Spring Message in the Snow – CH 101

Chapter 101

Back in the inner chamber, whether from exhaustion or a heavy heart, she remained silent.

As she took off her jacket and walked past him, he reached out and pulled her arm, asking gently, “What’s wrong? Are you worried?”

Surou hummed in response, “I am a little worried. I wonder how the Emperor will react after he hears the news.” She paused briefly, then smiled, “Sigh, I worry too much. Things will work themselves out. There’s really no need to think about that now.”

He knew what she was thinking and teased her, “My Lady, you are finally relieved after seeing that child! Look at his features; he does not look like me at all.”

Surou spat at him, “I do not suspect you, yet you are already blaming yourself? Zhiniang’s child is not yours. Just look at how Zhiniang treats you, and I know. She’s a little afraid of you; she feels uncomfortable even talking to you. But strangely enough, you do not look like a demon. What’s there to be afraid of?”

That was because what she saw was only his amiable side. He was gentle and considerate when he was with her, yet cold-blooded and ruthless with his subordinates.

Those sentries, though they had sworn allegiance in Longyou, inevitably had a few who broke their oaths over time. He showed no mercy to traitors; executing one to warn a hundred was commonplace, and many were implicated and punished collectively. He possessed a compassionate heart but also a firm hand. In unseen and intangible places, there were always those who wanted him dead. If he had been too lenient, how could he have survived to this day?

If he told her that those people had misunderstood him, would she believe him? So he feigned fierceness: “You think I am a good person? Actually, no! I show no mercy, and my methods are ruthless; that’s why they are afraid of me.”

Surou laughed, “Really?”

He said, of course, “If you do not believe me, I will show you how ruthless I am!”

He pretended to pounce on her, but she dodged him, laughing as she pushed him away. “What time is it? Stop fooling around!”

Hot water was brought in from outside, and after a quick wash, she went to bed. He held her in his arms as usual. Surou tilted her head back, gently nuzzling his chin, and whispered, “Seeing Zhiniang give birth made me envious. I want a child of my own, too. My aunt asked me the other day why I had not conceived yet, saying she’d ask Chief Physician Song to prescribe some nourishing medicine for me to recuperate.”

Helian Song stroked her delicate shoulder. “In this matter, our old lady is truly wise. She never pressured you, did she? Because she knows now is not the right time.” As he spoke, his gaze drifted into the distance, murmuring, “Wait a little longer, until we return to Longyou, and then we can have a few children! Then we can sit on the grass and watch the children frolic all over the mountains… Longyou is vast and abundant; we do not need to be so confined and pampered like in the capital. The children will grow up in the blink of an eye.”

Life was indeed fleeting, was it not? One blink and you were married, the next you were surrounded by children and grandchildren. Although his description of Longyou as wild and untamed suggested it, experiencing such a world firsthand would be an interesting endeavor.

However, it was late at night, and after such a harrowing experience, he was utterly exhausted. He drifted off to sleep halfway through their conversation, only to be jolted awake by a call from behind the curtain at dawn.

So sleepy he could barely keep his eyes open, yet he had to struggle to get up. Today was an even-numbered day; he did not have to attend court, but he still had to report to the yamen. As Surou saw him off at dawn, he encountered the Duke of Wen, who was also leaving, in the alley.

He immediately cupped her hands in greeting and said to him warmly, “Your Excellency, my concubine gave birth to a son last night. You must grace us with your presence at the full-month celebration!”

Because the Prince’s Mansion had kept the news well-hidden, the Duke of Wen was unaware that his concubine had given birth. He was quite surprised to hear this and quickly congratulated him, “This is wonderful news! Has Your Highness informed the palace?”

If it were an ordinary prince, the birth of a son born of a concubine would not warrant such a stir with the Emperor. But Helian Song was different. His every move had to be reported to the palace, especially since this child was someone the court and the Emperor had longed for.

The only pity was that he was not born of the principal wife, but even without salt or brine, it was better than nothing at all.

