Chapter 615: Chapter 615: This Marriage Will Not Happen
Tong Huaqiong originally wanted to send another letter to Aunt Tang, but unexpectedly, Aunt Tang hurried to Qinghe Bay the next day.
Now the two of them are business partners, half of the cotton in the weaving workshop is Aunt Tang’s goods, and she comes to Qinghe Bay twice a month for accounting.
This time, Aunt Tang came not for the cotton, but for what Tong Huaqiong mentioned in her letter about the matchmaking for the third son of the Lian Family.
Aunt Tang, dressed flamboyantly, asked Tong Huaqiong, "Where did you hear my third son is matchmaking? I didn’t know about it. My mistress is irresponsible, busy finding a match for her second son. Isn’t this like pushing a girl into the fire pit? As soon as I got your letter, I came over. Why are you asking about matchmaking for the second and third sons? Could it be Matchmaker Wang..."
Aunt Tang glanced over at Gu Taohua, who was busy in the weaving workshop.
Upon receiving Tong Huaqiong’s letter, she suspected that Matchmaker Wang was planning a match for Gu Taohua.
She inquired within the household and learned that Matchmaker Wang was referring to a girl from the Gu Family, known for being capable and attractive, working at the Qinghe Bay weaving workshop. As soon as Aunt Tang heard the association with the Gu Family and the weaving workshop, she was almost certain it was Gu Taohua.
Frightened, she ran to Qinghe Bay to find Tong Huaqiong without even having breakfast.
Tong Huaqiong said, "Matchmaker Wang is arranging a match for my niece Xiao Xue."
Saying this, she pointed at Gu Xiaoxue.
Gu Xiaoxue had her back turned while weaving, and although her face wasn’t visible, Aunt Tang could tell she was a beauty.
Now, Aunt Tang managed the household, and nothing could be hidden from her by the mistress.
Moreover, her daughter had become the Magistrate’s wife, allowing her to walk with authority in the Lian Family. Even the old master of the Lian Family was a bit wary of her. If it weren’t for the original wife, Mrs. Hua, having three sons, Aunt Tang might have been promoted.
Aunt Tang whispered to Tong Huaqiong, "To be honest, all three of our sons have been spoiled by Mrs. Hua, one more vicious than the other. Even if it’s a match for the third son, marrying him is like jumping into a fire pit. The maid in his room is already pregnant..."
"And, of course, the second son is even less suitable for marriage."
With Aunt Tang’s words, Tong Huaqiong understood the situation.
"Our second house couple is greedy for money. As long as there’s money, they’d marry their daughter to anyone. My niece is a good girl. I’m just worried that the second house secretly accepted your family’s bride price and secretly marries Xiao Xue off."
Tong Huaqiong shared all her worries with Aunt Tang, including how Gu Youtian and his wife plotted to have Gu Xiaoxue marry into the Xu Family to pay off debts.
Aunt Tang was no stranger to the second house of the Gu Family; their son had schemed against her daughter, and old grudges resurfaced.
Aunt Tang said to Tong Huaqiong, "With me here, you can rest easy; this match won’t happen."
Tong Huaqiong immediately replied, "Why do you think I wanted to discuss it with you?"
As she spoke, she held Aunt Tang’s hand and led her home.
Aunt Tang said, "I love your sweet and sour ribs."
Tong Huaqiong replied, "You’ll have plenty."
"Aunt Tong."
Just at the doorstep, Tong Huaqiong saw Gu Xiaocao coming out of her house with a bright red wedding dress.
Gu Xiaocao was getting married in a couple of days, and Tong Huaqiong had given her ten days off.
The news of Gu Xiaocao’s match quietly exploded throughout Qinghe Bay. Only recently did the village find out that Gu Xiaocao wasn’t marrying out, but bringing a husband home.
She was bringing in Hong Xiaoxi from Tong Huaqiong’s shop.
The Hong Family has five sons, and Hong Xiaoxi is the youngest.
His parents weren’t willing for him to become a live-in son-in-law. Their family wasn’t so poor that they couldn’t make ends meet. Plus, Hong Xiaoxi was already the shopkeeper of a Taohua Dessert branch, and could find any kind of girl, yet he insisted on becoming a live-in son-in-law in Qinghe Bay.
