Spring Message in the Snow – CH 066

Chapter 66

However, breaking off the engagement now seemed unrealistic. Everything was almost ready, invitations to relatives and friends had been sent out, and the wedding was in three days. How could she possibly entertain such thoughts now?

But if anyone was truly angry, it was the Grand Madam. At her age, she had worried herself sick over this matter, only to find herself fooled by these young men. How could she not feel remorseful?

Grand Madam Zhang sighed, head bowed. “This Jie Ran… I originally thought he was honest, but I never expected him to be such a scoundrel, even managing to influence the Emperor.”

Surou, wiping away tears, said, “If he truly wanted to marry me, he would have come to propose openly and honestly, and I would have respected his upright character. Instead, he went through all that trouble, meticulously setting a trap for us. This man’s character is terrible; I despise him. How can I spend my life with him!”

Grand Madam Zhang was at a loss, and even Nanny Feng stood with her hands behind her back, her face ashen. A silence fell over the room; no one knew what to say.

After a long pause, the Grand Madam patted her gently and said, “Things have come to this point; you can only console yourself. Listen to your grandmother; it’s precisely because he has a connection with your father and knew we could not possibly agree to his marriage proposal since he’d come to our door without permission that he resorted to this tactic. Although this lie was a bit outrageous, it’s understandable. You learned this secret before the wedding, so you could threaten to break off the engagement. But if you found out after the wedding, could you really divorce him?” She paused, then added thoughtfully, “In my opinion, this marriage should still go through. It’s a proper explanation to the Emperor, and our relatives and friends. Besides, it’s best if only we know the truth. Do not tell your stepmother and uncles, lest you upset your stepmother and put your uncle in a difficult position—he was the one who actively entrusted the Heir Apparent to you; he was the first to fall for it.”

The grandmother and granddaughter exchanged an embarrassed glance, growing increasingly indignant. This seasoned official, so experienced in his own right, had been completely manipulated.

Surou was far from willing to accept this. If he were in her presence, she would have given him a good beating to vent her anger. Her recent anxieties were likely a joke in his eyes. What did he think as he watched her frantically trying to manage the Emperor’s frequent visits? Did he feel guilty? Did he feel he had wronged her?

Now, with the wedding date approaching, she knew she could not break off the engagement, even though she claimed it was impossible. The situation was already as it was. The Emperor’s half-joking words, “The locust trees are green, the window dim; the pomegranate blossoms are bright,” now seemed to have a hidden meaning. Was the Emperor suddenly repenting and intentionally giving her a hint? But someone as insignificant as her was not worth the Emperor’s and Helian Song’s estrangement. In the end, their so-called friendship was still bound by the hierarchical relationship between ruler and subject, each with their own agendas.

However, after sharing her inner turmoil with her grandmother, she gradually calmed down and said tearfully, “Anyway, I cannot see him for the next few days. If I do, I am afraid we will fight.”

The Grand Madam agreed, “It’s true that you cannot see each other for three days before the wedding. Although these days we do not adhere to those rules as much, it’s still a good excuse to avoid seeing him.” She turned to Nanny Feng and instructed, “Tell the gatekeeper that even if the Heir Apparent comes, persuade him to leave. Do not report it to Second Madam’s courtyard.”

She then said to Surou, “It’s best if you can think things through during these few peaceful days. Things have come to this point; whether you are angry or not, you have to go on like this. Since you are married, the die is cast. Why bother about how he won you over?”

Yes, that was exactly how he schemed, leaving her speechless and forced to swallow her bitterness.

Regardless, she could not feel happy. She wiped away her tear stains, stood up, and said, “Grandmother, I am very tired. I will go back to my courtyard first.”

The Grand Madam acknowledged her, telling her not to think too much and to calm down. She bowed slightly, then went out with Quelan, heading towards the moon gate.

Back at Qiandui Xue Courtyard, she did not say a word. Jiao Yue and Jie Lu looked at her with surprise, giving Quelan questioning glances. Quelan shook her head and pulled everyone out of the inner chamber.

Surou lay alone, unable to sleep because of her worries, finally closing her eyes around late afternoon. As evening approached, she heard girls’ laughter coming from the courtyard, along with Jirou’s cheerful voice, “Is Sister still asleep? It’s getting dark…”

Knowing her younger sisters had arrived, she quickly sat up and soon saw them enter the inner chamber, each carrying a carved box. Amidst laughter and conversation, they placed the boxes on the couch, opened the lids to show her, and said, “Second Sister, please do not find this meager; these jewels are our heartfelt gift to add to your dowry.”

