Spring Message in the Snow – CH 015

Chapter 15

The Heir Apparent of Wukang, also known as the Crown Prince of Wukang, was different from ordinary heirs; he had a special title—Heir Apparent.

The so-called Heir Apparent was a first-rank title, below a Prince but above a County Prince. This dynasty had always adhered to the principle that titles end with the holder, and even the succession of titles was only from brother to brother, not to descendants. However, there was one exception in the capital: this Heir Apparent of Wukang.

There was a story behind this. Helian Jingwei, the Prince of Wukang, frequently occupied the Longyou Protectorate, raising suspicions of his wielding considerable military power. The court, unable to effectively control him, repeatedly dispatched envoys to Wuwei to appease him. Helian Jingwei was exceptionally promoted from the initial position of Jiedushi of Hexi to the rank of Prince, and even his son was granted a title that even members of the imperial clan could only dream of, ensuring the Helian family’s perpetual rule over Longyou.

However, these favors were not bestowed arbitrarily. Helian Jingwei had to send his eldest son to the capital, Shangjing, to receive the etiquette and education of the Central Plains. Under the guise of familial ties, this Heir Apparent was actually a hostage in Shangjing.

Was being a hostage a difficult life, living on thin ice every day? Not quite. The country was now unprecedentedly wealthy, the war was under control, and the court was gradually showing a trend of valuing civil officials over military ones. Therefore, the heir apparent, like any other member of the imperial family, enjoyed all the privileges and comforts of Shangjing.

Of course, this heir apparent was not just a figurehead. He studied at the Zishan Hall in the capital alongside the Emperor, and upon reaching adulthood, he was appointed the Inspector of the Longyou Protectorate. Now, he leads the Upper Four Armies, ordered to guard the capital.

Surou vaguely remembered that child from years ago. On the day of her father’s funeral, he had kowtowed before his coffin. He was only eleven or twelve years old then, quite tall, and with some Western Region ancestry; his features were more deep-set than most.

As a child, she was quick to love and hate. Knowing her father had died because of him, she hated him with a vengeance. When he finished his bow and stood up, she, kneeling beside him in return, leaped up and rammed into him. Unfortunately, she was too weak; she only managed to knock him back a few steps, without teaching him a lesson.

Afterwards, her grandmother scolded her, saying she was rash and rude and should not have treated him that way. But Surou felt she had not done anything wrong, and even to this day, she still firmly held this belief.

It was somewhat like a blood feud, but not entirely. Sometimes, the indirect perpetrator was more hateful than the one who wielded the knife. If he had not secretly slipped away from the caravan, her father would not have gone looking for him, and would not have been attacked and killed. Now, twelve years later, she still had not let go. The deep-seated hatred had become a pale scar on her heart, untouchable, for touching it brought excruciating pain.

Jiezhi knew his sister’s feelings. When their father passed away, he and Zhirou were still young, not understanding the pain of losing a father. They only saw their sister wailing, and they cried along with her. Later, as they grew older, they sometimes heard rumors about the heir apparent, and their feelings were one of disdain and disgust. They remembered that Helian Song owed their father a life, and it was best to never have anything to do with him again, much less want him to appear before their sister.

“Was the appointment of Crown Prince of Wukang as deputy envoy intentionally made by the Emperor?” Jiezhi glanced at Surou, then said to Zhang Ju, “Knowing full well that we have a grudge against him, why insist on sending him to assist in the ancestral temple ceremony?”

Zhang Ju looked at his nephew and niece, blinking his dry eyes, and said, “Presumably to turn hostility into friendship! I know you, siblings, have a grudge, but your father died in the line of duty, following the orders of the court. Can we hate the court as well?”

Zhang Zhi sighed, “Forget it, peace is paramount. Today, we will properly move your father’s remains into the Imperial Ancestral Temple, and there will be no further contact.” He then instructed Surou, “Second Young Lady, you must take good care of Third Young Master.”

