The Lucky Heiress

Wei Ruo stretched out her hand and took off the lid of the wine jar that Xiumei was holding.

As soon as she did, a strong, rich aroma of wine drifted out, instantly filled the entire study.

Wei Mingting, who had drunk countless wines, immediately recognized this as good liquor.

Wei Mingting couldn’t help but chuckle: “Ruoruo, you seem determined to make me suffer. If this were any other day, I would definitely drink this to my heart’s content, but right now, I’m not fully healed from my injuries.” That’s right, you can’t drink while your wound is still healing,” Wei Ruo agreed.

Then why bring such wonderful wine?” asked Wei Mingting.

Wei Ruo calmly explained, “If you take good care of yourself and rest properly you’ll recover much sooner. Then you could enjoy your drink. But if you don’t ’ rest, what could have been healed in two months might take three or five, delaying when you can drink again.”

Weighing her words, Wei Mingting paused then replied with a wry smile, “Ruoruo, this way of persuading me not to work too hard is a bit too …” A bit too unique.

Her mother would plead with him to rest more. But when it came to his daughter, she simply put a jar of wine in front of him, something he could see and smell, but not taste.

“I’m not persuading you to do anything, Father. I’m just stating a fact.” Then, Wei Ruo brought out cold cuts wrapped in oiled paper, unwrapping a piece of duck neck in front of Wei Mingting.

The bronze-colored duck neck, glistening with oil, exuded a mouth-watering aroma.???? ^&

“I also brought some appetizers for you, Father – some braised duck neck, duck feet, and a side of pig ears.”

Wei Mingting couldn’t help but chuckle again. Not only was he not allowed to drink, but she also brought a whole pile of appetizers.

“Ruoruo, are you testing my willpower?”

“Father’s willpower has always been remarkable, it didn’t falter even when facing sharp swords, will it be swayed by some good food and wine?” replied Wei Ruo.

Wei Mingting had no reply.

Looking at Wei Ruo, her small face didn’t show any excess emotions. No gentleness or concern.

Her words weren’t kind either and didn’t contain any advice, but Wei Mingting felt his daughter’s care.

Wei Mingting couldn’t help but laugh: “I’ve had enough work for today, I’ll go to the back courtyard dining hall with you – would you dine with me?” Wei Mingting had stayed in the study until now without having his morning meal. With his wife not there, there was no one to remind him, and he tended to lose track of time when he’s busy.

“Sure,” agreed Wei Ruo.

After that, Wei Mingting asked a servant to go inform the kitchen to prepare a meal, and then leisurely headed back to the dining hall with Wei Ruo.

After sitting down, Wei Ruo placed the snacks she brought on the table, and then sent Xiumei to Tingsong Garden to bring back the leftover winter melon tea from last time.

Under Wei Mingting’s watchful gaze, Wei Ruo brewed a large bowl of tea for him.

What is this?” asked Wei Mingting.

“This drink is called winter melon tea. Even though you can’t drink wine, Father, you can still have some beverages to accompany these cold cuts,” Wei Ruo explained.

Even without alcohol, you can still enjoy drinking a good beverage with your meal.

“Alright.” Curious, Wei Mingting took a sip of the winter melon tea Wei Ruo brewed for him.

The taste was light, sweet, and delicious, different from wine, but it had its unique flavor.

Following that, Wei Mingting tasted the cold cuts that Wei Ruo had brought back. He had tasted the braised pig ears before. But the duck neck and duck feet were new to him.

The taste of the duck cuts was different from the pig ears, but equally impressive.

Paired with the fresh taste of winter melon tea, Wei Mingting was delighted with the new culinary experience.

By the time the servants had brought out the dishes prepared by the kitchen for the noon meal, Wei Mingting was already seventy to eighty percent full. After the meal, Wei Ruo said to Wei Mingting, “I’m keeping that jar of alcohol for Father. I’ll give it to him when he’s fully recovered.”

“You should keep your promise, Ruoruo. Don’t give it to anyone else,” Wei Mingting said with a laugh.

He had two sons, Wei Yichen and Wei Yilin, and a adopted daughter, Wei Qmgwan. Yet he mostly maintained a solemn and strict demeanor when interacting with the others.

Somehow, it was his eldest daughter, whom he had spent less time with that brought more smiles to his face, and their interactions were more relaxed and pleasant.

“I will, as promised,” Wei Ruo replied.

When Lady Yun returned that afternoon, she was surprised to find her husband dutifully recuperating in the backyard.

Upon hearing from the servants that their eldest daughter had specifically persuaded him to do so, and that after being persuaded, the master had not only had his meals on time but also refrained from moving to the front courtyard, she was astonished.

Lady Yun asked about the specifics, but the servants did not know.

Lady Yun was very happy, though. Her husband’s health had always been a concern of hers. She had tried to persuade him many times to no avail. Now that their eldest daughter’s persuasion was effective, she couldn’t be more pleased.

###

May 15, a day of rest.

The local government office had been promoting late rice and sweet potato cultivation for several days, and the purchasing of fertilizers was being implemented. However, the dark cloud above Taizhou prefecture had not dispersed.

Anzhou Academy had suggested its students to observe the public sentiment in the fields during their free time. Only by understanding the most pressing issues of the day could they know how to answer questions and how to become an official of the imperial court in the future.

Wei Yichen took the opportunity of this rest day, together with his close friends such as Xiu Fengyuan, to inspect the fields. Lu Yuhong was also among them.

Along the way, they engaged in animated discussions about their views on the hardship and crop shortages faced by the common people.

By midday, Xiu Fengyuan invited everyone to have lunch at the Zuixian Residence.

They booked a private room big enough for eight people to sit in comfortably.

Xiu Fengyuan ordered a table of Zuixian Residence’s signature dishes, along with a pot of fine wine.

The waiter served a pot of wine for everyone. Xiu Fengyuan filled everyone’s cups, but they were all immediately taken aback by its color, aroma, and taste.

The wine had a rich aroma, yet it was as clear as water-there was not a speck of turbidity in it. Moreover, it was as transparent and pure as a clear spring. This seemed like white wine.

Everyone then asked Lu Yuhong, who had the most experienced palate in the group, “Young Master Lu, you have seen a lot and know a lot. From what you can tell, is this white wine?”

Lu Yuhong only took a brief look at it and said, “Judging from its color, there’s no doubt that it’s white wine. The only question left to answer is how good it tastes.”

It was indeed white wine.

White wine is rare. The number of distilleries that can properly produce authentic white wine can be counted on one hand, and many of them are concentrated within the Capital City.

There happened to be white wine in Taizhou prefecture, but it was imported from other places. Locally, there were no distilleries like that.

Although they were at the Zuixian Residence, they were quite surprised and amazed at encountering a white wine of such quality here.

Everyone began to taste it with intrigue and curiosity.

Compared to yellow wine, which everyone was more familiar with, the white wine had a stronger and more powerful flavor. Those who tried it for the first time might find it a bit too potent, but once they gave it a good taste, they could appreciate its delightful flavors.

“There’s no substitute for experiencing something firsthand. This is the first time I’ve had white wine, and the taste is really unique.”

“This wine tastes a bit intense at first sip. It delivers a warming sensation down the throat and into the stomach. It flows like a babbling brook, and lingers like mountain ranges, truly a fine wine.”

Everyone gave their high praise unanimously..