The Lucky Heiress

Wei Ruo thought to herself: Why is he asking me this, what does he want to reward me for? Can’t he just say it outright? Why does he insist on me speaking up about it?

Who knows what kind of hole she might dig for herself after she made a request. The minds of the royal family were complex, brimming with twists and turns, who knows if she might accidentally step into some kind of taboo territory?

Wei Ruo said, “This humble girl dare not ask for any reward.”

“Since I’ve asked, you should answer. You need not worry,” Chu Lan said.

“The effort to cultivate the barren land in the south of the city was on behalf of the country and the people. Being able to provide food for them is my fortunate attribute. Since my father serves in the court, living off the king’s income and bearing his worries, as his daughter, I should also understand this principle and share his concerns,” Wei Ruo replied.

Although it was for the country and the people, as a prince, wouldn’t it be reasonable for Chu Lan to reward me something too? I don’t need anything else, just some silver would suffice.

Wei Ruo could only stash these words in her heart, she didn’t dare to say it, fearing Chu Lan would seize upon it.

Wei Ruo’s words moved Wei Mingting deeply, causing him to feel both touched and ashamed.

Because of a mix-up, his daughter was subjected to many hardships living in the countryside for many years, he as a father was not able to offer her the parental love and protection she deserved. Even now that she is back home he IS too preoccupied with the matter of the Japanese pirates to take care of her.

And yet, his daughter is so understanding and wise beyond her years.

Chu Lan looked at Wei Ruo and said, “Since Miss Wei asks for nothing then I can only present you with some gold and silver. I hope, Miss Wei, you will not find it vulgar.”

Hearing this, Wei Ruo’s eyes lit up – a reward of money? That’s fantastic!

From this perspective, the original protagonist isn’t completely useless. At least, he knows to reward someone in silver when something is accomplished. Chu Lan continued, “Additionally, I’d like to ask Miss Wei to compile a detailed report on the whole process of land improvement, fertilization, cultivation, and harvesting, from beginning to end, for my use.”

Wei Ruo knew that Chu Lan intended to report this experimental work to the court. She could provide a detailed record and it would be Chu Lan’s responsibility to report it.

“I’ve been keeping detailed records, which I can easily tidy up for you,” Wei Ruo said.

Wei Ruo had anticipated that this data might be useful, and because she had a habit of keeping records during the experimental stage, so after each inspection in the town’s southern fields, she would take notes. If she was too busy to go there herself, she would have Zhang Manor’s reporting the situation to herself.

“Hmm, I’ll have Qin Manor come to your residence and get these crucial records. I’m very satisfied with your response,” said Chu Lan.

He liked dealing with clear-headed, organized, and efficient people.

After praising Wei Ruo, she let Agui and Xiaoba start harvesting the rice.

During the harvest, Chu Lan and Qian Magistrate stood by and watched, occasionally picking up a rice stalk to examine it.

They would ship off the harvested rice soon after it was harvested.

As midday approached, Qian Magistrate invited Chu Lan and Wei Mingting to his residence for lunch.

However, Chu Lan proposed to visit the Wei family instead. “I’ve heard from Xie Jue’s sister that Miss Wei’s maid is a marvelous cook. I wonder if there’s a chance we could try her food?”

“Oh? Miss Wei’s personal maid is a great cook? I’d also like to give that a try,” said Qian Magistrate, his interest piqued.

“Um… I’m not entirely sure,” said Wei Mingting, turning to Wei Ruo.

Wei Ruo thought to herself that while it was quite audacious of Chu Lan to invite himself over to their place for a meal, at least he didn’t specify that she herself was a good cook or that she had to cook for them.

“If Prince Chu and Magistrate Qian do not mind, I shall oblige,” said Wei Ruo.

Turning to her father, Wei Ruo said, “Father, I shall head back home first to instruct the kitchen and my maid.”

“I will accompany you home. The town’s southern fields are not entirely safe ” said Wei Mingting.

The last time his son had an incident at the southern fields, he felt it was lucky enough that it happened to his son. If something were to happen to his daughter, he would not know what to do.

Wei Mingting then asked for Chu Lan’s and Magistrate Qian’s permission “Prince Chu, Magistrate Qian, would you allow me to return home first with my daughter to prepare?”

“Miss Wei’s safety is paramount. You can go without worry, Mr. Wei” Chu Lan said.

Subsequently, Wei Ruo got back into the carriage, with Wei Mingting riding ahead as her escort.

After they had been on the road for a while, Wei Mingting deliberately slowed down to speak to Wei Ruo through the carriage window:

“Ruoruo.”

Having heard him, Wei Ruo lifted the curtain of the carriage window “Yes father?”

“No matter who offers you their grace in future, do not speak of your relation to me. If there s something you want, ask for yourself,” Wei Mingting admonished.

“Why would you say that, father?” asked Wei Ruo.

“Firstly, I am a military general. A general’s merits should be earned through their own schemes and martial prowess to command respect. Secondly I have…”??? ^J ’

Wei Mingting paused, his voice lowering, “I have not helped you in any way. You’ve managed to accomplish what you have now without any of my assistance. How could I possibly bask in your glory?”

Wei Ruo didn’t know how to respond.

Wei Mingting continued, “Ruoruo, the lost decade-plus years can’t be made up or, and I can’t compensate for it no matter what. For the future, I can’t make any other promises either. The only thing I can promise you is this: no matter what you want to do in the future; whether that’s farming, gardening, or even doing something unconventional, I will support you.”

This is the only promise and safeguard Wei Mingting, as a father, currently feels he can offer his daughter.

Wei Ruo was somewhat moved. After a moment of silence, she said “Thank you, father.”

After their conversation, Wei Mingting returned to the front of the carriage.

Wei Ruo lowered the curtain of the carriage window, her mood somewhat changed as she sat in the carriage.

When she returned to the Wei residence, she immediately found Xiumei, who had been left at home to prepare the pastries for Wei Jinyi a few days later She told her about Chu Lan and Magistrate Qian coming to the Wei residence for lunch.

Xiumei said, “I’m fine with preparing a meal. But if the seventh prince is really going to reward you with a bunch of gold and silver, and truthfully report your accomplishments in the south of the city to the court, it wouldn’t matter if we made a meal for him every day for a month!”

“I can’t bear a month, I can’t bear to see my Meimei get so tired! And besides if we feed him all that, what am I going to eat?” said Wei Ruo.

“Miss, you’ll just have to bear it. This is all for the sake of us living a comfortable and wealthy life in the future,” Xiumei said.

“Alright, alright, we’ll listen to Meimei. Let’s go to the main kitchen, they’re probably prepping the food by now,” said Wei Ruo.

While Wei Ruo was talking to Xiumei, Wei Mingting was also discussing the matter with his wife, Yun.

Upon hearing that Chu Lan had specifically requested that Wei Ruo’s maid, Xiumei, cook, Yun said worriedly, “Does that girl even know how to cook? ’ Could it be that Miss Xie casually mentioned it, which Xie Jue exaggerated and somehow misled the seventh prince?”