叭哒漫画

Wei Ruo didn’t have much interest in the activities of the ladies and their daughters, but she was very interested in wandering the streets of Government City.

So promptly after dressing lightly, she joyfully followed Madame Yun out.

However, Madame Yun insisted that Wei Ruo and Wei Qingwan try to stay in the carriage as much as possible. If they were to enter a shop, they had to wear their veiled hats and not take them off lightly, with their maids following closely behind them.

Naturally, Wei Ruo could not stay put and as soon as she reached a bustling area, she left the carriage and began to browse the various shops and stalls. After a short while, she ran into Xie Ying.

“Ruoruo!”

Xie Ying noticed Wei Ruo first, and she started hopping towards her with glee. Unlike Wei Ruo who wore a veiled hat, Xie Ying was unobstructed and relaxed. “Ruoruo, why are you dressed like this? It’s inconvenient. If it weren’t for recognizing the material that I personally chose, I wouldn’t recognize you.” said Xie Ying.

Wei Ruo was indeed wearing an outfit that used the Yun brocade silk that Xie Ying had given her as a gift.

Wei Ruo could only say that the Xie Family really spoiled Xie Ying, as they always indulged her whims.

“Wait, why are you here in Government City? I didn’t hear you mention that you were coming here.” Wei Ruo asked Xie Ying.

“Oh, I didn’t come to Government City because of the Magistrate’s wife’s invitation. Although my grandfather has been promoted to the fourth rank, my father is just a small official. Also, because my mother is of merchant background, some old-fashioned people look down on us. Of course, my mother also doesn’t bother with them and hence is happy to not attend.” Xie Ying explained.

“Then why did you come here?” Wei Ruo curiously asked.

“I came to play, my brother’s here. You were not around these few days, so I asked my mother to let our tutor have a few days off, and she agreed.” Xie Ying said proudly.

“I see.”

“Ruoruo, my brother has booked a pleasure boat on East Lake, come and play with me!” Xie Ying invited Wei Ruo.

Wei Ruo turned and looked towards the carriage behind her; Madame Yun was still in the carriage.

Seeing Wei Ruo’s hesitation, Xie Ying said, “Don’t worry, I’ll have my nanny go explain the situation. I won’t mention my brother, just that it’s the two of us, and with so many of our house servers following us, your mom has no reason to refuse.”

After she finished saying that, Xie Ying passed along the situation to the nanny behind her.

The nanny then walked over to the Wei’s carriage and had a quick chat with Madame Yun. Shortly, the nanny returned and told Wei Ruo and Xie Ying that Madam Wei had agreed.

“Let’s go.” Xie Ying took Wei Ruo’s hand, and they both boarded the Xie Family’s carriage, heading towards East Lake.

Upon boarding, Xie Ying promptly removed the veil that she found obstructing from Wei Ruo’s hat.

On the way to East Lake, Wei Ruo asked Xie Ying, “Is your brother in Government City these days because of that nobility?”

“I guess so. He didn’t go into detail, but I suspect it’s because of the seventh Prince.” Xie Ying responded.

Immediately after she said to Wei Ruo, “Actually, your Wei Family knows that he’s the seventh Prince, right? You have people in Capital City; you couldn’t possibly be unaware.”

Wei Ruo nodded, then said, “I just don’t understand why he’d stay in Taizhou prefecture for so long. If it’s about the Japanese Pirates, they’ve already won a battle. It would be reasonable for him to return to the capital and report. As for the matter of the wasteland south of my city, he could have left a subordinate here. There’s no need for him to stick around for such a small matter.”

“About that, I’ve heard a rumor.” Xie Ying chimed in.

“A rumor?”

“Don’t tell anyone else what I’m about to tell you, okay?” Xie Ying whispered. “Sure.”

“I heard that the seventh Prince may be looking for the Prince born by the former Empress.”

Didn’t the Prince born by the former Empress die as soon as he was born?” Wei Ruo asked.

“I’m not sure about the specifics, but it’s said that he may have actually survived back then, and the old allies of the former Empress’s maternal family, Duke Xu, secretly took him to Jiangnan. But there have also been reports that ’ someone caught in an old ally of Duke Xu has been frequently in contact with the Jiangnan region, suspecting that the Prince did not die back then.” Xie Ying relayed some of the rumors she heard.

Whether or not they were true, no one could tell.

“It’s probably a misunderstanding.” Wei Ruo muttered.

Because in the original story, that Prince who died early on had never appeared, even when the male lead Chu Lan took the throne, he hadn’t shown up. It should be safe to say he no longer existed.

“I also think it’s more likely to be a misunderstanding. If he’s still alive, things will be chaotic.” Xie Ying murmured, and didn’t add anything more.

Some things should only be brought up out of curiosity and then let go. Delving deeper could bring trouble to oneself and their family.

Shortly, their carriage reached the lake shore.

With the support of the maids, Xie Ying and Wei Ruo stepped down from the carriage.

On the shore, Xie Jue was waiting for his sister’s arrival.

Unbeknownst to him, not only was his mischievous sister arriving but also Wei Ruo.

The moment he saw Wei Ruo, the smile on Xie Jue’s face broadened. He stared intently at Wei Ruo, who was dressed in a light blue satin blouse and skirt, and her hair was styled in a simple yet playful bun.

Wei Ruo walked up to Xie Jue, gave a slight bow: “Nice to see you, Young Master Xie.”

“No need to be formal.” Xie Jue responded, his right hand clutching the fan seemed unsure where to rest.

Xiumei, who stood behind Wei Ruo, was a bit amused, thinking that Young Master Xie must have felt uneasy after being beaten by her last time, and that’s why he was so nervous seeing the two of them.

“Enough dilly-dallying, let’s get on the boat.” Xie Ying was an impatient one and didn’t like dilly-dallying. She didn’t wait for her brother to react, and pulled Wei Ruo onto the boat.

Xie Jue quickly followed and gave orders to set sail.

The pleasure boat slowly moved away from the shore and headed towards the center of East Lake.

Wei Ruo and Xie Ying sat in the tearoom on the boat, watching the lake scenery through the raised curtain.

The cool breeze brushed their faces, and the surface of the water rippled gently.

Looking at the teapot in front of her, Wei Ruo took out two paper wrapped packages from the embroidered pouch she carried with her, giving one to Xie Ying, and keeping one for herself.

Upon opening the package, she poured its content into the teacup, then added the hot water that was available on the boat to brew it.

“What’s this?” Xie Ying asked with curiosity.

“It’s herbal tea.” Wei Ruo answered, “It’s made of dried honeysuckle, dried jasmine, and a few herbs that are known for their qi-regulating and blood-nourishing properties. It tastes sweet and not astringent, give it a try.” Hearing this, Xie Ying immediately brewed hers as well.

Before they had a chance to taste it, Xie Jue entered, teasing, “Miss Wei, I’d also like a cup of this herbal tea.”

Xie Ying looked at Xie Jue and said, “Brother, why do you always want things from Ruoruo?”

“Miss Wei’s things are good, you can’t find them anywhere else. If I don’t take this chance to request for it, won’t I be losing out?” Xie Jue spoke honestly.

“That makes sense.” Xie Ying agreed.

Wei Ruo laughed lightly, then took all the remaining tea packets from her pouch and gave them to Xie Jue: “If Young Master Xie likes them, I’ll give all of them to you..”