Spring Message in the Snow – CH 104

Chapter 104

The Emperor was furious. He had not expected Helian Song to act so recklessly. He had thought that Zhang Surou could not possibly be more important than Longyou, but had he been wrong?

Look at him—disheveled, barefoot, a boorish country bumpkin—where was the slightest trace of a noble’s bearing?

He truly could not understand why, when a slight concession would have yielded the desired result, the insistence on a fight to the death was unacceptable. Was he really willing to risk his life and future for a woman?

It was simply because he relied on the Emperor’s reservations and the court’s inability to relinquish Longyou, daring to use a feigned retreat as a tactic of open coercion. The Emperor was seething with hatred; seeing his disregard for life and death, if not for his lingering fear, he would have already decided to kill him. A single word could have swept away his resentment and reduced everything to dust.

But no, he could not let his father’s efforts be ruined in his hands. Did being Emperor grant him unbridled power? In truth, he was mostly constrained, weighing every step carefully, constantly deliberating. True satisfaction was rare; frustration was a constant companion.

He took a deep breath, calming himself down, and said slowly, “I told you that day that you could leave the capital at any time if you wished. I would send my personal guards to escort you back to Longyou to take command of the Protectorate Army. I have only one request: the Prince’s Mansion in the capital cannot be vacant. It was established because of this title. If you leave, someone must take your place. You indeed have a son, but a son born of a concubine is insignificant. I want you to make him a legitimate son, to demonstrate your loyalty to the court and to give the country an explanation. Have I done anything wrong? Today, you have acted so improperly, offending and angering me, thinking I am a pushover, and trying to trample on the imperial dignity. Have you considered the consequences?” As he spoke, he called out to the messenger, and the officials on his left and right replied in unison, “Yes, sir.” He raised his hand, pointing directly at the man in the hall, “Seize this arrogant scoundrel! First, give him twenty strokes of the military rod, then throw him into the prison of the Court of Judicial Review to await further judgment.”

However, as the officials stepped forward to arrest him, chaos erupted in the court. A group of senior ministers stepped forward to dissuade him, saying bluntly, “Your Majesty, you must not! Right now, Longyou is in turmoil, and the Jin army is causing disturbances. This is precisely the time when the court needs to appease and quell the unrest. If we punish the Heir Apparent now out of momentary anger, twenty strokes of the military rod will render him unable to ride a horse. What will happen if a long-distance raid is needed? Your Majesty… please calm your anger and consider the greater good. Do not forget the late Emperor poured his heart and soul into recovering Wuwei and the Hehuang region; we cannot let our forefathers’ efforts go to waste! The Heir Apparent’s breach of etiquette can be excused by ordering him to reflect on his actions behind closed doors, or by ordering him to quell the internal strife before returning to the capital to report…”

But Helian Song refused, “Lady Zhang is my lawfully wedded wife. If I am to return to Longyou, I must take her with me. She’s been married for six months and has not yet paid her respects to her parents-in-law. Taking her back to pay her respects and kowtow at the ancestral temple is perfectly reasonable.”

This was pushing personal feelings into the political arena. No one expected the usually shrewd and diplomatic Heir Apparent to openly challenge the Emperor over a woman.

Lady Zhang’s two uncles were now in a precarious position, worried about their nephew-in-law while simultaneously feeling their own predicament. Finally, Zhang Ju stepped forward, bowed deeply, and said, “Your Majesty, I am willing to lead troops to Wuwei to join forces with the Dingbian Army and quell the internal strife in Longyou.” He had finally expressed his stance to the Emperor; since the Zhang family was caught in the vortex, they could not remain uninvolved.

