Love in Red Dust - Chapter 16

Chapter 16

As an apprentice, she didn't need to punch the clock like a proper civil servant. Her superior was her master; as long as he gave the word, things were easy to handle.

Wu Changgeng doted on his apprentice the most. Knowing she wanted to stay and play the trumpet, he waved his hand and said, "I'll grant you a day's leave. Go on, play away."

Her eyes crinkled into a smile. "I'll buy you wine with the money I earn."

After seeing off her master and Xiazhi, the band of wind and percussion players sat around the Eight Immortals table, playing with gusto. Though it was the seventh month and they were under a mourning canopy, the air in the shaded spot remained oppressively humid. As Dingyi played, she peered into the mourning hall. The eldest sister-in-law had finally been brought to heel and was actually fulfilling her duties to mourn the sister-in-law. With a white cap on her head and hemp cloth sewn to the tips of her shoes, she knelt before the offering table. Dingyi couldn't see her face clearly, but she imagined her days weren't very pleasant.

Old Man Xi was now a bachelor. He was a man who didn't produce anything to begin with, so when it came time to spend money, he inevitably lost his nerve. The adjutant had no choice but to pay out of his own pocket to have prayers said for his sister. It was said that because of the sweltering heat, the body couldn't be kept long, so after just one day of lying in state, they prepared for the burial.

Since it was the adjutant bearing the costs, many people came to pay their respects. While his colleagues—who usually kept up appearances—didn't show up themselves as they had no legitimate reason, they sent their stewards to offer condolence money on their behalf. Dingyi saw a few familiar faces; they would come in, bow in the mourning hall, record their names in the ledger, and leave. As for the musicians, after an initial flurry of activity when guests arrived, they only worked for a couple of hours. As the stream of visitors thinned out, everyone drank water and rested; they basically just ate snacks and didn't do any real work.

Waves of heat rolled over them, leaving her neck drenched in sweat. She told the band leader she was going to wash her face, but just as she stood up, she saw a man enter the gate: Guan Zhaojing, the steward of Prince Chun's residence. Dingyi exclaimed in recognition and went to greet him, performing a quick bow on the spot. "Chief Steward Guan, you’ve come?"

Guan Zhaojing looked at her and realized it was an acquaintance. Her attire told him everything. "I can run into you anywhere! Well now, the master handles beheadings, and the apprentice works as a musician for the dead—you two cover all the bases, don't you?"

Dingyi smiled. "It's just a coincidence; my home is right around here. And I’m not really a professional musician—I’m just helping out a neighbor. Anyway, are you here on official business for the Prince today?"

Guan Zhaojing said no. "I have personal ties with the adjutant, so I had to come and take a look once I heard the news."

Dingyi enthusiastically led the way, taking the opportunity to inquire if the Prince was in today. "We had agreed yesterday that I would visit the residence, and I’m afraid of making a wasted trip if His Highness isn’t there."

Guan Zhaojing lit a stick of incense for the deceased with a solemn face. Only after they stepped outside did he say, "You have business with the Prince? Stop running back and forth so often; that’s a Prince’s residence, not the kang in your own home."

Dingyi grumbled inwardly. If she weren't hoping to join the expedition to the Changbai Mountains, she wouldn't be willing to subject herself to such cold rebuffs. Since things had reached this point, she tried to get on the eunuch's good side, saying, "I won't hide it from you—the only reason I’m going through all this trouble is to get into the Prince's residence. You are the Chief Steward; if you can think of a way to help me, you’ll be my benefactor."

Guan Zhaojing rolled up his sleeves, looking incredibly smug. "Didn't I tell you last time? The Prince doesn't lack people. You try to get in, but your martial arts are mediocre, and even if you wanted to carry a sedan chair, you’re too short."

Dingyi felt a bit discouraged upon hearing this. "Just tell me if the Prince is in today. I’ll plead with him one last time, and if it still doesn't work, I’ll give up on this idea entirely."

"A stubborn mule that won't turn back until it hits the southern wall!" Seeing her persistence, the eunuch sighed. "He is in. Since we are heading to Ningguta early next month, there are many things to prepare in advance. Go wait at the gate. I’ll tell you the same thing as before: I will pass the word, but whether he sees you or not depends on the Prince’s wishes." He smacked his lips, muttering, "You brat, you’re so clingy—I’ve never seen such a stubborn donkey."

Dingyi bowed and scraped as she sent him off. Ignoring the trumpet-playing duties, she rushed home to wash up and change into clean clothes. She had kept the umbrella tucked away, and to prevent the ribs from springing open, she had specifically tied it up with a red silk ribbon. Thinking that she was about to head to Prince Chun’s residence, her heart thumped rhythmically. She checked herself in the mirror repeatedly, smoothed her hair, and licked her lips, suddenly realizing how silly she looked and laughing at herself with a self-deprecating grin.

