Zhou Xiaoyun scrutinized Ling Dapeng, her eyes narrowing slightly. Something was very wrong; she had only asked one question, yet he had said so much.
"Dapeng, I...I didn't...want to say anything, it just smells really nice, and I was thinking of asking you to buy me some perfume," Zhou Xiaoyun said gently, keeping her thoughts to herself.
"Huh?" Ling Dapeng was taken aback, but then breathed a sigh of relief. "Wife, I haven't had a chance to tell you yet. I'm going to work tomorrow. You know the Jiaosifang? It's under the Ministry of Rites. They have musicians and entertainers there. On the day your restaurant opened, the people performing the songs and dances were all from the Jiaosifang." Ling Dapeng explained, "I just haven't had a chance to tell you yet."
The Ministry of Rites of the Imperial Court? Zhou Xiaoyun was taken aback. She didn't understand these things, but since it was the steward, she felt relieved.
"Although I didn't go on the day the restaurant opened, I heard it was very lively. Oh, it's the Jiaosifang. You should go there. Working in a government place, even as a waiter, is respectable." Zhou Xiaoyun's tone had clearly improved a lot.
Ling Dapeng breathed a sigh of relief, but then felt a little confused. He had just gone to work in a place with a lot of women, so why did he feel guilty?
Tao Wanniang learned that Ling Dapeng was working at Fuleyuan several days later.
"Manager Lu, where did you hear this? Is it true?" Tao Wanniang asked Lu Neng with a frown. Did Ling Dapeng know what Fuleyuan was?
“Manager Tao, it’s absolutely true. The steward of the Prince’s Mansion still has dealings with Fuleyuan. I just happened to see the Second Young Master.” Lu Neng said, “I asked around and found out that the Second Young Master works as a shop assistant in the music store over there.”
Tao Wanniang immediately thought of Shishi, whom she had driven out of the restaurant. The Jiaosifang was divided into several sections. The musicians were in their own section and received salaries from the imperial court. However, the Fuleyuan was where official courtesans and musicians worked. When important officials held banquets at home, they would request musicians from the Fuleyuan, just like when the restaurant opened last time, Princess Rui had someone arrange for them from the Jiaosifang.
“Since he found the work himself, I won’t interfere. It’s better than staying at home doing nothing,” Tao Wanniang said. Since he didn’t come looking for her, she could manage to get by.
Luneng didn't want to comment. Seeing that Tao Wanniang herself wasn't asking any questions, he kept quiet. A grown man knows his limits.
"Isn't there anyone suitable to work with?" Tao Wanniang asked. "Surely there must be a whole capital city like this, without a single cook!"
"We are looking for chefs. The main reason is that our Zhaixinglou restaurant is doing very well, and there are quite a few chefs who want to come. However, we are also worried that some people may be unqualified, so the Prince's Mansion needs to screen them first."
Tao Wanniang nodded, that was acceptable. After talking to Luneng about other things, she prepared to go back to the kitchen to work.
Ling Yunzhou suddenly walked into the restaurant with a solemn expression. When he saw Tao Wanniang, he called out to her and went up to her.
"Are you aware of what Dapeng is doing at Fule Academy?" Ling Yunzhou asked with a stern face.
"So what if I just found out?" Tao Wanniang retorted. "I have to go to the kitchen to work. We can talk about it later."
"What's the rush? Is anything more urgent than your son's matter?" Ling Yunzhou said impatiently. "Isn't he a waiter at your restaurant? Why did he go to Fuleyuan?"
There were still customers coming and going in the restaurant, and Tao Wanniang didn't want to talk to Ling Yunzhou in front of others. In addition, there were also important officials in the court among the customers in the restaurant, and she didn't want to be associated with Ling Yunzhou!
"Come with me." Tao Wanniang led Ling Yunzhou into an empty room with a stern face.
“Ling Dapeng is already such a grown man, what he does, do I have to interfere in everything he does?” Tao Wanniang said directly, “Since you care, why don’t you just take care of it yourself?”
"Why isn't he at the restaurant?" Ling Yunzhou asked in return.
Tao Wanniang explained the matter in a few words, and finally said impatiently, "I kicked him out of the restaurant. Since his intentions are impure, let him go outside and suffer first."
Ling Yunzhou frowned. Hadn't he told Ling Dapeng that if his son was unfilial, he could abandon him?
Seeing that Tao Wanniang looked somewhat tired, he suddenly softened his tone.
"Wan Niang, are you having a hard time here?"
Tao Wanniang shivered inexplicably. This man's sudden change in tone made her feel a bit resistant.
"I own half of this restaurant. I earn my own money, it's not hard work! If you think Da Peng's work is inappropriate, then you can manage it yourself!"
“Didn’t you say to let him suffer outside first?” Ling Yunzhou was a little annoyed that his son dared to disobey Tao Wan’s mother’s teachings. “If he can work at Fule Courtyard, then let him do it.”
"Oh, aren't you afraid that people will find out he's your son and you'll lose face?" Tao Wanniang said deliberately. Otherwise, would he have come all this way to ask about this?
Ling Yunzhou shook his head and said bluntly, "Although I also want my two sons to be successful, they don't like living in the General's Mansion. I myself come from a farming background, and I'm afraid of what others might say."
"It's good that you're thinking positively. Then it's alright, you can go now," Tao Wanniang said impatiently. "I still need to go cook!"
"Since I'm already here, how can I not have a simple meal?" Ling Yunzhou said. "You go ahead and do your work, I'll go to the front and order a few dishes."
"Then... please do as you please!" Tao Wanniang said without any hesitation, and walked out first.
Ling Dapeng, who works at Fuleyuan, went from being reserved at first to gradually adapting, and now he's quite familiar with the place. Compared to the hustle and bustle of the restaurant, the work at Fuleyuan is much easier.
Manager Fu was also very kind and taught him a lot of things, as well as talked to him about many things.
"Dapeng, there's a banquet at the Minister of Rites' house today. You'll need to help others deliver some musical instruments there, and you'll be going back late tonight," Steward Fu said to Ling Dapeng that day. "Shishi and the other young ladies will also be there to perform."
"Oh, does that mean I can't go home for dinner?" Ling Dapeng asked with some concern.
"Don't worry, you'll have plenty to eat," Steward Fu said. "What, don't you want to come along and see for yourself? You've never been to the Minister of Rites' residence before!"
"I've never been there. Is the Minister of Rites a very high-ranking official?" Ling Dapeng asked curiously. "How does he compare to a Grand General?"
"That's naturally different. Why are you bringing up the Great General?" Steward Fu asked curiously.
"Hehe, I've been there." Ling Dapeng chuckled, wanting to say that he was General Ling's son, but he didn't have the guts.
"Oh, you've actually been to the General's Mansion?" Steward Fu looked at Ling Dapeng in surprise. "Weren't you a waiter at the restaurant before?"
Ling Dapeng smiled and said no more. He thought to himself that he wouldn't be able to go home for dinner that night, but he hadn't told his wife yet. He was sure he would get a scolding from her again!
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