Spring Message in the Snow – CH 037

Chapter 37

Mianmian expressed surprise: “How can you be so careless about your marriage? That’s someone you will spend your whole life with! What if he’s ugly? You will eat half a bowl less every day, and your body will not be able to take it. If your body cannot take it, you will not be able to have children, and not being able to have children will cause even more suffering…” She was making it sound like the most serious thing in the world.

Zhirou pursed her lips, thinking to herself how lucky Jirou was not there; otherwise, she would have argued with her again. However, Qingrou was truly gentle by nature. Even after being spoken to in that manner, she continued to smile. Zhirou finally could not help but retort softly to Mianmian, “As long as your own husband is handsome, that’s all that matters! Why do you care about others? The Third Sister’s husband is at least a scholar who has achieved an official rank; how can he be so unattractive that it makes people lose their appetite? The court also considers appearance when selecting talent; at the very least, those with disabilities cannot become officials. Why are you worrying about Third Sister for no reason!”

Mianmian was somewhat resentful after Zhirou’s words, but considering that Zhirou was betrothed to the Duke of Fufeng, a title several ranks higher than that of an earl, she ultimately felt inferior in front of her and could not muster any pride. She could only endure it.

“I was just saying it casually; it was all for Third Sister’s own good…”

Qingrou, seeing they were about to argue again, quickly intervened, “Alright, alright, no need to talk about me. Today is Fifth Sister’s special day; do not spoil it for me.”

Zhirou still rolled her eyes at Mianmian. “Cousin, you should watch your words in the future. You are going to marry into the Earl’s mansion as the young mistress, and all you do is talk about stirring up trouble. Be careful not to upset your mother-in-law.”

Mianmian snorted defiantly, “Mind your own business! You’d better watch yourself!”

Seeing they were at loggerheads, Surou changed the subject. “I am preparing to open a girls’ school in the next few days. If you are free, come and help me with the arrangements.”

This topic piqued the younger sisters’ interest. Helping out was much more interesting than endless bickering. Life in their chambers was uneventful; the girls usually lived very leisurely lives, with marriage being the only major event in their lives. Since they always had plenty of free time, going to show their support and make connections with some noble ladies they would not normally have access to would be entirely beneficial.

They agreed on a time to go to the newly rented courtyard early the next morning. Learning that it was very close to the entertainment district north of the prefecture added to their excitement.

Mianmian said, “There’s a Yang Tower restaurant there. I’ve heard about it for a long time, but it’s too far. My grandmother does not trust me to go alone, so I have not been able to go yet. Tomorrow I will treat you all to Yang Tower. Their bamboo shoot and fern wontons and braised pork ribs with fermented black beans are amazing. I heard they also have theatrical screenings. Let’s book a private room and have a good drink. What do you think?”

In this way, the mercenary nature that she usually disliked didn’t seem so bad anymore. Yingrou said, “I want to eat Longchan tea fruit and stuffed chestnuts.”

Mianmian patted her chest. “No problem.” She was never stingy when it came to spending money, and she knew she was not popular. Only through such generosity could she win the favor of her sisters.

The inner room was bustling with conversation, and they did not even notice when the marriage proposal guests left.

A moment later, Jirou came in, tilting her head as if a little unhappy. When asked what was wrong, she said, “Is this person a stutterer? He always calls me ‘little…little lady.’ It makes my heart jump, but I am too embarrassed to ask.”

Everyone exchanged glances. “He’s probably just too nervous!”

Jirou was still uneasy and went out again to ask her mother, “Mother, does this Young Master Jin stutter?”

Lady Yuan looked puzzled. “What nonsense are you talking about? He was speaking perfectly well just now.”

The Grand Madam also laughed. “He seems like an honest man. If he were more worldly, he would not stutter every time he speaks to you.”

That was not so bad, but Jirou still felt uneasy. However, since everyone in her family said he was fine, she had nothing more to say.

On the way back, Jirou complained to Zhirou, “He’s got so much hair, his sideburns almost reach his chin! I’ve never seen any of my brothers like that.”

Zhirou looked up at the sky, thought for a moment, and said, “He will definitely be a handsome old man with a magnificent beard when he gets older.”

