Spring Message in the Snow – CH 090

Chapter 90

The group hurriedly arrived at Suizhi’s courtyard. Lady Yuan first brought the child to the Grand Madam to see. This was the first great-grandchild in the family, so naturally, she cherished him dearly. The old lady, fearing that her illness might affect the child, gazed at the little face from afar and said with a smile, “It looks exactly like Suizhi when he was little, very good… very good…” But her mind was preoccupied with the delivery room, and she kept peeking out to look across the room. “How is it now? Has any news been sent out from inside?”

Suizhi shook his head. He had wanted to stay inside, but was ultimately ushered out. Nanny Cui grumbled, saying she’d never seen a man stay in the delivery room before; the woman would be too busy complaining and crying in pain to give birth. He could only wait outside, watching basins of bloody fluid being carried out, and he felt as if he were nailed to the spot, too frightened to move.

Lady Yuan said, “Mother is not fully recovered yet. Why come over in the middle of the night?”

The Grand Madam waved her hand, saying, “I could not calm down either, so I came to check. The first one’s born; the second should be here in a minute.” She comforted herself, “Soon, soon…”

But another incense stick’s worth of time passed, and there was still no news. Everyone was frantic. The twins’ birth could not be delayed too long; if it went on too long, the babies in the wombs would not be able to breathe properly, and something terrible would happen.

This time, no one could stay inside. Everyone moved to the veranda outside the delivery room, where they could hear Nanny Cui encouraging the woman in labor: “Push! Push! Young Madam, just one last push! Grit your teeth and push!”

Suddenly, there was a commotion inside. “It’s done! It’s done!” Everyone cheered. However, they listened intently but heard no cry from the baby. A newborn baby unable to make a sound was not a good sign. The group exchanged glances, waiting for a long time without any movement. They thought things were probably bad; of the twins, only one could survive. Just as they were losing hope, a heart-wrenching cry rang out. Although the cry was weak, far weaker than the firstborn brother, it was at least a cry. The people waiting outside almost cheered.

The door opened, and Nanny Cui stepped out. She was about seventy years old, with gray hair and a slightly hunched back. She had stayed with the woman for as long as she had struggled. As she left, seeing her hair soaked and her face weary, she approached Grand Madam Zhang and offered a blessing, saying, “Congratulations, Grand Madam, on the birth of your two great-grandchildren! The younger one had a difficult birth; his face was purple from the effort, but thankfully he survived. Mother and children are both safe, and I have not let you down.”

Grand Madam Zhang was deeply grateful. “I knew Nanny Cui was a pillar of strength. With you here, I have complete peace of mind.” She then called to Suizhi, “Quickly, quickly, thank Nanny Cui.”

Suizhi bowed deeply, his voice trembling as he thanked Nanny Cui. Without even a glance at the baby, he rushed into the delivery room to see his wife.

A short while later, a servant brought out the baby. Compared to his brother, he was pitifully small and thin; everyone had to be very careful when looking at him.

Nanny Cui said, “The older one is moving around inside, so the younger one is bound to suffer a bit. With careful nurturing, he will gradually grow plump and healthy.”

Lady Yuan was truly grateful to Nanny Cui, saying earnestly, “This time, Nanny, you’ve really worked hard. With you, our family’s ‘Goddess of Fertility,’ we are safe and sound. You are our benefactor! When the boys are older, we will have them come to pay their respects to you. Without you, they would not have such a good life.”

After exchanging pleasantries, everything was finally settled, and it was nearly halfway through the hour of Yin ^{(4 AM)}. They went back for a short nap, and soon it was dawn. Shangrou and Mianmian came to visit Lady Bai and the children. Although the winter was bitterly cold, the addition of new members to the family made the Grand Madam so happy that even her illness seemed to have disappeared. She had people prepare glutinous rice dumplings and sweet rice balls, and everyone celebrated in the main room.

Surou had attended a joyous occasion, and although it was lively, she was exhausted from keeping vigil all night. She later bid farewell to her grandmother and returned to the Prince’s Mansion, where she slept for two days before regaining her strength.

The snow had stopped. Sujie’s wedding was on the twelfth day of the eleventh month, when the sky was still somewhat overcast. However, on Qingrou’s wedding day, it was a bright and sunny day. Helian Song had been in Youzhou for over ten days and had not been able to return for the wedding banquet, so Surou went back alone to attend.

