The Lucky Heiress

With that, Lu Yuhong asked Chen Aqing for two wine glasses and two pairs of chopsticks, generously inviting Xiu Fengyuan and Wei Yichen to taste the remaining food and wine.

Neither Xiu Fengyuan nor Wei Yichen minded that it was leftover food and wine. They drank the wine and sampled the dishes.

Although Xiu Fengyuan’s reaction wasn’t as candid as Lu Yuhong’s, the surprise in his eyes was undeniable.

He exclaimed, “The wine is Bai Lixiang. Lu, you are lucky. I’ve heard this delicatessen’s Bai Lixiang sells as fast as Zuixian Residence’s, often selling out early in the morning. I didn’t expect you could manage to get a pot.”

Having had his men inquire about it early, Xiu Fengyuan was aware that Bai Lixiang was now only sold in two places in Taizhou prefecture, and one must be quick off the mark in order to get it at the regular price.

At this time, one would normally not be able to find it at either Zuixian Residence or Xu Ji Delicatessen.

Lu Yuhong chuckled: “Naturally, my luck is extraordinary.”

Following that, Xiu Fengyuan went on to comment: “This deli’s preserved meat is as delicious as always. As for this raw pickled dish, this is my first taste of it. Is it a new product of the deli?”

With those words, Xiu Fengyuan turned to Chen Aqing.

Having picked up much from Wei Ruo, Chen Aqing now knew how to respond in such situations:” We haven’t decided whether to sell it yet. Today, we offer it as a complimentary dish for customers to try. The Sir is the among first to taste it.”

“Is there any more left? I’d like to buy some for the elders at home to sample.” Xiu Fengyuan queried.

Many of people in Taizhou prefecture love seafood, including many of Xiu Fengyuan’s family elders. He thought they would enjoy the taste of this raw pickled dish.

“Sorry, that was the last portion,” Chen Aqing answered.

Hearing this, Xiu Fengyuan couldn’t help looking at Lu Yuhong again, who was wearing a proud smile on his face.

“What can I say, I’m just lucky,” Lu Yuhong replied amiably.

In his heart, he thought that the delicious food given by Miss Wei of the Wei family was only for him. Xiu would have to wait on his whim if he wanted to eat it.

Xiu Fengyuan smiled and then turned to look at Wei Yichen, who had been silent all the while.

Wei Yichen had seemed a bit absent-minded the last few days. He had only been fully focused during their earlier challenge, but now he looked a little dull again.

“Brother Wei, what do you think of the food and wine?” Xiu Fengyuan asked.

“Delicate and delicious. A truly delectable delight,” came Wei Yichen’s response, following which he added, “My eldest sister also knows how to make this raw pickled dish.”

“Really? Is the dish your elder sister makes better than the one sold in this deli?” Xiu Fengyuan hurriedly asked.

Hearing the news about Wei Ruo, Xiu Fengyuan seemed quite interested.

Wei Yichen’s face revealed a bitter smile: “I don’t know. I’ve only seen her making it but I haven’t tasted it.”

Lu Yuhong, who knew the truth, chuckled to himself. The taste must be exactly the same as the dish Wei Yichen’s sister made was what he was eating!

Xiu Fengyuan’s expression put on a disappointed look.

As the topic shifted to Wei Ruo, Lu Yuhong tactfully said his piece, mentioning his recent encounter with Wei Ruo. “Speaking of which, Miss Wei of the Wei family had been to this deli earlier.”

“My elder sister was here too?” Wei Yichen inquired quickly.

“Where is the elder sister now?” Xiu Fengyuan inquired as well.

“She must have gone home by now. The outside is full of people. Being a young lady, she must have left as soon as she made her purchases.” Lu Yuhong explained.”

Then Lu Yuhong continued: “Miss Wei had wanted to speak to you, brother Wei. However, as you and brother Xiu were engaged in the challenge, she did not wish to interrupt and hence, shared with me the message that she wanted to convey to you.”

“What did my elder sister wish to say to me?” Wei Yichen promptly asked.

“Your elder sister said, she wishes for you to convey to Master Xiu to seek another woman. She is unsuitable to be the leading lady of the Xiu family,” Lu Yuhong said.

At his words, both Wei Yichen and Xiu Fengyuan froze.

Wei Ruo was actually wanting to say something to Xiu Fengyuan and not to Wei Yichen.

Seeing their expressions, Lu Yuhong continued sipping wine and eating.

After some time, Wei Yichin asked Lu Yuhong, “Did my sister say anything else?”

Lu Yuhong replied: “Nothing much, that’s all. She left promptly. I didn’t get a chance to ask her anything further.”

Wei Yichen then turned to Xiu Fengyuan and said, “Brother Xiu, about this matter…”

Xiu Fengyuan gave a bitter smile: “Brother Wei, there’s no need to comfort me.”

Wei Yichen apologized: “I’m sorry, Brother Xiu. I will inquire about this matter with my elder sister once I return home.”

Xiu Fengyuan responded, “No need to apologize, no one is wrong in this matter.”

After a pause, Xiu Fengyuan added: “However, I don’t intend to let this matter go so easily. So, Brother Wei, please put in some good words for me when you get back. If possible, please help me send a letter to Miss Wei.”

After hesitating for a while, Wei Yichen nodded.

It was then that Lu Yuhong spoke up: “Xiu, you don’t have to do this. There are plenty more fish in the sea. With the power and the status of the Xiu Family in Taizhou Prefecture, and your own talent and character, there are plenty of girls from well-known families who want to marry you. If Miss Wei thinks she’s not suitable, you can always find another.”

Xiu Fengyuan shook his head with a bitter smile: “Lu, you don’t understand. Miss Wei is a very unusual woman. At first, I didn’t think much of it. But after a few encounters with her, I find her different from any other women I’ve ever met.”

“Yes, she’s different, but that doesn’t mean you have to marry her and make her your wife,” Lu Yuhong argued.

“Lu, some things you have yet to experience. Once you do, you’ll understand my feelings,” Xiu Fengyuan answered back.

Lu Yuhong, at a loss for words, thought to himself that he’d done his best to dissuade him. He must have fulfilled the promise he’d made to Miss Wei of the Wei family, right?

Wei Yichen was immersed in his thoughts at this moment. He had arrived here to ask Wanwan about that day, and now Ruoruo was involved. It felt as if there were countless knots in his chest, leaving him with no interest in chatting with Lu Yuhong or Xiu Fengyuan.

Xiu Fengyuan, too, was in no mood.

So, Wei Yichen and Xiu bid farewell. Xiu Fengyuan, after narrating his thoughts on paper using a man borrowed from a deli, entrusted this letter to Wei Yichen to pass it on to Wei Ruo.

Wei Yichen watched Xiu Fengyuan writing the letter, and knowing that it didn’t contain any ambiguous or misleading words, he accepted it.

Upon returning to the Military Prefecture, only Wei Mingting and his wife were at home.[p]

After inquiring from the servants, he found out that both of his sisters were on leave that day. His mother had permitted them to go to the market accompanied by their maids and nannies.

It’s true that Wei Ruo went to the market, or else she wouldn’t have bumped into Lu Yuhong.. But was Wei Qingwan really at the market?