Love in Red Dust - Chapter 30

Chapter 30

As it turned out, nothing much happened, and the day passed quite smoothly. On the second day, the caravan set off, continuing their march northward.

The land was vast, and as they traveled further, the climate felt increasingly different. Perhaps it was also a matter of time; after a month, they arrived at Shuangtaizi, where a hint of autumn was already visible. Moving further into the Northeast, the temperature suddenly dropped as they neared Shengjing. Early in the morning or late at night, a single layer of clothing was no longer enough to fend off the chill. When it rained, it was cold and damp, making the journey across the wilderness increasingly difficult.

The men could grit their teeth and bear it, but it was truly unbearable for a woman. A woman needs to be nurtured and kept away from the cold. Jolted on horseback all day, with no post stations in sight, she had to swallow dry rations when hungry and drink cold water when thirsty. Then, when it rained, her limbs—wrapped in oil-cloth clothing—were soaked in cold. She could manage on normal days, but coinciding with her time of the month, for Dingyi, it was nothing short of torture.

She lifted the brim of her bamboo hat to look ahead. The sky was grey, and the earth was grey. It had been raining for nearly seven days, with no signs of clearing. That morning, her lower abdomen felt a dull ache. It wasn't severe—just a faint, persistent thread of pain that would strike suddenly, leaving behind a lingering, throbbing aftermath that eventually pulled at her waist and back. She grew anxious. She knew her own condition; it was like this every time. It wasn't the start of her period yet, but the warning signs were there, and the actual day wasn't far off.

But she couldn't say a word. She had to endure the discomfort silently. She asked the guard beside her and was told that, according to the map, they were still twenty li from the imperial retreat. If they picked up the pace, they would arrive by midday.

Thankfully, it’s almost over, she thought, taking a deep breath. They wouldn't be staying at a post station this time. Shengjing had an imperial city built by the High Emperor, modeled after the Forbidden City, though slightly smaller in scale. During major sacrificial ceremonies, the retreat was used by the Emperor and the royal clan; the numerous descendants of the Aisin Gioro clan simply referred to it as the "Old House." With so many rooms, there was no need to squeeze in with others, making it easier to take care of herself. With a glimmer of hope, Dingyi regained her spirits. The large contingent moved forward through the rain and arrived as planned by dusk.

Shengjing had a resident Angbang Janggin (a high-ranking banner official). Learning of the Prince's arrival, he had been waiting at the city gate long before they appeared. Seeing them approach, he didn't even bother with an umbrella; he simply knelt straight down on the bluestone celestial street and kowtowed. "Greetings to the Prince of Wisdom, greetings to my master."

It turned out this official belonged to the Plain Yellow Banner, and Prince Chun, Hongce, was the banner master of the Plain Yellow Banner—his legitimate master from the Southern Park. A servant welcoming his master: that fiery, loyal heart was witnessable by heaven and earth. This high-ranking second-grade official had tears in his eyes as he knelt. He crawled forward on his knees, hugged Hongce's legs, and looked up, howling, "Master, the journey has been hard on you! I received word half a month ago and wanted to ride out fifty li to welcome you, but the Emperor’s order strictly forbade the Dutong (Banner Commander) from leaving his post. I could only kneel here at the gate to welcome you. Master... I have missed you day and night. For these years of service abroad, I have kept your household laws and teachings in mind, never daring to slacken in the slightest. Now that you are here, I have reflected on my own conduct and can finally face you with a clear conscience, kowtowing before you."

Hongce patted his shoulder. "Get up. I know of your filial heart. Although I have not visited in a long time, I have heard the reports; your governance of this region has been quite an achievement. I am comforted by this."

The official wiped his tears, thanked him for the favor, and rose. "The weather has been poor lately, and you have been traveling in the rain. I have already sent word ahead. Wei Kaitai has prepared the sleeping quarters for the masters. Please, go wash and rest. I will come back later to massage your legs..."

"Kang Sanbao, are you going to be long-winded forever? I know you’re close to your master, but stop that driveling nonsense in front of me! Focus on preparing the wine, the food, the music, and organizing the rest of the men properly. Whether you want to massage your master’s legs or beat his back—even if you want to attend to his bedchamber—that’s your own business. Discuss it behind closed doors!" Hongtao was a forthright man; he couldn't stand this sort of faux-intimacy. What is this, a grown man acting like a lovelorn young bride? He commanded the Bordered Red Banner, and since that banner rarely produced high officials, he felt challenged. He snorted and turned back, shouting, "Xiaoshu! Bring Feng’er and Yingying to my palace. I’m bored, come entertain me."

