Spring Message in the Snow – CH 071

Chapter 71

Surou was suddenly speechless, even beginning to doubt his intelligence.

He seemed quite intelligent, so why did he act so foolishly? This was terrible; on the second day of their marriage, he had already caused such a farce. If Governess Wu knew she had bullied him like this, it would be even more outrageous.

Surou was at a loss, and the maids and nannies standing outside were also dumbfounded, standing blankly in the corridor, wondering what their master was up to.

Zhu Bai stood to the side, wringing his hands and pleading, “Your Highness, please forgive him this time, considering the Lord’s sincerity!” He held out his palms, looking miserable. “This cactus has so many thorns! I climbed up and pried them off, and my palms are covered in thorns. The Lord’s back is not as thick as my palms. You will see, once his clothes are off, he will probably be a hedgehog.”

Surou felt utterly exhausted and waved her hand, saying, “Never mind, never mind, quickly untie him.”

The maid outside, having received the order, rushed in to help Zhu Bai untie the ropes. Everyone hurriedly lifted the cactus down, exclaiming as they did so, “Good heavens! The Heir Apparent’s garden is truly a hidden gem! Not only are the rose bushes lush and verdant, but even the cacti are enormous!”

As for Helian Song, now freed from his shackles, he began to feign weakness with apparent justification. He did not cry out in pain but simply leaned forward slightly, trying to reach for his back. Unfortunately, he had too many hidden injuries to attend to, so he could only plead with Surou, “Wife, could you please remove the thorns for me?”

What was this called? Reaping what you sow!

Surou muttered as she moved, pointing to the low couch in front of the moon-shaped window, indicating for him to lie down. Before lying down, he had to take off his upper garment. Once the undershirt was removed, it immediately revealed a strong, muscular male body. Surou was seeing this for the first time, and in her astonishment, she could not help but marvel at how much sweat and effort had been spent to forge such a well-defined physique!

Of course, she was still too embarrassed to look closely, her eyes darting left and right, even her ears burning slightly. He, however, was pleased with her reaction, teasingly saying, “Do not be afraid, my wife. From now on, I am yours. You can look at this body however you want and touch it however you want.”

She shoved him. “Get down!”

He had no choice but to lie down awkwardly on the brocade cushion. In the sunlight, she could finally see the countless tiny thorns on his back.

The thin layer of clothing could not protect him from those tiny, hard thorns. She had thought that taking off his clothes would solve the problem, but each thorn had pierced through the fabric and into his skin. The wounds were not serious and would not draw blood, but they were troublesome and difficult to treat. In autumn, the thorns had a pale golden hue, and in the sunlight, they stood proudly and stubbornly, displaying an air of fearlessness.

If it were not for his current predicament, she would have loved to slap him, driving those thorns straight into his flesh, to make him lose his mind! With this so-called “bearing thorns to apologize,” who was ultimately suffering in the end? He lay peacefully, covered in thorns, and now it was her turn to bend over, peering with her eyes, pulling them out from midday until evening.

This man must have been sent by heaven to test her, Surou thought angrily. She had not planned to bother with him, but remembering they had to go to the palace to express their gratitude the next day, she had to abandon that idea.

Should she have a maid pull them out? Not very convenient. Should she have a male servant do it? Men were not as meticulous as women at such delicate work… After much deliberation, she decided to do it herself.

Looking at his white back, she felt like crying. Holding the tweezers, she bent down to work; the thorns were so tiny, almost impossible to find without careful observation.

Having no choice but to sit cross-legged on the footstool, she searched closely. His skin was warm; she pressed the heel of her palm against his skin, feeling the vibrant, thriving life force beneath.

Her heart pounded. She forced herself to calm down and pulled out each of the visible tendrils one by one. He would occasionally gasp and groan, “Wife, be gentle.”

Surou frowned deeply, angrily snapping, “Shut up! Do not speak!”

He indeed dared not utter a sound, turning his head to rest on the pillow, occasionally glancing at his wife’s gentle, beautiful face.

