She stamped her feet in panic. "Oh no, Rujian is coming! Quick, quick..." Flustered, she grabbed a belt to fasten for him, urgently instructing, "Don't you dare go out. There's a ladder in the back—I'll climb over the wall."
She tried to slip away, but he pulled her back. How long could they keep hiding like this? Better to confront it openly and let Rujian brace himself. Originally, if he hadn’t come looking, they might have continued tiptoeing around for a while longer. But now, there was no holding back—after sneaking around for so long, even a saint would be provoked to fury. They were an unmarried man and woman, together by mutual affection—what business was it of anyone else? Why force this feud of national and family grudges upon them? Was there any need to invite such misery upon themselves?
"Today, we’ll settle this face to face," he said firmly, gripping her wrist. "Princess Consort, I’m taking you back to Beijing. Even if your third brother tries to stop us, it won’t work. At worst, we’ll fight it out. If he dares to stand in my way, I’ll have him arrested and escorted back to the capital with us!"
Normally mild-tempered, once provoked, he cared for nothing. Dingyi pleaded pitifully, "Don’t be like this. Rujian didn’t force me—I chose to follow my brother willingly."
He scoffed. "Truly willing? He feigned retreat to advance, pretending not to pressure you while driving you into a corner. I despise being manipulated. If I were him, I’d turn a blind eye and be done with it. The case is already under urgent investigation, yet he keeps pushing, leaving no room to breathe. Can you blame us for fighting back?" Then he muttered under his breath, "We’re both men—who doesn’t understand the other’s plight? Years on the run have addled his brain. He waits for others, yet makes them suffer the same. Showing up at such a critical moment—if he wants my life, why shouldn’t I take his?"
His rambling left Dingyi bewildered. Tugging his sleeve, she asked, "What are you muttering about? What do we do now?"
Straightening his belt and collar, he pushed open the door and strode out with his head held high.
The courtyard was filled with Guards—breaking through with just the three of them wouldn’t be easy. But since they hadn’t yet reached the point of no return, and family ties should endure, he couldn’t sever Dingyi’s connection to her kin. So he remained courteous, calling out, "No need for hostility. Invite our honored brother-in-law in for a talk."
The Guards obeyed, lining up on either side and gesturing for Rujian to enter. Dingyi, terrified, hid behind Hongce, fearing Rujian’s glare would pierce her like arrows.
Men’s confrontations seemed to exclude women. Hongce settled her aside, then clasped his hands and smiled at the fuming Rujian. "Third Brother, finished with your tasks? It’s raining—come inside before you get soaked."
Rujian ignored the courtesy, glancing at Dingyi. "I wouldn’t presume. Thank you for your kindness. I’ve come for my sister. Once I’ve found her, I’ll take her back. If Twelfth Master would permit us, Wen would be most grateful."
As Rujian stepped forward, Hongce smoothly blocked his path, still smiling amiably. "We’re family—let’s talk this over. You’ve known about Dingyi and me since Suifenhe. You’re a reasonable man—why insist on pressing the advantage? I’ve good tea here. Let’s brew a pot and speak frankly. Beating around the bush won’t solve anything. It’s time to lay our cards on the table—don’t you agree?"They exchanged glances, each sizing the other up. Rujian had suffered through those hard years outside, and to survive, he had to rely on cunning. The trade he had been involved in before was no different—dealing with unsavory characters had inevitably rubbed off on him. It had to be said that he had played a significant role in pushing the situation to this point. Wen Lu’s case was nothing more than an old, unresolved matter, but his own lack of innocence had left him vulnerable. If there had been no leads and the investigators hadn’t persisted, a mere report submitted to the higher-ups explaining the situation could have easily buried the case. So, he had to ensure they couldn’t let it go. As for how to keep them hooked—bait without casting the net—Dingyi was his bait. Perhaps there was no real malice in it, just an opportunistic move after discerning their feelings for each other. But the taste of being manipulated was bitter, and even more frustrating was knowing it was a trap yet diving in headfirst. Who could blame him when he couldn’t bear to part with the cinnabar dot in his heart?
Later, while Dingyi waited for him, Rujian might have been waiting too. Otherwise, with his shrewd nature, how could he have failed to notice the new neighbors? How could he have allowed them to interact under his nose for so long? The tactic of slapping someone only to offer a sweet date afterward—he was well-versed in such tricks. But he never mentioned any of this to Dingyi. After all, he was her own brother, finally reunited with her after so long. Family ties weren’t like a broken bowl that could be mended with clamps. He didn’t want to hurt her, so even if he was being manipulated, he accepted it. Sometimes, ignorance was bliss.
