Zhao Zhe's arrival at Zhaixing Tower made Tao Wanniang somewhat wary. The palace had everything, so why did he have to come to Zhaixing Tower for a taste of something new? Especially since the eldest princess hadn't made a move after losing face, she felt that there was still a big trick up her sleeve.
"This humble woman greets Your Majesty. May I ask what Your Majesty would like to eat or drink today at the Star-Picking Tower?" Tao Wanniang said in a very respectful tone.
“Sister Tao, you’ve become much more reserved since you learned my identity.” Zhao Zhe thought Tao Wanniang was a very interesting person. From their first meeting, he felt that Tao Wanniang was not like an ordinary peasant woman.
"His Majesty is the Son of Heaven, how can a common woman be so presumptuous?" Tao Wanniang said politely. "How about we order a portion of the new desserts and sweet soups from Zhaixinglou, just like the ones on the menu?"
"No rush. I've come today to discuss something with Sister Tao." As he spoke, Zhao Zhe dismissed everyone around him.
Tao Wanniang became even more wary, her face showing fear as she nervously said, "Your Majesty is too kind to this humble woman. Please, just tell me what you need."
"My elder sister is obsessed with love and wants me to issue an imperial decree to grant her marriage. I do not want to force her, but I am truly heartbroken by her infatuation. Sister Tao, what are your thoughts?"
"Heh, heh heh!" Tao Wanniang chuckled dryly a few times, and immediately said, "Your Majesty, this humble woman dares not presume to know Your Majesty's intentions. Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, and surely you have already made up your mind."
"Didn't you previously agree that the Princess should form a lasting alliance with Lingyun Continent?" Zhao Zhe countered.
"Doesn't Your Majesty wish for that?" Tao Wanniang retorted. Why ask her if you already know her answer and still ask her? There must be some hidden reason!
Zhao Zhe looked at Tao Wanniang with great interest. She seemed frightened, but she immediately asked a question in return, which showed her extraordinary courage.
"I asked Imperial Physician Ke, and he said that Ling Yunzhou was unconscious in the Princess's residence, but he suddenly woke up for some reason. However, he had a red dot on his chest, as if a needle had pierced it. It seems that Sister Tao sneaked into the Princess's residence with Ling Yunzhou's steward and guards."
Tao Wanniang was startled. Had someone from the General's Mansion betrayed her?
"Your Majesty, I was truly helpless that day. The steward, Zhao Guangliang, pleaded with me earnestly, so I decided to try anything, even if it seemed hopeless. I went into the room and slapped Ling Yunzhou twice. I whispered in his ear that if he died, I would make my two sons change their surnames. I saw his fingers twitch, and I thought to myself that he was about to wake up."
Tao Wanniang said with a bitter face, "As for the rest, I know nothing!"
"Is that really so? I thought you had some secret recipe. After all, your own father was once a doctor." Zhao Zhe said meaningfully, "I know that Ling Yunzhou embarrassed the Princess in public, and I also know that he has no feelings for the Princess. If we were to grant her another marriage, I'm afraid it would be a hardship for him!"
"His Majesty is truly a wise ruler who cares for his subjects," Tao Wanniang flattered. "Although forced relationships are never sweet, whether something is sweet or not depends on whether you've tasted it or not." Tao Wanniang said, "I'm a rough woman, but aren't the princess and the general a match made in heaven?"
"You still think that way? I thought you would have some other way," Zhao Zhe said with some disappointment.
"Does Your Majesty think I have any solutions?" Tao Wanniang wasn't stupid, so she asked intentionally.
"For example, a way to get the Imperial Sister to give up Lingyun Continent."
Tao Wanniang was taken aback. The emperor was actually refusing? What had happened?
"Your Majesty, if you want the Princess to give up on Ling Yunzhou, she would have to forget about him. After all, she has waited for him for ten years; her feelings must be deeply ingrained!"
"So, does Sister Tao have some kind of folk remedy?" Zhao Zhe asked Tao Wanniang with a serious expression.
No, of course not, there's no medicine that can make someone lose their memory. Tao Wanniang shook her head. Had she somehow given the emperor the impression that she was some kind of reclusive sage?
“Your Majesty, you must ask the imperial physician about this,” Tao Wanniang said earnestly. “This humble woman is ignorant, but I know that there is no such medicine in the world, let alone one that can make a person forget another person precisely.”
"This humble woman is foolish and ignorant, and I am afraid I cannot share Your Majesty's worries. However, the desserts at our Zhaixinglou are the most unique. Why don't you have some pastries first, Your Majesty?"
"Since you've recommended it so strongly, it wouldn't be right for me not to try it. Alright, you may leave now!" Zhao Zhe waved for Tao Wanniang to leave.
Tao Wanniang took a risk this time, placing the recorder under the table and turning it on before leaving.
"Your Majesty, there's nothing I can do about it." After Tao Wanniang left, Zhao Zhe muttered to himself, "I absolutely cannot let your nonsense ruin my friendship with Xiao Yi, nor can I let the Prince Rui's mansion see me as an enemy!"
"I... simply love Xiao Yi dearly!" After a long pause, Zhao Zhe said in a low and solemn voice.
Soon, Tao Wan's mother brought over a pastry platter and several desserts.
"Your Majesty, these are all signs for the Star-Picking Tower," Tao Wanniang said enthusiastically, while also taking the opportunity to retrieve the recording pen that was stuck under the table.
"Your Majesty, please allow me to taste the food first." After speaking, the eunuch beside Zhao Zhe picked up his chopsticks and began to taste the food one by one.
The emperor didn't let her leave, and Tao Wanniang didn't dare to leave either. Holding the tray, she cleverly hid the recording pen, doing everything flawlessly without leaving a trace. Only her rapidly beating heart betrayed Tao Wanniang's nervousness.
"Your Majesty, please enjoy your meal." After trying it, the eunuch stepped back behind Zhao Zhe.
Zhao Zhe savored the dessert with elegance, and his expression immediately relaxed considerably.
"Sister Tao, not bad. This sweet soup is very creamy, and these chewy meatballs are such rare treats. They're not even found in the palace!" Zhao Zhe said, savoring the milk-flavored taro balls with great appreciation.
Tao Wanniang answered all her questions, and finally, with Zhao Zhe's permission, she left the private room. Once outside, she walked several steps, feigning composure, before finally letting out a sigh of relief.
To conduct reconnaissance in front of the emperor is like walking a tightrope. She risked her life to verify her prediction, which was also a way of expressing her gratitude to Xiao Yi!
The Prince Rui's mansion had been kind to her, allowing her to accumulate wealth quickly. Therefore, doing this for Xiao Yi was a way of repaying them! Although she didn't know if the recording pen had captured any useful information this time, Tao Wanniang was still a little scared.
This time, Tao Wanniang waited until she returned home after closing time and turned on the recorder late at night. When she heard Zhao Zhe's deep voice, her heart jumped and pounded wildly.
She recorded it! She really recorded it! Everything now had an answer. This... would be evidence, and also a crucial tool to control Zhao Zhe! Tao Wanniang lay on the bed with wide eyes, having sorted out everything, and also understood why Zhao Zhe suddenly didn't want the Princess to marry Ling Yunzhou anymore.
"This is... utterly outrageous!" Tao Wanniang couldn't help but exclaim. Just because of unexpressed emotions, Xiao Yi ruined several of his marriages and was even branded as a wife-killer? Is this what they call love?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com