Chapter Forty-Nine: Is It Ruo’er, Not Wanwan?

"Ruor is... preparing in her room for her upcoming classes."

In truth, Wei Ruo was probably busy tending to the fruits and vegetables she'd planted in her courtyard, but Lady Yun felt embarrassed to admit her daughter was gardening and could only claim that Wei Ruo was preparing for her lessons.

"Mother, I'll go see what she's getting ready," Xie Ying said.

Lady Xie asked Lady Yun, "Madam Wei, would you mind...?"

Lady Yun smiled awkwardly, but since Lady Xie had asked, she couldn't refuse and agreed, "I'll have my maid Cui Ping take Miss Xie over."

"Let's go then," Xie Ying said, immediately setting off without once acknowledging Wei Qingwan, who had been watching her with a gentle smile.

Lady Yun's guess was correct—Wei Ruo was in her courtyard, picking tender squashes and the young tips of the squash vines.

Her vines had thrived, crawling up half the courtyard wall and bearing several fruits. This was the perfect time to harvest these delicacies.

Wei Ruo enjoyed eating tender squash and squash tips, stir-fried together for a refreshing, sweet, and crisp taste.

When Xie Ying entered, she saw Wei Ruo standing on a ladder, a bamboo basket slung over her arm, carefully picking something.

Xie Ying approached quietly, simply watching from the side.

Wei Ruo heard movement, knew someone had entered, but didn't bother at first. When the visitor remained silent for a while, Wei Ruo finally turned to look.

"Miss Xie?"

Wei Ruo was not particularly surprised to see Xie Ying; she'd already heard about Lady Xie's visit with her daughter. She was merely curious what Xie Ying wanted by watching her.

"What are you doing?" Xie Ying asked.

"Picking tender squash tips and young squash," Wei Ruo replied.

"Oh, I know those. I've eaten them before. They have no flavor," Xie Ying remarked.

"Perhaps the cook wasn't skilled. You should try some prepared by my Mei Mei someday," Wei Ruo responded.

Xie Ying didn't argue, but her expression made it clear she didn't believe Wei Ruo—the idea that squash tips could be delicious seemed doubtful.

Xie Ying glanced around the courtyard. "Is there somewhere I can hide and nap for a while? My mother dragged me out early this morning, and I'm still sleepy."

She neither cared why Wei Ruo was gardening nor why she wasn't preparing for class; she simply wanted a place to daydream and sleep.

Wei Ruo pointed to a rattan chair arranged in the courtyard. "Why not move it under my gourd trellis? It's shady there."

Soon the sun would be strong, so a cool spot was best for a nap.

Xie Ying nodded and carried Wei Ruo's chair over.

The rattan chair was comfortable, and the lush gourd vines created deep shade beneath the trellis, perfectly suited to Xie Ying's desire for a lazy retreat.

After rocking for a while, Xie Ying said, "Can you give me some seeds for these plants? I'd like to grow one at home. And where did you buy this chair? I want one too."

Was she falling for Wei Ruo's setup?

"I can give you seeds, but it's probably too late to plant them now. As for the chair, you should be able to find one outside—just have your household staff ask around," Wei Ruo replied.

"What kind of vines can be planted at this time of year to grow like yours? Something easy that doesn't require much care—I'm terrible with plants; everything I touch dies," Xie Ying asked.

"I'm afraid there isn't anything quite suitable. Most climbing plants in the courtyard require care—watering, fertilizing, and pest control," Wei Ruo answered.

"Too much trouble," Xie Ying muttered, then fell silent, closed her eyes, and began to nap.

So she hadn't come to visit Wei Ruo out of fondness, but simply because it was convenient for her to sleep!

Wei Ruo considered herself averse to socializing and fond of quiet retreats, but seeing Xie Ying, she could only admit defeat.

The two spent a peaceful half hour together until Lady Yun and Lady Xie arrived, followed by Wei Qingwan.

Lady Xie was accompanied throughout her visit by Wei Qingwan.

Wei Qingwan's gentle and obedient demeanor earned Lady Xie repeated praise, and she sighed often, wishing her own daughter could be so well-behaved and sensible.

This made Lady Yun feel immensely proud—her daughter truly was exceptionally considerate. She suspected this was why Lady Xie agreed so readily when she suggested her daughter study together with Miss Xie.

When Lady Xie entered Pine Pavilion and saw Xie Ying sleeping in the shade, she was not at all surprised.

Her daughter had that temperament—when it came to play, she could run wild all day, but at home, asked to be a proper young lady, she was as lazy as could be.

If she'd been born into another family, she would certainly have been reprimanded.

But her precious daughter was doted on by everyone at home, resulting in this character—no one could control her, nor even manage her.

Lady Xie smiled apologetically, then asked Wei Ruo, "Miss Wei, is Xiao Ying disturbing you?"

"Not at all. We're getting along very well," Wei Ruo replied. She quite liked Xie Ying's temperament—it put her at ease.

"That's good. Then you'll get along well when you study together in the future," Lady Xie said with a smile.

At that, Lady Yun and Wei Qingwan were both stunned.

Lady Yun pressed, "Lady Xie, did you just say Ruor will study together with Miss Xie?"

Lady Xie looked at Lady Yun, a little puzzled. "Why? Is there a problem?"

"It's not that... I'm just surprised. I didn't expect Lady Xie would agree to let Ruor go to the Xie household to study with Sir Wang," Lady Yun explained cautiously.

"'Also'?" Lady Xie's confusion deepened. "Madam Wei, wait—I'm finding it harder and harder to follow your meaning."

Lady Yun was equally baffled. "Didn't Lady Xie's words just mean that Ruor would also go to the Xie residence to study?"

Lady Xie looked at Lady Yun, her smile gentle. "Madam Wei, wasn't our original plan to have Miss Wei—the eldest daughter—come to our house and study with my Ying'er?"

"Lady Xie, you mean... you were referring to Ruor, not Wanwan?" Lady Yun was utterly shocked.