The Lucky Heiress

Chapter 473: Chapter 473: Returning to Long’an Temple_1

Wei Ruo gave a light smile and answered calmly, “Indeed, Qingwan and I are both daughters of the Wei Family. Whether in our home or after getting married, our relationship remains unchanged.”

Imperial Concubine Qi was very satisfied with the answer: “As expected of a girl from the Loyal and Righteous Duke Residence, truly mindful of the big picture.”

Then, Imperial Concubine Qi asked Wei Ruo about another matter: “It is said that Queen Rui had helped Princess Jingmin with disaster relief and land reclamation in Taizhou Prefecture. Is this true?”

“Indeed, that did happen,” answered Wei Ruo.

“My son has also been deeply concerned about the people affected by the disasters in the past years. If Queen Rui has any ideas, feel free to share with me, and I can pass them on to Hengheng. This would benefit many people,” said Imperial Concubine Qi.

“Imperial Concubine may not know, it’s not that I don’t want to help, but I wasn’t the one leading the efforts in Taizhou. I’m not clear about many things,” Wei Ruo replied.

“But since Queen Rui was involved in the entire disaster relief process, you must know quite a few things. I assume you also understand something about the methods to improve the land,” Imperial Concubine Qi added.

Wei Ruo answered with a slight smile, “Based on my knowledge, disaster relief and land reclamation strategies should be adapted to the local conditions. Different areas require different methods, and simply copying solutions could lead to the opposite of the desired outcome.”

Upon hearing Wei Ruo’s explanation, Imperial Concubine Qi remained silent for quite a while, seemingly contemplating whether to believe Wei Ruo’s words.

Wei Ruo added, “If the Imperial Concubine wishes, I can tell you what I know. But if the result turns out to be contrary to expectations, I hope the Imperial Concubine will not blame me.”

Imperial Concubine Qi responded gently: “That’s a pity. I was hoping to help alleviate the Emperor’s worries.”

No matter if Wei Ruo’s statement was true or not, Imperial Concubine Qi could not openly make things difficult for her.

“It’s my lack of ability that didn’t meet your expectations,” Wei Ruo said, her tone filled with regret and self-blame.

“It’s not your fault, Queen Rui. You’ve already been outstanding. I had wanted to marry you to my son if the Emperor had not disallowed it,” Imperial Concubine Qi stated.

Chu Heng’s official wife had long been decided, and she was to be a lady from the Qi Family.

Imperial Concubine Qi had always wanted to choose a suitable concubine for Chu Heng. The family background of the concubine couldn’t be too distinguished, so as not to arouse the Emperor’s jealousy, but they should be able to bring some benefits to her son.

That’s why Imperial Concubine Qi had initially set her sights on Wei Ruo, because Wei Ruo, with her capabilities, could help her son, but for some reason, the Emperor did not agree.

Subsequently, Imperial Concubine Qi chose Wei Qingwan instead.

Wei Ruo simply responded to this with a faint smile.

Wei Ruo stayed at Imperial Concubine Qi’s residence for about an hour. Imperial Concubine Qi wanted to invite Wei Ruo to stay for dinner, but Wei Ruo politely declined, citing the need to go back and take care of the sick Prince.

Hearing that it was for the ailing Prince Rui, Imperial Concubine Qi did not insist further and had someone escort Wei Ruo back to the King Rui Residence.

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On the fifteenth of May, the middle of the month, Wei Ruo went to the Long’an Temple outside the city to offer incense.

Wei Ruo had already visited at the beginning of February. Those who were not in the know might think that Wei Ruo was visiting due to the Buddha statues in the temple, but her visit was not for worship.

To avoid unnecessary trouble, Wei Ruo presented herself as Xu Heyou as usual.

Upon arriving at the Long’an Temple, Wei Ruo didn’t stop, instead, she continued to follow the narrow road leading to the back hill of the temple.

The road was quite narrow, just wide enough for Wei Ruo’s carriage to pass.

The road was a bit muddy causing the carriage to shake and jolt as they rode along.

Thankfully, the journey was not far. After not too long, they arrived at their destination.

The carriage stopped in front of a farmhouse. The farmhouse seemed to have been recently renovated. Unlike the other farmhouses in the area that were surrounded by bamboo fences, this farmhouse had newly constructed mud walls.

Yellow mud mixed with stones and straw comprised the wall, with broken tiles on top to provide shelter from the rain.

The walls were taller than those of the average household, preventing passers-by from seeing inside. Only the rooftops of the houses were slightly visible above the walls.

Wei Ruo and Xiumei stepped down from the carriage and approached the door. Xiumei knocked.

The door opened, and they were greeted by a familiar face – Shi Dayou, the elderly mayor of Stone Village.

“Mr. Xu!” Shi Dayou, overjoyed and excited, greeted when he saw Wei Ruo.

Wei Ruo and Xiumei stepped into the house, and Shi Dayou closed the gate.

“You’ve been working hard,” said Wei Ruo to Shi Dayou.

“It’s not hard, it couldn’t be easier than other ways of making money! I should thank you, Mr. Xu, for giving me this opportunity!” insisted Shi Dayou.

“For most common folks, they are rather unwilling to leave their hometown, let alone you being the village head,” Wei Ruo added.

“Indeed, leaving my hometown is quite hard. But I’ve thought it over. In the past two years, the crops haven’t grown well, and we can hardly afford food. If not for your help, Mr. Xu, we wouldn’t even have known how to survive last year.”

“Instead of sitting at home and bracing for the day we run out of food, it’s better to take a gamble and follow you, Mr. Xu! Although we have to leave our hometown, we can at least have our fill, widen our horizons, and better the lives of the elderly and the young back at our hometown. It is worth it!” Shi Dayou shared his thoughts.

“Rest assured, you followed me all the way here. I won’t let you down,” Wei Ruo promised Shi Dayou.

“I trust you, Mr. Xu!”

Wei Ruo smiled faintly, pleased with Shi Dayou’s answer.

It’s uncommon for Shi Dayou to have such insight, proving that Wei Ruo’s appraisal of him had not been in vain.

“Let me have a look at how things are going here,” Wei Ruo said, gazing around the courtyard.

The originally flat courtyard had been dug down by over a foot. Upon entering the yard, one had to descend a few steps.

In the area that had been dug out, a dirt furnace about two meters high had been erected.

About a meter away from the furnace was a slightly smaller stove.

Between the two stoves was a sealed channel made of mud and stones.

The stove on the left was for steelmaking, and the one on the right was for coke production.

By placing coal into the right stove, then sealing and burning it, combustible coal gas and coal tar were produced.

The coal gas would pass through the sealed channel to the dirt furnace, then be burned again for steel production.

The process of iron smelting was already mature in this era, and Wei Ruo’s dirt furnace did not differ much from others’. The only differences were some minor adjustments to the structure and the inclusion of some extra ores during the smelting process, which greatly improved the quality of the steel produced.

Moreover, the stove on the right was not found elsewhere. It was the first time Shi Dayou and the others saw such a structure and way of connection.