Spring Message in the Snow – CH 016

Chapter 16

Because of the heat, Jiezhi still rode in the carriage with his elder sister on the way back.

His elder sister remained silent, head down, slowly eating her wheat cake, seemingly unhappy. He dared not speak, anxiously watching her for a long while. Seeing that she was almost finished eating, he remembered he also had a piece, quickly rummaged through the bag, and handed it to her, saying, “Sister, eat.”

Surou looked up, surprised, and asked, “Why are you not eating? Are you not hungry?”

Jiezhi shook his head, “Sometimes I get up late and have to rush to the ancestral school without having time for breakfast. I am used to it.” As he spoke, he glanced at her expression, hesitatingly asking, “Father was honored with a sacrificial offering at the Imperial Ancestral Temple today; is not Sister happy?”

Surou said no, “This is a matter of bringing glory to our family; how could I not be happy? When we walked along the Imperial Street earlier, so many people stopped to watch. The news that Father is to be enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple is known throughout the capital.”

Jiezhi said this, then sighed softly, “Then I understand. You are upset because you saw Helian Song. Sister, do not be angry. The capital is vast. Our family has never had any dealings with him, and we will not encounter him again.”

Surou smiled upon hearing this. Jiezhi was still young, and his way of comforting people was indeed simple and direct.

He was right. She had indeed become depressed because of seeing Helian Song. Some people could evoke very bad memories, forcing one to relive old pain. However, those unpleasant feelings had been left behind the moment she left Ruishi Mountain. After all, too much time had passed, and there was no need to torment herself further. It was just that she had not controlled her emotions properly and had lost her composure in front of her younger brother. Thinking about it carefully, she realized it was indeed somewhat inappropriate.

“Alright, let’s not dwell on him.” Surou then reminded Jiezhi, “Before you go out in the future, you must eat something. Otherwise, going hungry for half a day will harm your health. You are at the age where you are growing taller; if you are deficient in nutrients, you will not grow tall.”

Jiezhi grinned sheepishly. “Mother said so, too. I want to get up early, but lately my studies have been heavy. The autumn imperial examinations are coming up soon, and I study until late at night every day, so I cannot get up in the morning.”

Boys were born with heavy burdens on their shoulders, carrying the hopes of their families. Especially in a family like the Zhang family, where almost the entire family had entered officialdom, if he failed the exams, he would have let down his elders and ancestors.

As for his height, Jiezhi was not worried. His brothers were all tall. He asked his older sister, “Was Father tall? I do not remember what he looked like. Zhirou and I were just learning to walk when he passed away.”

“Father…” Surou recalled her father, though only a faint outline remained. She described him to her younger brother based on her vague memory: “Father was very tall, even taller than Uncle. Standing there in his armor and helmet, he was like an impenetrable wall.”

A glimmer of light appeared in Jiezhi’s eyes—the son’s longing for his father. “I’ve always wanted to know about Father, but Mother never says anything. Whenever I ask, she gives me a stern look and tells me to study more and ask less.”

It was still too painful to recall. Surou understood her stepmother, but she could talk to Jiezhi about her father before they got home, telling him that he had a very good temper and was kind to everyone. Grandmother had mentioned Father, saying he was the least like a military man among his brothers, yet he never imagined Father would go to the frontier to lead troops into battle.

“In the end, Father was not ruthless enough,” Jiezhi said wistfully. “If Father were still alive, Sister would not have entered the Forbidden City.”

Surou did not complain. Instead, she said, “The Empress Dowager meant well, wanting to raise the orphans of former officials, but she unexpectedly fell ill and passed away.”

If the Empress Dowager were alive, her fate might have been entirely different; perhaps she would have become a concubine of the Emperor, or perhaps been betrothed to a prince or general.

But things were not so bad now. Having seen the world, she could start anew. Her former leisurely life in her boudoir, filled with the beauty of spring flowers and autumn moons, had been replaced by insight into the world, encounters with all sorts of people, and experiences of all kinds. For her, this was not a waste of time but rather a valuable accumulation.

The siblings chatted idly for a while and soon arrived at the Zhang Mansion’s gate. Maids and servants had been waiting for some time at the steps. They brought out footstools to help them down from the carriage, but did not immediately welcome them inside. Instead, they first erected a screen under the porch. This was very important; in such a large family, auspiciousness was paramount. Wearing plain clothes upon entering was a major taboo; one had to change into everyday attire before entering.

