Spring Message in the Snow – CH 008

Chapter 8

Shangrou smiled with a hint of relief and bowed slightly to the Grand Madam. “Thank you, Grandmother.”

In any case, having her maternal family stand by her side during her time of distress was already a great blessing. Sometimes she thought, perhaps it was fate; perhaps she was destined to struggle in that murky, inky marriage. A woman had two chances to be reincarnated. The first time, she did not get to choose; she was born into the Zhang family, which was a good choice. The second time, she got to choose; she chose wrongly, courting death. Who could she blame but herself for being unlucky?

The sisters clearly could not understand and gathered around. Jirou, her own sister, was especially indignant, saying angrily, “Sister, that Marquis’s Mansion is no longer worth going back to! Chen Ang is a philanderer. One concubine died, but there will be many more in the future. If he has no scruples and fills his courtyard with all sorts of women, how will you live, sister?”

Shangrou seemed indifferent, saying listlessly, “If that’s the case, I cannot control it. At most, I will just find another courtyard; out of sight, out of mind.”

This was a compromise with a hopeless life. Everyone looked at each other, feeling that their eldest sister was too weak. She was not like this before; how did she become a different person after marriage?

Surou, more thoughtful than her younger sisters, understood Shangrou’s difficulties. She took Shangrou’s hand, pulled her to sit down beside her, and whispered, “Eldest Sister, you should consider the bigger picture, but you cannot sacrifice yourself. Some thoughts arise, but one should not only think of others; one must also think of oneself.”

Shangrou did not respond, sighing as she turned to look at the scenery outside the window. After the Dragon Boat Festival, summer had arrived, and the green branches were so lush, almost dripping with moisture.

After a long while, she sighed softly, “How I envy you all now, unmarried, free, and carefree in your chambers, without a single worry…” Suddenly realizing it was not appropriate to constantly focus on her own situation and wait for someone to comfort her, she quickly changed the subject, asking about Surou’s time in the Forbidden City, and said with a smile, “I heard you and Grandmother laughing in the courtyard earlier. What were you talking about, chatting so happily?”

While the two of them were talking together, the other girls prepared tea with Nanny Feng, some brewing osmanthus flowers, others peeling almonds.

The outer membrane of the sweet almonds had to be carefully removed before they could be ground on the small millstone. Several delicate hands, soaking in water, absentmindedly washed them. Zhirou turned to look at Shangrou and said wistfully, “Eldest Sister is hesitant to divorce because of An’er.”

Qingrou from the third branch and Yingrou, the youngest from the second branch, were both born of a concubine. Unlike their sisters, they did not usually speak their minds freely. They simply nodded along, muttering, “That’s right, that’s right…”

Mianmian lowered her eyes, lifted the raised brown almond skin, revealing the white almond beneath, and said coolly, “It’s not just for An’er. After all, things are different now than in the previous dynasty. Have you heard of any families divorcing in the capital? Staying in the Chen family, at least, is a young mistress. If she remarries, she probably will not find a better family than the Marquis’s.”

This made Jirou very uncomfortable. “So, you are saying that my elder sister did not want a divorce because of her status and position?”

Mianmian hesitated, realizing she had misspoken, and muttered, “I did not say that.”

Jirou, who had always disliked her, persisted, “Cousin, you are so narrow-minded. It’s as if only the Marquis of Xingyang’s family is a good family in the entire capital. Besides, who can say that a divorce means you cannot remarry into a high-ranking family? Tang Huixian left the Lu family and married into the imperial family…”

“Later, Tang Huixian died, did she not?” Mianmian suddenly interjected. In any argument, she never lost.

This angered Jirou. She threw a handful of almonds into the water, splashing water all over Mianmian. Frowning, she glared and shouted, “What did you say? How dare you curse my elder sister?”

Qingrou, being frail, and Yingrou, being young, were both terrified and fell silent. They looked like wet chickens, staring blankly at Jirou and Mianmian.

Mianmian, her clothes soaked, shouted angrily, “What are you doing!”

