The Gu family quickly settled down in Chang'an City, and Gu Qu went to take up his post in the Ministry of War. Sixteen years ago, he was the Minister of War. Although it had been many years, he quickly adapted to the new environment.

When he met Emperor Zhaokang in the court, Emperor Zhaokang did not make things difficult for him or treat him coldly. It was the normal attitude of a monarch towards his subjects.

Seeing this situation, many people couldn't help but speculate in their hearts, is His Majesty really going to let bygones be bygones and intend to re-employ the Gu family?

Tao Ti had no idea about the treacherous situation and changing political situations in the court. She was busy with the affairs of Taotie Pavilion.

After half a year of hard work, milk tea has quickly gained a foothold in Chang'an City with its taste that suits people of all ages.

There are 108 districts in Chang'an City, and Taotie Pavilion's milk tea shops are located in 50 districts. This momentum is not inferior to those modern chain milk tea shops.

Of course, when something becomes popular, people will naturally imitate it.

Seeing how popular milk tea was, some people set up stalls to sell it, and the price was even cheaper than that of Taotie Pavilion.

It did attract some people at first, but after tasting the food, the customers decided who was better. Except for some poor people who would buy one or two cups of cheap milk tea to appease their children at home, the rich ladies and noble ladies who had plenty of money preferred to buy at Taotie Pavilion.

You get what you pay for. It’s safer to choose a big store when it comes to the food you eat.

It is said that Zhang lived comfortably in Luoyang and bought a new house in Luoyang City. She also wrote to Tao Ti, asking her if she had any plans to open a milk tea branch in Luoyang. If so, she could be the shopkeeper in Luoyang.

Tao Ti originally planned to open branches in other places, and considering Zhang's current situation, if she had some things to do, she would be able to get out of the shadow of her previous failed marriage as soon as possible, so she readily agreed.

After Xu Wenchan found out, he sent two capable men from the Chang'an old store to Luoyang without hesitation to provide technical support.

Zhang was very busy, looking for a shop, hiring workers, and buying raw materials. His life was busy and fulfilling.

Seeing that the milk tea shop was doing well, Tao Ti discussed with Xu Wenchan about opening a chain of fried chicken shops, tentatively selling fried chicken legs, fried chicken wings, fried chicken fillets, and fried sausages.

In order to make the taste of fried chicken more suitable for the people of Dayuan Dynasty, Tao Ti adjusted the fried chicken recipe several times.

Therefore, for a long period of time in September, the Yaoguang Temple would be filled with the aroma of rich, crispy meat.

The palace servants working elsewhere were drooling with delight. The palace servants in Yaoguang Palace and the cat Yuanbao all became plump at a speed visible to the naked eye.

After the final version of the fried chicken legs was ready, Xu Wenchan ate the golden and crispy fried chicken legs while touching the fat on his belly and crying, "Wow, it's so delicious. But I want to lose weight! Why can't I control my mouth..."

After crying, he ate a big piece of chicken leg with a big gulp, and his mouth was full of grease.

Seeing her crying and laughing at the same time, Qing He advised her with a smile, "Then finish what you have in your hand and don't eat anything else later."

Xu Wenchan immediately shook his head, "No, Ah Ti also fried some crispy chicken wings, I want to eat some too."

Qing He, "..."

Xu Wenchan took a big bite of chicken leg in revenge, mumbling incoherently, "When the fried chicken shop opens, I will do a good job of promoting it. Then all the ladies in Chang'an will come to buy my chicken! Let's get fat together!"

Tao Ti came out with the fried chicken wings and couldn't help laughing out loud when she heard Xu Wenchan's words about "revenge on society".

Xu Wenchan looked at her aggrievedly, "Why don't you get fat even though you eat so much, Arti? I'm so miserable. I gain weight no matter how much I eat."

"Maybe it's because of different physiques." Tao Ti said, this is a racial talent of mine. It would be embarrassing if the Taotie became fat like a ball.

Qinghe looked at the plate of tempting golden chicken wings, her nostrils twitched slightly, and she felt the rich and fresh fragrance going straight into her nose, making her unable to help but feel greedy.

She picked up one and put it in her mouth. The breadcrumbs and egg liquid on the outside of the chicken wing were fried crispy and crunchy. When she bit through the crispy skin, the chicken inside was tender and fresh, and the fragrant juice flowed between her lips and tongue, leaving an endless aftertaste.

