The Lucky Heiress

The next day, as Wei Ruo prepared to step out, she encountered Nurse Li just outside the gates of Tingsong Garden.

“So, Missy is heading out again?” Nurse Li asked with a beaming smile.

Wei Ruo found this smile to be anything but friendly.

Do I need to report to you when I leave now?” Wei Ruo retorted.

After the last episode, Nurse Li had laid low for a while, but Wei Ruo had no idea what emboldened her to stir trouble today.

“Of course, Missy need not report to a lowly servant like me when she goes out, but it wouldn’t hurt to inform the Madame.” Nurse Li reminded.

“Have I not left this many times before? Do I need lessons from you?”

“Now, Missy, don’t get angry. This old servant is only looking out for you After all, things are different now. You used to have the support of nobles when you were busying with the affairs of the city’s southern district, but everyone knows you have nothing to do with those matters anymore.” Nurse Li managed a smirk.

Now, it dawned upon Wei Ruo why Nurse Li had chosen today of all days to stir trouble. It seemed that she thought Wei Ruo had lost a significant backing and wouldn’t dare to act high and mighty at home anymore.

Indeed, during her previous visit to the Government City, Wei Ruo had drawn upon the support for her farming project in the city’s southern district to directly confront Madam Yun.

Once Wei Ruo understood Nurse Li’s intentions, she laughed dismissively, “So, you’re here on behalf of your Missy to mock me? The two of you did pick the ’ perfect time, when my father is away.”

A few days had passed since the incident and Nurse Li had held back until now to come and gloat, likely because her father and second brother had been at home.

In these few days, the war had begun and her father barely came home, let alone worry about trivial family matters.

“What are you implying, Missy? Isn’t it a bit unkind to assume that I, a humble servant, harbor sinister intentions about you? I merely wish for you to live by the rules, to respect your parents, and not flaunt your disregard for decorum. After all, it was I who taught you the rules when you first entered the house Naturally, I feel responsible for your behavior.” Nurse Li wore a proud smile. “Unfortunately, I’ll have to disappoint you,” Wei Ruo chuckled dismissively then turned to her maid Xiumei, “Meimei, if any dogs block our way again, do shoo them away for me.”

“Of course, Missy, I’ll handle it!” Xiumei made a fist with her right hand. Upon hearing this, Nurse Li snorted and stepped back, allowing Wei Ruo to pass.

As she watched Wei Ruo walk past her, a sneer spread across Nurse Li’s face. Right as Wei Ruo was about to step out of the gate, she ran into Madam Yun and Wei Qingwan.

The timing couldn’t have been more impeccable.

Upon seeing Wei Ruo, Wei Qingwan looked surprised, “Sister, you are heading out too? I thought your project in the city’s southern district was finished?” Wei Ruo laughed, so this was it; Nurse Li’s insistence on blocking her path was not just a ploy to irritate her, but also to ensure she would run into Madam Yun as she left.

“Is that so, Ruoruo? I thought you were done engaging with that project in the city’s southern district?” Madam Yun chimed in.

“I have other matters to attend to.” Wei Ruo responded.

“What other matters?” Madam Yun looked puzzled.

“It’s also about farming.” Wei Ruo replied.

This made Madam Yun frown, ’’Ruoruo, your father supported your southern city project because it benefited the people. Now that you’ve withdrawn from it, why do you still want to engage with farming?”

Madam Yun was not entirely in agreement with her daughter’s approach.

“Does my mother think it’s inappropriate for her daughter to take an interest in agriculture?” asked Wei Ruo.

“That’s not the issue; I simply believe there are more suitable tasks for you to pursue.” said Madam Yun.

She had initially hoped her eldest daughter’s efforts would add to her reputation, but this hope proved futile.

Regardless of whether it was the seventh prince’s or the Emperor’s intention none of them accepted the idea of a young woman from a noble family involving herself in agriculture.

Therefore, Madam Yun hoped her daughter could shift her efforts elsewhere and behave more like a proper young lady.

“And if I am determined to proceed as I have?” Wei Ruo challenged.

Madam Yun sighed, “If you insist on this path, I cannot stop you. Your father approved of your decision, after all. But I hope you realise that I suggest this for your own good. You’re going to turn fourteen soon, and potential suitors will start to make their assessments. Rather than marrying a farmer, I genuinely hope you’ll find a husband from a respectable family.” Although Madam Yun disapproved of her daughter’s decision internally, she didn’t want to go against her husband’s wishes and risk displeasing him. Wei Qingwan, standing next to them, tried to pacify Wei Ruo, “Sister, mother is only worried about you. She’s giving these advices for your own good. Don’t break her heart, she’s been exhausted and stressed out lately.”

Madam Yun threw a loving glance at Wei Qingwan. Compared to Ruoruo Wanwan was far more understanding and empathetic. She understood the hardships her mother was going through and always offered to help her out. Wei Ruo replied with a faint smile, “Is that so? Then, I will obey mother and not go out today.”

Both Madam Yun and Wei Qingwan were surprised by Wei Ruo’s sudden change in mindset.

“Are you willing to take your mother’s advice, Ruoruo?” asked Madam Yun. “Yes, I’ll heed mother’s advice today and not engage in farming, an activity unbecoming of a well-bred girl,” Wei Ruo responded, “But I’ll need to trouble mother to explain this to the servants from the magistrate’s household.”

What does she mean?

Servants from the Magistrate’s household?

Madam Yun was puzzled, and Wei Qingwan was equally confused.

Was Wei Ruo’s outing today related to the Magistrate’s wife?

But wasn’t the Magistrate’s wife in the Government City?

Just then, a two-horse carriage approached the gates of the Military Prefecture. A well-dressed young woman alighted from the carriage. She wore expensive clothing typical of a maid, clearly indicating her service to a prominent household.

Seeing Madam Yun and the others, she stepped forward to greet them.

“Greetings to Madame Wei, Miss Wei, and Little Miss Wei.”

“Who are you…” Madam Yun felt she looked familiar.

“We are servants from the prefecture’s office, under Madam’s orders to fetch

Miss Wei,” the maid explained.

Madam Yuan sent them to fetch Wei Ruo? Madam Yun could hardly conceal her astonishment.

An examination confirmed that the girl was indeed the one she met at the garden party, a servant from Madam Yuan’s household.

While Madam Yun was still puzzled, Wei Ruo responded to Madam Yuan’s personal maid, “I apologize, but upon my mother’s insistence, I can’t continue with these ‘farming matters’ as often. Therefore, I won’t be able to assist Madam. Please convey my apologies to her..”