The mansion was brightly decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations. The bright red lanterns appeared even more vibrant against the backdrop of the remaining snow. Surou went to Qingrou’s courtyard to see her. She was wearing her wedding dress and sitting at her dressing table. Her usually plain face was now heavily made up, giving her a strange, forced appearance. However, it did conceal her poor complexion, and the bright red lipstick added a touch of joy.

Seeing Surou enter, she called out “Second Sister,” a shy smile on her face.

Surou stepped forward to look her over, adjusted the hairpin in her hair, and asked with a smile, “So, it’s your big day; are you nervous?”

Qingrou opened her mouth, as if to say something, but swallowed it back, only saying that she was indeed a little nervous, “I wonder what the other family is like and whether I will get along well with my in-laws after I marry into their family.”

Surou said, “Lord Li is serving in Liangzhou. He and his wife should return to Liangzhou after the wedding banquet. Since you are newly married, you will not need to go to Liangzhou to serve them. You and your husband can have some time alone.”

However, Qingrou did not seem to have much hope for the future. She merely smiled and remained silent.

Several children from her clan were playing in the courtyard. Knowing her worries, her sisters, seeing her downcast expression, all fell silent.

Mianmian finally learned to be more tactful, no longer directly calling Li Shu’an a block of ice. She simply said, “Third Sister’s husband is a refined man, unlike our shameless husbands. So Third Sister needs to be more outgoing and get closer to him. Living under the same roof, you should tell him what’s on your mind, and if you want to be affectionate, just go for it. Why should he run away?”

Everyone was surprised by her words, but upon reflection, they realized she was right. Even a strong woman could be won over by persistent advances, and vice versa. While a young woman taking the initiative might seem a bit self-deprecating, a marriage was like drinking water—harmony and fulfillment went hand in hand.

Shangrou also comforted her, “You did not see each other much before marriage, perhaps because he’s aloof and focused on his studies. After marriage, you will see each other all the time, sharing a bed, so do not worry about him keeping his distance.”

In any case, things had come to this point, and it seemed there was no other way but to move forward. Qingrou, afraid her family would worry, readily agreed, saying shyly, “I am not worried about the future; I just feel reluctant to leave home. All my sisters are married off now, and it might not be easy to see them again.”

Mianmian said, “Except for Fifth Sister, who’s going to Quanzhou, the rest of you are all in the capital. If you need anything, just let us know. If Third Sister’s husband treats you badly, we will block his door and confront him.”

Everyone agreed, nodding repeatedly. Qingrou smiled sincerely and sighed, “I have my sisters to back me up, so there’s nothing to panic about.”

Now that she was calm, she could sit steadily behind the curtain, waiting for the groom to perform the betrothal ceremony. Li Shu’an had not shown his face for a long time; apart from the day he came to arrange the engagement, no one had seen him since. Today, he came to personally greet her, dressed in his groom’s attire. His face looked quite unfamiliar; although handsome, he was undeniably aloof.

The sisters and aunts-in-law acted as usual, causing almost no trouble, and the groom easily received his bride. Li Shu’an led Qingrou out from behind the curtain and into the front hall to bid farewell to the elders. Surou watched from the side, noticing Qingrou’s wooden profile, lacking the shyness a bride should have. A sudden unease arose in her heart; she wondered how her marriage would ultimately turn out.

As usual, everyone saw the bride off at the door, watching the wedding procession slowly disappear into the distance. Unlike the grand weddings of the Prince’s Mansion and the Earl’s Mansion, the Li family seemed determined to keep things simple. Mianmian, outspoken, later complained to her sisters, “Why does the Li family look so shabby? Even when other families marry a second wife, it’s more dignified.”

As if a fog had suddenly lifted, everyone remembered that Li Shu’an had indeed been engaged before, but the girl had died in a fall from her horse, which was why he sought a marriage with the Zhang family. Could they really be treating Qingrou as a second wife?

Everyone stared at each other in disbelief. Zhirou said it could not be that bad. “The Li family did not actually marry that girl before. To really treat the Zhang family’s young lady as a second wife is too much of a rip-off.”

Shangrou also said not to overthink it, “There’s no such thing as a second wife being married off to someone else. Even if Young Master Li agreed, his parents would not.”

