Chapter 121: Chuzhou · Wei Wei Shuyi's Past 2 [Many thanks for everyone's support! Bowing again!]

Gu Gu Tingyi looked at his older brother and said, "Second Brother, that must be incredibly formidable?"

Gu Gu Tingye shook his head without speaking.

Wei Wei Yuyi said, "That Assistant Prefect's legitimate eldest daughter also had a fiery temper; she insisted on competing with my older sister in poetry, calligraphy, needlework, and pitch-pot, promising that if she lost, she would apologize to that county magistrate's family, but my sister..."

"That Assistant Prefect's legitimate eldest daughter was thoroughly defeated by my older sister, losing face miserably before everyone, and she ran out crying without making the apology."

Yan Da Da Niangzi asked, "Could it be that the Assistant Prefect's daughter's marriage prospects were ruined because of this incident?"

Wei Wei Yuyi said, "Not at the time. It was half a year later, just as this Assistant Prefect was about to be promoted, that his legitimate eldest daughter verbally agreed to a marriage with the legitimate fifth son of the Changxing Earl family in Bianjing. A year had passed since the incident, and right at this moment... right at this moment, the matter of my older sister from that gathering was spread abroad."

Xu Xu Pingmei frowned and said, "So the rumor was that the Assistant Prefect's legitimate eldest daughter broke her word and was arrogantly overbearing?"

Wei Wei Yuyi said, "Yes, and it was spread by that county magistrate's legitimate second daughter who had returned to the main branch in Bianjing. I heard that after the Changxing Earl family learned of this, they sent someone to inquire, and as a result, the eldest daughter's engagement was called off, and the Assistant Prefect's promotion was suppressed."

Yan Da Da Niangzi sighed and said, "With such a deep grudge, unable to seek revenge against that county magistrate, they could only vent their anger on your family."

At this moment, the Yan family Miss was breathing heavily, and just as she was about to speak, Yan Da Da Niangzi looked at her own daughter and shook her head.

Xu Xu Pingmei spoke up, saying, "Truly, truly, a heart full of sincere warmth was fed to the dogs!" The Yan family Miss nodded in agreement.

Wei Wei Yuyi also nodded and continued:

"Father soon lost his position as the county instructor, but when my older sister reached the age for marriage discussions, Mother and Father rushed to save up for her dowry; Mother worried herself sick and ruined her eyes. One day, Father went out in the rain to write articles for others, and upon returning, he fell ill."

"After that... the money from selling our land, selling our house, and my older sister selling her embroidery all went toward medicine; Father wanted to throw himself into the river, but my older sister pulled him back, saying that if Father died, she would die too, which finally made Father give up the thought of suicide."

"Later, when our family was utterly destitute, my older sister heard from a broker by the canal that someone was offering one hundred taels to buy a scholar's daughter as a concubine, so for Father's sake, she sold herself and went."

At this point, Wei Wei Yuyi's eyes were already filled with tears, and she continued, "After Father learned of this, he refused to take his medicine in a desperate attempt to die, forcing my older sister to take some silver and jewelry with her."

Xu Xu Zaijing felt immense sorrow in his heart; a single act of standing up for what he thought was right had actually caused the Wei family to fall so low, and Wei Wei Shuyi's own fate was truly lamentable and tragic.

Wei Wei Yuyi looked at the people in the boat cabin, hurriedly stood up, squatted, and bowed, saying, "I have been somewhat rude; speaking such depressing words on a day like this. Da Da Niangzi, please forgive me, please forgive me."

Everyone waved their hands repeatedly to indicate it was no matter.

Grandma Chang wiped away a tear and said, "Your family has truly had a hard time."

Wei Wei Yuyi also wiped her tears, smiled, and said, "Things are better now; my older sister entered the Sheng family and is doing well, sending some silver money home regularly. With the protection of the Sheng family's reputation, our household has added two mu of poor fields and a fish pond, and life is looking up. I am just coming out to earn some money when my husband at home is not busy, to supplement the household, and thus I encountered you honorable ones."

Seeing Wei Wei Yuyi's smile, the atmosphere in the boat cabin became a bit more cheerful. Xu Xu Pingmei beckoned Qingxia to come close to her ear and whispered something.

"Then, does this mean that the person in your family with the best embroidery skills is your older sister?" Xu Xu Zaijing asked.

Wei Wei Yuyi nodded and said, "By the time I was old enough to understand things, our family had already declined somewhat; Father and Mother simply didn't have much time to teach me, so my current state makes me a laughingstock before you all."

Grandma Chang, lost in thought about something, wiped her tears and said, "We don't cheat or rob; an honest livelihood is nothing to laugh at."

