Chapter 369: Chapter 369: Attending the Mid-Autumn

Banquet_l

The letter demanded firmly that his younger brother obey the noble’s arrangements, stating that the rise and fall of the Wei Family depended on this occasion.

Because of this letter, Madam Yun had been angry for several days.

in fact, Madam Yun didn’t feel very festive about this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival. Those who should have come didn’t, and those who shouldn’t have, did.

After Wei Ruo learned about the situation, she didn’t ask any further. The sweet potatoes on her farm and the first batch of rice were ready for harvest, which was a busy time.

Wei Ruo’s desk was piled with account books from various farms.

Wei Ruo started to look them over after asking Zhang.

According to the current reports from the farms, the yield of this batch of gram was bountiful, even better than last year s.

The bumper harvest of this batch of grain put Wei Ruo at ease. The gram she had previously stored up was mostly used up – a small portion to sustain the people on the farm, and the majority to sell to the military camp.

If this year didn’t turn out to be a fruitful harvest, it would pose a significant problem for Wei Ruo.

Wei Ruo also inquired about the situations in other households in Taizhou Prefecture. The early varieties, those that haven’t been affected by disease or have not required a change in seed variety, should also be ready for harvest now.

They reportedly did not yield as much as Wei Ruo’s late-ripening variety, but with various measures taken under the government office, this year’s harvest was better than the previous two years.

This was a good sign.

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The next day, on Mid-Autumn Festival, Wei Ruo and Madam Yun were invited

to the banquet at the prefecture’s office.

When Wei Ruo arrived at the entrance of the prefecture office, she saw another carriage from the Wei Family.

As Wei Ruo looked towards that carriage, the curtain was lifted, and Wei Qingwan, dressed in a light green long skirt, got out with the help of Maid

Cuihe.

When Wei Qingwan raised her head to meet Wei Ruo’s gaze, Wei Ruo saw a hint

of challenge in her eyes.

Her eyes seemed to tell Wei Ruo that even though she was forced out of the Wei Family, she could still return, couldn’t she?

But when she approached Wei Ruo, her expression became cautious.

“Sister,” Wei Qingwan said softly and cautiously.

Wei Ruo didn’t respond; instead, she turned to look at Madam Yun.

“Mother, would you care to explain what’s going on?”

Wei Ruo’s gaze was sharp, giving no room for evasion.

Madam Yun looked a little guilty and looked away, then explained, “To avoid raising suspicion by having Wanwan hidden away for too long and inadvertently solidifying the rumors of her affair with a man, I thought it would be better to have her attend such events.”

She paused and added, “I’m also doing it for your sake. If Wanwan is suspected, your reputation would be damaged too.

“Ha, mother is indeed thoughtful,” Wei Ruo snorted.

“I am just letting Wanwan attend today’s banquet. She will continue to recuperate at the farm afterward. You don’t have to be so petty,” Madam Yun retorted.

“What does being petty have to do with this? Don’t try to imply that sending her to the farm was my wish. Let’s not forget it was the punishment she deserved,” Wei Ruo replied coldly.

Madam Yun’s complexion changed slightly, but she quickly said, “It’s getting

late, we should head in.”

With that, she led Wei Qingwan inside the building.

Weiqing Wan got a moment to glance at Wei Ruo before stepping into the office, she giggled at Wei Ruo.

“Madam is likely to find a way to bring the second miss back to the mansion soon,” Xiumei commented.

“Let’s go in,” Wei Ruo didn’t want to let this incident affect her mood.

It was a good time for the harvest, a time for celebration.

Upon entering, Wei Ruo was immediately led to Madam Yuan’s side.

Sheng, Madam Yuan’s son, was beaming upon seeing Wei Ruo. He ran straight to Wei Ruo, neglecting his own nursemaid.

“Hug, hug,”

His babbling was cute.

Although the youngster did not speak much, he had managed to learn to call

Wei Ruo by name.

Wei Ruo had just picked him up when she received a kiss from him.

He smacked a juicy one on Wei Ruo’s cheek.

Madam Yuan laughed, “This little rascal! He is not even willing to kiss his own father, only you, Ruoruo.”

Then Madam Yuan wanted to have her nursemaid take back Sheng, however Sheng clung to Wei Ruo, not letting anyone else hold him.

Wei Ruo held Sheng up and played with him for a while, until Lord Yuan sent someone to take him away. Then reluctantly did the little fellow leave Wei

Ruo’s arms.

After Sheng was taken away, Madam Yuan pulled Wei Ruo into small talks, but more Madams came over to greet Madam Yuan.

Upon seeing Wei Ruo, they greeted her warmly and complimented her.

Their husbands had also participated in breaking the land for cultivation. Now the progress was good. They all took pride in this as even the imperial court had heard about it and commended Taizhou Prefecture. This won the ladies praises from their own husbands.

So, no matter how they looked at Wei Ruo, they found her pleasing.

Wei Ruo responded to their praise with humble smiles.

At that moment, Madam Yun brought Wei Qingwan over.

Being Wei Ruo’s mother, Madam Yun received extravagant compliments from the Madams as soon as she arrived:

“Madam Wei’s daughters are well-educated. The eldest is talented and generous, a model boudoir girl.”

“Yes, yes, we are all envious. We wish our daughters could have half of Miss Wei’s talents.”

Weiqing felt the compliments were exaggerated. It was one thing to flatter her, but to insert her as the model of boudoir ladies? She clearly did nothing a boudoir lady should do.

Madam Yun’s face lit with joy. “You Madams are too kind. Both of my daughters are just obedient and diligent. They are not particularly talented.” While expressing her modesty, Madam Yun didn’t forget to include Wei Qingwan.

Upon mentioning her other daughter, the Madams all turned to look at Wei Qingwan. They had heard of the rumors about Wei Qingwan in recent days – it seemed this young lady of the Wei Family has behaved inappropriately.

Later, they heard that Wei Qingwan had been sent to the farm by the Wei Family, as if to confirm her guilt.

Today, Madam Wei brought her so openly to the Commandery Princess s banquet. They wonder what was on her mind.

Seeing the Madams’ suspicious glances at Wei Qingwan, Madam Yun said, “Speaking of which, my second daughter hasn’t had her sister’s good luck. Earlier, some vile person spread rumours about her, disturbing her to the point of illness. She went to the farm to recuperate for quite a few days before she felt better.”

Wei Qingwan followed up right away, “It was my fault. I have troubled my mother and acted unfilially..”