Love in Red Dust - Chapter 67

Chapter 67

Keeping birds was Dingyi’s old specialty, and the dozen or so homing pigeons in the north room had become her best pastime. Playing with birds as a noble was quite different from the common folk. When raising pigeons, there were strictly defined ranks and categories. Pigeons like those with large noses and grey plumage were considered worthless, and serious enthusiasts wouldn't bother with them. If one were to keep them, they had to be "Purple Rings," "Ink Rings," or "Tiger Caps"—these had market value, and if trained well, they could perform a "flying disc." A flying disc was a spectacle where a flock would take flight and, in mid-air, form a seamless, rotating circle. It was a sight pigeon-fanciers loved to behold.

The Twelfth Prince kept "Short-beaked Crests" that only ate sorghum seeds. Because their beaks were small and couldn't open wide, one had to feed them grain by grain, which was incredibly tedious. However, there were rewards. Take today, for instance: after being gone for an hour, the flock brought back two new faces—likely pigeons from another group that had lost their way and were lured in by mistake.

Dingyi was so happy she rubbed her hands together. There was a rule in pigeon keeping: if a bird got lost, the original owner wouldn't come looking for it, and once it arrived at your home, it belonged to you. She brought the Twelfth Prince to see them. "Later, we'll bind their wings and feed them for two days, and they'll be tame. I’ve checked, and they’re both males. Once they recognize this place as home and find mates, they’ll settle down."

The Twelfth Prince nodded from the side. "They say the males are fools. Our flock has more females; once they start pining for a mate, they forget their old home entirely, just like people."

She looked back at him and smiled. "Are you talking about yourself? Men reach a marrying age, and people are just the same as birds. Who doesn't want a home? A big mansion alone doesn't make a home; there must be someone holding the fort inside, someone waiting for you to return—that is what makes it a home."

He pinched her cheek. "You certainly have a lot to say for yourself now. But people are smarter than pigeons. Men trick their wives and eventually bring them home to live out their lives. Pigeons are different; the impatient ones just become live-in sons-in-law."

"Isn't that just because they see others in pairs and get anxious themselves?" She reached into the cage, pulled out a bird, and used a string to bind its wings. Unable to spread their feathers, the birds couldn't fly and could only wander the courtyard to familiarize themselves with the surroundings. She clapped her hands in satisfaction. "Lay eggs soon! It will be so much fun when the chicks hatch!"

The two male pigeons seemed to understand human speech; they cooed and immediately began chasing the females. Perhaps they had met in the sky before and had already developed feelings! The birds were incredibly focused—there was no aimless wandering; they pursued only those two females. The hens didn't pay them much mind, yet the males kept nodding at them—a gesture of courtship that looked particularly comical.

Hongce hugged her from behind, rested his chin on her shoulder, and sighed melancholily, "Those males are a bit like me. Until I have my wife in my grasp, I'm so anxious I could tear my ears off."

"How shameless!" She laughed and pushed him away. "I’ve never given you a cold shoulder. The moment I call out 'Dingyi'—'Here!'—you come running back in a flash."

"But I haven’t spared any effort, either, making lanterns and the like. That was the most uncharacteristic thing I’ve ever done in my life." He thought about it and laughed at himself. "Who hasn't been young and wild? Setting off lanterns with you in the heavy snow is a memory I'll treasure even in old age. I keep thinking, we need to marry soon, we need a child soon. Living like this indefinitely won't work; I’ll end up making myself sick with the frustration."

At first, she didn't grasp his meaning, but when she did, her cheeks turned deep red. She stammered, "Isn't that... isn't that your decision? I listen to you..."

Seeing her like this only made him more restless. He was in a state where he could be set off by a mere spark. He hurriedly turned his face away, wanting to say something, but just then, he saw that the two male pigeons had succeeded. The hens were willing to face them, and they were cozy and intimate, even touching beaks.

He found it marvelous. "They’re just like people!"

Dingyi looked back and happened to see the male pigeon acting like a rascal, flapping his wings and mounting the female. Both were greatly surprised, and once the surprise passed, only embarrassment remained. She muttered quietly, "Shameless creatures, don't even know to find a private place..." Then, he pulled her into the room and slammed the door shut with a loud bang.

She batted her eyelashes and said coyly, "What are you doing? We can talk things over."

He pinned her against the wall, his breathing a bit hurried. "Tomorrow is the Beginning of Winter..."

That was a random comment, but she still nodded. "Mm, tomorrow we should offer sacrifices to the ancestors. I wonder if the Seventh Prince’s two birds are doing well? I haven’t seen the Seventh Prince in a long time; what is he busy with now?"

