Seeing Tao Wanniang's serious expression, Ling Yunzhou couldn't help but ponder: Was she so certain that this was the trouble he had brought about?
"It's best if you don't speak recklessly before the matter is fully investigated, lest you cause even greater trouble," Ling Yunzhou advised.
"Ha!" Tao Wanniang scoffed, not bothering to argue with Ling Yunzhou. The two remained silent, and the atmosphere became awkward.
"I'll give them three days to consider, and I'll come back in three days!" Ling Yunzhou said irritably and left immediately.
Tao Wan's mother had anticipated that her two sons would ask her questions, but seeing their distraught appearance, she still couldn't help but scold them:
"What are you doing? What are you doing? Did your father or mother die? Why are you all looking like you're in mourning? Aren't you happy that your father is a high-ranking official in the mortal world?"
"Mother, if he really is our father, then who was it that appeared to you in your dreams before?" Ling Dapeng asked quietly.
“Who cares who he is? That’s what he said in the dream.” Tao Wan’s mother insisted, and then said, “Now it’s up to you whether you acknowledge him or not. But even if you don’t, it doesn’t change the fact that he is your biological father.”
"Mother, he's a great general!" Ling Dapeng said with a worried look. "Wouldn't it make us look ungrateful if we didn't acknowledge him?"
"Yes, Mother, now that Father has become a great general, why don't you reconcile with him?" Zhou Xiaoyun asked curiously. It all felt like a dream; the peasant boy she married was actually the son of a great general.
"Go outside and find out who the woman is tied to the General is. Princess, you should also think about whether you have the fate to enjoy such a blessing."
The eldest princess? The Ling brothers looked confused. What kind of person was she? But she sounded like someone high and mighty. What did she have to do with the Great General?
"Mother, what should we do?" Ling Dahu asked. They really didn't know whether to acknowledge or not to accept this father who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere!
“This is your business, why are you asking me?” Tao Wanniang retorted. “You’re both fathers now, yet you’re still so indecisive. Didn’t I say that whether you acknowledge it or not, it doesn’t change the fact? He will come again in three days, and then you can decide for yourselves.”
“Mother, but…” Ling Dahu was about to say something when Tao Wanniang interrupted him.
"You're such a worry! It's so late, has lunch been cooked yet? Hurry up and get to work," Tao Wan's mother said irritably.
"Mom, the restaurant burned down. What are we going to do now? And now there's this dad. I'm so worried," Ling Dahu said, scratching his head with a bitter face.
"What's there to worry about? Go cook first," Tao Wan's mother dismissed her son and daughter-in-law.
"Yu Mei, show me the account book. How much money has our little restaurant made during this period?" Tao Wan Niang said to Bai Yu Mei.
Bai Yumei immediately agreed. Fortunately, Tao Wanniang was going to close the shop for three days, so she brought back the account books and money when she closed. "They're in my room. Why don't we go take a look together?"
"Mother, I'm going to my room to read," Xiao Qiao'er said sullenly. Her mother's husband had returned, but it wasn't her father, and she felt a little melancholy.
Seeing this, Tao Wanniang didn't point it out. She let Xiao Qiao'er go back to her room while she and Bai Yumei went to check the account books.
"Big sister, what are you thinking? Did you already know all along and keep it from us?" Bai Yumei couldn't help but ask. General Ling had come to visit several times; if it weren't for that relationship, it wouldn't have happened.
"Didn't I tell you? It's hopeless," Tao Wanniang said frankly. "Do you think our little restaurant caught fire? There are some people we can't touch."
"That princess, isn't she the noble lady who wore a veil that day?" Bai Yumei, sitting at the counter, was also watching.
“Don’t you think they’re a perfect match?” Tao Wanniang said. “A great general and a princess. We commoners should not get involved with the rich and powerful, or we’ll get into trouble without even realizing it.”
"Big sister, what... what do we do now?" Bai Yumei asked tentatively.
"At worst, I can just go back to Shanhai Prefecture. I've already bought a house there," Tao Wanniang said casually. "I've already received the divorce papers, so General, you'd better marry that Princess as soon as possible."
Bai Yumei was surprised. Had they planned their escape route in advance?
Tao Wanniangzi carefully examined the account book. Well, she had already recouped her investment. It was all thanks to the generosity of her distinguished guests. So, even though the small restaurant was gone, she didn't lose out.
"Don't tell Da Hu and the others about this yet. Let's see what they choose."
At lunchtime, the Ling brothers had little appetite, as if they were facing unprecedented pressure.
Jiang Youfu was a little embarrassed, but he enjoyed the free meal immensely.
"Manager Tao, thank you for taking me in, but I really have to go back to farming."
"No rush, the authorities are still investigating. If you have nowhere to go, stay at my house for a few days and see what the final result is," Tao Wanniang said. She was very curious about how the authorities would ultimately decide if the Princess had done it.
"Well... that's fine, but wouldn't it be too much trouble?" Although Jiang Youfu looked a little embarrassed, he kept picking up food with his chopsticks quite frequently.
"It's alright, my house is big, it won't be crowded with you," Tao Wanniang said. Jiang Youfu has been running a general store next door for so many years, if it weren't for the fact that it was next to her house, he wouldn't have suddenly suffered this misfortune. She was just doing her bit.
These words were somewhat unpleasant to hear, but Jiang Youfu also admitted that Tao Wanniang was right; such a large mansion in the capital was not for an ordinary family.
In the afternoon, many more people came to the door. The small restaurant was gone, and the Hua family's business could not continue. Hua Manru was very sorry that her major customer could no longer cooperate.
"Manager Tao, I still have high hopes for you when you make a comeback." Hua Manru received the money for the drinks she had received during this period, and felt even more regretful.
"Let's talk about it later, after we resolve the immediate issues." Tao Wanniang was also watching. If the small restaurant couldn't stay open, there was still the main restaurant, but they had to find out who was behind their actions!
"If Manager Tao makes a comeback, shall we continue our cooperation?" Hua Manru asked tentatively. She had done her research on the Tao family before coming here; such a large mansion meant their business must be substantial.
"Sure, if we need more wine in the future, we'll cooperate with you." The Hua family's wine is indeed quite good, and our customers like it a lot. We'll definitely need to use their wine when we open a restaurant in the future.
"Manager Tao, you are such a good person." Hua Manru thanked her immediately, regardless of whether it was just a polite way of saying thank you.
"Mother, the Prince Rui's heir has also arrived." Just then, Ling Dapeng walked over with Xiao Yi and Cheng Feng.
It was him! Hua Manru looked over and was once again amazed by Xiao Yi, but knowing his identity, she had no more illusions.
"Manager Tao, I'll be leaving now!" Hua Manru immediately took her leave.
"It's you!" Cheng Feng frowned when he saw Hua Manru. It was this woman, looking at their young master with infatuated eyes again!
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