"But..." Wei Qingwan cautiously looked up at Wei Mingting.
"Sit down, don't think about anything else. Your mother and I have made it clear that regardless of blood relation, you are our daughter of the Wei family," Wei Mingting explicitly expressed.
"That's right, what your father said is correct. Don't think too much, nobody can undermine your status as Miss Wei," Madam Yun also stated.
Persuaded by everyone, Wei Qingwan finally went to the dining table and sat down.
Then Madam Yun glanced at Wei Ruo beside her, seeing her face appear calm, she breathed a sigh of relief.
The meal was very quiet. Several times, they looked at Wei Ruo, worrying that she, who has been raised in a merchant's house for thirteen years, would be unruly.
Unexpectedly, her dining manners were slow and deliberate, perfectly in line with the behavior of a well-bred young lady.
After dinner, everyone sat down together to have tea once again and to discuss a somewhat urgent matter.
Seeing the atmosphere was good, Wei Mingting spoke to Wei Ruo, "Ruo, you've worked hard these past years. The news about the mix-up with the children has already reached your grandfather in the Capital City and your two uncles. Your name will be added to the family tree before long."
Yesterday, Wei Mingting had already received a letter from the Capital City. He needs to reply in the next two days, so he had no choice but to bring it up now.
"Hmm," Wei Ruo replied, not showing any sign of expected joy and anticipation.
Wei Mingting, looking at Wei Ruo's slightly furrowed eyebrows, pondered for a moment, then said, "We've decided to place your name after Qingwan's, so from then on, you'll be the second Miss of the Wei family. Is that alright?"
At these words, Wei Ruo lifted her head, meeting Wei Mingting's gaze.
Her eyes were clear and bright, showing no sadness or joy.
Being a military general, Wei Mingting was always imposing, even at home, his presence was stronger than ordinary people's.
The children at home were somewhat afraid of him from a young age. Even Wei Qingwan, who was deeply favored by him, did not dare to stare into his eyes when he had a stern face.
Before Wei Ruo could react, Wei Qingwan suddenly stood up and knelt down in front of Wei Mingting and Madam Yun:
"Father, Mother, I implore you to let Sister Ruo be the oldest daughter in the family!"
"Wanwan, what are you doing?" Madam Yun looked on with eyes full of heartache.
"Father, Mother, for these years being able to grow up in the Wei family, being your daughter, being blessed, and your willingness to keep me by your side, I am already very content. I dare not keep the identity of the eldest daughter any longer. Even if I have to become a servant, I'm willing to accept it."
Wei Mingting and Madam Yun looked worried, their eyes were filled with heartache and difficulty.
Wei Qingwan made another deep bow, "Father, Mother, please fulfill my wish."
The sound of her bow was very loud and crisp.
Madam Yun rushed up, stopping Wei Qingwan from continuing to harm herself, "Enough dear, your father and I understand your intentions. "
"I feel so guilty for the love you have given me..."
"Silly girl, don't say such foolish things! You should not say you're guilty or not, you're our daughter and we are a family; this will never change."
Madam Yun hugged Wei Qingwan in her arms, her heart aching.
Wei Yilin also jumped from his seat and ran up to hug Wei Qingwan and Madam Yun together.
"Sister, you will always be my sister, don't ever speak that way again!" Wei Yilin's lips were pursed and his eyes red with tears.
Seeing this, Wei Mingting's face tightened, his face enveloped in a cloud of gloom.
Wei Yichen was also touched by this scene, but he didn't step forward to express his feelings, instead glancing at Wei Ruo a couple of times, worried about how she would react to the scene.
After a while, Madam Yun released Wei Qingwan, asked the two children to return to their seats, and sit properly.
Wei Qingwan stood up with Wei Yilin's assistance. Whether it was because she had knelt for too long or because of her frailty, her body swayed, almost falling back down, but Wei Yilin supported her.
Madam Yun then returned to Wei Mingting's side.
When everyone had sat down again, Wei Mingting and Madam Yun's gaze fell back onto Wei Ruo.
Wei Ruo had a slight smile on her face, her crisp voice breaking the silence in the room.
She asked Wei Mingting, "Father, Mother, did you make this decision because I was born a little later?"
"No..." As he replied, Wei Mingting's voice was rare wavering.
According to the time of childbirth of the two women, Lady Wei should have given birth slightly earlier than Lady He.
Therefore, Wei Ruo, as Lady Wei's biological daughter, should have been born slightly earlier than Wei Qingwan.
"Then why?" Wei Ruo continued to ask, her clear and bright eyes fixed on Wei Mingting.
Perhaps it was because those eyes were too clear, or for some other reason, Wei Mingting fell silent.
Madam Yun quickly explained on behalf of her husband, "The thing is, Qingwan has already been added to the family tree. To avoid hassle, we plan to add your name directly after hers so that no other changes are needed."
Wei Yilin interrupted, "My sister is the oldest sister, the oldest daughter in the family. You came later, of course you can't steal my sister's position!"
Neither the main branch nor the second branch of the Wei family had any daughters. Before Wei Ruo arrived, Wei Qingwan was the only girl in the family, and hence the eldest daughter.
Although not the eldest child, the designation of the first born girl was not without its weight, especially in the Capital City where one's birth status is held in high esteem.
"Yilin! What are you talking about!" Madam Yun scolded, stopping her young son from continuing his irreverent speech.
Wei Yilin, who was scolded, pursed his lips, feeling aggrieved yet stubborn.
Madam Yun turned to Wei Ruo and explained, "It's not about being the oldest or youngest daughter, it's just that everyone here and in the Capital City are used to calling Wanwan as the eldest. We were afraid that a sudden change would be hard for everyone to adjust to."
"Is that the only reason?" Wei Ruo asked again.
With a stern expression, Wei Mingting said, "This decision was made after thorough discussion and consideration with your mother."
Everyone looked at Wei Ruo, waiting for her response.
Just as everyone thought Wei Ruo was going to say something to fight for her position as the oldest daughter, Wei Ruo gave everyone an unexpected answer.
"Alright then, I'll be the second Miss."
At her words, everyone looked at Wei Ruo in astonishment.
Wei Ruo's previous questions made people feel that she was very dissatisfied with being the junior, but now she unexpectedly agreed on the spot?
"Are you sure you really don't mind, Ruo?" Madam Yun hastily asks.
"Whatever is more convenient, it's quite troublesome to make all these changes. Father has also been very busy recently, and should not be bothered with these trivial matters. Or, are you saying, if I did have objections, would Father and Mother reconsider?"
Wei Ruo's question had a faint smile at the corner of her mouth, her gaze bearing a cunning glint.