Love in Red Dust - Chapter 55

Chapter 55

Dingyi let out a long sigh. "It's finally done. I don't think Solongtu is much of a threat, but that Master Yue is not easy to handle."

"You noticed that, did you?" He smiled as he adjusted his robes and walked into the room. "Yue Kundu keeps a sharp eye and ear on everything. After spending so long in the trade, he's just like what we call a 'Beijing slicker'—his heart is full of tricks, fine as a sieve, and he’s the one who runs the human market here in Suifen. Pushing Solongtu to the front this time was just because he couldn't figure out who we were, so he used the other man's influence to market his own goods. Did you really think Solongtu had the resources to produce a hundred able-bodied men all at once? He’s just a front for Yue Kundu! Solongtu only accounts for three-tenths of the deal, while Yue holds seven-tenths. I’d figured that out long ago."

"Then this Yue Kundu is truly composed. He stands on the sidelines for such a big deal and lets someone else take the fall; isn't he afraid of things going wrong?" She tilted her head and pondered. "Besides, since he couldn't figure out who we are, he should have been more cautious. In their line of work, one’s success doesn't necessarily mean everyone thrives, but one’s ruin definitely affects everyone. Is it worth taking such a big risk for a thousand taels of silver?"

Hongce nodded. "Everyone needs to be extra careful. It’s better to be safe than sorry; if they decide to cause trouble at the last minute, things will get messy."

Dingyi sat in the circular chair, full of reflection. "I remember the last time the Seventh Prince paid for those birds and training sticks, he spent three thousand taels on three little toys. Look at this comparison: a person isn't even worth as much as a mule. Young men in the prime of their lives, standing tall and strong, worth only ten taels of silver. Thinking about it, it really makes one sigh."

Hongce said, "Ningguta lacks many things, but it never lacks slaves. Criminals from all over who committed major offenses are exiled here. Some are not just punished personally; their entire families are implicated, and a single demotion wipes out a whole clan. The managers of the imperial estates and the armored soldiers aren't stupid either. They pick out young women and... well, they intermarry, have children. Once the children are born, they remain slaves, just like the household servants of the Banners, passed down generation after generation."

"Can they have families too? Household servants can have their own independent homes; that’s not bad."

He laughed. "Where would there be such a good deal? Slaves are registered as criminals, while household servants are commoners, which is why they can enter government service. These female slaves are locked in one place once they are pregnant. After giving birth, they raise the children alone; they can hardly ever see the fathers. The next year, they are paired off again, get pregnant again, and it just goes on and on like that."

How is that any different from breeding livestock? Dingyi stared blankly for a moment, then sighed, "My wet nurse was truly kind. When I return, I must go to her grave and kowtow a few more times. If it weren't for her, my situation right now would be no different from theirs, and I never would have met you."

As they were talking, Hagang walked in from outside and bowed. "Reporting to the Master, this servant has confirmed the location where the Aha are being hidden. That place was originally a garrison camp, but after the court changed the system and the Meiren Zhangjing led his troops to Jilin Ula, the barracks were left empty. However, there is one thing this servant doesn't understand. As cautious as Yue Kundu is, he was far too careless this time. Although he didn't let us see him pick the people, when he went back just now, he spoke quite clearly outside the shed. The Aha were all trafficked out of the Ningguta garrison; there are not only exiles but also active soldiers sent for military service."

This was unexpected. Hongce was stunned. "There are even soldiers? That is far too bold."

Hagang replied that it was true. "Those sent for military service aren't really treated as proper soldiers in the camp; they are bullied to death by the veterans. Most of their families are powerless; who could plead their case? Those with softer temperaments are trafficked and don't dare to resist, while those with stronger wills have their tongues cut out so they can't talk. They work like mutes, and the price they fetch is no lower than those who are whole and healthy. Whether the one surnamed Yue was negligent or did it on purpose, it’s hard to say, but he dragged Solongtu into this mess—what exactly is his goal?"

