Chapter 9: Chapter 9 She is a Village Woman_1

Translator: 549690339

Upon learning of Wei Ruo’s alterations to the yard, Mrs. Yun felt a bit uneasy, but she refrained from commenting.

After all, her daughter had grown up in the countryside and her struggle to adjust was expected, she could always teach her slowly in the future.

However, Wei Yilin was quite unhappy about this and went to his elder brother Wei Yichen to complain.

“Big brother, that Wei Ruo has turned your courtyard into a mess! You kindly lent her the yard and now she’s ruined the elegance it originally had.”

“What did she turn it into?” Wei Yichen inquired, he had been preoccupied with his studies for the last few days and not very familiar with Wei Ruo’s situation.

“She planted vegetables in your yard! It’s simply too vulgar! No well-bred young lady would do such a thing! It’s so embarrassing!” Wei Yilin complained, growing increasingly agitated.

“Planting vegetables? That may not be particularly refined, but it’s not a big deal and there’s no need to feel embarrassed by it.” Wei Yichen replied, smiling.

“How is that not embarrassing? I’ve heard the servants talking about it. They say that we’ve brought back a disgraceful country bumpkin! She doesn’t behave like a well-bred lady at all!”

Wei Yichen’s expression turned serious: “Who’s been gossiping behind the scenes? How dare these servants talk behind their master’s back? Yilin, if you encounter such a situation again, you should stand up and reprimand them.”

“I won’t. I won’t stand up for her! She is an embarrassment!” Wei Yilin sulked, seeing that he was not in the wrong, “Brother, aren’t you angry that she made a mess of your yard?”

“That place is now her dwelling and how she wishes to change it is her business, I should not interfere. And as for you, Yilin, I understand your fondness and desire to protect Wanwan. I feel the same way, I hold Wanwan dear to my heart too. But Ruoruo is also your sister, she has done no wrong, and you must not treat her this way.” Wei Yichen instructed.

“I don’t want her as my sister! I just need Wanwan as my sister. Ever since she arrived, she made Sister cry multiple times! Sister went to her voluntarily, brought her gifts, but she completely ignored Sister. She let Sister walk away after only a few words, which hurt Sister’s feelings!”

“Yilin, this is the end of this conversation. Regardless of what you may think in your heart, you must never say these words again. Not in front of me, nor our parents, and especially not in front of your eldest sister! If you ignore this again, I will take you to Father and have him punish you.”

With Wei Yichen being this stern, Wei Yilin, however unwilling, could only pout and give in.

“Alright… I won’t say it.”

Wei Yilin obediently sat beside Wei Yichen, skimming through the Analects.

Wei Yilin was generally restless and he only made efforts to behave when he was with Wei Yichen.

About the time it takes to brew a cup of tea later, Wei Qingwan’s personal maid, Cuihe arrived, carrying a small plate of refreshments.

“Eldest young master, third young master, Miss has made some osmanthus cakes. She asked me to bring them to you, young masters, and give you a message, she asks you to rest well, and not tire yourself out only reading.”

On the white porcelain plate, milk-white osmanthus cakes were neatly arranged, adorned with golden osmanthus. This was made using the osmanthus honey that Wei Qingwan had prepared herself last year when the osmanthus flowers bloomed.

A joyful expression spread on Wei Yilin’s face: “Eldest Sister is really good to us, we’ve got delicious osmanthus cakes to eat!”

As he spoke, Wei Yilin took a piece and took a bite, a satisfied look on his face.

“Hmm, so fragrant~so sweet~”

Wei Yichen did not move.

“Big Brother, why aren’t you eating? Don’t you love the osmanthus cakes that Big Sister makes?”

“Yilin, take these osmanthus cakes to Ruo at Tingsong Garden.” Wei Yichen ordered.

“Why? These were hand-made by Big Sister!” Wei Yilin’s face instantly fell.

“Ruo has been home for several days now, and you haven’t spent quality time with her.” Wei Yichen spoke solemnly.

“But why should I give her the food that Big Sister made?” And why should he even interact well with that country woman? Wei Yilin did not dare say this in Wei Yichen’s presence.

“Exactly because it is the food that Wanwan made, you should take it and share it with Ruo. Not only would this fulfil your intention, but it would also fulfil Wanwan’s.” said Wei Yichen.

“But… ”

“Obey.” The expression on Wei Yichen’s face was particularly serious.

“Fine.”

Although Wei Yilin was extremely reluctant, he dared not disobey Wei Yichen.

So, with full resentment, he brought the osmanthus cake to Tingsong Garden.

As soon as he entered the garden gate, he noticed Wei Ruo climbing onto a ladder, which immediately sparked his resentment against her.

“Why are you up so high, you’ll surely be ridiculed if anyone sees you like this!”

Weiruo glanced down on hearing the voice and saw Wei Yilin standing next to the ladder, glaring at her indignantly.

“What’s so ungraceful about climbing a ladder?”

“Of course, it’s ungraceful. No other lady behaves like you, hopping up and down!”

“If you can’t stand it, look away. Turn right at the door. Bye. Not holding the door open for you.” Wei Ruo responded straightforwardly.

This brat had made it clear from the start that he disliked her; she saw no need to waste her time on him.

“You! You think I want to look at you!” Wei Yilin exclaimed angrily.

“Why are you still here if you don’t want to see me? If you don’t want to watch, then don’t. Why bother?” Wei Ruo retorted.

Wei Yilin had initially intended to leave right away. But once Wei Ruo insisted he leave, his rebellious streak surged, and he refused to budge.

“This is my house. I can come and go whenever I want.”

Not only did Wei Yilin stay put, but he even sat down on the rattan chair in Wei Ruo’s courtyard.

Seeing that she couldn’t get rid of Wei Yilin for the time being, Wei Ruo climbed down from the ladder and walked over to him.

Wei Yilin stared back at her defiantly.

“Suit yourself.”

Wei Ruo couldn’t be bothered to argue with Wei Yilin, it seemed pointless for an adult to squabble with an eight-year-old child.

“Wait a moment, I came here to bring you something.”

Wei Yilin called out to Wei Ruo who was about to retreat into her house.

Pulling out the osmanthus cake from the food box he had brought, he held it out for her to see.

“This is osmanthus cake. It’s made using glutinous rice flour, clear flour, sugar, and oil to create this soft cake, paired with delicious sweet osmanthus honey, which gives it a sweet and soft taste.”

Wei Yilin introduced the cake to Wei Ruo with a proud face.

“So, you think I’ve never tasted osmanthus cake before?” Wei Ruo was somewhat amused.

“I don’t know whether you’ve had it before. What I do know is you’ve never tasted the osmanthus cake made by my elder sister. Her homemade osmanthus honey is unique, and her cake is in a league of its own. Whenever she cooks, our father, mother, and elder brother all vie to eat it!”

“What does her ability to make good osmanthus cake have to do with me?”

“The ability to make osmanthus cake is just one aspect. My elder sister excels in playing the qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting. She is an undisputed talented lady recognized by the local tutors!”

“So what? What are you trying to tell me?”

“I want to tell you that my elder sister excels in every aspect and outperforms you. Whether or not she’s my blood sister, in the eyes of our parents, our elder brother, and me, she’s the rightful first daughter of the Wei family. I hope that you will accept your status as the second daughter and not undertake any actions against her or make her angry. Can you promise not to compete with my elder sister?”

Wei Ruo laughed out loud.

“What are you laughing at?” Wei Yilin frowned, puffing up his small face.