Love in Red Dust - Chapter 79

Chapter 79

Because the Retired Emperor had abdicated, Changchun Garden was livelier than the palace itself during the New Year. The Manchu custom was to stay up to see out the old year and welcome the new, with the whole family sitting together with their elders for tea and conversation, not permitted to disperse until they had eaten bo-bo (steamed buns) at the Hour of the Rat.

Today was New Year's Eve, and the closest members of the imperial clan were required to attend. It was not just the primary-line princes and beile who were present; Hongzan and his brothers from the line of the old Prince Zhuang had also arrived in full force. The old Prince Zhuang and the Retired Emperor were biological brothers—the only two in their generation—so their bond went without saying. However, the old Prince Zhuang was a man who preferred the pleasures of landscapes and nature, having no desire for court intrigue, and he had rarely stayed home since he was young. His sons had studied in the Imperial Study from childhood, trained alongside the Retired Emperor's own princes; the Retired Emperor viewed them as his own flesh and blood, so their seats were always reserved during festivals.

When Hongce entered the grounds, the hour was still early. After paying his respects to the Retired Emperor and withdrawing, a small eunuch trotted over from afar to kowtow, reporting that the princes were all gathered at Yunsong Pavilion and inviting the Twelfth Prince to join them for a chat.

Yunsong Pavilion had originally been the study place for the princes in Changchun Garden, and he had spent over half a year there before the age of ten. It was a quiet place on the east road of the garden; one would pass through the Ruyi Gate and cross a small bridge to reach the Wanfang Studio, and behind that lay Yunsong Pavilion.

The weather remained poor, with heavy snow falling on New Year's Eve, obscuring the view into the distance. The little eunuch held a yellow silk umbrella to lead the way for him. As the edge of the umbrella lifted slightly, behind the pine needles appeared a delicate, rolled-shed roof, buried deep in thick snow, revealing only intermittent gray roof ridges.

The palace maids on duty crouched in greeting when they saw him approach and lifted the curtain to let him in. The main hall was bustling; it was rare for the dozen or so brothers to be together at the end of the year, and they had endless things to talk about. Yet, as soon as he crossed the threshold, they all fell silent, turning to look at him as if he were a stranger. A cold chill washed over him; he knew that in his recent investigation of the Wen Lu case, he had clenched his fist too tightly. The Duke of Zhen was a title of the eighth rank, placing him below a gushan beizi; he was a legitimate member of the imperial clan. By digging up an old case and taking him down, he had inevitably made everyone fear for their own safety. In truth, among these princes and junwang, who among them—or their servants below them—was truly clean? If one really were to investigate, no one could withstand the scrutiny.

He acted as if he noticed nothing, stepping inside to pat the snow from his clothes, and smiled. "Everyone is here today." He raised his hands in a salute. "Brothers, I have arrived late. Please forgive me."

The atmosphere felt frozen, and for a long time, no one responded. It was the Thirteenth Prince who came out to save the situation. "Not late at all. Seventh Brother and Tenth Brother haven't arrived yet." He came over to pull his arm, gesturing toward the charcoal brazier. "It's cold outside, come warm yourself. I actually have something to ask you."

Hongce looked up and saw Hongzan standing there, beckoning to him with a smile, inviting him over.

Everyone went back to their own chatter—talking of crickets, quails, and monkeys—carefully avoiding him in their speech, though they would undoubtedly whisper about him behind his back. He did not care; as long as he couldn't hear it, he was free to be at peace. However, Hongzan was truly a man who could hold his temper. Seeing him act as if nothing was wrong, Hongzan might be anxious inside, but he masked it perfectly on the surface.

He walked over and paid his respects. "Since when have you been here, Third Brother? I passed by Baihua Shenchu Alley earlier and took a look, but I didn't see your carriage. So you had already arrived."

Hongzan continued to smile with scholarly grace. "Just arrived as well, back-to-back with you. The water stains on my robe haven't even dried yet. The snow is truly heavy today; I fear it's no less intense than the regions north of Changbai Mountain."

A eunuch served him aged rice wine to warm his body. He took a sip and said indifferently, "Indeed, it has quite the flair, though it still falls short compared to the northern lands. If Third Brother gets the chance, you should go have a look; the cold is piercing to the bone, but the scenery is truly magnificent."

Whether he was intentional or not, Hongzan caught a different flavor in his words. He waved his hand repeatedly. "I was born and raised in the capital; I’m afraid I wouldn't be able to endure the regions abroad."

Hongce smiled. "As you go further, it gets colder, but you don't really feel it. When I first went to Khalkha, it was the same; once you go, you get used to it. Besides, even a wealthy idler like Seventh Brother, after enduring the freezing cold, still calls it beautiful. It shows that every place has its own grandeur."

