When Tao Wanniang learned that Ling Yunzhou had come to visit, she didn't show much emotion when she saw Zhang Liang's probing look. She said, "He's here, so what? His grandchildren are all his. It's no big deal for him to take a look." Why would Ling Yunzhou suspect her of coming to visit right after leaving the restaurant?
"Is it really not some secret of yours that has been discovered?" Zhang Liang asked in a low voice. "You still have an informant at home, Sister Tao, you're taking too much of a risk."
Tao Wanniang smiled nonchalantly and said, "What secrets could I possibly have?" She looked Zhang Liang up and down, "You'd better be careful with your words and actions, in case you discover something amiss..."
Zhang Liang was speechless; he had already lived the life of a centenarian ahead of time.
"Can I take your antidote beforehand?" Zhang Liang asked weakly as Tao Wanniang was about to leave. Before the restaurant opened, Tao Wanniang had given him a porcelain bottle of the antidote. The sweet-smelling pills made him want to take a few more.
Tao Wanniang paused, suppressing a laugh, "Malliseau is quite delicious."
"Every medicine has some degree of toxicity. If you can't resist taking more, you'll only want to take more, and you'll become addicted," Tao Wanniang said, feigning seriousness.
"What happens if you get addicted?" Zhang Liangxin asked, his heart sinking.
"Guess?" Tao Wanniang's eyes were dark, and she walked away after saying that.
Zhang Liang's expression was complicated. So this meant he couldn't eat too much? What kind of poison had he been given?
When Tao Wanniang returned to the main courtyard, she saw Gao Cuiniang looking hesitant to speak.
“I already know you’re from Lingyunzhou. As long as you focus on your work, I don’t care whose side you are,” Tao Wanniang said. The family needs someone like that, and someone from Lingyunzhou can better ensure that the children are taken care of.
Gao Cuiniang looked at Tao Wanniang with a flustered expression, but when she saw that Tao Wanniang was at ease, she breathed a sigh of relief.
“Boss, General Ling meant no harm, and I have not done anything to wrong you,” Gao Cuiniang said truthfully after thinking for a moment.
“I have nothing to hide, so you should continue doing your job well!” Tao Wanniang said calmly.
When Tao Wanniang returned to the house, Gao Cuiniang had already prepared and placed the washing and toiletries. So, isn't it good to have someone who takes care of things like this?
After cleaning herself in the washroom, Tao Wanniang lay on the bed and opened the trading system. The revolver was now stored in the system, making her even more emboldened. So what if Ling Yunzhou was suspicious? He couldn't find anything even if he dug three feet into the ground!
Tao Wanniang continued to work at the restaurant, but she didn't hear any news about the progress of Chen Bin's case. Ling Yunzhou also didn't come to see her again. As the restaurant became increasingly busy, the case seemed to have been forgotten.
At this moment, in the countryside, Ling Yunzhou had Ling Dapeng and Shishi kneeling before him, their heads almost buried in the soil.
"Speak, what happened?" Ling Yunzhou asked with a stern face and a solemn expression.
"Dad, I don't know either. Xiaoyun said Shishi pushed her, but Shishi is so small, how could she have pushed her? It's not necessarily Shishi's fault that she fell!"
Ling Dapeng didn't dare to look up and said in a low voice.
"Father, I really didn't touch my sister. I don't know why she fell. It really wasn't me!" Shishi sobbed as she arrived at the manor. She was no longer the same person she used to be.
Her face, devoid of makeup, held a sorrowful expression. Her long black hair was tied up with a cloth strip, and she wore coarse linen clothes. In this state, she was completely out of place with the others in the village.
"Dr. Sun, what do you want to say?" Ling Yunzhou asked the doctor beside him.
"Reporting to the General, the Second Young Mistress has experienced a miscarriage scare. Although she has taken medicine to stabilize the pregnancy, she needs to be extra careful in the remaining months."
"Ling Dapeng, tell me, what are we going to do about this?"
Ling Yunzhou was furious at Ling Dapeng's defense of his concubine, thinking that Ling Dapeng would be more restrained once they were at the manor. However, it was clear that Ling Dapeng hadn't realized this at all!
