The Lucky Heiress

A smile involuntarily appeared on the faces of Madam Yuan and Nanny Qin. Having accomplished her task, Wei Ruo went to take her seat at the end of the line.

Everyone present was the headwoman of their respective families. She, as an unmarried young lady, was supposed to sit at the very end.

Wei Ruo didn’t have to worry about what came next; it could be left to Madam Yuan and Nanny Qin to discuss with the other madams.

Approximately an hour later, the meeting concluded, and Madam Yuan saw the madams out.

Madam Xu trailed behind the others. Before leaving, she took Wei Ruo’s hands, her eyes filled with admiration and affection, “Miss Ruo, you truly have the heart of an orchid.”

Wei Ruo simply smiled.

As Madam Yuan and Nanny Qin were still present, Madam Xu did not say much more.

After Madam Xu left, only Madam Yuan, Nanny Qin, Madam Yun, Wei Ruo, and a few maids remained in the hall.

Nanny Qin stood up and walked to Wei Ruo, a smile on her face, “Miss Ruo, you indeed did not disappoint. Your approach of substituting labor for relief today was truly a refreshing surprise for me.”

“Nanny Qin overpraises me; this measure is merely for the better progression of affairs and to alleviate some worries for his Highness,” Wei Ruo responded. “His Highness will undoubtedly be very pleased when he learns of today’s events. I am very much looking forward to the further developments.” After saying this, Nanny Qin lead her people away.

Then, Madam Yun and Wei Ruo took their leave of Madam Yuan.

Madam Yuan nodded, not saying much more to Wei Ruo with Madam Yun present.

Wei Ruo got back into the carriage with Madam Yun, and they left the Yuan Residence and headed towards the Military Prefecture.

Unlike her cold demeanor before, Madam Yun now had a hint of joy on her face, and there were quite a few questions she wished to ask Wei Ruo.

“Ruoruo, your solution is not bad, but you also need to consider our family. See if there is a way to involve the Wei Family in it as well.”

“I already mentioned the method at the Yuan Residence – those with money contribute money, those with strength contribute strength, and those with grains contribute grains. Rewards will be distributed based on merit,” Wei Ruo answered.

Ruoruo, you are well aware of our family’s situation,” said Madam Yun.

“So? Is it Mother’s intent that we should contribute nothing, yet desire both land and merit?” Wei Ruo countered, a trace of mockery at the corner of her lips.

Madam Yun’s face darkened upon being exposed, but she still patiently responded, “How can you say we are not contributing? Isn’t the greatest merit of this matter on you, Ruoruo?”

“So, it’s only natural that the fields allocated afterward are under my name right?” said Wei Ruo.

“You mean, you want to take the land yourself?”

“Is there a problem? Hasn’t Mother already arranged my marriage, planning to marry me off? As the saying goes, a married daughter is like splashed water. There should be no problem with me setting aside my dowry early, right?” Wei Ruo said.

Dowry has always been the private property of women, untouched by both her natal family and her husband’s family.

“But you are not yet married.”

“Even though I am not married, the personal property that I have amassed should belong to me. There shouldn’t be any issue with this, right? Coming from the Capital City, Mother should be well aware of this rule,” Wei Ruo pointed out.

Madam Yun was rendered speechless by Wei Ruo, her complexion darkening.

Wei Ruo added, “By the way, it might be best to put off the matter of my betrothal. Now is a special time, countless people are suffering from famine, and many are dying of starvation every day. The Yuan Residence and the Seventh Prince are about to spearhead relief efforts, and we, meanwhile, are busily preparing for a wedding; it seems a bit inappropriate.”

“Moreover, Madam Yuan and the Seventh Prince are both very invested in this matter and hope that I can help oversee it. I will certainly be too busy to spare any time. If you were to arrange my marriage at this point, I’m afraid it may obstruct the progress of our plans, and I’m afraid it won’t please these two important figures.”

Madam Yun’s face grew even darker and more unpleased.

Wei Ruo’s words were indisputable and left Madam Yun unable to rebut. Yet it was precisely her overbearing attitude and her complete disregard for her mother that ignited Madam Yun’s anger.

“What do you mean by this? Are you threatening me?” Madam Yun demanded.

“It’s hardly a threat, merely a reminder. If Mother doesn’t want to listen, there’s really nothing I can do, but it might affect the future of Father, Brother and the entire Wei Family.”

This was clearly a threat!

Madam Yun’s chest heaved with fury as she glared at Wei Ruo, “You’ve truly grown a spine, daring to defy me like this! Now that you have some support, you don’t even want your mother anymore!”

“What are you talking about, Mother? When have I ever not wanted you? On the contrary, you and Madam Xu have been discussing my betrothal behind my back, probably planning to tell me when the matchmaker arrives so that you can quickly send me away,” Wei Ruo calmly rebutted.

“Unfihal daughter!” Unable to contain her anger, Madam Yun lifted her hand to slap Wei Ruo across the face.

However, as if she had anticipated this, Wei Ruo accurately caught Madam Yun’s descending wrist.

“Mother, you need to change this habit of demanding to hit me whenever you like. If my face swells up from being hit, it will be hard to explain to the important people I’m meeting tomorrow,” Wei Ruo reminded her.

Madam Yun was completely enraged, “You’re an ungrateful wretch! While I strive to plan everything for you, you treat me like an enemy, not paying the slightest regard to the Wei Family!”

Wei Ruo calmly responded, “Think what you will, I’m just informing you of a fact. If you want to hit me, I can let you do it, but if it brings any negative impact on the Wei Family later, don’t say that I don’t have the Wei Family’s interests at heart.”

Having spoken, Wei Ruo let go of Madam Yun’s hand.

Madam Yun was still seething, but she no longer had the courage to try to hit Wei Ruo again.

Before long, the carriage arrived at the Military Prefecture. The atmosphere inside the carriage was still chillingly cold.

Without hesitation, Wei Ruo swiftly descended from the carriage. Ignoring Madam Yun, who was still furious in the carriage, she went straight back to the Tingsong Garden.

###

When Wei Qingwan returned from school, she heard that Madam Yun hadn’t been able to eat all day and hurriedly rushed to the Cangyun Garden to inquire and comfort her.

“Mother, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Have you called for a doctor?” Wei Qingwan asked, full of concern.

Madam Yun leaned back on the couch, listening to Wei Qingwan’s consideration, a rush of indescribable complex emotions swelled in her heart.

“Wanwan, it’s you who truly understands me,” Madam Yun confessed.

“Mother, what are you talking about? I am your daughter; it’s only right that I care for you,” Wei Qingwan responded.

“Yes, you are my daughter. I used to hear people say that the grace of raising a child cannot compare to that of giving birth, and I didn’t think much of it. Now that I think back, it does hold some truth. After all, there is a difference between a child you raise yourself and one you merely share blood with,” Madam Yun sighed..