Spring Message in the Snow – CH 005

Chapter 5

A murder case suddenly occurred, stunning everyone.

Lady Yuan was a useless person. At this moment, all she could do was cry. She muttered to herself, tucking her handkerchief in her sleeve, “How foolish! The wives and concubines in the inner quarters are fighting for favor, and someone has died. If word gets out, people will laugh at us to death!”

Shangrou was the eldest daughter of the Zhang family’s main branch. Her conduct and character were crucial to the future of her younger sisters. The Zhang family girls were all around the same age and were gradually reaching marriageable age. Which wealthy and powerful family would be willing to marry into a family with a history of murder?

The Grand Madam slammed her chopsticks down, her voice trembling with anxiety. “Where is Shangrou? She’s always been so mild-mannered; how could she have killed someone?”

Zhang Ju stood up, bowing. “Mother, do not worry, I will send someone to inquire again…”

But the Grand Madam turned and glared at him fiercely. “Such a serious incident has happened, people are threatening to report it to the authorities, and you are waiting to send someone to inquire?” She then called to the maidservant, “Xianchun, bring me my cloak.”

Zhang Ju grew even more anxious, hurriedly saying, “Mother, please calm down; I will go check right away. Mother, please stay home and wait for news. I will send someone back to report any progress immediately.”

The Grand Madam said, “If you are going to intervene in this matter, I will too. You must stop them from reporting to the authorities. You cannot inquire about matters within the inner quarters, but with us here, we can support Shangrou.”

In the Grand Madam’s eyes, Shangrou was not such a strong-willed child; in fact, one could say she was somewhat timid. As the eldest young lady, she had many concerns. Even if she and her husband were at odds, she would only make a fuss, never causing such a disturbance. She loved her own child dearly, and now, isolated and helpless in her husband’s family, she must be terrified. If her own family were present, she would not be bullied by the Chen family.

Xianchun quickly brought a cloak, and another maid, Cichun, helped the Grand Madam Zhang put it on. The weather had actually warmed up, but Grand Madam Zhang was elderly and in poor health, so she could not be exposed to the cold wind. Therefore, protection from the wind was paramount when going out at night.

Lady Yuan was without support after the incident, but Grand Madam Zhang’s willingness to intervene reassured her, and she quickly stepped forward to support Grand Madam Zhang.

The group escorted her to the veranda, and Grand Madam Zhang turned back and called to Surou, “You come with me.”

Surou responded, taking over from Nanny Feng, and together with Lady Yuan, helped Grand Madam Zhang out of the courtyard and towards the front porch.

Normally, the covered walkway did not seem so long, but in this urgent situation, it became clear how deep the courtyard was.

The Grand Madam held Surou’s hand tightly the whole way, walking hurriedly. Surou understood why her grandmother had specifically chosen her to accompany them. Of the six young ladies of the Zhang family, she was the second and next in line for marriage. Shangrou’s marriage had been unfortunate; the first was a mistake, and the second could not be repeated. Taking her along would let her experience some hardships, let her know that making a living in another’s household was not easy, and prevent her from being like the former Shangrou, who idealized everything—life had its ups and downs.

The servants, having received their orders, had already prepared the carriages. Two embroidered carriages were parked before the steps. Servants brought footstools, and Surou helped the Grand Madam into the first carriage, while Lady Yuan and Suizhi’s wife, Lady Bai, got into the second.

The night market in the capital was ablaze with lights, a true city that never sleeps. Old Caomen Street was located in the most bustling part of the inner city, so one only needed two lanterns to light the way.

The Grand Madam remained silent, her expression grave.

Seeing this, Surou said, “Grandmother, do not worry. Let’s find out the reason after we see Eldest Sister. Perhaps there’s more to the story.”

The Grand Madam sighed. “After all, someone has been murdered. Those two concubines were released long ago, unlike ordinary maids. That Chen boy is a scoundrel; if he insists on reporting to the authorities, things will get much worse.” She stroked her knees, her voice growing lower, and frowned. “Your eldest sister is pitiful; she’s indecisive. She’s probably terrified this time. I told you before that we should carefully investigate the groom’s character before letting him marry.” “It’s a pity your uncle and aunt only agree verbally; they do not really listen to me. Now that things have come to this, how are we going to proceed? Just thinking about it gives me a headache.”

Children’s marriages were always decided by their parents, and Surou could not judge her elders’ decisions. She could only try her best to comfort the Grand Madam: “Eldest sister is alone in the Marquis’s Mansion, and she has not thought things through properly. When Grandmother, Uncle, and Aunt arrive, at least they can give her a chance to explain.”

