Love in Red Dust

You size me up, and naturally I’ll size you up too. The man stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over me from head to toe.

This was a border region, sparsely populated, with outsiders making up half the residents. The locals, to put it bluntly, had a certain toughness about them—many were descendants of prisoners of war. The imperial court had treated them well, granting them land and livestock, allowing them to live like petty kings. The man before me was clearly no ordinary fellow, that much was obvious without asking. Don’t think you can judge a person by their clothes alone—what matters is their aura. The way someone stands, a single glance or gesture, reveals their true standing to an experienced eye without needing much thought.

The boss stepped forward and clasped his hands in greeting. “What kind of men are you looking for, sir?”

Hongce replied, “Strong ones—not just for fieldwork, but also capable of escorting caravans. I happened to pass through on business and heard there’s a slave market by the Suifen River, so I came to take a look. No need to probe further, boss—I have no connections here, just passing through. If we can strike a deal, consider it the start of a friendship.”

The man’s lips curled faintly. “No connections is good—straightforward dealings, no beating around the bush.” He bowed slightly. “My surname is Yue—Yue Kundu. And yours?”

“My surname is Alatan, translated into Han as Jin.” It wasn’t entirely a lie—using the Yuwen name would have made things impossible. His mother was Mongol, and Alatan was her original clan name, so borrowing it wasn’t out of the question.

Yue Kundu nodded and gestured behind him. “All the available Aha are here today. Master Jin, take your pick, and we’ll discuss the price afterward.”

Hongce barely glanced at them. “The men I need aren’t here. None of them meet the conditions I mentioned earlier. Lord Yue, don’t hold back the good stock—if the quality is up to par, we can negotiate the price.”

In this line of business, caution was important, but profit came first. Kundu crossed his arms and gave a vague smile. “I’m a small-time trader—what you see is all I have. Hiding good stock would be beyond my means. But though I don’t have what you need, I know a few big players. They have plenty of stock, and by pooling their resources, we can let you pick to your heart’s content. How many do you need? Give me a number, and I’ll arrange it. Once it’s done, I’ll find you, and we’ll talk details.”

Hongce felt reassured—this seemed promising. He gestured first one way, then the other, and smiled. “I’m just passing through and won’t stay long. I’ll spend the New Year in Suifen but leave on the second day. If Lord Yue is interested, please act quickly.”

“Then it’s settled,” Kundu said. “Where are you staying, Master Jin? I’ll bring the men tonight. I’m not looking to make a big profit—just a middleman’s cut. But let me be clear: the goods won’t be shown beforehand. If I say I have them, I do. Our trade has rules—once terms are agreed, you pay a deposit, then inspect and take the goods. If there are extras, we’ll filter them out; if there’s a shortage, we’ll make it up. Does that work for you?”

Hongce toyed with his jade bracelet and nodded. “When in Rome, do as the Romans do. That’s only fair. In that case, I’ll trouble Lord Yue. I’ve just arrived and haven’t settled in yet, but the largest courier station in Suifen will do. Look for Jin Yangxian there—I’ll definitely be around.” He clasped his hands. “Then it’s settled. I’ll await your esteemed visit tonight.”

“I wouldn’t dare call it esteemed—just a late-night disturbance,” Yue Kundu said, gesturing politely. “Safe travels.”Jin Yangxian departed gracefully, and soon after, the pockmarked fellow sidled up and addressed him as "Big Brother." "Out of nowhere comes this character, can't even name who he's representing. How could you agree just like that? Yuwen Dongqi has made life unbearable these past six months. What if he's a disguised imperial lackey? If we fall into a trap, things could get serious."

Yue Kundu broke off a dry stalk of grass and chewed on it thoughtfully, then suddenly scoffed with a laugh. "Only a fool turns down easy money. As for whether I have men to spare—of course I do, but I won’t just hand them over. That long-legged grasshopper Soluntu jumps at the sight of coin—let him handle it. If there’s profit, we all share; if trouble comes, he’ll take the fall. After all, his brother-in-law’s the garrison commander!"

Everyone had their own calculations. Outsmarting others was a skill; failing to do so meant being at their mercy—no different anywhere else.

A deal settled in just a few words—such smoothness was unsettling. By the time Hongce reached the tavern, he was deep in thought, fingers tapping rhythmically on the table. After a moment’s consideration, he instructed Ha Gang, "We can’t just sit and wait. Keep an eye on that Yue fellow—see where he goes after the market closes and who he meets."

Ha Gang accepted the order and left. The group then set out to find an inn. The largest lodging in Suifen was by the riverside, its name quite Sinicized: "Guests Follow the Clouds." Registering at the front desk, they were told only three rooms remained. Logically, six people could manage—Dingyi, being a woman, would take one; the Twelfth Master, as the superior, another; and the four Guards could squeeze into the last, tight but manageable. Just as they thought the arrangements settled, the Twelfth Master spoke up: "Two to a room—as if it were preordained." The implication was clear. Dingyi was stunned, while the Guards remained unfazed, silently taking their keys and slipping into their rooms with a salute.

She stood frozen. "What... what does this mean?"