Actually, she still could not bear to part with him. Although she was furious at him for manipulating her, spending so much time together had inevitably fostered feelings. Especially now that they were married, she considered him her husband. Though she hated him, she could not bear to see him suffer. The more she felt this way, the more guilty he felt.

After holding back for a long while, the question that had been lingering in his mind finally came out: “Only the Emperor and I know about this. Where did you hear this from?”

Surou rolled her eyes at him. “If you do not want others to know, do not do it in the first place.” She finished wiping his shoulder, moved closer to his waist, and lowered her eyes, saying, “It was Sujie who overheard the Emperor and the Princess talking. She thought I already knew and accidentally let it slip.”

He chuckled. “The Emperor is truly cunning. Knowing Sujie is close to you, he used her to expose me. How clever—a deep scheme. Putting aside my mistakes, have you considered his intentions? The wedding was imminent; you cannot possibly bring up breaking off the engagement then. Leaving the bride unwillingly will only lead to estrangement and a difficult reconciliation. When I return to Longyou, you certainly will not want to come with me. If we have no children, he will have an opportunity; if we do have children, you and the child can stay in the capital as hostages. Either way, he will not lose out. You see, this is the art of the Emperor.”

Surou had a vague premonition. Since the news came from the Duke of Wen’s mansion, it was naturally related to the Emperor. Sujie was just outspoken, acting as the Emperor’s mouthpiece; she did not know the Emperor’s deeper intentions.

However, no matter how deep the Emperor’s schemes were, it could not lessen Helian Song’s crimes. So, he should not use the Emperor to divert attention now. The issue was not that the Emperor exposed him, but why he set up this trap for her from the very beginning.

Seeing her silence, he assumed she was caught in his trap and added fuel to the fire, “My actions may be dishonorable, but the Emperor is the real villain…”

Before he could finish, she turned and called for Nanny Fu, “Bring me a needle.”

He was startled. “What do you need a needle for?”

Surou said, “Some thorns are stuck too deep; they need to be dug out. Just bear with it; at worst, there will be some bleeding, but your intestines will not come out.”

He was shocked and exclaimed in panic, “Blood? The thorns are not that deep!”

“So, what seems insignificant to you can cause bloodshed and tears.” She leaned closer, staring at the thorn that had broken off into the flesh, and slowly pulled it out with the tip of a needle, saying, “That’s how people are; they will always be generous with others’ pain unless it’s their own. I really do not understand what I am doing, why I am wasting my breath cleaning up after you.”

He lay on the pillow and said, “Because you are soft-hearted. Even though I did something wrong, my wife’s hand was raised high and then gently lowered; you still cannot bear to part with me.”

Surou found this annoying. She turned the needle around and poked him with the butt of it. “No one would be willing to part with you!”

But despite her anger, she could not just ignore his disheveled state, so she spent the entire second day of their marriage removing the thorns from him.

The sun shifted, filtering through the low-hanging crimson gauze under the window, bathing the room in a soft, watery light. Surou, holding the tweezers, asked him, “Why did you think of talking to Governess Wu earlier? Did you not notice she was unhappy?”

He half-closed his eyes and said, “How could I not notice? I manage tens of thousands of soldiers in the Four Elite Armies. Do you think I do not know about things in the inner quarters? But everything has to consider feelings. Governess Wu has taken care of me for many years. When I first arrived in the capital, I almost died of illness, and Governess Wu stayed by my side for ten days without taking off her clothes. I will never forget that kindness. She has managed the household affairs for many years, used to worrying, and I was afraid she would not be able to adjust quickly, so I intentionally reminded her. Before, when there was no mistress in the household, everything was indeed arranged by her. But now that I am married, the household affairs should naturally be handled by the Princess Consort. It’s just that older people are stubborn and sometimes hard to reason with. For the sake of her nursing me, please be understanding, My Lady, and give her a few more days to let her gradually understand.”

Surou, of course, understood his situation. After all, she was his wet nurse of many years, and even if she was not his biological mother, their bond was special. His previous words had already moved her deeply. The worst thing for a new bride was for her husband to neglect household management and let the women quarrel in the inner quarters. His instructions to Governess Wu were not harsh or forceful, so as not to damage the harmony. As for herself, she could take it slow, as he suggested. After all, Governess Wu had worked hard even if she had not done anything particularly meritorious, and it would not be good to discard her after she had served her purpose, giving others cause for gossip.

