Spring Message in the Snow – CH 024

Chapter 24

Zhang Ju initially lamented that he could not protect his brother’s eldest daughter, and it seemed that their second young lady had no choice but to enter the palace. But upon hearing Helian Song’s words, he was stunned for a moment, then almost incredulous.

“What?” He swallowed hard, looking anxiously at the person opposite him. “What did Your Highness just say? I was a little hard of hearing and did not quite catch it. Your Highness said…”

The person opposite him smiled subtly. “I said this is a pressing matter, and I can try to resolve it. However, His Majesty is ultimately the Emperor. I cannot guarantee whether this method will work. I will only do my best. If it fails, please do not blame me.”

Zhang Ju was instantly moved to tears, hurriedly saying, “Your Highness, what are you saying? Our Zhang family is more than grateful…” He looked up and down, barely able to sit still. He straightened up and grabbed Helian Song’s hand, his voice trembling, “Gods and Bodhisattvas, Your Highness is our Zhang family’s savior. We will never forget this kindness.”

Helian Song still smiled faintly. The essence of a gentleman was fully displayed on his exquisite face.

“Please, sir, do not be so polite. Second Young Lady is not my own flesh and blood, but I deeply admire your devotion to your niece.” He gestured with his hand. “Please sit down, sir. It will be easier to talk once you are seated.”

“Alright, alright…” Zhang Ju sat back down on the bamboo mat, took a breath, and picked up his wine cup. A thousand words could not express his feelings; he could only urge the other to drink to the brim.

Helian Song returned the toast; hidden under the table, he carefully wiped his right hand on his robe.

“However, even so…” A helpless smile slowly appeared on his face. “Your second young lady seems to harbor a deep prejudice against me. I am afraid that even if I am willing to help wholeheartedly, she might not be willing to accept it.”

Zhang Ju responded with a “Yes” and gestured with his hand, “Your Highness need not worry about that. Our second young lady is extremely polite; she’s not the kind of person who cannot distinguish right from wrong.” He paused, glancing at Helian Song with a brooding look, “My only concern is that Your Highness might offend the Emperor as a result. If this causes inconvenience to Your Highness, then it will be the fault of our Zhang family.”

Across from him, the man paused briefly, then nodded gently, not mincing words. “If His Majesty truly desires the Second Young Lady to enter the palace, my abrupt act of stealing her away will naturally displease him. But His Majesty is a wise ruler; even if he harbors resentment now, time will heal all wounds. To put it another way… even if His Majesty resents me from now on, I will not hesitate. After all, the Shizhong died because of me, and now his beloved daughter is in trouble. I will risk my life to repay the Shizhong’s past kindness.”

This poignant reply stirred Zhang Ju’s emotions.

This heir apparent was indeed a man of great loyalty and righteousness! He thought to himself, in this world, those who prioritize self-preservation were everywhere, and those who repay kindness with enmity were also numerous. But for someone of his status to risk so much to save Surou from dire straits—for this very act of kindness, the past grievances could be wiped clean.

Overwhelmed with gratitude, Zhang Ju quickly poured more wine, laughing, “I’d rather ring a golden bell once than break three thousand drums. Consulting Your Highness today was definitely the right decision. Now my mother can rest assured.” He then served the dishes, earnestly saying, “Your Highness is now a benefactor of the Zhang family. Your Highness previously said that the Second Young Lady has a prejudice against you; that was just childish folly. After this matter is resolved, I will definitely have Second Young Lady thank Your Highness for your help today.”

Helian Song smiled subtly. “You flatter me. Since we’ve already agreed, I will begin preparations in a couple of days.”

Perhaps within two days… This matter was fraught with uncertainty. Zhang Ju hurriedly said, “We must hurry, Your Highness! If our plan falls behind the Emperor’s decree, it will be too late. I think we do not need a formal matchmaker; I doubt anyone would dare take on such a heavy responsibility now. Let’s keep the formalities simple. Once the marriage certificate is exchanged, the matter will be settled.”

Helian Song, however, disagreed. “Although this matter was entrusted to us by the Grand Madam, we cannot neglect the Second Young Lady. People will say that our Prince’s Mansion is ignorant of etiquette and that our performance was too hasty.” He pondered for a moment and said, “I will order preparations as soon as I return. It should take no more than a couple of days. Please inform the Grand Madam before I make an abrupt visit, lest I disturb her.”

