"Mother, we waited a long time. Master Wang next door took us in and invited us to stay for dinner." After entering the house, Ling Dapeng spoke again quietly. "Master Wang said you went to the restaurant."
Is this... a grievance?
Tao Wan's mother glanced at her son, and it was indeed true.
"What a coincidence, if you had come back earlier, we could have gone together," Tao Wanniang said casually.
"Mother, did you speak with Lord Qian and ask us to come back?" Ling Dahu asked again.
“Yes, he told me how unhappy you were over there, so I told you to come back.” Tao Wan’s mother sensed that her two sons were somewhat resentful. “Look, they’re back now.”
“Master Wang said that Mother was quite happy while we were away, and she even roasted a whole lamb,” Ling Dapeng added.
What's the meaning behind these two brothers' back-and-forth singing? Tao Wan's mother looked her two sons up and down, then glanced at her two daughters-in-law following behind.
"What, do you think I'll have to cry every day after you go to the General's Mansion?" Tao Wan's mother laughed, thinking her son and daughter-in-law were being too presumptuous. "I happily saw you off, have you forgotten?"
“But Mother, we’re having a very tough time over there,” Ling Dapeng said emphatically.
"Isn't it just squatting in a horse stance, doing exercises, and teaching you how to be a person?" Tao Wanniang said dismissively. "If you want to wear the crown, you must bear the weight; if you want to enjoy the glory, you must bear the pain. Don't you have teachers teaching you the Four Books and Five Classics? Don't you even understand this principle?"
"Don't be so fussy, you grown man. You have food to eat, clothes to wear, and people to serve you. What, are you still not satisfied?" Tao Wanniang said, then walked ahead and went back into the house.
“You all should say less. My eldest sister is in a bad mood. She ran into Liang Laifu outside and he even yelled at her,” Bai Yumei explained. “She’s really angry!”
Xiao Qiao'er hurriedly chased after Tao Wan's mother. Bai Yumei's words surprised the Ling brothers.
"Little Qiao'er's father, did Mother suffer any loss?" Ling Dahu immediately asked.
"Zhang Liang got into a fight with Liang Laifu. Later, the Prince Rui's son and his guards passed by and helped teach Liang Laifu a lesson," Bai Yumei said. "You guys, sigh!"
Bai Yumei sighed and left with Chen Liansheng.
"Big brother, I feel like this is like we're being ignorant," Ling Dapeng said, looking at Ling Dahu, who was also somewhat confused.
"Let's all go back inside first. Mother is in a bad mood, so let's not bother her," Wang Hongyu said, holding her daughter.
"Xiaoyun, take Zhi'er back to the house first, I'll go to the kitchen to get some hot water," Ling Dapeng said.
After entering the house alone, Tao Wanniang was still somewhat angry. Liang Laifu had been jumping around in front of her for a long time, but she had endured it for the sake of Xiao Qiao'er.
It seems that the Mighty Escort Agency values Liang Laifu quite a bit. Why don't she go and deliver a shipment, leaving Liang Laifu away for more than half a year?
Once she made up her mind, Tao Wanniang started to ponder: what kind of escort would she need to persuade the Weiwu Escort Agency to send the highly valued Liang Laifu out? And where should she send her escort?
Human effort can make a difference. If Tao Wanniang doesn't mind making this a bigger deal, then let Liang Laifu run wild for a few more days.
The next day, the Ling brothers were somewhat cautious in front of Tao Wanniang, but in the afternoon, the Prince Rui's mansion came to invite them.
Tao Wanniang left alone with Cheng Feng, who had come to pick her up. On the way, Tao Wanniang couldn't help but ask about Liang Laifu.
“Sister Tao, we all know that man’s identity. Actually, it’s justifiable to drive him out of the capital, but thinking of your daughter…” Cheng Feng replied, “However, he was injured yesterday and will be bedridden for ten days to half a month.”
"Oh, is that so? You went that far?" Tao Wanniang said regretfully. How could she carry out her plan then? Even if it was ten days or half a month later, she couldn't send someone who had just recovered from serious injuries to do escort work.
"Sister Tao, that person insulted you so much, why are you blaming me for being too harsh?" Cheng Feng asked, puzzled.
"Oh, I just had an idea, Lord Cheng, could you please give me your opinion?" On the way, Tao Wanniang told Cheng Feng about her plan.
“Sister Tao, this isn’t difficult, but it’s not a long-term solution.” Cheng Feng felt that Tao Wanniang was too kind. Why beat around the bush when dealing with a man who made his fortune through women?
“Lord Cheng, Xiao Qiao’er is still young. Regardless of whether she is with me or not, she still has feelings for Liang Laifu,” Tao Wan’niang explained. “If news of Liang Laifu’s accident reaches her ears one day, the little girl will still be sad.”
"So, Sister Tao is still kind-hearted!" Cheng Feng said sincerely after hearing Tao Wanniang's explanation.
If she's kind-hearted, so be it; she doesn't need to label herself as a villain.
Upon entering Prince Rui's residence, the servants brought Tao Wanniang before Princess Rui, who was also present.
"This humble woman greets Your Highness the Princess and Your Highness the Crown Prince," Tao Wanniang said respectfully.
"Manager Tao, there's no need for such formalities," Princess Rui said with a kind smile. "I invited you here today to discuss the restaurant with you. Yi'er also told me your intentions. The restaurant was originally planned to be run according to Manager Tao's wishes."
"Your Highness, thank you for your kindness. Now, I shall ask." Tao Wanniang didn't mince words and spoke very directly, "I just want to ask, is this restaurant already there, or are you planning to build it, or have you bought it?"
“This restaurant originally belonged to my Prince Rui’s residence, but unfortunately it was poorly managed and closed down,” Princess Rui said. “Because business was bad, we didn’t even tell anyone that it belonged to our Prince Rui’s residence.”
"Sister Tao, Baoyue Tower is on Xuanwu Street. You can go and take a look later," Xiao Yi said.
"I see. Then I'd like to see what Baoyue Tower looks like first. What specific things does Your Highness want to tell me today?" Tao Wanniang asked again.
“In the past, Baoyuelou also had a manager, waiters, and kitchen staff, but the restaurant has closed down, and these people have been relocated to other places. It’s up to you, Sister Tao, whether you want to recall them or find new ones,” said Princess Rui. “Most of these people are from my Prince Rui’s residence. If Manager Tao feels they are not suitable, then so be it.”
“If I were to manage this restaurant, I would still need to meet with these people,” Tao Wanniang replied. “The waiters in the restaurant are not people my two sons can directly handle. If any of them are not obedient to me, I do not want to use them.”
These are all negotiable. Princess Rui also prefers that Tao Wanniang be in charge. Then, the key issue naturally comes down to the restaurant's profit sharing. Tao Wanniang doesn't want to take advantage of anyone. Since it's the restaurant of Prince Rui's mansion, then a 50/50 split is fine.
"Manager Tao, although this restaurant belongs to Prince Rui's residence, it was previously run but business wasn't good. So, who owns the restaurant isn't really important; what matters is the people working inside," Princess Rui said with a smile. "A 50/50 split is too much; how about a 30/70 split? I'll take 30% and you take 70%?"
This is giving her money! Tao Wanniang's eyes lit up, but she still declined, saying, "How can I accept this, Your Highness, Your Highness, how about 40%?" Giving up 10%, Tao Wanniang's smile was somewhat forced. Money!
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