The Lucky Heiress

Xu Zhengyong was eating quietly, and although he didn’t verbally praise the food, his hearty appetite spoke volumes.

He wasn’t surprised by Wei Ruo’s cooking skills, as he was eating more than anyone else at the table.

Back in the day, he used to kindle the fire for Ruoruo and Apprentice Sister

Xiumei, even getting punched by Xiumei for not mastering the fire well enough!

It was at that time that he decided to diligently practice martial arts to surpass Xiumei, and make her willingly call him Senior Brother. He chuckled to himself at the memory.

After preparing the meal for Wei Mingting and others, Wei Ruo got back to work, cooking for the soldiers and villagers who were digging the tunnel.

Since the required amount of food was large, each family’s large pot could only be used to cook one dish. To save time and keep the food warm, Wei Ruo collaborated with the village women. Some cooked radish and pork stew, some stir-fried vegetables, some made rice, while some made steamed corn bread.

Wei Ruo prepared a large pot of radish and pork stew. The pork was given by the villagers, but she couldn’t bear to use it for their own meals, so she used it entirely for the stew.

Despite the dish being more radish than meat, the radishes, infused with the savory taste of the meat, were equally delicious.

Wei Ruo and Wei Jinyi then led others in delivering the freshly cooked food to the soldiers and civilians who were digging the tunnel.

Around the same time, women from other households also brought over their large pots filled with steaming food.

Whether it was due to exhaustion from work, or if the food was simply irresistible, everyone seemed to indulge in the meal.

Even though their dining conditions were poor, everyone seemed cheerful. The villagers were thankful for the soldiers, and the soldiers were equally touched by the villagers’ warmth.

In this small, cold, and damp village, a warm current was overflowing, resonating in everyone’s hearts.

After the meal, Wei Ruo and her companions stayed overnight at a farmhouse. Due to the limited space, the three men shared a room for rest, while Wei Ruo got a room of her own.

None of them were softies. Just having a shelter from the elements was more than enough for them.

After a full day of work, Wei Ruo fell asleep early and slept soundly till dawn.

Early the next day, as soon as they woke up, one of the lieutenants came to report: “Commander, the path has been cleared! A footpath is open now, and the people outside have already come in.”

The early completion of the road can be attributed to everyone’s joint effort.

Last night, besides Wei Mingting and Xu Zhengyong, who were trapped for most of the night and were asked to sleep through it, other soldiers took turns to dig throughout the night. Even the local villagers voluntarily took turns to work the whole night.

Meanwhile, the people from the Government Office outside and the porters brought by Wei Jinyi also worked non-stop all night long, allowing for the speedy excavation of the passage.

“Well, well, you’ve all worked hard!” Wei Mingting was elated.

He then quickly ordered, “Let the villagers who have a need to pass through first. We are not in a hurry.”

Following Wei Mingting’s orders, his subordinates waited for a while, allowing the villagers who wanted to leave to exit first before leaving with his team.

When Wei Ruo was about to set off, she realized that Wei Jinyi wasn’t in the farmhouse courtyard.

Upon inquiry, she learned that Wei Jinyi had not rested in his room last night, but had gone to join the others in digging the tunnel.

When he returned, Wei Ruo saw that he was wearing a coarse linen blouse borrowed from a villager. This wasn’t because he was concerned about damaging his own clothes, but because his robe was too long and the sleeves were too wide, making it inconvenient for work.

Despite his rudimentary attire, his elegance remained evident.

We Jinyi went back to his room, changed back into his own clothes, and left two taels of silver on his bed as a token of payment for the lodging and

borrowed clothes.

Afterward, they all left West Mountain Village.

After leaving the village, Wei Mingting instructed his soldiers to return first for rest. Those who lived in Xingshan County were to go home, while those who didn’t were to return to their camps for rest, and they were all exempt from duties for a few days.

After entering the city, Xu Zhengyong parted ways with Wei Ruo and the others. He needed to go home and reassure his parents of his safety since they must have been worried sick during his absence.

in the end, Wei Mingting returned to the Wei Residence with Wei Ruo and Wei Jinyi.

Upon their return, Wei Ruo, under the guise of changing her clothes, did not accompany Wei Mingting to Cangyun Garden, but went straight to Tingsong Garden.

We Jinyi also didn’t go to Cangyun Garden, but walked towards the rear yard with Wei Ruo.

Along the way, Wei Ruo noticed that Wei Jinyi looked somewhat tired, thus refrained from initiating any conversation with him all the way until her arrival at Tingsong Garden, where they remained silent.

###

On reaching Cangyun Garden, Wei Mingting was met by his anxious wife who broke down in tears when she saw him safe and sound.

Knowing that he made his wife worry, Wei Mingting was unsure of how to console her and could only hold her in comfort.

Soon, Wei Yichen and Wei Qingwan also hurried over.

“Father, I’m so glad you’re safe!” Wei Qingwan rushed over, tears streaming down her face just like her mother’s.

Wei Yichen looked at his father, his heart full of exhilaration, but he was at a loss for words.

After a while, the emotional storm of his mother, Yunshi, and Wei Qingwan subsided, and their crying ceased.

“Your safe return is a blessing from the ancestors and the heavens!” Yunshi exclaimed with deep emotion.

Wei Mingting shook his head: “No, it wasn’t the heavens that saved me, but Jinyi and Ruoruo. They disregarded their own safety to look for me. If not for Ruoruo’s ingenuity, I may have been walking the path to the netherworld at this moment.”

Yunshi looked at Wei Mingting in astonishment:” Ruoruo and Jinyi went in search of you?”

Wei Mingting nodded, “Those two kind-hearted kids not only saved the people of the South City but they also saved me.”

Hearing Wei Mingting’s words, Wei Yichen and Wei Qingwan also revealed expressions of astonishment.

After his surprise, Wei Yichen looked delighted and respectful, “Big sister is more capable and braver than I.”

Wei Qingwan’s expression, however, was somewhat rigid.

###

Later, Xiaobei came to Tingsong Garden, bringing with him a box full of items for Wei Ruo.

■■These are some of the novel objects the Young Master came across outside. He bought them for the Young Mistress.”

The box was full of various items, including cosmetic powders for women, hairpins, flower hair ornaments, and other accessories, as well as many intriguing items.

After accepting the gifts, Wei Ruo personally went to Yingzhu Garden to thank Wei Jinyi.

Upon pushing open the door of Yingzhu Garden, Wei Ruo saw a familiar figure in a familiar place.

Wei Ruo walked into the pavilion and took a seat next to him. She watched as Wei Jinyi wrote something on a piece of paper.

“Thank you, second brother, for the gifts.”

“Mm.”

“1 also have something for you.” Wei Ruo took out a dagger from her bosom and handed it to Wei Jinyi.

This dagger was crafted by the same craftsman who made the one for Xu Zhengyong.

Wei Jinyi took a glance at the dagger, asking, “Is it the same as the one you gave to Deputy General Xu?”

“Not entirely. The blade itself is similar, but the scabbard and hilt are slightly different,” responded Wei Ruo.

“Mm.” Wei Jinyi, remaining expressionless, shifted his gaze back to the calligraphy in his hand..