Jirou was disheartened. “People with a lot of hair probably have bad tempers! I am already a short-tempered person. If my future husband is also short-tempered, will the two of us not be fighting every day at home?”

This was a tricky question, and Zhirou felt she could not answer it. Finally, she concluded, “You are afraid of marriage, always finding fault with people. Anyway, today is the betrothal ceremony, and we will have to see if your horoscopes match. If they do not, all your worries are unnecessary. Just eat and drink well, and do not think so much.”

Jirou sighed. So, marriage depends on luck. The good men her father and mother considered were nothing special in her eyes. She wondered what her elder sister’s state of mind was when she got engaged to Chen Ang. Was it love at first sight, or was she as picky as she was now?

Fortunately, the sisters had plans to go to their second sister’s newly rented courtyard tomorrow to help out, which would also be a good way to relax. Of course, “helping out” was just a polite way of putting it; they were practically unreliable, and it was good enough if they were not waited on. Anyway, the maids and servants did all the menial tasks, so they were simply changing locations to continue drinking tea and enjoying the scenery.

However, the courtyard’s location was indeed excellent, right next to Genyue Garden, with a view of Wansui Mountain. The meticulously crafted scenery, while lacking the grandeur of nature, possessed a unique charm and exquisite beauty. With the mountain shrouded in mist, even Mianmian, who was not skilled in painting, felt an urge to capture it in a drawing.

Tables and chairs were brought in and set up, while they gathered in the pavilion, waiting for Qingrou to prepare lily-infused water. Just as they were chatting and laughing, they heard Quelan announce, “The County Princess has arrived!”

Everyone stood up and looked over, seeing a beautiful girl in a lilac-colored ruqun ^{(a type of traditional Chinese dress)} leading two companions through the door. Before she even arrived, her sweet voice preceded her, saying lightly, “We’ve come at just the right time! It’s so lively here.”

Surou stepped forward to greet the guests, leading them into the pavilion. Sujie gestured to the girl beside her with delicate features, saying, “This is the fourth young lady of the Duke of Cheng; her courtesy name is Cong Yi.” She then gestured to another round-faced girl, “This is the seventh young lady of the Imperial Household Grandee; her courtesy name is Sui Sui. They all clamored to come and join in when they heard I was coming to visit the girls’ school that my elder sister is opening.”

Surou naturally welcomed them and quickly introduced each of her sisters, and everyone exchanged polite greetings. After exchanging greetings, Sui Sui said, “I’ve long heard that the county princess has hired Lady Zhang as her tutor, but I have not had the chance to meet her. Now that Lady Zhang has established a school here, we can come and learn from her and improve together.”

Cong Yi nodded. “We previously learned the Four Arts from the palace attendants, but they were so aloof that we did not dare ask if there was anything we did not understand. Lately, Sujie has often told me that Lady Zhang is gentle and kind, and seeing her today confirms it. I hope you can guide me more in the future. My mother always says I am not learning well, but I am determined to master it so she can see it when I get back.”

Surou humbly replied, “We are about the same age, and I also have my shortcomings. We can learn from each other in the future.” As she spoke, she gestured to the maid to bring a few more teacups.

The group drank tea in the fragrant mountain breeze, the girls chatting and laughing together, quickly becoming close friends. Making friends took only the time it took to drink two cups of tea.

Inside the main room, everything was arranged. The old woman invited Surou over to inspect it. Seeing Sujie follow, she smiled and asked, “Why are you not having tea with them?”

Sujie looked around and whispered in her ear, “Sister, yesterday’s method was very effective. No one is gossiping anymore. Our Chief Clerk is waiting for the magistrate’s judgment at the yamen. Cases outside are piling up, all pointing to Ye Fengshi. The magistrate is furious. He and his sister-in-law were each given twenty strokes of the cane and imprisoned to await their fate. He also has an elder brother who serves in the Tianwu Army. My mother spoke to the Heir Apparent, and he stripped him of his position as prefect and demoted him to guard the warehouse in Youzhou.”

