"Sister Tao, Sister Tao!" Xiao Yi's calls brought Tao Wanniang back to her senses.
"Ah, you're calling me?" Tao Wanniang said in a panic, hurriedly picking up her wine cup.
"Sister Tao, you saved my life. Today, I toast you with this cup of wine!" Xiao Yi looked at Tao Wanniang. He couldn't tell if she was hiding it very well or if she had already let go. Apart from the joy of her wedding, he couldn't tell anything else.
"Congratulations, Your Highness." Tao Wanniang was a little flustered, her hand holding the wine cup trembling. She said embarrassedly, "I am just a merchant's wife. I am truly terrified to be able to sit with His Majesty."
"Your Majesty, look how frightened Sister Tao is," Xiao Yi said to Zhao Zhe upon seeing this.
Zhao Zhe feigned helplessness and said, "I only came to congratulate you on your wedding and to see you get married in person. What, did I come to the wrong place?"
"It was my fault, I was ignorant and timid. My goodness, you are the Emperor!" Tao Wanniang used self-deprecation to cover up her panic. If this person really was the one who caused Xiao Yi to lose several wives, that would be terrifying!
“Sister Tao, there’s no need to be so nervous. I’m not going to eat people. Besides, you are Lingyunzhou’s first wife,” Zhao Zhe said calmly. “Sister Tao, I know a lot of things.”
Tao Wanniang was both amused and exasperated, her expression helpless. Seeing the scrutinizing looks from those who had heard the Emperor mention her relationship with Ling Yunzhou, she could only frown and involuntarily say, "This humble woman is unworthy."
"Your Majesty, please stop teasing Sister Tao." Xiao Yi couldn't stay there any longer, so he pleaded with Zhao Zhe, "Sister Tao is my savior."
“It’s mine too,” Zhao Zhe replied. “Sister Tao, I’ve already called you ‘sister,’ so you really don’t need to be so nervous.”
How could Tao Wanniang not be nervous? She seemed to have discovered something terrible.
"I'm not nervous, I'm not nervous at all. I'll eat my food." As Tao Wanniang spoke, she had already started to eat the food on the table, but then she stopped.
Even though the emperor hadn't touched his chopsticks, she actually did.
"Your Majesty...this humble woman...this humble woman is here to taste the dishes for you!" Tao Wanniang made up an excuse for herself.
Zhao Zhe chuckled, no longer looking at Tao Wanniang, but instead focusing his gaze on Xiao Yi, who was moving among the guests.
Tao Wanniang picked at her food while stealing glances at Zhao Zhe. This man kept looking at Xiao Yi, which made her increasingly suspicious. But this was a difficult situation. She couldn't even hint to Xiao Yi how to bring it up: how could she suggest that the current emperor, Xiao Yi's cousin, might have unusual feelings for him?
Tao Wanniang became increasingly distressed, and in the end, she stopped looking at Zhao Zhe. At the wedding banquet, after Zhao Zhe sat down, she was the only one left at the table.
"Sister Tao, what's wrong? Are you having difficulties at home?" Zhao Zhe's words rang in Tao Wanniang's ears, startling her so much that she dropped the chicken leg in her hand.
"No, no, this humble woman just likes to eat it," Tao Wanniang said, her heart pounding.
"Indeed, I know that you and Ling Yunzhou had to split up, and you also had to pay him some money. In addition, you saved Xiao Yi, and the Prince Rui's Mansion opened the Zhaixing Tower with you, so you will never be short of money."
"Yes, yes, Your Majesty is absolutely right," Tao Wanniang nodded hurriedly.
"I'm here, and you're all feeling uncomfortable. I'd better go back to the palace!" Zhao Zhe said, standing up. "Sister Tao, you've helped me before. You didn't know my identity before, but now that you do, do you have any requests for me?"
Tao Wanniang immediately shook her head, looking frightened and uneasy, and said, "I dare not, this humble woman has no requests."
"I will grant you a request, but you haven't thought it through yet, so let's wait until next time," Zhao Zhe said meaningfully. "I think there will eventually be a day when you need me."
Tao Wanniang felt that everyone was watching her, some curious, some jealous. Sigh, how did she become the center of attention again?
Prince Rui and his wife came to see Zhao Zhe off. If Zhao Zhe hadn't spoken, all the guests here would probably have been respectfully seeing the Emperor off.
After Zhao Zhe left, Tao Wanniang felt there was no point in staying, so she bid farewell to Princess Rui.
"Manager Tao, His Majesty is a humble man, and about the same age as Yi'er, so you don't need to worry too much about offending His Majesty," Princess Rui said kindly, seeing the worried look on Tao Wanniang's face.
Tao Wanniang forced a smile. Who could she tell about her discovery to? "Your Highness, please wait! I'm already incredibly fortunate to have a cup of celebratory wine and share in this joyous occasion, let alone to meet His Majesty. I... I'm just so excited!"
Princess Rui knew that Tao Wanniang was eloquent, so she smiled and, seeing that Tao Wanniang was determined to leave, did not try to stop her.
Tao Wanniang went straight home. She wanted to sort things out carefully. Without any evidence, was it too hasty for her to conclude that the person behind it was the current emperor?
"Mother, why are you back so soon?" Xiao Qiao'er asked considerately when she saw Tao Wan's mother looking worried.
"Of course I came back after the banquet," Tao Wanniang replied. "Isn't the candy from Prince Rui's mansion sweet?"
"It's so sweet, Mother! I overheard the teacher talking to Cui Niang about how that handsome young master used to have such a miserable life." Xiao Qiao'er was just very curious and couldn't keep it to herself. Seeing that Tao Wan Niang wasn't in a good mood, she brought it up.
"You've heard about it too, huh? Well, let's not discuss whether the rumors are true or false for now. Qiao'er, let me tell you, everyone's destiny is in their own hands. If you don't want to accept your fate, you have to fight against it, understand?"
Little Qiao'er seemed to understand, but not quite. She understood each word, but the whole sentence was so convoluted.
"Mother, I don't quite understand."
“That’s exactly what I’m saying. When we were fleeing famine, who would have imagined we’d be like this today? If we had accepted our fate of poverty and hardship back then, we wouldn’t be where we are today.” Tao Wan’s mother used herself as an example. “When I was fleeing famine, I never thought about making a living in any village or town. At first, I thought of Shanhai Prefecture, and now it’s the capital. But if one day the capital is no longer a place where we can settle down, I will take you all with me!”
Xiao Qiao'er was even more confused. Why would she leave when everything was fine?
"Mother, has something happened?" Xiao Qiao'er asked worriedly, Tao Wan's mother's expression was somewhat complicated!
Tao Wanniang shook her head. If she continued down this path, she would definitely get herself into trouble. However, the Prince Rui's mansion had been kind and righteous to her, and it was difficult for her to remain silent.
It's time to take another look at the trading system! Tao Wanniang had a plan in mind. Truth serum can make people speak their minds, right? And a tape recorder can record conversations, right? She was going to investigate this matter. She had to try her luck, create some kind of mystery, and give herself a veil of secrecy. What were people afraid of? It was either a ghost or a god!
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