Chapter 71: She Truly Cares About Him

“Second Brother, have you also heard about the blind boxes?” Wei Ruo asked.

“I've heard a little,” Wei Jinyi replied.

Beside them, Xiaobei added, “Miss, Madam has already bought seven or eight boxes for the Young Master. Even if news travels slowly here, we've still heard about it.”

“So that's how it is.” Wei Ruo was not surprised at all. She had overheard Yun and Wei Yichen’s conversation that day, so she naturally knew they would be interested in the matter of the Hermit of the Grove.

“Do you also want to draw the Hermit of the Grove’s ink treasure?” Wei Jinyi asked.

“The ink treasure itself isn’t that important; the recommendation letter is what really matters. If we get the recommendation letter, Second Brother, you'll be able to take the Hermit as your master,” Wei Ruo replied.

“You want me to study under the Hermit of the Grove?” Wei Jinyi asked.

“Second Brother, haven’t you changed your mind recently and decided to sit for the imperial exams? Even if you don’t learn much, having a master will be helpful,” said Wei Ruo.

“Yes.”

“Don’t you like the idea of having a teacher, Second Brother?” Wei Ruo asked.

Wei Jinyi looked at Wei Ruo, seeing the lively joy on her face and the anticipation in her eyes.

“If there is someone suitable, I can accept a teacher, but I won’t force it. You needn’t take it too much to heart, lest you end up disappointed,” Wei Jinyi answered.

“Then open it, Second Brother! I’m curious to see what kind of luck I have!” Wei Ruo said eagerly. She truly had no idea what was inside the box she had chosen at random.

Once the boxes were assembled, there was no special mark to distinguish them, so even as the one who had planned it all, Wei Ruo didn’t know which box contained the Hermit’s ink treasure.

Under Wei Ruo’s expectant gaze, Wei Jinyi opened the box. Inside were all four treasures of the study, complete in a set.

Wei Ruo examined them. “Not bad! My luck’s pretty good—there’s paper, so it’s worth it already. And this inkstone is one of the more expensive ones. Not bad at all.”

Xiaobei couldn’t help but say, “Miss, you’re happy just to get paper. If you actually drew the box with the Hermit’s treasure, how happy would you be then!”

“One mustn’t be too greedy. In matters wholly dependent on luck, you can’t expect too much. If you use up all your luck here, you won’t have any left elsewhere. Better to be a bit frugal with it!” Wei Ruo replied.

“You make a good point,” Wei Jinyi said with a faint smile. “These things are quite nice as they are.”

“In any case, I’ve registered your name, Second Brother. Who knows, perhaps you’ll be chosen in the end,” Wei Ruo said with a mischievous grin.

“Don’t concern yourself too much. Even if we get that letter, it doesn’t guarantee I’ll be accepted as a disciple. Perhaps it’s just a store’s marketing ploy.”

Wei Jinyi didn’t want Wei Ruo to pin too much hope on this and risk disappointment later.

“Don’t worry, Second Brother, I’ve looked into it. That shop is quite reputable. The Hermit rarely sells his works, and those who obtain them are usually close friends or family. So the chance of the recommendation letter being effective is very high.”

“If you’re confident, then I shall look forward to it as well,” Wei Jinyi amended.

“Yes, Second Brother, you should look forward to it!” Wei Ruo beamed.

A faint smile appeared on Wei Jinyi’s face as he gazed at Wei Ruo.

She always seemed to think of him first, worrying and rejoicing on his behalf, bringing a sliver of light into his otherwise dull and dreary life.

###

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the Commandant’s residence, others were also troubled by these boxes.

In the far southwest corner, in the Proud Chrysanthemum Courtyard, Wei Yichen was sorting through the four treasures from his seven boxes.

He had bought seven blind boxes from the Four Treasures Studio—not all in his own name. He had purchased two himself, his mother and Wanwan had each bought two, and the last was a gift from a schoolmate.

Now all seven boxes had been opened. None contained the Hermit’s ink treasure, but the rest of the contents were not bad.

Some were worth more than five taels, others less, but overall, he hadn’t lost much.

He was a bit disappointed not to have found the Hermit’s ink treasure, but not terribly so.

What he wanted most now was the recommendation letter from Master He You.

Unfortunately, no matter how many boxes one bought, you could only register one name, just like everyone else.

Wei Qingwan, accompanied by her maid Cui He, entered the Proud Chrysanthemum Courtyard to see Wei Yichen. Spotting the boxes, she asked, “Big Brother, did you find the Hermit’s ink treasure?”

Wei Yichen shook his head. “No.”

Wei Qingwan hastened to comfort him. “Don’t be discouraged, Big Brother. The Hermit’s calligraphy and painting may just be the shop’s bait for buyers. It might not even be in any box—perhaps no one will get it in the end.”

Wei Yichen had a different opinion. “I think the shop owner has a plan. Last time, they did provide an authentic work by the Hermit. There’s no reason to fake it this time.”

Wei Qingwan changed her tune. “Then who knows who will be so lucky as to get the piece this time.”

Wei Yichen said, “More than the ink treasure, I want to become the Hermit’s disciple. I’ve wanted to for a long time, but could never find a way. Now that there’s talk of a recommendation letter, I have to try.”

“You’re so outstanding, Big Brother. If the Hermit meets you, he’ll surely like and appreciate you and be willing to take you as his final disciple,” said Wei Qingwan.

Wei Yichen gave a wry smile. “That’s not certain. There’s always someone better out there. I only live in this corner of Taizhou, and my experiences are limited. I truly don’t know what my real level is.”

“To me, Big Brother, you’re always the best. I’ve studied too, and while I have no one to compare to, there are always books. I believe that even beyond Taizhou, you wouldn’t lose out to anyone,” Wei Qingwan said.

Wei Yichen smiled and did not argue further. He had heard enough of such praise from his family; he took it as mere comfort.

“By the way, has Ruo come back?” Wei Yichen asked.

“She should be back. I passed by Listening Pine Courtyard earlier and saw her maid,” Wei Qingwan replied, then quietly asked, “Is there something you need from Sister?”

“Nothing in particular. It’s just that, after buying seven boxes at once, I have more brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones than I need. I thought I’d bring some to Ruo—she can use them for her studies.”

As he spoke, Wei Yichen sorted the brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones into two identical sets, packed them into the spare wooden boxes.

“This one is for you, and I’ll take the other to Ruo,” he said to Wei Qingwan.

“Th-thank you, Big Brother,” Wei Qingwan replied, her gaze lingering on the other set in his hand, unable to suppress a strange discomfort in her heart.