However, some veteran officials opposed the Emperor’s decision to take action against women. For example, Grand Tutor Hang was the first to stand up, raising his tablet high, and said, “If I remember correctly, Zhang Lu, the Shizhong (Chancellor), is honored with a place in the Imperial Ancestral Temple; he is a meritorious official of the court. Back when the Hexi Corridor was in grave danger, he fought his way from Haidong to Baiyin and then stormed into Wuwei to join forces with the Prince of Wukang. How could Your Majesty forget such merit? Now you want to demote his daughter from wife to concubine? Is this the way an Emperor treats a loyal subject?”

The Emperor was suddenly speechless. “When did I say I wanted to demote Zhang’s daughter from wife to concubine?”

Grand Tutor Hang said no, “Even a son born of a concubine is being elevated to the status of a legitimate son. Does the Emperor intend to create an unsuitable concubine?”

The Emperor was speechless. “What concubine! I never said I wanted to elevate any concubine.”

“Does Your Majesty intend for him to divorce her?” Grand Tutor Hang, the matchmaker, vehemently opposed this idea. “The Heir Apparent’s wife has never done anything wrong. On what grounds does Your Majesty order the Heir Apparent to divorce her? The blood of our ancestors has not yet cooled, yet you want their descendants to suffer such a disgrace? If Your Majesty truly does this, it will chill the hearts of all the veteran officials, and it will chill the hearts of the soldiers who followed you through thick and thin.”

The Emperor was speechless. In the court, officials had always spoken freely. While imperial power had its authority, in terms of influence, it could never withstand the power of public opinion. He opened his mouth several times, only to be shut down each time by those senior officials and censors who relied on their age and influence. Finally, annoyed, he stormed off, leaving only the old ministers pointing and whispering among themselves at Helian Song. “Your Highness,” they said, “this time you acted rashly. What can not be discussed? His Majesty is benevolent; you could have simply expressed your resolve to him. Why ruin the harmony and treat your royal title like a game?”

Helian Song had been kneeling for half a day. When he finally stood up, his legs were numb. He struggled to his feet and bowed to the assembled officials. “The reasons are beyond my knowledge, but this time my mind is made up, and I have no intention of changing it.” With that, he turned and headed towards the palace gate.

The crowd watched him walk away, momentarily bewildered. They looked at the two Zhang family members. “Lord Zhang, Commander Helian…”

Zhang Ju and Zhang Zhi, as if waking from a dream, disregarded everything else and hurriedly followed him out, leaving the others staring blankly at the official robes and seals on the throne. After a long while, it was Prime Minister Sun Yannian who spoke up, ordering the eunuch to collect these items and send them to the rear garden for the Emperor to decide.

***

Stepping out of Xuande Gate, the heavy burden on his body miraculously vanished.

Was it pathetic? Perhaps somewhat pathetic. Within this magnificent capital, he was powerless to resist and could only rely on his resolute determination to achieve his demands. However, he knew in his heart that concealing this matter was not a solution. If he did not take a firm stance and clearly state his position, then only a divorce with Surou remained. But as a man, what kind of man would he be if he could abandon his own wife?

He knew the Emperor had his concerns; even the deepest thoughts could not overcome the constraints of politics. He was willing to risk his life, but the Emperor might not have the resolve to abandon Longyou. In the end, it would come down to who was more resolute. He could even relinquish his princely title so easily; what could the court do to him?

Zhang Ju and Zhang Zhi caught up from behind, heartbroken. “Why did you do this?”

He smiled. “I am not only fighting for Surou but also for myself. This circle of wealth and fame is suffocating me. Today, I am shedding all my titles; from now on, I will be Helian Song of Longyou. I only hope the Zhang family will still acknowledge me as their son. From now on, I will be a commoner, without even a degree from the imperial examinations, all alone and penniless.”

His words were filled with sorrow. Zhang Ju and Zhang Zhi sighed deeply and gestured for him to leave. “Second Mistress is still waiting for you.”

The carriage traveled south along the Imperial Street, arriving at the Old Caomen Street after an incense stick’s time. The servant who had been sent back to deliver the message had already reached the inner quarters, so as soon as the carriage stopped, the women waiting at the gate descended the steps.

