Spring Message in the Snow – CH 067

Chapter 67

Zisun agreed. Lately, the young master had been spending the night at Yu Bo’s place frequently, and soon, good news would likely arrive. People always envied those who had some and laughed at those who did not. Having worked in the brothel for many years, the chances of her conceiving were slim, which was why she named her maid Zisun ^{(Purple Bamboo Shoot)}. Zisun…bamboo offspring…offspring was hopeless, so she focused on money. That was why she was determined to acquire the Lady’s estate.

The maidservants who served Yu Bo were easily swayed by small favors. So, during the evening meal distribution in each courtyard, Zisun gave the medicine to Huan’er, who immediately went to prepare it without a word. A small paper packet, once opened, the powder was mixed with water. Colorless and odorless, no one would notice. Then, all one had to do was wait for the medicine to take effect.

Perhaps she had endured it all night, because the next morning, Zisun came in to report, whispering in Sheniang’s ear, “Mistress, the neighbor has called a physician. Will the physician be able to diagnose the problem?”

Her mother smiled. “How can he diagnose it? What part is affected? Does he expect her to strip naked for the physician to see? He will just diagnose it as blood deficiency and wind-heat, lack of nourishment, and prescribe some Huangbai and Kushen to wash it—what good will that do!”

Her scheme had succeeded, which was always pleasing. Sheniang sat at her dressing table, dabbing rouge on her cheeks with a powder puff, and said to Zisun, “Send someone to keep an eye on that courtyard and see what the physician says. In a couple of days, it will be Zhang’s second young lady’s wedding. My Lady is busy with the celebrations and will not be able to attend to our affairs. We will be back quickly; it will not cause any trouble.”

Zisun agreed, went outside to instruct the maid, returned to retrieve the lip rouge box, opened the lid, and handed it to the mistress. “When does my mistress plan to depart?”

The mistress dipped her fingertip in the rouge, leaned over to look in the bronze mirror, pursed her lips, pressed it to her lips, and calculated the time, saying, “Tomorrow, perhaps. A long night is unpredictable; I am afraid the Lady might suddenly change her mind, and all our joy will be for nothing.”

As for who would drive the long journey, that was a matter of strategy. Originally, she had planned to ask Huang Pozi’s husband, but upon reflection, she felt he was unreliable. For now, she could not let the news leak out; protecting that spendthrift Chen Ang was one thing, but more importantly, she could not let the Marchioness know. That old woman always complained of being poor. If she learned that Shangrou had entrusted the estate to her concubine, she would have an excuse to take it back—since the Lady was so busy, why not let Sheniang manage it? It was better than entrusting it to servants.

Therefore, everything had to be done in secret. Luckily, the Lady was foolish enough to keep it a secret; after all, they were waiting to buy paper money and receive dividends after the harvest, and she could not let her down!

A short while later, the maid she had sent out returned with a beaming smile, saying, “The old woman in Yu Bo’s courtyard has a loose tongue. She tells everyone that the concubine has a millstone on her buttocks; she’s grinding back and forth even when she’s sitting down. I wonder what’s wrong with her.”

Sheniang and Zisun exchanged a knowing smile, secretly pleased. They continued to keep watch. That evening, Chen Ang returned, first going to Yu Bo’s room, then emerging shortly after. He stormed into Sheniang’s courtyard, furious, saying, “I do not know what’s wrong with Yu Bo! Her face is all red; she just said she was not feeling well and kicked me out!”

Sheniang took the warm water brought by the servant and placed it beside him, saying sweetly, “My Lord, you’ve been showering her with affection lately. Yu Bo’s health is too weak to handle it. The physician was summoned today; it seems there’s something wrong with her gynecology. My Lord, please wait a couple of days and see if her symptoms improve.”

Chen Ang then understood, frowning, “How unlucky! She’s so delicate, easily sickened by even a little care. How can she be so pampered?”

Sheniang chuckled inwardly but dared not voice it. After helping Chen Ang wash his face and hands, she said softly, “My Lord, I also need to ask for two days off.”

Chen Ang was greatly displeased upon hearing this. “What? I have not come these past two days… Are you sick too?”

Sheniang said no, “My aunt in Youzhou is celebrating her birthday. She raised me for a while when I was little. Now that I am successful, I am going back to wish her a happy birthday as a way of showing my filial piety.”

Chen Ang was surprised. “You were sold into that kind of place, and you still have an aunt?”

Sheniang hesitated. “I was not born from the ground; I must have some relatives! Besides, it was not that my aunt refused to save me back then; she was struggling herself, so I could not blame her.”

Chen Ang said sullenly, “You are all too busy; go about your business.” He then pulled off his boots, got into bed, and sprawled out.

