The Lucky Heiress

“No…nothing happened.” Wei Yichen replied.

Did you encounter any danger?” Xiu Fengyuan felt Wei Yichen was not telling the truth.?? ^e

“No, I was just lost in thought about a question.” Wei Yichen quickly explained. “I see. Wei, you’re quite diligent, no wonder our teacher always praises you. But we’re in the back mountains now, it’s not too safe. You should pay attention to your surroundings and your feet. You can ponder your question back at the academy.” Xiu Fengyuan advised.

Wei Yichen nodded, but his expression remained somewhat troubled.

He had just been making excuses, that he had mistaken someone for Wanwan they only looked quite alike; or it must be a misunderstanding, there must be a reason why Wanwan would show up in the middle of nowhere with a stranger. But none of these reasons convinced him, because no matter how he thought about it, the woman he’d seen was indeed Wanwan from his memory No matter how he rationalized it, he couldn’t find an appropriate reason for what he’d witnessed today.

When Lu Yuhong returned, he held two pheasants. Although he hadn’t scored his coveted big game, at least he didn’t return empty-handed. The two fattened pheasants would make a nice roast dinner.

For the following days, Wei Yichen was haunted by that encounter. Due to the rule that he wasn’t allowed leave the academy grounds, he didn’t have a chance to confirm it.

In fact, if he had the chance to leave the academy and return to the Military Prefecture, Wei Yichen wouldn’t know how to confront Wei Qingwan about this matter.

After waiting for a few days, the rest day finally arrived on the first day of June. Wei Yichen wanted to go home, but got caught by Xiufengyuan, Luyuhong, etc. They dragged him along to The Four Treasure House in the city.

They heard that Four Treasure House was having a competition recently, and the person who won would receive a prized ink painting from the Layman of the Tibetan forest, as well as a year’s supply of paper from the Four Treasure House.

Since it opened in Taizhou prefecture, Four Treasure House has been deeply loved by all scholars. The students of Anzhou Academy basically used this paper.

But the paper is supplied in limited quantities every day, and you can’t buy more even if you have money, causing some students who are not short of funds to often run out of paper to use.

In the academy, the paper from Four Treasure House sometimes becomes a hard currency even more useful than silver.

Therefore, when they heard about this rewarding activity of the Four Treasure House, the students of Anzhou Academy all became eager to try.

If this happened at any usual time, Wei Yichen would certainly be interested His favorite things include the art of the Layman of the Tibetan Forest and the paper from Four Treasure House.

Although he feels a bit weary now, he can’t refuse the hospitable invitations of Xiu Fengyuan and the others, so he agreed to go.

Wei Yichen, Xiu Fengyuan, Lu Yuhong and several other classmates who usually get along well with them descended the mountain together.

The entrance of the Four Treasure House is particularly busy today, so much so that the crowd even filled the front of the neighboring Xu’s Marinated Food Shop.

Lu Yuhong’s interest lies not in the Four Treasure House, but in Xu’s Marinated Food Shop on the side.

He said to Xiu Fengyuan and Wei Yichen, “You guys go compete, I will wait for you at the marinated food shop.”

The smell of wine and marinated meat stirred his cravings. Compared to that crappy paper, he’d rather enjoy a good feast!

Lu Yuhong squeezed through the crowd and entered Xu’s Marinated Food Shop.

“Boss lady, give me…”

Just as Lu Yuhong was about to speak, he suddenly caught sight of Wei Ruo and her servant dining inside the shop.

The marinated food shop does not provide dine-in, hence those who come to buy the marinated goods would take them away. The shop has only one big round table for Chen Aqing and her employees to dine on.

A screen was set up between the round table and the entrance so that people outside cannot see Wei Ruo, only those who come into the shop can see her.

Wei Ruo is dressed femininely for her outing today, because firstly, it’s a rest day and her going out is fully justified; secondly, she didn’t feel like abiding by the rules recently.

Unexpectedly, she bump into Lu Yuhong.

“How coincidental that Miss Wei is here too,” Lu Yuhong made a polite greeting to Wei Ruo.

Wei Ruo nodded slightly, “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Lu.”

They were at a distance from each other. Lu Yuhong may be a bit reckless, but he would not dare offend her by approaching her rashly.

Seeing this, Chen Aqing hurriedly served Lu Yuhong, “Sir, what would you like to buy?”

Chen Aqing knows well that Miss Wei is a high-born lady and cannot make frequent contact with outsiders. Otherwise, it would damage her reputation.

Lu Yuhong asked Chen Aqing, “Madam, do you have any other tables here? I would like to enjoy the food and wine as they are doing.”

“Sorry, we only have this one table.” Chen Aqing declined.

“Get me a stool, that should do. My friends are competing in the Four Treasure House next door, I’d like to watch them while sitting in your shop,” Lu Yuhong

“This…” Chen Aqing instinctively looked at Wei Ruo.

Wei Ruo nodded dismissively, indicating that she didn’t mind.

Only then did Chen Aqing agree, “Alright, I will bring a stool for you.”

Chen Aqing placed the stool outside the screen, dividing Lu Yuhong and Wei Ruo with it.

She dragged over another small bench to use as a side table for him to place his food.

Despite the less-than-elegant setting, Lu Yuhong sat down cheerfully, obviously not minding sitting on a stool.

He then ordered food from Chen Aqing, filling a large plate with various marinated goods.

“And a jug of Thyme,” Lu Yuhong added.

“Sorry sir, we are out of Thyme,” replied Chen Aqing.

The shop only sold one jug of Thyme each day, and it was often sold out as soon as the shop opened in the early morning. There was no way there would be any left at this time.

“Stop fooling me around, I’ve already smelled the Thyme,” he said, pointing towards the screen, “Isn’t that Thyme on Miss Wei’s table?”

“Uh…” Chen Aqing looked at Wei Ruo again.

Wei Ruo gave a gentle smile, telling Chen Aqing, “Give my jug of wine to Mr Lu.”

Then to Lu Yuhong, who was on the other side of the screen, she said, “I’ve not touched this wine. If you like it, Mr. Lu, I’d be happy to give it to you.”

Lu Yuhong was, of course, very pleased. “Thank you, Miss Wei, for your generous offer.”

Chen Aqing gave Wei Ruo’s wine to Lu Yuhong. She was about to get another cup for Lu Yuhong, but he declined.

“Why bother with a cup? I can just drink directly from this jug.”

Lu Yuhong then tilted his head back, pouring wine directly from the jug into his mouth.

After a big gulp, Lu Yuhong expressed his gratification, “Indeed, the best way

to drink good wine is to take hearty gulps!”

Then Wei Ruo pointed to the pickled seafood served on her table, indicating to Xiumei to pass it to Lu Yuhong.

Following her instructions, Xiumei moved around the screen and placed the pickled seafood in front of Lu Yuhong.

“My lady invites Mr. Lu to try this.”