Chapter Thirty-Three: Drawing a Clear Line

“To put it plainly, those are just excuses. You’re simply acting on your own whims—don’t bother dressing it up with such lofty reasons. It’s laughable to hear,” Wei Ruo remarked.

Wei Yilin’s face flushed bright red under her retort.

Wei Yichen pulled Wei Yilin aside. “Apologize to Ruo’er.”

With a stubborn little frown, Wei Yilin huffed, “No! Big Brother, now you’re siding with her too and not protecting Sister Wanwan anymore. If I don’t stand up for Sister Wanwan, then she’ll be left to be bullied! She’s my sister, the one who loves me more than anyone! I won’t let anyone hurt her!”

With that, Wei Yilin shook off Wei Yichen’s hand, eyes reddening, and dashed away.

Wei Yichen frowned slightly, his expression tinged with helplessness as he turned to explain to Wei Ruo, “After Yilin was born, Father left for Xing Shan County to take up his post. He was overwhelmed with official duties, and Mother, having moved here, became especially busy as well. I became absorbed in my studies and neglected Yilin, which is how he developed this temperament. Don’t take it to heart; I’ll make sure to guide him properly in the future.”

“What would it matter even if I did mind?” Wei Ruo retorted. “What do you think I could do about him? If I really did something to him, who do you suppose would be punished in the end—him or me?” There was a mocking glint in her eyes.

Wei Yichen’s expression grew grave. “Ruo’er, I know that what Mother did to you yesterday—locking you in the woodshed—hurt you. It’s my fault too, for not finding out sooner and letting you suffer. I am truly sorry.”

“Perhaps you say so now, but if something more serious were ever to happen, or if the conflict became more intense, would you still speak up for me like this?”

“Ruo’er…”

Wei Ruo cut him off. “Let’s leave it at that. I have something to give you. When we pass by Tingsong Courtyard, wait for me a moment.”

“Something?” Wei Yichen looked at her in surprise.

She nodded.

Wei Ruo said nothing more. When they reached the entrance of Tingsong Courtyard, she ran inside and came out with a rolled bundle in her hands.

“This is for you.” She handed the roll of paper to Wei Yichen.

“Paper? Is this from Sibao Studio?” Wei Yichen examined it, quickly recognizing the signature paper from Sibao Studio.

A look of delight appeared on his face.

Wei Ruo said, “Yes, I brought a few with me when we came from Huzhou Prefecture.”

Wei Yichen said, “This paper isn’t cheap. How much was it? Let me pay you.”

Wei Ruo replied, “There’s no need. Consider it a thank-you for helping me out earlier.”

Wei Yichen insisted, “I only said what I ought to. You don’t need to thank me specifically.”

Wei Ruo replied, “To me, it’s something worth thanking for. In any case, just accept it.”

There are some things that are better settled clearly. She didn’t like owing Wei Yichen, not even a little, and she wanted to keep it that way.

Wei Yichen looked at the paper in his hands, hesitated briefly, and finally said, “Very well, then I’ll accept it. Next time I’ll bring you something delicious in return.”

He didn’t want to keep score with Wei Ruo, but he really did love this paper. The few sheets his father had given him last time were already gone, and he’d wanted to buy more, but they were only available in Huzhou Prefecture—too far and costly to obtain. He had to give up.

His younger sister had given him such a precious gift; next time, he must return the favor properly.

###

The next day, Wei Ruo went again to Yingzhu Courtyard to check on Wei Jinyi’s recovery.

Within the Wei household, Wei Jinyi was still feigning illness. She didn’t know what method he had used, but the physician called by the household had declared his condition critical.

When Wei Ruo entered the room, Xiaobei went to stand guard at the door. If anyone else approached, he would raise the alarm.

Wei Jinyi sat up in bed. His manner toward Wei Ruo was no longer as cold and distant as before.

“This is for you.” Wei Ruo produced a white porcelain bottle and set it on the cabinet by his bedside.

“Medicine you’ve made?” Wei Jinyi asked.

She nodded. “You have some chronic weakness—probably something you were born with. Take this medicine regularly, and it’ll help nourish your body. If your constitution were stronger, you wouldn’t have deteriorated so badly after catching a chill.”

She didn’t bother hiding her knowledge anymore. After all, he already knew she had medical skills.

She didn’t notice that at her mention of a “congenital condition,” Wei Jinyi’s expression shifted, a sudden chill flickering through his clear eyes before it faded away.

After she finished, Wei Jinyi picked up the bottle, scrutinized it, then uncorked it and sniffed carefully.

Wei Ruo pursed her lips. “Make sure you take it properly—don’t waste it. I put a lot of effort into this, and many of the ingredients were hard to come by.”

If he dared waste the medicine she’d painstakingly prepared, she’d make him pay!

Wei Jinyi gazed at her, taking in every nuance of her expression.

After a long moment, he said softly, “Thank you.”

It was the first time, since they’d known each other, that he had spoken those words to her.

“Yesterday, you said there was no need for thanks—so why say it yourself today?” she teased.

“It’s nothing,” Wei Jinyi said, averting his gaze and tucking the medicine bottle beneath his pillow. Someone else would be coming to his room soon, and he couldn’t let them see it.

He then picked up a book from his bedside table and began to read.

Back to his old ways, she thought—his two great passions in life: reading and writing.

After Wei Ruo left, Wei Jinyi called Xiaobei over again and handed him an envelope.

“Deliver this letter to the Shi Bakery on East Street.”

Xiaobei was startled—Shi Bakery was no ordinary shop! Ostensibly it sold pastries, but in reality, it was a contact point…

“Young Master, do you mean—”

“Yes.” Wei Jinyi said no more, trusting Xiaobei to follow his instructions.

“Very well, Young Master. Take care and rest—I’ll go now.”

Xiaobei remembered—it had been a long time since his master had contacted those people.

Why had he suddenly decided to reconnect today? Perhaps it was the ordeal of his recent illness.

Xiaobei left, carrying Wei Jinyi’s letter.

As a man, Wei Jinyi—and his attendant—found it far easier to come and go from the residence than the womenfolk.

A little over an hour later, Xiaobei returned safely, bringing back quite a few items.

After looking over the things, Wei Jinyi took out a wooden box and instructed Xiaobei to deliver it next door to Tingsong Courtyard for Wei Ruo.

When Xiaobei brought over the item and said it was a thank-you gift from his young master, Wei Ruo accepted it without ceremony.

But when she opened it, she was astonished.

It was a wild ginseng root—at least a hundred years old!

She hurriedly closed the box, made sure no one else was around, and then opened it again for a closer look. Once she was certain it was indeed a century-old ginseng, she asked Xiaobei, “Your young master told you to give this to me?”