Hongce stood up and paced the room. "Since that's the case, we'll have to wait and see if he is friend or foe. Keep watching them for the next two days..." He looked down, fiddling with the jade longevity pendant at his waist, and muttered to himself, "The matter is probably not that simple. Not a single person in Suifen can tell us where someone like Yue Kundu came from. Did he fall from the sky? Impossible! Looking at his features, his build, and his style of acting, he’s more like someone from the Central Plains. You go and investigate; find out his background bit by bit. Perhaps there is some grand figure hidden behind him, who knows?"

Hagang took the order and left. Hongce turned to look at Dingyi, and seeing her looking worried, he comforted her, "It’s not such a dire matter. Give me a smile."

They stood face-to-face, and he reached out to shake her arm. She was a bit distracted, saying that there was something wrong with that Yue Kundu, though she couldn't quite put her finger on it. She was inexplicably worried and whispered, "That Yue fellow hit on me earlier; he spoke in such a weird, cryptic way. I just get the feeling he’s deep and dangerous. You have to be careful when dealing with him; don't let him outsmart you."

He raised an eyebrow. "What did he say to you? Did he take advantage of you?"

This man had become so petty; he could connect anything to this. She said no. "He didn't know I was a girl, so how could he take advantage of me? Actually, he didn't say much—just kept trying to fish for information, asking how old I was, where I was from, that sort of thing."

He hummed, his voice calm. "Daiqin has gone back to Ningguta to mobilize troops. Once we catch them all, whether he is a Buddha or a demon, I won't have to worry about him not confessing when he’s in my hands."

She looked at him blankly. "Beat him? Beat him until he talks?"

He gave her a sidelong glance. "That is one way. It was like that in Khalkha. The people there are fierce and hard to deal with. If you ask them questions nicely, they won't even look you in the eye. I was hot-headed back then and didn't have the patience I have now; if I couldn't get the truth, I used torture. It’s not about being impatient—some people are just stubborn, and you have to wear them down like that."

That was why she felt she didn't truly know him. He had been sent to Mongolia as a child and returned ten years later to be enfeoffed as a Prince; there was no way he was a person one could see through at a glance. No matter how amiable he appeared on the surface, he always had his own calculations in his heart. He was merely kind, not a pushover. Sometimes, when facing him, he felt distant and unreal, because she could see the surface but not the depths of his heart.

Seeing her distracted, he wore a smile once again and shook her gently. "What’s wrong? Did I scare you?"

She shook her head. "No, just worried."

He laughed. "That’s how you women are, which is why men don't dare to tell the truth at home when they run into trouble outside. A loss the size of a sesame seed becomes a hole the size of a fist by the time it reaches your ears. I know what I'm doing; I’ve handled many cases. There are procedures for handling affairs in officialdom; I’m not fighting a tiger with my bare fists alone, and there are many others sharing the burden."

She remembered the Seventh Prince, whom they had left behind in Ningguta, and teased him, "Are you talking about the Seventh Prince?"

He laughed in spite of himself. "The Seventh Prince? I suppose so. If I earn glory here, I’ll share half with him; if there’s a slip-up, he has to share the responsibility."

She couldn't imagine the Seventh Prince’s current situation and cringed, murmuring, "If I snuck out like this, will he break my legs when I go back? The Seventh Prince already hates me to the core; it would be strange if he didn't punish me."

He didn't say anything, turning instead to look at the wick of the lamp. It had been burning for a long time, and a flat little ball of soot had gathered on top, flickering on and off, shaped like a tiny fungus. The flame was jumping wildly, so he picked up the scissors and snipped it off. The weak little flame perched on the tip of the blade, gradually cooling down until it became a black carcass. He flicked his hand and threw the charred bit far away, then turned to put the scissors back, saying casually, "If he really hated you to the core, he’d revoke your registration. He doesn't want your Banner, but I’m craving it."

He had his considerations. Dingyi felt she was sometimes doing things unnecessarily; since her heart was with the Twelfth Prince and he was highly capable, he would never let her suffer.

