Spring Message in the Snow – CH 012

Chapter 12

Lady Pan raised her eyes immediately upon hearing the mention of Surou.

The capital city, though seemingly vast, was also quite small; the circles of high-ranking officials were constantly intertwined.

The Grand Madam naturally knew of that Grand Secretary Kong, Kong Lingzhang, the Grand Secretary of the Yankang Hall, who was once a student of her grandfather. The two families had frequent interactions in their early years, but after the great-grandfather passed away, relations gradually weakened. In recent years, she had heard of several misfortunes in his family; for example, last year, it was said that a daughter-in-law had died—the wife of their Second Young Master. Everyone initially felt a sense of regret, but the fact that this marriage had been considered for the Zhang family made the Grand Madam somewhat displeased.

However, not wanting to show it outright, the old lady maintained her good manners, smiling slightly as she said, “Is Madam Kong thinking of my second young lady? She’s been in the palace for many years and only returned a few days ago.”

Madam Chen was also adept at reading people. In truth, any family would feel offended by someone suddenly coming to propose marriage for a widower, so she carefully considered her words, first praising Surou thoroughly.

“It’s precisely because she returned from the Forbidden City that the Kong family holds her in such high regard. Throughout the entire capital, whose family’s manners and conduct surpass your second young lady? Not only does Madam Kong like her, but even I could tell at a glance that the second young lady is different from ordinary young ladies. The other day, when something terrible happened at home, the second young lady came with the Grand Madam. Her appearance, her figure, her capable and organized manner of speaking and acting—how could any unsophisticated girl compare?”

Madam Chen said, shifting slightly in her seat. “However, the Grand Madam knows about Second Young Master Kong’s situation; he’s only twenty-four years old. The death of his wife is a shameful thing to say. Even if he’s a talented young man, he’s still a widower. That’s why Madam Kong was so cautious when she mentioned it to me that day. She hesitated for a long time before finally saying she wanted to arrange a marriage between our families, repeatedly asking if your family would consider Second Young Master. Grand Madam, you see, they really cherish Second Young Master Kong and want to bring her home as a pillar of strength.”

Madam Chen was quite adept at rhetoric. Her words subtly placed the Kong family in a humble position, ensuring that even if it displeased the Grand Madam, she would not immediately lose face.

Sure enough, after hearing her words, the Grand Madam’s expression changed slightly, but she did not appear pleased. She slowly fiddled with her prayer beads, saying gently, “There are no parents in the world who do not cherish their son. I can understand the feelings of the Grand Scholar and his wife, who want to find a good match for their son.”

“Indeed,” said Madam Chen. “Second Young Master Kong’s late wife was the daughter of the Earl of Guancheng County. Although not the eldest daughter, she was still born of the principal wife, and the Earl and his wife especially favored her. Her dowry was much higher than that of their eldest daughter. It’s a pity she did not live long; she passed away so young. The Grand Secretary’s wife thinks that with the previous wife’s background, she naturally would not settle for less when remarrying Second Young Master Kong.”

The Grand Madam nodded. Firstly, she did not outright refuse but rather brought it up indirectly: “I heard that the first wife has a son?”

Madam Chen confirmed, “The child is two years old. Madam Kong is raising him in her own courtyard. Even if a second wife comes into the family in the future, he will not disturb the young couple’s life.”

The people in the hall had different expressions after hearing her words. The Grand Madam knew that the Kong family had their eye on Surou, probably not only because of her good background and manners but more importantly because she had lost her mother at a young age. If she were to marry into the family, she would certainly not mistreat her stepson. The Kong family’s calculations were probably known even outside the state.

Unfortunately, the Grand Madam did not approve of this marriage. It was not that the second son of the Kong family was not a good match, but she felt that with Surou’s character and talent, she deserved someone better.

Grand Madam Zhang fell silent, then paused before saying to Madam Chen, “The Marquis’s wife knows our family’s situation well. I will not lie to you; of my six granddaughters, my favorite is Surou. I brought her to my side when she was just a month old. She cried at night, and Nanny Feng and I held her and rocked her all night long. It was a struggle to raise her until she was eight. After that, she went to serve in the palace, away from home for over ten years, and has only just returned…” She smiled sheepishly. “I’d like to keep her around for a while longer. As for the marriage proposal, let’s talk about it later.”

This was a polite refusal, which Madam Chen naturally understood. Lady Bai, though obliged, felt she had to try, so she said, “I know the Grand Madam is reluctant to part with Second Young Lady, but men should marry when they come of age, and women should marry when they come of age. There are four younger sisters, and it would not be right to arrange marriages before the elder sisters. If the Grand Madam wishes to keep Second Young Lady for a few months to finalize the engagement first and then postpone the wedding date slightly, that would not be a problem.”

