Chapter Eighty-Three: Planning Ahead

“Big Brother gave me the Ting Song Courtyard, and I’ve long wanted to embroider a sachet for him. Unfortunately, I’m clumsy and don’t know how to embroider. Since Qingwan gave me one, I’ll simply present it to Big Brother as if it were my own gift,” Wei Ruo said.

Wei Ruo flashed a radiant smile, then turned and left without hesitation.

She cared little about whether it was appropriate to pass on a gift she’d received from someone else. After all, she was just a country girl new to the city; surely, they’d forgive her for not knowing every rule, wouldn’t they?

In any case, she dared not keep anything from Wei Qingwan. Who knew if this was a trap? She couldn’t imagine what mischief could be hidden in a simple sachet, but as long as she gave her no chance, all her schemes would come to nothing.

Besides, how could a mere sachet make up for the false accusations and slander she had suffered from her?

When Wei Yichen finally realized what he was holding, he wanted to call Wei Ruo back, but she had already gone.

“Wanwan, you meant this as a gift for Ruo, didn’t you?” Wei Yichen asked Wei Qingwan.

“Yes... I suppose I didn’t make it well enough, and Sister doesn’t like it…” Wei Qingwan murmured.

“That’s just how Ruo is. She’s been here a while now, and though she can be forthright, she means no harm. Don’t take it to heart, Wanwan,” Wei Yichen said, thinking it a trifling matter.

The two sisters were as different as could be, but both were wonderful girls—the two bright pearls of the Wei family.

“Yes, I understand…” Wei Qingwan replied quickly, her lowered face showing her distress.

“I’ll keep the sachet, Wanwan. Thank you,” Wei Yichen added. He had no real use for such a thing, but it was a token of affection from both his sisters and must be cherished.

---

In the capital, at the Marquis of Loyalty and Righteousness’s residence.

News of Wei Mingtin’s promotion quickly reached the capital, arriving even before the letter from Xing Shan County had been sent.

The entire household was steeped in joy at such good tidings.

“The third son has done splendidly! This is a great event, a tremendous joy for our whole family!” The old Marquis was overjoyed, his face alight with a happiness not seen in years.

Three whole years had passed, and at last his third son had been promoted! The burden he carried in his heart could finally be set down.

Wei Minghong and Wei Mingyong wore matching smiles.

“Father, this is truly wonderful news! Now we needn’t worry about third brother being dismissed,” Wei Mingyong said with a laugh.

“Father, with such a joyous occasion, should we not travel to Xing Shan County ourselves to offer our congratulations?” Wei Minghong suggested.

The old Marquis shook his head. “That won’t be necessary. Even if your post is an idle one, you still have duties. You can’t go running about at will—what if someone seizes on it to cause trouble?”

He went on, “If you’re truly happy for your brother, show your sincerity as elder brothers should, and prepare some proper gifts for him. Xing Shan County is a harsh, bitter place, and I’ve heard the harvest will be poor this year. Even before autumn, it’s clear there’ll be a shortage of grain. As older brothers, you should think of him.”

Wei Minghong and Wei Mingyong looked awkward. They’d hoped to use this excuse for a trip to Xing Shan, but not only was that plan quashed, their father also expected them to dip into their own coffers.

After a moment’s hesitation, Wei Mingyong spoke first. “You’re right, Father. I’ll return at once and prepare. Such an honor for our brother deserves a generous gift.”

With his brother having spoken, Wei Minghong could hardly shrink back. Gritting his teeth, he said, “You can count on me, Father. Even if you hadn’t mentioned it, I would have seen to it myself.”

Though reluctant, neither dared shirk the old Marquis’s orders. They each prepared what they could, brought their gifts to their father, who consolidated everything and arranged for it to be sent by cart to Xing Shan County.

---

In late July, Wei Ruo received a reply from the Mo family’s village.

The village head, writing on behalf of the villagers, promised that after the autumn harvest, they would keep enough grain for the coming year and sell any surplus to Wei Ruo at the usual local price.

All the rice grown in their village was from seed provided by Wei Ruo, and she had taught them many cultivation techniques. Thanks to her, their harvests had surpassed all the surrounding villages for several consecutive years.

The once-impoverished Mo family village had seen its fortunes rise; not only did they have enough to eat and wear, but they now had surplus grain to sell for silver.

The villagers had not forgotten this kindness. No matter how the price of grain changed, what they sold to Wei Ruo would always be at the regular rate.

She had also arranged in advance to purchase a batch of coal from Huzhou, which would be delivered soon.

Both current circumstances and the memories of her predecessor told Wei Ruo that this would be a difficult year—cold and famine would be the two greatest threats to Xing Shan County.

She had to plan ahead.

“Miss, do you really mean to spend so much silver on grain and coal? This will use up nearly all you have left,” Xiumei said with concern.

Wei Ruo had already spent most of her savings buying Xiaoyang Mountain, and now she was putting up five hundred taels to buy grain and coal—almost emptying her coffers.

“Stagnant water breeds decay, but money can make more money. Silver by itself is just a cold, lifeless lump of metal. Only when it brings me what I want does it have any value.”

“So long as you have a plan, Miss. But if anything happens, you mustn’t try to bear it all alone. Nanny, Uncle Xu, and I are here to help you,” Xiumei said.

“Don’t worry, Mei. When it comes to earning money, your mistress here is clever as can be!” Wei Ruo laughed, rubbing her stomach. “It’s just that thinking so much makes me hungry.”

“Alright, alright, I understand! I’ll make you a snack right away. The seafood we bought last time has all been dried. How about some roasted dried squid?”

“Perfect, make a little extra and send some to Second Brother as well.”

“Of course! No problem at all!”

Xiumei fetched the dried squid, took it next door to Yingzhu Courtyard, and used their small kitchen’s charcoal fire to roast it.

Once done, she divided it in two, leaving half at Yingzhu Courtyard for Xiao Bei to give to Wei Jinyi, and bringing the rest back to Wei Ruo.

Wei Ruo happily gnawed on the fragrant, crispy dried squid, then spent the rest of the afternoon contentedly working in her room.

Meanwhile, Wei Jinyi savored the dried squid sent by his sister.

Xiao Bei, standing by, couldn’t help but remark, “Young Master, the eldest miss truly cares about you. She always thinks of you first!”