Those words stabbed into the softest part of Shen Ningning’s heart like a knife.

She didn’t care whether Qin Fangmei lived or died, but she worried it would break her grandmother’s heart.

Since all this had happened, the little one had only ever heard her grandmother blame Uncle Qin and Aunt Qin.

But she had never heard her grandmother speak ill of Qin Fangmei.

Perhaps, not wanting to drag the child into it, she couldn’t bring herself to condemn her.

A shadow fell over Shen Ningning’s little face.

Ren Yu shielded her and snapped furiously at Wang Cuizhi, "Don’t you try to sow discord! Ningning’s grandmother has long since given up on Qin Fangmei!"

"Besides, as Qin Fangmei’s maternal aunt, you can save her yourself if you want to."

"The laws of Cangyun Country have long been clear. If one wishes to act as a guarantor for a convicted criminal under the age of ten, one must either formally adopt them as a son or daughter, or take them in as a house slave."

"If you’re so desperate to save Qin Fangmei, why don’t you adopt her as your own daughter? Why trouble others?"

Wang Cuizhi’s expression turned foul. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Of course she knew the rule.

But the laws of Cangyun Country also stipulated that for three generations, no one from a family that sponsored a criminal could hold an official position in the Imperial Court.

Wang Cuizhi’s own eldest son was preparing for the Military Examination. He might even become a General one day!

She hesitated at the thought of gambling her son’s future for Qin Fangmei.

So, Wang Cuizhi turned her gaze back to Shen Ningning.

"Ningning, you’re a good child. Hurry and save Fang Mei. Otherwise, won’t everyone see you as an ungrateful wretch who turns her back on her own family?"

Shen Ningning had already composed herself.

Hearing this, she lifted her soft, fair little face and said with perfect seriousness, "The lies you grown-ups make up can’t scare me anymore!"

"Qin Fangmei isn’t my family. So what if I don’t save her?"

Ren Yu nodded in agreement. "Exactly! Ningning, pay her no mind. That whole family is no good. Let’s go."

Ren Yu tugged the little one away.

On the way home, Ren Yu made sure to comfort her. "Don’t be sad. Maybe Grandma Qin doesn’t care at all."

"Besides, the Emperor was the one who gave the order. Qin Fangmei brought this on herself—she deserved it! Grandma Qin can’t possibly blame you."

Shen Ningning looked up with her bright, clear black eyes and nodded her little head twice. "Mhm!"

’She knew her grandmother wouldn’t get angry with her over this.’

’She was just worried that her grandmother would be heartbroken.’

So, Shen Ningning tiptoed back to the house in the mountains.

She still hadn’t figured out how to tell Grandma Qin about it.

It was dusk, and clouds splashed across the sky carried the afterglow of the blazing sun.

A wave of heat, uncharacteristic for early autumn, rolled through the forest.

Shen Ningning had just stepped one little foot inside the house when she heard her grandmother’s gentle call, "Ningning’s back."

The little girl froze.

As she walked in, she saw Lang Si and several other she-wolves gathered around her grandmother, who was kneading dough.

"The Mid-Autumn Festival is almost here. Grandma’s making some mooncakes for you to take to your academy and share with your classmates." As she spoke, her grandmother looked over at her.

In the light of the sunset, every silver strand of her hair seemed to glow with extraordinary warmth and affection.

A wave of guilt suddenly washed over Shen Ningning.

She stood frozen, her little hands twisting the hem of her clothes. The Black Wolf King nudged her from behind with his head, and only then did Shen Ningning take a step forward.

"Ningning, what’s wrong? Are you not feeling well? Why do you look so pale?" Grandma Qin sensed something was wrong. She quickly wiped her hands on her apron, walked over, and felt her forehead.

The little girl’s eyes immediately reddened.

"Grandma, the Emperor has ordered Qin Fangmei to be executed." As she finished speaking, Shen Ningning’s long lashes trembled, and a faint unease flickered in her dark eyes.

It was the vulnerability of someone who had never known security.

