After seeing off the distinguished guests, Tao Wanniang was overjoyed. She didn't care if they were the Emperor or the King of Heaven. She had collected two hundred taels from two tables of guests. This deal was too good to pass up!
"Mother, who are these people? They're so generous!" The Ling brothers huddled around Tao Wan's mother, their eyes wide as they stared at the two silver notes.
Tao Wanniang handed the silver notes to Bai Yumei and said happily, "Honored guest, you understand? You are an honored guest!"
After leaving Taowanniang Restaurant, Zhao Zhe and Li Yang boarded a carriage parked not far away.
"Your Majesty, I just saw the Eldest Princess," Li Yang reported.
"Oh, what a coincidence. But I can't help it. I wonder what my elder sister will do." Zhao Zhe raised an eyebrow and said with amusement. "This Tao Wanniang is quite shrewd. If she were stubborn, she might not even have a proper burial in the end."
"However, my great general seems to be holding back!" Zhao Zhe's expression held a hint of amusement. "Let's return to the palace!"
Tao Wanniang was in a very good mood all afternoon; she had more than enough money to buy a restaurant.
However, there's no rush for the restaurant; no one can support the small eatery yet! Tao Wanniang thought the restaurant would be a matter for at least the New Year.
My good mood abruptly ended during dinner when Ling Yunzhou arrived.
Ling Yunzhou, who had successfully suppressed the bandits and returned to the capital, came alone. As soon as he entered the restaurant, he specifically asked Tao Wanniang to come to the private room to order the dishes.
"Brother, what's wrong with this general? He's so fierce." Ling Dapeng said to Ling Dahu in a low voice after escorting the person into the private room.
"He probably has something on his mind. Just go call your mother," Ling Dahu said casually. Anyway, there's no one his mother can't handle.
Tao Wanniang was happily cooking when she heard that Ling Yunzhou had arrived and wanted her to order the food, and the smile on her face vanished instantly.
"They've come with ill intentions, so only I can handle this!" Tao Wanniang didn't even take off her apron, and despite her oily face, she went straight to the private room to meet Ling Yunzhou.
"Who came to your restaurant at noon?" Ling Yunzhou asked directly upon seeing Tao Wanniang.
"There are so many people coming. Do you think I, the restaurant owner, should ask each guest their identity?" Tao Wanniang retorted. "General Ling, what would you like to eat today?"
Seeing Tao Wanniang's carefree attitude, Ling Yunzhou felt even more suffocated. The Princess had come to find him, saying that she had come here, revealed her identity, and even spoke on his behalf about letting Tao Wanniang take over the General's Mansion, but Tao Wanniang refused.
"Not only did you refuse to restore our relationship, but you also said you wanted money to buy out our friendship and asked someone to ask me for a divorce agreement?" Ling Yunzhou asked in a muffled voice, his tone somewhat unpleasant.
Tao Wanniang nodded; she didn't deny it!
"So, did the General agree?" Tao Wanniang asked. "Even if he didn't agree, our status as husband and wife is no longer valid."
Ling Yunzhou felt extremely distressed seeing how Tao Wanniang was eager to sever ties with him.
"Since it doesn't count, why do you need a divorce agreement?" Ling Yunzhou said sarcastically. "Besides, do Da Hu and Da Peng know about your decision?"
Tao Wanniang looked at Ling Yunzhou and said clearly, word by word, "Do I need them to know about my affairs?"
"Or do you want to acknowledge your son back? Sure, I won't stop you!"
Ling Yunzhou felt distressed. Tao Wanniang clearly didn't care about him at all. Was he really so unworthy of her attention?
“General, there’s no need for you to look like you’ve been let down. We’re both getting on in years, what’s the point of talking about past grievances?” Tao Wanniang said frankly. “To me, those are all old stories. You may not have had your memories back long, so they’re probably still fresh in your mind. But I really don’t want to rekindle our past relationship. I have absolutely no feelings for you, General. Please, General, have mercy and spare this humble woman!”
These words were like knives stabbing into his heart. Ling Yunzhou gritted his teeth and stared intently at Tao Wanniang.
This heartless woman, uttering such cruel words! Ling Yunzhou was furious and said defiantly, "Since you've said that, why should I still fawn over you? But I will still acknowledge my son."
“Oh, that’s fine. Even if the General wants to bring his two sons back to the General’s Mansion, I have no objection,” Tao Wanniang said generously. “I’m happy to let them recognize their ancestors and return to their clan.”
"You..." Ling Yunzhou was heartbroken, "You're just going to abandon the son you raised with so much effort?"
“My sons are all grown up now, and I’ve really come to terms with it. It’s just that my two sons are useless and I still have to support them. If they were successful, they would have made a name for themselves by now, and they wouldn’t be under my nose every day!” Tao Wanniang said frankly.
"I'm going to bring Da Hu and Da Peng back, and their wives and children will come with me," Ling Yunzhou said deliberately. Surely this woman wouldn't be so indifferent to her grandchildren!
"That would be even better. The children will be the young ladies and gentlemen of the General's Mansion in the future, so I won't have to worry about them anymore." Tao Wanniang spoke sincerely; she was truly willing to let go.
"You're really heartless!" Ling Yunzhou sneered. "Serve me the food first. You can cook whatever you want. We'll talk after I finish eating."
"Oh!" Tao Wanniang replied with a hint of disappointment. He still had an appetite? Judging from his expression, she thought he was already full of anger.
"Mother, why did you stay inside for so long? Is there something wrong with the General?" Ling Dahu asked immediately as soon as Tao Wanniang stepped out of the private room.
"It's nothing, I'll go cook some dishes first," Tao Wanniang said casually.
Not long after, the dishes Tao Wan's mother had prepared were brought in by Ling Dahu. Ling Yunzhou looked at his tall son, who was now just a waiter, and felt very bad.
"Ling Dahu?" Ling Yunzhou asked, "Are you satisfied with your current life?"
"Huh?" Ling Dahu was completely baffled. What was the general trying to do by suddenly saying something like that?
"I'm very satisfied, extremely satisfied. Mother gives us three taels of silver a month, so we don't have to worry about food and drink. Back in Lingjia Village, we only earned that much money in a year," Ling Dahu said with a simple smile.
Three taels of silver! Isn't Tao Wan Niang being too stingy? Ling Yunzhou was very dissatisfied, but seeing Ling Da Hu's expression, he couldn't say anything.
"If, and I mean if, your father were still alive and wanted to take you back, would you agree?"
Ling Dahu was even more puzzled. Why was the general saying such strange things today?
"That depends on what Mother says. No matter what, we will follow Mother. She worked hard to raise us and gave us such a good life. We must be filial to Mother no matter what."
What a filial son! Ling Yunzhou didn't know whether to be satisfied or dissatisfied, so he waved to Ling Dahu, signaling him to go out first.
It would have been better if his memory had never returned. He clearly has a wife, son, grandchildren, and granddaughters, but he can't acknowledge them. Who is as pathetic as him!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com