Surou felt a pang of sadness and replied, “Please rest assured, Uncles.” She smiled at Jiezhi, “We are no longer children, are we?”

Seeing his elder sister’s words, Jiezhi could only nod.

Just then, voices came from inside the moon gate. It was the Grand Madam Zhang, leading three daughters-in-law, all of whom were titled noblewomen, dressed in grand robes and sashes, their arrival exceptionally solemn.

Surou looked at her stepmother, Lady Pan. Her expression was the same as usual, but a deep sorrow welled up in her eyes. Twelve years had passed since her husband’s death, twelve years since she was widowed. Each anniversary of his death was a catastrophe. It was said that she would sit alone in the ancestral hall for two hours each time. Unfortunately, today her father’s spirit tablet was to be moved to the Imperial Ancestral Temple, and from then on, she would have no place to express her grief, only able to look forward to the annual memorial service.

Grand Madam Zhang was still the pillar of the family. Although her son’s enshrinement in the Imperial Ancestral Temple was an honor for the entire Zhang family, she felt no joy. The old lady, her face solemn, looked towards the ancestral hall. “Let’s go.”

The ancestral hall was a small, separate courtyard outside the Zhang residence, not far away. A path led straight through the garden. The group walked through the deep bamboo grove, arriving as dawn broke.

Zhang Ju glanced at the water clock; the auspicious time for moving the spirit tablet was approaching. He and Zhang Zhi lit the incense and candles before the ancestral tablets. Just as preparations were complete, the Imperial Guards brought the welcoming pavilion to the courtyard gate. Officials from the Court of State Ceremonial first read the imperial decree to the Zhang clan. After expressing their gratitude, everyone entered the ancestral hall to offer sacrifices. Once the grand ceremony was completed, the formal moving of the memorial tablet began.

Jiezhi, the eldest son, climbed the height to remove his father’s tablet from the altar. The Minister Herald called out, “Noble lady,” and handed the carrying staff to Surou.

The regulations for the temple entry ceremony were very detailed. For example, princes and nobles used their own staffs, while meritorious officials used their own. Surou, holding the staff, guided the spirit tablet to the Cai Pavilion. Jiezhi stepped forward to bring it. Then, escorted by the Imperial Guards, carried it to the Jige Gate of the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Only then did the formal temple entry ceremony begin, with the welcoming envoy and his deputy respectfully welcoming the tablet and performing the three kneelings and nine prostrations on its behalf.

Outside the ancestral hall, carriages were parked. The Old Caomen Street was some distance from Ruishi Mountain, requiring a carriage ride to reach it. Surou and Jiezhi boarded the carriage and looked through the gate. The magnificent imperial procession stretched for over ten zhang. Such a grand spectacle was rarely seen. The Imperial Street was lined with onlookers, and even high-ranking officials and nobles had to dismount and pay their respects if they encountered the procession.

The sun gradually rose higher, and the journey took nearly half an hour. A breeze occasionally lifted the curtains, casting fleeting shadows on Jiezhi’s face. Surou noticed his cheeks were slightly flushed and asked, “Are you hot?”

He shook his head. “Elder sister, will there be attendants to guide us later?”

The young master, having never experienced such a ceremony before, was understandably worried. Surou gently assured him, “As long as you walk steadily step by step, you will not make a mistake.”

Jiezhi hummed in agreement, turning to look ahead. Ruishi Mountain stretched out before him, and he could already see the main gate of the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

The procession finally stopped. He took a breath, jumped down from the carriage, and then turned back to help Surou. Looking ahead, the Cai Pavilion stood before the halberd gate of the Imperial Ancestral Temple. A sea of ​​court officials, all dressed in similar official robes, lined both sides of the central path. Three welcoming envoys stood directly in front of the Cai Pavilion, their faces obscured by their backs, making it impossible to identify which was Helian Song.

The attendant stepped forward to guide them, leading them behind the chief and deputy envoys. Because the Imperial Ancestral Temple was a forbidden area for the royal family, those without official rank and women were not allowed inside; therefore, the “offering of sacrifice” was held outside the halberd gate.

