Wolf-Raised Cub with a Space: Surviving the Disaster Years

Chapter 207: Chapter 207: Who Exactly Is the Legitimate Daughter of the Xie Family

The man cupped his hands, his smile deferential. "We’re hunters from the nearby Magpie Mountain Forest Farm. We grew these trees ourselves, originally for winter firewood."

"But as you must know, Miss, the drought these past few years was so severe that bodies littered the ground. So, we all discussed it and decided to sell the forest farm we had leased."

"We’re going to dig some pits on the farm to store water. Normally, this wood would sell for ten taels of silver a pound. But, well, it rained unexpectedly a few days ago and soaked all our wood."

"Wet wood is useless for burning, so we thought we’d try our luck and see if anyone wanted to buy it for wood carving. Are you interested, Miss?"

A few onlookers had gathered to watch the spectacle. After listening, they burst out laughing.

"You’re not being very honest, are you? This wood is soaked. How can you still try to trick someone into buying it?"

"Exactly! Little girl, don’t let him fool you. They just dragged it all the way here, and not a single person has even asked about it. After all, this wet wood is useless for this winter. Even two taels a pound would be too expensive!"

"If you buy it, it’s just useless scrap. You can’t burn it, and it’ll just take up space."

As they chimed in one after another, the wood seller grew angry. "If you’re not buying, then keep your mouths shut! The young miss hasn’t made her decision yet."

Shen Ningning blinked her dark eyes, her chubby little face pensive.

Suddenly, she asked, "How much wood do you have?"

"We have another thousand pounds in the warehouse at our forest farm. Miss, do you want it?" They hadn’t made a single sale all day.

Sensing that Shen Ningning was genuinely interested in buying, the man couldn’t help but break into a delighted smile, rubbing his hands together eagerly.

Shen Ningning nodded. "I can take it, but your price is too high. After all, wet wood is unusable. Give me a cheaper price, and I’ll consider it."

The man was overjoyed. He exchanged a look with the person beside him, and the two of them conferred for a moment.

He then turned back to the little girl. "Miss, since you’re so sincere about buying, we won’t play hard to get. For the thousand pounds in the warehouse, we’ll charge you just 1,800 taels of silver in total. How does that sound?"

Shen Ningning thought for a moment, then hummed. "Okay, but I don’t have the silver on me right now. You’ll have to come with me to get it."

The onlookers couldn’t bear to watch anymore. They shook their heads, flicked their hands in dismissal, and walked away.

"That little girl is practically begging to be scammed."

Standing behind Shen Ningning, Muchun couldn’t help but whisper, "Commandery Princess, there’s really no need to buy this."

Wanchun added, "That’s right, Commandery Princess. The Prime Minister’s Mansion has anything you could ever want. We burn charcoal in the winter, not firewood."

Shen Ningning shook her head. "I have a use for this wood!"

’Even if I’m not afraid of the cold, Grandma is. It snowed early this year, so it’s bound to be a very cold winter!’

Shen Ningning remembered last year, during the bone-chilling cold of winter, how miserable she and her grandmother were, huddled together in their drafty little house.

’The drought just ended, so charcoal is scarce. Even if we could buy it, it would surely be very expensive.’

The little girl knew she had no silver of her own right now. Ever since the pharmacy went out of business, she had to find other ways to make money.

She couldn’t just think about herself; she also had to consider her grandmother and Langlang’s pack. They all needed to live comfortably.

’With firewood, there’s no need to panic.’

Besides, she couldn’t bear to cut down the big trees in the Immortal Realm. For one, she didn’t have the strength, and for another, it would be a terrible waste.

’Although the wood is wet now, I’ll just wait until no one is around and move it into the Immortal Realm.’

’Dried by the sun there, it’ll be ready to use in the winter sooner or later.’

’Langlang and the others will also be able to gather together and have a warm winter.’

Shen Ningning led them back to the Prime Minister’s Mansion.

"You two wait out here." Muchun spoke with the authority of a head maid. After instructing the two men, she accompanied Shen Ningning into the mansion.

Shen Ningning headed straight for Xie Suzhi’s study.

