Chapter Fifty-Seven: You Should Not Harbor Such Thoughts

“I’m not like my elder sister, able to accomplish great things and win honor for the Wei family, gaining favor from those in high places. I’m truly useless…” Wei Qingwan bit her lip, her eyes glistening with tears.

Wei Yichen frowned. “Wanwan, why would you ever think such a thing?”

“I… I just feel like I fall short of my sister in every way. Surely, none of you could ever truly care for me,” Wei Qingwan said, expecting Wei Yichen to comfort her. To her surprise, he stopped in his tracks, a grave look settling over his features as he gazed at her.

“Big Brother?” Wei Qingwan looked at him in confusion.

“Wanwan, we should be glad that Ruo’er is so accomplished, not fear that her excellence will cause us to lose affection. Family is family, for better or worse; why must we always compare ourselves to one another?” Wei Yichen’s voice was heavy with seriousness.

Wei Qingwan froze, suddenly realizing her words had been out of line.

“Big Brother, that’s not what I meant. Of course, I’m happy for my sister’s achievements. It’s just that, seeing how capable she is, I realize I need to work harder, or else with both you and her being so outstanding, I’ll be left behind. I want to do my part for the family too,” she explained.

“If that’s truly what you’re thinking, then that’s fine,” Wei Yichen’s expression softened. He added, “But don’t put too much pressure on yourself, and certainly don’t let Ruo’er’s accomplishments trouble you. If she excels, we should be happy for her—there’s no need for other thoughts.”

“I understand,” Wei Qingwan replied softly.

Seeing her response, Wei Yichen said nothing more, thinking that Wanwan had only spoken carelessly in a moment of weakness. She had always been gentle and kind—how could she truly resent Ruo’er?

After a few more words, they went their separate ways.

Back at Plumview Pavilion, Wei Qingwan threw herself onto her bed, sobbing uncontrollably despite Cuihe’s attempts to console her.

“It was my sister who earned the scholar’s praise at the Xie family, my sister who managed to grow seedlings on barren land. Compared to her, I’m always falling short. Sooner or later, Father and Mother will abandon me just as they would cast aside a broken tool!”

“Miss, you mustn’t think like that! If you cry yourself sick, wouldn’t that only please the eldest miss? You mustn’t give up on yourself,” Cuihe pleaded, anxious.

She feared that if Wei Qingwan truly lost favor, her own life as the girl’s maid would grow much harder.

“What else can I do but despair? I can’t blame anyone. I’m not their real daughter—there’s no blood tie between us. Sooner or later, they’ll tire of me…” The more Wei Qingwan thought, the deeper her sorrow grew, her future seeming ever more hopeless.

“Miss…” For a moment, even Cuihe was at a loss for words, muttering, “If only my mother were here. Maybe she could help you figure something out.”

“But Nanny can’t return now,” Wei Qingwan murmured.

If Nanny were here, she would surely help. But because of what happened last time, Nanny had been sent away to the estate as punishment.

“Miss, why don’t you seize an opportunity to plead with Madam? If you ask, I’m sure she’ll listen,” Cuihe suggested.

“I… I’ll try next time,” Wei Qingwan responded in a low voice.

###

Magistrate Qian worked with remarkable efficiency. Upon returning, he posted public notices and sent his men to spread the word throughout the county.

Anyone without land, whether farmer or fisherman, could register with the authorities, who would then allocate plots of the southern wasteland and teach everyone how to reclaim and cultivate it.

News spread quickly, and soon a long line formed outside the county office.

When the people finally received the official documents granting them land rights, cheers rang out from the newly empowered farmers.

For a time, the entire county was filled with the joyful voices of the impoverished.

Watching this scene from a distant teahouse, Lu Yuhong couldn’t help but sigh. “That eldest miss of the Wei family truly had an excellent idea. Look at these homeless, landless folks—they’re so eager. Letting them claim and work the land themselves is sure to make them more dedicated than any hired hand.”

Chu Lan gazed at the street below, silent, but Lu Yuhong could still discern his approval.

“Brother Chu, tell me, now that you’re here in Xing Shan County, are you more interested in the owner of Four Treasures Pavilion or in the eldest miss of the Wei family?” Lu Yuhong’s inexplicable curiosity flared up again.

“Yu, you’re far too curious for your own good.”

“I’ve always been this way, Brother Chu. It’s not as if you just met me yesterday,” Lu Yuhong muttered.

“The goods at Four Treasures Pavilion are fine, and their methods clever, but it’s all for profit. The Wei miss, on the other hand, has improved barren land and fed the people—that’s a matter of public good. The difference is obvious. Still, I’m not overly curious about either. My purpose in coming here is to deal with the issue of the Japanese pirates,” Chu Lan replied.

Lu Yuhong said, “The people here really have it hard. Outside, there are pirates attacking; inside, there’s famine. I hope Miss Wei’s solution works and brings in a harvest. I also hope reinforcements from the court arrive soon.”

“Even with reinforcements, you need a capable commander. If Wei Mingting fails again, he won’t keep his rank as a sixth-grade captain, no matter how clever his daughter is at helping the people.”

###

“You’re right—a general must win battles. Still, I think Wei Mingting has some ability; otherwise, he couldn’t have held out this long with so few troops. Only after coming here myself did I realize how woefully undermanned Xing Shan County’s defenses are,” Lu Yuhong remarked with feeling.

###

After two busy days, Wei Ruo returned to the Xie household to study with Xie Ying.

Upon arriving at the Xie family’s schoolroom, Wei Ruo took her seat. Mr. Wang had not yet arrived, and Xie Ying was arranging her collection of warhorse paintings.

Not usually one to show much curiosity about Wei Ruo, Xie Ying now fixed her with a look full of wonder.

“Did you really manage to grow crops on the southern wasteland?”

The reclamation and cultivation of the southern wasteland was the hottest topic in Xing Shan County; Xie Ying could hardly ignore it.

“Yes,” Wei Ruo nodded.

“That’s really impressive.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

“I rarely praise anyone. Of those my age, you’re the first,” Xie Ying emphasized.

“I’m honored,” Wei Ruo replied.

“It’s not about being honored—you truly are remarkable. Far more so than those women who do nothing but fight for attention and compete for show. Whenever I see them, their endless chatter tires me. I can’t stand such people. But now I see you’re completely different.”

Wei Ruo couldn’t help but smile. After so long studying together with Xie Ying, who had always seemed indifferent, she was surprised to find admiration in Xie Ying’s eyes—brought out by her work on the southern wasteland.

Was this, perhaps, an unexpected reward?