Helian Song smiled and agreed, “I will go to the yamen to handle official business first and then go to the palace at the hour of Chen ^{(7-9 AM)} to see the Emperor and tell him the news.”

The Duke of Wen repeatedly said, “Alright,” added a few more celebratory words, and watched him board the carriage and leave the alley first.

Turning back quickly, the Duke of Wen instructed his attendant, “Quickly send someone to inform Her Highness.”

The attendant obeyed and went inside to inform the Madam. As for when the Princess would come to see the child, that was a matter for later.

Helian Song spent the entire morning smiling until his teeth ached. It turned out that rejoicing for someone else under their name was an incredibly tiring job. But he had no choice but to comply. His colleagues and subordinates in the yamen all congratulated him, and he had to feign a triumphant expression, celebrating the birth of his eldest son, born of a concubine.

With everything arranged, it was time to go to the palace to report. Looking back as he left the main hall, the inner city was not far away; through the thin mist, he could see the rooftops of the many palaces.

He straightened his clothes and went out onto the sidewalk. The four military offices were not far from the Donghua Gate; it would take about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn to enter the inner palace. The military offices had special channels for seeing the Emperor; the Palace Gate Attendant could simply relay the message.

Standing atop the palace gate, he watched the birds fly past the wall, his hands tucked behind his back. The sunlight gradually dried the mist, and the chaotic world slowly cleared.

Finally, the Palace Gate Attendant returned, bowing respectfully before him. “His Majesty grants an audience. Your Highness, please follow me.”

The Emperor had just finished discussing matters with the Grand Secretariat and was currently resting in the rear pavilion of the Zichen Hall. The Palace Gate Attendant escorted him to the Zichen Gate. The Zichen Hall, used by the Emperor to summon court officials, was exceptionally solemn and imposing. The rear pavilion served as his study; while still a place for the Emperor to read and work, it possessed a much stronger scholarly atmosphere and a more homely feel compared to the front hall.

A young eunuch led him into the rear pavilion. Upon entering, he saw the Emperor sitting behind a massive desk, upon which memorials were piled high like a mountain. Hearing footsteps, he looked up from the memorial and glanced at him, saying, “Why have you come to the palace this time? Is there something you need?”

Helian Song put on a smile and bowed slightly. “Your Majesty, my concubine gave birth to a son last night. I came to the palace today specifically to report this to Your Majesty.”

The Emperor said, “Oh,” somewhat surprised. “Give birth so soon? I remember she only entered your household not long ago.”

This was clearly a sign that he was questioning the timing of the pregnancy. In truth, regardless of whether the timing matched up, the fact that it was not Surou who gave birth was enough to arouse his suspicions.

Helian Song smiled. “Your Majesty is preoccupied with state affairs; how could you concern yourself with the trivial matters of a minister’s household? The physician originally predicted the baby would be born at the beginning of next month, but a few days ago, my concubine twisted her back while retrieving a fallen vase, which also disturbed the fetus, and she has been experiencing back pain lately. Yesterday it suddenly flared up, so I quickly had a midwife on standby, and sure enough, the baby was born in the middle of the night. Hey, Your Majesty did not see my big, chubby little boy; he weighed at least seven or eight pounds at birth. It was tough on his mother, though; she went through quite a bit of trouble, but thankfully, both mother and child are safe.”

The Emperor nodded, a faint smile appearing on his face. “Congratulations, you finally have your first son. From this day forward, youthful impetuosity and recklessness are no longer yours. I remember my aunt telling me that a man only truly becomes a man after having a second child. Among our old acquaintances, you were the only one who refused to grow up, but now you’ve finally succumbed to fate…” He then instructed the eunuch beside him, “Have someone tell the Empress that we also need to prepare a basin for the young master.”

The eunuch replied, “Yes,” and went to carry out the order. Only the Emperor and his minister remained in the spacious study. The Emperor emerged from behind his desk, twisted his neck, and sighed deeply, “I’ve been busy all morning. Salt, grain, taxes, water conservancy, military affairs… nothing is easy.” As he spoke, he gestured, inviting him to sit on the couch by the window.

