Chapter 212 - Chapter 212: Chapter 212: Life is More Valuable, No Matter the Costl (1/2)
Chapter 212: Chapter 212: Life is More Valuable, No Matter the Costl
Translator: 549690339
On the fifth day of the first month, the sun was shining brightly, and the temperature had risen slightly. The accumulated snow had finally begun to melt, as if predicting that the gloom enveloping Taizhou Prefecture was beginning to fade.
Many households still kept their doors tightly shut, as did the Military Prefecture.
However, the Wei Family also received good news. Wei Mingting sent a message back home.
In his letter, he informed his family that he was safe and sound, and there was no sickness in the army, reassuring his wife and children.
In addition, the Japanese pirates had been quiet for the past few days, which was a piece of good news among the many bad ones in Taizhou Prefecture.
Upon receiving the news that her husband was safe and unharmed, Madam Yun let out a big sigh of relief, and her heart, which had been hanging in the balance, temporarily settled down.
“Heaven bless us, your father is fine, everything is well.” After dinner, Madam Yun joyfully relayed the news to Wei Yichen and Wei Qingwan.
Wei Yichen was delighted, then inquired about Wei Ruo: “Mother, is there any news from my eldest sister?”
Madam Yun’s expression fell slightly, her joy fading: “No news. She is probably too happy to think about us in the Yuan Residence. People who don’t know might even think she’s part of their family.”
Her tone was tinged with annoyance and bitterness.
After all, Wei Ruo was her own daughter, a piece of her flesh and blood. How could her actions during the festival not break a mother’s heart?
Sensing Madam Yun’s anger, Wei Yichen wasn’t sure how to comfort her.
From New Year’s Eve to the fifth day of the New Year, staying away from home indeed seemed concerning.
Even their busy father had written a letter home, but their big sister residing in the Yuan Residence didn’t even send a word.
“Mother, I plan to go to the prefecture’s office later to bring big sister home,” Wei Yichen said.
Upon hearing this, Wei Qingwan hurriedly expressed her concern: “Elder brother, I heard that the plague outside is still very severe. It’s dangerous for you to leave the house rashly.”
Madam Yun also disapproved of Wei Yichen’s action: “Your sister is right. If anything needs to be done, let the servants of the residence handle it. You should stay at home and study for this year’s examination.”
Wei Yichen said, “The situation under the control of the magistrate’s office is quite manageable. I don’t think it’s that severe. Besides, I won’t linger on the streets when I leave the house. I’ll go directly to the magistrate’s office, so there shouldn’t be much of a problem.”
“If elder brother insists on going, then let me go on your behalf,” Wei Qingwan volunteered bravely, “Even if I get sick, it doesn’t matter. But it’s different for elder brother. You’re attending the examination this year. There can’t be any mistakes.”
Seeing the worried look in Wei Qingwan’s eyes, Wei Yichen hesitated.
Although he thought it was not a big deal, it was indeed unpleasant to cause his mother and sister such worry.
After some thought, Wei Yichen gave up the idea of going to fetch Wei Ruo: “Okay, I won’t go for now. I suppose big sister is safe staying at the prefecture’s office.”
And so, the matter was set aside for the time being.
###
In the small courtyard, having finished her work, Wei Ruo found Wei Jinyi.
“Second Brother, I need a favor. Could you go back to the Military Prefecture and get some wine for me?” Wei Ruo asked Wei Jinyi.
“What do you need the wine for?” Wei Jinyi asked.
“Using strong alcohol for cleaning is a way to prevent infections. I left six jars of baijiu in the storage room in the residence. It’s high-proof and works especially well,” explained Wei Ruo.
Although the alcohol percentage of the wine was not as high as 75%, it was still between 40 to 50%. Using it is certainly better than not using any at all.