Chapter 93: The First Social Encounter (Part Two)

Tao Ming stepped forward and saw the woman sitting at the table. Her features were delicate and charming, and she seemed a little older than Tao Ming herself. There was a veiled hat on the table, likely set aside upon entering, and Tao Ming greeted, “Hello, you can just call me Tao Ming.”

The woman covered her mouth and laughed. “To reveal your maiden name upon first meeting—truly befitting the mother of the Saintess.”

Tao Ming wondered if there was any connection between those two things, but found herself unsure how to respond.

The woman continued, “My surname is Zhong. My given name is Yingyu.”

Tao Ming lifted her hand to remove the sunhat and the white veil from her face, then sat down. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Zhong Yingyu eyed the sunhat. “I’ve never seen such a unique veiled hat. Yet there is no sheer veil to cover—how peculiar.”

Tao Ming was about to reply when Softly scampered over, climbing into her lap and whining, “Papa says things I don’t understand. I’m so bored.”

Tao Ming smiled apologetically at Zhong Yingyu, beckoned Sticky over to play with Softly nearby, and handed each a bag of potato chips. Sticky gleefully tore open the bag and began to eat, while Softly pouted, “I want pastries instead.”

Seeing the pastries had not yet arrived, Tao Ming thought to ask Su Nanxing to inquire, but seeing him deep in conversation with Chen Cheng, decided to go herself. Just as she stood, Zhong Yingyu smiled, “Such a small matter—let Xing’er handle it.”

The standing woman replied, “I’ll go urge them.”

Tao Ming quickly thanked her. Zhong Yingyu smiled, “Why do you not have a maid by your side?”

Tao Ming was exasperated; it seemed that not having a maid in Weishui was indeed troublesome. Perhaps she should simply hire one—it would be like recruiting an assistant. After all, what great figure on Earth didn’t have a few assistants?

Softly looked at Zhong Yingyu with puzzlement. “Auntie, what’s a maid?”

Zhong Yingyu was surprised. “Auntie? Such a term is quite novel.”

Softly turned to Tao Ming. “Mama, if I don’t call her Auntie, should I call her Granny? She doesn’t look like a big sister to me.”

Tao Ming’s expression froze, but fortunately Zhong Yingyu took no offense and teased Softly, “Why don’t I look like a big sister?”

Softly tilted her little head. “Big sisters aren’t as old as you.”

Tao Ming hastily apologized, “Sorry, she’s just babbling. You’re not old at all.”

Zhong Yingyu laughed, “I have three daughters myself, all at that mischievous age. Besides, children speak without filter—I won’t mind.”

Just then Xing’er entered with the waiter, carrying several plates of pastries to a side table. Softly cheered and dragged Sticky over to eat.

Tao Ming recalled what Zhong Yingyu had said earlier. “I noticed your words and phrasing are different from others—more direct. Why is that?”

Zhong Yingyu looked at Tao Ming and mischievously blinked. “It’s because of you.”

“For me?” Tao Ming was baffled.

“Yesterday you accompanied the Saintess into the city. Anyone in the imperial capital hoping to forge ties with the Qin and Su families sought to learn your preferences and manner of speech. Even my husband specifically instructed me to speak plainly and simply with you.”

Tao Ming thought, “You’re almost too direct!” But this was a good thing; it would make interactions easier in the future.

She lowered her voice, “You’re telling me this so openly—aren’t you afraid your husband will be upset?”

Zhong Yingyu glanced at Chen Cheng and raised her brows. “He wanted me to befriend you, though I was a bit resistant at first. After talking with you, I’m delighted. I’ve always liked forthright people, and conversation with you is refreshing.”

Tao Ming pulled out another sunhat and handed it over. “You like this? It’s yours.”

Zhong Yingyu examined it. “Where did you buy it? I’ve never seen one before.”

“You don’t know I returned from another world?”

Zhong Yingyu set the sunhat down. “I heard my husband mention it, but didn’t pay it much heed. It seems your world is quite different from Weishui.”

Tao Ming nodded, put on her sunglasses and sunhat. “I wear these when I travel.”

“What does ‘travel’ mean?”

“It means to go out for leisure, to enjoy the scenery.”

Zhong Yingyu studied Tao Ming. “It’s quite unique—hard to describe.”

Tao Ming lowered her sunglasses, peering over the top at Zhong Yingyu. “I plan to open a shop selling these. Do you think anyone would buy them?”

Zhong Yingyu’s elegant brows furrowed. “You’ll open the shop yourself?”

Tao Ming nodded.

Zhong Yingyu glanced at Su Nanxing. “Would your husband approve?”

Tao Ming nodded again.

Zhong Yingyu’s tone grew slightly wistful. “Women of high status seldom leave the house, let alone open shops. If a husband learns his wife is out in public, she might lose his favor—or worse, be cast aside.”

Tao Ming didn’t know how to comfort her, so she asked, “What if, one day, women could walk the streets unveiled, freely go out and earn a living—what do you think?”

Zhong Yingyu’s eyes sparkled. “Is it so in your world?”

Tao Ming thought, “A potential ally for progress!”

She then shared some stories of Earth with Zhong Yingyu, whose eyes grew brighter and face more wistful with admiration. Finally, she sighed, “The way women live in your world is truly enviable.”

Tao Ming lowered her voice, “When I open the shop, will you help me?”

Zhong Yingyu hesitated, glancing several times at Chen Cheng, but said nothing.

Tao Ming pressed on, “Why not ask him? Say I want you to join me in business—perhaps he’ll agree?”

Zhong Yingyu bit her lip and, after a moment’s thought, nodded.

The two continued chatting until Su Nanxing finished his conversation and called Tao Ming to leave. Su Nanxing lifted a child in each arm at the doorway. Tao Ming, still veiled and hatted, felt Zhong Yingyu tug her sleeve and whisper, “Your husband is so good to you.”

Tao Ming smiled with crescent eyes. “Because I’m worth it!”

Zhong Yingyu was taken aback, and gently tapped Tao Ming in mock reproach. “If anyone else said that, I’d scorn her. But hearing it from you, I can’t even be annoyed.”

Tao Ming teased, “You can’t get angry—you can only have children!”

Zhong Yingyu blushed. “Your husband is waiting; hurry along!”

Tao Ming giggled and joined Su Nanxing, waving back at Zhong Yingyu as their family of four descended the stairs.

Once the room was empty of outsiders, Chen Cheng signaled Zhong Yingyu to sit beside him and asked, “Well?”

Zhong Yingyu recalled Tao Ming’s words and smiled. “She’s forthright, and I enjoyed our conversation.”

Chen Cheng nodded. “Befriending her brings nothing but benefit. You two should spend more time together.”

Zhong Yingyu clenched her hand inside her sleeve, encouraging herself. “She mentioned wanting to open a shop and asked me to join her in business. What do you think?”

Chen Cheng frowned. “Young Master Su approves her doing business?”

Zhong Yingyu affirmed.

Chen Cheng pondered briefly. “Women can only dabble in small ventures. If she really opens a shop, you can help shop there.”

Disappointment flickered in Zhong Yingyu’s heart, though she dared not show it. After all, as a daughter-in-law of the Chen family, everything must revolve around her husband.

Chen Cheng added, “I never realized before—Young Master Su is so devoted to his wife. Had I known, I’d have had my little sister make an appearance before him.”

Zhong Yingyu: “”

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