A cry came from the waiter outside, saying the food was prepared and asking if the masters wanted it delivered to the room or if they would dine casually in the main hall. Dingyi listened to him; he replied lazily, "There are too many people in the hall, and it's too noisy to eat comfortably. Tell them to bring it in. After we finish this meal, I’ll turn in early—I’m tired."

After he finished speaking, he cast a lingering, fluttery look at her—a gaze that held a thousand turns, wanting to speak yet hesitant. Dingyi felt a fiery heat burning on her face and hurriedly turned to instruct the waiter according to his wishes. After passing the message, she stood before the door at a loss. He pursed his lips and smiled, asking her gently if she was tired. Seeing her dazed expression, he sighed, "You are still afraid of me. You don't truly like me."

She quickly said that wasn't true and smiled bashfully. "That’s such a distant thing to say; wouldn't I know in my own heart who I like?"

"Then do you like me or not?" He leaned in, his handsome face magnified, the bright candlelight of the desk reflected in his eyes. He took her hand and asked her again and again, "Do you like me? Hmm? Do you like me, really?"

Dingyi was pestered by him to the point of desperation. She covered her face and said, "Isn't that a question I should be asking you? What kind of man chases after someone and demands to know if they like him?"

She covered her face well; her two palms hid her entire face, leaving only her bright red lips exposed between the heels of her hands. A flicker of impulse moved him, and he leaned in to plant a kiss, endlessly entangling her. "Then you ask me, why have you never asked me?"

"If you have that feeling, do you need to be asked? Can't you say it yourself?" She turned away, her heart beating like a drum. This question had actually troubled her for a long time; she just couldn't bring herself to say it. When someone is tucked away in one’s heart, there’s no need to keep chanting their name. If you chant it too much, it becomes a habit, and the weight of that emotion fades. So, she preferred he keep it hidden—the longer it remained hidden, the more precious it was.

He found it amusing. All the childish and ridiculous things he had done over these past few days—fighting with Old Seven, sneaking around behind his back—all the foolish things he had done in his life didn't add up to what he’d done in this short period. How else was he to express it? He had practically ripped his heart out for her. He was relatively restrained compared to his brothers; his judgment of liking or hating someone wasn't decided overnight. It wasn't his habit to say "I love you" blindly, but once he made an active show of it, it meant he had made up his mind and would not easily change. However, she wasn't him; the time they had known each other wasn't short, but it wasn't long, either, and she still had her worries.

He was organizing his language, wanting to tell her just how much he liked her, when, as luck would have it, the waiter delivered the food. Three or four people filed in, carrying the "Eight Great Halal Bowls." Looking over, there was braised goat meat, red-braised yak meat—all local dishes of the Hui people in this region.

Dingyi saw the table spread with such a lavish feast and clapped her hands. "The people here really know how to eat! Making such an effort on the twenty-ninth day of the twelfth month—what will we be eating on New Year's Eve?"

Just as they were about to be seated, the waiters brought in wine pots and cups, setting them down one by one—three cups and three pairs of chopsticks. Dingyi was puzzled. Hagang and the others had all been sent out, so why was there an extra portion? Just as she was about to ask, a pair of long legs stepped in from outside. Draped in a sable-fur cloak, the embroidered gold and silver silk trim on his four-slit robe shining brightly, she looked up and saw it was the Seventh Prince!

Both of them were stunned. Why was he here? The Twelfth Prince could only feel helpless. He had been busy working since he started digging for intel at the human market; just when it was time to close the net, this unruly fellow appeared. Saying he was a man of good fortune was no lie.

The Seventh Prince untied his treasure-encrusted cloak collar and swept a lofty glance over them. "Wonderful. You came here for high-class fun, leaving me all alone in Ningguta to dig up dead people. Old Twelve, you’re quite the schemer."

Hongce despised him, and he didn't care to hide it on his face. He had always been unable to stand the man’s frivolous manner, and now that he was nudging his way in to find trouble, who could he blame?

He pointed to the seat opposite. "Since you’re here, Seventh Brother, sit! I can’t claim the 'high fun'—I’m here handling a case, not idling about sightseeing."

