ignored him. She knew this was her last chance; if she missed it and were driven out of the manor, she would never be able to enter again. She had to be thick-skinned and beg. Prince Chun had a reputation; he was a good man! A good man had a soft heart. If she could move him, Xia Zhi’s life would be saved. With tears and snot, she rambled on, "I have no father or mother. When I was small, I joined my master’s sect; it was my master and senior brother who raised me. Now that my senior brother is in trouble and I cannot save him, I won't be able to face my master later. The Prince is a great philanthropist; there isn't a soul in the capital who doesn't know it. Please, have mercy and mediate for this lowly one. I will serve you faithfully. The common folk speak of 'offering one's land to a master.' I have no land, so I can only 'offer my life to a master.' Although I am humble, when the time comes, I can block a blade for my master. I beg the Prince to pity this one and save my senior brother!"
In the world as it was, even brothers would secretly trip each other up; to see a fellow student go to such lengths was truly moving. Hongce nodded. "That line about 'offering my life to a master' is well said. I will not mince words: saving him is not a difficult task, but the reason behind it is shameful to speak of. That is why I told you to go back. Now that you have spoken your heart, I can see your resolve. For the sake of your sincerity, I can help plead for him. But there is one condition: this is the only time. I do not want your life. Go back, perform your duties well, keep an eye on your senior brother, and do not cause any more trouble."
Such a prince was rare in the world. They shared the surname Yuwen, yet there was such a vast difference in character. Dingyi kowtowed repeatedly. "What words could describe the Prince’s magnanimity? This lowly one will remember your words. In the future, I will strictly abide by the law and will never cause trouble for the Prince again."
Prince Chun was considerate; he didn't say he would handle it tomorrow. It was actually getting quite late, so he had Guan Zhaojing fetch a robe for him to change into. Dingyi stood respectfully to the side and hesitated before saying, "The night is falling; I wonder if the Seventh Prince has retired to bed yet..."
He spread his arms to let Zhaojing tie his belt and said calmly, "You cannot go to work tomorrow morning; you won't be able to hide this from your Magistrate."
He was truly thoughtful, taking care of everything she had worried about but hadn't dared to ask. When you asked someone for help and they agreed, you couldn't be pushy; you had to wait for them to be willing. If they were indifferent, you had no choice but to wait. But when you encountered a heart of crystal, everything became effortless; you didn't have to humble yourself repeatedly, for they had thought of everything you hadn't.
Dingyi cast a side-glance. For someone so perfect, she couldn't say exactly what it was that was so good, but he was permeated with an aura of uprightness. She had always thought of the imperial clan as masters of decadence and experts in kicking people when they were down. She hadn't expected to find such character, the very model of what a prince should be. Regardless of whether he was truly good or not, since he had intervened, in her eyes, he was a good man, without a doubt.