Chapter 121: Everyone Except Wei Qingwan

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Besides gold, there were also bolts of fine cloth, porcelain, tea, pearls, spices, and more.

They were all the sorts of gifts customarily bestowed by the imperial family.

As a favored prince, Chu Lan would surely regard such things as utterly commonplace.

To an ordinary household, however, they were treasures that money alone could not buy.

Take the tea, for instance. It must have been presented as tribute from some province, while the porcelain had most likely come from an imperial kiln.

It was a pity that none of these things could be sold for cash.

The only item Wei Ruo could truly treat as money was the one hundred taels of gold.

She studied the gifts, her brows drawing together slightly.

“What is wrong, Young Mistress?” Xiumei asked.

“I need to select a few things I have no use for, but that are still presentable, and distribute them among the others in the residence. What ought to be done must be done properly. I cannot give anyone a hold over me,” Wei Ruo replied.

The gifts Chu Lan had sent this time were different from those the Xie family had given her previously. Gifts in return would have to be reciprocated later, so she had a valid reason not to share them with anyone else.

But she had received so many imperial rewards this time that it would be difficult to justify keeping everything for herself.

Xi aumei thought for a moment. “Young Mistress, I noticed that some of the cloth is meant for men. We have no use for it.”

“Set it aside.”

“All right!”

Xi umei sorted through the bolts of fabric. Roughly half of them—eight bolts—were suitable for men.

“Set four bolts aside for Second Brother. Of the remaining four, send two to Father and two to Eldest Brother. Remember: when speaking of the four bolts for Second Brother, tell people there are only two,” Wei Ruo instructed.

“All right.”

“Are there three boxes of pearls over there?”

“Yes, three boxes. The pearls are all quite large.”

“Take one box and send it to Azure Cloud Court.”

Though she was not particularly willing, appearances had to be maintained. Otherwise, she would only be creating trouble for herself.

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“Also, take out several of the teapots and porcelain pieces. Set them aside for the Old Earl and his wife in the capital. When something is sent to the capital from our household, send these along with it.”

Although the Old Earl and his wife had never met her, they had already sent gifts twice. Since she had received imperial rewards, she naturally ought to remember them as well.

Besides, the gifts for them should be more valuable than those given to the others in the residence, so Wei Ruo selected several particularly fine pieces.

That took care of shares for her parents, her elder brother, and her grandparents. Only Wei Qingwan and Wei Yilin remained.

“There is no need to prepare anything for Wei Qingwan. She has just offended me, and everyone in the prefectural city knows it. She was in the wrong and is still being punished. I can openly use her punishment as the reason for giving her nothing.” Wei Ruo had already thought this through.

It was fortunate that Wei Qingwan had brought the matter upon herself, causing such a commotion in the prefectural city and giving Wei Ruo a perfectly respectable excuse to “punish” her openly.

“As for Wei Yilin, he has also done wrong, but I have already had him punished, so it would be excessive to go too far this time. I saw a whip listed on the inventory. Send it to him and tell him to practice with it properly.”

The whip bestowed by Chu Lan was naturally no ordinary whip. It was a rare and valuable object, and giving it to Wei Yilin, who was learning martial arts, was both reasonable and dignified.

The only question was how long the seven-year-old boy’s arms would ache after using it.

Following Wei Ruo’s instructions, Xi umei selected each of these items and placed them to one side.

“Choose some more things to send to my wet nurse and her family. Anything that can safely be given to them, send it all.”

Wei Ruo examined the gifts before her, calculating which items could be sent to the Xu family.

The cloth was out of the question. Fabric bestowed by Chu Lan was not something an ordinary household could wear. The porcelain and ornamental pieces were unsuitable as well; commoners had no use for such things.

There was also a jeweled dagger that Wei Ruo truly wished to give Xu Zhengyong. But its decoration was far too conspicuous. If Xu Zhengyong were seen with it, no one could say what trouble might follow.

After a careful inspection, very few items remained that could safely be given to her wet nurse’s family.

“Send the remaining two boxes of pearls to my wet nurse. Divide half the tea and give it to Uncle Xu. He enjoys tea, and although this tea is precious, it can still be purchased on the market. Even if someone learns about it, it will not cause any trouble.”

“Also, take some of my silver and find a blacksmith. Have him make me a fine dagger and several pieces of armor.”

If the directly bestowed items were unsuitable, she could simply spend her own money to have replacements made. In any case, she could not let her wet nurse’s family lose out.

“All right! I’ll take care of it as soon as I finish sorting everything!” Xi umei replied eagerly.

Wei Ruo and Xi umei then organized all the bestowed goods together. The items meant to be given away were set aside for delivery, while those intended for storage were placed in the warehouse, each category carefully arranged.

Afterward, they cleared out a pile of relatively worthless objects from the storeroom to make room.

Most of what they removed consisted of the first batch of gifts sent by the Earl’s household in the capital when Wei Ruo had newly arrived at the Commandant’s Residence. They were mostly inexpensive bronze ornaments.

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Once five large chests had been filled, Wei Ruo summoned servants from the residence and had them carry the chests to the main warehouse.

She then took the gifts intended for the people in the residence and went to Azure Cloud Court.

“Mother, I plan to distribute these things among everyone in the residence,” Wei Ruo said.

As she spoke, she presented the box of pearls to Madam Yun. “This box of pearls is for you, Mother.”

When the box was opened, the pearls inside were large, round, smooth, and lustrous. Pearls of such quality were difficult to find on the market, and even when available, they were exceedingly expensive.

“You are very thoughtful, Ruo’er.” Madam Yun closed the box, her expression filled with satisfaction and warmth.

“I selected several bolts of cloth—two each for Father, Eldest Brother, and Second Brother, so that they may have new clothes made. I also chose several pieces of porcelain and a set of purple-clay teapots. When there is an opportunity, I will send them to the capital for Grandfather and Grandmother,” Wei Ruo continued.

Madam Yun nodded, thoroughly pleased with her arrangements.

Then Wei Ruo took out a whip. “I do not know much about whips, but since this one was given by His Highness the Seventh Prince, it must be a valuable object. It should be just right for my younger brother, who is learning martial arts.”

“You have thought of everything very carefully,” Madam Yun said approvingly.

Wei Ruo waited a while, but when she did not say anything more, Madam Yun asked, “What about Wanwan?”

“Have you forgotten what just happened, Mother? Qingwan made a mistake and is currently being punished. If she is being punished, then she must look the part. How could she receive rewards while still undergoing punishment?”

Madam Yun could not help speaking in Wei Qingwan’s defense. “Your sister already knows she was wrong and has received the punishment she deserved. As her elder sister, you should be more magnanimous. You two will still need to support each other in the future. There is no need to damage your sisterly bond over such a minor matter.”

“Knowing she was wrong proves that the punishment was effective. How could we abandon it halfway through? She made the mistake first, and realizing her error and correcting it is the least she ought to do. That is atonement, not merit. How could she be rewarded merely because she has finally admitted her fault?” Wei Ruo countered.