Love in Red Dust - Chapter 63
Chapter 63
The Empress and Hongce looked at each other. She was not particularly concerned with the Emperor's mood, knowing his flare-ups were fleeting and easily smoothed over with a few kind words. However, the girl Hongce spoke of piqued her curiosity, so she pointed to an armchair, signaling him to sit. "Sit down so we can talk properly."
The Twelfth Prince was a man of inner depth; for him to reach this point, he must have been pushed to the edge. In this day and age, it was rare to find someone so earnest. What good fortune for that girl to have met such a reliable man.
"Is everything you told the Emperor the truth?" The Empress smiled faintly. "There are some things you are holding back, am I right? Actually, I can tell that you truly care for her. The fact that she is missing and the Emperor is displeased is only because he worries for you; he feels his own brother has been mistreated and he is venting his frustration. As for love—who hasn't been young? It's inevitable when you encounter it; everyone knows that. Hiding isn't the solution. You must have her return and face the difficulties together, no matter how great they are. I don't believe there's no way to think of a solution. The Emperor has a good heart; don't let his stern face regarding politics fool you. He values relationships and hopes for his brothers to be happy. When all is said and done, she must come and show herself so everyone can see if she is a suitable match. Only then can I dare to be a matchmaker for you. Otherwise, as the Emperor said, if her character or disposition is lacking, no one would dare to facilitate this for you, would they?"
A cloud of sorrow gathered between Hongce's brows. He looked at the Empress, hesitant to speak. He knew she was the only one who could help him now, but he dared not take the risk. Hearts are veiled by skin, and no one knows the true thoughts of another. Subconsciously clenching his fist, he deliberated before saying, "She went missing in Ningguta. I mobilized troops and practically turned Heilongjiang upside down, but I couldn't find her. She is intentionally avoiding me; I know this in my heart. There are hidden details—forgive me for not being able to tell you at the moment, Your Majesty—but I can vouch for her character with my life. She has not the slightest trace of crookedness, and my Seventh Brother knows this as well."
The Empress did not get along with the Seventh Prince, and mentioning him made her uncomfortable. "What business does that muddy cat have in this? Does he know about this, too?"
Hongce replied, "Dingyi came out from under the tutelage of an executioner and became a bird-trainer at the Prince Xian estate, specifically tending to the Seventh Brother's thrushes. When the Seventh Brother went north, she followed along to serve the birds, and that is how we spent over half a year together. Just as you said, one can tell a person's worth from the subtle details. In my eyes, she is the best; her heart is upright and she is dignified. If not for the pressures of life, her spirit would be higher than anyone's. It is a pity that such a complete person fell into the mire. I had feelings for her then, and I never had the slightest disdain for her. I only worried that, with my poor hearing, I wouldn't be worthy of her. That is why I care for her so deeply and wish to spend a lifetime with her."
The Empress looked at the Twelfth Prince. Here was a man whose eyes turned red as he spoke—truly pitiful. Is there anything in the world more painful than being torn apart by life? There is not. Back when she wanted to separate from the Emperor, seeing him throw his imperial tantrums and act unreasonable, she had felt the same pain in her heart. Now it was the Twelfth Prince's turn. He had known bitterness in his youth, and now that he had finally found someone who understood him, everything was going wrong. His fate was truly tumultuous.
She sighed along with him. "Hearing you say this, I can taste a bit of the situation. Don't be anxious; find a way to search. The Shangqi Banner has so many servants; organize a human net and search everywhere. Once you find her, bring her back. What a small matter—to end up worlds apart! She is quite heartless. Sigh, I feel for you. No wonder you looked so haggard when you returned; it was all for this. I won't hide it from you—I had been eyeing a girl for you, someone of top-tier appearance and character. I had intended to play matchmaker, but since you already have someone, I won't mention it. Rest assured, for the sake of your devotion, I will smooth things over with the Emperor for you. Stay calm and have no worries; even if the marriage were to be assigned to the Seventh Prince, it will not be assigned to you. Keep the Fujin's position reserved for Dingyi. When she returns and sees how valued she is, she won't leave again."
Hongce felt settled in his heart and bowed deeply to her. "Your Majesty is righteous. Since returning from Khalkha, I haven't entered the palace often, and I haven't interacted much with you. Today, for your assistance, I will engrave this in my heart."
The Empress smiled magnanimously. "People of different temperaments have different understandings. You say I am good, but the Seventh Prince is not. I don't know where I offended him, but I never hear a fair word from his mouth. You went to Ningguta with him; did he cause any trouble on the journey? Did he encounter anyone and make any solemn vows?"
Hongce was a bit embarrassed, stammering before he said, "The Seventh Brother also has feelings for Dingyi..."
