The Lucky Heiress

Wei Ruo continued: “Deputy General Xu is the friend I mentioned to you before.”

“Hmm, I guessed so.” Wei Jinyi replied.

Perhaps because he hadn’t slept the night before and was feeling very exhausted, Wei Ruo found Wei Jinyi’s demeanor somewhat cold, even somewhat displeased.

As the conversation had reached the subject of Xu Zhengyong, Wei Ruo continued: “In fact, he’s not just my friend, he’s also my wet nurse’s son. We grew up together. Though he’s the son of my wet nurse, in my heart, he has always been my elder brother.”

“I know that in these major families, the master is the master, and the servant is the servant, and there are clear distinctions. If I am close to the son of my wet nurse, not only would people not think of us as siblings, they may even have some vulgar speculations.”

“But in my heart, my wet nurse has cared for me better than my two biological mothers, and Brother Xiaoyong is like my real brother. Our affection is very pure. Even without blood ties, I believe our relationship is no less than real siblings.”

Wei Ruo never explicitly told Wei Jinyi about this before, as she felt that their relationship was not close enough. She worried that after telling him, Wei Jinyi might make her keep distance with Xu’s family to avoid scandal. Therefore, Wei Ruo just mentioned him as a friend.

Wei Jinyi turned his head to look at Wei Ruo, his gaze deep: “But you told me.”

Wei Ruo replied: “Because through my observation of you recently, I believe you won’t think like that about me. You won’t demand that I keep my distance from my wet nurse’s family like outsiders and understand my feelings.” “Hmm.” Wei Jinyi affirmed.

“Oh yes, you didn’t sleep last night, so you should go and rest now. Don’t wear yourself out.” Wei Ruo said.

“Hmm.” Wei Jinyi agreed, then put down the pen in his hand and returned to his room.

After he retired to his room, Xiaobei with a delighted face told Wei Ruo: “Miss, our master listens to you the most. I tried to persuade him to rest earlier but it was no use. Once you spoke, the master went to rest immediately.”

Wei Ruo didn’t find any issue with it, and told Xiaobei: “Take good care of your master. If he feels unwell, remember to inform me.”

“Don’t worry, miss. I’ve learned my lesson. If the master feels uncomfortable, I will definitely come to find you!” Xiaobei assured.

Afterwards, Wei Ruo returned to the Tingsong Garden. She had many things to take care of.

Although the rain had stopped, the damage caused by the sudden change in weather was not over yet.

At this time, Xie Ying came looking for Wei Ruo at the Military Prefecture. Wei Ruo asked Xiumei to bring Xie Ying directly to the Tingsong Garden.

As soon as Xie Ying entered the door, she rushed to Wei Ruo, carefully examining her up and down to confirm her arms and legs were intact and she had no injuries.

Then she asked Wei Ruo: “Ruoruo, I heard you went to the southern city to save people and then rushed to West Mountain Village to help?”

“How did you know?” Wei Ruo asked in surprise.

“Are you kidding, who am I? I am Xie Ying. How can I not know about such a big issue?”

Wei Ruo suspiciously looked at Xie Ying.

Xie Ying laughed: “My brother told me. He rushed back from Government City to help last night, went to the government office first, and heard about your activities from Qian Magistrate. So he told me as soon as he got home this morning.”

While speaking, Xie Ying frowned: “Ruoruo, why didn’t you bring me along? I also want to help!”

Seeing Xie Ying wasn’t pleased, Wei Ruo quickly said: “I was planning to have you assist with the following activities.”

“What are we going to do next? Aren’t the people of the southern city and West Mountain Village already rescued?” Xie Ying asked in confusion.

“There are many things to do next. This sudden extreme weather has caused many people’s vegetables to rot in the field before they could harvest them. Many people’s houses have been destroyed, and some of their food supplies have been soaked. They might have to endure hunger and cold.”

“How can I help them?” Xie Ying asked.

“We will serve porridge, first let those who are about to starve eat a full meal. Then we will figure out a way to gather some cotton clothes and quilts.” Wei Ruo said.

“What are we waiting for? Let’s go now!” Xie Ying took Wei Ruo’s hand and was about to take her out the door.

Seeing her lady being dragged away, Xiumei hurried after them.

Yesterday, she stayed at the county government and did not follow her lady, causing her to worry all day. Today, she can’t let her lady run around recklessly again.

In the afternoon, a porridge stand was set up at the west city gate, serving porridge to those passing by.

The fresh sweet potatoes and porridge boiled into a pot of sweet potato porridge had an inviting sweet aroma, attracting nearby villagers to line up for porridge.

Wei Ruo, Xie Ying, Xiumei, along with a few maids and servants from the Xie Family, were busy at the porridge stand.

Boiling porridge, washing dishes, serving porridge — both Wei Ruo and Xie Ying were hands-on.

The three of them worked until dinnertime and had served ten large pots of sweet potato porridge.

In the end, there was a little left in the pot. Xie Ying, who was already very hungry, served herself.

“Ruoruo, this sweet potato porridge is so sweet and delicious! I feel that the delicacies of the mountains and seas can’t compare to it!” For the first time, Xie Ying found such simple food so delicious.

Wei Ruo couldn’t help but say: “You’re hungry, that’s why you find it delicious.”

Xie Ying admitted: “It seems so. I believe I understood what my grandfather said. Over the years, he has tasted countless delicacies, but he still thinks the most delicious food is the cornbread with pickles my grandmother made for him after he finished planting the fields when he was young.”

Wei Ruo laughed and said: “Your grandfather is right.”

“Ruoruo, can we continue this tomorrow?” Xie Ying asked.

“As long as your family doesn’t object, it’s fine with me.”

“My family naturally has no objections. When they find out I am serving porridge, my mother and brother will be very supportive and I am sure that my grandfather in the Capital City would be very pleased as well.” Xie Ying replied confidently.

“We’ll come back tomorrow then.”

“Alright!”

###

By evening, news of Xie Ying and Wei Ruo serving porridge at the west city gate had reached the Military Prefecture.

Although Lady Yun did not approve of Wei Ruo personally rushing to the southern city to rescue people, she was entirely supportive of the porridge serving initiative.

During disasters, the custom of noble women serving porridge has been a tradition since the Holy Sage Empress — it is always regarded as a benevolent and virtuous act.

As for Wei Ruo going to the southern city to save people, getting dirty and staying with villagers, Lady Yun has changed her mind after Wei Ruo rescued Wei Mingting.

Perhaps her husband was right, she shouldn’t impose the standards of traditional ladies in the Capital City on their eldest daughter.

The only thing that Lady Yun was not entirely satisfied was that the porridge stand was set up under the name of the Xie family. Although Wei Ruo had contributed money and effort and was leading the initiative, those who weren’t in the know might think it was the Xie family’s undertaking and Wei Ruo was simply helping..