Since they were guests, Tao Wanniang remained calm and invited Ling Dapeng and his group to sit down.
Wang Hongyu also took the menu and stepped forward, politely asking, "Would you like clear broth, spicy broth, or a yin-yang broth?"
"Sister-in-law, why aren't you at Zhaixinglou anymore?" Ling Dapeng asked with a complicated expression and a furrowed brow.
"This is Mother's new shop. Your brother and I are managing it for her," Wang Hongyu said simply. "Dapeng, who are these people...?"
"My comrades in the army," Ling Dapeng said simply, then asked around and confirmed that they would have a hot pot with two broths.
"You guys order first, I'll go to the kitchen to prepare the hot pot base for you," Wang Hongyu said kindly.
Ling Dahu also came out of the kitchen. He was somewhat surprised to see his younger brother and the others, but he still walked up to Tao Wanniang.
"Mother, it's Dapeng..."
"He's a guest too," Tao Wanniang said calmly. This second son had been thrown into the army by Ling Yunzhou. The city's garrison troops also had to train every day. In the past few months, Ling Dapeng looked much rougher, but his temperament seemed to have become more stable.
After confirming the dishes, Ling Dapeng got up and walked towards Tao Wanniang. After several months in the army, he had been honed to a certain degree.
"Mom, I heard people say there was a unique shop in the city, but I never expected it to be yours."
“I’m too busy at Zhaixing Tower, so I’ve had your brother and sister-in-law manage this shop,” Tao Wan’s mother said directly. “Judging from your appearance now, it’s clear your father has been taking good care of you.”
Ling Dapeng's face fell. What good was it? He had no idea how much suffering he had endured.
"Mother, I might just be a lowly soldier guarding the city in the future." Ling Dapeng's words still carried a hint of resentment.
"Wow, that's amazing! Does that mean you'll be guarding the capital from now on?" Tao Wanniang exaggerated deliberately, her expression full of approval. "Not bad at all. You're living like a human being now. You'll be a young master from now on."
"Mother really thinks...it's good?" Ling Dapeng's expression softened a little. Before, everything he did was criticized. Now, he finally heard Tao Wan's mother say it was good, which made him feel inexplicably moved.
Tao Wan's mother nodded earnestly and said calmly, "Doing things practically is more important than what you do."
It was truly rare to receive such recognition from Tao Wanniang, and Ling Dapeng's eyes lit up.
“Mother, it’s very tiring and tough in the camp. I’ve never learned kung fu before, so I have to start all over again.” Ling Dapeng complained a little. “But luckily, I’m physically strong. Although I train every day, I’m gradually getting used to it.”
“Before your father was conscripted, he also worked in the fields. He was about your age when he joined the army,” Tao Wanniang said. “Compared to him, at least you don’t have to fight on the front lines.”
Ling Dapeng nodded. This time, he finally wasn't being scolded.
"Mother, can I come to the restaurant to see you in the future?" Ling Dapeng asked again.
"Are you very free, or is your camp very free?"
"No, I haven't received it yet, but I'll find a free day sometime in a month."
Tao Wan's mother rolled her eyes at her son and said directly, "It's just one day. Why aren't you with your wife and children? What are you doing here looking at me? You're such a grown man, don't you know your children need you and your wife needs you?"
“People should always look forward. Although you are my son, your future path will be walked with your wife. Ling Dapeng, it’s time for you to grow up.”
Ling Dapeng was stunned for a moment, and didn't know what to say.
"Alright, the dishes are all served, go and eat," Tao Wan's mother urged them to leave.
After the other guests finished eating, they asked the innkeeper for the bill. Seeing her son and daughter-in-law busy, Tao Wan's mother left.
After returning to the restaurant, Tao Wanniang packed up all the things she needed to give to Youzhou, preparing to deliver them to the Weiwu Escort Agency the next day.
In the evening, ten people from the Weiwu Escort Agency arrived. Tao Wanniang booked a private room for them, and they ate and drank to their hearts' content.
After sending the convoy away, Tao Wanniang received another letter from Wangjing, asking for sweet potatoes.
“Wangjing is closer, so why don’t we let Chen Liansheng go this time?” Luneng suggested. “These past few months have passed, let Chen Liansheng go and see if the Zhaixinglou restaurant in Wangjing is doing things according to our standards.”
Tao Wanniang thought about it and agreed that it was acceptable, since Chen Liansheng was being groomed by Luneng as their successor.
“Alright, have Chen Liansheng go to Bai Yumei’s room. I’ll talk to him.” Tao Wanniang nodded immediately and went to that room herself.
"Yu Mei, Luneng and I have discussed it and we'd like Chen Liansheng to make a trip to Wangjing."
Bai Yumei wasn't surprised and simply said, "Then let's go."
"I have to talk to you first, just in case you can't bear to part ways!" Tao Wanniang teased.
Bai Yumei laughed out loud, a hint of shyness on her face.
"Sister Tao, please stop making fun of me. It's not like I haven't lived my life on my own before."
There's no need to mention the matter of Shanhai Prefecture again. Just as Tao Wanniang was about to make fun of something else, Chen Liansheng came over.
"Manager Tao, do you want me to go to Wangjing Zhaixinglou for an inspection?" Luneng had already spoken to Chen Liansheng.
"Well, what do you think?" Tao Wanniang asked.
Chen Liansheng nodded and replied, "Of course, the restaurant has trained me for so long. If I can't even handle this small matter, then I would be letting down Manager Lu and Manager Tao!"
“I’m talking to Yumei right now. If you’re going, it will be about ten days to half a month. If you’re not used to living alone, you can come back to the Tao family to stay.”
Tao Wanniang said, "Chen Liansheng, you should take a helper with you, and then hire a carriage to send some potatoes and sweet potatoes over there."
"Then, Yumei, give Chen Liansheng fifty taels of silver, with any excess refunded and any deficiency collected. The restaurant will cover the expenses for his trip."
Chen Liansheng and Bai Yumei agreed to everything, except for the matter of moving back to the Tao family's house. Bai Yumei was somewhat tempted, but still wanted to discuss it with Chen Liansheng.
After giving her instructions, Tao Wanniang left the two of them alone. Looking at the crowd of guests outside the restaurant, she sighed. More customers meant more money, but it was impossible to leave the restaurant alone!
She wants to take a long vacation!
That day, Tao Wanniang was busy at the restaurant when a waiter came to inform her that her daughter-in-law had come to see her.
When Tao Wan's mother thought of her daughter-in-law, she immediately thought of Wang Hongyu, and thought something had happened to Huo Lala. But when she went to the front, she found that it was Zhou Xiaoyun.
However, Zhou Xiaoyun at this moment was like a completely different person. Although her clothes were not luxurious, they were neat and smooth, and her black hair was tied up in a bun, meticulous in every detail.
"Mother, please help me!" As soon as Zhou Xiaoyun spoke, Tao Wan's mother frowned. What was it now?
"You must have the wrong person. Your business is none of my concern," Tao Wanniang said sternly, preparing to have the waiter send her away.
"Mom, I...I came to eat, you can't send me away." Zhou Xiaoyun said through gritted teeth, "I...Mom, please help me, I, the mother of this child, can't even live with my own child, and my husband isn't by my side either, I...I'm so miserable!"
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