Chapter Twelve: Longing to Step Outside

“I’m afraid that one day Father, Mother, and my brother will treat me as Grandfather did, casting me aside like a worn shoe. The very thought of such a day sets my heart ablaze with dread.”

Hearing this, Nanny Li hurried to comfort her. “Miss, you needn’t worry so. They cherish the eldest young lady because of blood ties, but they love you for the years you’ve spent together. That’s real and unshakable—no one can take it away!”

“The eldest young lady spent more than a decade in the countryside, without learning or upbringing. She’s hidden it well these first few days, but such things are not inborn; sooner or later, her true colors will show. Right now, they’re indulgent toward her out of guilt, but as time passes, that patience will wear thin.” Nanny Li laid out the pros and cons for Wei Qingwan.

Wei Qingwan shook her head. “If she were truly as uncouth and boorish as you say, I wouldn’t be so troubled. But what I saw of Wei Qingruo at the dinner table did not seem like the behavior of a common rustic. Perhaps things won’t unfold as you imagine…”

Nanny Li wore an anxious expression. “Miss, don’t always expect the worst. Rest assured, I’ve seen her true nature while teaching her proper conduct these past few days. That obedient face she puts on before the Master and Madam is all an act.”

“Really?” Wei Qingwan could not help but feel a trace of joy.

“It’s true!”

“Nanny, I know I shouldn’t wish ill upon my own sister—it’s just that I am so afraid… Right now, I feel like duckweed floating on the pond, uncertain where I’ll drift if I’m not careful…”

“I understand, Miss. You have a kind heart—if you hadn’t suffered so much lately, you’d never think ill of others. Don’t worry, I’ll handle certain matters for you so you needn’t trouble yourself.”

“…Alright.”

With Nanny Li’s comfort, Wei Qingwan’s spirits improved somewhat. Afterwards, she fell asleep attended by Nanny Li and Cuihe.

***

Early the next morning, Wei Ruo went to find Lady Yun and expressed her wish to go out.

Planting crops in the courtyard was far from enough for her. First, she needed more experience to upgrade her space; second, she needed to earn more resources for her own livelihood, to ensure she could survive after leaving the Wei family.

Thus, Wei Ruo needed to expand her business ventures—and to do that, she had to go out.

As a young lady of a respectable family, she couldn’t leave the house without permission; she required the household matron’s consent.

“Where do you wish to go?” Lady Yun asked, not displeased, but patient.

“I want to look around the county outskirts—to see the villages and fields nearby. Would that be possible?”

“The surrounding mountain villages are fine, but you may only go to the northwest. The southeastern outskirts are off-limits, and the coast even more so—those lawless pirates could appear at any moment and cause trouble. Here’s an idea: our family owns terraced hills to the north of the city. Go take a look there.” Lady Yun explained.

“That’s perfect,” Wei Ruo agreed.

“I’ll accompany you after I finish reviewing the accounts, shall I?”

“That won’t be necessary. I can go by myself.”

“That won’t do. You’re a proper young lady now; you can’t roam freely. Even if it’s safer in the city than outside, it’s still not appropriate for a young woman to go about alone.”

“Then perhaps Mother could assign someone to accompany me? There’s no need for you to be troubled yourself. You have so many family affairs to handle—let me not add to your burden.”

Lady Yun going along would complicate Wei Ruo’s plans.

Lady Yun smiled, “You’re so considerate, thinking of your mother.”

…Though that wasn’t exactly her intention.

“Please let me go alone, Mother,” Wei Ruo persisted.

“Very well. I know you’re still adjusting to life here. You can go, but don’t wander off, understand?”

“Yes.”

Receiving Lady Yun’s approval, Wei Ruo quickly prepared to set out.

Lady Yun arranged a carriage, a nanny, and a guard to accompany her. The nanny was the other of the two women who had fetched Wei Ruo from the countryside—Nanny Zhang.

When Nanny Zhang heard that Wei Ruo wanted to head back to the countryside again, she couldn’t help grumbling inwardly. Why couldn’t the eldest young lady get enough of the countryside? After all these years living there, now that she’d returned as an official’s daughter, why was her mind still preoccupied with those rustic matters?

If this went on, not only would she be ridiculed in the capital, but even here in Xing Shan County, she’d become the laughing stock of the other officials’ wives and daughters!

Despite her reluctance, she had to comply with Lady Yun’s instructions and maintained a pleasant expression before Wei Ruo.

Once out of the city’s north gate, from the carriage, Wei Ruo could see the rolling hills stretching into the distance, most carved into terraces.

Xing Shan County bordered the sea to the southeast; the wastelands outside the city were largely saline and barren, unsuited to farming. The locals there made a living by fishing, but with pirates running rampant, most fishermen had fled into the city.

***

To the northwest lay hills and slopes with little arable land, but the industrious people had carved terraces into the hillsides and planted rice.

However, terraced farming required more labor and was far more challenging than working level fields. Even with so many terraces, there was never enough grain to go around.

The carriage stopped before a small hill, and Xiumei helped Wei Ruo alight.

Nanny Zhang pointed to the hill ahead. “Miss, this is Mantou Hill—it belongs to our Commandant’s household.”

“This entire hill?”

“Yes.”

“Are there others?”

“No, our estate has only been in Xing Shan County for five years; our holdings here are still modest. But your grandfather is a loyal earl in the capital, and the family fortunes there are much greater,” Nanny Zhang replied.

She spoke with excitement, but Wei Ruo knew well enough that the family’s old wealth had long been depleted—only the empty shell of a noble house remained. Wei Mingting was at least capable, having attained the rank of junior commandant and managed to acquire some property, unlike his two elder brothers who did nothing but squander their inheritance.

“I’ll take a walk around,” Wei Ruo said, setting off along the path at the foot of the hill.

Nanny Zhang had no choice but to follow.

After a while, Nanny Zhang began to tire and grew increasingly disgruntled. What was the point of all this? How long would this go on? Her old bones could hardly bear it!

Seeing her fatigue, Wei Ruo suggested she return to the carriage to rest, but Nanny Zhang refused, unwilling to leave Wei Ruo unattended. Who knew what this country girl might get up to—she didn’t want to be held responsible if anything happened.

After some distance, Wei Ruo stopped before an uncultivated hillside.