"Then why do it behind my back?" He glanced at Mu Xiaoshu and pointed his finger. "And you snatched my people, running off secretly before dawn. Anyone who didn't know better would think you two were eloping!" Seeing her standing there like a fool, his anger flared. "Sit down, you ingrate! Is standing there fun? If my people hadn't discovered that Lu Yuan had received orders to mobilize troops, I wouldn't have known the Prince of Heshuo had run off to Suifen... And I ask you, do you feel even a sliver of guilt toward me? I’ve treated you so well!"

Dingyi had nothing to say and nodded like she was pounding garlic. "This servant is sorry, Master; I have no face to see you."

What did that mean? Not even a hint of repentance? The Seventh Prince stared, ignored her, and turned to ask Old Twelve, "So, how is it? Any leads on the case?"

Hongce temporarily pushed aside their personal grievances and recounted the sequence of events from beginning to end, including the news Hagang had brought back. The Seventh Prince sipped his wine and said, "You should investigate this person's background. He doesn't look like an enemy; he might be someone else's man, placed in the human market to feed back information."

Hongce agreed. "I’ve already sent people to watch him. If he’s one of our own, I won't wrong him. I’m just afraid he’s a professional putting on a show; those who deal in this trade have more schemes than you can imagine!"

The Seventh Prince hummed. "Just like you? Looking like such a respectable man, but constantly doing things that don't add up?"

Who was he talking about? Hongce choked on his breath; he felt both angry and amused. When it came to being unreliable, who could compare to him? This master was something else; he started throwing heavy accusations the moment he opened his mouth. Hongce gave a helpless look and poured him a cup of wine. After thinking it over, some things needed to be reiterated, so he said patiently, "Seventh Brother is a man of sense. Sometimes, taking a step back is the grace of a gentleman. Knowing something is impossible yet still drilling into a dead end—isn't that the height of foolishness?"

"Don't throw those Eight-legged essays at me." The Seventh Prince replied quite boldly, then turned to Xiao Shu. "Shu'er, eat quickly. Once you’re full, go back to your room. You’re a grown Prince; if there’s no spare room, find a way. You took three rooms just like that—who are you trying to fool? Our Shu'er is simple-minded; don't bully her because she’s honest. A grown man and a young lady squeezing onto one kang—what are you trying to do? If I hadn't come today, would you have... ah?"

Dingyi wanted to dig a hole and bury her head. It was originally an affair that stirred the imagination, but in the Seventh Prince's mouth, it had become this.

Hongce was also flushed red with rage by him. "Seventh Brother, these words..."

The Seventh Prince held out his hand. "I’m speaking human words; I trust you aren't incapable of understanding them. Don't be embarrassed if I’m right, and don't take offense if I’m wrong. Men and women are different; one must avoid suspicion when it's called for. You’ve read the classics of Confucius and Mencius for so many years—don't you know this principle? You were almost a sinner! It was I who saved you from the depths of fire and water. Don't thank me, it’s only right—who else but brothers to look out for each other?"

He was a man who twisted arguments beyond reason. Hongce felt an ache of frustration in his chest. Seeing Dingyi silently picking at her food and not eating much, he realized they were both being put in an impossible position by the man. He wanted to retort, but was afraid of making her even more embarrassed, so he ultimately held back.

Dingyi couldn't stay any longer and finished her meal quickly. In truth, she was also angry. How many times had it been? Every time she and the Twelfth Prince had a moment of romance, the Seventh Prince would run over to spoil it. This wasn't liking her; it was clearly a vendetta against her. She didn't want to deal with him, wiped her mouth, and stood up, glaring at the Seventh Prince. The Seventh Prince shrank back a little. "What are you doing? Thinking of eating me? Your rebellion has reached the heavens!"

She ignored that and asked, "How many rooms did you reserve?"

He said, "I kicked someone out and got a single room. Don't worry about me; I’m fine. I’ll swap with you—tonight, I’m sleeping with Old Twelve."

The Twelfth Prince’s mouth twitched. "The kang is small."

