Raising birds was Dingyi's old profession, and the dozen or so carrier pigeons in the northern room later became her favorite pastime. The way nobles like princes and dukes kept birds was different from ordinary folks—even pigeons were divided into ranks. Those big-nosed, gray-colored ones weren’t worth much, and enthusiasts wouldn’t bother with them. If you were going to raise pigeons, it had to be the likes of Purple Ring, Ink Ring, or Tiger Cap—these had market value and, if trained well, could perform the Flying Disc. What was the Flying Disc? It was when a flock of birds took off, formed a circle midair by connecting head to tail, and spun around like a millstone—a sight pigeon fanciers loved to see.
Twelfth Master kept Short-beaked Phoenix Crests, which only ate sorghum seeds. These pigeons couldn’t open their beaks wide, so the seeds had to be fed one by one, making them quite troublesome to care for. But there were perks—like today, when one of them returned after an hour with two unfamiliar faces in tow. They must have strayed from another flock and been lured back by mistake.
Dingyi rubbed her hands in delight. There was a rule in pigeon-keeping: if a bird got lost, its original owner wouldn’t come looking for it. Once it entered your home, it was yours. She led Twelfth Master over to see. “Later, we’ll stitch their wings shut. Feed them for a couple of days, and they’ll settle in. I’ve checked—they’re both males. Once they recognize this as their home, they’ll pair up and stay.”
Twelfth Master nodded beside her. “No wonder they say males are foolish. Our flock has more females. Once they start longing for a mate, they abandon their old home—just like people.”
She glanced back at him with a smile. “Talking about yourself, aren’t you? Men must marry when they come of age—same for birds and humans. Who wouldn’t want a home? A big house alone doesn’t make a home. There has to be someone inside, holding the fort, waiting for you when you return—that’s what makes it a home.”
He pinched her cheek. “Now you’re full of wise sayings. But people are smarter than pigeons. When a man woos a wife, he brings her home to live with him. Pigeons aren’t like that—the impatient ones just move into her place instead.”
“Isn’t it because they see everyone else paired up and get anxious?” She reached into the cage, pulled out the birds, and tied their wings with thread. Unable to spread their feathers, they couldn’t fly and could only wander the courtyard to familiarize themselves. Clasping her hands contentedly, she said, “Lay eggs soon and hatch some chicks—how fun would that be!”
The two male pigeons, as if understanding human speech, cooed and immediately began chasing the females. Perhaps they’d crossed paths in the sky before and developed feelings! The birds were remarkably focused—no random flirting here. They zeroed in on those two females. The females paid them little mind, but the males kept nodding at them, a comical display of courtship.
Hongce wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder, and sighed wistfully. “Those males are a bit like me—fidgeting anxiously when the girl’s not won over yet.”
“Oh, stop it!” She turned and shoved him, laughing. “I’ve never given you the cold shoulder. The moment you call ‘Dingyi—’ I’m right there, all eager.”
“But I’ve put in plenty of effort too—making lanterns and whatnot. The most outrageous thing I’ve done in my life is this.” He thought for a moment and chuckled to himself. “Everyone’s young and reckless once. Flying lanterns with you in the snow—that’ll be a memory to cherish when we’re old. I just think… we should marry soon, have a child soon. Carrying on like this isn’t good—might make us sick from pent-up frustration.”At first, she didn’t understand what he meant, but when it dawned on her, her cheeks flushed crimson. She stammered, “Wasn’t that your idea? I’ll do whatever you say…”
Her reaction only stirred his restlessness further. He was already on edge, easily provoked. He quickly averted his gaze, but just as he was about to speak, he noticed the two male pigeons had succeeded—the female was now willing to face them, and they were locked in an intimate embrace, even kissing.
He watched in fascination. “Just like humans!”
Dingyi turned to look and saw the male pigeon acting shamelessly, flapping its wings as it mounted the female. Both of them were stunned, but after the initial shock came sheer awkwardness. She muttered under her breath, “No shame at all… Couldn’t they find a more private spot?” Then he pulled her inside and slammed the door shut.
She blinked nervously and fidgeted. “What’s this about? Can’t we just talk properly?”
He pressed her against the wall, his breathing uneven. “Tomorrow’s the start of winter…”
The remark seemed random, but she nodded anyway. “Yes, tomorrow’s the ancestral rites. I wonder how Seventh Lord’s birds are doing. It’s been a while since I last saw him—what’s keeping him busy these days?”
