Chapter 392: 392: Distributing Rewards and Prizes_1
Hearing Wei Ruo say this, Wei Mingyong was quite satisfied: “My niece always understands the important things.”
Immediately after, Wei Ruo turned her head to Wei Yichen, “Brother, in a few days, Miss Xie’s family will send things on a ship from Taizhou prefecture to the Capital City, first by land and then by sea. I can ask her to take some things for me, if you have anything you’d like to send to our grandparents, they can take it too.”
Xie Ying and Wei Ruo still own a medicinal field in Xingshan County, which is now operating quite well.
Xie Ying had also opened a medicine shop in the Capital City. Wei Ruo would send some goods there for Xie Ying to sell in her shop every once in a while.
Of course, the products from their medicinal field alone weren’t sufficient, most of the herbs in the shop were still purchased from other places.
After Wei Ruo finished speaking, Wei Mingyong’s expression changed.
“Niece, that’s unnecessary, right? In a few days, I am going back to the Capital City. I can deliver the items directly myself then. It’s a bit inappropriate to entrust such precious items to unreliable merchants,” said Wei Mingyong.
“You needn’t worry, uncle. The ones sending are not common merchants, but trusted people from the Xie family. Besides, weren’t you planning to stay at the General Residence for a while? I wouldn’t want to delay you,” replied Wei Ruo.
Wei Yichen also said, “That’s true. Moreover, uncle, if you’re going alone with a few servants, carrying too much luggage isn’t convenient for travel and might attract thieves. With all the instability and rampant banditry now, carrying valuable items with you is even more dangerous.”
With what Wei Ruo and Wei Yichen said, Wei Mingyong was left speechless.
The smile on Wei Mingyong’s face was completely forced. “Alright, then.”
It was obvious that he was not very willing to let Wei Ruo arrange it this way, but he had no way to argue against her.
Afterwards, Wei Ruo excused herself to rest and saw Wei Mingyong and Wei Yichen off.
Wei Yichen left promptly, while Wei Mingyong lingered, frequently looking back as he left.
After Wei Ruo closed the courtyard door, she and Xiumei began sorting through the pile of rewarded items.
At first glance, it was clear the rewards were of high value.
The jewelry and accessories were things you wouldn’t see ordinarily.
“Miss, the pearls inlaid here are so large. It’s my first time seeing ones this big! And this jade pendant. It looks like it could be exchanged for a good deal of silver!”
Like Wei Ruo, the only thing Xiumei could think of when looking at these items was that they were valuable!
“This jade pendant, hairpin, and pendant are for you. Also, take this bracelet and head ornament set to the nursemaid. She holds status now and can show these things off.”
Wei Ruo first selected a heap of stuff to give to Xiumei, the nursemaid, and others.
“No, no, this is too valuable.” Xiumei refused.
“Only such a valuable item will be suitable for my darling Xiumei!”
“But these items were given to you as rewards. How can I just take them like that?”
“There’s nothing wrong with it. These items were rewarded to me, it’s my right to distribute them,” replied Wei Ruo.
Weo Ruo then looked at the two carriers of porcelain and paintings. Originally, the paintings could have been sent to her second brother. But since he’s whereabouts were unknown now, she had to hold on to them for now.
Wei Ruo nevertheless chose two items, to be sent to Wei Yichen later on.
Regardless of whether she liked it or not, she still needed to do what was required. Plus, gauging Wei Yichen’s attitude earlier, she didn’t feel too sad about sending him the painting.
As for the porcelain, Wei Ruo picked a set of white porcelain teaware and a flower vase.
“These two items will be sent to grandpa and grandmother in the Capital City.”
She selected another set of drinking vessels, “This set will be given to my father for his drinks.”
Then Wei Ruo selected a water bowl to give to Mrs. Yun.
Although Mrs. Yun was not a connoisseur of calligraphy and painting, she wrote and kept accounts every day. Giving her a water bowl was practical. It certainly seemed as though Wei Ruo didn’t intentionally choose this item just to make it appear that she hadn’t slighted Mrs. Yun. Certainly not.
Weo Ruo then looked at the two carriers of delicacies. She picked out two jars of tribute tea and some dried abalone and sea cucumber, which she planned to also send to her grandparents in the Capital City.
The same kind of abalone, sea cucumber etc. were divided into two large bags, one for Wei Yilin, and the other for her nursemaid and Uncle Xu.
In the end, Wei Ruo picked out eight bolts of fabric from the two carriers of silk and cloth, which she divided among the other four people in the house, two bolts per person.
She then divided half of the remaining fabric, which she planned to send to the Xu family.
After she had finished distributing, Wei Ruo and Xiumei put away the rest of the items.
The items selected were subsequently sent to each courtyard.
Cangyun Garden.
Upon seeing the items sent by Wei Ruo and after asking Madam Zhang about what Wei Ruo sent to others in the house, Mrs. Yun was initially very satisfied. But when she found out that nothing had been set aside for Wei Qingwan, she couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed.
“This child seems determined not to make amends with Wanwan…” Mrs. Yun said helplessly and sorrowfully.
Chrysanthemum Garden.
Wei Yilin was a little indifferent to the gifts Wei sent him: “Why isn’t she sending me stuff like whips and knives like before? These are nice but I prefer weapons.”
Xiumei said to Wei Yilin, “My lady said if you do not like these things, I will take them back.”
Upon hearing this, Xiumei reached out to take back the items, but Wei Yilin was quick. He stepped forward, held all the items, and protected them in his arms.
“Who said I didn’t like it and wasn’t going to keep them? I just said that I prefer weapons. I didn’t say that I didn’t like these.”
“This time the reward was given to my lady. How could there be anything like weapons?”
“Well, you’re right,” Wei Yilin admitted. “Go back and tell sister that I really like the gifts she sent me. Don’t you dare tell her that there’re other things I prefer!”
“What? Are you scared that if my lady hears it, she would be unhappy?” laughed Xiumei.
“Who’s scared of her being unhappy?”
“Then, why won’t you let me tell the truth?”
“It’s not… it’s not…” Wei Yilin stammered, “Oh, never mind. Just stop talking. I just like it, alright? Abalone, sea cucumbers and everything, they’re all good stuff. There’s no reason not to take them. And this fabric is top-notch; it’s perfect for making clothes for me.”
Wei Yilin’s attitude sure changed quickly.
Xiumei burst out laughing.
“What are you laughing at?” Wei Yilin pouted in dissatisfaction.
“I’m going to report back to the lady.” Xiumei said, and turned around to leave.
Left alone, Wei Yilin looked down at the things in his arms. Considering that Wei Ruo had carefully selected them for him, he couldn’t help but smile.
“She seems cold to me on the surface, but she definitely still cares about me,” he said to himself.