Love in Red Dust - Chapter 75

Chapter 75

As the end of the year approached, everyone everywhere was bustling with activity. When the Retired Emperor abdicated, the concubines who were dispersed to the surrounding gardens were provided for, but during festivals, while the palace would send supplies according to their allotted portions—food and drink were a given, and there was no shortage of silk and satin for new clothes—there were always small, miscellaneous items that weren't fully provided. The Dowager Consorts would have to remember what they needed and either petition the palace for them or purchase them personally. Chen Jing, the chief steward of the Noble Consort Dowager's palace, was specifically responsible for these errands. Everyone knew that those in the Imperial Household Department were wealthy; how did they make money? By skimming off the top. Within Langrun Garden, Chen Jing held a position equivalent to the chief steward of the Imperial Household Department, but since there were few masters in the garden and the amount of silver passing through his hands was limited, whenever such an opportunity arose, he wouldn't let others handle it and would generally take the lead himself. He would take two young eunuchs, hitch up a flatbed cart, and head into the inner city.

The city was incredibly lively; money was easy to make around the New Year, and the street was lined with stalls selling spring couplets for half its length. Weaving through the crowd, Chen Jing was well-acquainted with the routes. Once the items ordered by the three Dowager Consorts were all secured, he saw that the sun was at its zenith and his stomach was growling. It was time to satisfy his hunger! He decided to enjoy a small luxury at his usual spot, the Gaomingyuan Grand Tea House on East Hebao Alley, outside Qianmen Gate.

Tea houses in the capital often sold meals on the side, categorized with specific names like "Red Furnace Houses," "Wowo Houses," "Pot-Carrying Houses," and "Two-Meat Shops." Gaomingyuan was a bobo (pastry) shop, and its most famous offering was the gangzi bobo. They were round, firm cakes made from hard dough, available in both sweet and savory varieties. They were baked over pebbles on a furnace, being both stir-fried and toasted, giving them a flavor unlike any other shop's.

Chen Jing was a regular; as soon as he entered, a waiter called out, "Oh, Master Chen! I haven't seen you in such a long time..." The waiter dropped to one knee. "I've missed you terribly. May you be well."

Chen Jing waved him off. "Spare me the pleasantries, boy. Lead the way."

He had his own private booth in a partitioned section at the east end of the tea house, facing the city and with his back to the river—a geomantically prime location that allowed him to see in all directions. This Gaomingyuan was not just a tea house; in truth, it had a deeper significance. South of the Imperial City, where officials of the Six Ministries gathered, it was the place where many deals regarding official duties, the purchasing of titles, and the exchange of bribes and favors were completed. Eunuchs were good at eavesdropping; by sitting in a corner, they could always scrape together a bit of gossip to reach their ears.

When the waiter brought the tea, Chen Jing said he wanted to eat "rotten meat noodles" today. The waiter scratched his head in confusion. "That requires a Two-Meat Shop, sir. We don't serve that here."

"If you don't have it, go buy it from someone else's shop! Can't you see Master Chen wants to eat it?" The person who spoke was neither Chen Jing nor the tea house manager, but a swarthy man in his forties. He looked quite wretched, but his small eyes shone with a sharp, piercing light.

The waiter was bewildered, but upon reflection, realized the man wasn't wrong, so he went off despondently to fulfill the request.

Chen Jing sized the man up. "Who are you?"

The man placed the food box he was carrying onto the corner of the table and performed a quick bow. "My name is Mu Liansheng. You don't know me, but I'll mention one person, and you'll certainly know who she is."

Chen Jing slanted a glance at him. "Stop beating around the bush. I don't have enough spare time to listen to your nonsense."

Mu Liansheng quickly said, "Yes, sir," and sat with half his bottom on the long bench opposite. "You are the chief steward serving the Noble Consort Dowager, aren't you? What a coincidence! That girl the Twelfth Prince brought to the garden to pay his respects? We raised her for over a decade. I am her foster father."

Hearing this, Chen Jing froze. The man before him looked far too disheveled—what was this nonsense? How could he be the foster father of the Twelfth Prince’s side consort? He picked at his ear. "You’re randomly claiming relatives, kid? Is the skin on your backside itching for a beating?"

Mu Liansheng sighed. "Don't disbelieve me, sir. My late wife was her wet nurse. Her family fell, and no one was willing to take her in. My wife pitied her for having no father or mother and brought her back to our hometown."

This seemed somewhat plausible; the story connected, at least. But it still didn't seem quite right. Even if her family’s circumstances weren't good, it shouldn't have fallen to this man to raise her. She had brothers, and uncles—some in business, some in officialdom. This man clearly looked like a vagrant, the type who would engage in trickery, deception, and theft. He was clearly trying to run a scam on him.

Chen Jing dismissed him. "You’ve got guts to try these fake tricks on me, don't you? Go home, kid. Your grandmother is probably praising you right now for being such a 'good grandson!'"

"Hey!" Mu Liansheng clicked his tongue. "Don't be so quick to curse me. Let me ask you: is that girl named Wen Dingyi? Born in the year of the sheep, nineteen years old this New Year?" He leaned forward and pointed to the corner of his eye. "Right here, she has a black mole the size of a needle eye."

