It was originally said that the imperial decree for the marriage would be issued on the day of the Beginning of Spring, but in the end, the edict was not promulgated. Dingyi knew that Hongce had gone to the palace to intervene, but she didn’t press him for the reason. In truth, she didn’t need to ask—she understood that he always wanted to give her the best. Once the decree was issued, her status would be set in stone. But if it wasn’t, there might still be room for negotiation.
Rujian had returned from Shanxi and, wary of any moves Hongzan might make, kept to Wine and Vinegar Bureau Alley, rarely venturing out. When he inquired about their marriage and heard she was to be named a Secondary Wife, his face immediately darkened with displeasure. Who would want their sister to be a concubine? Though their family status was somewhat inferior, a lady of the house should marry up. If the title wasn’t right, he absolutely would not agree.
“I once told the Twelfth Master that the Wen family’s daughters do not become concubines. Does the Twelfth Master still remember?” They were gathered around the table for a meal—a wine table was a good place for negotiations—and Rujian’s expression was grim. “Don’t ask Dingyi for her opinion. She’s muddle-headed and throws all caution to the wind when she’s confused. Her family isn’t dead yet, so the marriage isn’t hers to decide. If the Twelfth Master cannot keep his promise, then return my sister to me. Even if she never marries, I’ll support her for the rest of her life.”
Hongce felt awkward. This brother-in-law was not easy to deal with—family members held the highest authority. If he really took his sister back, wouldn’t all his grand dreams come to nothing?
“Third Brother, please calm down. It’s the New Year—auspiciousness is what matters.” He smiled apologetically and poured him wine. “Earlier, when the title of Secondary Wife was mentioned, not only would you be furious, but I myself was also dissatisfied. You know how I feel about Dingyi—I’d rather wrong myself than wrong her. So please rest assured, Third Brother, I will find a way to resolve this properly. As for the case in the Censorate, the Duke of Zhen was imprisoned three days ago. I’ve already reported the details to the Emperor and await his decision. The palace’s intention is to hold a joint trial, inviting Prince Zhuang along with the Three Judicial Departments and Nine Chief Ministers to observe. This way, the courtroom proceedings can be immediately known to all, and those with guilty consciences will surely be unable to restrain themselves—they might even repeat their old methods of harming my father-in-law. I’ve carefully considered it. Summoning you to testify wouldn’t count as a commoner accusing an official—at most, you’d serve as a witness. They can’t do anything to you.”
But Rujian slowly shook his head. “I’ve thought it over while in Datong. Now that I’m back, rather than being forced into a corner, it’s better to go to court and sound the drum of grievance, openly accusing Prince Zhuang. If you want to investigate him, there’s no need to take such a roundabout way.”
Hongce hesitated. “There are pros and cons to this approach. The first thing they’ll likely question is your crime of fleeing in secret.”
“Isn’t that where you come in?” Rujian smiled. “The officials in the Ministry of Justice will surely coordinate with you. At worst, I’ll be imprisoned first, and then we’ll proceed according to your plan. There won’t be any unexpected complications.”
But Dingyi couldn’t agree. “The risk is too great. What if there are Prince Zhuang’s people in the Ministry of Justice? If they beat you half to death first, would you even survive long enough to testify?”
A careless smile appeared on Rujian’s face. “How will we know if we don’t try? A person’s life must have some purpose. Avenging Father and my two brothers is more important to me than my own life. And now there’s you—if we don’t clear your name, how can you enter the Yuwen family? All things considered, this is a sure-win deal. Even if I suffer, I’m willing.”
Dingyi shook her head and said softly, “Don’t think too much about me. I’ve managed all these years. If entering Prince Chun’s residence requires sacrificing you, I’d rather not marry at all.”Her words threw Hongce into a panic. "I'll think of a way. Even if I suffer some physical pain, it won't be life-threatening. How could you say such things? What position does that put me in?"
Rujian also chided her, "The Twelfth Master is right. Don't talk about not marrying so casually. The bond between husband and wife takes lifetimes to cultivate. Don't give up so easily over a little hardship."
Dingyi looked at Hongce guiltily. He still had injuries on his head, and her words must have upset him. She forced an awkward smile and served him food ingratiatingly. Remembering Hailan's matter, she quickly put down her chopsticks and said to Rujian, "I went to the Suo family recently—the ones who guard the gold vault. They've moved to the entrance of Beiguanchang Alley."
Rujian's expression clearly faltered for a moment before turning indifferent. He gritted out two words through clenched teeth, "Meddlesome."
Dingyi blinked rapidly in denial. "Weren't you once engaged to a girl named Hailan?"
He looked up in alarm. "You saw her?"
