Font Size:
The next day, the temperature plummeted, and a biting cold wind carried snowflakes swirling through the air. Overnight, a thick blanket of snow covered roofs, trees, and the ground. The maid swept the snow in the courtyard to the side, gleefully building two snowmen.
Chen Feng sat by the kang, sewing, as the heavy snow continued outside. She felt extremely burdened by the snowfall. If it kept snowing, even for another eight or ten days, it would spell disaster. The Chu family members, privy to the prophecy, dreaded its fulfillment. Not only would the Chu family face catastrophic consequences, but countless common people could perish from the snow disaster.
On the twenty-fifth afternoon, the heavy snow persisted. Chen Feng sat sewing, hearing the howling wind outside. Sewing helped calm her mind amid the storm. She alternated between looking at the small clothes in her hands and the sleeping boys. The boys had grown significantly and now resembled the Chu family more, particularly the Marquis. Chu Lingxuan bore a striking resemblance to the Marquis, while Chu Hanyan shared a likeness with Lou Fei (Abbess Liao Chen).
Marquis Chu had yet to see the boys. If he saw how much they resembled him, he would surely be delighted. Chu Lingxuan had mixed feelings toward Chu Hanyan, feeling both pity for her and reluctance due to her Marquis bloodline. Therefore, he was eager for Chen Feng to have more children.
Thinking of the pitiable young girl, Chen Feng pondered the distress Dabao and Chu Hanyan must be feeling. As she rubbed her chest, lost in thought about the two, a servant arrived to announce that a eunuch from the Princess Rong Zhao’s residence was on the way to see her. The gatekeeper had received prior notice that if anyone from the Princess’s residence wanted to see Chen Feng, it had to be reported promptly.
Upon hearing this, Chen Feng hurriedly set aside her sewing, instructing the maid to inform Third Madam while she retired to bed.
Shortly after, the eunuch arrived. Glancing inside, he said, “Our Lady Princess has ordered the Young Madam Chu to bring the two boys to pay respects to Her Lady Princess and the Prince Consort (Marquis Chu).”
The emphasis on “pay respects” was notable.
Mama Li quickly interjected, “Sir, as you can see, our Madam has been unwell since returning due to fatigue. Shouldn’t we carry her to the Princess’s residence instead?”
The eunuch suspected that Chen Feng was feigning illness. After a moment’s thought, he remarked, “The Lady Princess is kind, she wouldn’t make her ailing daughter-in-law observe formalities. However,” pointing to the boys on the kang, he continued, “These young gentlemen must pay respects to their grandparents, it is a matter of filial piety.”
Of course, Chen Feng couldn’t let the two children go to the Princess’s residence alone. Weakly, she said, “The children cannot be apart from me. I will get up and take them to see the Lady Princess.”
The eunuch sneered, “So Young Madam Chu can get out of bed after all. Why pretend to be ill? Hurry up, the Lady Princess has been waiting to see her grandsons for quite some time.”
Mama Li, along with Hong Fei and Autumn, entered to help Chen Feng get dressed. Chen Feng was unsteady on her feet, requiring two people to support her while another helped her dress. Meanwhile, the nursemaids found clothes for the boys and dressed them. The boys were rudely awakened from their deep slumber, with one receiving a pinch on his bottom, which led to loud cries.
As Chen Feng was being assisted to the eastern room’s entrance, Third Madam and the old Marquis hurried over.
Third Madam, upon witnessing the scene, became furious. Pointing at the eunuch, she shouted, “Give him a slap! How dare this eunuch act unjustly, taking Lady Rong Zhao’s daughter-in-law to the Princess’s residence without reason. He doesn’t know the consequences of accusing the Princess of cruelty and mistreating her daughter-in-law.”
One of the maids by her side stepped forward and delivered two resounding slaps to the eunuch, scolding him, “You have too much nerve to tarnish the Princess’s reputation like this.”
Old Marquis Chu, upon hearing this, exclaimed, “This eunuch hasn’t harmed Lady Rong Zhao’s reputation, Lady Rong Zhao is inherently unkind. She has already caused the death of Xuan’s first wife and now seeks to harm this one, aiming to drive my two great-grandsons mad. No, I will go to the palace now. I will lodge a complaint. Even if they are part of the royal family, I won’t allow such mistreatment.”
Terrified, the eunuch swiftly knelt before Third Madam, pleading for mercy and promising to report back truthfully to the Princess.
Third Madam reprimanded him, “You made a grave mistake. If you dare to do this again, I’ll gouge out your eyes.”
After the eunuch left, the old Marquis happily played with his great-grandsons.
Chen Feng hosted the old Marquis and Third Madam for dinner at the Bamboo Pavilion, serving hotpot prepared by Mama Hua. Later, Chu Lingzhi and Chu Lingwei were brought over, followed by the Third Master Chu, who arrived directly after finishing his official duties.
With only six people present, they enjoyed a meal of hotpot together in the warm room while the snowstorm raged outside. Laughter and conversation filled the room.
After a while, the old Marquis sighed, “If second daughter-in-law had a clear mind, we wouldn’t be missing a simple family dinner like this.”
Third Madam chimed in, “Father, it seems there’s no saving Lady Li. Although Second Brother has a gloomy temperament, he is a good person. His children are also decent. If we cast out that troublemaker, peace will return to our home, and we can gather for meals every day.”
The Third Master, although he found his wife’s comments about his brother and sister-in-law somewhat inappropriate, didn’t intervene and just chuckled. Chen Feng shared a similar sentiment but being a junior member, she refrained from saying anything and also joined in with a silly laugh.
The Third Master remarked, “So it’s a tactic to showcase how chaotic our Marquisate has become due to Princess Rong Zhao’s interference. That’s why I’ve tolerated many of Second Sister-in-law’s excessive actions. Once certain matters are resolved, if sister-in-law continues to cause trouble, we can’t keep her here.”
The heavy snow continued unabated until the twenty-eighth day of the lunar new year. Snow disasters struck the outskirts of the capital and areas to the north, collapsing many homes, freezing numerous livestock, and causing fatalities.
The words of the old monk had indeed come true. If the snow persisted until the end of the first or second month as he predicted, leading to a late clearing, the death toll would be devastating.
The Emperor, in a state of distress, convened daily Cabinet meetings to discuss relief efforts. He also decreed to cancel the traditional New Year’s Day audience with him and the Empress Dowager, rescheduling it to the third day for the areas affected by the disaster.
On that day, an Imperial Censor began to accuse Princess Rong Zhao of numerous “immoral” actions, claiming they had angered the heavens, leading to bird attacks and now the snow calamity.
Despite the Emperor’s frustration and fear, he chose to withhold action due to the royal face at stake. However, the Empress Dowager issued an edict, instructing Princess Rong Zhao to copy scriptures in her residence, forbidding her from going anywhere – essentially placing her under house arrest.