It matched. Chen Jing blinked. "You’ve done quite a thorough job of digging, haven't you? How much effort did you spend on this? Why are you messing with me? If you want money, I don't have it. If you want an official position, I can't give you one. If you’re really our Side Consort’s foster father, go to the Prince of Chun’s residence! Surely a meritorious official can get a few taels of silver?"

This struck a nerve in Mu Liansheng. He spat. "Do I look like I care about her silver? I just can't swallow this bitterness!"

There was more to this! Chen Jing’s curiosity was piqued, and once that happened, nothing could stop him. He slowly blew on his tea, watching the man through the steam. "So, you two have a grudge?"

"She is a white-eyed wolf!" Mu Liansheng took a breath, intending to rant, but seeing the people coming and going outside, he stood up and closed the door. He uncovered the food box on the table and pushed it toward Chen Jing. "Don't just drink tea, sir. Have some snacks to tide you over."

Chen Jing lowered his eyes to look; it was all sugary food—sugar-coated ear-shaped pastries, honey twists, yellow and white honeycomb cakes, basin cakes... it made him dizzy just looking at them. He shook his head. "What’s going on? Tell me."

Oh, this was where Mu Liansheng opened the floodgates. He recounted everything from her family’s ruin to her apprenticing to learn her skills, and then from her apprenticeship to entering the Prince of Xian’s residence to serve. The more he talked, the angrier he became. "She dressed as a man and deceived me for so many years. Had I known she was a girl, I would have sold her off long ago instead of letting her anger me like this now. You say I raised her until she was grown, even making sure she had water to drink. Now that she’s climbed to a high branch, she turns around and refuses to acknowledge me! She gave me a few coins—was she trying to dismiss a beggar? I can't do anything about her, but I can't let her harm Prince Chun, can I? Her father was a convicted criminal of the imperial court, and she herself grew up mixing among men. One who often walks by the river is bound to get their shoes wet; who knows how many men have already enjoyed her. Your Prince is famous for being a gentleman with a heart too kind, and he fell into her trap because he pitied her. Are you just going to watch while the Dowager Consort loses face? You can't! You must report this to the Dowager Consort and break the girl’s scheme. By doing so, you will have performed a great service, and the Twelfth Prince will even have to thank you!"

Chen Jing was stunned silent. If this were true, it would be a major disaster. Setting aside a Prince's residence, even in an ordinary household, no one would marry a young lady with such a background.

"Is this true? Think carefully—if even half of it is false, your neck won't stay attached to your shoulders!"

Mu Liansheng patted his chest to guarantee it. "If I am lying, let me die and fall into the eighteenth level of hell. Go inquire at the Shuntian Prefecture office if there was a person named Mu Xiaoshu who apprenticed under Wu Changgeng. At the Prince of Xian’s residence on De'nei Street, ask if there was ever a woman disguised as a man working as a bird trainer..."

Chen Jing felt a chill in his heart. He didn't even finish his noodles; he quickly put on his warm hat and hurried out. He took two steps, paused, and turned back to point at him. "Find a place to stay in the capital. Tell the waiter here which alley you’re staying in, so you’re ready in case the Dowager Consort calls for you. If everything proves to be true, you will be well rewarded."

Mu Liansheng repeatedly said yes, bowed low to see him off, and then triumphantly began tapping out a rhythm. "That day at the Tiger Prison, the battlefield was spread out wide; I debated the pros and cons with the brothers of the Peach Garden... Liu, Guan, and Zhang were left blocking and right-shielding, and I, Lu Bu, had my reputation spread across the world..."

Meanwhile, Chen Jing returned to Langrun Garden and rushed into the Enhui Qingyu residence as if it were on fire. The Noble Consort Dowager was reclining on a couch, smoking orchid-scented tobacco. She looked up at the sound of the thudding footsteps. Chen Jing was in such a hurry that he knocked over a bronze crane ornament in the main hall. The clattering sound gave everyone a huge fright.

"What is the meaning of this?" The Dowager Consort frowned. "Acting so panicked—what kind of decorum is this!"

Chen Jing hurried forward, swept his sleeves, and bowed. "Noble Mistress, I have just returned from outside. I met someone and heard some things. It’s terrible—something has happened to the Twelfth Prince..."

The Noble Consort Dowager sat up and scolded in a heavy voice, "What do you mean something happened to the Twelfth Prince? What happened? Straighten out your tongue and report!"

Chen Jing caught his breath and reported everything from the beginning, explaining how he met Mu Liansheng and how the man spilled the secrets of the Twelfth Prince’s side consort. The Noble Consort Dowager was caught off guard and exclaimed in shock, "There is such a thing? Did you verify it? Is the vulgar commoner just making baseless accusations?"

