Wei Ruo stared at the two maids for a while, not moving at all.
Just when the two attending maids perceived Wei Ruo's silence as an overwhelming surprise, she voiced out rather calmly, "I understood."
The shocking news that she is not a child abandoned by a business family but the cherished daughter of the Military Prefecture, which elevated her social status instantly, only made her this calm?
The two maids exchanged puzzled views with each other.
"Miss, please hear us clear. We are from the Military Prefecture, and the ancestral Wei Family where we belong has been meritorious. You will be an esteemed young lady in an official's household after returning back with us," the maids stressed, they believed her peaceful demeanor was due to a lack of understanding about the significance of the Military Prefecture.
"Hmm, I have heard," Wei Ruo responded, her face was still tranquil.
The reason behind Wei Ruo's composure was that she knew such a day would come.
How would her reaction be even if she wasn't calm?
The He Family, who sent her to the branch yard for survival, had no feelings for her at all and they would take any opportunity to connect with the Military Prefecture by means of this complicated relationship.
As for the Wei Family, being an administration's household, they would naturally not let their biological daughter stray around and become subject gossip once they find out the misidentification.
Wei Ruo herself, naturally, did not want to go to the Wei family, but in this society with a strict class hierarchy, it wouldn't do any good for Wei Ruo to not want to leave.
"Then, Miss, you should come with us. We will take you back to the Military Prefecture to meet your biological parents. You don't have to go to the He family anymore. Our lord has already talked to them, and they have no objections to you coming back to the Military Prefecture with us," urged the maid, noting that Wei Ruo had already heard clearly.
This countryside is full of pests, filthy and poor— not a place for people to stay.
Wei Ruo well understood that the He Family had no objection to this matter. They had no feelings for her, and they just wanted to curry favor with the Military Prefecture. Naturally, they would do whatever the Military Prefecture decided upon.
"I need to go back and pack my things first."
"You probably don't need to bring anything here; the Military Prefecture has everything."
What good things could she have here? It would be better to throw them away and use new ones at the Military Prefecture.
"I'm used to my things."
The two maids had opinions in their hearts, but it was unsuitable to express dissatisfaction in front of the future owner of their family, so they could only comply with her decision.
After Wei Ruo finished planting the paddy in her hands, she came up from the rice field, tidied it up, and led Xiumei back to the house to pack.
Contrary to the dilapidated exterior wall, the furnishings in the house were much more exquisite.
After packing, taking all the valuable items, including those jars in the warehouse, and the dried herbs had to be taken away.
Finally, she entrusted the newly planted rice field to the elder couple at the entrance of the village and left a letter for her nursemaid, to be given by Old Li.
Looking at the luggage packed by Wei Ruo, the two maids showed displeased expressions, especially with those few dull black and worn jars.
Indeed, grown up in the countryside, her understanding was limited to this extent— even a few broken jars was considered good by her.
Even though they wanted to persuade Wei Ruo not to take these things which were of no use to the Military Prefecture, they thought that their words might not necessarily be understood by Wei Ruo, a girl with no worldly wisdom. It would be a waste of energy and doesn't make for a good impression, hence they decided to drop the topic and let her do as she pleases.
So under the arrangement of two maids, Wei Ruo's luggage was loaded onto the cart, Wei Ruo and Xiumei got on the horse carriage and set off for the Military Prefecture.
It took three days to travel. After three days, Wei Ruo had traveled from the small mountain village in Huaibei Town, where she had lived for ten years, to Xingshan County in Taizhou Prefecture.
Wei Ruo's biological father, Wei Mingting, held the position of colonel here.
The Wei ancestors were military generals; they were conferred as the Earl of Loyalty. But by the time of Wei Ruo's grandfather the family lineage was on the decline—if the younger generation of the Wei family did not make any contributions then the title of Earl would be withdrawn.
And the Wei family, in Wei's father's generation, had three sons.
The eldest son, Wei Minghong, only achieved a Scholar's degree and has failed to advance, occupying an idle Eighth-rank minor official post in the capital until now.
The second son, Wei Mingyong, is a commoner who helps manage family property, but the business has been losing money year after year.
Wei Ruo's father, Wei Mingting, was the third son, who pursued a military career early on. He is now the Magistrate of Xingshan County, holding the Sixth-rank merit-laden title of Colonel, and is the most accomplished of his brothers.
Wei Ruo was ushered through the side door by two maidservants. They crossed the Flower Gate, walked along the porch, and finally arrived at the courtyard where Wei Ruo's mother, Lady Yun, lived.
No sooner had Wei Ruo set foot over the threshold than Lady Yun rushed over and hugged her tightly.
Wei Ruo's body froze, her limbs unable to move, as if injected with lead.
Lady Yun said nothing, she just wept and touched Wei Ruo's face, her eyes rimmed with red.
Feeling the warmth of tears soaking her neck, Wei Ruo was taken aback.
Was she crying?
Even though she has mentally prepared herself, the impact of Lady Yun's genuine tears conjured an unexpected swell of emotion in Wei Ruo's heart.
Maybe it was the influence of the original host's memories, or perhaps memories of her own deceased mother from her previous life.
"Mother, don't be distressed. My sister's return is a happy thing, isn't it? We should rejoice,"
The eldest son, Wei Yichen, stepped forward to comfort Lady Yun, trying to fend off her overwhelming sadness.
The knowledge that their child had been switched ten days ago caused their mother to shed countless tears.
Normally, their mother seldom cries. But this time, she had wept again and again.
After much cajoling by her eldest son, Lady Yun gradually regained composure.
She carefully took a good look at Wei Ruo. Seeing her dressed in coarse hemp clothes, looking thin and frail, Lady Yun said mournfully, "You must have suffered greatly these past years! I promise to make it up to you!"
At this moment, Wei Qingwan ventured forth, knelt down in front of Wei Ruo.
Before anyone could react, she had kowtowed.
Seeing this, Lady Yun hurriedly helped her up.
"Wanwan, what are you doing?"
"Mother, don't stop me. This is my debt to my sister. I know no matter how long I kneel, it can never undo the fact that I have been living her life of privilege for all these years, but at least... I should do something..."
Wei Qingwan's eyes brimmed with tears, her words sincere.
Seeing her like this, Lady Yun was heartbroken.
What guilt lies with the children in all this? Both are innocent! The blame lies with fate, or else it's on us, their parents!
Wei Yichen looked upset as well. He reached out to help Wei Qingwan up but withdrew his hand.
Wei Ruo looked at Wei Qingwan kneeling before her. From her actions and conversation, she recognized her as the frail female lead of the original story.
The book depicted her as delicate, shy yet captivating, tender and soft, a sight for men to behold, stirring in them a sense of compassion.
Wei Ruo remembers that the original host's first time coming home, there was also a scene of Wei Qingwan kneeling, but the original host was not as composed. She angrily accused Wei Qingwan of taking her identity, her family.
Then Wei Qingwan broke down even more, having been screamed at, yet bearing the humiliation saying she deserved it. This moved Lady Yun who was initially sympathetic to her newly returned biological daughter, to feel pity for Wei Qingwan who had been berated.