Raising birds was Ding Yi’s old profession, and the dozen or so carrier pigeons in the north room had become her pleasant pastime. The way nobles kept birds differed from common people. Even with pigeons, there was a clear hierarchy. Those gray ones with large beaks weren’t worth much—enthusiasts didn’t care to raise them. If one were to raise pigeons, it should be purple-ringed ones, black-ringed ones, or tiger-capped ones. These had market value and, if trained well, could perform circular flight. What was the circular flight? It was when a flock of birds took off and, at mid-air, connected head to tail forming a circle, spinning as they flew—a sight pigeon keepers loved to watch.

The Twelfth Master raised short-beaked phoenix-headed pigeons that 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 benefits too. Like today, after being out for an hour, they brought back two unfamiliar pigeons, probably strays from another flock that had gotten confused and followed them home.

Ding Yi rubbed her hands together in excitement. Pigeon-keeping had its rules—owners wouldn’t search for lost birds; once they came to your home, they became yours. She led the Twelfth Master to see them. “We’ll bind their wings, feed them for two days, and they’ll get used to it. I’ve checked; they’re both males. Once they recognize this as home and start families, they’ll settle down.”

The Twelfth Master nodded beside her. “No wonder they say males are foolish. Our flock has more females, so they missed their wives, and abandoned their old homes, just like people.”

Hearing this, she turned and smiled. “Are you talking about yourself? A grown man should marry. People and birds are the same. Who doesn’t want a home? A large mansion alone cannot be called a home. There must be someone there to make it complete. When you return and see that person waiting for you—that’s a home.”

He pinched her cheek. “You’re quite eloquent now. But people are smarter than pigeons. People trick wives and bring them home to live. Pigeons get it wrong—the impatient ones end up marrying into their wives’ families.”

“That’s because they see others in pairs and become anxious!” She reached into the pigeon cage, pulled out the birds, and tied their wings. Unable to spread their wings, the birds couldn’t fly, only walk around the courtyard to familiarize themselves with the place. She stood with satisfaction, hands on her hips, saying, “Lay eggs soon! Hatching little birds would be so much fun!”

The two male pigeons seemed to understand human language, cooing as they began chasing the female pigeons. Perhaps they had met in the sky before and developed feelings! The birds had very clear targets—they didn’t chase just any female indiscriminately, only those two specific ones. The female pigeons didn’t pay much attention to them, but the males kept nodding their heads at them, apparently a wooing tactic, which looked especially amusing.

Hong Ce embraced her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder, sighing wistfully: “That male is a bit like me, desperate to win his wife, anxious to the point of scratching his ears and face.”

“What a character!” She laughed, turning to push him away. “I’ve never been aloof with you. One call of ‘Ding Yi’—and I respond promptly, coming to you right away.”

“But I’ve put in no small effort, like making lanterns and such. That’s the most extraordinary thing I’ve ever done in my life.” He thought about it and laughed at himself. “Who hasn’t been young and reckless? Releasing lanterns with you in the heavy snow will be a memory to cherish in our old age. I just want us to marry quickly, and have a child soon. We can’t go on like this; we’ll end up getting sick.”

At first, she didn’t understand his meaning, but then it dawned on her. Her cheeks flushed red with embarrassment as she stammered: “Wasn’t that your decision? I’ll follow your lead…”

Her demeanor made him even more restless. Nowadays, he was easily provoked, ignited by the slightest spark. She quickly turned her face away. Just as she was about to speak, she saw that the two male pigeons had succeeded—the female pigeons were willing to face them, sweetly affectionate, even beak-to-beak.

He watched with curiosity. “They’re just like people!”

Ding Yi turned to look and caught the male pigeon behaving obscenely, flapping its wings as it mounted the female’s back. They were both greatly surprised, which soon turned to embarrassment. She murmured: “Shameless creatures, not even knowing to find a private place…” Then he pulled her into the room, closing the door with a bang.

She blinked her eyes, saying awkwardly: “What are you doing? If you have something to say, just say it.”

He pinned her against the wall, breathing somewhat rapidly. “Tomorrow is the Beginning of Winter…”

This statement seemed disconnected, but she still nodded. “Yes, tomorrow we should make offerings to the ancestors. I wonder how the Seventh Master’s two birds are doing. It’s been quite a while since I’ve seen the Seventh Master. What’s keeping him busy these days?”

