Chapter 316: Chapter 316: The Wedding is Off i

After being scolded by Wei Ruo, Wei Qingwan maintained her silence all the way back to the Military Prefecture in the carriage. Her face was as pale as the paper sold in Four Treasure House.

By the time Wei Ruo and Wei Qingwan returned to the Military Prefecture, it was already late at night.

Wei Qingwan was helped out of the carriage by the maids from the household. She had not eaten anything since morning, fatigue, hunger, and physical pain made her pale and weak. She appeared as fragile as a kapok flower weathered by the elements, ready to fall from the branch at any moment.

Upon hearing that Wei Qingwan had been injured, Yun quickly rushed to Wangmei Garden and called a doctor to attend to her.

After hearing Wei Qingwan’s account, Yun felt heartbroken and upset, but like Wei Qingwan, she felt helpless against Wei Ruo.

Indeed, Wei Ruo had kept her promise, keeping Wei Qingwan with her and providing her with opportunities to learn and demonstrate her capabilities. What Yun and Wei Qingwan hadn’t expected was that Wei Ruo would perform on-site inspections.

During the investigation, wherever Wei Ruo went, so did Wei Qingwan. The paths Wei Qingwan treaded were the same ones Wei Ruo had traversed.

However, Wanwan, was delicate and could not endure such hardship. Unlike their eldest daughter who had grown accustomed to country life.

Although Yun sympathized with Wei Qingwan, she knew there was nowhere to justify this matter.

Afterwards, Yun had to abandon the idea of letting Wei Qingwan accompany Wei Ruo, and Wei Qingwan also didn’t return to class at Tongzhi Prefecture because of her injured foot which needed a few days of rest.

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Two days later, an unexpected event occurred- Madam Xiu paid a visit to Yun and diplomatically announced that the marriage proposal between Wei Ruo and Xiu Fengyuan had been called off. The Xiu Family would no longer send a matchmaker to negotiate a marriage.

It was reported that Yun’s expression was quite unpleasant at the time, she struggled to keep her dignity as she saw Madam Xiu off.

Later, Yun summoned Wei Ruo, questioning her if she had done anything inappropriate.

Wei Ruo was unclear about what had actually transpired. Yes, she had been screening suitable marriage candidates recently, but she had certainly not targeted the Xiu Family. In fact, she had not even had any secret contact with anyone from the Xiu Family during those days.

Regardless of the reasons leading to this outcome, Wei Ruo found it satisfactory as it bought her some time.

Of course, Wei Ruo couldn’t completely let her guard down. Without the Xiu Family, there could still be the Zhang Family, Li Family, or the Wang Family…She still needed to get her affairs in order as soon as possible so she could depart from the Wei Family.

Wei Ruo refuted Yun’s suspicions, explaining that she had been busy with disaster relief and reclamation these past few days. She had no opportunity to interact with anyone from the Xiu Family, let alone plot to ruin the marriage proposal.

Yun didn’t fully trust Wei Ruo’s explanation, believing that her eldest daughter was not being completely truthful with her. But without any evidence linking the change of attitude of the Xiu Family to Wei Ruo, she had to let it go.

It was said that Yun struggled to eat for several days, not sure if she was regretting the missed opportunity for a perfect marriage, or feeling sorry that the promise of a bestowed estate and subsequent help from the Xiu Family was now gone.

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Time quickly passed and it was the first day of July. It had been nearly two months since Wei Ruo proposed to Mr. and Mrs. Yuan to reserve this year’s grain yield, and half a month since the relocation and resettling of refugees and disaster relief began.

On one hand, there was the protection of this year’s grain yield. On the other hand, there was the task of stabilizing the refugees, expanding the farmland, and preparing to increase the grain yield for next year.

With these dual measures in place, if successful, Taizhou Prefecture was likely to witness a new dawn next year.

Therefore, all the resources of the Taizhou Prefecture were mobilized. Even though everyone’s life was not easy, the overall morale remained high.

Wei Ruo had also been busy for more than half a month, leaving early and returning late every day. She was hardly ever to be seen around the Military Prefecture.

On the first day of the month, Wei Ruo had a rare day off.

Miss, just rest at home today.” Xiumei was worried about Wei Ruo.

Wei Ruo, however, had different thoughts: “I haven’t taken care of the estates for several days. Even though I trust nanny and others, I need to go have a look.”

“You just can’t stop once you start working!” Xiumei grumbled.

“Oh my dear Meimei, your Miss is not that fragile. I sleep well every day, eat well every day. Compared to the refugees who work day and night to reclaim the land, I’m much more fortunate.” Wei Ruo didn’t see a problem with her current workload.

If the work she was doing was meaningful and rewarding, she wouldn’t feel tired, but rather energized.

On the contrary, if she were to socialize all day, behave like a puppet, she’d probably be so tired that she’d want to lie in bed and sleep deeply after less than half a day.

“Alright, alright, you’re fine. As long as you take me with you wherever you go,

I won’t say anything else.”

Xiumei only had one request left, which was to allow her to tag along.

Otherwise, she would feel uneasy.

“Of course, my dear Meimei is my most valuable assistant, how could I leave you behind?”

“You’re just pacifying me!”

Xiumei complained but had a sweet smile on her face.

Wei Ruo and Xiumei left the house after breakfast.

As usual, they dressed up as women to go out and carried men’s clothes in the carriage. After arriving at Four Treasure House, they changed into their male attire in their room and then ventured out as Xu Heyou.

Wei Ruo first visited a few shops, then went to the Younan Farmstead and Caili Farm outside the city.

Everything at Younan Farmstead was normal, and there were no issues at Caili

Farm either, except that Zhao Hai was not present.

It turned out that Zhao Hai had taken a number of leaves in the past half month. Even when he was on the farmstead, he seemed to be in low spirits, a man who could not hide his troubles and was overwhelmed with concerns.

There was enough time today, so Wei Ruo decided to visit Zhao Hai’s house to see what was going on. If he was facing any difficulties, she would help if she could.

As his employer, it was incumbent on her to assist a hardworking employee in need. Helping subordinates was also a way of ensuring the efficiency of her business operations.

Wei Ruo and Xiumei arrived at Zhao’s home-a one-story courtyard at the end of Zhao Family Village.

The courtyard had a grey wall and an old wooden door showing signs of aging. Although such a house was not considered luxurious, it was by no means the worst in the village.

Xiumei knocked on the wooden door, and after a while, someone answered.

Zhao Hai opened the door and was startled to see Wei Ruo.

“Young… Young Master? Why… why are you…”

I heard that you’re taking leaves and staying at home, so I came to check on you,” Wei Ruo said.

“Did the… did the Young Master come specifically… specifically to see me?” Zhao Hai was stunned, not able to believe what he was hearing.

“You’re one of my people now, working for me. If you encounter any sort of considerable trouble, as the employer, I ought to show my concern,” Wei Ruo said.

Wei Ruo valued all those who worked for her, especially the leading workers, whom she kept a close eye on..