strictlysupreme Chapter 232 Returning to Lu Tao's Home
Chapter 232 Returning to Lu Tao's Home
Empress Li got up very early, packed her bags, and went to Baishi Teahouse alone, leaving Zhu Mama to inform Lu Tao after she got up.
"Why are you going so early?" Lu Tao asked in surprise.
"Why would a shop open this early?"
Why didn't she wait for us to go together?
Granny Zhu chuckled, "After our mistress ate hot pot yesterday, she couldn't wait to try other delicacies. Before dawn, she...couldn't resist anymore."
Lu Tao knew that this was just a polite remark.
It seems that Madam Li was afraid that she would take her to the shop and then refuse to accept the money.
Looking at it this way, Madam Li really is a person of great taste.
"Did she take all her luggage with her?" Lu Tao asked, as she didn't see any luggage on Granny Zhu.
Granny Zhu nodded with a smile, "Yes."
Lu Tao smiled helplessly, "Then Aunt Zhu should go find Madam Li quickly, lest she be left alone..."
Granny Zhu curtsied and prepared to leave.
Lu Tao called out to her, "Auntie, please tell Madam Li that if we still can't find a place to stay today, we'll have to let her stay at our house tonight."
"We'll keep the room for her."
Upon hearing this, Granny Zhu was deeply moved. "Then I will thank Madam Lu on behalf of my mistress."
"It's alright, go find her quickly."
When Aunt Zhu arrived at Baishi Teahouse, Empress Li was already eating in the shop.
"Aunt Zhu..." she waved to Aunt Zhu who had come looking for her.
As soon as Aunt Zhu sat down, she personally picked up a few dishes and put them into Aunt Zhu's bowl.
"Oh my god, these dishes are delicious! Aunt Zhu, you should try them."
"You'll definitely be amazed when you try it."
Aunt Zhu was flattered but full of suspicion.
She had lived in the palace for decades, and had tasted countless delicious pastries...
She didn't really think there was anything that would broaden her horizons.
Seeing Empress Li's exaggerated expression, Aunt Zhu suppressed her suspicions and cautiously took a bite...
The steamed buns she was holding on her chopsticks were the very first product that made Baishi Teahouse famous.
The bun skin was softer than she had ever eaten before...
With just one bite, Aunt Zhu's eyes bulged out.
What was she thinking just now?
She felt there was nothing that could truly broaden her horizons.
She's wrong!! She's completely wrong.
"These are called steamed buns," Empress Li explained to her. "There are several kinds of fillings. The one you're eating now is meat filling, but there are also fried tofu skin filling, red bean paste filling, and spicy tofu filling..."
Empress Li pushed the other buns towards Aunt Zhu, saying, "You should try them all."
Her expression was very excited, the kind of look you have when you eat something delicious and can't help but want to share it with your friends, "Eat up, eat up!"
She ordered a table full of food, all of which were recommended by the waiter.
The waiter kept saying that it was enough for two people, but she still couldn't resist ordering more.
She tried one of each kind.
The rest could only be desperately stuffed into Aunt Zhu's hands.
"Is it delicious?" he asked Aunt Zhu, inquiring about her opinion.
Aunt Zhu nodded repeatedly, "Delicious, very delicious."
It was something she had never tasted in the palace for decades...
The two of them ate so much that they had to lean against the wall to leave...
"Let's go to Baishi Hot Pot Shop at noon..." Empress Li, still holding her belly, was already thinking about hot pot again.
Aunt Zhu rubbed her stomach, "Madam, we just finished eating..."
Moreover, we ordered too much food, and now it's only half an hour before lunch.
"It's okay, we can start eating at noon and continue until evening..."
Aunt Zhu's mind was filled with nothing but...eating.
I can't even remember what I forgot.
The master and servant truly ate from noon until the shop closed... before reluctantly leaving the shop.
"Ah!!" Aunt Zhu exclaimed in surprise as she looked at the quiet street late at night.
Empress Li asked, puzzled, "What's wrong? Did you eat too much and your stomach hurt?"
Aunt Zhu turned her head... "No, it's..."
"I only remembered to eat today and forgot to book a room at the inn..."
"..."
"..."
"What should we do then?" Empress Li asked weakly.
Aunt Zhu gave an awkward laugh, "How about we go back to Madam Lu's place..."
Madam Li looked down at the bundle in her hand.
I've already packed my bags and luggage, why would I go back? It would be so embarrassing.
"Actually... Madam Lu instructed this old servant this morning that if we couldn't get a room, we could go back..." Aunt Zhu's lips trembled...
Empress Li took a deep breath in resignation.
*
Empress Li and Granny Zhu walked side by side on the road. Their bundles were not heavy, but they made their steps slow and hesitant.
When the walls of Lu Tao's house came into view, Empress Li stopped in her tracks.
She stood still, slightly raised her head, and her gaze fell on that familiar door.
She even left early in the morning, thinking she wouldn't take advantage of others, but... she came back in the evening.
She pursed her lips and said softly, "Aunt Zhu, do we really have to go in?"
Granny Zhu glanced at the bundle in her hand and replied softly, "If we're not going in, we'll go to the county government office."
Empress Li lowered her gaze. No, she wouldn't go to the county government office.
The two stood in front of the door, silent to each other.
Just as the two women hesitated, a soft footstep came from inside the door.
A moment later, the gate opened and a servant came out.
"Madam Li, Aunt Zhu, what are you still standing there for? Come in quickly."
"Miss Tian Er sent us to pick you up."
Empress Li stepped forward in surprise, "Did the Second Miss send you?"
"Does she know we're back?"
The doorman paused for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, please come in, both of you."
Empress Li felt a burning sensation at the base of her ears.
"Ma'am, let's go in."
Empress Li then stepped across the threshold with Granny Zhu, following the servant with great embarrassment.
Tian Tian waited with Lu Tao in the courtyard.
How could she know that Madam Li and Aunt Zhu hadn't found a place to stay again?
because...
She happened to be at the Baishi Teahouse when Madam Li and Aunt Zhu were having breakfast there.
While Mrs. Li and Aunt Zhu were eating hot pot at Baishi Nuangu Shop, she happened to be at Baishi Nuangu Shop as well.
She didn't even see them go to the inn to book rooms!
Of course, seeing how enthusiastically Empress Li was eating, Tian Tian didn't think she was deliberately not booking a room.
She completely forgot because she was eating!
Empress Li entered the courtyard awkwardly and saw Lu Tao and Tian Tian.
"Hehe...the food at Baishi Teahouse and Baishi Hot Pot Shop is so delicious, I...I completely forgot about the important matter..."
Empress Li spoke in a low voice, her tone revealing a hint of unease.
Granny Zhu followed silently behind her with her head down, also looking embarrassed.
"It's alright." Lu Tao was overjoyed to know how much they liked her things. "You can stay here, it'll be fine."
"If you like the food in the shop, just go and eat. I'll let them know..."