Chapter Nine: She Is Merely a Village Woman

Upon learning about the changes Wei Ruo made to the courtyard, Lady Yun, though feeling it was somewhat inappropriate, said nothing. After all, her daughter had grown up in the countryside and it was only natural that she would need time to adjust; there would be plenty of opportunities to teach her in the future.

However, Wei Yilin was far from pleased. He ran to his eldest brother, Wei Yichen, to complain.

“Big Brother, that Wei Ruo has made a complete mess of your courtyard! After you so generously let her have it, she ruined what was once such an elegant place.”

“How did she change it?” Wei Yichen asked curiously. He’d been preoccupied with his studies lately and knew little of Wei Ruo’s affairs.

“She’s planting vegetables in your courtyard! It’s so vulgar! No proper young lady would ever do such a thing. It’s utterly embarrassing!” The more Wei Yilin thought about it, the more uncomfortable he felt.

“Planting vegetables? Although it’s not exactly refined, it’s hardly a serious matter. There’s no need to feel embarrassed,” Wei Yichen replied with a gentle smile.

“How can it not be embarrassing? Even the servants are gossiping, saying we’ve brought home a country bumpkin to disgrace us! She’s nothing like a proper young lady!”

Wei Yichen’s expression grew stern. “Who has been spreading rumors? It’s improper for servants to speak ill of their masters behind their backs. Yilin, if you hear such talk again, you should step forward and rebuke them.”

“I won’t! I’m not going to defend her. She’s an embarrassment!” Wei Yilin pouted, seeing no fault in himself. “Aren’t you angry, Big Brother? She’s ruined your courtyard!”

“That place is now her home. What changes she makes are her own business, and I have no right to interfere. As for you, Yilin, I understand your fondness for Wanwan and your desire to protect her—I feel the same—but Ruo is also your elder sister. She’s done nothing wrong, and you shouldn’t treat her this way,” Wei Yichen admonished him.

“I don’t want her as my sister! Wanwan is the only sister I need! Since she came, she’s made Wanwan cry several times! Wanwan went to her, brought her gifts, and she ignored her, even sending Wanwan away in just a few words, leaving her heartbroken!”

“Yilin, that’s enough. Whatever you may think, you must never speak of it again—not in front of me, not in front of Father and Mother, and most importantly, never before your eldest sister. If you disobey, I’ll take you to Father for punishment.”

Wei Yichen’s severity left Wei Yilin with no choice but to reluctantly agree, though his heart was still unwilling.

“All right… I won’t say it anymore.”

Obediently, Wei Yilin sat beside Wei Yichen, holding a copy of the Analects and reading.

Lively by nature, Wei Yilin was only well-behaved in his eldest brother’s presence.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Cui He, Wei Qingwan’s personal maid, arrived, carrying a small plate of pastries.

“Young Master, Third Young Master, Miss made some osmanthus cakes and sent me to bring them to you both. She also asked me to remind the Young Master to take care of his health and not tire himself with too much study.”

On a white porcelain plate were neatly arranged cakes, milky white and adorned with flecks of golden osmanthus. The honey, made by Wei Qingwan herself last year when the osmanthus bloomed, gave them a delicate fragrance.

Wei Yilin’s face lit up with joy. “Eldest Sister is so good to us—now we get to eat delicious osmanthus cakes!”

He eagerly took a piece and popped it into his mouth, looking utterly content.

“Mmm, so fragrant and sweet~”

Wei Yichen did not touch the plate.

“Big Brother, why aren’t you eating? Aren’t osmanthus cakes your favorite?”

“Yilin, take this plate of cakes to Ting Song Court and give them to Ruo,” Wei Yichen instructed.

“Why? Eldest Sister made these herself!” Wei Yilin’s face fell at once.

“Ruo has been back for days, and you haven’t tried to get along with her,” Wei Yichen said sternly.

“But why should she get what Eldest Sister made?” And why should he have to make nice with that country girl? He dared not voice this last thought aloud.

“Precisely because Wanwan made them, you should share them with Ruo. In doing so, you’ll honor both your own intentions and Wanwan’s,” Wei Yichen said.

“But…”

“Do as you’re told.” Wei Yichen’s expression was particularly grave.

“All right.”

Though full of reluctance, Wei Yilin dared not disobey his eldest brother. Carrying the plate of osmanthus cakes, he headed off to Ting Song Court, his heart heavy with displeasure.

As soon as he entered, he saw Wei Ruo perched atop a ladder. His irritation flared anew.

“What are you doing up there? If someone sees you like that, you’ll be laughed at for sure!”

Hearing his voice, Wei Ruo looked down to find him standing by the ladder, glaring angrily at her.

“What’s so improper about climbing a ladder?”

“Of course it’s improper! No young lady would be scrambling about like you!”

“If you don’t like it, don’t look. The door’s right there—see yourself out,” Wei Ruo retorted without hesitation.

This brat clearly disliked her from head to toe, inside and out. She saw no need to waste her time on him.

“You think I want to watch you?” Wei Yilin snapped.

“Then why are you still here? If you don’t want to look, just leave. Why get worked up over it?” Wei Ruo shot back.

Wei Yilin had planned to leave at once, but being told to go made him even more stubborn. Instead, he plopped himself down on the rattan chair Wei Ruo had placed in the courtyard.

Seeing she couldn’t get rid of him so easily, Wei Ruo climbed down from the ladder and walked over.

Wei Yilin glared at her defiantly.

“Suit yourself.”

Wei Ruo couldn’t be bothered to argue. As an adult at heart, she saw no point in quarreling with an eight-year-old child.

“Wait, I came to bring you something,” Wei Yilin called out as she turned to go inside.

He opened the food box he carried and produced the osmanthus cakes.

“These are osmanthus cakes—made from glutinous rice flour, wheat starch, sugar, and oil to create a soft, fluffy texture, paired with delicious osmanthus honey for a sweet and fragrant treat,” he announced with pride.

“You think I’ve never had osmanthus cake?” Wei Ruo almost laughed.

“I don’t know if you have, but you definitely haven’t tasted my Eldest Sister’s. Her osmanthus honey is unlike any other, and her cakes are in a class all their own. Whenever she makes them, Father, Mother, and Big Brother all compete to get a bite!”

“And what does her skill at making cakes have to do with me?”

“That’s only one aspect—my Eldest Sister excels at everything: music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Even the county’s most respected tutors acknowledge her talent!”

“So what are you trying to say?”

“I want you to know that my Eldest Sister is remarkable—superior to you in every way. Whether or not she’s my biological sister, in the eyes of Father, Mother, Big Brother, and myself, she is the legitimate eldest daughter of the Wei family. I hope you’ll recognize your place, refrain from upsetting Eldest Sister, accept your status as the second young lady, and stop competing with her. Can you do that?”

Wei Ruo burst out laughing.

“What are you laughing at?” Wei Yilin demanded, scowling and furrowing his brow.