Mianmian squeezed to the front, handing over the box. “Second Sister, look, this is what I prepared.”

Surou took it and, seeing a clear, intricately patterned glass bracelet inside, was immediately surprised. “This… this is too precious; I cannot accept it.”

Mianmian said, “Mother has already prepared jewelry for Second Sister, so I will give her my favorite bracelet. It was originally a pair; I kept one for myself, and this one is for Second Sister. When she wears it, she will think of me. But if you do not accept it, it means you do not acknowledge me as your sister, and you treat me like an outsider.”

Everyone urged her to accept it, but Surou had no choice. She said shyly, “I am older than all of you, yet you sisters are making preparations for my dowry…” Then she smiled again. “Then thank you very much, sisters. When you get married in the future, I will prepare it properly for you.”

Being with the young girls, the previous unpleasantness was temporarily forgotten. Her own days in her maiden home were only a few days left; she had to cherish them. After marriage, who knew what life would be like? What if, unfortunately, she ended up like Shangrou, only able to stay two nights at her parents’ home after a major argument with her husband’s family?

***

When an older sister got married, the younger sisters all contributed to the dowry. As the eldest sister, she naturally could not be lacking in etiquette.

Shangrou asked Nanny Zhu to bring out her makeup box. While picking through the pile of jewelry, she asked, “Should I give her jewelry or just cash so she has more money to spend?”

Nanny Zhu smiled and said, “Second Young Lady’s dowry will certainly be substantial. The Grand Madam will prepare it for her, and the Second Madam will not mistreat her. Eldest Miss is the married sister; giving her cash would lack sincerity. In my opinion, jewelry, headdresses, and silk fabrics would be better. They are exquisite, and it will not make her feel awkward about holding onto real gold and silver.”

Shangrou agreed. Just as she was about to choose more, she heard an announcement from outside that Sheniang had arrived. Nanny Zhu hurriedly tried to put the makeup box away, but Shangrou gestured for it not to, indicating it should remain open until Sheniang entered.

Soon, Sheniang arrived at the veranda. Upon entering, she saw a large box of jewelry on the moon table and glanced at it a few times, smiling as she said, “My Lady seems to be in a good mood today. Why not take out your dowry and air it out?”

Shangrou replied calmly, “My younger sister is getting married, and as her elder sister, I should express my feelings.” She pointed to the set inlaid with pearls and jade and showed it to Nanny Zhu. “How about this?”

Before Nanny Zhu could reply, Sheniang interjected, “Did your second sister not marry into the Prince’s household? Such a wealthy marriage—would you be picky about what your elder sister gives? I remember My Lady’s younger sister is getting married quite early. Since you are cousins, the sentiment is enough.”

It seemed the household management had shifted to the concubine; this was someone worried about the money. Shangrou was not annoyed but smiled faintly. “You do not know; my sisters and I grew up in the same garden. Our ancestors did not separate the family, and cousins ​​are like sisters. Besides, the harvest on the estate was good last year, and this set is newly acquired. The style is fashionable, and she likes simple and elegant things, so she will definitely like it.” She then instructed Nanny Zhu, “Have someone make a brand-new brocade box, put this set in, and send it over.”

Nanny Zhu agreed and went to the outer room to find a servant to deliver the message. Standing in the hall, Sheniang’s eyes flickered. Hearing that the harvest on the estate was good, she became even more determined.

Being a concubine meant spending her whole life under the care of the principal wife, with a limited monthly allowance of only three or five taels of silver at most. It was nothing compared to being in charge of the household finances and having control of the accounts. When Chen Ang married Zhang Shangrou, the Chen couple, to curry favor with their in-laws, allocated two estates from the public funds as a personal stipend for the young couple. As a concubine, she could not interfere with the main accounts of the Marquis’s household, but since those two estates belonged to their household, and she was now managing the inner court on behalf of the Lady, it was only right that she took charge of them.

Unfortunately, her previous hints and suggestions had not swayed the Lady. However, she was a shrewd woman; if one attempt did not work, she’d try again or even pester Chen Ang herself—there was always a way. After all, the income from the estates far exceeded the rent from a couple of shops. Summer brought fruit, winter game, and the spring and autumn harvests—at least several hundred taels a year… Several hundred taels were equivalent to a lifetime’s worth of grain for an ordinary family.

Then she glanced at the table laden with jewels and ornaments—the kind only the wives of wealthy and powerful families could enjoy. Compared to that, what did her own gold and silver amount to?