Seeing them arguing, Zhirou hastily wiped the water droplets from Mianmian’s face with a handkerchief, trying to smooth things over, saying, “Alright, alright, two words and you want to fight? Jirou, say less. Cousin, why do you have to stab someone in the heart at this crucial moment?”

The matriarch and the ladies behind the bamboo curtain heard the commotion and called out to ask what was wrong. Nanny Feng glanced over, then retreated, smiling, “It’s just children bickering, nothing serious.”

Nanny Feng was a maidservant of the Grand Madam, having served in the household for decades, practically an elder. Seeing her try to smooth things over, Mianmian was furious. She shoved Zhirou aside, making Hui’er wipe her skirt, and said with a stern face, “Do not think I do not know you are all ganging up on me.”

Although it was the truth, saying it aloud made it less interesting. Zhirou, with her hands clasped, gave a forced smile. “Cousin, what are you saying? You are a distinguished guest; our whole family is accommodating you. Why are you complaining?”

The splash of water had soaked her dress. Looking at the brand-new tortoise-shell patterned satin, Mianmian was enraged. She refused to waste any more words with them and hurriedly led the maid back to change.

Still seething with anger, she grumbled, “I am telling the truth, but people from scholarly families are the least receptive to honesty. Tell me, which divorced woman remarries better than in her first marriage? Besides, she has a child. Will she remarry with the child or return the child to the Chen family?”

Hui’er, of course, sided with her, chiming in, “What’s there for you to fuss about, young lady? They’ve all grown up in luxury; they do not know the hardships of the world. The eldest young lady is married, experienced, and knows much more about the world than they do. That’s why she’s willing to return to the Marquis’s Mansion, regardless of the consequences. Even after the Marquis’s wife is gone, she will still be the mistress of the house.”

“She’s willing to go back to the Marquis’s Mansion, but I am afraid the young master will not even come to fetch her. Then there will be more trouble. Should we send her back, or not?” Mianmian said with a mocking smile. “Just wait and see, there will be a good show sooner or later. Once their marriages are all delayed, let’s see if Jirou and Zhirou can still be as righteous as before.”

The mistress and servant returned to Qinxiang Garden, talking as they went. Wei’er, who was leaning against the railing, eating fruit, rushed to greet her mistress upon seeing her return. She immediately noticed the large water stains on the mistress’s sleeve and skirt and exclaimed in surprise and complaint, “These are newly made clothes, and she has not even worn them for half a day… They must have bullied her again.”

Hui’er waved her hand dismissively. “Do not say that; quickly get some clean clothes for her to change into.” She then asked Mianmian, “Is the mistress still going to Suihua Garden?”

“Of course I am going!” Mianmian retorted stubbornly. “I am going to visit my maternal grandmother. I am not here for them, so why should I care about them! They look down on my father because of his business background, and they are jealous of my grandmother’s affection for me. The more they act like that, the more I will rub it in their faces and make them suffer!”

Wei’er washed the powder off the girl’s face again with a towel, dipped the powder puff in the box, and raised a puff of powder like a wisp of smoke, saying, “Let them be smug for a few days. When the Grand Madam arranges a good marriage for the young lady, then we will compare whose dowry is bigger. Everyone in this world has a pair of snobbish eyes. Does a good birth put food on the table? It’s just a nice-sounding title. In the end, real money is what matters. A poor member of the imperial family is worse off than an oil seller.”

Thinking this way, she felt much better. After all, her mother was Old Master Zhang’s daughter, and the Shen family was wealthy. Compared to those Rou girls, she was not much worse off. “A gentleman’s revenge is never too late, even after three years.” If the Zhang family’s dowry did not match the Shen family’s, she would have plenty of things to tease them about.

She changed into a short, long-sleeved summer jacket, adjusted her hairpin, and returned to Suihua Garden. As she approached the moon gate, she saw a maid leading a woman dressed as a servant woman out. Mianmian could not help but glance at her a few more times. This servant woman seemed to be someone of importance; her clothes were different from those of ordinary servants. As she passed by, the servant woman gave a polite nod. Mianmian stepped aside, a thought creeping into her mind. Had she missed something in just a moment? Could this servant woman be a messenger sent by the Marquis of Xingyang’s household?