It was indeed unfounded worry. The Li family was a respectable official family; face was still very important to them. However, the Zhang family’s celebrations were not particularly grand. Since Qingrou was born of a concubine, invitations were only sent to relatives and close friends. A total of about twenty tables could be accommodated in the mansion, eliminating the need to book an outside restaurant.

Anyway, the eleventh month was a busy month with social interactions, several weddings, and several births. Surou was busy managing these events, truly understanding the hardships of being independent. The next day, after carefully inquiring about any banquets and confirming there were not any, she decided to take advantage of her free time to build a “paper pavilion” to while away the hours.

A paper pavilion was a trendy winter pastime. Enclosed by three paper screens and topped with a paper roof, with a thatched curtain for privacy, it became a small room within a room. The paper pavilion absorbed fragrances and gathered warmth. In the depths of winter, scholars loved to gather in these paper pavilions for quiet conversation, lighting tea and incense, sitting or reclining, and engaging in lively discussions—a tranquil and refined way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

Girls, of course, also love this kind of romantic ambiance, especially the construction of a secluded chamber, which Surou found very interesting. The front hall of the Prince’s Mansion was spacious, so she ordered the paper screens that had been prepared beforehand to be moved over and assigned several servants to set them up. Soon, a small pavilion was complete. The maids skillfully placed a couch, two folding chairs, a small table, and a warming stove inside. Everything in this little world was compact and interesting, except for Nanny Fu, who kept reminding her, “Make sure the lid of the warming stove is tightly closed… Be careful when burning incense, and do not touch the screen!”

Surou lay down comfortably on the couch. The pavilion was fragrant and warmed up quickly. Listening to the wind outside, she felt very peaceful and soon became drowsy.

Gradually, the sound of horses’ hooves mingled with the wind, the clattering so loud it shook the ground. It was probably time for the changing of the guard. She listened intently, and sure enough, it soon quieted down again. Thinking about how busy she’d been since her marriage, this rare moment of leisure made her appreciate the tranquility of the present.

The straw curtain was lifted, rustling softly; it must be Jiao Yue coming in to add charcoal. She turned over, placing her hand under her cheek, when suddenly someone pecked her lips, the lips still carrying a chill. She opened her eyes abruptly and saw the person, now without armor, squatting before her bed, smiling at her.

She was somewhat dazed, almost thinking she was dreaming, and exclaimed with wide eyes, “My Lord, you are back?”

He nodded, saying, “My wife has such refined tastes, even building a paper pavilion and enjoying it all by herself, not missing me at all.”

Surou was almost in tears. “Nonsense, how could I not miss you? I miss you every single day!”

He feigned disbelief, glancing around the small pavilion. “Did you build this to wait for me in the front courtyard?”

His self-delusion often stirred his love, a powerful spice in their otherwise mundane life. A surge of tenderness welled up in Surou’s heart. Coupled with the fright she had experienced during her previous visit to the palace, her emotions, which had seemingly subsided, were stirred again upon seeing him. She wrapped her arms around his neck with a look of utter grievance, repeatedly calling out, “My Lord, it’s so good you are back, it’s so good you are back…”

Her emotions were usually reserved, but her sudden outburst today flattered him, yet also gave him a somewhat ominous feeling.

He tightened his arms around her, gently comforting her. “I am back. I will not go anywhere before the New Year; I will stay here with you.” Surou, immersed in his tenderness, still could not help but ask, “Is everything in the army settled?”

He stroked her back like he was stroking a cat, saying it was all settled. “Those little things are no problem for me. The provisions are plentiful, and the soldiers’ winter pay has been distributed… You do not know how anxious I was out there, thinking I’d finish quickly so I could come back to be with you.”

Only now did Surou truly understand the meaning of “husband and wife are one.” She buried herself in his arms, not wanting to get up again.

His collar smelled of mugwort. The army quarters were simple, but he was still a refined man; even in such an environment, he did not forget to scent his clothes. She inhaled his scent, her heart gradually calming, but tears streamed down her face, seemingly unstoppable.

At first, he did not notice, simply holding her tenderly, until he felt her slight sobs, and he became increasingly certain that something was amiss.

He carefully examined her face, frowned, and asked what was wrong. “My Lady, have you suffered some injustice? Did you hear some gossip when you went to the palace that day? Or did Consort Zheng or that favored Consort Ye intentionally make things difficult for you? Or did the Emperor summon you and speak rashly, offending you?”

Surou paused slightly, slightly taken aback. “You knew the Emperor had summoned me?”