"That is perfect." The Empress curled her lips triumphantly and drew out her words. "What to do? The eldest daughter of the Khorchin Prince Hurebatu is eighteen, the age for marriage. She is a beautiful girl, open and bright, only her temper is a bit poor. She is a Mongol, bold and unrestrained—the people in the Imperial Clan are afraid they can't control her, so the girl remains unmarried to this day. I think it would be excellent to assign her to the Seventh Prince. They are well-matched in status; it is simply too perfect!" The more she spoke, the happier she became, and she hurried off to take care of it. She stood up and smiled at Hongce. "Twelfth Prince, go back now. As long as there is no word from the Garden, I will handle things in the palace. There won't be any trouble."
Hongce acknowledged this and exited the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Once outside the palace, his heart felt lighter. He could bluff for a while; as long as the Retired Emperor and his mother did not intervene, things would not be too bad.
He looked up at the sky. It was just past 8:00 AM, and the sun shining on him felt warm. The early morning mist had not yet dispersed; in the distance, the city walls were hidden in the haze, and it was cool beneath the eaves. People walking their birds held their cages, hands on their hips, pacing in square steps. As the wind blew, the corners of their robes swept over the lotus-flower bases of the bridge, scraping away the light frost on the surface.
Guan Zhaojing was waiting outside the West Flower Gate. Seeing his master come out, he hurried forward to greet him. A small, green-cloth sedan chair stopped ten paces away. He bowed and said, "Master, you only returned to the mansion in the middle of the night and were back on duty early this morning; you are truly exhausted. Please, quickly board the chair. This servant has prepared tea and refreshments for you; please have some inside. The Deputy Lieutenant-General of Ningguta, Dao Qin, has already been detained by the Censorate. You need not concern yourself with the follow-up matters; those Grand Council officials can handle it. You should just rest well, sleep for three days and three nights, and once you have recovered your spirit, we can plan for what comes next."
Guan Zhaojing was the manager of the Prince Chun mansion and had to take care of everything from domestic affairs to his master's daily life and moods. After Sha Tong returned and told him everything in detail, he had been left reeling. Who could have imagined it? That Mu Xiaoshu was actually a woman! Back then, when her senior brother stole the Seventh Prince's dog, she had stood despondently under the shadows of the lights outside the gate of Houhai's north bank, waiting to be announced—such a small figure, trembling and looking pitiful. In the end, a girl is a girl; she was beautiful and clever, and their master had developed feelings while helping her. It was as if he owed her from a past life: first saving her life along the way, and later paying her debt of longing with his own heart. It was truly destiny.
However, knowing this, he dared not speak too much. This matter was like a tumor that could not be touched; touching it would cause bleeding. The Twelfth Prince was now gritting his teeth, holding on; the sorrow in his heart was so overwhelming that everyone gave him a ten-foot berth, neither mentioning nor asking about it. When the Twelfth Prince could face it one day, this pain would heal.
But for one to be yearning for the other, while the other was nowhere to be found—this kind of torture was truly unbearable. The Twelfth Prince was also a man; no matter how strong he pretended to be, he could not fool himself in the end.
He did not board the sedan chair but walked slowly along the Tongzi River with his hands behind his back, muttering as he went, "Tomorrow is the ninth day of the ninth month..."
Guan Zhaojing quickly answered in the affirmative, following closely behind and feigning a relaxed tone. "Tomorrow is your birthday, Master. This servant has ordered a banquet. Our mansion's opera stage hasn't been used since it was built. A while ago, two merchants from outside brought a few Goryeo beauties to the capital and sold them into the Powder Alley. I heard those women can dance the Hu Teng dance..." He held his hands up like the flying Apsaras in the Dunhuang murals, gesturing left and right. "Like the Su Mu Zhe or the Ta Niang Yao—they dance beautifully. This servant will bring them into the mansion to dance and relieve your boredom, Master."
Hongce shook his head. A piece of his heart was missing, and he had long lost the ability to appreciate beauty. He felt listless in life. He used to be completely devoted to his duties, busy with this and that, reading and practicing calligraphy in his spare time; his days were stable and orderly. Now, he had no interest in doing anything. In his heart, he knew that if the Wen Lu case were cleared up, perhaps Dingyi would return, but he lacked the perseverance and endurance for it. Whenever he calmed down, his mind felt as if it were about to explode. Sometimes, facing the wind, tears would flow involuntarily... He did not know how much longer he could hold on; it seemed he no longer had a desire to live.
People came and went on the street. During the early morning market, the steamed bun shops on both sides emitted a sweet, cloying fragrance. The steamer baskets were stacked high, filled with white steam at every joint. When a customer arrived, the baskets were lifted, revealing smooth, knife-cut steamed buns, each sprinkled with red and green threads—once steamed, the colors blurred, possessing a plain, living taste.
He dismissed the sedan chair and wandered slowly along the road. He couldn't care less that his Prince's court attire was out of place with the surroundings, simply continuing aimlessly. He did not know how long he had walked, but when he looked up, he found he had reached the outside of the Shuntian Prefecture. The people of the Shuntian Prefecture all recognized him. The yamen runners at the gate scrambled out to greet him, bending their knees. "Greetings, Prince! Please come inside; I will go report to our Magistrate immediately."
