Chapter Twenty-Two: Why Weren’t You With Wanwan

The abbot revealed that a distinguished guest was staying in the meditation chamber, and it was this person’s attendant whom Qian Zhilan and Wei Qingwan had encountered. Although he did not name the gentleman directly, he mentioned the character “Chu.” Chu was the imperial surname of the current dynasty; with the conversation reaching this point, what was left to be unclear among them?

Learning that their daughters had offended a member of the royal family, Madame Qian and Lady Yun became anxious. Lady Yun, in particular, was worried. Her husband was already at risk of being dismissed for his failure to resist the Japanese pirates; if, at such a critical moment, they angered a noble, it was likely his official cap would not be preserved.

After considering the situation, Madame Qian sternly rebuked her daughter in front of everyone, blaming her for acting recklessly. Qian Zhilan, spoiled at home and accustomed to getting her way in public, was both angry and aggrieved at her mother’s scolding. Yet, in such circumstances, she could only shrink her neck and obediently endure the lecture.

With Madame Qian having spoken, Lady Yun could not remain silent and likewise scolded Wei Qingwan. Wei Qingwan felt utterly wronged. She had merely accompanied Qian Zhilan, so how had she offended a nobleman? Besides, it was Qian Zhilan who wanted to go to the meditation chamber, and it was Qian Zhilan who clashed with the noble’s attendant—she herself had done nothing at all!

Wei Ruo and Xie Ying returned to the dining hall only after the commotion had subsided. Hearing the story from others, Wei Ruo was surprised. She hadn’t expected that, even without her as the trouble-making supporting character, Wei Qingwan would still venture to the meditation chamber in the rear mountains. The companions differed, the events unfolded differently, and the outcome was not the same.

In the original novel, it was she who was sent back by the male lead’s attendant and scolded by Lady Yun. Wei Qingwan, on the other hand, was escorted back by the male lead’s people, without disturbing anyone, and no one learned of their encounter.

Did it mean that the master residing in the meditation chamber, upon seeing Wei Qingwan’s delicate, lotus-like face, was not moved? Or was it that, without the scene of her being bullied and appearing frail and helpless, the male lead’s protective instincts could not be stirred? These were only fleeting speculations in Wei Ruo’s mind; she could not, for now, know what the male lead thought in the meditation chamber.

As for Wei Qingwan being scolded, Wei Ruo felt neither pleased nor displeased. So long as the matter did not involve her, she cared not; as long as she did not misbehave, she bore no responsibility. The unfolding of the romance between the main characters was no concern of hers.

Wei Qingwan stood behind Lady Yun, her head bowed. Hearing Wei Ruo’s voice, she lifted her gaze for a moment and, seeing Wei Ruo’s lively and cheerful demeanor, felt even more stifled and frustrated. She lowered her head once again.

Because of this unexpected incident, everyone lost their mood for prayer and quickly ended the day’s outing, descending the mountain and returning to their respective homes.

On the way back, Lady Yun looked at her two daughters, her feelings complicated. She had believed that it would be Ruo’er who might embarrass herself today, but in the end, it was quite the opposite.

Wei Qingwan seemed to sense Lady Yun’s disappointment in her; after struggling with tears for quite some time, they at last began to fall in earnest. Lady Yun hurried to comfort her, “Don’t cry, don’t cry. When you cry, it’s as if my heart is being sliced by knives.”

“Mother, I truly did nothing, said nothing…” Wei Qingwan protested, aggrieved.

“I know, I know… But in such circumstances, I couldn’t lay all the blame on Miss Qian.”

“I had meant to go with my elder sister, but she didn’t want me to join her. She ran off, and I couldn’t keep up. While searching for her, I met Zhilan, and Zhilan suggested we go sightseeing nearby, so I followed her.”

Upon hearing this, Lady Yun looked toward Wei Ruo, who sat in the corner of the carriage.

“Ruo’er, why were you unwilling to go with Wanwan?”

Her tone carried a hint of reproach; after all, had Wei Ruo gone with Wei Qingwan, none of this would have happened, and Wei Qingwan would have been spared this undeserved calamity.

Wei Ruo replied, “I am not familiar with these young ladies. I don’t read or write, nor can I play their games, and I did not wish to embarrass myself and disgrace the Wei family. But my sister is well-acquainted with them; I could not be so selfish as to hold her back from enjoying their company. As for how she encountered Miss Qian and what transpired, I could not have anticipated that.”

She sighed, “Had I known, I would not have come today. Perhaps, if I hadn’t come, my sister’s companion would not have been Miss Qian. Maybe it would have been someone else. I wonder with whom my sister plays best among them?”

Lady Yun was taken aback… Even if Ruo’er had not come, the person closest to Wanwan would still have been Miss Qian. Thinking thus, it seemed inappropriate to shift the blame for Wanwan and Miss Qian’s expedition to the rear mountains onto Ruo’er.

Lady Yun changed her tone, “I did not mean to blame you. I just feared you might have some other reason for not wanting to go with your sister.”

“Yes, I know you are concerned for us,” Wei Ruo replied in agreement.

Wei Qingwan wept throughout the journey, only ceasing as they neared home.

Upon returning to Plumview Court, and hearing that Wei Qingwan had been wronged, Wei Yichen and Wei Yilin came to see her.

Seeing them, the tears Wei Qingwan had just managed to stop began to flow again.

After learning the details of what had happened, Wei Yichen also felt Wei Qingwan had been unfairly treated. It was Miss Qian who caused the trouble, and Wei Qingwan, though she had not spoken, was implicated nonetheless.

Wei Yilin, fuming, said, “Why didn’t Wei—the eldest sister—stay with you? If she had, none of this would have happened!”

Wei Qingwan merely sobbed, saying nothing.

Wei Yichen said, “Yilin, Wanwan is innocent in this matter, but so is Ruo’er. If she hadn’t come today, the incident would still have occurred. How can we blame her?”

“But sister went out of her way to invite her to play. How could she just leave her behind?” Wei Yilin retorted.

“Ruo’er may not be used to it yet; today was her first outing with Mother. You can’t expect so much from her,” Wei Yichen explained.

Wei Yilin hung his head in silence.

Wei Yichen then comforted Wei Qingwan, “Don’t be upset, Wanwan. Mother knows you are blameless; she only spoke as she did in front of the Qian family for propriety’s sake. Don’t take it to heart.”

Wei Qingwan shook her head, “Brother, I am not sad because I was wronged. I am worried that, because of this, I have angered a noble and implicated Father. My parents treat me so well; if I bring harm upon them, I could never forgive myself.”

Wei Yichen said, distressed, “Don’t worry, Wanwan, nothing will happen. If something does, it is not your fault—it is merely fate’s doing.”

“Yes, yes, Brother is right. Sister, don’t blame yourself or feel sad over this,” Wei Yilin chimed in.

Wei Qingwan sniffled and struggled for quite some time before she managed to calm herself.

Wei Yichen and Wei Yilin stayed with her until she seemed soothed, then quietly took their leave.