Tao Wanniang's team included Tang Ruyue from the kitchen. While Tang Ruyue was the head chef and usually cooked in the kitchen, she was always the first to try out new dishes. Chen Lian's job, in Tao Wanniang's words, was to handle promotional copywriting. Additionally, Liu Song, a waiter, joined the department. His job would no longer be working as a waiter in the restaurant, but rather traveling throughout the city to find the best food.

Tao Wanniang went to the estate to work with Lin Zhuangshi to figure out how to grow vegetables and build a greenhouse in the winter.

Shi Tianbao didn't know where the news came from, or maybe he was just looking around her estate to see if there was anything new.

They were especially excited to learn that Tao Wanniang and her family were going to set up a tent.

“I’ve never heard of growing vegetables in winter, but I do know about growing flowers in winter. The Royal Flower Garden has greenhouses, right?” Shi Tianbao volunteered. “Leave this to me, I’ll take care of it for you.”

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Lord Shi!" Tao Wanniang was happy to have someone help her, as it saved her a lot of trouble.

As the autumn winds grew chilly and winter approached, roasted sweet potatoes became the most common thing in the village. Shi Tianbao was extremely envious. This thing would become a delicacy in restaurants, but he felt that it was not as good as roasting it in the fire.

"Lord Shi, as the Vice Minister of Revenue, how come you have so much free time?" Tao Wanniang couldn't help but ask.

"The Ministry of Revenue has many functions, but I just like doing agricultural work. As long as production increases, I'm happy. So, the Ministry of Revenue doesn't really concern itself with my affairs. Besides, I... introduced Manager Tao's grains, potatoes, tomatoes, and sweet potatoes, and the Emperor even praised me!"

Seeing Shi Tianbao's silly grin, Tao Wanniang didn't say anything more, so she just gave him a roasted sweet potato to shut him up!

"Manager Tao, when spring comes, we'll need to plant grain on the other land. Do you have any suggestions?"

The hot roasted sweet potato didn't silence Shi Tianbao.

"I've given you all the grain, and you were supposed to provide the manpower too, so do I have any other suggestions?" Tao Wanniang said casually.

"Well... surely you know some tricks to growing them well!" Shi Tianbao asked.

“I used to know how to farm, but now I’m busy cooking, so you should ask our forest manager or the tenant farmers. Let the professionals handle the professional matters,” Tao Wanniang said.

Shi Tianbao seemed to understand. If he were to work in the fields, he certainly wouldn't be as good as the tenant farmers who had farmed year-round.

"Manager Tao, alright then. I'll bring some people to help you build the greenhouse later. I'll head back now," Shi Tianbao said.

Tao Wanniang nodded and thanked him in advance. After Shi Tianbao left, Tao Wanniang explained the matter to Lin Zhuangshi in detail.

Back in the capital, it was already too cold to stay outside. As soon as Tao Wanniang arrived at the restaurant, she was invited to a private room, where Zhao Zhe had come again.

Tao Wanniang was somewhat surprised when she first saw Zhao Zhe. The food in the palace must be excellent, so why had the emperor become so thin?

"Sister Tao, do I look too haggard?" Zhao Zhe joked.

Tao Wanniang nodded, looking concerned.

"Your Majesty, have you been overworked? Your Majesty, your health is paramount!"

Zhao Zhe smiled. His heart was troubled; sending Xiao Yi to Youzhou had tormented him day and night. He regretted his words.

If he doesn't die, Xiao Yi can't return to the capital. So it's not that he doesn't want to see him, but that he's afraid that if he sees him, he won't want to let go.

"Sister Tao, I heard you have some new dishes at your restaurant. Could you bring me something to warm my stomach?"

Tao Wanniang didn't think Zhao Zhe was just here for a meal, but since a ruler's heart is unpredictable, she decided to obediently cook him a few dishes.

"Your Majesty, please wait a moment, I will do it right away."

"No need for Sister Tao to cook herself. Sister Tao, please speak with me!" Zhao Zhe asked Tao Wanniang to stay.

Tao Wanniang was taken aback, but then she instructed the waiter outside to go to the kitchen and prepare a few dishes.

"Does Your Majesty have any instructions for me?"

"It's not really an order, Sister Tao. I am truly grateful for what you have done for my Great Yue," Zhao Zhe said. "I hope that my people will never suffer from hunger again, nor have they have to endure the hardships of displacement. The rice, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and sorghum you provided have all been said by the Ministry of Revenue to be enough to feed the people."

Tao Wanniang had never thought about people's livelihood before; all she wanted was to make money while lying down and live a carefree life.

Hearing Zhao Zhe's words, she felt a little embarrassed. She had never been such a great person!

"Your Majesty flatters me. This humble woman's actions were merely unintentional," Tao Wanniang said modestly.

“I know you did it unintentionally,” Zhao Zhe replied. “Those like Sister Tao, who have experienced hunger, understand the value of food even more. That’s why they can grow such good grain and focus on what grows in the ground.”

"Sister Tao, it is my great fortune to have met you," Zhao Zhe said, looking at Tao Wanniang.

Tao Wanniang was greatly alarmed. This felt like the words of a dying man that were truly kind!

"Your Majesty flatters me. I didn't think that much. I'm just a peasant woman, so naturally I only think about what grows in the fields. Your Majesty, you didn't come here just to praise me, did you?"

Zhao Zhe smiled and then said, "I heard that you sent a security escort agency to Youzhou."

Look, they're probably watching her every move! Tao Wanniang thought to herself, but didn't show it on her face.

"Your Majesty, is there something you wish to ask me to deliver to Youzhou? But that wouldn't be right, as the escort agency is about to return."

Zhao Zhe shook his head. He didn't think about it, but felt that his days might be numbered.

"I may be nearing my end," Zhao Zhe said.

“Your Majesty, you must not think that way,” Tao Wanniang immediately said. “Your Majesty is in the prime of life. Even if you are ill, can’t the imperial physicians treat you?”

Zhao Zhe shook his head.

“My crown prince is still young. I want Xiao Yi to oversee the country, but that will only happen after my death,” Zhao Zhe said. “Xiao Yi hates me. Even if I were to recall him now, I doubt he would come back.”

"I will leave you an imperial edict: after my death, Xiao Yi will serve as regent, but if he wishes to usurp my position, you shall have Ling Yunzhou kill him!"

Tao Wanniang's eyes widened. She was just a merchant's wife; how could she be so capable?

"Your Majesty, how can I refuse? I truly cannot bear this responsibility!" Tao Wanniang said frankly.

"No, you can do it. A person who values ​​food would never want the people to suffer. When dynasties change, it is the people who suffer. Sister Tao, I know you can do it!"

Tao Wanniang immediately understood: her relationship with Xiao Yi was a business collaboration, while her relationship with Ling Yunzhou was that of husband and wife.

Zhao Zhe probably chose her based on these considerations! Could she refuse?

“Your Majesty, I can help you with this, but… the risk is so great, shouldn’t you offer some compensation?” Tao Wanniang met Zhao Zhe’s gaze and said directly.

Zhao Zhe laughed and then said, "How about I grant you a pardon from death and a ten-year tax exemption?"