She walked under the scorching sun—it was a trek of over ten li from Dengshikou to the northern edge of Houhai. Fortunately, she had good luck; at the end of the alley, she ran into an acquaintance named Water-Three and hitched a ride on his donkey cart to Guanghua Temple, which wasn't far from Prince Chun's residence. The sun made her dizzy, so she hugged the umbrella to her chest instead of opening it, hesitating because she knew this was likely the Prince’s nap time and wondered if it was appropriate to visit now.

Standing by the banks of Shichahai, she pondered. If she went, she would be empty-handed, which would be quite embarrassing. She looked around and spotted a fruit stall by the lake's railing. There were plenty of things in season—apricots, peaches, crabapples, and hawthorns. She didn't know what the Prince liked to eat, so she picked up a bag of water chestnuts and a couple of honey-scented melons before heading toward the residence.

She waited at the gate to have her arrival announced. The gatekeeper, having seen the Prince chatting with her last time, had a completely different attitude. He greeted her, saying it was too hot outside and invited her in to wait—a gesture that showed he was giving her face.

Dingyi agreed and had just crossed the threshold when she saw a group of people approaching along the covered walkway. They were dressed in fine silks and jade belts, walking with an air of authority. Taking a closer look, she saw long, phoenix-like eyebrows and a vibrant expression—it was actually Prince Xian.

She was startled; running into him never brought anything good. She hurriedly shrunk her neck, trying to slip into the duty room, but unexpectedly, her name was called out loudly from that side—

"Mu Xiaoshu!"

It was as if she’d been struck by lightning. Stiff-limbed, she turned around. Before she could speak, the Seventh Prince let out a heavy snort. "What’s the matter? Did you do something guilty? Why are you hiding the moment you see me?"

She hurriedly said she wouldn't dare. "It’s not that... I just didn’t see you."

"Is that so?" He sneered. "Your eyes are certainly big enough."

How to put it? There was indeed a sense of provocation. Hongtao thought to himself that this little bastard had slipped through his fingers several times, and not once had he been able to vent his frustration. Thus, when enemies meet, their eyes are especially red.

He tapped his folding fan against his palm, circling her twice. He realized this kid was actually quite interesting. A little executioner with red lips and white teeth—it was simply ridiculous; who could he possibly intimidate? He pointed a finger at her. "You didn't come empty-handed. Is this a thank-you gift for the Twelfth Brother?"

Dingyi stammered, "This isn’t worthy of being a gift; just ordinary snacks."

The Seventh Prince stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed on the air. "So polite? Then why haven't I seen you come to my residence to apologize? That dog your senior brother ruined? Someone beat it to death the other day and made dog meat soup. Look at that—it was well-kept, but thanks to your meddling, its life was cut short. Shouldn't you have bought a couple of melons and come to my residence to offer your condolences?"

Hearing this, Dingyi felt it was a great pity. "You beat it to death?"

"Nonsense!" The Seventh Prince shook his sleeves. "Should I keep it around to annoy me?"

Her shoulders slumped as she murmured, "If you had known, you should have just given it to us—it wouldn't have had to be killed..."

This was someone who couldn't take a hint. The Seventh Prince’s temper flared. He smiled at the people beside him, mocking, "This creature, what a beautiful dream she has! That was an imperial dog; she treats it like some stray outside, thinking anyone can raise one!"

The men with him chimed in with laughter. Guan Zhaojing, who was right there, tried to smooth things over: "Seventh Prince, why bother lowering yourself to the level of a confused brat? I was just helping the adjutant’s family with the funeral today and happened to run into him working as a musician. This kid is thoughtful; he was asking me what the Seventh Prince likes, saying he wanted to buy a gift for you with the money he earned..." He winked. "Xiaoshu, doesn't the Prince know you're poor? Even if these things aren’t high-class, don’t be embarrassed to offer them—it’s the thought that counts."

Dingyi finally caught on. She bowed and scraped, presenting the bag of water chestnuts and the two melons. "The Chief Steward knows me best. I’ve always wanted to come to your residence to apologize, but I was afraid you’d be angry to see me. I was just saving up money, but I hadn’t saved enough yet when I ran into you here."

Who would covet these worthless scraps? Hongtao wanted to snatch them up and throw them hard at his feet, but seeing those eyes of his, he couldn't bring himself to lose face.

Na Jin, the steward beside him, was sharp. Seeing his master wasn't lashing out, he knew he was giving face. He took them with a smile and tapped one of the melons with his finger. "Master, the melons and water chestnuts are in season. They may not look like much, but they are quite satisfying to eat."