She did not respond immediately, and thinking she was upset, he quickly turned to her and asked, “Did I say something wrong?”

Surou frowned and pushed him lightly, “What are you doing? You’ve pushed the thorn in again!”

She had seen the cooks slaughter chickens, pluck feathers, and meticulously examine the meat against the light. Now, she felt the same way, as if she were slaughtering a chicken herself, pulling out thorns from the lying carcass as she spoke: “I will naturally give her some face and will not intentionally make things difficult for her. Within my tolerance, I will respect her. If she is on my side, I will even let her manage the household affairs. After all, she is the Heir Apparent’s wet nurse; where else can you find someone so close? But if she goes against me in everything, and eventually I lose face, then even the Heir Apparent’s reputation will not be enough. At that point, I will need to establish my authority, and the Heir Apparent should not blame me.”

He knew she was prudent; although she had spoken frankly beforehand, she still left room for maneuver. Now, he only hoped that Governess Wu would not go too far and that things would remain peaceful. If the wet nurse and his wife truly clashed, it was undoubtedly the outsiders who would suffer in the end.

He agreed, “Everything is up to you, My Lady.”

It was a lucky accident; this absurd farce actually gave the two of them a chance to talk calmly.

However, there were too many thorns, so fine and dense that it took a full hour and a half to remove them all. By the time the last one was removed, it was almost late afternoon. She carefully examined it closely, afraid of missing any spots. Her eyes could not keep up, so she slowly ran her hand over the affected area. Neither of them had ever been intimate before, and both felt embarrassed. Perhaps he was a little ticklish; Surou noticed the muscles under her palm twitching, clearly defined and knotted.

She sheepishly withdrew her hand, saying it was enough. Her legs, bent for so long, were slightly numb, but she still managed to stand up and asked the maid to bring her some clean clothes to change into.

He rose from the couch, the way he dressed revealing his powerful physique, like a leopard in Yujin Garden—wild, poised to pounce…

Surou blushed, unable to bear watching any longer. Forcing herself to remain calm, she turned and strolled away leisurely.

She washed her hands in the basin, splashing water loudly. Once calmed, she looked outside; the sun was setting. She then ordered the kitchen to prepare two bowls of bamboo shoots and fern wontons. The two sat by the moon-shaped window and ate slowly. Afterward, they strolled in the courtyard to digest. She walked ahead, and he followed behind, as if they had just passed through a grand ceremony, and everything seemed peaceful after the storm.

Surou looked up at the sky blankly, asking herself, “Is it really over? All bark and no bite? Is it really that easy to forgive him?”

It seemed she could not let it be. Her anger had not completely subsided, and she could not allow him to share her bed that night. He was quite sensible. After dinner and washing up, he dismissed everyone from the courtyard, just like yesterday. Then, he took out the pillow and quilt he had hidden from the cupboard, turning back several times as he said, “Wife, you should sleep. I will still be outside. If you need anything, just call me, and I will hear you.”

Seeing her staring blankly at him without reaction, he was somewhat disappointed. He lowered his head dejectedly, stepped out of the door, placed the pillow and quilt on the ground, then turned back and closed the door for her.

Surou stood there, motionless for a long time, feeling both angry and resentful. This man was always so subservient; if he were a woman, he’d probably be a femme fatale whom everyone wanted to kill.

But what to do after her anger subsided? Should she just let him continue sleeping in the open like this? Summer was over, and with autumn came dew; what if he caught a chill?

After thinking for a moment, she realized the east-facing window offered a clear view of the corridor. Biting her lip, she approached the window and quietly pushed it open a crack. Peeking through, she saw him wrapped in a quilt, leaning weakly against the doorframe. The lamplight illuminated his features, but his eyes had lost their luster. He gazed at the stars outside, looking utterly abandoned and indifferent to life and death.

