Locked in the stone chamber

Zhao Mingzhu led them back to the Zhao Family. As soon as Zhao Family, she pointed at Zhou Wanwan and said, "Take her down."

The Zhao Family's butler paused for a moment, then shouted, "Didn't you hear what the young lady said? Take this child away!"

Zhou Wanwan looked at Zhao Mingzhu and said, "What do you mean by this? You wrote a contract, are you trying to renege on your debt now?"

Zhao Mingzhu looked at Zhou Wanwan and said:

"He's just a six-year-old child, do you think I'd be afraid of you?"

Take her to the backyard, lock her in the dungeon, and no one is to release her without my order.

Zhou Wanwan stared blankly at her and said, "What did you say?"

Zhao Mingzhu sneered, "Haven't I made myself clear enough? You don't actually want the estate and the money, do you? You're really dreaming."

The Third Princess and the Seventh Princess stood protectively in front of Zhou Wanwan.

The third princess said, "You clearly wrote a contract, are you going back on your word?"

The Seventh Princess chimed in, "What are you trying to do! Zhang Mingzhu, you've got some nerve!"

The crown prince beside him said:

"Are you all stupid? Pull the two princesses apart, take them away, and keep them under strict guard."

As for Zhou Wanwan, you should think it over carefully. If you're willing to be my concubine, I'll have someone release you."

Zhou Wanwan was taken directly to the dungeon in the side courtyard by the Zhao Family family.

I never expected the dungeon in the Zhao Family's side courtyard to be so large, and it was all made up of stone chambers, the kind where you couldn't see outside.

The Zhao Family's steward sneered, "You'd better stay here and reflect on your actions! You'll be released when you've come to your senses."

After saying that, he left. Zhou Wanwan looked around and said, "Hey! This Zhao Family is really interesting! They locked me up here as soon as they arrived."

The Old Scholar Tree not far away smiled and said, "I think it's great. This dungeon and woodshed are truly your lucky place!"

Zhou Wanwan couldn't help but laugh, "What can I do? These people would love for me to end up in the dungeon and woodshed."

Then they heard a sound from outside. The Third Princess said softly, "My lady, I've brought you some food. I'll pass it in through the window."

The seventh princess also said, "I took a roast chicken, it smells amazing."

Zhou Wanwan accepted the pastries and roast chicken, saying, "Thanks! By the way, I'm already in such a sorry state, and you're still willing to come see me?"

The third princess said, "If it weren't for you, my face would be ruined, and my hands and feet would never have recovered."

The Seventh Princess added, "We might starve to death! Master, please don't abandon us. Wait a little longer, and we'll find a chance to open the door for you."

The two left in a hurry after they finished speaking.

Zhou Wanwan chuckled and said, "These two are quite interesting! This stone chamber is quite clean, but it's a bit dark."

The Old Scholar Tree outside said, "I'll clean up the stone chamber and dig a ventilation opening; it'll be much brighter that way."

The roof is fitted with glass, so you can see the moon and stars in the sky when you look up from inside the house.

The walls were polished smooth and had ventilation holes cut in them, so the room wasn't stuffy at all, and the gentle breeze blowing in was very comfortable.

A large ferret and white fox carpet was spread on the ground; each step you took left a deep dent.

The bed was covered with a mattress made of ice silkworm silk, and the blanket was made of a rare cloud fox fur.

The room was brightly lit by shimmering gauze curtains strung with glowing beads, so there was no need to turn on any lamps.

Zhou Wanwan rolled over in bed and said, "Comfortable, but I'm hungry. How's the food at the Zhao Family's?"

The Old Ancestor beside him said, "Good, very good. The Old Scholar Tree has already gone to the kitchen to get it."

Zhou Wanwan sighed and said, "I really like this kind of life! Carefree every day, eating and sleeping, sleeping and eating."

The Old Ancestor's lips twitched as he said, "This life is indeed quite comfortable, but it's a hardship for the Zhao Family."

The Old Scholar Tree Spirit swayed its branches, rummaging through the exquisite dishes on the table, muttering, "Oh, this is Wanwan's favorite, and this is also Wanwan's favorite!"

Rock sugar stewed bird's nest, crab roe stuffed fish maw, steamed grouper, roasted venison, pearl fish sashimi, braised wild pheasant breast, stir-fried white fungus, honey-glazed chestnut cake, emerald tender bamboo shoots, fish maw and old chicken soup, braised bok choy in chicken oil...

Zhou Wanwan nodded as she ate, saying, "To be honest, the dishes cooked by the Zhao Family are quite delicious."

The Old Scholar Tree brought in some more fruit and said:

These fruits all belong to our family!

Strawberries, blueberries, cherries, grapes, lychees, and mangoes.

Oh dear! It won't grow in other people's fields.

Zhou Wanwan ate a strawberry and said, "Whose strawberries are so delicious? These must be my strawberries!"

The Old Ancestor said:

"The third and seventh princesses are in trouble."

"Because I came to see you, I was discovered and now I'm locked up with no food at all."

She used to dislike the Third Princess because of her arrogance and domineering attitude, but now she finds her quite adorable.

She thought for a moment and said, "How about we send them some food?"

The third princess's stomach was growling with hunger. A maidservant beside her said, "Master, why are you doing this? Why do you have to please a little girl?"

The Third Princess snorted coldly and said:

What do you know? I have my own plans.

I just felt this little girl was different, and actually she's very capable; anyway, I want to follow her."

The maid beside him sighed and said, "No matter how capable you are, you're still just a child. People will laugh at you if you act like this."

"Let people laugh at me, I don't care!" the Third Princess said stubbornly.

Suddenly, they saw the window open, and before they could react, they saw four dishes on the table, along with a note.

The third princess picked up the note and said, "See? My master brought me dinner. Let me see what delicious food he brought me."

Upon opening the package, I found stir-fried sea bream with vinegar, steamed grouper, stewed chicken with shiitake mushrooms, and stir-fried watercress.

The meal included a balanced mix of meat and vegetables, along with a plate of fruit.

The third princess quickly started eating.

On the other side, the Seventh Princess silently wiped away her tears.

The maidservant beside her said, "The Zhao Family is so stingy; they won't even give us a bite to eat."

The seventh princess choked back tears and said, "If I don't want to eat, I don't want to eat. What's the big deal? I don't necessarily have to eat."

Suddenly, four dishes appeared on the table: steamed herring, braised chicken in a casserole, pan-fried venison, and cold-dressed shepherd's purse—all of which were Princess Seven's favorites.

The seventh princess asked in surprise, "Who sent this?"

She picked up the note and glanced at it, saying, "Oh! It's Wanwan, ptooey, ptooey, it's my mistress."

The maidservant beside her advised:

"Seventh Princess, you've always been so clever. I just don't understand, is Zhou Wanwan really that good?"

She deserves your attention and your willingness to acknowledge her as your master.

The Seventh Princess glared at her and said, "What do you know? She is my mistress, and she always will be. You must treat her with the same respect you would show me, understand?"

Only fools wouldn't see how amazing she is.