Spring Message in the Snow – CH 069

Chapter 69

He suddenly understood why she had dismissed everyone else. He had never so strongly craved crowds and liveliness—with outsiders present, at least she would show some consideration. Now, he felt like a lone reed standing in a storm, vulnerable to being snapped at any moment by her rage. He could only swallow hard, sincerely begging for her forgiveness, his hands clasped together, saying, “My wife, it’s not entirely what you think. Let me explain…”

However, the woman, burning with anger, refused to give him a chance; all explanations were mere sophistry!

Surou wanted to cry, but she could not shed tears on such a joyous occasion; she had to maintain a peaceful atmosphere. She endured it all, her eyes red and swollen, until finally, in a fit of rage, she kicked him. “Your mouth is full of sweet words, not a single word of truth! I will not listen! I will not listen!”

He felt a sharp pain in his calf from her kick. He gasped, about to try and calm her down, when he met her eyes, blazing with anger. She gritted her teeth and accused him, “I truly misjudged you! How could you do this?! Are we, the Zhang family, mere playthings in your eyes? You deceive us today and coax us tomorrow; you, the Heir Apparent, are so powerful, having us all completely manipulated. You must be quite pleased with yourself!”

But heaven knows, he felt both guilty and wronged. He felt guilty and ashamed, and several times he considered confessing the truth, but ultimately lacked the courage to break the silence.

Every bit of kindness she showed him was hard-won. Although she sometimes indulged him, it did not mean she could accept the truth. What if he angered her and she could not forgive him? Would all the feelings he’d painstakingly built up not be wasted? So he hesitated. He did not dare take the risk, thinking that if they got married first, even if she beat him to death after the wedding, he’d accept it.

Unfortunately, man proposes, God disposes. She had already seen through everything before the wedding, so she had not seen him for three days—was she processing her anger? But this time, she had indeed touched a nerve. Three days later, it did not delay her from dealing with him.

He could only plead softly, “My Lady, I never intended to deceive the Zhang family. My father-in-law has been kind to me, and I cannot repay kindness with enmity. Yes… What you said before was the truth. I admire you and want to marry you, but at that time, no one in the Zhang family liked me. If I had not used some underhanded tactics, how could I have won you over? You only know that I colluded with the Emperor to put pressure on the Zhang family, but you did not expect that this was a lucky accident. The Emperor was indeed interested in you. If I had not acted first, you would probably have been summoned back to the palace long ago and granted the title of county lady and concubine.”

But could all this atone for his despicable actions? No!

Surou clenched her fist and said, “I am asking you, in the middle of the seventh month, I wanted to break off the engagement, and then the Emperor suddenly arrived at the garden. Was it you who invited him to come to your aid?”

He hesitated, his gaze shifting. He could have used the previous conversation to suggest the Emperor still harbored feelings for her, but for some reason, he blurted out, “If you wanted to break off the engagement, I had no choice…”

She angrily punched him several more times. “How could there be such a man in the world who invites a wolf into the house!”

He helplessly dodged, protesting, “But I did not send him later, I swear to Heavens! And this time, where did you find out the truth? Actually, I do not need to ask; I know it’s all the Emperor’s doing again. He cannot have you himself, so he deliberately wants to make things difficult for me, too. Now, we are no longer close friends; we are clearly rivals!”

Of course, after saying this, Surou kicked him out of the bridal chamber.

He clung to the doorframe, pleading, “My Lady… my princess… tonight is our wedding night; I want to sleep inside.”

Surou scoffed, “Even in this state, Your Highness still has the nerve to sleep in the room.”

But she underestimated the man’s persistence. He was prepared, even at the risk of a beating, to sleep with his wife tonight.

Seeing she could not get rid of him, Surou stopped pushing him and stepped over the threshold herself. “Since Your Highness wants to sleep in the room, then I will have to sleep in the study.”

Now he was at a loss. He reached out and pulled her back, dejectedly saying, “Forget it, young ladies should sleep on high beds with soft pillows. I am a man; I do not mind sleeping under the open sky. You sleep inside.”

