Tao Wanniang's expression softened slightly, but she didn't hide anything, saying cryptically, "His Majesty is concerned about you and sent me on this trip."
The princess was taken aback, her expression one of disgust as if she had swallowed a fly.
"Concern? What kind of concern is this? Manager Tao, just tell me directly, what did he use to force you to travel all this way to Youzhou?" The princess's dignified and gentle face showed genuine emotion. "Is it because he has no one in court, or is he disabled? Why did he send you?"
Tao Wanniang smiled and said, "Yes, but it was precisely because of this that she was allowed to come."
“The eldest princess sees me as a thorn in her side. In the capital, she always finds excuses to make things difficult for me. She also opened a restaurant called Chaoyanglou and poached some of the staff from Zhaixinglou.” Tao Wanniang said slowly, “But I didn’t make this trip for nothing. A reward of a thousand taels of gold awaits me when I get back.”
"A thousand taels of gold?" The princess was taken aback, then laughed sarcastically, "He's really generous! What trouble does the princess have with you? She really has no royal princess demeanor at all."
Tao Wanniang smiled. She was now the Princess Consort of Youzhou. "Your Highness," she said, smiling at the Princess Consort of Youzhou, "let's do another business deal! How about opening a Star-Picking Pavilion in Youzhou?"
“Opening the Star-Picking Pavilion is not a problem, but you can’t be in two places at once!” Princess Youzhou sighed. “What makes the Star-Picking Pavilion so unique is your culinary skills and your business acumen. The journey between the capital and here is not something that can be done in just a few days.”
"It's alright. As long as this place can be established, there will always be a suitable chef. Every place has its own specialties," Tao Wanniang said. She also told the princess about her plan to open a Zhaixinglou restaurant in Sifang City after encountering a fake one in Wangjing.
Princess Youzhou listened in a daze, and the two chatted happily until Xiao Yi and Hongzhu returned, interrupting them.
"Sister Tao!" Xiao Yi met Cheng Feng on the road and was told that Tao Wanniang had arrived. He immediately stopped in his tracks, feeling as if he had been struck a heavy blow to the heart.
Seeing Tao Wanniang talking in detail with his mother, Xiao Yi's voice trembled as he spoke.
"Your Highness, Your Highness's Consort," Tao Wanniang called out as she rose.
"Sister Tao, you...you've arrived!" Xiao Yi was somewhat flustered, but Hongzhu beside him was also extremely shocked, her voice trembling. "Sister Tao, how did you manage to come all this way, across mountains and rivers!"
"I came by carriage, with people with me. Of course, I didn't come alone," Tao Wanniang said with a smile. After not seeing him for several months, Xiao Yi and Hongzhu noticed that they had both changed a bit!
"Oh, by the way, Miss Yun Pingting, the daughter of the City Lord of Sifang City, is also here. She said she came to have a get-together with you," Tao Wanniang said, looking at Hongzhu.
"Pingting is here!" Hongzhu exclaimed with delight, but after looking around, she still couldn't see her.
"Let's eat at the other courtyard," the princess said. "By the way, Manager Tao, the Prince's Mansion is having antique hot pot today. You probably haven't heard of it. I had Cheng Feng buy a lot of ingredients. Come and eat with us."
“Then I shall respectfully comply,” Tao Wanniang said with a smile.
When Xiao Yi saw Tao Wanniang, he had a thousand words in his heart, but he couldn't find the words to say.
"Sister Tao, what brings you to Youzhou?" Xiao Yi asked immediately.
"I've come to see you," Tao Wanniang said.
Xiao Yi's heart pounded like thunder.
"Hmph, it was Zhao Zhe who forced Manager Tao to come see you!" the princess said at the opportune moment. "Hypocritical, with ulterior motives. We're doing just fine in Youzhou, much more comfortable than in the capital!"
Xiao Yi's expression immediately became somewhat awkward, and then he asked Tao Wanniang, "He actually sent you to Youzhou. The journey is fraught with danger. Didn't he know that?"
"Whether he knew or not, I don't know. The journey was a bit dangerous, but we escaped unharmed!" Tao Wanniang then brought up the matter of the Tatar prince.
In front of the Princess, Xiao Yi, and Hongzhu, Tao Wanniang casually said, "The Tatar prince is going to the capital to ask for a marriage proposal. After thinking it over, it seems that only the eldest princess is a suitable candidate. The emperor's princesses are all too young!"
"Everyone in the capital knows about the matter between the Eldest Princess and Lingyunzhou. If she were to remarry, there would be very few suitable candidates," the Princess Consort said. She understood immediately. Since the Eldest Princess was making Tao Wanniang uncomfortable in the capital, it was time for the royal princess to do something for the country!
Xiao Yi nodded, agreeing with the princess's explanation, and the mother and son exchanged a glance.
"Where is Father? Is he still talking with General Zhao?" Xiao Yi asked.
"He's still here, Manager Tao. Why don't you go and rest for a bit?" the princess suggested.
"That's exactly what I was thinking." Tao Wanniang thought that the Princess Consort and Xiao Yi were probably going to discuss how to facilitate the marriage of the Eldest Princess. She was tired from the journey and should go and rest.
"Sister Tao, I'll go with you." Hongzhu couldn't wait to see Yun Pingting!
As the steward walked towards the courtyard where they would be staying, Hongzhu asked Tao Wanniang about the scene where she met Yun Pingting.
"She threw an embroidered ball to choose a husband?" Hongzhu was even more shocked after hearing Tao Wanniang's words. "So beautiful, how could she not get married?"
"She likes all four of them, she really can't be in two places at once!" Tao Wanniang teased.
Hongzhu was so shocked that she forgot to walk for a moment.
"You like all four of them?"
Seeing this, Tao Wanniang chuckled. "That's right, she likes them all and can't decide who to marry, so she threw her embroidered ball, but I messed it up. Now that she knows I'm coming to Youzhou, she's clinging to me!"
Hongzhu's expression was somewhat complicated; she seemed unable to understand.
"It's normal for a young girl to have feelings for someone, there's nothing wrong with that," Tao Wanniang comforted her. "Those four young masters grew up with her and have always taken good care of her, so it's perfectly normal for her to like them."
“But… there were four!” Hongzhu exclaimed.
“Liking and loving are not the same. Liking can be all-encompassing, but love… it’s about having no one but you!” Tao Wanniang paused, then continued, “When you see her later, ask her yourself!”
Hongzhu seemed to understand what Tao Wanniang meant, and she nodded.
Soon, the two arrived at the west courtyard, where Chen Lian and Xiao Qiao'er were playing, seemingly waiting for Tao Wan's mother.
"Mother!" Upon seeing Tao Wan's mother return, Xiao Qiao'er immediately ran over.
"Have you chosen all the rooms?" Tao Wanniang asked gently.
"Yes, Mother, everyone here is very kind," Xiao Qiao'er nodded. "Sister Yun is a little tired, so she's resting inside!"
"Then I've come at the wrong time!" Hongzhu sighed. Just then, Yun Pingting ran out of the house!
"Sister Hongzhu!" Yun Pingting ran quickly towards Hongzhu, her eyes sparkling. She hugged Hongzhu's arm, as happy as a child.
Tao Wanniang blinked. It seemed that Yun Pingting preferred Hongzhu!
Hongzhu was also a little embarrassed by Yun Pingting's enthusiasm. She smiled awkwardly and said, "What, you want to see me that much?"
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