She hurried toward Drum Tower, moving quickly, running until she was drenched in sweat. Master Bai lived in Sand Well Alley. Turning in, a two-courtyard compound was his home. Ding Yi knocked on the door, and after knocking for quite some time, she heard coughing and spitting sounds from inside. Soon someone came to open the door. Master Bai looked up and exclaimed, “Ah, Little Shu! Coming to visit our home?”
Master Bai was a man with scholarly credentials, though his official rank wasn’t high. He was approachable and righteous. Upon entering, she burst into tears, “Master Bai, please save my fellow apprentice.”
After explaining everything at length, Master Bai frowned deeply, “How could you do such a thing? Working at the yamen yet going out to steal someone’s dog—and not just any dog, but the Seventh Prince’s! What can I say to you? This matter mustn’t reach the magistrate’s ears; if it does, your livelihood will be finished.” While speaking, he stroked his beard, “I do have some connection with people in the Virtuous Prince’s mansion, but servants are still servants. You’ve experienced the Seventh Prince’s temper—he kills at the slightest provocation. You’ve harmed his dog; won’t he chop you up for soup? This isn’t easy to resolve; I need to think carefully…” He gestured inward, “Come, come in and talk.”
The advisor’s wife was also quite courteous. Seeing Ding Yi, she called out, “Little Shu is here?” She instructed a young maid to cut some melon for her.
Ding Yi’s heart was like boiling oil. She stood up and straightened her waist, “Thank you, but how could I eat at a time like this? My fellow apprentice has been seized.”
Madam Bai fanned herself with a round fan, saying, “This Xia Zhi has always been unsteady; today’s trouble isn’t unexpected. Finding a solution now is difficult. The Seventh Prince’s beloved dog—ears cut off, tail chopped—turned from a pet into a badger-hunting dog. How could he be pleased?”
Master Bai nodded, “That’s right. The Seventh Prince isn’t easily appeased. If you go to plead with him, what about compensation? You have no silver. If he asks you to replace his dog, would you do it? We can work connections outside, but ultimately it comes back to him—there’s no way around it. Without his decree, who would dare release anyone?” After pondering for a moment, he asked, “Last time you escaped danger because the Twelfth Prince protected you, right? So there’s a connection. Why not go plead with him again? Prince Chun is a kind-natured person. If he’s willing to help, the matter will be mostly resolved.”
Ding Yi recalled that impassive face, never imagining she would have reason to interact with him again. Somehow, she felt greatly afraid, rubbing her hands together, saying, “Last time I was already indebted to him. Going to ask again feels like I’m taking advantage.”
“Don’t you want to save your fellow apprentice’s life? The Seventh Prince is capable of anything—delay, and you’ll need to prepare a coffin to collect the body. Now isn’t the time to worry about-face. How much is face worth? Getting him out is what matters.”
“What about the doorkeeper’s tip? How much would be appropriate?” Ding Yi asked with a forlorn expression. “Without a tip, they won’t even let you in. Aren’t all princely mansions like that?”
Master Bai said, “That’s not a concern. The Twelfth Prince runs a strict household; even the eunuchs have been scolded before. Anyone who takes tips will be thrown out. While it’s still not late, hurry over. Find someone named Guan Zhaojing there—he’s the mansion steward. Mention me to him, and he won’t make things difficult for you. Ask him to relay a message for you, and try to see the prince first. I’ll go around to the Virtuous Prince’s mansion to see if I can gather any information. If Xia Zhi is fortunate, he’ll suffer at most some physical punishment, which is bearable.”
Ding Yi hurriedly agreed, “Thank you for your trouble. When my fellow apprentice is released, I’ll have him properly thank you.”
Master Bai shook his head, “That’s for later. We see each other often, and since you’ve come to me, I can’t stand by and watch someone die.”