The moon-shaped window was half-open. On the couch sat a small, low rosewood table. On the table, a simple vase held a branch of crabapple blossoms, the buds just beginning to open, a hint of crimson showing through the green.

Everything seemed normal, but Helian Song’s gaze fell on the incense burner beside the vase. On its cone-shaped gray top sat the Xuanhe Imperial Concubine incense, its fire-resistant material neither gold nor silver but the most unassuming coarse pottery shard—given to him by Surou.

He slowly curled the corner of his lips. “This pottery shard is indeed excellent for fire resistance; its aroma is clear and long-lasting, and its fragrance is pure and mellow.”

Seeing that he had noticed something amiss, the Emperor showed no remorse and calmly replied, “I always thought gold, silver, and mica were superior, but after using this pottery shard, I realized that such an unassuming little thing is the most suitable.”

Helian Song’s expression remained unchanged; only his deep eyelashes trembled slightly. He then raised his eyes and smiled, “The magnificent Imperial Palace is the lifeblood of the nation; the imperial utensils should befit the Emperor’s status. This pottery fire-resistant shard, though useful… looks out of place among gold, jade, and mica; why make things difficult for it?”

His words carried a hidden meaning, which the Emperor naturally understood. After a moment’s thought, he said, “I have never placed it with other fire-resistant tiles. I always carry it with me personally; how can it be considered out of place? The previous dynasty was extravagant, striving for exquisite items. In our dynasty, we value simplicity. Although this pottery shard may not be fit for high art, as long as it pleases me, no one dares to say it is unworthy of imperial use.”

Helian Song smiled upon hearing this. “The charcoal in the Forbidden City is made from oak wood, and the fire is intense and long-lasting, unlike the lukewarm charcoal used by ordinary people. Has Your Majesty ever considered how much suffering it must be for the earthenware pot used for cooking at home to be roasted on oak wood for a long time? As for saying that it is not suitable for refined occasions, it is because Your Majesty’s eyes have seen too many exquisitely crafted fine products, and it pales in comparison when placed next to a flower vase. But on the stove, it is a simple and practical tool. What does Your Majesty think?”

His words were full of advice and protection, but the Emperor found them unpleasant. He raised his arrogant eyes, glanced at him slightly, and said, “According to your logic, I should only use common gold and silver, not common things nor the simple and sharp weapons you speak of?”

Helian Song smiled casually. “I just thought it was reasonable for Your Majesty, as the Son of Heaven, to occasionally express sentiments, but if you intend to replace the silver leaves and mica sheets commonly used in the Forbidden City with pottery shards, there’s no need. After all, these pottery shards are easily cracked; it’s best to simmer them over a low flame. Too much heat will cause them to change color, and if they actually crack, will Your Majesty still find them useful? In the end, you will probably just throw them against the wall, discarding them like worn-out shoes!”

So he was indeed a master of subtle manipulation. Those who were used to his smooth-talking nature and assumed he was only good to everyone were sorely mistaken.

The point of their argument was no longer the small pottery shard. Helian Song’s narrow-mindedness was so extreme that he could not even tolerate seeing an object that reminded him of someone. The more this happened, the more it fueled the Emperor’s resentment. This resentment nurtured a monster, and the little selfish desires that were previously hidden from view began to swell wildly. He had been pondering this idea for a long time, and even he himself felt it was immature, but in the blink of an eye, he became righteous and self-assured. Since it was going to be brought up sooner or later, might as well give it a straight answer today and see how he would choose in the face of the overall situation.

The Emperor stroked his knees, slowly letting out a long breath, then suddenly smiled. “Perhaps you have a point. Let me think about it some more. For now, let’s set aside these idle words and discuss the most important matter! The court has received an urgent report from Longyou: the Prince of Wukang is still seriously ill, the Left Commandant has rebelled, and the defenses of Baixiang City are now in grave danger. This is a major threat facing the court. What do you think?”