Surou went to the carriage and lifted the curtain to look inside. She saw him sitting there in a simple undergarment, his hair disheveled and barefoot. She immediately burst into tears, reaching in to punch him. “Are you crazy? Why are you degrading yourself like this!”

He, however, was still smiling. He grabbed her hand and said, “I said I would marry into the Zhang family. My wife, please put in a good word for me with Grandmother and Mother-in-law; do not let them look down on me.”

This was clearly a joke. A servant brought the message in, and the whole family was shocked. The Grand Madam repeatedly said she had not misjudged him; she had come to the door to welcome him personally—who would look down on him!

Surou, tears streaming down her face, pulled him out of the carriage. “Tell Grandmother yourself.”

He stepped down and saw all the women of the inner quarters while he stood barefoot on the ground. Embarrassed, he blushed and said, “I’ve made a fool of myself today. Please forgive me, elders and sisters.”

But who would blame him for such an embarrassing moment? The Grand Madam felt both heartache and relief, nodding and saying, “Good child, I am sorry you had to go through this.” Turning to Surou, she instructed, “Quickly take Jie Ran inside to get ready. He will have lunch at my place at noon. Have Nanny Feng tell the kitchen to prepare two good dishes to calm his nerves.”

A servant woman hurriedly brought him slippers to put on, while Surou held his hand tightly as if afraid he would disappear into thin air.

She quickly led him into the Qiandui Xue Courtyard, and as soon as they crossed the threshold, she turned and embraced him, choking back tears, “My Lord… My Lord… why did you not discuss this with me?”

Helian Song smiled bitterly, thinking to himself that if he had discussed it with her, how could she have agreed to him taking such a risk? But now, the only thing he could do was lay everything out in the open. Fortunately, the court officials were not as blinded by emotion as the Emperor; they knew that the Xiongnu, who had finally submitted, could not be offended, otherwise the 100,000 iron cavalry would not just occupy Longyou but would expand eastward, passing Jingzhao and marching into Shangjing.

He raised his hand to stroke her back, speaking gently, “Is this not better now? We’ve explained things clearly in court, letting all the officials know the truth. It’s not that I am having a bad time; it’s that the Emperor is pushing me too far.” He kissed her neck, tightening his arms around her, burying his face in the warm crook of her neck, murmuring, “You were not by my side last night, and I did not sleep well at all. I had so many strange dreams, dreams that you were kidnapped, dreams that you coveted wealth and never wanted me again.”

Surou chuckled, “Nonsense!” Overwhelmed with sorrow, she said aggrievedly, “I did not sleep a wink last night either, constantly listening to the night watch, thinking about how you promised to come find me today… and here you are. If my uncle had not sent someone back to inform us first, I would have thought you’d encountered bandits.”

He tossed his hair aside, shamelessly replying, “I was born handsome; even in disheveled clothes, my unparalleled elegance remains.”

That was quite true. Even in this disheveled state, his face still possessed a fragile beauty that she could glimpse.

Surou breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, he had returned unharmed; it was a stroke of incredible luck. She pulled him to sit at the dressing table and personally combed his hair, carefully tying it up. Then she bent down, nestled against him from behind, and whispered, “My Lord, we will not be separated this time, will we?”

He said yes, “I said I’d give up this title if I had to get justice.”

Surou’s heart gradually calmed down, and she carefully considered the matter at hand. What would be the ultimate outcome of his actions today? At worst, the Emperor might arrest him and use him to coerce the Prince of Wukang into quelling the internal rebellion, thus completely severing ties with Longyou and inevitably leading to war. However, if he continued with appeasement and the matter was eventually resolved peacefully, the Emperor would compromise, rescind his order, and smooth things over.