Zhang Ju readily agreed, finally feeling a huge weight lifted from his heart, and ate the meal with ease. After the meal, he saw Helian Song off and hurried back to Suihua Garden.

Grand Madam Zhang had just finished washing up and was preparing for bed when Xianchun led someone in. She stopped in surprise and asked, “What urgent matter brings you here so late?”

Zhang Ju replied, “It’s important, very important. I just returned from hosting a banquet for the Heir Apparent of Wukang and have some news to tell you, Mother. I cannot wait until tomorrow; I must explain it today.”

Grand Madam Zhang became even more suspicious. Since he had something to report, she asked him to sit down and took her seat at the head of the table, turning to him and asking, “What is it? Speak quickly.”

Zhang Ju smiled and said, “I’ve found a solution to what Mother told me yesterday. As long as someone proposes marriage to Surou before the Emperor, the Emperor will not be able to interfere and force Surou to break off the engagement and enter the palace.” He shifted his body happily. “Mother, are you worried that no one dares to step forward at this time?”

The Grand Madam frowned at him. “Can you just finish what you said? Why leave it unfinished, waiting for me to press you?”

Zhang Ju chuckled awkwardly. “That’s not what I meant. I meant that we’ve found someone willing to solve our immediate problem. Mother, guess who this person is?” Seeing the Grand Madam about to scold him again, he quickly said, “This person is the Heir Apparent of Wukang!”

Even the Grand Madam was stunned. “Him? How could it be him?”

Zhang Ju beamed, “I never expected him to be so righteous. Mother, who has the guts to do this nowadays? Stealing food from here? Only he, feeling indebted to my second brother and unable to make amends, would get involved at this time.”

But the Grand Madam hesitated. “With his status, how can he be an enemy of the Emperor… He’s ostensibly sent to the capital to study, but is he not just a hostage?”

Zhang Ju felt his mother was overthinking it. “You do not understand. Putting aside the Emperor’s personal relationship with him, the more important thing is that the court still needs Helian Jingwei to guard Longyou. Helian Song will inherit his father’s position. Would the Emperor abandon Longyou for Surou, handing over that land of fine horses? So Mother, please be understanding. Let’s get through this first and deal with the rest later.”

The Grand Madam sighed. “Then explain it to him clearly. Have you forgotten? Once this matter is over, this marriage will be called off.”

Zhang Ju, who had been overjoyed at the thought that everything was going perfectly, was immediately silenced by the Grand Madam’s question. After a long pause, he finally said, “I completely forgot… Tomorrow, I will discuss it with him again. But Mother, there’s no need to worry. He’s just helping us out. Going to explain again would make it seem like the Prince is trying to extort us.”

While what he said was true, the matter was of great importance. The Grand Madam said, “Marriage is not a game; it cannot be ambiguous. It’s best to make things clear.”

Zhang Ju could only agree, “It’s getting late. Mother, please rest. I will make time to visit his residence tomorrow and make sure everything is explained clearly.” He then bowed and left Suihua Garden.

After he left, the Grand Madam still could not understand. Although the Prince of Wukang felt indebted to Zhang Lu, was it really worth taking such a great risk to repay this favor? She went to sleep that night filled with doubt and did not sleep well. The next day, when Surou came to the garden to pay her respects, she relayed the message to her. To her surprise, Surou immediately rejected it, resolutely saying, “Even if they mean well, I dare not accept it. Grandmother, this is no small matter. If things go wrong, not only will our family be in trouble, but innocent people will also be implicated. Father has lived a life of integrity; we cannot let me tarnish his reputation.”

The Grand Madam also became hesitant. “Then what should we do? Are we really going to send you to the palace?”

Surou naturally did not want to go to the palace, but she could not use such an unreliable method to avoid danger. The Grand Madam was troubled, so she could only try to comfort her for the time being. “The county princess promised me that she would ask the Imperial Princess to intercede with the Emperor on my behalf. No matter the outcome, there’s still hope; let’s wait and see.”

The Grand Madam hesitated. “What about the heir apparent…?”

“Please ask Uncle to politely decline,” Surou said. “We cannot accept such a great favor.”

But the Grand Madam remained silent, pondering for a long time before saying, “Yesterday it was your uncle who hosted the banquet, and today he’s changed his mind. I am afraid it will be embarrassing for them. It’s difficult to explain. I do not want you to enter the Forbidden City again. I tossed and turned all night thinking about it. This matter, though absurd, is not without its merits. Listen to me, go to the Duke of Wen’s residence again today and see if there’s any new information from the County Princess. If the matter has been shelved in the Forbidden City, that’s best; we will not need to trouble them. If not, staging a performance will not be a big deal.”