Grandma Qin, who had been straightening the little girl’s hair, froze at her words.

The grandmother seemed surprised for a moment, but she instantly understood what Shen Ningning was worried about.

Her aged hand moved slowly and gently, and her voice ached with sympathy. "Ningning, don’t be afraid. Grandma won’t abandon you over this."

"Blame me for failing to raise my son properly and for being unable to control my daughter-in-law. Fang Mei has only herself to blame for ending up this way!"

"You must remember, from the day we came to depend on each other, I am *your* grandma, Ningning."

At that, the little girl could finally hold back no longer.

Letting out a soft, whimpering cry, she threw herself into her grandmother’s arms.

Under the setting sun, the figures of the grandmother and granddaughter leaned on one another, a perfect embodiment of what it meant to rely on each other for survival.

「Two or three days passed.」

The injuries of the refugees staying at the tea stall had almost completely healed.

Wuer’s sores were healing more slowly, but thankfully, they were showing signs of improvement.

Therefore, Shen Ningning decided to do a trial opening for one day.

She didn’t advertise widely, only giving a bit of silver to a few of the city’s "information brokers" to help spread the word.

However, on the very first day of the opening, the stall was already lined with customers who had come drawn by her reputation.

The line stretched as far as the eye can see, with even more people than she had imagined!

Most had heard of Shen Ningning’s nickname, the Little Wolf Girl, and had come out of curiosity.

Others were there hoping to use her to curry favor with the Crown Prince.

Whatever the reason, so many customers gave the little girl a glimpse of a prosperous future for her tea stall.

She was beaming with delight.

Jiang Zhi was responsible for scooping the fruit ingredients, Chen Ye added crushed ice and chilled water, and then several refugees dressed as waiters would deliver the drinks to the guests.

"Shen Ningning!" By the time it was Lu Shaoyuan’s turn, he was already sweating profusely, waving the folding fan in his hand nonstop.

He had called out to Shen Ningning from the crowd several times just now, but his voice had been drowned out by the noisy hubbub.

The busy little girl had only just noticed him.

Sweat stuck strands of damp black hair to her chubby, round face, making her eyes look even brighter. She smiled. "Lu Shaoyuan, you came too! What flavor would you like?"

The moment they saw her, the group of young noblemen behind Lu Shaoyuan, who were his close friends, started making "ooh"-ing noises.

They shoved each other and exchanged winks and glances, as if they were sharing a secret signal.

Shen Ningning blinked her big eyes, puzzled, and continued to look at Lu Shaoyuan obediently.

Lu Shaoyuan cleared his throat under her gaze and turned to rebuke his friends. "Quiet down!"

Only then did he look at the various fruit ingredients displayed on the table. "I’d like... why don’t you recommend one?"

The little girl pointed to the loquat honey syrup. "Have this one! It’s the signature drink of our Wolf Tea House."

"Alright, that one it is!" Lu Shaoyuan agreed without hesitation, pulling out a gold ingot. "I’ll take ten cups."

Shen Ningning was surprised. "That’s way too much! I can’t make change for this!"

"Then no need for change. Keep the rest. Consider it my congratulations on your grand opening." After Lu Shaoyuan said this, Shen Ningning didn’t insist.

She had Jiang Zhi and Chen Ye make twelve cups, with the extra two as a bonus.

Lu Shaoyuan stepped to the side, watching the incredibly busy Shen Ningning, looking as if he wanted to say something but couldn’t.

The Black Wolf King lay at the little girl’s feet. With one eye open and one eye closed, he squinted at Lu Shaoyuan’s expression.

Finally, Lu Shaoyuan made up his mind and took a step closer.

"Shen Ningning, the Mid-Autumn Festival is almost here. Would you and your grandmother like to come to my..."

Before he could even finish his sentence, the clatter of horse hooves sounded from nearby.

Everyone turned to look.

All they saw were columns of light cavalry on armored steeds, kicking up dust as they galloped toward them, powerful enough to part the clouds and shatter the moon.