"Sister Tao, it seems you're doing well!" Xiao Yi said sincerely. It was a miracle that a peasant woman could have such a heroic and spirited appearance. Could it be that the environment of the capital city really nurtures people?
“Miss Bai is different now!” At the same time, Xiao Yi also glanced at Bai Yumei. After putting on the exquisite special mask, it perfectly covered her scars, revealing half of her beautiful face.
"Come inside, Your Highness, Lord Cheng. Our family is able to live such a prosperous life now, and it is all thanks to Your Highness!" Tao Wanniang said sincerely.
This house... naturally can't compare to the Prince's Mansion. The flowerbed in the front yard is bare, without any flowers or plants. The branches and leaves in the yard grow wildly, and the fallen leaves are scattered all over the ground without anyone sweeping them up.
Xiao Yi subtly observed everything before casually asking, "Sister Tao, what are your plans for the future?"
"Yes, I'm going to open a small restaurant. I've already found a shop, and today I ordered a signboard. I'm just waiting to find an auspicious day to open!" Tao Wanniang said naturally.
Xiao Yi stared at Tao Wanniang in a daze. So ambitious! "I'm not opening a wonton shop anymore. I really miss the wontons you made."
"There will be plenty of food available. If the young master and Lord Cheng don't mind, they can have dinner at home. It will be some simple home-style dishes. Although it can't compare to the Prince's mansion, I'm confident that the taste will be just as good."
Xiao Yi was indeed somewhat tempted, but Cheng Feng reminded him, "Your Highness, the Prince and Princess are still waiting in the manor. Your Highness is recovering from serious injuries, and the food you eat every day is specially prescribed by the imperial physician."
Upon hearing this, Tao Wanniang immediately declined, saying, "In that case, I will not keep the young master and the master for dinner. If anything goes wrong, I will lose my head!"
"Isn't Sister Tao usually quite bold? Why are you being so cautious now?" Xiao Yi teased. "Where's the rest of your family?"
"They're all learning to read from the teacher. At their age, they don't even know a few characters. Isn't it embarrassing to admit it?" Tao Wanniang said disdainfully. "Please sit down, Your Highness. Since Your Highness is so careful with your food, I won't make a fool of myself. May I ask what brings Your Highness here?"
Tao Wanniang's words were not polite at all, which made Xiao Yi chuckle. If he hadn't already witnessed Tao Wanniang's bluntness in Shanhai Prefecture, he would have been reluctant to speak his mind.
"Sister Tao, what's up? Everyone else in the family is learning to read, but what about you?" Cheng Feng teased. This older sister really wasn't being polite at all!
"Ha, Yumei, another one who looks down on me. Lord Cheng, not to brag, but I have far more knowledge in my head than you do!"
Bai Yumei chimed in, "Lord Cheng, you may not know this, but Sister Tao is exceptionally talented in literature; even the teacher praises her highly."
Cheng Feng didn't believe it. What else could it be but boasting if a country woman claimed to be a literary genius?
However, Xiao Yixin looked at Tao Wanniang with curiosity and said, "Sister Tao is indeed different from ordinary people. I have come here today with a favor to ask. Do you still remember Li Jianghai?"
Of course she remembered. Tao Wanniang paused for a moment, then asked, "What happened? Did something go wrong during the interrogation?"
"Sister Tao, you really have a keen eye! You guessed it! Li Jianghai wants to see you!" Xiao Yi said. "He seems to regret not keeping you here, but he also wants to know how you managed to send me out of Shanhai Prefecture right under his nose."
Tao Wanniang could guess the resentment of people like Li Jianghai just by thinking about it. Sure enough, in the end, he was defeated by a crude country woman like her. Li Jianghai must be regretting it now!
"But I'm just a woman, how could I possibly meet such a serious criminal of the court?" Tao Wanniang said with lingering fear. "Back in Jinzhou, I made eye contact with Li Jianghai on the street, and I had nightmares about it for half a month!"
Xiao Yi's lips curled into a smile, his expression exactly the same as when she had negotiated with him before offering to send him out of Shanhai Prefecture. "Since it's for the court, I naturally won't mistreat Sister Tao. Go see Li Jianghai, I'll pay for it, one hundred taels!"
One hundred taels! The carriage was exchanged for two hundred taels back then. But the amount of money isn't the issue. Being able to curry favor with the Prince Rui's mansion is still a good deal.
"Talking about money is too hurtful. Since the young master has brought it up, I'll reluctantly agree!" Tao Wanniang said with a smile. "When should we go? I need to make some preparations first!"
Tao Wanniang's face was radiant with life. Her bright eyes made Xiao Yi quite envious. How could she be so full of energy?
"Maybe in the afternoon, around noon when the yang energy is at its peak, might give Sister Tao some courage?"
"Is the young master making fun of me? Fine then, since you won't have a meal at my house, I won't keep you any longer," Tao Wanniang said, giving them the order to leave.
"I'll come find you again this afternoon!" Xiao Yi stood up and said with a smile.
Tao Wanniang saw Xiao Yi and Cheng Feng off, stood at the door watching the carriage disappear into the distance before turning around and going home, closing the door behind her.
"Sister Tao, you're amazing!" Bai Yumei couldn't help but say to Tao Wanniang with envy. Only Tao Wanniang could talk about money with the young master so confidently.
"Sigh, the entire family's food, clothing, and daily necessities rest on my frail shoulders. How can I not think of ways to earn money?" Tao Wanniang sighed. "Go and let the tutor rest; it's time to cook!"
Bai Yumei knew that Tao Wanniang was just joking, but she was still a little worried about Tao Wanniang going to see Li Jianghai.
"Sister Tao, that Li Jianghai is quite ruthless. He asked to see you this time, so I'm afraid he has a conspiracy. How can he be so sure that you are in the capital?"
"Use your brain to think it through. Try to bluff a little more, and you'll bet right." Tao Wanniang said nonchalantly, "Don't worry, even if Li Jianghai is a tiger, he's a tiger with its teeth pulled. I'll make him admit defeat!"
Bai Yumei went to call the Ling family members, while Tao Wanniang returned to her room. Several dishes were added to the menu, and prices were to be set.
After lunch, Xiao Yi and Cheng Feng came again. Tao Wanniang got into their carriage alone, not at all reserved, and showed no sign of worry about seeing Li Jianghai.
"Sister Tao, are you not afraid?" Xiao Yi asked. He hadn't seen Tao Wanniang show any shyness or anything like that while they were riding in the same carriage. His elder sister was indeed his elder sister, as she made him feel very calm.
"I'm scared! I'm terrified! I'm a delicate woman, and I'm going to see a high-ranking criminal. My heart is pounding so hard!" Tao Wanniang would never admit that she wasn't scared; she had to play her part completely.
"Heh!" Xiao Yi chuckled. How interesting!
Li Jianghai was imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice's jail, along with some guards. The prefect was still en route to his detention. The once imposing Li Jianghai was now like a stray dog, utterly dejected.
When he saw Tao Wanniang, his eyes widened suddenly, and he stood up, gripping the prison door and staring intently at her.
"Who exactly are you?" Li Jianghai asked, gritting his teeth as he stared at Tao Wanniang.
"I... as you can see, am just an ordinary old woman!" Tao Wanniang said modestly.
"Impossible. You're not a spy for the imperial court. I, Li Jianghai, would never misjudge you. In the end, I was caught by you. You must have been sent by the imperial court, right?"
"No, that's not right. I am Tao from Lingjia Village. My hometown was hit by a disaster, and my whole family fled. I am just a woman who fled during the famine, really!"
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