The Lucky Heiress

Chapter 548: Chapter 548: Visiting Mother’s Home for New Year’s_1

“The clothes Ruoruo prepared look good,” answered Wei Jinyi.

“No, no, no, Second Brother just looks good,” Wei Ruo insisted.

“Ruoruo, please stop flattering me.”

Wei Jinyi did not look directly at Wei Ruo when he replied, his voice very soft.

Wei Ruo could not help but cover her mouth and chuckle; she had embarrassed her second brother by complimenting him.

Teasing her second brother was something she never got tired of, and it was becoming increasingly addictive.

Then the two sat down for lunch together.

After lunch, Wei Jinyi and Wei Ruo discussed some recent events in the Capital City.

The main topics were the disasters in various areas, the chaos caused by the Japanese pirates along the southeast coast, and the movements of the Jurchen Tribe in the northeast.

Wei Ruo suddenly thought of something, “Second Brother, with worsening disasters this year, there’s the possibility of peasant uprisings and the emergence of rampant gangs of thieves.”

Wei Ruo remembered such an episode occurred in the original story, where Chu Lan, laden with silver, went to provide disaster relief and encountered a gang of thieves. These people were labeled bandits by the court, but they saw themselves as forced rebels due to their difficult circumstances.

In the original work, he traveled with Wei Qingwan. They went through a life-and-death crisis together, which deepened their emotional bond.

Such a plot involving the two of them couldn’t happen in this life, but the natural disaster couldn’t be avoided, and the existence of these bands of thieves was certain.

Wei Ruo didn’t know if this would have any effect on the court’s decisions, but she felt she should tell Wei Jinyi about it.

After hearing this, Wei Jinyi pondered for a moment and said, “Ruoruo’s speculation is very likely to happen, and I will prepare for it in advance.”

“Hmm,” Wei Ruo nodded.

Wei Jinyi continued, “I also have something to tell you. Before I came here, Zhang Yi brought back some news. Xu Zhengyong is going to be transferred to the northeast.”

“Brother Xiaoyong is going to be transferred?” Wei Ruo asked.

Standing on the side, Xiumei quickly looked at Wei Jinyi with rapt attention.

“Yes, there are movements among the Jurchen Tribe in the Northeast, and we need to send more troops there in case of any contingencies. Xu Zhengyong volunteered to go there himself.”

“Brother Xiaoyong volunteered?” Wei Ruo showed a somewhat puzzled expression.

“Yes, that’s the information I received. I’m not sure of the specific reasons,” Wei Jinyi replied.

“When will he take up his new post?”

“There’s no rush, he’ll come to the Capital City before his assignment,” said Wei Jinyi.

Xiumei’s eyes shone, and she couldn’t help but ask, “When will he be coming?”

After asking, Xiumei realized she had overstepped and quickly covered her mouth, apologizing, “The servant deserves to die for interrupting the conversation between the Prince and the Miss.”

“It doesn’t matter, you’re not Ruoruo’s servant, and naturally, you’re not mine either, so you don’t need to be so formal,” Wei Jinyi told Xiumei.

Then Wei Jinyi answered Xiumei’s previous question: “He should arrive in the Capital City before the Lantern Festival.”

“So, that means we can celebrate the Lantern Festival with Brother Xiaoyong!” Xiumei said with great joy.

Wei Ruo could not help but reveal a joyful expression, and she couldn’t help but look forward to the Lantern Festival.

###

The New Year at the Loyal and Righteous Duke Residence was also particularly lively because Wei Mingting had returned home.

The old Lord Wei and Madam Wei were especially happy. Their usually quiet younger son was now the backbone of the Wei Family, which brought great comfort to the old couple.

While they were rejoicing, they couldn’t help but worry, as they saw the third branch of the family being so cheerful, Wei Minghong and Wei Mingyong laughed, but there was a hint of forced laughter in their joy.

Now that the old couple is here, everyone still celebrates the New Year together, and they can also enjoy the prosperity of the third branch of the family. But when the old couple is gone, judging from the way the third branch is acting now, they might not even have a sip of meat soup later.

In the past, when Wei Mingting was not home, they sought out Wei Yichen. Wei Yichen always found various ways to evade them. Even if they managed to see him, he would leave after exchanging a few words, or he would shift the topic. In short, he did not give them any chance to discuss serious matters.

Now, Wei Mingting was home, so the two men sought out Wei Mingting together.

Wei Mingting’s response was even simpler: I’m not home most of the time, all matters in the house are up to Yichen.

Wei Minghong and Wei Mingyong talked to him for a long time. At one moment they would tell him that he’s the head of the family and that all decisions should be his, not always relying on the younger generation. The next moment, they would say that Wei Yichen is inexperienced and his actions are impolite.

But Wei Mingting was resolute, no matter what his two older brothers said, he would respond in the same way each time, caught in a deadlock with a belly-full of words, Wei Minghong and Wei Mingyong were helpless.

The second branch of the Wei family.

Bai Family was calculating accounts in the house, growing angrier the more she calculated.

“You think of a solution, now that the third branch no longer contributes money to the common pot and the parents are managing their own money. If we’re responsible for our own profits and losses, the money is definitely not enough!”

“Why isn’t it enough? Didn’t we get some shops? And there’s your dowry, so many shops and estates! Even if the yield is not as good as in previous years, our days should still be manageable, right?”

“Don’t you know the prices of grain and vegetables in the Capital City have surged?”

“This…” Wei Mingyong actually wasn’t very clear about this, albeit he heard a rumor or two.

After careful consideration, Wei Mingyong said, “The Side Consort of Duke Yu is coming back to the mansion tomorrow, why don’t you ask her to return that thousand taels?”

“Are you mad?”

“What’s the big deal? Anyway, your relationship with her is completely broken after the last incident. Without the support of Qi Family anymore, Duke Yu has no chance of becoming Crown Prince. Initially, Wei Qingwan gave you a promissory note in black and white. Repaying a debt is a matter of course, even if she is a queen, we are in the right.”

“Your words seem to make some sense…”

###

On the second day of the New Year, according to tradition, daughters who got married in the previous year are supposed to return to their parents’ home with their husbands to pay a New Year’s visit.

Last year, both of the Wei Family’s daughters got married making the Loyal and Righteous Duke Residence prepare early to welcome the return of Wei Ruo and Wei Qingwan.

Wei Ruo came on her own, Wei Jinyi did not accompany her, but she brought a lot of attendants.

Wei Qingwan, on the other hand, entered the gate of the Wei Family under the company of Duke Yu, Chu Heng.

This was unexpected but within reason.

Naturally, Wei Ruo, as the main wife, should be accompanied by her husband to her parents’ house for New Year’s greetings, but King Rui was unwell.

Wei Qingwan was merely a concubine and Duke Yu had another main wife who entered the door with her in the same year. This New Year’s Day, Duke Yu shouldn’t be accompanying her.

However, Qi Family has fallen, and Duke Yu’s main wife has lost her family too.

Everyone from the Wei Family welcomed Wei Ruo, Wei Qingwan, and Duke Yu, Chu Heng into the mansion.

After the three of them entered the mansion, Wei Mingting, Madam Yun, and Wei Yichen first paid their respects to Wei Ruo according to their ranks.

Everyone then took their seats in the hall.

Wei Mingting and Madam Yun sat on the high platform facing the main entrance, Wei Ruo was seated on the left side, Wei Yichen on the right, and to his right sat Duke Yu, Chu Heng, and Wei Qingwan in that order.

A servant served everyone tea and pastries.

Wei Ruo looked at Wei Mingting. After such a long time, Wei Mingting’s skin seemed to be darker, probably due to the sea breeze.