"No matter, I have a good sleeping posture." The Seventh Prince smiled, his tone very soft. "Shu'er, are you tired from getting up so early? Get a basin of hot water to wash up, rest early, and be a good girl."

Dingyi felt a mountain of anger rising. She shouted in a low voice, "I love the Twelfth Prince!" Then she turned and stormed out.

The Seventh Prince was stunned, unable to collect his thoughts for a long time. When he finally sorted it out, he almost fell over. "That shameless girl, daring to give me attitude? I’ve pampered her too much, and now she’s so arrogant she doesn't know the height of the sky or the depth of the earth..." He turned to look atOld Twelve, whose face was filled with delight, holding his wine cup in a way that was incredibly infuriating. The Seventh Prince felt even worse. "It’s all crazy talk! She caught a cold on the road and her brain is feverish. Later, I’ll have a doctor prescribe two doses of medicine, and after drinking them for two days, she’ll be fine. 'Love the Twelfth Prince, love the Twelfth Prince'... is that something a young lady should say? A mere child—what does she know about love!"

Dingyi wasn't actually far away. Ignoring the stunned looks of the Seventh Prince’s guards, she pressed her ear against the curtain to eavesdrop. She heard the Twelfth Prince say, "Seventh Brother, let's make a deal!"

The Seventh Prince was annoyed, but still gave him some face. "Speak."

"How many consorts do you have in your manor?"

"One side consort, three secondary consorts." The Seventh Prince said, "Why are you asking about this?"

The Twelfth Prince adopted a more earnest tone. "Seventh Brother, can't you show some pity for your brother? Your brother is twenty-four years old this New Year, and there isn't even a mistress in my manor. Can you just watch me live such a lonely life? You already have four consorts; one more or one less doesn't make a difference. What’s wrong with letting your brother have her? Xiao Shu has had a hard life; I want to treat her well. There are no other women in the Prince of Chun’s manor, so she won't be bullied if she enters the door. You already have four there, each acting as a queen of their own territory—it’s not good to divide the territory, so why invite internal strife?"

The Seventh Prince seemed to seriously consider it. After a long pause, he said, "I’ll set her up in a house outside; there won't be any trouble."

The Twelfth Prince put down his wine cup with a clatter. "You are trying to fight me just to make her a concubine outside the manor? How is she worse than anyone in your manor that she must be hidden away?"

The Seventh Prince seemed to have never thought about this question. "Then what? Her background is what it is; it probably wouldn't be easy for her to enter the manor openly..."

The Twelfth Prince sneered: "If you truly loved her, there wouldn't be so many taboos. I won't say much else, but there is one thing I hope Seventh Brother understands: if I am to welcome her, it must be with an eight-bearer sedan chair entering the manor through the main gate. If Seventh Brother can promise her the position of Primary Consort, then come and compete with me. When the time comes, we shall rely on our own skills. Even if I lose, I will lose with conviction. If you are just acting on a whim, brother, I advise you to think thrice. If you try every possible means to snatch a woman away only to dismiss her with the position of a concubine, I will take it as you intentionally targeting me. Should our bond as brothers grow distant and hurt our affections, that would be for the worst."

Dingyi’s nose ached as she listened from outside. The Twelfth Prince had his reasons for doing this; as long as the Seventh Prince nodded, regardless of who won or lost, her position as Primary Consort would be secure. But what was her background? To force such a thing was merely an inappropriate fantasy. She appreciated his sentiment—as she had said earlier, she would be willing to follow him even without a name or status, because she cherished the man himself. He was truly good to her.

She had fully expected the Seventh Prince to have no words left, because knowing that backing down was the wise choice since he couldn't afford the base price. Who would have thought he wouldn't? The Seventh Prince was just that unconventional. He slapped his chest and said, "If you dare to offer that price, how do you know I can't? It’s a deal! Both of us promise her the position of Primary Consort. Whoever goes back on their word is a turtle and a bastard!"

Dingyi was startled into a cold sweat. She took two steps back and sat down hard on the ground.