Kang Sanbao was dumbstruck. A prince, traveling on imperial business, bringing women along? This was highly improper. Yet, scolded as he was, he dared not retort and could only mumble his agreement. But when he saw a small guard shout a crisp "Yes!" and come hurrying up from behind, hunching his waist while carrying two birdcages, he finally understood: "Feng’er" and "Yingying" weren't women at all—they were just two birds!

The head eunuch of the imperial retreat was pacing back and forth at the main gate. From afar, he saw the caravan approaching and hopped down the steps as if flying. With a whoosh, he swept his sleeves and performed a respectful bow, looking up with a face full of smiles. "I have been waiting for ages, and finally, the two masters have arrived... I am Wei Kaitai, offering my greetings to the Princes."

The rules of the retreat were the same as in the capital; every palace and courtyard was equipped with designated eunuchs and palace maids. There was a head official, the Retreat Superintendent. This man, Wei Kaitai, led a group of young eunuchs to kowtow and perform the proper formalities. Once the etiquette was complete, the masters went to their respective sleeping quarters, and the guards to their designated housing. They were led away separately by the eunuchs.

More than half of the palace grounds in the retreat were in a state where one could not live in them, as they had previously been occupied by the High Emperor and his concubines. Even if those halls were left empty and locked, they were strictly off-limits. Direct-line princes staying occasionally were generally housed in the side halls along the East and West routes. Dingyi, tending to the Seventh Prince’s birds, followed him into the inner courtyard. She couldn't appreciate the beautiful flowers or scenery; the cold dampness that had been accumulating since they left the capital had formed a mountain within her, and this time, it erupted with unusual intensity, leaving her in such pain that she couldn't stand straight. She limped into the Seventh Prince’s Wende Hall. The Seventh Prince sat firmly upon the throne, took his lark, and began whistling to it, tweet-tweet.

Dingyi was covered in sweat from the pain and could barely hold on. She peeked at the Seventh Prince and whispered, "Master, you must be tired from the road. Perhaps you should rest for a while!"

The Seventh Prince hummed. "Not tired."

She was a bit disappointed. "Then... shouldn't you change your clothes? Look, your robe is soaked."

"Why are you so fussy? It’s just a little damp; it will dry on its own later." The Seventh Prince was not a man who paid much attention to appearance; his entire heart was focused on his hobbies, and he didn't mind if his own clothes were a bit dirty. He clicked his tongue. "Why do I feel the Feng’er’s plumage isn't as good as before? Don't just feed it fine grains; give it some coarse food as well. Later, tell the cook to make a plate of minced chicken and soy beans."

Dingyi hesitated. "Master, would you like to eat that?"

The Seventh Prince kept his eyes on the bird and only turned his head after hearing her words. "You’re the one who eats that! You have such a narrow perspective, you’re trying to skimp on my birds..." He looked at her face, which was pale as a ghost, and asked with surprise, "What’s wrong? Did you run into a ghost? Look at that complexion!"

She instinctively touched her face. "Replying to Master, I am not feeling very well."

The Seventh Prince studied her hunched posture and scoffed. "You kids have so many tricks. Upset stomach? You’re certainly delicate, even more temperamental than I am. Fine, go to your latrine. I’ll have someone send the birds to you later. Don't live too far away. Tell Wei Kaitai to vacate one of the rooms in the West Seven Chambers to settle you in, so I don't have the trouble of going back and forth to check on the birds."

She blushed, awkwardly acknowledged the order, and retreated out of the hall. Her calves were cramping, and she couldn't move a step. What should I do? I need to find a place to curl up quickly! She clutched her stomach and hobbled forward. A eunuch came up to lead the way and, seeing her, clicked his tongue. "What’s wrong? Stomachache? Should I call a physician?"

She shook her head. She couldn't see a doctor. It was nothing more than a blockage of cold and dampness, a weakness of qi and blood—this was a woman's pulse; if a doctor saw it, her secret would be revealed. She said, "Please, Anda, just arrange a room nearby for me. I am responsible for the Seventh Prince’s birds; I must be ready whenever the Seventh Prince calls."

The eunuch agreed and led her toward the side chamber. Opening the door, he said, "This was originally the quarters for the attendants of the Jiqing Palace. Later, when the Master and the consorts moved to the Forbidden City, half of the palace maids were released, and this room has been vacant ever since. You stay here. It’s not far from the Seventh Prince’s sleeping quarters; it’s convenient."

She thanked him and asked where the Twelfth Prince was staying. The young eunuch pointed westward. "Over there, at the Jisi Studio." He peered at her complexion again, hunched over. "Are you going to be alright? There is a chamber pot in the room. I’ll send a pot of tea over; a sip of hot tea will make you feel better." He spoke while backing out. After a few steps, he seemed to remember something, returned to the door, and leaned in. "Tell you what, I think it would be more effective to drink a few sips of wine. Do you drink? I have a jar of old lao (aged rice wine) at my place. I’ll send a pot over to you. Drink it to warm your body; perhaps you caught a chill on the road, and the wine will help force the cold out."

