Chapter 18 - 18 Must Leave 1

Translator: 549690339 I

Unsure if it was due to Wei Ruo’s frequent interactions with her wet nurse Mrs Yun called her over and said, “Ruo Ruo, it’s good that you’re close with your wet nurse, but you must pay attention to propriety. It is not good for your reputation to be seen interacting so often.”

“I understand, I’ll be careful.”

Wei Ruo didn’t argue, she predicted that something like this would occur.

As the daughter of an official family, it was inappropriate for her to maintain a close relationship with her former wet nurse.

Fortunately, the messenger pigeons had already been arranged. From now on, most matters could be communicated via the pigeons, and the wet nurse wouldn’t need to run errands to the Military Prefecture all the time.

Mrs. Yun nodded with satisfaction and continued, “Ruo Ruo, due to the current tension of the war, the Magistrate’s wife is organising a group prayer at Huafa Temple for the soldiers on the battlefield tomorrow. You will accompany me there.”

“Do I have to? Can I not go?” Wei Ruo asked.

“Ruo Ruo, don’t you like to travel? Why don’t you want to go?”

“I do like traveling, but I dislike social activities, and I’m not good at them ” Wei Ruo confessed.

The thought of mingling with a large group of Madams and their daughters was draining.

Mrs. Yun’s voice grew heavier, “Ruo Ruo, you’re not the girl you used to be these social activities are inevitable. More importantly, I have been talking with the Magistrate’s wife, hoping that you and Wanwan can go to study at the magistrate’s office together with the other girls. This time, it’s good for you to go with me, to let the Magistrate’s wife get to know you and dispel any doubts they have about you.”

Although Mrs. Yun didn’t specify the doubts, Wei Ruo already assumed that it related to the fear of her being too crude to qualify to study together with the other young ladies.

“Mother, do you think I can dispel their doubts? Aren’t you afraid that I might not project myself properly?” Wei Ruo asked.

“Ruo Ruo, you’ve been doing very well lately. Although you still need some improvement, I am already very satisfied. Just remember not to mention the switch with Wanwan to anyone. Simply say that you’ve been staying in the countryside due to your frail health and only recently returned to your parents This would be for you and Wanwan’s best interest.” Mrs. Yun advised.

“Do I really have to go?”

“Yes, you must,” Mrs. Yun insisted. “Ruo Ruo, listen to me. You have to adapt to these things sooner or later.”

Wei Ruo sighed, resigned herself to this arrangement, “Alright.”

In the original book, Mrs. Yun wasn’t keen to take the original host initially but the original host insisted, and finally Mrs. Yun gave in to her nagging. ’ Now, however, the situation was reversed. Wei Ruo was reluctant to go, while Mrs. Yun was determined to bring her along.

Wei Ruo found it amusing. What happened? Why did things still end up as they did in the original plot?

Wei Ruo remembered that in the original book, this prayer event was a major incident.

Firstly, as the supporting actress, her inappropriate behaviour during the event became the laughing stock of all the Madams and their daughters, causing much embarrassment to Mrs. Yun.

Second, the female lead, Wei Qingwan, met the male lead for the first time at Huafa Temple where the prayer was conducted.

With these thoughts in mind, Wei Ruo returned to Tingsong Garden. “Xiumei, check our belongings. See if we still have dried sweet potato and sweet potato chips.”

Xiumei promptly found the dried sweet potato and the chips, and brought a small bag of each.

“Are you craving for them, miss?”

“No, I plan to bring some with me tomorrow when I accompany mother to visit Huafa Temple. Find me two satin brocade bags, the ones that can be closed with a drawstring.”

“Miss, are you afraid of getting hungry on the road?” Xiumei curiously asked.

“No, I have other plans.”

Wei Ruo said with a sly smile.

Since she could not avoid going out, then so be it. However, she shouldn’t make the trip for nothing and must benefit from it somehow.

###

Wei Qingwan of Wangmei Garden quickly heard the news that Wei Ruo would also be accompanying Mrs. Yun to Huafa Temple.

“Did mother voluntarily decide to take my sister?” Wei Qingwan asked Madam Li.

“Yes, Madam suggested it first, saying that it’s time for Miss Wei Ruo to come out, and tomorrow would be a great opportunity.”

“So soon…” Wei Qingwan murmured, lowering her head.

Miss, don t be upset, it was bound to happen sooner or later.” Madam Li consoled.

“I know it was bound to happen, I just didn’t expect it to come so quickly…” Wei Qingwan looked disheartened.

If Mother initiated it, which means she has accepted Wei Ruo, it indicates that

Wei Ruo has met the standards of a well-bred young lady.

“Don’t worry, Miss. This may not necessarily be a good thing for Miss Wei Ruo She could become the laughing stock of the entire Xingshan County if she makes a mistake or an embarrassment in front of all the Madams and their daughters.”

“I don’t wish for my sister to become a laughing stock either, it’s just that…” Wei Qingwan mumbled. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“I understand what you’re thinking, Miss, but whether Miss Wei Ruo would make a fool of herself is not for you to decide. It’s up to her own upbringing. That s something she has no control over either.”

“If possible, I hope that she will handle herself well tomorrow and not make a fool of us or the Military Prefecture.” Wei Qingwan murmured.

“Miss, you are too kind.” Madam Li said helplessly.

“As long as Mother doesn’t dislike me, I don’t mind whatever my sister does.”

“No, Madam loves you the most.”

After being comforted by Madam Li, Wei Qingwan felt much better.

After drinking her calming tea, she went to bed.

###

The next day, as per Mrs. Yun’s request, Wei Ruo dressed up.

She wore a pale yellow bodice, a mint green overskirt, and a dark green underskirt. Her hair was done in the currently fashionable style. Her look was fresh and lively.

Since her time at the Wei Residence, this was Wei Ruo’s first time dressing up properly. She felt more comfortable wearing her usual lightweight attire and doing up her hair in the practical style of a country woman to facilitate work. Several times, when Mrs. Yun wanted her to change into the clothes prepared for her, Wei Ruo politely declined on the grounds that her unrefined clothes were convenient for her activities.

Looking at the dressed-up Wei Ruo, Mrs. Yun showed a satisfied smile, “Ruo

Ruo, you look really nice when you dress up.”

Mrs.. Yun noticed the exquisite set of food boxes in Wei Ruo’s hand and asked, “What are you carrying, Ruo Ruo?”