The attendant loudly announced the rites, and everyone raised their hands and eyebrows, kneeling in obeisance. Being honored in the Imperial Ancestral Temple was the highest honor for a subject, and the ceremony was naturally the most solemn. After the obeisance, the spirit tablet was moved. Surou then noticed an additional ancestral tablet in the pavilion, its inscription bearing her father’s official rank and name.

The attendant softly instructed from the side, “Please, noble lord and noble lady, move the ancestral tablet and spirit tablet into the shrine.”

Surou and Jiezhi hurried forward to carry the spirit tablet, now having to be extremely careful, their eyes fixed on their toes, not daring to make a single misstep. The pavilion and the shrine were only about two zhang apart, and even these few short steps left them sweating profusely.

Holding the memorial tablet in her hands, she felt an immense weight. Perhaps this was her last chance to be close to her father. Afterwards, the tablet would be placed in the Imperial Ancestral Temple, and her family would have to make a separate one for their remembrance. It was not the one used during the original funeral, which felt somewhat incomplete, but regardless, she was grateful for the court’s praise and the Emperor’s favor. Her father would now be remembered in history.

Surou and Jiezhi walked side by side to the empty shrine. Attendants on either side of the altar received the tablet and handed it to them, who then placed it high on the altar. With the children’s duties fulfilled, the officiant led them aside. Next, the chief envoy would preside over the sacrificial ceremony, and the shrine would be moved into the temple for another grand ceremony.

On the altar were already laid out offerings and wine cups. The Imperial Ancestral Temple ceremony involved three libations, with the deputy envoy holding the cups and lids and the chief envoy pouring the wine. The Prime Minister, over forty years old, was very thin, with a beard, and possessed the upright and academic air of a scholar. Of the two deputy envoys, one faced them with a kind and honest appearance; he must be Liu Ang, the Minister of Ceremonies.

The remaining one, with his back to them, was undoubtedly Helian Song. Surou gazed at his back, pondering. Would he feel any guilt? Probably so, otherwise he would not be here today. More than ten years had passed, and she could no longer remember what that boy looked like. She only remembered him coming from afar, with an arrogant expression, like an untamed wild horse.

In short, he was repulsive and perhaps even more savage now. Surou sighed softly and looked away. The ceremony was still ongoing; after two rounds of the Yuan wine, hands were washed, the cups were cleansed, and the sacrificial utensils were handed over. Only then did Helian Song finally turn around.

Contrary to Surou’s expectations, he lacked the ruggedness of a Western Region person. Instead, he possessed a refined and elegant Han Chinese appearance, though his eyes were as deep as a cold pool, and his features were more pronounced than most. She paused, realizing she seemed to recognize him; he was the young man she’d seen in front of Pan Tower after returning from the Marquis of Yingyang’s residence.

Helian Song also looked at her, scrutinizing her intently. Because of the spirit transfer, she was dressed as a man, her face bare of makeup, yet her cheeks were translucent and unmasked in the sunlight. Her childhood dislike had lingered; he saw a hint of disdain in her eyes. If the occasion were not so inappropriate, he feared she would rush at him again and headbutt him.

Thankfully, she had grown up, and her behavior was more in line with the standards of a well-bred lady; at least she was not as impulsive as she had been as a child. He had always known of her; she had served as a lady-in-waiting in the Forbidden City for ten years, so she had never existed in the circles of noble ladies in the capital, yet today, she had appeared out of nowhere.

His gaze flickered slightly, avoiding her eyes.

Everything continued. The final step of the temple entry ceremony was the Xia sacrifice, which required moving the shrine into the Imperial Ancestral Temple and placing it on the altar. The official in charge of rites from the Court of Imperial Sacrifices carried the shrine through the halberd gate, while the chief envoy, holding a tablet, led the sixth-rank official inside. He felt a prickling sensation but still maintained his composure, keeping his back straight and steady, assisting the chief envoy in protecting the spirit tablet as it formally entered the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

Outside the halberd gate, the crowd could not leave. Under the scorching sun, they waited for the food to be prepared and the offerings to be removed inside the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Only when the sound of whips was heard did the grand ceremony officially come to an end.

