Chapter 101: The First Snowfall
On the seventh day of the eleventh lunar month, the capital city welcomed its first heavy snowfall of the winter.
The snow fell silently in the middle of the night, and when dawn broke, I looked out the window and saw that the world was covered in a blanket of white. The eaves, treetops, and stone paths in the courtyard were all covered with thick, fluffy white snow, and the whole world seemed to have been purified, quiet and pure.
Su Wanrou was awakened by the unusually bright white light outside the window. She rubbed her sleepy eyes and was about to get up when Gu Yangui gently pressed her shoulder down beside her.
"Don't rush, it's snowing outside, and it's very cold." His voice was hoarse from just waking up, but he was unusually alert, clearly having been awake for a while. He sat up before her, grabbed the thick nightgown draped over the foot of the bed and put it on, then carefully tucked the blankets around her to make sure not a single cold breeze could get in.
Su Wanrou followed his gaze to the window frame, where she saw a dazzling light reflected off the paper covering the window. She exclaimed in surprise, "It's snowing? What a bright snowfall!" She then reached out to look inside.
"Want to see snow?" Gu Yangui saw the childlike curiosity shining in her eyes and couldn't bear to dampen her enthusiasm, but still cautiously said, "Wait, I'll go take a look first."
He got up, walked to the window, and didn't immediately open it. Instead, he first tested the temperature of the window frame with the back of his hand to make sure no cold air was directly penetrating before opening the window a tiny crack. A crisp, clean breeze instantly rushed in, carrying the unique fresh scent of snowflakes.
"Wow, it really is big." Gu Yangui looked at the tree branches outside, bent under the weight of the snow, and exclaimed. He turned to the side, giving Su Wanrou a little view, indicating that she could come and take a look, while reminding her, "Take the blanket tighter, just look from here, don't stay too long."
Su Wanrou quickly wrapped herself tightly in the brocade quilt, leaving only her fair face exposed, and leaned close to the window crack. She saw that the snow in the courtyard was already more than a foot deep, and goose feather-like snowflakes were still falling silently from the sky, covering all the noise of the world under this pure white.
"So beautiful." She exclaimed softly, reaching out her slender fingers to catch a snowflake that drifted in through the window crack. The cool touch melted instantly on her fingertips, leaving a slight dampness.
"It looks good, but you're quite heavy-set now and should avoid getting cold." Gu Yangui noticed her fingertips were slightly red from the cold, so he immediately closed the window tightly, turned around, took her hand, and warmed it in his palm. His large, warm hand quickly dispelled the chill. "Stay indoors today and don't go out unless absolutely necessary. Have them come to the warm pavilion to report any greetings or inquiries from other places."
His tone was gentle, yet it carried an undeniable authority. Su Wanrou knew he was doing it for her own good, and her heart warmed with sweetness. She nodded obediently, "Yes, I'll do whatever my husband says."
However, while the snowy scenery was beautiful, it brought Gu Yangui even more worries. He now worked in the Ministry of War, and although he no longer had to brave the wind and snow like when he was at the border, he still couldn't avoid the morning court and roll call at the yamen in this kind of weather. Looking at the vast expanse of snow outside the window, he frowned slightly, already thinking about how to finish his official duties as quickly as possible so that he could return home to be with her.
During breakfast, Gu Yangui's care for him was meticulous.
Before leaving: He first checked the clothes Su Wanrou was going to wear with great care, touched the newly made silver fox fur-lined crane cloak to make sure it was thick and warm enough, and then instructed Qingdai to make sure that the lady wore sheepskin boots with thick silk floss inside.
Arrangement of the warm pavilion: Next, he personally went to the warm pavilion in the main courtyard where he usually handled household chores and ordered people to add two more charcoal braziers to ensure that the room was warm as spring. He also checked whether there were any gaps in the windows that let in drafts.
Dietary Instructions: Back at the dining table, he watched Su Wanrou drink the steaming hot milk porridge, and then instructed Wang Mama, "It's cold today, so Madam's diet should be even more refined. Prepare more warm and nourishing soups, and avoid cold-natured fruits for the time being."
Travel restrictions: Before leaving, he stood under the eaves, tying the belt of his cloak, and still turned back to Su Wanrou, who was seeing him off, and repeatedly instructed her: "The roads are slippery in the snow, so today you can only walk around the main courtyard and the warm pavilion. You must not go into the garden. If you are really bored, you can look at the snow scene under the eaves, but you must wear thick clothes and not stay for long."
Watching him meticulously arrange everything, as if she were a fragile porcelain doll, Su Wanrou felt both amused and touched. She straightened the collar of his official robe and said softly, "Don't worry, my husband, I've remembered everything. The road is slippery with snow, so be careful riding a horse. Why don't you take the carriage?"
Gu Yangui grasped her hand and nodded, "Alright, I'll listen to you. Let's go by carriage." His gaze fell on her gentle face, but he was still worried. He then said in a deep voice to Wang Mama and Qingdai, who were seeing her off, "Take good care of Madam. If anything happens to her, you will be held responsible."
"Rest assured, Your Excellency, this old servant will do my utmost!" Granny Wang and Qingdai quickly agreed.
Only after Gu Yangui's carriage rolled over the snow and slowly drove out of the mansion gate did Su Wanrou, supported by Granny Wang, return to the warm room. She walked to the window, looking at the still swirling snowflakes outside, her heart filled with a profound sense of happiness. Her husband's anxiety and nagging had transformed into the warmest armor, protecting her from the cold.
