Beijing winters are cold. Without a charcoal brazier indoors, it’s unbearable—breath turns to clouds. The Seventh Prince not only stayed for tea but also had a meal.

Three people sat around the table eating hot pot. A copper hot pot stove with a small chimney in the middle and clear broth bubbling around the edge as everyone dipped in slices of mutton. Ding Yi circled the table pouring wine. The Twelfth Prince took the wine pot from her hand. “Sit down, don’t busy yourself anymore.”

The Seventh Prince dipped his mutton in sesame paste and stuffed it into his mouth, speaking unclearly: “That’s right, we have our own hands. If we want to drink, we’ll serve ourselves. You need to learn a bit. Don’t be so diligent, doing everything yourself—how would that work? Whatever you want, the servants are idle below, just instruct them. Our Shu’er has such beautiful hands, they must be well-maintained. Look at those princesses in the royal mansions—their faces may not be much, but their hands are like green onions. That comes from proper care. You should learn from them.”

While he spoke, his hand wasn’t behaving, always trying to reach over. The Twelfth Prince flicked his chopsticks to brush him away. He looked at her pitifully, “Shu’er, look…”

Ding Yi just smiled. Servants were attending, but she was used to doing things herself and preferred to handle things personally. These were all close people, just like her own family. In the future, she would live in this circle. After all, she came from humble origins. Being too pampered would invite ridicule.

Hong Ce carefully dipped the sauce for her and placed it in her bowl for her to eat. He had nothing to worry about now—the person was by his side, visible and tangible. No matter how much Old Seven tormented himself, he responded with a victor’s smile, casually asking, “Did Seventh Brother complete the betrothal ceremony today? When is the wedding date? I should prepare a grand gift.”

The Seventh Prince blinked, completely confused. He didn’t pay attention to such elaborate formalities. His previous consorts were all secondary wives, so he didn’t need to visit their families personally. Special people arranged everything for him; he only had to welcome the bride on the wedding day. This time it was a major event. He went himself but ended up handling things in a very confused manner.

“I went through with the ceremony but didn’t set a date. We probably have to wait for the palace to speak,” he replied casually. “Who cares? It’s going to happen anyway. I’m not in a hurry to get married. One more day of freedom is one more day.”

Hong Ce smiled discreetly. “What’s wrong? The new sister-in-law not to your liking?”

The Seventh Prince awkwardly said, “Her appearance is fine, but her temper isn’t good. When I went there, before I even entered the door, I heard the father and daughter cursing each other in the courtyard. This princess was dissatisfied with the marriage. I find it strange—if she’s unwilling, am I forcing her? If she has the ability, she should go to the palace and kneel in the imperial avenue to request the emperor to withdraw the decree. What airs is she putting on? If she makes me unhappy, I’ll punish her severely once she enters my household!”

He was just venting his anger here. He was probably afraid of her, like a mouse seeing a cat. Mongolians aren’t vegetarians. When angered, they’d draw knives and fight to the death. Wouldn’t that frighten the defenseless Seventh Prince to death?

The other two just smiled without speaking. The Seventh Prince felt very annoyed seeing this and didn’t want to talk about his affairs anymore. He asked how Hong Ce and Xiao Shu’s marriage would be arranged. Hong Ce put down his chopsticks and wiped his mouth. “I have to review a case tomorrow. The day after, I’ll submit my name card and bring her to the palace to meet the Emperor.”

The Seventh Prince slowly nodded, thought for a moment, and said, “Everything else is fine, but I’m afraid her background will be a problem. If asked where she’s from, about her parents and family circumstances, she won’t be able to answer. That might make things difficult.”

This was indeed a challenging issue. Ding Yi glanced at Hong Ce, but he didn’t seem worried. He said lightly, “If they accept, it’s simply a matter of entering the imperial genealogy smoothly. It’s just a title, is it so important? If they can give it, that’s best. If not, I’ll remove my imperial family title, return my yellow sash, and stop being a prince. Being an ordinary person should be acceptable!”

Such resolve… The Seventh Prince shakily gave a thumbs up. “I bow to you. Well… if you’re busy, I could take Shu’er to the palace too.”

He smiled genially as if others didn’t know his intentions! Hong Ce replied coldly, “Thank you, Seventh Brother, but don’t trouble yourself. I should handle my affairs. I wouldn’t feel at ease if someone else did it.”

The Seventh Prince was embarrassed and flattened his mouth, saying nothing more. After one round of mutton, it was time to cook Chinese cabbage and vermicelli. He used his chopsticks to scoop up a heaping bowl for Xiao Shu.

