Spring Message in the Snow – CH 032

Chapter 32

Her silence was tacit agreement. Helian Song stared at her for a long time, then said dejectedly, “For you, young lady, I am willing to defy the Emperor. Can you not see my sincerity?”

Surou smiled. “The Prince is ill and not in good health. He should sleep more and talk less.”

What was this? Did she think he was being long-winded? She’d used him, been grateful then, and now wanted to distance herself. Were there truly such heartless people in this world?

He turned his face away and sighed. “I meant no harm; I was just trying to be kind. You do not need to be so distant.”

Surou had no choice; it seemed she could not argue with a sick person. So she replied evasively, “Fine, let me search for a couple more days. If I still cannot find anything suitable, I will trouble Your Highness again. But even between brothers, accounts must be clear. I will still pay the rental fee as usual, exactly the market price.”

Helian Song said it was up to her. Anyway, the rental fee could eventually be used to supplement her bride price, so every penny would still go towards her.

Surou, observing his complexion, realized he still looked unwell and urged, “The porridge has not arrived yet; Your Highness, please lie down. You look very tired.”

Helian Song smiled shyly, his eyes sparkling with a subtle, almost effusive, expression, and said gently, “You’ve come to see me; how could I be tired? My lady is a guest I could not possibly invite.”

Surou felt a chill run down her spine. She found this heir very strange. He had previously seemed a very shrewd and socially adept person, but ever since the last meeting at Ban Tower, his behavior had become increasingly erratic.

She straightened up; the embroidered stool was too sturdy to move gracefully, otherwise she would have liked to distance herself from him even further. He sometimes showed a hint of shyness, which, compared to his dashing appearance, possessed a youthful, innocent charm. But in her opinion, this charm was unnecessary, and there was no need for him to dutifully display such tenderness just because they were engaged.

“Um…” Surou said seriously, “I have not had a chance to speak with the Prince since that day. Today, we’ve discussed it and agreed that this matter will be properly resolved within three months.”

Helian Song listened, lowered his eyes, and remained silent. He slowly slumped down, covering his forehead, and said, “Strange, why am I suddenly feeling dizzy?”

Surou stared at him speechlessly, suddenly realizing that while an engagement was easy, breaking it off would likely involve considerable trouble. However, since he was ill, it was not appropriate to discuss this, so she asked, “Should we summon another physician to check your pulse?”

He said, “No need; I will feel better after lying down for a while.”

He had his eyes covered, and the thin quilt covering him was dangling at his waist, completely unaware of it. Because Surou had spent so long in the palace, she had a habit of adjusting anything she did not like, and then, almost unconsciously, she pulled the quilt up for him.

He was surprised, but his expression softened afterward.

Surou’s heart skipped a beat, and she stammered, “Just…just wanted to.”

At that moment, Governess Wu brought in a bowl of lentil and lotus leaf porridge, carrying it to the bedside. She said gently, “Young Master, please get up and have some.”

Helian Song frowned slightly. “Put it aside; I will eat it later.”

Governess Wu looked at Surou with a troubled expression. “Young Lady, you see…”

Surou also felt awkward. He was not a child; did she have to coax him to eat? It was rare to see a man so sentimental, so she said to Governess Wu, “Let it cool down first!” Then she asked Helian Song, “Is there anything Your Highness would like to eat? I heard that the cold noodles and cheese at the Liang residence are very good. I will send someone to buy some; would you like some?”

Helian Song still shook his head. “Young Lady, there’s no need for that. I have no appetite.”

Surou looked at him helplessly, feeling that an adult’s stubbornness was more difficult to deal with than a child’s.

“Well then, I will go back and make some snacks and have someone bring them to you,” she said after thinking for a moment. “How about some ‘Shanhai Dou’ ^{(a type of dried bean curd)}? They look like crystal dumplings, and you can dip them in vinegar; they are very appetizing.”

He seemed somewhat tempted. “That’s too much trouble for you, Young Lady.”

Actually, he was waiting for Surou to say it was not troublesome, waiting for her to express her willingness to fulfill her duties as a fiancée. Instead, he received her rejection, saying with a sudden realization, “I am afraid His Highness would be even less likely to eat what I make, so let’s forget it.”

Was she implying that she had an old grudge against him and even a motive to poison him? But to show his trust in her, Helian Song quickly said, “I’d like to try that ‘Shanhai Dou.’ If it’s convenient for you, Young Lady, could you make it for me?”

Surou did not refuse and readily agreed, “Then Your Highness, please drink your porridge first. I will watch you drink.”

