Tao Wanniang sat comfortably in the large carriage provided by Lingyunzhou. The carriage was spacious, and even with her, Chen Lian, and Xiao Qiao'er inside, they could all stretch out comfortably without any problem.

"Youzhou is north of the capital. If we take the official road, it will take about two months," Chen Lian said, holding the map. "We'll pass through several cities along the way. Master Tao, shall we go into a city?"

“We won’t go all of them. Let’s see what our food reserves are like. If we run out, we’ll go to a nearby town to resupply,” Tao Wanniang said.

"Master, Mother is amazing! No matter if there's no food on hand, she can always make something. Yes, she uses whatever's available!" Little Qiao'er lifted the carriage curtain, looked around, and excitedly said to Chen Lian.

“That was all because of the hardships of life. Now that we have money, there’s no need to live that kind of life anymore,” Tao Wanniang said with a smile. “Who would stay in an inn if they had the chance to sleep under the open sky?”

"As long as I'm with Mother, I don't mind living like that before!" the little girl said sweetly.

Tao Wanniang smiled, and Chen Lian asked them what interesting things they had encountered when they fled famine.

"There are many interesting things to do." Seeing that Shen Lian looked longing, Tao Wanniang picked out some fun things, but also deliberately reminded Shen Lian: "In times of famine, there are starving people on the road. The most important thing is that when everyone is in danger, don't do good deeds indiscriminately. If you're not careful, you might get yourself into trouble."

Shen Lian nodded; she understood this principle. Xiao Qiao'er also nodded; she had witnessed such a scene before. She and her grandmother were fortunate to have been rescued by Tao Wan's mother and the others.

"Manager Tao, are you going into town to rest at noon?" Ling Feng, who was driving the carriage, asked from outside.

"Being so close to the capital, there's bound to be some good stuff. Let's go," Tao Wanniang declared. With Ling Feng and Chen Yan escorting her, she was relieved of a lot of worry.

The city north of the capital is called Wangjing. They arrived in the afternoon and found an inn to have a meal.

"Shopkeeper, what are your signature dishes? Just bring a few!" The shopkeeper was the one who greeted Tao Wanniang and her group. Upon hearing Tao Wanniang's request, he immediately agreed enthusiastically.

"You two shouldn't stand there, sit down and eat together!" Tao Wanniang said to Ling Feng and Chen Yan.

"Thank you for your kindness, Manager Tao, but there is a difference between master and servant. Please don't put us in a difficult position," Chen Yan said coldly.

Tao Wanniang was taken aback. What kind of blockhead had Ling Yunzhou found for her? Why was a meal being blown out of proportion?

"Alright, then please do as you please." Tao Wanniang didn't insist. What a hobby it was to enjoy watching others eat!

Soon, the kitchen prepared the dishes, and Tao Wan's mother called out to Chen Lian and Xiao Qiao'er to eat.

"Shopkeeper, your dishes taste pretty good, so why doesn't business seem to be doing very well?" Tao Wanniang took a few bites and thought they were quite good, so she asked her question.

"Hey, don't even mention it. Our little inn is just trying to make ends meet, but ever since Zhaixing Tower started offering low prices, it's been stealing business from small inns and restaurants like ours."

"What did you say? Zhaixing Tower?" Tao Wanniang wondered if she had misheard.

"Yes, Zhaixinglou is the number one restaurant in Wangjing City, but they offer a few affordable dishes every day. Hmm, it's from the same school as Zhaixinglou in the capital," the manager said.

Tao Wanniang was stunned, but then found it somewhat amusing; this was nothing unusual.

"Are there too few wealthy people in Wangjing for a big restaurant to compete with your little inn?" Tao Wanniang teased.

“Rich people go there at night, sir. You don’t seem to be locals,” the innkeeper asked, hearing Tao Wanniang’s tone.

“You’re from the capital, what a coincidence! I’ve been to the Star-Picking Tower too.” Tao Wanniang smiled. “Shopkeeper, tell me about the Star-Picking Tower, and I’ll go take a look later.”

The innkeeper immediately told Tao Wan Niang the location of the Star-Picking Tower, but then realized that Tao Wan Niang and her companions were not locals.

"If you're unsure, just ask around on the street," the innkeeper added.

Tao Wanniang thanked them and was about to continue eating when she saw Ling Feng and Chen Yan. She then said, "If you two don't want to sit with us, then go sit at another table. What would you like to eat? Let the manager bring it to you."

Ling Feng and Chen Yan exchanged a glance. They did not object to Tao Wanniang's suggestion. They thanked her and went to sit down at a table in the corner.

"Master Tao, are you going to the Star-Picking Tower over here to see what's going on?" Shen Lian asked curiously. She had never been to Wangjing before, so it would be good to take a look.

"Since this has taken my name, Zhaixinglou, I should at least go and see what's going on. Let's eat first," Tao Wanniang replied, though she didn't intend to do anything, it would be good to take a look.

"I wonder if they have dessert over there after the meal," Tao Wanniang continued.

Lunch was quite good. After paying the bill, Tao Wanniang asked Ling Feng and Chen Yan to lead the way to Zhaixing Tower. Although going to Youzhou was an imperial order, it wasn't necessary to rush there.

The Zhaixing Tower in Wangjing City was indeed quite grand. As Tao Wanniang and her companions stood at the entrance, the waiter warmly greeted them.

"Gentlemen, are you here for dinner at Zhaixinglou?"

"Let's go in and take a look." Tao Wanniang didn't answer directly, but stepped forward.

"Sir, you are clearly a person of good taste. You must be from out of town. Our Zhaixinglou is the number one restaurant in Wangjing. Have you ever been to the capital? There is a Zhaixinglou there, which is very famous."

The waiter was enthusiastic and had a silver tongue, leading Tao Wanniang and the others to see the lively scene inside the restaurant.

"I've been to the Star-Picking Tower in the capital. Shouldn't it be afternoon dessert time at this hour? Do you have any?" Tao Wanniang asked the waiter.

"So you are distinguished guests from the capital. This way please. Although our Zhaixinglou is the same as the one in the capital, since you have come to Wangjing, let us show you something different."

Tao Wanniang observed the waiter closely; he was quite skilled at speaking to people in a way that suited them, whether it was human or ghost.

"This way, sir." The waiter led Tao Wanniang and her entourage directly into a private room. "In the capital, not every guest can enter the private rooms of the Zhaixing Tower, but we can."

"Sir, you'd like some pastries, right? How many would you like?" the waiter asked, listing several pastry names.

Tao Wanniang was secretly pleased to hear this. "Since this is the Star-Picking Tower in Wangjing, let's make something different from what's in the capital."

The waiter agreed, said a few words praising Tao Wan's mother, and then withdrew.

"I must meet this manager. If all the ideas are his, then he is truly a talented person," Tao Wanniang couldn't help but say, showing no anger at all at having her name, Zhaixinglou, stolen.

Soon, the special pastries from Wangjing were served. Putting aside everything else, the lotus seed paste cake particularly impressed Tao Wanniang.

"Waiter, is your manager here? Tell him it's Manager Tao from Zhaixinglou in the capital, and we'd like to see him!" Tao Wanniang called the waiter over again and said frankly.