Spring Message in the Snow – CH 046

Chapter 46

Regarding her dilemma, Quelan offered a different perspective: “A gentleman takes revenge even after ten years. Your father has been dead for twelve years; you’ve held onto your grudge for two more years, so it’s not a loss.”

Surou chuckled, “You are talking nonsense again.”

Quelan argued firmly, “I am not talking nonsense. You are in a bind now, are you not? Anyway, the tiger is willingly on its side, so just keep riding it! Besides, that Heir Apparent seems to be of good character. He’s powerful and influential, yet he does not have a single maidservant. If you marry him, you will definitely live a more comfortable life than the eldest young lady.”

Although this comparison was inappropriate, Shangrou’s marriage to Chen Ang was indeed the biggest mistake of her life. A woman’s marriage was like hitting the jackpot; if she was lucky, she would meet someone she could grow old with; if she was unlucky, her household would be filled with turmoil and chaos. Surou had been unable to make a decision at first, but now it was time to consider it carefully and plan ahead.

The carriage clattered along the long street, clusters of lanterns illuminating her face. Leaning against the carriage railing, she said, “I have no expectations for my future husband. As long as we can make a living together, it does not matter who I marry. That Heir Apparent—I used to dislike him because of my father, but sometimes I think he was not wrong. My father’s death was due to the political situation at the time, and I cannot hold onto his mistakes and endlessly resent him. But… that’s the truth, but I just cannot get over it. After all, if it were not for him, my father might still be alive.”

Quelan’s thoughts were simple, and it was precisely this simplicity that was enlightening. She said, “If your father lived, even if you did not spend ten years in the palace, you would still participate in the selection when you were fifteen or sixteen. If you were chosen, you would still have to enter the palace. If you were favored, that would be fine, but if you are not, being a county princess or a beauty for life is not as good as it is now.”

Surou, hearing her say this, felt a sudden sense of clarity. Indeed, every experience was arranged by fate. If you did not take this path, then there was another. This path offered choices, while that path might lead to a dead end. So, comparatively speaking, things were not too bad now.

She smiled with a touch of self-deprecation. “I used to always advise others, but when it comes to myself, I am indecisive.”

Quelan asked, “So, young lady, do you have a plan now?”

Surou smiled vaguely, neither confirming nor denying. Just then, the carriage entered the alleyway by the side gate. Nanny Fu was already waiting at the steps to greet them. They got out of the carriage and went straight to Suihua Garden for dinner.

Mianmian was also there today. Upon entering, she saw her talking animatedly with the Grand Madam. Upon seeing Surou return, she quickly stood up and greeted her as “Second Sister.” Surou smiled and said, “Let me guess, is there some good news…?” She paused for a moment before saying, “We’ve compared your birth dates with the Earl’s son’s; you are a match made in heaven, are you not?”

Mianmian blushed, twisting her skirt and whispering, “When I was little, my mother had my fortune told. She said I have a destiny of great wealth and honor, and that I will bring prosperity to my husband’s family.”

The Grand Madam chuckled, “You cannot be so outspoken in front of outsiders. You can exchange birth dates with your family.” She then gestured for Surou to sit down and explained, “We’ve exchanged the birth records, and we also had the Imperial Observatory’s chief diviner do the calculations. While there are some minor discrepancies in your birth dates, they are not serious. The Earl’s mansion also sent word today that everything is settled. The letter will arrive in a couple of days to present the betrothal gifts and request the wedding date. Later this afternoon, I received another letter from your aunt. She said she had already set off for the capital. After all, she only has one child, Mianmian, and marriage is a serious matter; she is very concerned about it.”

“It’s been over ten years since I last saw my aunt. If she could come to the capital soon, the whole family could be reunited.”

The Grand Madam said, “Indeed, she has not returned for five or six years since she went to Jiangling. I miss her dearly, and I wonder if Lord Shen treats her well.”

Regarding whether he treated her well or not, everyone’s capacity to understand happiness was different. Her aunt, Madam Shen, married lower and should have been cherished more. But her mother-in-law interfered, used the excuse that her aunt could not bear a son, and forced Lord Shen to take two concubines. These two concubines were not just for show; one of them was pregnant once but soon miscarried and had never conceived again. Aunt did not blame Lord Shen for his betrayal and continued to live peacefully with him. The joys and sorrows of a marriage were known only to the couple themselves; outsiders could not truly understand them.