Ding Yi thanked him and asked if he knew the Cang Suo family. She’d learned they were bondservants of the Seventh Prince. If needed, a word from the banner master was worth ten from others.

The Seventh Prince picked his teeth and said, “The Suo family who manages the treasury? I know them. They used to live in Qin Lao Hutong but moved to the area east of Dengshikou Road. They built a two-story building next to Ji Ren Tang, piecing together plots to make an oddly-shaped courtyard. It’s quite large—that’s the Suo family. Why do you ask? Are they your relatives? That would be perfect—after many twists and turns, we’re still one family.”

Hong Ce frowned and said, “Seventh Brother, could you not be like this, always trying to force connections? She’s with me now, so she’s your sister-in-law. Is this how one speaks to a sister-in-law? If you don’t think of anything else, think of me. I’m still alive!”

Now the Seventh Prince had nothing to say. The other had a point, and he couldn’t refute it. Regarding Xiao Shu and Old Twelve’s relationship, he’d known since Suifenhe. They had that layer between them, which had long excluded anyone else. He just couldn’t quite accept it. Talking about it made him feel better.

Fearing they would argue, Ding Yi quickly changed the subject. She properly gathered her skirt, turned toward the Seventh Prince, and said softly, “They’re not relatives, just old acquaintances. Our fathers had a relationship, and I want to visit them. Do you know their daughter? Is she married?”

The Seventh Prince thought for a while before saying, “I remember several years ago when I had just established my household, Chicken Claw—that’s the head of the Suo family, named Suo Tao. This master is thin, so his nickname is Chicken Claw. He came to my residence on New Year’s Eve to kowtow and offer New Year greetings. He entered with a forced smile, but after kowtowing, he cried, saying their eldest daughter was gone. They didn’t know what illness she had. She was fine one day, and the next day, they called for a long time but she wouldn’t open the door. When they went in, she was already cold—anyway, she died. There was a younger one, but I don’t remember if she was married off. By custom, when bondservants have celebrations, they should notify their banner master, report to the master, and invite the master to the wedding feast. I don’t recall the Suo family having such an event… they might have told me, but I didn’t go. There are many servants, and I don’t have the brain capacity to remember them all.”

Ding Yi looked back at Hong Ce. “Dengshikou is not far from Tongfu Alley. I can visit my master on the way back.”

Hong Ce said, “That’s right. I’ll have gifts prepared for you to take to your master—it’s your filial duty. I can’t put down my official duties and have to go to the Ministry of Justice shortly. Let Guan Zhaojing accompany you back. As for the Suo family, whether they’re still around or not, don’t reveal anything to avoid complications. Remember that?”

She made a sound of agreement. “Don’t worry about me. You have heavy responsibilities on your shoulders. Take care of your side first. These are small matters that I can handle myself. Before I met you, I struggled through mud and water and still managed well.”

He smiled and brushed away a strand of hair from her cheek, saying softly, “That’s different. Before, you had no hope and had to rely on yourself. Now it’s different. If I let you venture out alone, wouldn’t that be my negligence?”

As they exchanged glances lovingly, the Seventh Prince’s teeth ached with jealousy. He was still very sad, feeling that staying for this meal was a mistake. Seeing their loving behavior made it clear there was no place for him. He needed to withdraw his heart. Old Twelve was right—this was his sister-in-law. No matter how shameless he was, he couldn’t covet her. He should think about how to placate his Mongolian Fujin instead!

When the meal was over, everyone went about their business. Ding Yi prepared eight large and small items, and seeing it was time for her master to get off duty, she took a sedan chair to Tongfu Alley. When she alighted, Guan Zhaojing supported her and said, “Fujin, please wait a moment. This servant will go in and clear the place. There are too many people in this compound—all sorts of riffraff would come up to chat. We don’t want to startle you.”

Ding Yi found his manner very uncomfortable. Back when she first entered the prince’s residence to meet the prince, she didn’t dare breathe loudly when she saw this steward. Now he was calling himself “this servant” at every turn. She couldn’t bear it and smiled, deflecting, “Andda, don’t call me that. Nothing is settled yet. It would be embarrassing if others heard. I’ll go in myself. It’s fine. I lived in this courtyard for five or six years. The neighbors inside are all familiar. I can’t act as if I don’t know people just because I’ve climbed higher. Otherwise, what would people say about me behind my back?”

Guan Zhaojing had no choice but to bow and escort her in.

