Chapter Ninety-Eight: What Ruo'er Said Is Indeed True

She looked as if on the verge of tears, evoking deep sympathy, yet Wei Ruo merely smiled faintly and calmly explained:

“Qingwan, you need not take it so personally. As a noble lady, your temperament is naturally good—gentle, kind, considerate, and sensible. But having a good nature does not necessarily mean you are suited to guide your younger brother. Yi Lin is rebellious; what he truly needs is strict discipline, not endless indulgence and tender care.”

Then Wei Ruo turned to Wei Mingting and said, “Father, you are busy with official duties, and mother is preoccupied with household affairs, so it is Qingwan who spends the most time with Yi Lin. But as you have seen, Yi Lin’s temperament has become what it is. I do not mean to criticize Qingwan, but she is simply not suited to teach him.”

Wei Qingwan clenched her fists beneath her sleeves, her face visibly paling.

Wei Yi Lin could no longer hold back. “Sister Wanwan is not at fault! Sister Wanwan is not incompetent!”

“Silence,” Wei Mingting snapped coldly, cutting off Yi Lin’s words.

At this moment, there was no place for him to speak.

Seeing Yi Lin’s noisy dependence on Wei Qingwan, Wei Mingting found his eldest daughter’s concerns quite reasonable.

The Wei family descends from generations of military generals, yet his son lacked ambition, behaved arrogantly without discipline, and overly relied on his sisters. How could he ever achieve greatness?

Wei Qingwan’s heart trembled. She gripped the hem of her dress, tempted to speak but lacking the courage, and could only press her lips tightly together.

After silencing Yi Lin, Wei Mingting studied his eldest daughter carefully, then after a moment of thought said, “Ruo’er, continue.”

“Father, I believe we should find a martial arts instructor for Yi Lin, someone who can teach him with diligence and strictness. As a son of the Wei family, if he cannot succeed in academics, then he should follow in your footsteps and pursue martial training. He must not waste his youth, becoming a listless failure both in letters and arms.”

Wei Ruo spoke convincingly, reasoned and well-structured.

After some reflection, Wei Mingting nodded. “You make a sound argument, Ruo’er. I admit I have been negligent in some matters. You see things clearly. From today onward, Yi Lin shall no longer set foot in Wangmei Garden. He is forbidden from wandering the mansion in his free time, and Wanwan is not to visit Yuyu Garden privately to see him. I will also find a martial arts master for him as soon as possible.”

With his decision made, Yi Lin was deeply struck. His legs trembling, unable to stand steadily, he stumbled and fell to the ground.

Wei Qingwan quickly rushed to help him, her eyes full of concern.

Yi Lin, feeling wronged, buried his face in her embrace and wept, “Sister, I don’t want to be separated from you. I don’t want to learn martial arts. Sister...”

“Don’t be afraid, little brother. Father only wants what’s best for you,” Wei Qingwan comforted him anxiously, her expression full of pain and worry.

Wei Mingting said nothing beside them. He had not noticed this issue before, but after his eldest daughter's words and seeing the second daughter's excessive care and indulgence of their younger brother, his brows furrowed.

His strict demands on the youngest son at home had always failed. The older Yi Lin grew, the less he obeyed. Perhaps the root cause lay here.

“Wanwan, you may return to Wangmei Garden first,” Wei Mingting said solemnly.

Wei Qingwan’s body stiffened as if her blood drained away.

She forced herself to rise slowly. “Yes, daughter... takes leave...”

Step by step, she walked slowly out of Cangyun Court. At the gate, she glanced back reluctantly, as if she were leaving not just the estate but the family itself.

Watching the three figures in the courtyard, Wei Qingwan felt for the first time that she had become an outsider.

Wei Mingting’s true intention in sending Wei Qingwan away was that his second daughter was too soft-hearted—she comforted their brother tenderly at the slightest hardship, making it difficult for him to properly discipline the child.

Thus, after Wei Qingwan left, Wei Mingting punished Wei Yi Lin by sending him to chop firewood, to experience the hardships of common life. Though yesterday’s punishment left his legs trembling and unstable, his hands were still fine, so chopping wood was still possible.

“Ruo’er, watch over Yi Lin for a while. I will speak with your mother,” Wei Mingting told Wei Ruo.

“Alright,” she agreed.

Then, out of Wei Mingting’s sight, Wei Ruo gave Wei Yi Lin a sly smile.

Tears still wet his cheeks, his red-rimmed eyes stared blankly at Wei Ruo, unable to speak.

Afterward, Wei Mingting returned indoors to speak with Lady Yun about finding a martial arts instructor for Wei Yi Lin.

“Why did you suddenly think to have Yi Lin learn martial arts?” Lady Yun asked.

“It was Ruo’er who reminded me. Yi Lin’s temper has been spoiled; he neglects his studies and acts willfully. Today, he left the mansion without permission, showing no respect for elders. Tomorrow, who knows what shocking deeds he might do? If we don’t discipline him strictly, he will become a disaster for the Wei household. Martial arts training is a good way to instill discipline.”

“You speak truly. This is also my fault—I have failed to properly discipline the child,” Lady Yun said, bowing her head in shame.

“It’s not entirely your fault. Since we came to Xingshan County, you have managed all the household affairs alone, and have been busy. But in hindsight, Wanwan’s nature is too gentle. As the saying goes, a doting mother often spoils her child. She has taken on the role of mother to teach her younger brother, but her excessive kindness and indulgence have had the same effect.”

“I will speak to Wanwan thoroughly and have her change this habit. She must be stricter with her brother,” Lady Yun hastened to say.

“No need. I have already ordered that they not interact privately for now. If necessary, Ruo’er will handle their contact. Compared to Wanwan’s softness, Ruo’er’s temperament is far better suited to guide their brother,” Wei Mingting said.

Hearing this, Lady Yun was startled. She had not expected her husband to forbid Wanwan from seeing Yi Lin privately. Wanwan was the one closest to Yi Lin—closer than even his mother.

“Will this not hurt the feelings of both children?” Lady Yun worried.

“Yi Lin must endure hardships to learn what he can and cannot do. If we consider his feelings now, how can we teach him properly? As for Wanwan, she is sensible. I have already explained the reasons to her; she will understand and not overthink it,” Wei Mingting replied.

“You are right,” Lady Yun agreed.

Wei Mingting sighed and said, “When we decided to make Wanwan the eldest daughter, it was out of concern that Ruo’er’s unruly nature would not be fit for such responsibility. It was my father’s wish to leave the position of eldest daughter to Ruo’er. Now it seems my father was far-sighted—Ruo’er is indeed more suited to be the eldest daughter. She acts decisively, remains calm in adversity, and can manage the overall situation.”