She glanced at Mianmian, who was sitting under the lamp, eating fruit. Their eyes met, and a sweet, innocent smile—the kind only a pampered little girl would have—appeared on her face. Surou went to comfort her grandmother. “If Uncle did not treat Aunt well, how could he have raised such a cousin?”

Mianmian nodded repeatedly. “My father is very good to my mother. If my mother says one thing, my father would not dare say another.”

The Grand Madam smiled, inwardly sighing that she was still young, unaware of the bitterness hidden within that unwavering commitment.

Leaving those aside, Grand Madam Zhang turned to Surou and said, “The marriage certificate for the Heir Apparent included a birth chart, which I also checked with your birth records. According to the Imperial Censor, it’s truly a predestined marriage. I was thinking that if it really is a good match, we could consider it a step back; in urgent situations, we must make compromises. Fortunately, I think the Heir Apparent is a good person. Even if he was mischievous as a child, that was over a decade ago. Now he’s thorough in his work and very tactful in his words. Besides, there are not many people who cherish old friendships like that. Now that you’ve seen him, think about it. Your father was ordered by the Emperor to escort him, and when things went wrong, he died in the line of duty. A more ruthless person would not feel indebted to us. Your uncle heard from the Prime Minister today that it was through his efforts that your father was granted the honor of being enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Such a loyal and righteous person is hard to find anywhere else in the capital.”

Surou, upon hearing the details, was moved and lowered her head, saying, “He never mentioned this to me.”

The Grand Madam said, “That’s his composure. If he did something and made it known to the whole world, would that not seem like showing off? He’s more like a quiet, reserved person, only seeking peace of mind. That’s a truly honest person. If there’s really no other way out, I’d be at ease marrying you to him.”

Mianmian, peeking out from the side, offered her insightful opinion, “Second sister, do you not like being the Heir Apparent’s wife? In this capital, besides the Emperor and a few old princes, the Heir Apparent holds the most prestigious position. You can stand out among women; why miss this golden opportunity? Others strive for an imperial title, some reaching their forties or fifties, others only receiving it posthumously. A lifetime is wasted then. Is it all for a pretty inscription on the memorial tablet? It’s better to seize the moment, take his decades of imperial title and stipend—that’s enough for yourself. Anyway, if it were me, I’d get married tomorrow, and the Heir Apparent would have to agree.”

She spoke at length, making the Grand Madam and Surou laugh. Truly, youth knew no sorrow; likes and dislikes changed in an instant, without any burden in their hearts.

However, though somewhat childish, there was some truth to it. The Grand Madam patted Surou’s hand and said, “Think it over carefully, make a decision sooner rather than later, and lessen the torment. In the end, it’s all the same; what’s there to hesitate about?”

Surou sighed softly, “Yes, he accompanied me for a while today, saying many spirited things along the way, saying that living would be good for me, and if he died in battle, he would let me fly far away…” She suddenly felt a pang of sadness, inexplicably beginning to feel sorry for him. Even if life in the capital was smooth sailing, there were hidden dangers and potential for demise.

Grand Madam Zhang, wary of such talk, frowned and said, “Young people are so outspoken! What talk of death? Which girl marries to become a widow!” She then sighed wistfully, “This Heir Apparent has his difficulties. He’s a military general, different from your uncles. He will be truly commanding battles in the future. The recent war in Shanzhou was quelled by the Western Army sent from Longyou. Border generals are not like officials in the capital; the more titles they hold, the greater their responsibilities. He currently holds the nominal position of Inspector General of the Longyou Protectorate, but in two years, it will likely be a real post.” She did not elaborate further, as such honors were hard-earned, earned through countless brushes with death.

Mianmian, hearing this, looked at Surou with apprehension and said, “So it’s not just the Heir Apparent who has to go to the battlefield? Second Sister, you should think about it some more.”

Surou smiled calmly, deciding not to dwell on it, and instead began discussing the interesting people and events she had encountered at the girls’ school.

