When Ling Yunzhou left, he didn't inform anyone. He just left some loose silver on the table. Seeing his two sons happily doing their waiter's work, he felt even more heartbroken!

Although he had only worked in the fields when he was young, as a father, he couldn't help but worry about what future this waiter would have! The more he looked at it, the more annoyed he became, and Ling Yunzhou walked straight out of the restaurant.

The two brothers were slow to realize what was happening. When they saw the loose silver on the table, Ling Dahu didn't think much of it, took it and put it in Bai Yumei's account, while he started cleaning the table.

Tao Wanniang only remembered Ling Yunzhou when she had nothing else to do, and when she saw that he was no longer there, she didn't think much of it.

Men think things in a complicated way. If he wants a son, then so be it. She's not stopping him.

During the afternoon rest, Tao Wan's mother thought that the harvest had been good recently, and the family should go out for a trip.

"Mother, the restaurant only closed for the Double Ninth Festival. If we all go out to play, it will have to close again," Ling Dahu said worriedly. "That wouldn't be good for the customers!"

Tao Wan's mother glanced at her son and thought to herself, "What a hardworking and dutiful young man, he doesn't know how to enjoy life at all."

"But I want to rest for a few days. It's late autumn now, and the scenery in the capital is truly beautiful," Tao Wanniang said with emotion. "I also heard that the Chrysanthemum Festival is almost over. I regret not being able to go see it during the Double Ninth Festival."

Upon hearing this, Ling Dahu and Wang Hongyu exchanged glances. This small restaurant could do without other people, but it couldn't do without a head chef!

"When does Mother plan to close the shop?" Wang Hongyu could only ask tentatively.

"Come here, Yumei, get me paper and pen. I'll write a notice. Hmm, the boss is having a happy occasion, so we'll be closed for three days!" Tao Wanniang said cheerfully. Anyway, she didn't lack money, so she just wanted to rest and research some new dishes.

"Mother, do you have some good news?" Ling Dahu asked, puzzled. How come he didn't know?

"Isn't it a joy to be able to leisurely appreciate chrysanthemums?" Tao Wanniang countered. "What is the point of toiling your whole life?"

What was the purpose? Ling Dapeng hadn't thought about it properly yet, but after hearing Tao Wan's mother's explanation, he scratched his head and said, "To give my wife and children a good life."

"Oh, not bad, a responsible man," Tao Wanniang replied casually. "But at my age, all I want is to earn enough money to eat, drink, have fun, and enjoy life, you understand?"

“Recently, several distinguished guests have been very generous, so we’re taking this opportunity to close the shop for three days and relax,” Tao Wanniang said. “Yu Mei, here, take out ten taels of silver as an allowance for everyone to go out and have some fun.”

“Okay, eldest sister.” Bai Yumei made a note of it.

Ten taels of silver for food, drink, and entertainment? Ling Dahu and Wang Hongyu both thought that their mother was really generous this time!

Since they don't have to spend any money, let them have fun. Ling Dahu said happily, "Alright, Mother, my brother went home to see Xiaoyun and the children. He'll be very happy when he comes back."

Tao Wanniang nodded. The notice was written, and she instructed Ling Dahu to post it. If she closed her shop for three days, Ling Yunzhou wouldn't bother coming to her house unless he wanted to make a scene! If she went out to play, he wouldn't be able to catch her!

Ling Yunzhou was deeply distressed by Tao Wanniang's scheme. He admitted that he didn't have much affection for her, but it wasn't that he had no feelings for her at all.

Back at the general's mansion, the princess's attendants were waiting for them again.

Feeling annoyed, Ling Yunzhou immediately replied to the servant, "Please convey to the Princess that I am grateful for your favor, but I already have a family and do not wish to wrong you. There is no need to discuss this matter further!"

The servant's face showed surprise, embarrassment, and even a hint of fear.

"General, please reconsider this matter. If you wish to refuse Her Highness the Princess, please do so personally. This is a matter of respect for the Princess!"

Ling Yunzhou frowned, looked at the attendant's expression, and finally nodded, saying, "Alright, this general will go with you."

The servant breathed a sigh of relief; if he had actually relayed those words back, he probably wouldn't have seen the sun rise tomorrow.

Upon meeting the Princess, Ling Yunzhou repeated what he had said.

The eldest princess was shocked. Looking at Ling Yunzhou's frowning and distressed face, she suppressed her resentment and asked, "General, do you mean that I have wasted the past ten years? You want to sever ties with me and make me a laughing stock in the capital?"

“Your Highness, I have a wife and children,” Ling Yunzhou said, frowning. Even if Tao Wanniang did not want to rekindle their relationship, it was still a fact. “Your Highness is of noble birth and should not associate with a boor like me.”

"You didn't say anything ten years ago, you didn't say anything last year, and now you're telling me you want me to sever all ties with you. In Lingyun Prefecture, the storytellers in the capital are talking about our romantic affair, but you didn't say anything. Now, you actually want to sever all ties with me?" The princess laughed angrily, her expression furious.

Ling Yunzhou's brows furrowed into a deep frown. Hadn't he said anything? Hadn't he always said that he suspected he already had a wife and children at home and couldn't make any promises to the princess?

“Your Highness, it is I, Ling, who have failed you!” Ling Yunzhou said heavily.

"Ling Yunzhou, you cannot afford to let me down!" The Princess raised her head slightly. "I am determined to be the General's wife. That Tao woman has long since lost all affection for you. If you can give her a divorce, she will be overjoyed! Although I cannot treat your child as my own, as long as you call me 'Mother,' I will not mistreat him." As the Princess spoke, her expression turned cold, and she looked at Ling Yunzhou calmly.

Ling Yunzhou was surprised; the princess had never spoken to him so frankly before.

"Your Highness, why do you do this?"

"How could I let go of someone I've set my sights on?" the princess sneered. "Yunzhou, ten years ago, before you became a great general, I had already taken a liking to you! In these ten years of companionship, haven't I managed to win your heart even a little?"

"You are loyal and righteous, brave and skilled in battle, Yunzhou, I truly love you!"

Looking at the princess's tender face again, Ling Yunzhou felt increasingly irritated. In the ten years they had known each other, he felt that he had never really understood the princess.

"Yunzhou, I will take your words today as unintentional, but did you run into a wall with the Tao family?" the princess said softly.

Seeing the changes in the princess's expression, Ling Yunzhou couldn't help but wonder if he knew too little about her.

"I told you, I went to see her and said that I wouldn't object if she entered the General's Mansion. However, she told me very directly that she wants a divorce from you. Yunzhou, why bother with someone who doesn't love you, has already remarried, and has a daughter?"

The eldest princess said gently but firmly, "You're doing this because of past feelings, aren't you?"

Ling Yunzhou sensed the questioning in the princess's words. He became alert and even had a feeling that if he said something wrong, Tao Wan's mother and child might be in trouble!

"Since she wants a divorce decree, then grant her wish!" Ling Yunzhou said coldly. "I'm only thinking about how she raised two children for me and endured half her life's hardships; I'm not one to forget my roots!"

The eldest princess looked at Ling Yunzhou and slowly smiled: "Yunzhou, your child, I will treat him as my own child from now on!"