The Lucky Heiress

“Hmm, a very good friend,” Wei Ruo answered.

The smile on Wei Ruo’s face hinted at an unusual relationship between her and that person.

“I can ask around for you. If I find it, I’ll have Xiaobei bring it to you,” said Wei Jinyi.

“Great, thanks Brother Second-” Wei Ruo could not hide her delight.

Asking Wei Jinyi was a shot in the dark, she hadn’t expected that he might have resources.

Facing Wei Ruo, Wei Jinyi spoke slowly, “Don’t work too hard.”

“I know, brother, I do care about my health, I’ll be careful!” Wei Ruo reached out to hold Wei Jinyi’s hand.

The moment she touched it, Wei Jinyi withdrew his hand quickly.

“What are you doing?”

“Pulsing you. I have been giving you energizing pills for some time, haven’t I? I want to see how they are working, seeing how I can refine the formula, I am making medicine now, so I made yours in the process,” Wei Ruo replied.

After hearing her explanation, Wei Jinyi realized he had overreacted.

Then he extended his hand again to Wei Ruo.

With her fingers on Wei Jinyi’s wrist, Wei Ruo evaluated after a short while, “Hmm, it’s improving, I’ll make you another twenty pills this time. Continue as before.”

“Hmm.”

###

Capital City, Loyal and Righteous Duke Residence.

After waiting for several days, news from Xingshan County finally arrived in the capital. Upon receiving the letter, the old earl excitedly exclaimed that it was good news.

The old earl was sixty-eight this year, lean, with gray hair and a gray beard.

Standing in front of him were his eldest son Wei Minghong and his younger son Wei Mingyong.

Wei Minghong was plump and jovial with a distinct resemblance to his father.

Wei Mingyong was a bit leaner and looked more shrewd.

“You both should read the letter that your younger brother has sent,” the old earl handed the letter to his two sons.

Wei Minghong, the eldest son, took the letter, and Wei Mingyong moved closer to read along with him.

Upon finishing, a smile of delight spread across both of their faces.

“Father, does this mean that our third brother’s efforts in reforming the land have been recognized by the Seventh Prince?” Wei Minghong asked eagerly.

“It’s not certain whether he’ll be recognized by the Seventh Prince, but at the very least, he’s caught his attention. That’s always a good thing,” the old earl commented.

“That’s really wonderful!” Wei Minghong exclaimed, “Rumor has it that the Seventh Prince is the most likely heir to the throne. If he grants his favor to us, we will stand a chance to preserve our nobleman’s rank!”

At this moment, Wei Mingyong had a question: “Father, in the letter, our third brother mentioned that this task was carried out by our niece Wei Qingruo, who we’ve never met. She spent her entire childhood in the countryside, which might have given her a countryside complexion and make her not suitable for the higher echelons. How could she be this capable?”

“Humph! Why couldn’t she be capable!? She is my legitimate granddaughter! The rightful heir of our Wei Family! Those brought up in the countryside will naturally learn farming skills! You two are too shallow! Now, you must see, those who grow up in the countryside do have their own virtues!”

Back when they were deciding the rankings among granddaughters, he’d asked for his sons’ opinions. Both of them didn’t have much to say, but they felt that the newly adopted girl might not have the refined manners, and were concerned she would embarrass the family if chosen as the first granddaughter.

They suggested letting the fake granddaughter continue her role as it’s less likely to cause embarrassment.

He, however, overruled them, deciding that his own granddaughter would be the eldest, even though it was socially unacceptable to do so. But the thought of letting someone else’s child hold the position of eldest granddaughter sat uneasily with him.

“Yes, yes, yes, Father, you are indeed wise,” Wei Minghong quickly flattered.

“Father, you’re right,” Wei Mingyong also immediately affirmed.

The old earl said with a solemn look: “As it turns out, indeed, the descendants of our Wei Family are more promising than those from a family of merchants. They can never reach the top!”

“Father, you’re absolutely right. The merchant class is indeed low; they are petty and can’t be compared to us from the Earl Residence,” Wei Minghong hastily agreed.

“Father, since my elder brother and I are quite free recently, why not let us go to Xingshan County and help our third brother? Third brother is busy dealing with war matters and may not have time to manage the fields. Our niece, after all, is just a woman and may face many inconveniences,” proposed Wei Mingyong.

“Second brother, I was just thinking the same thing. This was also my intention,” Wei Minghong said.

“Since you have official duties here, elder brother, you can’t leave the capital as freely as I can. Please allow me to go instead,” Wei Mingyong suggested.

“Stop arguing! Neither of you is going!” The old earl stopped the argument and rejected their suggestions.

“Father…” Wei Minghong and Wei Mingyong looked guiltily at the old earl.

“Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to! You want to ‘help’ but really, you’re looking to build a relationship with the Seventh Prince! You fools! If it were that easy to win the favor of the Seventh Prince, why would it be your turn?

You should just stay at home, and none of you should get involved in your third brother’s business!”

“Yes…” Wei Minghong and Wei Mingyong could only cooly obey.

The old earl looked at his two disappointing sons: “Both of you should buck up a bit! Now that your younger brother has shown some achievement, you can’t be left behind.”

Wei Minghong and Wei Mingyong lowered their heads and said nothing, feeling guilty.

Leaving the old earl’s room, the two of them walked together each lost in their own thoughts.

“Big brother, even though you are the eldest, we might have to be submissive to our third brother in the future. He has a highly educated son and now a daughter who could earn achievements for the family. Certainly, he will rise above us,” Wei Mingyong said, his voice filled with irony.

“Second brother, you shouldn’t concern yourself with me. Worry about your own problems. I heard that your wife has been arguing with you nonstop over the issue of concubinage.”

“Oh, big brother, your own house isn’t so peaceful right now, is it? I heard that your eldest son seems to have been causing quite a lot of trouble lately.”

“Huh, what use is your sarcasm here, second brother? If you’re capable, then you should go and compete with third brother’s family!”

Wei Minghong was a bit annoyed. He abruptly turned around and left without looking back.

“His weakness got hit!” Wei Mingyong sneered, then walked back to his own yard with his hands behind his back.

###

In no time, it was the fifteenth day of the sixth lunar month.

It was also the day when Xu Zhengyong officially started his new job.

Using the excuse of needing to go to the southern city to check on progress, Wei Ruo went out with Xiumei to Four Treasure House for a meal with the wet-nurse family there.

They all had dishes piled high on the table, all of which were what Wei Ruo loved to eat.

At the dinner table, everyone was chatting and laughing merrily.

In the Wei residence, there was a rule that one should not speak while eating or resting. But there were not so many restrictions in the Xu family.

After dinner, Xiumei pulled Xu Zhengyong aside and handed him a small purse. “What is this?” asked Xu Zhengyong..