But staying silent didn’t mean he was in the dark. He had to warn Rujian, subtly and overtly, making it clear that the case would be thoroughly investigated—but not at the cost of being led by the nose. He had his own judgment.
It was indeed time for a talk. Rujian didn’t fly into a rage but calmly settled into an armchair, avoiding direct conversation with Hongce. Instead, he turned his gaze to Dingyi, his tone stern. “I asked you before, and you said you hadn’t interacted with the neighbors, didn’t even know who they were. Turns out you were lying to me.” He pointed at the man across from him. “Who is this? Did he just appear out of thin air? Since when did you learn to lie?”
“It’s not like that… I didn’t…” Dingyi’s fingers nervously twisted the tassels on her pouch into a tangled mess. She timidly glanced up at Rujian, her eyes flickering before she quickly lowered them again, shoulders hunched like a child caught in wrongdoing.
Rujian let out a long sigh. “Is this how it should be? The two of you shut inside a room in broad daylight, with no clear explanation. We dare not blame the Prince—we can only blame ourselves. What are your plans for the future? Do you even care about living anymore?”
Tears welled in her eyes, her expression pitiful to the extreme. She shuffled forward a couple of steps and pleaded, “Third Brother, you know this isn’t just a game for me. He went to such lengths to find us—that proves his sincerity. You can’t make me marry someone else now. I’m staying with him.”
Rujian glared at her. “Is this how a proper young lady should speak? Go home at once. Don’t embarrass yourself here!”Hongce, protective of his own, smiled and mediated, "Third Brother, don't be upset. Dingyi is right—we did put thought into this. I'm busy with official duties and not one for games. My heart is too attached to let her go. When you took her from me before, if I couldn’t find her, I might have given up. But now that I have, I’m sorry—even if it’s through fire and water, I won’t part with her. To be honest, Third Brother, I’m returning to the capital tomorrow and plan to take her with me. There’s progress in the family case, and the arranged marriage in the capital can’t be neglected. Some things we understand without saying—as long as it benefits Dingyi, right and wrong don’t matter. You want to clear Father’s name, and right now, my heart is the same as yours. I’ve done all I can, and the rest is up to fate. In short, whether the case is solved or not, Dingyi is mine. If you keep her, the case will still be handled. But if you let her come with me, not only will it be handled, it’ll be handled flawlessly. I’ve said my piece—now it’s up to you, Third Brother."
His eloquence was impeccable, leaving Rujian no room to maneuver. The implication was clear: if Dingyi didn’t go with him, the case might be hastily concluded, but if she did, it would be treated as their own affair—even wrongs could be twisted into rights. Was that the gist of it?
Rujian frowned at him. Hongce wore a faint smile, exuding the air of a victor. Rujian turned away with a cold snort. Indeed, if she didn’t fall into his hands, it was a testament to his own skill. But if she did, it would be up to him to decide. In the end, it was all for their father’s case. Without support, they had latched onto a prince—relying on him was better than anyone else. As for himself, he was technically a fugitive. By law, he could be sent back to Changbai Mountain. Since Hongce wasn’t pressing the issue, refusing this olive branch would be unwise.
He glanced at Dingyi, reluctant to hand her over. He knew his sister would marry someday—he couldn’t keep her forever. But with all their family gone, she was all he had left. His feelings for her ran deep, and he feared she might suffer in the prince’s residence.
Clenching his fist, he slowly tapped the table, the rhythmic knocks echoing in the room. After a long pause, he finally said, "The Wen family’s daughter will not be a concubine. Can the Prince guarantee that?"
Hongce, pleased by his softening stance, nodded. "Not only will she not be a concubine, but there will never be another woman ruling Prince Chun’s Residence. You have my word, Third Brother."
That meant exclusivity—good. Rujian thought for a moment and added, "The capital is crowded and full of prying eyes. Find another place to settle her. After all, she hasn’t formally entered your household. If she casually steps into Prince Chun’s Residence, her reputation will be ruined. Even if she’s properly wed later with a grand procession, she’ll never hold her head high among her sisters-in-law."
Young lovers, burning with passion, often made such mistakes. His words served as a timely reminder for Hongce, who quickly replied, "Third Brother, you’re absolutely right. Once I return, I’ll immediately arrange for a separate residence."
