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

Chapter 698: Chapter 698: Attending the Hongmen Banquet

Just before leaving, Tong Huaqiong glanced at Jingzhe.

Jingzhe shivered all over and said to Tong Huaqiong, "Mother, I know what to do, I certainly won’t make Zhao Zhao embarrassed."

Tong Huaqiong waved her hand and said, "Go ahead. See what kind of trick they’re up to."

This meal felt like attending a Hongmen Banquet.

Mr. Gu and Mrs. Gu were at home waiting for Jingzhe and Lu Zhaozhao to visit.

They couldn’t be sure whether the two would come for dinner, given that they had already invited them three times, and each time Jingzhe had declined with some excuse.

Mr. Gu was very angry, thinking his grandson, just a scholar now, already disregarded him. What would happen if he became an official in the future?

He had to properly teach Jingzhe a lesson. Knowledge shouldn’t erode his filial piety; if he treats his grandparents like this now, how could he act impartially as a high official?

"Father, what if Jingzhe doesn’t come?" Gu Honglian was filled with thoughts about her dowry, nervously asking.

Mr. Gu pounded the table and said, "Does he dare not come? If he doesn’t come, keep inviting until he does."

They waited for a while, still no sign of them coming.

Mr. Gu and Mrs. Gu were getting a bit anxious.

"Ruinian, go and see if Jingzhe has arrived," Mr. Gu said.

"No need to check, I’m here."

Jingzhe walked in holding Lu Zhaozhao’s hand.

Mrs. Gu glanced at their hands, almost blurting out the word "seductress," but held back for the sake of her daughter’s dowry.

"Grandfather, grandmother, did you need something from me?"

As Jingzhe entered, he first helped Lu Zhaozhao sit down and handed her a soft cushion to lean on.

Mrs. Gu and the others couldn’t stop their eyes from twitching.

They couldn’t bear to watch; their grandson was handsome and talented, yet he acted like a kept man in front of his wife, utterly disgracing the men of the Gu family.

"Zhaozhao hasn’t had a meal at home since marrying you, and since you’ll soon be leaving for Shengjing, we thought of having a family dinner," Mr. Gu said earnestly.

Jingzhe thought to himself that it was nonsense.

If it’s a family dinner, why weren’t his mother and elder brother or sister invited?

"It took three invitations before you came. Anyone would think my grandson has already become an official and doesn’t want to associate with us poor relatives," Mrs. Gu said sarcastically from the start.

Jingzhe smiled and said, "I didn’t mean to avoid coming; there really have been a lot of things recently."

Mrs. Jia brought the food to the table.

Jingzhe and Lu Zhaozhao glanced over and saw three meat dishes, four vegetable dishes, and a soup.

Mrs. Jia said, "The niece-in-law grew up in luxury, I wonder if she’s used to our simple meals."

Before Lu Zhaozhao could respond, Wu Na grabbed a chicken leg with her chopsticks and said, "If she’s not used to it, then I’ll eat it."

Even though they had heard about Wu Na’s actions, Jingzhe and Lu Zhaozhao were still stunned.

Wu Na now completely disregarded her image.

What use was worrying about image? The rare chance for meat at home; if she didn’t eat it, it’d end up in Gu Honglian’s belly.

Everything else was irrelevant; eating well was the priority.

Mr. Gu and Mrs. Gu were so angry they nearly threw down their chopsticks. Mrs. Jia looked grim, afraid that Tong Dajiao would mock her when she heard about her daughter-in-law’s behavior.

Even more shocking for Jingzhe and Lu Zhaozhao was Gu Ruinian silently taking the other chicken leg with his chopsticks.

Gu Ruinian’s face was indifferent; he had lost to Jingzhe. There was no chance of rising again, and he couldn’t return to the days when he was in the spotlight. In his numbness, all he could do was try to eat better.

Gu Honglian gripped her chopsticks tightly.

Wu Na and Gu Ruinian’s marriage reminded her that she must ensure a good dowry, so life wouldn’t be this way.

"No one else has started eating, just you two oblivious ones, reincarnated starving ghosts, eager to gobble it all up."

"Eat, eat yourselves to death, but be careful not to get stuck on your way to the next life." Mrs. Gu scolded, going on for a whole bowl of tea before stopping.

"Grandmother, let’s eat," Jingzhe said.

In front of Lu Zhaozhao, his grandmother’s cursing was too crude, and even if it was directed at Gu Ruinian and Wu Na, it still sullied Lu Zhaozhao’s ears.

Mr. Gu looked for a way to de-escalate, saying, "Let’s eat, let’s eat," while offering Jingzhe a piece of chicken.

"Here, Zhaozhao, have a bowl of egg soup. The eggs in this soup were just laid by our chickens today, very fresh," as he personally served a bowl of chicken broth for Lu Zhaozhao.

Pleasing the granddaughter-in-law was uncomfortable, but necessary for the sake of their daughter’s dowry.

"Thank you, grandmother," Lu Zhaozhao said sweetly.

Jingzhe picked a piece of succulent fish belly for Lu Zhaozhao, making Mrs. Gu’s eyes twitch again.

"Grandfather, grandmother, I heard that Aunt is discussing marriage with Fan Tong."

Jingzhe had guessed Mr. Gu and Mrs. Gu’s purpose for inviting him for dinner, so he brought up Gu Honglian’s marriage.

Since Jingzhe brought it up, there was no need to wait until after the meal to talk about it.

Mr. Gu said, "The birth dates have been exchanged. Honglian and his birth dates match very well. It’s her fortune to have a scholar interested in her."

Mr. Gu looked at Lu Zhaozhao quietly eating, thinking that if not for his granddaughter-in-law’s lack of understanding, this meal wouldn’t be taking place.

Jingzhe said, "Fan Tong is not a suitable match."

This comment displeased Gu Honglian, who said, "Fan Tong is discussing marriage with me; I know if he’s suitable."

Jingzhe said, "Aunt, Fan Tong is my senior. I know him well. A few years ago, he was engaged to the village chief’s daughter. The village chief supported his education, but after he passed as a scholar, he wanted to climb higher and intended to abandon the village chief’s daughter, turning instead towards Huang Yuanwai’s daughter. When Huang Yuanwai found out, he wouldn’t even let him in the door."

Jingzhe was too embarrassed to mention that Fan Tong had once pursued Taohua.

He must have failed with Taohua and turned to pursue Gu Honglian.

"Have you ever thought about why he suddenly became interested in Aunt?"

An opportunist like him wanting to marry Gu Honglian, it wasn’t for her, but for her resources with her mother.

Mr. Gu said, "You don’t need to remind us why Fan Tong is interested in your aunt. Isn’t it for the resources you and your mother offer? We’ve long understood this. It’s not an issue; leveraging your and your mother’s resources to marry a scholar is a blessing for your aunt."

Mr. Gu’s words left Jingzhe silent.

They all knew, but they didn’t care.

Jingzhe looked at Gu Honglian and asked, "Aunt, do you think the same way?"

Gu Honglian said, "With the state of our family, I don’t look as good as Taohua and Xiao Xue. Marrying a scholar makes me very content."

Gu Honglian thought to herself, she’s not foolish.

Future resources from her sister-in-law and Jingzhe would benefit her and Fan Tong if possible; if not, she’d just keep Fan Tong hanging.

Since Gu Honglian thought this way, Jingzhe decided not to speak another word on the matter.