When the Prince Rui's family left the capital, there weren't many people; the guards had already taken some people and valuables to Youzhou. But the procession of ten carriages still seemed quite impressive.
Tao Wanniang did not go to see off Prince Rui's family as they left the capital. Xiao Yi had given her a letter beforehand, informing her about the people from Prince Rui's family who remained in the capital and also telling her not to go to see them off.
Even now, outsiders don't know what exactly happened to the Prince Rui's Mansion, but the once-prosperous mansion can only be far away from the capital, which is truly lamentable.
Zhao Zhe stood on the city gate, watching the Prince Rui's procession disappear into the distance. His eyes were bloodshot; he had let go. Xiao Yi's angry glare pierced his heart. If he could, he would rather keep it all bottled up inside. At least, Xiao Yi still treated him like a brother, a ruler and his subject.
“Elder sister, at least I am more magnanimous than you and will not force anyone.” Beside Zhao Zhe was the eldest princess, who was wearing a veil.
"His Majesty is magnanimous!" The princess's voice was hoarse. This time, she finally understood that the emperor was ruthless, and no one could touch his sore spot... Xiao Yi!
“As long as I am on the throne, he will not be able to return to the capital. Your Majesty, do you think I am ruthless?” Zhao Zhe muttered to himself. “I give him merits and honors, but once he knows my thoughts, the way he looks at me changes. I am the murderer who killed his three wives and his unborn child.”
"You know that much is fine," the eldest princess thought to herself, but said nothing. She disagreed with the emperor's actions, but she wouldn't say anything more. This man who always called her "Imperial Sister" was the emperor!
Only after the carriage procession of Prince Rui's residence had disappeared from sight did Zhao Zhe order a return to the palace.
On the first day after Prince Rui's mansion left the capital, Zhaixinglou was as busy as usual, and the guests gathered together, still talking about Prince Rui's mansion.
"The sudden loss of power caught everyone off guard, but to this day no one has been able to explain what exactly happened to the Prince Rui's mansion."
"Prince Rui insulted and assaulted the Emperor. The imperial edict already stated it, and no one from Prince Rui's residence objected!"
"The Prince Rui's heir is deeply favored by the Emperor. Even for the sake of the heir, the Emperor wouldn't be so heartless! Prince Rui is the Emperor's own uncle!"
"Shh... don't talk about royal matters."
Tao Wanniang could hear the guests' conversations as she moved among them.
"Sister Tao, you've come at the perfect time." Qian Feng was having dinner with Hai Lan when the waiter led them to their seats. Upon seeing Tao Wan Niang, he immediately greeted her.
Tao Wanniang was delighted to see that Qian Feng had a young woman by his side.
"Invite the young lady to dinner!"
"Sister Tao, this is Hailan, the one who saved the General," Qian Feng said with a smile. "The General told me to treat Miss Hailan to good food and drink."
Tao Wanniang couldn't help but look at Hailan, just as Hailan was also looking at Tao Wanniang.
Their eyes met, and Tao Wanniang smiled and looked away. "That's fine too. Just ask the waiter for whatever you'd like to eat."
"Okay," Qian Feng said with a smile.
"Who is she?" Tao Wanniang walked away and heard Hailan's voice. She didn't turn around. This girl had particularly dark eyes and a fierce look in them.
"Manager Tao, someone's looking for you at home," Lu Neng called out to Tao Wan's mother from the doorway.
Zhang Liang stood anxiously outside the Star-Picking Tower. When he saw Tao Wanniang come out, he immediately said anxiously, "Sister Tao, something has happened."
"What is it?" Tao Wanniang looked at Zhang Liang and had a sense of unease.
“That Shishi came to Zhou Xiaoyun’s house. During the scuffle, Shishi fell to the ground and miscarried!” Zhang Liang said.
"Have you seen a doctor?" Tao Wanniang asked immediately, because she needed to see a doctor first before looking for her!
"I came to you after I saw a doctor, Sister Tao. What do you suggest we do about this?"
Tao Wanniang told Lu Neng what she wanted, and then went back with Zhang Liang.
Upon entering the house, the pool of blood in the front yard was quite glaring. The person was carried into a room in the east courtyard. When Tao Wanniang arrived, the doctor had already come out.
"The patient has miscarried and needs to rest and recuperate properly. If she doesn't recover well, she may never be able to have children again!"
Tao Wanniang's heart sank. Was Shishi really pregnant?
"Who will pay the consultation fee and take the prescription to get some medicine?" the doctor asked again.
"Zhang Liang, go!" Tao Wanniang said, giving the doctor some loose silver as she went to see Shishi.
"Mother." Zhou Xiaoyun walked over awkwardly, like a child who had done something wrong. "Mother, I...I didn't know she had a child."
Tao Wanniang waved her hand, signaling Zhou Xiaoyun not to speak. She pushed open the door and went in. Shishi was lying against the bed, her face completely pale.
"Sister, Mother, please let me see Brother Dapeng!" Seeing Tao Wan's mother and Zhou Xiaoyun come in, Shishi's eyes reddened and tears fell.
"Sister, although I hurt you, you and your child are both fine now, but I have truly lost a child. I can forgive you, but could you please let me see Brother Dapeng? He should know that he has lost a child!"
Zhou Xiaoyun opened her mouth, but the usually sharp-tongued woman was now speechless, feeling guilty.
Tao Wanniang could tell that Shishi's weak appearance was genuine, and the blood was real. At this moment, she could only curse Ling Dapeng in her heart as a bastard!
"Where do you live? I'll have someone send you back. How much do you want?" Tao Wanniang asked coldly.
"Mother, I don't want money, I want to see Brother Dapeng. I'm truly in love with Brother Dapeng. I was wrong before, and I really regret it." Shishi cried. "As long as I can stay by Brother Dapeng's side, I will treat you as my own sister, and I will treat your child as my own. I...I...I may never be able to have children again."
Seeing Shishi cover her face and cry bitterly, Zhou Xiaoyun felt heartbroken, but she couldn't bring herself to say anything harsh.
"If you want to see my son, you'll have to wait until you've fully recovered. What, do you want to drag yourself through this and then go to Ling Dapeng and complain about how I was wrong with Zhou Xiaoyun?"
"No, I didn't!" Shishi immediately said, her eyes red as she looked at Tao Wanniang, "I... I don't live in Jiaosifang anymore, I rented a small house myself, I... my body..."
"Have we really been scammed?" Tao Wanniang sneered. She didn't answer, but looked at Zhou Xiaoyun. "What do you say?"
"Let her rest and recover here for now," Zhou Xiaoyun said weakly.
If Tao Wanniang hadn't temporarily forgotten about the matter at Prince Rui's residence, she would have wanted Zhou Xiaoyun to go back. Now, well, there's another Shishi involved.
"Have your people serve her. I don't have anyone idle in my house," Tao Wanniang said, glancing at Zhou Xiaoyun.
Zhou Xiaoyun nodded immediately.
"Let's go, she doesn't need anyone now," Tao Wanniang said, turning and walking out.
Before Zhang Liang returned, Tao Wanniang chatted with Gao Cuiniang for a while, played with Ling Rui and Xiao Feng'er for a bit, and didn't go over to Xiao Qiao'er who was still doing her homework.
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