Chapter 6: The biological parents came to pick me up (2)

And the Wei family had three sons in the generation of Wei Ruo's father.

The eldest son Wei Minghong only passed the examination of scholar, but until this day had not passed the imperial examination. But he had found a job in the capital as an eighth-ranked* official.

*Eight-ranked: During the Jin and Northern and Southern Dynasties, there were eight ranks: Supervisory Censors, Military Commanders, Teaching Assistants, and Soldiers.

The second son Wei Mingyong was a commoner. These days he only helped to manage the family property, but he had been in a state of continuous loss over the years.

Wei Ruo's father, Wei Mingting, was the third son who had joined the martial arts in his early years, and now he was the most accomplished of the three brothers. He was a sixth-ranking captain of Zhongxian, who was assigned to guard Xingshan County.

Wei Ruo was led by two Mo mo to enter through the side door, passed through the hanging flower gate, walked along the corridor, and finally arrived at the courtyard where Wei Ruo's mother, Yun Shi*, lived.

*Shi is a surname. After marrying, a woman often disappeared in terms of her name, known by her father’s surname and the affix “shi,” meaning “clan.” A woman whose father was surnamed Yang would be called Yang Shi. That kept her an outsider in her husband’s family.

This changed with the fall of the Qing, the last imperial dynasty, in 1911. The wife uses her original surname, but the family name is her husband’s name.

Wei Ruo had just stepped over the threshold of the main room when Yun Shi rushed up and embraced Wei Ruo in her arms.

Wei Ruo's body stiffened and her limbs were as immobile as if they had been filled with lead.

Yun Shi didn't speak, but touched Wei Ruo's face while crying. Her eyes were red.

Feeling her neck being soaked by warm liquid, Wei Ruo was slightly taken aback.

She was crying?

Even though she had been mentally prepared, when she felt Yun's genuine tears, Wei Ruo still felt an unexpected throbbing in her heart.

Perhaps it was influenced by the memories of the original protagonist, or perhaps it was the memory of her own mother who died tragically in the previous life.

“Mother, don't be sad. Isn't it a good thing for my sister to come back? We should be happy.”

Wei Yichen, the eldest son, came forward to soothe Yun Shi and prevent her from grieving too much.

It had been ten days since she learned that she held the wrong child, and she cried a lot.

Usually, their mother seldom shed tears. But this time, she cried and cried.

With the eldest son's persuasion, Yun Shi eased up.

Looking at Wei Ruo carefully again, seeing that she was wearing burlap clothes and her figure was slender, Yun Shi said distressedly: "You have suffered all these years! Mother will make it up to you!"

At this moment, Wei Qingwan walked up and knelt down towards Wei Ruo.

Before everyone could react, she kowtowed*.

*kowtow: to kneel and touch the forehead to the ground in token of homage, worship, or deep respect.

Seeing this, Yun Shi hurried over to help her up.

"Wanwan, what are you doing?"

"Mother, do not stop me. I owe this to my sister. I know that no matter how long I kneel, I can not counteract the fact that I have taken advantage of my sister's blessing all these years, but at least... I should do something..."

Wei Qingwan's eyes were filled with tears and her words were sincere.

Seeing her like this, Yun's heart ached.

What sin did this innocent child commit? Both children were innocent! It was fate’s fault, otherwise it should be them, the parents!

Wei Ruo looked at Wei Qingwan that was kneeling in front of her and recognized her as the delicate female protagonist from the original story based on her behavior and words.

The book portrayed her as delicate, soft, shy and tender as water, that men could not help but feel pity for her.

Wei Ruo remembered the scene of Wei Qingwan kneeling down when the original protagonist entered the house for the first time in the original book. But the original protagonist was not so calm, and angrily accused Wei Qingwan of taking over her identity and taking over her parents and family.

Then Wei Qingwan cried even harder, being scolded and holding back her grievances, saying that she deserved it. It made Yun Shi, who initially felt sorry for the biological daughter who had just been brought back, pity Wei Qingwan, who had been accused and abused.