Spring Message in the Snow – CH 044

Chapter 44

Madam Chen was somewhat bewildered. “Who?”

Having been promoted to a concubine, she could not address people by their first names as before, so Madam Chen often confused them. The servant woman kindly added, “It’s Nian’er.”

Everyone exchanged bewildered glances. Nian’er? The Nian’er who had just been said to be pregnant? Before Madam Chen and her husband could speak, Chen Ang slammed down his chopsticks. The jade chopsticks struck the ground, shattering into pieces that nearly hit the standing maidservant in the face.

He rushed out, his robe billowing, and the others hurried after him. They quickly reached the courtyard, where a crowd had gathered in front of the artificial hill. Pushing through the throng, they found Nian’er looking guilty and Zhou Xing standing dejectedly to the side.

Chen Ang’s eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at the two people before him.

Zhou Xing was the steward’s son, raised in the household since childhood, and had served as Chen Ang’s attendant for ten years. Later, as he grew older, Steward Zhou used his savings to open a silk and brocade shop for him in the Central Market District, selling fashionable brocades and supplying the household women with their daily necessities. Over the years, the business had accumulated some savings, and its operations had more than doubled. No one in the household ever stopped him from coming and going, as he had grown up there and his parents worked for the household, allowing him to sneak into the back courtyard.

“You…you…” Chen Ang pointed forcefully, almost speechless with rage. Nian’er, still displaying her usual skill, wailed and cried, “My lord, someone framed me! My lord has treated me so well; how could I do anything to betray him…”

The maidservant beside her sneered coldly, “Caught red-handed, still trying to deny it! Call the maid from earlier; a face-to-face confrontation will clear everything up.”

Yu Bo, a newly promoted concubine from Madam Chen’s courtyard, nudged the maidservant beside her forward. “Xin’er, what did you see? Tell me everything.”

The maid named Xin’er responded with a “Yes,” and, seemingly startled, said in a trembling voice, “I went to the kitchen earlier to fetch stewed pears for our mistress. As I passed the artificial hill and pebbles, I heard laughter and chatter coming from behind. At first, I thought it was just some maid from one of the courtyards making jokes, so I did not pay much attention. But as I got closer, I realized it was Nian’er’s voice. Nian’er said they were all eating in the front, and since you rarely come, you should at least… at least show some affection to your beloved…” Her cheeks flushed red, and she glanced timidly at Chen Ang.

Before Xin’er could finish speaking, Nian’er spat at her fiercely, “You blind, despicable maid, you’ve fabricated these filthy words to frame me!” She then turned to Chen Ang and cried, “My lord, they are determined to kill me this time! It’s because I am carrying your child; they are jealous and cannot tolerate me. They’ve set this trap to kill me! My lord, please do not listen to their lies!”

With a forced smile, Sheniang let out a weak “Oh dear” and said, “You have the nerve to say that? I am too ashamed to even listen. You keep saying you are pregnant with the master’s child; do you not feel any guilt saying that? You should ask Xin’er what she said!”

This time, Madam Chen was also quite angry. She said to Xin’er, “Tell me the truth! If you tell even one lie, I will beat you to death right here!”

Xin’er shrank back and said, “Yes, I dare not lie a single word. Every word I said is the truth… I heard Nian’er say that An’er is nothing special, just a legitimate son who’s been given the title for nothing. His mother is not favored, and if the master favors her in the future, her child will still be superior to him.” She then cautiously glanced at the Lady and added, “Zhou Xing told Nian’er to be careful what she says, but Nian’er said she’s not afraid. Now that she’s pregnant, she doubts the Lady can do anything to her. She then mumbled on and on, telling Zhou Xing to prepare clothes, bedding, and a cradle for the child, and said…”

Chen Ang interrupted, “Stop stammering! Speak!”

Xin’er was startled and quickly knelt down, saying, “This servant dares not speak. If I do, I fear the Madam and the Lady will not only beat me to death, but Nian’er will bite me to death too.”

Sure enough, Nian’er shouted, “You wretched servant, spouting nonsense and trying to pin this on me! When have I ever said such a thing? May the gods and bodhisattvas in heaven strike you down with lightning!”

