Chapter 157: A Change of Perspective on Wei Ruo

"I don't understand, so I won't make a comment," Wei Ruo replied.

"You don't need to be as knowledgeable as Father. Just tell me whether you think it looks good or not."

Wei Yilin was unrelenting and insisted on hearing Wei Ruo's opinion.

Helpless, Wei Ruo could only give a perfunctory reply: "Since Father has praised it, it must be very good."

What on earth does this brat want? Does he want her to shower him with compliments? Is he out of his mind?

Wei Yilin pouted, his expression filled with dissatisfaction toward Wei Ruo's answer.

Wei Mingting asked Wei Yilin, "What made you think of learning to use a whip?"

"Because Wei... because eldest sister gave me this whip," Wei Yilin answered truthfully.

Wei Mingting glanced at the whip in Wei Yilin's hand and recognized it as a fine, expensive weapon.

Wei Mingting said to him, "This is a rare treasure. Since you have received it, you must practice diligently and use it well to live up to your eldest sister's painstaking efforts."

Wei Yilin replied, "Father, I know. I've been practicing martial arts very diligently lately, and even my master has praised me."

"Good. That is wonderful. Remember to guard against arrogance and impatience, and always maintain a humble attitude toward learning," Wei Mingting exhorted.

"Rest assured, Father, I will continue to work hard and do even better. In the future, I want to be a hero just like you!" Wei Yilin declared to Wei Mingting.

These words deeply surprised Wei Mingting.

In the past, his youngest son had been rather unruly and mischievous, causing him and his wife endless headaches. Because of his busy official duties, he had never found the time to properly guide him, always harboring a sense of guilt.

He never expected such a transformation to take place now.

After a long moment, Wei Mingting reached out and gently patted Wei Yilin on the head. "Keep up the good work."

Though brief, these three simple words conveyed Wei Mingting's approval and encouragement of his youngest son's ambition.

Wei Yilin could not help feeling overjoyed and somewhat bashful, his small face flushing slightly.

Never in his life had he ever received such validation from his father.

Immediately afterward, Wei Mingting turned his gaze to Wei Ruo. "Ruo'er, you have put a lot of thought into this."

Wei Ruo hurriedly explained, "This was a reward previously bestowed by the Seventh Prince. Since I had no use for it, I passed it on to Yilin."

Wei Mingting said with gratification, "Ruo'er, you needn't be modest. It is not merely about the gift itself; more importantly, it is your tender, sisterly care for Yilin. Urging him to study martial arts and gifting him the whip—in these matters, you have seen much further than I, his own father."

Prompting Wei Yilin to take up martial arts had been Wei Ruo's idea, and now gifting him the whip to aid his studies—every single action reflected the profound and thoughtful care of an elder sister.

Events had now proven that Wei Ruo's actions were entirely correct.

Wei Ruo: "......"

She truly had nothing else to spare, and since the whip was the least useful item to her, she had simply tossed it to Wei Yilin. She had harbored no expectations of him whatsoever.

Wei Ruo had never imagined that Wei Yilin would turn out like this.

Who could have guessed that this fellow would actually endure the hardship, not only swallowing the bitter pill, but even growing to love martial arts?

Listening to Wei Mingting's praise of Wei Ruo, Wei Yilin fell into deep thought.

After a long while, he also said to Wei Ruo, "Thank you, Eldest Sister."

Although he still felt a lingering dissatisfaction toward her—she was always cold toward him and possessed a sharp tongue—Wei Yilin seemed to grasp what his father had meant by her loving care as an elder sister. Moreover, she had indeed helped him acquire genuine skills and win their father's praise.

"No need to thank me. You earned this through your own hard effort," Wei Ruo replied.

Inwardly, she muttered: Just stop bothering me from now on!

Looking at the siblings, Wei Mingting's expression softened with affection.

The three of them stayed in the courtyard for a while, chatting together, before Wei Mingting invited them both to stay in Cangyun Courtyard to share some tea and pastries.

During their conversation, Wei Mingting mentioned Xishan Village, where he and Wei Ruo had previously stayed.

"I went to visit them the day before yesterday. The village chief said everyone misses you very much, and they still rave about how delicious the meal you cooked that day was."

Not to mention the villagers missing her, even Wei Mingting and the soldiers who had tasted Wei Ruo's cooking that day longed for it deeply.

Wei Yilin looked at Wei Ruo in astonishment. "You know how to cook?"

Before Wei Ruo could speak, Wei Mingting answered for her, "Your eldest sister's culinary skills are the best your father has ever tasted."

Wei Yilin was incredulous. "Better than Eldest Sister Wanwan's osmanthus cakes?"

In Wei Yilin's heart, the osmanthus cakes made by Sister Wanwan were the most delectable pastries he had ever eaten.

"When it comes to culinary arts, your second sister indeed still falls somewhat short compared to your eldest sister," Wei Mingting stated objectively.

Wei Yilin found it hard to believe, but his father would never lie.

Just how good could Wei Qingruo's cooking possibly be? Wei Yilin couldn't help wondering.

Thus, Wei Yilin cast a suspicious and probing gaze at Wei Ruo for quite a while.

Too lazy to pay attention to him, Wei Ruo deliberately ignored his inquisitive look and continued to ask Wei Mingting, "How are the villagers of Xishan Village living nowadays? Will they be able to safely get through this year's trials?"

Wei Mingting replied, "Times are bound to be harder for them. Let alone the villagers, even households in the county town who usually managed to get by will find this year exceptionally difficult to endure."

Even the Wei family, affected by the severe weather, had suffered a considerable impact and had to rely on support and assistance from the Marquis of loyalty and righteousness's estate in the capital to maintain their daily household expenses.

"As long as they can pull through, that's what matters. Once this year is behind us, they can till the fields properly next year, and life will improve," Wei Ruo said.

"Let us hope so," Wei Mingting could only pray that the weather would be kinder next year and afford the common people a better path to survival.

Wei Mingting added, "Ruo'er, you needn't worry too much either. You have already helped them immensely. Right now, throughout the entire Xingxan County, countless common people who have received your grace are deeply grateful to you."

Having some leisure time in recent days, Wei Mingting had gone out to inspect various places, initially wanting to understand the living conditions of the people after the disaster. To his surprise, he discovered that in the hearts of the common people, his daughter enjoyed far more prestige than he did. Many addressed him simply as "Miss Wei's father," and numerous people eagerly inquired about his daughter's well-being.

At that moment, Wei Mingting felt an unprecedented surge of pride—the pride of a father.

For the very first time in his life, he experienced such a proud sensation as a father.

However, he did not want his daughter to carry too much pressure regarding these matters; doing her best was enough. Given the troubled state of the world today, how much could a single young woman truly change?

"Your daughter merely did what was within her duty," Wei Ruo replied.

Listening to their conversation from the side, Wei Yilin realized for the first time that Wei Ruo seemed far more formidable than he had ever imagined.

After finishing their tea and pastries, Wei Ruo and Wei Yilin left Cangyun Courtyard together.

Once outside the courtyard gates, Wei Ruo quickened her pace, deliberately trying to keep her distance from Wei Yilin.

However, Wei Yilin hurried up after her and called out, "Wait for me."

"What do you want now?" Wei Ruo asked, her tone laced with impatience.

Seeing Wei Ruo's expression, Wei Yilin felt a pang of frustration. Puffing out his cheeks, he challenged her, "Why are you so impatient with me? You clearly care about me—can't you act a little gentler?"