Chapter 817: New Year’s Grand Gift

"Sister-in-law, have some tea."

On New Year’s Eve, the grand family feast, and the personal visit by the Grandson to the Gu Family to celebrate the occasion shocked Gu Honglian greatly.

Moreover, traveling north all the way from Pingchuan County, facing harsh conditions, eating poorly and unable to sleep well, last night was the most restful and warmest night for Gu Honglian.

In the haze of sleepiness, Gu Honglian let out a comfortable moan, swearing never to endure a life of wandering and suffering in the cold again.

Her husband couldn’t provide her with comfortable days for now; in the unfamiliar Shengjing, she could only rely on her sister-in-law.

The maids beside her sister-in-law dressed and ate better than the daughters of wealthy families in Yan Guan Town.

She didn’t even wish for the life of a distinguished young lady like Gu Taohua, even living like a maid would satisfy her.

She didn’t want to be chased away.

So, Gu Honglian, who usually loved sleeping in, got up early on the first day of the New Year, positioning herself as a maid to serve her sister-in-law.

Furthermore, she pulled Fan Tong from his sleep and asked him to sweep the snow.

Before Tong Huaqiong rose, Gu Honglian had already wiped the table with a cloth, impossible for the maids to stop her.

Chen Sufen and Lu Zhaozhao looked at Gu Honglian working with confusion.

Both didn’t know how to treat this cheap aunt who traveled all the way north.

When Tong Huaqiong arrived at the main hall, she saw Gu Honglian offering tea with a flattering face.

Tong Huaqiong’s mouth twitched; what’s with tea in the early morning?

Gu Honglian was offering goodwill for no reason.

Tong Huaqiong casually placed the cup on the table.

Gu Honglian’s heart tightened; she picked up the pastries and asked Tong Huaqiong if she would eat.

Gu Dashu couldn’t help but say: "Aunt, don’t busy yourself, it’s dizzying. My mother just got up; she can’t drink tea or eat snacks. You’re busying yourself in vain. It’s freezing cold outside, and you and uncle don’t have a place to stay; you won’t be chased away soon."

Gu Honglian’s thoughts were exposed by Gu Dashu, but she wasn’t embarrassed; instead, she said opportunistically: "Sister-in-law not taking us in is her duty, taking us in is her kindness; if my husband and I shamelessly eat and drink here, are we still human?"

Tong Huaqiong couldn’t help thinking when Gu Honglian became so articulate and deft.

Indeed, her marriage with Fan Tong taught her some things.

But being deft isn’t a bad thing; it shows that Gu Honglian no longer acts recklessly as before and understands the principle of lowering one’s head when under someone else’s roof.

Having just been forced to sweep the snow and exhausted, Fan Tong was on the verge of spitting blood after hearing this.

He came to Shengjing to seek a good future, not to be a servant in the Gu Family.

Despite not having money or power right now, as a scholar, his status is higher than the Gu Family merchants who are obsessed with money.

Currently, Gu Honglian, in order to please her sister-in-law, completely disregards him as the distinguished son-in-law of the Gu Family, treating him like a servant.

Gu Honglian is truly short-sighted, exhausting all means to secure a place of refuge; she doesn’t even consider that they’re only temporarily seeking refuge in the Gu Family, and once given the chance, he would be Gu Jingzhe’s greatest support in the officialdom.

Regrettably, he missed connecting with the Grandson last night.

He had several opportunities to approach the Grandson, but Gu Taohua’s fiancé interrupted every time.

The discontent in Fan Tong’s gaze fell into Gu Jingzhe’s eyes.

Gu Jingzhe asked: "Uncle, did you sleep well last night?"

As Gu Jingzhe always called Fan Tong ’Senior Brother,’ hearing ’Uncle’ from Gu Jingzhe suddenly made Fan Tong momentarily disoriented, not realizing he was being addressed.

"Jingzhe is asking you a question," Gu Honglian nudged Fan Tong.

Gu Honglian felt a sense of dissatisfaction rise within.