On this snowy day, darkness fell early. It was already dim, and each household’s meals were on the table, waiting to be eaten. The compound was also a quadrangle with families living on all four sides. Thick curtains hung over the doors, so outsiders couldn’t see inside. Ding Yi had planned to enter the room quietly, but halfway there, San Qingzi’s wife came out from behind a curtain across the way. Looking up, she saw a richly dressed young woman in a goose-yellow skirt with a fox fur cape. A eunuch bent at the waist, holding an umbrella beside her. She looked like someone important.

In their compound, only when Madam Xi held a funeral did a few officials come. Normally, it was all lower-class civilians; no family had a wealthy relative. Now, a beautiful young woman had arrived with such an imposing air, wearing the finest satin and jewelry. Could she have come to the wrong place?

San Qingzi’s wife squinted hard, stepping forward sideways, and asked, “Miss, the east room is occupied by a master and apprentice. Are you looking for Old Master Wu Changgeng?”

She didn’t recognize her, which was understandable. Normally, when on duty, she wore an official uniform. Off duty, she would wrap herself in a robe and wander around, never caring about her appearance. Now, as a young lady with no official duties, she had more leisure time and inevitably paid more attention to her appearance. With this makeover, people couldn’t recognize her.

She felt quite awkward, not planning to make a public spectacle, hoping to slip by unnoticed. But San Qingzi’s wife kept approaching, staring at her in a daze. After a moment, she regained her senses and raised her voice with a loud exclamation: “Isn’t this Xiao Shu? Is it Xiao Shu?” As she spoke, she circled her. “How… did you suddenly become a woman? Something’s not right!”

Hearing her call out, Wu Changgeng came out from behind the curtain. Seeing Ding Yi, he was overjoyed and said in a trembling voice, “Our young lady has returned! Quick, come inside.” He also hurriedly bowed to Guan Zhaojing, “Great Steward has arrived. Forgive me for not welcoming you from afar. Please come in.”

Guan Zhaojing declined, smiling, “You two have private matters to discuss. It’s inconvenient for an outsider like me to be present. I won’t be in the way. I’ll wait under the eaves outside. When our Fujin comes out, please let me know, Master Wu. Thank you in advance.”

Times had certainly changed, with a sense of one person rising to glory and even their chickens and dogs ascending to heaven. The prince’s steward, who previously wouldn’t even look at people properly, now spoke with such softness. Wu Changgeng watched him bow and retreat to outside the main gate before coming to his senses. By the lamplight, he examined Ding Yi, seeing that she had grown taller and looked healthier, which comforted him greatly.

Supporting each other, they entered the room. Ding Yi called out “Master,” her eyes reddening as she choked with emotion, saying, “I’ve been gone for over a year and only returned to Beijing today. I’ve been thinking of you so much while I was away. You look quite healthy, which puts my mind at ease. Let me kowtow to you to make up for the filial duty I’ve neglected this past year.” With that, she knelt and performed three kowtows.

Wu Changgeng quickly pulled her up, “I’m fine. The sentiment is enough; no need for such a grand gesture.”

At this moment, Xia Zhi emerged from the inner room. Seeing her, he began to wail, saying, “Xiao Shu, you only thought of Master and forgot your senior apprentice-brother? I went to Mentougou to see my parents, and when I returned, you were gone. We’re fellow disciples—what did it mean for you to leave without saying goodbye? Look at you now, a complete transformation. My male apprentice brother has become a woman. I feel… so distressed.”

His distress was partly mourning the loss of a friend and partly feeling that he had missed his chance with a childhood sweetheart. His fate seemed to have reached a point of extreme misery. Ding Yi was used to his dramatic behavior and comforted him with a few words. Xia Zhi wasn’t one to dwell on things, so he cheered up and went to prepare bowls and chopsticks.

While the three of them were busy catching up, the courtyard became lively. San Qingzi’s wife loved to spread the news. She lowered her throat but spoke in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear, gesturing as she spoke, “You don’t know, Xiao Shu was a girl all along, and now she’s returned in silken glory! Just now a eunuch entered, looking like a great steward from some prince’s residence, wagging his tail and calling her Fujin. My, how impressive—she’s been promoted to become a Fujin! I remember when she used to roll up her sleeves and cook herself, and now she’s a Fujin…” As she continued, her voice took on a sour tone. She added, “I don’t know which prince has taken a fancy to her, but she does look very beautiful when dressed up. I said back then that this child had feminine features despite appearing male. I never thought she was a woman.”

Someone beside her tapped the edge of a basin, muttering, “If she’s a woman, how could she serve at the Shuntian Prefecture? If the authorities found out, the crime would be serious.”

