Chapter 420: Chapter 420: Reconsidering Plans_1

Wei Mingyong was actually a bit flustered. His younger brother, a seasoned warrior, radiated an intimidating aura when he was silent.

Standing upright and composed near Wei Mingting, the maid Jin did not fear. She had watched the third master grow up and did not believe that he would lash out at her.

Even if the third master did not care for her, he would still respect his father and mother standing behind her.

After a while, Wei Mingting stood up from his seat, turned and left the main hall.

Wei Mingyong concealed his earlier panic, revealing a satisfied smile.

He knew his younger brother had compromised.

No matter how fiery his temperament or how spirited he was, when faced with their parent’s orders, even if he had immense capabilities, there was nothing he could do!

Madam Yun frowned tightly, her gaze lingering on the place where Wei Mingting had exited.

Her feelings were a bit complicated, partly worried for her husband and partly relieved for today’s events.

After a brief silence in the main hall, maid Jin spoke to Madam Yun, “Madam, before I came here, the old master and the old madam mentioned that the third young master is now a scholar, and will participate in the imperial examination next spring. He will accompany me to the Capital City to get acclimated early and prepare.”

Madam Yun nodded: “It should be so.”

Jin continued: “Moreover, the old madam suggests that you seriously consider going to the Capital City as well.”

“The old madam wants me to return to the Capital City?”

“Yes. The marriages of your two daughters need you to help arrange. Plus, you and the young masters and young ladies haven’t returned to the Capital City for many years. It’s about time you go back.”

Madam Yun didn’t respond immediately, instead she pondered: “Please allow me to consider this matter.”

“Alright, then I will wait for your reply, Madam.”

###

Two days later, the General’s Residence began to bustle with activity.

As this was the wish of the old master and madam in the Capital City, Madame Yun, despite her reluctance to part with Wei Mingting, had no choice but to comply. This meant she would go to the Capital City along with Jin and the rest.

Madam Yun dispatched a portion of the servants from the residence, only retaining those who had sworn fidelity.

She then started to liquidate her assets in Taizhou Prefecture and Xingshan County, selling off shops and farmland.

As luck would have it, the shops weren’t doing well and the yield from the farmland was subpar compared to others. It was better to sell them and convert to silver.

Subsequently, Madam Yun arranged for more transportation to facilitate their journey to the Capital City.

Madam Yun was busy in her room instructing the servants to pack, when Wei Yilin rushed into Cangyun Garden.

Running and panting, he called out: “Mother, mother…”.

“Yilin, you’re grown now, you can’t be so reckless,” reprimanded Madam Yun.

“Mother, I heard from a servant that we’re going to the Capital City. Is it true?”

“Yes, it’s true. Your eldest brother is going to take the examination, and your two elder sisters are preparing for their weddings. Your mother has to help them with the arrangements. So, you must also go with your mother.”

“What about father?” asked Wei Yilin.

“Your father can’t leave easily because of his duties, but don’t worry, he will be transferred to the Capital City sooner or later,” replied Madam Yun.

“But I don’t want to be separated from father…” Wei Yilin pouted, visibly unwilling.

“Yilin, we can’t help it. Your grandparents are in the Capital City waiting for us, and we can’t not go. What’s more, we haven’t returned to the Duke’s Residence in the Capital City to celebrate the New Year for many years.”

“But I barely remember them.”

“Yilin, they’re your grandparents. Whether you remember them or not, you must respect and care for them. Understand?”

Wei Yilin pouted unhappily but nodded.

Following which, Wei Yilin asked: “Then who do grandfather and grandmother plan to marry eldest sister to?”

“I’m not sure about that. We’ll see what your grandparents arrange when we get to the Capital City. They always pay special attention to the eldest legitimate daughter. They’ll definitely choose a suitable family for your eldest sister,” replied Madam Yun.

“Is eldest sister willing?” asked Wei Yilin.

“That… we, your father and I, have no control over this. Your eldest sister can’t refuse just because she wants to.”

“Then eldest sister will not be happy.” Wei Yilin sulked.

“As the legitimate daughter of the Duke’s Residence, would the matter of marriage be subject to her pleasure or displeasure? Moreover, the marriage arranged by your grandparents must be better than the one your sister chose herself, the young master from the Zhao family.”

“Mother, that’s not right, it should be what eldest sister thinks is good is good, what eldest sister finds distasteful, should not be good.”

“Who has been teaching you this, child? Is it your eldest sister?”

“No, it has nothing to do with elder sister. This is my own thought.”

“Alright, stop thinking about these things. You need to go back to your room and pack up as well. Take only the necessary items. You can’t take too much because the transport is limited and we won’t be able to bring too much.”

“I see…”

Wei Yilin exited Cangyun Garden, looking dejected.

###

Wangmei Garden.

Knowing that it was now a sure thing that she and Wei Qingwan would go to the Capital City together, even though she was not pleased, Wei Qingwan had no choice but to accept.

Wei Qingwan instructed maid Li and Cuihe to pack their luggage and carry all the gold and silver valuables.

“Miss, once we’re in the Duke’s Residence in the Capital City, you won’t need these old things anymore,” Cuihe said, packing things while daydreaming about the scenes when they would arrive in the Capital City.

“Bring everything first. We can throw away what we can’t use once we reach the Duke’s Residence,” Wei Qingwan instructed, her mind wandering to past memories. “Thinking about it, I have not seen my grandparents for a full four years. They used to love me dearly. Now that they know I was not born of the Wei Family, I’m afraid they’ll be cold towards me.”

“Miss, don’t worry. You have been awarded to be the sixth prince’s wife. The old master and madam couldn’t be happier. No matter if you are born to the family or not, you are still a lady from the Wei Family. The old couple must like you!” Cuihe reassured.

Following closely, maid Li added: “What Cuihe said is very true. I just had a conversation with maid Jin this morning. Jin really looks down on Miss Wei Ruo for her crude behavior. She even said that going to the Duke’s Residence in the Capital City, Miss Wei Ruo is bound to be despised.”

“Let’s not discuss her. As long as my grandparents do not despise me, I would be very happy,” Wei Qingwan didn’t want to talk about Wei Ruo.

“Yes, yes, yes, I spoke out of turn,” Maid Li quickly lowered her head and continued working without saying more.

###

With the matter settled, Wei Ruo had to start planning early.

The seniors from the Capital City disrupted her plans, but she could not just sit back and respond passively.

Even if she was to be arranged into a marriage in the Capital City, she still needed to have a plan for herself.

“Miss, are we really going to the Capital City?” Xiumei pouted, obviously displeased.

“Let’s go. There’s nothing to be afraid of. Even if it’s a den of dragons or a pit of tigers, it’s not like we can’t make it through.”

“If you’re not afraid, Miss, then I’m not afraid either. Besides, Second Young Master… I mean, Young Master Wang Jin is in the Capital City! Maybe you’ll get to see him when you get there!” Xiumei suddenly found a reason for them to go to the Capital City.

“Yes, I was thinking the same thing,” answered Wei Ruo.

Going to the Capital City might give her a chance to see her second brother again. This was probably one of the few things to rejoice about in this bad news.