With good looks and earning power, him becoming a live-in son-in-law didn’t sit well with Hong Xiaoxi’s parents.
Gu Guangkui obviously didn’t want to see Gu Xiaocao marry away. They only had one daughter and didn’t plan to adopt a son, wanting her to bring a husband to them.
Seeing their match about to fall apart, Hong Xiaoxi went against his parents’ wishes and decided to become a live-in son-in-law.
The Gu Guangkui household had been preparing for the wedding these days, planning a grand ceremony.
"What brings you here with the bridal dress?" Tong Huaqiong asked with a smile.
Gu Xiaocao, blushing, said, "The waist is a bit tight on my bridal dress. It’s too late to redo it. Sister-in-law Feng Nian is skillful. I came to you because she was just talking with Sufen. She can help me fix it."
Poised to become a bride, Gu Xiaocao stood elegantly in front of Tong Huaqiong, exuding even more charm than usual.
Tong Huaqiong was so pleased.
"Oh dear, why would the dress be tight. Could it be you are..."
It was Xu Xinghua who spoke, sizing up Gu Xiaocao and snickering behind her hand, "Already with child?"
Gu Xiaocao suddenly lifted her head and instinctively shook it, "I’m not pregnant; I just gained weight from tasting the cakes."
Xu Xinghua eyed Gu Xiaocao’s belly with an amused look.
Tong Huaqiong thought, Gu Xiaocao, why are you bothering to explain to her? She’s here just to insult you.
"You don’t need to be in such a hurry if it’s not true..."
Before Xu Xinghua could finish, Tong Huaqiong slapped Xu Xinghua across the face.
Xu Xinghua’s eyes widened in shock.
Tong Huaqiong sneered, "Even your father doesn’t dare to mess with me, and you dare to slander Gu Xiaocao in front of me. If you keep this up, watch out, or I’ll slit your vile mouth."
Tong Huaqiong pulled the hairpin from her head, ready to stab Xu Xinghua’s mouth.
Xu Xinghua screamed in terror.
Tong Huaqiong held her arm down, threatening, "If any rumors spread in the village, I’ll tear you apart."
With a strong push, Xu Xinghua fell to the ground.
Tong Huaqiong, with a menacing look, watched as Xu Xinghua scrambled to get up and ran away, lifting her skirt.
Gu Xiaocao’s eyes were red, "I just put on some weight with the desserts, but she spread rumors that I’m pregnant. I don’t even know how I offended her, we always have bad conversations when we meet; usually, I avoid her."
Tong Huaqiong said, "Don’t be afraid, just focus on your upcoming marriage."
"Okay, Aunt Tong, I’m heading back." Gu Xiaocao nodded and hurried off with her bridal dress.
Aunt Tang then asked Tong Huaqiong, "Who was that girl with the pockmarked face just now? How could she be so mean and talk so crudely?"
Tong Huaqiong replied, "She’s Xu Zaohua’s cousin Xu Xinghua. Their whole family is no good. Her own face is full of pockmarks and she’s twisted inside. Whenever she sees a pretty girl in the village, she gets jealous and starts spreading rumors."
Xu Xinghua didn’t go home after being slapped by Tong Huaqiong. Instead, she hid behind a stack of hay, glaring at Gu Xiaocao.
Why should she, a fellow girl from Qinghe Bay, be able to bring home a capable husband, while she, though married to Rui Nian, a lame man, remained dissatisfied?
Xu Xinghua felt overshadowed by Gu Xiaocao, believing that if it weren’t for her, she would be the first in Qinghe Bay to bring a husband home.
Why should Gu Xiaocao outshine her? Isn’t it just that pretty face of hers?
Tong Huaqiong noticed a bit of Xu Xinghua’s skirt protruding from behind the haystack and nonchalantly told Aunt Tang, "That girl specializes in hurting others without benefiting herself. Xiao Xue being noticed by Matchmaker Wang was her doing."
Aunt Tang, her eyes flickering, said, "She seems to be quite a match for our third son."
Both Tong Huaqiong and Aunt Tang exchanged knowing smiles.
They understood each other’s intentions.
Xu Xinghua, this troublemaker, had to be dealt with.
