Chapter 24: A Father's Trust

“It’s true. I wouldn’t dare lie about such a thing. If you don’t believe me, Father, I can start with a small plot of land as an experiment. If it succeeds, then we can proceed to plant on a larger scale.”

After answering, Wei Ruo looked over at Wei Mingting, uncertain of how he would react.

Wei Mingting’s expression grew grave, his tone stern. “Ruo’er, do you understand how momentous it would be to cultivate crops on saline-alkali land?”

“I do. Father, some days ago I traveled to the north of the city. On the way, I saw many farmers and fishermen reduced to beggars—gaunt, hollow-eyed, starving. All of it is because Xing Shan County has suffered poor harvests for years, and the land is barren and scarce.”

“Father, I know the magnitude of this matter. But if it works, it would be a blessing for both our family and the people. It would bring us income and increase the arable land and grain output in Xing Shan County, allowing us to feed more people. I hope you’ll give me a chance. If I fail, I’m willing to accept any punishment.”

Wei Ruo’s words drew a look of surprise from Wei Mingting, who studied her anew.

Wei Ruo stood her ground, unflinching. She had anticipated this moment as soon as she decided to discuss the wasteland in the south of the city with Madam Yun.

“Well said. Very well.” The normally stern Wei Mingting unexpectedly uttered “well” twice in a row.

He was a strict father, rarely offering praise, even to Wei Yichen, whose scholarly achievements were outstanding. Such clear approval was almost unheard of.

This surprised Madam Yun, who stood by.

Wei Mingting said to Wei Ruo, “Your initiative is commendable. I shall speak to the county magistrate about this. Whether it succeeds or not, your intentions are praiseworthy.”

Wei Ruo looked up, astonished.

She hadn’t expected Wei Mingting to agree so readily; she had prepared herself for a lengthy discussion.

“What’s wrong? Lacking confidence?” Wei Mingting asked.

“No, I have confidence.”

“Then go and do it well. Your mother says that since returning to the manor, you still miss your days farming in the countryside, and you’ve planted plenty of vegetables in the courtyard.”

“Yes.”

“Farming may not seem refined, but there is no shame in it. Our dynasty has always valued agriculture. To tend the land and do it well is a boon for both the nation and its people.”

Against all expectations, Wei Mingting gave Wei Ruo’s actions high praise.

“I understand, Father.”

“It’s late. Go and rest. Once things take shape, I’ll send word to you.”

Wei Mingting looked exhausted and didn’t keep Wei Ruo any longer, dismissing her after their talk.

On her way back, Wei Ruo mulled over his words.

In the original story, Wei Mingting seldom appeared—partly due to his official duties, partly due to his nature, and partly because he died young. Wei Ruo had never known him well.

But their conversation just now had changed her view of him.

After Wei Ruo left, Madam Yun helped Wei Mingting change his clothes and re-bandaged his arm.

“Husband, Ruo’er is still a girl. If she spends all her time in the fields, I fear it won’t be good for her future...” Madam Yun voiced her concerns.

“Ruo’er grew up in the countryside. Expecting her to be like Wanwan is too much,” he replied.

“I don’t expect her to be as well-mannered and learned as Wanwan, but if she ends up like a peasant woman, that won’t do either.” Madam Yun was anxious.

“My dear, you’ve seen the suffering in Xing Shan County these past years. The common people are already in dire straits—who cares about refinement? Only with full bellies do people have the luxury to think about such things. If they’re starving, what difference does it make?”

Wei Mingting’s perspective differed from Madam Yun’s. Years in Xing Shan had shown him too much hardship and death. To him, the sophisticated airs of the capital’s elite were meaningless in the face of such realities.

“You’re right. For the people, filling their stomachs is paramount,” Madam Yun conceded.

She hadn’t realized that Ruo’er’s thinking so closely matched her husband’s. Despite their many years together, there were still things about him she didn’t quite understand.

“Don’t trouble yourself with these matters, husband. You’re finally home—get some rest. You didn’t even mention your injury.”

Madam Yun didn’t want him to worry about these trivialities.

She knew he hadn’t rested properly in the barracks, hence his fatigue and injury. Though the wound was shallow, if neglected, it might leave lasting harm.

Wei Mingting did indeed need rest; he’d be returning to the barracks at dawn.

But he hadn’t forgotten about Wei Ruo’s proposal.

Before heading back to the barracks the next day, he made a stop at the county yamen to discuss the wasteland in the south of the city with the magistrate.

The magistrate agreed at once to let the Wei family try farming the wasteland. He hadn’t let others do it before only because he feared they might be spies or traitors, taking away defense maps of Xing Shan County or the like.

But the Wei family raised no such concerns, so he readily consented.

Once the matter was settled, Wei Mingting sent word home.

Seeing how seriously her husband took it, Madam Yun had nothing more to say.

She summoned Wei Ruo and shared the good news: “Ruo’er, your father has written about the southern lands. You can begin planting on a small scale there. If it succeeds, it will be a great achievement.”

Despite her words, Madam Yun held little hope for Wei Ruo’s success.

“Yes.” Wei Ruo was delighted and hadn’t expected Wei Mingting to resolve the matter so swiftly.

“Your father also said there’s no need to pressure yourself. If there’s no result, it’s no great loss.”

“Understood.” Wei Mingting’s attitude moved Wei Ruo somewhat.

Madam Yun continued, “But Ruo’er, you’re not young anymore. This is the time you ought to be studying. I’d planned for you to learn etiquette from Nanny Li and then go study with Wanwan at the magistrate’s residence. The magistrate’s wife agreed.”

Wei Ruo replied, “I don’t want to study at the magistrate’s residence. I’m not like Wanwan or the others; forcing myself to study with them would be difficult. I’d rather do what I’m good at.”

Madam Yun said, “Ruo’er, you must change some of your old thinking. As a daughter of the Wei family, you should learn to be a well-bred, accomplished young lady. Of course, I won’t demand as much as I did of Wanwan, given the hardships you endured. I won’t expect you to be as learned as she is.”

Wei Ruo answered, “But I might not be able to keep up with the lessons from the magistrate’s tutor. If I must study, I’d rather not do it there.”

Her excuse was a pretense; her real reason was to avoid studying alongside Wei Qingwan and Qian Zhilan.