Zhou Xing, who had been silent until now, also vehemently denied it, saying in a mournful voice, “Young master, what kind of person am I? You know best in your heart. I have served you since childhood, always loyal and devoted, and have never done anything to betray you. You must not believe the words of a mere maid and conclude that I have betrayed you!”

At this moment, Steward Zhou and Nanny Zhou arrived together. The whole family knelt before Marquis Chen and his wife. Steward Zhou said, “My lord, I have served in the Marquis’s mansion for so many years, always diligent and conscientious, treating the mansion as my own home. Xing’er is someone you have watched grow up. Although he is a bit mischievous, he would never dare to do such a rebellious thing. To be frank, he now has his own business, doing quite well. It would not be difficult for him to find a decent wife. Why get entangled with the people in the courtyard…?”

Before he could finish speaking, Sheniang interrupted, “Steward Zhou, there are no parents in the world who would not side with their son. Do not rush to defend them. Why are these two the only ones being held captive in this large courtyard? Why can they not speak openly instead of whispering behind the artificial hill?” She then said to Chen Ang, “My lord, I detained them earlier to prevent them from colluding and speaking. If you wish, take them to two different places for interrogation, ask them the same questions, and then put them together to see if there’s anything suspicious.”

They were making a chaotic mess, and Shangrou frowned. Although she did not know the full story, judging from the situation, Nian’er was unlikely to fare well this time.

Chen Ang, though eccentric, valued his male dignity highly. He could compromise on many things, but he was absolutely intolerant of the loyalty of his own women. Hearing Sheniang’s words, he took the two to separate rooms for interrogation. Shangrou silently followed, eavesdropping. First, he questioned Nian’er, asking why she was behind the artificial rockery at this hour. Nian’er, always stubborn, clutched her stomach and protested, “I was just out for a stroll, and I happened to be there.”

Then he interrogated Zhou Xing, who evaded the question, saying, “I heard someone relay a message from the young master, saying he wants to see me…”

Even Chen Ang saw through his ruse and sneered, “Who relayed the message to you? You can point it out. You grew up in the Marquis’s mansion; you know everyone here. Who dares to falsely relay my message? Just tell me, and I will interrogate that person.”

Then Zhou Xing became even more evasive. Whether it was the heat or excessive shock, sweat poured from his forehead, forming a river in the candlelight, streaming down his face.

Chen Ang understood immediately. He waved his hand and pulled Nian’er back into the courtyard.

“I will give you one more chance,” he said, standing before Nian’er. “Whose child is this? If you do not explain today, you will not live.”

Nian’er wept uncontrollably. “My lord, how can you doubt me? I’ve served you for six or seven years; my heart is yours alone. Heaven can bear witness…”

But before she could finish speaking, Chen Ang raised his foot, gathered his strength, and kicked Nian’er in the stomach, saying, “If you cannot figure out the child’s origins, then there’s no need to keep it alive.” The kick sent Nian’er rolling to the side, unable to utter a sound.

Everyone was startled, then they heard an old woman whisper, “She’s bleeding…she’s bleeding…”

Shangrou sighed and instructed Nanny Zhu, “Quickly, fetch a physician.”

“Do not call him!” Chen Ang, who had always been gentle with his concubine, now looked like a ghost, his eyes bloodshot. “That wretch never tells the truth! Even if she dies here today, do not let a physician see her!”

Zhou Xing, who had been evasive before, dared not hide anything now. Trembling, he said, “Young master, please calm down. There really is…there really is something going on. I dare not hide it from you…”

Seeing his hesitation, Chen Ang looked around and called to a servant, “Bring me my sword! If you cannot explain yourself today, it will be a bloody death!”

Steward Zhou and his wife trembled with fear, and they kept saying, “Xing-ge’er, do you want to live or not?!”

Zhou Xing knelt down with a thud, his voice trembling with tears, “Young Master, it’s not what you think. Nian’er and I are innocent. It’s just that Nian’er would secretly smuggle out paintings, calligraphy, and antiques, asking me to sell them… I was greedy, plotting to steal from the manor. I am a traitor; I deserve to die, but I truly have nothing to do with Nian’er. Today, Nian’er summoned me to speak, but because the truth is unspeakable, I dared not reveal it…”

However, Sheniang sneered, “Even if you were secretly selling the manor’s paintings, calligraphy, and antiques, could you not just send a trusted confidant to deliver a message? Why did you two have to hide behind the artificial hill and whisper?”