However, these words seemed insufficient to move Grand Madam Zhang. She neither agreed nor disagreed, lowering her eyes and smoothing the wrinkles on her knees, seemingly unwilling to continue the discussion.

With the Grand Madam standing firm, Madam Chen, seeing no hope, turned to look at Lady Pan opposite her.

There was no stepmother in the world without selfish motives, especially this Lady Pan, whose face alone suggested she was difficult to deal with. The Second Young Lady was raised by the Grand Madam, who doted on her, but this stepmother might not be so kind. She kept an older stepdaughter and forbade her from marrying, while her own daughter was of marriageable age. If they were to follow the order of seniority, would even the Fourth Young Lady’s marriage not be delayed?

So Madam Chen changed her strategy, intending to use a diversionary tactic, sincerely persuading Lady Pan: “We are family, and we all hope for the best for our children. While the marriage with the Kong family may not be the best, it’s not bad either. I am a straightforward person, and I say what’s on my mind. In my opinion, the Second Young Lady has wasted her youth in the palace these past years, missing good opportunities for marriage. Now that the Kong family is interested, Grand Madam and Second Young Lady might as well consider it. Do not rush to reject them; just appease them for now and see how things develop.”

Lady Pan, always stern and unsmiling, did not react much to Madam Chen’s words. Giving her face, she gave a perfunctory reply, “Second Young Lady was raised by the Grand Madam; her marriage is entirely up to the Grand Madam.”

So, this issue, like a soccer ball, was once again kicked to the Grand Madam’s doorstep. Madam Chen was momentarily embarrassed. To ease the awkwardness, she found a way to save face, smiling and saying, “I was just mentioning it to the Grand Madam today, letting the household know about it. In a few days, the Grand Madam and the ladies will be attending the Golden Duck Banquet with their young ladies. Let Madam Kong speak to the Grand Madam herself then, so the Grand Madam can see the Kong family’s sincerity.”

As she spoke, she turned to look outside the curtain and saw Chen Ang had already handed the child to the wet nurse and was standing with his hands behind his back by the moon-shaped window, looking quite bored.

Although Madam Chen had not managed to get a definitive answer from the Grand Madam on this trip, her own family’s affairs were finally resolved satisfactorily. She stood up and said, “It’s about time. The Marquis is still waiting at home to hold his grandson. We will head back now. Please rest assured, Grand Madam, Chengchuan’s previous foolishness caused Shangrou much suffering, but that will not happen again. I will also properly manage the concubines and maids in the courtyard. If they cause any more trouble, you do not need to say anything; I will personally clean up the household and give you an explanation.”

The Grand Madam had actually given up much hope for this marriage. Since Shangrou did not intend to divorce, they would only be settling in the future; there was no need to give her these empty promises.

However, since they were so kind as to say it, she should take it as the truth and nodded gratefully, “With the Marquis’s wife looking after her, what do I have to worry about?” She then instructed Shangrou, “Take care of yourself when you get back. Take the medicine prescribed by Physician Song diligently for a month; do not give up just because it’s bitter.”

Shangrou replied, “I understand, Grandmother; do not worry.” She then turned to Madam Chen and said, “Mother, we’ve dealt with several of the old women in the courtyard, and we are probably short-handed. I have a few I am used to at home, and they’ve been serving me very well these past few days. I’d like to bring them back to serve me. What do you think, Mother?”

Madam Chen hesitated upon hearing that she wanted to bring people from her maiden home. “If you are worried about not having enough, just draw people from elsewhere. The people in this household are all family property; taking them back would be inconvenient for them.”

The Grand Madam already knew about the sisters’ plans. She also thought the ideas Surou had suggested for her elder sister were feasible, so she spoke first, smiling, “They are all old women from Shangrou’s courtyard; they will do. Have her mother find their identification documents, and Shangrou can take them back with her. Although our Zhang family is not extremely wealthy, we can afford to provide a few maids and servants for our children.”

Since that was the case, Madam Chen could not refuse. After all, it was Shangrou’s own business whether her family wanted to give them away or not. However, she was somewhat annoyed that she probably could not keep the informant this time. The Zhang family was no ordinary family. Shangrou had previously been easily manipulated, but after returning to her family home for a few days, she seemed to have made her own decisions. It was likely that the Grand Madam had planned things out for her, and she intended to establish herself as the head of the Chen family.