Dingyi thanked him quickly. "You are truly kind, Anda."

The eunuch said, "It’s nothing. Those of us here rarely see people from the capital, but a guest is a guest. Just don’t mind that the wine isn't fine quality; servants like us can't afford expensive spirits. It’s just a little something to help shake off the fatigue."

After some polite exchanges, Dingyi sent him off. Once she had tidied herself up, she crawled onto the kang and lay down. The climate was wrong, and it wasn't yet the season, so the kang was cold. When she stretched her feet out, the chill bit into her. She shivered and tried to curl herself into a ball. Life on the road was full of inconveniences; if she were back in Beijing, having a hot water bottle pressed against her stomach might have helped, but now, she had no choice but to bear it.

She sighed mournfully and pressed her hand against her lower abdomen. She had never experienced these waves of dragging pain before. Women always had such various taboos. She had always prided herself on being able to endure hardship, but now that she was truly ill, she realized she was helpless after all.

The eunuch returned a while later, carrying a copper tea pot, and poured the wine into the cups on the table. After heating, the aged rice wine gave off a steaming aroma that reminded her of the sweet rice wine she used to make in the summer.

"Come now, drink a cup. It cures illness if you’re sick, and strengthens you if you’re not." The eunuch laughed heartily—a sentiment only someone who truly loved wine would express. He brought the cup over and held it out. "This wine isn't very strong, just sweet. Don't worry about it; drink it in one gulp and lay your head down to sleep. Once you’ve slept, you’ll be all better. For those of us here, we treat it like a miracle medicine. If we catch a cold, we drink it; if we have a fever, we drink it; even if we have an upset stomach, we drink it—and it really does help. Say, you’re the Seventh Prince’s bird-handler? You look more like a guard..."

The wine was easy to drink. Dingyi took his advice and drained it cup after cup. After finishing, she wiped her mouth and laughed. "I am a guard who doubles as a bird-handler, holding two jobs in one. Thank you so much today. Once I’m better, I will certainly thank you properly."

The eunuch waved his hand. "Don't mention it. Life is hard for everyone; if we don't look out for each other, who else will? Anyway, I still have duties to attend to. I’ll be going now. Get some rest!"

Dingyi tapped the edge of the kang. "I cannot see you out. Safe travels."

The eunuch lowered his head and left. She laid back down. The wine entered her stomach and spread through her veins. She couldn't say if it was useful, but her body did feel a bit warmer. Dingyi had a nickname—"Half-a-Cup Down." She couldn't touch alcohol; one touch and she was drunk. But there was no other way, and the Seventh Prince knew she was ill, so it didn't matter if the alcohol went to her head. Without any hesitation, she drained the cup. With that, she was undoubtedly going to get drunk. Let me be drunk, as long as I feel comfortable; I can’t worry about anything else anymore.

She covered herself with the quilt and fell asleep the moment her head hit the pillow. As the intoxication hit her, her eyelids felt glued shut. Vaguely, she felt someone enter the room. She squinted through a crack in her eyes. The person was backlit, and because the weather was bad and the room was dark, she couldn't see clearly. She only saw a tall figure, posture upright, sitting on the edge of her kang.

"Who is it?" she mumbled in her sleep. Her whole body was weak, and even her tongue wouldn't obey her. The person didn't speak; he reached into her quilt. She pushed him away with a mutter, "What are you feeling around for?"

In truth, he wasn't feeling around blindly. He had simply found her hand, pulled it out, and placed three warm fingers on her wrist.

This man was taking her pulse. She didn't need it and struggled to pull back. Finally, he spoke, "Don't move."

Her mind was muddled, but she could tell it was the Twelfth Prince. At first, she was guarded, but realizing it was him, she relaxed. She rested her other arm across her forehead and murmured, "I’ve made you worry again. I’m fine, it’s just... I’m not well." Her voice choked slightly. "I’ve never... been well."

Hongce looked at her, saying nothing. His lineage came from the Retired Emperor, and his temperament was not much like his imperial father's, save for his obsession with medicine—a trait inherited from the Retired Emperor. The Retired Emperor had studied medicine to treat Crown Prince Dongli; he, himself, had done so for the sake of his own ears. Although he had exhausted every method to no avail, one thing had happened by coincidence: through long illness, one becomes a skilled physician. In treating common ailments, he was at least better than the street-corner quacks.

