Chapter 73: It Belongs to the Second Young Master

“Mother, I am not the one who received the letter of recommendation…”

“Not you? Who else could it be?” Lady Yun rose, coming to stand beside Wei Yichen.

Her gaze fell upon the letter, but when her eyes landed on the name “Wei Jinyi,” her face turned pale.

“How could it be Jinyi?” Lady Yun was stunned, scarcely able to believe her eyes.

Though this matter was supposed to be a game of chance, who would have thought that now, with the letter from the Four Treasures Studio delivered to their very own Commandant’s residence, the lucky recipient would be the second young master, who had always been so inconspicuous?

Lady Yun didn’t even know that Wei Jinyi had ever gone out to purchase one of the studio’s mystery boxes.

For a moment, Lady Yun simply could not accept it. Just a moment ago, she had believed her own son had been fortunate enough to receive the recommendation, and now she was told it was all a mistake!

When the letter was first delivered to the Wei residence, she had never even considered there might be another possibility.

Wei Yichen stared at the name on the letter, at a loss for words. The feeling of being cast down from the clouds stung bitterly.

After a long silence, once he had steadied his emotions, Wei Yichen handed the letter back to Lady Yun. “Mother, you should take this to Second Brother.”

“But Yichen…” Lady Yun hesitated.

“Mother, what belongs to Second Brother should go to him. I am happy for him as well,” said Wei Yichen.

Lady Yun’s heart was conflicted. “But this is the opportunity you have dreamed of.”

“I know. I have truly longed to obtain this letter of recommendation. Perhaps, with it, my long-cherished wish of becoming a disciple of Master Hidden Grove could finally come true. Yet, since this opportunity is not mine, I cannot dwell on it further,” Wei Yichen replied.

“But Yichen, it was all a matter of luck—”

“Even if it was luck, it simply means Second Brother’s fortune exceeds mine. What is his by fortune is rightfully his.”

“But Yichen, this is only a letter of recommendation. If the recommended candidate lacks ability, Master Hidden Grove may not accept him. Compared to Jinyi, who has never studied outside the house, you have already gained the approval of many tutors. Your chances are so much higher,” Lady Yun argued.

Wei Yichen shook his head. “Though Second Brother never attended the academy, he has always had a fondness for books. Since he left his name at the Four Treasures Studio, it proves he, too, seeks this opportunity. A gentleman does not covet what others desire—least of all his own brother’s.”

“Mother, you must not entertain any other thoughts. Please deliver the letter to Second Brother,” Wei Yichen said firmly.

Seeing the resolute look on her son’s face, Lady Yun could only stifle the thought that had just begun to take root in her heart.

“I understand. Do not worry, I will find another way for you,” Lady Yun promised her son with determination.

After speaking with her eldest, Lady Yun entrusted the letter to Cui Ping and asked her to take it to Bamboo Courtyard for Wei Jinyi.

Then, alone, she returned to her chamber and sank wearily onto the couch. The emotional highs and lows had utterly drained her.

In Bamboo Courtyard, Xiao Bei handed the letter, just delivered by Cui Ping, to Wei Jinyi, who was writing in the octagonal pavilion.

After reading its contents, Wei Jinyi’s expression remained calm. “It seems Ruo’er was right after all.”

“Young Master, did the Eldest Miss really manage to secure you that letter of recommendation?” Xiao Bei asked in astonishment.

“Yes.”

“Then what will you do, Young Master? Do you intend to take a master?”

“This is Ruo’er’s heartfelt wish, and it may well be an opportunity for me,” Wei Jinyi replied.

“But Young Master, Master Hidden Grove lives in Huzhou Prefecture, which is far from here,” Xiao Bei said anxiously.

“Perhaps it is time for me to leave the Wei residence as well,” Wei Jinyi murmured, his gaze deep and distant.

Meanwhile, in Pine Listening Courtyard, Wei Ruo received a letter delivered by carrier pigeon.

She opened it to find Master Hidden Grove’s notes—the letter had been entrusted to the Four Treasures Studio and then tied to the pigeon by her nursemaid for delivery.

It began, as usual, with a disgruntled rebuke, something Wei Ruo had grown quite accustomed to.

Within, Master Hidden Grove scolded her bitterly for shamelessly exploiting him: using his works to attract customers at her shop’s opening, using his works again for the “mystery box” sales event, and finally even foisting a “disciple” upon him—despicable! Shameless!

Wei Ruo thought to herself that she had little choice. He was the only learned person she knew; if she had known more, she would have rotated her requests among them.

Though the first half was all scolding, the latter part shifted in tone. He wrote that if the candidate was decent in character and passable in scholarship, he could just about accept it. He even reminded Wei Ruo to take care of herself and, if possible, visit him in Huzhou.

“A sharp tongue but a soft heart.” Smiling at the words of concern, Wei Ruo could not help but laugh.

Master Hidden Grove’s real name was Ruan Zheng. Gifted in literature and accomplished in painting and calligraphy, he had once served as an official in the capital and enjoyed the Emperor’s favor.

Yet, for decades, he remained unknown; only after twenty years did he finally attain a position in the Hanlin Academy. But his upright, unyielding character earned him many enemies, and so he retired early to the countryside with his wife, taking the name Master Hidden Grove.

Wei Ruo had met him when Madam Ruan suddenly suffered a stroke. Ruan Zheng had come down from the hills in search of a doctor, eventually arriving at Mo Family Hamlet, where, on the advice of the villagers, he found Wei Ruo living in a nearby villa.

Wei Ruo treated Madam Ruan, saving her life. Ruan Zheng, claiming he had no money for medical fees, preemptively thrust a basket of his calligraphy and paintings into Wei Ruo’s hands as payment.

Wei Ruo hadn’t known then whether his works were valuable, but she accepted them anyway.

Now, her storeroom housed well over a dozen of Master Hidden Grove’s paintings and calligraphic scrolls. Whenever an opportunity arose, she would use one for a shop promotion, raising her store’s profile and boosting sales.

Madam Ruan’s stroke had been caused by high blood pressure and required long-term medication, so Wei Ruo visited the couple in the woods from time to time to check on her.

Through these visits, she became well-acquainted with the couple, often bringing them delicacies or writing supplies.

Ruan Zheng would always scorn her ugly handwriting on prescriptions, even grumbling that if Wei Ruo were a man, he would surely take her as his disciple.

But as for accepting a female disciple—Ruan Zheng, so rigid in certain respects, would never consider such a thing.

So, when it came time to find a master and an academy for Wei Jinyi, Wei Ruo immediately thought of him. He was learned and of upright character and, during his time as a Hanlin scholar, had taught many students—being his disciple would surely benefit her second brother in the future.

The reason she orchestrated this complicated arrangement, borrowing the name of the Four Treasures Studio to secure a master for her brother, was to avoid drawing unnecessary attention to herself.

As for arranging for Wei Jinyi to study under a master, her hope that he might one day distinguish himself wasn’t solely the result of their current good relationship. Wei Ruo had her private reasons as well.

She wondered: if she could help this “invisible” character from the original story step into the light, would that, in some sense, fundamentally alter the entire course of the plot?