Chapter Forty-Seven: I Do Not Need It

"Well, that's not too bad. At least it isn't an ox cart," Wei Ruo said with a smile.

Not switching to an ox cart wasn't necessarily a sign that Madam Yun favored her; it might simply be a matter of saving face.

"Ruo'er, there's nothing to be done. The Xie family is extraordinary, and besides, Qingwan is going to meet the illustrious scholar, Madam Wang Caiwei," Madam Yun analyzed, frowning.

"You make a good point, and I completely agree," Wei Ruo replied.

"You agree?" Madam Yun looked at Wei Ruo in surprise, suspecting sarcasm in her calm demeanor, yet she didn't seem to be joking.

"Absolutely. Whoever goes to the more distant, higher-status Xie family to study with the more talented Madam Wang gets to ride the original fine carriage. The one who isn't going takes the newly purchased, smaller, more modest carriage. It's perfectly reasonable," Wei Ruo said.

Madam Yun frowned, momentarily at a loss for how to respond.

Wei Ruo continued, "Mother, you made this decision not because Qingwan is going to the Xie family and I to the magistrate's household, but simply because the Xie family is farther away and of higher social standing, right?"

"Of course," Madam Yun replied instantly.

"Then I have no objections. Mother considered objective factors and treated us fairly. Naturally, I won't object," Wei Ruo said.

Her words were sensible and thoughtful, but Madam Yun felt a vague unease as she listened.

###

"Sister, I've prepared a gift for you!" Wei Yilin burst into Plumview Court, excitement written all over his face.

"A gift?"

"Yes, to congratulate you on going to the Xie family to study with the renowned lady scholar!" Wei Yilin beamed.

He proudly presented his gift: "I've bought you a set of writing implements—brush, ink, paper, and inkstone—all from the newly opened Treasure Studio!"

"Their paper is expensive and hard to come by, isn't it?" Wei Qingwan looked astonished.

"Yes, but that's fine. Your little brother has his own secret savings!" Wei Yilin grinned.

"Yilin, you spoil me!" Wei Qingwan's voice was soft, filled with emotion.

"You're my sister—who else would I treat well?"

Wei Qingwan hesitated. "But there's our other sister. She's also about to start school at the magistrate's household. I wonder if she has her own writing supplies."

"I don't care about her. Her affairs have nothing to do with me!"

###

"I should go check. If she doesn't have any, I'll share mine with her. She is our sister, after all. She may not care about us, but as younger siblings, we should care for her," said Wei Qingwan, heading to her room and returning with a generous bundle of writing implements.

"Sister, I'll go with you! I'm afraid she'll bully you!" Wei Yilin hurried after her.

"Thank you, Yilin. I'll be fine. She won't mistreat me much in the household."

"Just because you're kind doesn't mean everyone else is. We mustn't be too optimistic!" Wei Yilin insisted.

He was determined to follow his sister whenever she went to see Wei Qingruo.

"Fine, you can come with me, but don't say those things to her. If eldest brother hears, he'll be angry with you."

"I understand. As long as she doesn't do anything to you, I won't provoke her," Wei Yilin promised.

They entered Pineview Court, where Wei Ruo was busy fertilizing the seedlings of sweet potatoes, loofahs, pumpkins, and gourds in the courtyard. The verdant vines were already climbing up half the wall.

"Sister," Wei Qingwan approached uninvited, "you're leaving for the magistrate's household in a few days. I've prepared some writing implements for you. I hope they'll be useful."

Wei Ruo glanced at the items in Wei Qingwan's arms. "I don't need them. Take them back for your own use."

Wei Qingwan paused, then added, "Rest assured, sister. They're all new, never used."

"I don't need them," Wei Ruo repeated.

Wei Qingwan's head dropped in disappointment.

Seeing this, Wei Yilin spoke up, "Sister is giving you something out of kindness. Why are you acting like this?"

Wei Ruo laughed and retorted, "What attitude? If I can't use the gift and ask you to take it back, is that a bad attitude?"

"Sister's gift is surely useful to you! You're deliberately embarrassing her!" Wei Yilin protested.

"How would you know whether I can use it or not? Are you more aware than I am?"

"You're about to start school! Writing supplies are essential!"

"And? What does that have to do with me saying I can't use Qingwan's gift?"

"You're being intentionally difficult! Why are you so annoying?" Wei Yilin grew agitated.

###

Wei Qingwan pulled Wei Yilin back. "Don't be angry, Yilin. It's my fault for not choosing the right gift. Don't be upset with sister."

"But how is that your fault? The real problem is her!" Wei Yilin grew even angrier as Wei Qingwan took all the blame.

His sister always thought of Wei Qingruo, but that wretched Wei Qingruo always made things hard for her!

Whether the commotion was overheard by the servants or Madam Yun happened to be coming over, she arrived at Pineview Court just in time to witness the argument—Wei Yilin and Wei Ruo quarreling, with Wei Qingwan trying to mediate.

Madam Yun scolded sharply, "What is this racket? Is this how you behave?"

At her appearance, the noise ceased immediately.

Madam Yun surveyed the three siblings. "What's going on? Why all this shouting?"

"Mother..." Wei Yilin pouted, feeling aggrieved.

Wei Ruo watched coldly.

"Qingwan, you explain," Madam Yun ordered.

"Please don't be angry, Mother. It's my fault. I prepared some gifts for sister, thinking she'd need them for school at the magistrate's household, but I didn't choose well and she didn't like them. Yilin's temper flared, and he argued with sister," explained Wei Qingwan.

After hearing her explanation, Madam Yun glanced at the writing implements in her hands and frowned, turning to Wei Ruo. "You're about to start school at the magistrate's household. Qingwan brought you writing supplies—what's the issue? Why did you say her gift wasn't good?"

"I never said her gift wasn't good. My exact words were, 'I can't use these. Please take them back and use them yourself,'" Wei Ruo answered calmly, then looked at Wei Qingwan. "Isn't that so, Qingwan?"

"It is," Wei Qingwan nodded.

Wei Yilin hurried to add, "Telling her to take them back means you aren't satisfied with what she prepared for you, doesn't it?"