Chapter 1: The Illegitimate Daughter

Today, the Ning household was bustling with activity. Ning Chu had asked Dan Tai Chao to accompany her back to the Ning family mansion to visit her parents. Zhou Erqin had mobilized all the household servants in preparation for their arrival, though the main purpose was to welcome Dan Tai Chao.

Since their marriage, Dan Tai Chao rarely returned to the Ning residence with Ning Chu. He was constantly busy, either on business trips or en route to one, embodying the very essence of a workaholic.

Now that he had finally managed to find some time, Zhou Erqin and Ning Xingxian were determined to prepare thoroughly. After all, the Ning family’s current status was largely thanks to the Dan family.

The Dan family was the most elite clan in their circle. Zhou Erqin had worked hard to secure Ning Chu’s marriage to the heir of the Dan family, and she was very satisfied with this son-in-law, even inclined to flatter him subtly.

Two black Maybachs pulled up in front of the Ning residence. The drivers opened the doors, and Ning Chu and Dan Tai Chao stepped out. Ning Chu’s parents, Zhou Erqin and Ning Xingxian, stood at the entrance to greet them.

“You’ve finally arrived, come in quickly,” Zhou Erqin and Ning Xingxian approached Ning Chu and Dan Tai Chao. Zhou Erqin grasped Ning Chu’s hand firmly, while Ning Xingxian shook Dan Tai Chao’s hand.

“Mother, Father,” Ning Chu greeted them politely.

“Mother, Father,” Dan Tai Chao also offered his greetings.

“Ah, come in, come sit here,” Zhou Erqin led them to the living room, where the servants promptly brought tea.

As for the gifts Ning Chu had brought, the drivers and bodyguards had already handed them over to the household staff for safekeeping.

“How have you been lately? Everything alright?” Zhou Erqin gently patted Ning Chu’s hand.

Ning Chu nodded. “Quite well.” Her daily schedule was meticulously arranged, with assistants coordinating meetings with influential ladies and participation in social events.

Ning Xingxian struck up a conversation with Dan Tai Chao, primarily about business matters. “Son-in-law, could you perhaps share some insight on the Fuhai City project with your old father-in-law?”

Dan Tai Chao did not divulge much simply because Ning Xingxian was Ning Chu’s father. He replied evasively, “Father, that’s handled by the team below me; I’m not very clear on the details.”

Zhou Erqin exchanged a glance with Ning Xingxian, then turned to Ning Chu. “Come, there’s a new handbag from the D family that I brought back. It’s meant for you. Let’s go have a look.”

Ning Chu understood that her mother’s real intention was not the handbag itself but to speak with her privately.

“All right.”

Zhou Erqin glanced over at Dan Tai Chao. “Son-in-law, I’ll take Chu Chu upstairs. I happened to buy her a gift earlier. You can chat with Chu Chu’s father.”

Dan Tai Chao’s expression remained indifferent, but he nodded slightly and looked at Ning Chu, saying simply, “Mm.”

Zhou Erqin led Ning Chu upstairs and immediately began pressing her about having children. “Has your period arrived this month? At your age, it’s the perfect time to have children. Don’t neglect this for the sake of indulgence.”

Ning Chu fell silent. Since marrying Dan Tai Chao, her mother had persistently urged her to conceive, but Dan Tai Chao was always busy. Though they had been married for a year, there was no sign of pregnancy.

Shaking her head, Ning Chu said, “I’m not pregnant, I know.” She had not used contraception deliberately, but they had yet to have a child.

Mrs. Zhou asked, “What did the doctor say during your last check-up?”

Ning Chu replied, “Nothing wrong.”

Mrs. Zhou pulled out an exquisite handbag and set it aside, sitting down next to Ning Chu on the sofa. “That’s good to hear. Still, it’s best to have an heir for the Dan family as soon as possible. By the way, Wanyan Yu from the Wanyan family recently returned. You should be cautious.”

Ning Chu was puzzled.

Zhou Erqin continued, “There are rumors that this Wanyan Yu was once involved with your husband. People say he used to fancy her. But now that you and your husband are married, if she has any shame, she’ll stay out of your marriage.”

Ning Chu had never imagined that her rigid, workaholic husband had ever been entangled with another woman before marriage. Dan Tai Chao was so methodical and serious about their marital duties; his eyes seemed to see nothing but work. He always wore a white shirt and black suit, with ties she chose for him. It was hard to envision him ever being enamored with someone.

