Note: If you want the continuity of this story consider to join Pãtreon/Flokixy to access advance Chapters and To Support The Daily Update
The days passed by in an uneventful blur.
That morning, as Su Li threw off her blanket, a wave of cold air hit her. She quickly put on her robe and pushed open the window.
Whoa!
It was snowing!
Just then, Siqin entered with a basin of fresh water. After placing it down, she rubbed her hands together.
"Miss, the weather this year is so strange! It's only mid-September, yet it suddenly started snowing without any warning. Yesterday was still sunny!"
As Siqin spoke, she turned to close the door before beginning to help Su Li with her morning grooming.
Zhishu and Mohua came in next, one carrying a charcoal brazier and the other a pot of tea.
Su Li asked, "Has charcoal been delivered to Mother's courtyard?"
Mohua set down the brazier and replied, "Yes, the steward sent it over early this morning. Luckily, the shipment of golden-thread charcoal that Young Master Xu purchased arrived just two days ago."
Su Li nodded. "Indeed, if it had been delayed any longer, it would've been troublesome."
Mohua smiled. "Young Master Xu praised you as a divine being. If it weren't for your instructions to hurry with the purchase, he wouldn't have acted so promptly."
Zhishu turned to prepare Su Li's clothes.
"Miss, you'll need to wear a padded jacket today—it's freezing outside."
Dressed warmly and holding a hand warmer, Su Li stood by the window for a while.
The snowflakes drifting through the air were small and light, resembling white feathers or fallen pear blossoms, scattering gently to the ground.
A few days ago, Wang Wei had sent word that the granaries in the south had been completed, and some grain had already been purchased. His letter also mentioned that the southern regions had been experiencing continuous rainfall. Foresighted villagers had already begun anticipating a poor harvest this year, and no one was selling their grain anymore.
Famine in the south and snowstorms in the north—these impending crises loomed ever closer. The imperial examinations were also approaching soon, meaning he must already be on his way to the capital.
A hard battle lay ahead!
"Miss, don't stand by the window catching a chill," Siqin urged gently.
She had noticed lately that her young mistress often liked to gaze out the window lost in thought.
After closing the window, Su Li said, "Siqin, bring my breakfast here—I won't go to the main hall today. Zhishu, I'd like some crystal cakes made by you."
"Yes, Miss."
Once the maids had left the room, Su Li looked around at the interior.
"Mo Yun."
A purple figure appeared silently in the room.
"Tonight, tell your master to come see me."
Mo Yun hesitated, startled.
"Miss, you are Mo Yun's master."
Su Li chuckled softly. "I used to think so too, but when he came several times in the middle of the night without you stopping him, I realized I wasn't."
Mo Yun's eyes filled with guilt. "Miss..."
"I'm not angry. Just pass along the message for me."
"Yes, Miss!"
After finishing breakfast in her room, Su Li noticed the snowfall had lessened slightly. She decided to visit her mother's quarters, bringing her maids along.
Her mother was sitting on a platform bed, embroidering something for the child in her belly. Seeing her daughter enter with a red nose from the cold, she scolded affectionately, "Why did you come out today? It's so cold—you should've worn more layers!"
The room was warmed by two braziers, making it cozy.
Su Li handed her cloak to a maid and climbed onto the bed, still clutching her hand warmer. "If I hadn't come to see you today, I wouldn't have felt at ease. Besides, I'm already wearing so many layers—if I wore any more, I'd roll instead of walk!"
Her mother tapped her nose playfully. "You!"
Glancing out the window, she could still hear the howling wind.
"This year is truly unusual—snowfall came out of nowhere. Many households haven't stocked up on charcoal yet; they'll surely freeze."
While helping her mother cut fabric, Su Li remarked, "Yes, the price of charcoal will likely soar soon."
Not just charcoal—the cost of grain would skyrocket as well.
"Thankfully, we've stored plenty of golden-thread charcoal. Our household won't face shortages."
As they chatted, Su Li's mother sighed wistfully. "With this snowfall, it feels like the New Year celebrations are near. After this year passes, my little Li will reach the age of fifteen and become a grown-up lady."