The weather was poor the next day. The sun was nowhere to be seen all morning; thick, dark clouds hung overhead, and the carriage, though traveling for a long time, could not escape the cloud cover.

Today, the noble ladies were taught how to make incense. There were many incense recipes in the palace, such as the Jianning Palace Incense, Consort Wang’s Golden Incense, and Yuhua Awakening Incense, each with complex combinations, and every ingredient had to be carefully weighed.

In the spacious hall, everyone ground incense powder, accompanied by the gentle rustling of bamboo blinds in the light breeze. Suddenly, the wind picked up, causing the hanging curtains to billow abruptly. Surou quickly ordered the servants to close the straight-lattice doors. In just a moment, thunder rumbled, and raindrops pounded against the window frames and doorways.

The lightning and thunder came swiftly, and everyone panicked, standing there helplessly, pestles in hand. Surou smiled gently and said, “When I was studying in the Forbidden City, the superintendent loved to test us on days like this. In the face of fierce winds and torrential rain, I remained unmoved. Even if thunder struck my ear, I would not drop what I was holding. That was the rule in the Forbidden City.”

As she spoke, she picked up the incense box and, as usual, used the incense spoon to mix the spices. Summer thunder and lightning were terrifying; a flash of light appeared on the window paper, followed by a sudden, deafening clap of thunder. Everyone instinctively covered their ears, even closing their eyes in fright. But when they looked at the Female Tutor again, she seemed oblivious. The pile of incense powder in her hand had not shifted at all; she continued to neatly and orderly scoop it into the Ru kiln porcelain dish in front of her.

Everyone was puzzled. Someone asked, “Is Lady Zhang not afraid of thunder?”

Her slender, fair wrist put away the incense box, closed the lid, and placed the incense spoon aside.

“In that kind of environment, people long ago become blind and deaf. If you are afraid of losing your life, then a clap of thunder is nothing to worry about.”

This was an insight gleaned from years of experience within the Forbidden City, profoundly spoken, leaving the noble ladies exchanging bewildered glances. The Forbidden City held a mystique for most, especially the girls slated for the imperial selection the following year, who were filled with curiosity. They put down their tools and gathered together, eagerly asking questions about the Emperor and the Empress.

Surou patiently answered their questions. This scene vaguely reminded her of her time as a palace attendant, when everyone would idly gather around the older palace women, inquiring about matters far removed from their own lives outside the palace. Those inside always wanted to get out, and those outside wanted to get in; most people were never content with the status quo.

However, in summer, the downpours came and went quickly. In about half an hour, the rain stopped, and the sky gradually cleared. The insights from the palace paused here. The incense that had not been properly made before was continued, kneaded with honey, rolled into small balls, and then rolled in gold leaf—golden incense was now complete. It was then boxed and stored for three months. When it would be taken out to use, autumn should be in full bloom, and the osmanthus trees in the garden should be in full bloom!

Thanks to the torrential rain, the afternoon classes were canceled. Surou saw the noble ladies off and went to the garden to check on the damage to the flowers and plants. The new shoots had withstood the storm, and the damage was not too severe. She knelt before a peony, looking at the tiny, pointed buds sprouting from the roots, each topped with a large drop of water. She touched them; the delicate, pointed leaves felt cool against her fingertips.

The plants with robust root systems were indeed unharmed, but the clump of jade hairpins along the eastern wall suffered greatly. It was the height of its blooming season, each flower turning towards the sun, filling the garden with fragrance. But after the rain, the plants were battered and bent, their petals soaked into the mud, a scene of utter devastation.

Fortunately, the servants they brought were skilled at tending plants. Several of them went in and propped up the fallen plants, compacting the soil again. They should gradually recover in a couple of days.

Surou stood there for a while, then continued along the garden path. Actually, since renting this courtyard, she had not had a chance to properly explore it. Today, with some free time, she strolled to the southeast corner and suddenly remembered Helian Song mentioning digging a small pond here to raise fish and ducks. She actually planned it out quite seriously and found it to be a rather good idea.

At the foot of Genyue Mountain, there were many discarded pebbles, perfect for building the pond walls. Once the pond was dug, a terrace could be built by the water, where one could sit, drink tea, and watch the fish. Beside it, in that open space, a swing set could be placed. Painted vermilion, its reflection against the white walls and green water would surely create a unique charm.