“But you should be careful recently, understand?” Zhou Erqin looked at her daughter, knowing Ning Chu was obedient.

Ning Chu nodded. “I understand.”

“Also, there’s a project coming up in the Ning family. When you return, tell Heng Zhi to lend a hand,” Zhou Erqin grasped Ning Chu’s hand. “The family must prosper for you to prosper. If I hadn’t groomed you to be a socialite, how could you have married into the Dan family? You must listen to your mother, alright?”

Ning Chu hesitated but nodded. Though her husband might be displeased, she had no choice. As the daughter of the Ning family, she had to obey her parents’ wishes. They had always taught her that only if the Ning family thrived could she thrive.

Zhou Erqin continued to explain the family’s recent difficulties, subtly instructing Ning Chu on how to flatter Dan Tai Chao to benefit the Ning family.

Suddenly, a servant knocked on the door, and Zhou Erqin paused her lecture. “Come in. What is it?”

The servant, A Xiu, entered hesitantly. “Madam, there is a woman outside with a child. She says… she says…”

A Xiu faltered.

Zhou Erqin frowned. “Says what? Don’t hesitate!”

The servant replied, “She says her child is the master’s.”

“What!” Zhou Erqin jumped to her feet but suddenly felt dizzy. She clutched her forehead and immediately sat back down. Ning Chu rushed to steady her. “Mother! Are you alright? A Xiu, call a doctor immediately.”

“Yes, Miss.”

“Also, have someone escort those two out!” Ning Chu ordered, then suddenly remembered, “Where is Father? And my husband?”

“They’re in the study,” the servant answered.

Zhou Erqin clutched her chest in disbelief. To think someone would cause trouble today, just when her son-in-law was visiting!

“Bring them in. I want to see who’s spouting nonsense! Your father would never do anything so foolish,” Zhou Erqin said angrily.

Meanwhile, Ning Xingxian had also heard the news. His eyes twitched, and his expression changed. That wasn’t right. Hadn’t he handled things to ensure that mother and daughter wouldn’t come to Kyoto? Could it be…

He awkwardly looked at Dan Tai Chao. “It must be a misunderstanding. I’ll go check.”

After the servants let the two women in, the older one appeared delicate and fair, while the child looked like an adult already.

The younger woman wore a simple T-shirt and jeans. She glanced briefly at Ning Chu, then at Dan Tai Chao sitting beside her, before lowering her head quickly. She had finally come.

She saw her father, who frowned at her, and then her sister, who looked elegant and noble—a true scion of a prestigious family. Compared to her, she felt like a rat in a filthy alley. Why was it that they were all her father’s daughters, yet she could only live in a dilapidated building surrounded by stinking ditches?

And then there was her brother-in-law, looking noble and intimidating. She had seen him on television; he was the current head of the Dan family, a remarkably competent and handsome man.

Ning Chu examined the young woman and found that she did resemble her father somewhat, but looked more like her mother—delicate and frail.

Ning Chu sat quietly, not speaking. She glanced at her husband, whose expression was indifferent. Catching her gaze, he merely looked back briefly before resuming his casual observation of the unfolding drama.

Zhou Erqin also scrutinized the two visitors, momentarily unsettled by the young woman’s striking resemblance to her husband. She knew she must not act rashly. Taking a deep breath, she looked down on the mother and daughter and asked, “Speak. What are your names, and where are you from?”

Suddenly, the older woman knelt with a thud, and the younger woman, An Sheng, knelt alongside her. “Madam, we are sorry. I had no choice.”

Zhou Erqin took a deep breath, restraining her temper. “Don’t waste my time! Speak!”

“Madam, my name is An Ru, and this is my daughter, An Sheng. Madam, I’m sorry. I’m desperate. An Sheng was accepted into Kyoto Art University, but I couldn’t possibly afford the tuition. I have no other way but to come here,” An Ru cried.

Ning Xingxian’s face darkened drastically upon seeing the mother and daughter. They had dared to come to Kyoto! Clenching his fists, he said to his wife, “They’re definitely trying to scam us. Let’s just throw them out!”

An Ru lifted her head and said to Ning Xingxian, “Mr. Ning, you got drunk at the Mandarin Butterfly bar that night, and afterward…”

An Ru quickly recounted the events from nineteen years ago. She had been a poor university student working part-time in a bar when she encountered a drunken Ning Xingxian. After a night of passion, she fled.