The Lucky Heiress

“It’s true, I wouldn’t dare deceive about this matter. If you doubt me, father, I can experiment with a small plot of land first. If it succeeds, we can then move on to large-scale cultivation.”

After answering, Wei Ruo looked at Wei Mingting, unsure of his attitude.

Wei Mingting’s expression was severe, his tone stern: “Ruoruo, do you understand what it means being able to plant crops on salty land?”

“I understand. Father, I visited the north of the city a few days ago and saw many farmers and fishermen turned beggars. They were emaciated, starving. This is because Xingshan County has been facing a shortfall in grain production for years due to poor and limited arable land.”

“Father, although the task is significant, if it is successful it can benefit our family and the people. In addition to bringing profits to our family, it can also increase the farmland in Xingshan County, increase grain production, and sustain more people. I hope you will give me a chance. If I fail, I am willing to accept punishment.”

Wei Ruo’s remarks left Wei Mingting looking surprised. He scrutinized Wei Ruo once more.

Wei Ruo stood her ground, not blinking or backing down. She anticipated the situation unfolding like this when she first decided to ask Mrs. Yun about the abandoned land south of the city.

“Good, very good.” Wei Mingting, who was usually reserved, unexpectedly said “good” twice.

As a strict father, he rarely offered praise to his children. Even for Wei Yichen, who was an outstanding scholar, he hardly ever received such clear approval. This surprised Mrs. Yun, who was standing by.

Wei Mingting told Ruo, “The fact that you have this kind of vision is truly commendable. I will discuss this matter with the Magistrate. Regardless of whether it succeeds or not, your willingness to try is commendable.”

Wei Ruo looked up in surprise.

She never expected Wei Mingting to agree so readily. She had prepared herself for further discussions with him.

“What’s wrong? Don’t you have confidence?” Wei Mingting asked.

“No, I have confidence.”

“Then do your best. From what your mother tells me, you have been longing for the farming life. You’ve also planted many vegetables in the courtyard.” “Yes.”

“Although farming is not refined, it is by no means shameful. Our dynasty has always valued farming. Cultivating the land and cultivating it well, for the country and for the people, is indeed a good deed.”

Unexpectedly, Wei Mingting highly approved of Wei Ruo’s actions.

“I understand, father.”

“It is getting late, you should go rest. When there’s progress, I will send someone to inform you.”

Wei Mingting looked exhausted and did not keep Wei Ruo for long. Once they were finished discussing, he dismissed her.

On her way back, Wei Ruo recalled the conversation she had with Wei Mingting.

In the original story, Wei Mingting didn’t appear much due to his busy public affairs, reserved nature, and early death.

Therefore, Wei Ruo didn’t know much about him.

However, the conversation just now gave her a new understanding of Wei Mingting.

After Wei Ruo left, Mrs. Yun helped Wei Mingting change his clothes and re-bandaged his arm.

“My lord, Ruo is still a girl after all. If she spends all day in the fields, I’m afraid it might not be good for her future…” Mrs. Yun expressed her concern to Wei Mingting.

“Ruo has grown up in the countryside. It would be too hard for her if you expect her to be like Wanwan.”

“I don’t expect her to be as literate as Wanwan, but she can’t also be like a farm woman.” Mrs. Yun voiced her concerns.

“Madam, over these years in Xingshan, you must have seen the suffering of the people. What does being refined or crude mean to the lower classes? People only care about being refined when they’re well-fed. If they’re struggling to survive, what’s good or bad doesn’t matter.”

Wei Mingting and Mrs. Yun had different views. After years in Xingshan, he had seen a lot of life and death, and a lot of poverty. He felt that in the face of these realities, the games played by the nobles in the capital were meaningless.

“What my lord says is true. For the common people, food and clothing are indeed the most important things.”

Mrs. Yun hadn’t expected Wei Ruo’s thinking to coincide with her husband’s. Although she had been married to him for many years, she often failed to understand his way of thinking.

“My lord, let’s not think about these things right now. It’s rare that you’re home, so please get some rest. Look at your injury.”

Mrs. Yun didn’t want her husband to concern himself with such minor matters.

Knowing that he must not have rested well in the barracks, hence his exhaustion and injury. The wound might not be deep but if not taken care of, it could leave a lasting ailment.

Wei Mingting indeed needed some rest, as he had to return to the barracks the next morning.

However, he was still concerned about the matter Wei Ruo had brought up.

Before heading to the barracks the next day, he paid a visit to the Magistrate’s Office to discuss the matter of the barren land south of the city.

The magistrate was more than happy to grant the Wei family’s request to attempt cultivation on the barren land.

It wasn’t that he was against others trying, but he was worried about security breaches, such as defectors or the risk of the county’s defense map being leaked out, especially with non-Wei families.

There were no such concerns with the Wei family, hence he readily agreed.

Once it was decided, Wei Mingting sent a message home.

With her husband being so committed to this matter, Mrs. Yun had nothing more to say.

Mrs. Yun called Ruo over and shared the good news: “Ruoruo, your father has sent word. You can start cultivating the wastelands on a small scale. If there’s success, it will indeed be a significant achievement.”

Even so, Mrs. Yun didn’t hold much hope for Ruo’s success.

“Good.” Wei Ruo was delighted. She hadn’t expected Wei Mingting to have handled the matter so promptly.

“Your father also said that you shouldn’t feel too pressured, it doesn’t matter if you are not successful there will not be great losses.”

“Hmm.” Wei Mingting’s attitude left Wei Ruo a little moved.

Mrs. Yun then added, “But Ruoruo, you’re not young anymore, this is the time when you should be studying. I was planning to let you study with Mrs. Li once your etiquette is reasonable. I wanted you to go to the Magistrate’s house to study with Wanwan and others, the Magistrate’s wife has agreed too.”

Wei Ruo: “I don’t want to go to the Magistrate’s house to study. They and I are not the same kind of people. Forced studying will only make it harder. Let me do what I’m good at.”

Mrs. Yun: “Ruoruo, you need to change your previous thinking. As a daughter of the Wei family, you should learn to be a lady who is knowledgeable, modest and wise. I understand the hardship you went through in the past few years in the country and won’t be overly harsh. I don’t expect you to be as scholarly profound as Wanwan.”

Wei Ruo: “However, I may not be able to keep up with what Mr. Fu teaches at the Magistrate’s house. If you really want me to study, I don’t want to go to the Magistrate’s house.”

Not being able to keep up was Wei Ruo’s excuse. The main goal was not to be with Wei Qingwan and Qian Zhilan..