Tao Wanniang had also heard about Hongzhu and Xiao Yi's affair, and she felt the news was being deliberately spread. Xiao Yi must have taken her advice.
What kind of "wife-killing fate" is she? She doesn't believe in fate!
That evening, Princess Rui, along with Hongzhu and Xiao Yi, came to the Star-Picking Tower. The way Princess Rui held Hongzhu's hand was just like holding her own daughter's hand.
"Hongzhu, this Star-Picking Tower accounts for a significant portion of the revenue of our Prince Rui's Mansion. Sister Tao saved Yi'er's life and also manages the restaurant. If you ever meet Sister Tao in the future, please show her more respect!"
Hongzhu was surprised. Sister Tao... was the one Xiao Yi had used to reject her that day? She had thought to herself afterwards, what could a young master and a cook possibly have to do with each other?
“I see. No wonder I feel close to Sister Tao.” Hongzhu said with a smile. “When I first came to the capital, I came to Zhaixing Tower because of its reputation, and Sister Tao took care of me that day.”
"Oh, what a coincidence! Let's ask for a private room first, over there. From there, you can see the whole scene from the stands!" Princess Rui said gently and cheerfully, without thinking of anything else.
Soon, Tao Wanniang learned that Princess Rui, together with the Crown Prince, had brought that girl to the restaurant.
"There's going to be a marriage at Prince Rui's residence. Just who is that young lady?" The kitchen staff also started discussing the marriage of Prince Rui's heir.
"Mother, you have a close relationship with the Prince Rui's mansion, are you aware of this?" Wang Hongyu asked curiously, seeing that Tao Wanniang didn't seem to care.
"Men should marry when they are of age and women should marry when they are of age. Why are you so curious?" Tao Wanniang said casually, though this matter might not be true.
"Manager Tao, didn't you know? This young master has had three previous marriages, and in the end..." the apprentice Zhang An said with a gossipy look, "So, there are still girls willing to jump into the fire pit."
"Why do you care so much? Just focus on learning to cook," Tao Wanniang said irritably.
"Manager Tao, aren't you even a little bit curious?" Yang Yongsheng couldn't help but cast a curious glance at him.
What could Tao Wanniang say? She knew more than anyone else!
“How can we possibly concern ourselves with the affairs of the Prince’s household? If you’re curious, do you dare to pry?” Tao Wanniang replied. “If you ask, will they answer? So, just focus on cooking and stop meddling in other people’s business.”
Tao Wanniang's detached attitude made the others in the kitchen lose interest, and soon the waiter brought the menu for the private room.
About half an hour later, Lu Neng went into the kitchen to invite Tao Wan Niang.
"Manager Tao, isn't that girl the one who came to Zhaixing Tower before? You even spoke to her. What's her background?" Lu Neng was ordered to invite Tao Wanniang over.
"She's a commendable and courageous young woman," Tao Wanniang said simply.
The private room where Princess Rui and the others were located had been cleaned and quieted down. Upon seeing Tao Wanniang arrive, Xiao Yi was the first to stand up.
"Sister Tao, I hope I didn't interrupt your work!"
Hongzhu was somewhat curious about Xiao Yi's respectful attitude towards Tao Wanniang.
“It’s no trouble at all. This restaurant can’t do without me.” Tao Wanniang said readily, her eyes darting over Hongzhu before she smiled and said, “Tao greets Your Highness.”
"Shopkeeper Tao, you're too kind," Princess Rui said gently. "Please sit down. You've met Hongzhu before, haven't you?"
"Hmm, Miss Hongzhu is such a unique woman, she's unforgettable after just one meeting. Seeing Miss Hongzhu with the Prince, it seems that good things are about to happen in the Prince's mansion!" Tao Wanniang said, feigning ignorance.
"Yes, Manager Tao is Yi'er's savior. We came here today to invite Manager Tao to our wedding another day!" Princess Rui looked at Xiao Yi and Hongzhu with loving eyes and joy.
"To put on a full show," Tao Wanniang said happily, "I am so lucky to be able to share in the joy of such a happy occasion. Since the princess has invited me, I will naturally go."
Hongzhu watched the polite exchanges between Tao Wanniang and Princess Rui, and she was somewhat surprised. Princess Rui was truly a kind and gentle woman, making her feel cherished. Sometimes she couldn't help but wonder, if the Princess knew that everything was a lie, just to verify whether the Crown Prince's fate of bringing misfortune to his wives was true or false, wouldn't she be very sad?
Just then, she looked up at Xiao Yi and noticed his gaze was fixed on Tao Wanniang. She frowned slightly, a strange feeling creeping over her. Blinking, she realized Xiao Yi was looking at her mother. Had she just imagined it?
Princess Rui chatted with Tao Wanniang, talking about Xiao Yi and Hongzhu's affairs and their children and grandchildren. Finally, Princess Rui said to Tao Wanniang, "Manager Tao, Hongzhu really likes the food at this restaurant. I said if she comes over in the future, please take good care of her."
"Your Highness, you flatter me. It's only right," Tao Wanniang said with a smile, looking kindly at Hongzhu. "Miss Hongzhu, please come again soon!"
“Okay,” Hongzhu readily agreed.
The Star-Picking Tower was always bustling with people, including many powerful and influential figures. Xiao Yi and Hongzhu's appearance was noticed by many. Rumors circulated that the Prince Rui's heir was engaged again, but these were just rumors. However, as more and more people saw them, the rumors spread like wildfire.
"Whose daughter is so bold?"
"That's right, the previous Crown Prince's wife died along with her unborn child. This Crown Prince is notorious for bringing bad luck to his wives."
Even casual street conversations could reveal stories about Xiao Yi and Hongzhu.
To draw out the person behind it all, Xiao Yi and Hongzhu had indeed made a marriage agreement and exchanged marriage certificates.
That day, Xiao Yi accompanied Hongzhu to the largest jewelry store in the capital to buy jewelry. Xiao Yi happened to meet a friend, so they moved to the inner hall to talk about business, and asked the maids of the Prince's Mansion and Cheng Feng to accompany Hongzhu.
"So you're going to marry the orphan daughter of Prince Rui's heir?" A young woman, accompanied by a maid, looked at Hongzhu with a critical eye.
Hongzhu glanced up, turned around without any emotion, and walked away, looking completely indifferent.
"Are you deaf? I'm talking to you." The woman was the daughter of the Minister of Personnel. She had always been in love with Xiao Yi, but her family did not agree to her marrying Xiao Yi, and Xiao Yi was also unwilling to marry her.
"Do I know you that well?" Hongzhu turned around and glanced at him. "Do you think you're some kind of emperor who I have to answer just because you open your mouth?" Hongzhu's words were arrogant, and her gaze towards Luo Yunxia was cold.
"You..." Luo Yunxia was furious. Rumors were circulating that an orphan was going to marry Xiao Yi. He was ignoring all the rich and noble ladies in the city and choosing an orphan instead! She couldn't swallow this anger! "You, an orphan of unknown origin, don't you even look in the mirror? What right do you have to marry the prince?" Luo Yunxia said angrily. "You've been blinded by the wealth of the Prince Rui's mansion. Let me tell you, you won't have a good ending if you marry him."
Hongzhu frowned, looking at Luo Yunxia with some displeasure.
"Say that again if you dare!"
"What are you talking about? Are you threatening me?" Luo Yunxia was stung by Hongzhu's gaze. How dare an orphan girl provoke her?
"Slap!" Hongzhu slapped him across the face. "You buzz like a fly, so annoying!"
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