Chapter Eight: The Second Young Master Next Door

Second Young Master Wei Jinyi was the most unusual person in this household, aside from her. In the original story, there was little description of him; within the entire Commandant’s residence, he seemed almost invisible. It was only known that while Wei Mingting was alive, Wei Jinyi lived quite well in the Wei family—he possessed everything a legitimate young master should have. Wei Mingting even allowed him to dine separately from the rest of the family, setting up a small kitchen in his own courtyard. Though partly to spare his wife Yun from displeasure, it was also a sign of Wei Mingting’s special fondness for Wei Jinyi. After Wei Mingting’s death in battle, the Wei family fell into ruin, and until the male lead appeared, they never recovered; during this period, Wei Jinyi’s life was surely no easier.

In the original, there were no scenes between Wei Ruo and Wei Jinyi. One was the family’s shadow, the other a cannon-fodder supporting character, bustling about. The supporting character’s main task was to make things difficult for the heroine, so naturally, there was no need to write interactions with secondary, irrelevant figures.

Thinking of this, Wei Ruo’s mind stirred. She rose and returned to her room, taking advantage of Xiumei’s ongoing conversation with the servant to fetch a jar she had brought from Mojia Village. She stepped to the doorway and spoke to Wei Jinyi’s servant, “I apologize for disturbing Second Brother’s rest earlier. I’ll go over and offer my apologies now.”

“Huh?” The servant stared at her in surprise, then waved his hand, “There’s no need, really. Second Young Master only asked me to remind you; just keep your voice down, Miss!”

“It’s not only an apology. I’ve just returned to the residence and haven’t yet met Second Brother. As his sister, it’s proper I pay my respects.”

Wei Ruo was resolute. Carrying the jar, she walked outside; the servant couldn’t stop her even if he tried.

The Pine Listening Courtyard where Wei Ruo stayed was adjacent to the Bamboo Welcoming Courtyard where Wei Jinyi lived—only separated by a wall. After stepping out her gate and walking a few steps, she arrived at the entrance to Bamboo Welcoming Courtyard.

The Pine Listening Courtyard was fresh and elegant, but Bamboo Welcoming was even more austere, sparsely furnished, cold, nearly shabby. Only the lush grove of pale bamboo in the yard was truly beautiful.

Beside the bamboo grove stood an octagonal pavilion, and within it, Wei Ruo instantly spotted Wei Jinyi reading. He wore plain clothing, not made of silk, and was quietly absorbed in his book just before she arrived. Hearing movement, he looked up, and their eyes met.

Those eyes were excessively cold, a mist settling between his brows; his skin was paler than typical for a man. Yet his features were striking, each line seemingly carved with meticulous artistry. Wei Ruo couldn’t help but marvel silently at the Creator’s skill—how could a man be born so handsome?

When Wei Jinyi recognized the visitor, his brows furrowed, displaying intense rejection.

“Xiaobei,” Wei Jinyi called his servant over.

“Second Young Master, the young lady said she wanted to apologize to you. I… I couldn’t stop her…” Xiaobei looked apologetic.

Wei Ruo took the initiative, quickly stating her purpose: “Please don’t be angry. I won’t take up much of your time. I just want to express my apologies. The sound of splitting bamboo today was indeed loud, I didn’t consider things thoroughly. I came specifically to apologize.”

As she spoke, she offered the jar she had brought as her apology gift.

Her actions left the master and servant both bewildered. The Second Young Master was illegitimate, his mother unknown, and the mistress disliked him. He was nearly invisible in the manor—even the servants seized every chance to make his life difficult. Wei Ruo, though newly returned, was the legitimate daughter, yet she spoke to the Second Young Master with such courtesy—could she not have grasped the situation yet?

“I’m not angry with you. I don’t drink. You can go back now,” Wei Jinyi glanced at her once, then returned his chilly gaze to his book.

“This isn’t wine.”

“No matter what it is, take it back. I’m not angry, I only asked Xiaobei to remind you. There’s no need for an apology gift.”

“It’s soy sauce, nothing precious. If you don’t need my apology, just consider it a greeting gift from me.”

What was this—soy sauce?

Wei Ruo saw the doubt gathering between his brows and explained, “I learned to brew soy sauce from an old woman in the countryside. The flavor is quite good. Most importantly, medicinal herbs were added during brewing, making it strengthening.”

Soy sauce brewed with medicinal benefits, learned from a village woman? That sounded almost mystical.

Good soy sauce recipes were family secrets, rarely passed to outsiders. Those with additional medicinal value were even more rare—most people had never even heard of such a thing.

Wei Jinyi had no wish to argue with Wei Ruo, so he didn’t pursue her explanation. “I understand. I’ll accept your apology gift. You may go.”

He simply wanted to send her away quickly and instructed Xiaobei to take the dark jar from Wei Ruo’s hands.

“Alright, I hope you’ll use the soy sauce. It’s quite good with seafood.”

Taizhou Prefecture was by the sea. Before the pirates caused trouble, many fishermen went out to fish, and the docks sold abundant fresh seafood. Local residents had seafood daily.

With that, Wei Ruo didn’t linger to risk being unwelcome, turning and leaving at once.

Xiaobei, holding the jar, was at a loss. “Young Master, what should I do with this jar?”

“Put it wherever you like,” Wei Jinyi said, unwilling to waste time on such trivial matters.

Seeing his master’s attention already returned to his book, Xiaobei had to figure it out himself. He finally chose to place the jar in a corner of the Bamboo Welcoming Courtyard’s small kitchen.

As for the gift of soy sauce, Xiaobei found it most novel. Others gifted elegant items—flowers, perfumes, or fine wine—but this young lady, so unconventional, had presented a jar of soy sauce. How rare.

Still, it was said this young lady had spent the past years in the countryside, farming. That she was unlike other young ladies was only to be expected.