Chapter Sixty: Wei Qingwan Punished to Copy the Family Rules

Nanny Qin said, “As a young lady of a distinguished family, you must always be mindful of your words and actions before outsiders. If you continue to make such mistakes, Second Miss, I believe you need to read more books and learn better manners.”

Wei Qingwan’s face turned pale and then flushed under Nanny Qin’s admonition, but she could find no way to argue back.

She could only lower her head and awkwardly bid farewell to Wei Ruo. “Then I won’t disturb you and Nanny any further, Sister.”

Setting down the osmanthus cakes, Wei Qingwan hurriedly took her leave.

Once she was gone, Wei Ruo resumed assigning tasks concerning the southern part of the city to Nanny Qin. The workload was heavy and involved many people.

To ensure she didn’t miss any instructions, Nanny Qin specifically asked for paper and pen to record everything in detail.

“That will be all for now. Agricultural matters cannot be treated uniformly; we must adapt to the land and the season. Arrangements will be adjusted as the weather and the fields’ conditions change,” Wei Ruo explained.

“I understand. I grew up in a farming family myself. If you have any instructions, Miss, just contact me at any time. Should any difficulties or troubles arise during the development in the south of the city, I will report to you immediately,” Nanny Qin replied.

“Very well. Thank you for your hard work, Nanny.”

Though Wei Ruo disliked Chu Lan’s involvement in these affairs, she had to admit she appreciated the capable and diligent manner of the nanny he had sent.

After seeing Nanny Qin off, Wei Ruo made her way to Cangyun Courtyard.

Upon entering, she saw that Wei Qingwan was also there, head lowered, speaking softly with Madam Yun.

When Wei Ruo came in, Wei Qingwan lifted her gaze, her eyes full of resentment.

Madam Yun, however, greeted Wei Ruo with a smile. “Ruo’er, you’re here. How did your talk with the nanny go?”

“It went well,” Wei Ruo replied.

“That’s good, that’s good. Remember, you must never neglect proper etiquette,” Madam Yun advised.

Wei Ruo continued, “Speaking of etiquette, there is something I wish to discuss with you, Mother.”

Madam Yun looked puzzled. “What is it?”

Wei Ruo said, “Today, while I was in discussion with Nanny Qin, for reasons unknown, Qingwan came to find me, interrupting our conversation.”

Hearing this, Madam Yun turned a questioning gaze to Wei Qingwan.

Wei Qingwan hurried to explain, “It was my fault. I made some osmanthus cakes and wanted to give them to Sister to try.”

Wei Ruo gave a soft laugh. “If you wished to share your cakes with me, there’s never a wrong time to come. Why did you choose to come just when Nanny Qin was with me?”

Wei Qingwan answered, “Please don’t be angry, Sister. I got caught up in making the cakes, and when I finished, I just wanted you to taste them as soon as possible. I forgot you would be busy with Nanny Qin at that time.”

“If you forgot, then when you entered Tingsong Courtyard and saw Nanny Qin, why did you not choose to come back later, rather than rudely interrupt our conversation?” Wei Ruo pressed.

“I… I didn’t think that much. I thought I could just let Nanny taste them too…” Wei Qingwan replied, aggrieved.

“Qingwan, you may say this before us and we can choose to believe you, but if you said such things outside, others would think our Wei family lacks proper manners. Today, Nanny Qin came to discuss important matters with me, which the household is aware of—Mother even specifically reminded me. Yet you appeared at that time. Outsiders might easily believe the daughters of the Wei family have no sense of etiquette.”

Tears welled up in Wei Qingwan’s eyes at Wei Ruo’s words. She looked miserably at Madam Yun. “Mother, I didn’t mean it… I truly didn’t…”

“Ruo’er, surely the matter isn’t so serious? Since Wanwan knows she was wrong, don’t be too harsh on her,” Madam Yun interceded for Wei Qingwan.

“You don’t know, Mother. Because of Qingwan’s rashness today, Nanny Qin was quite upset,” Wei Ruo said.

As soon as she heard that Nanny Qin was angry, Madam Yun’s expression changed.

She looked at Wei Qingwan, her tone grave, “Wanwan, you have truly been careless this time!”

At this, Wei Qingwan could no longer hold back her tears, which began to fall one after another.

Wei Ruo continued, “Mother, you also know that last time at Fahua Temple, Qingwan and Miss Qian offended a noble. Now, because of the matter in the south of the city, that noble has finally started to look at our family differently. If, because of today, he is left with another poor impression, I am afraid…”

Wei Ruo deliberately made the matter sound grave.

In truth, she knew that Nanny Qin was unlikely to report such a minor incident to Chu Lan, but that didn’t stop her from using his name to frighten Madam Yun and Wei Qingwan.

At first, Madam Yun had thought the matter trivial, but after hearing Wei Ruo’s words, she realized the seriousness and immediately turned stern, addressing Wei Qingwan with a solemn face,

“Wanwan, you were indeed in the wrong this time. As punishment, you are to copy the family rules ten times as a warning to yourself!”

Wei Qingwan was utterly stunned.

Since childhood, she had always been the most obedient and sensible child in her parents’ eyes, never once punished. Only her younger brother had ever been made to copy lines as punishment, and now it was her turn?

“I understand…” Wei Qingwan replied, head bowed, hands clenched into fists inside her sleeves.

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In Yingzhu Courtyard, Xiaobei reported to Wei Jinyi, “Young Master, the people sent by the Seventh Prince have left.”

“What did they discuss with Ruo’er?” Wei Jinyi asked.

“It was about the wasteland in the south of the city. Nothing else was discussed.” Xiaobei replied.

“Mm.” After a pause, Wei Jinyi asked, “Is Ruo’er very busy every day now?”

It had been quite a few days since Wei Ruo last visited Yingzhu Courtyard.

“Yes, Eldest Miss has been leaving early and returning late these days. There are many matters that require her decision,” Xiaobei answered.

“Go next door and ask Xiumei to come over. Some game has arrived in the small kitchen, and you don’t know how to cook it. Ask her for help,” Wei Jinyi instructed.

“Yes, Young Master, I’ll go right away.”

Xiaobei happily made his way to Tingsong Courtyard.

On the way, he thought to himself that the pheasant and wild rabbit had been delivered to the young master by outsiders, not by the main kitchen.

The young master hadn’t been fond of game before, but for some reason, a couple of days ago, he had someone fetch some for him.

And though it had been here for two days, he hadn’t let Xiaobei touch it.

At first, Xiaobei had been puzzled, but now it made sense—he must have wanted to wait for Miss Xiumei to be available to cook it.

It was true; her cooking was far better than his, and the ingredients wouldn’t go to waste.

At the gate, Xiaobei conveyed Wei Jinyi’s instructions to Xiumei.

“I’ll have to ask my young lady first,” Xiumei replied.

“Please do, Miss Xiumei. I’ll wait at the door.”

“All right.”

Xiumei turned and went inside, returning shortly after.

“My lady has agreed. But she said that I was supposed to make her some pastries this afternoon. Since your young master has called me away, she won’t get her pastries. You’d better ask your young master what he plans to give my lady in return.”