Chapter 814: Seeking Good Fortune

Gu Honglian scolded with a gloomy face, "Is this a small thing? You do nothing at home except read books, and it would be fine if you actually made something of it, but you’ve failed the exams three times."

"If you’re so capable, why don’t you show it? Don’t just rely on my strengths all the time. Tomorrow, go out and find a job, our family doesn’t support useless people."

With a nephew as a comparison, Gu Honglian had little patience left for Fan Tong.

She would never again spoil Fan Tong by letting him read at home.

Fan Tong must go out and earn money.

Fan Tong initially wanted to retaliate, but felt the unfriendly gaze from Gu Dashu and Gu Dahuan falling onto him, so he swallowed his pride from Gu Honglian’s words.

He told himself that a real man must endure humiliation to achieve great things later.

He remembered the humiliation his wife gave him today; the first thing he would do when he became successful would be to divorce her.

With Tong Huaqiong and Gu Jingzhe supporting Gu Honglian, it would be hard to divorce her, but he could take a few concubines.

As long as he had enough status, Tong Huaqiong and Gu Jingzhe would turn a blind eye to it.

Fan Tong felt he would surely win in this mental victory method.

"It’s just a plate of dumplings, don’t let it affect everyone’s New Year," Tong Huaqiong shouted outside.

"The dumplings have arrived."

Su Chengmin came in with the dumplings in broad strides.

"These dumplings smell really good," Mrs. Zhao said.

Plates of dumplings were placed on the table, and though everyone was already full from the New Year’s Eve dinner, seeing the steaming dumplings made them hungry again.

"Here, the grandson can eat first."

After the men in the kitchen finished their work, everyone sat around the table again.

Tong Huaqiong picked up a dumpling and put it on the dish in front of the grandson.

"Let’s see who gets the dumpling with the copper coin first; they will have good luck for the year," Tong Huaqiong said.

To bring luck, a few copper coins were wrapped in the dumplings.

As soon as she finished speaking, the grandson spit out a copper coin.

"Xiao Long ate it!"

"Xiao Long will have good luck for the coming year."

Man Er and Yaozu clapped and congratulated the grandson for getting the copper coin dumpling first.

The grandson laughed along with them.

He had clearly seen that when Tong Huaqiong gave him the dumpling, it was just a random choice.

Moreover, the dumplings looked identical without any markers; who knew which one had the copper coin inside.

He believed he was the luckiest person.

Tong Huaqiong said, "Not just one year, you’ll have good luck every year."

Just as she was saying this, she felt something block her molar.

When she spat it out, she too had gotten a copper coin dumpling.

"I got one too."

Man Er was the third to get one.

Soon after, Gu Taohua and Lu Zhaozhao also got one.

So many people got one, everyone became more spirited, hoping to get a copper coin dumpling for good luck.

Soon, Gu Jingzhe, Gu Dahuan, and Gu Xiaoxue were among those who got one, and Gu Dashu, who thought he had no chance with the good luck, finally got one while eating the last dumpling.

"I got one! My brother Gu Jingzhe will definitely make the list in the spring examinations." Gu Dashu was very excited.

He felt that nothing was more important than Gu Jingzhe making the list at this stage.

The family was not lacking money or property now, but they were lacking fame; Gu Jingzhe would surely make up for it in the spring exams.

Interestingly, everyone except Fan Tong got a copper coin dumpling.

Fan Tong looked dejected and forced a smile.

Yet Gu Honglian said to him, "Husband, we are one body as husband and wife. If I get good luck, it means you have good luck too; as the saying goes, a wife’s honor is her husband’s honor, so this means you will achieve something."

This speech made Fan Tong extremely depressed.

If he had good luck, why wasn’t he the one who got it, but Gu Honglian was?

Tong Huaqiong was puzzled that Fan Tong didn’t get a copper coin dumpling.

The last remaining dumpling in the bowl was eaten by Gu Dashu, and Tong Huaqiong couldn’t understand where the other copper coin dumpling went.

She’s not stingy, and since they were going for luck, she packed the copper coins based on the number of people present.

They eventually solved the mystery: Turns out while eating, the puppy that the grandson gave to Man Er sneaked under the table, and Man Er picked up a dumpling to feed it.

The dumpling with the copper coin was eaten by the puppy.

The puppy spit out the copper coin, which rolled to Man Er’s feet.

Man Er looked down and said, pointing at the copper coin, "My puppy also got good luck, it ate the dumpling with the copper coin."

Everyone: "..."

Fan Tong’s face turned green.

He was not even as good as a dog.

"Let’s go set off some fireworks."

Through the window, they could see that nearby households were already setting off fireworks, so Man Er pulled the grandson outside.

Gu Taohua, still in a playful mood, wanted to set off fireworks herself.

Su Chengmin joined her in the courtyard to set them off with her.

Beautiful fireworks rose into the air and then blossomed in the sky.

Tong Huaqiong and the others stood under the veranda, looking up to the sky. Indeed, the palace gathered the best pyrotechnicians in the world, creating fireworks that were colorful and varied, not only with various floral designs but also with lifelike animal patterns.

The entire sky above the courtyard was covered with brilliant fireworks.

"I’ll accompany you to watch the lanterns on the fifteenth; Shengjing’s Lantern Festival boasts the most beautiful lanterns," Su Chengmin said to Gu Taohua.

Gu Taohua turned her head to look at Su Chengmin, her eyes sparkling with the light from the exploding fireworks, mesmerizing Su Chengmin.

"Aren’t you on duty during the Lantern Festival?"

For Shengjing, during the bustling Lantern Festival, the most important tasks were preventing fires and ensuring no one caused trouble in the lively atmosphere.

At that time, the entire Imperial Guard would be dispatched for patrol.

Su Chengmin said, "I’ve already arranged it. I’ll manage to take two hours off to accompany you for a stroll."

Gu Taohua smiled and nodded, as the wind blew and snowflakes landed on the hair on her forehead.

Su Chengmin couldn’t help brushing off the snow on Gu Taohua’s forehead.

Gu Taohua’s face turned red.

Fan Tong watched the intimate interaction between Su Chengmin and Gu Taohua, a pang of jealousy rising in his heart.

Once again, he regretted missing out on Gu Taohua.

The primary quality of a Commander of the Imperial Guard was sharp intuition, and Su Chengmin suddenly sensed a gaze.

He looked in the direction of the gaze.

Hiding under the veranda, Fan Tong got caught red-handed by Su Chengmin and had to turn his head away.

Gu Honglian also noticed Fan Tong’s actions. She couldn’t scold him in front of her sister-in-law for fear of angering the sister-in-law and Gu Taohua, which could lead to both of them being kicked out.

"Fan Tong, do you have a death wish? This is the third time you’ve peeked at Taohua. Do you take me for a fool who can’t see your thoughts? You better hold yourself back. If my sister-in-law and Taohua catch you, you’re dead meat. You think it’s a good idea to get kicked out in the middle of winter, don’t drag me down, too."

"Don’t even think about it. You should think about whether you’re worthy of my niece. Keep the boundaries expected of a young uncle-in-law, or else, I’ll show no mercy if I catch you peeking at Gu Taohua again."

Gu Honglian leaned closer to Fan Tong, whispering warnings into his ear like a ghoul.

In fact, there was no need to wait for Gu Honglian’s reminder; Fan Tong was already terrified after seeing the intimidating look in Su Chengmin’s eyes.