Because they wanted to get back to the capital quickly, Tao Wanniang urged Ling Feng to hurry, turning a two-month journey into just over a month.
When they returned to Sifang City, everyone looked tired.
"My dear daughter, you look so thin." City Lord Yun Qingshan was heartbroken when he saw his daughter Yun Pingting. He glanced at Tao Wanniang and her group and couldn't help but frown, asking, "Are you fleeing?"
Tao Wanniang laughed and said, "The city lord is so humorous. It's because Miss Yun missed her father and was in a hurry to come back."
"My precious daughter!" Yun Qingshan looked Yun Pingting up and down. "You must have had a long journey. How is Brother Xiao doing? Is everything alright?"
"Father, everything is fine over there. I've seen Sister Hongzhu, as well as the Prince, Princess, and Prince. They've been very kind to me." Although Yun Pingting was a little tired, her eyes were still bright.
"Dad, I want to open a restaurant with Sister Tao!" Yun Pingting said with great enthusiasm.
Yun Qingshan was taken aback and looked at Tao Wanniang with some confusion.
“Lord of the City, here is a letter from the King of Youzhou to you. My identity is really just a businessman.” Tao Wanniang said, taking out the letter from the King of Youzhou to Yun Qingshan.
Yun Qingshan took the letter with a puzzled look, unfolded it and looked at it, and couldn't help but glance at Tao Wanniang a few more times.
The head manager of Zhaixinglou is an exceptionally skilled chef? It's already decided that Zhaixinglou will open in Youzhou, the same restaurant as in the capital? "Manager Tao, if you're going to open this Zhaixinglou in Youzhou, does that mean you'll be the manager yourself, coming all the way from the capital?"
“There are many talented people in various places, and it’s not like I have to go. I can just go and take a look every year or two and give some pointers, right?” Tao Wanniang said. “After all, it’s a bit difficult for me to run this restaurant all by myself. In the capital, there are two managers. I manage the kitchen, and the manager of the front hall is someone from the former Prince Rui’s mansion.”
Tao Wanniang said truthfully, "This time in Youzhou, it's pretty much the same. Lord Yun, I'd also like to open a Zhaixing Tower in Sifang City, what do you think?"
"Dad, Sister Tao's cooking skills are truly amazing. Even with limited ingredients, she can still create delicious food. Let me tell you, we ate grilled fish and fish head soup on the road, both of which Sister Tao made outdoors."
"Also, after we arrived in Youzhou City, Sister Tao made us hot pot, which was absolutely amazing! Dad, let's open a restaurant together, and I can learn to do something too, working with Sister Tao." Yun Pingting tugged at Yun Qingshan's arm, biting and shaking it as she pleaded.
"Then...how much will that cost!" Yun Qingshan felt a pang of regret. His daughter's idea was feasible, but did their family have that much money? "Also, the biggest restaurant in the city belongs to the Zhu family. Have you told Zhu Yan about that?"
“No, you just got back, so you probably didn’t tell me. Oh, my dear daughter, rest first. Look at you all, you all look so tired. You’ve been traveling all day and haven’t had a good night’s sleep. Go, go to sleep.” Yun Qingshan still felt sorry for his daughter.
"Manager Tao, this matter can be discussed at length. Last time we didn't even let you stay for a night, so this time you should at least get some rest."
Tao Wanniang nodded. Indeed, she should get a good night's sleep.
The news of Yun Pingting's return quickly reached the ears of the four young masters. While Tao Wanniang and the others were resting, the four of them rushed to the city lord's mansion.
"Lord of the City, what about Pingting? Is she alright?" Du Heng was the first to speak.
"Pingting is definitely alright, Du Heng. The way you're talking makes it sound like you want something to happen to her," Xu Ming said sarcastically. "City Lord, is Pingting resting?"
“Yes, yes, Nephew Xu is right. The journey has been tiring; we should rest. Why don't you all come again tomorrow?” the city lord said with a smile. “By the way, Zhu Yan, how's business at your restaurant?”
Zhu Yanwen appeared to be a frail scholar, but his eyes were quite shrewd. Upon hearing the city lord's question, he immediately replied, "Does the city lord wish to host a banquet at my Bright Moon Restaurant to welcome Pingting?"
“No, no.” The city lord shook his head. “My dear nephews, please go back. It is Zhu Yan who is staying. I have something to tell you about this restaurant.”
The others, upon hearing that it wasn't about Yun Pingting, didn't pay much attention. Thinking that Yun Pingting might be resting, they said goodbye.
"Lord of the City, if it's not a banquet, then what do you need to ask the restaurant about?" Zhu Yan couldn't help but ask. "The restaurant hasn't missed any of its annual taxes, has it?"
“No, it’s not these.” The city lord sighed. “Pingting came back and said she wants to open a restaurant, and the biggest one at that. Isn’t the biggest restaurant in Sifang City yours? I have to have a good talk with you about this.”
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yan was delighted and bowed to the city lord, saying, "Your Majesty, if Pingting marries me, wouldn't my family's property be hers?"
"Heh, heh heh!" The city lord chuckled awkwardly yet politely. "Do you know about the Star-Picking Tower in the capital?"
"Of course I know." Zhu Yan nodded. "Although I haven't been there myself, my family members who do business in the capital have all mentioned it. The Zhaixing Tower in the capital was originally opened by the Prince Rui's Mansion and others, and it has always been very popular."
"Then... what if the Star-Picking Tower were to open in Sifang City?" the city lord asked again.
Zhu Yan's eyes lit up. He was a businessman, and he also remembered what the city lord had told him: Yun Pingting wanted to open a restaurant.
“Lord City Lord, Zhu Yan is also very interested in the Star-Picking Tower. Pingting has met some people, and she is a young lady who might be deceived. Why don’t I, Zhu Yan, participate?”
“You’re a smart person, and what you’re saying is pretty much right. Here’s what we’ll do: come early tomorrow, and let Pingting and Manager Tao of Zhaixinglou talk to you.”
"I've also heard of Manager Tao from Zhaixing Tower. So, is he in the City Lord's Mansion?"
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