Chapter Ninety-Nine: Overseeing Wei Yilin's Punishment

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Mrs. Yun had never expected her husband to recognize their eldest daughter's capabilities so thoroughly. Indeed, Ruor’s recent actions had brought considerable honor to the Wei household—she was poised and proper in public, embodying the demeanor befitting the eldest sister both within and outside the family. Her performance far exceeded Mrs. Yun’s initial expectations.

Mrs. Yun nodded in agreement. “My husband is right. Ruor is truly more suited to be the eldest daughter. But our Wanwan is no less remarkable—she’s gentle, considerate, obedient, and sensible. Every time I see her, my heart fills with joy.”

While acknowledging the eldest’s merits, Mrs. Yun made sure not to overlook the excellence of their second daughter.

“Hm,” Wei Mingtian admitted. “There’s no denying that. Each of our daughters has her own strengths.”

“Then it’s settled about finding a martial arts master for Yilin. The rules I set today must be strictly enforced even when I’m not home; no leniency,” Wei Mingtian reminded his wife, well aware of her tendency to be soft-hearted toward their children.

“Don’t worry, husband. I will not let you down,” Mrs. Yun promised. Though she felt pity for their youngest son and wished to shield him from hardship, she was determined to uphold whatever her husband decreed.

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While Wei Mingtian and Mrs. Yun discussed matters indoors, Wei Ruo supervised Wei Yilin chopping firewood in the courtyard.

The seven-year-old’s small arms struggled with the large chopping knife, the effort plainly visible.

With each swing, the blade barely cut into the wood, far from splitting it cleanly.

After only a few chops, his arms grew weak and he wanted to stop, but Wei Ruo’s voice sounded sharply in his ear:

“If you don’t chop five bundles of firewood today, you’ll continue tomorrow—another five bundles. If you can’t finish tomorrow, then the day after. You will keep at it until you can chop five bundles in a single day.”

“Wei Qing Ruo! You’re really too much!” Wei Yilin finally lost his temper, glaring angrily at Wei Ruo with wide eyes.

“Too much? Am I?” Wei Ruo smiled faintly, replying with casual indifference.

“I know you’re getting revenge for me betraying you yesterday, right? Last night I thought it over carefully. Those things were too real—they couldn’t have been just a dream. They really happened!” Wei Yilin said with unusual certainty.

Wei Ruo only smiled without answering.

Wei Yilin continued, “Wei Qing Ruo, I admit betraying you yesterday was wrong. So even if I remember what happened, I won’t tell anyone. I’ve thought it through—if others find out you were kidnapped, it won’t be good for you. Though I don’t like you, you are a daughter of the Wei family, and I won’t tarnish your reputation.”

His face set sternly, cheeks puffed out in frustration, yet he maintained a serious tone.

Wei Ruo still remained silent.

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What does it matter if he remembers? Since she won’t respond or admit it, no one would believe Wei Yilin anyway.

Who cares whether he remembers or not.

With no reply from Wei Ruo, Wei Yilin went on, “Besides, I think you were pretty awesome taking down those two pirates, so stop being so petty in getting back at me. Go tell Father to revoke those orders. I’m willing to learn martial arts, but I don’t want to be separated from Sister Wanwan, and I definitely don’t want you in charge—I don’t like you!”

“I refuse,” Wei Ruo smiled, teasing.

“Wei Qing Ruo, I’ve already said so much. What more do you want?”

“Nothing more. As the eldest sister, it’s my duty to teach my younger brother, so I must supervise you even if you don’t like it.” Wei Ruo’s answer was flawless—careful to avoid saying anything that could get her into trouble, whether there were ears around or not.

“You’re just pretending. You don’t sincerely want to teach me—you’re deliberately making things difficult! Besides, I don’t even acknowledge you as my eldest sister. Wanwan is my only eldest sister!”

“Enough talk. Chop the firewood properly. Laziness is unacceptable,” Wei Ruo said calmly.

“Wei Qing Ruo!” Wei Yilin was thoroughly exasperated by her demeanor.

“You must call me ‘sister.’ If you don’t know how, I’ll have a word with Father later,” Wei Ruo replied unhurriedly.

Wei Yilin was rendered speechless with anger.

His gaze shifted back to the pile of wood before him. He swung his chopping knife with all his might, as if venting his frustration by imagining Wei Ruo as the wood.

By the time Wei Mingtian came outside, Wei Yilin had already chopped nearly half a bundle.

Wei Mingtian knew well that the task he had assigned his youngest son was practically impossible to complete. He had done this deliberately—to temper Yilin’s spirit and make him truly realize his mistakes.

Seeing Wei Yilin no longer weak or spoiled under Wei Ruo’s supervision, persisting in chopping the wood, Wei Mingtian became even more convinced that the eldest daughter was better suited to guide their youngest.

“Ruor, you may head back for today. In my absence, Yilin will need your care. If he misbehaves, you may enforce the family rules on my behalf,” Wei Mingtian instructed.

Wei Yilin was inwardly furious and resentful as he looked at his father’s stern face.

“The eldest daughter understands,” Wei Ruo replied.

Then she left Cangyun Manor.

Before leaving, Wei Ruo glanced back at Wei Yilin, who was glaring at her fiercely.

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In mid-August according to the lunar calendar, the rice harvest in Xingshan County was underway.

The local people felt little joy in the harvest, overwhelmed instead by anxiety and gloom.

The grain yields were poor—what was gathered would scarcely feed many families for the coming year.

The Wei family’s situation was similar. Mrs. Yun frowned as she studied the ledgers handed to her by the steward of their estate.

The steward reported that the most prosperous crops were the seedlings replanted by Wei Ruo in the rear fields.

The other rice being harvested was only about one-third of last year’s yield, and a mere one-fifth compared to five years ago.

Though the replanted rice was not yet fully mature, judging by the heavy ears forming, it promised far better yield than the rest.

However, the seedlings Wei Ruo brought accounted for only a small portion of the total. The overall grain production on the Wei estate was still far below previous years.

Besides Wei Mingtian’s official salary, the estate provided significant income.

A poor harvest there meant no extra revenue, which would make the family’s expenses in the coming year a serious concern.

After finishing her duties at the magistrate’s office, Wei Qingwan had come to Cangyun Manor to help Mrs. Yun manage household affairs. Seeing Mrs. Yun troubled over the grain situation, she comforted her:

“Mother, don’t worry. The boat will find its way to the pier. Father has won battles, been promoted, and received imperial commendations, hasn’t he?”

Mrs. Yun shook her head. “True, he received honors, but most are just ceremonial. The gifts awarded cannot be easily converted to silver.”

Moreover, this time Wei Mingtian had only temporarily repelled the coastal pirates in Xingshan County, not completely driving away the marauders troubling the entire southeastern coast. Naturally, the imperial commendations were limited.

Sighing again, Mrs. Yun said, “If only we had planted all the rice with the seedlings Ruor brought. Then we wouldn’t be facing such difficulties now.”