The Evil Mother-in-law: Torment Children, Work Hard, Be Rich!-Chapter 338: The Thought of Breaking Off the Engagement

Chapter 338: Chapter 338: The Thought of Breaking Off the Engagement

"Where is Mr. Tong?"

Tong Huaqiong heard Boss Qian’s voice from inside the house.

Mrs. Zhao immediately retorted, "That is Sui Feng Village Lady."

Mrs. Zhao could see that Boss Qian probably had ill intentions toward her mother-in-law.

She feared her mother-in-law might be coaxed by Boss Qian into remarriage.

Her mother-in-law already had grandchildren. Remarrying would mean dealing with both her new and old family’s matters. Only someone not thinking straight would remarry.

Isn’t it better to run a shop and be the matriarch of the Gu Family?

Tong Huaqiong came out, and Boss Qian congratulated her, "Congratulations to Sui Feng Village Lady."

Tong Huaqiong calmly said, "No need for formalities."

Boss Qian waved his hand, and a clerk lifted a large box covered with a red cloth from the carriage.

"Village Lady, this roast suckling pig is a gift for your celebration."

Boss Qian uncovered the red cloth, revealing a roast suckling pig in the box.

This little pig was raised in Tong Huaqiong’s pig farm. Boss Qian had just taken it back two days ago, marinated it, planning to debut it as a special dish at Fengle Building today.

Upon hearing that Tong Huaqiong was bestowed the title of Village Lady, he brought the suckling pig over.

In Boss Qian’s heart, no other person in Yan Guan Town deserved to eat his Fengle Building’s roast suckling pig more than Tong Huaqiong.

Tong Huaqiong accepted the roast suckling pig with a smile.

As soon as Boss Qian entered, news of Tong Huaqiong being titled Village Lady spread throughout the town, prompting all the prominent families to rush and send congratulatory gifts.

Tong Huaqiong’s courtyard gate was almost trampled down.

Besides a few families she was familiar with, which she greeted personally, she delegated the rest of the visitors to her son, Gu Jingzhe.

"Why are so many people coming?" Tong Huaqiong felt exhausted by the continuous flow of guests.

Gu Jingzhe said, "This is just the beginning. I’m sure people from Pingchuan County will come too."

Indeed, as the saying goes, when wealthy, you have distant relatives in remote mountains; when poor, nobody asks even in the bustling city.

Tong Huaqiong certainly felt it.

"Mother."

Gu Taohua jumped off the carriage and ran straight to Tong Huaqiong.

"Let me see your Imperial Decree."

Before Tong Huaqiong could stop her, Gu Taohua had already rushed inside to look at the decree.

Following Gu Taohua were naturally Mrs. Hong, Old Mrs. Huang, and Huang Jingshan.

"Congratulations, congratulations," Mrs. Hong and Old Mrs. Huang congratulated in unison.

Tong Huaqiong, all smiles, invited them into the house.

Mrs. Han stood up and bantered with Old Mrs. Huang for a bit, then glanced at Huang Jingshan, hesitant to say more.

Oh well, since the engagement is set, there’s nothing to regret.

Nevertheless, it would be great if Huang Jingshan could call off the engagement.

Seeing Mrs. Han and Tong Huaqiong, Old Mrs. Huang thought of Lu Zhaoyang.

Could her granddaughter still call off the engagement?

No, no, the Huang Family doesn’t look down on the poor while favoring the rich.

If rumors spread, how would Jingshan behave?

Mrs. Han and Old Mrs. Huang, the pair of old friends, harbored their respective thoughts while sipping tea and chatting.

"Aunt Tong."

Tong Huaqiong heard someone call from outside.

She estimated it sounded like Lu Zhaoyang’s voice.

She was puzzled as to why Lu Zhaoyang had returned.

Luckily, rural families don’t adhere strictly to rules separating men and women, allowing Lu Zhaoyang to enter directly.

Both Mrs. Han and Old Mrs. Huang’s eyes brightened.

"What’s up with Zhaoyang?" Tong Huaqiong saw mud stains on Lu Zhaoyang’s face and clothes and asked in surprise.

Gu Taohua quickly explained, "Our carriage got stuck in a mud pit, and Brother Lu helped push it out."