He lazily replied, "I’m tired. Let’s rest." Seeing her hesitation, he reached out and tugged her along. "It’s not the first time we’ve shared a room. No need for shyness."

Dingyi flushed, thinking to herself—fair enough. She was making a fuss over nothing. The Twelfth Master was just ensuring everyone had enough space; four burly men crammed into one room would indeed be uncomfortable.

So she followed him inside. Without any luggage, there was nothing to unpack. The inn’s room was already spotless, requiring no tidying. With nothing to do, she stood awkwardly before settling into one of two chairs. A servant entered with tea, glancing curiously at the two sitting stiffly before hastily setting down the tray and retreating.

Dingyi scanned the room and finally found a topic. "Only one kang—how thrifty on firewood."

The Twelfth Master was blunt. "This is a single. The other two rooms have two kang each—let the taller ones take those. Among us, you’re the smallest, and I’m not bulky. We’ll manage. I treat my men like family."

Dingyi gaped. His logic... wasn’t entirely wrong, yet it felt off. She was a woman—how could she just "manage"? Realization dawned—those Guards were truly shameless, so quick to curry favor without a thought for her dignity.

She swallowed hard. "I’ll... ask for an extra bed.""Why?" Hongce refilled his cup, gently blowing away the steam before cradling it in his hands and taking slow sips. "In the dead of winter, two people huddled together stay warm. If you can't sleep at night, I can keep you company with idle chatter."

Was this still the same Twelfth Master? Had he suddenly become so perceptive? She nibbled on her finger. "I... I'm afraid people will laugh at me."

"Who would laugh?" He turned to her with a serious expression. "The pure need not fear idle gossip. Besides, who here knows you? Dressed as a man, no one would suspect a thing. As for my people... they already know about us. From now on, they'll only hold you in higher regard."

Dingyi was stunned. His reasoning was so sound she found herself at a loss for words.

He cast her a fleeting glance before standing and pushing open the window to look outside. The river had frozen over, and the ice now served as a thoroughfare for pedestrians and carriages, resembling a white street. Rubbing his hands together, he sighed. "Back in Khalkha, I rode ice sleds a couple of times, but I stopped after returning to Beijing. Passing by Shichahai a few times, I'd lift the sedan curtain to watch children and adults playing on the ice—I envied them. What a pity. Now that I'm older, with peacock feathers pinned behind my head, I can't play freely for fear of being seen. It's maddening, like being clawed at by a cat."

She stood beside him, unimpressed. "What's the big deal? If you're afraid of being seen in the capital, we'll play here. Rent an ice sled—I'll pull you. I'm excellent at it, can run three miles without breaking a sweat."

"Did you used to do this for a living?"

"Yep." She grinned. "Looking back now, I've done all sorts of odd jobs. Three hundred coppers for pulling someone three miles—quick money. Earn on the way there, pick up passengers on the way back—six hundred coppers round trip. Much better than pushing a wheelbarrow."

His heart ached at her words. Other princess consorts were coddled in luxury, oblivious to life's hardships. His princess consort had seen the harshness of the world and knew the struggle of survival. He tugged her hand, clasping it tightly in his palm. "From now on, I'll treat you well. You won't have to toil for a living anymore."

She hummed in agreement. "I know. Princes are all quite wealthy."

His expression darkened. "Has Seventh Lord been flaunting his wealth again? That man might as well wear the word 'money' on his forehead. Who tries to steal someone's sweetheart like that? Thankfully, you're not materialistic. His unrequited advances are just embarrassing."

His jealousy was palpable. Dingyi teased him, feigning seriousness. "But I am materialistic. Why else would I wake up thinking about how to earn money? People like me, born into hardship—"

Before she could finish, he yanked her toward him. The window shutter slammed shut with a sharp crack, and the next thing she knew, she was pinned against the corner.

At this close distance, his faint, pleasant scent filled her nostrils. She heard his ragged breathing, uneven like that of a wronged child. Her heart raced—it had been so long since they'd been this close. Seventh Lord's omnipresence was a constant obstacle, watching their every move, leaving them no room for intimacy even when they managed to meet.His hands were sweating with anxiety, his tone aggrieved. "I have money too, but having money shouldn’t be flaunted—it makes a person vulgar. Besides, I treat you well not because I have money. Even if I only had a single coin in my pocket, I’d spend it all to buy you water, without keeping half a cent for myself. Could he do the same?"

Dingyi listened to his explanation, the usual composed and strategic demeanor long discarded in some forgotten corner. She couldn’t help but laugh. "What’s so special about me that you like me this much? Complimenting me makes me happier than giving me money."

He thought for a moment. "You’re simple-minded, talkative, and kind-hearted."

She puffed her cheeks. "No, I’m going to find Seventh Lord instead!"

"You dare!" he grumbled, pressing himself against her so tightly she had nowhere to hide. He traced a finger along her cheek and murmured softly in her ear, "Wen Dingyi, it’s fine if I never took notice of you. But once you’ve caught my eye, it’s too late to run."

