The Lucky Heiress

Listening to everyone complimenting Wei Ruo, Mrs. Yun felt greatly honored and her mood naturally improved.

Nevertheless, Wei Qingwan’s face was unspeakably uncomfortable, as if Wei Qingruo was the only “Miss Wei” present.

Li Ruo, who received all the compliments, could only smile. She didn’t take these compliments to heart.

Regardless of how sincere these people were in their praise, she had helped the villagers of West Mountain not for the sake of fame in the first place.

The group continued onward and came to a fenced courtyard, which had been previously reserved by Madam Tong Zhi as a resting and dining place for everyone..

Whenever she invites these ladies and young ladies to come out and enjoy the scenery, it’s impossible to walk all day. Everyone is pampered and can’t even endure an hour.

The courtyard was spacious, with an open front yard surrounded by a fence. It contained seven or eight houses and a peach orchard on one side. It was not like a typical farmhouse, but more like a leisure place built by wealthy people for relaxation.

Later, Madam Tong Zhi’s words confirmed Wei Ruo’s guess.

The courtyard was built by Patriarch Xiu ten years ago as a summer retreat.

To welcome the ladies and young girls, Madam Tong Zhi had sent people in advance to clean up the place. She had also left some servants here to prepare tea and pastries for the invited guests.

A few eight-immortal tables were set up in the open air courtyard. After entering the courtyard, everyone sat down at the invitation of Madam Tong Zhi.

Mrs. Yun sat down with Wei Ruo and Wei Qingwan in a relatively secluded corner.

Seeing that Wei Qingwan looked unwell, Mrs. Yun asked in concern, “Wanwan, are you feeling uncomfortable? Have you caught a cold?”

“I’m fine, just a little tired.” Wei Qingwan answered with a sullen face.

“That’s good, take a rest.” Mrs. Yun was relieved.

Then Mrs. Yun looked at Wei Ruo, her eyes filled with pride and affection, “Ruoruo, you did very well today.”

Wei Ruo didn’t respond, lost in thought as she looked outside the fence.

At that moment, the sound of horse hooves approached from a distance, and a group of young gentlemen on horseback passed by.

Among the crowd, Wei Ruo saw the figure of Wei Yichen, and the familiar face of Lu Yuhong was also among them.

Recently, Chu Lan had been in Taizhou Prefecture, so it wasn’t surprising that Lu Yuhong appeared here.

Wei Ruo looked carefully, Chu Lan was not in the crowd. Good, the fewer annoying people, the better her mood.

Mrs. Yun and Wei Qingwan also saw Wei Yichen.

“Mother, I think that’s elder brother!” Wei Qingwan said somewhat excitedly.

“Hmm, it’s your elder brother.” After confirming, Mrs. Yun guessed, “They must be the students from Anzhou Academy going on a trip.”

While Mrs. Yun and others were looking at Wei Yichen, he and his companions also spotted the women in the courtyard.

Among them, many had relatives in the courtyard like Wei Yichen.

The group stopped, observing the traditional separation of genders and not approaching carelessly.

The eldest son of the Xiu family, Xiu Fengyuan remarked, “Today, my mother has invited all the ladies to enjoy the spring here, I should go over and greet them.”

Afterward, Xiu Fengyuan dismounted and arrived at the entrance of the courtyard.

Madam Tong Zhi came out from the inside, and upon seeing her son, her face was filled with joy.

“The son pays his respects to mother.”

“Since you and your classmates are passing by, why not stay and have some tea? There’s a separate yard you can enter from the side door, which is separate from the front yard,” Madam Tong Zhi advised.

These were all grown men and women, of course they couldn’t stay together.

“Alright, I’ll go and ask the classmates first.”

Xiu Fengyuan went back to ask the others. Everyone expressed that they were also somewhat thirsty and tired and thought it might be a good idea to rest.

Then they all tied their horses in the open space in front of the yard, and under the guidance of the Xiu family servants, they entered from the side door of the courtyard and went to the small courtyard in the back.

After everyone’s figures disappeared, Wei Qingwan subconsciously looked at Wei Ruo, who was sitting across from her.

Combining what Xiu Yaojun said earlier, she found it hard not to believe that this coincidence with the sons of the Tong Zhi family wasn’t a deliberate arrangement by Madam Tong Zhi.

If that was really the case, wouldn’t Wei Qingruo have to…

Mrs. Yun didn’t hear Xiu Yaojun’s words, but she had her own guess, understanding the potentially deliberate arrangement. She wasn’t upset but thrilled instead. The sons at Anzhou Academy have exceptional backgrounds and knowledge.

To be able to select a future husband for her daughter from these young men would be excellent.

At this moment, Xiu Yaojun ran up to the trio, inviting Wei Qingwan, “Qingwan, let’s go over there and look. The peach blossoms are in full bloom, it’s a great time to appreciate them.”

Xiu Yaojun pointed to the peach orchard inside the courtyard.

When no elders were around earlier, Xiu Yaojun had spoken sarcastically to Wei Qingwan. Now that elders were present, Xiu Yaojun appeared to be in a close relationship with Wei Qingwan.

Wei Qingwan refused, “No thank you. I rarely get to go out with my mother and sister, I would rather chat with them.”

Xiu Yaojun said, “But it’s not often we get to go for outings like this, and it’s rare to see peach blossoms bloom so well.”

With such a good reason from Xiu Yaojun, Wei Qingwan didn’t know how to refuse.

Hearing the conversation between the two, Mrs. Yun encouraged Wei Qingwan to go, “Wanwan, we’re out to play today, so you don’t need to be so reserved. Go enjoy the flowers with your classmates.”

Wei Qingwan bit her lip, not daring to let Mrs. Yun know that she didn’t get along well with her classmates, so she reluctantly nodded in agreement.

A triumphant smile appeared on Xiu Yaojun’s face.

Then she turned to Wei Ruo and extended the same invitation, “Miss Wei, why don’t you come along too?”

Wei Ruo shook her head, “No, I’m more interested in your tea and pastries.”

Xiu Yaojun said, “These are just ordinary tea and cakes, not worth your time. Come with us instead!”

Mrs. Yun also suggested, “Ruoruo, you should go too.”

Wei Ruo firmly declined, “No, I’m tired after walking all this way. I need to rest.”

Wei Ruo wasn’t like Wei Qingwan, who cared about face. She had plenty of reasons for not wanting to go. She didn’t mind admitting she had low stamina and hadn’t seen much. She certainly wasn’t going to force herself to do something she didn’t want to do.

Furthermore, Wei Ruo had already sensed something amiss.

This plot development in the original novel would lead to a cannon fodder female role causing trouble for the female lead.

Whether it was or not, Wei Ruo didn’t want to get involved. She didn’t have the energy to play these games with them.

As for whether Wei Qingwan would be at a disadvantage, it had nothing to do with her. As long as they didn’t drag her into it, they were free to mess around as they pleased.

“Then suit yourself!” Xiu Yaojun lost her patience with Wei Ruo. Seeing her repeatedly refuse, she stopped bothering with her..