Throughout the day, the servants of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion were exceptionally careful. The snow under the eaves was promptly cleared by the servants, but they deliberately left a few clean snow scenes in the courtyard for the lady to admire. The paths leading to the warm pavilion and the main house were not only swept clean, but also carefully sprinkled with charcoal ash to prevent slipping.
When Su Wanrou was handling household chores in the warm pavilion, the head maid and servants spoke in softer voices than usual, as if afraid of disturbing the pregnant lady. Wang Mama had arranged the soft couch in the warm pavilion to be extremely comfortable, with thick mattresses, warm fox fur, and always hot tea and snacks at the perfect temperature within reach.
After noon, the snow gradually subsided. Mingxuan returned from school, his little face flushed from the cold. Like a cheerful little bird running into the warm room, he brought a breath of cool air, but also a burst of vibrant life.
"Mother! The snow outside is so thick! Can we build a snowman?" he shouted excitedly, his eyes full of anticipation.
Before Su Wanrou could answer, Granny Wang quickly smiled and dissuaded her, "Oh, my little prince, you mustn't! Madam can't catch a cold or overwork herself right now. If you want to play in the snow, this old servant will have a few servants accompany you to the small courtyard next door to build snow. You can play for a while and then come back to warm yourself by the fire, okay?"
Mingxuan then remembered that his mother had a baby and couldn't play in the snow with him. A hint of disappointment flashed across his little face, but he quickly nodded understandingly, "Okay! I know, I won't bother Mother. I'll go build a little snowman myself and show it to Mother!" With that, he ran out in a flurry of activity.
Su Wanrou watched her son's lively figure disappear into the distance, a smile of helplessness mixed with affection on her face. It wasn't that she was completely immobile, but her husband's words of advice still echoed in her ears, and she didn't want everyone to worry.
About half an hour later, Mingxuan returned, his hair steaming and his nose red from the cold, but he excitedly grabbed Su Wanrou's hand: "Mother, Mother! Come and see! I built a little snowman and a little rabbit!"
Su Wanrou was pulled by him to the veranda. Sure enough, in the corner of the courtyard stood an adorable little snowman, with black beans for eyes and a carrot for a nose, and next to it was a snowball shaped like a little rabbit. Although it was piled up crookedly, it was full of childlike innocence and fun.
"Mingxuan is really amazing!" Su Wanrou praised sincerely, taking out a handkerchief to wipe the fine sweat and snow water from his forehead. "Come inside and warm up, have a bowl of ginger soup to ward off the cold."
In the evening, Gu Yangui returned home much earlier than usual. As he stepped through the gates, his official boots were covered in snow and mud, and his cloak was streaked with unmelted snowflakes. His first words to Gu Zhong, who came to greet him, were, "How is Madam today? Did she go out? Did she catch a cold?"
Upon learning that Su Wanrou had been well all day and had only watched the snow for a while under the eaves, his tense expression finally relaxed. He went straight back to the main courtyard, forcefully stomped the snow off his boots at the door, took off his chilly cloak and handed it to a maid before lifting the thick cotton curtain and stepping into the warm inner room.
Su Wanrou was leaning against the soft couch by the window, doing needlework. It was a small bib for her unborn child, with fine stitches and auspicious cloud patterns embroidered on it. The soft light shone on her focused profile, making her look serene and beautiful.
Gu Yangui didn't immediately disturb them, but simply stood quietly by the door, watching the scene. The chill from his journey through the snow seemed to have been completely dispelled at this moment, leaving only a heart full of peace and contentment.
This is his home, where his beloved wife resides, and where his unborn child is on the way. No matter how fierce the wind and snow outside, this will always be his warmest refuge.
Su Wanrou seemed to sense something, looked up, saw him standing there, and immediately a gentle smile bloomed on her face: "My husband is back."
"Yes, you're back." Gu Yangui walked over and sat down on the edge of the couch. He naturally took her hand, feeling the warmth of her palm. He then looked at the small undergarment in her hand and said gently, "Are you doing these things again? Be careful not to hurt your eyes."
"It's alright, doing it occasionally brings me joy." Su Wanrou put down her needlework, noticing a hint of weariness in his eyes, and asked with concern, "Was there a lot of work at the yamen today? Was the journey difficult?"
"It's all done, thankfully." Gu Yangui didn't want to dwell on the work that bothered her, so she asked instead, "Were you bored at home today? Did Mingxuan bother you?"
"It's not boring at all. I saw the snow, and I even saw the snowman that Mingxuan built." Su Wanrou smiled and told him about the fun things that happened during the day.
Outside the window, night had fallen, and the snow had completely stopped. The bright moonlight reflected off the snow, casting a cool yet luminous glow that illuminated the courtyard as if it were daytime. Inside, the candlelight was warm, the aroma of tea wafted through the air, and the couple nestled together on the couch, whispering and sharing the day's little stories.
Su Wanrou gently placed her hand on her lower abdomen, feeling the strange connection. She knew that in the years to come, there might be many more snowy days like this, but as long as this person was by her side, with this meticulous care and the warmth filling the room, even the heaviest snowstorm would be nothing more than a scene outside the window.
Where the heart finds peace, there is no fear of the bitter cold. This first snowfall, far from bringing any chill, has instead deepened and solidified the happiness of "family harmony."
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