She hadn’t expected this strange transformation in him—so dignified and elegant in public, yet so different in private. She still remembered the first time she saw him, wearing an official robe embroidered with dragons, his noble bearing as if looking down upon the world. Later, when Xiazhi caused trouble with Seventh Lord’s dog, she went to plead with him. He stood by the blue-and-white fish tank feeding the fish, the brilliant light illuminating his face. At that moment, she thought there was no man more beautiful in the world. It was truly love at first sight, an impression carved so deeply into her memory it couldn’t be erased. He was like the moon in the sky, even now making her feel unworthy. Then one day, that moon fell straight into her arms, and the mix of nervousness and joy she felt was beyond any words or brushstrokes to describe.

What could she do? Her face burned with shyness, but her resolve remained firm. She reached up, hooked her arms around his neck, pulled him down, and planted a kiss on his lips. "Yuwen Hongce, we’re even now."

He froze for a moment before breaking into a delighted laugh. He loved this boldness of hers—unaffected, unpretentious, daring to act on her feelings. He cradled her in his arms, peppering her with slow, tender kisses, left and right, as if he could never grow tired of it. Even a brief separation was unbearable, his heart surging with overwhelming waves that left him dizzy.

For all her bravado, she was still a girl at heart, trembling slightly against his chest from nervousness. He stroked her face and chuckled quietly. "This is bad. If we share a bed tonight, things might get out of hand."

She hummed in response, looking up at him. "Why?"

He hesitated, then muttered, "Nothing," and averted his gaze. She shook him gently, her voice soft and pleading. "Don’t leave me hanging. Are you going to tell me or not?"

He met her eyes again. "If I asked you to share a bed with me, would you be afraid?"

Afraid? She pursed her lips, her bright eyes slowly shifting like the warm sun of winter. "Why should I be afraid? I used to disguise myself as a man—it’s not like I’ve never shared a bed with someone before."

He frowned. "With whom?"

Dingyi answered without thinking. "My senior brother. I became my master’s disciple at twelve, and for the first two years, there weren’t enough rooms, so we shared one. I was young then and didn’t understand anything, so nothing happened."

His voice grew quiet, muttering under his breath. "If I’d known about this earlier, I shouldn’t have saved him... Luckily, Xiazhi is a bit slow. If he’d found out sooner, who knows what would’ve happened."He had developed quite a taste for it, which even he found unbelievable. A man who used to be so decisive now found himself longing for his wife, his heart softened over miles. When displeased, he needed an outlet—and how did he vent? By stamping his mark. One stroke and another twist, leaving them both in a daze. She pushed him away, but he wouldn’t relent, burning with passion. Suddenly, the corner of his eye caught the felt door curtain being lifted, the dim outside light seeping in from the raised edge. Turning around, he saw it was Deputy Squad Leader Daiqin, who had stumbled upon his master’s indecency and now stood frozen in awkward hesitation.

His expression remained calm, though his tone was less than pleased. "Whose rules are these, barging in so abruptly?"

Daiqin shivered, glancing at Dingyi, who was mortified but forced herself to explain on his behalf. "Squad Leader Dai called out before entering... Didn’t I just push you? You wouldn’t budge!" Too humiliated, she hastily finished and ran out, covering her face.

Though his mood had been interrupted, the Twelfth Master was still in high spirits. He turned and settled into an armchair, picking up his teacup again. After a sip, he leisurely asked, "Any progress?"

Daiqin bowed. "Reporting to you, Master, that slave trader surnamed Yue has found a man named Soluntu and is heading toward the inn. Commander Ha has confirmed everything—Soluntu is the brother-in-law of Acting Deputy Commander Daoqin of Ningguta. Your foresight is unmatched, Master. It seems most of those Aha slaves were funneled out from the Suifen market, not just Ningguta, but likely also from Changbai Mountain and Jilin Wula. Once we capture them, those flesh-eating demons will have nowhere to hide."

Biting his lip, the Twelfth Master traced his fingers along the fox-fur trim on his sleeve, stroking it against the grain. Slowly, he said, "We’ll discuss the details later—we need to extract the truth. Once confirmed, stay composed. We’re short-handed and can’t act rashly. I’ll stay in Suifen to delay them for a day. You return to Ningguta and order Lu Yuan to mobilize troops. We must catch them all in one sweep."

Daiqin responded with a firm "Yes, Master!" and withdrew from the room. Outside, he spotted their Princess Consort drawing water from the well and quickly called out, "Guard Mu, need any help?"

Dingyi flushed at the sight of him, flustered as she declined and turned away. Daiqin rubbed his nose—he was even more embarrassed than they were. It wasn’t as if he’d meant to intrude. Relieved she refused, he turned to check on the horses down the corridor.

Looking back, it was both exasperating and amusing. She steadied herself and muttered, "So what if he saw? I’ve got thick skin—I can handle the judgment."

Pouring the water into a basin, she noticed how, despite the cold weather, the well water felt warmer. Carrying the basin up the steps, she collided head-on with someone, splashing water all over them. Startled, she looked up to see a dark, burly man with a long face, large eyes, and a pinhead-sized black mole above his brow. A sudden jolt ran through her—she even forgot to wipe him dry. Why did he look so familiar? As if she’d seen him somewhere before.