The Lucky Heiress - Chapter 169:
Chapter 169: Chapter 169: Can I Visit Second Brother Often?!
Translator: 549690339
Although Wei Ruo was puzzled about why the old man helped Wei Jinyi to keep secrets from her, she did not press Wei Jinyi about it.
“Are all these people in there your friends?” Wei Ruo pointed to the main room and asked.
Wei Jinyi nodded, “They had some connections with my deceased mother and are helping me with her affairs.”
Wei Ruo nodded in understanding.
Then, Wei Jinyi turned his head towards the main room and said, “You all can come out now.”
The door opened, and the people from earlier all came out.
There were nine of them, including Xiaobei. Except for one woman, they were all men, and they all looked serious and solemn.
They were courteous towards Wei Ruo.
The woman who had let Wei Ruo and the rest into the room earlier stepped forward to introduce herself.
“Miss, I am Lin Fang, the wife of this old man. Any rudeness in my manner earlier, I ask for your forbearance.”
The woman was no longer flirtatious but serious and somewhat reverent.
The man referred to as “old man” by Lin Fang was a big, burly middle-aged man with a large beard who looked quite intimidating.
That man also stepped forward and greeted Wei Ruo with a cupped fist, “Please forgive my rudeness earlier, Miss. I might have been a bit rough, but I mean no harm!”
His voice was loud and rough, quite scary to some.
Wei Jinyi reassured Wei Ruo, “Brother Ke is straightforward and speaks loudly. Don’t be frightened.”
Wei Ruo responded, “It’s okay. I’ve seen many noble warriors like Brother Ke in the countryside. Their voices may be loud but they are kind-hearted and gentle. I am not easily scared.”
Wei Ruo greeted Ke Chongshan and Lin Fang, “Nice to meet you, Brother Ke and Sister-in-Law Ke. My apologies for the misunderstanding earlier. I saw my elder brother entering the courtyard and the thought crossed my mind that he might be up to something. So, I used the cat I’m raising as an excuse to break in. I hope you won’t hold it against me.”
“Not at all, Miss. As long as we didn’t startle or hurt you, we’re good,” Ke Chongshan and Lin Fang quickly stated, clearly not wanting to upset her.
The other people also introduced themselves to Wei Ruo one by one, and she acknowledged each one.
All these people seemed older than Wei Jinyi, mostly between forty to fifty years old, just like Ke Chongshan.
They varied greatly in appearance. Not only were there rough and rugged men like Ke Chongshan, but also cultured men who appeared to be scholars, and even some lean men with small mustaches.
Wei Ruo found a few of them to be somewhat mysterious, making them seem different from ordinary people.
Yet these people with different temperaments all gathered together to discuss matters with her elder brother.
Wei Ruo didn’t pry too much. Whatever her elder brother did privately was his business. She didn’t need to know or interfere too much.
Then she turned to everyone, “Thank you for taking care of my elder brother.”
“Miss, don’t mention it. It’s our duty,” they responded humbly.
After Wei Ruo introduced herself to them, Wei Jinyi said to the group, “You can return to your own tasks.”
“Ma…second young master, take care. We’ll be on our way.”
Once Ke Chongshan finished speaking, he immediately left with his wife, Lin Fang, and the rest.
They rushed off, not even giving Wei Ruo a chance to ask more questions.
With their departure, the premises, previously lively, was now silent except for Wei Jinyi, Wei Ruo, Xiaobei and Xiumei.
“Are they in a hurry?” Wei Ruo noticed that their departure seemed somewhat hasty.
“They have matters to attend to,” Wei Jinyi replied.
“Oh.” Then Wei Ruo looked at Wei Jinyi, “How about you, Brother? Are you busy too?”
“I am free temporarily. Did anyone in the household know about your outing?” Wei Jinyi asked Wei Ruo.
“Yes, they know. Don’t worry, Brother. Every time I go out, I make sure to have a good excuse. They can’t keep strict tabs on me at the house now,” Wei Ruo answered.
First, she had Lady Yuan as an excellent excuse. Second, she had Madame Zhang as an ally to provide cover. Third, Wei Mingting indulged her and allowed her to do what she wanted, which made it difficult for Madam Yun to restrict her.
With these circumstances, Wei Ruo had more freedom compared to when she first returned to the Military Prefecture.
“Good,” Wei Jinyi replied, his worry alleviated knowing she had her matters under control.
Wei Ruo then surveyed the premises. It was just an ordinary courtyard, nothing special about it.
Wei Ruo asked, “Has Brother been staying here recently?”
Wei Jinyi replied, “Yes, for a few days now.”
Wei Ruo: “Do you know we’re moving to Government City?”
Wei Jinyi: “Yes.”
Wei Ruo: “Can I come visit you often then?”
Wei Ruo did not ask if Wei Jinyi would return to the new Military Prefecture. She knew what Wei Jinyi was doing was supposed to be kept from the family. If they found out, they would need a lengthy explanation and it was unlikely that the others in the family would understand or agree.
So even though they would live in the same city, Wei Jinyi would not return home.
Wei Jinyi hesitated at Wei Ruo’s question.
Looking at Wei Ruo’s eyes full of anticipation, he didn’t want to disappoint her by saying no.
But if he agreed, he was afraid that what he was doing would involve her.
After all, the current things he was planning could potentially endanger everyone involved.
Seeing Wei Jinyi’s hesitation, Wei Ruo didn’t press further.
“I understand, Brother. Don’t worry, I will keep everything I saw today a secret, and I won’t come looking for you again,” Wei Ruo reassured him, getting ready to leave with Xiumei.
“Wait…” Wei Jinyi quickly caught up with her and grabbed her hand to stop her.
His initial intention was to keep her from leaving, but he was stunned when he touched her hand and quickly let go after realizing his action.
Although it was only for a brief moment, Wei Jinyi clearly remembered the soft touch of Wei Ruo’s delicate hand.
Wei Ruo turned around to look at Wei Jinyi.
“It’s not that I don’t want to see you, it’s just not safe here,” Wei Jinyi explained anxiously.
“Okay, I understand. Don’t worry, Brother. I didn’t take it personally. I could tell from your hesitation earlier that it’s a complicated situation. I don’t want to put you in a difficult position,” Wei Ruo replied.
Wei Jinyi felt a ripple of emotion in his heart and after a moment of thought, he promised Wei Ruo, “I will find a suitable opportunity to visit you.”
Although it may not be the wisest decision, it was something he desired..
