叭哒漫画

Translator: 549690339

“It indeed is my brother!” Xie Ying confirmed the “mountain climber’s” identity.

Xiumei immediately released her grip.

Xie Ying stepped forward to help Xie Jue up.

A handsome face, open and bright eyes, but now, covered in a few blades of grass and mud marks, diminished and in a state of disarray.

“Brother, what… what are you doing here?” Xie Ying exclaimed. -Didn’t mother tell you that I would be here in a few days?” Xie Jue asked.

-She did tell me, but she didn’t say it’d be today. Also, why didn’t you go home first, why were you following us?” Xie Ying inquired.

Xie Jue responded disheartedly, “I did go home, but mother said you had left. I heard that there were not many people accompanying you, so I felt worried and decided to come over.”

“Then why didn’t you take the regular mountain path and instead choose to cross over from the mountain top?

“I knew you were planning to visit the separate quarters, so I came in advance.

You hadn’t arrived yet, and I happened to see a beautiful yellow flower on the mountain. So I thought I’d pick some for you. However, after picking and on my way back….”

Little did he expect his sister’s maid to be so skilled and give him a surprise hit.

Wei Ruo noticed several lily-like yellow flowers lying on the ground in front of

Xie Jue. These seemed to be the ones Xie Jue had just picked for his sister.

Judging by their appearance, they looked like dayhhes.

If they were in abundance, they could be plucked, have their stamen dried, and used for stir-fried dishes or soup – they would surely taste delicious!

Xie Jue’s gaze fell on Wei Ruo. Even though the one who physically struck him was her maid, the order had indeed come from Wei Ruo herself!

Feeling Xie Jue’s gaze, Wei Ruo explained, “I’m sorry, Lord Xie. I didn’t know you were Xie Ying’s brother. I thought you were a rogue who posed a threat to Ying’er and me.”

-So you must be the ‘unique Lady Wei’ my sister often mentions in her letters.”

Although it was their first meeting, thanks to his sister, Xie Jue had long heard of Wei Ruo’s name.

Due to his sister’s descriptions, Xie Jue had developed some curiosity for Lady

Wei Ruo, who was different from typical ladies.

Upon meeting her today, no distinct characteristics stood out except for the fact that she sure could handle a fight.

“Brother, today’s situation was purely provoked by you. You can’t blame anyone else,” Xie Ying interjected, thinking her brother was about to vent his anger on Wei Ruo.

“What kind of person do you take me for? Do you think I would be so petty as to take offense over such a trifle with ladies?” Xie Jue retorted.

“What do you mean by ‘with ladies’? It was your wrongdoing in the first place, why bring the fact that we are ladies into it?” Xie Ying countered, unhappy with his remarks.

“My mistake, I’ve misspoken. Please don’t be angry,” Xie Jue quickly apologized.

“Hmm, that’s more like it,” Xie Ying accepted Xie Jue’s apology. Turning around, she took Wei Ruo’s arm and walked towards the estate, leaving Xie Jue alone, trailing behind.

“Little sister, aren’t you going to wait for me?”

“Dare not toy with the separation of men and women. I have a lady of beauty and grace here in my care that needs protecting. I can’t let you rum her reputation.”

By the time Xie Ying responded, she had already walked quite far with Wei Ruo.

Xie Jue sighed helplessly; it seemed his status in his sister’s eyes had been further reduced!

Xie Ying and Wei Ruo were in the separate quarters’ courtyard appreciating the beauty of the moon and making wishes to it.

The moon was perfectly round and the sky was filled with sparse clouds.

After finishing the moon festival rituals, they sat in the courtyard, eating pastries Wei Ruo had brought, and enjoying the bright full moon. “These pastries of yours are quite delicious,” Xie Ying complimented. She then recalled the first time they met when she tasted dried sweet potatoes and potato chips made by Wei Ruo.

Xie Ying asked Wei Ruo, “You seem to be good at making snacks.’ -Not just snacks, my Meimei is handy and can make all sorts of tasty food.” “Bring more next time, for my brother to taste as well,” Xie Ying suggested. “NO problem,” Wei Ruo agreed immediately. “By the way, where’s your brother?”

■■He’s definitely waiting outside. As long as you’re here, he wouldn’t dare to rudely walk in. He’s been rude once before, any more would be intolerable even for me, his sister.” Xie Ying replied.

“Then let someone take some of these pastries to him. This can serve as my way of apologizing for hitting him earlier.” Wei Ruo suggests.

“Alright, getting beaten and ending up with these delicious treats does seem like quite a gain for him,” Xie Ying said in agreement, while passing the bag of Wei Ruo pastries to the maid.

“You and your brother get along very well,” Wei Ruo remarked. Good relations between siblings often led to such teasing of each other.

“I have no choice; he is my brother. I wish I had a sister, but our mother didn’t give me any sisters.” Xie Ying looked a bit downcast as she spoke. She quickly added, “Of course, I wouldn’t want a sister like yours; I find her irritating.

Wei Ruo chuckled.

Xie Ying studied Wei Ruo, then continued: “If I did have a sister like you, intelligent and thoughtful, I might consider it.”

“I might consider it too because you’re straightforward and open. You say what’s on your mind without me having to guess,” Wei Ruo admitted, not hiding her fondness for Xie Ying.

“Exactly! I have never been one to behave hypocritically. I’m candid about my feelings; if I like something, I admit it. If I dislike something, I state it outrightly. There’s no point pretending,” Xie Ying declared proudly.

After her short speech, Xie Ying turned to ask Wei Ruo: “Apart from growing vegetables and flowers, what else do you enjoy doing?” “I enjoy making money. Lots and lots of silver,” Wei Ruo replied.

“What will you do with so much silver?” Xie Ying inquired.

“I don’t know, but who doesn’t like silver? The same goes for grain; having more is always better. Just in case, I mean, if there’s ever a famine, having enough grain ensures that we won’t go hungry,” Wei Ruo expounded. “Yes, my mother mentioned that this year’s harvest in Xingshan County would likely be poor. Many households are already planning to buy grain from other places,” Xie Ying commented, with a touch of helplessness.

“The price of grain will inevitably be high, beyond the reach of the general populace,” Wei Ruo added.

Ordinary people look forward to a good harvest after a year of hard work to secure enough grain for the next year. Any surplus is sold for silver, which is then used to buy other things.

If the grain was insufficient, one won’t have additional silver to buy goods. “Ruo’er, it’s a good thing you opened up new lands in the southern part of the city. If the crops in that field can grow well, the situation will be much improved,” Xie Ying couldn’t help but sigh.

“The newly reclaimed land in the south of the city won’t be ready in time for this year’s late rice harvest. We can only plant some seasonal vegetables like rape and broad beans. We’ll still need a lot more grain; you should tell your mother, when you go back, to send more grain to Xingshan County if possible,” Wei Ruo advised.

“Alright, I’ll mention it to my mother as soon as I return,” Xie Ying readily agreed.

Wei Ruo noticed that Xie Ying was still looking at her, and asked, “Why are you still staring at me?”

“I wonder, Wei Ruo, would you consider us good friends by now?” Xie Ying asked.

“Perhaps.”

-What do you mean ‘perhaps’? There is no ambiguity; whether we are or not? Come on, here’s your opportunity to become good friends with me. Will you accept or decline?” Xie Ying asked with a serious expression and a domineering

tone..