Rujian nodded in approval. "My business here can’t be abandoned just yet. Once everything’s settled, I’ll return to the capital. She’s my only sister—I must personally escort her to the bridal sedan."Dingyi felt uneasy, as if she had betrayed her brother, and her conscience weighed heavily on her. Blinking her eyes, she called out, "Third Brother," only to receive a sidelong glance and a gruff retort: "Stop pretending. You must be thrilled deep down. A grown daughter can't be kept at home forever!" His words left her choking on her own breath.
Hongce, having settled one of his worries, radiated satisfaction and laughed heartily. "Don’t be angry, Third Brother. Your sister is still yours—just being taken care of by someone else now. It’s all the same. How’s your venture on the mountain holding up? If you run into any trouble, just speak to Master Pang. There’s nothing that can’t be smoothed over."
Rujian was surprised. No wonder acquiring the mountain had gone so smoothly. Normally, such under-the-table dealings in official circles wouldn’t be accessible to an outsider like him, with no connections. So it turned out Hongce had been pulling strings behind the scenes. This seemingly upright Prince might not be as untainted as he appeared!
He clasped his hands in salute. "Many thanks for Your Highness’s care. To be honest, this kind of business lacks even a written contract. Spending the silver left me uneasy. But now that I know of this connection, I’m at ease. After all, we’re practically family. Once Za’er is married into your household, our ties will be unbreakable. I’m certain Your Highness wouldn’t harm me."
Hongce gave a faint smile. A breeze drifted through the half-open lattice window, stirring the sable trim on his collar. His profile bore an inscrutable air, if only for a fleeting moment. Then he pressed his lips together and nodded, his noble bearing exuding an intimidating gravity.
Rujian turned to look at Dingyi. The silly girl was staring blankly at him, grinning as she asked, "Third Brother, when are you returning to the capital?"
Returning to the capital was inevitable—once the case reached its final stages, his presence would be required. And it wouldn’t be as simple as kneeling in court and kowtowing a couple of times. Though Dingyi had served in the Shuntian Prefecture, she had never witnessed someone accusing a high-ranking official and didn’t understand the stakes. For a commoner to sue an official, regardless of the outcome, meant fifty lashes right at the outset. Petitioners were branded troublemakers and beaten bloody before they could even plead their case. If the bailiffs struck with full force, one wouldn’t even have the breath to speak. And until the truth was uncovered, the accused would languish in prison. Even if justice prevailed in the end, the one you toppled would be of the highest rank, and you’d still be guilty. The punishment ranged from exile a thousand miles away to public execution. In these times, there was little room for reason.
He studied Twelfth Master, who remained composed, offering no reaction. Well, so be it. If he wanted to clear his father’s name, one more innocent life sacrificed wouldn’t make much difference. He should have died alongside Ruliang and the others anyway. Surviving to avenge them was worth it.
He smiled. "You settle in first. I’ll return to the capital whenever Twelfth Master sends word. Remember what I say, little sister—a woman’s dignity is earned, not given. If something is worth standing firm on, don’t back down. If you believe something is right, don’t second-guess yourself. Our family may have fallen, but we must never lose our pride. Since you and Twelfth Master have decided to spend your lives together, you must trust each other. If anything displeases you, talk it out. In the capital, you’ll have no one else to rely on but him."Brothers going to such lengths have a bit of both father and mother in them. Dingyi pouted and wiped away her tears, saying, "Don't worry, I've remembered everything. When I get back, I'll go to Xinglong Street to find someone and make it clear that I want them to take me in. Even if it means getting a cold shoulder, at least there's a place for me to go out, so no one will laugh at us."
The siblings had already made their plans, leaving Hongce with nothing to add and no objections. The Xinglong Street they mentioned had a maternal uncle from Dingyi's mother's side, who also held an official position in the capital—a minor fifth-rank clerk in the Hanlin Academy, barely scraping by. If they were truly willing to go to his house, there would be no need to seek him out; just a hint would have him rushing to take them in and treat them like royalty.
"There's no need for Third Brother to worry. I understand Dingyi's intentions, and we can discuss her plans further once we return to the capital," he said warmly. "Just rest assured and leave her to me. My own Princess Consort is someone I cherish—I won't let her suffer the slightest grievance. If I truly didn't care for her, why would I go to such lengths to track her down?" He turned to instruct his subordinates, "Put official business on hold for today. Prepare a feast—I want to share a few hearty drinks with my brother-in-law. Last time at Suifen River, you were still hiding behind Yue Kundu's name, and we were too busy with formalities, keeping each other at arm's length. But now it's different—there's someone binding us together, so we can speak openly."
His eyes crinkled with a smile as he glanced at her, reaching over to cradle her hand in his palm.
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