Who's the Father Here, You or Me?

Prefect Fang's back was covered in sweat. After he and Cheng Xiao returned, Cheng Xiao looked at him and said, "Lord Fang, why did we have to kneel before her today? She's just a young girl."

Prefect Fang sighed and said:

"Stupid as a pig, you still think she's just a young girl?"

Don't you think she has extraordinary abilities?

What she said today has made it very clear: those who obey her will prosper, and those who oppose her will perish.

Cheng Xiao said angrily, "That brat, she's gone too far! I..."

Prefect Fang angrily said, "Cheng Xiao, shut up! Don't be rude!"

Cheng Xiao was utterly dumbfounded. What was Prefect Fang trying to do now?

Prefect Fang sighed and said:

"Let me put it this way: if you want to survive in Dongshan Prefecture, you'd better stick with Zhou Wanwan."

And you'd better stop doing that thing with that old eunuch."

Cheng Xiao would never agree to that.

"I can earn several thousand taels a month with that old eunuch."

Prefect Fang looked at him and said, "Anyway, I've decided to follow Zhou Wanwan. You'd better watch yourself!"

"Ah?"

Prefect Fang looked at him and said:

Do you think we have any way out?

In just one night, Qingshui County fell. Do you know what Qingshui County is like now?

There were disaster victims everywhere, and all the shops in the city were looted and smashed by those people.

You're just a figurehead magistrate now. If I don't obey, your fate will be mine.

Prefect Fang was naturally better able to understand the situation than Cheng Xiao.

Cheng Xiao's face turned pale instantly. "Zhou Wanwan is a monster. How did she manage to do that?"

Prefect Fang sneered:

"Anyway, don't worry about how she did it. I'm just saying this: our every move is under her watchful eye."

If you want to live, you'd better listen to me.

Cheng Xiao returned home dejectedly and summoned Old Madam Zhou to the Cheng residence.

He looked at Old Madam Zhou and said:

Didn't you tell me you knew about what happened in your past life?

So tell me, what will this Zhou Wanwan be like in your next life?

"Just like this lifetime?"

Old Madam Zhou quickly shook her head and said:

"I feel like Zhou Wanwan is possessed by a ghost. She's not my granddaughter at all. I always feel like there's something wrong with her."

In my past life, my granddaughter was very timid and would do whatever I asked her to do.

This life is completely different; it's as if she knew many things in advance.

Oh right, all my stuff is gone.

Every time I go against her, our family ends up in trouble.

Cheng Xiao looked at her and said:

"You mean all the supplies you hid are gone?"

That's impossible! I remember you hid it very well.

Old Madam Zhou slapped her thigh in anger. "That's exactly what she said, sir! I just feel something's not right, that little slut..."

"What 'bitch'? Watch your mouth."

Old Madam Zhou quickly corrected herself:

"I have a feeling something's off about her. Think about it again."

Does it mean that every time we try to make money, we suddenly find ourselves with nothing?

Thinking about this, Cheng Xiao felt like crying.

This has happened several times already. He'd gathered a lot of grain, intending to sell it, but ended up with nothing.

Cheng Xiao sighed and said:

"Let's not offend Zhou Wanwan in the future. Lord Fang has already taken sides."

I'm on Lord Fang's side, so naturally I'll side with Lord Fang.

Old Madam Zhou looked at Cheng Xiao and said, "Are you saying that Lord Fang will have to listen to Zhou Wanwan from now on?"

"Right."

Old Madam Zhou slapped her thigh and said, "I just don't understand, she's just a little kid, why should we be afraid of her?"

Cheng Xiao felt helpless; he finally understood the Prefect Fang's sense of powerlessness. Talking to this old lady was pointless.

He looked at Old Madam Zhou and said:

"You must not anger that Little Ancestor; she is now more than just the darling of Prefect Fang."

Several high-ranking officials sided with her, especially Nie Shi'an. Lord Nie, after all, was a third-rank official, no ordinary man.

Old Madam Zhou muttered, "Who knows what's wrong with that girl? I just feel like something's not right."

Cheng Xiao turned and went back to his residence. He called Cheng Chao and asked, "Cheng Chao, just who is Zhou Wanwan?"

Cheng Chao frowned and said, "Why are you asking this? Anyway, I advise you not to go against him, otherwise I can't protect you either."

Cheng Xiao looked at Cheng Chao and said, "We're father and son, there's no need for us to be at odds. We never mistreated you when you were little."

Cheng Chao sneered:

"You certainly haven't treated me badly, but you haven't treated me well either. From childhood to adulthood, you've never taught me anything."

I'm just a son born out of wedlock, someone you can't show your face to. If I weren't your only son, would you even care about me?"

Cheng Xiao frowned and said, "How could you think that way?"

"Don't worry about what I think, I've already made myself perfectly clear."

If you insist on going against her, you'll only end up dead. You'd better think twice.

By the way, tell your wife not to make things difficult for my wife, or who knows what I might do.

Cheng Xiao pointed at his nose and yelled, "Who's the father here, you or me?"

"You're currently living in Zheng Xing'an's house. Please get that straight. If she goes any further, I'll ask her to leave." Cheng Chao wasn't just saying that.

They had already been asked to leave because they had offended Zheng Xing'an.

Feng Caigu was still putting on airs as a mother-in-law. "Zheng Xing'an, is this all we're going to eat tonight?"

Zheng Xing'an looked at the dishes on the table and said:

"A sweet and sour fish, a braised pork belly, a stir-fried shrimp, and a vegetable dish—it's quite a feast."

What else would you like to eat?

Feng Caigu sneered, "We'll eat whatever your master eats."

Zheng Xing'an nodded and said:

"My master does indeed eat delicacies every day, but one table alone costs a hundred taels."

"In this way, you give me fifty taels every day, and I will prepare the exact same ingredients for you as he does every day."

Feng Caigu said aggressively, "You're just a servant, how dare you act so arrogantly in our household? Do you believe I'll have my son divorce you?"

Cheng Xiao walked in, frowning as she said:

"I could hear you spouting nonsense from all this way, what kind of behavior is this?"

Cheng Chao's wife, you should go and rest!

Zheng Xing'an turned and left, Feng Caigu muttered, "Aren't you just undermining me? I get annoyed just seeing her. She's just a maid, what's with all the pretense?"

Cheng Xiao couldn't help but say:

"Your social standing is even lower than that of a maid!"

I'm telling you, don't go looking for trouble with her anymore. If you dare to cause her any more trouble, don't blame me for being ruthless."

Feng Caigu ate her meal in silence, unaware of what had happened.

She had no status at home; Cheng Xiao's most beloved women were now his concubines.

Zheng Xing'an frowned and said:

"Your father is really something; he didn't forget to bring his concubines with him when he escaped."

One of the concubines is pregnant again.

Cheng Chao frowned and said, "This has nothing to do with our family. Let him take care of his concubines. Just make sure they have basic food."