During the Lunar New Year, everything is expensive. Tao Wanniang is familiar with many people at the market. Although the small restaurant is closed, everyone still takes good care of her.
"Manager Tao, it's been a long time since you've been here. These are fish we caught in the river in our village. Would you like a couple?" The fishmonger and Tao Wan's mother were old acquaintances, and he warmly solicited business.
Tao Wanniang looked at the lively fish and nodded, saying, "Okay, give me all of these."
"Manager Tao, have you opened a new restaurant? Here are five fish, I'll charge you eighty coins." The fishmonger said cheerfully, handing Tao Wan's mother the fish basket as he asked.
"I'm not opening the restaurant anymore. If I were to open one, it would be a tavern. Thanks, sir. I'll bring you the fish basket later." Tao Wanniang replied. Seeing that there were still some river shrimp, she couldn't help but ask, "Give me a pound of these shrimp too."
"Manager Tao, these shrimp aren't cheap," the fishmonger said directly. He felt it was too extravagant to eat at home now that he was no longer running a restaurant.
"It's alright, just weigh out a pound for me," Tao Wanniang said casually.
"Manager Tao, would you like a chicken? It's one we've raised for a year."
"Manager Tao, tofu, freshly ground tofu this morning, would you like a few pieces?"
While cheerfully greeting the various vendors, Tao Wanniang also unceremoniously ordered Zhang Liang to fetch things, and didn't forget to ask Xiao Qiao'er to bring some candied fruit.
This trip to the market cost nearly ten taels of silver, yet Tao Wanniang didn't even flinch. In the end, Zhang Liang's hands were full of things, Xiao Qiao'er carried two bags of candied fruit, and Bai Yumei had some paper-cut window decorations and red paper for the New Year.
After returning to the Tao family with a full load, Ling Yunzhou had already left, but the Ling brothers both had happy expressions on their faces.
“Mother, this is from Father.” Ling Dapeng happily took out a banknote, “He said it’s New Year’s money for the children.”
“I have one too.” Ling Dahu followed suit and showed the silver notes to Tao Wanniang.
"Just take them if I give them to you." Tao Wanniang glanced at them, her expression so composed. One hundred taels of silver notes, Ling Yunzhou was quite generous. "Take all these things to the kitchen, and these window decorations, put them up in the main courtyard. It should look like the New Year."
"Okay, Mom!" Ling Dahu replied enthusiastically.
"Zhang Liang, come here. Let's talk about your gratitude in detail," Tao Wanniang said to Zhang Liang, then told Bai Yumei and Xiao Qiao'er to go play by themselves.
Inside the flower hall, with no one else around, Tao Wanniang looked at Zhang Liang with a solemn expression.
“Ling Yunzhou is my ex-husband. Outsiders don’t know this, but you do. So I’m wondering whether I should silence him or…” As she spoke, Tao Wanniang’s sharp eyes fell on Zhang Liang, and her entire demeanor changed instantly.
Zhang Liang was shocked. Just who was this Tao Wan Niang?
“Sister Tao, didn’t I say I’m here to repay your kindness? I’m willing to do anything, even be your slave, as long as you take me in and give me a job, I’ll definitely work hard for you,” Zhang Liang immediately declared.
"Can I really entrust my entire family of women and children to you?" Tao Wanniang asked, somewhat incredulous.
“I never killed women and children before, and I never will again, Sister Tao, not to mention I’ve been poisoned by you,” Zhang Liang said sincerely.
Let's leave him here for now; the family can afford to feed one more person.
Tao Wanniang pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "Zhang Liang, I'll trust you this once. A person has many choices in life. Since you've already severed ties with the past, I hope you live up to your choice this time."
"If you hurt my people, I will make you regret ever being born!" Tao Wanniang said with a stern face. "You probably don't want to know what it feels like to have your bones torn apart and your heart gnawed by a hundred insects!"
Zhang Liang felt a chill run down his spine upon hearing this. How could this be something a good person would do? He glanced at Tao Wanniang in confusion, but immediately declared, "Don't worry, elder sister. I, Zhang Liang, have been reborn and will definitely turn over a new leaf and become a good citizen."
"Alright, from now on you'll be my Tao family's bodyguard. You'll have a three-month trial period, let me see how capable you are."
"Big sister, what about... wages?" Zhang Liang sensed from Tao Wanniang's tone that she wasn't planning to pay him!
"What about the hundred taels you owe me? Didn't you come here to repay my kindness? I've provided you with food and lodging, what more could you possibly want?"
Zhang Liang was taken aback. Yes, he still owed a hundred taels of silver, but at least he had enough to eat and stay in, which was not bad.
“Big sister, then it’s settled.” Zhang Liang said frankly.
Tao Wanniang was still a little worried. Even if the leader of Black Wind Stronghold had fallen from grace, would he really just accept his fate like that?
"Have you never thought about making a comeback?" Tao Wanniang asked tentatively.
"How can I make a comeback?" Zhang Liang said with a self-deprecating laugh. "Besides, I wasn't born a bandit. Who would become a bandit if they weren't forced to?"
Tao Wanniang thought of that thatched hut. He seemed to have said before that he was from that village. But then she thought better of it and decided not to think about it too much.
"You'd better be careful. I don't want you to cause any trouble by taking you in."
"Don't worry, big sister, I'm still on the right track."
The deal was settled, and Tao Wanniang asked Zhang Liang to move to the front yard.
"From now on, if anyone knocks on the door in the middle of the night, throw them out!" Tao Wanniang said angrily. "Disturbing people's sleep is a crime deserving of death!"
Zhang Liang gave an awkward laugh; it seemed like this was describing him!
As red paper-cut window decorations are pasted up and red lanterns are hung up, the festive atmosphere of the Chinese New Year is created.
Tao Wan's mother stood in the front yard, directing her son to sweep the snow off the two pine trees in the front yard, when she heard a familiar voice.
"Sister Tao, are you getting ready for the New Year?" A familiar voice came from the doorway. Xiao Yi and Cheng Feng had come to visit.
Tao Wanniang turned around and saw Xiao Yi wearing a black cloak, his hair tied up with a jade hairpin, his exquisite face, as cold as jade, was particularly eye-catching.
"Young Master, Lord Cheng, it's been a long time," Tao Wanniang said with a smile.
"I was out when Sister Tao left, so I missed her. Now that you're back, I immediately brought Cheng Feng to visit you. Sister Tao, how are you?" Xiao Yi said with a smile.
"It's fine, Young Master. The New Year is almost here. I wonder what it's like to celebrate the New Year in the capital. I imagine it's exceptionally lively." Tao Wanniang said, leading Xiao Yi and Cheng Feng towards the living room.
"It's bound to be lively. After all, it's the New Year, a time for family reunions. Seeing your family all together like this, Sister Tao, is quite enviable," Xiao Yi joked.
“The Prince Rui’s mansion must be even more lively,” Tao Wan’s mother replied. “We don’t have any relatives in the capital, so we have nowhere to visit during the New Year. We can only entertain ourselves at home!”
"Isn't this a pleasant and carefree way to go?" Xiao Yi said. "Sister Tao, you've come to the capital in such a hurry. If you need anything, you can talk to Cheng Feng."
"No need, Your Highness. You didn't come here just for formalities, did you?" Tao Wanniang retorted, not believing that the young master was so free.
"I can't hide it from Sister Tao. What's your opinion on the restaurant we talked about before?" Xiao Yi smiled and didn't beat around the bush. His mother was urging him to come back soon!
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