He could not refuse any longer. He sat up again, and Surou handed him the lotus-shaped bowl. He hesitated, saying, “My hands tremble; I cannot hold the bowl.”

“So you mean I have to feed you?” Surou glanced at him, wondering how she’d ended up in this situation, inexplicably entangled with him. He would not take the bowl, so she had no choice but to hand it to the maid beside her, saying, “Please serve the Prince.”

Helian Song was clearly disappointed, thinking to himself that this girl was incredibly oblivious to romance. He had tried so hard to get closer to her, and she just kept brushing him off.

“Fine, I will do it myself.” He held out his hand to the maid, who quickly handed him the bowl.

Surou watched as he held the bowl in one hand and the spoon in the other. The pale blue porcelain reflected on his fair fingers, which trembled slightly.

The porridge in the bowl almost rippled. Surou’s heart sank; it seemed he was truly exhausted from his illness. After he shakily scooped up the porridge and forced a sip, she softened and took the bowl, saying, “Let me do it.”

Finally… Helian Song was secretly delighted, so much so that even the ordinary lotus leaf porridge tasted exceptionally sweet.

Everything had been hard-won; only he knew. People from Longyou did not like owing favors, especially those earned with their lives. He had thought of many ways to repay the Zhang family, but such a stable and wealthy family did not need his help. After much thought, he decided to repay them with his own life. Zhang Lu had died protecting him; he would repay them with his life, which he had saved, through his daughter, and then they would be even.

But being even was not entirely true. The more they interacted, the more entanglements they formed. This Zhang Surou, with her serious demeanor, was truly amusing. She was like a perfect Buddha statue, unmoved by worldly affairs, detached from worldly emotions. A composure that was usually cultivated in one’s thirties, appearing far too early at eighteen. To say he particularly liked her wouldn’t be entirely true; wasn’t that how marriages were in the world—first committing to a lifetime together, then slowly developing feelings? He had a premonition that if they could truly be together long-term, it would be a worthwhile life experience!

Surou, however, did not think as much as he did. She was eager to get rid of him as soon as possible. It was so hot; going home to cool off and drink some cold rice wine was much better than wasting time here!

After finally finishing feeding him the porridge, she placed the bowl on the maid’s tray, tugged at her sleeve, and stood up, saying, “Your Highness, please get some sleep. I will go back and make some ‘Shanhai Dou’ and have someone bring them to you.”

Strangely, he felt a little reluctant to see her leave. He hesitated and said, “Stay for a simple meal.”

Surou declined, “I have to have lunch with my grandmother at noon. I appreciate Your Highness’s kindness.” She gave a slight curtsy and left his bedroom.

Governess Wu led the way, smiling. “Thank you so much, Young Lady. When our young master gets stubborn, only you can persuade him.” Her words were an effusive compliment.

Surou was bewildered by her day’s experiences. She’d inexplicably ended up at the Prince’s Mansion, inexplicably become a maid, and even been given a job making pastries… Sitting in the carriage, she was still reflecting on her actions. “Why did I meddle in other people’s business?”

Quelan said, “It’s not exactly meddling. After all, the young lady is engaged to the Prince. Even if it’s just for show, she should at least appear enthusiastic.”

Surou sighed, “A man falling ill in the sweltering heat? His health is too delicate.”

Quelan blurted out without hesitation, “Maybe he intentionally contracted the illness to lure the young lady to his door.”

Surou chuckled, “Then he’s too honest.”

Regardless, having promised to make the pastries, she immediately went to the kitchen upon arriving home. She asked the cook for bracken, bamboo shoots, and fish and shrimp, and without relying on anyone else, she chopped and mixed them herself, wrapping them in paper-thin rice paper wrappers. The finished pastries were exquisitely presented, their delicate triangles revealing glimpses of the filling. The combination of mountain delicacies and river seafood gave them the lovely name “Mountain and Sea Dumplings.”

A slightly larger batch was made; half was sent to the Prince’s Mansion by Nanny Fu, who instructed the cooks there to steam them fresh. The other half was brought to Suihua Garden to share with Grandmother and sisters.

The Grand Madam smiled and asked, “Why are you in such high spirits to cook today?”

Surou, embarrassed to elaborate, simply said, “It’s been a while since I’ve cooked; I am a bit rusty. Grandmother, please try them and see how they taste.”

Everyone lowered their heads to carefully sample them. Mianmian said, “This is the taste of the Forbidden City! The nobles certainly know how to eat.”

Mianmian, born into a wealthy merchant family and accustomed to delicacies, found them delicious, demonstrating the pastry’s refined and refreshing quality.

