After seeing Zhao Zhe off, Tao Wanniang was still in a good mood. A thousand taels of gold would be enough to ensure she would live a life of comfort for the rest of her days! And with two months to go, she wasn't in a hurry at all.
However, in the following days, she began to take on several apprentices and learn Wang Hongyu's skills. But then she faced another problem: Liu Yueniang was getting married, so who would make the Liu family's pastries? The previous apprentice, Li Zhaodi, had been dismissed for her ulterior motives, and the current apprentices were all new.
"Manager Tao, don't worry about this. I've already called over some members of the Liu family to help out for a while, as well as some members of the Liu family's collateral branches. If you don't mind, all the pastries and sweet soups can be made by my Liu family."
“I don’t mind. You’ve already married Luneng. If you were to turn against him, Luneng would be more anxious than anyone else,” Tao Wanniang joked.
"Of course not. My Liu family values its reputation most. If we have a contract with the restaurant, we will never break it," Liu Yueniang said earnestly. "I will only return to the Liu family to await my marriage after my brothers from my clan arrive."
Getting married in ancient times was also troublesome. When Lu Neng married Liu Yueniang, he had to ask for ten days' leave and wait for the Liu family to arrive and take over Liu Yueniang's work before the two of them could get married.
Tao Wanniang didn't say anything to anyone and continued doing her work as usual, but some people couldn't hold back anymore.
The eldest princess, accompanied by her maids and guards, came to the Star-Picking Tower to demand an explanation. She specially requested a private room and then summoned Tao Wanniang over.
"This humble woman greets the Princess. It has been many days since I last saw you. You are as beautiful as ever. The rumors that the Princess was seriously ill seem to be false." Tao Wanniang was still somewhat fearless. Even if the Princess wanted to get rid of her, there were still several people standing in her way.
The eldest princess was warned by Zhao Zhe again: don't target Zhaixing Tower, and don't target Tao Wanniang. Having learned her lesson last time, the eldest princess was less inclined to disobey or provoke Zhao Zhe, but she was still furious!
"Tao Wanniang, don't you think you're a master chef? What, you're afraid to accept Chaoyang Tower's challenge?" the princess mocked.
"I didn't!" Tao Wanniang said bluntly. "As a head chef, how can I cook every dish myself? Wouldn't that be exhausting? I have four apprentices to help me, and there is another head chef in the kitchen, so I have never thought that my cooking skills are superb!"
"You... you're sharp-tongued. Don't think I wouldn't dare touch you," the princess said angrily.
“Of course a princess can beat or kill a common woman, but that would be beneath her royal dignity!” Tao Wanniang smiled. “Your Highness, did you come here today just to deliberately cause trouble?”
"Tao Wanniang, what makes you think you deserve the Emperor's favor? You're just a merchant's wife, of humble origins, aren't you proud of yourself?" The Princess provoked Tao Wanniang. "Do you think the Emperor values you? He's just using you."
"Isn't that how relationships between people are? I should be grateful that I'm still useful," Tao Wanniang said nonchalantly. "Your Highness, if I were you, I really wouldn't waste my energy on someone irrelevant."
Seeing the princess glaring at her fiercely, Tao Wanniang felt helpless. How could her old grudges with Ling Yunzhou have become her fault?
"The princess's hatred for me stems from Lingyun Continent, but I have no connection with Lingyun Continent. Why must the princess do this?"
"Don't be so self-righteous!" the Princess scolded. She couldn't stand Tao Wanniang's indifference towards Lingyunzhou, and how could Tao Wanniang, with such a humble background, be on good terms with the Emperor and the Prince Rui's mansion?
"The Emperor is not allowing me to touch you now because you still have a use. But Tao Wanniang, let me tell you, I will always be watching you, and one day, I will make you lose everything!" The Princess said fiercely.
Tao Wanniang couldn't help but frown. Was this immense hatred born of jealousy? Jealousy that she had achieved so much despite her humble origins? But weren't princesses born into a higher social class than most people?
Anyway, those who have psychological problems probably can't stand her no matter what. Tao Wanniang doesn't bother to investigate. She still needs to work hard. One day, she will become someone that Princess Chang can't stand!
The eldest princess then launched into a barrage of sarcastic remarks at Tao Wanniang, venting her anger before ordering a feast for her. This unexpected turn of events left Tao Wanniang astonished.
But the real headache was yet to come. Just as the dishes were being served to the princess, Ling Yunzhou arrived, bringing Qian Feng and Hailan with him.
"Did the Princess make things difficult for you?" Ling Yunzhou called Tao Wanniang over and asked.
"I'm standing perfectly fine," Tao Wanniang said irritably. "Why don't you go over there and say hello to the Princess?"
Ling Yunzhou naturally wouldn't; he didn't want to be involved with the Eldest Princess. "Don't misunderstand, this restaurant also has a share in Prince Rui's Mansion. Before Xiao Yi left, he asked me to take care of this place."
"Oh, come eat here a few more times. Giving enough money is already a favor!" Tao Wanniang said coolly. "If there's nothing else, I'll go and get busy."
"Wait!" Ling Yunzhou called out to Tao Wanniang, then followed her to the empty private room next door. "The Emperor wants you to go to Youzhou?"
"Oh, you found out?" Tao Wanniang looked at Ling Yunzhou; he was quite well-informed.
Ling Yunzhou received this news from a eunuch serving the emperor, and he found it hard to believe. Why would Tao Wanniang, a mere woman, go to Youzhou?
"You agreed?" Ling Yunzhou asked in surprise.
"How could I, a mere woman, refuse the Emperor's request?" A thousand taels of gold! She could retire now!
"Youzhou is bitterly cold and extremely far from the capital. How will you get there?"
Everyone says Youzhou is bitterly cold, but Tao Wanniang has looked at a map. Theoretically, its geographical location shouldn't be barren. After learning more, she realized that Youzhou is indeed a place rife with bandits and unsettled!
“Taking a carriage? What’s the big deal? I can walk from Lingjia Village to the capital, so why can’t I take a carriage to Youzhou?” Tao Wanniang said. “General Ling, you don’t need to worry. I’m not afraid of traveling long distances.”
Ling Yunzhou frowned, sensing Tao Wanniang's resentment beneath her seemingly nonchalant expression.
"I...I'll send someone with you!"
"Sure, but not Qian Feng. He's quiet, capable, and won't meddle in other people's business." Tao Wanniang didn't refuse.
Ling Yunzhou felt a heavy weight in his heart and gave Tao Wanniang a deep look. "I'll make the arrangements. If you go, what about your family?"
"You take care of the son, I'll take care of the daughter," Tao Wan's mother said directly. She definitely wouldn't take care of her son and daughter-in-law, but she was still hesitant about Xiao Qiao'er.
Ling Yunzhou was speechless. His son was his own flesh and blood, and his daughter was adopted. How come when it came to Tao Wanniang, her son was treated like an adopted child?
"Tao Wanniang, don't be so strong-willed. You are, after all, just a woman!" Ling Yunzhou sighed and said, only to be met with a glare from Tao Wanniang.
"I'm just a woman, leading a whole family to escape famine, and we all survived!" Tao Wanniang retorted bluntly.
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