He chuckled. “With him so fixated on it, how could he miss such a good opportunity?”

Surou blushed. Hearing these words from him made her feel inexplicably guilty. She did not know whether she should tell him the truth. After much deliberation, she feared he might act impulsively and do something irreversible. The Emperor was, after all, the ruler of the country; some things could not be said, and if this balance were broken, it would be difficult to mend.

So she shook her head again. “Do not think nonsense. With my current status, who would make things difficult for me? When I entered the palace and met those noble ladies, everyone was very polite. The Duchess of Cheng even acted as matchmaker for Jiezhi. I just…miss you. You’ve been gone for twenty days, and it snowed right after you left. I was worried you’d be cold in the army, worried no one would take good care of you, worried those generals in Youzhou would lead you to brothels and bring back some courtesan. Would that not make me anxious?”

He knew she was not telling the truth, but what she was saying reflected her thoughts, so he comforted her gently, “I have my rules. I do not summon entertainers when I am on official business, and no one dares to put women in my hands. Do not overthink it.” He lifted her face, his thumb tracing the tear tracks under her eyes, and said gently, “If anything happens to you, you must tell me. We are of one mind; there’s no obstacle we cannot overcome. Even if you do not tell me, I know you are going through a difficult time, but you must believe me. In a while, I will definitely take you away from here, to Longyou, to ride horses across the vast grasslands. No more walking on thin ice in the capital, no more constantly worrying about being harassed by the imperial guards. You can laugh when you want, make a fuss when you want. We can openly show our love to everyone. I want you to be the most capable and virtuous Princess of Longyou, the one who rules her husband best.”

The first half was well said, but the second half, for some reason, suddenly veered off course.

Surou was originally planning to be deeply moved, but after hearing this, she grinned awkwardly, “You hold the reins of power, and I hold you. But what if one day you no longer feel the same affection for me? I will not be able to hold onto you, and you will fly away.”

The smile in his eyes faded after hearing her words, and he sighed, “You’ve never been to Longyou, nor have you met my father and mother. My father only had one wife, my mother. I’ve watched them grow up together, inseparable. In my heart, one beloved girl is enough for a man in his life. That’s why I can’t learn the ways of those spoiled brats in the capital, and I’ve never thought of getting involved with any woman other than you. If you don’t believe me, find a knife tonight and carve your name on my chest. That way, if I ever get any funny ideas in the future, I can see you as soon as I take off my clothes. Is that alright?”

Surou hesitated for a moment, then said that would not be good. “What if you have to go into battle shirtless in the army, and people laugh at you with a big ‘Zhang Surou’ tattooed on your chest?” Anyway, she was already content with his intentions.

He had just returned, still wearing the shirt under his armor, when Surou got up and pulled him towards the backyard. As it turned out, Governess Wu had also received news of the Heir Apparent’s return and was already waiting at the moon gate. Seeing them enter, she smiled and said, “Young Master, you’ve had a long and tiring time. I’ve had a sumptuous feast prepared. Let’s invite Zhiniang over later for a reunion dinner.”

Surou was usually very magnanimous, but today, with Helian Song just back, the couple felt they were not close enough, and Governess Wu’s insistence on having Zhiniang around really displeased her.

She was about to reprimand Governess Wu when Helian Song spoke first, saying calmly, “Nanny, I got up at the crack of dawn this morning and traveled nonstop for four or five hours to get home. I really have no appetite for a family reunion dinner. Besides, Zhiniang’s health is not suited for strenuous activity; it’s best for her to rest and recuperate. Let’s wait until tomorrow. I will go see her when I am free. Please forgive me for now and let me rest properly.”

Governess Wu felt somewhat embarrassed by his words. She had thought that since she was his wet nurse, he would at least consider her feelings, but after he married, he seemed increasingly distant. Now, without the Princess even needing to speak, he had distanced himself, leaving her somewhat disappointed. She had hoped that Zhiniang’s arrival would provide some balance, but Zhiniang was unyielding, and the Princess was shrewd; in the end, she was caught in the middle, gaining so much dislike for nothing.

Unable to respond, she could only say, “Then just eat a little something; it’s important for you to rest, Young Master.”

Seeing this, Surou’s displeasure subsided. Without even glancing at Governess Wu, she ordered Jie Lu to fetch hot water, saying to him, “My Lord has traveled a hundred miles, covered in dust. Wash yourself off and change your clothes.”