Sheniang stood there watching him, a hint of disdain flashing in her eyes. She thought to herself that if she had other options, she would not have wanted to be with such a man. He had no character, no official position, and knew nothing but eating, drinking, gambling, and whoring. To be honest, Zhang Shangrou really lost out by marrying him. As for herself, she only needed a place to stay for the time being and then make some money, and maybe even some romance… The men who frequented the brothels, as long as they had money, were all open to romance; one more would not matter.

Anyway, the matter was settled, so she could go to Chanzhou without any worries. The next morning, she went to the Lady’s courtyard early, served her morning tea, and then took her leave, saying, “I will not be able to serve you these next few days, My Lady. Please take care.”

Shangrou nodded. “It’s over a hundred li away; be careful on the road. Once you get to Chanzhou, take care of things quickly and come back soon. The household needs your help.”

Sheniang agreed, bowed again, and left with Zisun. Shangrou stood in the hall watching her walk away, a slow smile appearing in her eyes. Turning back to Nanny Zhu, she said, “This courtyard suddenly feels so empty, fewer and fewer people, and not as noisy as before. It’s wonderful!”

Nanny Zhu, hands tucked under her sleeves, replied, “Madam, you’ve endured so much these past years, and finally, you’ve slowly made it through. Heaven knows how much hardship you’ve faced.”

Shangrou sighed, turned, and sat down on the couch. Turning to look at the few swaying bamboo stalks outside the moon-shaped window, she murmured to Nanny Zhu, “Have the people you sent out arrived at the estate yet?”

Nanny Zhu said, “Judging by their journey, they should have arrived yesterday. That Steward Sun, the estate manager, is very clever. He knows how lenient Madam has been with the estate these past two years. Having received Madam’s letter, he will naturally handle things well.”

That was good. There was really nothing to worry about. Every family had its secrets. She only knew the Marquis’s Mansion had an estate in Chanzhou, but she did not know that another young master of the Marquis’s Mansion was being raised there. The Marquis of Xingyang lost many sons, leaving only Chen Ang and Chen Mao. Chen Mao was born with legs as thin as chopsticks, utterly useless. The Marquis, unable to bear the shame, sent Chen Mao to the farthest estate and, for the past twenty years, neglected him completely.

Surou’s idea was truly brilliant. If they could take over one estate, they could take over another. Sheniang could go and keep Chen Mao company. Even if it were discovered one day that a concubine bought from a brothel had been placed on the estate to serve the Second Young Master, no one in the Chen family would utter a word, including Chen Ang.

But Chuncheng was worried. “I am afraid that if one concubine is taken away, there will be other concubines later. Eldest Miss cannot guard against that many.”

Shangrou had already made her plans. She said indifferently, “Second Sister has already planned it out. The laws of this dynasty stipulate that those who achieve merit and are granted titles are entitled to eight concubines. High-ranking officials can have one wife and two concubines. My husband is only a tributary now. If it were not for his father’s title, he would not even be eligible to take concubines. Pan’er, Nian’er, and the concubine—after they were released, we did not report them to the government as concubines. I’ve decided that in a couple of days, after Yu Bo is promoted, he will have one wife and one concubine, which will be enough. From now on, I will not give in. If he dares to add another woman to the household, I will report it to the authorities for each one. Each report will result in him receiving sixty lashes. I want to see how many layers of skin he has to withstand those lashes.”

Her words stunned Chuncheng; she looked at her with newfound respect after the initial shock. “Madam, you are different now!”

Shangrou’s heart had hardened when she spoke of Chen Ang, but hearing Chuncheng’s sentiments, she laughed. “After experiencing a great deal, so much heartbreak and disappointment, if I were still the same as before, my life would have been nothing but this, ending up as nothing more than dirt on the ground. Before, I had no choice but to endure it because two concubines were already there when I entered the household, and the Marchioness protected them. I was afraid of becoming a shrew, a jealous woman, so I had to swallow my anger. Now those two concubines are gone, this courtyard is finally clean again, and I can hold my head high and live a new life.”

Nanny Zhu was very happy for her. She was Madam’s wet nurse, having fed her when she was young and then becoming her maid after her marriage, protecting her ever since. Madam was kind-hearted, but sometimes being too kind did not bring good fortune. Meeting such a man and in-laws who spoiled their son, she could only accept her misfortune.

Fortunately, she later received guidance from her second sister. This guidance, and indeed, a process of reshaping her personality, allowed her to gradually mature and gain confidence. Now, she could even accept using the government to suppress Chen Ang—a complete transformation compared to before.

“That’s how it should be,” said Nanny Zhu. “The eldest miss needs to take charge of the household firmly and act as the young mistress. Now is the best time. The path has been cleared; only smooth sailing remains.”

Shangrou nodded. Especially since Sheniang had left the capital so secretly and would not return for a long time, who knew if she had embezzled money from the accounts and fled to avoid punishment? Even Chen Ang would have nothing to say.

