Spring Message in the Snow – CH 045

Chapter 45

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Such a thing happening at home should not be told to outsiders, but because Second Young Lady Chen had been spending a lot of time with Surou these past few days, and the incident happened in Shangrou’s garden, she stayed after school to tell Surou what had happened in detail.

After listening, Surou remained silent for a long while, finally sighing, “The struggles within the inner quarters are truly bloodless.”

Second Young Lady Chen nodded. “With so many concubines, infighting is inevitable. Now that one is gone, there are still four left. I wonder how long peace will last. Actually, my sister-in-law has had a difficult time these past few years, but because I am still a young woman of marriageable age, I do not usually talk to her about those things, and I do not know how to comfort her.”

Surou smiled. “That’s how it is. Sisters-in-law should get together to enjoy good food and fun. It’s not appropriate for anyone to interfere in the affairs of the brother and sister-in-law’s quarters.”

Second Young Lady Chen sat for a while longer before getting up to take her leave. Surou packed her things to go home. Just as she stepped out of the garden, she looked up and saw a person standing beside the carriage, with a relaxed and serene demeanor, smiling elegantly and kindly. Holding a broken branch of flowers, he casually swayed it. Seeing her appear, he turned and stuck the branch into the courtyard wall, as if it had been preordained. He said softly, “I’ve been waiting for you for quite a while. Are you finally done? Let me take you home!”

Surou turned to look at the sky. The sun was about to set; although the world was still warm, the direct sunlight made the heat mild.

She said, “Let me walk with Your Highness for a while. I have something to say to you.”

Usually aloof, her offer to walk and chat this time flattered Helian Song. He quickly agreed, gesturing for the carriage to go first, and came to walk beside her. The young woman was as pure and fragrant as an orchid. He had never felt this way before; the person beside him made him feel honored. Walking with her, he felt elevated, and he unconsciously stretched his shoulders with a sense of ease.

Surou was still uneasy about the Emperor’s visit the day before. Even today, while lecturing the young ladies, she was somewhat anxious, fearing a maid might suddenly come in to announce a distinguished guest had arrived and that she should stay longer.

Fortunately, everything was normal after the ladies finished their lesson. But what about tomorrow?

She looked down at the neatly arranged paving stones at her feet, noticing the wind lifting the hem of his robe, occasionally brushing against her skirt. She sighed softly and said in a low voice, “The Emperor came the day before yesterday. He had a cup of tea in the garden and stayed for half an hour before leaving.”

Helian Song could not help but stroke his chin. He had invited the Emperor; he could not let her know this, otherwise it would cause another huge uproar, and the marriage might even be off the table.

So he skillfully channeled his emotions, putting himself in her shoes and considering her perspective. He frowned and said, “His Majesty is extremely busy; he would not leave the palace unless it was an emergency. I think those rumors must have reached his ears, enraging him! Did His Majesty question you, Young Lady? And how did you respond?”

“His Majesty did not speak harshly, but he did inquire about the marriage. How could I dare tell him the truth or admit to wanting to annul the engagement? I could only continue to evade the question.” She finished speaking, her heart growing heavier. She murmured, “What should we do now? His Majesty does not seem to have given up. We said we wanted to break off the engagement before, but I’m afraid this matter will have to be postponed.”

Helian Song nodded. “Now is not a good time to annul the engagement; it’s best to postpone it.”

Surou felt a pang of guilt and murmured, “I am going to drag His Majesty down again… It’s been a while; I am truly sorry, Your Highness.”

The person beside her was willing to be burdened by her, but not wanting to be too direct, he changed to a wistful tone, saying, “You do not need to worry about being a burden to me. Someone like me, all alone, is actually better off having a marriage contract; it makes things easier for me to explain to the world. You do not know, I’ve always refused to marry, and people often say I am impotent. Even the powerful and wealthy in the capital with daughters are afraid of me coming to propose. Even when we have official business, they only exchange a few words before avoiding me… I really do not know what I did wrong.” He looked at her with undisguised sorrow, “Is it because my parents are not in the capital that they intentionally ostracize me? I cannot tell anyone about the grievances in my heart; I can only confide in you, My Lady.”

