RPAGF Chapter 230 is somewhat similar
Chapter 230 is somewhat similar
"Thank goodness we didn't order too much..." Empress Li sighed.
She could barely stand by holding onto the outer wall of the hot pot shop.
Granny Zhu also kept her belly straight; if she bent over even slightly, it would feel very congested.
"Mother...Madam, let's let it go today, but you can't eat like this in the future..." Granny Zhu reminded Empress Li.
Empress Li nodded obediently...
In the palace, in order to maintain her demeanor, she only ate until she was six or seven tenths full at each meal.
This was the first time she had ever felt full.
So comfortable! So refreshing!
"Aunt Zhu, let's find an inn to stay at tonight..."
This time, Aunt Zhu did not question Empress Li's decision. "Good."
She helped Empress Li up, saying, "Madam, watch your step."
It's warm inside the shop, but cold outside. The main problem is that the weather has been cold lately, and it rained a couple of days ago, so the ground is very slippery.
Empress Li touched her belly with one hand and held Aunt Zhu's hand with the other, saying, "Yes, be careful too, the ground is slippery."
Aunt Zhu held her hand and walked down the street with their backs to each other...
She was used to serving in the palace, and there were generally no outsiders in the places where the Empress went.
So she didn't look back at all as she backed away.
then...
As Aunt Zhu was backing away, she stepped on Lu Tao's foot, who was passing by.
It was quite a coincidence that Lu Tao was just parting ways with Liu San Niang and didn't notice Aunt Zhu.
"Ah!!" Lu Tao screamed.
The foot landed on Lu Tao's instep, and Lu Tao instinctively reached out to push her away in pain.
Aunt Zhu was pushed by Lu Tao, and the hand supporting Empress Li tilted to the side.
As a result, Empress Li slipped and fell directly towards Lu Tao.
Lu Tao's feet had just been freed from Aunt Zhu's feet when she saw someone rushing towards her.
Her eyes widened, and she only had time to raise her hands to shield herself...
Aunt Zhu saw this and, fearing Lu Tao might fall backward and hurt her head, quickly lay down...
The result is...
Empress Li fell onto Lu Tao, and Lu Tao fell onto Aunt Zhu's back.
Lu Tao's hands were pressed against Empress Li's chest...
Liu San Niang rushed over and was stunned when she saw this scene.
"Sister Lu..." Her first thought was to rescue Lu Tao.
But someone was on top of her...
Liu San Niang had no choice but to pull up Empress Li, who was at the very top.
"Madam, are you alright?" Liu San Niang asked, but before Empress Li could answer, she went to pull Lu Tao.
"How's it going? Are you okay?"
Lu Tao shook her head; she was fine...
But the person beneath her...
Lu Tao and Liu San Niang went together to help Aunt Zhu up, asking, "Is this aunt alright?"
Aunt Zhu stood up and waved her hands repeatedly, "I'm fine, I'm fine."
"Madam, how are you?"
Empress Li shook her head, "I'm fine..."
It was a little painful from the pressure on my chest, which was quite embarrassing.
Lu Tao was also embarrassed; she had pressed the wrong spot on someone else's body.
"Um... Madam, I'm sorry," Lu Tao said with an awkward smile.
Empress Li waved her hand, "It's alright, it's alright."
Liu San Niang came over and said, "It's good that everyone is alright."
Lu Tao awkwardly tried to start a conversation, "Is Madam from out of town?"
She saw that they came from a hot pot restaurant, so they must be out-of-towners eating there.
Empress Li nodded, "Yes, we just finished eating and were about to find an inn to rest."
"Looking for an inn?" Lu Tao looked up at the sky. "It's probably too late to find an inn at this hour."
There are only one or two inns in Baishi County, and they fill up quickly when a few outsiders come.
Last year, many businessmen saw a business opportunity and wanted to open inns in Baishi County, but they couldn't find a shop.
Those who own shops now are all doing well in business, so who would be willing to sell their shops?
Therefore, many businessmen rent houses in the courtyards of private residences.
"Can't find an inn?" Empress Li was shocked. If she couldn't find an inn, wouldn't she have to stay at the county government office?
That definitely won't do; she just had a hot pot meal.
She wanted to eat a few more meals.
"What should we do then?" Empress Li asked anxiously.
Aunt Zhu suggested, "Madam, it's too cold outside. Why don't I go and ask the inn if they have any rooms left? You can go back to the shop and wait."
Liu San Niang was going to a nearby shop to buy something, and Lu Tao was going to wait for her there.
"Sure, let's go back to the shop and wait." Lu Tao waved, beckoning Empress Li back to the shop.
Empress Li followed Lu Tao upstairs...
The waiter saw Lu Tao and said, "Madam Lu."
Lu Tao nodded. "Mm."
"I'll stay here with this lady and wait for someone. You all go about your business."
Empress Li sized up Lu Tao, then looked at the shop assistant, and asked, "And you are?"
"Madam Lu is our manager's mother."
Empress Li looked at Lu Tao in surprise, "So you're the shopkeeper."
"Your shop is really something special. I've come all the way from the capital and haven't had anything this delicious."
Upon hearing the words "capital city," Lu Tao naturally thought of two people: Li Huaiyuan and Ling Yao.
Especially young master Ling Yao, he's handsome and has a good temperament...
Another thing is that ever since Ling Yao left, she always felt that Tian Tian seemed to have no spirits.
I don't know if she's just overthinking it.
Upon hearing that the lady before him was from the capital, Lu Tao couldn't help but glance at her a few more times.
Looking at it this way, I actually think she and Young Master Ling look somewhat alike.
However, Lu Tao was soon amused by her own idea.
But how come two unrelated people who both come from the capital look so alike?
"Does the lady's surname belong to Lu or her husband's?" Empress Li asked.
Lu Tao replied, "My husband has passed away, and Lu is my own surname."
Empress Li nodded slightly. "My surname is Li."
"Madam Li," Lu Tao addressed her politely.
The two exchanged surnames and naturally started chatting.
"I heard that this hot pot restaurant was founded by Miss Tian Er. Madam Lu's daughter is truly clever. I just ate some, but I still want more."
"I'm thinking of coming back to eat again tomorrow."
Lu Tao was naturally pleased to hear her praise the shop so highly.
"It was all the child's own idea."
"We also have a Baishi Teahouse up ahead. If Madam doesn't mind, you can go and have a taste."
Empress Li had already learned about Baishi Teahouse from Li Yi's letter.
"Of course we have to try it."
"Although I only arrived in Baishi County today, I have already heard of Baishi teahouses, tea rooms and hot pot shops for a long time."
Lu Tao exclaimed in surprise, "How come...the shops in Baishi County have all spread to the capital?"
Empress Li was slightly taken aback. She didn't know whether the news had reached the capital.
But it must have reached the palace.
"Of course!!" But if it gets to the palace... wouldn't that be the same as getting to the capital?
The meaning is roughly the same.
"Your shop serves food that is hard to find elsewhere, and the taste is amazing. Naturally, it is destined to become famous."