Surou suddenly felt a pang of guilt, but then she thought again: was it not that she told him to sleep in the study? He insisted on staying here; what did it have to do with her?

However, despite these thoughts, she could not bring herself to be cruel. To mistreat her husband so much on their wedding night—if word got out, she would lose face.

So, she hesitated, then reached the door and said, “It’s getting chilly; come in and sleep.”

The man outside jumped up, his tall frame immediately landing on the peach blossom paper. Surou felt a little awkward. She walked slowly away, hands behind her back, and casually pointed to the bamboo couch in the outer room as she passed, “Your Highness, please make do here tonight.”

It was better than sleeping outside, after all. He quickly agreed and closed the door again. The bridal chamber consisted of a front hall and an inner bedroom, separated by a screen. He could not see inside, but knowing she was nearby filled him with contentment.

Lying back on the couch, he closed his eyes and murmured contentedly, “I am already so happy to be this close to you.”

Surou listened intently, her eyes fixed on the lifelike children on the canopy, and suddenly asked, “Given our circumstances, we cannot have children, can we?”

When she mentioned children, Helian Song’s heart skipped a beat, and then he felt a wave of sadness. He sighed, “Yes, at least in the capital, we cannot have children. I left my loved ones when I was twelve; I know the bitterness of that time myself. Now I am married, and I cannot let my son follow in my footsteps. I want to take you with me and leave, back to Longyou. There we will have ten or eight children, and our family will be together forever. No one can interfere with us then.”

Surou’s cheeks flushed, and she retorted resentfully, “Who wants to have ten or eight children with you? You do not treat me like a human being!”

He laughed loudly, “Just kidding. Let’s have four, two boys and two girls. Four children in my life is enough.”

Surou fell silent, gently turning to her side, looking out. She could only see the endless mountains and rivers on the screen; she could not see his figure.

After a long pause, she asked him again, “Just like that, can you really escape? You are married but have no children. The court cannot keep another hostage; do you think they will easily let you return to Longyou?”

His tone became distant, as if traversing the vast universe, as he slowly said, “I’ve been in the capital for twelve years. In twelve years, I’ve long since integrated into the court. Compared to those unruly generals on the border, at least I can show compassion. The Emperor would much rather I lead the Longyou army. As for being married and having no children… actually, I had not considered marriage before. It was only because I fell in love with you at first sight that I had this problem. Plans cannot keep up with changes, so I have to find another way to escape.”

Surou was not stupid; she saw through the underlying meaning. “If you truly do not marry, everyone will know you’ve turned your back on the court, which is not good. If you marry just anyone, they might not cooperate with you in everything. That’s why you came to me—because you are certain I have a rebellious streak and cannot possibly be of one mind with the Emperor, right?”

He was stunned. He patted the edge of the couch and sighed, “Women are too clever; they are really not easy to fool. But since you see through me, have you realized that I truly love you and want to be with you for life?” He paused slightly, then drew out his words, “It was not easy for me to find a wife. I do not know how many times I carefully considered it before making this decision. If I marry someone I do not like, I will inevitably have to use them, and in the future, I will have to abandon them for the greater good. That would be too cruel. But if I marry someone I like, I am willing to go to great lengths to ensure your safe return—as long as you are willing.”

Having said what was on his mind, he turned to look at the screen. On the other end, though their eyes could not meet, he knew she was listening, also considering their future.

After a long while, he heard her murmur, “The Emperor will not be at ease…”

“If he’s not at ease, then find a way to put his mind at ease. He’s afraid he cannot control me, so take steps to let him grasp something.” He added, “But then, I am afraid I will have to ask my wife for a hand.”

Surou, unsure of his plans, hesitated and asked, “How do you want me to help you?”

He did not answer, only saying, “We will talk about it later.” As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly hissed in shock.

Startled, she asked him what was wrong. He muttered, “There are still thorns left…”

Surou sat up, intending to go check, but when she looked up, he was already at the bedside, his nightgown disheveled, his chest half-open, his wet eyes looking at her. He leaned onto the bed, lifting his shirt to reveal his firm, muscular waist. “It hurts so much… Wife, please take a look.”