Report what? He said it was unnecessary. "I was just strolling about and happened to arrive here." He turned and slowly walked toward the other end, leaving the runner confused.
He hadn't walked many steps when he met Wu Changeng, Dingyi's master—the one he had promised to take care of before leaving. He stood still and called out, "Master Wu."
Wu Changeng said nothing and performed a bow.
Seeing him evoked an even greater longing for Dingyi. He changed to a gentle tone: "How is your household, Master Wu? If there is anything you are struggling with, do not hesitate to come to the Prince Chun mansion at Houhai; I will do my utmost to help."
Wu Changeng looked at him and lowered his eyelids again. He understood in his heart—this must have been entrusted by his little apprentice. When Xiao Shu went to Ningguta, he knew it was to find her brother. He had thought she was clever and would find a way to bring her brother back to the capital, but he hadn't expected her to end up on the run for her life.
They say one's own flesh is what one cherishes most. Xiao Shu had been by his side since she was ten, and he had raised her, teaching her hand-in-hand how to stand in this world; his own children were no more to him than she was. He had poured his heart and soul into her, but it was a pity she was lost. The pain in his heart could not be described.
He had just returned from the Seventh Prince's mansion and met the Seventh Prince; only upon inquiring did he learn her identity as a girl had been exposed. Not only that, but from the Seventh Prince's words, he caught a hint of the truth: she had entanglements with two Princes—what a situation! Now, looking at the Twelfth Prince—such a pillar-like figure—his expression was still controlled, though his complexion was poor and his spirit lacking. He must have been devastated. Based on his understanding of Xiao Shu, if she really had to choose between the two Princes, the Twelfth Prince would surely have the advantage; seeing him like this made his heart ache.
"Many thanks, Twelfth Prince. My hands and feet can still move, and I can manage for now." He hung his head and sighed. "It's just my Xiao Shu... Twelfth Prince, do you have any news of her?"
Hongce shook his head slowly. "I am searching with all my might, but..."
Wu Changeng scrutinized the Prince for a moment and tentatively asked, "Is the Prince's relationship with our Xiao Shu deep?"
He did not mince words, speaking directly. "She is my Fujin."
At this, Wu Changeng was a bit stunned. How did she suddenly become his Fujin? If they were truly husband and wife, what couldn't be discussed? Why did she run? The Twelfth Prince pitied her and gave her a home—what a wonderful thing! She had roots now and didn't need to wander anymore. But she was stubborn; abandoning it meant she was caught in a dilemma of the heart. Between her brother and her man, she had ultimately chosen the former. One couldn't judge if she was right or wrong in doing so, but he felt she was too bitter. As a master, he hoped she would live in peace; being with her brother provided familial love, but hiding and dodging, unable to see the light—even that was far from ideal.
He frowned and pondered. "I have two things to say; the Twelfth Prince, please see if they make sense."
Hongce nodded. "Please speak, Master Wu."
Wu Changeng said, "Xiao Shu is a bitter child. Since she was with the Twelfth Prince, leaving you was not her own wish. The Twelfth Prince is the kindest of men and knows her hidden burdens. Your current obstacle lies not in anything else, but in her brother. There is no national enmity, but their family resentment is overflowing; that is the hardest thing to handle. You must appease him and let him feel safe in entrusting his sister to you... Twelfth Prince, where have you been searching?"
Only then did Hongce realize this master knew Dingyi's background thoroughly; he respected him even more and hurriedly said, "For the first few months, I was in Heilongjiang and Jilin Ula. After returning to the capital, I sent people to investigate in the south."
Wu Changeng licked his lips and asked, "How about Shanxi? Have you been there? The old Wen family home is in Datong, and that is where their roots are. Perhaps she went there."
It was as if he had been enlightened; Hongce woke up with a start. He was truly foolish; he had thought of so many places, but he had missed Datong. His face flushed with excitement as he grabbed Wu Changeng's arm and shook it. "Master Wu, thank you! How could I not have thought of it? I am going to Datong now! I am going!"
All pride and composure were gone; he was just a man anxious to find his wife. The Prince Chun strode away. Wu Changeng stood with his hands behind his back, watching him leave. Just as he was sighing in his heart, Xia Zhi slipped over from the side and asked gloomily, "Master, you knew Xiao Shu was a girl long ago?"
He hummed. "I knew eight years ago."
"Am I not your apprentice? You have hidden it from me for all these years! I am a bachelor—did you ever think of me?" Xia Zhi said with a mournful face. "You would rather send her to those neurotic Princes than give her to your apprentice; is this how you cherish me? If I had been nicer to Xiao Shu, would she have been able to fancy someone else? Would she have been able to get lost alone? Childhood sweethearts, two innocents—how rare! Now it's all wasted!"
He spoke until he was almost shedding tears. Wu Changeng dealt him a fierce rap on the head with his knuckles. "What are you thinking? A toad dreaming of a swan's meat—you'd better give up that heart early!”