Surou had initially strongly opposed this, but seeing her grandmother’s words, she had no choice but to vaguely agree.

At this time, everyone came to pay their respects, and they all ate breakfast together, which was quite lively. After breakfast, Surou bid farewell to everyone and went to the Duke of Wen’s residence. Sujie, having missed the Golden Duck Banquet, was very curious about what Surou had seen the previous day and kept asking her if any suitable families had come to propose marriage.

Today, Surou was teaching her how to make Four Seasons Delightful Fragrance. Standing before the table, she weighed the cloves with a scale, her eyes lowered, and said, “My grandmother has a close friend who is willing to act as a matchmaker for her grandson, but she will have to wait half a month before coming to visit.”

Sujie listened with a sigh. “Half a month? Who knows what the situation will be like in half a month?”

Surou smiled, not telling her about Helian Song’s willingness to help in this emergency. She felt she could not bring herself to say it, even though the county princess had suggested it before. After a slight pause, she tentatively asked, “Has Her Highness the Princess entered the palace these past two days?”

Sujie shook her head. “Yesterday was the birthday celebration for Lady Sun, and my mother went to the Prime Minister’s residence to offer her congratulations. She has not had a chance yet.” She understood Surou’s meaning, and seeing her somber expression, she comforted her, “Do not worry, elder sister. My mother will enter the palace in the next couple of days, and she will naturally convey your message to the Emperor.”

Surou nodded, forcing a smile again. “I’ve been troubled by this matter these past few days, and I lost my composure in front of the County Princess.”

“Not at all,” Sujie said, taking the stone mortar from her arms. “Elder sister has been very composed. If it were me, I’d probably be running around like a headless fly.”

The two chatted and laughed as they ground cloves, frankincense, and tonka bean powder together. Sujie, usually restless and lacking in composure, sat in the pavilion grinding these things. But as her mother had said, when you get close to someone, you naturally absorb their scent. This female teacher possessed a powerful, calming ability; if you felt restless in her presence, you would feel ashamed without her saying a word.

She rolled up her sleeves and added honey to the powder with a wooden spoon. As the weather grew warmer, a little sweat appeared on her delicate skin, making it appear even cleaner and more translucent. Sujie tilted her head and looked at her for a long while, then said softly, “Sister, I want to discuss things with Young Master Ye tomorrow, but I am not sure if I will be able to. Could you come with me?” Seeing her turn to look at her, and worried that she might refuse, she quickly added, “You do not need to appear. Just listen to our conversation and give me your opinion.”

Surou thought for a moment and agreed. They trusted her and needed her help; if she refused outright, she would seem heartless.

Sujie was very happy and reached out to hug her. “Sister is the best…” Before she could finish, her tone slowed, and she hastily shook her.

Surou did not notice at first, but after being shaken, she asked, “What’s wrong?” Seeing her staring intently, she followed her gaze and saw a person in a light blue round-necked robe standing in the opposite corridor, still with his usual indifferent demeanor, his eyes seeming to pierce through mountains and rivers as he looked at her. Surou was startled and quickly pulled Sujie outside the pavilion to pay her respects. A wave of anxiety washed over her; her worst fears had come true—the Emperor had finally shown himself.

His robes fluttered as he approached. The Emperor said, “No need for formalities,” his voice still indifferent, devoid of any emotion.

Surou and Sujie straightened up. Sujie, usually so lively, became docile in the presence of the Emperor, hoping for reinforcements. She kept glancing behind the Emperor. “Your Majesty has arrived! Did my mother not come to greet you?”

The Emperor’s gaze swept across Surou’s face, and he gave a curt reply, “Your mother wants you to go to the main hall; she has some instructions.”

This was clearly a dismissal; everyone understood. Sujie glanced at Surou but said nothing more, curtsied, and left with her personal maid.

Surou’s mind suddenly returned to the time she spent in the Forbidden City; that deep-seated suffocation resurfaced, making her extremely uncomfortable. She understood that what she feared was not the environment that robbed her of her freedom, but the person before her. There were countless kinds of people in this world; some bring joy, some bring oppression, and the Emperor was precisely the latter.

Of course, the Emperor was unaware of her feelings. His tone was as calm as ever: “I was unaware of your departure from the palace.”

