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Yun Shi took the list and looked over it. In addition to some porcelain and teaware rewarded by the Seventh Prince, Wei Ruo had also included dried sweet potatoes, sweet potato chips, and mushroom sauce—foods that had recently become popular in Taizhou Prefecture.
Although these items weren’t particularly expensive, they were local specialties and likely not yet widely available in the capital.
Sending such gifts not only showed thoughtfulness but also showcased local flavor—perfectly appropriate.
A smile bloomed on Yun Shi’s face. “Ruo’er, you’re truly so thoughtful.”
If Wei Qingwan’s willingness to use her private savings to contribute to the New Year’s gifts had made Yun Shi feel gratified, then Wei Ruo’s gift list left her both surprised and delighted.
Wei Ruo said calmly, “It’s nothing. Grandfather and Grandmother have always treated me with kindness, gifting me many fine items—this is only right.”
Wei Ruo’s gesture had nothing to do with Yun shi; it was purely out of her own regard for the two elders in the capital.
No matter what their reasons were for treating her well, the fact was they had given her the name of the eldest daughter and sent her gifts several times—those were real and tangible.
“Ruo’er, your filial piety will surely bring great joy to your grandparents,” Yun shi said with a beaming smile.
Afterward, Yun Shi continued to discuss the gift list and the household’s New Year preparations in detail with both Wei Ruo and Wei Qingwan.
Meanwhile, the smile on Wei Qingwan’s face had faded. Several times when she spoke, her expression looked stiff.
The next day, Wei Ruo went out again.
The small workshop being built on her estate had been completed, and today she was heading over for inspection.
On the way, both Wei Ruo and Xiumei applied disguises, dressing up in the same appearance they had used when meeting with Fan Chengxu previously.
Since she would be interacting with quite a few outsiders during today’s inspection of the newly built workshop, it was not suitable for Wei Ruo, in her current situation, to show her face openly, in order to avoid giving others any leverage against her.
By the time they arrived at the manor, the two young girls who had boarded the carriage had turned into two unattractive young gentlemen when they got off.
Because he knew Wei Ruo would be coming, Steward Yu had been waiting at the entrance of the manor in advance. When he saw the two young gentlemen getting off the carriage, he was stunned.
“Steward Yu,” Wei Ruo called out to him.
Upon hearing the familiar voice, Steward Yu finally realized that the plain-looking young man before him was in fact their current employer.
“Miss, why are you dressed like this?” Steward Yu asked.
“There will be many workers to meet today, and it would be inconvenient in a woman’s form. I’ll trouble you, Steward Yu, to introduce me as Young Master Xu when the time comes,” Wei Ruo said.
“Yes, yes, of course, Miss—ah, no, Young Master—it’s very thoughtful of you!”
Immediately, Steward Yu led Wei Ruo and Xiumei to the location within the manor where the small workshop had been built.
On what had originally been a vacant piece of land, there now stood five buildings made of yellow mud mixed with stones and chopped straw—this was the small workshop Wei Ruo had newly constructed.
“Miss, these buildings were all constructed according to your instructions and blueprints,” said Steward Yu.
According to Wei Ruo’s specifications, each room had certain specialized structures built within.
There were large stoves, large shelves, half-height walls made from packed earth and stone, and even some oddly shaped structures whose purpose wasn’t immediately clear.
After inspecting the site, Wei Ruo was quite satisfied. Since Uncle Xu had overseen the construction, she felt very confident about the quality of the buildings.
Wei Ruo then asked Steward Yu, “How did the selection of workers I asked you to handle go?”
On her previous visit, Wei Ruo had asked Steward Yu to select a few reliable, diligent laborers from the manor to be assigned to her newly built workshop.
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