With Ling Feng and Chen Ying protecting her, Tao Wanniang was no longer afraid to go to the restaurant. Especially after Ling Yunzhou said he would file a complaint with the palace, she felt more emboldened.
However, upon arriving at the restaurant, he still checked the profit sharing with Lu Neng. The distribution was 60% for her and 40% for the Xiao family. After deducting the principal and all the employees' year-end bonuses, Tao Wanniang also received a considerable sum.
"Most of the restaurant's money is in the money exchange. Manager Lu, you and a few other employees, along with Yu Mei, should go and transfer the money from the Xiao family," Tao Wanniang said.
"The princess instructed before that it would be best to keep such a large sum of money in a bank." Lu Neng nodded. "Since Manager Tao has spoken up, I will take care of it when I have some free time."
"Manager Tao, you weren't here before, but everyone's bonuses were still distributed. You don't mind, do you?" Lu Neng asked.
"Of course I don't care. Does the restaurant not work just because I'm not here?" Tao Wanniang said with a smile. "Manager Lu, I'm waiting for the people from Sifang City to come. Once the Zhaixing Tower in Sifang City is built, I'm afraid I won't be able to spend much time at the restaurant in a year."
Luneng had heard Tao Wanniang's plan. The round trip between Sifang City and Youzhou took about half a year.
"You mentioned before that you wanted to train someone from this restaurant to be in charge. Do you have any candidates?" Lu Neng was also somewhat tempted. He was a member of the Xiao family and also wanted to go to Youzhou.
“Then let’s see. Manager Lu will lead the way. If he thinks anyone has the ability, he should promote them,” Tao Wanniang replied, finally looking at Lu Neng and saying, “Or, you could also go and inspect the stores, wouldn’t you?”
"Me?" Lu Neng intended to go to Youzhou, but he didn't expect to be inspecting the stores on behalf of Tao Wanniang. Although they worked at the same restaurant, frankly speaking, he and Tao Wanniang weren't from the same family!
"Not bad, you can do it. Speaking of which, no one is more suitable than you. You know the way we at Zhaixinglou do things, the various dishes, the welcoming etiquette. Speaking of which, you haven't been able to rest properly since you married Liu Yueniang. Why don't you go to Sifang City first?"
This...this...seems like it. Lu Neng's mind was quick, but he declined, saying, "I can go. Yue Niang has to make pastries at the restaurant and can't leave."
"Take on a few apprentices," Tao Wanniang smiled, knowing that Luneng was interested.
After talking with Luneng for a while, Tao Wanniang went to the kitchen.
The apprentices were already preparing the ingredients, and when they saw Tao Wanniang coming over, they all called out in unison, "Manager Tao, you're back!"
"Hmph, so you know how to come back!" An untimely remark came from Zhao Changsheng. "Didn't I hear you came back before the New Year? Why are you coming back now? Do you really think you're too rich to work?"
Tao Wanniang didn't mind Zhao Changsheng's sarcastic tone and said half-jokingly, "I'd like to come to the restaurant later. I have enemies outside, and I'm afraid they'll come looking for me if I show up at the restaurant!"
Zhao Changsheng was taken aback, then frowned.
"Then you should stay in the kitchen and not go out, so as not to bring trouble to the Star-Picking Tower."
“That’s what I was thinking too,” Tao Wanniang nodded. “But the guests haven’t arrived yet, so I’ll go for a stroll first.” Tao Wanniang went to Bai Yumei’s place and happened to see Chen Liansheng there as well.
"Sister Tao." Upon seeing Tao Wanniang, Chen Liancheng bowed deeply once again. He had visited the Tao family during the New Year and had already thanked Tao Wanniang several times for her generosity in providing Bai Yumei with a dowry.
“You don’t need to be so polite with me anymore. It’s just that Yu Mei is silly, telling you everything. What kind of silly girl would reveal her dowry to her future husband’s family before she’s even married?” Tao Wan Niang teased.
Bai Yumei and Chen Liansheng both laughed.
"No matter what, Yu Mei and I are able to settle down in the capital thanks to the job you arranged for us, Sister Tao," Chen Liansheng said sincerely. The wages here are high, and there's a year-end bonus, which gives him the confidence to buy a house in the capital. Of course, this also includes Bai Yu Mei's share, as well as the jade pendant and gold jewelry that were pawned.
“It’s because you guys are capable; others might not be able to do this job.” Tao Wanniang was telling the truth.
"I've already spoken to Lu Neng, Yu Mei. When the time comes, you go and transfer the money meant for the Xiao family. Here, take this nameplate." Tao Wan Niang handed her nameplate from the money exchange to Bai Yu Mei. At this money exchange, you don't need an identity card to deposit money, but you need one to withdraw it.
Bai Yumei took the plaque. She knew how much money was inside. Her hands trembled a little when Tao Wanniang handed her the plaque to withdraw money so directly.
"Sister Tao, aren't you afraid I'll run off with your money?" Bai Yumei teased.
"Money can be earned back slowly, and besides, I still have that much trust between people," Tao Wanniang said with a smile. This was the restaurant's profit; her previous money, as well as the two hundred taels of gold given by the Emperor, were all in the system. She understood the principle of not putting all her eggs in one basket.
As guests arrived one after another, Tao Wan's mother went back to the kitchen to busy herself. Having not tossed the food in a wok for a while, she was a little rusty. But she still missed that feeling. However, discovering that Wang Hongyu and the apprentices were also quite skilled, Tao Wan's mother happily let them take over.
As Tao Wanniang strolled out of the kitchen, she suddenly saw the guests entering the Star-Picking Tower. Instantly, she flashed back into the kitchen at lightning speed.
She knew it; coming to a restaurant was quite risky, because she actually saw a Tatar prince.
"Look at you, did you see an enemy?" Zhao Changsheng couldn't help but tease Tao Wanniang when he caught a glimpse of her expression during a break from his busy schedule.
"Yes, it really is an enemy. This enemy is no small force. If I show my face, I might lose my head. Chef Yang, if anyone wants to see the chef, you have to go today."
Yang Changsheng nodded at Tao Wanniang's appearance, but still asked, "Tell me which one is your enemy, so I can speak more carefully."
“The Tatars are very conspicuous,” Tao Wanniang said with a serious expression. “Their identities are rather sensitive. They are the Tatars who came to our dynasty for a marriage alliance. The Tatar prince, Bogu, is going to marry the eldest princess. We must not let him discover me.”
Everyone in the kitchen heard what Tao Wanniang said.
"Mom, why don't you go home first?" Wang Hongyu suggested, pointing to the back door leading from the kitchen to the outside.
Tao Wanniang thought about it and agreed. The others in the kitchen were busy enough, but if she stayed in the restaurant and Bo Gu saw her, it would really be a big problem.
"Alright, I'll leave now. Go tell Manager Lu and the two guards at the door to come find me at the back door." Tao Wanniang immediately left through the back door.
Just then, Chen Yan also went into the kitchen to look for Tao Wanniang.
She and Ling Feng were the first to spot Bo Gu and his group outside the restaurant, but fearing being recognized, neither of them made any big moves.
Upon learning that Tao Wanniang had already left through the back door, Chen Yan immediately turned back to find Ling Feng.
"It's him, it's him! Seize him!" Chen Yan had only walked ahead when she saw the Tatar group chasing after Ling Feng. Her heart sank. Had she been recognized?
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