Surou had dealt with him several times and knew he was cunning, but she still felt sympathy for his practical predicament.

“Your Highness is alone in the capital, without any elders to manage things at home, so some things are bound to be inconvenient. Do not take those gossips to heart; you will return to Longyou someday anyway. The capital is just a temporary resting place for your youth; in the future, you can just laugh it off.” She racked her brains to offer a few words of comfort, then smoothly shifted the focus to herself, licking her lips tentatively, “You said earlier that people were spreading rumors that you… are impotent? Should I help you out of this predicament?”

Helian Song’s heart skipped a beat. He wondered what she meant. Was she planning to prove to the world that he was a true man? He gave her a probing look; this young woman had a sharp gaze. No wonder she was Zhang Lu’s daughter; she had a chivalrous spirit! He said somewhat shyly, “Young Lady… I am not ready yet, but if you ask, I will obey without question.”

Surou, seeing his expression, knew he was overthinking again. She grinned awkwardly and asked, “Are you not afraid of ruining your reputation?”

He said he was not afraid. “I’d do anything for you, Young Lady.” He smiled subtly after speaking, “Besides, I am a man. A man’s reputation can be attributed to romance; compared to you, young ladies, it’s not so harsh.”

Surou hesitated for a long time before finally saying, “Does Your Highness have any girls you admire? For example, those talented entertainers who can sing and dance… If there are any, I will pay to redeem one and send her to serve the Heir Apparent…”

He understood, stopped, and looked at her, saying, “Then, Young Lady, you can use the excuse that my heart belongs to someone else to break off the engagement?”

Surou was very embarrassed and stammered, “The Heir Apparent can also propose to break off the engagement. Did you not say that there are often rumors that you are impotent? This way, the rumors will be dispelled, and we will both get what we want.”

Unfortunately, for Helian Song, who had gone to great lengths to secure the engagement, this suggestion was simply wishful thinking. But he still had to consider her feelings, so after thinking it over seriously, he smiled helplessly at her expectant gaze, “Let them continue to say I am impotent.”

Surou felt a wave of despair wash over her, turned around, and walked forward blankly, saying forlornly, “I know; my idea was very selfish, only thinking of myself, not of the Heir Apparent.”

Helian Song stood with his hands behind his back, squinting slightly as he looked ahead. On the way back, they would pass a bamboo grove, the bamboo leaves rustling on both sides. Actually, such beautiful scenery should not be used to discuss such unpleasant topics. He glanced at the girl beside him; she must have been troubled by these things these past two days. It pained him to see such a small person bearing so much.

“When the Emperor came to see you that day, what were your feelings? Did you never admire his talent nor submit to his status?” he asked softly, trying to probe her heart. “The Emperor is so persistent; if you truly went to the palace with him, he certainly would not treat you badly. Perhaps he’d make you a Zhaoyi ^{(Lady of Bright Deportment)}, or even a Guifei ^{(Noble Consort)}, placing you above most others in the harem. Would not you want that?”

Surou said she did not want to. “If I were willing, I would not have troubled Your Highness. I’ve spent ten years in that place; I’ve seen blooming flowers and also gloomy shadows…it’s so sordid. I do not know about others, but once I am out, I never want to go back. I am a bit arrogant today. To tell Your Highness the truth, one emperor is not enough to make me willingly return to this cage. So when he suddenly came to the garden the other day, it really frightened me. It’s a pity the agreed-upon annulment has to be delayed again. Plans really cannot keep up with changes.”

Helian Song thought to himself, “Is this not good? Anyway, I never intended to annul the engagement. I’ve even prepared the wedding banquet for the 6th day of the ninth month. I am just waiting for the right time to make it a fait accompli.”