The carriage hurried along. The Marquis of Xingyang’s Mansion was in Yulin Lane, quite a distance from Old Caomen Street. It would take about an incense stick’s time to arrive. After traveling for a while, Surou lifted the curtain at the window and looked out. She could vaguely see a grand mansion nestled deep in the alley. Zhang Ju and Suizhi, on horseback, led the way and arrived at the gate ahead of her. Because of the trouble at the mansion, the gate was half-open, presumably waiting for someone from the Zhang family to handle the situation.

Zhang Ju dismounted to meet the Grand Madam Zhang as she alighted from her carriage. Worried that she might be anxious, he repeatedly urged her, “No matter what happens, Mother, please do not be angry.”

At this moment, someone from the Marquis’s Mansion came out to meet them, bowing respectfully as they led them into the inner courtyard.

The air held a hint of tension. The group, guided by servants, passed through a long wooden corridor and entered through a moon gate. Inside, they saw the concubine who had been beaten to death lying in the courtyard, lying on a straw mat, surrounded by a group of people. Surou immediately spotted Shangrou, her face pale, seemingly unable to even stand, supported only by a maid, her body weakly supported.

Shangrou’s family had arrived! Finally seeing her saviors, Shangrou burst into tears. Surou stepped forward to greet her, calling out, “Elder Sister!” Shangrou hesitated for a moment before recognizing her, exclaiming in surprise, “Second Sister, you are back?”

But this was not the time for sisters to reminisce. Surou responded and stood beside her, offering encouragement. The Marquis of Xingyang and his wife were quite polite. After exchanging greetings, Marquis Chen said, “My family’s affairs have troubled the Grand Madam and my in-laws; I am truly ashamed.”

Chen Ang, however, looked displeased and impatiently cupped his hands, pointing to the ground. “Father-in-law, how should this matter be handled?”

Surou looked up. This young master of the Marquis of Xingyang did have a certain dashing air about him; it was probably for this reason that Shangrou had willingly married him. But now, trouble had taken its toll, and his composure had vanished, replaced by a harsh and eccentric expression, his eyes like knives.

Shangrou burst into tears again. Surou comforted her, whispering, “Elder Sister, do not be afraid. Grandmother and Uncle are here. Calm yourself down.”

Shangrou nodded, wiping away her tears.

Zhang Ju frowned at Chen Ang and asked, “What do you, my dear son-in-law, intend to do?”

Before he finished speaking, a woman beside him covered her face and began to weep, muttering incoherently. The Marquis’s wife frowned, and seeing that the Zhang family members were all looking at her, she could only brush her handkerchief aside. “This was the one who served in the Marquis’s room; the one who died was her niece.”

Now it was clear; someone was relentlessly demanding justice, which had spurred her brother-in-law to pursue the matter with even greater determination.

Hearing the crying only fueled Chen Ang’s anger. Showing no mercy to his father-in-law, he snapped, “Report to the authorities!”

The Grand Madam Zhang raised an eyebrow. “Report to the authorities? Grandson-in-law, both our families are respectable. It would be disrespectful to involve the authorities. Besides, we have not even gotten the details yet, and you are already reporting to the authorities? What kind of authorities are you reporting to?”

Chen Ang hesitated, but the long-standing grudges between husband and wife had become unbearable for him. He said, “The Criminal Investigation Department handles the criminal cases of officials’ wives and concubines. Since my wife has taken a life, then let the Criminal Investigation Department investigate.”

The Marquis of Xingyang and his wife, of course, disapproved of their son’s actions. The Marquis angrily rebuked him, “You fool! You are so determined to report this to the Bureau of Imperial Sacrifices! For the sake of a concubine, you’ll disregard the entire family’s reputation?”

Then his concubine burst into tears. “My lord, is Pan’er’s life not precious? She’s dead; justice must be served!”

Marquis Chen was also in a dilemma. To be honest, a life was at stake. A concubine, unlike a maid, could not be easily dismissed with a simple “accident.” If the parents insisted on reporting it to the authorities, the matter would not be concealed, and everyone would be implicated and embroiled in scandal.

Seeing that the Chen couple was also hesitant, Grand Madam Zhang felt it was important to step forward and establish order. She said, “This matter needs careful consideration. It would be best if the family could make a decision; if not, then we can report it to the authorities.”

Chen Hou proposed, “We will not reach a conclusion standing in the courtyard. Grand Madam Zhang and in-laws, please come inside. It’s easier to talk once everyone is seated.”