Upon hearing this, Surou could not help but feel a pang of regret. Human greed truly was the root of all evil. If a relationship had reached a dead end, it would be better to let go cleanly. Why resort to this forced marriage? And so recklessly, like an egg trying to break a rock, both brothers had lost their positions and honors. It was a double loss; looking back, did they not regret their actions?

Sujie, a kind-hearted woman, frowned and sighed, “Tell me, was it not too ruthless?”

Surou, never one to hesitate, immediately replied, “If it had not been ruthless, your reputation would be ruined. The Duke would have no face left in court, Her Highness would never be able to hold her head high among the imperial relatives, and you would be ridiculed behind your back. No respectable family would ever propose marriage to you again… You are a first-class noblewoman from the capital; you just misjudged someone. You should not have ended up like this.”

Being merciful to those scoundrels was being cruel to oneself. Sujie initially felt a vague sense of guilt, having slept poorly the previous night. But thinking about it carefully today, this womanly compassion was clearly a case of forgetting the pain once the wound had healed.

With her heart at ease, Sujie smiled, “Sister is right, I will not worry about this anymore. This morning, the Prince of Hubei’s family sent their chief secretary to the residence to draft the date for the auspicious date for the marriage ceremony. They must have heard about yesterday’s events; they are even more anxious now.”

Surou said that was good: “They are just showing their sincerity; it’s a testament to true friendship in times of trouble.”

Just then, Cong Yi and Sui Sui stood on the veranda, beckoning Sujie. “It’s getting late; let’s go back first. We will come back to formally become her students after Lady Zhang’s school officially starts.”

Surou smiled and agreed, and together with her sisters, they saw them off. Once the carriage was far away, they returned to the courtyard.

Mianmian looked at the sky. “I’ve already arranged a table at Yang Tower; let’s go there now!”

The preparations were almost complete. The fish tank by the window was filled with fish, and even the moneywort was planted. Seeing that everything was in order, they locked the door and headed towards the northern part of the city.

Because the northern part of the city’s entertainment district was built next to Genyue Mountain, its prosperity even surpassed that of the central entertainment district. At dusk, before nightfall, the streets were already brightly lit and decorated, with incense smoke wafting through the air. In front of each restaurant, a dozen or so courtesans in brocade robes stood soliciting customers, while peddlers carrying rhinoceros-hide trinkets and ornaments strolled casually through the middle of the road, leaving behind a series of childlike, cheerful cries of “quack-quack-quack!” amidst the cacophony of their calls.

In present-day Shangjing, the social atmosphere was extremely open. The curfew had been completely lifted, and travelers could linger in the bustling city all night, men and women alike. Entering a restaurant for a cup of newly brewed wine was no longer the exclusive domain of men; as long as they were in groups, female customers could drink until dawn without being chased away.

When female customers entered, the lower-ranking officials no longer waved their sleeves or waved their handkerchiefs; they all respectfully stepped aside. The waiter came out to greet them, ushering them into the hall. He first asked, “Would you honored guests prefer to sit elsewhere or enter a private room?”

The old woman stepped forward and announced the reserved room number. The waiter immediately beamed, repeatedly saying, “Please follow me, honored guests.”

As dusk fell, lamps were lit throughout the spacious hall of the establishment. As more guests arrived, they moved about in the flickering candlelight, experiencing a kind of worldly joy.

The steps of Yang Tower were exquisitely crafted, each step carved with auspicious cranes and clouds, ascending them like a journey to immortality. Everyone laughed and went up to the second floor, following the waiter towards the private room, when suddenly someone called out, “Second Young Lady Zhang.” Surou instinctively turned around and saw Grand Madam Wang at the other end of the corridor, smiling and waving at her.

Surou hurried over to greet her. “What a coincidence to run into the Grand Madam today!”

Grand Madam Wang smiled and said, “My house is on Xiaohuo Street, very close by. A relative happened to be visiting the capital, so I booked a private room at Yang Tower to welcome him.” She then looked at the young ladies who were receiving blessings, nodded in greeting, and asked Surou with a smile, “Why are all of you sisters here? Where is your grandmother? Is she here too?”

Surou blushed and said no, “It was just my sister and I, a group of friends who came out for a stroll.”

