That Damned Girl Stole Our Things and Ran Off!

After eating two large bowls of rice, Dean Zhu exclaimed, "Hey! Why is your family's food so especially delicious?"

Zhou Wanwan quickly explained, "That's because the rice, meat, and even the seafood in our house are different."

"Oh? How come the methods are different?" Dean Zhu, full of curiosity.

"Anyway, the farming methods are different from those in other places. You'll find all of this seafood is freshly caught."

Dean Zhu tasted the seafood and said:

"We're quite far from the sea here, so I just don't understand why your seafood is always so fresh?"

Have you run into business troubles lately? The whole Upper Capital City is buzzing with rumors that you, this peasant, have failed!

Zhou Wanwan raised an eyebrow and said, "Huh? Really?"

Dean Zhu said while eating:

"Don't you know? Recently, people in the Upper Capital City have been saying that you're so poor you're mooching meals from the Zhou Family!"

They say these are all Zhou Family houses.

Zhou Wanwan almost died laughing, "These people outside are really good at making things up!"

Dean Zhu sighed and said, "I was so worried today, afraid that my precious apprentice would go hungry. I had no idea that your family was eating so well!"

Zhou Qinghe said speechlessly, "Dean, we've already told you that we have enough to eat, but you just won't believe us."

Dean Zhu laughed heartily and said, "Alright, I'm full. Wanwan, go to your study now that you're done eating!"

Zhou Wanwan wiped her mouth and said, "I'm full too, Master. I actually have something I want to ask you!"

Once inside the courtyard, Zhou Wanwan opened all her books and asked all her questions.

Dean Zhu answered her questions one by one, and only after he had finished answering them all did he say:

"You little rascal, you've really learned a lot. I feel like you've learned even better than your three older brothers."

This time, there shouldn't be any problem with the candidates becoming successful candidates in the imperial examinations.

Zhou Wanwan asked, "Master, what rank do you think I can get?"

Dean Zhu looked at her and said:

"How would I know? But are you really going to take the exam as Zhou Wanwan?"

"At your age, even if you pass the imperial examination and become a scholar, I'm afraid some people will still use it against you."

Zhou Wanwan laughed and said, "I will not change my name or surname. I will use my name to pass the imperial examination with dignity and integrity."

Dean Zhu nodded and said:

"Okay, becoming a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial examination) is no problem, but if you want to rank higher, you'll have to work harder. I'll highlight some key points for you today."

I'm also telling you something, so listen carefully and take good notes. You have a good memory, so you'll definitely be fine.

There was nothing he could do; after all, Dean Zhu had gone to great lengths to take on a disciple.

This is what it means to give private tutoring.

Dean Zhu spent the whole night explaining to Zhou Wanwan, asking, "Have you memorized all of this?"

"I've got it."

"Hey! You memorized all of this in one night?"

"Really, I've written it all down."

Dean Zhu said, "I'll come again tomorrow to explain some more things to you. Just stay home and wait for me."

"Mmm."

As soon as Dean Zhu left, Zhou Wanwan lay down on the bed and said, "I'm so tired, I'm exhausted."

The Old Ancestor outside also cried out, "I'm so tired, I'm exhausted!"

Zhou Wanwan asked, "What are you tired about?"

"My old arms and legs are so weak, I moved so much stuff last night, aren't I tired?"

Zhou Wanwan stared at it and asked, "What did you move?"

"Those things next door! Oh my! You know what, Yu Shu is actually a pretty nice girl."

She brought so much dowry this time, and I took it all for her.

Since we're going to be swindled out of everything by that scumbag Zhou Qingzhou sooner or later anyway, we might as well move it away first.

Zhou Wanwan chuckled, then heard a commotion starting next door.

Yu Shu shouted, "Zhou Qingzhou, give me back my dowry right now!"

Zhou Qingzhou looked at Yu Shu speechlessly and said:

"Yu Shu, stop fooling around. When did I ever take your dowry?"

We woke up together today, right? Why do you think I took it?

Yu Shu snorted coldly and said:

"If you're not part of your family, are you still mine?"

You'd better give me back all my dowry right now, or I'll never forgive you!

Zhou Qingzhou retorted angrily, "I told you I didn't take it, I didn't take it, I didn't take it! Don't you understand?"

Yu Shu was startled. "What... what do you want to do?"

Zhou Qingzhou sighed and said, "Do I need to take your things? I'm going to find my parents and grandmother right now."

Yu Shu and Zhou Qingzhou arrived at the front hall. Old Madam Zhou looked at Yu Shu and said, "Yu Shu, come and have breakfast quickly!"

Yu Shu sobbed, "I don't want to eat, I can't eat anything. Yesterday all 58 pieces of my dowry were gone, waaaaah..."

Old Madam Zhou and Qian Huihui jumped up in alarm.

Qian Huihui said, "How could the dowry have all disappeared in just one night?"

Old Madam Zhou's hands trembled as she shouted, "Report to the authorities! Report to the authorities right now! Who dares to steal from our Zhou Family!"

The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review arrived quickly.

The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review has been having a lot of headaches lately. First it was Princess Jing'an, then Princess Ningyuan, and now it's Yu Shu's turn.

Old Madam Zhou said:

"Your Honor, this matter is of utmost importance, you must investigate it thoroughly! This involves 58 dowry items!"

It was filled with all sorts of gold and silver jewelry, as well as silks and satins, and all kinds of rare and precious treasures...

Yu Shu's face was streaked with tears.

"Sir, please help me investigate quickly!"

That's my dowry that my grandmother saved up for me for so long. If I lose it, I won't live anymore."

The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review quickly nodded and said:

"Investigate! Investigate again, Chen Ankang, take your men and search thoroughly."

Don't miss a single corner, you hear me?

Chen Ankang nodded, and suddenly heard Old Madam Zhou say:

"This must have been done by Zhou Wanwan. She lives in the side courtyard, so it must have been her."

"Every time she's around, something bad is bound to happen to my family."

Chen Ankang nearly fell over. "What did you say? Zhou Wanwan lives in the side courtyard?"

"Yes, Zhou Wanwan is a scoundrel; her whole family shamelessly lives in my yard."

I kindly took them in, but I never expected them to steal.

They're living in the side courtyard right now, you need to go and bring them here right away."Old Madam Zhou became angrier the more she thought about it.

Back in the countryside, it was always their family who suffered misfortune.

At first, their house was demolished, and later their jewelry was stolen.

Now it's happening again, who else could it be but Zhou Wanwan?

They quickly arrived at the side courtyard.

But the side courtyard was empty, and Old Madam Zhou cried out loudly:

"That brat stole our things and ran away! You beast!"

"Sir, you must arrest her immediately!"

Chen Ankang walked in from outside and said, "I just went next door. Zhou Wanwan lives next door now; she doesn't live in the side courtyard at all."

Old Madam Zhou choked for a moment and said, "What did you say? That brat lives next door now?"