Chapter Fifty-Three: The Seedlings Thrive

Unexpectedly, Wang Caiwei did not criticize Wei Ruo and Xie Ying for their choices; instead, she had them sit down and began to teach them. Wei Ruo had not held much hope for the lessons, imagining them to be dry and tedious, but Wang Caiwei’s teaching proved lively and engaging. She recounted anecdotes and stories behind the characters, connecting and expanding upon the meanings of the words themselves. Even Xie Ying, who had been listless, became energized, her eyes wide with attention, wholly absorbed by the lectures.

Especially when Wang Caiwei spoke about great wars in history, Wei Ruo felt that Xie Ying was about to leap up and join the fray herself.

In the mornings, they attended lessons together; in the afternoons, Wang Caiwei arranged for each to learn a separate skill. Incense making, tea preparation, flower arranging, and painting were the four arts most fashionable among noblewomen, and every young lady was expected to master at least one. Wang Caiwei assigned Wei Ruo to learn the art of incense making, and Xie Ying to study painting.

Wei Ruo was unsure if Xie Ying was pleased with her assignment, but she herself was quite content with the curriculum Wang Caiwei had chosen for her.

By the end of the day, Wei Ruo felt unexpectedly satisfied; it was far more interesting than she had anticipated. Wang Caiwei also explained certain rules of conduct, but unlike Madam Li’s rigid lectures, hers were gentle as spring rain, making them easy to absorb.

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A few days passed in this manner, until news arrived of new developments in the southern part of the city, compelling Wei Ruo to request leave from Wang Caiwei to attend to matters there.

After fifteen days of nurturing, the rice seedlings in the experimental fields south of the city had grown lush and green. During this period, Madam Zhang reported their progress to Wei Ruo every other day. Seeing the vigorous growth of the seedlings, Madam Zhang, who had initially been reluctant, became increasingly enthusiastic.

Her initial reluctance stemmed from a belief that Wei Ruo was merely playing around, but upon witnessing the thriving rice, Madam Zhang realized that this young lady from the countryside truly had talent.

“Miss, I reckon we can begin transplanting the seedlings in the next couple of days, but it still needs your approval,” Madam Zhang now dared not make decisions herself, awaiting Wei Ruo’s instruction.

“Go and report this to Mother,” Wei Ruo said.

Though it was only the successful nurturing of seedlings—not yet the harvest of rice—it was enough to prove that her improvements to the saline-alkali land had made it suitable for cultivating rice. Wei Ruo needed to report this achievement to Wei Mingting, but since she could not approach him directly, she would first inform Lady Yun.

Madam Zhang promptly carried out her instructions, hurrying to Cangyun Courtyard to deliver the good news.

As Madam Zhang spoke to Lady Yun, Wei Qingwan was also present, chatting idly with her mother. Hearing Madam Zhang’s report, Lady Yun’s face lit up in delight, “Is it true? It really worked?”

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“It’s absolutely true. I’ve been watching closely all month, and the seedlings are growing splendidly! Lush and vibrant—I’m not exaggerating, they look even better than those we planted on Mantou Hill in the north of the city!”

“That’s wonderful! I’ll send word to Master at once!” Lady Yun exclaimed, quickly calling for the guard, Jing Hu, and instructing him.

Witnessing Lady Yun’s excitement, Wei Qingwan’s expression subtly shifted.

“I never expected Sister to succeed; this is truly wonderful,” Wei Qingwan said.

“Yes, if this really works, it will be of great benefit to your father and the entire Commandant’s Residence,” Lady Yun replied, not noticing her daughter’s subdued mood, wholly immersed in her own excitement.

She then told Madam Zhang, “Madam Zhang, please bring Ruo’er here.”

Madam Zhang hurriedly replied, “Madam, besides reporting to you, Miss also instructed me to ask your permission. She plans to go to the southern fields, and if the seedlings are ready, she will begin the transplanting.”

“That’s right, the timing of transplanting is crucial—it can’t be delayed. I won’t keep her from her duties, then.”

“Exactly.”

“But we must let Master see the current state of the seedlings first. Once they’re transplanted, it won’t be clear whether they were grown on the southern wasteland or brought from elsewhere.”

“Then… how should Madam proceed?”

“Have Ruo’er wait a bit. When her father replies, if he has time, let him visit the fields—ideally with Magistrate Qian. If not, let Ruo’er proceed as planned.”

“Very well, I’ll inform Miss.”

“Go ahead.”

In this matter, Lady Yun fully respected Wei Ruo’s decisions.

Soon, Madam Zhang returned, bringing Wei Ruo’s message: “Miss says she will first visit the southern fields to check the seedlings. If Master receives the news, he can go directly there.”

“We’ll do as Ruo’er suggests,” Lady Yun agreed.

With Lady Yun’s approval, Madam Zhang went back to report to Wei Ruo.

Accompanied by Madam Zhang, Wei Ruo left the city by carriage. On seeing the thriving rice fields, she was well satisfied.

A Gui and Xiao Ba, who were responsible for the cultivation, were also elated.

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Healthy rice seedlings promised a good harvest, which was welcome news for Xing Shan County, plagued by years of poor yields.

“Miss, what should we do now—shall we start the transplanting?” A Gui asked.

“Wait a little longer. Let’s see if my father wants to come and view them. In the meantime, you two begin clearing the adjacent wasteland. Now that this field has succeeded, the reclamation of the others will soon be under way,” Wei Ruo instructed.

“Understood!” they replied, full of enthusiasm as they set to work.

Wei Ruo went to inspect the nearby areas.

About an hour later, she saw a large group approaching. From afar, she recognized her father, Wei Mingting, at the head, still in his armor, suggesting he had come straight from receiving the news, with no time to change.

She also saw Magistrate Qian and Chu Lan accompanying him.

Wei Ruo had expected Magistrate Qian—success in reclaiming the wasteland was an achievement for him, so he would naturally be attentive. Chu Lan’s presence, however, was unexpected. At the sight of him, Wei Ruo frowned slightly, instinctively wary of any deeper involvement with him.

Soon, the group arrived before Wei Ruo and her companions.

Wei Ruo, along with Madam Zhang, A Gui, and Xiao Ba, stepped forward to greet them.

She bowed respectfully. “Greetings, Father; greetings, Magistrate Qian.”

As for Chu Lan, he had not revealed his identity, so it was not Wei Ruo’s fault for not acknowledging him.

“No need for formalities,” Wei Mingting replied, his voice barely concealing his excitement.

From a distance, he had already seen the lush, vibrant rice field beside Wei Ruo, a verdant green in stark contrast to the surrounding wasteland.

Others who had come with Wei Mingting observed the rice field at close range, marveling at its flourishing growth.