What’s with her husband; they agreed to seek refuge with Gu Jingzhe in Shengjing, how come when Gu Jingzhe talks to him, he just gets dazed?

Once Fan Tong came to his senses, he forced a smile and said: "The room is very warm; I slept well."

Gu Jingzhe smiled slightly and said: "It’s good to sleep well. Shengjing is different from home; everything costs money, and everything is expensive. Like the brazier burning in your and Aunt’s room, the coal costs three hundred wen per jin. Think about how much coal needs to be burnt to keep warm through the night; regular folks can’t burn coal all night long, not even newly appointed officials dare to burn like this. We’re relatives, and talking about silver feels too vulgar; I’m not saying this to make Uncle feel indebted to us, but mainly to give Uncle some insight into surviving in Shengjing."

Gu Jingzhe’s words meant to warn Fan Tong not to dream too much; with his scholar status, being able to live in a warm room in Shengjing is already not easy.

If they leave the Gu Family, they’d be on the streets in no time.

Fan Tong’s face stiffened.

Tong Huaqiong said: "You just came, and you’re already being accounted, isn’t it a mistake to extinguish Uncle’s enthusiasm for Shengjing?"

It’s often said that talking about silver hurts relationships.

But without talking about silver, Fan Tong wouldn’t have any realization of living under someone else’s roof.

Therefore, Gu Jingzhe’s words were well-said and timely.

Though they made Fan Tong feel humiliated, they also made him aware of the Gu Family’s attitude toward his arrival.

Tong Huaqiong then said to Fan Tong: "Though your eldest nephew mentioning silver seems stingy, he’s ultimately looking out for you. You just arrived in Shengjing, and you’re unfamiliar with everything; his words aim to prepare you psychologically for life here, come spring, when Gu Honglian and you will need to find housing outside. This New Year period is your time to look around, see what you can do to make a living; based on your skills, surely you’ll be able to support yourself and Honglian."

Gu Honglian and Fan Tong were shocked.

Tong Huaqiong never intended to take them in for long.

Yesterday’s words of temporarily taking them in until spring were thought to be casually spoken; now judging by the situation, it’s very real.

Tong Huaqiong indeed hadn’t planned to continuously shelter Fan Tong and Gu Honglian.

She clearly understood Gu Honglian’s intentions of serving tea and refilling water early in the morning; Tong Huaqiong was keen to shatter the fantasies of Gu Honglian and Fan Tong about permanently relying on her to live in the Gu Family.

As soon as the weather warms up, they must venture out to make a living.

This must be mentioned frequently to prevent Gu Honglian and Fan Tong from pretending ignorance and continuing to reside after the weather warms.

The atmosphere fell into awkwardness.

"Zhaozhao, why don’t you sleep a bit longer?"

Tong Huaqiong spared Gu Honglian and Fan Tong and turned to Lu Zhaozhao with concern.

She was reluctant to make the pregnant woman get up early for New Year’s greetings.

Lu Zhaozhao smiled and said: "I went to sleep early yesterday, so I woke up early. Mother, here’s my New Year’s greeting."

Lu Zhaozhao stood up to offer New Year’s greetings to Tong Huaqiong; Tong Huaqiong waved it off, and Gu Jingzhe hurriedly helped Lu Zhaozhao sit down, making Mrs. Zhao and others laugh.

"Mother-in-law, Happy New Year."

Mrs. Zhao and Liu Tiechui smilingly wished Tong Huaqiong a Happy New Year.

"Happy New Year," Tong Huaqiong returned the blessings.

Then, Chen Sufen, Gu Taohua, and Liu Yueer offered New Year’s greetings to Tong Huaqiong, and this time, Tong Huaqiong gave each daughter-in-law a grand New Year’s gift—a share of Tong’s Trading House.

"These are for the three of you; you’ll share in all future profits from Tong’s Trading House."

She then addressed Gu Dahuan, Gu Dashu, and Gu Jingzhe, saying: "You three listen up, consider these profits as your wives’ dowry; you’re not allowed to interfere with them or use them."

The three respectfully agreed.