"It's crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, juicy in your mouth, delicious, especially delicious!" Qinghe praised sincerely.

Xu Wenchan quickly finished the chicken drumstick in her hand and picked up a chicken wing. After taking a bite, she nodded and said, "Ah, the chicken wing meat is indeed more tender than the chicken drumstick meat, especially the slightly overcooked part at the wing tip, it's so delicious!"

The three of them sat in the yard, eating and chatting.

Qinghe's marriage has been arranged. Although she cannot see Xu Guangji often, she has an enthusiastic younger sister, Xu Wenchan, who plays a role in bringing them together. Today you give me a hairpin, and tomorrow I will give you a purse embroidered by myself. As time goes by, their relationship becomes sweeter and sweeter.

Qing He was grateful for Xu Wenchan's friendship, and thinking of her brother's melancholy look because of love, she couldn't help but ask tentatively, "A Chan, what kind of man do you want to marry in the future?"

Xu Wencang paused while gnawing at the chicken wings. Seeing Qinghe looking at him with clear eyes, he immediately guessed what she meant and said vaguely, "What's good about getting married? I have money and land, am I not happy?"

Seeing that she was trying to avoid him, Qinghe pursed her pink lips and didn't ask any more questions.

After eating chicken wings, the three of them saw that the weather was good, so they went to the garden together.

The scenery in the garden is beautiful. The sun is shining brightly at this moment, and the warm sunshine feels very comfortable on the body.

The three of them strolled leisurely along the winding gravel road. The flowers on both sides were mostly valuable varieties of chrysanthemums, such as Jade Wing, Black Peony, Black Chrysanthemum, Cinnabar Red Frost, Snow Sea, Rouge Dianxue, and Mud Gold Fragrance. They were colorful and very beautiful. When the breeze blew, the elegant chrysanthemum fragrance wafted across their faces, intoxicating their hearts.

"This cup of Rouge Dotted Snow is so beautiful." Qinghe said softly.

Tao Ti's eyes fell on the ordinary white chrysanthemum. She had a new idea and suggested enthusiastically, "Come to Yaoguang Temple again in two days, and I will use this white chrysanthemum to make hot pot for you."

Xu Wenchan and Qinghe were both interested, and turned into curious babies, "What is hot pot? How do you eat white chrysanthemum?"

"Hot pot is a kind of hot pot. Well, the soup base is made from old hens, ducks, pig trotters, pig bones, and dried oregano. When the soup boils, clean the white chrysanthemums and put them into the pot. The soup base cooked in this way is not only delicious, but also exudes the light fragrance of chrysanthemums. It can also relieve greasiness and strengthen the spleen."

Tao Ti briefly explained it, and Qing He smiled with eyes crooked, "It sounds very elegant. Cousin, if you make this chrysanthemum hot pot, I will definitely come."

Xu Wenchan, "Me too!"

The three were chatting happily when suddenly, a sharp sneer came over, "Today is really unlucky."

Tao Ti narrowed his dark eyes, turned to look at the path around the corner, and saw that the person coming was Pei Lingbi, whom he hadn't seen for some time.

She was wearing an autumn-colored palace dress. She had lost a lot of weight and looked haggard, with an abnormally pale complexion that came from being cooped up in the room for so long.

At this moment, she was staring at Tao Ti and the other three with a sinister look, like a poisonous snake crawling on a tree branch.

Qing He still had a shadow over Pei Lingbi, so she subconsciously clenched her fingers. Seeing this, Xu Wenchan took the initiative to protect his future sister-in-law behind him.

Tao Ti gave them both a soothing look, and then, imitating Pei Lingbi's tone, she sighed, "Alas, who said it wasn't? Today is really unlucky! I should have checked the almanac before going out. What a neglect."

Originally Pei Lingbi was under house arrest, but after the Double Ninth Festival, Emperor Zhaokang set the wedding date for Pei Lingbi on the ninth day of the eleventh month.

It is now the end of September, which means that in about a month, Pei Lingbi will marry Zhou Jiasanlang.

Thinking that the wedding date was approaching, Empress Zhou pleaded with Emperor Zhaokang in every possible way. Emperor Zhaokang was annoyed and allowed Pei Lingbi to go out three times to give her some fresh air.