He buried his face in the crook of her neck, inhaling her sweet fragrance, which left him dizzy and disoriented. “The Empress arranged a Mongolian princess for him,” he murmured absently. “She’s fond of brawling, so he’s probably scrambling to deal with her.” He gave her a little shake, displeased. “Why bring him up? From now on, don’t mention him when I’m around. Even I have my limits—I’ll get jealous.”
She swayed like a willow in the wind from his shaking, covering her mouth as she laughed, her eyes crinkling with mirth.
He leaned in to nibble her earlobe, whispering sweetly, “I’m returning to the capital tomorrow. Hongzan slipped up and gave himself away—I finally have something to hold over him. Once I follow the trail, the case should see real progress. But what about you? I wish you could come with me. Having you by my side would make everything easier. Leaving you here alone… I can’t rest easy.”
She fiddled with the sachet at his waist, puffing her cheeks. “I’d like to go with you too, but I can’t bring it up with Rujian. Just focus on your work—I’ll wait here for your good news.”
He sighed in resignation. “Fine. I’ll leave two men here to keep an eye on you. If anything happens, just give them orders… And don’t run off again. If Rujian dares pull another stunt, he’ll regret it when I catch him.”
After all that pretense, his true colors showed at last. Dingyi chuckled. “As if I don’t know—those two are here to keep me in check! Don’t worry, I won’t run this time. If you issued a warrant, where in Great Britain’s territory could we siblings even hide? I think Rujian feels the same—who wants to spend their life on the run? If this can really be settled, he’s not so stubborn. After all, we grew up in Beijing. Though Datong is our ancestral home, our parents and relatives aren’t here anymore. It’s no different from any other place we’ve stayed. The way people talk here, the flavors—I just can’t get used to it. It’s better to return to Beijing.” Remembering Rujian’s mention of an engagement the other day, she quickly asked, “Do you know anyone in the Imperial Household Department? Which family oversees the treasury now?”Hongce, who served in the Military Affairs Council, naturally had connections with the Imperial Household Department as well. He said, "The Imperial Household Department is managed by the Sixth Prince and the Thirteenth Prince. Overseeing the treasury isn't a permanent position; it changes frequently. As far as I know, there are currently two families in charge—one manages the warehouses, the other the gold mines. One family is surnamed Zhen, the other Suo. Which one are you referring to?"
"The one managing the warehouses, the Suo family," she said, lifting her face. "My third brother was originally engaged to their second daughter. At that time, they were deeply in love, and my third brother still thinks of her to this day. When you return to the capital, could you help inquire whether that girl has married or not? If she hasn't, my third brother might have a chance."
Hongce pondered and saw an opportunity. Now was the time to win over this brother-in-law. Dingyi valued this brother dearly, and without Rujian's approval, it would be difficult for him to take her away. Matters of marriage are best when relatives and friends are happy to see them succeed. Moreover, having experienced the pain of longing himself, he could understand Rujian's plight. However, too much time had passed. The girl, once in the bloom of youth, was now nearing thirty. Even if she was willing to wait, her family likely wouldn't agree.
He said, "Inquiring isn't difficult, but I fear she may have already married and had children."
Dingyi spread her hands. "Then there's nothing to be done. It might be better for him to give up. You don't know him—he's quiet, but his heart is heavy. It's truly pitiful. Unlike you, who can search the world for me, he can't return to the capital and doesn't dare even ask about her whereabouts. Sometimes, when I see him from afar during his leisure time, he sits under the eaves playing his flute. The sound is mournful, like weeping, showing how deeply he suffers."
He hummed in understanding. "I see. A man's longing is buried deep in his heart—I know that pain well. But I wonder if Rujian will have the same luck as me. You were determined never to marry; is his situation with that girl the same as ours?"
She said it wasn't certain, smoothing the tassels on his jade crown as she spoke softly, "We can't force her. Let's just take a chance. If she's unmarried, that's best. If she's married, it's only natural. If her husband's family fell into ruin, and she's left guarding nothing, when would it ever end?" She teased him deliberately, "You can inquire, but don't you dare force her back. In operas, many Princes are villains who bully men and seize women—we won't do such things."
He gasped in mock indignation, a hint of coquetry in his tone. "You think I'm like that brute Seventh Master? If I had any wicked intentions, I would've taken you back to the Prince's mansion long ago. Why would I bother with all this trouble? I always put you first, and yet you say such things about me?"
