The Lucky Heiress

Wei Ruo explained, “Firstly, I don’t like dishonesty. This man deliberately deceived me from the start, which has already cost him my trust. Secondly, his identity is still unclear. Considering he was badly injured, he is bound to have some troubles. I don’t want to get involved in problematic matters, so I need to keep my distance from him.”

Manager Yu understood, “The master’s words are reasonable, I get it.”

“You go ahead with your work; this afternoon, Meimei and I will look for another suitable site for the brewery.”

“Yes.”

After Manager Yu left, Wei Ruo and Xiumei went out again.

This was because in a few days when Mr. Wang would return to Taizhou Prefecture, Wei Ruo would have less time each day.

Moreover, she would also need to allocate more time to manage the farming work on her estate, therefore Wei Ruo decided not to delay, and continued to search for a new location for the brewery that afternoon.

After visiting for half a day, Wei Ruo chose a new site, which was not far from her hacienda. It was nearly an hour’s walk, but it would only take a mere span of tea-time by carriage.

The negotiation this time went smoothly. The villagers and the village head of Stone Village readily agreed to the terms Wei Ruo offered, and joyfully stated their intention to help.

Wei Ruo was also straightforward, promptly drafting a contract with them, and both sides signed and sealed it in the presence of the village mayor.

###

On the thirtieth day of the first lunar month.

Wei Yichen had to return to Anzhou Academy to study.

Under normal circumstances, the school would begin after the Lantern Festival, but this year was special, it didn’t formally start until after the New Year.

Before leaving home, Wei Yichen specifically looked for Wei Ruo.

“Eldest sister.”

Standing at the door of Tingsong Garden, Wei Yichen wore a gentle smile and gazed affectionately at Wei Ruo.

“Do you need something, elder brother?” Wei Ruo asked.

“Tomorrow morning, I would be leaving for the academy, so I came to bid farewell today.”

“Wait a moment, elder brother, I will get something for you.”

Without waiting for Wei Yichen to say more, Wei Ruo went back into the house and brought him some papers from Four Treasure House.

“These are for elder brother.” Wei Ruo thrust everything into Wei Yichen’s arms.

When Wei Yichen returned, he brought her many novel things. Even though she didn’t find much use for them, she didn’t intend to owe him for the sentiment.

Wei Yichen recognised at a glance that these were items from the Four Treasure House.

Items from the Four Treasure House were expensive due to limited supply and hard to buy. Even in the Anzhou Academy, their papers were highly sought after.

Holding the items, he thought for a bit then said to Wei Ruo, “Ruoruo, I know you have a lot of silver, but you should save some. When you get married in the future, this silver would be part of your dowry.”

“Are you afraid that I will spend all my silver, elder brother?” Wei Ruo asked.

“Yes. Goods from the Four Treasure House are expensive. Although you currently have money, and perhaps you are the wealthiest in the family, even richer than mother, you should still be frugal,” said Wei Yichen.

Wei Ruo was slightly taken aback, then replied, “I understand.”

“Good. Anyway, thank you for your gift Ruoruo, these are things that I exactly need,” Wei Yichen expressed his gratitude sincerely because this gift really hit the mark.

“Don’t mention it.”

“There’s another matter I came to discuss with you, Ruoruo,” said Wei Yichen.

“What is it?”

“About the Loquat Syrup, do you still have any? I have a classmate who wants to buy some,” Wei Yichen asked.

Somehow, the reputation of Wei Ruo’s Loquat Syrup managed to reach Anzhou Academy. The students there were either exceptionally talented individuals who passed the Scholar exam at a young age, or those from affluent or prestigious families.

After pondering a bit, Wei Ruo responded, “I have six jars left that are still fresh.”

Wei Ruo did not make too many at once because they would deteriorate over time.

These six were made some days ago. At that time, she made sixteen jars in total. Six were given to Lady Yuan, and four were bought by the old Madam Xiu.

During the epidemic, Old Mr. Xiu drank up the few jars he had earlier this year. After the situation ended, Old Lady Xiu sent an early letter, enquiring about Wei Ruo’s Loquat Syrup.

When Wei Ruo just returned to the Military Prefecture, she definitely did not have Loquat Syrup in hand. Therefore, she had made a few jars in her spare time over the past few days.

As soon as they were ready, Old Lady Xiu sent someone to pick up four jars.

It was said that Old Mr. Xiu’s chronic disease was almost completely cured and he also slept better at night. His spirit and vitality greatly improved.

They wanted to seize the opportunity to completely cure him of the disease. If it weren’t for Wei Ruo’s Loquat Syrup having been kept for a while and thus requiring new ones, Old Lady Xiu would have bought all Wei Ruo had.

“Have these six jars been reserved?” Wei Yichen asked.

“Not yet,” replied Wei Ruo.

Even though no one had reserved them, based on the situation before Lunar New Year’s, she had no worries finding buyers.

Knowing how well Wei Ruo’s Loquat Syrup sold, Wei Yichen had received a special message from his classmate before school started, asking him to buy Loquat Syrup

“Could you do me a favour by selling these jars to my classmate?” asked Wei Yichen.

“Of course,” Wei Ruo agreed.

Wei Ruo knew, for Wei Yichen who had relatively shallow roots, such action could help him build a better relationship with his classmates.

As for her, it did not matter to whom the Loquat Syrup was sold, there was no need to deliberately reject Wei Yichen over this.

“Wait for me for a bit. I’ll go get it for you.”

We Ruo returned to her house for the remaining six jars of Loquat Syrup and packed them neatly in a wooden box, then handed them to Wei Yichen.

We Yichen carefully put the Four Treasure House paper that were given by Wei Ruo aside by the door edge, and then took out a silver note of sixty taels.

The Loquat Syrup was purchased on behalf of his classmate, so naturally the money should go to Wei Ruo

Wei Ruo took the silver note from Wei Yichen without hesitation.

“You know how to consume it, right? Take it with warm water, one scoop of syrup with one bowl of water, do not consume more than five times a day, moderation is key,” instructed Wei Ruo.

“Okay, I’ll pass on your instructions,” promised Wei Yichen.

Wei Yichen admired Wei Ruo more and more. He found his sister not only kind and capable but also genuinely affectionate to him.

Although she wasn’t as gentle as Wanwan was when calling him ‘elder brother’, and their interactions were few, many times he could feel that she cared about him. She had taken the initiative to give presents to him more than once, and never hesitated to fulfil his requests.

We Ruo did not know what Wei Yichen was thinking. Seeing that he had a lot to carry, she called a servant passing by to help Wei Yichen with the items and escort him back to his courtyard.

Afterwards, she went back into the room and fetched another wooden box. Inside it were dozens of bottles of medicine that she had prepared recently, each allocated with a tag.

Wei Ruo carried the box and headed toward Yingzhu Garden…