Chapter Eighty-Nine: The Xie Family’s Lavish Gift

“Yes,” the steward replied with certainty, and then offered the gift list with both hands. “This is the inventory of gifts. Please have a look, Miss Wei.”

Looking at the dense rows of writing on the list, Wei Ruo was momentarily at a loss for words. Had siblings Xie Jue and Xie Ying not been rather too generous? A whole cartload—at New Year, even the Commander’s Residence would not necessarily send such a grand tribute to the earls of the capital.

Lady Yun stepped forward and glanced at the list in Wei Ruo’s hands. At once, her expression changed slightly.

Just the brocade alone was alarming enough. In the Commander’s Residence, only Lady Yun possessed such fabric now, and even that was only from old garments made long ago.

Since the decline of the Earl of Loyalty and Righteousness’s household, there had not been such brocade in the residence for many years, and no more clothing of that material had been made.

There were also many ornaments and medicinal herbs among the gifts, none of them cheap or ordinary items one would often see.

Lady Yun hurriedly said to the Xie steward, “Steward Xie, aren’t the gifts from Young Master Xie and Miss Xie a little too precious?”

The steward laughed. “Not at all, not at all. Miss Wei has been very kind to our young master, our young miss, and my mistress. These gifts are nothing much.”

The prescription Wei Ruo had given Xie Ying had been brewed for Mrs. Xie. Mrs. Xie was not suffering from any serious illness, but as a woman she had long had some weakness and deficiency of blood. After taking the medicine, her night sweats, bad dreams, and light sleep improved greatly, and her energy and spirits rose considerably.

On that account alone, the return gift from the Xie family was by no means excessive.

Wei Qingwan had not seen the contents of the list, but from Lady Yun’s reaction she could guess that the gifts must be exceedingly valuable.

A whole cart of precious gifts, and the Xie family had sent them out so readily.

And Wei Ruo had been granted such an opportunity entirely because she had studied alongside Xie Ying and gradually become familiar with her.

If the one who had gone to the Xie household to study had been her, then now...

Wei Ruo also felt that the return gift was somewhat too extravagant, but since the Xie family had already delivered it to their door, there was no reason to send it back.

“Please thank Steward Xie for me and tell your young master and young miss that I’ve received their gifts, that I like them very much, and that next time I’ll invite them to tea and refreshments,” Wei Ruo said.

“Of course. I will convey Miss Wei’s words to the young master and young miss without missing a single phrase,” the steward said with a smile.

Then Wei Ruo instructed Xiumei, “Mei Mei, move everything to my courtyard.”

“Right away, miss!” Xiumei stepped forward and began carrying the things away.

“Big sister, shall I have Cuhe help you carry them too?” Wei Qingwan came forward and asked softly.

“No need. Your maid isn’t as strong as my Mei Mei’s. These boxes are rather heavy, and it would be bad if she tired herself out,” Wei Ruo declined politely.

Wei Qingwan had wanted to object, but when she saw Xiumei lift a huge wooden chest by herself, she could only swallow the words back down.

Seeing this, Lady Yun instructed the guard Jing Hu to help.

Jing Hu had a sturdy build and great strength, worth two men by himself.

Jing Hu and Xiumei worked swiftly, and after only a few trips, they had carried everything from the cart back to Listening Pines Courtyard.

Once the cart was emptied, the steward from the Xie household took his leave of the Wei family and drove the empty cart back to the Xie residence.

As Wei Ruo walked back, she passed Lady Yun and said, “Mother, I still have some matters to attend to, so I’ll return to Listening Pines Courtyard first.”

Lady Yun looked at Wei Ruo, seeming as though she wanted to say something, but in the end chose not to. She merely nodded. “Mm, go back.”

After Wei Ruo left, Lady Yun saw that Wei Qingwan had lowered her head and that her expression was not very good.

“What’s wrong, Wanwan?” Lady Yun approached and asked with concern.

Wei Qingwan bit her lip and shook her head.

“Wanwan, if there’s anything on your mind, tell Mother directly. Don’t keep it bottled up; if you make yourself ill, Mother will be heartbroken. Is something making you unhappy?” Lady Yun asked.

“Mother, I’m really fine. Sister gets along so well with Miss Xie, and I’m truly happy for her. How could I be unhappy?” Wei Qingwan replied.

“Mm, Mother knew you would be glad too. Ruo’er has really adapted well these days. Not only does she handle things with poise, she’s also made friends her own age,” Lady Yun said.

“Mm, Big Sister really is amazing. I was only thinking just now about the trip in a few days, when I’ll accompany Mother to the prefectural city for the Prefect’s Wife’s garden gathering, and I lost my focus for a moment,” Wei Qingwan explained.

This time Wei Mingting had won a great victory. Not only had he been promoted, but the Commander’s Residence had also gained prestige. The Prefect’s Wife’s garden gathering had been held in previous years, but Wei family, living far away in Xing’an County, had never before been invited.

After receiving the invitation from the prefectural city, Lady Yun had begun making preparations.

She intended to take both daughters. Wei Ruo was rather busy, and she did not spend much time with her in ordinary days, so she had not yet spoken to Wei Ruo about it. But Wei Qingwan often came to Cloudy Jade Courtyard to help her with household matters, so she had told Wei Qingwan first, so that she might be prepared.

“Is Wanwan worried she won’t do well then?” Lady Yun asked.

Wei Qingwan nodded slightly. “Yes. I’ve never met the ladies and young misses in the prefectural city. I’m afraid I may not be sufficiently proper in etiquette and make a fool of myself.”

“Wanwan needn’t think too much. With your learning and cultivation, there will absolutely be no problem,” Lady Yun comforted her.

Wei Qingwan kept her head lowered and did not reply.

Lady Yun went on, “Still, you’ve reminded me. Since you are going to the prefectural city, I should prepare some more presentable clothes for you.”

At those words, Wei Qingwan could not help feeling a flicker of delight.

With that thought, Lady Yun turned and headed back into the residence, and before leaving she reminded Wei Qingwan, “Wanwan, go back and rest early. It’s rare to have some free time, so don’t tire yourself out.”

Lady Yun arrived at Listening Pines Courtyard, where Wei Ruo was tidying up the things sent by the Xie family.

Xiumei was carrying the bolts of brocade into the room, while Wei Ruo was checking each item against the gift list, sorting them into categories and putting them into her storeroom. The more valuable ones she planned to place into her private space later.

As for the medicinal herbs, they were all things that were not easy to buy in the county town of Xing’an County. With these, she could prepare many more medicines.

Once everything was put away, Wei Ruo intended to make good use of the herbs and prepare some supplies. Aside from keeping some for herself as protection, she would also prepare some for Xu Zhengyong.

Lady Yun looked at Wei Ruo and hesitated for a moment before saying, “Ruo’er, the Prefect’s Wife has sent us an invitation, asking us to attend the garden gathering next month.”

“Mm.” Wei Ruo did not lift her head, her eyes still on the chest before her.

“Mother wants to have some more attractive clothes made for you so you can wear them to the garden gathering,” Lady Yun said.

Wei Ruo’s hands paused for an instant. Lady Yun had said “for you,” plural, so it naturally included Wei Qingwan as well.