Love in Red Dust – CH 068

Chapter 68.

She stamped her feet in panic. “Oh no, Rujian is coming! Quick, quick…” Flustered, she grabbed a belt to fasten for him, urgently instructing, “Do not you dare go out. There’s a ladder in the back—I will 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 had not 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 will settle this face-to-face,” he said firmly, gripping her wrist. “King’s Consort, I am taking you back to Beijing. Even if your third brother tries to stop us, it will not work. At worst, we will fight it out. If he dares to stand in my way, I will have him arrested and escorted back to the capital with us!”

Normally mild-tempered, once provoked, he cared for nothing. Dingyi pleaded pitifully, “Do not be like this. Rujian did not 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 are both men—who does not 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 should I not 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 would not be easy. But since they had not yet reached the point of no return, and family ties should endure, he could not 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, are you finished with your tasks? It is raining—come inside before you get soaked.”

Rujian ignored the courtesy, glancing at Dingyi. “I would not presume. Thank you for your kindness. I’ve come for my sister. Once I’ve found her, I will take her back. If the Twelfth Master would permit us, Wen would be most grateful.”

As Rujian stepped forward, Hongce smoothly blocked his path, still smiling amiably. “We are family—let’s talk this over. You’ve known about Dingyi and me since the time at Suifen River. You are a reasonable man—why insist on pressing the advantage? I have good tea here. Let’s brew a pot and speak frankly. Beating around the bush will not solve anything. It is time to lay our cards on the table—do you not 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 had not persisted, a mere report submitted to the higher-ups explaining the situation could have easily buried the case. So, he had to ensure they could not 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 could not 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 were not like a broken bowl that could be mended with clamps. He did not want to hurt her, so even if he was being manipulated, he accepted it. Sometimes, ignorance was bliss.

But staying silent did not 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 did not 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 had not interacted with the neighbors and did not 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 did not…” 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 yourselves inside a room in broad daylight, with no clear explanation. We dare not blame the King—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 is not just a game for me. He went to such lengths to find us—that proves his sincerity. You cannot make me marry someone else now. I am staying with him.”

Rujian glared at her. “Is this how a proper young lady should speak? Go home at once. Do not embarrass yourself here!”

Hongce, protective of his own, smiled and mediated, “Third Brother, do not be upset. Dingyi is right—we did put thought into this. I am 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 could not find her, I might have given up. But now that I have, I am sorry—even if it is through fire and water, I will not part with her.

To be honest, Third Brother, I am 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 cannot be neglected. Some things we understand without saying—as long as it benefits Dingyi, right and wrong do not 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 will be handled flawlessly. I’ve said my piece—now it is up to you, Third Brother.”

His eloquence was impeccable, leaving Rujian no room to maneuver. The implication was clear: if Dingyi did not 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 did not 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 king—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 was not 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 could not 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 King’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 King 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 High King 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 has not formally entered your household. If she casually steps into High King Chun’s Residence, her reputation will be ruined. Even if she’s properly wed later with a grand procession, she will 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 are absolutely right. Once I return, I will immediately arrange for a separate residence.”

Rujian nodded in approval. “My business here cannot be abandoned just yet. Once everything’s settled, I will 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 cannot 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. “Do not be angry, Third Brother. Your sister is still yours—just being taken care of by someone else now. It is 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 cannot be smoothed over.”

Rujian was surprised. No wonder acquiring the mountain had gone so smoothly. Normally, such under-the-table dealings in official circles would not 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 King 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 am at ease. After all, we are practically family. Once Zao’er is married into your household, our ties will be unbreakable. I am certain Your Highness would not 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 would not 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 did not 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 would not 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 li away to public execution. In these times, there was little room for reason.

He studied the 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 would not 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 will return to the capital whenever the 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, do not back down. If you believe something is right, do not 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 will have no one else to rely on but him.”

Brothers going to such lengths had a bit of both father and mother in them. Dingyi pouted and wiped away her tears, saying, “Do not worry, I’ve remembered everything. When I get back, I will 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 King’s Consort is someone I cherish—I will not let her suffer the slightest grievance. If I truly did not 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 is 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.