Love in Red Dust - Chapter 71

Chapter 71

The copper bell on the sedan chair’s door chimed with a crisp, melodious sound in the north wind. With only two sedan bearers and one assistant, the small procession was inconspicuous; after turning the corner at the alley entrance, it reached Dengshikou Street.

Dingyi lifted the curtain to look out. The light from the lanterns cast shadows on Guan Zhaojing’s face, leaving one side bright and the other in darkness. She parted her lips to call out, "Anda, have you sent someone to the Su residence to investigate?"

Guan Zhaojing responded affirmatively. "The Prince gave the order the moment you entered the city. Just now, while you were inside the compound speaking with Master Wu, I was waiting outside. My men returned with word: Su Tao has two daughters. The eldest died ten years ago, leaving the younger one—the very woman to whom your third brother was betrothed. The Su family has no sons, so this family business has no heir. Su Tao wanted to find a live-in son-in-law. You know how it is; in this city, among families with any status, who would be willing to marry into a wife's family as a resident son-in-law?" Guan Zhaojing shook his head and clicked his tongue. "It’s hard to find someone. Those with true character and learning are too proud to rely on their wife's family, and those willing to live in are usually good-for-nothings, whom the Su family disdains. One way or another, the girl was delayed, and she’s already passed twenty without being married off."

Upon hearing there was a chance, Dingyi straightened her posture and asked, "And now? Is there a match for her now?"

Guan Zhaojing said there was not. "It’s a strange business. Later, several decent men were proposed to her. The girl is perfectly fine usually, but as soon as a marriage proposal is mentioned, she falls ill—raving and calling her own father 'Second Uncle.' Word spread that the Su family's second daughter was mentally ill, and gradually, suitors stopped coming. Although, there were some greedy for their family wealth—men whose wives had died and were looking for a replacement—who tried their luck, but they were all chased off."

Hearing this, she felt a mix of joy and concern. It was a good thing the girl hadn't married, but if she was truly insane, that made things difficult. She tapped her knee and pondered: if she only falls ill when a marriage is proposed, could she be faking it? Perhaps she is another lovesick soul, unable to let go of her feelings for Rujian, preferring to remain unmarried for the rest of her life!

Anxious, she leaned out to look, vaguely seeing the signboard of Jirentang. The Su family was at the entrance of Beiguanchang Alley, exactly as the Seventh Prince had described: a strangely shaped courtyard house. The residence looked deep, with a detached building inside; from the eaves hung two large lanterns, each painted with the prominent character "Su."

She hesitated at the door, wanting to go in and speak to the girl but unsure of what excuse to use. At this moment, Guan Zhaojing’s face was a living calling card. He stepped up to knock the ring against the door; the sound was exceptionally loud in the silent night. Soon, someone came to open the gate. The gatekeeper poked his head out and, upon seeing Guan Zhaojing, exclaimed, "Oh!" He hurried out and bowed, "Greetings, Master Guan! What wind has blown you here? Please, come inside quickly, look how cold the weather is..." He glanced outside the threshold and asked hesitantly, "Who is in the sedan chair? Surely it isn't the Prince..."

Guan Zhaojing smiled. "Something like that. Quickly, inform Master Su; our young lady has come to pay a visit."

The gatekeeper didn't know who this young lady was, but given her status, he dared not be negligent. He gestured several times for a servant to go inside and report, while he himself stooped and bowed to invite the lady to enter.

When Su Tao received the message, he ran out from the main room, holding up the hem of his robe. Having mingled in official circles, he was well-informed. After one look at her elegant attire and the fact that the Prince’s Chief Steward was escorting her, he had already guessed seventy or eighty percent of the truth. He hurried forward and bowed, unsure of how to address her—after all, she had no official title yet and her background was unclear—but he knew that flattery was the safest route. "Your subordinate, Su Tao, pays his respects to you, Miss. I am terrified that you have come to visit in the middle of the night. If you had any orders, you could have simply sent someone to deliver them; how could I allow you to endure such trouble?"

Dingyi hurriedly asked Master Su to rise and smiled, "I was too rash in coming; I hope Master Su will not take offense."

Su Tao hurriedly said he wouldn't dare and led her to the main room. Madame Su was waiting at the door, curtsying repeatedly as she directed the maids to serve tea and refreshments, acting with great diligence and courtesy.

