Chapter 143 Then I Will Listen to You

The next day, Wei Ruo prepared to head out. As soon as she stepped out of the threshold of Tingisong Courtyard, she ran into Mammy Li.

"Where is the Eldest Young Miss off to again?" Mammy Li asked with a beaming smile.

To Wei Ruo, that smile looked anything but friendly.

"Do I need to report my whereabouts to you?" Wei Ruo retorted.

Ever since that previous incident, Mammy Li had kept a low profile for quite some time. Today, for reasons unknown, she had lost her mind again and come looking for trouble.

"It is naturally unnecessary for the Eldest Young Miss to report to a servant like me, but it would be best to inform the Madam," Mammy Li reminded her.

"I have been out so many times before. Do I really need you to teach me how to conduct myself?"

"Please do not be angry, Eldest Young Miss. This old servant is only acting out of kindness. After all, things are not as they used to be. Previously, the Young Miss was acting on orders and had to handle matters in the south of the city, with people sent by nobles assisting the Eldest Young Miss. But things are different now; everyone knows that affair has nothing to do with you anymore."

The corners of Mammy Li's mouth curled into a smile.

Wei Ruo finally understood why Mammy Li had been quiet for so long yet came to trouble her today. Evidently, she believed Wei Ruo had lost a major backing, and thus she no longer feared acting arrogantly around the household.

Indeed, the last time they were at the prefectural city, Wei Ruo had dared to directly confront Madam Yun precisely because she had the southern city project to rely on.

Realizing Mammy Li's train of thought, Wei Ruo gave a radiant smile. "So you are here to watch my humiliation on behalf of your young miss, is that it? You and your young miss certainly know how to pick your timing, choosing precisely when Father is away from home."

Several days had passed since that incident. Mammy Li had managed to hold back until today to come and watch her make a fool of herself, likely because for the past few days, Father had still returned home every evening, and her second brother was around as well.

With her second brother away these last few days, and Father rarely returning home ever since the war broke out, there was simply no time to spare for minor domestic affairs.

"What is the Eldest Young Miss saying? To say such a thing is truly to measure a gentleman's heart with a mean person's yardstick. This old servant is only concerned for the Eldest Young Miss. I hope that the Eldest Young Miss can properly observe the rules and respect her parents, rather than behaving without decorum. After all, when the Young Miss first entered the estate, it was this old servant who taught her the rules. Naturally, this old servant must take responsibility for the Eldest Young Miss's conduct." A confident and smug smile hung on Mammy Li's face.

"Then I am afraid you are bound to be disappointed." Wei Ruo chuckled softly, then turned to Xiumei. "Meimei, if there is another dog blocking our path, help your young miss chase it away."

"Understood, Miss, no problem!" Xiumei extended her right hand and clenched it into a fist.

Mammy Li gave a light huff, then took two steps back to clear the path for Wei Ruo.

Watching Wei Ruo walk past her, Mammy Li wore a smile brimming with contempt at the corners of her mouth.

Just as Wei Ruo reached the entrance, she happened to run into Madam Yun and Wei Qingwan, who were about to head out.

The timing was just that coincidental.

Seeing Wei Ruo, Wei Qingwan asked in astonishment, "Is Elder Sister going out too? Has the matter in the south of the city not already concluded?"

Wei Ruo smiled. So that was it. Mammy Li had so tactlessly blocked her path not merely to disgust her with a few remarks, but to ensure she would run into Madam Yun as she went out.

Madam Yun also questioned Wei Ruo, "That is right, Ruo'er. Have you not ceased your involvement in the southern city affair?"

"I am going to attend to other matters," Wei Ruo replied.

"What other matters?" Madam Yun frowned.

"Matters relating to farming as well," Wei Ruo answered.

Hearing this, Madam Yun furrowed her brow slightly. "Ruo'er, previously your father supported you in the southern city affair because you were benefiting the common people and working for their welfare. Now that you are no longer in charge of the southern city, why must you still meddle in farming affairs?"

Madam Yun did not quite approve of her daughter's actions.

"Does Mother think it is wrong for your daughter to care about agricultural affairs?" Wei Ruo asked.

"It is not wrong to care about agriculture; rather, Mother feels that there are things more worthy of your time and effort right now," Madam Yun said.

She had originally expected her eldest daughter to achieve great merits and establish a career through this venture, but facts had proven that this path was unfeasible.

Although she did not know whether the Seventh Prince had suppressed the matter or if it was the Emperor's own will, it all demonstrated that women of a noble clan could ultimately not win recognition by fussing over farming.

Therefore, Madam Yun hoped that her daughter would henceforth apply her mind and energy to other areas and strive to become a more proper and poised young lady of a noble household.

"What if your daughter insists on doing so?" Wei Ruo retorted.

Madam Yun sighed. "If you insist, I cannot stop you, because your father said he permits you to do as you wish. But Mother hopes you understand that my considerations are for your own good. You are turning fourteen soon, reaching the age of capping, and after that, prospective matches will begin to be arranged. Compared to finding a peasant husband, Mother truly hopes to see you married into a respectable family."

Though Madam Yun disapproved in her heart, she did not wish to act against her husband's wishes, nor did she want to displease him.

Wei Qingwan chimed in to persuade Wei Ruo, "Elder Sister, Mother is concerned for you, and everything she says is out of consideration for your well-being. Do not break Mother's heart; Mother has already been very tired and overworked lately."

Madam Yun glanced at Wei Qingwan beside her, unable to stop a wave of emotion. Compared to Ruo'er, Wanwan was truly so much more considerate. She could empathize with her hardships, understand her painstaking efforts, and would come over to help her with chores whenever she had free time.

Wei Ruo wore a gentle smile. "Is that so? Then I shall heed Mother's words and not go out today."

Wei Ruo's sudden change of mind caused both Madam Yun and Wei Qingwan to reveal expressions of astonishment.

"Ruo'er, you are willing to listen to your mother?" Madam Yun asked.

"Mn, I will listen to Mother and not go out today to busy myself with farming matters that hardly befit the status of a noble young lady," Wei Ruo replied. "However, I will have to trouble Mother to explain this to the prefect's servants in a moment."

What did that mean?

The prefect's servants?

Madam Yun was puzzled, and Wei Qingwan was baffled.

Could it be that Wei Ruo's outing today had something to do with the Prefect's Madam?

Yet was the Prefect's Madam not far away in the prefectural city?

Just at that moment, a two-horse carriage arrived at the entrance of the Commandant's Mansion. After it came to a halt, a woman dressed in proper attire stepped down. Her garments were made of luxurious fabric, yet she wore the attire of a maidservant, instantly revealing her to be a servant from a prominent household.

Seeing Madam Yun and the others, she stepped forward and bowed.

"Greetings to Madam Wei, the Eldest Young Miss, and the Second Young Miss."

"You are..." Madam Yun found this maidservant somewhat familiar.

"Reporting to Madam, we are servants from the prefect's mansion. Entrusted by my mistress, we have come to fetch the Eldest Young Miss," the maidservant replied.

Madam Yuan had sent people to fetch Wei Ruo? Madam Yun was utterly surprised and taken aback.

Looking closer, she indeed remembered seeing this maidservant during the garden party—she was one of Madam Yuan's personal attendants!

While Madam Yun was still in shock, Wei Ruo replied to Madam Yuan's personal maid, "I am terribly sorry, Elder Sister. My mother forbids me from busying myself with farming affairs all day long, so I am unable to assist the Madam. Please return and convey this to her."