The Lucky Heiress

“Don’t worry, I’m not trying to pry. I’m just worried about my second brother. It seems like this meeting may have been squeezed in amidst his busy schedule, and I have no idea when we will be able to meet next. So, I’d appreciate it if you and Elder Brother Ke could take good care of my second brother.” Wei Ruo explained to Lin Fang.

“Please don’t say that, Miss. It’s our duty to serve our master.” Lin Fang hurriedly replied.

“Regardless, thank you for always being by Second Brother’s side.” said Wei Ruo.

Wei Ruo wasn’t sure about the exact relationship between her second brother and these people, but knowing they had been with him ever since his time in Xingshan County, she figured that they probably weren’t serving her brother for mere self-interest. Thus, she felt they deserved her gratitude for their loyalty.

Lin Fang was somewhat moved. The lady did not know about their relationship with their master, yet she still cared about him and respected them all.

At the same time, Lin Fang also began to worry about how the lady, who cared so deeply for their master, would react upon knowing his true identity…

So Lin Fang tentatively asked Wei Ruo, “Miss, the Wei family plans to marry you to the Marquis Xuanping, what do you plan to do?”

“Naturally, I won’t go through with the marriage. Changing the Wei family’s mind will be difficult, but making the marriage fall through is not hard. It’d just lead to a loss for both sides.”

Wei Ruo was clear – a barefoot person doesn’t fear someone wearing shoes. As long as she had the courage to throw away her reputation, she had nothing to fear.

Listening to Wei Ruo’s casual tone, Lin Fang couldn’t help but admire her. Even a woman like herself who had been brought up in the world outside the court didn’t have such an easy-going attitude towards marriage.

“Miss, given a choice, what kind of person would you like to marry?” Lin Fang continued to probe.

“Naturally, someone who can give me freedom. He cannot restrict me; whatever I want to do, I should be able to do it.” Wei Ruo replied.

“Is that so? So, the Miss doesn’t necessarily have to marry a peasant?” Lin Fang asked, her tone filled with perceptible surprise and delight.

“Sister Lin, do you think there’s any freedom to be found in those grand mansions? It can only be a peasant or someone as free-spirited as you all who could possibly provide it.” Wei Ruo retorted.

“There might be?” Lin Fang suggested.

Wei Ruo laughed and shook her head, “There’s no such man in those grand mansions unless they’re dead.”

Then Wei Ruo changed the topic, “By the way, Sister Lin, how’s that skincare cream I gave you last time working out?”

Lin Fang replied with joy, “It’s fantastic. After using it for three months, my skin is significantly smoother and fairer!”

“Then I will send you some more in the next few days.”

“How could I accept such a kind gesture!”

“There’s nothing wrong with accepting it. We women should take good care of our skin.”

“What’s the point if I take good care of myself? My husband is a coarse man. No matter how much I dress up, he can’t tell.”

“That’s not necessarily the case. Elder Brother Ke might have noticed but just didn’t express it. Or perhaps he loves you so much that no matter what you look like, he thinks you’re the most beautiful. Also, it’s not necessarily for men that we women want to look beautiful. As long as we find ourselves attractive and feel comfortable, that’s what’s most important. We don’t need to care about others’ opinions.”

“Miss, you do have a point.” Lin Fang agreed, nodding her head.

While they were talking, Lin Fang had finished Wei Ruo’s make-up, revealing Xu Heyou’s face in the mirror instead, with not a trace of Wei Ruo herself left.

Then Wei Ruo stepped out of the room to find Wei Jinyi already waiting at the doorway.

Wei Ruo said to Wei Jinyi with a mischievous smile, “Second Brother, Elder Sister-in-law’s skills are really good. I’m almost tempted to take her away from here.”

“If Ruo wants to take Lin Fang with you, then do so.”

Wei Ruo was joking, but Wei Jinyi replied seriously.

“No no no, I was just kidding.” Wei Ruo quickly cleared up, then added, “Let’s go, it’s getting late.”

“Alright.”

Because she had changed into men’s clothing, Wei Ruo no longer rode in the rickshaw, but chose to ride a horse with Wei Jinyi.

Riding a horse allowed her to enjoy the street scenery more than in a rickshaw, experiencing the flourishing sights of the Capital city.

The Tongde Hall, which Xie Ying managed in the Capital City, was located on White Tiger Street on the west side of the city, one of the busiest streets.

Such a shop on this bustling street must be worth a lot of silver.

Upon entering the shop, Wei Ruo asked an employee about the shopkeeper.

“Young master, if you want to buy some medicine, you can just talk to me. Our shopkeeper is very busy at the moment.” The shop assistant replied with a warm smile.

“Then I would like to see your boss.” Wei Ruo demanded.

“Young master, if our shopkeeper is busy, then our boss is even less likely to be available. Just tell me what medicine you need. We have all sorts of rare and valuable herbs in our shop. If we don’t have it, other stores probably won’t either.”

“I’m not here to buy herbs. I’m here to discuss something with your boss.” Wei Ruo explained.

“This…,” the assistant hesitated, “I’m sorry, young master, but our boss doesn’t often come to the shop.”

Wei Ruo understood his hesitation and clarified, “Send a message to your boss, saying that I’ve been sent by Miss Wei of Taizhou prefecture.”

“Are you referring to the lady of the Loyal and Righteous Duke Residence?”

“Yes.”

“Alright, I’ll pass on the message right away!”

As soon as they heard of Wei Ruo, the employee’s attitude changed immediately.

Wei Ruo smiled, it seems that YingYing often mentioned her to the people at the shop.

Not much later, the employee returned, “Young master, please follow me. Our boss is not around today, but his older brother happens to be here. You can talk to him about your business.”

“That’s fine.” Wei Ruo agreed.

The shop assistant led Wei Ruo and Wei Jinyi up to the second floor of the pharmacy. In the first room on the left at the top of the stairs, Xie Jue was seated behind a desk, sorting the shop’s accounts and preparing to take them back to Xie Residence for his sister, Xie Ying.

Wei Ruo and Wei Jinyi entered the room together.

Upon seeing Xie Jue, Wei Ruo greeted him with a smile, “Greetings, Master Xie.”

Xie Jue did not recognize Wei Ruo disguised as a man and curiously inquired, “I hear Miss Wei sent you?”

“Yes.”

“How should I address you, Master?”

“My surname is Xu.” Wei Ruo replied.

“Greetings Master Xu. I wonder what important matter Miss Wei sent you here for?” Xie Jue asked politely.