After everything was tidied up, the servants removed the screens, and the siblings went first to Suihua Garden to report to the Grand Madam. The Grand Madam asked, “Was everything alright?”

Surou replied, “Everything went smoothly. The Ministry of Works even carved a memorial tablet for Father; it looks very impressive.”

The Grand Madam lightly touched the corners of her lips, murmuring, “Impressive, huh…” Afraid of showing sadness in front of the children, she quickly rallied her spirits and called to Nanny Feng, “Quickly bring up the snacks.”

Before she finished speaking, Nanny Feng had already led the maids in, taking out various fancy pastries and cheesecakes from the food box, and then bringing two bowls of clear starch dumplings to the siblings, smiling as she said, “These are what Second Young Lady and Third Young Master both love; the Grand Madam had them prepared early this morning.”

The round dumplings floated in the clear broth, topped with rosy flowers, looking quite adorable. Surou had just taken the silver spoon when Jiezhi had already swallowed the water droplet. The Grand Madam exclaimed, “Eat slowly; do not choke!”

Jiezhi stood up, wiped his mouth, and said, “What’s a man afraid of choking? I need to go back and study; I will be going now.” He bowed to the Grand Madam and his elder sister, then dashed off.

The Grand Madam naturally doted on this grandson. Looking through the moon-shaped window at him, quickly leaving the courtyard, she turned to Surou and asked, “Did your uncle and maternal uncle not come back with you?”

Surou said no, “They were stopped by the Heir Apparent before they left, probably to discuss something.”

The Grand Madam said, “Oh,” knowing she was referring to Helian Song, the Heir Apparent of Wukang. Mentioning him brought to mind their childhood grievances. The Grand Madam, fearing her granddaughter might still hold a grudge, earnestly advised, “A gentleman does not dwell on past grievances. More than ten years have passed; let it go. If you ever meet him again, remember to control your temper and keep your distance. Do not be rude to him again.”

Surou chuckled, “Grandmother, are you afraid I will seek revenge?” Setting down her lotus-leaf cup, she pursed her lips and said, “I did feel some resentment when I saw that heir apparent outside the ancestral temple, but time has passed, and I do not want to bring up the past.”

The Grand Madam said that it was good. “After all, he served in the same court as your uncles, and now he’s been granted a princely title. We should not offend him. From now on, as long as we keep to ourselves and avoid conflict, the world will be at peace.”

Surou agreed, then paused to seek the Grand Madam’s opinion, “I’d like to visit the Princess and the County Princess tomorrow. What do you think, Grandmother?”

This matter had been on her mind. The Grand Madam pondered for a moment, then said, “It’s good to go. After all, they sent someone. If we do not respond, they might think we are arrogant. But remember, you are not going as a tutor or a maid; it’s just a courtesy visit, a small exchange.”

Surou understood her grandmother’s meaning. Royal relatives were proud and arrogant; if they were difficult to get along with, it was better to maintain a polite distance and avoid deeper contact.

She agreed and replied, “I understand. I will go back and prepare the visiting card and send it over first.” She then rose, curtsied, and returned to her courtyard.

Visiting cards from young ladies differed from those from men. They were not inspected by the gatekeeper but delivered directly to the women of the inner quarters. Therefore, the paper used was very particular; small, gold-leafed, incense-scented stationery was used, the date of the visit was written on it, and it was finally signed “Respectfully presented by Second Young Lady Zhang.” Then a servant could be dispatched to deliver it to the Duke of Wen’s residence.

After everything was finished, she checked the water clock, and it was noon. The cicadas in the treetops outside were chirping incessantly. Quelan came in to change the incense, turned around, and saw her covering her mouth and yawning. She smiled and said, “Madam, take a nap. You must be exhausted today.”

She was indeed exhausted. All morning, she had been cautious and timid; her legs felt heavy, as if filled with lead. So she put down her pen, stood up, and draped half of her arm over the back of the chair, sighing, “You did not see the grandeur of the Imperial Ancestral Temple. I was on tenterhooks the whole time.”

Quelan said, “How could I not be on tenterhooks about such a momentous event? This servant may not have the fortune to see the Imperial Ancestral Temple, but just seeing the relocation of the memorial tablet in our ancestral hall was quite dignified.” As she spoke, she turned and spread a layer of silk brocade on the chaise longue by the window, afraid her mistress might catch a chill while sleeping. She then moved an ivory pillow and placed it there before calling out, “My lady, please lie down.”