She wanted to borrow two thousand taels of silver from her godfather.

Just as she reached the study, she heard Xie Yuanjiu’s voice from inside—

"Uncle, I’d like to withdraw four hundred taels of silver to host a banquet for a few of my close friends. But Mother said she didn’t dare to approve it and told me to ask for your opinion."

Shen Ningning’s small feet stopped. She hesitated, wondering if she should wait for Xie Yuanjiu to finish before going in.

Unexpectedly, Xie Suzhi’s trusted guard outside the door saw her and greeted her with a smile. "The Commandery Princess has arrived!"

A moment later, Xie Suzhi opened the door and walked gently toward the little girl. "Ningning, you’re here. Godfather just has a little bit of official business to finish up, and then I’ll take you out."

With that, he led Shen Ningning inside.

Xie Yuanjiu stared at the little girl for a moment.

Shen Ningning had offered her a sweet smile, but unexpectedly, Xie Yuanjiu quickly averted her gaze and lowered her head, her expression blank.

The little girl licked her lips awkwardly. Just then, Xie Suzhi asked her, "Ningning, did you come looking for Godfather for a reason?"

Shen Ningning blinked her big, dark eyes and said in a soft, sweet voice, "Godfather, can I borrow two thousand taels of silver from you?"

Xie Suzhi had just picked up his brush. Hearing this, he paused, then smiled and took the token from his waist, handing it to Muchun.

"Take this. Bring the Commandery Princess to the accountant. She can have as much as she wants. I’ve approved it."

Xie Yuanjiu’s head snapped up, and she stared at Xie Suzhi in astonishment.

Shen Ningning’s watery eyes widened in shock. She quickly asked, "Godfather, aren’t you going to ask what I need the silver for?"

Xie Suzhi’s smile was gentle. "You’re not the kind of child to waste money. Go buy whatever you want. Godfather said he would compensate you and take good care of you, so why would I need to ask?"

"From now on, whenever you want to spend money, just go take it. You don’t need to ask me again."

This was the absolute peak of doting affection and trust.

Xie Yuanjiu secretly clenched her fists beneath her sleeves.

Shen Ningning broke into a joyful smile, her dimples adorable on her fair, tender cheeks.

"Thank you, Godfather! I’ll pay it back!" ’I’ll just find a few more pharmacies to sell some herbs to.’

Afterward, the little girl took her leave and departed with Muchun and Wanchun.

Xie Yuanjiu spoke again. "Uncle..."

She called his name twice, but Xie Suzhi didn’t respond. When she looked up, she saw he was still gazing at the doorway where Shen Ningning had left, a gentle smile on his face.

His gaze was like that of a doting father, moved and immensely gratified that his daughter was finally willing to spend his money.

A sour feeling instantly rose in Xie Yuanjiu’s heart. She called out sharply, "Uncle!"

Xie Suzhi snapped back to reality, his gaze instantly becoming calm and profound again.

"Yuanjiu, I’ve considered your proposal. You just made a mistake at the palace, and there are some unpleasant rumors going around."

"Therefore, I suggest you don’t host a high-profile banquet for now. If you really want to gather with your friends, just take one hundred taels of silver and find a restaurant. That will be sufficient."

With that, he lowered his head and focused on his official business. "You can go to the accountant to get the silver."

Xie Yuanjiu’s face paled. Anger suddenly flared in her heart, and her breathing quickened.

She desperately wanted to demand an explanation.

’Why could Shen Ningning ask for two thousand taels and get it without a single question?’

’But when I ask for just four hundred taels, it’s next to impossible!’

’Who is the true daughter of the Xie family here?!’

Bitterness and indignation churned within Xie Yuanjiu.

’I have to follow Shen Ningning and see what on earth she spends that money on.’

’I refuse to believe a child won’t waste those two thousand taels!’

Xie Yuanjiu curtsied, maintaining a final shred of propriety. "I understand, Uncle. I will take my leave now."

With a dark expression, she hurried after them. Just as she reached the main entrance, she saw Shen Ningning, already holding the silver notes, talking with the two men outside.

Xie Yuanjiu’s eyes turned cold as she crept closer to eavesdrop.