He lowered his head to inhale the fragrance of her neck, a sweet scent that made him dizzy and disoriented. He replied casually: “The Empress arranged a Mongolian princess for him. She’s quite a fighter; he’s probably busy figuring out how to deal with her!” He shook her slightly, showing a bit of displeasure. “Why mention him? From now on, don’t speak of him when I’m around. Even with my good nature, I still get jealous.”

She swayed like a willow in the wind from his shake, covering her mouth as she laughed, her eyes curving into crescents.

He moved closer to kiss her earlobe, saying sweetly: “I must return to Beijing tomorrow. Hongzan couldn’t contain himself and showed his hand. I’ve finally caught him on something. Following this lead, the case has made significant progress. But what about you when I’m gone? If only you could return with me—seeing you by my side would energize me in everything I do. Leaving you here alone, how can I not worry?”

She played with the sachet at his waist, puffing her cheeks as she said: “I’d like to go with you too, but I can’t face Ru Jian about it. You go ahead with your business; I’ll stay here and wait for your good news.”

He reluctantly agreed. “Then I’ll leave two people behind to watch over you nearby. If anything happens, just instruct them… And don’t secretly run away again. If Ru Jian tries that once more and I catch him, he’ll face severe consequences.”

After all this pretense, his true nature was finally revealed. Ding Yi laughed, “You think I don’t know you’re leaving two people to keep an eye on me! Don’t worry, I won’t run away again. If you issued an arrest warrant, wherein the Great British territory could my brother and I find a foothold? I suspect Ru Jian feels the same way—who wants to be constantly chased? If the matter can truly be resolved, he’s not stubborn. We grew up in Beijing after all, and although Datong is our ancestral home, our parents and relatives aren’t here anymore, so it’s no different from other places we’ve stayed. The local dialect and flavors—I can’t get used to them. It’s better to return to Beijing.” Remembering what Ru Jian had said about his engagement, she quickly asked, “Are you familiar with the people in the Imperial Household Department? Who’s in charge of the treasury now?”

Hong Ce, who worked in the Grand Secretariat, naturally had connections with the Imperial Household Department. He replied: “The Imperial Household Department is managed by the Sixth Master and the Thirteenth. The treasury position isn’t permanent; it changes every so often. As far as I know, there are currently two families—one managing the warehouse, and one managing the gold production. One family is named Zhen, and the other is Suo. Which one are you referring to?”

“The one managing the warehouse, the Suo family.” She looked up at him. “My Third Brother was once engaged to their second daughter. They had deep feelings for each other back then, and my Third Brother still thinks of her to this day. When you return to Beijing, please help inquire whether that young lady has married. If not, there might still be hope for my Third Brother.”

Hong Ce pondered—this could be a way to win over this brother-in-law. Ding Yi valued this brother, and without Ru Jian’s approval, it would be difficult to take her from his hands. For marriage matters, it was best if all relatives approved. Besides, having experienced the pain of longing himself, he could understand Ru Jian’s difficulty. However, too much time had passed—the flower of youth had withered, approaching thirty now. Even if the young lady herself was willing to wait, her family might not agree.

He said: “Inquiring isn’t difficult, but I fear she may have already married and had children.”

Ding Yi spread her hands, saying: “Then there’s nothing to be done. It might be better for him to give up hope. You don’t know how, despite his silence, his heart is heavy. It’s truly pitiful—unlike you who could search worldwide, he can’t return to Beijing, not even daring to inquire about her whereabouts. Sometimes I watch him from afar; whenever he has free time, he sits under the eaves playing his flute. The sound is mournful, like weeping, showing his inner sorrow.”

He made a sound of acknowledgment. “I understand. When a man thinks of someone, he keeps it all in his heart. Such suffering, I understand. I just don’t know if Ru Jian has the same fortune as me. You had the determination never to marry; are he and that young lady like us?”

She said it wasn’t certain, helping him straighten the tassels on both sides of his jade crown, speaking softly: “We can’t force others. It’s a gamble—if she’s unmarried, that’s the best outcome; if she’s married, that’s understandable too. After his family fell from grace, waiting indefinitely without direction—when would that end?” She deliberately teased him. “Inquire all you want, but don’t forcibly bring her back. In operas, many princes are villains who bully men and force women. We don’t do such things.”