Under the lamplight, his gaze was tender, carrying a hint of grievance. Surou ignored him, stepped back, and slammed the door shut, leaving him outside.

He stood forlornly before the threshold, gazing sadly at the large red “double happiness” character on the straight-lattice door, thinking that this was his wedding night, and the Emperor had finally succeeded. Men, no matter how high their position or how powerful, were not immune to jealousy and selfishness. Since that was the case, then you do what you say, and I’ll do what I say. You could manipulate me, but I could not manipulate you, could I?

However, being refused entry by his wife on their wedding night was indeed not very dignified for a man. He reached out and touched the doorframe, sighing inwardly. Suddenly, he heard footsteps inside. He was overjoyed, thinking that Surou had changed her mind and was willing to let him in for the night. But when the door opened, a thin quilt and a pillow flew towards him. Before he could speak, the door slammed shut again. This time, the person inside had no intention of caring about him anymore. The candles in the outer room were blown out, leaving only a dim light in the inner chamber—if his luck had not been so bad, he should now be holding his newlywed wife, whispering the most tender words of love.

Helpless, only the starry sky remained for him. Thinking about it, it was truly lonely and bitter.

Inside, Surou tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. She was always a light sleeper, and in a new place, she rarely fell asleep unless she was extremely tired. This bridal chamber was unfamiliar to her, and the presence of another person in the courtyard made sleep even more difficult.

Was she too heartless? Most people, upon learning the truth, would simply say, “He just loves you,” and all the absurd things done with love as the starting point should ultimately be forgiven. But how many people could understand the fear and turmoil she had endured these past few months? She had originally planned to stay in her chambers for a year or two, spending time with her grandmother and doing things she enjoyed. But because of Helian Song, all her plans were disrupted, forcing her into a hasty engagement and a hasty marriage—almost stepping out of the palace gates and into the gates of his Prince’s Mansion.

No wonder she always felt life was a relentless rush; she had originally been someone who preferred a leisurely life! Now, in the blink of an eye, she was someone else’s wife, a submissive woman. The more she thought about it, the more her anger boiled over, yet she could not just throw caution to the wind and marry today and divorce tomorrow. Women in this era ultimately lived under too much repression. Although the curfew had been lifted, allowing women to wander at night and go to taverns to listen to music and drink, women were never truly free in marriage. A reputation alone could crush a woman.

Her mind wandered aimlessly for a while before she finally drifted off to sleep. After all, she was newly married, and even without elders to greet and serve, getting up too late would not be proper. So, as soon as the window paper began to turn a pale blue, she lit a lamp and got up.

Standing in this spacious and beautiful room, what should she do? She did not know. She casually tied her hair up and went to open the door, only to have the person outside nearly fall in, giving her quite a fright.

Looking closely, she saw him sitting on the floor wrapped in a blanket, his hair disheveled, and his eyes dark. He still politely greeted her, “Good morning, my wife. Why did you not sleep a little longer?”

Surou was at a loss for words. She frowned and said, “Did I not tell you to spend the night in the study? Why are you sleeping here?”

He said, “Last night was our first night together. If I were too far from you, I was afraid it would be taboo and bring bad luck.”

A man, actually concerned with this… Surou muttered, “Do not think that by playing the victim, I will pity you and let you sleep in the room.”

He stood up, clutching a thin quilt and a pillow, a few strands of hair falling down, and a stubble of new hair on his lips. He looked rather disheveled. Resignedly, he said, “I did something wrong, and it’s right for my wife to discipline me. It’s alright; my wife does not need to feel sorry for me. When I was training in the army, there were things much harder than this. I even slept in the fields in the dead of winter. This is nothing.”

Surou looked at him helplessly. His words were always so self-righteous. She was clearly unhappy and angry with him, but in his mouth, it became the magnanimous “do not feel sorry for him.”

When had she ever felt sorry for him?!

Turning away, she coldly tossed out, “The servants will be in soon.”