He lowered his head to sniff the fragrance at her neck—the scent was sweet and heady, leaving her dazed and unable to find north. He spoke casually, "The Empress assigned him a Mongolian princess who loves to fight. He’s probably busy trying to find a way to deal with her!" He shook her slightly, somewhat displeased. "Why bring him up? From now on, when I'm around, you are not allowed to mention him. I have a good temper, but even I can get jealous."

She was shaken like a willow branch in the wind, covering her mouth to hide her smile, her eyes curving into crescents.

He leaned over to kiss her earlobe and whispered cloyingly, "I’m returning to the capital tomorrow. Hongzan couldn't keep his cool and exposed his flaws, so I’ve finally managed to grab a handle on him. Following that thread, the case has made significant progress. But what will you do when I leave? If only you could return with me—knowing you are by my side makes me energized for anything. Leaving you here all alone, how can I be at peace?"

She played with the perfume sachet at his waist, puffing out her cheeks. "I wanted to go with you, too, but I can't bring myself to say it in front of Rujian. You go handle your business; I will stay here and wait for your good news."

He replied helplessly, "Then I will leave two men behind to watch over you nearby. If anything happens, just give them orders... and please don't run away secretly again. If Rujian dares to do that one more time, once I catch him, he’s going to be in for a rude awakening."

After all that posturing, his true colors were finally revealed. Dingyi laughed. "You think I don't know you left two people to keep an eye on me! Don't worry, I won't run again. If you were to issue a warrant, where in this Great Qing territory could my brother and I find refuge? I suspect Rujian feels the same; who wants to spend their life flying away from pursuers? If this matter is truly settled, he isn't a blockhead. We grew up in Beijing, after all. Even though Datong is our ancestral home, our parents and kin aren't here, so it’s no different from any other place we've stayed. I can’t get used to how the people here speak or the flavor of the food. It’s better to go back to Beijing." Recalling what Rujian said about the betrothal the other day, she hurriedly asked, "Are you familiar with the people in the Imperial Household Department? Which family is managing the treasury now?"

Hongce walked in the circles of the Grand Council and naturally had dealings with the Imperial Household Department. He said, "The Sixth Prince and the Thirteenth are managing the Imperial Household Department. Managing the treasury isn't a permanent position; it changes every few days. As far as I know, there are two families now: one manages the warehouses, and the other manages the gold factories. One family is surnamed Zhen, and the other is Suo. Which one are you talking about?"

"The one managing the warehouse—the Suo family," she said, looking up. "My Third Brother was once betrothed to their second daughter. Back then, they were deeply in love, and my Third Brother still misses her to this day. When you return to the capital, I ask that you help me inquire if that young lady is married yet. If she isn't, my Third Brother might still have a chance."

Hongce considered it and realized there was an opening—now he needed to figure out how to curry favor with this "brother-in-law." Dingyi valued this brother; if Rujian didn't give his nod of approval, it would be very difficult to take her from his hands. In matters of marriage, naturally, it was best if all friends and family were happy. Moreover, he knew the bitterness of longing and could understand Rujian's plight. However, too much time had passed. Those flowering years had slipped away, and she was already approaching thirty. Even if the young lady herself was willing to wait, he feared her family would not agree.

He said, "Inquiring is not difficult. The fear is that she may have already married and had children."

Dingyi spread her hands. "There’s nothing to be done about that. It would be better for him to give up. You don't know that he says nothing, but his heart is actually heavy with worries. It’s truly pitiful; unlike you, who can search the world, he cannot return to the capital and doesn't even dare to ask about her whereabouts. Sometimes I watch him from afar; whenever he is idle, he sits under the eaves of the corridor playing his flute. That sound is so mournful, like someone weeping. You can see how much pain he is in."

He gave an "mm" and said, "I understand. A man keeps his longing hidden in his heart; I understand that kind of suffering. I just don't know if Rujian has the same good fortune as me. You have the resolve never to marry another, but are he and that lady the same as us?"

She said it wasn't certain. She straightened the tassels on the sides of his jade crown and said softly, "We cannot force others. Let's leave it to fate. If she isn't married, that is best; if she is, that is also within reason. Her husband’s family had their own troubles—to remain waiting aimlessly, where would the end be?" She added playfully, teasing him, "You may inquire, but you are not allowed to force her back. In the plays, many princes are villains who bully men and women—we won't do such things."

He let out a low cry, tinged with a coquettish tone. "Do you take me for that blockheaded bully, the Seventh? If I had any crooked or evil intentions, you would have already returned to the Prince's mansion with me long ago—why would I need to go through all this trouble? I put you first in everything, yet you say this about me?"

