Chapter 141 The First Snow of a Prosperous Era
The 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month is the Little New Year.
The capital city received its first decent snowfall of the winter. Goose-feather-like snowflakes began to fall at dawn, and by noon, the vermilion gates and blue-tiled eaves of the Zhenguo Duke's mansion were covered with a soft layer of white. The old plum trees in the courtyard were in full bloom, their red blossoms reflecting in the snow, their subtle fragrance adding a rare touch of gentle beauty to this majestic residence.
Su Wanrou stood under the porch of the main house, gazing at the snow scene, a smile unconsciously spreading across her lips. She wore an apricot-yellow silk jacket, over which she wore a begonia-red cloak trimmed with silver fox fur, and cradled her three-month-old second son, Gu Sheng, in her arms. The little boy was wrapped up tightly, only his exquisitely sculpted face showing, his bright black eyes darting around curiously, his tiny hands, clad in tiger-head gloves, reaching out to catch the falling snowflakes.
“Madam, it’s cold standing in the snow for too long. Be careful that the boy doesn’t catch a cold.” Zhou, the dowry maid, came over with a thick brocade cloak and gently draped it over Su Wanrou’s shoulders.
"Granny, look, Sheng'er seems to really like Xue." Su Wanrou lowered her head and pressed her cheek against her son's warm forehead, her voice full of maternal tenderness. She had been married into the Duke's mansion for nearly two years. The panicked girl on the hunting grounds of the past was now a graceful and dignified Duchess, her brows radiating peace and happiness.
"Indeed, young master's fearlessness of the cold is exactly like the Duke's when he was a child," said Granny Zhou with a smile, as she smoothed Su Wanrou's sideburns. She was Gu Yangui's wet nurse and held a prominent position in the household, now wholeheartedly assisting this young mistress.
Just then, a series of clear bell sounds, accompanied by cheerful footsteps, came from afar.
"Mother! Mother! It's snowing!"
Six-year-old Gu Mingxuan came running from the other end of the covered walkway like a little leopard. He was wearing a royal blue cotton robe with arrow sleeves, his little face was red from the cold, and there were still unmelted snowflakes on his hair and shoulders. He had grown quite a bit taller now, and his words and actions already showed the demeanor of a young prince. However, in front of Su Wanrou, he still retained the liveliness of a child.
"Slow down, be careful not to slip," Su Wanrou said with a smile, taking out a handkerchief to wipe his face. "Did you go see your father?"
"I've seen him! Father is in the study discussing matters with several generals, and he sent me to find Mother first." Mingxuan tiptoed, carefully touched his younger brother's hand, and lowered his voice, "Is Sheng-di asleep?"
"Not yet, he's full of energy." Su Wanrou lowered the child in her arms a little so that Mingxuan could see him more clearly. Mingxuan cherished this belated little brother very much, and the first thing he did after coming home from school every day was to come and see him.
"Madam," the head maid Yunxiu came in through the moon gate, smiling as she reported, "the sewing room has sent over the fabric patterns for the New Year's clothes for your perusal. The kitchen has also sent word, asking whether the sugar melons and Guandong candies for the Kitchen God Festival this year will be prepared according to the usual practice, or if Madam has other arrangements?"
"Send the materials to the west wing first, I'll go check on them later. As for the sweets for the Kitchen God Festival..." Su Wanrou pondered for a moment, "In previous years, we've increased the allowance by 30%, so everyone in the mansion can share in the joy. Also, prepare a separate portion of the finest honey offerings and sugar melons, I'll personally deliver them to the great concubine in the west courtyard later."
"Yes, Madam's consideration is very thoughtful." Yunxiu responded and went to leave.
Granny Zhou watched Su Wanrou handle the household chores with remarkable efficiency, her eyes filled with satisfaction. She recalled how, when this young mistress first married into the family, she had been quite apprehensive about the vast Duke's mansion and its complex interpersonal relationships. Now, however, she managed everything with impeccable order, employing both kindness and strictness. She had not only earned the respect of the servants, but even the attitude of the concubine in the West Courtyard (Gu Yangui's stepmother), who harbored resentment towards the second wife because of the late mistress's affair, had softened considerably.
"Mingxuan, have you memorized the poem 'New Year's Eve Snow' that I taught you yesterday?" Su Wanrou asked her eldest son while gently rocking the child in her arms.
"I've memorized it!" Mingxuan puffed out his little chest and recited aloud, "The north wind blows snow at the beginning of the fourth watch, auspicious omens arrive at the end of the year. Half a cup of Tusu wine remains untouched, before the lamp, I write peach charms on the small grass." After reciting, he blinked and asked, "Mother, why do we drink Tusu wine and write peach charms during the New Year?"
Su Wanrou explained softly, "Tusu wine is for warding off evil spirits and disease, and for praying for peace and health in the coming year. As for peach wood charms, they were originally peach wood boards hung on doors to ward off evil spirits, but later they gradually became used for writing Spring Festival couplets. After the 25th of the twelfth lunar month, your mother will teach you to write the character '福' (fortune), okay?"
"Great! I'm going to write lots of 'Fu' characters and paste them all over our yard!" Mingxuan clapped his hands happily.
Just then, a deep, smiling voice sounded from behind: "Paint the whole yard? That would take so much red paper."
Su Wanrou turned around at the sound and saw Gu Yangui standing under the corridor. He was not wearing his official robes today, but only a dark blue casual brocade robe with a matching fox fur cloak. He was tall and straight, and there was a hint of fatigue between his brows after the meeting, but when he saw his wife and children, that fatigue turned into warmth.
“Father!” Mingxuan immediately stood up properly.
