Daddy, Is This Mommy?

Zhou Wanwan was both amused and exasperated; she hadn't expected Madam Shen to do such a thing.

But it's also clear that Madam Shen is genuinely good to her.

Zhou Wanwan smiled and said:

"Auntie, it's alright. A prison can't hold me. I'll just go visit Nie Shi'an's residence."

Is Nie Shi'an's family wealthy?

Madam Shen said:

"His father was the Suzhou textile commissioner, who also oversaw the salt transport and grain transport in Jiangnan. Although he was only a fifth-rank official, it was a coveted position that everyone envied."

He held the power to procure royal silk, control the salt tax in Jiangnan, and manage the grain transport, making a fortune every day. His wealth was even greater than that of many governors and viceroys.

The Nie Family owned vast estates and shops throughout the Suzhou and Hangzhou area, with mountains of gold, silver, silk, antiques, and rare treasures, making them the wealthiest family in Jiangnan.

Zhou Wanwan almost drooled. "This... is he that rich?"

Madam Shen chuckled and said:

"The lady Lord Nie married comes from a family even more illustrious than his!"

That lady was the eldest daughter of the Shen Clan, the wealthiest merchant family in Jiangnan. Her family monopolized the silk, tea, and porcelain trade in Jiangnan, as well as overseas trade, and their fleet spanned Nanyang.

Zhou Wanwan slung the bundle over her shoulder and said:

"Auntie, I'm skipping breakfast, I'm going now!"

I really want to visit Lord Nie's house and see for myself.

Madam Shen brought her several kinds of pastries and also gave her a cup of milk tea, saying:

"Take these things with you on your way. I'll come see you later."

The Nie Family is holding a lotus-viewing banquet the day after tomorrow, and I will definitely come to see you then.

Zhou Wanwan waved her hand and said, "Auntie, don't worry! I'll be fine."

Shen Congrong looked at her, her face full of reluctance. "You... can you do it? If you really can't, I'll go to prison with you."

Zhou Wanwan looked at him and said, "Does Lord Shen want to serve me in prison, or to keep an eye on me?"

Shen Congrong scoffed and said:

"You brat, can't you understand I care about you?"

Let me tell you! That guy's family is loaded. If you're going to take advantage of him, then take advantage of him big enough. If you've taken advantage of him, you can't take advantage of me, right?

Zhou Wanwan glanced at her indifferently and said, "We'll see! It depends on my mood."

Shen Congrong gritted her teeth and said, "You brat, just you wait and see."

Nie Shi'an brought Zhou Wanwan home, where he saw Madam Nie sitting in the main hall, coldly looking at Zhou Wanwan and saying, "Nie Shi'an, who is this little girl?"

Nie Shi'an looked at Zhou Wanwan and was about to speak when Zhou Wanwan looked at him and said, "Father, is this Mother?"

Nie Shi'an looked at her with a horrified expression and said, "Zhou Wanwan, shut up! What nonsense are you spouting?"

Zhou Wanwan burst into tears. "Daddy... Daddy, sob sob... You're mean to me, you never used to be mean to me."

Enraged Madam Nie smashed the teacup on the table to the ground, exclaiming, "Nie Shi'an, you're really something! You've even fathered an illegitimate daughter?"

Nie Shi'an quickly waved his hand and said, "No, how could this be my daughter? She's just a little bandit."

Zhou Wanwan sobbed, "Yes, I'm just a little bandit. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have been born. I shouldn't be here."

Madam Nie fainted from anger. Nie Shi'an glared at Zhou Wanwan and said, "You beast! I sent you here to go to jail, and you actually came here to claim me as your father? Who are you calling father?"

Zhou Wanwan sat on the stool, sipping her milk tea, and said, "You! From now on, you're my dad, and I'll take good care of you."

"You... you... men, take her to jail! I refuse to believe we can't teach you a lesson!"

Just as Madam Nie woke up, she heard Zhou Wanwan looking at Nie Shi'an and saying:

"Father, doesn't your conscience hurt? How can you bear to lock me up in jail?"

You promised my mother that you would treat me well and give me all of the Nie Family's assets.

Now you're going back on your word! I haven't finished my milk tea yet!

Why are you dragging your feet? Can't I walk by myself?

Zhou Wanwan glared at the Nie Family's butler, who sighed and said, "Miss, you've caused a huge disaster!"

Zhou Wanwan looked at him and said, "What kind of trouble have I caused?"

"You have no idea what my wife is capable of; you'll know once you experience it."

Zhou Wanwan pouted and said, "Tactics? Trying to scare kids? I'm not afraid!"

The butler sighed and had no choice but to have her thrown into a cell.

However, the conditions in the Nie Family's prison were actually quite good, the butler said with a smile:

"You three just stay here and behave yourselves!"

This cell was specially prepared for you; it's quite comfortable."

This cell does look more comfortable than a regular cell; even the blankets have been specially changed.

But Zhou Wanwan still felt uncomfortable inside; she couldn't shake the feeling of awkwardness.

After the butler turned and left, the Old Scholar Tree outside angrily cursed:

"This is outrageous! How dare they lock Wanwan up in a place like this and put her in jail!"

These people are simply courting death!

Zhou Wanwan chuckled and said, "Nothing ventured, nothing Huzi. Now that we're here, we can't leave empty-handed."

The Old Scholar Tree used its roots to clean the cell spotlessly, catching all the rats and getting rid of them.

They also used curtains to cover the walls around her and even laid a carpet on the floor for her.

The wooden bed in the cell was hard and uncomfortable; Zhou Wanwan frowned after sitting for only a short while.

Without a word, the Old Scholar Tree pulled out the rough bed board and threw it aside, replacing it with the soft couch that Zhou Wanwan usually used.

Fearing the cell would be stuffy and poorly ventilated, they even brought in an ice basin. The cool air slowly spread out, instantly dispelling much of the summer heat.

After doing all this, the Old Scholar Tree brought over a few books and placed them by the bedside, saying gently, "It's very stuffy in this prison, and it's really boring to stay here. I've prepared some books for you; you can pick whichever one you want to read."

Zhou Wanwan felt a warmth in her heart and nodded gently, saying, "Uncle Scholar Tree, you've thought of everything so thoroughly."

Her eyes lit up, and she smiled as she said, "Oh, by the way, I'd like some chilled plum juice."

Old Uncle Scholar Tree shook his head:

It's best to drink less chilled plum juice; just let it sit for a while to cool down.

I brought you grapes, watermelon, peaches, cantaloupe, strawberries, and lychees. What would you like to eat?

Zhou Wanwan looked at the watermelon and said, "I want to eat watermelon, and some strawberries too!"

The Old Scholar Tree had finished preparing everything for her before coughing and saying, "Nie Shi'an and his wife have arrived."

Standing outside, the Old Scholar Tree saw Nie Shi'an and his wife arguing.

Madam Nie sneered, "Nie Shi'an, I thought you were usually quite honest, but I never expected you to have a daughter outside. Are you even human?"

Nie Shi'an looked at Madam Nie and said:

"I've explained it to you countless times, she's a female bandit from the mountains, how could she be my daughter?"

If it were my daughter, would I throw her in jail?

She was deliberately trying to frame me; I'll make her pay the price...