Chapter 46: The Xie Family Agrees

“It’s not that you’re unqualified, it’s just that you haven’t kept up with your studies these past years. Your foundation is weaker than Wanwan and the others,” Wei Yichen explained.

“Mm,” Wei Ruo replied calmly.

“Ruor, Mother will still do her best to arrange for you to attend lessons at the magistrate’s residence,” Wei Yichen added.

Although Lady Qian and Madam Yun were both busy trying to secure a place for their own daughters at the Xie household, the female teacher currently employed at the magistrate’s residence was unlikely to be dismissed so soon, as the daughters of the Registrar and the County Assistant were still attending lessons there.

Even if the Qian family chose not to retain her, the Wei family could then justifiably invite the teacher to their own home. This way, Wei Ruo’s studies wouldn’t be affected.

“Oh.” Wei Ruo’s demeanor remained composed and serene.

There wasn’t much more to say, after all.

“Ruor…” Seeing Wei Ruo’s calmness, Wei Yichen felt a pang of discomfort.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going now.” Wei Ruo had no wish to continue the conversation and took her leave at once.

After she left, Wei Yichen pondered for a long while before returning to Cangyun Courtyard to share his thoughts with Madam Yun. “Mother, the next time you visit the Xie family, could you ask Lady Xie if Ruor might also be permitted to study there?”

Madam Yun hesitated. “Yichen, if it were possible, I’d be more than happy for both my daughters to become students of Master Wang. But with Ruor’s situation… she’s not outstanding in music, chess, calligraphy, or painting. How could I possibly make such a request to Lady Xie?”

Upon hearing this, Wei Yichen was at a loss for words.

He knew well that his younger sister, Ruor, was far less accomplished than Wanwan in all the arts.

The magistrate’s residence only agreed on Ruor’s account because their father was a Loyal and Eminent Captain, and of the House of the Loyal Marquis.

But the Xie family and Master Wang Caiwei were not ones to be swayed by such titles.

Yet, as an elder brother, he wished both sisters well and didn’t want either of them to feel wronged.

“Mother, why not at least ask? If the Xie family refuses, then so be it—it’s their decision. But we should at least try for Ruor’s sake,” Wei Yichen said.

“Yichen, even asking for Wanwan to attend lessons at the Xie family was already a stretch. If we request two at once, especially with Ruor’s circumstances, we might well offend them. If that happens and Wanwan is also rejected, what then?” Madam Yun’s concerns ran deep. Better to secure one than risk losing both.

“I understand,” Wei Yichen relented, accepting her explanation with resignation.

***

Madam Yun spent three days making preparations before setting off with gifts to the Xie family.

She didn’t return until dusk, her face alight with excitement.

Wei Qingwan had been waiting at home all day. She’d stationed her maid, Cuihe, at the gate, and the moment she saw Madam Yun return, she hurried to Cangyun Courtyard.

“Mother!”

“Wanwan, you’re here! Just in time—I have good news for you!”

“What is it, Mother?”

“Silly child, what else could it be? The Xie family has agreed to let you study with Miss Xie under Master Wang!”

“Is it true? They really agreed?” Joy suffused Wei Qingwan’s face, as if she could scarcely believe her ears.

“Of course it’s true!”

“Mother!” Overcome, Wei Qingwan threw her arms around Madam Yun.

Madam Yun patted her gently on the back. “There, there, it all went smoothly. At last, I can set my mind at ease.”

“Thank you, Mother, for all your efforts and care. You’ve worked so hard for me.”

“Silly child, it’s only right for parents to toil for their children. Seeing you with a promising future makes me happiest of all.”

That evening, Wei Mingtian returned home.

Madam Yun shared the good news, her voice brimming with delight. “Husband, the Xie family has agreed to let our daughter study with them!”

“Truly?”

“It’s absolutely true—Lady Xie gave her word, and Master Wang was present as well.”

“That’s wonderful,” Wei Mingtian responded, pleased to see his daughter benefit from Master Wang’s tutelage.

After a pause, he added, “But don’t forget about Ruor. You must arrange a school for her as well. If she doesn’t wish to study, that’s her choice, but it’s still your duty to make preparations.”

“Don’t worry, Husband. The magistrate’s wife has already agreed. The only uncertainty now is whether the Xie family will also accept Miss Qian. If she goes, the magistrate’s residence may no longer need a female teacher.”

***

“If the magistrate’s residence no longer employs her, invite the teacher to our home. Not just for Ruor, but also for the other young ladies who need instruction,” Wei Mingtian instructed.

“I understand,” Madam Yun agreed. That was her intention as well.

Though hiring the teacher privately would mean extra expense, since Wanwan was already set to study at the Xie household, she didn’t want Ruor’s arrangements to seem inferior.

Moreover, bringing the teacher from the Qian family into their own home would help foster closer ties with the Registrar and County Assistant’s families. Wei Mingtian was a military official and rarely dealt with those families in official matters, but it was always wise to maintain good relations with fellow residents of Xingshan County.

***

Two days later, news arrived from the magistrate’s residence: the Xie family had not agreed to let Qian Zhilan study there.

Lady Xie politely declined, citing that the Qian family had already engaged their own teacher.

Lady Qian was frustrated but could do nothing.

That night, Madam Yun summoned Wei Ruo. “Ruor, I’ve given you ample time to handle the wasteland in the southern part of town. From now on, leave the remaining matters to Nanny Zhang—it's time for you to attend lessons at the magistrate’s residence.”

“I understand.”

To Madam Yun’s surprise, this time Wei Ruo didn’t quibble or bargain, but agreed with perfect composure.

So Madam Yun continued, “There’s one other issue—the family only has one carriage…”

She looked rather troubled.

Previously, with only Wei Qingwan going to the magistrate’s residence, the carriage sufficed for her daily journeys. The initial plan was for both Wei Qingwan and Wei Ruo to attend lessons there, so adding one more passenger wouldn’t have been a problem.

But now the situation had changed. Wei Qingwan would be going to the Xie family in the north of town, while Wei Ruo would go to the magistrate’s residence at the Qian family’s home—two places in different directions.

Wei Ruo gave a cold laugh, preempting her mother’s words. “You mean to say that since the Xie family in the north is farther from the Marshal’s residence, you’ll give the carriage to Wei Qingwan, and since the magistrate’s residence is closer, you expect me to walk there?”

“That won’t do, either. I’ll purchase another carriage, though it will be smaller than the one we already have. The household finances are tight at the moment, but when things improve, I’ll get you a better one. Would that be all right?”