Su Li gently touched her mother's slightly rounded belly. "By late winter or early spring, our family will welcome a new addition. Things will get even livelier then."
Her mother laughed. "Don't change the subject. Has His Highness Prince Jing mentioned anything about setting a wedding date?"
Pretending to be bashful, Su Li replied, "Mother, we've barely seen each other!"
Though the imperial decree granting marriage had been issued long ago, there had been no response from the Southern Frontier.
No return to the frontier, no communication either.
As long as the envoys from the Southern Frontier remained, she couldn't dissolve the engagement. The longer the delay, the more restless Su Li grew.
Her mother nodded thoughtfully. "You're right—it's my oversight. Even if Prince Jing wants to discuss the wedding date, he should speak with your father."
Quickly changing the topic, Su Li said, "Mother, since the weather has turned colder so suddenly, Grandfather's estate might not have prepared enough golden-thread charcoal. Let the steward send two carts over."
Her mother slapped her forehead. "How could I forget? You're always so considerate, Li'er."
"Forget Summer, did you hear what the young miss said? Go inform the steward."
"Yes, Madam."
Seeing the conversation successfully redirected, Su Li quietly exhaled in relief.
Her relationship with Jun Mo was one of mutual benefit—the marriage contract would eventually be dissolved. What point was there in discussing a wedding date?
*At the Duke of Wei's Residence*
"Mother, let me drape another blanket over you."
Lady Wang placed another blanket over the elderly matriarch's legs and glanced outside.
Damn this cursed weather.
Wei Yuanyao entered, rubbing her hands together. "Mother, it's so cold! Didn't we have leftover charcoal from last year?"
Lady Wang frowned. "If we had any left, would we let your grandmother suffer in the cold? This sudden drop in temperature caught us unprepared!"
Wei Yuanyao reached out to touch her grandmother's hand—it was icy cold.
The elderly and children were especially vulnerable to the cold.
"Mother, this can't continue. We're managing better than most, but Grandmother's leg ailment has only recently healed."
Lady Wang instructed a nearby maid, "Quickly fetch the steward."
Why was buying charcoal taking so long?!
Moments later, the steward returned empty-handed.
"Where's the charcoal?" Lady Wang demanded.
The steward sighed. "Madam, we sent someone out first thing this morning, but there's no golden-thread charcoal available—only wood charcoal, and even that's scarce."
Lady Wang clenched her teeth. "Can't we pay more?"
The steward shook his head. "This time of year is usually sunny. All the old stock has already been bought up by the royal princes' residences."
Lady Wang's expression darkened. Why were these people bypassing the Ministry of Revenue and competing with them?
The elder matriarch interjected, "Don't blame the steward. Wood charcoal will have to do."
Lady Wang ordered, "Bring in a brazier with wood charcoal."
"Yes."
Soon, the wood charcoal was brought in.
Gradually, the room warmed up—but...
"Cough, cough... Mother, this wood charcoal—it's unbearable!" Wei Yuanyao covered her nose and mouth, coughing until her face turned red.
Lady Wang was also coughing violently. What choice did they have?
The elder matriarch teared up from the fumes. "Put it out—I'd rather endure the cold. This wood charcoal is simply... cough, cough..."
Being aged wood charcoal, it produced thick smoke that choked everyone.
Just then, a servant rushed in with news: "Madam, the Su family has sent over two full carts of golden-thread charcoal!"
Lady Wang's eyes lit up.
"Really? Quickly extinguish the wood charcoal and light the golden-thread charcoal!"
What a timely delivery! Two carts would last them until spring.
Wei Yuanyao exclaimed happily, "It must be Cousin Li'er! She's been preparing reserves of charcoal for days—I laughed at her for worrying unnecessarily, but she was right all along!"
The elder matriarch smiled. "Li'er is such a thoughtful girl."
When the golden-thread charcoal was lit, there was no choking smoke. Gradually, the room became warm again. Clothes no longer felt damp, and frozen limbs began to thaw.
Sipping hot tea, the group sighed contentedly, finally feeling comfortable once more.