You Want My Daughter to Be a Concubine in Your Family?

Madam Nie smiled, her eyes crinkling with delight at the comments, and raised her hand in acknowledgment.

"My dear sisters, you flatter me too much. Please feel free to visit anytime you like, as long as you don't mind the simplicity of my humble abode!"

I will definitely treat everyone well then.

She raised her hand and pointed towards the depths of the courtyard, saying:

"Look, there's a pavilion built over there in the middle of the lake. Once it's all set up, we can sit in the pavilion by the water, drink tea, chat, and enjoy the scenery."

I'm also planning to invite a theatrical troupe over to perform, playing instruments and singing, to make it lively and festive.

When the time comes, we sisters will gather together, chat and laugh, listen to operas and enjoy the scenery. Wouldn't that be wonderful?

Everyone nodded repeatedly, praising it highly.

After they left, the Old Scholar Tree led Zhou Wanwan into the courtyard.

The Old Scholar Tree chuckled and said, "This courtyard is indeed quite large, with five sections, and all in the style of Jiangnan gardens. Not bad, not bad."

Zhou Wanwan was also very satisfied. The Old Scholar Tree said, "Why don't we make our move tonight?"

Zhou Wanwan quickly waved her hand and said, "No, no, no, let's wait a bit longer, until she's tidied up here."

Zhou Wanwan got home, she saw Zhao Muyuan standing in the yard with a group of people waiting for her.

Upon seeing her, everyone knelt down.

Zhou Wanwan shuddered in fright, and then she heard Nie Rou's voice coming from outside.

Zhou Wanwan pointed to the bedroom inside and said, "You guys hurry up and go inside..."

Zhao Muyuan's lips twitched, and he led his ministers into the bedroom.

More than 50 ministers stared at each other, too afraid to sit on the bed.

Zheng Xing'an said softly, "Please be seated, gentlemen. There's no need for formalities."

Then Nie Rou's voice came from ahead. "Zhou Wanwan, I heard you're going to become Nie Hongyuan's concubine? That's a good match for you."

Zhou Wanwan glanced at her indifferently and said, "I think it suits you quite well too, so I'll let you have it!"

Nie Rou covered her mouth and laughed, "Now the whole of Dongshan Prefecture is saying that you're eager to become a concubine for the Cui Family!"

Cui Yingying, who was standing next to her, also smiled and said:

"My younger brother Cui Hongyuan both talented and handsome, more than a match for you. After you become his concubine, you must serve him well."

Why hasn't your food arrived yet? From now on, you'll be in charge of all the meals for our family.

I told my mom that from now on, you'll be in charge of our family. Haven't I been good to you?

Zhou Wanwan laughed in exasperation, "Okay, that's great, I'll definitely repay you properly."

Cui Yingying swallowed hard and said, "Where's the food? Hurry up and serve it! We just happened to come over and mooch a meal."

Zhou Wanwan said calmly, "Fifty taels per person."

Cui Yingying sneered:

"Don't be ungrateful! What kind of meal costs fifty taels per person?"

This is outrageous! You're practically begging to become my concubine, and you still dare to ask me for money?

Believe it or not, once you step into my house, I'll sell you off.

Zhou Wanwan chuckled and said, "Really? Then you should try it!"

Wanting her to be your concubine? Dream on!

Zhou Wanwan ordered the dishes to be served. A group of maids filed in, carrying gilded lacquer platters, and one after another, delicacies were placed on the table, their aromas filling the air.

In the center sits a steamed grouper, an extremely precious deep-sea fish, drizzled with delicious soy sauce and topped with finely shredded ginger and scallions. As soon as it was served, its fresh aroma filled the entire room.

Next to it was a plate of braised king prawns, each one plump and large, making one's mouth water just looking at them.

On the other side was a plate of stir-fried squid, bursting with fresh flavor.

Steamed scallops with honey sauce: The dried scallops are soaked until plump and soft, then drizzled with a honey-scented sauce. One bite is a perfect blend of freshness and sweetness.

Vegetarian dishes can also be exquisite and elegant:

A plate of stir-fried tender bamboo shoots, fresh and crisp.

A plate of chilled crystal lotus root slices, glistening and sweet, is both refreshing and visually appealing.

Cui Yingying's eyes widened in astonishment, her mouth agape. "My God... so many rare dishes! How can you eat all of this by yourself?"

Nie Rou secretly swallowed, "That's right... so much good food, it's such a waste for one person to eat it all. Why don't we help you eat it, and we promise not a drop will go to waste!"

Zhou Wanwan chuckled and said, "Is your Cui Residence so poor that you have to live off begging?"

Cui Yingying stomped her feet in anger. "I'm going to tell my brother, you just wait!"

Nie Rou, with a look of anticipation, said, "Zhou Wanwan, it would be quite amusing if you really became a concubine in the Nie Family!"

After saying that, the two left together.

As soon as they left, the ministers came out and said, "Your Majesty, are you going to become a concubine in the Cui Family? No, absolutely not!"

Zhao Muyuan said speechlessly:

"In your eyes, is our Emperor really that brainless?"

Your Majesty, our grain stores are selling like hotcakes because the prices are cheap, and other grain stores are coming to us to buy grain.

I've found a lot, what do we do now?

Zhou Wanwan chuckled and said, "There's actually such a thing? Those people are so shameless, they're not leaving any way for the disaster victims to survive!"

Zhao Muyuan nodded and said, "These people have always been shameless, just wanting to plunder our grain so they can make a fortune."

Zhou Wanwan said, "Tonight we'll follow them and see which grain store they go back to, then we'll start our operation."

Since these people are shameless enough to try and steal their grain, then they'll just take all of their grain.

Since those people are unwilling to hand over their food, then they won't be polite.

After finishing the meeting, Zhou Wanwan looked at them and said, "Aren't you going back to the mountain stronghold for dinner?"

Zhao Muyuan looked at Zhou Wanwan and said, "Your Majesty is destined for great things, so you must not let yourself be blinded by love!"

Zhou Wanwan said speechlessly, "Don't worry! I wouldn't stoop so low as to become someone's concubine, and besides, I really don't even look down on the Cui Family."

Zhao Muyuan nodded, then led his ministers away.

As soon as they stepped outside, they were taken away by the big trees.

Zhou Wanwan sighed and said, "Our transportation is just too convenient. It's so easy for these ministers to find me."

A woman's voice came from the front yard. "Miss Wanwan, our madam requests your presence."

Zhou Wanwan followed the old woman to the main hall, where she saw Madam Cui the Younger and Madam Nie sitting.

Liu Su'e and Zhou Fusheng sat to the side waiting, not even offering them a seat.

Madam Cui the Younger sipped her tea and said:

"Since you two are both here, I'll just say what I have to say."

You've all seen what my home looks like.

My husband is now a fourth-rank official, and our Cui Family has influence in the imperial court.

For families like yours, it's generally impossible to climb up to us.

But since I thought Zhou Wanwan was quite pretty, I decided to bring her in as a concubine.

What do you think?

Liu Su'e and Zhou Fusheng were both dumbfounded; neither of them could believe their ears.

Liu Su'e looked at her and said, "What did you say? You want my daughter to be your family's concubine? What are you dreaming about?"

Zhou Fusheng replied loudly:

"Whose daughter from a respectable family would become someone's concubine?"

No matter how good your family is, my daughter will never become someone's concubine.