Now, she could finally send Surou off to her wedding in peace. The family had not had a happy occasion in a long time; going back to absorb some of the joy might improve her own fortune.

After tidying up, she went to Madam Chen’s courtyard to inform her mother-in-law that her younger sister was getting married tomorrow, and she would be staying at her parents’ home for the night so the two sisters could have a good chat.

Madam Chen readily agreed, “I have not even congratulated my in-laws yet. The Second Young Lady has married a wonderful man; her husband is a prince. He will be a great help to her elder sister and brother-in-law in the future. It’s only right that you go back and visit.” She added, “Tell my in-laws that we will come to offer our congratulations and pay our respects tomorrow.”

Shangrou agreed and then told Madam Chen about Sheniang’s trip to Youzhou to celebrate her aunt’s birthday. Madam Chen was clearly displeased, frowning as she said, “She treats our Marquis’s Mansion like a brothel. Women from the inner quarters can go hundreds of miles in public without any restraint. And you, as the mistress, should keep a closer eye on her. It’s letting the concubines run wild, coming and going as they please…”

She was about to say a few more words of criticism, but remembering that her younger sister would be the heir apparent’s wife tomorrow and that she, as the elder sister, would have more standing in her husband’s family, she stopped herself, put on a smiling face, and said, “Never mind, let’s not talk about her anymore. She’s just a lowly… Let her be.”

Shangrou was in a much better mood and was not bothered by Madam Chen’s scolding words. Instead, she discussed the matter with her mother-in-law with sound reasoning. “Mother,” she said, “while Sheniang is away in the capital, I have an idea in mind that I’d like to ask for your opinion on. Yu Bo has always been well-behaved and sensible, and I like her very much. Since she’s from my household, I naturally want to treat her well. Therefore, I plan to release her from her indenture, have the government change her status, and let her become a proper concubine.”

She was inclined to promote Yu Bo, but her mother-in-law was on her mind. Madam Chen was naturally pleased and casually asked, “Why did you suddenly have this idea?”

Shangrou replied, “Mother has also seen it. Sheniang is arrogant; since she arrived, she’s driven away all the servants who used to serve the master. I am worried Yu Bo will be next, so I want to protect her.”

This made her even more determined. Madam Chen readily agreed, saying she would arrange it after attending the wedding banquet of the heir apparent and her second sister.

The agreement was settled, and everyone was happy. Shangrou smiled, curtsied, and left the main room, heading straight to the door. A carriage was already waiting outside. She boarded and headed towards Old Caomen Street. Just entering the alley, she saw servants coming and going, the festive atmosphere already established.

Looking up, she saw flowers adorning the plaque of the Zhang Mansion and red silk wrapped around the pillars of the porch—a truly lively scene. The old woman at the gate, seeing her alight from the carriage, rushed forward joyfully, bowing and saying, “Eldest Miss is back! Come in, come in!”

Shangrou entered the garden and first went to pay her respects to her grandmother, but did not see Surou. She smiled and said, “Second Sister must be very busy right now. I will go see her.”

The Grand Madam, not wanting to reveal the details, simply said, “Go ahead, you sisters can have a good chat.” Turning to Ze’an, she clapped her hands, “My boy, stay with your great-grandmother. Let them make you some cheese.”

That was the good thing about returning to her parents’ home; someone helped look after the child, allowing her to focus on her own affairs. Shangrou hurried to Qiandui Xue Courtyard and saw Surou standing by the screen. Behind the screen was a neatly arranged clothes rack, displaying an exquisitely embroidered, light green wedding dress.

Shangrou stepped forward, a touch of melancholy rising in her heart. “Seeing this wedding dress reminds me of my own wedding day. I stood there, just like you, lost in thought for a long time.”

Surou snapped out of her reverie and smiled, saying, “Elder Sister’s here? Come, sit down, and let’s talk.”

The two sisters sat down on the back porch. A maidservant served tea. Shangrou smiled and asked, “Are you nervous right now? Your heart must be pounding, right?”

Surou took a sip. She did not feel her heart pounding, only an itch in her teeth. The anger simmering within her had nowhere to go. Even after three days of calm, she had not managed to lose her temper. But she was to be married tomorrow, and telling her story would be pointless; no one could untangle the predicament. She forced a smile and said, “Fortunately, I am quite familiar with the Heir Apparent, unlike those arranged marriages where I do not know what kind of man he is.”

Shangrou said no, lowering her voice, “I meant ‘that matter’… Did Second Aunt teach you about it?”

Surou immediately understood and laughed, “Elder Sister, have you forgotten that I served Consort Zheng? The ladies-in-waiting in the palace had to work night shifts, naturally including attending to intimate matters.”