Helian Song replied, “I have already analyzed the situation in Longyou with Your Majesty. In fact, I had anticipated this situation. My father suffered from numerous hidden injuries during his early years of war; no one can predict when they will flare up. Last winter, I heard that his illness was serious. It’s dangerous, Your Majesty. I am very anxious, fearing that my uncles might take advantage of the situation to cause trouble, disrupting the peace on the border. I even worry they might collude with the Jin army to invade the Hehuang region, meaning the fine horse-producing areas that the late Emperor worked so hard to secure would be handed over to the Jin. But now… I am too far away to help. Even if I swear to Your Majesty that I am willing to cleanse the family of my father’s family and guard the border for Your Majesty, I am afraid Your Majesty will still have doubts and be unwilling to let me return to Longyou easily.”

To be honest, the two of them had been classmates for many years, friends since childhood, and used to be inseparable. Later, as they grew up and shouldered different responsibilities, they drifted apart. But their relationship still surpassed that of the civil and military officials in the court. Sometimes, even if they spoke frankly and their words were sharp, it was not unacceptable.

Returning to Longyou was a sensitive topic before today, one that they had both deliberately avoided. Even though they had discussed it several times in court, they had never spoken their minds face-to-face. Now that the matter had been brought up and the child had been born, it seemed there was no reason not to address it…

The Emperor frankly admitted, “Today you stand before me; I can see and touch you. I know you are loyal to me and to the court, and I trust you completely. But what if you return to Longyou and become a regional hegemon? Will people’s hearts change then? I do not know. That’s why I’ve hesitated to make a decision. If you were in my position, you would have the same doubts. Now I only ask you one question: Do you want to return to Longyou? Do not hide anything, do not embellish, and answer me directly: Do you want to go back?”

Helian Song answered affirmatively, adding, “I left my parents and hometown at the age of twelve. I hope that while my parents are still alive, there will be a day when we can be reunited. I want to go back.”

“Then why should I let the tiger return to the mountain? Is it merely because of your illegitimate son?”

Upon hearing this, he knew the situation was somewhat complicated. As a shrewd and calculating Emperor, he would not make a losing proposition.

“Your Majesty has already made up your mind,” he said, looking intently at him. “One illegitimate son is not enough, so what else does Your Majesty want? Let’s be frank.”

The Emperor’s cold face revealed a ruthless calculation. “It’s actually quite simple. Just make the eldest son of a concubine the eldest son of the legitimate wife, and everything will be solved. This child will also become the heir to the title in the future. In the capital, only the heir to the title of Prince of Wukang has any value. If only an illegitimate son is left, unable to inherit the title, what’s the point of raising him in the Prince’s Mansion?”

Helian Song’s eyes were fixed on him. “Your Majesty wants the child to be registered under my wife’s name?”

But the Emperor remained silent for a long time before coldly scoffing, “What isn’t your own flesh and blood can’t be truly your own flesh and blood. I understand this principle, and so do you. Since you want to have a frank talk with me, then I’ll tell you the truth: go back and divorce Zhang Surou, and make that concubine your legal wife. Afterwards, you can return to Longyou with your childhood sweetheart, leaving the child in the capital. Only in this way can you silence the gossip in court, and everything will be legitimate.”

However, Helian Song could not accept this. He abruptly stood up. “Is Your Majesty joking? My wife has not committed any of the seven grounds for divorce. Why should I divorce her? The law clearly states that anyone who takes a concubine or a female guest as their wife shall be sentenced to one and a half years of penal servitude. Now, Your Majesty is forcing me like this; do you want me to become a laughingstock of the whole world?”

He was naturally furious, because this suddenly appearing concubine had not taken away much of his favor; his heart still belonged to Zhang Surou.

The Emperor remained calm, smoothing the wrinkles on his knees with his hand, and said, “Those who achieve great things are not bound by trivialities. This game has long since moved beyond our control. Your birth and your circumstances destined you to be different from ordinary people; everyone in the world understands this. Only you, trapped in your personal feelings, feign ignorance. You do not need to use any laws to refute me.”

Helian Song was truly enraged. He had not expected that a ruler could be so irrational, devising such a despicable scheme.