He hurriedly followed her into the main room, piling the pillows and quilts in the armchair. Then, thinking it over, he folded them up again, opened the cabinet door, and stuffed them inside.

Everything was arranged neatly, and nothing seemed amiss. A quarrel between husband and wife was fine, as long as it was not mentioned to the servants. Helian Song, also concerned with his image, removed his hair ornament and wedding robes from his dressing table. Just as he finished putting his clothes away, he heard footsteps in the corridor outside.

Jiao Yue and Jie Lu entered, bowing behind the screen and wishing the Prince and Princess a long and prosperous life. Then Helian Song began to act freely, yawning and stretching, before swaggering out of the inner chamber in front of the maids.

Since each had their own attendants for dressing and grooming, they could go their separate ways in the morning. The Heir Apparent’s hairdresser and maids led him to the other side, while Surou returned to her seat before the mirror, waiting for Jie Lu to style her hair.

Now that she was out of the house, her hair must be styled in a bun. Jie Lu’s skills were highly reliable; with a few hooks and twists, she created an elegant updo. Although she did not go out, the governess and the chief steward would still come to pay their respects, so the Princess’s attire could not be sloppy. After her hair and makeup were complete, she wore a pair of pearl-encrusted phoenix hairpins, changed into a short purple robe and long skirt, and donned a quartz jacket. Nanny Fu led the maid in to prepare breakfast, smiling approvingly upon seeing her. “Truly, times have changed! Just one day, and our young lady is already a Lady!”

This “Lady” status, beyond the attire, carried another deeper meaning. Before leaving, Grand Madam Zhang had instructed Nanny Fu that there were no elders in the Prince’s Mansion, and no one would investigate matters in the boudoir. However, the young lady was strong-willed and may not always obey her husband; therefore, she needed guidance. Nanny Fu was a senior servant with many years of experience. She had watched the young lady grow up for eight years. Now that she had become a head maid, she had to fulfill her duty of advising. If the young lady threw a tantrum, she must make sure to appease her.

So, the old nanny, inevitably, had to step forward and be displeased. Nanny Fu asked in a low voice, “Did things go well between you and the Heir Apparent last night, Madam?”

The servants nearby, upon hearing this question, immediately exchanged glances, their faces breaking into shy smiles.

However, the woman in question did not react much, only giving a mumbled “hmm” before lowering her head to fiddle with her bracelet.

Nanny Fu, being an experienced woman, immediately understood. The young couple must not have consummated their marriage last night; otherwise, the girl would be too shy to be so composed.

But master was master, and servant was servant. She could only offer gentle advice, saying tactfully, “The old lady instructed me before your wedding to persuade you, Madam, that the act of intimacy, in a small matter, is a private affair, and in a larger matter, a matter of human relations, concerning future generations and the prosperity of the family. It must not be taken lightly.”

Surou understood what Nanny Fu and her grandmother meant. Many men actually valued this, and if they felt neglected by their wives, they would turn to seeking pleasure elsewhere. This was often the beginning of disharmony in the family. Over time, men who could still control themselves would only seek out other women, while those who could not, like Chen Ang, would accept any temptation, good or bad. Then the family would not be well-managed.

She understood the principles, but sometimes she just could not grasp them. Besides, she had only learned the truth a few days ago; if she turned around and immediately became intimate with him again, it would be too heartless.

But strangely, when it came to her grandmother’s worries, she felt no concern whatsoever. After all, what in the world could be more reassuring than a man rumored to be impotent? Besides, regarding Helian Song… Putting aside other aspects, she had absolutely no doubt about his chastity. She was so steadfast that she could completely disbelieve even a single word if someone said he had extramarital affairs… It was truly remarkable.

But these matters were best kept private. She still had to heed Nanny Fu’s advice, turning from the embroidered stool and smiling, “Nanny, do not worry, I know what I should do. I had a minor disagreement with him yesterday, and we had a little argument. Let’s wait a couple of days until I’ve calmed down… then we can talk about it.”

