Chapter 155: The Attitude of Father and Brother

"Miss Wei has acquired a great deal of farmland in the prefecture city over the past few days and has also hired many displaced people," Yuan Zhengqin said.

"Ruo'er mentioned this to me. Is there a problem?" Lady Yuan asked.

"I haven't heard of any trouble. From the perspective of the prefect, Miss Wei has done a great deed. The displaced people appeared only recently; though not numerous, they are still a source of instability. I was just fretting over how to settle them when Miss Wei took them all in. With land to till and food to eat, they naturally became settled. This is far more effective than me spending silver to arrange temporary lodgings for them."

Official government arrangements for shelter and food were always short-term and could not resolve long-term issues.

"As long as there is no trouble, that is good. She saved my life, and now she is treating my ailments and giving us advice to increase farmers' yields. If she ever runs into any trouble, you must let me know so I can help her out," Lady Yuan told her husband.

"I know. I am also grateful to her. Even without you telling me, I would help her if anything arose," Yuan Zhengqin said with a sigh. "At the rate things are going at present, Miss Wei's personal estate might soon surpass the entire Garrison Commander's Residence, and perhaps even rival the Palace Guard Marquis's Residence in the capital."

Yuan Zhengqin was well aware of the Wei family's situation; apart from whatever hidden assets the elder master and mistress of the Marquis's Residence might hold that outsiders knew nothing about, the rest truly had nothing much to speak of.

"That was earned by Ruo'er herself. The Seventh Prince's reward was for her merit in improving barren land, and the estate I gave her was for saving the lives of myself and Sheng'er. Since she has this capability, she deserves this fortune," Lady Yuan said.

Seeing his wife speak up so strongly for Wei Ruo, Yuan Zhengqin could not help but smile. "It seems my wife truly holds Miss Wei in high regard."

Lady Yuan replied, "At first, it was mostly a sense of gratitude. To this day, I clearly remember her resolute expression and tone during my most painful and agonizing moments—a grace I will never forget in this lifetime. However, spending time with her has indeed made me fond of her even more. Her temperament suits my taste; she is not like ordinary young ladies cloistered in their chambers."

"As long as my wife is happy, I am happy too. It is wonderful for you to find a confidante in this relatively bleak Taizhou Prefecture. Over the years, having you leave the capital to accompany me here has truly wronged you."

"I have not been wronged at all. With you by my side and your understanding, I am willing to go anywhere. Besides, I am well-fed and well-housed here, so how can this be considered a grievance?"

"Hmm." Yuan Zhengqin gently pulled his wife into his arms.

With a wife like this, what more could a husband ask for?

***

Wei Ruo remained in the prefecture city until the opening of the braised food shop before returning.

She would rather not have gone back, but if she delayed any longer, even using Lady Yuan as an excuse would no longer hold up.

After a half-month interval, upon returning to the Garrison Commander's Residence, Wei Ruo first went to see Wei Mingting.

Wei Mingting looked at Wei Ruo as though he had many things to say.

"Ruo'er has worked hard," Wei Mingting said.

"Your daughter has not worked hard. It is Father who has been campaigning for days, fighting bloody battles to protect our home and country, who has truly worked hard," Wei Ruo replied with conventional politeness.

Wei Mingting gazed at Wei Ruo for a long time, prompting her to raise her head and look back at him.

As their eyes met, Wei Ruo felt a brief sense of trance. She saw a look in Wei Mingting's eyes that was utterly unfamiliar to her.

In her previous life, she had never seen such a look from that alcoholic, abusive father, and in this life, up to the present day, it was the first time she had ever seen anyone direct such a gaze at her.

It was profound and heavy, seemingly laden with a multitude of emotions.

Wei Ruo lowered her head again, avoiding that unfamiliar gaze.

After a long while, Wei Mingting said to her, "You must be exhausted from your long journey. Go back and rest first."

"Your daughter takes her leave."

Wei Ruo hurriedly retreated and headed toward the Song-Listening Courtyard.

Just as she neared the courtyard, Wei Yichen intercepted her.

"Eldest Brother?" Wei Ruo looked at Wei Yichen in puzzlement, wondering why he was blocking her path.

"Ruo'er..." Wei Yichen gazed at Wei Ruo with an expression somewhat similar to Wei Mingting's—hesitant and about to speak.

He had learned of Wei Ruo's return to the residence and had come specifically to find her.

"If Eldest Brother has something to say, please speak freely," Wei Ruo said.

She would not have been so casual speaking to Wei Mingting, but she had no such reservations with Wei Yichen.

"A few days ago, Second Brother sent a letter. He investigated some matters in Huzhou Prefecture..."

Wei Yichen assumed Wei Ruo knew nothing of this.

Wei Ruo did not interrupt; she simply looked at Wei Yichen, waiting for what he had to say next.

After a long moment of hesitation, Wei Yichen continued, "Ruo'er, you have suffered."

"It is nothing. It is all in the past," Wei Ruo replied.

During those days at Mojia Lane, Wei Ruo had not actually suffered much. The reason she did not refute Wei Yichen was because the original owner had indeed lived a very bitter life during those years.

As a native of this world, given her young age and limited experience, having her monthly allowance withheld meant her days had truly been arduous.

If her wet nurse had not stayed by her side all along, supporting her with her own family's money, she might not even have lived long enough to be fetched back by the Wei family.

Hearing Wei Ruo's understated "It is all in the past," Wei Yichen's heart felt heavy, and he made a promise to her:

"Eldest Brother promises you that from now on, you will live a life of abundance. Father has said that you need not be constrained to act like a proper young lady of a noble house; you may do whatever you please. In the future, even if you wish to marry a farmer, it will not matter. Father and I will always be your backing."

Wei Yichen spoke with utmost sincerity, but Wei Ruo had long since made up her own mind—she would rely on herself, not on fathers or brothers.

"Thank you for Eldest Brother's good intentions. We can discuss future matters when the time comes."

"Then go back and rest first. You must be tired from the journey," Wei Yichen said.

Wei Ruo returned to the Song-Listening Courtyard, where Nanny Zhang was waiting to report on the situation in the southern part of the city. Although Wei Ruo no longer intervened much, she still needed to grasp the general situation—first, because she had accepted Magistrate Qian's silver, and second, because she could not bear to watch those people's efforts go to waste.

After Nanny Zhang finished her report, Wei Ruo asked, "Is Mother not in the residence today?"

Wei Ruo had not seen Yunshi since her return; if she had been present, she should have seen her alongside her father earlier.

"The Mistress went to Fahua Temple early this morning," Nanny Zhang replied.

"Today is neither the first nor the fifteenth of the lunar month. Why go to Fahua Temple?" Wei Ruo asked.

"This old servant is not entirely certain of the exact reason, but I suspect it may be related to the matter from a few days ago," Nanny Zhang answered.

"What matter?"

"The letter sent back by the Second Young Master, of course. According to what the letter stated, the current Second Young Lady of the residence is someone whose destiny clashes with her parents. The Mistress seems quite disturbed by this, so this old servant guesses that the Mistress went to Fahua Temple today regarding this affair."

With no outsiders present, Nanny Zhang spilled everything to Wei Ruo.