San Qingzi’s wife laughed, “How foolish you are! Now that she’s a Fujin, apart from the Emperor himself, who would dare accuse her of any crime? Stop worrying needlessly, everyone disperse! Our little Shun still doesn’t have a godmother, and here’s one ready-made.” Saying this, she slipped back to her room to fetch her child. Ten-month-old Xiao Shun lay on his mother’s shoulder as she carried him into the east room.

A Fujin as godmother—wouldn’t that make the prince the godfather? San Qingzi’s wife had calculated well. She lifted the door curtain and entered, pushing the child toward Ding Yi’s hands. “You’ve been gone so long, you haven’t seen our Xiao Shun since birth. Take a look—a big, chubby boy.”

Ding Yi was quite surprised. Her casual conversation with her master was interrupted. As the child was handed to her, she had no choice but to accept. Having never held a child before, she didn’t know where to place her hands, so she cradled him flat in her arms. The child blinked his black bean-like eyes at her. She tucked in his bib and smiled, “He looks so good, full of cleverness.”

San Qingzi’s wife seized the opportunity, “Xiao Shun is almost a year old and still hasn’t recognized any godparents. People say children should be given away—giving them away can ward off disasters. You and Xiao Shun seem to have good chemistry. Why not take him as your godson? I won’t have to look elsewhere. We know each other well, and I’d feel at ease giving the child to you.”

This was Ding Yi’s first encounter with such a situation. She was only eighteen—who becomes a godmother at eighteen? She was a bit troubled. “I haven’t even started my own family… Besides, becoming godparents depends on our zodiac signs. Are Xiao Shun’s and mine compatible?”

By now, San Qingzi’s wife was single-minded—compatible or not, they had to be compatible! She said repeatedly, “I’ve calculated it. They’re compatible. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t started your own family. That’s just around the corner. Surely the prince wouldn’t object to you taking a godson?” As she spoke, she watched Ding Yi’s expression. “Or… is our status too low for you to consider?”

With things having gone this far, how could she refuse? Ding Yi smiled a bit awkwardly, “How could that be? We’re neighbors.” She glanced at her master, whose face showed delight, probably feeling that his disciple had done well, with a sense of pride. This reassured her. Smiling, she removed a filigree and kingfisher feather bracelet and tucked it into Xiao Shun’s swaddling clothes, saying, “I didn’t prepare anything and don’t know what to give the child. Keep this for him for now. Tomorrow I’ll have someone deliver gold and silver utensils and a longevity lock. Consider it a small token from me.”

San Qingzi’s wife exclaimed, holding the child and curtsying, imitating a child’s voice sweetly, “Thank you, Godmother. Godmother cares for Xiao Shun. When Xiao Shun grows up, he’ll be properly filial to Godmother.”

Ding Yi could only smile—apart from smiling, what else could she do? She had originally wanted to speak with her master, but midway through she had acquired a godson, wasting quite some time. She still needed to explore Dengshikou East Road, so she made a few perfunctory remarks and took her leave.

Her master saw her to the sedan chair and, lifting the curtain, whispered, “That place isn’t like your own home. There are many people with complicated thoughts. Be careful in everything. If anything doesn’t go well, if the Twelfth Prince isn’t kind to you, if his words have thorns, don’t endure it all. You haven’t married yet—if you’re uncomfortable at heart, you can’t spend a lifetime this way. We’re marrying up, but the higher we marry, the more we can’t break our backbone. Otherwise, people will look down on us.”

Ding Yi made a sound of agreement. “I’ll remember.” There was an indescribable warmth and sourness. To outsiders, her life seemed flowery and splendid. Even if she suffered some grievances, they would surely advise her to swallow her pride. Only her own family truly prioritized her. Master Wu and Ru Jian had the same heart. She forced a smile, “Go back now. It’s cold outside—don’t catch a chill. I’m leaving today but will come see you again later. I’m currently staying in Jiu Cu Ju Hutong. If anything happens, send my apprentice brother to find me.”

Wu Changgeng nodded, lowered the curtain, and cupped his hands toward Guan Zhaojing. The sedan chair was lifted onto its shoulders, two lanterns leading the way, and it swayed and disappeared at the end of the street.

Those who left left. Those who entered their rooms entered. In the desolate alley, a gust of wind blew past, stirring up the floating snow along the path. A person emerged from the corner where the mulberry tree stood, spitting out peanut shells forcefully, grinning with gritted teeth, and headed toward the other end of the hutong.