Chapter 389: 389: The Empress's Reward_1

Intending to bask in Wei Mingting’s standing, yet believing Wei Mingting is incapable of upholding the Wei Family on his own and requires support from elder brothers. Isn’t that laughable on Wei Mingyong’s part?

Although that was exactly the kind of person he was in the original work, Wei Ruo couldn’t help but be rendered speechless by his shamelessness when faced with it in reality.

“Niece, aren’t your words neglecting the broader view? Your second uncle has already analyzed the situation very thoroughly for you. One chopstick is easily breakable, but a handful isn’t. Is it that you do not understand this simple logic? Your father and yourself are both somewhat capable, but depending solely on the two of you is far from sufficient!”

“I must be a fool, for I indeed cannot fully comprehend second uncle’s meaning. Why don’t you continue discussing this matter with my father and elder brother instead? I am merely a woman, and indeed lack the capability to have much say in the rise and fall of our clan.” Wei Ruo replied, her tone stern.

“What do you mean by that?” Wei Mingyong’s face darkened immediately.

“Is there a problem with what I said? If you have a problem, discuss it rationally with my father and elder brother. Why are you looking to me?” Wei Ruo retorted with a smile in her eyes.

“Wei Qingruo, I am your second uncle, your elder. I am discussing this matter with you merely as a concession. Is this how a young lady from the Duke’s Residence behaves?”

“Whether I act like a young lady from the Duke’s Residence is none of your concern, second uncle.” Wei Ruo replied coldly.

“Your… It’s no wonder the Xiu Family wanted to annul the marriage because of your manners!” Wei Mingyong roared in anger.

During his few days in Taizhou prefecture, he had managed to inquire about every incident that had occurred in the Wei Family during this time.

He had heard from somewhere about Wei Ruo’s potential union with the well-known Xiu family from Taizhou prefecture, but in the end, it did not happen.

“Second Uncle should be more careful with his words. I was never engaged, so where is the question of an annulment?” Wei Ruo replied coldly.

“Ha, I heard that the eldest son of the Xiu family passed the provincial examination this time. The opportunity to elevate your status was in front of you, it is a pity you did not have that fortune.”

“Elevate my status? Are you suggesting that the Wei Family is pond scum, Second Uncle? Then what would that make you?” Wei Ruo asked.

“You…” Realizing he has been insulted, Wei Mingyong’s face darkened even further. “You are disrespecting your elders, showing no respect, talking gibberish!”

He had hit a brick wall with Wei Mingting and Wei Yichen, but they were at least courteous enough to give him face.

This grandniece of his, on the other hand, was downright disrespecting him!

Wei Ruo didn’t want to argue with Wei Mingyong anymore: “I have some things to do, so I’ll return to my room first. Please, feel free to do whatever you want, second uncle.”

After she finished speaking, Wei Ruo walked straight past Wei Mingyong, heading towards the backyard.

Wei Mingyong watched with wide eyes as Wei Ruo walked away, then snarled, “This is outrageous! This girl is showing no respect for her elders! No manners at all! Not a single respectable person has been raised by the third branch of our family!”

###

As the days of September waned, the rice in Taizhou prefecture was all harvested.

Those who heeded Wei Ruo’s advice and complied with the government office’s arrangements benefited immensely from it.

Once the peasants reaped their rich harvests, tax was collected by the government office, allowing the granaries to be filled up.

With a good yield of rice, the government office felt more confident about reclamation.

Meanwhile, the planting of winter wheat on the reclaimed land was proceeding smoothly. The lush green wheat seedlings symbolized hope.

Because of this, the disaster-relief villagers who participated in the reclamation were more motivated. Even the influential families participating in it from Taizhou prefecture were high-spirited, with many wishing to further increase investment.

Taizhou prefecture’s excellent disaster relief performance naturally attracted the attention of the Imperial Court, especially when contrasted with the disaster relief performance of the sixth prince.

The Court dispatched an envoy to Taizhou prefecture to announce a commendation for leading figures such as Yuan Zhengqin. This list also included Madam Yuan and Wei Ruo.

Furthermore, the mother of Chu Lan, Imperial Concubine Hui, gifted an assortment of high quality items to Wei Ruo. These items arrived at Taizhou prefecture at the same time as the court envoy sent by the Imperial Court.

Madam Yuan sent someone to the General Residence to summon Wei Ruo immediately upon receiving the news.

Knowing that the Imperial Concubine had gifted Wei Ruo additional rewards, Yun was particularly serious, reminding Wei Ruo repeatedly before she left, “Thank them properly for the rewards, and be cautious when you meet the palace attendant who delivers the rewards. They are generally the favored few in the imperial harem.”

“I understand.”

Just as Wei Ruo was about to leave, Wei Mingyong arrived as well.

Wei Mingyong frowned and anxiously said to Wei Ruo, “Dear niece, you should give careful consideration to this reward from Lady Hui.”

Concubine Hui is Chu Lan’s biological mother, while Wei Mingyong wanted to curry favour with Chu Heng, the sixth prince. Hence, he hoped that the members of the Wei family wouldn’t become deeply entwined with Chu Lan’s side.

Yun’s gaze hardened, and she urged Wei Ruo: “Ruo, go ahead. Don’t keep the people of the Yuan Residence waiting too long.”

Wei Ruo nodded her head and left.

Wei Mingyong had not finished speaking. However, Wei Ruo had already left. So he turned to Yun and said, “Third Sister-in-law, I think it’s better for our family not to get deeply entangled with the seventh prince.”

Yun’s face darkened slightly: “Second elder brother, you are being overly anxious. Our family has never had much to do with any of the princes. Whether it is my husband’s contact with the seventh prince in the military camp or the intersection of Ruo’s disaster relief efforts with the seventh prince, they are all due to the situation. I would beseech you not to over-interpret.”

“It’s not about whether or not I over-interpret, it’s about whether or not others will misunderstand when they find out.” Wei Mingyong insisted anxiously.

“If there is no wrong, you can’t fear your shadow being skew. Second elder brother, you need not be overly concerned about these things. Besides, this is a reward bestowed by the Concubine, we can’t possibly reject this act of grace, can we?” Yun replied.

“I am not saying that Ruo should not accept the reward. It is a joyous occasion that Ruo has been commended this time, and I, as her uncle, am also happy for her. I am merely reminding Ruo and my third sister-in-law not to be confused by the Imperial Concubine’s rewards.”

“Second brother, rest assured, Ruo is a girl of measure. You needn’t worry about her in this matter.”

Although Yun didn’t agree with many of Wei Ruo’s actions, she was confident about Wei Ruo’s judgment when it came to matters that involved the Wei Family and imperial court affairs.

After finishing her words, Yun let Cuiping help her return to Cangyun Garden.

Wei Mingyong gritted his teeth and muttered after Yun left, “Women, long hair and short ideas! Can the seventh prince be compared to the sixth prince? The sixth prince’s mother is an Imperial Concubine, his uncle is the Prime Minister, and he has countless followers. And the seventh prince’s maternal family has nothing! How can they compare?”

“They have said that they don’t want to get involved in the princes’ disputes, but they are entangled with the seventh prince! Anyone with a bit of sense would know which side has a better future!”

Wei Mingyong only dared to grumble like this when no one was around. He did not have the courage to speak too straightforwardly in front of Yun.

If he offended the people from the third branch of the family, he wouldn’t gain anything worthwhile.