Hua Manru gave an awkward laugh and immediately ran away as if fleeing. Cheng Feng wanted to scold her, but Xiao Yi stopped him.
"Cheng Feng, don't be disrespectful at Sister Tao's house!"
"Young Master, Lord Cheng, you've come about the fire at the small restaurant, haven't you?" Tao Wanniang asked directly upon seeing Xiao Yi and Cheng Feng.
“Yes, something happened at your little restaurant. I came to see if there was anything I could do to help,” Xiao Yi said. “The government has also sent people to investigate. They say they found kerosene at the scene, so it seems like someone deliberately set it on fire.”
She knew about this too. If the Prince Rui's son could help put pressure on them, the government would be more reliable in handling things.
"Then I'll have to trouble you, Your Highness," Tao Wanniang immediately thanked him.
"After that... I wonder if I'll ever be able to taste Sister Tao's cooking again," Xiao Yi asked tentatively.
“I’m also considering it. Ah, the capital city is indeed dazzling with wealth and power, but wealth and power are also sought with danger. Perhaps, returning to Shanhai Prefecture would be a good choice.” Tao Wanniang said deliberately. The Prince Rui’s son did not mention Ling Yunzhou, but she felt that the two had a good relationship, and Xiao Yi should know about her relationship with Ling Yunzhou.
Xiao Yi smiled and joked, "Sister Tao, I know you recently received a huge sum of money. Didn't you want to open a restaurant? Out with the old, in with the new. Perfect timing, my mother also wants to open a restaurant and wants to cooperate with you."
Tao Wanniang's eyes lit up, but then she narrowed them again, looking Xiao Yi up and down. This meant that she knew about the five thousand taels of silver she had asked Ling Yunzhou for.
"If we can't find the person who set fire to the restaurant, I won't have the guts to open a restaurant!" Tao Wanniang said, feigning fear.
"Sister Tao, you've become so timid?" Xiao Yi teased. "Your courage is nothing like it was back in Shan Hai Prefecture."
"Back then I had nothing, but now, to be honest, Your Highness, I'm quite well-off!" Tao Wanniang said with a smile. People naturally change when they have wealth.
"Once the arsonist is brought to justice, could Sister Tao consider opening a restaurant with my mother?" Xiao Yi then asked.
"Then let's see who's behind this!" Tao Wanniang said with a half-smile. Although she suspected it was the eldest princess, someone in a high position and with great power would certainly not do it themselves!
While Tao Wanniang was talking to Xiao Yi, the rest of the Ling family stood at a distance.
“You know, this little restaurant is gone, but all these people coming to our door are either generals or princes. Your family must have powerful connections!” Jiang Youfu exclaimed.
"The small restaurant is gone, what are we going to do now!" Ling Dahu was still worried.
"Things will work themselves out. I don't think your lives will be bad in the future." Jiang Youfu looked around. With such a big house, would they still have to worry about making a living?
Ling Dapeng was being talked to by Zhou Xiaoyun inside the house, while his son crawled on the floor by himself.
"Dapeng, do you acknowledge this father or not?" Zhou Xiaoyun's expression was complicated. Compared to her mother-in-law, her father-in-law was a great general. If she acknowledged this father, she would be the great general's daughter-in-law!
"Didn't Mother say that no matter whether we acknowledge him or not, Father is Father?" Ling Dapeng was also annoyed. "Xiaoyun, didn't you hear what Mother said? He's the person the Princess has taken a liking to. I think we'd better be sensible and leave!"
“That’s something Mother should consider. Luckily, Mother doesn’t like Father anymore, otherwise, I would be so heartbroken,” Zhou Xiaoyun sighed. “But, Dapeng, he’s a great general! Haven’t you ever thought about getting into the general’s mansion?”
"Where are you going?" Ling Dapeng frowned and asked. "Xiaoyun, what are you thinking? I think this house is already the best. If I could live here for the rest of my life, I would be laughing in my dreams."
Zhou Xiaoyun's heart sank. Did that mean the division of the family property was impossible forever? Her face fell, and she looked somewhat aggrieved.
"I'm just thinking of you. Now that the small restaurant is gone, why don't you take this opportunity to acknowledge him as your father? That way you'll have something decent to do," Zhou Xiaoyun said, frowning. "You can't just stay at home doing nothing!"
"Xiaoyun, just take good care of the child. If this little restaurant is gone, I can stay home with you, right?" Ling Dapeng pulled his wife aside. "Don't think too much about other things. Whether I acknowledge him as my father or not depends on what my older brother does. If my mother isn't happy, I won't acknowledge him."
"You're such an idiot!" Zhou Xiaoyun said angrily, because he hadn't paid any attention to what she was saying.
“Xiaoyun, you don’t understand. Your mother is our pillar of strength. Even though this little restaurant is gone, I see that she’s not flustered at all. I know she must have a backup plan. Don’t worry, let’s see what your mother does,” Ling Dapeng comforted Zhou Xiaoyun.
“Then get your wages for this period of time, and I’ll keep them for you,” Zhou Xiaoyun said, taking a step back.
"Well... let me ask my older brother. I can't be the only one to ask!" Ling Dapeng hesitated for a moment before finally saying.
Zhou Xiaoyun was furious and punched Ling Dapeng in the chest.
As Tao Wanniang and Xiao Yi talked, the conversation turned to Ling Yunzhou.
As soon as Xiao Yi spoke, Tao Wanniang knew that good brothers would always find comfort in each other.
"I've already signed and sealed the divorce papers. Your general isn't the peasant I envisioned," Tao Wanniang said resolutely. "I sincerely wish him a happy marriage with the princess! The princess isn't young anymore; she should hurry up if she wants to have a daughter in a year and a half!"
Upon hearing Tao Wanniang's words, Xiao Yi nearly spat out the tea in his mouth.
"Sister Tao, did you say that in front of General Ling?" Xiao Yi was very curious about Tao Wanniang's attitude. Why would she give up such a high-ranking, handsome, and responsible man?
Although she's already a grandmother, she's still so young. Surely she doesn't want to live the rest of her life like this!
"I told you, I meant it," Tao Wanniang said with her innocent, wide eyes, her words full of sincerity!
She's a good brother, isn't she? She's told him, and Xiao Yi might tell Ling Yunzhou about it later. She understands and can empathize with the feelings between men.
Xiao Yi gave Tao Wanniang a thumbs up.
"Sister Tao, your courage is commendable. I will also have people keep an eye on the authorities to find the arsonist as soon as possible."
"Then I'll have to trouble you, Your Highness," Tao Wanniang said thank you. "Your Highness, how is your relationship with the Princess?"
"What, you wouldn't want to say those things in front of the Princess, would you?" Xiao Yi teased. "The Princess is my cousin, we've practically grown up together."
“That would be wonderful. If the young master sees the princess, he must convey my words to her. I sincerely wish her and the general a happy and fulfilling life together, many children, and a long and happy marriage,” Tao Wanniang emphasized.
Xiao Yi was delighted. He could naturally guess Tao Wanniang's intention. What, did she think that the Princess had sent someone to set up this small restaurant?
But, is it really necessary for a princess of noble birth to be so degrading?
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