"More than saw her—we even talked!" Dingyi said triumphantly. "She told me all about how you used to ride your horse past their alley every day just to catch a glimpse of her. Didn't you get tired going such a long way around?"
Rujian's face flushed red. It was an old memory, but thinking of it still made his heart race. He could never forget how she looked standing by the window, as delicate as a chrysanthemum in the sunset. Back then, they were only fourteen or fifteen—the perfect age for romantic dreams. Later, when the Wen family fell into ruin and survival became a struggle, those youthful affections seemed frozen in ice. Now, after more than a decade, they had thawed, still fresh and alive.
But it had been too long. Everything had changed. He smiled self-deprecatingly. "Ask the Twelfth Master if he got tired when he was showering you with attention."
As if pledging his loyalty, Hongce immediately replied, "Not tired at all. Even if I were, I'd still be happy."
Dingyi tilted her head and said to Rujian, "Third Brother, I have good news for you. Hailan hasn't married yet—she's been waiting for you! She's gone to great lengths, pretending madness whenever someone proposed to her. She's twenty-eight now. You owe her an answer."
He seemed dazed for a long time after hearing this, his heart filled with indescribable bitterness. He took a large gulp of wine, but the more he drank, the more tangled his sorrow became. Lowering his head, he laughed bitterly. "Why would she wait for me? Knowing there was no hope, why did she keep waiting? All these years, I've been alone outside the capital, never imagining I still had a debt of love here. What kind of joke is this?"
Perhaps the sudden weight of responsibility after years of freedom was too much. His movements and expression seemed weary. Dingyi glanced at Hongce before hesitantly asking Rujian, "Aren't you happy, Third Brother? A woman as good as Hailan—meeting her is your good fortune."
"So a good woman has been ruined by me. If she had married someone else long ago, had a family, and lived comfortably as a wife, I wouldn't feel so wretched now."
Hongce quickly consoled him, "Third Brother, your words don't reflect your true feelings. If it were me, though I might feel guilty, I'd be more grateful. Since she's still waiting, it shows her devotion. Repay her tenfold, a hundredfold in the future—make up for all these years you owe her. That's what a real man does."Rujian looked at him blankly, "What can I offer her in my current state? It'd be better if she thought I was dead and found a good family to marry into. I don’t want to wrong her."
Dingyi, being a woman, understood a woman’s heart. To waste one’s youth waiting for someone, only for him to show no gratitude—any woman with a shred of pride wouldn’t survive it. She retorted angrily, "If Third Brother wants her dead, it’s not that hard. Why waste so many words? Just send someone to kill her and be done with it."
Rujian frowned, "What nonsense are you saying? When did I ever want her dead?"
"Your words are no better than a slow execution. If I were her, the moment you said this, I’d marry someone else the next day and make you regret it." She turned to Hongce, "If you were Third Brother, would you say such things to her if you met?"
Hongce shook his head, "No."
"See? Even our Twelfth Master understands. Some things you think are for her good, but have you ever considered whether it’s what she truly wants? She’s waited over a decade for you—those years have slipped through her fingers and can never be reclaimed. It’s not something your offhand remark of ‘I’d rather you married well’ can make up for. You should say..."
She pursed her lips, struggling for words, then turned to Hongce for help. The Twelfth Master was indeed the Twelfth Master—eloquent as soon as he opened his mouth. "Say, ‘Back then, I had no choice, but I’ve never betrayed you. I’ve missed you day and night. You’ve waited for me until now, and I know you’ve suffered greatly. I’m sorry. It’ll never happen again. I’ll make up for every lost moment, bit by bit, as long as you don’t resent me and are still willing to accept me. I swear on my life—from now on, I’ll love you, cherish you, and never leave your side.’"
Their duet left Rujian dumbfounded. He’d never even considered such sentimental words—no wonder his sister was so devoted to the Twelfth Master. The boy really had a way with women!
He digested it with great difficulty, "I’ve never betrayed you... missed you day and night..."
Dingyi found it exhausting just watching. She propped her forehead and said, "Just make her feel the wait was worth it, that you’re grateful and will stay with her for the rest of your life. That’s the gist."
Finally understanding, he dropped his chopsticks and stood up, "Then I’ll go see her now."
Hongce quickly stopped him, "No need to rush. The New Year is approaching, and though Suo Tao’s rank isn’t high, his ‘charcoal tribute’ won’t be small. If you show up unannounced, it might draw unwanted attention. Let me make arrangements first—we’ll use the name of Seventh Lord’s Secondary Wife to summon Hailan to Prince Xian's Residence. Then we’ll figure out how to get her out."
Rujian hesitated, "Seventh Lord keeps to himself. I’d feel bad troubling him."