Nanny Fu nodded. “Madam has always been a steady person. I said the same thing to the Grand Madam that day. Now that you’ve married into the Prince’s household, you are responsible for managing the household affairs and the servants. Think about it, everyone in this household is capable and shrewd. If you cannot win them over, they will have plenty of reasons to complain.”

Further discussion was unnecessary; it was best to leave it at that. Nanny Fu finished speaking and leaned towards the front hall. She saw that the maids had already laid out breakfast, and the Heir Apparent had finished washing and had arrived. She then announced his arrival and helped her over.

Standing by the table, Helian Song was seeing her dressed like this for the first time. She still retained a youthful radiance, but in her married woman attire, she exuded a different kind of dignified beauty.

He was delighted and relieved that she had dressed this way for him; she was now married to him. Even though he had been forced to spend the night outside, she was still his wife. He no longer needed to worry about losing her, fearing the Emperor would take her away.

Watching her approach, his smile deepened. He took her hand and led her to sit on the couch, then sat down in the armchair opposite her. Ignoring the presence of Governess Wu, he took a wooden spoon, ladled some porridge for her, and presented it to her with both hands.

This gesture further annoyed Nanny Dou, who was serving nearby. She remembered that last night she had instructed the Princess to serve her husband his meal; today, the roles had reversed, and it was the Prince serving the Princess.

It was truly outrageous; she could not understand why the usually dignified master had become such a different person after the wedding.

Nanny Dou, peeking through the hanging bamboo curtain, glanced at Zhu Bai standing on the veranda. Zhu Bai, on the other hand, seemed unfazed. Glancing at the loving couple inside, he grinned widely, his smile perfectly content.

For breakfast, they ate seven-treasure porridge, along with some exquisite pastries and various pickled vegetables—the usual household fare: scallion and eggplant, spicy cucumber, pickled ginger, water shield, and bamboo shoots—just like back in her maiden home.

Earlier, her grandmother had instructed Surou that arguments and disagreements between husband and wife were common, but one crucial thing was to never quarrel in front of the servants. Especially with the head maids like Governess Wu standing nearby, it was all the more important to maintain a harmonious and respectful relationship between the couple. After serving Helian Song some food, she asked, “Has the Emperor granted you several days of leave after submitting your wedding petition to the court?”

Helian Song replied, “Five days. It’s always been five days for the weddings of princes and high-ranking officials. But do not worry, My Lady; I’ve been working diligently at the yamen these past few days. I am less busy now and can spare some time to spend with you.”

No wonder he was so busy before the wedding; it was all out of his heart. Surou did not say anything. Only after putting down her chopsticks and rinsing her mouth with the bamboo cup brought by Quelan did she ask, “Are you going to the Forbidden City to express your gratitude tomorrow?”

Speaking of this, he frowned slightly and hummed in agreement, “Yesterday’s wedding ceremony was officiated by people from the Forbidden City. Given my title, I certainly must go to the palace to thank the Emperor and the Empress.”

So, what kind of feelings would they each harbor at that time? Thinking about it carefully, it was quite complex.

After the meal, the maids and servants came and cleared the table. Helian Song stood up and, seeing that Governess Wu was still there, smiled and said to Surou, “My Lady, you’ve just entered the Prince’s Mansion. If you encounter anything you do not understand while managing the household affairs, please consult Governess Wu. Governess Wu is my wet nurse. She followed me all the way from Longyou to the capital and suffered quite a bit. A few years ago, after I was granted a princely title, Governess Wu finally began to live a comfortable life, yet she still takes care of everything for me. I feel very guilty about it.”

He then looked at Governess Wu and said gently, “Nanny… your son has grown up and married. He will surely take good care of you, Nanny. The affairs of this household are numerous and complex, and Nanny is gradually getting old. From now on, your main role will be assisting the Princess, and the trivial matters will be handled by the servants. Nanny, in your spare time, you can listen to music, raise flowers and birds. You’ve worked hard all these years; it’s time for you to enjoy your retirement.”