Ling Yunzhou was truly furious. He couldn't understand why Tao Wanniang wouldn't acknowledge him, given his current status. Even if he couldn't remember the past, the fact that Tao Wanniang had given birth to two sons for him was irrefutable proof.
Watching Tao Wanniang call for a carriage and leave, Ling Yunzhou turned his horse around and left, just in time to see a middle-aged man running out of the Fuyun Inn with a sinister expression.
What is Tao Wanniang doing here?
Ling Yunzhou had doubts in his heart. He looked at the middle-aged man again, kept a watchful eye on him, and went straight back to the General's Mansion.
The next day, the small restaurant opened as usual. Tao Wan's mother called over Yang Song, who was on his daily patrol, pulled him aside, and instructed him to keep an eye on Huang Youdao.
"Hey Tao, you're eyeing middle-aged rich businessmen, what's wrong? Could that be your old flame?" Yang Song said slyly.
Tao Wanniang slapped Yang Song on the head without ceremony, and before Yang Song could speak, she had a small string of coins in her hand.
"During this time, find out every detail about that man and his pregnant wife."
Yang Song's eyes immediately fell on the hanging coin, and he reached out to take it.
Tao Wanniang raised her hand higher and asked coldly, "Are you going to do this or not?"
"Of course we'll do it, Sister Tao. You're such a kind person. Don't worry, we'll definitely bring you the information you need."
Tao Wanniang let Yang Song take the money, and then said, "If you do this to me in a careless manner, I will deduct your patrol pay for this month."
Yang Song was overjoyed, but upon hearing Tao Wanniang's words, he was immediately speechless.
"You're ruthless!" After a moment, Yang Song gritted his teeth and looked at Tao Wanniang with a look of anger that he dared not express.
Tao Wanniang glanced at Yang Song indifferently. Little brat, do you think she can't handle him?
As lunchtime approached, the number of customers gradually increased.
When the group from the Mighty Escort Agency arrived, Ling Dahu immediately ran to the kitchen.
"Mother, something terrible has happened! That human trafficker—no, the people from the escort agency—has brought a large group of people with him."
Tao Wanniang replied without even looking up, "So what if you're here? What's all the fuss about?"
"No, Mother, there really are a lot of people here, led by that lady from the escort agency. I think there are seven or eight of them!" Ling Dahu said anxiously. They couldn't win a fight!
"A guest is a guest. Just do your job as a waiter." Tao Wanniang then looked at Ling Dahu. Seeing that Ling Dahu looked cowardly, she told Wang Hongyu and Xiao Qiao'er to watch the fire.
"Do I really need to handle this? Come on, let me go take a look." Tao Wanniang untied her apron, straightened her sleeves, and walked out with Ling Dahu.
Madam Wu, along with her son and several people from the escort agency, came to apologize. They thought that since the restaurant was run by someone who wanted to have many customers, it would be a sign of support.
But this group of seven or eight people walked out with the air of someone about to fight and cause trouble. Not only was Ling Dahu worried, but Ling Dapeng was also a little uneasy. Jiang Youfu next door had even shrunk everyone into his shop, only sticking his head out to watch the commotion.
Tao Wanniang stepped forward past Ling Dapeng and called out loudly, "Sir, would you like to eat?"
"Manager Tao, I apologize for any offense I may have caused you before. Today, I have brought some people to this restaurant as a way of apologizing to you," Madam Wu said, bowing to Tao Wanniang.
"Welcome, welcome, please come to the private room inside." Tao Wanniang gestured for them to enter, and nudged her son behind her with her elbow.
They really came here for a meal! The Ling brothers exchanged a glance and breathed a sigh of relief.
Tao Wanniang led the group from the escort agency into the private room and politely asked, "Madam Wu, what would you like to eat?"
"Manager Tao, just bring out whatever you think is best. Don't try to save us money; bring out the best and most expensive dishes," Madam Wu said with a light smile.
"Alright, would you like some wine?" Tao Wanniang didn't forget to promote the Hua family's wine.
"Give me a jar."
"Alright, everyone, please wait a moment. Our shop also has some specialty braised dishes, perfect for pairing with drinks. I'll have someone bring you a few plates in a bit," Tao Wanniang said, before leaving the private room.
Seeing her two sons guarding the door, Tao Wan's mother couldn't help but frown and say, "A real man like you, don't you even have this much courage?"
"Mother, there are too many of them," Ling Dapeng said, feeling aggrieved. "They have the numbers and the power!"
"Heh, feel free to make excuses for your cowardice." Tao Wanniang scoffed. "Give me two plates of braised dishes, and then a jar of wine, hurry up."
In the kitchen, Wang Hongyu and Xiao Qiao'er were able to cook some simple dishes. Tao Wan's mother looked at the ingredients in the kitchen, thought for a while, and immediately started cooking.
"Mother, even if I made a mistake, a little apology would have been enough. Why did I have to come all the way here to support them?" Inside the private room, Wu Dasheng was still somewhat indignant.
Madam Wu slapped Wu Dasheng across the head. "If you had any brains at all, you wouldn't have kidnapped someone."
"I didn't succeed either, did I?" Wu Dasheng muttered, rubbing his head.
"You've succeeded! You've ruined our escort agency's reputation!" Madam Wu shouted. "I've already had someone investigate, and Manager Tao does have a daughter."
"That wasn't her child either," Wu Dasheng continued stubbornly.
Madam Wu naturally investigated Liang Laifu, and what she found shocked her. Although she knew that Liang Laifu had previously served in the government, she had never mentioned that he was the son-in-law of a disgraced official! The people sent to Shanhai Prefecture investigated thoroughly and found that Liang Laifu's wife was the daughter of the former prefect of Shanhai Prefecture!
Even if Tao Wanniang's daughter is Liang Laifu's, she is not Liang Laifu's child with the prefect's daughter, so her son was tricked!
"Tell me, why did your father take your two older brothers on the escort mission but not you? Isn't it because you're so dim-witted?" Madam Wu couldn't help but scold her son. "Liang Laifu has only been here a few days and he's already fooled you. When are you going to use your brain?"
The escorts pretended not to hear Madam Wu scolding her son. As the braised dishes and wine were served, the sound of Madam Wu reprimanding her son gradually disappeared from the private room.
"This wine is good, and the snacks that go with it are even better, delicious."
"It's really good, I'll quickly have a few bites too. Hmm... wait a minute, you've taken too much with one chopstick!"
Wu Dasheng didn't get to drink any wine because his mother wouldn't allow it, but he did get to eat the side dishes. At that moment, he couldn't care less about anything else; the braised dishes were just too delicious!
Inside the Fortune Inn, Huang Youdao and his wife were restless. The jade pendant they had received the day before had startled them so much that they threw it to the ground. The broken pendant became a source of fear in their eyes.
Huang Youdao chased after her, but didn't see anyone suspicious. However, the shadow of Bai Yumei still being alive lingered in the hearts of the Huang couple.
One night, they slept in the same bed but dreamed different dreams. The next day, they continued to argue. Yang Song sent his underlings to keep watch, and Ling Yunzhou also sent people to keep an eye on them.
"She's dead, she must be dead. If she weren't dead, how could the house be haunted?" Madam Huang, heavily pregnant, paced back and forth in the house, her expression somewhat terrified.
Huang Youdao, standing to the side, looked at her and his face turned ashen.
"She's dead, otherwise how would she know we came to the capital? How would she know we were here?" Only a ghost could know their location!
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