Suppressing the bitterness in her heart, Sheniang handed over the account books, smiling, “I’d almost forgotten why I came here… Please review our household’s income and expenses last month, Madam. Whenever there’s no surplus, I am always afraid I’ve miscalculated, so I have to calculate it several times before daring to present it to you.”

Shangrou did not even glance at it. “You have not miscalculated. Our household is usually lucky if we can break even. It’s just that I am grateful for your help managing things. Before, there were many people to support in the household, so expenses were high. Now that there are fewer people, and with a little saving, we will gradually have a surplus.”

But what good was a surplus? In the blink of an eye, Chen Ang would find a way to take it all. No wonder she so easily entrusted her with the affairs of the inner quarters; indeed, there was not much profit in these accounts. The bulk of the income was still from the estate. It seemed this Madam was not so foolish after all.

Sheniang chuckled dryly, “If I were to tell you, I am afraid you’d be angry, My Lady. The accounts are barely balanced, but I do not know how much the master has lost externally. A few days ago, the Fang family sent people to collect debts. They could not come up with the money in the public accounts, so I had to add five taels to cover it…” She feigned distress as she spoke, “People say even a clever housewife cannot cook without rice. Even if I wanted to help you, My Lady, I do not have that much personal savings to cover the master’s external losses. You’d better think of a way.”

Shangrou had Chun Cheng bring the jewelry box inside and straightened her jacket, saying, “Is there anything I can do…”

Sheniang said, “Does My Lady not still have two estates? Why not let me manage them?”

“You?” Shangrou looked at her in surprise. “Those two estates are my livelihood. If my husband is incompetent, if… if anything happens to those two estates, our family’s future will be bleak.”

Seeing that she had not flatly refused, Sheniang knew there was a way to negotiate and immediately began to persuade her relentlessly, “Does My Lady not even trust me? I’ve always been on your side! Actually, the profits from the estates are only a small percentage when put into the gold and silver shops each year; the shopkeepers take the lion’s share. It would be better to use that money to buy certificates, like salt certificates, incense certificates, and tea certificates, and hold them for a year or two. When the market is in demand and prices rise, sell them. Then the money will truly generate more money, much better than keeping the banknotes stuck in a chest.”

She spoke eloquently, assuming the Lady would not understand, unaware that the Zhang family’s young ladies also learned the ways of making money and running businesses in their chambers, and that the methods of buying and selling certificates were already well-worn. However, she knew when to play dumb. Shangrou frowned, looking troubled. “I’ve never done business before. I only know that business involves risk. I only feel secure when I have the money in my own hands.”

Her tone softened, so Sheniang urged her even more earnestly, “Have you not heard the saying, ‘Fortune favors the bold’? Without taking risks, how can you expect to amass great wealth? If you are still worried, give me one of your estates to try managing. By the end of the year, I guarantee your income will double.”

Shangrou fell silent, pondering for a long while before saying, “Let me think about it some more…”

“What else do you need to think about? I was cultivated by you, My Lady!” She was utterly loyal to the Lady, without a single selfish thought. “It seems the Lady truly does not trust me,” she said, a hint of sorrow on her face. “You probably do not even know how many debts I’ve covered for the Master lately. I only regret that I have no wealth; the debts will eventually run me out. When people come knocking, and the Master’s reputation for being heavily indebted spreads, it will not be good for An’er’s future career or marriage.”

This time, she had finally hit her sore spot. She felt she understood Shangrou well enough; she could disregard Chen Ang, but she could not disregard An’er. Compared to her son’s future, what was a mere estate? She had tricked one person today; next time, she could seize the other, thus completely controlling the internal affairs and effectively sidelining the Empress.

Shangrou looked up at Sheniang, seeing the gleam in her eyes, her calculations clicking away. She knew she was close to success.

Slightly nervous, her hands trembled slightly within her sleeves. She clenched them tightly and, with a resolute air, said, “Fine, let’s do as you wish. Let’s start with one estate to practice on. However, you are unfamiliar with estate affairs, so you will probably have to go there yourself. One estate is in the seed breeding plantation west of the city, and the other is in Chanzhou. I think the one in the west would be closer, so I will entrust it to you; it will be more convenient for you to go there.”

But Sheniang was not easily fooled. The annual income from the two estates differed greatly. She had already secretly inquired about it. The New Year’s goods transported from Chanzhou to the capital required oxcarts, while the one in the west mainly grew flowers—how much income could it possibly generate! Moreover, the more the Lady gave her the seed-breeding plantation, the more she wanted the one in Chanzhou. Everyone knew that the best things were kept for themselves; the distance was just an excuse.