Thinking this, she quickly entered the porch and stopped a passing maid, quietly asking, “Who was that person you just sent out?”

The maid shook her head. “I was serving outside.” She then carried the tray to the other end of the porch.

Hui’er tilted her head, speculating, “Could it be someone sent to propose marriage to the young lady?”

Ah, then we should definitely go in and find out. Mianmian pulled Hui’er quickly into the main room. Inside, the elders were still sitting and talking as before, but the topic had shifted to Princess Huayang.

This was worth pondering. Although nobles were everywhere in the capital, there was still a vast chasm between imperial relatives and ordinary officials. They were a completely different class. Some were wealthy, some were honored, and even when attending the Golden Feast with the common people, they were treated differently and received preferential treatment.

As for the Zhang family, her second maternal uncle, Zhang Lu, eventually rose to the position of Shumifu, a second-rank official, but in the eyes of the imperial family, he was merely a minor official. Her eldest maternal uncle was a fourth-rank official, and her third maternal uncle was a fourth-rank official, completely unrelated to the imperial family. Generally, for intermarriages, members of the imperial family would choose from noble families outside the imperial clan. Mianmian began to wonder, did this princess have a son from a concubine who was to be married? So, it was possible for a prince consort to take in concubines?

Filled with curiosity, she stood aside observing her cousins, trying to glean information from their faces that she had missed. She scrutinized them one by one until it was Jirou’s turn. She received a disapproving glare from her; Mianmian turned away, huffed, and found a round-backed chair to sit down.

“Such a prominent family is difficult to deal with. Princess Huayang is a relative of the Emperor; when she gets angry, even the Emperor has to give her face. Frankly, I do not want to have anything to do with her household,” the Grand Madam said, glancing at Surou. “But ultimately, it’s up to you. Think it over and see how best to handle it.”

“But the Duke of Wen’s household has already sent people. It would not be good to refuse!” said Lady Ling. “We are all so close; if we meet again, things will get awkward.”

Mianmian finally understood the situation. So the Princess had taken a liking to Surou. She could not help but click her tongue inwardly. Having been to the palace, she seemed to have been gilded, attracting suitors as soon as she came out. Everyone said the Emperor’s daughters never had trouble finding husbands; it seemed even the Emperor’s palace attendants did not have to worry about marriage.

However, the Grand Madam had no intention of currying favor. She was simply happy that the Duke of Wen’s household had sent people; at least it legitimized Surou’s status. Otherwise, who knew what outsiders would say behind her back? The young woman’s release was not as straightforward as that of an older palace attendant, whose departure from the palace was not so natural.

“I merely sent a servant to give the order. I also said that the memorial tablets are to be moved to the Imperial Ancestral Temple next month, and there’s no rush to decide before the first day of the month. As for after the first day, if we do not show any reaction, the Princess will understand and will not cause any more trouble.”

Mianmian looked at Surou, who remained unmoved, her face showing no hint of smugness. After thinking for a moment, she said, “After the first day, perhaps we could try it out for two days.”

Mianmian was completely confused and could not help but gasp. What did she mean by “try it out for two days”? Had the customs in the capital become so open that female officials from the palace could undergo trial marriages?

Hearing her meaning, the Grand Madam nodded in agreement, then turned to Lady Pan and said, “The Wen State Duke’s Mansion is considered top-tier in the capital; at least they’ve earned a good reputation.”

Lady Pan agreed. Known for her strictness, she did not feign a kind, motherly demeanor in front of the Grand Madam but simply asked Surou, “Are you capable?”

Surou smiled. “Mother, have you forgotten? I spent ten years in the Forbidden City.”

That meant she was quite capable, and Lady Pan was relieved. In her view, one should only wear a hat that fits one’s own head; if one could not handle it, it was better to stay home studying and embroidering.

Mianmian became increasingly confused; listening to their conversation was like listening to gibberish. Finally, unable to contain herself any longer, she nudged Yingrou beside her with her elbow. “Sixth Sister, has the Wen State Duke’s Mansion come to propose marriage to Second Sister?”