In the evening, Zhou Shuren returned, his cloak covered in snow. Zhulan asked, "Why didn't you use an umbrella when getting off the carriage?"
Zhou Shuren took the hot tea his wife handed over. "The wind outside was too strong, so I didn't bother."
"The roads on the way back must have been difficult to pass through."
"Indeed, if the wind continues like this, there's no need to attend court early tomorrow."
Zhulan noticed Shuren's furrowed brows. "Are you worried that continued heavy snowfall might lead to a snow disaster?"
"Yes, the first major snowstorm of the year being this intense doesn't bode well."
Zhulan sighed as well. "Who wouldn't think so? Luckily Rongchuan has returned from the grasslands; otherwise, who knows how much suffering we'd endure!"
Zhou Shuren went to his room to change clothes and came back out, saying, "This year we're short on cotton and charcoal. Alas."
Zhulan said, "After this snowfall, the prices will rise even further."