Hongce rubbed his nose, thinking to himself that when it came to Dingyi, Seventh Lord’s enthusiasm knew no bounds. Not only would he lend his name, he’d probably clear out half of Prince Xian's Residence without a second thought.At this point, Rujian's thoughts were finally unblocked, and Dingyi could even solemnly impart her insights—truly the demeanor of an old hand familiar with the ropes. However, what surprised her most was Hongce's cooperation. She remembered how few words he used to speak and the arrogant air about him when she had gone to his door to beg him to save Xiazhi. Though well concealed, it was undeniably there, etched into his very bones. Back then, she had thought she would likely never have much interaction with such people in her lifetime—they were worlds apart, one in the highest heavens and the other in the dust, impossible to bridge. Yet who knew the world held so many miracles? They had still ended up together, allowing her to discover many endearing qualities in him she had never imagined before.
She didn’t go to Prince Chun's Residence; instead, he practically moved his study to her place. Of course, staying overnight was absolutely out of the question—carrying on a secret affair under Rujian’s watchful eye would bring shame to everyone if caught. But being together gave them both a sense of security, the kind of mutual reliance where thoughts didn’t need laborious explanations, just a glance to understand each other.
He handled matters decisively. The next day, Rujian successfully met with Hailan. When Daiqin returned to report, Dingyi was unwrapping the forehead bandage to change his dressing.
"What do you think they're doing now?" he muttered curiously, unable to resist gossiping. "After so long apart, Rujian really ought to take the initiative."
Dingyi wrung out a hot towel to clean his wound, not quite catching his meaning. "What are you trying to say?" she asked vaguely.
He smiled. "Nothing. Rujian’s not young anymore—he ought to know."
She eyed him suspiciously. "Know what?"
He didn’t answer, reaching instead to touch his wound, but she batted his hand away. "Don’t fuss with it. I just applied the medicine—what are you doing with your dirty hands?"
He, who was always fastidious, was actually being scolded for being unclean! He splayed his fingers for her to see. "I washed them. After trimming the potted plants earlier, I scrubbed them several times with soap."
She said nothing, taking his hand and slipping his index finger into her mouth. Hongce stared at her in shock, but her expression remained calm as she finished applying the medicine and carefully rewrapped the wound. His fingertip was enveloped in warmth as she continued to hold it between her lips, reminding him of the way the Empress Dowager held her pipe.
"Dingyi," he said, his heart restless. "What are you doing?"
She glanced at him coyly. "You said they were clean, so I tasted them."
He swallowed hard. "There’s no need to test it like that." Standing up, he placed his hands on her shoulders, gazing at her tenderly. "Rujian isn’t home. If my calculations are correct, he won’t be back for at least half an hour."
A faint blush rose to her cheeks. "And then?"
"And then..." He traced her lips with his finger, moving slowly from the corner to the peak. "We’ll steal a rare moment of leisure."
Men often liked to scheme for such moments. Dingyi smiled shyly but didn’t respond to his words. Instead, she took his hand and led him outside, pointing toward the courtyard. "The plum trees bloomed today, and it snowed this morning. Let’s go admire them."
Helpless, he waited for someone to fetch his cloak, and the two of them walked arm in arm down the corridor.The backyard had a small garden, modest compared to the grand gardens of princely estates, but it was charming in its own way, complete with miniature rockeries and pavilions. A plum tree stood beside the rockery, blooming vibrantly in the northwest wind, its branches dusted with fine snow. Beneath the pristine white, specks of crimson peeked through, creating a beauty that seemed to whisper unspoken words. She stood beneath the tree, her face stiff from the cold, yet her smile was as radiant as the morning sun. Softly, she murmured, "How beautiful! We used to have a tree like this at home, even bigger than this one. My brothers loved to play the literati, setting up a chessboard beneath it and playing in the snow... So many years have passed. Of my three brothers, only one remains." Her voice carried endless melancholy.
He stood beside her, tilting his head with a gentle smile. "Gains and losses go hand in hand. Haven't you gained me instead?"
"That's true," she sighed deeply, her breath forming a cloud in the cold air. "Tomorrow is New Year's Eve. The offices are closed—will you be going to the palace to accompany the Emperor Emeritus for the year-end celebrations?"
He hummed in agreement. "I had hoped to bring you along, but the rules at Changchun Garden are strict. It won’t be possible this year—perhaps next. I’ll return late, so I won’t come here and disturb you. I’ll visit first thing on New Year’s Day and take you to the temple fair at Dongyue Temple."
She nodded. A cluster of fine snow drifted down from the branches, and she reached out to catch it in her palm. But before she could examine it closely, it had already melted away.
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