Tao Wanniang learned that Ling Dapeng already knew that Shishi had made a move, and she was also curious about how Ling Dapeng would react.
"Ling Dapeng means that Shishi will stay at the manor alone; he won't be with her anymore." Zhang Liang relayed Ling Dapeng's words to Tao Wanniang. "Sister Tao, what do you think? Should we still take care of this son?"
Tao Wanniang glanced at Zhang Liang with a cool expression; she truly didn't support useless people.
"Didn't I ask you to find people for the estate before? We need people to farm these ten acres of land. If Ling Dapeng can't make it there, he can come to our estate!"
“The Hua Family Winery is under construction. You should go and take a look. Also, what about the houses and land that Old Wang next door mentioned? Are they available?” Tao Wanniang said to Zhang Liang.
Zhang Liang smiled wryly, licked his fingertips, and rolled his eyes: "Sister Tao, I don't have any money on hand, so it's difficult to get things done!"
Tao Wanniang glanced at Zhang Liang, a half-smile on her face, and said, "What, at your age, you still don't know how to do things? I've never been stingy with money. You've done things for me, haven't you already taken what's due to you?"
Zhang Liang was taken aback. He had received a bribe of twenty taels of silver for just ten acres of land. Did Tao Wan Niang find out?
“Zhang Liang, if you do your job well, you’ll naturally get your share of the benefits,” Tao Wanniang said meaningfully.
Zhang Liang wasn't sure what Tao Wanniang's true intentions were either. After thinking for a moment, he could only agree. "Then... should we put Ling Dapeng in our own estate? By the way, Sister Tao, what exactly is that sorghum you're growing?"
"You'll find out later." Tao Wanniang didn't explain further. Hadn't she already written down the planting techniques and given them to the people there who were planting them?
Tao Wanniang had just finished instructing Zhang Liang when she saw Zhou Xiaoyun standing at the door, looking on expectantly.
On this day off, with Zhou Xiaoyun and the child at home, she felt constrained. Tao Wanniang raised an eyebrow and lowered her voice, saying, "What are you standing there for? Come in and talk."
"Mother, Dapeng knows it was that bitch Shishi who did it, right? What is he going to do? Will he divorce her?" Zhou Xiaoyun asked anxiously.
"Does Ling Dapeng have the guts?" Tao Wanniang sneered. "With his meager courage, he would definitely leave Shishi at the manor and leave without a word."
It's understandable that a woman from a respectable family would scheme against a married man in order to escape her status as a courtesan. However, Shishi's biggest mistake was targeting the pregnant wife. In any other family, this concubine would have been beaten to death.
Zhou Xiaoyun was somewhat indignant and couldn't help but complain, "What is Ling Dapeng doing? Such a vicious woman should be divorced immediately, and they should never have anything to do with each other again."
“That’s your man’s business,” Tao Wanniang said. “I’ve already helped you this much, so why do you expect me to do it for you in the end?”
Zhou Xiaoyun didn't dare to actually ask Tao Wanniang to do anything, but she did hear about other things!
"Mother, I just heard you talking to Zhang Liang about how we also have a manor?"
“No, it’s not us, it’s me!” Tao Wanniang corrected. “Tell me, what else can your man do besides farming? If you feel uncomfortable living in the city, you can stay here. Once I’ve settled Ling Dapeng, you can come with me.”
Zhou Xiaoyun's expression was rather unpleasant. She had initially thought she had gotten the better deal by dividing the family property, but looking back, her mother-in-law's family had grown bigger and bigger, while they...
Tao Wanniang looked at Zhou Xiaoyun and could guess what Zhou Xiaoyun was thinking, but she could give away what she wanted if she wanted to, and no one else could take a single penny if she didn't want to!
Zhou Xiaoyun chuckled awkwardly, then suddenly remembered something and said to Tao Wan's mother in a flattering tone, "Mother, the child has been born for a few days now. Why don't you give him a name? We are just rough people."
Name? Tao Wanniang thought for a moment and then casually said, "Ling Keshou, I hope he can be conscientious and virtuous in the future, and his nickname will be Zhuangzhuang!"
Ling Keshou? Zhou Xiaoyun didn't quite understand, but the three-character name sounded like that of a scholar. She immediately thanked Tao Wanniang.
"Mom, Zhuangzhuang will grow up well and take care of you when the time comes."
Tao Wan's mother waved her hand. Did she need a grandson to be filial to her? She couldn't even rely on her son, so why would she need a grandson?
"Go back, the child might already be awake," Tao Wan's mother said to Zhou Xiaoyun.
Zhou Xiaoyun wanted to get closer to him but had no way to do so, so she could only go back inside to check on the children.
Tao Wan's mother went to see what Xiao Qiao'er had been learning recently and greatly praised Chen Lian. She couldn't help but think of her other two children at home.
“Xiao Feng is still young, and Rui’er is almost four years old by the traditional Chinese age reckoning. Master Shen, do you think this child is old enough to start his education?”
“Master Tao, I am a woman. Although I consider myself to be quite knowledgeable, we usually ask other teachers with academic titles to teach the boys in our family when they are starting their education,” Shen Lian said truthfully.
“Master Shen should know that there are no such customs in my household,” Tao Wanniang said calmly. “Qiao’er, do you think Rui’er could attend class with you?”
“Of course I can, but I don’t think Rui’er would want to learn the needlework and etiquette that the teacher teaches.” Xiao Qiao’er teased deliberately, “It would be fine if Xiao Feng were a little older.”
“I don’t mind them coming to listen in, but the child is too young and might not be able to sit still,” Shen Lian said truthfully. “Besides, it’s better for a child to be a little older when learning to hold a pen, otherwise, he won’t have the strength in his hand.”
Tao Wan's mother thought it made sense; such a young child should play in the mud more.
"The restaurant has just launched some new desserts and pastries. Master Shen, you can take Qiao'er to try them this afternoon," Tao Wanniang invited. Ever since Qiao'er was kidnapped after falling into the water, Shen Lian hasn't taken Qiao'er out at all.
Shen Lian was indeed a little scared, but after hearing what Tao Wanniang said, she replied, "It's true that we should go out for a walk."
"Yay, Mom! I haven't been out in so long!" Little Qiao'er was overjoyed at the prospect of going out. Although she could stay at home, she really wanted to go out.
Tao Wanniang smiled, but asked Chen Lian curiously.
“Master Shen, isn’t this a day for rest? I haven’t seen you go home. Could it be that you’re at home…”
“There is no one else in my house except an old man who helps with the housework,” Shen Lian said. “If there is anything, he will come to me. If he doesn’t come to me, then everything is fine.”
Shen Lian calmly said, "Now that I am Xiao Qiao'er's teacher, I naturally do my best to teach and raise her every day."
Tao Wanniang had not inquired about Shen Lian's background, but upon hearing Shen Lian's words, she did not press the matter further. She simply invited Shen Lian to bring Xiao Qiao'er to the restaurant for dessert when they had time.
In her spare time, Tao Wanniang also sent Zhang Liang to the General's Mansion to take Ling Dapeng away, and naturally Lingyunzhou should also know about it.
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