However, Gu Taohua was puzzled that while Lu Zhaoyang only had mud on his face, how did mud get on his body?

Lu Zhaoyang said, "I got mud on me and want to borrow some clothes from Brother Jingzhe."

Gu Jingzhe, standing outside, heard and said, "That’s easy. Come with me."

Lu Zhaoyang followed Gu Jingzhe to the side room.

Still, Tong Huaqiong didn’t understand why Lu Zhaoyang needed to change clothes in Qinghe Bay.

A young master like him, accompanied by servants, should have spare clothes with him.

Even if he didn’t, he could find a new set at a hotel in Yan Guan Town.

Lu Zhaoyang must have returned for something or someone.

If it were for Su Chengmin and Xiao Long, he wouldn’t have left with Magistrate Yao.

"Brother Lu is amusing. He didn’t clean his face properly, yet ended up getting mud on his whole body."

Gu Taohua’s laughter made Tong Huaqiong think.

Lu Zhaoyang encountered the Huang Family’s carriage stuck in the mud, helped push it, and intentionally got mud on himself to come to the Gu Family to change clothes just to see someone.

Of course, it wasn’t for Gu Taohua.

That leaves it must be for Huang Jingshan.

Unexpectedly, Lu Zhaoyang was quite reserved.

Unfortunately, Huang Jingshan was already engaged. In this era, once engaged, it’s difficult to call it off.

Moreover, even if Huang Jingshan wasn’t engaged, it depends on whether she has feelings for him.

Tong Huaqiong couldn’t help but glance sideways at Huang Jingshan.

Huang Jingshan sat quietly beside Old Mrs. Huang, her face calm and serene, as if everything around her had nothing to do with her.

It wasn’t until Lu Zhaoyang followed Gu Jingzhe to change clothes that Old Mrs. Huang realized, reigniting thoughts of having her granddaughter call off the engagement.

"Thanks to Mr. Lu’s chivalrous help, the carriage got out of the mud," Old Mrs. Huang praised.

Mrs. Han smiled and said, "Zhaoyang has been kind-hearted since childhood."

Soon, under the guidance of Village Chief Liu, the village women who were adept at cooking busily prepared a lively banquet at Tong Huaqiong’s home.

Tables and benches were set up, with adults and children gathered around the tables.

As this was a great event decreed by the emperor, bestowing the title of Village Lady, the banquet was more sumptuous than the last time when Tong Huaqiong received recognition from the Magistrate.

There were chicken, fish, meat, eggs, fresh vegetables, and of course, wine.

On the first day of private school, children attended class for half a day and would typically go home for lunch.

After class, Su Chengmin learned that Tong Huaqiong had been titled Village Lady.

No wonder he heard merriment outside while in the classroom.

Upon hearing that there was a banquet at the Gu Family, the private school’s children rushed over en masse.

"After eating, you must return for classes. Don’t delay the afternoon lessons." Su Chengmin shouted.

"Yes, Teacher!"

The children yelled back as they ran, fearing they might not get a seat if they arrived late.

Su Chengmin shook his head, having taught all morning. The village children had a late start in education, mispronouncing the same word over and over.

Reciting one line, then forgetting the next.

Some of the children sent for initiation were even over ten years old.

In Su Chengmin’s view, some of the burly boys shouldn’t be in a classroom but rather on a training ground.

He planned to tackle both literary and martial lessons once his leg healed and he could move freely.

Supported by Gu Jingzhe, Su Chengmin arrived at the Gu Family.

"Oh, here comes Teacher Lai Fu. Come, come, take a seat of honor."

"Sit by me, it’s sunny here, warm for Lai Fu’s leg recovery."

The villagers rose to offer seats when they saw Su Chengmin entering the courtyard.

Initially, everyone thought that young Su Chengmin was unfit to teach the children of Qinghe Bay. However, after Mr. Su and Magistrate Yao vouched for his scholarly prowess, the villagers began to respect Su Chengmin as a teacher.

Seeing Su Chengmin, they were keen to bring him over, hoping he’d take special care of their children.

"You all eat, you all eat. Lai Fu will sit indoors."

Gu Jingzhe naturally wouldn’t let Su Chengmin sit outside. As an injured person, he had special meals for convalescence.