In the carriage on the way back, Tao Wanniang looked relaxed, but Ling Yunzhou and Ling Dapeng looked gloomy and heartbroken, respectively.
"Where did you learn this Pai Gow skill?" Ling Yunzhou couldn't help but ask. He was just a decoration the whole time, unable to interrupt her conversation with the gambling den owner.
"What's it to you?" Tao Wanniang asked. "We've been separated for seventeen years. I know a lot of things you don't." Tao Wanniang replied directly, "I've taken care of the gambling den. Have you taken care of the usury?"
Ling Yunzhou was taken aback, but before he could speak, Tao Wanniang said, "If you can't handle it, you'll have to pay for it yourself!"
Ling Yunzhou snorted. Although he didn't understand those intricacies, there were always people who did.
"Don't worry, I won't pay a single penny that's not my responsibility!" he said, glancing disgustedly at his still bewildered son. "You'd better hurry to the village in the countryside, look at this idiot."
"Impossible! Why would Shishi lie to me? Why would she lie to me?" Ling Dapeng said, still somewhat incredulous.
"Think about it, why would a woman from the Jiaosifang (a type of brothel) take a liking to you?" Tao Wanniang said bluntly. "She's someone who can earn a lot of money just by playing the pipa and singing. She's only following you to get rid of her social status, but can you do that?"
"You're unfilial to your mother and disrespectful to your father. She knows there's nothing left to squeeze out of you, and you've already been taken as a concubine by Yao Junchen. Does she really expect you to suffer with her?"
"But, but she said she liked me." Ling Dapeng looked hurt.
"Ha, only you would believe that." Tao Wanniang sneered. "Alright, take me back, then go wherever you want."
Ling Yunzhou also looked down on Ling Dapeng and said directly, "Pack your things and go to the estate with your wife."
"Father, let us see the child! Xiaoyun cried all night. We were just confused!" Ling Dapeng pleaded with a pained expression as soon as he heard that they were going to the manor.
"There's absolutely no need for that!" Ling Yunzhou refused directly. Parents who would abandon their child at the gate of the General's Mansion are better off without!
Tao Wanniang, with Ling Dapeng and Ling Yunzhou pleading with her, arrived at the Tao family home and promptly dismounted from the carriage, heading straight back to her house.
She has been keeping a low profile these days, not only busy with accounting but also trying to avoid trouble. Who knows if the Tatar prince will be wandering the streets? The safest thing to do is to wait until the Tatar prince and the princess leave the capital before going out.
However, the restaurant opened on the eighth day of the Lunar New Year. Tao Wanniang did not go, but asked Bai Yumei to tell Lu Neng about her concerns. After all, if she went to the restaurant, it would not be good if the princess went crazy and caused trouble there.
That afternoon, Bai Yumei, Ling Dahu, and Wang Hongyu all went to work at the restaurant. Tao Wanniang was sunbathing in the courtyard when she heard Zhang Liang come over in a flustered manner to tell her that there was a distinguished guest.
"Look at you, what's going on? Is the person who came here very special?" Tao Wanniang asked curiously.
“Judging from his appearance, he must be rich and noble, and he said his surname is Zhao,” Zhang Liang replied. “Isn’t Zhao the current imperial surname?”
Could it be Zhao Zhe? Tao Wanniang immediately got up and went over with Zhang Liang.
As expected, it was Zhao Zhe. He was accompanied by a chief eunuch or guards. Although he was dressed in plain clothes, his imposing presence made people wary.
"You may all leave," Tao Wanniang said to Zhang Liang and Yang Bai first. "No one is to come near me without my permission."
After everyone left, Tao Wanniang greeted Zhao Zhe, saying, "This humble woman greets Your Majesty."
"No need for formalities." Zhao Zhe was quite gentle, even with a slight smile on his face. "Sister Tao, it seems you've gained quite a bit from this trip to Youzhou!"
"Thanks to His Majesty's blessing, we arrived in Youzhou safely after a journey filled with ups and downs," Tao Wanniang replied. "What does His Majesty wish to know by personally visiting my humble abode?"
"How is the Imperial Uncle's family in Youzhou?" Zhao Zhe didn't dare to ask Xiao Yi openly, although he only had Xiao Yi on his mind.
“Youzhou is not a peaceful place at all. It’s common to see people smashing things on the streets and gang fights,” Tao Wanniang said calmly. “When the King of Youzhou went there, he was busy every day. Even the Crown Prince and Crown Princess had to go to the army to inspect it.”
"However, they are all very healthy. Although Youzhou is bitterly cold, they have no shortage of food and clothing. Furthermore, I am cooperating with the Youzhou Royal Palace again to prepare to open a Star-Picking Tower in Youzhou."
Tao Wanniang didn't pretend and spoke frankly.
"Sister Tao, you must answer truthfully, do they... resent me?" Zhao Zhe asked.
Tao Wanniang looked at Zhao Zhe, who seemed to have lost weight each time she saw him.
“There is resentment, though it is not spoken, it is there,” Tao Wanniang said. “Away from the prosperity and tranquility of the capital, relatives and friends have settled down again in Youzhou. I see that the Princess of Youzhou is haggard.”
"Not to mention the Crown Prince and his wife, they seem to have matured a lot after this incident." Tao Wanniang deliberately mentioned Xiao Yi and Hongzhu, naturally not wanting Zhao Zhe to guess that she knew the real reason why Xiao Yi and the others went to Youzhou.
"That woman was truly devoted to Xiao Yi, and she accompanied him all the way to Youzhou." Zhao Zhe's words revealed a hint of envy.
"You said you're going to open the Star-Picking Tower in Youzhou. You'll still be going to the Star-Picking Tower in the future, right?" Zhao Zhe suddenly asked.
Tao Wanniang nodded, and then bowed to Zhao Zhe again.
"Your Majesty, thanks to you, I will have many things to do in the future."
Zhao Zhe looked Tao Wanniang up and down and joked, "I think you seem to be enjoying yourself."
"This woman is destined to be a hard worker. Now that I have returned from Youzhou, what reward will I receive..."
Tao Wanniang mustered her courage and asked.
Zhao Zhe chuckled and said directly, "My word is law, are you afraid I'll go back on my word?"
"Alas, I cannot believe that I have a spendthrift son. I can only try to earn more money, and given the current situation in the capital, I dare not even leave my home!" Tao Wanniang cried out in despair. "May I ask Your Majesty, when will the Princess be married?"
"You're really bold. Is that something you can ask?" Zhao Zhe said deliberately with a stern face. "What, are you afraid the Princess will cause you trouble?"
"Indeed, I heard that the Princess beat the General's savior so badly that he was covered in bruises. I am old and cannot withstand the Princess's whippings," Tao Wanniang said truthfully.
Zhao Zhe said meaningfully, "Don't worry, the marriage between the Princess and the Tatars is inevitable."
"I was hoping you would make a few more trips to Youzhou for me, to comfort my uncle and Xiao Yi, and to make sure she doesn't harm you."
The Taowan woman should be thankful that she can still run!
"Your Majesty, what about the reward..." Tao Wanniang brought it up again.
"I brought you a portion today. A thousand taels of imperial gold is no small sum. I will give it to you in several installments." With that, Zhao Zhe instructed the eunuch to open the box for Tao Wanniang.
Wow, so golden! Tao Wan's eyes widened in surprise.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I will make a few more trips."
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