Chapter 77: Second Brother Truly Is Remarkable

“These past few days, Sister has likely been busy with her studies... I’m not entirely sure. When she’s in the manor, she often goes to the Bamboo Pavilion to talk with Second Brother. I’ve gone to look for her several times, but she wasn’t there, so I don’t really know,” Wei Qingwan replied.

Upon hearing this, Lady Yun frowned. “Ru’er is thirteen now, and Jin Yi is almost sixteen. They should start avoiding suspicion.”

Her daughter was not close with her own siblings, yet she often spent time with the illegitimate son of the household. This made Lady Yun somewhat uncomfortable.

“Mother needn’t worry about Sister. She’s very proper in her actions these days. Besides, didn’t Second Brother receive that letter of recommendation? I imagine once Huzhou Prefecture replies, he’ll be heading there soon,” Wei Qingwan said.

Instead of being pleased, Lady Yun’s expression grew even more somber at this. She had only recently learned that Wei Jin Yi’s box had been purchased by Wei Ruo, and the name filled in by Wei Ruo as well.

Though there was nothing inherently wrong with this, Lady Yun disliked that her daughter treated her illegitimate brother with such affection while being somewhat distant from her true brother.

Looking at Wei Qingwan, who always helped share her burdens, Lady Yun couldn’t help but sigh once more.

###

In the Pine Pavilion, Wei Ruo had heard all the rumors and speculation.

Compared to the affairs within the Wei manor, Wei Ruo was more worried about Xu Zhengyong’s situation.

Normally, new recruits would undergo a period of training before being sent to the battlefield, but these were ordinary times. Now, circumstances were urgent. He had been conscripted hastily, likely due to a shortage of manpower, and surely wouldn’t have much time to train or acclimate.

New soldiers were always the ones sent to charge into the fray.

She wondered if Brother Xiaoyong had handed in the mechanical crossbow, and whether it had been accepted. If it was, it would help his standing in the army, and strengthen their forces, making his situation a bit safer.

In the original story, Xu Zhengyong hadn’t followed them to Xing Shan County, nor had he gone to war, so Wei Ruo couldn’t predict his fate.

Feeling a bit restless, Wei Ruo went to the Bamboo Pavilion to find Wei Jin Yi, and entered to see him playing chess against himself.

Wei Ruo sat down beside him.

She had no talent for chess, especially the demanding game of Go; she could only grasp the basics and not the intricacies of the game.

“Would you like to try?” Wei Jin Yi paused and asked.

“No, no, it’s too taxing. I’m not suited for that,” Wei Ruo waved her hands in refusal.

“Farming is equally demanding. Different crops require different methods; you remember them all clearly.”

“Each profession has its own expertise, and the mental effort required is different. Chess just isn’t my thing.”

Wei Ruo propped her chin with one hand, gazing at the board, lost in thought.

Anyone could see she wasn’t pondering the game, but something else entirely.

---

“Is something troubling you?” Wei Jin Yi perceptively noticed her gloomy mood.

“Second Brother, have you heard about the impending war?” Wei Ruo asked.

“I have. It’s only a matter of time,” he replied calmly.

“Do you think we can win?” Wei Ruo pressed.

“Eighty percent chance of victory,” he answered.

“Why eighty percent?”

“Father accounts for thirty percent; the esteemed guest in Xing Shan County today, ten percent; the reinforcements from the court, twenty percent; and a piece of good news from the army today, another twenty percent,” Wei Jin Yi clarified.

“Why do you consider that guest in Xing Shan County to be worth ten percent?” Wei Ruo was curious.

Chu Lan’s main contribution to the war was requesting reinforcements from the court. Why did he alone count for ten percent?

“He’s not just a wealthy young man. He’s intelligent, knowledgeable in military strategy, and skilled at employing people,” Wei Jin Yi replied.

Wei Ruo looked at him, even more intrigued.

She knew all this—Chu Lan was portrayed this way in the original novel—but how could her brother, who rarely left the house, assess so accurately?

Wei Jin Yi noticed her gaze and explained unhurriedly, “I enjoy reading and listening to rumors. Though I live deep within the manor, I am well informed about the world outside.”

“Second Brother, you really are amazing. If you sat for the imperial exams, your chances would be high,” Wei Ruo said, growing in confidence in him.

Wei Ruo rested her chin in her hands, her expression full of admiration, eyes practically sparkling.

Wei Jin Yi smiled, and his right hand reached out, almost instinctively, to pat her head. Just as he was about to, he abruptly stopped.

“Second Brother, what are you doing?”

“Nothing.” He quickly withdrew his hand, offering a clumsy excuse: “There was a withered leaf on your head.”

“But even if we win, it doesn’t guarantee my friend will survive,” Wei Ruo’s worry had not lessened.

Victory in war did not mean that every soldier would return alive.

“Is this the friend you mentioned before?” Wei Jin Yi remembered her previous reference.

“Yes, the same one. He joined the army. The medicine I hurried to make last time was for him,” Wei Ruo replied.

To enlist meant he was now a man.

And for Wei Ruo to be so concerned, their relationship was surely unusual.

---

“Did your friend come to Xing Shan County for you?” Wei Jin Yi asked.

Wei Ruo had only arrived in Xing Shan County a few months ago, and since then, rarely interacted with outsiders.

So this friend was probably someone she’d known in Huzhou Prefecture.

“More or less,” Wei Ruo replied.

The nurse and Uncle Xu had come, so Brother Xiaoyong naturally came as well.

Wei Jin Yi lowered his head and rearranged the chess pieces.

###

For two days in a row, the citizens living east of the city could hear loud noises from that direction, sometimes even seeing flames stretching to the sky.

The clouds hanging over Xing Shan County grew ever heavier.

Both the Qian and Xie households had suspended their lessons these days. Wei Qingwan and Wei Ruo remained at home and did not go out.

In the Pine Pavilion, Wei Ruo was reviewing the accounts.

Xiumei rushed into the room. “Miss, Madam Li... Madam Li has been brought back to the manor!”

“Isn’t it less than three months?” Wei Ruo asked.

“I heard Second Miss pleaded for her, so Madam Li was allowed to return to the manor for punishment, with an additional penalty of three months’ wages.”

Wei Ruo snorted lightly, “She certainly knows how to get her way.”

“Miss, Madam Li is right outside our courtyard, saying she wants to kneel and beg your forgiveness,” Xiumei frowned, clearly annoyed.

She’s back—so be it. Why bring trouble to us?

“Let’s go meet her. I’ve been restless these days, worrying about Brother Xiaoyong with nowhere to vent my frustration!” Wei Ruo declared.