They sparred back and forth, their words laden with hidden barbs. The Thirteenth Prince, who had been learning to manage official affairs since the age of seven, could hear the undertones. Without changing his expression, he smiled and changed the subject. "Official business has been handled all year; can't we let people rest on New Year's Eve? Forget about Changbai Mountain or Ningguta. I went to Tenth Brother's manor the other day and saw something interesting. In his courtyard, he keeps a chicken and a 'great immortal' [a weasel]. The two of them get along quite well; they built their nests not far apart, and when they have nothing to do, they visit each other. They are truly good neighbors."

The so-called "great immortal" was a weasel, a natural enemy of the chicken—a relationship of hunter and hunted. That the Tenth Prince could train the two into friendship was truly astonishing.

Hongzan shook his head repeatedly. "Tenth Brother just loves to mess with these things. Last time, I saw him keep a cat and a parrot in the same cage; he was probably training that, too. But later, it was said the bird was eaten by the cat, so he changed to keeping a siskin and a praying mantis. This time, it's actually turned out well."

The rice wine in Hongce’s hand had grown cold, so he set the cup on the table and smiled. "I don't believe he really succeeded. Go have a look in two days; nine times out of ten, the weasel's teeth have been pulled out so it can't bite the chicken’s neck, and its ferocity has been extinguished."

The group laughed, just as a eunuch arrived to relay the Emperor's oral decree summoning Hongzan. He took the order, rose, and followed.

Hongxun sat closer, and the brothers spoke with their heads together. Hongxun said, "The case you are investigating is troublesome. Look at all these royal relatives in the room—which one of them is at ease? I fear that in the end, you will have acted as the villain for nothing, and everyone will end up resenting you."

He knew the stakes, but having reached this point, he had no choice but to investigate, regardless of the consequences.

"I am under Imperial command; there is no reason to abandon it halfway. In a case like this, whoever investigates makes enemies—it's the same as when the Imperial Clan Court was reorganized years ago. I know I’m not popular; I've been like this since I was a child, so I don't care if it happens one more time." He looked at his younger brother. "Right now, I am like someone wading across a river; the water is up to my neck. One step forward might lead to shallow sand, or it might lead to being submerged. To handle Hongzan, I may need your help, but I fear that because you are close friends, it will put you in a difficult position."

"Don't worry about that; I can tell who is near and who is far. As long as he has committed crimes, I will never show favoritism." Hongxun smiled again and said in a low voice, "I heard about Twelfth Brother causing a scene at Langrun Garden a couple of days ago. When you go back, give my best to the Twelfth Sister-in-law."

Mentioning Dingyi, Hongce smiled with an air of spring and sunlight. He lowered his head to stroke the sachet at his waist—a magpie holding a copper coin; the embroidery wasn't refined, but it had been stitched by her, needle by needle.

Seeing his expression, Hongxun leaned against the railing and sighed wistfully. "I don't know when I will be able to meet that person. Father is clamoring for me to take a Primary Consort, forgetting how he was in his younger days." Realizing he had accidentally used the Twelfth Prince's mother as a distraction, he quickly shut his mouth in embarrassment. Scanning the surroundings, he added, "I have heard some rumors; Twelfth Brother, please be careful. Make arrangements for your sister-in-law early, and guard against someone being driven to desperation."

He had already made arrangements for that; a portion of the Prince's guard had been sent to Jiuciju Alley. If someone intended to strike in the dark, they would not be defenseless.

However, while secret skirmishes could be guarded against, no one could stop people from coming to the door with drawn blades to make an arrest.

On New Year's Eve, at the hour when every family was lighting lamps and enjoying domestic bliss, and after the ancestral sacrifices had been completed, the brother and sister were playing chess to see out the year. As the game grew intense, a series of urgent knocks sounded at the front gate.

Dingyi hesitated. "Who would be out at this time? Could it be the Twelfth Prince has returned?" She set aside her chess piece, rose to look out toward the veranda, and instructed the gatekeeper, "Find out who it is before opening the gate."

The gatekeeper answered in the affirmative, pulled back the bolt, and asked who was there. Before the words had even faded, a foot kicked the door off its hinges. An official led several dozen soldiers holding torches as they surged in. The lieutenant stood in the courtyard and shouted, "The Commander of the Gendarmerie's Fifth Battalion! We have received a report to apprehend a fugitive wanted for military exile." He gestured, "Search the place!"

It was like a disaster descending from the heavens. Rujian did not even have time to hide before he was dragged out from the main hall.

Dingyi was frantic, so terrified that she was stunned. She stepped forward to hug her brother and shouted back, "What kind of protocol is this? Barging in and making arrests based on hearsay?"

The lieutenant gave her a cold, sidelong glance. "The Gendarmerie makes arrests; once we catch them, we catch them. If they are innocent, we will naturally release them after verification; if they are dirty, they might just sit in prison until they die—that’s how it is." Seeing her refusing to let go, he raised his voice. "You are obstructing an official from performing his duty. I’ll spare you because you are a woman. Let go, or I will take you with us!"