Everyone ate their meal in the gentle breeze, each sipping a small cup of Dingzhou melon wine. During the meal, the Grand Madam Zhang spoke of the news she had gathered, telling Mianmian, “The son of the Left Assistant Minister is a man of good character and high talent. He runs a pharmacy on the south bank of the Bian River, charging only the principal to poor families, with no interest. Everyone I’ve heard has good things to say about him. As for the son of the Founding Earl of Dengfeng County, he’s still studying. We will see if he passes the imperial examination this autumn. Anyway, he comes from a noble family; if all else fails, he can be appointed a Huanwei Guan ^{(sanitation official)} through his family line. His future is not a concern.”

Everyone looked at Mianmian, wondering what she would choose. After a long while, she muttered, “Charging only the principal, no interest… I am afraid my father will think he’s foolish…”

It was clear then: in terms of family background, the Founding Earl of Dengfeng’s family was the clear winner. The remaining question was about the young master’s appearance. The Grand Madam said, “His features are fairly regular, but he’s not particularly handsome; he’s average-looking. In a few days, have your third uncle invite him for tea. Take a look from afar, and then decide.”

Mianmian shyly agreed. Her sisters beside her exchanged sharp glances, and Zhirou glanced at Mianmian. “You must be careful. Families with noble titles often produce spoiled brats. Cousin, do not be tempted by their titles and get fooled.”

Mianmian glared angrily. “Can you not wish me well? You are always pouring cold water on me; what are you thinking?!”

The Grand Madam gently scolded Zhirou, but then added, “Your fifth sister is right. High-ranking families are most afraid of excessive pampering. If they meet an unreliable man, they will regret it for the rest of their lives.”

Mianmian remained unmoved, no matter what she said. She was determined to marry into a high-ranking family, not caring about anything else, just wanting to look good in the future.

She offered a very self-evident reason: “Grandmother, I’ve been lucky since birth. Now that I am getting married, I might not meet such a terrible husband.”

Seeing her casually agree, everyone stopped talking. After all, an engagement was always a happy occasion. They then started discussing when her aunt would return to the capital, as her parents would need to be present for the betrothal ceremony.

Surou had been busy for several days, failing to secure the rental agreement, but she had put in a lot of effort. She finally recovered after a good afternoon nap.

In the afternoon, she went to sit in Qingrou’s courtyard. Qingrou was a gentle person who loved tinkering with various incense recipes. The two sisters sat on the back porch, enjoying the cool air. Qingrou spoke of Mianmian, laughing, “The other day she came wanting to learn how to make the ‘Inner Cabinet’s Hidden Spring Incense.’ I told her to soak the agarwood and sandalwood in wine overnight, and she agreed. But it’s been several days now; I wonder if those two incense sticks are still usable.”

Surou could not help but laugh. Actually, Mianmian’s temperament was quite vibrant and free-spirited. She did not have many of the constraints of a well-bred lady; she did what she wanted and said what she wanted without fear of offending anyone. She was petty yet openly honest; she might argue with you today, but tomorrow she would swallow her pride and make up with you. Even if you did not like her, you could not truly hate her. After all, how many young girls were truly unbearable?

The two slowly drank perilla-infused water. Surou asked about Qingrou’s marriage. Qingrou was a little embarrassed. “Father and Mother both say that family is good, but my aunt is not satisfied. She says the previous bride died in a fall from her horse before the wedding, and she’s afraid this young man will bring bad luck to his wives. But my aunt’s voice carries little weight; no one in the family listens to her. The other day, when she mentioned it to Father, he scolded her, asking her where she heard such superstitious talk.”

Actually, every mother had such worries. Surou asked Qingrou, “What do you think?”

Qingrou lowered her head, fiddling with the hem of her clothes, and said, “I do not believe the ‘wife-killing’ theory. If something happens on the wedding night, people will believe it. Well, since they have not officially married yet, it cannot be considered a curse on his wife!” she said, smiling slightly. “Second Sister, actually, I was quite worried before, afraid that I’d end up as someone’s second wife. After all, I am born of a concubine, and my marriage is entirely up to my stepmother. Now that this opportunity has arisen, I do not want to let it slip away. Grandmother sent someone to inquire, and they said that the young master is of a very upright character and never indulges in frivolous pursuits. I think that’s good enough; at least he’s more decent than my eldest sister’s husband, and it will save me a lot of trouble later.”

That did sound good. Ultimately, everyone’s marriage depended on their own fate. Inquiries before marriage only reveal superficial information; to truly know a person’s character, one must spend a long time together.

Qingrou was also concerned about her marriage and asked, “Second Sister, will you and the Prince break off your engagement? We saw him from behind the curtain the other day, and everyone thought he was very good.”

