Chapter 116 - 116 Harvest from the Experimental
Translator: 549690339
Cuihe had no choice but to do as instructed, taking the uneaten porridge and pickles back out again.
Cuihe wanted to report this to Madam Yun, but since she was in the room, she chose to inform Cuiping, who was serving Madam Yun, hoping that Cuiping would report it to her.
“Sister Cuiping, the second young lady didn’t eat anything for dinner. I brought back all the white porridge and pickles untouched. The second young lady was frail to start with, I’m a little worried that she might fail ill if this continues.” Cuihe said.
I understand.” Cuiping responded succinctly and didn’t go in to report to Madam Yun.
With the eldest young lady’s condition already burdening the matron, adding the predicament of the second lady not eating would be like adding fuel to the fire, wouldn’t it?
Moreover, one is officially ill diagnosed by a doctor, and the other is deliberately refusing to eat. Clearly, one is more serious than the other.
Cuiping therefore decided not to relay the message.
Wei Qingwan waited for Madam Yun in her room for a long time, but to no avail. In the end, she threw herself on the bed and cried her heart out.
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The next day, Wei Ruo was taken away by Madam Yuan again. Madam Yun did not know why. Without Wei Ruo telling her, she had no way of knowing.
This time, Wei Ruo was gone for even longer, so much so that it was dusk by the time she came back.
Madam Yun invited Wei Ruo to have dinner together, but Wei Ruo responded that she had already dined with Madam Yuan. She also told Madam Yun that everything was taken care of, and that Madam Yuan would not be visiting her again in the next few days. They could return to Xingshan County anytime.
Thus, Madam Yun ordered the servants to prepare for the journey, and they set off for Xingshan County early the next morning.
In the same horse carriage, Wei Ruo leaned against the corner on the inner side, covered with a thin blanket – the blanket veiling her entire face, hiding her expression from everyone’s view.
Wei Qingwan was seated near the curtain, looking pale. She thought her mother would ask her something, but Madam Yun never broached the subject. Wei Qingwan felt like she had hit rock bottom, her place in her mother’s heart was completely taken by Wei Qingruo now…
Madam Yun noticed that Wei Qingwan looked a bit pale. However, with Wei Ruo lying next to her, looking frail as the doctor had diagnosed, Madam Yun felt she should prioritize Wei Ruo more.
It took them a full day to travel from Government City to Xingshan County, and by the time Madam Yun and her two daughters returned to Xingshan County, it was already evening.
Once back in Xingshan County, Madam Yun grounded Wei Qingwan for three days, then took gifts to pay a visit to the Xie family, thanking them for loaning the side mansion.
Wei Ruo spent two peaceful days in her own courtyard, albeit not in leisure.
She had to accept the estate Madam Yuan gave her, familiarize herself with the related account books, and the personnel arrangements in the estate.
Amid the bustle, Wei Ruo received a letter from Wei Jinyi, sent back home. There were two letters in total. The one openly sent was for Wei Mingting, while the one for Wei Ruo was secretly tucked in.
Wei Ruo burst into laughter after opening and reading through the packed Page.
The rarely talkative second brother was suddenly so verbose, Wei Ruo thought this page would cover half a month’s worth of his usual conversations.
Of course, excluding when he was drunk, when he did tend to be rather talkative.
“Miss, what did second young master say in the letter that made you so happy?” On entering and seeing Wei Ruo laughing with the letter from Wei Jinyi, Xiumei couldn’t help but ask out of curiosity.
The content isn’t particularly amusing, it’s just that the image of second brother babbling out this whole page of words amuses me.”
“What did the second young master say? Any idea when he’s coming back? The house feels quite empty without them.” Xiumei remarked.
“Second brother said he would be back early next month, but didn’t specify the date.” Wei Ruo replied.
That’s soon then. This month is already more than half over. In half a month it will be early next month. It’s just not clear how long second young master ’ would stay this time he comes back.” said Xiumei.
Prepare some food for him in these few days, to take with him when he leaves.” Wei Ruo instructed.
“Alright, leave that to me.”
Xiumei eagerly accepted the task.
Two days later, Agui came to the Military Prefecture to report on the situation in the experimental fields in the south of the city.
Upon receiving the news, Nurse Zhang personally made a trip to the southern city to confirm. Only after confirming did she come back and ask Wei Ruo to judge whether the rice was ready for harvest.
According to Nurse Zhang, Agui, and Xiaoba’s experience, this rice was certainly ripe. However, as this experimental field was not like others, they didn’t dare to make the decision by themselves.
Wei Ruo didn’t immediately order the harvest after inspection, but instructed Nurse Zhang to report back to the government.
This experimental field was no longer merely Wei Ruo’s. The County Government and Chu Lan were continuously paying attention to it too. They were waiting for a harvest report to be sent to the court.
Undoubtedly, after the report was sent, not only did Wei Mingting and Qian
Magistrate come, but Chu Lan was also present.
When she saw Chu Lan, Wei Ruo couldn’t help wondering: What was he up to? Why did he cling around like a haunting spirit? Wouldn’t it have been better to send Nurse Qin for this sort of work?
Wei Ruo preferred interacting with Nurse Qin much more so than with Chu Lan.
Although she didn’t like him much, upon meeting, Wei Ruo still greeted each one:
“Father, Qian Magistrate, Young Master Chu, greetings.”
“No need for formalities.” Qian Magistrate replied, immediately shifting his gaze to the golden crop next to him.
Since the early rice from Xingshan County had already been harvested, Qian Magistrate had an idea about the yield per acre.
Looking at the late rice on Wei Ruo’s field, he didn’t need to wait for the actual weighing after harvest. Merely looking at them was enough to appreciate their robust growth.
This variety of rice was truly remarkable!
Of course, the improvements to the paddy field were excellent as well!
“Wei, I firmly believe in your daughter’s talent in upgrading these paddy fields! The sight of these heavy ears of rice fills me with regret that I didn’t discover your daughter’s talent sooner. Perhaps then, the people of Xingshan County would not have to face a food shortage this year.” Qian Magistrate lamented.
Wei Mingting’s face was full of joy and excitement at that moment too.
He turned to Wei Ruo, seeming to have a lot to say. But eventually, only one sentence came out, “Ruo’er, both your father and the people of Xingshan County owe you thanks!”
Wei Ruo didn’t respond, quietly waiting for the final and the most important person, Chu Lan, to express his opinion.
Wei Mingting and Qian Magistrate also turned their eyes towards Chu Lan.
Chu Lan didn’t immediately express his views. Instead, he took another close look at Wei Ruo.
Wei Ruo knew he was looking at her, so she deliberately avoided meeting his eyes.
After a while, Chu Lan said, “This field is enough to prove that Miss Wei’s previous claims are not false. Both Miss Wei’s ability to improve fields and the new rice are outstanding.”
“Thank you for your praise, Young Master Chu.” Wei Ruo replied calmly, without raising her head to Chu Lan’s compliment.
“Has Miss Wei thought of any reward she wants?” Chu Lan asked..