“Father, Xiaoyun is alright now, she just needs to rest and recover.” Ling Dapeng looked up and saw Ling Yunzhou’s frightened expression, then immediately lowered his head. “How about we let Xiaoyun go back to the city? She’s not good at working, and it’s not good for her to stay on the estate either.”
"Ha!" Ling Yunzhou scoffed. "Going to the capital is a long and arduous journey. Do you think your wife's current condition is up to it?"
Is Ling Dapeng heartless or just stupid? He doesn't seem like the type to favor his concubine over his wife, but the things he says are truly chilling!
“Then let him stay on the estate, Dad. It’s not that I can’t farm, but I’m still your son. Why do I have to do everything myself?” Ling Dapeng complained. “Actually, it’s not that I can’t do it, it’s just…”
"Hmm? What is it?" Ling Yunzhou said sarcastically, "Ling Dapeng, look at what you're capable of. Don't think you're my son; my General's Mansion doesn't support useless people. Look at your own mother and elder brother, what are they doing? What right do you think you have to be a young master?"
"It wasn't me. Shishi isn't capable of doing manual labor. Father, I don't know if it was your idea, but how can the people on this estate order Shishi around like that?"
Ling Yunzhou's face was truly ugly; this son was simply as stupid as a pig!
“Isn’t it natural for a husband and wife to follow each other?” Ling Yunzhou said patiently. “Li Fu, Zhou Shi has had a miscarriage and should not do any work. Arrange for a woman to take care of her,” Ling Yunzhou instructed the steward of the estate.
“Every member of the Ling family has worked in the fields. The harvest on this estate has been poor in previous years. Since you are my son and cannot do any other work, if you can improve the harvest on this estate this autumn, I will have someone bring you back to the capital.”
Ling Dapeng was taken aback, frowned and thought about it for a moment, and it seemed to make sense.
"Shishi, it's okay. I'll help you with anything you can't do in the future. I know how to do farm work."
Shishi was distressed. Her hands could play the pipa, but she couldn't wield a hoe. However, she had heard Ling Yunzhou's words, so as long as the harvest was good, they could go back.
"Yes, Brother Dapeng, I'm not afraid of hardship."
Ling Yunzhou felt annoyed watching the two of them being so affectionate.
“If Zhou’s family can’t keep the child, I will hold you two accountable,” Ling Yunzhou said. “Was life in Ling Family Village any easier than here? If you could keep the child back then, there’s no reason you can’t now.”
“Especially you!” Ling Yunzhou’s gaze fell on Shishi. “Didn’t I tell you to take good care of the Zhou family? You’ve caused such a mess.”
"Father, I really didn't push my sister. I don't know how she fell," Shishi said, choking back tears. "I know my sister doesn't like me."
"Father, Shishi really didn't push her. Xiaoyun probably fell because she was heavy."
Hearing Ling Dapeng's nonsense, Ling Yunzhou chuckled a few times and went into the room to check on Zhou Xiaoyun, who was lying in bed.
"Father, it was Shishi who pushed me. If I can't keep this child, it's all her fault." Zhou Xiaoyun said indignantly, "Father, don't be fooled by that vixen."
“Zhi’er is doing quite well in the manor.” Ling Yunzhou didn’t want to respond to Zhou Xiaoyun’s words. “He’s still a bit too young to start his formal education at this age.”
Zhou Xiaoyun was taken aback, her expression softened, and she looked at Ling Yunzhou with a slight pout.
"Father, can I go back to the capital? I'm too heavy to do any work. I want to go back and stay with Zhi'er."
“You’ve had a miscarriage scare, and the carriage ride back to the capital will be bumpy and inconvenient. I’ve already asked Li Fu to arrange for someone to take care of you.” Ling Yunzhou directly dashed Zhou Xiaoyun’s hopes. “Zhi’er is lively and active, and it’s not convenient for you to stay with him right now.”
"Take good care of yourself. This child will eventually belong to the Ling family."
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