As a stay-at-home girl who only visits Yu Garden once every few months, Tao Ti never thought that they would run into such a low-probability event. What a narrow road for enemies!

The two sides disliked each other, and the atmosphere around them was obviously suppressed.

Tao Ti didn't want to bother with Pei Lingbi, but Pei Lingbi might have been locked up for too long and was too lonely, so she had to cause trouble.

She walked forward with an arrogant attitude, looked at Tao Ti, and snorted and laughed, "I heard that the genius doctor Xu Wenhe is treating the prince in the East Palace. If the Crown Princess is free, let Xu Wenhe take a look at you. You have been married to the East Palace for more than half a year, but there is still no movement in your belly. If you can't give birth, you might as well be virtuous and generous and choose some concubines for the prince, so that you can sell yourself well in front of my father and the prince."

Tao Ti gave her a cold look, not giving her any good looks at all, "I want you to take care of my East Palace affairs?"

Pei Lingbi was furious and was about to start scolding when she saw Tao Ti turning her wrist and saying calmly, "Second Princess, if you want to visit the garden, go ahead. If you insist on going there to cause trouble, then we are not afraid of that either. So... are you sure you still want to have a moment of verbal pleasure?"

Seeing that she was about to attack, Pei Lingbi's face turned pale and he subconsciously took a step back.

She also knew that she would not get any good results from Tao Ti, so she turned her gaze to Qing He and Xu Wen Chan behind Tao Ti.

She wanted to mock Qinghe, but when the words were on the tip of her tongue, she suddenly remembered that Qinghe was conferred the title of princess by her father last month and was also given a good marriage - to Xu Guangji, the seventh son of the Dingbei Marquis family.

Pei Lingbi had met Xu Guangji before. That handsome and slender man was no worse than her favorite young master Xie.

When Pei Lingbi thought that Qinghe, a weak hen that couldn't lay eggs, could marry a good man like Xu Guangji, while she, a princess and the daughter of the queen, could only marry a guy like Zhou Shaohui, she felt her blood rushing up and her head dizzy.

Thanks to the quick eyes and hands of the palace maid, who supported her in time, she was able to steady her steps.

Seeing Pei Lingbi's depressed look, Tao Ti was secretly pleased and deliberately "concerned" and asked, "Ah, Second Princess, what's wrong with you? You look so bad. Could it be that you haven't been out for so many days and you're not used to it when you go out?"

Pei Lingbi was even more furious at her poor acting skills and gritted her teeth, "I don't need your hypocrisy."

Tao Ti folded her hands, looking helpless, "Okay."

The palace maid beside Pei Lingbi gently advised, "Second Princess, it's getting late, shall we go back first?"

Pei Lingbi bit her lip. She hated the people in front of her, but she also knew that she couldn't do anything to them at the moment.

Taking a deep breath, she straightened her back and hummed coldly.

But before she left, she couldn't help but say something nasty. Since she couldn't win by scolding Tao Ti, and couldn't make Qing He laugh, she chose to attack Xu Wenchan -

"Miss Xu, I haven't seen you for only two months, how come you've become rounder? You don't even have to lower your head, and your double chin is very obvious. Well, you should eat less when you have time, otherwise no man would dare to marry you? It's embarrassing to take you out."

Xu Wenchan, "???"

Her eyelashes fluttered and she clutched the hem of her dress.

Before she could open her mouth to fight back, Qinghe stood up angrily and said, "Second Princess, you don't have to worry about this. My brother dreams of marrying Achan back to the Duke's Mansion! He's not like you..." At this point, Qinghe almost lost her temper and fell silent.

Pei Lingbi's expression froze, turning pale and blue.

Young Master Xie wants to marry the ugly Xu Wenchan? !

Is he blind!

What made Pei Lingbi even more angry was Qinghe's half-sentence "It's not like you".

What is different from her? It's not like her clinging and showing her affection in every way, but the young prince doesn't even want to look at her.

Pei Lingbi became angrier the more she thought about it. She just stood there in a daze, as if her soul had been taken away.

Tao Ti didn't want to get involved with her anymore, so she winked at Qinghe and Xu Wenchan, and they understood each other and turned around and left together.