Finally seizing the opportunity, he took advantage of the moment to pull her into his arms.
Outside, a light rain began to fall. The banana trees in the courtyard, half-green and half-yellow, swayed gently in the wind and rain, their leaves trembling faintly through the gauze curtains.
She smiled, gazing at him through the misty rain. "I should go back. It's hard to mine coal in the mountains when it rains. Rujian might return early..."
Her words were swallowed by his kiss—an elegant, lingering embrace brimming with restrained passion. Between their lips, he murmured in a daze, "Don't go... I don't know how many days we'll be apart again. The thought alone makes me ache unbearably. Dingyi..." His hand rested on her shoulder, then slowly slid down her arm to her hip. Her slender, enchanting waist—he gripped it firmly, pulling her tightly against him.She froze for a moment, then flushed crimson, too embarrassed to look at him. This man who was usually so refined could be utterly unrestrained at times like these.
His ragged breathing was like that of a beast, reverberating and magnified in her ears. She knew he was struggling—after all, he was a healthy man, and being so close yet unable to touch her must have been torment. This time, she took the initiative, rising on her toes to wrap her arms around his neck and mimicking his earlier actions, teasing his lips with her tongue. The Prince reacted like an inexperienced youth, suddenly shy and hesitant again.
Dingyi had always been bold, even reckless as a child. Once she set her mind to something, no matter how absurd, she would charge ahead without hesitation. Tomorrow, they would part, and her heart ached at the thought. The future of their love was uncertain, and she had never been overly optimistic. But when he told her not to worry, she instinctively believed him. There had been no earth-shattering passion between them—just quiet companionship, quiet affection. Though their love lacked dazzling romance, it was deeper and steadier than most.
She fumbled with the intricate clasps of his Belt with Hanging Ornaments, growing increasingly flustered as she struggled to undo them. In her imagination, she would have cast him a sultry glance, flicked her fingers, and the belt would have fallen away effortlessly. Instead, she huffed and puffed, making no progress.
He chuckled, tilting her chin up as his breath ghosted over her lips. "Beloved Flesh, what are you trying to do?"
The endearment sent shivers down her spine. Having grown up in the rough-and-tumble streets, she was no stranger to bawdy tales—if she hadn’t read them, she’d certainly heard enough to be far more worldly than this proper Prince. Still, as a young woman, she couldn’t bring herself to be too brazen. Nestling against his shoulder, she kept working at the stubborn buckle and muttered, "These leather fastenings are terrible. Next time, use a silk cord instead."
He couldn’t just stand by and watch her struggle. Though winter had already settled over Yunzhong and Datong, chilling the room, beads of sweat glistened on her forehead. With a deft motion, he undid the belt himself and teased in a low voice, "I’ve never seen such impatience. In broad daylight, what exactly are you planning?"
The nerve of him, pretending innocence after provoking her! She shot him a glare. "I intend to have a fierce battle with the Prince."
At first, he had been joking, but her retort wiped the smile from his face. His fingers trembled as he pointed at her. "A proper young lady shouldn’t—"
She scoffed. "And where did you learn that 'Beloved Flesh' nonsense? Did you visit a brothel? Is that what the madam taught you?"
Of course, he would never frequent such places. The court forbade officials from consorting with courtesans, and as a law-abiding Prince, he disdained such behavior. But how could he explain it? The words had simply tumbled out, and now she had caught him red-handed. Rubbing his face awkwardly, he stammered, "I—I read widely. Any book that’s purchased and brought in, I’ll read it." Her skeptical look made him inexplicably defensive. Raising a hand as if swearing an oath, he insisted, "Truly! Works like Stories to Caution the World and Lasting Words to Awaken the World mention such things here and there. After reading enough, they just... stick in your mind. Anyway, I’ve never said it to anyone else. Between husband and wife, surely such private talk shouldn’t be scrutinized too harshly?"
A slow warmth spread through her chest. She twisted away with a playful pout. "Who said we’re husband and wife?"
"Isn’t it you?" He turned her back to face him. Her shy, adorable expression stirred his heart, and he leaned down to kiss her, murmuring, "You’re my Princess Consort. By now, half the capital must know. My reputation as a taken man is already out—if you won’t be my wife, what am I to do?"The two were whispering and giggling together when suddenly loud shouts erupted from outside. Upon closer listening, it was unmistakably Rujian's voice, raised in a sharp cry: "Little Date, are you in there or not? Come out right now, or don't blame me if I barge in!"
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