However, it was somewhat embarrassing to admit that his plans, which he had used for the campaign against the Hehuang and the Qingtang war, were now being used on a mere woman. But a man of principle could bend and stretch. This important matter was the most important thing right now. Even if he had taken away the Emperor’s beloved, he had no intention of backing down.

“That’s settled then,” he said smoothly. “If you cannot break off the engagement, then marry me. I already told you this last time. My dear wife, do not see me as your father’s killer. Look at it from another perspective: your father was my savior. Does that make you feel more at ease? When the court offered amnesty and granted my father the title of Prince of Wukang, many people opposed my father’s promise to send me to the capital. Especially his old subordinates, who all hoped my father would declare himself king. Without me, my father would not be constrained by the court and could make something of himself. So when my father-in-law came to fetch me, he was already taking a huge risk. It was not the forces in the capital who wanted to kill me, but the people of Longyou.”

This was the first time Surou had heard him speak of these hidden matters. She knew that politics was inherently cruel. Her father had died protecting him and received the honor of being enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple, but what would have happened if he had failed to protect him?

She glanced up at him; his head was slightly raised, and the eagle in his heart occasionally revealed an arrogant, domineering air. Surou knew that this man was far more complex than she perceived him to be.

He said, “Do you know the surname Helian? ‘May the clouds stretch to the heavens, and may your blessings be boundless forever’ ^{(Yun Helian Tian, ​​Yong Xiang Wu Jiang)}. This surname is inherently ambitious, a name rife with original sin. I am lucky to have survived this long. Young Lady, you will eventually marry. The world is treacherous these days; many men seem like good matches, but their true colors are revealed after marriage. What will you do then? I’ve never trusted anyone but myself. As long as I live, I will never mistreat you. Even if I die in battle, you will still be free. If you wish to leave, you can still go far away.”

These words, though devoid of any sentimentality, deeply moved Surou. She paused for a moment, then said, “Let me think about it some more.”

This meant there was still room for negotiation. Helian Song stopped and began to coax her gently, “Anyway, we are already engaged, so getting married is the natural next step. Do not think about anything, do not do anything, just wait for the wedding day to come quickly. Preparing the banquet and entertaining the guests will only take one day. After that day, all the problems will be solved. See how simple it is?”

Yes, it really did sound simple. He looked at her expectantly, and Surou looked at him expectantly, her eyes slowly overflowing with deep affection, as if she were truly the love of his heart.

A chill ran down her spine, and she hastily looked away. “No rush; there are still two months. Perhaps things will change within two months.”

What changes could there be? No one in this world would force them to break off the engagement. Even the Emperor would prioritize the country and its people. Compared to Longyou, Zhang Surou was nothing. Of course, if the Emperor truly lost his composure because of her, then he would have given Longyou an excuse to rebel. A mature Emperor would never lose sight of the bigger picture for the sake of a small matter.

So that eye contact just now must have stirred her heart! He smiled smugly, watching her hurry away under the pale crescent moon, and quickly followed.

The lingering warmth of the sun gradually dissipated, and the hazy night rose, forming a vast and quiet circle around the location of the garden. Stepping out of that circle and through the gate ahead, one entered a bustling, vibrant world.

The long street was teeming with people. The night market in the capital was always prosperous. The straight north-south passageway, illuminated by lanterns on both sides at night, gave even ordinary days the feel of the Lantern Festival.

As fate would have it, after walking for a while, he suddenly heard someone call “Jie Ran.” Surou turned around, and before she could see who had spoken, she found her hand in Helian Song’s palm.

A sudden urge struck her, and she was about to pull away when he leaned closer and whispered, “It’s Teacher and Teacher’s Wife.”

Surou immediately fell silent. Only then did she see an elderly couple approaching. It turned out that Grand Tutor Hang and his wife had always had a very good relationship. The Grand Tutor rarely attended banquets or social engagements; he liked to go for a walk with his wife after dinner. Since their residence was nearby, they happened to run into each other.

Grand Tutor Hang had initially been skeptical of the rumors circulating outside, but seeing the two holding hands, his doubts vanished. He stepped forward, smiling and exchanging pleasantries: “The weather is nice tonight; are you out for a stroll too?”

