Chapter 388: 388: Confronting Second Uncle_1
Upon hearing the news, Wei Qingwan felt a mix of joy and worry.
She sat quietly in the dilapidated courtyard of the villa, lost in thought as she gazed into the distance.
“Miss, aren’t you happy? The eldest young master has become a scholar, how honorable it is. In the future, he could take the imperial examination again. If he becomes an advanced scholar, his future would be boundless.” Cuihe asked.
“What good is that? He treats me as a stranger now. Even if he had more abilities in the future, he wouldn’t care about me.” Wei Qingwan replied with a sorrowful and resentful look.
“Miss, don’t think like that. Although the eldest young master is not close to you now, he is your brother after all. Even if he treats you poorly at home, he will still care about the kinship outside the house. As long as he succeeds, your status whether in marriage or in your husband’s family will be guaranteed.” Cuihe analyzed while comforting Wei Qingwan.
“How could I not know that?” Wei Qingwan naturally understood the ins and outs of this matter, “but…”
“What is it?” Cuihe asked.
“There has been no news from young master Qi… I wonder if something has happened.” Wei Qingwan expressed her concern.
When they last met, young master Qi had promised her that he would write a letter to his family about the issue and propose marriage to her father.
Recently, there has been a series of good news from home – her father got promoted to the rank of guard commander, her brother passed the examination, but Wei Qingwan still hadn’t received any news from Qi Zhen.
It had been ten days since their last contact, which made her increasingly worried.
“Miss, don’t worry. Young master Qi is a busy man. He must have a lot to deal with. It doesn’t mean that he doesn’t care about you.”
“I trust him, I’m just worried about his family.” Wei Qingwan said.
“Miss, there is no need to worry. Your status, along with the changing status of Master and eldest young master, has greatly improved, making you gradually worthy of Master Qi.” Cuihe explained.
“Hopefully so.” Wei Qingwan said.
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We Yichen’s success in the imperial examination brought a period of excitement to the Wei family.
During this period, Wei Ruo also heard that Wei Yichen’s classmate Xiu Fengyuan had not only passed the examination but also ranked first in the examination. This brought great joy to the Xiu family and many notable people came to congratulate them.
In addition to this, another person Wei Ruo knew, Zhao Xun, also passed the examination.
Wei Ruo didn’t expect this as Zhao Xun’s health was not good. It was already quite good if he could finish the examination.
But he passed the examination, which made Wei Ruo have to take a fresh look at Zhao Xun.
If this man were healthy, we wouldn’t know what great achievements he might make in the future.
During this time, Wei Mingyong had been staying in the General Residence, and he often talked to Wei Yichen when he had time.
Since Wei Mingting often wasn’t at home, the only thing he could do was to work on Wei Yichen’s thoughts.
Wei Yichen’s reactions were rather cold. He was still polite to Wei Mingyong, but he quickly dismissed what he said, not giving him an inch, making Wei Mingyong very frustrated.
After Wei Yichen turned him away one day, Wei Mingyong decided to go out and take a walk to let off steam.
He ran into Wei Ruo who was coming back from outside at the doorway. Wei Mingyong immediately called a halt to Wei Ruo.
“Dear niece.”
Wei Ruo stopped and looked at Wei Mingyong.
Wei Mingyong had been at the General Residence for several days now, and this was the first time the two of them had bumped into each other.
Normally, Wei Ruo either stayed in her courtyard or went out, so she didn’t have much contact with the other people in the residence, not to mention Wei Mingyong.
Wei Mingyong actually wanted to talk to Wei Ruo, but he just couldn’t find an appropriate opportunity. He couldn’t run directly to Wei Ruo’s courtyard to visit her as he did with Wei Yichen.
Today he finally found the opportunity.
“Second uncle, what’s the matter?” Wei Ruo asked.
A warm smile was on Wei Mingyong’s face, “Dear niece, I had heard about you when I was in the Capital City. You truly live up to being the legitimate daughter of our Loyal and Righteous Duke Residence. You remind me of your grandmother’s demeanor.”
“You flatter me, second uncle.” Wei Ruo responded with a polite yet aloof smile.
Wei Mingyong continued, “Niece, you are already fourteen now, it’s a good time for you to discuss marriage. If our family has a little more prestige, it would be easier for you when the time comes.”
“Marriage is a matter for parental orders and matchmakers’ words.” Wei Ruo replied.
“But you must know that the honor of the family is closely related to every individual in the family. No matter what happens, the Wei family will always be your support.” Wei Mingyong added.
“It should be so.” Wei Ruo replied in a flat tone.
Wei Mingyong sighed and said, “Such a pity, your father doesn’t understand this principle. He is completely preoccupied with winning battles and defending the nation, he doesn’t think about the honor of the family at all.”
“Isn’t winning battles his and Wei Family’s highest honor? How can you say that my father is not considering the honor of the family?” Wei Ruo retorted.
“It’s not a problem for him to win battles, but that’s not a long-term solution. I don’t think the Japanese Pirates will continue to be a problem for much longer. In order to keep the Loyal and Righteous Duke Residence in glory, we have to raise some more talents in our family, especially some civil officials who can stand firm in court to support your father!” Wei Mingyong explained.
“Now, hasn’t my elder brother passed the examination? I believe with my elder brother’s talent, it won’t be long before he can serve in court, and then he will be able to support my father.” Wei Ruo said.
“Your elder brother is still a bit young. Without the help of others, it would be extremely difficult for him to rise to the top.”
“Second Uncle should encourage other cousins in the family to work hard then, so that there can be more scholars. Oh no… it seems the other cousins haven’t even passed the examination for scholar yet. Let’s focus on that first.” Wei Ruo said.
“That’s not what I mean.” Wei Mingyong frowned.
“Then what is the second uncle saying? Isn’t it about hoping there would be more people in the family to support my father? Isn’t it about wishing the family would produce more civil officials?” Wei Ruo retorted.
Wei Mingyong sighed again, “Alas, let me put it straight. Right now, there is a great opportunity in front of our Wei family. As long as your father agrees, we have the chance to be lifted up by the sixth prince. This is much faster than passing the imperial examination.”
Wei Ruo gave a slight smile. In fact, she knew what Wei Mingyong meant right from the start.
“Second uncle, who wants to associate with the sixth prince, should do it himself. What’s the point of looking for my father who is unable to bring enough honor to the family?” Wei Ruo retorted.
“You child, I’ve explained it to you for so long, why haven’t you gotten it? The sixth prince specifically wants your father and you to assist him. This matter can only proceed if your father agrees.”
“Second Uncle, it’s quite amusing what you said just now. On one hand, you think my father’s abilities are limited and he is not able to support the prestige of the Wei family. On the other hand, you say that the sixth prince will only provide the Wei family with support if my father agrees to serve him. So, does my father have abilities or not?”