Bai Shi quickly grasped Grandma Chang's hand to comfort her.

Wei Wei Yuyi said, "Grandma is right; yesterday evening when I returned home, Mother was still sewing clothes for the neighbor's little child."

"Wife Wei, have your mother's eyes healed?" Gu Gu Tingye asked happily.

Wei Wei Yuyi said, "Not yet."

"Then how does the old lady thread the needle's eye?" Gu Gu Tingye asked.

"If you try many times, you can eventually get it through," Wei Wei Yuyi said.

A thought struck Xu Xu Zaijing, and he asked, "Wife Wei, is it possible that the old lady has very precise control over distances?"

Wei Wei Yuyi was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "How did Young Master know? I am also more accurate than my husband when measuring distances."

Xu Xu Zaijing cupped his hands and said, "I guessed; since Wife Wei is so skilled at pitch-pot, you must be extremely good at estimating distances."

Upon hearing this, Gu Gu Tingye also showed a look of pride on his face.

After chatting and laughing for a while longer, Wife Wei stood up to take her leave.

Bai Shi wanted to keep her a bit longer, but seeing Wife Wei's determined attitude, she did not force her to stay.

After the Wei lady left the boat cabin, Qingxia followed her out; Grandma Chang said, "I will see her off," and thus kept the several female relatives inside the cabin.

Xu Xu Zaijing naturally had to see her off, after all, he was the one who had invited her.

Arriving on the shore, Wei Wei Yuyi was pushing and refusing Qingxia, while Xu Xu Zaijing was also trying to persuade them.

At this moment, Grandma Chang walked over quickly, stuffed the bundle in Qingxia's hands into Wei Wei Yuyi's arms, and also took out a hairpin from herself to place inside the bundle.

Grandma Chang pretended to be serious and said, "Wife Wei, the ladies on the boat heard your story, especially the younger ones who benefited from it; if you do not accept this gift, then when we arrive in Yang Zhou, it will be difficult for us to speak!"

Seeing Grandma Chang's appearance, Wei Wei Yuyi could only squat and bow, saying, "Then, Grandma, please thank all the honorable ones on my behalf."

"This old woman will certainly convey your thanks."

Afterwards, Wei Wei Yuyi and her husband slowly walked away into the distance; looking back, she discovered that Xu Xu Zaijing, Grandma Chang, and Qingxia were still standing there, so she shouted loudly, "Go back~"

Grandma Chang waved her hand.

Wei Wei Yuyi said, "Husband, I hope that the words I spoke today can provide some assistance to my older sister."

Just then, a voice came over: "Is this Wife Wei? There is an item for you at the relay station, sent from Yang Zhou."

Wei Wei Yuyi said, "Very well, thank the station master; I will go immediately."

Taking advantage of this moment, Yan Da Da Niangzi also stood up to take her leave and return home.

Bai Shi saw the mother and daughter off onto their carriage.

Inside the carriage, Yan Da Da Niangzi looked at her daughter and said, "Yue'er, have you understood some principles of conducting oneself in the world?"

"Mother, your daughter understands. From now on, I will definitely be cautious in my words and actions."

"Good, this is the greatest harvest of today."

Yan Da Da Niangzi said, "Someone come."

A servant woman outside the carriage responded, and Yan Da Da Niangzi continued, "Prepare a gift and deliver it to Wife Wei's home."

"Mother, may I tell Father about this after we return home?"

"As you wish."

Inside the boat cabin, Bai Shi was also educating her own daughter: "Yi'er, now do you understand? Your status is noble; your father is a Hou Jue, and your brothers are honored. For you, many matters are not even as painful as a scratch on the fur, but for those weaker than you, a single word from you could cause bone-and-flesh pain like that suffered by Wife Wei's older sister."

"Mother, Yi'er understands. From now on, I will be cautious in my words and actions and will not become a woman who bullies the weak relying on strength."

Bai Shi smiled faintly and said, "Good child."

Xu Xu Pingmei also sighed inwardly; seeing Xu Xu Zaijing return to the cabin, Xu Xu Pingmei beckoned him over.

"Little Five, I want to write this down and send it to Mother in the capital."

"Sister is right to do so; I hope that when Second Sister reads this story, she will restrain herself. Before we left, Mother said that Second Sister's recent conduct, praised by others, has been somewhat improper."

"Mm."

At that moment, a female servant entered and said, "Da Da Niangzi, the notice at the sluice gate states it will open early tomorrow morning."

Bai Shi nodded and said, "Mm, we shall go to Yang Zhou tomorrow."

End.

Currently writing about Yang Zhou.





(End of Chapter)