The two exchanged smiles and greetings, one offering a blessing, the other bowing. After they finished their greetings, their hands remained clasped together, making them appear to outsiders as a harmonious and well-matched couple.

Madam Hang was seeing Surou for the first time. After looking her up and down, she said, “What an elegant young lady! You and Jie Ran are a perfect match. I’ve been regretting not having had a chance to meet you since I learned that Jie Ran had hired his teacher as the matchmaker. What a coincidence to meet you today!”

Surou quickly replied, “I was rude. I should have gone to your residence to pay my respects to the teacher’s wife, but I’ve been busy with affairs lately. Please forgive me, Grand Tutor and Teacher’s Wife.”

Helian Song’s smugness was blatantly obvious. Holding his fiancée’s hand, her soft fingers resting quietly in his palm, he felt a bittersweet happiness. Besides, she was calling her “Teacher’s Wife” too—she was already obeying him before marriage! So, her previous “thinking about it” was just an excuse to save face!

So he considerately explained for her, “Madam, Second Young Lady has just opened a girls’ school in the city, and she’s been busy with it these past few days, so she has not had a moment to spare. Yesterday she told me she wanted to visit you, and I was planning to take her to your residence tomorrow or the day after, but we met today instead.”

Upon hearing this, Madam Hang immediately praised Surou highly: “She’s actually started a girls’ school? The Second Young Lady is truly different from ordinary girls. I am so happy to see her today; she’s definitely a blessed woman. Did she not just say she was coming to see us? This time, there’s no need to send anyone to inform us; it’s settled. I will prepare a feast for you tomorrow.” He then sighed wistfully, “Jie Ran’s parents are not in the capital. I’ve always treated him like my own child. Now that he’s engaged, bringing his fiancée to my home is, frankly, like introducing her to an elder; it’s a gesture, after all.”

This time, it seemed there was no way to refuse. Surou inwardly resented Helian Song’s shameless attempts to ingratiate himself, but she could not be impolite in front of Grand Tutor Hang and his wife. So she smiled and agreed, “Thank you, Madam. I will definitely come to bother you tomorrow.”

Grand Tutor Hang and his wife were naturally pleased. They exchanged many more warm words before finally taking their leave. Once they were out of sight, Surou turned back and questioned him, “Were you setting me up step by step?”

Helian Song looked completely innocent. “No, did you not say you should visit the manor? I was covering for you. But who knew my master’s wife would take it seriously? I did not conspire with her beforehand; you cannot wrong me.”

Surou felt helpless, vaguely sensing that she had accidentally stepped into a puddle and the water was gradually rising above her head.

Suddenly, she realized he was still holding her hand. She tried to pull away but could not. Annoyed, she said, “Are you not going to let go?”

He then released her, his palm still warm from her touch. He clasped his hand and carefully hid it in his sleeve. His face remained gentle as he smiled, “I was in a bit of a hurry earlier and offended you, Young Lady. Please forgive me. Will you attend the banquet at the Grand Tutor’s residence tomorrow?”

Surou replied, “It’s already arranged; how could I not go?”

He nodded reservedly. “Then I will come to pick you up at this time tomorrow. The Grand Tutor’s residence is not far ahead; you do not need a carriage. It’s easy to walk.”

Surou felt a sense of unease. She had indeed told one lie, and now she had to cover it up with countless others. In front of the Emperor, she had insisted she would marry Helian Song; in front of the Grand Tutor, she had to feign affection. She did not know when this would end. And that handhold just now had revealed her deepest panic. She had never been so close to a man in her life. She had thought these little things would happen with her own husband, but now Helian Song had appeared out of nowhere. She began to worry; would she really be entangled with him for the rest of her life?

Translator’s Notes:
May the clouds stretch to the heavens, and may your blessings be boundless forever : (Yun Helian Tian, ​​Yong Xiang Wu Jiang) (云赫连天，永享无疆)