The Lucky Heiress

Wei Jinyi suddenly halted his hand that was holding the teacup, and once again looked up at the person in front of him.

Without the fake beard and birthmark as a cover, her lovely little face was perfectly clear; her sprightly eyes clear as a pool, were staring right at him. “Why bring up the Ji jie event so suddenly?” Wei Jinyi asked.

“Because after Ji jie, my family will start seeking a marriage alliance for me. I now have a new concern, upon marriage, I will become family with another, then I may not have time to meet with second brother and dine together.” said Wei Ruo.

Hence, such boating trips and the opportunities for idle chats over tea with second brother like the present would be fewer in the future.

Upon her arrival at the Wei Family, the most comfortable place to be in the mansion was the small pavilion in Yingzhu Garden.

Thinking of it, there was a pinch of reluctance in Wei Ruo regarding her departure from the Wei family.

Of course, this slight clinging would definitely not alter her original intentions.

Wei Jinyi observed Wei Ruo’s thoughtful expression and asked, “What type of husband does Ruoruo wish to find?”

“Anything goes.” said Wei Ruo. She had almost no demands for his character or appearance but only hoped for a simple family structure from his side, devoid of any troublesome elders.

She did not yet have the courage to tell Wei Jinyi that she wanted to find a man on his deathbed because even second brother would likely not approve of her idea.

Wei Jinyi’s eyebrows knitted slightly. It seemed he had some objections to what Wei Ruo said, but after observing Wei Ruo for a while, he remained silent.

“Is second brother also close to the time of matchmaking?” suddenly Wei Ruo asked curiously.

“I’m not in a hurry.”

“Indeed, older brother must go first, and since older brother needs to take the imperial examination first, the family will naturally not rush to arrange for his marriage.” Wei Ruo said.

“Mm.” Wei Jinyi did not explain further. Wei Ruo’s recent words undoubtedly stirred up his thoughts.

“Then, second brother, what type of wife do you wish to find?” Wei Ruo asked with curiosity.

Wei Jinyi did not reply immediately. Instead, he silently observed Wei Ruo for a while, then answered, “Intelligent, kind-hearted, with her own thoughts, and compatible.”

“Then I wish second brother to find such a beautiful lady soon!” Wei Ruo said.

Wei Jinyi remained silent and shifted his gaze to the lake outside. Ripples formed on the lake surface, endlessly seeming to rise and then disperse.

Some thoughts unknowingly slipped into his heart, and unknowingly took root and sprouted.

###

Later, Wei Jinyi asked Lin Fang to bring Wei Ruo to the room next to the tea room.

Lin Fang carefully examined Wei Ruo’s facial features, then took out a wooden box, then a bowl, put in some powder, added water, mixed, and finally thickened it into a paste.

“Miss, you need not be afraid. The mixture I’ve concocted will not harm your skin.” Lin Fang explained.

“Okay.” Wei Ruo nodded.

“I will dab this mixture sparingly on certain areas of your face. After it solidifies and is removed, a layer exactly conforming to your facial contour will be formed. This layer will then be able to assist in making small changes to your appearance in the future.”

“Okay.” Wei Ruo agreed.

She just had heard about the disguise techniques of these worldly people before, and today she had the opportunity to see it for the first time.

Lin Fang did not apply much of the mixture to Wei Ruo’s face. She focused on the chin and cheek areas to alter the lower contours of Wei Ruo’s face.

Wei Ruo looked at her transformed features in the mirror and appeared satisfied.

Although this face still looked somewhat childish, it obviously looked more masculine now.

As Lin Fang briskly worked, she explained to Wei Ruo, “Since you’ve shown yourself with your original appearance, and also as this mask might cause a bit of discomfort when worn, covering less of your face can reduce the discomfort. Hence, I only made adjustments to the area that was originally covered by the large beard.”

“Alright.”

Finally, when the mask was formed, Lin Fang removed half of the fake skin and handed it over to Wei Ruo.

“Miss, this is your exclusive disguise.”

Wei Ruo held the half-piece of skin-like disguise in her hand. Its color and texture were very similar to that of human skin, and when applied to her face, it was indeed hard to distinguish between real and fake.

Then, as Lin Fang was helping Wei Ruo clean her face, she said, “Miss, you’re truly a natural beauty. Your skin is as delicate as peeled eggs and lychees. I’m quite envious.”

Wei Ruo’s complexion was not dark, nor was it very fair. At least compared to Wei Qingwan, she wasn’t as pale. This was because Wei Ruo had been out in the sun all year round.

But her skin was extremely delicate and smooth, free from pimples and spots, just like the delicate texture of peeled eggs and lychees.

“Sister Lin’s skin isn’t bad either.” Wei Ruo remarked.

“I used to thinkthat way as well, but having seen yours, my skin seems inferior.” Lin Fang laughed.

“Sister Lin, it’s just some small spots, it’s no big deal. I’11 give you a few jars of my skin cream later. You can try it, it might improve your skin condition.” Wei Ruo proposed.

“How can I accept anything of yours, Miss.” Lin Fang hurriedly declined.

“What’s there to be shy about? You have all helped second brother, it’s my duty to thank you guys. Besides, didn’t Sister Lin help me out today?” Wei Ruo said with a smile.

Lin Fang also laughed, “Then, I’ll accept it without being modest.”

After completing the makeup, Wei Ruo returned to the cabin.

“Second brother, do you think I look better now than with the big beard before?” Wei Ruo twirled around in front of Wei Jinyi to show her new appearance.

Wei Jinyi softly gazed as Wei Ruo spun around in front of him, and responded with a “Mm.”

Wei Ruo and Wei Jinyi stayed on the tour boat till the third quarter of the afternoon. Before parting, Wei Ruo asked Wei Jinyi about his plans to return home for the New Year.

No matter how busy second brother was, he should come home for the New Year.

“On the 25th day of the twelfth lunar month.” Wei Jinyi replied.

“Good, then I will prepare some extra dishes and we’ll enjoy a hot pot meal in the new Yingzhu Garden!” said Wei Ruo.

Then, when the boat reached the shore, Wei Ruo went back to the shore with Xiumei.

Wei Jinyi did not disembark but remained on the boat watching Wei Ruo disappear into the distance.

###

It wasn’t until Wei Ruo returned to the Military Prefecture that she knew Wei Mingting had come home too, preparing to celebrate the Laba Festival with the family.

Wei Mingting seemed to be busier after being promoted to Deputy Guard Commander. He had even fewer opportunities to come home. The last time Wei Ruo saw Wei Mingting was half a month ago.

“Father.” Wei Ruo greeted him.

“Mm, has Ruoruo gone to class today?” Wei Mingting asked.

“Mm.” Wei Ruo replied.

Facing Wei Mingting’s stern face, Wei Ruo was slightly unsettled.