Regardless of the outcome, good or bad, Surou was happy. She was happy to see his sincerity. Before today, she had hesitated, fearing the unreliability of their relationship and what would happen if she went to a foreign land alone and was mistreated by him. But now, looking back, she realized she had worried unnecessarily. Since he could give up everything for her, he would certainly not betray her in the future. Even if people’s hearts could change, today’s events had at least greatly reduced the possibility of him becoming a heartless man.

He was still teasing her, gazing at the beautiful woman with furrowed brows in the mirror, asking, “What are you thinking about? I have nothing left now, only you. Do not even think about abandoning me.”

Surou agreed, stroking his cheek, “Do not worry; as long as I have food to eat, you will not go hungry.”

They gazed at each other; the spring sunshine outside the window shone beautifully. They did not care about the turmoil outside their chamber; in this small world, they had each other, their hearts overflowing. This moment was happiness.

He pulled her onto his lap, and she nestled against him, kissing him tenderly. What was husband and wife? It was an endless entanglement from the very core of their being; if one was injured, the other could not survive. Truly, they shared both glory and loss.

Wounds sustained outside required the close companionship of two people to heal slowly; a period of passionate intimacy was more effective than any tonic. Once their strength had recovered, the person sent to the Prince’s Mansion to fetch their clothes had returned, and they could then pack up again to go to Suihua Garden to report.

Upon entering the garden, the atmosphere was solemn. Uncle and other relatives were also there, their minds heavy with worry, clearly still reeling from the sudden turn of events.

Zhang Ju glanced at him, then sighed, stroking his knee, “I was reckless. Making the Emperor lose face in front of the entire court will likely breed resentment, making things even more difficult for him later.”

Zhang Zhi disagreed, gritting his teeth, “Hesitation only leads to more trouble. If this matter remains ambiguous, are we really going to force them to divorce? The Emperor is still young; abusing public power for private gain is a major taboo. Did you not see how impassioned those elders were in court today?”

Zhang Ju shook his head. “It’s lucky they were able to suppress it. If there had not been internal strife in Longyou, he would have had to endure the beating, whether he wanted to or not. Even without a charge, he’d be implicated in the trial. If we fabricate charges, even the Emperor will be in a difficult position, and things will get really bad.”

Seeing their worried expressions, Helian Song could only step forward to comfort them, saying, “Uncles-in-law, do not worry. I’ve carefully considered this before taking this step. It was precisely because the Left Commandant started his rebellion that I decided to take a gamble. For twelve years in the capital, although I lived a life of luxury, my hands and feet were bound. You two elders have fought on the battlefield; you must understand my feelings. I want to go back, and I especially want to take Surou with me. I went through tremendous effort to marry her; how can I just run away based on a few words from the Emperor?”

The Grand Madam was naturally pleased with his words. There were too many men in this world who chose to betray their feelings for fame and fortune. If it were someone with a weaker will, they would probably already be on their way home today if the Emperor offered the right conditions. Fortunately, Helian Song was not that kind of person. Fortunately, his feelings for Surou ran deep enough that his willingness to defy him, regardless of success or failure, demonstrated his sincerity.

“However… we still need to find someone to mediate,” Grand Madam Zhang pondered. “The Emperor is undoubtedly furious right now, and no one can predict what decision he might make in his rage. We must find someone influential to carefully explain the consequences to him. Only by persuading him can we proceed. We must not underestimate the Emperor’s might. Throughout history, how many emperors have been driven to rage? A single word from him could become a mountain on our shoulders. If we do not act now, it will be too late later.”

Helian Song thought for a moment and said, “I will ask Prime Minister Sun; His Majesty might listen to him.”

Surou, however, said it was not so sure. “The Prime Minister’s advice is always based on the big picture, and what His Majesty dislikes most right now is the big picture. We must not add fuel to the fire.” She paused, then said, “I will ask the Imperial Princess instead. They are siblings; they can talk about personal relationships, not the big picture.”

After a moment’s consideration, everyone felt this method was the safest. As long as the Imperial Princess was willing to speak on their behalf, at least they could gain some leeway with the Emperor.

