The Lucky Heiress

“We are not quite sure yet, even the imperial physicians in the palace have not been able to make a diagnosis. They have only announced that he will not live very long,” Madam Yuan responded.

With his uncertain identity and sudden appearance, this ninth prince would have been a significant competitor, but he turned out to be a sick individual on his deathbed.

It seemed that the capital was destined to be thrown into chaos.

Wei Ruo contemplated and then said, “This incident is indeed surprising and unexpected, but for me, it’s only a matter of interest. As for the struggle for imperial power, it has nothing to do with me or the Loyal and Righteous Duke Residence.”

“Ruoruo is always clear-headed and her words make sense. I’m only sharing this news with you for amusement. You must not be overzealous and get involved in this power struggle with the General’s Residence, or else it might cause unnecessary trouble,” Madam Yuan warned. She cared about Wei Ruo, which was why she took the trouble to admonish her, something she wouldn’t do for others.

“Don’t worry, Madam. If I had a choice, I would always choose to stay far away from this mess. I’m not interested in power struggles. Rather than spending my time pondering these issues, I would prefer to focus on how to produce more and better crops, and on how to ensure that more people have enough to eat,” Wei Ruo replied.

“Exactly,” said Madam Yuan, her eyes filled with approval.

###

Wei Ruo returned from the Yuan Residence, bringing back a large number of rewards.

Wei Mingyong had been waiting at the door for Wei Ruo. When he saw her, he rushed over to see what she had brought back.

Just as he was about to lift the red cloth to take a peek, he was stopped by the quick-acting Xiumei.

“Lao Ye, what are you trying to do?”

“What does a little maid like you have to do with what I want to do?” Wei Mingyong blustered.

How absurd! Was even a little maid now daring to interfere with his affairs?

Wei Mingyong was a bit frustrated as he watched over a dozen boxes being carried into the backyard. He hadn’t even seen what was inside them yet! His instinct told him that they were full of valuable items!

Upon spotting Wei Ruo dismounting the carriage, Wei Mingyong stepped forward and blocked her path, resuming the conversation he had been unable to finish before she left.

“Great-niece, your Uncle Er may have some views you may not like to hear, but they come from the heart. They will benefit both you and the Wei Family. Everyone can see clearly who between the sixth and seventh princes has a greater chance of gaining the throne. You must not be naive!”

“Uncle Er, you should save these words for my father and brothers,” Wei Ruo replied, her attitude unchanged.

“You are the eldest legitimate daughter of the Wei Family. You should listen carefully to what you should understand! This matter concerns the future of the Wei Family, you cannot feign ignorance,” Wei Mingyong stated seriously.

“I am not feigning ignorance. I am actually advising Uncle Er to understand what’s going on before making judgments. Don’t echo others’ opinions blindly, and don’t take sides without thinking, in case the whole Wei Family gets implicated,” Wei Ruo fired back. If it weren’t for the fact that her actions could affect Wei Mingyong due to their blood ties, Wei Ruo wouldn’t even have bothered to talk so much with him.

“How dare you! Are you saying that I’m wrong? You, a girl who should be confined to her boudoir, what do you know?” Wei Mingyong snapped angrily.

“Everything my sister said is right.”

Wei Yichen had also arrived at the gate at some point, standing next to Wei Ruo.

His tall figure was standing behind Wei Ruo as if to back her up, and his words also seemed to support her.

“Yichen, you better not talk nonsense just to protect your sister,” Wei Mingyong warned.

“I’m not talking nonsense. We shouldn’t judge things based only on their surface. The situation is still unsettled, so we shouldn’t jump to conclusions. For the Wei clan in its current weak state, taking sides now is definitely not a good strategy,” Wei Yichen explained.

“All this talk simply shows that you’re too timid to act,” Wei Mingyong grumbled discontentedly.

“Then Uncle, you can just think of us as timid,” said Wei Yichen, not minding Wei Mingyong’s accusations of cowardice.

Wei Ruo looked up at Wei Yichen beside her. It wasn’t her imagination, Wei Yichen truly had changed.

Seeing Wei Yichen’s attitude, Wei Mingyong gave up on his plan to persuade them for the time being.

“Forget it. I won’t argue with you about these matters anymore.”

Then he asked, “Can I see what Princess Hui has rewarded my great-niece?”

Wei Ruo wanted to refuse, but Wei Mingyong didn’t give her the chance to decline and quickly said, “I’m just looking, I won’t take your stuff. I’m your elder, I wouldn’t do such a thing. You wouldn’t be so petty as to not even let me look, would you?”

Wei Ruo pondered for a moment, glanced at Wei Yichen, and then said, “All right, since my older brother is also here, we can look together.”

Wei Yichen nodded.

Thus, the three of them headed to Wei Ruo’s Tingsong Garden together.

Those twelve chests had already been delivered to Wei Ruo’s Tingsong garden. The moment they entered, they saw the room full of chests.

Wei Ruo then proceeded to remove each red cloth cover.

Before now, Wei Ruo had only read the list of rewards and hadn’t seen the actual items.

Twelve chests of rewards, two chests of jewelry and accessories, four chests of silk and brocade, two chests of dried goods and delicacies, and four chests of porcelain and paintings.

Wei Mingyong’s eyes sparkled as he looked at the items, exclaiming, “Princess Hui is so generous! She has given you so many valuable items!”

Wei Yichen calmly stated, “This is not the grace of Princess Hui, but the command of the Emperor.”

“What do you mean? It’s not Princess Hui? It’s a reward from the Emperor to our Wei Family?” Wei Mingyong looked astonished.

“Without the Emperor’s permission, Princess Hui wouldn’t be able to reward a subject’s daughter so lavishly on her own. It would be considered cronyism,” Wei Yichen explained.

Wei Ruo’s gaze towards Wei Yichen was filled with newfound respect.

Although he might not understand the affairs of the inner court, he had a clear understanding of the matters of the royal court.

“Is that so?!” Wei Mingyong’s face lit up with joy, “The Emperor has rewarded the Wei Family! That’s wonderful!”

Wei Mingyong’s initial fear vanished upon hearing Wei Yichen’s explanation. All that was left now was joy over receiving the rewards.

“These are not for the Wei Family, they are rewards for my big sister,” Wei Yichen corrected.

“It’s the same thing. She hasn’t married out yet, she’s still a part of our Wei Family,” Wei Mingyong said, guffawing.

Wei Yichen did not respond to this, but added, “Now that we’ve seen everything, we can go. My sister has been running around all day and must be tired by now, let’s allow her to rest.”

Wei Mingyong glanced at Wei Ruo, “Great-niece, since you’ve received rewards, shouldn’t you prepare some gifts for your grandparents in the capital?”

Wei Mingyong said he wouldn’t take his niece’s things, but he didn’t say he wouldn’t ask for things on behalf of others.

As a granddaughter, it would be only right for her to show filial piety to her grandparents. No one could fault him on this.

Wei Yichen’s expression darkened slightly, but he could not refute Wei Mingyong, for what he said was not wrong. He looked at Wei Ruo, wondering how she would respond.