Chapter 299: If I Were a Man, I Wouldn’t

Lose to Your Elder Brother 1

Translator: 549690339 |

Wei Ruo sensed Yun’s gaze, but pretended not to see it.

She could refuse the monthly allowance from the Wei Residence, but she wasn’t generous enough to pay out of her pocket to support the family.

As long as she didn’t initiate the topic, Yun would find it hard to bring it up. In highborn families, it wasn’t a respectable thing for parents to take their daughter’s private money, unless no one knew about it. Otherwise, the shame was no less than pawning.

Ignoring Yun’s look, Wei Ruo acted as if nothing happened and asked Wei Mingting about the refugees: “Father, what is the government office planning to do with the refugees who have recently fled to the city?”

Wei Mingting sighed: “There is no good solution. I initially planned to conscript them, but not all the refugees are adult men. Most are elderly and children. Even if there are able-bodied men, most of them have families to support. If only men are conscripted, the family left behind wouldn’t know how to survive in this famine. The government office would like to accommodate them, but there is no good place to do so.”

Upon hearing this, Wei Yichen asked: “What about arranging for them to reclaim wasteland like we did in Xingshan County before? At that time, Ruoruo and the county government arranged for the refugees to participate in the reclamation of wasteland in the south of the city, achieving great success Not only were the refugees resettled, the wasteland was also improved, leading to a bountiful wheat harvest this summer. It was a win-win situation.”

Wei Mingting considered this and said: “The number of refugees in Xingshan County last year was smaller. This year, the scope of the disaster has expanded further, and the number of refugees is increasing. Not only are there the current refugees in and out of the city, but many more are pouring in from other places. But regardless, if the court could arrange for some people to reclaim wasteland and be self-sufficient, it would be better than doing nothing and could alleviate some problems.”

As he spoke, both Wei Mingting and Wei Yichen turned to look at Wei Ruo.

If they were to accomplish this task, Wei Ruo would play a key role.

Because not everyone could manage this, Wei Ruo was the only one who had done it successfully so far.

If not, the seventh prince wouldn’t have made a special trip to the Wei Residence to invite Wei Ruo, and even after being refused, he still sent people to deliver gifts to Wei Ruo and sweet-talk her multiple times.

Wei Ruo replied: “This is a major issue. Organizing refugees to reclaim wasteland now would be many times more troublesome than it was in Xingshan County. Firstly, there are more refugees involved and the range of wasteland to be reclaimed is wider, hence more government personnel will be required. Moreover, the Yuan Residence and the seventh prince may also be involved, so at that time, I, as a mere woman, will not be able to make decisions alone. Therefore, further discussions are needed.”

Upon hearing this, Wei Mingting nodded in agreement: “Ruoruo makes a valid point. This is indeed not a simple matter and careful thought must be given.” Wei Yichen asked Wei Ruo: “What are the things that you think we can do currently, Ruoruo?”

Wei Ruo responded: “Let’s first wait and see how things develop, partly to see what plans the court has, and also to observe the actions of other prominent families in Taizhou prefecture. After all, the Wei Family is relatively weak in Taizhou prefecture. Furthermore, as our father is a military officer, disaster relief should not fall upon us in any way.”

Even if Wei Ruo was concerned about the people and wanted to set aside her prejudice against Chu Lan to work with him again, she dared not get involved rashly under the current circumstances.

Wei Yichen also agreed: “Ruoruo makes a very good point.”

Wei Mingting couldn’t help saying: “If Ruoruo were a man, she would be no less capable than your elder brother.”

Wei Yichen agreed: “My elder sister is indeed a very talented person.” While Wei Yichen disapproved of some of the things Wei Ruo did as a woman of the inner quarters, he was fully appreciative of her talents and abilities.

At this time, Wei Qingwan interjected: “Father, I heard that the wealthy families in the city have abundant grain reserves. I think if they are willing to help, they should be able to relieve the pressure of the famine to a certain extent.”

Wei Mingting said: “Wanwan is talking about the affluent families in Taizhou prefecture, who have accumulated a lot over the past years and always have full granaries. However, even in the current situation, even the wealthy ones are not willing to casually take out food.”

If this idea were feasible, the government office would have acted on it long ago, rather than dragging it out till now.

Wei Yichen added: “Moreover, these refugees can’t be dealt with overnight, we don’t know when the relief from the rich families will end if they provide food. Moreover, once the refugees from other places hear the news, they might flock to Taizhou government city, making the situation even worse.”

Wei Qingwan’s idea was jointly rejected by Wei Mingting and Wei Yichen, making Wei Qingwan lower her head in sadness.

Seeing this, Wei Yichen comforted: “Wanwan, don’t mind it. You are not usually involved in such matters, and the books you read about female etiquette usually don’t cover this knowledge. It is normal to think incompletely. It’s already very good of you to think for the people.”

Wei Qingwan nodded. She knew that this was not her forte, but there was some unfairness in her heart that Wei Ruo could have a hearty chat with her father and brother while she could only watch on the side.

Afterwards, Wei Mingting, Wei Yichen, and Wei Ruo had a long discussion about the refugees and the shortage of food. Although they didn’t reach any conclusion in the end, their viewpoints surprisingly aligned.

After the casual talk, everyone took their leave from Cangyun Garden one after another.

Seeing Wei Ruo leave, Wei Yichen immediately followed her out of Cangyun Garden and caught up with her.

“Ruoruo.” Wei Yichen caught up with Wei Ruo and stopped her.

It was already summer, and the days were longer. Even though they had finished dinner, the sky was still somewhat bright.

“Do you need me for anything, Elder Brother?” Wei Ruo asked.

“Did you ask Brother Lu to send a message to Brother Xu today?” Wei Yichen asked.

“Yes.” Wei Ruo admitted frankly.

“Your actions are somewhat untoward. Marriage is a matter of parental orders and matchmakers’ words, it’s not right to… privately…” Wei Yichen paused, then said, “Furthermore, Brother Lu is an outsider. You can discuss these things with our parents and elder brothers at home, but it’s somewhat improper to talk to outsiders.”

“Thank you for the reminder, Elder Brother, I will be careful in the future. If there’s nothing else, I’ll go back now.” Wei Ruo did not argue with Wei Yichen.

Wei Yichen’s eyebrows, far from relaxing, deepened.

“Don’t leave yet, Ruoruo, I haven’t finished talking.” Wei Yichen stopped Wei Ruo.

Wei Ruo looked at him, waiting for him to finish.

Wei Yichen looked into Wei Ruo’s clear and cold eyes, and felt a pang of sadness.

After some thought, Wei Yichen continued: “If you really don’t want to marry,

111 help you find a solution. But don’t interact too much with Brother Xu in private so as to avoid unnecessary gossip..”