Chapter 198: Chapter 198: Don’t Bother Too Much for Me
—1
Translator: 549690339 |
Then there was a silence in the back room, as if no one had anything to say.
The excessive quietness made the atmosphere somewhat awkward, although Wei Ruo was not the one feeling awkward.
After a pause, Wei Yichen found a topic and said to Wei Ruo, “Ruoruo, your loquat syrup is quite extraordinary. I heard from my classmates that many people’s coughing has been cured.”
Wei Ruo lightly responded: “Hmm.”
She was not surprised at all about this. Her loquat syrup could heal or relieve
any common cold-induced cough.
For other complicated types of coughs, however, that was another story.
And Wei Ruo had clearly stated this when she started selling the loquat syrup. “Ruoruo is really amazing, she knows so much. If she were a boy, I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to match her,” Wei Yichen added.
“Big brother, you flatter me,” Wei Ruo politely responded.
Wei Yilin chimed in: “Even as a girl, your big sister is just as impressive. She’s now the richest person in our family, buying whatever she wants.”
Wei Yilin looked at Wei Ruo, his expression somewhat awkward, as if he was feeling a mix of admiration, respect, or maybe even resentment and anger.
Wei Yichen noticed Wei Yilin’s odd expression and said, “Yilin, that’s because your big sister is competent.”
The implication was for Wei Yilin to stop having wild thoughts; it was not appropriate for a man to covet his sisters’ personal money. Even when they got married, it was part of the dowry that belonged to the women.
“I know, I’m just curious about how much private savings big sister has now.”
Wei Yilin’s eyes were solidly locked on Wei Ruo, as if trying to discern something from her.
The topic brought a slight change to Lady Yun’s facial expression.
The Wei family knew about Wei Ruo’s wealth.
But just from what they had seen, Wei Ruo had at least a hundred taels of gold, gifted by the prince, along with hundred plus taels of silver from the recent sale of her loquat syrup.
Not to mention other rewards and gifts.
However, Lady Yun, Wei Yichen, Wei Qingwan, and Wei Yilin were uncertain about the exact amount of her wealth.
In contrast, the finances of the military prefecture were tight, and they had to live frugally this year.
If it weren’t for Wei Mingting’s successive promotions and rewards, Lady Yun wouldn’t know how to manage this year.
Even though he received some rewards after his promotion, the military prefecture’s expenses were substantial. After his promotion, Lady Yun prepared a decent amount of New Year gifts for those in the capital city, thus spending a lot.
Although the Wei family did not fully agree with the way Wei Ruo made money, the substantial amount of silver she had was indeed enviable.
Especially Wei Qingwan, she didn’t feel it much when they were in Xingshan County. But after moving to the government city and meeting more privileged ladies, she realized her consumption level was somewhat mediocre.
She wanted to purchase more decent clothes for herself, but her purse was tight.
Feeling everyone’s gaze, Wei Ruo calmly put down her teacup. “Indeed, I have saved quite a bit of private money. But don’t you all know how much money I have? Yilin, you studied mathematics when you were reading, didn’t you?”
The six arts of rites, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and mathematics are taught by tutors in better private schools and academies.
Wei Yilin pouted: “Can’t I just ask? Anyway, I haven’t seen it. I just know you have money to buy all kinds of delicacies.
It wasn’t really about wanting to eat delicacies. It was just that Wei Qingruo’s attitude of ignoring and disliking him made him feel suffocated. He didn’t know what to do.
Wei Yilin seemed like a sulky child who couldn’t get candy. He knew he wouldn’t be able to do anything about Wei Ruo, but he just wanted to say something.
We Yilin’s response made Wei Yichen laugh: “So our little brother wants to eat something delicious. Tell big brother what you want to eat, and I’ll take you to buy it tomorrow, ok?”
“I don’t want big brother to accompany me, I want big sister to accompany me. Isn’t big sister free now since she doesn’t have to attend classes?” Wei Yilin looked at Wei Ruo and said.
No one expected Wei Yilin to actively request Wei Ruo’s company.
At first, when Wei Mingting ordered to separate Wei Yilin and Wei Qingwan, Wei Yilin had been strongly resistant to Wei Ruo taking over his education.
Now, he was actually volunteering to be with Wei Ruo?
“No, I have other things to deal with,” Wei Ruo refused.
Lady Yun’s face, which had just softened, suddenly darkened again. “What else could you possibly be busy with? Which young lady of a prestigious family behaves like you, frequently running around outside?
Seeing the tense atmosphere, Wei Yichen quickly spoke to Wei Ruo, “Ruoruo, although our mother often disagrees with you, she does it for your own good. Mother hopes that you can have a good reputation and find a good match in the future.”
Wei Ruo said, “I never wanted to find a good match. I think it’s quite good to marry a farmer in the future. You don’t have to worry about me.” Lady Yun coldly said, “Even if you haven’t thought about yourself, you should think about your brothers and sisters in the family. If your actions are too radical and affect the reputation of the Wei family’s ladies, Wanwan’s future marriage will also be affected by you!”
“You should have thought about all this before bringing me back home!” Wei Ruo said, “When you brought me back home, you never asked for my opinion. After bringing me back, you expect me to conform to your standards. Is that fair to me? That’s thirteen years! Not thirteen days! On what grounds do you ask someone who has been living in a different environment from you for thirteen years to meet your demands and standards?
This question was not only for her, but also for the original host.
The original host didn’t have the memory and skills of her past life, and grew up in limited understanding to become a person seen as rude and disrespectful by the Wei family.
The Wei family should have thought about what kind of person she might be before bringing her back.
Why didn’t they think about it thoroughly before bringing her back, but had so many complaints about her not fitting the criteria of a well-bred lady after her return?
“Insolent!” Lady Yun snapped angrily, “Are you now questioning your parents’ and elders’ decisions? Your life was given by us, we certainly have the right to decide where you should be!”
“Mother!”
Wei Yichen stood up and was in between Lady Yun and Wei Ruo.
“Mother! Tonight is the eve of Lunar New Year.
Wei Yilin furrowed his brows, his gaze serious and pleading. Looking at her eldest son, Lady Yun briefly restrained her anger. After a moment, Lady Yun took a deep breath, “You all leave!” The good eve of Lunar New Year had turned into this, she was no longer in the mood.
“Alright, I’ll take my siblings out first. Mother, you should rest early too.” After Wei Yichen finished speaking, he signaled his siblings to leave with his gaze.
Wei Ruo, who wasn’t bothered to argue in the first place, turned around and left.
Wei Yilin grabbed Wei Yichen’s hand: “Big brother, did I say something wrong? It was because he said he wanted to have Wei Qingruo by his side that mother and Wei Qingruo started arguing in the first place..