The Lucky Heiress

For poor farmers, filling their bellies is the number one priority, delicious taste comes second.

“The villagers themselves may not gain much from eating this, but it can be sold in the city. Isn’t it better to use the money to buy rice and flour? As long as it doesn’t interfere with farming, taking some time to collect these and sell them can help supplement the family income,” Wei Ruo offered.

At Wei Ruo’s words, expressions of excitement and anticipation crossed everyone’s faces.

Yes! They could sell to the noble officials!

Shi Dayou was startled awake, and then asked Wei Ruo in surprise: “Master Xu, why are you being so good to us? If you hadn’t told us, you could have quietly picked them for yourself and sold them in the city.”

“These things grow on your mountain. If I quietly took them to sell, that would be theft. But if they were on an unclaimed deserted mountain, I wouldn’t be so polite,” replied Wei Ruo.

Wei Ruo loved money, but she had her principles and would not stoop to stealing.

After hearing Wei Ruo’s words, everyone felt an enhanced admiration for her.

Shi Dayou said excitedly, “Master Xu, you really are a blessing to our village!

We are so lucky to have met you!”

The other villagers also chimed in:

“Yes, yes!”

“Master Xu, you really are a wonderful person!”

“Master Xu, our village will never forget this great kindness!

II II

Wei Ruo smiled and said: “Please, don’t say that. Let’s work together to make sure we won’t go hungry this year. We should focus on making sure everyone is well-fed and warm, and live our lives well.”

The villagers nodded in agreement.

###

The first day of April, a rest day.

Wei Ruo did not need to go to Tianqin Garden for lessons, so she planned to

visit the farmlands.

As she was about to leave, she was stopped.

Noticing Lin Fang as the person who stopped her, Wei Ruo knew that Wei Jinyi was looking for her. So she changed her direction and followed Lin Fang to the edge of the city.

As expected, she found Wei Jinyi in the bamboo grove.

He was dressed in a white robe, quietly standing there. The green surroundings contrasted with his white attire, creating a gentle and elegant scene.

“Second brother.” Upon seeing Wei Jinyi, Wei Ruo was in high spirits.

Wei Jinyi looked at the approaching Wei Ruo with a tender gaze.

“What brings you here today, second brother?” Wei Ruo asked.

“I have to leave Taizhou prefecture for a while,” Wei Jinyi replied.

“So, you’re saying goodbye to me in advance?” asked Wei Ruo.

“Yes.”

“Have you taken care of the matter you mentioned?” Wei Ruo asked again.

“It’s not fully settled, but there’s been some progress.”

“In that case, please take care of yourself, second brother,” said Wei Ruo.

She didn’t try to stop him, nor was she upset about his departure.

She might feel a little reluctant, but she knew that she and her second brother both had their own lives to live, and their own things to deal with.

Just knowing that there was such a bond in this world was enough.

“You too, take good care of yourself and don’t overwork yourself,” warned Wei

Jinyi.

After that, they were quiet, looking at each other, their eyes filled with caring and reluctance, yet neither of them put it into words.

It seemed like they had an unspoken understanding.

After a while, Wei Ruo said, “The scenery nearby is beautiful. Second brother,

would you walk with me?”

“Yes.”

Wei Jinyi agreed, and they began to walk side by side, maintaining a certain distance between them.

They walked up the mountain trail, Lin Fang and Xiumei followed some distance behind them.

With Wei Jinyi accompanying Wei Ruo, Xiumei wasn’t too worried about her. Along the way, whenever Wei Ruo saw a medicinal herb, she couldn’t stop herself from picking it. Wei Jinyi took off his own outer robe and made a makeshift sack for the herbs she collected.

The just picked herbs were covered with mud. The brocade robe got dirty, but no one felt it was a pity.

When they arrived at a cliff, Wei Ruo’s eyes were drawn to a plant at the top.

Following her gaze, Wei Jinyi saw an unimpressive green plant.

“Do you want it?” asked Wei Jinyi.

“Yes.” Wei Ruo admitted without hesitation.

Wei Jinyi then used his lightness skill to swiftly ascend the cliff, plucking the small herb from its place. He then returned and handed the plant to Wei Ruo.

“Thank you!” she exclaimed, holding the small herb with a joyous expression and a bright smile.

Wei Jinyi was a little entranced by her joy, and only after a moment, he asked, “What is it?” Close up, he could see its leaves were green on one side and yellow on the other. Other than that, nothing seemed noteworthy.

“This is Shi Wei. It’s cool in nature, bitter but somewhat sweet, and can be used to treat lung diseases and fever. It also works amazingly for some bathroom related issues,” answered Wei Ruo.

It was indeed a medicinal herb.

While Wei Ruo was holding the Shi Wei, she lost her footing on the soft soil causing her to lose her balance. Wei Jinyi quickly grabbed her, pulling her tightly into his body.

Regaining her balance, Wei Ruo thanked him, “Thank you, second brother.” “You mustn’t be so careless on the mountain,” Wei Jinyi advised.

He was there today, but what would have happened if he wasn’t and she’d fallen?

Wei Ruo laughed, “Because you were there, I let down my guard. If you weren’t there, I would have been careful.”

Feeling a flutter in his chest, Wei Jinyi quickly turned around.

“It’s getting late. We should head back.”

“Alright, let’s go.”

So they went back down the mountain the way they’d come, returning to the bamboo grove where their meeting had first begun.

Wei Jinyi was without his outer robe and Wei Ruo had a bag full of herbs. After bidding each other farewell, Wei Ruo got back on her horse-drawn carriage and left, with Wei Jinyi watching until she was completely out of sight. Only then did Ke Chongshan, Zhang Yi, and others appear.

“Once Lin Fang returns from dropping off Ruoruo, we’ll set off,” Wei Jinyi said.

“Yes, Master,” they replied.

###

On the tenth of April, twenty days had passed since Wei Ruo had advised Madam Tongzhi to change the rice seedlings on the farmland.

The Xiu family visited the Military Prefecture again, but this time instead of Mrs. Xiu, it was Madam Tongzhi who came.

Madam Yun greeted her. Seeing that she was all smiles, Madam Yun couldn’t help but smile too.

“Where is Eldest Miss?” Just as she sat down, Madam Tongzhi asked Madam Yun about Wei Ruo’ s whereabouts.

“She’s at Tianqin Garden taking lessons today. At this moment, she hasn t come home yet,” replied Madam Yun.

“Oh right I almost forgot about that. No worries, I’ll wait for her a bit longer. I hope I’m not troublingyou too much, Madam Yun,” said Madam Tongzhi with a smile.

“Not at all, it’s a pleasure to have Madam Tongzhi visiting. Besides, may I ask why you’re looking for my daughter?” Madam Yun inquired.

“It’s nothing serious. You know, when we visited the farm together, Eldest Miss noticed a problem with the rice seedlings in the field of my farm and the neighboring farmers, didn’t she?”

“Yes, Ruoruo mentioned that she had read about it in an old text. I’m not sure what sort of books she gets into generally,” Madam Yun rephed.</p