But Grand Madam Zhang was still uneasy. “Although you taught the County Princess before, your relationship with the Imperial Princess is not that deep. I wonder if she will grant your request.”

Surou said she would. After all, the Imperial Princess still owed her a favor regarding Ye Fengshi’s matter. Even if the Imperial Princess sided with the Emperor, the fate of the nation was still closely related to her personally. She would not stand idly by and watch the Emperor make a mistake; naturally, she would do her best to advise him.

Having made up her mind, she went to the Duke of Wen’s residence that afternoon. A servant led her into the main hall, where she soon saw the Imperial Princess and Sujie arrive together.

Sujie was several months pregnant; her belly was quite prominent, and she had to support her back to walk. Upon entering, she greeted her with “Auntie,” took her hand, and helped her sit down in a round-backed chair.

Surou glanced at her belly and asked with a smile, “Are you about to give birth?”

Sujie nodded. “Next month. I happened to come back today to visit my father and mother, and heard about your family’s situation. My father said that Uncle Helian resigned his title at court, causing a huge uproar.”

Surou nodded helplessly. “I went back to the Zhang Mansion the day before yesterday, but I did not expect him to be so reckless. Now that things have happened, it will surely enrage the Emperor. I had no other choice but to take the liberty of coming to see Her Highness the Princess.”

The Princess sighed. “I never imagined it would escalate so much. Now the whole capital is buzzing with gossip… Well, that was far too rash, causing the Emperor to lose face.”

Sujie, always upright and honest, had been cherished like a treasure since marrying into the Prince of Hubei’s household. She knew nothing of compromise or yielding. Hearing her mother’s words, she immediately retorted, “This whole affair was the Emperor’s fault! How can you blame Uncle Helian? Outsiders might think the Emperor resorted to this tactic to control Longyou, but do you think we do not know the truth? He’s just unwilling to let go of Longyou, and he cannot let go of my aunt. Since that’s the case, he should not have backed down from the start. Now that they are married, he’s going back on his word, relying on his position as Emperor to bully them like this!”

The Imperial Princess frowned at her words. “He’s your uncle; what right do you have to instruct him?”

Sujie said, “I am helping those on the side of reason, not family. One should always uphold morality. Was he not like a brother to Uncle Helian? What’s happened now? Are they planning to sever their ties?”

Surou was deeply grateful to Sujie for speaking up for her at this crucial moment. She then said to the Imperial Princess, “Your Highness, this matter is of utmost importance. The Left Commandant is currently vying for power with the Prince of Wukang. Their faction has always been pro-war. If power shifts, it will inevitably affect the Central Plains sooner or later. Therefore, after much consideration, I mustered my courage and came to your door to ask for your help. Your Highness is very wise. Right now, the Emperor seems to be deaf to everyone’s advice; only Your Highness can save us from this predicament. This is not just a personal matter; it concerns the fate of the nation. We can only place our hopes on Your Highness.”

Before the Princess could speak, Sujie said repeatedly, “Mother, you absolutely must make this trip. Do not let the Emperor make another mistake. If you go and offer your advice, you will be helping Uncle and Aunt, and also the Emperor. We are used to peaceful lives; nobody wants bloodshed. Besides, Aunt saved me in a crisis. If it were not for her, would I be able to marry He Shu peacefully? I’d probably still be entangled with Ye Fengshi!”

The Imperial Princess, annoyed by her commotion, quickly said, “Alright, alright, I did not say I was not going. Calm down; do not upset the baby.” She shook her head as she spoke, “You are going to be a mother soon, and you are still so impulsive. Can you not be a little more composed?”

Sujie exclaimed, “Oh dear, Mother, do not say so much. A whole afternoon has passed; the Emperor has probably calmed down by now. It’s the perfect time for you to go.” She then called to the maid, “Quickly, someone help Mother change her clothes.” After a hurried preparation, she helped the Imperial Princess onto the carriage.