叭哒漫画

“Sister must still be busy studying these days… I’m not exactly sure about the specifics. Sister usually spends a lot of time in Yingzhu Garden talking with our second brother while she’s in the residence. I’ve tried to look for her a few times but she wasn’t around, so I’m not entirely sure…” Wei Qingwan replied.

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Yun couldn’t help but frown: “Ruoruo is already thirteen, Jinyi is almost sixteen, they should avoid being alone together.”

The fact that her daughter was closer to her half-brother than her own siblings, somewhat displeased Mrs. Yun.

“Mother, there’s no need to worry about sister. She’s been very cautious these days. Plus, didn’t our second brother receive that recommendation letter? Soon, once the Huzhou Prefecture replies, our second brother will head to Huzhou Prefecture.” Wei Qingwan said.

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Yun didn’t look pleased but rather her expression became even more solemn.

She only later found out that the box Wei Jinyi received was bought by Wei Ruo, and it was Wei Ruo who filled in the name.

Although there was nothing wrong with that, Mrs. Yun didn’t like the fact that her daughter was closer to her half-brother, yet distant from her own brother.

When Mrs. Yun looked at Wei Qingwan, who was striving to alleviate her worries, she couldn’t help but sigh yet again.

###

Inside the Tingsong Garden, Wei Ruo had heard all the rumors and speculations.

Compared to the situation in the Wei Residence, Wei Ruo was more worried about Xu Zhengyong’s situation.

Usually, new recruits go through a period of training before they go to the battlefield. However, the current situation is urgent and his abrupt enlistment is probably due to a lack of manpower. There’s not likely to be much time for training and adaptation.

She wondered if Brother Xiaoyong had handed over the crossbow mechanism and if it was accepted.

If it was accepted, it should help Brother Xiaoyong’s status in the military, boost our forces, and make Brother Xiaoyong’s situation relatively safer.

In the original story, Xu Zhengyong didn’t come to Xingshan County or participate in the war, so Wei Ruo couldn’t foresee his outcome.

A bit bored, Wei Ruo went to Yingzhu Garden to find Wei Jinyi. Upon entering, she saw Wei Jinyi playing chess with himself.

Wei Ruo sat down next to him.

She had no talent for chess, especially Go, which required a lot of thinking. She could only understand the basics, but had no idea how to actually play the game.

“Would you like to try?” Wei Jinyi stopped and asked.

“No, no, it’s too brain-draining. I’m not suited for this,” Wei Ruo hastily waved her hands in refusal.

“Farming also requires brain work. Different crops need different methods of planting and care, yet you can remember them all distinctly.”

“Specialization in different fields calls for different use of the brain. Anyway, I’m bad at playing chess.”

Wei Ruo rested her chin on her hand, contemplating the chessboard in front of her.

Anyone with discerning eyes could tell that she wasn’t really focusing on the game, but pondering about something else.

“Something on your mind?” Wei Jinyi perceptively noticed the uneasy look on Wei Ruo’s face today.

“Did second brother hear about the upcoming war?” Wei Ruo asked.

“Yes, I heard. It was bound to happen sooner or later,” Wei Jinyi answered calmly.

“Does second brother think we can win this war?” Wei Ruo asked.

“There’s an 80% chance we’ll win.” Wei Jinyi replied.

“Why 8o%?”

“Our father accounts for 30%, the nobleman who recently visited Xingshan County contributes 10%, the addition of troops from the court makes up 20%, and a good news from the military today adds another 20%,” Wei Jinyi answered.

“Why does second brother think that the nobleman who recently came to Xingshan County can account for 10%?” Wei Ruo asked curiously.

The greatest contribution Chu Lan has made in this war is undoubtedly his request for the court to send additional troops to Xingshan County. But why does he individually account for 10%?

“He’s no simple rich young master. He’s intelligent, familiar with military strategies, and good at using people,” Wei Jinyi replied.

Wei Ruo looked at Wei Jinyi even more curiously.

She was aware of what Wei Jinyi just said about Chu Lan because that was how Chu Lan was portrayed in the original story.

However, she was surprised how accurate Wei Jinyi’s evaluation was, considering he seldom left the mansion.

Noticing Wei Ruo’s gaze, Wei Jinyi calmly explained, “I like to read and hear about rumors. Even though I’m confined in this mansion, I have enough understanding of the outside world.”

“Second brother, you’re really impressive. If you were to take the imperial examination, your chances of success would be quite high,” Wei Ruo said, increasingly confident in Wei Jinyi.

Resting her chin on both her hands, her face was filled with admiration. Her eyes seemed to sparkle with little stars.

Wei Jinyi smiled, then his right hand involuntarily reached out to Wei Ruo’s head. Just when he was about to pat her head, he abruptly stopped.

“Second brother, what are you trying to do?”

“Nothing,” Wei Jinyi quickly withdrew his hand, then came up with a lame excuse, “There was a dry leaf on your head.”

“But even if we win this war, it doesn’t guarantee that my friend will survive.” Wei Ruo’s worry didn’t lessen.

Winning the war doesn’t mean that everyone on the winning side will live to return.

“Is it the friend you mentioned last time?” Wei Jinyi asked. The previous time, Wei Ruo had also mentioned a friend.

“Yes, it’s him. He’s joined the military. The golden sore medicine I was rushing to make last time was for him,” Wei Ruo replied.

Joining the military, that means he’s a man.

And for Wei Ruo to worry about him this much, their relationship must be out of the ordinary.

“Did your friend come to Xingshan County because of you?” Wei Jinyi asked.

Wei Ruo only arrived in Xingshan County a few months ago and since then, hardly interacted with outsiders.

So this friend is likely someone Wei Ruo knew from her time in Huzhou Prefecture.

“Sort of,” Wei Ruo replied.

Since the nanny and Uncle Xu both came, Brother Xiaoyong would certainly have come along too.

Lowering his head, Wei Jinyi rearranged his chess pieces.

###

For two consecutive days, residents living in the eastern part of the city could hear a loud noise from the east and could sometimes even see flames reaching towards the sky.

The already thick cloud of dread hanging over Xingshan County grew even denser.

Over the past few days, both the Qian Residence and Xie Residence had stopped their lessons. Both Wei Qingwan and Wei Ruo stayed at home and didn’t go out anymore.

Inside Tingsong Garden, Wei Ruo was looking over the accounts. The “blind box” had earned Four Treasure House a total of 122 taels of silver.

Xiumei hurried into the room: “Miss, Nurse Li… Nurse Li has been brought back to the residence!”

“Isn’t it supposed to be three months before she comes back?” Wei Ruo asked.

“I heard that the second young miss pleaded on her behalf and as a result, Nurse Li has been allowed to serve her punishment here in the residence. Her monthly wages have been docked for an additional three months as a penalty.” Wei Ruo snorted softly: “What a schemer.”

“Miss, Nurse Li is currently at the door of our courtyard, she says she wants to kowtow and apologize to you,” Xiumei reported, her face showing an expression of annoyance.

She had come back, sure, but why did she have to find trouble?

“Let’s go see her. In fact, I’ve been feeling frustrated these past few days! I need a place to vent the worry I have for Brother Xiaoyong!” Wei Ruo said..