The Evil Mother-in-law: Torment Children, Work Hard, Be Rich!

Chapter 688: Chapter 688: Banquet Turmoil

"Today is our grandson’s big day, don’t show a sour face."

Mr. Gu softly reminded Mrs. Gu.

"It doesn’t look good in front of outsiders."

It wasn’t about giving face to the daughter-in-law, but rather saving face for themselves.

Mrs. Gu pouted; who didn’t know that Tong Huaqiong didn’t respect the elderly, as they already lost face in front of outsiders long ago.

The old man was good at deceiving himself.

"Mother, please don’t stir up trouble today, it’s already good enough that Sister-in-law let us attend the wedding. What’s the benefit of angering her?"

Gu Honglian had matured over the years under Tong Huaqiong’s cold stares.

Growing up, Sister-in-law had doted on her, and even so, after years of trying to please her, Sister-in-law remained lukewarm, let alone with Gu Old and Mrs. Gu, who had existing conflicts.

"Mother, when I get married, I still hope Sister-in-law will add to my dowry," Gu Honglian whispered.

Mrs. Gu’s demeanor instantly softened.

Her daughter was currently talking marriage with Fan Tong, who was a scholar. If Honglian wanted to marry successfully, she’d need a dowry.

The family assets had been squandered by Gu Ruinian, and she and Mr. Gu were too old to save up for Honglian’s dowry, so they could only pin their hopes on their eldest daughter-in-law.

At this moment, Mrs. Gu saw her brother’s family and sister’s family arriving, and she left Gu Honglian, hurrying to greet them.

"Sister-in-law, sister, you’ve arrived."

It was also a way for her to give herself an out.

"Great-aunt, second aunt, you’ve come, please come inside." Tong Huaqiong smiled and welcomed them inside.

Mrs. Gu’s sister-in-law, Old Mrs. Ding, congratulated them with cheer, telling Tong Huaqiong, "A son’s marriage is a joyous occasion, you must be busy. We can find our way in, don’t be formal."

At this time, County Magistrate Liu and Aunt Tang arrived. Tong Huaqiong asked Gu Baishuang to help host Mrs. Gu’s family and went to greet County Magistrate Liu and others.

Mrs. Gu’s sister, Old Mrs. Yang, looked at the courtyard’s grand setup and said with a prickly tone, "I heard that the Lu family is in commerce; how can a merchant’s daughter match Jingzhe, a scholar? I say, the eldest niece-in-law has fallen into the money trap, only looking for wealth when finding a wife."

Gu Taohua said, "Auntie, I don’t like your tone. What’s wrong with a merchant’s daughter? Merchants earn money through their abilities. Plus, my sister-in-law is excellent at business. Besides, my sister-in-law’s brother was the Champion Scholar two years ago and now holds an official position. How isn’t she worthy of my brother?"

Old Mrs. Yang was disgruntled by Gu Taohua’s retort and, with a smirk, said, "You and Jingzhe are twins, he’s married, yet no one has spoken for you. Isn’t it favoritism from your mother? Girls your age have kids running around. Your mother is leaving you an old maid—let’s see who wants you later."

Gu Taohua calmly replied, "Mind your own business. Whether I marry or not isn’t for you to worry about. What’s wrong with being an old maid? An old maid with money has no worries about marriage. Didn’t I reject your grandson’s proposal, making you mad because your expected silver flew away?"

Old Mrs. Yang was left speechless by Gu Taohua.

Last year, she indeed approached Tong Huaqiong’s home through a matchmaker to propose her grandson and Gu Taohua, only to be thrown out by Gu Taohua, who also belittled her grandson.

Since then, she had been upset with Taohua.

She thought she would pressure Taohua by mentioning her marriage in public, but unexpectedly, the girl feared nothing and even brought up the proposal itself.

"Today is Jingzhe’s joyous day, don’t ruin it. If you keep this up, just take your gift and sever ties between our families,"

Old Mrs. Ding sternly scolded her sister-in-law.

Old Mrs. Yang was indeed afraid of her eldest sister-in-law and fell silent.

The second household also arrived.

Gu Youtian was talking with the clan leader and other clansmen, while Mrs. Jia mingled with the womenfolk.

The couple listened to everyone praising Gu Jingzhe, feeling both envious and resentful.

Mrs. Jia glanced at the nearby Wu Na, feeling upset.

Such a lowly thing—how did Gu Ruinian marry such a person?

Mrs. Jia dreamt of Ruinian succeeding and divorcing Wu Na.

Wu Na, pregnant, pulled pastries and sunflower seeds in front of herself, munching continuously.

Tong Zhaodi and Mrs. Wang were seated with Wu Na by Tong Pandi’s arrangement.

Wu Na, upon seeing Tong Zhaodi and her daughter, immediately looked displeased.

Tong Zhaodi handed a plate of snacks to Tong Zhijie.

Wu Na sneered, "You’re quite the lapdog for your family."

Tong Zhaodi retorted, "Unlike you, disregarding your family, even getting your own father into trouble."

Seeing them about to argue, Tong Pandi shot a glance.

"If you don’t want to enjoy the feast, then get out."

Both quietened down.

Tong Zhaodi glanced at Tong Pandi, dressed in brand new attire. Seeing the children respectfully calling Tong Pandi "Teacher’s wife," she felt a pang of bitterness, and the more she looked at Wu Musheng, the more she resented him.

She wished she could quickly give birth, follow Tong Fusheng’s arrangement, and remarry some rich man in the province as a concubine.

Wu Musheng was staring intently at his ex-wife, Tong Pandi.

His eyes were full of admiration and regret.

Tong Pandi was beautiful before, but after marrying Mr. Su, her life was pleasant, and since she bore the responsibility of entertaining guests at her cousin’s wedding, she dressed up specifically to avoid embarrassing her aunt, looking all the more beautiful, exuding a calm and composed aura from inside out.

In contrast, Wu Musheng

Since his father was removed from his position as the village chief, he, the once first young lord of Black Dragon Pond, experienced the harshness of life for the first time.

The disdain from others and the drastic change in lifestyle were chains of downfall, tightly binding him, making him look ten years older.

"Pandi," Wu Musheng couldn’t help but call out.

Tong Pandi glanced at Wu Musheng, her expression clearly showing her annoyance.

She had no intention of showing Wu Musheng how well she was doing, because he was unworthy, and she cared not for Wu Musheng’s opinion of her.

"Where’s my daughter?"

Wu Musheng, unwilling to give up, tried to use the daughter to evoke some sympathy from Tong Pandi.

Tong Pandi calmly replied, "My daughter is none of your business. Don’t worry about things you shouldn’t. They’re with their father."

Then she went on to entertain other guests.

Wu Musheng felt as if he’d been punched in the chest, suffocating.

Tong Zhaodi glared at Wu Musheng with resentment.

She coldly said, "You’re pathetic. You’re not even attentive to your son in my belly but are concerned about someone else’s children instead."

Insulted in public, Wu Musheng couldn’t save face and said, "Why are you throwing a fit? What do you mean concern for someone else’s children? No matter what, they’re my children too, whether they call me dad or not."

Tong Zhaodi rolled her eyes and said, "Go, go see if they’d recognize you."

Stubbornly, Wu Musheng stood, saying, "Fine, I will."

He harbored frustration, wanting to show Mr. Su who the children’s real father was.