In truth, the Su family did not understand why this person had come late at night. Thinking that they had no prior connection to the Prince of Chun’s residence, they were quite baffled. Once seated, there was no conversation for a while, and gazes darted back and forth like arrows. Finally, Guan Zhaojing broke the ice. Looking around, he praised, "Master Su, your home is well laid out; it’s spacious and looks quite comfortable... How many people are in your family now? How many sons and daughters do you have?"

Su Tao didn't know what he was aiming at and answered hesitantly, "I have no sons, only one daughter..."

Dingyi seized the opportunity. "May I see your esteemed daughter?"

Su Tao was stunned again. He looked at his wife and gave a low instruction: "Go on, call our daughter out to pay her respects to this young lady."

Madame Su left and returned shortly with her daughter. Having already been briefed on the guest’s identity, the girl remained silent and performed a double curtsy upon approaching.

Dingyi stood up to support her and examined her closely. She was a woman with clean, pleasant features. She was no longer young—twenty-seven—and for a woman, her prime years had already passed, with the remaining bloom of her youth simply waiting to wither away. However, she was doing well; she did not naturally appear old, and her dress was appropriate. One could not see the ravages of time on her face.

Dingyi held her hand, but with so many people present, it was difficult to talk. She only asked in a low voice, "Sister, are you waiting for someone?"

The second daughter was startled, a ripple passing through her eyes. Being older and having lived through more, she was quite composed. She smiled faintly. "So, you’ve realized?"

This was promising! Overjoyed, Dingyi squeezed her hand firmly. "I feel as if I’ve known you for years, Sister. Let’s find a place to speak properly, shall we?"

The second daughter agreed and led the way to the main room of the second courtyard. Tea was served, the servants were dismissed, and the two sat facing each other. Dingyi watched her over her teacup, while the second daughter sat upright, her expression open and calm.

Neither spoke. Continuing to hold back was not a solution. Hongce had told her not to reveal too much, but she mused that secrets and concealment wouldn't accomplish anything—she had to test the waters. If she really was waiting for Rujian, the news she brought was a life-saving medicine!

She set down her teacup and smiled. "You must be wondering why a total stranger has come to speak with you... Actually, we aren't total strangers. We haven't met, but there is a connection." She paused and said cautiously, "Forgive my bluntness, but I heard you were once betrothed; it was the Wen family of the Censorate, right? After their family suffered a calamity, you never married. Why is that?"

The second daughter raised her eyes to look at her. These things were buried deep in her heart; no one ever touched them. Suddenly, this person falls from the sky and starts picking at the scars—would you be happy or angry? Anyone else would be displeased, but not her. She had been lonely for too long and needed a chance to vent. Since this person had come late at night, she wouldn't ask without a reason. Perhaps there was something behind it; whether good or bad, having hope was better than having none at all.

Her heart warmed, and feeling an emotional surge, she barely managed to suppress it before speaking. "You are a noble person; I am but a bondservant, not worthy of being called 'Sister' by you. Our family name is Sujoluo; you may call me Hailan. You asked me earlier if I was waiting for someone—that is correct. I don't know your intentions in bringing this up, but I can see you didn't come out of mere curiosity."

Dingyi nodded. "I know a little about your situation. Rejecting so many marriage proposals over these years must have been difficult for you."

Hailan smiled faintly. "Since you know I refused marriage, you should know I was forced to feign madness... The man I was with was exiled to the Changbai Mountains. I tried many ways but could not find his whereabouts. I am a woman of the inner chambers; several times I thought of going there to find him, but in the end, it was never successful. To be honest, I was also afraid. I have never traveled far, and I don't know if I could find him. In my eyes, he is a hero. As long as he is alive, he will certainly clear his name of the bondservant status and return to Beijing. I have no ability of my own, so I can only hope he comes to find me. I cannot do anything for him, I can only wait—wait for him to come back and see that I haven't married yet, that I am still a pure, unwed girl."

So, she and the Twelfth Prince were not the only ones in the world with such sincere love. When a responsible man meets a woman with equal tenacity, many impossibilities can turn into possibilities.

Dingyi was overcome with emotion. She sighed and said, "It wasn't long from your engagement until the Wen family’s fall; why are you so determined to wait for him? He was exiled—many things are uncertain. He might have died on the road to exile. If you wait for him and end up with nothing, aren't you worried?"