But before they took a few steps, they heard the panicked voice of the palace maids behind them.

"Second Princess!"

Tao Ti and others paused and looked back subconsciously.

Pei Lingbi rolled her eyes and looked back.

Taoti, "..."

Touching porcelain???

——

After the imperial physician's diagnosis, it was found that Pei Lingbi had simply fainted due to anger.

When the news reached the ears of Empress Zhou and Emperor Zhaokang, one of them felt sorry for his daughter and sobbed.

One was to directly cancel Pei Lingbi's remaining two opportunities to go out, so as to prevent her from causing any trouble before her marriage. It would be less of a worry for her to stay quietly in the palace.

As for Tao Ti and the other two, Emperor Zhao Kang did not reprimand them. After confirming that Pei Lingbi was not in serious trouble, he let them go back.

That night, Tao Ti tossed and turned in bed, unable to fall asleep.

Under the thin cloud silk quilt, Pei Yan gently patted her buttocks with his warm big hand, pulled her closer to his arms, and asked lazily and hoarsely, "What's wrong?"

Tao Ti lowered her eyes and said softly, "Nothing."

When Pei Yan heard her words, he knew it was a lie. He hesitated for a moment and comforted her, "If you are worried about Pei Lingbi's incident today, there is no need to worry. She deserved it."

Tao Ti said nothing.

Pei Yan frowned slightly, "Are you worried about father's attitude? Don't worry, father is still very fair. He didn't say a single harsh word today, which shows that he has no intention of blaming you."

Tao Ti shook her head, "I'm not thinking about that."

"Um?"

"I……"

Tao Ti raised her head, and with the faint light shining through the curtain, she saw Pei Yan's deep and clear eyebrows.

After hesitating for a while, she asked softly, "Your Highness, since you are in good health, will you take concubines in the future?"

Qiong Qi had talked to her about this problem before. After all, it was too rare and unimaginable for ancient emperors to be faithful to one woman.

At that time, Tao Ti was trying to avoid the question and vaguely avoided the topic.

Hearing Pei Lingbi mention this again today, Tao Ti realized that some problems still have to be faced and cannot be solved by avoiding them.

In the darkness, Pei Yan half-closed his eyes and remained silent.

He didn't say anything. Tao Ti's heart unconsciously tightened and she waited anxiously for an answer.

After a moment, Pei Yan opened his thin lips and said, "Yes..."

Taoti, “???!”

As soon as she opened her eyes, she was tapped on the forehead. "What the hell."

Pei Yan opened his eyes and suddenly turned over, with most of his body covering Tao Ti. One strong arm was supporting her head, with the pillow slightly sunken, and the other hand pinched her soft cheek like a punishment.

They were very close to each other, he was looking down at her, his strong breath surrounded her tightly, his tone was gentle, with a bit of helpless doting, "You didn't sleep so late at night, and you were thinking about these outrageous things in your little head?"

Tao Ti felt insecure for some reason and stammered, "You are the crown prince, and you may even be the emperor in the future. What if another woman looks down upon you one day, and you have three harems and six courtyards, and a host of concubines..."

Pei Yan said seriously and firmly, "There is no such thing as a single chance."

He looked at her deeply. Even in the dim light, Tao Ti could still see that his eyes were sparkling, as if filled with brilliant stars.

"I already have the best little girl in the world."

He leaned over and kissed her forehead with his thin lips, and said in an unnaturally gentle tone, "Ati, you are enough for me."

Tao Ti's heart suddenly warmed up, her cheeks blushed, and she asked softly, "Really?"

"Yeah, really." The words were too light, and he would spend his whole life proving it.

"Okay then. I believe you."

With a smile on her lips, she raised her chin and wanted to kiss his lips.

Unexpectedly, Pei Yan just raised his head, and her lips did not kiss his lips, but touched his prominent Adam's apple.

In the darkness, she heard Pei Yan utter a soft, satisfied, yet extremely seductive nasal sound.

Tao Ti was stunned for a moment before she realized that Adam's apple seemed to be Pei Yan's sensitive point?

But by the time she reacted, she was already being kissed fiercely by the man.

"Since you're not sleepy yet, why not do something enjoyable?"

He said this in a hoarse voice, and then his fingers skillfully reached under the thin and silky pajamas and began to move around without restraint.