Chapter Seven: The Eldest and Second Daughters Are Alike

This question made a flicker of guilt appear in the eyes of Wei Mingting and Lady Yun.

“Well, since it doesn’t matter whether I mind or not, I suppose I’ll just stop caring. There’s nothing to be done about it—those thirteen years I lost with my parents are gone, and fate is to blame for it,” Wei Ruo said lightly.

Everyone in the hall fell silent, especially Wei Mingting and Lady Yun. The two, who had just been feeling sorry for Wei Qingwan, now found themselves aching for this child who neither fought nor demanded anything.

Lady Yun, moved, said to Wei Ruo, “Ruor, you are our own flesh and blood, the child of your father and mother. Now that you’ve returned, whether you are the eldest or the second daughter, you are precious to us. We will make up for those thirteen lost years.”

“Alright,” Wei Ruo replied briskly.

Wei Mingting spoke in a grave tone: “Let this matter be settled. From now on, you siblings must get along. Yi Chen, Wanwan, Ruor has just returned and there is much she doesn’t know, so look after her.”

“Father, you can rest assured,” Wei Yichen answered.

“I understand, Father,” Wei Qingwan replied softly, her head bowed.

With this, the matter was concluded. Wei Mingting planned to return to his study later and send a letter to the capital to explain the situation.

After tea and conversation, Lady Yun personally escorted Wei Ruo back to her residence, Listening Pine Court.

Perhaps Wei Ruo’s acceptance of her status as the second daughter made Lady Yun feel guilty, for along the way, she kept promising to provide for Wei Ruo, from clothes and hair ornaments to maids and nursemaids—everything was to be arranged.

The Wei family was not wealthy; the family’s ancestral fortune had long been depleted, and Wei Mingting’s salary as a captain was modest. Yet, what Wei Qingwan already possessed could not be denied to Wei Ruo, lest Lady Yun be accused of favoritism.

Wei Ruo accepted all the gifts and money without refusing, but politely declined additional servants, saying that her maid, Xiumei, was enough and she did not like others coming and going in her room.

Lady Yun respected her wishes, promising to arrange more staff only if Wei Ruo ever requested them.

Returning to Listening Pine Court, Wei Ruo entered her room and closed the door. The moment she was alone, her composed and aloof demeanor melted away.

Drinking that tea had been exhausting! With that effort, she could have harvested an entire field of wheat!

For some reason, Wei Ruo felt that working hard for her own earnings, though tiring, left her refreshed, whereas enduring such formal occasions brought a stifling exhaustion, like a weight pressing in her chest.

She already knew, thanks to her knowledge of the original plot, what Wei Mingting and Lady Yun would say today.

The original Wei Ruo had quarreled fiercely with Wei Mingting over this issue, believing that what was rightfully hers had been taken. Wei Qingwan had enjoyed thirteen years of her identity, status, and affection—why should she continue to hold the title of eldest daughter?

In the end, the original managed to reclaim the position of eldest daughter, but this stirred sympathy for the wronged Wei Qingwan and left everyone resentful toward Wei Ruo.

But was it really just the position that the original sought so desperately? What she truly wanted was the attention and affection of her biological parents.

She simply expressed it clumsily.

Having lived through so much, Wei Ruo felt it was better to rely on her own efforts for recognition and status, rather than expect others to grant them. Placing one’s hopes in others—especially those who did not truly care—only led to disappointment and made life harder.

Moreover, the matter of eldest and second daughter was not for Wei Mingting and Lady Yun to decide; the true authority lay with the old Lord in the capital.

In the original story, the old Lord was deeply concerned with the legitimacy of family heirs. Upon learning that Wei Qingwan was not of Wei blood, he became cold toward her and would not likely consent to making her his eldest granddaughter.

So rather than argue with Wei Mingting and Lady Yun here, it was better to let the old Lord decide. Let them contend among themselves. Whatever the outcome, she could accept it.

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The next three days passed peacefully for Wei Ruo, and she gained a clearer understanding of the household.

The Wei family’s finances were poor; the legacy of the Loyal and Righteous Count’s estate had been squandered, and now they were merely maintaining appearances.

In Xing Shan County, her father Wei Mingting was only a sixth-rank captain, earning little, yet supporting the entire family.

It was said that the anti-piracy efforts were not progressing well, which had left the emperor displeased with the officials of Taizhou. Wei Mingting had little hope of promotion; it was fortunate he hadn’t been dismissed.

Even so, a dying camel is still larger than a horse—compared to her adoptive family, the Hes, they were still much better off.

Lady Yun visited Wei Ruo daily, bringing her food, clothing, and household items.

Wei Mingting was very busy; he had not returned home for several days, and not only Wei Ruo, but even Lady Yun hadn’t seen him.

Her elder brother Wei Yichen was occupied with his studies and seldom visited, but whenever he did, he brought local specialties and shared stories about Xing Shan County with her.

Wei Yilin hadn’t visited at all. Once, he passed by Wei Ruo’s door, met her gaze from afar, then turned his head away haughtily and hurried off.

Wei Qingwan came several times, always bringing gifts, but each time she looked on the verge of tears. Wei Ruo would hasten her to leave.

Most often, Wei Ruo saw Madam Li, who was ordered to teach her proper manners.

But Madam Li was not earnest in her instruction; when Wei Ruo was lazy, she scarcely bothered to correct her, glossing over the lessons.

On the fourth day, Wei Ruo had a rare moment of leisure and did not have to learn from Madam Li.

After breakfast in her room, Wei Ruo asked Xiumei to fetch her a hoe.

She had her eye on a patch of bare earth on the west side of the courtyard, planning to use it for a vegetable plot.

Her ability required her to plant crops to gain experience; if she only planted in her spatial field, progress was too slow.

Since leaving the Mo family village, she didn’t know if the field she sowed there would still count toward her experience when harvested.

No matter what, the more experience the better—she would plant as much as she could.

Listening Pine Court was quite vast, and she wouldn’t spoil the grounds. She chose a corner on the west side, so it would not affect the overall appearance.

Wei Ruo worked the soil energetically, her motions strong and rhythmic.

Soon, she had cleared a patch two meters square.

Then, with Xiumei’s help, she split some bamboo and built a trellis beside the wall, intending to plant loofah, squash, and gourd.

Wei Ruo paused to rest, sitting on a stone bench in the courtyard and taking a sip of water.

A young servant came and knocked at the door; Xiumei answered.

Wei Ruo listened as the servant told Xiumei that their bamboo chopping was disturbing the second young master’s studies next door, and asked if they could keep the noise down.