Hailan smiled again. "You are right. I have thought of that too, but I cannot help but be stubborn. When I was fourteen, we became betrothed; he was one year older than me. Back then, my family lived in Qinlao Alley and his family lived in Shanlao Alley. After he finished his duties at the palace, he would return home, circling from Beihai all the way south to pass by our door every day. It was clearly a detour just to see me, but when I would come out and we’d cross paths, he would pretend, saying, 'Oh, what a coincidence.' As if anyone would believe that!" She recalled much, and her face gradually turned red. She subconsciously smoothed the pleats of her skirt and said in a low voice, "He was a second-class imperial guard, wearing a deep purple vest with a red velvet cap, a saber at his waist, passing through the alley on a tall horse—he looked so heroic. Later, I became too shy to see him every day, so I would hang a red handkerchief in the window. When he saw the handkerchief, he knew I was there. That was how we communicated. Later, his father was convicted, and he was exiled. At that time, I was truly..."

She shook her head, unable to find the words. Dingyi understood her feelings; a girl's first love, whoever manages to break into one's heart, one might carry that for a lifetime. She couldn't help but find it amusing, thinking to herself: Rujian looks so serious and upright, yet he knew quite well how to win a girl's heart.

Hearing her mention the name, Hailan trembled violently. She stood up and grabbed Dingyi’s sleeve. "You know Rujian? Where is he now?"

Dingyi placed her hand on the back of Hailan’s hand, pulled her down to sit, and said gently, "Don't be anxious. He is doing very well. I cannot tell you where he is, but it shouldn't be long before he returns to Beijing. He also thinks of you; that you haven't married is the best thing possible. It must be fate that you two are together; even after a dozen years apart, you will be reunited in the end."

Hailan began to cry, wiping her tears while smiling at the same time. She murmured, "I am just so happy. Please excuse my lack of composure. Has he married? Does he have a wife?"

"Since you are still waiting, how could he have married!" Dingyi used her handkerchief to wipe Hailan’s tears. "I tell you these things today so you may have something to look forward to. You must not tell anyone else; I fear it might be bad for him if it gets out."

Hailan agreed repeatedly, then looked at her with hesitation. "If I have guessed correctly, you are..."

"Who I am does not matter." She stood up and looked outside. "It’s getting late; I should return. Remember my words: if anyone comes to propose again, continue to decline them. Give him more time. When he returns, everything will be fine."

Hailan answered and, gathering her strength, accompanied her to the front courtyard. Guan Zhaojing and Su Tao had been chatting for a long time; seeing them approach, they rose to meet them. Turning to the Su couple, he bowed and said, "Alright, I won't trouble you two any further; I shall take my leave. Next time, let’s pick a day and have a few drinks at Zhengyang Tower, agreed?"

Su Tao mumbled in agreement, "Agreed, agreed." They saw them out the main gate.

Once they were gone, the couple remained completely confused. Su Tao asked his daughter, "What did that future wife of the Twelfth Prince come here for? Did you two know each other before?"

It was not yet the time for the truth, so even her own father and mother had to be fooled. Hailan said, "We didn't know each other. The Princess saw that I have many embroidery patterns, so she came specifically to borrow them." Before her parents could question her further, she turned and headed toward the side courtyard gate.

On the other side, Dingyi returned to Jiucuiju Alley. Entering the door, she saw the house brightly lit, and the person in the main room was looking intently at a painting on the wall. She pursed her lips and smiled, handed her cloak to a maid, and walked quickly through the gate. He was standing with his back to the door. She tiptoed up and covered his eyes.

"Is it a cat or a dog?" He laughed, pulled her hands away, turned around, and pulled her into his arms. "Look at you, running about. You returned so late, keeping me waiting."

She stretched and grumbled, "I’m busy too! There’s so much to do! I saw the Su family’s second daughter; she hasn't married, she’s a person who sticks to her path until the end, quite pitiful. I went to my master's place, and before I could say two words, the neighbors there insisted on giving me a godson. I tell you, I’m someone with a godson now."

He slid his hand down, pinching her willow-like waist. "It seems this trip was very fruitful; you’ve encountered nothing but good things. In that case, let’s strike while the iron is hot. Tomorrow is my mother's birthday, and the Empress is going to Langrun Garden to wish her a long life. Let’s go together; it will be a perfect chance to see people. Things should be settled; lest there be more trouble later."

In truth, even if he didn't say it explicitly, he wanted to borrow some of her good luck. He wasn't worried about other things; he was worried about his mother, the Noble Consort Dowager.

Dingyi looked up at him. "Hongce, if your mother doesn't agree, what shall we do?"

He was silent for a moment, his brows knitted. "What I said to Old Seventh today, I meant it. We men of the Yuwen family have this tribulation; it always leads to family discord over marriage. Before, it was the Retired Emperor; later, it was the Emperor; now it is my turn. What they could achieve, I can achieve as well.”