While they were still arguing, Shangrou glanced at Nian’er, who lay unconscious on the ground, and suddenly realized that she was also pitiful. These concubines were like playthings; when a man liked them, they were wonderful, but when he did not, their lives were like weeds. No one would take them seriously. That kick just now, even if it did not kill her, would probably have seriously injured her. Chen Ang would not let anyone call a physician. Look at the blood flowing out; it was really horrifying… She also lost interest in watching them investigate the truth. In the end, she made the decision and had someone call a physician.

Chen Ang, still furious, reiterated his stance: no physician would be called.

Shangrou glanced at him and said, “Does my lord truly intend to kill someone before he’s satisfied?”

One Pan’er had already died; if another were to die before her very eyes, she feared the garden would be tainted.

Ignoring Chen Ang’s objections, she insisted that the maidservants attending Nian’er carry the woman away. She did not care what happened to Zhou Xing, letting them argue behind her, her mind preoccupied only with the thought, “It’s time for An’er to sleep.”

Back in her courtyard, she washed and went to her inner chambers as usual. Nanny Zhu and her personal maid, Chun Cheng, were attending to her. She removed her outer robe and sat on the edge of the bed, remaining silent for a moment before suddenly smiling. “I am in a very good mood tonight.”

Nanny Zhu and Chun Cheng understood her meaning. Although they felt sorry for Nian’er, the pitiful girl had often been incredibly hateful in the past. Just a few days ago, after discovering her pregnancy, she was so smug and triumphant. Even the principal wife, pregnant with the eldest son, would not be as proud. In just a few days, the situation had taken a sharp turn for the worse. The Lady could not bear to see her lose her life, but that did not stop her from enjoying the satisfaction of finally getting her revenge. After all, everyone was made of flesh and blood; the long-suppressed unhappiness had finally been released, a kind of consolation for the disgust she had suffered in the past.

Nanny Zhu said, “Madam, if you are happy, just laugh it off. Do not suppress your nature. Back in the Zhang family, you were always cheerful. Marrying into the Marquis’s Mansion has been so gloomy and miserable; it’s been so unfair to you.”

Shangrou sighed deeply. “Seeing Nian’er like this, I feel truly relieved. Even if some people say I am kicking someone when they are down, I accept it.”

The three of them looked at each other and smiled. Was there anything wrong with that? No, there was not! The fact that she had taken it upon herself to summon the physician was already an immense act of mercy; if she had been truly ruthless, the person could have been sent to the mortuary in a moment.

Shangrou had never felt so carefree in her life. She stretched out, finding the fragrance of the bedding and the sun-kissed scent on the pillow delightful. Just as she was about to close her eyes, she suddenly heard Chun Cheng’s voice from outside, respectfully addressing him as “Master.”

Sitting up, she saw Chen Ang had already walked around the screen and entered the inner chamber, his face etched with melancholy, and he sat down dejectedly on the footstool.

“Do you know that that harlot has dealings with Zhou Xing?”

Shangrou replied, “I overheard the old woman mention it casually before. She said Nian’er and Zhou Xing are indeed very close, but since Zhou Xing is the master’s close servant and Nian’er grew up with the master, I did not pay much attention to their interactions.”

Chen Ang snorted coldly, muttering to himself, “Just because they’ve known each other since childhood, they secretly collude, working together in improper affairs. Regardless of whether there’s any romantic relationship, secretly selling family belongings deserves death!”

This was his family’s affair, and Shangrou did not want to get involved. She simply pulled the thin quilt over her legs carefully.

Chen Ang, annoyed by her indifferent attitude, turned around and said, “What do you mean by this? Why are you not saying anything?”

Shangrou found it strange. “What does my husband want me to say? That you are truly devoted to Nian’er, yet she manipulates you? I’ve been giving you face, and you are questioning me instead. It’s ridiculous. Do you not see how other families are? A wife is a wife, and a concubine is a concubine, unlike our family, where wives and concubines are indistinguishable, and the concubine is practically trying to climb over the wife’s head. I cannot control her, which is why so much trouble has arisen. Is the master not at fault? Nian’er’s current situation is entirely due to the master’s care. Coming here to complain is pointless.”

