The Lucky Heiress

Translator: 549690339 |

-Once you’ve made your selections, call them over so that your lordship can

have a look,” said the manager.

“Good.”

Manager Yu led the ten men selected in front of Wei Ruo.

He introduced them, saying, “These four here have worked long-term on our estate, while those six are chosen from the recent arrivals. Among them, there’s one who has been an apprentice in a pharmacy.”

This was something that Wei Ruo had requested since she would give priority to anyone who had experience as a pharmaceutical apprentice.

Weiruo looked at them one by one. They were all young lads, strong and energetic, willing to work hard, and of good character, which was the selection criteria Weiruo had given to Manager Yu. The last criteria about their character couldn’t be determined immediately, but the first three seemed to be fulfilled by these men.

Weiruo said a few words to them, “Because you have been selected to work here, your monthly wages will increase by ten coins, along with an extra bushel of rice.”

“Thankyou, owner!”

They promptly expressed their gratitude.

During this time of poor harvest, many households couldn’t afford to eat, so a lot of places were cutting wages. Being offered an extra ten coins and a bushel of rice was a huge blessing for those in poverty.

“But in return, I expect more from you than I do from others. I’m sure Manager Yu has already told you about this. We must follow the rules in the workshop and maintain secrecy about everything that happens in there, even from your family members,” she said.

“If any of you break these rules, you will be dismissed immediately and will not

be rehired.”

Weiruo spoke these last words very sternly.

They all nodded vigorously promising that they would not betray her trust.

Having a place to eat to their fill was not easy in these times, especially for the recently taken-in refugees who were living in poverty and uncertainty. Now they not only have food and a place to stay, but also wages. They would’ve had to be kicked in the head by a mule not to grasp this opportunity.

Then Wei Ruo assigned jobs to these ten men.

There were five rooms. The first room was mainly for grinding, turning the transported materials into a powder which will be used as the raw material for five-spice powder. Aside from the five-spice powder ingredients, Wei Ruo would have them grind some medicinal materials as well.

This was done not only because Wei Ruo needed these medicinal materials but also to distract outsiders.

She assigned three people to this room and left the blending work to Xu Zhushan alone, since he was someone she trusted to handle the formula proportions.

The second room was dedicated to preparing oysters, removing the shells and cleaning the fresh oysters bought from the market. Two people were assigned to this room.

The third room was for cooking down the prepared oysters into oil. This was what the pre-made stove and large pot were for. Two people were assigned.

The fourth and fifth rooms were set aside for the production of soy sauce. Moreover, a large open space was left in front of the fifth room, specifically for drying the soy sauce.

However, because the production cycle of soy sauce is relatively long, Wei Ruo did not include it in her arrangement with Fan Chengxu. She had only agreed to supply him with five-spice powder and oyster sauce.

Weiruo assigned three people to these two rooms for now, considering adding more hands once things were running smoothly.

Weiruo preferred to progress step by step, ensuring not to overreach and bring unnecessary risks upon herself.

Wei Ruo explained the work to each person. Once the first batch of raw materials arrived, which included spices for the five-spice powder, medicinal materials, and raw oysters and soybeans, she let them begin, overseeing their work with Xiumei and rectifying any errors.

When everything was on track, it was already dark.

Although she had been busy all day, Wei Ruo felt refreshed, indeed, doing something she enjoyed was far less draining than the scheming and bickering at the estate!

Leaving the estate, Wei Ruo decided to go to the Zuixian Residence for dinner. “Young Mistress, are we going to the the Zuixian Residence again?” Xiumei asked, sounding a little worried.

“The more we know about them, the easier to do business. Besides, we would be late for dinner at the Military Prefecture by now. Let’s just eat out, especially given how we’re dressed today,” Wei Ruo reasoned.

“Young Mistress, I’m always worried that someone will recognize us! It was a necessity for us to venture out last time for your revenge but now venturing out of our estate, even if we are recognized, it won’t be that big of a deal. But going to the Zuixian Residence now, I’m really not at ease,” Xiumei fretted.

“If we’re recognized, it might damage my reputation and affect a good marriage match, but that’s not a big problem. I’m not really looking to marry into a good family, so what’s there to fear? As long as a noose isn’t my end, there’s nothing to worry about,” Wei Ruo said calmly.

While it would surely raise eyebrows if a well-bred young lady dressed as a man and ate in a restaurant, it wasn’t anything life-threatening. Wei Ruo felt she could handle the fallout.

“Alright, but I will still protect you and will not easily let you get exposed!” Xiumei said firmly.

Although Wei Ruo had her plan, Xiumei still hoped that other possibilities would emerge so that Wei Ruo wouldn’t have to marry a deceased man and become a widow.

After all, there was still Brother Xiaoyong, wasn’t there? If Xiaoyong successfully moved up the ranks, then Wei Ruo would have a reliable source of support in the future.

Upon reaching the Zuixian Residence, Wei Ruo asked for a private room on the second floor. As she was about to enter the room, she saw Ke Chongshan and Lin Fang coming out of a room next door.

If Ke Chongshan and Lin Fang were here, did that mean her second elder brother was present too?

With a hint of curiosity, Wei Ruo walked up to peek inside the room next door when suddenly a hand reached out from inside and pulled her in.

Noticing this, Xiumei quickly pushed the person away and stood protectively in front of Wei Ruo.

However, upon a closer look, all the people in the room seemed familiar from their encounter at the mansion the other day. Wei Jinyi himself was also in the room, sitting right across the door.

Xiumei, who had been ready to retaliate, relaxed her fists when she saw the people in the room. Then she turned to look at Wei Ruo.

“What were you two trying to do, lurking outside the door?” Zhang Yi looked at Wei Ruo and Xiumei suspiciously.

Wei Ruo and Xiumei were dressed as men today and looked rather shabby, which made them appear suspicious.

Wei Ruo knew that they had not been recognized. After a quick thought, she put on a smile and said apologetically, “My apologies gentlemen, I was just passing by and did not mean anything by it.

-Then why were you lingering so close to the door?” Zhang Yi was not so easily convinced..