Surou moved over, twisted her body, and lay down. Turning her head, she saw that the curtains by the window were half-rolled up, occasionally fluttering in the wind, rattling against the window frame.

She quickly fell asleep, a deep and peaceful sleep. When she opened her eyes again, the sun was already hanging over the western courtyard wall.

The maidservant who had delivered the visiting card to the Duke of Wen’s residence had returned early. She reported through the folding screen that Princess Huayang had instructed the servants to await the Second Young Lady’s arrival.

Surou, still reclining on the couch, did not rise. She simply acknowledged and closed her eyes again.

Sometimes, she thought, life rarely offered a moment of leisure. Serving a noble lady in the palace was always filled with endless worries. She had thought that leaving the palace would bring only peace and comfort, but now it seemed there was a difference.

Sure enough, another messenger arrived. Jiao Yue called out, “Miss, the First Young Lady has sent a maidservant back to report on her situation.”

Surou’s drowsiness vanished instantly. She sat up, slipped on her soft shoes, and went to the outer room. Seeing the maidservant standing in the corridor with her hands tucked in, she instructed Jiao Yue to bring her in.

The maidservant entered and bowed, saying with her hands at her sides, “I wish Second Young Lady good fortune. I served the First Young Lady at the Marquis’s Mansion. The First Young Lady ordered me to return and report to the Second Young Lady.”

Surou nodded. “How was everything after Eldest Sister returned?”

The maidservant looked awkward and stammered, “Compared to when she was in our household, there are more trivial matters. When the Eldest Young Lady returned to the Marquis’s Mansion, she followed your instructions and sent away all the maids and servants from the original courtyard. However, the Marquis’s wife was unhappy and insisted on keeping two. The Eldest Young Lady had no choice but to temporarily place them in the tea service. Last night, Young Master Chen stayed overnight at the brothel and did not return all night. An’er is ill, and she’s already worried about An’er, and that little brat Nian’er keeps complaining of indigestion and stomach aches, refusing to leave Madam’s courtyard. Finally, Nanny Nie had her dragged out and thrown back into her own courtyard. Today, she complained to Chen Langzi that Madam does not care about her life or death, crying and making a scene, demanding a female physician for herself.”

Surou frowned, thinking that Shangrou’s family affairs were truly a headache; this mother-in-law was no pushover either. Fortunately, she had brought people with her; in a pinch, they could shield her, preventing her from suffering a loss when facing that shrewish concubine.

“What did my brother-in-law say? Did he listen to some instigation and start picking a fight with my elder sister again?”

The maidservant said, “No, he did not. He even asked Nian’er if she wanted a dragon throne for her. But that young woman is still angry and is wailing in the courtyard, saying something about her arm being broken in her sleeve. She’s implying she’s protesting the death of the concubine.”

Surou snorted coldly, “The Marquis’s Mansion protected her, and she’s acting all innocent after getting the benefit.”

After a moment’s thought, she said, “Let her make a scene; do not worry about her for now. If she goes too far, you can use her status as the madam to punish her by making her kneel in the ancestral hall all night. Make sure to get rid of the people the Marquis’s wife left behind; they cannot stay in the courtyard. As for my brother-in-law not returning home last night, tell my elder sister not to take it to heart.”

“Secretly send someone out to find that courtesan, buy her indenture, and bring her back to the mansion to settle her in Nian’er’s courtyard. Nian’er will definitely not let it go. You all guard the gates for my elder sister, and do not let her in and disturb my elder sister. If she keeps making a fuss, just buy more women; three or five would not be too many. If the Marquis’s wife asks, my eldest sister can say she is unwell and unable to care for her husband but is willing to arrange a few more concubines for him to ensure the continuation of the Marquis’s lineage.”

The maidservant, hearing this, breathed a sigh of relief and bowed with a smile, saying, “Madam is still too naive, unwilling to do everything herself, always hesitant and unable to make a decision, which is why she sent me to ask for Second Young Lady’s opinion. Since Second Young Lady has this idea, then this servant will return immediately and relay Second Young Lady’s words to Eldest Young Lady.”

Surou nodded and asked again, “What illness does An’er have? Is he alright?”

The servant replied, “He had a fever all night, but he’s a little better this morning. Second Young Lady need not worry.” She then curtsied again. “Then this servant will return now. If Eldest Young Lady has any further questions, this servant will return to inform Second Young Lady.”

Surou said, “Alright,” sitting at the table, fanning herself with a round fan, watching Jiao Yue lead the person out of the main room.