Chen Ang was speechless, caught off guard, and breathed heavily, saying, “I am not blaming you; I just ask that you, my wife, pay more attention to household matters…”

Shangrou said, “They are all incredibly capable. What do I need to know? I do not want to ask anything now. Just make sure everything is handled properly and that they do not disturb the child.”

Chen Ang was speechless, feeling utterly exhausted. He got up and stepped onto the footstool.

Shangrou immediately exclaimed in surprise, “What are you doing, My Lord?”

Chen Ang was startled by her loud voice and replied hesitantly, “What am I doing? Naturally, I am going to bed.”

Shangrou’s face fell. “I am not feeling well tonight. My Lord, please go rest somewhere else.”

A man rejected by his wife was utterly humiliating. Chen Ang had initially wanted to salvage his dignity, saying “going to bed” was just the literal meaning, but finding nothing to say to this unromantic woman, he glared at her angrily and stormed off.

The next day, Shangrou, refreshed and in high spirits, sat in the flower hall having breakfast. Just as she was about to send someone out to check on Nian’er’s situation, Sheniang entered, smiling from afar. She bowed upon entering the flower hall and said, “The lady was impatient yesterday and missed a good show. Madam would not let Nian’er stay in her courtyard and moved her to the woodshed. Zhou Xing was reported to the authorities for selling family property and was taken away by the government. Even Steward Zhou and his wife were expelled. As for the master, he’s still unsure if the two had an affair. Since the child has already been lost, it’s not convenient to publicize it. He had the physician stop Nian’er’s bleeding, and this morning he ordered a carriage to be prepared and sent her out of the city.”

Shangrou said, “Oh, I was planning to go see her, but I did not expect she’d already been sent away.”

Sheniang said yes, “Now the maids and servants in her courtyard are all on the front porch… We are waiting for the Lady’s arrangements.”

Shangrou sighed. “This Nian’er is truly too clever for her own good. It seems one should not be too greedy. The moon wanes when it’s full, water overflows when it’s full; everything in excess hurts both oneself and others.”

Sheniang smiled. “The Lady believes in the laws of Heaven, but I think the cycle of cause and effect is too slow. In crucial moments, we should help Heaven so that that annoying fellow will get his comeuppance sooner.” She then took the fragrant drink from the maid and placed it beside Shangrou, saying with a boastful tone, “Nian’er’s smuggling of things is absolutely true. If she’d been caught, she would have tried to cover it up, and the more she tried, the more nonsensical she would be when dealing with the Master. I know the Master’s temper; once he’s suspicious, no amount of eloquence can change his mind. He kicked her before she could even argue—how satisfying!”

Therefore, this Sheniang was the most terrifying person in the backyard, resorting to despicable means and adept at manipulating people’s hearts. Now she was on Shangrou’s side, saying anything to curry favor. What would happen if she turned against her one day?

Shangrou picked up her teacup and took a sip of her fragrant drink, without responding. Sheniang, also very perceptive, knew that showing loyalty was crucial at this time, and quickly said, “This time, we’ve taught those unruly people a lesson on behalf of the Lady. The Lady is usually kind and lenient, allowing those foolish people to disregard their rank and attempt to suppress her. Although Xin’er’s words were not spoken by Nian’er and Zhou Xing, they were her own private conversation with her maid, and she was not wrong at all. She’s only just become pregnant, does not even know if it’s a boy or a girl, yet she’s so arrogant. What will happen when the child is born? We’ve seized this opportunity to get it over with. Once we get rid of her, the family will naturally be at peace. From now on, My Lady will not have to worry about her anymore.”

Shangrou nodded slowly. “I know you are on my side. With you managing things outside, I have far fewer troubles here.”

Sheniang smiled gently and said, “My Lady, just focus on taking care of yourself. In the future, for any important matters requiring a decision, I will submit them to My Lady. As for those less important matters, I will handle them for you so as not to bother My Lady with every little thing.”

This was a sign that she was gradually overstepping her bounds, something Shangrou was well aware of. Although Nian’er was now gone, the remaining women were still quite troublesome. For now, she’d let Sheniang handle them, enjoying her peace and quiet. When the time came to truly close the net, she would then find a way to clean up the inner quarters.