The princes and ministers exited the Imperial Ancestral Temple in turn, performing three kowtows outside the halberd gate, then retreating to the outer gate before returning home. A large crowd surged outside, busily searching for their carriages; the scene resembled the announcement of the results of the imperial examinations in the capital.

Zhang Ju and Zhang Zhi emerged from the crowd. Having finished sending off the spirit tablets at home, they were to follow the ceremonial procession into the Imperial Ancestral Temple to welcome the children. After the grand ceremony, they found the two children. Zhang Zhi pointed. “The carriage is just ahead.”

Surou nodded and was about to step forward when she suddenly heard someone behind her call out, “Commander”

Looking back, bathed in the bright sunlight, the man emerged from the shadows before the three gates, exuding an air of nobility, and bowed respectfully from afar.

Surou, seeing this, stepped back and curtsied to her uncles. No further words were needed; the elders understood her meaning.

Zhang Ju nodded. “Let Third Young Master escort you back first.” He then turned to Helian Song, bowing respectfully, and said with a smile, “Your Highness has worked hard today; the ceremony has been a great success.”

Helian Song approached slowly, but the Zhang siblings hurriedly left. He did not mind and frankly said to Zhang Ju, “The honor of the Shizhong being enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple has fulfilled my long-cherished wish. Thanks to the Emperor’s grace, I was appointed to assist in the enshrinement ceremony today, finally allowing me to do my part for the Shizhong.”

Zhang Ju and Zhang Zhi exchanged a glance upon hearing this.

Although they had served in the same court for many years, their interactions were few and far between. Even when they did interact, it was always for official business, and they never discussed private matters. Helian Song was like a finely crafted blade; it was best not to associate with him lightly. Zhang Ju skillfully employed the tactful maneuvering common in officialdom, saying, “Your Highness is kind. Now that he is worthy of being enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple, even though he has passed away, the court and the Emperor have not forgotten him, and he can find peace in the afterlife. Twelve years have passed in the blink of an eye; please, Your Highness, do not worry about him anymore. A general serving in the field is always at risk of death; if Your Highness holds this in your heart, it will only cause unease to my entire Zhang family.”

Helian Song paused briefly, then nodded in agreement.

Having finished dealing with the affairs of old friends, it seemed appropriate to exchange pleasantries with strangers. So, with a smile, he said, “The Duke of Hubei, stationed in the Hehuang region, has just returned to court today. Hehuang is under the jurisdiction of Longyou. After discussing with several commanders, we plan to hold a banquet at the Fang residence garden to welcome the Duke of Hubei. I’ve heard that you two have a deep friendship with the Duke, so this is a good opportunity for everyone to get together. Therefore, I will not send formal invitations; I personally invite the Commanders to attend.”

Such an invitation was truly impossible to refuse. The officialdom was a complex web, and maintaining connections was essential. Since someone had sincerely invited you, you should know how to accept it.

“Certainly, certainly,” Zhang Ju replied with a smile.

Zhang Zhi chimed in, “A good friend returned from Yingzhou last month and brought me a pot of fine wine called ‘Hanquan.’ I have not been willing to drink it yet, so today I will take this opportunity to present it to him. Let’s all have a few drinks.”

Helian Song’s smile deepened. He agreed verbally, his eyes darting towards the direction the Zhang family children had left.

The carriage slowly made its way onto the Imperial Street. He could not help but sigh. The Zhang family’s daughter and son were probably cursing him in their hearts right now!

Translator’s Note
Jiedushi (military governor)
10 zhang (approximately 33 meters)
Shizhong (Chancellor)
Hubei (using Hubei instead of E)
Also, translating a ceremony is very, very hardo.