"I tried to scare him, saying I would take his head if it weren't true, but he insisted that the side consort is Mu Xiaoshu." Chen Jing swallowed his saliva. "Noble Mistress, the Start of Spring will be here soon. You must carefully consider this! She is the daughter of a criminal and has disguised herself as a man. If this gets out, wouldn't it be the biggest joke in the world? The Twelfth Prince is likely completely in the dark. The side consort is good at putting on an act and has coaxed the Twelfth Prince into giving her his heart. No wonder she was so quiet that day. Someone like her—status is secondary; she sees through things clearly. As long as she holds the man in her hands, will she lack for wealth and glory? The Twelfth Prince has a kind nature; you must make the decision for him. Don't let a good Prince end up ruined in her hands. When the wedding happens, this will become common knowledge on the streets. Her former colleagues, her old neighbors—who can stop their mouths? If the palace and Changchun Garden find out, I fear that not only will the Twelfth Prince lose face, but his official career will also suffer."

The Noble Consort Dowager was at a loss, murmuring, "I said this girl wasn't simple, the way she has the Twelfth Prince so bewitched... Keep this quiet for now. You send people to investigate—go to the Shuntian Prefecture, go to that... 'tenement courtyard,' and investigate. Ask until everything is clear, then report back to me. If it is truly as Mu Liansheng said, then this woman absolutely cannot stay. She must be gotten rid of early."

In this world, no mother is willing to watch helplessly as her son is deceived. When the Twelfth Prince returned from Khalkha, she had asked those around him; all these years, he hadn't even shown favor to a single girl, and the two palace maids she sent were returned. In matters of the heart, he was like a blank sheet of paper, without a single crooked thought. And now this—he had been taken advantage of. He was treating her with his whole heart, but what about her? She lied to him, cheated him out of food, drink, and status. If she were really allowed to become the Primary Consort, that would be the end of it; wouldn't the Prince of Chun’s residence be emptied out by her? A criminal’s daughter whose father was executed and whose three brothers were exiled—could she be anything good? The Twelfth Prince had been coaxed into a stupor and believed everything. Today, Chen Jing had bumped into this by chance; if everyone else remained oblivious until the raw rice was cooked into porridge, how would Hongce handle such a reputation-destroying, sudden transformation?

The Dowager Consort was so angry that she clutched her chest, panting for breath. She felt incredibly aggrieved. She had taken the Empress’s words to heart that day, hoping for the Retired Emperor, but he hadn't come by the appointed time. She had been fooled once, and in a moment of happiness, she had actually agreed to let Dingyi become a side consort. Now, it felt humiliating to think about—an old woman like her still yearning for a man, and being watched by her juniors. She regretted it deeply, but the words had been spoken and could not be taken back. Since a flaw had appeared on their side, she gritted her teeth; she was determined to vent this frustration.

Before long, the eunuchs dispatched returned to report: there was indeed a person named Mu Xiaoshu, but whether the side consort and Mu Xiaoshu were the same person was unknown.

The Noble Consort Dowager turned her face and ordered Chen Jing, "Tomorrow, invite her to Langrun Garden. When the time comes, bring her master and those neighbors from the courtyard as well. Let them identify her and confront her. I don't believe it—she can't have moved her eyes and nose to different positions, making her unrecognizable!"

"As you command." Chen Jing took the order, dropped his sleeves, and bowed as he exited the Enhui Qingyu residence.

The next morning, he calculated the time and rounded up the people. The Twelfth Prince had to go to the朝房 (morning audience room) to sign in at the fifth watch (3:00-5:00 AM) and wouldn't finish until the chen hour (7:00-9:00 AM), so it was appropriate to bring the people before the chen hour. A group in Langrun Garden arrived at Jiucuiju Alley at the mao hour and three quarters (6:15 AM). When they entered, the sky was just barely brightening. They had assumed everyone in the courtyard was still asleep, but to their surprise, the side consort was already drinking tea in the front hall. She seemed surprised to see them, but didn't look flustered, asking calmly, "Does the Dowager Consort have an imperial decree to issue?"

Chen Jing’s confidence dropped by half, and he forced a smile. "Replying to the Side Consort, your matters with the Twelfth Prince are almost finalized, and the Dowager Consort has been thinking of you. She is summoning you to the garden; if you are lacking anything, the two of you can discuss it together. It will be easier to talk."

Dingyi said, "Oh. In that case, please wait a moment, Steward, and allow me to change my clothes."

"No need." Chen Jing smiled. "I think you look very proper as you are; you won't be lacking in decorum even when meeting the Dowager Consort. Why not go early? You will arrive just as the Dowager Consort is waking up, which is the perfect time for you to show your filial piety. If you serve tea and bring her a towel, you will be able to please the Dowager Consort."

It was a bit rushed. The words sounded reasonable, but something felt wrong. Dingyi had been through enough to know better. It was so early in the morning—the Twelfth Prince had only left a short while ago—and people from Langrun Garden had arrived. When could they have set out? She kept her guard up, and while putting on her cloak, she instructed Sha Tong, "Don't follow me. The two pomegranate trees in the courtyard are just sitting there, and I’m afraid they’ll freeze. Get someone to wrap them in two bundles of straw. I suspect there will be another heavy snow before the year ends."

Sha Tong stepped forward, understood the message, responded "As you command," and saw them off to the carriage.