Shangrou was startled. “Even this kind of thing…” After a long pause, she shook her head, blushing. “No wonder you do not want to go back to the palace. Seeing so much of this is truly disgusting.”

Actually, it was not so bad; in the end, it became just like eating and sleeping, a daily routine.

The two women each sipped their tea, gazing at the courtyard. Beneath a half-person-tall maple tree stood a large, rectangular fish tank, with several koi swimming among the fallen maple leaves drifting on the surface… Outside, all was bustling with activity; here, apart from the occasional maidservant bringing in something, it was relatively quiet.

Shangrou told her about Sheniang, saying she had gone to Chanzhou that morning. “She kept it a secret from everyone; even Chen Ang thought she went to Youzhou to celebrate her aunt’s birthday.”

Everything was as expected. Some people’s fates were predetermined. Surou sighed. “People really should not be too greedy. If you get what you want, you will want more, and in the end, you will be utterly defeated. Looking back, you will definitely regret it.”

Shangrou said, “Yes, she will regret it. She will regret not planning well enough, regret underestimating the enemy, regret leaving the Marquis’s Mansion, and regret not striking first.”

Surou was slightly surprised, then she smiled. “Indeed. If the Marquis’s Mansion becomes suspicious after that long absence, what are you planning to do, Elder Sister?”

Shangrou said, “Once news comes back from the Chanzhou estate, we can use that as an excuse to search her house. Just tell Chen Ang that there’s nothing valuable in the house, indicating she’s been planning to abscond with the money for a while. I know Chen Ang too well; at most, he will be angry and curse, but he will never send anyone to investigate her whereabouts. Just like Nian’er back then, before even understanding the situation, he kicked her child out of her womb… Chen Ang does not have deep feelings for anyone; he only cares about himself.”

Surou nodded. “That’s fine too.” It was pitiful, really; that scheming woman, despite all her machinations, had no one to back her up when the true mistress used her methods to suppress her.

Leaving that aside for now, Surou was getting married tomorrow. The two sisters rose to check the newly arrived hairpins and wedding gowns.

Surou lowered her hand and took out a silk fan with a magpie perched on a branch from the box. It was meant to be used to cover her face on her wedding day; the fine weave partially revealed the outline of her cheek behind the fan, but not her features.

She turned the fan handle, the fan slowly spinning, spinning, and spinning… When it stopped, through the hazy fan surface, the bride-to-be was already dressed in her finest attire, kneeling in the hall to bid farewell to her elders.

The Grand Madam looked at her granddaughter, her hair adorned with hairpins, her dress elegant, and remembered how tiny she had been when she was brought to her side. Now, in the blink of an eye, she was about to be married. Overwhelmed with emotion, her eyes reddened.

She raised her hand, arched her eyebrows, and bowed her head, saying, “Thank you, Grandmother, for your nurturing kindness.”

The Grand Madam reached out to help her up, saying gently, “Good child, get up quickly. From today onwards, you are an adult. Now that you are married, everything must be for your husband’s family. Be filial to your parents-in-law, love your husband, and maintain harmony between husband and wife—this is the way to manage a household. I will not say anything more; you understand. Today is a joyous occasion; everything should be for the greater good. Your husband has come; go happily with him. Between husband and wife, there is nothing that cannot be discussed…” She then squeezed her hand, a thousand words contained in that single touch.

Surou replied, “Yes, please rest assured, Grandmother.” She then went to bid farewell to her stepmother, kneeling before Lady Pan and bowing deeply, saying, “Thank you for your kindness and compassion, Mother. Today, I am leaving home. Farewell, Mother.”

Lady Pan said it was alright, rising to help her up, and naturally adding a few words of advice: “Be careful in your husband’s household. Although you are the mistress, you are still new there. Since ancient times, there have been wicked servants who bully their masters. You must not be careless and let those cunning servants take advantage of you.”

Lady Pan was still the same Lady Pan; her words were always different from others. While others offered congratulatory greetings, she was more concerned with the trivialities of daily life.

It was precisely these simple, everyday words of advice that moved Surou deeply. Her eyes shimmered with emotion as she appreciated her stepmother’s genuine kindness. She softly replied, “Mother’s words, I will remember them.”

Next, she kowtowed to her uncle and three other elders. After the ceremony, her sisters crowded around her, chattering excitedly, “Sister looks so beautiful today, even more beautiful than usual!”

Just as the lively conversation began, someone came in to announce the arrival of the groom.

Surou accepted the fan presented by Quelan and retreated into the already erected procession. As darkness fell, rows of lanterns along the corridor illuminated the space inside and out.

Everyone looked towards the straight central path leading to the hall. Soon, a group of groomsmen entered through the gate. They were all young and handsome men, each of distinguished birth, but even among them, the handsome groom stood out as the most dazzling presence.