"My husband is back." Su Wanrou, holding the child, slightly bent her knees. Gu Yangui stepped forward, steadily supporting her arm and taking Gu Sheng from her arms. His movements were natural and practiced, clearly not the first time.
"It's windy outside, why are you standing here?" He looked down at his second son. The little guy saw his father, grinned, and waved his little hands, babbling. Gu Yangui's cold, hard lips softened, and he gently rubbed his son's delicate cheek with his fingertips.
"Watching the snow. This winter has been dry, and it's rare to have such a good snowfall. They say a good snow promises a good harvest." Su Wanrou smiled and naturally brushed the snow off his cloak collar. "Did the meeting go smoothly?"
"Yes, it's nothing more than the military arrangements for the New Year, everything is settled." Gu Yangui held his youngest son, glanced at his eldest son standing obediently to the side, his gaze sweeping over the servants busy sweeping snow and hanging lanterns in the courtyard, finally settling on his wife's gentle profile. The mansion was peaceful and serene, filled with the festive atmosphere of welcoming the New Year. This warmth, full of life, was something he hadn't experienced in many years. He freed one hand and gently squeezed Su Wanrou's slightly cool fingers. "Let's go inside, don't get cold."
The family of four stepped into the warm, cozy house. A thick Persian carpet covered the floor, and in the corner, silver charcoal burned brightly in a copper incense burner, filling the air with the faint fragrance of plum blossoms and the sweet aroma of milk cake.
The wet nurse stepped forward to take Gu Sheng, but Gu Yangui waved her hand and sat down on the kang (a heated brick bed) by the window, placing his youngest son on his lap to play with him. Mingxuan also took off his shoes, climbed up to him, and chattered about the interesting things that happened at school that day. Su Wanrou instructed the maid to set out hot tea and snacks, and then went to check the dinner menu herself.
Seeing this scene, Granny Zhou secretly wiped her eyes. Who could have imagined that the Duke's mansion, which was as desolate as a snow cave two years ago, could now be so lively and warm? All of this was thanks to the new lady, who, despite her young age, had gradually integrated into the family with her sincerity and intelligence, warming the Duke's hardened heart.
At dinner time, the dining hall was brightly lit. Although the dishes were not luxurious, they were all exquisite and delicious, mostly home-style dishes that Gu Yangui and Su Wanrou liked to eat. Crispy fried yellow croaker and sweet steamed cheese were specially prepared for Mingxuan.
At the dinner table, Mingxuan excitedly planned how many firecrackers he would set off for the New Year and which temple fair he would visit with his father. Gu Yangui listened patiently, occasionally adding a word or two, but his gaze kept drifting to Su Wanrou beside him. She was carefully picking out the small bones from the fish and placing them on the plate in front of him, her profile appearing exceptionally gentle and serene under the lamplight.
“After the New Year, when spring arrives, how about I take you to stay at the estate for a few days?” Gu Yangui suddenly said. “Mingxuan will go too, so he can get acquainted with the estate and see the spring planting.”
Su Wanrou's eyes lit up: "Really? Then Sheng'er..."
"Of course we'll go together, just bring plenty of people," Gu Yangui said confidently. He knew she loved the countryside, and although she enjoyed wealth and luxury after marrying into a high-ranking family, she was inevitably bound by rules and regulations. He wanted to make her feel more at ease.
"Thank you, my husband!" Su Wanrou smiled radiantly, and even Mingxuan cheered.
After dinner, Gu Yan returned to his study to finish some unfinished official documents. Su Wanrou, on the other hand, took the prepared offerings for the Kitchen God Festival to her great-aunt's place in the west courtyard. The great-aunt, while not exactly warm, politely offered her a seat, accepted the gifts, and inquired about Gu Sheng's situation. Su Wanrou remained composed and neither servile nor overbearing, chatting with her for a while before taking her leave.
Back in the main courtyard, night had fallen. The snow had stopped sometime earlier, and the moonlight shone on the snow, making the world appear crystal clear. The light in the study was still on. Su Wanrou instructed the kitchen to prepare a late-night snack and personally carried it in.
Gu Yan was writing furiously at his desk when he heard footsteps. He looked up, saw her come in, put down his pen, and rubbed his temples.
"Why aren't you resting so late?" He pulled her hand and made her sit on the stool next to him.
"Husband, aren't you still awake?" Su Wanrou pushed the steaming chicken porridge and side dishes in front of him. "Eat some while it's hot. Have you finished your work?"
"Almost done." Gu Yangui scooped a spoonful of porridge; the temperature was just right. As he ate the porridge, looking at his wife's serene face under the lamplight, he suddenly felt much of his fatigue from the past few days dissipate. "When you went to the west courtyard just now, did Auntie give you any trouble?"
"No, Aunt Tai is very kind. She even asked about Sheng'er." Su Wanrou shook her head gently, paused, and then softened her voice, "Husband, I know you're worried about me. But things are different now. I can handle it."
Gu Yangui gazed at her for a moment, then reached out and pulled her into his arms, his chin gently brushing against the top of her head. The faint jasmine scent still lingered in her hair, bringing him peace of mind.
“I know you can,” he whispered. “My darling, you’ve grown up.”
Outside the window, all was quiet except for the distant sound of the night watchman's clapper. Inside the mansion, newly hung red lanterns under the eaves radiated a warm glow in the snow.
The first snow of this prosperous era washes away the dust of the past, foreshadowing a bountiful and peaceful year to come. And within this majestic Duke's mansion, their reunion and happiness, like the gradually melting snow under the eaves, silently seep into every crevice of time, nourishing each day of the future.
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