Surou chuckled. Girls loved to look at faces; just like when eating fruit, they always picked the prettiest ones first. Originally, she thought that temporarily arranging the engagement with Helian Song was fine to deal with the current difficulties, but now it seemed to be a problem. If possible, it would be best to break off the engagement as soon as possible.

***

The next day was the day she and Sujie would go to the academy gate to wait for him. As soon as the carriage stopped in front of the Duke’s Mansion, Sujie was already waiting there. Upon seeing her, she took her hand, saying, “Why are you so late, Sister? I’ve been waiting for you for ages.”

But looking at the sky, it was only early morning. Surou smiled and said, “We changed carriages today, which caused a slight delay.” She turned and looked towards the Prince’s residence, instructing Nanny Fu, “Go to the gate and inquire about the Prince’s well-being.”

Nanny Fu obeyed and left. Sujie asked in surprise, “What happened to Uncle Helian?”

Surou said, “He caught a fever. Now that I know, I should inquire about him.” She then helped Sujie into the Duke’s Mansion’s carriage, and the two sat quietly inside, waiting for Nanny Fu to return with the news.

***

Soon, Nanny Fu withdrew from the doorway, stood before the carriage with her hands tucked behind her back, and reported, “The Crown Prince went to court at dawn this morning; it seems he is well.”

Surou said, “Good, I’ve done my duty by asking.” The carriage slowly began to move, heading towards Jixian Academy. Sujie, inside, became tense, fidgeting with her fingers, remaining silent for a long time.

Seeing her silence, Surou reached out and patted her hand. Sujie looked up and murmured, “Sister.”

Because she had a vague premonition that the outcome would not be good, she had worried in advance. Usually, in such situations, there would be a period of heartbreak. But there was no other way; a short, sharp pain was better than a long, drawn-out one. It was better to remove the rotten apple now than to discover later that she had been tricked.

“I will stay in the carriage for a while, so there will not be a third person present that might make him wary. Just tell him what we originally planned; as long as he passes the test, everyone will be happy,” Surou tried to comfort her. “Think positively. It’s not worth worrying before you even ask.”

Sujie nodded. Actually, many times it was not that she was afraid others would not do as she wished, but that she was afraid of betraying her deep affection.

She arrived at the gate of Jixian Academy with trepidation. The sound of students reciting their lessons came from inside. She had originally wanted to wait until he finished his studies to talk to him in detail, but fearing the presence of many people, she sent an old woman to the academy gate to ask Ye Fengshi to come out and speak with her.

After waiting a while, a young man in a lake-blue round-necked robe hurried out of the door. Seeing the graceful girl standing under the bauhinia tree by the roadside, he paused slightly, then quickly smiled and approached, asking gently, “Why have you come?”

The sunlight outside the shade was dazzling. Sujie frowned and smiled. “I have not seen you for several days, young master. I thought you were avoiding me.”

“How could that be?” Ye Fengshi immediately denied it. He had not given a definite answer these past few days to test whose feelings were deeper. If the county princess could not wait and took the initiative to find him, he would have won half the battle. But if the county princess did not come to him, he planned to send a message to the Duke’s Mansion tomorrow.

Since she had come, she must have been prepared for the difficulties that lay ahead. He showed a hint of melancholy and said frankly, “I did not come to see you because I was too ashamed to face you. I discussed it with my brother and sister-in-law when I got home that day, and we really did not have any savings. The only money my sister-in-law had prepared for my betrothal was… sixty taels…” He was so ashamed that he could hardly continue.

Sujie, having already known the amount, did not seem particularly incredulous, though she slightly grimaced, “It does seem… a bit too little.”

Ye Fengshi said, “I know that in your household, a single banquet costs more than sixty taels. This amount is laughable to you, which is why I dared not come to see you. You see, my family really does not have much wealth; I cannot possibly have my brother and sister-in-law sell their house to raise the betrothal gifts!”

To his surprise, Sujie looked indifferent. “You do not need to worry about this for now. I came to see you today because I have some news to tell you. I have already told my parents about our situation.”

Ye Fengshi was taken aback. “What did your parents say?”

Sujie said, “My parents intend to let me have my way. After all, a daughter has to marry eventually, and it’s fine as long as I meet someone I like. I also mentioned the betrothal gifts, knowing your family is not very well-off. My father said it’s alright; although there are no betrothal gifts, they will still prepare some. However, these past two days, my parents have been planning to have a cousin from the clan inherit the family line. Since I am considered married out, it will not be convenient for me to live at my parents’ home anymore; I will need to establish my own residence elsewhere.”