The Lucky Heiress

On the eighth day of the Lunar New Year, the medicinal herbs arrived at last, having been transported in three large carts by people dispatched by Lady Yuan.

Having received the herbs, everyone could not help but rejoice. The entire courtyard filled with the strong scent of herbs.

No one perceived this odor as unpleasant, because it represented hope.

Pots of herbal medicine were then sent out from the courtyard to the homes of every patient.

Meanwhile, Wei Ruo once again sent a message to Lady Yuan, requesting the Government Office to conduct a door-to-door census of the sick, ensuring that no patient was overlooked.

Since the disease was infectious, a single overlooked case could cause an endless array of problems.

Fortunately, due to the heavy snowfall and the general fear of the plague, most of the city’s citizens chose to stay indoors. This substantially reduced the large-scale spread of the plague during this period.

The bodies of all deceased patients, their worn clothes, and some personal items needed to be promptly incinerated by staff dispatched by the Government Office. The ashes could then be returned to the families.

After receiving Wei Ruo’s letter, Lady Yuan promptly informed her husband, Yuan Zhengqin, and arranged for the necessary measures to be taken.

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The tenth day of the Lunar New Year.

Wei Ruo had not yet returned to the Military Prefecture.

Madam Yun had given Wei Ruo plenty of allowance, but there were limits. Even if invited to spend the New Year at someone else’s house, propriety dictated that Wei Ruo couldn’t stay away until the tenth day of the Lunar New Year without any communication.

So, Madam Yun decided to send Jing Hu to the Yuan Residence to inquire about the situation.

When Wei Yichen found out about this, he once again insisted on bringing Wei Ruo back home himself.

“Mother, the Yuan Residence is not like other households, it is more prudent for me to go in person.”

If a servant was sent and failed to handle the matter properly, it could have left a bad impression on the Yuan family.

They were of lower status compared to the influential Yuan, and even during extraordinary times, they should respect their superiors and not abandon courtesy.

Concluding that his reasoning was sound, and considering that the situation seemed to be improving these few days with many families beginning to emerge from their homes, Madam Yun agreed with Wei Yichen.

“You go straight there and come straight back. Do not delay on the way. Take the carriage and don’t ride a horse, to avoid contact with others.”

“Understood,” replied Wei Yichen.

Wei Yichen then left promptly, taking a horse carriage as Madam Yun had suggested.

The servant driving the carriage had a handkerchief covering half of his face, which was a preventive measure recommended by the Government Office to avoid contagion from the plague. Though people did not understand the rationale, they adopted the practice faithfully.

Upon reaching the side gate of the Yuan Residence, Wei Yichen informed the guard of his purpose, and the guard asked him to wait.

A short while later, the guard returned with a message from Lady Yuan.

“Young Master Wei, I apologize. My mistress says she was negligent; she was so busy that she forgot to inform your family. Miss Wei has been assisting my mistress in handling the plague situation at the Government Office these past few days. Due to the critical situation, the people of Taizhou prefecture still need Miss Wei, so she cannot return home with you just yet.”

“You mean, my elder sister has been dealing with the plague situation all these days?” Wei Yichen said, showing surprise.

“Yes, all the tasks related to the plague in the city have been coordinated and arranged by Miss Wei. A significant part of the success in controlling the plague so quickly is attributed to her.”

Upon hearing the guard’s explanation, Wei Yichen was instantly shocked.

He had never imagined that the reason his elder sister had not returned home all these days was because of this! They had all misunderstood her!

Still in shock, Wei Yichen listened as the guard continued, “My mistress also asked me to tell you to not misunderstand the situation. The reason she forgot to notify your family these days was due to her own oversight. Miss Wei has been incredibly busy, with hardly any time to sleep, let alone attend to such matters. It was certainly not her intention to keep your family uninformed.”

“Today, my mistress and Miss Wei are unable to meet with you. Especially Miss Wei, she has been in contact with numerous patients to facilitate better coordination of work, and may have become infected at any moment. Hence, she cannot have any contact with others until the plague has been entirely eliminated.”

Deeply moved, Wei Yichen replied, “I understand. If possible, please pass a message to my elder sister and reassure her that everything is fine at home. Also, ask her to take good care of herself.”

“I will relay your message to my mistress,” replied the guard.

When Wei Yichen returned to the Military Prefecture, he immediately went to see Madam Yun.

At this time, Wei Qingwan was with her. Wei Ruo hadn’t returned home the entire New Year, whereas Wei Qingwan had been by her side all along. Consequently, the difference between the two sisters had become more prominent in Madam Yun’s heart.

“Has Ruoruo returned?” said Madam Yun anxiously as she saw Wei Yichen.

“No,” Wei Yichen replied.

“What? She doesn’t want to come back yet? Does she consider the Yuan Residence her own home now?” Madam Yun became instantly infuriated.

Wei Qingwan hurriedly tried to soothe her, “Mother, calm down, getting upset isn’t good for you. You have already exerted yourself too much, and your health is showing signs of deterioration.”

Madam Yun complained in irritation, “If only Ruoruo were as considerate as you are, I wouldn’t have to get upset!”

Wei Yichen hastily explained, “Mother, elder sister is not simply visiting the Yuan Residence. She is working on the plague issue! All the arrangements regarding the plague in the city are being managed by her. She even had to make contact with the patients in order to help them. That’s why she couldn’t come home!”

“What did you say?” Madam Yun exclaimed, her eyes wide open with astonishment.

Wei Qingwan, standing by her side, too, wore an incredulous expression.

“The servant from the Yuan Residence, relaying Lady Yuan’s message, said that elder sister has been busy dealing with the plague since the thirtieth day of the last month. She has barely been able to sleep due to her efforts,” Wei Yichen reported faithfully.

Despite Wei Yichen’s explanation, Madam Yun still struggled to believe it, “Are you certain? Ruoruo is even handling such a major issue as the plague? She’s just a maiden…”

“These words were passed on by Lady Yuan’s messenger. They can’t be mistaken. If not, why would Lady Yuan credit elder sister with such a monumental feat?” replied Wei Yichen.

Dealing with a plague was not a small matter and, if attributed to Magistrate Yuan, it would be regarded as a significant achievement.

Hearing these words, Madam Yun’s anger instantly subsided, replaced by deep concern, “So is there a chance that Ruoruo might become infected?”

“Yes, there is a possibility. As you know, mother, the plague is infectious. Elder sister is risking her life in dealing with it,” answered Wei Yichen.

“That child, why did she embark on such a dangerous task without saying a word!” exclaimed Madam Yun, more worried than angry now.

After a moment of being dumbfounded, Wei Qingwan asked Wei Yichen, “But why didn’t elder sister contact us all these days?”