Chapter Six: Who Is the Elder Daughter, Who Is the Younger?

“But...” Wei Qingwan looked up with a hint of caution toward Wei Mingting.

“Come, sit down. Don’t let your thoughts wander. Your mother and I have already discussed this: whether or not there is a blood relationship, you are still the daughter of our Wei family,” Wei Mingting declared firmly.

“Yes, your father is right. Don’t let your mind run wild. No one can shake your standing as the young lady of the Wei family,” Madam Yun added her support.

It was only after everyone’s gentle persuasion that Wei Qingwan slowly made her way to the table and sat down.

Madam Yun then glanced at Wei Ruo beside her, and seeing that her expression was calm as usual, breathed a soft sigh of relief.

The meal passed in silence. Several times, the others glanced at Wei Ruo, worried that, after being raised for thirteen years in a merchant’s household, she might not be familiar with proper etiquette.

To their surprise, her manner at the table was graceful and unhurried, perfectly in keeping with the expectations for a young lady of a prominent family.

After supper, everyone gathered again over tea, and it was time to discuss a matter of some urgency.

Seeing that the mood was good, Wei Mingting spoke to Wei Ruo. “Ruor, you have endured much over these years. Your grandfather and uncles in the capital have already learned of the switch at birth. Soon, your name will be added to the family register.”

Wei Mingting had already received a letter from the capital the day before, and he would have to send his reply soon, which was why he had no choice but to bring up the matter with Wei Ruo now.

“Very well,” Wei Ruo replied, but showed none of the anticipation or joy that the others had expected.

Wei Mingting, noting the faint furrow in her brow, hesitated for a moment before continuing, “We have decided to add your name after Qingwan’s in the register. From now on, you will be the second young lady of the Wei family. Is that acceptable?”

At this, Wei Ruo raised her head and met Wei Mingting’s gaze.

Her eyes were clear and bright, neither sad nor joyful.

As a military man, Wei Mingting had always carried an air of authority, which made him more imposing than most even at home. The children had always been somewhat in awe of him; even Wei Qingwan, who had always been his favored child, dared not meet his gaze when he was stern.

Before Wei Ruo could answer, Wei Qingwan suddenly stepped forward and knelt before Wei Mingting and Madam Yun.

“Father, Mother, your daughter earnestly asks that Elder Sister Ruor be given the place of eldest daughter.”

“Wanwan, what are you doing?” Madam Yun’s eyes were full of pain.

“Father, Mother, it has been more than enough for me to be able to grow up in the Wei family, to be your daughter and enjoy your love and kindness. Now that you are willing to keep me by your side despite everything, I have already received more than I deserve. I dare not hold onto the title of eldest daughter. Second young lady, servant, or maid—whatever my place, I would accept it gladly.”

Wei Mingting and Madam Yun both wore troubled expressions, their brows deeply furrowed, eyes full of sorrow and distress.

Wei Qingwan kowtowed once more, the sound clear and crisp.

Madam Yun rushed forward to stop her from hurting herself further. “Wanwan, that’s enough. Your father and I understand your feelings.”

“With such kindness from Father and Mother, I am filled with shame...”

“Silly child, don’t say such foolish things. Never again speak of shame or unworthiness. You are our daughter, we are a family, and nothing will ever change that,” Madam Yun said, gathering Wei Qingwan tenderly in her arms.

Wei Yilin also jumped down from his seat, hurried over, and embraced both Madam Yun and Wei Qingwan.

“Sister, you’ll always be my sister! Don’t ever say things like that!” Wei Yilin’s lips trembled, his eyes red.

Seeing this scene, the lines of Wei Mingting’s face grew even more taut, his countenance clouded.

Wei Yichen, too, was moved by the scene, but instead of stepping forward, he glanced twice toward Wei Ruo, worried she might be hurt by what she saw.

After a while, Madam Yun released Wei Qingwan and instructed the two children to return to their seats.

With Wei Yilin’s support, Wei Qingwan stood up. Whether from kneeling too long or from weakness, her body swayed and nearly collapsed again, but Wei Yilin held her steady.

Madam Yun then returned to sit beside Wei Mingting.

Once they were all settled, both Wei Mingting and Madam Yun turned their gaze back to Wei Ruo.

A faint smile played at the corner of Wei Ruo’s lips as her clear voice broke the silence.

She addressed Wei Mingting, “Is it because my birth was a little later that you and Mother made this decision?”

“No...” When Wei Mingting answered, his voice was uncharacteristically uncertain.

By the timing of the two ladies’ deliveries, Madam Wei should have given birth slightly before Lady He, so Wei Ruo, as her trueborn daughter, ought to be the elder by a few moments.

“Then for what reason?” Wei Ruo continued, her clear, bright eyes fixed on Wei Mingting.

Whether it was the clarity of her gaze or some other reason, Wei Mingting fell silent.

Madam Yun hurried to explain for her husband, “It’s like this: Wanwan’s name is already in the family register. To avoid trouble, we’ll simply add your name after hers, without making any other changes.”

Wei Yilin interjected, “My sister is the eldest, she’s the family’s first daughter. You came later, so you can’t take that from her!”

Neither the main nor the secondary branch of the Wei family had daughters. Before Wei Ruo arrived, Wei Qingwan was the family’s only daughter and the legitimate eldest. While she was not the eldest son or daughter overall, she still held the title of eldest daughter, which held some weight, especially in the status-conscious capital.

“Yilin! What nonsense are you spouting?” Madam Yun scolded sharply, cutting off her younger son’s outburst.

Chastened, Wei Yilin pressed his lips together, both aggrieved and stubborn.

Madam Yun turned to explain to Wei Ruo, “It’s not so much about being the eldest or second daughter—everyone, here and in the capital, is used to calling things this way. Changing it suddenly would be difficult for people to adjust.”

“Is that the only reason?” Wei Ruo asked again.

Wei Mingting replied sternly, “This decision was reached after careful deliberation between your mother and me, weighing many considerations.”

Everyone looked to Wei Ruo, awaiting her answer.

Just as they thought she might press the matter and vie for the position of eldest daughter, Wei Ruo gave them an unexpected response.

“Very well, I’ll be the second young lady.”

At her words, everyone looked at her in astonishment.

Her earlier persistent questioning had made it seem as if she deeply resented being made the younger, yet now she agreed without further argument?

“Ruor, do you truly not mind?” Madam Yun asked hastily.

“Not at all. Whatever is most convenient. It’s troublesome for everyone to keep changing things, and Father is quite busy these days. He shouldn’t be burdened with such trifles. Or—if I did mind, would Father and Mother be willing to change their decision?” Wei Ruo replied.