Surou replied, “Consort Zheng pitied my youth when I entered the palace, unable to reunite with my family, and thus granted me the grace to return home. This is Consort Zheng’s compassion, and even more so, Your Majesty’s boundless grace. While at home, I have been grateful to Your Majesty every day, and I pray from afar to the Forbidden City, asking the gods and Buddhas to bless my Lord with eternal prosperity.”

Therefore, she was a clever woman; in just a few words, she clearly expressed her thoughts. Being allowed to leave the palace and return home would fill her with gratitude. If she were forced back into the palace now, that gratitude would vanish, and the Emperor, to maintain his image of benevolence, could not force her back.

However, this calculation did not deter the high-ranking official. He said, “I summoned officials from the Inner Palace Secretariat to review the records. They found that you entered the palace at the age of eight, and this year marks your tenth year. Ten years of service in the palace, even without merit, has been worthwhile. Moreover, your father was enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple, a meritorious official of the court. A few days ago, the censors reprimanded me, saying I had failed Chancellor Zhang and deliberately mistreated the descendant of a meritorious official.”

These words sent a chill down Surou’s spine. She thought to herself that the censors were truly the voice of the people, the pillars of the nation, daring to criticize even the Emperor. Although their intentions were not bad, sometimes this kind of wishful thinking about justice could bring trouble. The main difference was that her circumstances were different now. If she were still in the palace, a title like “County Lady” or “Beauty” would at least ensure she no longer had to serve others, which would be quite good. But now that she’s out of the palace, pursuing these matters again would be tantamount to throwing her back into the fire, because for her, the freedom outside the palace was far better than “living” within its walls.

However, the truth was hurtful, so she had to learn to be tactful. Composing herself, she tucked her hands behind her back and said, “I received many years of education in the palace, thanks to the Emperor and His Majesty’s compassion; I was not mistreated. My father devoted himself to the country, and although I am a woman, I also have a heart to repay the Emperor. Now, the Emperor’s great favor in allowing me to return home and enjoy family life is a grace bestowed upon the Zhang family. As for the officials’ remonstrances, I cannot agree with them, and I beg the Emperor to forgive them and not take them to heart.”

The Emperor, hearing her words, each one a high-sounding pretext, could not help but slightly twitch his lips.

“Having spent many years in the Forbidden City, I have indeed learned quite a bit of palace talk, but that’s only for formal occasions. There’s no need for that in private conversations with me.” He finished speaking, giving her a brief, appraising glance. “How is your teaching at the Princess’s residence?”

Surou replied, “Her Highness the Princess is kind, and the County Princess has treated me with great courtesy… It’s all thanks to the Emperor.”

He said, “Oh, it seems the County Princess let something slip, telling you the whole story.” He was not angry, but instead, he slowly paced back and forth, hands behind his back. “The other day, the court decided to have your father enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple. I was supposed to come the next day to discuss the arrangements, but when I arrived at Yanjia Palace, you were already gone. Consort Zheng acted on her own initiative, disciplining the palace servants without even informing the Empress. The Empress is furious and told me she wants to recall you to the Forbidden City. What do you think?”

Surou felt her undergarment become soaked. The Emperor’s few casual words had changed her entire life.

She was terrified, knowing he was intentionally using the Empress as a pretext, probably to leave herself some room to maneuver. If her attitude were ambiguous at this moment, she would soon receive an imperial edict summoning her to the palace.

Hands placed on her brows, she bowed and said, “Your Majesty is virtuous and kind. You are not only indignant on my behalf but also to enhance Your Majesty’s reputation. While Consort Zheng’s unauthorized release of me violated the rules of the palace, it was well-intentioned. I beg Your Majesty to calm your anger. I am currently at home serving my grandmother, doing some small things I enjoy in my spare time, and often remember Your Majesty’s kindness. If I were recalled now, it would likely give those with ulterior motives a reason to say that Your Majesty is wary of officials who speak out and that you reject remonstrances, which would damage Your Majesty’s prestige.”

Having said this, Surou felt she had handled things skillfully. Even if she could not change the Emperor’s mind, she had at least cut off his escape route, preventing him from using the Empress’s name to hint at her returning to the palace.

However, things did not go as planned. The Emperor was also an unconventional person. After hearing her consideration for the bigger picture, he simply said, “This is not just the Empress’s wish; it’s mine too.”

T/N: Hmphhh… Your Majesty, you didn’t act for ten years, stop trying to get another concubine for your harem. Let our FL have her freedom.