Chapter Forty-Five: The Renowned Lady Scholar

After the soil improvement was completed, Wei Ruo instructed Madam Zhang, Aguì, and Xiaoba to level the land and then flood it with water.

Once the land was ready, Wei Ruo returned to the wasteland south of the city, bringing with her a large sack of rice seeds. When she handed the sack to Madam Zhang and asked her, Aguì, and Xiaoba to sow the seeds, Madam Zhang hesitated, her face clouded with doubt. After some deliberation, she spoke up to try and persuade Wei Ruo once more:

"Miss, forgive this old servant for speaking out of turn, but are you certain we can plant rice at this time of the year? Perhaps we should try something else—any crop that will grow will do, after all."

"We're planting these," Wei Ruo replied firmly and with confidence. "Rest assured, these are late-season rice seeds I brought back from Huzhou Prefecture. People there have already grown them; this is precisely the right time for planting, and they will do just fine."

"Really? There are such varieties of grain?" Madam Zhang was astonished.

"It's true. But for now, keep this to yourself. Just go ahead and plant them. Once the seedlings have taken root, then you can report it—that will be far more convincing."

Had this been before, Madam Zhang would never have believed her. But things were different now—somehow, she found herself trusting Wei Ruo a little more, though she still felt the young lady’s ideas were flighty, the sort that even lifelong farmers would find hard to accept.

Aguì and Xiaoba, on the other hand, gave it little thought.

"If Miss says it will work, then it will! We’ll do as you say!" Aguì declared.

"That’s right! Whatever you want us to plant, we’ll plant," Xiaoba agreed.

Nothing else mattered—they knew Wei Ruo treated them well, made sure they and their families were well fed. Following her lead was the right thing to do.

Wei Ruo reminded the two, "Pay close attention and remember everything you do. Once this land succeeds, we’ll be developing other wastelands. There will be more laborers then, and you two, with your experience, will need to teach them how to improve the soil. You’ll also be responsible for managing and leading these people."

Wouldn’t that mean the two of them would become foremen in the future?

Excited, Aguì and Xiaoba promised, "Don’t worry, Miss, we’ll do our best!"

They took the seeds and set to work immediately.

Sowing was not difficult; the heavier workload would come when the seedlings were ready for transplanting.

If the seeds grew into healthy seedlings, that would mean Wei Ruo’s soil improvement had been largely successful.

Now all they had to do was wait half a month to see whether her efforts had borne fruit.

###

After several days toiling in the fields, Wei Ruo finally had a day to herself—only to be summoned by Lady Yun for a talk.

The content of the conversation was the same as ever: Lady Yun insisted Wei Ruo delegate the wasteland project to her subordinates and prepare to attend classes at the county magistrate’s residence.

Having already delayed once, this time Lady Yun gave her no room to postpone. She instructed her to make ready, saying arrangements would be made within the next couple of days.

Seeing no way to delay further, Wei Ruo acquiesced to Lady Yun’s plan.

That evening, Wei Ruo joined the family for dinner in the dining hall. Afterward, as usual, everyone sat together, sipping tea and chatting.

As was his habit, Wei Yichen reported his progress in his studies to his mother; Wei Yilin shared stories from his day at the academy. Wei Qingwan, who was typically quiet, hesitated before bringing up a topic:

"Mother, the Xie family has hired a female tutor, none other than the renowned Lady Wang Caiwei."

Lady Yun’s eyes lit up. "Is that true?"

Wei Yichen and Wei Yilin were both surprised.

Wang Caiwei was a celebrated woman of letters from the Jiangnan region, born into a scholarly family with a deep academic heritage—though her family had fallen on hard times. Despite losing her family’s support, many noble sons still pursued her, but only as a concubine rather than a proper wife. Proud and unyielding, Wang Caiwei refused to be anyone’s concubine and eventually married a poor scholar.

Life was difficult, so she began teaching in wealthy households. Even in reduced circumstances, her reputation and literary talent ensured that families vied to hire her as a tutor. It was said her last employer was the prominent Ruan family of Qiantang, whose late patriarch had once served as chief minister.

And now, the Xie family in the north of the city had managed to secure her services! It seemed the rumors of the Xie family’s impending rise were not unfounded—there were clear signs everywhere.

"It’s true, Mother. Zhilian told me herself," Wei Qingwan replied, certain. "And she also said…"

"What else did she say?"

"She said her mother wants to send her to the Xie household, so she can attend lessons with the Xie family’s daughter," Wei Qingwan said softly, lowering her head.

"It’s no surprise Madam Qian has such thoughts. In fact, if the Xie family truly has hired Wang Caiwei, I ought to find a way to send you there as well!" Lady Yun declared.

The current tutor in the county magistrate’s home did have some ability, but only by ordinary standards—she was no match for the famed Wang Caiwei. Becoming Wang Caiwei’s student would be something to boast about even upon returning to the capital!

Wei Yilin quickly chimed in, "Mother, why don’t you speak to Lady Xie and ask her to let Sister attend too? Sister is so talented—Madam Wang would surely enjoy teaching her!"

Wei Qingwan looked at Lady Yun with expectation, hoping she would intercede with the Xie family and arrange for her to study with Madam Wang.

"I only fear…the Xie family may not agree," Lady Yun murmured.

Their connection with the Xie family was not particularly close; they had only met a few times at events like the blessing ceremonies or river cruises.

"Mother, just ask for Sister’s sake! Or maybe we can give the Xie family more gifts," Wei Yilin suggested innocently.

"I will certainly ask. As for gifts, it’s not so simple. If we do send a gift, it must be something that truly touches their hearts. Ordinary things would hardly impress the Xie family," Lady Yun mused, her thoughts turning over and over.

In a room of five, four were preoccupied with how to persuade the Xie family to let Wei Qingwan attend lessons, while only Wei Ruo sat quietly, sipping her tea.

As she set down her teacup, suddenly Wei Yichen turned to look at her.

Their eyes met, and in his gaze, Wei Ruo saw an apologetic look.

Apology? What did he have to be sorry for?

After tea, Wei Ruo left the dining hall and made her way to the Bamboo Grove Pavilion. Wei Yichen caught up with her and apologized for what had happened earlier.

"Ruor, I’m sorry," he said.

"Sorry for what?"

"We only mentioned letting Wanwan attend Madam Wang’s lessons…"

"Oh."

"Ruor, it’s not that we forgot about you—it’s just that Madam Wang’s standards for her students must be far higher than most tutors…"

"I’m not qualified, is that it?" Wei Ruo finished the sentence for him.