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

Chapter 689: Chapter 689: Ten Miles of Red Bridal Attire

"Enough."

"They’re just two girls, acknowledging them won’t bring any offspring to the Wu Family."

"The son in Zhao Di’s belly is the true heir of the Wu Family."

Mrs. Wang, fearing that Wu Musheng would make a scene and Tong Huaqiong would throw them all out, tried to persuade him from the side.

The more Mrs. Wang tried to coax him, the more agitated Wu Musheng became, lifting his leg and heading towards Mr. Su and the two children.

It wasn’t even the time it takes to brew tea before Wu Musheng returned dejectedly.

Mr. Su wasn’t going to indulge Wu Musheng; he scolded him thoroughly.

Moreover, many of those present were parents of Mr. Su’s students, and seeing Wu Musheng approach Mr. Su, they were ready to react with hostility.

If Wu Musheng dared say anything disrespectful to Mr. Su, they were ready to act immediately.

Some of the women even spat in Wu Musheng’s face, following it up with continuous insults that would shame his ancestors.

This show of force left Wu Musheng petrified, not daring to utter a word, his face pale as he turned around and left.

"Brother, you’re really spineless. Hua Er and Duo Er are of the Wu Family, yet as their real father, you’re frightened by a stepfather. How disgraceful for our Wu Family."

Wu Na, never one to shy away from causing trouble, commented sarcastically while munching on seeds.

She was hoping for a confrontation between Wu Musheng and Mr. Su.

Why should Tong Pandi, a woman who had divorced, enjoy such a comfortable life? She ought to create some trouble for her.

"Shut your mouth!" Wu Musheng unleashed his anger on Wu Na, looking like he was ready to devour her, "How dare you mention the Wu Family? If it weren’t for your stupidity, how could the Wu Family have ended up like this?"

With her brother’s outburst, the painful memory of being beaten last time resurfaced for Wu Na, preventing her from further provoking Wu Musheng.

"Ruinian, where in the world has Ruinian gone?"

Wu Na changed the topic, her eyes darting around as she looked for Gu Ruinian.

Heavily pregnant, Wu Na kept a close eye on Gu Ruinian, insisting on him being by her side at all times.

With Ruinian suddenly missing, she raised her voice to call for him.

Gu Ruinian had made his way to Tong Huaqiong’s house, and when no one was looking, he slipped into the kitchen, grabbed two big steamed buns, filled a bowl with meat, and then found a secluded corner to feast.

Forget about the imperial examinations or stirring up storms; Gu Ruinian only wanted to fill his belly for now.

Though Wu Na’s voice was loud, Gu Ruinian heard it.

He had no intention of leaving the corner.

This rare moment of respite, he wanted to savor alone.

...

The auspicious hour arrived.

Outside, the sound of suona horns and firecrackers filled the air.

"The bride has arrived."

"The bride has arrived."

Since morning, several children, led by Man Er, had been running back and forth to the village entrance.

Upon seeing Gu Jingzhe on a horse adorned with flowers, the children excitedly shouted and tossed flower petals they’d foraged from the village onto the returning wedding party.

"Here they come, here they come."

Everyone swarmed towards the gate.

In an instant, the road in front of Tong Huaqiong’s home was blocked tight.

The dowry, carried in pieces, stretched from Tong Huaqiong’s doorstep all the way out of the village.

This roused a great deal of excitement among the crowd.

In these rural parts, brides didn’t typically have substantial dowries, and the people of Qinghe Bay were astounded by Lu Zhaozhao’s dowry.

Even Aunt Tang, who had seen a lot, widened her eyes in disbelief. Her family had given Lian Hengruo a sizable dowry, yet it couldn’t compare to half of Lu Zhaozhao’s.

After all, they were imperial merchants; it was incomparable, truly incomparable.

"Did they send the entire Lu Family along?"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, this dowry would last two lifetimes."

The villagers buzzed with chatter, faces showing envy.

Old Mrs. Yang, Mr. Gu’s sister, was fixated on the dowry, her eyes almost popping out.

"Look at this dowry! Jingzhe’s in-laws are indeed generous."

Old Mrs. Ding nudged Old Mrs. Yang’s arm.

Old Mrs. Yang’s expression was conflicted. The dowry was simply too overwhelming.

Mrs. Jia shared the same ugly expression. When her son married Wu Na, they were overjoyed about the promised dowry of five hundred taels of silver, yet here, even a single portion surpassed that amount.

And crucially, the Wu Family’s promised five hundred taels had never actually reached their hands.