Girls always had an endless interest in decorating courtyards. But then she realized she had indeed followed that person’s line of thought, and feeling somewhat resentful, she strolled away nonchalantly.

Just then, she saw two people entering through the gate, both dressed as eunuchs from the imperial palace. Her heart skipped a beat; she wondered if another imperial decree had arrived. She hurried over to greet them.

The two eunuchs bowed to her, smiling as they presented a brocade box. “His Majesty, while listening to the Grand Tutor’s lecture today, suddenly remembered Lady Zhang and ordered us to deliver an item to her, saying she might find it useful.”

The brocade box was square and neat. Not knowing what was inside, she prioritized expressing her gratitude. Surou bowed deeply to the box and said, “Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty.” Upon receiving it and opening it, one discovers it was a bronze lion-shaped incense burner with a lotus base. The jade-green color was so enticing that even the imperial palace rarely saw such a precious item.

Composing herself, she inquired of the eunuch, “I wonder why His Majesty decided to bestow this upon me?”

The eunuch replied, “Lady Zhang has just opened a girls’ school. When demonstrating incense burning to the ladies, she needs a suitable instrument. His Majesty said this burner is a perfect match for Lady Zhang, so he had us deliver it.”

Although Surou was inwardly puzzled, she did not show it on her face and bowed to the eunuch in thanks. “Thank you for making this trip, Your Excellency. Please come in for a cup of tea and rest your feet.”

The eunuch declined, looked around, and smiled, “I often saw Lady Zhang in the Forbidden City, but we never had any dealings. I did not expect Lady Zhang to leave the palace later. We will surely have frequent visits in the future. Today we are in a hurry to return and report, so we will trouble Lady Zhang again next time.” With that, he bowed again and withdrew through the courtyard gate.

Quelan glanced at the box and clicked her tongue, “The Emperor is indeed the Emperor; this one gesture is worth more than a garden.”

Surou held the brocade box, feeling it was like a hot potato, unsure of the Emperor’s next move. But there was no reason to return the gift from the Forbidden City, so she had Quelan put it away for now. She had a vague premonition that the Emperor would arrive again in a day or two.

Everything was pressing, like one wave after another. She’d been worried about this for a while, and after a while, she was getting impatient. Since she could not predict the future, she decided to stop thinking about it; things would work themselves out.

Composing herself, she and Quelan sat in the hall that afternoon, making incense. The sulfurous smell of Genyue permeated the air, varying in intensity depending on the weather. Usually, burning seasonal incense in a corner could dispel the medicinal odor.

Quelan carried the neatly arranged incense stand to the back porch. Just as she placed it, someone entered through the door. She hurried back to the hall to inform Surou, “The Heir Apparent has arrived.”

Surou had the incense-making tools removed. Turning, she walked onto the porch. The man in the sky-blue, round-necked robe casually approached from the path, stopping at the steps. Smiling, he said, “Young lady, you look especially beautiful today.”

This was a military officer’s straightforward praise, without beating around the bush, saying exactly what he meant. Surou’s face remained solemn, but her ears flushed red. She unconsciously touched her temple and said, “Just my usual attire. Your Highness is too kind.”

Helian Song, however, was delighted. He had seen her several times before, always dressed simply, her hair ornaments unpretentious. Although there was no major change today, he keenly noticed something unusual about her ears—she was wearing a pair of coral bead earrings. The festive red color, small and delicate, hung around her neck, clearly indicating that she was also looking forward to today’s banquet!

A surge of warmth welled up in his heart; even her one-sided understanding moved him deeply. He stepped forward, reached into his robes, and pulled out a jade pendant, offering it to her. “Wear this.”

Surou looked down at it. The jade pendant, carved with a dragon holding a lingzhi mushroom, was shaped like a teardrop, clear as spring water. She did not know what he was up to and hesitated for a moment before asking, “Why?”

The man opposite her removed a jade pendant from his waist, fitting it perfectly together. “This is my family’s heirloom, a yin-yang symbol. My mother said it must be given to my wife in the future. Are we not going to visit the Grand Tutor’s residence later? Wear it, so it will show how loving we are.”