As they tugged and pulled, Sha Tong arrived with a group of imperial guards, waving his hand. "Block the gate! Don't let a single ant out! I want to see who has the guts to come to the Prince of Chun’s residence to make an arrest!"

The two sides were locked in a standoff. Only then did the lead official speak, resting his hand on the hilt of his saber and looking Sha Tong up and down. "Isn't this the Deputy Manager from the Twelfth Prince’s side? What is this? Have you forgotten who I am?"

Sha Tong, of course, recognized him. This was Lou Boxiao, the Gendarmerie Commander, a first-rank official who held major positions in the capital’s defense, inspection, night patrols, prohibitions, and civil administration. His appearance signaled an unwinnable battle. All Sha Tong could do was quietly send someone to Changchun Garden to report to the Twelfth Prince, buying as much time as he could. But at the moment, the Twelfth Prince was performing his filial duties before the Retired Emperor; it wouldn't be easy to get a word in. Prince Zhuang had chosen this moment to strike—it was truly the perfect opportunity.

He took a breath and feigned surprise. "Isn't this Commander Lou!" He hurried forward to bow. "You are still busy even on New Year's Eve! This servant wishes you a Happy New Year!"

Commander Lou looked at him and skipped the pleasantries, saying directly, "I am carrying out an investigation. Anyone irrelevant is not to interfere, or they will be dealt with as accomplices. Have you been with the Twelfth Prince for so many years without learning even this basic rule?"

Sha Tong cursed him as pedantic in his heart, but put on a smile, saying he wouldn't dare. "This servant is ordered to watch over the house and protect the grounds for the Princess. Commander Lou, you break in to make an arrest in the dead of night; this servant must ask for the reason so that I can report to our master later."

Commander Lou looked at the brother and sister. "Is this the Twelfth Princess?"

Sha Tong quickly said yes. "It has already been reported to the palace, just waiting for the imperial decree... Look, this is a case of the flood washing away the Dragon King’s temple—your son and our master are on good terms, the two families have connections, and when your son marries the princess, the relationship will be even closer. During such a major festival, you take away our Princess’s own brother; this servant fears it will be hard to explain. This servant has no intention of obstructing you, I only ask for your accommodation. Wait until our master returns from Changchun Garden tomorrow, and we will lead the brother-in-law to your office ourselves. You can trust our master's character, can’t you? You may rest completely assured."

Commander Lou was unmoved. "I am acting under orders. The person must be taken away today. The Commander's Office will not hold the suspect; he will be handed over to the Ministry of Justice for processing. When the Twelfth Prince returns to the residence, give him a message for me: I am performing my official duty; any offense toward the Prince, I will visit to apologize another day."

Seeing that negotiations had failed, the lieutenant waved his hand to have the men take him away, but Dingyi absolutely would not let go. She had once experienced this pain; her father and brothers were taken away and never returned. The nightmare of over a decade ago was repeating itself; for her, it was worse than death. She was trembling all over with fear. With no other way, she could only choose to live or die with Rujian.

Rujian was helpless. He hadn't expected them to come in the dead of night, disrupting all his plans. He felt deeply saddened by Dingyi’s state, but he had to maintain a composed appearance, saying, "It doesn't matter. I will go with them. Since the truth must come out sooner or later, it is better to do it today than to wait for a better day; it just so happens to have hardened my resolve."

Others were reuniting as a family, yet she had to endure another separation of flesh and blood; it was truly more than she could bear. She looked around in a panic. The faces reflected in the torchlight were all as cold as clay idols; she did not know whom to rely on. Sha Tong seemed equally at his wit's end, looking at her with a bitter expression. She gripped Rujian even tighter, shouting sternly, "I am not separating from my Third Brother! If you want to take him, you take me, too."

Commander Lou felt it was a thorny situation. Even if the wedding hadn't taken place yet, she was, after all, the apple of the Prince of Chun’s eye, and offending her would be undesirable in the end. The suspect had to be taken regardless; such a delay was not a solution. He turned to Sha Tong. "Deputy Manager, don't just stand there watching. My soldiers are all rough men; I don't want an accident where they injure the lady. Since she is the Twelfth Prince’s future Princess, it would be better to preserve her dignity and face."

Having reached this point, the use of force was inevitable. Sha Tong could only offer words of comfort. "Princess, do not be anxious. Take care of your health. Wait for the Twelfth Prince to return before making any plans."

She did not speak, gripping Rujian’s robe so tightly she would not let go. As a result, the lieutenant drew his sword and sliced the hem of the robe. She stumbled and nearly fell, saved only by Sha Tong’s support. When she turned back to try and grab him again, Rujian had already been taken out by the soldiers.

Snow was falling thick and fast from the sky. She chased out, watching helplessly as Rujian was hauled away, unable to do anything. Someone on the street set off fireworks; with a thud, they launched into mid-air, illuminating the horizon in a riot of color. Then, the firecrackers and hanging strings of explosives across the city seemed to be affected by the contagion, their sky-shaking noise resounding in all directions, drowning her cries in the roar.