The two departed in the same direction. The Seventh Prince’s mansion was on Deshengmen Inner Street, while Prince Chun’s mansion was along the northern shore of the Back Lake, not too far apart. They separated at the Diánmen area, and Ding Yi continued alone northward along Shichahai, her heart pounding as she walked, wondering if she could see Prince Chun with such an abrupt visit. What if he retired early, and by the time she arrived, he was already asleep? What would she do then? What would happen to Xia Zhi that night? With disaster upon them, she had to try even desperate measures. Yet admitting to dog theft was embarrassing—asking a prince to intercede for a thief might get her thrown out before she could explain herself.
It was humiliating, but there was no alternative. Looking ahead, the grand mansion wasn’t far off, with large red lanterns hanging under the eaves and two huge stone lions crouching on either side of the steps. The main gate of a prince’s mansion was rarely opened, used only for weddings and funerals. Daily comings and goings used the side gate, making the six vermilion-painted doors with their nine vertical and seven horizontal brass studs appear especially majestic and solemn.
She hesitated, thinking that seeking a favor empty-handed wasn’t right—she should at least bring a box of pastries. Then she reconsidered: what hadn’t a prince seen before? Bringing only food would be more embarrassing than coming empty-handed! Steeling herself, she approached. Drawing closer, she was relieved to see the side gate still open. Peering in, she saw figures moving about—the household hadn’t yet settled for the night. She breathed a sigh of relief. Just then, a gatekeeper emerged, looking her up and down, shouting gruffly, “Hey, what are you sneaking around for? Is this a place for you to gawk at like a Western exhibition?”
Ding Yi smiled apologetically, “Excuse me, I’m looking for someone. Master Bai from the Prefecture sent me here. I’m looking for Steward Guan Zhaojing.”
Hearing she had a referral, the gatekeeper’s expression improved slightly, though he still looked down on her, muttering, “Such an effeminate appearance… Wait here while I go announce you. If he’s busy with duties, he won’t be able to come.”
Ding Yi had to nod and bow in gratitude. Accustomed to cold treatment, she sometimes found it quite distressing, but living under a low eave was the life of ordinary people. Without powerful backing, and with not even half a string of cash to her name, who would take her seriously? As for herself, what people despised wasn’t just her poverty but her appearance. Called a man, her thin arms and legs didn’t look the part; called a woman, her flat chest was unconvincing. Viewed from any angle, the conclusion was the same: neither male nor female, a eunuch-like person. Sometimes she quietly cursed them for being blind. Once she saved enough money to leave Beijing, if her brothers were still alive and she found them, she would switch back to women’s clothing, never again disguising herself as a man.
As she waited and pondered, she suddenly heard footsteps. She wanted to approach but thought better of it, staying to one side.
A eunuch-dressed person emerged from the eastern side gate, wearing a sapphire-blue satin robe with horseshoe-shaped cuffs, his waist bent as he guided someone behind him, saying as he walked, “…The princess sent someone this morning to ask whether His Majesty had approved our prince’s memorial requesting to go to Ningguta. This servant understands the princess’s concern—she fears the Thirteenth Master would have no one by his side in Chahar. Later, learning that Master Lou would still accompany him, she finally put her mind at ease.”
The lantern light illuminated the face of the person behind—an extremely young and handsome countenance. The corners of his mouth curved into a faint smile, but he didn’t continue the conversation, only saying, “I have already reported back to the prince. The Leopard Tail Company has resubmitted the roster. When the time comes, whether to retain or remove names will be entirely according to the prince’s wishes.”
The eunuch repeatedly acknowledged, positioning the mounting block for him. After the man mounted his horse, the eunuch bowed, “Farewell, Master Lou.”
Master Lou departed with his guards, the sound of hoofbeats fading into the distance. Ding Yi was still pondering their conversation. Prince Chun was heading to Ningguta, taking the route through Shengjing. Changbai Mountain was on the necessary path to Ningguta… Her mind buzzed as if after a long journey she had suddenly spotted a carriage offering a ride—that unexpected joy was indescribable. If she could somehow ingratiate herself into the entourage, she would have support for the thousands of li of the road ahead. But for now, rescuing Xia Zhi was the priority. That troublemaker had been captured and taken to the Seventh Prince’s mansion; who knew how many layers of skin had been flayed off him by now?