He exclaimed softly, with a hint of coquettishness: “Do you take me for that foolish tyrant, the Seventh Prince? If I had even considered underhanded methods, you would have been back in my prince’s mansion long ago. Why would we be struggling here? I put you first in everything, and you still speak of me this way?”

He had finally found his opportunity, using her words as a pretext to gather her into his arms.

Outside, rain began to fall in a light pattern. The banana trees in the courtyard were half-green, half-yellow. Looking through the gauze window, the banana leaves trembled and swayed in the wind and rain.

She smiled, gazing at him through half-closed eyes. “I should go back. The rain makes coal mining in the mountains difficult; Ru Jian might return early…”

Her words were swallowed into his mouth. Their elegant entanglement contained restrained power waiting to be unleashed. Between their lips and teeth, he murmured hazily: “Don’t go back… Who knows how many days we’ll be apart? Just thinking about it pains me greatly. Ding Yi…” His hand covered her shoulder, slowly sliding down her arm to her hip. Holding her marvelous, beautiful waist, he pulled her firmly forward, pressing her tightly against him.

She was startled, then her face turned red up to her ears. She was truly too embarrassed to look at him. This man was usually so refined, yet in moments like this, he was capable of anything.

His breathing was like that of a beast, amplified beside her ear. She knew he was suffering greatly in his restraint. As a normal man, having her so close yet unable to touch her was surely torturous! She became more proactive this time, standing on tiptoe to embrace his neck, imitating him by licking his lips. This prince, however, reacted like a novice, becoming shy and confused.

Ding Yi was bold; since childhood, she had possessed a daring spirit, willing to do the most outrageous things once she set her mind to it. They would part tomorrow, and she too was reluctant. The outcome of their love was uncertain; she had never been very optimistic. But he told her not to worry, and she instinctively trusted him. Without dramatic upheavals, they had been quietly together, quietly in love. Such love, though perhaps not as dazzling, was more enduring and stable than others.

She began to undo the belt at his waist, but with many hidden clasps, it was difficult to manage, making her flustered and red-faced. In her imagination, she would cast a coquettish glance, flick her finger, and the belt would fall off immediately. In reality, she struggled for a long time without success.

He laughed, lifting her chin and breathing fragrantly. “My little darling, what are you trying to do?”

This term of endearment gave her goosebumps. Having grown up in the marketplace, she was no stranger to romantic novels—not only had she read them, but she had also heard plenty, perhaps even more versed than this proper prince. However, as a young lady, she couldn’t speak too crudely. Nestling against his shoulder, her hands still working, she muttered that leather clasps were troublesome and that next time they should switch to braided cords.

He couldn’t just watch her struggle. Datong was already very cold at the Beginning of Winter, and the room was cool as water, yet her forehead was covered in a mist of sweat. He took the opportunity to remove his belt, teasing in a low voice: “I’ve never seen such impatience. In broad daylight, what exactly are you trying to do?”

Taking advantage while pretending innocence! She glared at him. “I want to have a passionate encounter with Your Highness.”

At first, he was still joking, but after this response, he couldn’t laugh anymore. With trembling fingers, he pointed at her. “For a young lady…”

She was unfazed. “Where did you learn that term ‘little darling’? Been to a brothel? Did the madam there teach you?”

Of course, he would never patronize such places. The court prohibited officials from visiting prostitutes. He was a law-abiding prince who disdained such activities. But how to explain? The words had just burst out spontaneously, and she had caught him red-handed. He wiped his face, stammering: “I read widely… all kinds of books. As long as they’re purchased from outside, I read them.” Seeing her skeptical expression, he felt inexplicably guilty, swearing: “Really, like ‘Three Words’ and ‘Two Slaps,’ ‘New Tales of the Lamplight’—they all mention such things to some extent. After reading enough, it gradually sticks in your mind. Anyway, I’ve never said these things to anyone else. Between husband and wife, such private talk doesn’t need to be scrutinized too closely.”

Her heart gradually sweetened. She twisted her body, pretending to scold: “Who’s your wife!”

“Aren’t you?” He turned her to face him. Her shy cuteness stirred his heart. He bent down to kiss her, saying softly, “You are my Fujin. By now, probably half of Beijing knows it. My reputation as a committed man has spread. If you don’t become my wife, what will I do in the future?”

As the two whispered and laughed together, they were startled by a loud shout from outside. Listening carefully, it was Ru Jian’s voice, raised high: “Little Jujube, are you in there? Come out now, or don’t blame me for barging in!”