Grand Madam Wang said, “Oh,” then suddenly remembered something and pointed back, “Today, my fourth grandson is hosting. Let him pay for the drinks in your room as well.”

Surou quickly said, “No, I would not dare trouble your family.” She then looked in the direction Grand Madam Wang was pointing and saw a slightly older man with clear features standing in the brightly lit area, bowing towards them. He wore a light blue robe, his hair tied in a bun with a plain ribbon, dressed like an ordinary scholar, which only accentuated his gentle, unadorned demeanor.

Surou returned the bow, knowing that Grand Madam Wang was disappointed and wanted to introduce them, but for now, she could only pretend not to know, as the inside story could not be revealed to outsiders.

Grand Madam Wang looked at her grandson’s reaction, then at Surou’s expression, and felt even more that they were a match made in heaven, a rare find even with a lantern. But things were beyond repair now. If only she had known this would happen, she would have mustered the courage to propose then and would not have missed this opportunity.

It was all fate, was it not? But she truly liked Surou, so she warmly said, “When you have some free time, come to my house with your grandmother. We have quite a few young ladies there; you will not be lonely.”

Surou agreed, and Grand Madam Wang said, “Your sisters are all waiting for you. You may go now.”

Surou accepted the offer and returned to her sisters. Everyone crowded into the wine pavilion. Mianmian asked as they walked, “Sister, is that Fourth Young Master Wang? He’s quite refined, but a bit dark-skinned.”

Jirou replied, “He works for the Maritime Trade Office; naturally, he’s tanned from the sun and wind. He’s not a high-ranking official in the capital, who’s always locked up indoors studying.”

Anyway, they ignored him. The group sat down in the pavilion. The straight-lattice door facing the street was half-open, revealing a separate terrace, unconnected to the neighboring pavilions. A night breeze blew in, and from the rising steam, a hint of impending coolness could be seen.

Yang Tower’s Moonwave Wine was newly brewed and was currently very popular. Mianmian bought a pot, and the head chef ordered a table full of dishes. The sisters toasted and drank, enjoying themselves immensely.

Mianmian took a sip of wine and sighed, “It’s been a while since I’ve eaten at a banquet outside. Back in Jiangling Prefecture, every one of the sixteen restaurants in the city knew me. Now that I am in the capital, I have to adopt the manners of you noble ladies; it’s driving me crazy!”

Everyone laughed at her, but secretly they envied her carefree life in Jiangling. Noble ladies from wealthy families faced too many rules, constricting them for life. They could not let their beloved young ladies grow up freely like young ladies of merchants. Jumping from a free environment into a confined space was bound to be difficult; it would be a lie to say it wasn’t. Fortunately, the result was good. A few months of confinement resulted in a marriage to an earl’s family. As for whether she would have to continue to be confined, that was something to worry about later!

They clinked glasses, drank heartily, and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Yang Tower’s dishes were indeed excellent. Besides their famous signature dishes, they also had braised pork, eight-grain duck, and fragrant herbal dishes, all prepared with unique flavors. Surou drank two cups, feeling slightly tipsy and hot, so she got up and went outside. She sat on a goose-neck chair on the terrace, letting the evening breeze cool her down.

Leaning against the railing, she looked down at the bustling street, more captivating than the shadow plays inside the pavilion. Young couples strolled about in the evening, making the night in the capital exceptionally enchanting and beautiful.

However, for some reason, she felt a thorn in her side, as if someone was watching her intently, making her extremely uncomfortable.

Hesitantly, she turned her head and glanced at the nearby wine pavilion. Suddenly, she noticed a figure standing with his hands behind his back on the terrace a few meters away, staring directly in her direction. Surou was startled and quickly stood up, gathering her skirts. Because he was backlit by the pavilion’s lights, she could not see his face, but from his silhouette, she could almost immediately recognize him as Helian Song.

Surou, feeling dizzy and confused, wondered why she had run into him again. Was the capital really that small?

Having interacted with him a few times before, she knew his habits and expected him to at least greet her, not miss the chance to strike up a conversation. But he did not.

He stood there silently, looking at her for a long while, then resolutely turned and went back into the wine pavilion.