Mrs. Jia was feeling extremely agitated.

She felt as if her entire body was pricked by wheat awns.

Tong Huaqiong, seeing Mrs. Jia’s expression that was caught between laughter and tears, was speechless.

The two families never had a good relationship; Gu Jingzhe was getting married, and Mrs. Jia had no need to attend, yet she insisted on coming. Who knew what she was thinking?

Every time she saw the spirited Gu Jingzhe, she compared him to Ruinian, and the jealousy would consume her for days.

This kind of internal conflict purely hurt herself.

Even Tong Huaqiong couldn’t understand it, and neither could Mrs. Jia understand her own mindset.

She hated Tong Huaqiong and Gu Jingzhe so much, yet she didn’t want to miss out on the grand occasions celebrated by the main family.

She seemed to be seriously ill in this regard.

The dowry continued to be carried to Tong Huaqiong’s house, and the road was lined with onlookers.

"This is only part of the dowry; the main portion is at the new house in the city."

It was at this moment that Song Qiaoniang, a cousin who accompanied Gu Jingzhe to the city to pick up the bride, came forward, pointing at the dowry with pride.

What?

The crowd was once again in shock.

This was only part of the dowry?

Just how large must the entire dowry be?

They finally witnessed what was meant by a grand wedding procession.

Tong Huaqiong was equally stunned.

During the marriage negotiation, it had been agreed that the Lu Family’s dowry would go directly to the new house in the city or stay with the Lu Family; either way, it wouldn’t run away.

They hadn’t expected the Lu Family to bring it all the way to Qinghe Bay.

Mr. Lu was certainly allowing Gu Jingzhe to save face.

Yet, even Tong Huaqiong didn’t realize that what was brought to Qinghe Bay was just a small portion of Lu Zhaozhao’s dowry, with the main part back in the city.

"The bride is disembarking the sedan."

"The bride is disembarking the sedan."

A group of children cheered, and in an instant, the sedan chair was surrounded by a bustling crowd.

Mrs. Wei and Song Qiaoniang went forward to help Lu Zhaozhao out of the sedan, while Chen Sufen and Liu Yueer handed a red silk ribbon to each of the newlyweds.

Originally, Gu Jingzhe walked in front holding one end of the red ribbon, with Lu Zhaozhao following behind.

The path to the wedding altar is traditionally taken this way.

Suddenly, Gu Jingzhe stopped and, in front of everyone, took Lu Zhaozhao’s hand.

Under her red veil, Lu Zhaozhao’s face flushed a deep crimson.

During the ceremony, Tong Huaqiong sat in the seat of honor.

Mr. Gu and Mrs. Gu watched as Tong Huaqiong received the bows from the newlyweds, their hearts a mix of emotions, lamenting that their son couldn’t witness his younger brother’s wedding.

After the ceremony, the bride and groom were escorted to their new room.

The bridal chamber was crowded with a multitude of people.

Especially those relatives who had never seen Lu Zhaozhao, all gathered inside to watch the spectacle.

"The banquet has begun, everyone hurry and go eat."

Gu Baishuang saw the crowded bridal chamber where there was hardly any room to step and, fearing Lu Zhaozhao might be stepped on amid the chaos, announced the start of the banquet, instantly clearing out half the crowd.

"With such a massive dowry, the bride must be as ugly as Wu Yan Nu."

Ever since seeing the dowry, Old Mrs. Yang, Mr. Gu’s sister, suspected that the bride might have some deformity, believing no family would attach so much wealth to send off a bride otherwise.

But the moment Lu Zhaozhao stepped out of the sedan, Old Mrs. Yang was disappointed.

Yet Old Mrs. Yang was still not resigned, making such a remark at the bridal chamber door.

"They say ugly people cause trouble, and indeed the saying holds. You wretched old woman, see how much your face resembles a donkey’s!" Gu Taohua retorted without politeness at Old Mrs. Yang’s long face.

Chen Sufen angrily said, "If you can’t speak nicely, then keep your mouth shut. Your grandson can’t manage to get a bride, so you’re jealous of Jingzhe."

Tong Huaqiong told Su Qing next to her, "Go tell Da Qiao and Feng Nian who are keeping the gift register to return Second Aunt’s gift money, and henceforth, neither family needs to have any contact."

Su Qing acknowledged with a "yes," and with a wave of her hand, Xiao Xi and Xiao Chi, two strong maidservants, swiftly lifted Old Mrs. Yang and tossed her outside.

This scene left the maidservants and matron accompanying Lu Zhaozhao’s dowry dumbfounded.