What a Cunning Old Fox!

Old Master Zhao carried in a potted plant and said, "Wanwan, look at this plant! How did you grow it? It's absolutely amazing!"

He looked at the people inside and asked, "What are you all doing?"

Zhou Wanwan said with a smile, "Big brother, this is about choosing sides; it just depends on which side they want to stand on."

Old Master Zhao laughed and said, "Alright! I can't control this. You can call her 'Grandma' if you want, or 'Auntie' if you prefer. It's up to you."

Zhao Rui asked, "Grandpa, is that really true?"

Old Master Zhao nodded and said, "Indeed, this is your own choice. As long as you don't regret it later, that's fine."

Old Master Zhao doesn't casually claim kinship.

He didn't adopt a child as his sister just because of these expensive flowers and plants.

How cunning he is!

Zhou Wanwan is definitely not simple, but he was unwilling to investigate just how complicated she was.

But at the very least, the Zhao Family needs to adopt the correct attitude.

He checked Zhou Wanwan yesterday, and wow, he was shocked by what he found out.

This Zhou Wanwan is simply a modern inspirational role model. Starting from scratch, she rose from a poor place like Dongshan Prefecture to the capital.

They then walked step by step from the capital to the border.

At first, everyone thought she came to the border to suffer.

It was only later that we realized she was just there to enjoy herself.

Since Zhou Wanwan arrived, the countries have stopped fighting, and the border area has become peaceful.

He said it was strange lately, he couldn't hear any sounds of fighting anymore.

The most outrageous thing was that Zhou Wanwan actually went on a buying spree of estates and shops at the border.

Are villages on the border any use? Can they even grow anything?

That's a joke. If the Zhao Family is so powerful, their entire estate is just sitting there empty.

Nothing grows at all in that village.

But why did Zhou Wanwan want to acquire these estates?

He didn't understand either; after all, Zhou Wanwan.

These younger generation members also need to gain some experience.

He looked at Zhao Rui. He had previously thought highly of Zhao Rui, believing him to be clever, intelligent, and highly skilled in martial arts.

But a family head not only needs to be highly skilled in martial arts, but also needs to be able to assess situations and act accordingly.

Zhou Wanwan may seem like his lackey, but she's clearly much more powerful than him.

He was as if he were blind; he couldn't see it at all.

Zhao Lili and Zhao Rui led a group of people and stood on the left.

Another group of people stood on the right.

There are only about 40 people on the right, but more than 100 on the left.

Zhao Lili laughed heartily:

"Zhou Wanwan, you didn't expect this, did you! So many people are against you, but there's nothing I can do!"

You're still too weak. A five or six-year-old child, coming to my house to act tough, what do you think you are?

Old Master Zhao looked at the flowers and plants in his hand, without saying a word.

Old Madam Zhao ate the pastries, finding them increasingly delicious. "So delicious! Why are these pastries different today? I'm so tired of the usual ones."

The maidservant beside her said, "These were all brought by Miss Wanwan, please have a taste."

Old Madam Zhao nodded and said, "Hey! It's delicious, and not greasy at all."

She took another sip of tea and immediately felt its fragrance fill her mouth. "What wonderful tea! What is this? How can it taste so good?"

The maid said softly, "They say it's milk tea, and we just tried it; it tastes amazing."

Old Master Zhao came over and said, "What are you eating? Don't forget me!"

The maids quickly poured a cup for Old Master Zhao, Old Master Zhao took a sip and exclaimed, "Wow, what is this? It's surprisingly delicious! What flavor does it taste like?"

"What's this called? Mango Pomelo Sago."

Old Master Zhao drank a large bowl and said, "Another bowl, another bowl! It's so delicious!"

He picked up a pastry from the side, took a bite, and exclaimed, "What's this now? Why is everything so strange in our house today?"

This is an egg yolk pastry.

Old Master Zhao picked up another pastry and asked, "What about this one?"

"This is called a cream puff; it's filled with cream and is especially sweet and fragrant."

Old Master Zhao looked at them and asked, "Where did all these things come from?"

"They were all given to me by Miss Wanwan."

Old Master Zhao looked at Zhou Wanwan with a complicated expression. "Just who is this Zhou Wanwan? This stuff is so delicious! How does she have everything?"

Old Lady Zhao smiled and said, "You've really made a good choice in recognizing your younger sister."

Old Master Zhao said with a smug look on his face:

"That's for sure. Our family was able to rise up thanks to my keen eye."

If it weren't for my good judgment, our family wouldn't be where we are today.

I've always felt that this little girl is extraordinary, and I have a vague premonition that she represents our family's destiny.

Old Lady Zhao laughed and said, "I know you. Otherwise, do you think I would make her my sister for such a small thing?"

Old Master Zhao smiled and said, "You old man understands me best."

Once the factions were completely divided, Zhou Wanwan laughed and said, "There are still many girls who haven't received the gifts I gave them!"

Zhou Wanwan clapped her hands, and then she saw the maids file in.

They walked over in rows, carrying gilded trays.

Each tray held two bolts of fine cloth, woven with patterns that shimmered in the light.

A set of jewelry, inlaid with large, round pearls, was placed beside the fabric.

Everyone's eyes widened in disbelief.

"A brocade of colorful patterns, and such a huge pearl! This... this is too extravagant!"

"Where did such a big pearl come from? It must be a fake."

The young ladies who didn't receive a reward were green with envy.

The young ladies who received the rewards were overjoyed.

After all, this set of headdresses would be quite extravagant even if it were included in a dowry.

Some of these young ladies were not born of the principal wife; how could daughters born of concubines possibly have such fine clothes and accessories?

The illegitimate daughters were overjoyed to see the jewelry.

The family was divided into two factions. Zhou Wanwan looked at Zhao Xiang and said:

"Did you know that an academy is going to be built at our border?"

"The Wutong Academy has arrived, and construction has begun. Your aptitude is quite good; I think you should give it a try."

Zhao Xiang's eyes lit up and he said, "Really?"

Zhao Rui chuckled and said:

"You believe that? How could there possibly be an academy in our border region?"

Even if there were academies, they wouldn't be any respectable ones.

You should know that our border region hasn't produced a single scholar who passed the imperial examinations for many years.

Brother, do you think you can pass the imperial examination and become a scholar?

Zhao Xiang paused for a moment before saying, "I believe that as long as I work hard enough, I can definitely succeed."

Zhou Wanwan looked at Zhao Xiang and said, "That's pretty good. I think young people should have this kind of ambition."

Zhao Rui laughed heartily and said, "Alright! Alright! I hope you'll bring honor to our Zhao Family and pass the imperial examination."

The Zhao Family desperately needs talented people. For years, Zhao Family have been trapped in this place, unable to break through.

Zhao Rui continued:

"However, I'm afraid my elder brother has forgotten that the rules of our Zhao Family are that Zhao Family are not allowed to leave the border."

How can you possibly pass the imperial examination and become a scholar?