Chapter 136: On Merits and Rewards

With the combined efforts of Wei Ruo, Wei Jinyi, Xiumei, Xie Jue, Xie Ying, and the entire Xie family entourage, all the goods on three large carts were completely distributed.

Afterward, they returned to the city together. On West Street, Wei Ruo, Wei Jinyi, and the Xie siblings bid each other farewell.

“Ruo Ruo, we’ll continue tomorrow!” Xie Ying said joyfully.

Though exhausted from a day of hard work, seeing the villagers’ smiles and the light in their eyes when receiving the supplies made Xie Ying feel deeply fulfilled.

“All right.” Wei Ruo had planned exactly that.

***

Over the following days, Wei Ruo continued to aid the disaster-stricken villagers alongside the Xie family.

Wei Qingwan also persisted for three days but then, for reasons unknown, stopped. Wei Ruo did not inquire further, as she was indifferent.

Seven days passed in the blink of an eye.

Thanks to the joint efforts throughout Xingshan County, the overall situation remained stable. Although losses were inevitable and the year ahead promised hardship, at least people’s daily lives could continue without major casualties.

At this time, good news arrived from the capital.

After Chu Lan reported the land improvement project in Xingshan County, His Majesty was immensely pleased and granted rewards based on merit.

That afternoon, Wei Mingtian was summoned to the county magistrate’s office, causing excitement throughout the Wei household.

The last time, the Seventh Prince himself had bestowed many gifts upon Wei Ruo; everyone wondered what rewards the emperor would grant the Wei family this time.

At Cangyun Garden, Madam Yun was anxious. She sat before the ledgers, unable to focus on a single word.

Wei Qingwan had returned early from the Qian residence to keep Madam Yun company.

Both hoped that Wei Mingtian would receive his share of the rewards, and better still, a promotion.

It was not until nightfall that Wei Mingtian returned home, where Madam Yun and Wei Qingwan approached him eagerly.

“Husband, how did it go?” Madam Yun asked anxiously.

Wei Mingtian furrowed his brow, his expression grim. “Things turned out differently than I expected.”

Upon hearing this, Madam Yun’s heart sank. “What happened?”

Wei Qingwan looked at him curiously, eager to understand what he meant by ‘differently.’

Wei Mingtian said, “His Majesty rewarded the Seventh Prince and Magistrate Qian but did not mention the Wei family at all.”

“What?” Madam Yun could hardly believe it. “How could the Wei family not be mentioned?”

Wei Mingtian shook his head. “I don’t know either. It’s not unusual for the emperor to overlook the Wei family, but why wasn’t Ruo even mentioned?”

He had never expected to gain anything from Wei Ruo’s efforts this time, but he believed she must have contributed significantly—if not the majority.

Ruo had led the project to cultivate new grain fields, yet during the rewards ceremony, only the Seventh Prince and Magistrate Qian were acknowledged; Wei Ruo’s name was absent.

Madam Yun was bewildered. “How could this be? That shouldn’t happen. Didn’t you say that in recent years, food supplies have been tight everywhere, and the emperor especially values those who help relieve the nation’s burdens?”

“Exactly.” Wei Mingtian agreed, which made this outcome all the more perplexing.

Madam Yun speculated, “Could it be that the Seventh Prince... deliberately concealed it?”

Since the Seventh Prince was the one who reported the matter to the emperor, he alone decided what to say. If he only mentioned himself and Magistrate Qian, naturally the Wei family would be left out.

“I’m not sure either. The emperor’s will is hard to fathom,” Wei Mingtian sighed.

Though he had been an official for many years, he had scarcely met the emperor face-to-face, and only from afar. Unlike court ministers, he had no opportunity to divine the sovereign’s intentions.

As for the Seventh Prince, their interactions were minimal, and Wei Mingtian knew little of his character or thoughts.

After pondering for a moment, Wei Qingwan suggested, “Perhaps because Ruo is a girl, and the emperor is reluctant to reward a woman for such deeds.”

Wei Mingtian replied as before, “We do not know the facts at present.”

Then, looking at Wei Qingwan, he said, “Wanwan, you should go back first.”

He was considering how to break the news to Wei Ruo and thus sent Wei Qingwan away.

Obediently, Wei Qingwan left Cangyun Garden.

As she walked out, she mulled over the outcome. Though surprised by the result, she couldn’t help but feel pleased.

She knew that Wei Ruo’s arrogance within the household—even defying her own mother—was largely because of her achievements and connections with the Seventh Prince.

If Wei Ruo had indeed been rewarded this time, who knew how much more arrogant she would become, openly and covertly suppressing her?

So, while it was regrettable that the Wei family received no official recognition, for Wei Qingwan, the joy outweighed the sorrow.

Though Wei Mingtian was unsure how to inform Wei Ruo, knowing the truth could not be concealed, after some thought, he decided to summon her to Cangyun Garden personally.

It was better that she hear it from him than through other channels.

When Wei Ruo arrived, Wei Mingtian briefly explained the situation.

Looking at his daughter afterward, he suddenly felt a surge of nervousness.

He rarely felt this way—even when leading troops against fierce Japanese pirates, he had never been so anxious.

Now, merely because he had to share this news with his daughter, fearing it would hurt her, he was overcome with tension.

Wei Ruo pondered for a moment and then said calmly, “I understand.”

Her expression was steady—without anger, sorrow, or tears.

Her composure only deepened Wei Mingtian’s concern.

“Ruo, I will try to find out the truth...” he said.

Though the Wei family’s influence was limited and asking might prove fruitless, he wanted to try for his daughter’s sake.

Wei Ruo shook her head. “Father, there’s no need to worry too much. What’s done is done. Even if you find out why, it won’t change anything. Let it be.”

Wei Mingtian understood her meaning. Given their situation, even knowing the cause would change nothing.

But knowing made him worry all the more.

He even thought that if Ruo were like Wanwan—who would cry out when wronged—he might be less anxious.

“Father, if there’s nothing else, I’ll go back now,” Wei Ruo said.

Her mood was far from good; she did not show anger or sorrow simply because such emotions were futile, but that did not mean her heart was unaffected.

Wei Mingtian frowned, wanting to say more but, not skilled in comforting, he fell silent and finally nodded, allowing Wei Ruo to return to Tingsong Garden.

Just as she was about to enter the courtyard, Wei Jinyi called out to her.

“Ruo’er.”

Wei Ruo turned and saw Wei Jinyi looking at her with concern.

She immediately guessed he knew what her father had just told her.

“Second Brother, I’m not in a good mood.”