Everyone moved into the hall. After Grand Madam Zhang was seated, she said, “I understand my grandson-in-law’s feelings. His beloved concubine died tragically; how could he not be heartbroken? But there are varying degrees of severity. If this gets out, the loss of face for our Zhang family is a minor matter; do you, the Marquis’s Mansion, think you can remain uninvolved? Shangrou is my Zhang family’s young lady, but she is also the young mistress of your Chen family, and An’er’s biological mother. If you send her to the Imperial Guard, have you considered An’er’s future? If the eldest grandson of the Marquis of Xingyang has a mother who has committed murder, then the Marquis’s Mansion will likely never be able to hold its head high in the capital.”

The implications were far-reaching, that was for sure, but Chen Ang was now blinded by rage; he no longer cared about marital affection, let alone anything else.

“Grandmother, you do not need to use An’er to shut me up. In this situation, it’s An’er’s mother who has wronged him, not me. Since ancient times, it’s been a matter of life and death for murder, and your Zhang family young ladies are no exception.”

The Grand Madam said, “You speak well. My Zhang family has always been loyal to the court and has never dared to show favoritism. If my granddaughter killed your beloved concubine without cause, you do not need to cry foul; we will naturally hand her over to the authorities.” She then turned to Shangrou, “Tell everyone in detail what exactly happened. You have done wrong and should be punished, but if anyone tries to take advantage of you, then we, the Zhang family, will not allow this.”

Shangrou cried so hard she could not speak. Lady Yuan, standing beside her, was anxiously waiting. “What time is this? Why are you still crying? Speak up!”

Surou patted her back gently and said, “Elder Sister, Grandmother’s meaning is clear. If you have any grievances, just speak them.”

At this point, there was no point in worrying about saving face. Shangrou sobbed, “I have not been feeling well lately and have been recuperating. The concubines in the courtyard have long been disrespectful, inciting the maids and my personal attendants to quarrel. It’s not the first time they’ve made veiled insults. I’ve tolerated all of this.”

“The other day, after taking my medicine, I slept fitfully. My husband stayed in the main room and did not go out. Pan’er, under the pretense of delivering medicine, seduced him relentlessly, openly engaging in illicit relations with my husband right beside my bedside. Did she think I was dead?! They said family scandals should not be aired in public, and I originally did not want to say anything. But since my husband was determined to send me to the Imperial Household Department, this matter would inevitably be made public sooner or later, so I might as well make it clear now.”

“Only I know what kind of life I, the lawfully wedded young mistress, have lived these past years. Today, I felt a little better, but I still could not swallow this insult. While my husband was out, I had Nanny Zhu take some men to tie Pan’er up. Several rough-looking old women were summoned and gave a good beating to that wretched woman. But unexpectedly, she could not withstand the beating and died after only a few strokes. No sooner had she breathed her last than my husband burst in, rushing to take me to the authorities. I’ve thought it through all day; it’s better to be locked up in the Imperial Household Department for life than to suffer this unspeakable humiliation at home every day.”

As soon as she finished speaking, everyone present was shocked. Shangrou had not told her parents-in-law these secrets before and only revealed them when her family came. This caused Chen Hou and his wife to blush with embarrassment. They could only grit their teeth and stomp their feet, cursing their son as a beast.

Zhang Ju suppressed his anger and looked at Chen Ang. “My dear son-in-law, Shangrou did not wrong you, did she? Since things have come to this point, I think it’s best to postpone reporting to the authorities.”

Grand Madam Zhang shook her head sadly. “Send someone all over the capital to ask around! Which lady has ever suffered such injustice! Young Master Chen, you’ve gone too far this time; you’ve bullied her too much!”

Chen Ang knew he was in the wrong and stammered, unable to bring himself to defend himself. But someone behind him spoke up quietly, “We were originally assigned to serve the master in his chambers. The lady is the rightful wife, so are we here because we came from an improper background? Although that matter… is indeed dishonorable in public, it hasn’t broken any laws. Why should the lady resort to private torture? Face is face, and human life is human life. I’ve never heard of face being more important than human life…”

The crowd looked at the person fanning the flames. She had a gentle gaze and a somewhat timid appearance, but she had said everything she should not have. Finally, she pouted at Chen Ang, pitifully clutching her handkerchief, and said, “In front of the Master, I normally have no right to speak out. But this time I’ve defied the world. I beg the Mistress to calm her anger and spare my life. Please do not kill me.”