Chapter 116: A Bountiful Harvest in the Experimental Field

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Cui He had no choice but to comply, taking the white porridge and pickles back out without having touched them. Afterwards, she wished to report the matter to Madam Yun, but since Madam Yun was inside the room, she chose to inform Cui Ping, who served Madam Yun, hoping that Cui Ping would relay the information.

“Sister Cui Ping, Second Miss didn’t eat any of her supper. I brought back the white porridge and pickles completely untouched. Second Miss’s health is already weak, and I’m worried she might fall ill if this continues,” Cui He said.

“I understand,” Cui Ping replied simply, without entering the room to report to Madam Yun.

The eldest lady’s illness was already enough to worry Madam Yun. Adding a sulking Second Miss who refused to eat would only be pouring fuel on the fire. Moreover, one was a doctor-confirmed illness, while the other was self-inflicted by refusing food—the severity was clear. Cui Ping took it upon herself to withhold the news.

Wei Qingwan waited in her room for a long time but Madam Yun never came to see her. Eventually, she collapsed onto the bed, crying bitterly.

***

The next day, Wei Ruo was taken away again by Lady Yuan. Madam Yun did not know the specifics, and without Wei Ruo’s word, she had no way to find out.

This time, the visit lasted even longer; by the time Wei Ruo returned, it was already dusk.

Madam Yun invited Wei Ruo to join her for supper, but Wei Ruo replied that she had already eaten with Lady Yuan and told Madam Yun that the matter had been settled. Lady Yuan would not visit her again in the coming days, and she could return to Xingshan County at any time.

Madam Yun then had the residence tidied up and prepared to depart for Xingshan County early the next morning.

They all rode together in one carriage. Wei Ruo leaned against the innermost corner, a thin blanket covering her entirely, concealing her expression.

Wei Qingwan sat near the curtain, her face pale. She had hoped her mother would at least inquire after her, but Madam Yun never uttered a word.

Wei Qingwan’s heart sank completely—her place in her mother’s heart had been utterly replaced by Wei Ruo...

Madam Yun had noticed Wei Qingwan’s pallor but since Wei Ruo lay beside her, and the doctor had said her condition was poor, Madam Yun felt she should pay more attention to Wei Ruo.

They traveled all day from the city to Xingshan County and only returned at dusk.

Upon returning, Madam Yun once again forbade Wei Qingwan from leaving her room for three days, then personally took gifts to the Xie family to express thanks for lending the secondary residence.

Wei Ruo spent two quiet days in her own courtyard. Although peaceful, she was not idle.

She had to accept the estate gifted by Lady Yuan and familiarize herself with the related ledgers and staff arrangements.

Amidst the busyness, Wei Ruo also received two letters from Wei Jinyi sent home. The one openly delivered was addressed to Wei Mingting; the letter meant for Wei Ruo was secretly handed over alongside it.

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Opening the letter, Wei Ruo saw a densely written page and burst out laughing.

Her second brother was usually taciturn; this single page probably equaled what he would say in over half a month—of course, assuming he wasn’t drunk. If he were drunk, he might say even more.

“Miss, what is Master Second Young Master’s letter saying that makes you so happy?” Xiu Mei came in, noticing Wei Ruo’s laughter as she held the letter from Wei Jinyi, and asked curiously.

“The content isn’t funny; it’s just imagining how Second Brother would mutter this entire page to himself in my mind that makes me laugh,” Wei Ruo replied.

“So, what did Second Young Master say? Did he mention when he will come back? It feels quite empty here without them,” Xiu Mei said.

“Second Brother said he will come back early next month but didn’t specify the exact day,” Wei Ruo said.

“That’s soon; this month is already halfway through. In another half month, it will be early next month. I just don’t know how long Second Young Master will stay this time,” Xiu Mei said.

“We should prepare some food for him in these days and send it along when he leaves again,” Wei Ruo said.

“Alright, leave it to me,” Xiu Mei eagerly accepted the task.

Two days later, A Gui came to the Commandant’s Mansion to report on the condition of the southern city experimental rice fields.

Upon receiving the news, Granny Zhang personally visited the southern city to confirm the findings. Only after she was certain did she return to summon Wei Ruo to assess whether the rice could be harvested.

Although Granny Zhang, A Gui, and Xiao Ba were confident the rice was ripe by experience, this experimental field was no ordinary plot—they dared not make the decision themselves.

Wei Ruo inspected it but did not immediately order the harvest. Instead, she instructed Granny Zhang to report back to the mansion.

This experimental field no longer belonged solely to Wei Ruo. Both the county office and Chu Lan had been continuously monitoring it, awaiting the harvest to report its outcome to the imperial court.

Sure enough, after the report, not only did Wei Mingting and Magistrate Qian arrive, but Chu Lan came as well.

Seeing Chu Lan, Wei Ruo couldn’t help but grumble inwardly: What exactly is this person up to? Why won’t he go away? Wouldn’t it have been simpler to send Granny Qin for this matter?

Wei Ruo preferred conversing with Granny Qin far more than with Chu Lan.

Despite her feelings, upon meeting them, Wei Ruo courteously greeted each of them:

“Greetings, Father; greetings, Magistrate Qian; greetings, Young Master Chu.”

“No need for formalities,” Magistrate Qian said, then shifted his gaze to the golden rice fields beside them.

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Since the early rice in Xingshan County had already been harvested, Magistrate Qian roughly knew the yield per mu.

Looking at the late rice before them, there was no need to wait for the harvest and exact weighing; just by eye, one could clearly see the excellent growth.

This rice variety was truly outstanding!

Of course, the improvements made to the field were also remarkable!

“Madam Wei, I must say the improvements made by young lady here are truly impressive! Seeing these heavy ears of rice, I can’t help but regret not discovering her talents sooner. Perhaps this year, the people of Xingshan County could have avoided the threat of famine,” Magistrate Qian remarked with heartfelt admiration.

Wei Mingting’s face was also radiant with joy and excitement.

He turned to Wei Ruo, seeming to have much to say, but only spoke one sentence:

“Ruo’er, your father and the people of Xingshan County thank you!”

Wei Ruo remained silent, quietly waiting for the last and most important person, Chu Lan, to give his opinion.

Both Magistrate Qian and Wei Mingting looked toward Chu Lan.

Chu Lan did not speak immediately but scrutinized Wei Ruo once more.

Wei Ruo knew he was looking at her and deliberately avoided his gaze.

After a moment, Chu Lan said, “This rice field alone sufficiently proves that Miss Wei’s claims were true. Both her land improvement skills and the new rice strain are exceptional.”

“Thank you for your praise, Young Master Chu,” Wei Ruo replied calmly without looking up.

“Miss Wei, have you considered what kind of reward you would like?” Chu Lan inquired.