The Lucky Heiress

But in the end, Madam Yun didn’t say anything.

After everyone had arrived, the Wei Family was ready to depart.

For today’s outing, the Wei Family had to split into several groups.

Wei Yichen would go to meet his classmates, Wei Mingting would ride with Wei

Yihn, and Wei Ruo and Wei Qjngwan would take a carriage with Madam Yun.

The carriage headed in the direction of East Lake, where today’s dragon boat race would be held in the west district of the lake. The area was already packed with townsfolk who had come to watch the spectacle.

Wei Ruo and the others were heading to Yusheng Tea House, which was located right beside East Lake.

This tea house had been booked by the Tongzhi Prefecture for the day, and was only open to madams and ladies who had been invited by the Xiu Family.

Upon arrival, Wei Ruo, Madam Yun, and Wei Qingwan entered the Yusheng Tea House together.

The tea house was built by the water’s edge, it was full of refined and elegant pavilions with all sorts of details being intensely captivating and exquisitely designed.

On any ordinary day, the clientele of the tea house would also consist of cultured individuals, who’d indulge themselves in burning incense, playing the zither, savoring tea, and enjoying the view – it was a place embodying great elegance and sophistication.

However, the name of Yusheng Tea House reminded Wei Ruo of the recent visit to Yusheng Tea Garden she had taken not too long ago, and she couldn’t help ut wonder whether there was any connection between the two

establishments.

The Xiu Family prepared separate tea rooms for madams and ladies, so no sooner did they enter the tea house than Madam Yun, Wei Ruo, and Wei Qingwan were split up, each being led to a different tea room by tea attendants of the tea house.

When Wei Ruo and Wei Qingwan arrived at the tea room prepared by the Xiu Family for the ladies, the splendidly dressed Wei Qingwan immediately attracted everyone’s attention as they entered.

After catching sight of Wei Qingwan’s attire, Xiu Yaojun’s face shifted slightly She glanced down at her own yellow dress and unconsciously gritted her teeth.

Then she shifted her gaze back to Wei Ruo, who exuded a rather average look compared to the rest. Despite her inherent beauty, standing among a group of ladies less attractive than herself, she didn’t stand out or awe people on the first sight.

While Xiu Yaojun observed her, Wei Ruo also looked at Xiu Yaojun, who was clad in a goose-yellow dress very similar in style to Wei Qingwan’s.

But Wei Qingwan’s outfit seemed gentler, covered with a layer of gauze, while Xiu Yaojun’s dress, with simpler embroidery on the hem, looked more capable and efficient.

soon, Xiu Yaojun walked towards Wei Ruo with a warm expression: “Qingruo, you’re here, I’ve been waiting for you for ages.”

Xiu Yaojun’s friendly manner made Wei Ruo want to vanish on the spot.

Wei Ruo glimpsed at Xiu Yaojun’s expression and found that, although Xiu Yaojun was holding her hand, her gaze was fixed on Wei Qingwan.

In that moment, Wei Ruo understood that she was being used by Xiu Yaojun once again.

This was not an act of friendliness toward her at all, but rather, Xiu Yaojun was using her to embarrass Wei Qingwan.

Wei Ruo felt a headache. She had no wish to be involved in this rivalry, let alone being used as a pawn by Xiu Yaojun.

Wei Ruo glanced at the Yuan sisters and was about to join them at their table but she was pulled by Xiu Yaojun to the place closest to the window.

“Let’s sit over there, I’ve saved a seat for you.”

Several tables were set up in this tea room, but only two were by the window.

When the dragon boats came by on the lake, those seated by the window would surely have a much clearer view.

Xiu Yaojun made tea for Wei Ruo and invited her to try different kinds of tea snacks. On the other hand, Wei Qingwan was left alone and ignored.

Seeing Xiu Yaojun intentionally ignoring Wei Qingwan, the others also kept their distance and dared not approach Wei Qingwan. As a result, Wei Qingwan stood where she was after entering, at a loss for what to do.

Wei Qingwan looked at Wei Ruo in embarrassment, and Wei Ruo remained unmoved after receiving her gaze.

Although she did not approve Xiu Yaojun’s conduct, she was even less inclined to help Wei Qingwan out.

As for whether Wei Qingwan would bear a grudge against her for this, Wei Ruo did not take it into consideration at all. No matter what she did today, whether she helped Wei Qingwan or not, Wei Qingwan had already deemed her as an enemy.

Wei Ruo shifted her gaze to the window. At this moment, there were no dragon boats on the lake yet, but this did not stop Wei Ruo from enjoying the lake view.

Wei Qingwan clenched her fist inside her sleeve and, under the scrutiny of onlookers taking pleasure in her misfortune, she walked over to the nearest empty seat and sat down.

Seeing this, Xiu Yaojun was somewhat pleased, and her enthusiasm for Wei Ruo increased.

“Qingruo, which team do you have your eye on?” Wei Qingwan asked eagerly. “I don’t understand, I don’t even know which teams there are, let alone their strength,” Wei Ruo didn’t want to say much, and she just wanted to be left alone with her thoughts.

“Your older brother is also from the Anzhou Academy. You should also favor the Anzhou Academy, shouldn’t you?” Xiu Yaojun said.

Wei Ruo gave a light smile but didn’t give a clear response.

Xiu Yaojun added, “My brother will be representing Anzhou Academy in this competition, you’ll see him then.”

Wei Ruo smiled again, politely demonstrating a certain estrangement and indifference.

Xiu Yaojun didn’t mind Wei Ruo’s distant attitude as she wasn’t really trying to form a good relationship with Wei Ruo, she was simply using her to embarrass Wei Qingwan.

Wei Ruo took a sip of the tea in front of her. The taste was neither bad nor good.

“This Yusheng Tea House is the best Tea House in Taizhou Prefecture, and this tea is top-notch. How do you find it, Qingruo?” Xiu Yaojun asked Wei Ruo.

“It’s okay.” If compared to the Longjing tea that Fan Chengxu had served her today’s tea was still a little lacking.

“Qingruo, what good tea have you had before?” Xiu Yaojun asked casually.

“I quite like drinking milk tea.” Wei Ruo replied.

“What? Milk tea? What’s that?” Xiu Yaojun looked at Wei Ruo with a puzzled expression.

This question was just casually thrown out, but Wei Ruo’s answer was beyond her expectations.

“Mmm, it’s a type of tea made with milk and tea leaves.” Wei Ruo explained.

“Would milk and tea taste good together?” Xiu Yaojun didn’t quite believe what Wei Ruo was saying.

“I happen to have brought some with me today, would you like me to brew some for you to try?” Wei Ruo offered.

“Then go ahead and brew it.” Xiu Yaojun said.

Xiu Yaojun thought, since the dragon boat race hasn’t started yet, everyone is idle with nothing to do, let’s see what novelty Wei Qingruo could come up with. The others also came over to watch, especially the three Yuan sisters, who had been impressed by Wei Ruo’s ability to prepare loquat syrup and were curious about her new ideas.

Wei Ruo waved Xiumei over to her side.

On Xiumei’s back, there was a small embroidered bag containing a good number of quality items.

Like a magician, she took out a small jar filled with tea leaves, a leather bag filled with milk – which she and Xiumei had got from milking the previous night – and another smaller jar filled with caramelised sugar.

The Tea House had utensils for brewing tea, and Xiu Yaojun asked one of the maids from the Tea House to bring a small stove that Wei Ruo would need.

Once all the equipment was prepared, Wei Ruo started brewing the tea in front of everyone..