The Lucky Heiress

Chapter 584: Chapter 584 Long-term Plan_1

“But…but…” Xiumei hesitated to say, “Our identities don’t match. He is a general now, and I am just a humble maid. How could I possibly marry him? He should be with a noble lady, not me!”

“Don’t ever say you are just a humble maid. I have never seen you like that. I bet Brother Xiaoyong and my foster parents wouldn’t think so either.” Wei Ruo said.

After careful reflection, Xiumei seemed to have made up her mind. She looked up at Wei Ruo and said, “Miss, I will not marry until you are formally married. So, be it Brother Xiaoyong or Xiaobei, I won’t consider them.”

“Xiumei, your life is your own. It shouldn’t be tied to me unreasonably.” Wei Ruo said seriously.

“No, from the day I started serving you, my life became closely tied with yours. If you live, I live; if you are happy, I’m happy. Everything I have now, you gave me. So, my decision to marry will also depend on you. Have you ever heard of a maid marrying before her mistress?”

“But your mistress, me, is already married. I had the full traditional wedding ceremony.”

“That doesn’t count. The prince is your brother, not your husband.”

“Xiumei!”

“Miss, you once said that I could decide my own marriage. Now, I have made up my mind.” Xiumei said.

“When did you become so articulate?”

“I learnt it from you.”

“Ah…” Wei Ruo was left speechless. She thought to herself, if Brother Xiaoyong knew that Xiumei was not considering getting married because of her, would he blame her?

###

In the afternoon, as planned, Wei Ruo sent the selected portraits to Xu Zhengyong. He looked through them perfunctorily then claimed he didn’t like any of them. He asked Wei Ruo to choose again as he prefers a lively yet dignified woman.

When Wei Ruo heard this, she thought, why doesn’t he just say he wants Xiumei!

Nevertheless, Wei Ruo asked for more portraits of women from the matchmaker.

When it was time for dinner, Xiumei prepared a feast. Wei Ruo had the table moved to the courtyard and she invited Wei Jinyi and Xiaobei from next door. Along with the Uncle Xu and Aunt Xu who had been helping Wei Ruo at the King Rui Residence, there were seven of them.

Without the constraints of hierarchy or gender differences, everyone sat together and enjoyed a lively meal. Xiumei’s cooking received unanimous praise, considered a culinary delight.

After dinner, Xu Zhengyong set off again.

He only had one day of rest and was due to appear in the camp early the following day.

Wei Ruo bid Xu Zhengyong farewell at the entrance, reminding him to be careful.

As instructed by Wei Ruo, Xiumei handed some packed items to Xu Zhengyong.

Xu Zhengyong accepted the package, “Thank you Xiumei, I will cherish the things you gave.”

“These are from the miss, not me!” Xiumei hurriedly denied any involvement.

“It’s the same.”

“Not the same! Miss cares about you, I don’t!” Xiumei retorted angrily.

“Even if you don’t admit it, I know you care about me.” Xu Zhengyong was certain.

“You are shameless.” Xiumei made a disgusted face.

Xu Zhengyong just laughed.

Wei Ruo watched on, thinking no matter what, these two haven’t changed their old habits of arguing.

“You should go, it’s getting late, the journey is long. If you don’t leave now, you won’t reach the camp by dawn.” Xiumei urged.

“Alright.” Xu Zhengyong packed his things, turned around, and mounted his horse.

Once Xu Zhengyong had left, Xiumei said, looking a bit sad, “With just one day’s rest, more than half of it spent traveling, it’s so tiring. Miss, you should tell him not to rush back next time.”

“I can’t make this decision for him. He’s been running around like this, he might not be eager to see me, his sister.” Wei Ruo said.

“Miss, don’t use that to tease me again.” Xiumei stomped her foot.

“Alright, alright.”

The two of them, chatting and laughing, returned to Songzhu Garden.

Wei Ruo had no idea that when she would meet Xu Zhengyong again, the circumstances would be completely different. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

###

In the following days, Wei Ruo was as busy as usual with cultivating potatoes. The land owned by the King Rui Residence in Jiliao was not insignificant, and it would take a considerable labor force to fully plant it.

In addition to the people Wei Ruo brought herself, she also needed to hire a considerable number of people.

For this, she collaborated with the local government office to hire and resettle the refugees around Jiliao City.

Wei Ruo had resources and farming expertise, while Wei Jinyi had power, status and manpower.

With all the conditions available, things progressed smoothly.

In her free time, Wei Ruo also drew a city planning blueprint.

Jiliao City, compared to the Capital City or even Xingshan County City, was nothing to speak of.

Apart from the respectable buildings of the King Rui Residence and the government office, there were only a few decent houses. The shops on the streets were pitifully few: a tailor shop, a blacksmith, and a tofu shop, only these three.

The so-called city didn’t even have a decent city wall. Once you stepped out of the King Rui Residence, you’d cross two streets, and then it was open fields and wilderness.

Wei Ruo not only wanted to build a city, but also wanted to replicate what she had done before and use labor in exchange for relief.

She would give food as rewards, hiring the surplus labor force to build the city, which provided them with a source of income.

After the houses were built, they would belong to her. When Jiliao City develops in the future, she could rent out these buildings for income.

Of course, this was a long-term plan.

In the short-term, it was unrealistic to develop into a bustling city. The people needed to be clothed and fed first, population growth would follow, and then trade could develop, resulting in a city.

All commercial activity was based on an abundance of productivity. When people could not get enough to eat, and what they produced was not even enough for themselves, there could naturally be no trade.

But she was not eager to see immediate returns. She was willing to make this long-term investment.

Road construction was Wei Ruo’s first priority in this plan. She drew several north-south and east-west avenues on the blueprint. Of these, the routes running horizontally and vertically in front of the King Rui Residence were the top priority because these roads would facilitate the transport of materials for Wei Ruo and other citizens in the future.

###

Time flew by and it was already the lunar month of April and the weather had warmed up significantly.

On the fifth day of April, Wei Ruo was preparing to go out as usual when she saw Xiumei rushing towards her.

“Miss, Miss…” Xiumei’s face was pale, and she looked extremely flustered.