Chapter Four: Family Members

In truth, Wei Ruo felt that while the original owner’s actions had been reckless, they were not wrong. The ten years she had been abandoned by the He family in the countryside had been filled with suffering: no money, never enough to eat, always cold, with no one to teach her and no family for company. That pain and resentment were things no outsider could truly understand. Was it not understandable, then, that seeing someone else take her place and live so well would make her angry?

However, Wei Ruo’s thoughts now were simple: as long as the heroine did not provoke her, she would not seek trouble with the heroine. One of the survival rules for a cannon-fodder supporting character: do not compete with the heroine for the male lead, nor for the heroine’s favored position.

So Wei Ruo said to Wei Qingwan, who was kneeling before her, “You don’t need to kneel to me. I am not a Bodhisattva in a temple, and I don’t need anyone kneeling before me. Your kneeling brings no benefit to either of us—I can’t grant your wishes. Back in the countryside, people would rush to kneel before the Bodhisattva and make their wishes during temple fairs.”

“But I owe you, Sister. Doing this can’t change the past, but at least it may ease some of my guilt,” Wei Qingwan replied.

“If you feel you owe me, shouldn’t you repay me in some way, instead of just seeking to lessen your own guilt? Isn’t that how it should be?” Wei Ruo retorted.

Wei Qingwan was momentarily stunned by these words.

Madam Yun and Wei Yichen were also surprised, realizing that Qingwan’s actions offered no practical help to Wei Ruo.

Though Madam Yun and Wei Yichen both believed Qingwan need not blame herself, they could see how, from Wei Ruo’s perspective, Qingwan’s behavior might be troubling.

After a moment’s thought, Wei Qingwan asked, “Then Sister, what would you have me do to make amends? As long as you ask, I will do it.”

Wei Ruo replied, “First, get up. If you keep kneeling like this, others might think I’ve bullied you.”

Wei Ruo made it clear she wanted no part in this; the kneeling was entirely Qingwan’s idea. If Qingwan later felt wronged and the blame fell on her, then she would truly have lost out.

Wei Yichen stepped forward and helped Wei Qingwan to her feet.

Wei Qingwan slowly rose, lifting her head with gentle timidity to look at Wei Ruo, asking softly, “Is there anything else you wish of me, Sister?”

Wei Ruo said, “No rush. We have plenty of time. I’ve only just arrived and know nothing yet. You kept calling me ‘Sister’ from the start, but I don’t even know who you are or what you owe me.”

Wei Qingwan was again taken aback by this.

“Yes, yes, there’s no need to hurry. Take your time,” Madam Yun said, dabbing her eyes and steadying her emotions. She turned to Wei Ruo. “Ruo’er, let me introduce you to your brothers and sisters.”

“Your father isn’t here today. He wishes dearly to see you, but with the raids by the Wokou growing more frequent outside the city, he truly cannot leave his post.”

Xingshan County lay by the sea, and in recent days there had been frequent incursions by the Wokou. As military official here, Wei Mingting was extremely busy.

Such matters were of utmost importance, concerning the safety of all the townsfolk. Wei Mingting had to set an example, sacrificing personal affairs for the good of all. Even though his own daughter had just come home, he could not take leave.

Madam Yun began the introductions: “This is your eldest brother, Wei Yichen. In the capital, he is the third in the family, but here, you may call him Eldest Brother.”

The young man beside her, gentle as jade with warm eyes, smiled at Wei Ruo. “If you ever need anything, just let me know, Little Sister.”

Wei Ruo inclined her head in acknowledgment.

Madam Yun then turned to the boy sitting in a chair nearby. “This is your younger brother, Yilin. He’s seven years old this year. In the capital, he is the youngest, the eighth in the family.”

Wei Yilin, upon being introduced, pouted and looked sullen, clearly unwilling to greet Wei Ruo. Only under Madam Yun’s stern gaze did he reluctantly call out, “Sister,” before quickly looking away.

Madam Yun continued, “You also have an elder half-brother, Jin Yi. He rarely comes out and is in his own courtyard at the moment.”

Madam Yun was not eager to mention this illegitimate son. She and her husband, Wei Mingting, had always been close, and he had never taken a concubine in all their years together. But this one son was a thorn in her heart.

She then glanced at Wei Qingwan.

Madam Yun hesitated. If she left Qingwan unintroduced, the girl would surely feel hurt. She had always said that even if not born to the family, she was still a daughter of the Wei household. Since she was a daughter of the Wei family, how could she not be introduced?

But if she did introduce her, and told Wei Ruo that Qingwan would continue living in the Wei household, she feared it would upset the newly returned daughter.

After some deliberation, Madam Yun finally said to Wei Ruo, “This is Qingwan. She is… she is the one who was switched with you… I believe that Mammas Zhang and Li have already told you about this on the way here. I have discussed everything with the He family. From now on, you will both remain with me, both daughters of the Wei family.”

As she spoke, Madam Yun looked at Wei Ruo with concern.

Wei Ruo simply replied, “Alright,” her voice cool and unbothered.

Perhaps it was too calm, for it made everyone’s heart stir with an inexplicable feeling.

Wei Yichen quickly spoke up, “Mother, my sister has traveled for three days. She must be exhausted. Let her rest first.”

“Yes, yes. We’ll take her to her room first,” Madam Yun agreed, taking Wei Ruo’s hand and leading her toward her courtyard.

The Commandant’s residence was not large; the rear courtyard had only six rooms in total. Usually, five were occupied, leaving only the smallest and most remote one vacant.

Wei Yichen had already volunteered to give his own courtyard to Wei Ruo, since he preferred the quiet and solitude of the more remote one for his studies.

Thus, Wei Ruo was led to the courtyard that had once belonged to Wei Yichen.

The plaque above the courtyard gate bore the forceful characters “Pine Listening Retreat,” a name given by Wei Yichen himself, though the plaque had yet to be changed.

The courtyard was bright and spacious, with a garden laid out according to Wei Yichen’s tastes—pines and cypresses side by side, fresh and elegant.

Madam Yun led Wei Ruo into the room. Though time had been short, they had nonetheless decorated it according to a young girl’s preferences.

The wardrobe had also been filled with new clothes. Wei Ruo and Wei Qingwan were of similar build at thirteen, both yet to fully grow, so some clothes had been set aside for Wei Ruo’s use.

Madam Yun gave Wei Ruo several reminders before reluctantly leaving to let her rest, promising to fetch her for dinner later.

After Madam Yun left, Xiumei brought in Wei Ruo’s personal belongings, while the rest had already been moved into Pine Listening Retreat by the servants and would be unpacked the next day.

Looking at the furnishings in the room, Xiumei could not help but sigh, “If you had not been switched at birth, you would have grown up in an environment like this.”

Comparing the Commandant’s residence to the He family’s countryside estate was like comparing heaven and earth. Even the attitudes of the He family’s parents and Madam Yun toward Wei Ruo were worlds apart. Xiumei could not help but feel indignant on Wei Ruo’s behalf.

With no one else around, Wei Ruo immediately flopped onto the bed, sprawling out in every direction, all decorum forgotten.

Her poised and graceful demeanor was for public eyes; at home, Wei Ruo much preferred her own carefree and unrestrained ways.