Men on the left, women on the right; men on the chi pulse, women on the cun pulse. The chi pulse was slightly slow—a pulse of deficiency and cold. After checking, he sat in silence, brow furrowed for a long time. Judging solely by the pulse, it would be reckless to declare whether this person was a man or a woman, but his doubts grew deeper and deeper, and he felt unable to restrain them.

The person on the kang had pulled the quilt high, covering everything below her lips. He thought for a moment and reached out to uncover her. The guard’s uniform had a false collar, stiffened with hard backing, commonly known as a "cow tongue." He stared at that dark-blue false collar for a long time. The boy was drunk; would it be taking advantage of him to do this? If he didn't remove the collar, he would remain in this state of ambiguity, and he wouldn't know how to treat him in the future.

He had never been this nervous, his heart pounding in his chest, unable to control himself. He only needed to undo the button to see the truth. An eighteen-year-old man, no matter how undeveloped, should have an Adam's apple. Usually, the high false collar obscured the entire neck. Now, as he lay flat, he didn't need much—just the slightest protrusion of the larynx would be enough.

He inhaled and exhaled deeply several times, his fingertips trembling slightly. He reached out, closer and closer. The person on the kang was restless, brow furrowed, cheeks flushed. Looking closely, he almost forgot his original purpose.

If it were a man, undoing the collar would be nothing; if it were a woman... He steeled his resolve. He would just give her an explanation later.

He gritted his teeth and reached out to touch the button, but before he could undo it, his hand was gripped. He was startled. The person on the kang had already woken up, staring at him with burning, emotionless eyes. Hongce felt instantly embarrassed, like a thief caught in the act. Just as he was considering what to say to cover his tracks, Mu Xiaoshu dragged his arm over, flipped it, and pressed the back of his hand against her scalding cheek.

"Oh, that feels so cool." She tilted her head, laughing foolishly. "Twelfth Prince, you’re here?" As she spoke, she made room for him and patted the edge of the kang. "Come, lie down and watch the stars."

Lie down and watch the stars? She must be quite drunk, so surely she would forget his actions just now? Hongce breathed a sigh of relief, only then realizing that the skin beneath his hand was smoother and more delicate than he had imagined. To remain so unblemished despite traveling and sleeping in the wilderness—how truly extraordinary! He didn't know what he was thinking; he rotated his wrist and let his fingertips fall onto her cheek, tracing it slowly, inch by inch. He lowered his voice: "I heard from my people that you were ill? How are you now? Are you feeling better?"

He hummed, turned his head, and rubbed against his hand like a cat. "Better, it doesn't hurt anymore. I drank a little wine given to me by an Anda here... it tastes quite good." She became drowsy again and pointed to the table. "See if there is any left. Pour me another cup, and let’s... cheers."

He smiled helplessly. Her reaction to alcohol was actually quite good; she wasn't making a drunken scene, only her mind was a bit confused. But she couldn't drink any more. He turned and called to Sha Tong outside, "Bring some hot tea..." He stopped, reconsidering, and added, "And boil two eggs, with plenty of brown sugar."

Sha Tong opened hismouth in surprise. It’s not like she’s in confinement after childbirth, why brown sugar poached eggs? His master truly didn't know how to care for people, but he didn't dare say a word. He answered "Yes" and went off to handle it efficiently.

Hongce turned back and said softly, "I’ve sent someone to take care of it, so just bear with it for now. No more wine; I don't want you drinking yourself into a fool."

She murmured an acknowledgment and sighed deeply. "When will we reach Changbai Mountain... The weather is bad, like a leaking roof, always raining. The schedule has been delayed."

She seemed particularly attentive to Changbai Mountain. Hongce tried to probe her further. "A delay is only half a month at most. Do you have acquaintances at Changbai Mountain? Why are you always thinking about going there?"

Her lips twitched, but she didn't speak. She closed her eyes, and tears began to stream down. This seemed to confirm his suspicions even more. Yet, who knew, she said slowly, "It’s not that. I’m just fed up with the jolting journey. If we reach Changbai Mountain sooner, we can head to Ningguta sooner. Once the official business is completed... we can go home, and I... I can go find my master."

What a child, he thought. Been away from home for so long and thinking about it every moment. He said, "I told you not to follow, but you insisted. Now do you know the severity of it?"

"The thoughts in my heart... there is no way to say them. To speak them is a sin." She swayed as she braced herself up, staring at him blankly for a long time. Her mouth slipped, and she cried again. She shook her head from side to side to show him, leaning her face forward. "Twelfth Prince, look at my face. Does it look like I belong to the bitter huanglian herb?" After she finished, she let out a few muffled sobs, plunged into his arms, and burrowed into his chest, mumbling words that he couldn't hear at all.