“Hey, stop daydreaming! This is the person you’re looking for,” called the gatekeeper, pointing to the eunuch who had seen the visitor off. “This is the steward.”
The organization of a princely mansion was similar to the imperial palace, with inner and outer courts under separate management. The outer court was staffed by mansion officials—even at a premier’s gate, seventh-rank officials were common, while at a prince’s mansion, they were at least fifth or sixth rank. In the inner court, the head eunuch was in charge, with further divisions below: those who reported matters, those who served, and those who performed minor tasks, each with their duties. The eunuchs who attended to daily life often served from childhood and were more intimate than officials. Thus, the head eunuch generally oversaw all mansion affairs: if the prince was the first in command, the head eunuch was the second.
Such a person had influence. Ding Yi quickly approached and bowed deeply, “Greetings to the Chief Steward.”
Eunuch Guan was in his thirties, with a large forehead and a bulbous nose, appearing quite shrewd and slick. Deferential to superiors yet imposing on subordinates, he glanced at her, “Did Master Bai send you to find me? What’s the matter?”
Though difficult to speak about, she had to grit her teeth and say it. She bowed again, “In reply to the Chief Steward… indeed, there is a matter. I’ve come today seeking an audience with the prince. Please, Chief Steward, be accommodating and report on my behalf… It’s a matter of life and death. Chief Steward, by doing this good deed, this humble one will remember your kindness, erect a longevity tablet for you, and burn three incense sticks daily in your honor…”
Guan Zhaojing was confused by her rambling and raised a hand to interrupt her, “Wait… wait. Seeing the prince isn’t so easy. Who are you? What’s your business? There must be a proper reason. You can’t simply open your big mouth and expect to see the prince. Where are the rules in that? If I let you in, I bear responsibility on my shoulders. I must ensure you’re not an assassin.”
She had forgotten in her anxiety. She quickly replied, “This humble one is called Mu Xiaoshu, employed at the Prefecture. Master Wu Changgeng of the execution department is my master. I once had a brief encounter with the prince at the Vegetable Market, when I offended the Seventh Prince. It was the Twelfth Prince who spoke for me then, saving my life.”
Guan Zhaojing acknowledged, “I understand now. I’ve heard of this. So you’ve come to express gratitude today?”
She felt somewhat embarrassed, “Gratitude is one reason, but there’s another. My fellow apprentice… has offended the Seventh Prince’s dog and has fallen into his hands. I have nowhere to turn, so I’ve boldly come again to ask the Twelfth Prince for salvation.”
It truly embodied the saying that where there’s one, there are two—saved once, and now seeking help a second time. What kind of situation was this? Guan Zhaojing patted the back of his neck, “Whether the prince will agree is uncertain, but I’ll look at the Buddha’s face if not the monk’s. After all, Master Bai sent you, and I must honor his face. Here’s what we’ll do: wait by the second gate. The prince has just finished his meal and is feeding fish in the Western Garden. I’ll go in and announce you. As for whether he’s willing to see you, that depends on your fortune.”
Whatever happened, this was an opportunity. She was quite optimistic, smiling, “The prince is a good person. He will surely see me.”
Guan Zhaojing tilted his head as he went inside. Ding Yi waited patiently outside the threshold. After waiting for what seemed like forever, she gradually grew discouraged. Leaning against the wall, sighing, she looked up at the moon, which also seemed dim and lusterless. She thought that with her impertinence, the prince would surely ignore her.
As she lamented, unexpectedly a young eunuch ran over, waving from a distance, “Stop staring! The prince will see you now!”
Ding Yi brightened, quickly acknowledged and stepped into the ornately carved and painted mansion of Prince Chun.