Hongtao gave a hum of acknowledgment. For someone rolling in wealth, he wouldn't normally look twice at items bought with a few coppers, but he was granting him face. He gave Mu Xiaoshu a condescending glance and added, "So womanish—the more I look at you, the more awkward it feels."

Cold sweat poured down Dingyi’s back. She managed a strained smile. "The Prince wouldn't know—my younger sister and I are twins; we look the same. Later, when my sister didn't survive, I was the only one left, and so I ended up looking like this."

"It’s a pity about your sister." There was an underlying meaning in Hongtao’s words; a surviving sister would surely be a beauty, but since this was the brother, he had become a simpleton. He turned and asked Zhaojing, "What is he here for? Did your master summon him?"

Guan Zhaojing bowed and said no. "An executioner earns his living by the blade; he feels he can't do it anymore and wants to find a job in the Prince's residence. We don't lack people in our residence, and the Twelfth Prince hasn't agreed yet..." Suddenly remembering, he said, "Doesn't the Seventh Prince need someone to tend to the fish? Na Jin was talking about that last time. See if Xiaoshu can do it; this kid is quick-witted. Entering the Prince’s residence and having a proper position is also a chance for the Prince to let him redeem himself."

Dingyi was dumbstruck. What kind of nonsense was this? She didn't want to enter the Prince Xian residence—even if they were both Prince's residences, they were worlds apart. The eunuch had done a bad deed with good intentions this time. She couldn't be vague; if she were, trouble would follow. She stooped low and said, "I have never raised fish; I dare not take on this duty. The fish in the Prince's residence are precious—if something were to happen to them, dying a hundred times wouldn't be enough to pay for it."

Hongtao’s temper was stubborn. If someone begged him, he wouldn't look at them, but if they refused before he had made his command, he was determined to force the issue. He turned and ordered Na Jin, "He is not to raise the dragon-eye fish; he’d only end up killing them for me. You calculate which position is lacking someone and shove him in there for me."

Na Jin did a quick calculation. "There’s a vacancy in the garden. Both the cellar and the greenhouse are short-handed. I think the cellar is good; the potted plants need to spend the winter there, moving them out in the day and back in at night—there’s plenty of work to do!"

Dingyi almost collapsed upon hearing this. How many bonsai plants were there in a Prince’s garden? Moving them back and forth like that would be enough to kill someone! Besides, her goal for entering the Prince’s residence was to follow the expedition north, not just to change professions. After all, life under her master was comfortable enough—she wouldn't go hungry or cold. Entering a household to move flowerpots wasn't her objective.

"This one has lofty ambitions." She swallowed her saliva. "I want to enter the Prince’s residence to serve as a guard, not to raise flowers or cultivate grass. Seventh Prince, can you let me be a gosha? If you nod, I’ll go to your residence immediately. But I know that to be a gosha, I need to be registered in the Banners. I’m an orphan; I don't even know where my ancestral home is. Even if you have the heart to raise my status, it’s a very troublesome process."

"A challenge, is it? I know that trick. Wanting to be a gosha is easy; raising your status is also easy. Do you see them? I have two attendants outside. If you can knock them down, forget about a mere gosha—if you want to be an official, I’ll recommend you." The Seventh Prince laughed heartily, his eyebrows lifting. "Since you don't want to serve in my household tending flowers, I won't force you. Guan Zhaojing, pass a message to your master for me: I have taken a fancy to Mu Xiaoshu, but he is unwilling to join me. Since he isn't going to the Prince Xian residence, he cannot stay in any other Prince’s residence either. If your master keeps him, he is making an enemy of me and damaging our brotherly affection. I will hold only you responsible."

This was too vicious. Dingyi looked at him, stunned, while he looked quite pleased with himself. Without wasting any more breath on her, he elegantly brushed off his robes and strode out the main gate.

Guan Zhaojing sent the others out and looked at her in dismay when he returned. She said with a mournful face, "This is deadly; why is this Seventh Prince so mean? He won't let me work for him, but he won't let me find a way to make a living elsewhere either."

Guan Zhaojing rubbed his nose. "Actually, the Seventh Prince is a bit absurd, but his heart isn’t evil. If you were serving under him, I can't speak for other benefits, but at least you wouldn't be bullied by him again."

Dingyi was past tears. "I don’t want to tend his flowers..."

Guan Zhaojing nodded helplessly. "Lofty ambitions, I know. But now that he has spoken, even if our Prince wants to keep you, he can't." He sighed, his hands hanging at his sides. "The Prince said that if you came, I was to bring you in immediately. Never mind the rest—just go see him and ask for his advice!"