So she smiled and said, “I’ve heard that the people on those estates are dishonest, embezzling the harvest because the head of the household does not check the accounts, and they are all fatter than the head of the household. My Lady is a noble person, and you have An’er to take care of, so you probably have not been to Chanzhou for many years. Why do I not make the trip myself? I will only feel at ease if I see it with my own eyes.”

Shangrou seemed very reluctant. “The Chanzhou estate is over a hundred li from the capital…”

Sheniang said, “What’s the big deal? I used to travel frequently between Youzhou and the capital, taking only three or four days by carriage.” She then looked at Shangrou. “Is it that My Lady does not want to give me the Chanzhou estate?”

Shangrou said no, clearly somewhat hesitant. After hesitating for a long time, she finally backed down. “Then you must inform my husband. After all, it will take several days, and he needs an explanation.”

Sheniang had originally thought that if the Lady did not agree, she would ultimately have to go through Chen Ang to force her to hand over the estate. But now that she was willingly giving it, it was best to keep it from Chen Ang. At least let her pave the way, extract the last portion, and then put the rest out in the open. Then they could settle things however they want.

“Do not tell the Master yet,” she smiled. “I will inform him after I return from Chanzhou and have a clear understanding of the situation at the estate.”

Shangrou appeared indifferent and finally waved her hand impatiently. “Do as you please! But you will be gone for several days, so make sure everything is settled beforehand, lest the maids and servants in the garden be confused.”

Now, of course, everything was fine. Sheniang smiled and said, “Do not worry, My Lady; I will arrange everything properly.” Before leaving, she turned back and added, “My Lady, please do not tell the master about the estate nor the Marchioness. We will be using the proceeds for business later, and I am afraid the Marquis and Marchioness will blame you for engaging in commerce. It’s better to avoid trouble.”

Shangrou said she understood, then turned back to fiddle with her pearl and jade headdress.

Sheniang emerged from the main room, her swaying figure accompanied by a smug gait.

The maidservant, Zisun, flattered her, saying only what she liked. She leaned closer, lowering her voice, and said, “Congratulations, Mistress! It seems most of the property in the courtyard is now in your hands. In another three to five years, you will be the head of this household.”

Sheniang scoffed, “It’s all thanks to the Lady. Our Lady is truly a good person.”

Zisun curled her lip. “Just a pushover. The concubines in the courtyard were causing such a ruckus, and she did not dare utter a sound. It was Mistress who cleaned up the mess for her. If you ask me, she’s just taking advantage of her good birth, occupying a position without doing anything. Even without her, this family will still be doing just fine.”

Sheniang contentedly fanned herself with a round fan. The weather was not too hot anymore, but fanning herself had long become a form of relaxation; it seemed she would not know what to do without a fan.

Looking up at the vast sky, it was clear, and the clouds were drifting.

“Ultimately, we need someone in charge. The Lady is weak, so we can really get our hands dirty. If we had a more capable one, life would not be so comfortable,” said Sheniang listlessly. “It’s just that the Lady seems a bit weak; she probably will not live long. But if she can last three to five years, that will be enough.”

In three to five years, they would amass enough wealth, and then they could take the money and leave. Who wanted to stay in this Marquis’s Mansion serving that heartless man?

The mistress and servant walked slowly along the path. She remembered and instructed Zisun, “I will give you a packet of ‘Hundred Days Red’ later. Give it to Huan’er, who serves Yu Bo, and have her put it in the water Yu Bo uses to wash.”

Zisun had never heard of that medicine. After agreeing, she pressed, “What are its effects?”

Sheniang’s lips twisted in a grimace. “It’s a secret medicine from the brothels. It causes unbearable itching after contact, redness in three days, and rashes in five. The symptoms are like those of a woman with uncleanliness. Men, especially those accustomed to the pleasure quarters, would not dare touch her. Yu Bo has become increasingly arrogant lately. If I do not teach her a lesson, she will not know how powerful I am.”

Zisun clicked her tongue in surprise. “Will it get better after a while?”

Sheniang chuckled. “Get better? That medicine has a root cause. If it flares up every few days, she will never be truly cured.”

As she spoke, she fanned herself and stepped onto the small bridge over the flowing water.

Yu Bo had once joined forces with her to bring down Nian’er, but times had changed. There were no lasting friends in this world; it was all just a matter of each using their own methods to achieve their goals.