The next day, when she went to work at the restaurant, Tao Wanniang also called her son, daughter-in-law, Bai Yumei, and Chen Liansheng to tell them about her trip to Youzhou after autumn.
"Mother, Youzhou, is that the place the Prince Rui's mansion goes to?" Ling Dahu asked in surprise.
"Yes, that's it. The Emperor wants me to go, so I can't refuse. As for you, don't say anything, just continue to do your work well at Zhaixing Tower. Hongyu, in the kitchen, if I'm not there, you listen to Chef Zhao. Back home, Gao Cuiniang will take care of the children, and Zhang Liang will also be at home looking after them, so everything will be fine."
"Big sister, how long will it take you to get there?" Bai Yumei asked worriedly.
"I don't know. We'll set off in the fall, and maybe we'll be back before the new year," Tao Wanniang said. "I'm telling you all this in advance so you can prepare. You all hold important positions in the Star-Picking Tower, and none of you can be missing. Even if I'm not here, you must still do your jobs well."
"Mother, how are you going? Everyone has to go with you. I'm so worried," Ling Dahu said anxiously.
“Who said no one is with me?” Tao Wanniang glanced at her son. “Xiao Qiao’er and Master Shen will come with me, and the General’s Mansion will send two guards. This is much more comfortable than when I took you all to escape the famine.”
“Mother, now that this matter is settled, you should talk to them about the kitchen first. Without you, it’s like we’ve lost our backbone.” Wang Hongyu was also a little worried.
"Don't worry, I'll make sure everything is arranged before I leave." Tao Wanniang nodded, then looked at Chen Liansheng and Bai Yumei. "You two... why don't you get married?"
Bai Yumei's face immediately turned red. She looked at Chen Liansheng and then said to Tao Wanniang, "Elder sister, why are you talking about us all of a sudden?"
"Luneng and Liu Yueniang are getting married soon, aren't you two in a hurry at all?" Tao Wanniang teased.
"Sister Tao, Manager Lu is getting married soon, so my burden is even heavier. How about we wait until you come back to settle things with Yu Mei?"
"Brother Asheng!" Bai Yumei called out hurriedly, feeling somewhat embarrassed, even though she hadn't agreed!
Chen Liansheng chuckled and scratched his head, saying, "Sister Tao, you see, this is also because Yu Mei wouldn't agree!"
Tao Wanniang looked at Bai Yumei and said with a light smile, "Everyone has seen what's going on between you two. If you need anything, just tell me. Yumei, you don't need to be so polite with me."
"I'm not being polite, it's just... Sister Tao, then we'll wait for you to come back." Bai Yumei paused, then said shyly.
“Mother, why are you going to Youzhou all of a sudden? Why does the Emperor insist on sending you?” Ling Dahu said sullenly. “Mother, you’re not an important person. No, that’s not what I meant, I…”
"Alright, alright, it's not like we went for nothing anyway," Tao Wanniang muttered. "Everyone already knows about this, so let's not talk about it yet. While I'm still here, I can step in if any problems arise. Go and get busy."
After telling her own family, Tao Wanniang told Lu Neng. As soon as Lu Neng heard that she was going to Youzhou, he immediately became alert.
“It’s nothing serious, I just went to take a look. Hmm, it was requested by the Emperor,” Tao Wanniang said. “Besides you guys, tell the other staff that I’m going on a long trip. When people in Youzhou hear that, they’ll think of the Prince Rui’s residence.”
Upon hearing that it was the Emperor's request, Lu Neng dared not ask any further questions. He nodded and said, "There are still two months until autumn. Alright, it will be some time before I return from my wedding with Yue Niang."
Tao Wanniang thought so too, and said it in advance just to give everyone some time to prepare.
Ling Dapeng's arrival in the afternoon dampened Tao Wanniang's previously good mood.
Since returning from the village, he hadn't come to visit her at all. She assumed that his visit at this time was just to borrow money.
"Mother, this is a small token of my filial piety." Ling Dapeng came alone, carrying a small basket of lotus pods.
"Oh, you rarely come all this way. What did you bring? Tell me, what brings you here?" Tao Wanniang said calmly. "Don't say you missed me. You've been back for several days now. Didn't you miss me before, but you do now?"
Ling Dapeng was somewhat reserved. After the mother and son had separated, things could never go back to the way they were before.
"Mother, when did this village in the suburbs start?" Ling Dapeng asked. "What is that? Sorghum? I've never seen it before."
“There are plenty of things you haven’t seen. How much of the world have you really experienced?” Tao Wanniang replied. “Stop beating around the bush and tell me, what brings you here?”
"Um...um...we want to open a shop to sell cloth, Mother, could you lend me some money?" Ling Dapeng said anxiously.
"Hmm?" Tao Wanniang raised her voice, thinking, "They really dare to think this way. Can Ling Dapeng and Zhou Xiaoyun distinguish between different types of cloth? Have they ever seen good satin?"
“It’s about opening a cloth shop, Mom. We don’t have much money, and we still have to make ends meet. Raising children is expensive, so…” Ling Dapeng said, mustering his courage.
"So, I'm supposed to pay for opening the shop?" Tao Wanniang retorted, thinking, "How wishful thinking!"
"Mother, it's not like that. I'm just borrowing it, and I'll pay it back when I make money," Ling Dapeng said. "Your restaurant business is so big, and you still have shops. Mother, you definitely can't spend all the money you earn, and you even have estates."
Upon hearing this, Tao Wanniang wanted to kick him. "You can't expect anything good to come out of a dog's mouth. So, what does Shishi see in Ling Dapeng?"
"Yes, I own an estate, a house, and land. So what? What does it have to do with you? You need your money to raise your children, right? Shishi is rich, isn't she? She makes a lot of money from the Jiaosifang. Opening a cloth shop was her idea, wasn't it? Go ask her for it!"
"Shishi, Shishi should keep some money to herself, right?" Ling Dapeng paused, then said matter-of-factly.
“Go find your father. From now on, you should contact him about anything concerning you. I’ve already spoken to him.” Tao Wan’s mother replied directly, “We’ve separated the family property, so don’t even think about my money. It has nothing to do with you!”
"Mother!" Ling Dapeng shouted loudly, his face full of dissatisfaction, "I am also your son, you can't be so biased!"
"So what? You want to hit me?" Tao Wanniang raised an eyebrow at Ling Dapeng. Some people learn from their mistakes, but others will be ripped off and still not turn back.
Ling Dapeng lowered his head under Tao Wanniang's gaze, then looked up and said indignantly, "I knew you would do this. Shishi is right, you are a miserly tightwad!"
Ah, Tao Wan's mother wasn't surprised at all; her pillow talk was really effective.
"Now that you know, then get lost," Tao Wanniang said nonchalantly. "Don't come here again for money."
Ling Dapeng glared resentfully at Tao Wanniang, turned and left, but then turned back and took the basket of lotus pods he had brought.
"One day, you will remember how good I was as your son."
The fact that Tao Wanniang didn't laugh out loud was the only warmth she had left for Ling Dapeng; she had never given birth to this son!
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