He said, “Your Majesty, my wife is the descendant of a meritorious official; her father is still enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Yet Your Majesty demands that I divorce her without cause. Does Your Majesty not fear the weight of public opinion?”

The Emperor seemed oblivious to his accusations, simply saying, “This is the only way for both of us to win. Since you hold this position, you must fulfill your duties. You are not new to the capital, nor are you new to officialdom; I should not need to explain further.”

Helian Song nodded. “Indeed, there’s no need for further explanation, because no amount of explanation can conceal the fact that you covet my wife. Do you think I do not know what you are plotting? You want us to divorce, leaving her in the capital, so that it will be easier for you to act in the future, avoiding criticism from officials and the ridicule of the people. You truly have a deep scheme.”

At this point, the facade of peace was completely shattered. The Emperor slammed his fist on the table and rose sharply, shouting, “How dare you! Such outrageous words! Are you not afraid of my punishment?!” But his composure and self-importance were futile, like scratching an itch through a boot. The Emperor, thoroughly fed up with this hypocritical back-and-forth, kicked over the incense burner in front of him, pointed at his nose, and roared, “You take advantage of the court’s fear of Longyou and of my desire to win them over, so you dare to steal someone else’s beloved and dare to use Zhang Surou to test my limits! Fine, considering our past friendship, I will grant your wish. You yourself told me you would cherish her for life, that you would never have a second thought for her, and yet, not long after the marriage, you’ve taken a mistress! What else do you have to say?!”

These words indeed stirred up Helian Song’s old resentment, which he had been suppressing, waiting for an opportunity… Since he had come to her doorstep, there was no need for politeness. So he sneered, “Your Majesty does not need to speak so grandly. If you were a gentleman, you should have come directly to question me instead of using the pretext of sending me to the Lulong Army to secretly summon her. What right do you have to stand up for her? Your indecisiveness regarding a married woman—is that truly for her good? Have you not considered how she would stand in the capital if the news got out? Or do you simply not care about such things and even hope that it will be spread to drive a wedge between my wife and me?”

The Emperor, being of such high rank, had never been subjected to such accusations before. Although the words themselves were not wrong, uttering them was still an overstepping of authority, an act of insubordination.

His face turned ashen with rage, and he said in a trembling voice, “Helian Song, do not think that just because the court relies on you to restrain Longyou, you can act with impunity and dare to speak so disrespectfully.”

Helian Song replied, “I have never been presumptuous before Your Majesty, but today I have no choice and must ask for your forgiveness. Your Majesty, I have always considered you a close friend and confidant, wholeheartedly wanting to expand the territory for you and guard the region for you. But what about you? You are still obsessed with Surou. If she had not insisted on not entering the palace, would you have given up? Now that everything has settled down and she has married me, if Your Majesty considers me a friend, you should bury your so-called deep feelings in your heart, not disturb her, and not let her know. Unfortunately, you cannot control your emotions; you cannot restrain yourself. Now you’ve come up with this method to break us up so you can take advantage of the situation… Your Majesty, using your power for a woman—is this the way of a ruler?”

The Emperor, sensing a hint of helplessness in his words, suddenly felt he should not be angry; he clearly held the upper hand.

This choice was difficult, but as a shrewd politician, his final decision would not disappoint him.

The Emperor finally calmed down and sighed, saying, “We are no longer children anymore. Given the political situation, there’s no need for impulsive words. I hope you will carefully consider my suggestion. Is your duty as a subject and the heir of the Prince of Wukang more important, or is a woman more important? I know you are newly married and find it hard to let go, but setting aside personal feelings, you know what’s more important. So calm down and think it over. If you cannot make up your mind, the palace can issue an edict to bestow the title of County Lady upon Surou. This will preserve her dignity, and even after you leave, she will not suffer. You can rest assured.”

T/N: I cannot stomach this Emperor. The audacity! Can someone go rebel and kill him off now? It took me a while to translate this because I was cursing at the Emperor so much that I couldn’t focus.