She mumbled an agreement, then sat for a short while, waiting for the maid to help Shangrou pack her belongings. She had initially thought she would only be bringing two or three old women, but upon closer inspection, there were four maids and five or six servants.

Madam Chen was slightly taken aback. Pointing at the group, she turned to Shangrou, “So many?”

Shangrou replied casually, “They are all people who used to serve me. These past few years, my personal maids have all grown up; three have been released. The two older maids are also getting on in years and are not as efficient as before. Once they are here, they can take good care of An’er, so Mother will not have to worry. I will pay their monthly wages myself; I will not use public funds.”

Madam Chen was at a loss and exchanged a glance with Chen Ang. Chen Ang never interfered in household affairs; to him, his wife bringing her maiden family servants to her husband’s home was a sign of caring for the family, and there was nothing wrong with it. Besides, it was not like the Marquis’s household was spending money; they were just providing three meals a day—they could not possibly bankrupt the Marquis’s household.

He did not care what she wanted, letting her do as she pleased. After waiting a while, he grew impatient, only concerned with one thing: “Are we leaving or not?”

Shangrou had already said goodbye to her sisters in the courtyard, turned to bow to her grandmother, and withdrew from the garden. Her mother and two aunts saw her to the gate, exchanged farewells, and then she and An’er boarded the carriage.

The summer sun, even as it set, still held its power. Everyone watched the carriage drive away before turning back inside.

No sooner had Shangrou left than Zhang Ju returned. Lady Yuan went back to her courtyard, leaving Lady Pan and Lady Ling walking slowly along the path. Lady Ling said, “The Marquis’s wife is quite ridiculous. The old lady clearly does not want to mention that marriage, but she insists on it.”

Lady Pan disapproved of the mother and son. “How could she have married into such a family?”

“They must have chosen a noble family; it sounds good to others,” Lady Ling said, glancing at her. “What do you think of the second young lady’s marriage?”

Lady Pan remained noncommittal. The setting sun filtered through the branches, occasionally casting shadows on her face, making her look like a solemn Bodhisattva in a temple.

Lady Ling knew her character; ever since she married into the Zhang family, she had maintained this indifferent attitude, sometimes even appearing cold. Lady Ling felt that she should not be very enthusiastic about Surou’s marriage; after all, she was not her own daughter, and it was normal for people to have different opinions. For example, she herself was a bit half-hearted about Qingrou’s marriage. Today, Madam Chen came to arrange a marriage for Surou, but if it were Qingrou, she would even think it would be a good match.

Lady Pan did not respond, so she answered her own question: “Actually, what the Marquis’s wife said is true. The sons of high-ranking families in the capital are already engaged by the age of sixteen or seventeen. The Second Young Lady left the palace late; finding a first marriage at this age is really not easy. In my opinion, a marriage between two suitable partners would be a good match.”

Lady Pan turned to look at her. “What do you think of this marriage?”

“It’s good,” Lady Ling said. “The Kong family are descendants of Confucius; even as a second wife, she might not be at a disadvantage.”

Lady Pan responded with a cold snort.

“When you get older, you are destined to be treated like dirt. Even if someone has a son, you should shut your eyes and ears and marry them, becoming a stepmother the moment you enter the family.” She suddenly stopped and exclaimed, “I do not understand! What happened to Surou? Why did she end up like this? She was a dignified female official released from the palace, her father a meritorious official of the court, and her mother a Lady of the Imperial Decree. Does she not deserve a good husband? Even widowers with children dare to come and propose marriage?”

Seeing her sharp words, Lady Ling was startled and clutched her chest, saying, “Why are you yelling at me? I am just telling you the truth! When a young lady gets older, the standards naturally have to be lowered. If she meets someone suitable, she should marry him. Someone the same age, unmarried, from a good family, and with a promising future… where can you find such a husband?”

Lady Pan found these words familiar. She had given Surou the same advice the day she returned home, but some things she could say, others could not.

“If she cannot find someone, she will not marry! Why settle?” she declared resolutely. She could never reason with such short-sighted people. Ignoring Lady Ling, she walked away, grumbling, “There are people like you in this world, never picky about who they marry. Just pretend she’s never come back from the palace. So what if she never marries? One Shangrou is already trouble enough; another one… Does she even want the old lady to live?”

The two sisters-in-law usually got along well, and Lady Ling had never seen her so angry. But today, talking about Surou’s marriage, she jumped three feet high—it was utterly baffling.

“What’s wrong?” Lady Ling stared blankly for a moment, watching her walk away, cursing. She turned to her maid, bewildered, and said, “I did not say anything offensive…”

The maid frowned and smiled. “A widower and a man with a child… no wonder the Second Madam is angry.”