Zhang Kun looked at Du Zhong and said, "I'm sorry, General. I have an eighty-year-old mother at home!"
Du Zhong was furious: "Isn't your mother dead?"
"Ah?" Zhang Kun was a little embarrassed for a moment.
Du Zhong said angrily, "Two years ago, you said your mother died, and it was this general who gave you two thousand taels of silver so you could go home and bury her. Have you forgotten?"
Zhang Kun blushed. "General. To be honest, my mother is still alive. I borrowed money because I lost everything in the casino. I also owe a lot of debts. That's why I resorted to this desperate measure."
Du Zhong was so angry that he almost vomited blood: "You!" He looked at the six people behind him: "What about you?"
The six men glanced at each other, not daring to meet his gaze. Du Zhong sighed, "The winner is the king, the loser the enemy. It's all my fault for being too greedy. Alas!" He threw away his sword, jumped off his horse, and surrendered.
Wu Ge waved his hand, and two of his guards dismounted and put iron chains on Du Zhong. That was it.
Yunniang was overjoyed to be reunited with her mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. The Luo Family Restaurant also came under Yunniang's control. This was the emperor's official order, and the Luo Family Restaurant was reopened.
Many old customers came to the restaurant upon hearing the news, and many merchants from far away even made a detour to come and show their support when they heard that the Luo Family Restaurant was owned by the widow of the Luo family again.
The Luo Family Restaurant, run by Yunniang, had a good reputation for its fair prices and honesty. However, after Luo Xiaohu took over, he began cheating and shortchanging customers, causing the restaurant's business to decline. Now, however, the restaurant has finally regained its former glory.
The busiest person was probably Fan Zha, who frequently visited the Luo Family Restaurant, whether for no particular reason or not. At first, Yun Niang's mother-in-law warmly welcomed him, as Fan Zha was, after all, their savior. If Fan Zha hadn't risked his life to free Yun Niang, Yun Niang wouldn't have stopped the imperial sedan chair.
But over time, Yunniang's mother-in-law began to sense something was amiss. Whenever Fan Zha came, Yunniang became especially enthusiastic and talkative. And when the two of them were together, it seemed as if they had endless topics to talk about. Yunniang's face also showed a rare smile, a rare sight for a long time.
Mother-in-law Yunniang immediately understood that her son had just died. This little bitch had hooked up with this chief accountant. Where was her chastity? Where was her dignity?
So when Fan Zha came again, Yun Niang's mother-in-law would not treat him well. Sometimes she would even interrupt their conversations intentionally. The two of them seemed to notice this. Whenever she saw her mother-in-law around, Yun Niang would deliberately avoid Fan Zha, which made Yun Niang's mother-in-law even more angry.
After a busy day, the shop finally closed. Yunniang dragged her tired body back to her room and was about to rest when her mother-in-law walked in.
"Mother-in-law." Yunniang looked at her cold face and called softly.
"Don't call me mother-in-law. I don't have a daughter-in-law like you! Let me ask you, how long has it been since my son died? You can't help but flirt with other men." The old woman was furious.
"I," Yunniang felt guilty, but she didn't dare to argue anymore. Suddenly she knelt down and said, "Mother-in-law, Master Fan and I are truly in love. I beg you to help us get together. Luo Sheng is gone, and the dead cannot be resurrected. Yunniang now understands that I only have brotherly feelings for Luo Sheng, and it is only for Master Fan that Yunniang truly likes."
"What!" Grandma Yunniang almost fainted. In this cannibalistic feudal era, Yunniang's words were like a bolt from the blue. Grandma slapped her hard in the face: "Bitch! Are you ashamed? You little slut, you have brought shame upon the Luo family. Do you still know what propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame are? What are the Three Obediences and Four Virtues? Pah!"
The mother-in-law spit on Yunniang's face, and Yunniang knelt on the ground motionless. The mother-in-law pounced on her like crazy, scratching and clawing: "Bitch, bitch! How can you be worthy of Luo Sheng, how can you be worthy of the Luo family!"
The mother-in-law was furious, but she still had a soft heart. After beating her, she hugged Yunniang and cried. Yunniang also cried and said, "Mother-in-law, I, I can't be a widow like this all my life!"
The mother-in-law was very disappointed: "You! Yunniang, I know this has wronged you. You are still a virgin, but, but this is fate, the fate of us women!"
"I don't believe in fate!" Yunniang's eyes suddenly became firm.
Knowing Yunniang's temperament, her mother-in-law sighed, "If you want to follow Master Fan, I'll have to die! Just think about what the neighbors will think. Their spit will drown you!"
After saying that, the mother-in-law turned around and slammed the door, leaving Yunniang kneeling on the ground. She stopped crying and thought, "Since I can't fight my fate, I will fight it with my life!"
Business at the Luo Family Restaurant was booming, with customers flocking in like a stream. Consequently, the restaurant was bustling with activity early in the morning. Strangely, Yunniang rose early every day, but this morning, even at noon, she remained silent.
The mother-in-law was a little panicked. She went to Yunniang's room and knocked on the door a few times, but there was no movement from inside. She knocked a few more times, but still no sound. The mother-in-law panicked and pushed the door open. She saw a white silk hanging from the beam. Yunniang had hanged herself from the beam.
The mother-in-law was horrified: "Someone come! Yunniang hanged herself!"
At this time, the restaurant's servants, cooks, waiters, and accountants rushed in one after another, and everyone worked together to rescue Yunniang from the beam.
The mother-in-law was terrified, her heart pounding. The accountant, who had some medical experience, checked Yunniang's breathing and felt her pulse, finding that she could still be saved. He pinched and massaged her, and finally, Yunniang slowly awoke.
"Yun Niang! Why are you doing this?" the mother-in-law cried and shouted.
Yunniang's face was pale and she was barely breathing. "It's better to die than to live like this."
"What a sin!" The mother-in-law slapped her thigh and ran away crying.
Everyone was confused and didn't know what had happened. The accountant, who was older than him, asked, "Yunniang, what happened? How could you commit suicide?"
Yunniang suddenly got up, as if nothing had happened. "It's okay, all of you hurry up and get ready. His Majesty is coming to the Luo Family Restaurant today, so remember, bring out your best. Serve up all of our signature dishes, and make sure His Majesty enjoys them!"
After saying that, Yunniang patted her clothes, touched the marks on her neck, and walked away.
Everyone in the restaurant was left standing there in a daze, not knowing what the fight between the mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law was about.
Zhao Huan had decided to come to the restaurant today, so Yunniang began to prepare. She cleaned the restaurant spotlessly and rinsed the bluestone slabs at the entrance repeatedly. Rows of large red lanterns were already hung high at the entrance.
The most confused person should be Yunniang's mother-in-law. She saw Yunniang suddenly become excited and hum a little tune while busying herself. She suddenly felt a little worried. Is Yunniang crazy?
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