The Lucky Heiress

Mmm.” Wei Ruo had already recognized it when she was at the Xiu’s courtyard.

Madam Tongzhi spoke again, “From a young age, Fengyuan has always been a child who worries me less, whether it’s studying or doing other things, he doesn’t require much concern from me, unlike his restless sister.”

Wei Ruo responded with a smile, the words of Madam Tongzhi making her somewhat unsure of how to handle them.

Even if she weren’t the sharpest person, she ought to feel the message that Madam Tongzhi intended to convey.

Wei Qingwan, on the side, bit her lip secretly. The attitude of Madam Tongzhi towards Wei Ruo further confirmed what Xiu Yaojun had said.

Madam Tongzhi fancied Wei Qingruo and wanted her to become the daughter- in-law of the Xiu Family!

The Xiu Family is a prominent family of Taizhou Prefecture, and Xiu Fengyuan is dignified and also a fellow student with his elder brother at the Anzhou Academy. He is even participating in the provincial examination this autumn, promising limitless future prospects.

Wei Qingruo was raised by a merchant family and has grown up with a crude way of living, yet she still finds such good fortune. This caused Wei Qingwan to feel somewhat displeased.

From a distance, Xiu Fengyuan, Wei Yichen and other students from the Anzhou Academy are engaged in a contest with Lu Yuhong.

Lu Yuhong was the first to go up, each arrow hitting its target, looking imposing, eliciting praises from the other students.

These praises were sincere and did not merely offer flattery for Lu Yuhong’s status.???? ⁶

Lu Yuhong s horse archery skills are rarely matched even in the Capital City not just among them.

With Lu Yuhong outstandingly leading the way, the performances of the others seemed much less impressive.

However, Xiu Fengyuan stood out from the crowd, and with a score that nearly matched Lu Yuhong’s, he won the applause of everyone present.

Horse archery is a weak point for Wei Yichen, he has always performed poorly in this field, hence his performance today was mediocre.

Lu Yuhong, looking at Wei Yichen who has returned on a horse, said, “Your ancestors from the Wei Family are renowned founding generals, and your father is also a military general who has fought invasions on all fronts. But how do you not inherit any of the military bloodline?”

Wei Yichen responded with some shame, “I am dull and have not been able to inherit the horse archery skills of my father and ancestors.”

“What a pity.” Lu Yuhong, being straightforward, said what he thought without considering how others might feel hearing his words.

Wei Yichen accepted Lu Yuhong’s evaluation honestly, “Yes, it’s a bit of pity. When I was young, my father used to say the same.”

But things have improved now, as little brother Yilin has recently shown promising martial arts talent and interest, and might possibly become the one to carry on their father’s legacy if nurtured well.

After the contest ended and everyone took a little rest, Wei Yichen looked towards the pavilion in the distance and sought the figures of his mother and sisters among the crowd.

He saw his mother engaged in a casual chat with other Madams, and sister Wanwan was also having a conversation with the ladies her age from prominent families, whereas Ruoruo was sitting in a corner lost in her own thoughts.

Xiu Fengyuan approached and said to Wei Yichen, “Brother Wei, are you looking at your two sisters?”

Wei Yichen nodded in assent.

‘I heard that the oldest Miss Wei was raised in the countryside due to her weak health?” Xiu Fengyuan asked further.

“Mmm.” Wei Yichen nodded and then added, “Although my elder sister was raised in the countryside since her childhood, she is as knowledgeable and well-mannered as my younger sister.”

“lean see that. I have already experienced the scholarship of Miss Wei earlier,” Xiu Fengyuan agreed.

Following that, Xiu Fengyuan said, “To be honest, my mother had mentioned her liking for your elder sister even before today.”

Hearing this, Wei Yichen turned back and looked at Xiu Fengyuan in surprise. Xiu Fengyuan was somewhat embarrassed, but he continued, “Honestly, I was somewhat resistant to the idea until today, but I yielded to my mother’s wishes. Then today, under my mother’s arrangements, I got to see your elder sister from a distance.”

Xiu Fengyuan was quite frank and didn’t hide the fact that today’s arrangements were intentional from Wei Yichen.

Wei Yichen was at a loss for words for a moment.

Xiu Fengyuan continued, “However, after what I saw today, I seem to have less of the resistance towards my mother’s arrangement.”

Clearly, Xiu Fengyuan was satisfied with Wei Ruo whom he met today.

Although matters of marriage are usually arranged by parents, but if the other party was someone like Wei Ruo, it seemingly didn’t seem that unacceptable. Wei Yichen said, “I have no say in this matter. It ultimately depends on my parents’ decision. However, I have heard my father mention that he isn’t in a hurry for my sisters to get married. They have just turned fourteen this year, and father still wants them to enjoy a few more years under his care.”

Xiu Fengyuan explained, “I understand. My mother also said that even if it is decided, it will just be an engagement.”

Speaking, Xiu Fengyuan bowed to Wei Yichen, “I hope Brother Wei could put in a good word for me to your elder sister in the future.”

Wei Yichen felt somewhat complicated. From his understanding of Xiu Fengyuan, he was indeed a suitable match. It was just that his elder sister had returned home not long ago, and he had not considered settling her marriage so quickly.

However, as Xiu Fengyuan had said, it would be parents’ command and matchmakers’ words, and it was not his place to decide.

###

After the day’s outing had ended, Madam Yun, Wei Qingwan and Wei Ruo went back to the Military Prefecture by carriage.

In a short while, Wei Yichen also came back.

It was not the time for him to return home, but he had some business today, so he took a special trip back to the Prefecture.

After returning to the Prefecture, Wei Yichen met Madam Yun and told her the

news he had heard from Xiu Fengyuan.

“Are you sure?” Madam Yun’s face shone with joy.

“Mother, do you think this is a good thing?” Wei Yichen asked, his brows furrowed.

“Of course it’s a good thing. Although the Xiu family isn’t a meritorious family, they have deep roots and many people in their clan hold office now. Although Master Xiu only holds the position of Tongzhi, his future looks promising, and moving to the Capital City in the future is not impossible. The son of Xiu family is good at academics and probably has a good character too, or else you wouldn’t be friends with him.” Madam Yun said.

Wei Yichen couldn’t refute. Everything his mother said was true. Xiu family was indeed a suitable match.

However…

‘Mother, father intends to not let the two sisters get married so quickly.” Wei Yichen said.

“Don’t worry, I’ve mentioned this before, and I won’t let your sisters get married so early. But if we could make this work, it would be a good thing ” Madam Yun said.

It was common for the daughters of the nobility to have their marriages arranged early.

Wei Yichen couldn’t say more, but said, “Mother, you’d better ask my elder sister’s opinion more. We owe her a lot. Even though we couldn’t help her in other matters, we should let her decide for herself about her marriage.” “You silly kid, ever since ancient times, parents have arranged marriages. How can we listen to the girl’s own opinions? What does she know about marriage? It’s better for us to decide for them.” Madam Yun said.

Speaking of this, Madam Yun changed the topic to Wei Yichen, “If it wasn’t for fear of ruining your studies, I should have started making inquiries about your marriage by now.”