Having finally found an opportunity, he made a mountain out of a molehill and proceeded to bundle her up in his arms.

Outside, a drizzling rain began to fall. The banana trees in the courtyard were half-green and half-yellow. Looking through the gauze of the window, the broad leaves swayed and trembled in the wind and rain.

She looked at him mistily, smiling. "I have to go back. If it rains, it’s hard to dig for coal in the mountains, and Rujian might return early..."

Her words were swallowed into his mouth. The elegant, lingering intimacy held an explosive power, and as their lips met, they murmured in a daze, "Don't go back... I don't know how many days we'll be separated again. The thought alone is unbearable. Dingyi..." His hand covered her shoulder, slowly sliding down her arm until it reached her hip. With a firm, forceful pull, he drew her beautiful, lithe waist tightly against him.

She was stunned for a moment, then her face flushed to her ears. She was too shy to look at him; he was usually so refined, yet in moments like this, he was capable of anything.

His panting sounded like a beast, vibrating and amplifying beside her ear. She knew he was suffering—he was a normal man, yet the one he wanted was right in front of him and he couldn't touch her; it was truly an agonizing thing! This time, she took the initiative, stood on tiptoe to wrap her arms around his neck, and mimicked his movements, licking his lips. The Prince’s reaction was like that of a novice—shy and fumbling.

Dingyi was daring. Since she was a child, she had a stubborn streak; if she had her mind set on something, she would do it, no matter how ridiculous it seemed. They were to part tomorrow, and her heart was heavy with reluctance. As for how their road of love would end, it was hard to say; she had never been very optimistic. Yet, because he told her to be at ease, she instinctively believed him. There were no dramatic shocks, just quiet companionship and quiet affection. Though such love was not incredibly brilliant, it was more enduring and solid than others'.

She began to untie the belt at his waist. Because it had many hidden buckles, it wasn't easy to manage, and she grew anxious and red-faced. In her imagination, she should have given him a coy look, flicked her finger, and the belt should have fallen off instantly—who knew that after struggling for a long time, she still hadn't succeeded.

He laughed and hooked his finger under her chin, his breath fragrant like orchids. "My sweet heart, what are you trying to do?"

The term "sweet heart" made goosebumps rise on her skin. She had grown up on the streets and, if she hadn't read romantic novels, she had at least heard plenty of them; her cultivation in such things was deeper than this serious prince. It was just that, as a young lady, she was too shy to speak too crudely. She leaned against his shoulder, her hands still busy, muttering about how the leather buckles were difficult and that he should switch to silk ribbons next time!

He couldn't just watch her work. It was already cold in Datong at the Beginning of Winter, and the room was as cool as water, yet sweat was misting on her forehead. He took advantage of the moment to unfasten the belt himself and whispered teasingly, "I’ve never seen such an impatient person. In broad daylight, what exactly are you trying to do?"

The audacity of the person who benefited and then played the victim! She glared at him. "I want to have a fierce battle with the Prince."

He had been joking at first, but after hearing her say that, he could no longer laugh. He pointed a trembling finger at her. "As a young lady..."

She wasn't convinced. "Where did you learn that term 'sweet heart'? Did you go to a brothel? Was that taught to you by a madam in such a place?"

Of course, he would never frequent such places. The court forbade officials from visiting courtesans, and he was a law-abiding, good prince who disdained such behavior. But how to explain it? It had just popped out when the words reached his lips—who knew she would catch him red-handed. He wiped his face and stammered, "I read very widely... I don't care what kind of book it is; as long as it’s purchased from outside, I read it." Seeing her skeptical expression, he felt inexplicably guilty and swore to the heavens, "Really! Books like Stories to Caution the World or Stories to Awaken the World—they all mention such things to some extent. After reading too many, I slowly remembered them. In any case, I’ve never said it to anyone else. These are private words between us, husband and wife, so there’s no need to be so petty."

Her heart slowly sweetened, and she twisted her body, chiding, "Who is your wife!"

"Isn't it you?" He turned her around. She was shy and adorable, and his heart surged. He lowered his head to kiss her, whispering, "You are my Fujin; by now, I’m afraid half of the capital knows it. My reputation as a taken man has already spread. If you don't be a wife to me, what am I to do in the future?"

The two were whispering and laughing when, unexpectedly, a great shout erupted from outside. Distinguishing the voice, it was actually Rujian’s, raised to a high pitch: "Little Zao'er, are you inside? Get out here this instant, or don't blame me for breaking in!”