Chapter 819: Once Again Subtly Expelled

On the morning of New Year’s Day, Tong Huaqiong’s generous rewards brought the festivities to a close.

The whole first month is busy with little rest—hosting dinners for the clerks at the shop, visiting the Min Family, Lin Family, Yao Family, and other friends to drink and watch plays, preparing wedding items for Gu Taohua...

There are rare moments of peace.

Fortunately, Tong Huaqiong is not fighting alone; Gu Baishuang, Gu Dashi, and Gu Taohua are holding down the shop, while Chen Sufen and Liu Yueer are busy at home.

Others like Mrs. Hong, Tong Pandi, Su Qing, and Mrs. Zhao pitch in to help.

"Sister-in-law, is there anything else at home? You can ask me to do it." Gu Honglian sidled up to Tong Huaqiong, volunteering.

Tong Huaqiong answered, "For now, there isn’t anything you need to do. You and your husband should take a good rest for a few days. Once the first month is over, you can look for something to do outside."

On New Year’s Day, once again, indirectly sending people away.

Gu Honglian’s mouth twitched, feeling a mix of emotions.

"Boss, Manager He is waiting outside to discuss shop matters with you." Su Qing came in to inform Tong Huaqiong.

Tong Huaqiong quickly got up to meet He Chao.

Gu Honglian watched Su Qing effortlessly fit in beside Tong Huaqiong, feeling extremely envious.

If she hadn’t been foolish before and hurt her sister-in-law’s feelings, that position would have been hers instead of Su Qing’s.

On New Year’s Day, Tong Huaqiong distributed gifts and cash to everyone in the family except Gu Honglian and Fan Tong, who came halfway to capitalize.

Ordinarily, Gu Honglian would have complained long ago, but now she dared not complain.

"Taohua, your wedding day is approaching. Is there anything I can assist with?"

Gu Honglian set aside her thoughts, striving to prove her value in the Gu Family.

Since Tong Huaqiong didn’t need her, she turned to lick Gu Taohua.

After all, Gu Taohua had the highest status in the family.

Gu Taohua waved indifferently and said, "Aunt, I don’t need it."

Gu Honglian, rejected by Gu Taohua, looked at Lu Zhaozhao, who similarly indicated no need.

"Dashi’s wife..."

"Aunt, I don’t have anything I need your help with either." Liu Yueer fled like a rabbit.

"Dahuan’s wife, I can help you take care of Ying Er." Gu Honglian began to cling to Chen Sufen.

Chen Sufen, always soft-hearted, truly didn’t know how to refuse. So she said, "Ying Er has a nurse watching over her."

Seeing Gu Honglian’s extremely disappointed look, Chen Sufen couldn’t help but say, "I want to make a pair of shoes for Dahuan, but I’ve been short on time. Maybe Aunt can help make shoes for Dahuan."

Even though Gu Honglian wasn’t skilled with needlework, she busily agreed, fearing Chen Sufen would change her mind and she’d become someone idling around again at Tong Huaqiong’s side.

If she didn’t know, she could learn.

Meanwhile, Gu Honglian was trying to please the Gu family women while Fan Tong was chatting with Gu Jingzhe.

"...Uncle, it’s not that I don’t want to chat, but the Spring Imperial Examinations are approaching, and I need to go back to my room to study. You know for families like ours, educational opportunities are rare, and I don’t want to waste time." After speaking, he went into the room.

Fan Tong angrily returned to the small room.

The Spring Imperial Examinations; Gu Jingzhe was intentionally provoking him about his failure at the provincial exams?

Gu Honglian, sizing up shoe patterns, remarked as Fan Tong entered, "Did you finish clearing the snow on the roof?"

Fan Tong replied displeased, "The manager says Shengjing gets a lot of snow. Even if I clear it today, if it snows tomorrow, the roof will be covered again, so clearing today is pointless."

Gu Honglian raised her voice, "Can’t you clear it every day? I’m telling you, you don’t have anything to do at Sister-in-law’s place other than clearing snow. Snow is great, the more often it snows, the more often you clear it, so Sister-in-law can see your diligence."

After sweeping snow the entire morning, Fan Tong was exhausted and grumbled, "I’m a scholar, I came to Shengjing for my future, not to be a servant at your Sister-in-law’s house."

Gu Honglian sneered, "What good is being a scholar? It hasn’t made our family life any better. Besides, there are plenty of scholars in Shengjing. What future can we hope for on our own? Didn’t you say once Jingzhe passes the imperial exams, we’d benefit? How would he be willing to help you if you don’t show your worth?"

Fan Tong felt Gu Honglian was unreasonable and said, "You act like a maid or servant, but your sister-in-law may not appreciate it. Didn’t she shower everyone with gifts and money, except us this morning? I say, we might as well enjoy ourselves while we’re here since we’re leaving in the spring. Why put in effort? Let’s enjoy the day."

Initially, Gu Honglian thought there was logic to his words, but on reflection, she said, "Even if we go out, we’ll need to rely on Sister-in-law. If we don’t maintain good relations, what if we get bullied as strangers outside?"

"You’re just lazy. Let me tell you, Fan Tong, this isn’t Yan Guan Town or the Fan Family, being a scholar doesn’t mean anything special. We’re sheltering under Sister-in-law’s roof now, so keep your head down. Being a scholar doesn’t fill your stomach or warm you at night."

If they were home, upon hearing this, Fan Tong might confront Gu Honglian.

Under Tong Huaqiong’s watchful eye, he dared not.

Faced with Tong Huaqiong and her three formidable nephews, in a clash with Gu Honglian, he could only lose.

Tong Huaqiong discussed the shop matters with He Chao.

They decided to have a feast for the clerks on the fifth.

The day passed quickly.

Shengjing’s customs are similar to Pingchuan County’s; married daughters return to their maternal homes on the second day of the month.

Gu Baishuang, as the married daughter, maintains the custom of visiting the Gu Family every year on the second day.

Although Gu Baishuang is deeply involved in Tong Huaqiong’s business, often even living together, she is still esteemed as a guest of honor at the Gu Family on that day.

The most important matter on the second day is welcoming Gu Baishuang’s arrival.

As daughters-in-law, Chen Sufen, Liu Yueer, and Lu Zhaozhao would naturally go to their maternal homes, but they are all in Shengjing and have no maternal homes to visit.

Liu Yueer’s mother and father live at Tong Huaqiong’s place and plan to return home after the spring, so Liu Yueer can reunite with her parents throughout the first month.

Mr. Lu is in Ning City, Lu Zhaoyang is in Shengjing, and traditionally Lu Zhaozhao should visit her brother and sister-in-law’s place to pay New Year respects. But pregnant, Lu Zhaoyang and Huang Jingshan visited Tong Huaqiong before the year-end to see Lu Zhaozhao, advising her not to return to the Lu Family, prioritizing her pregnancy.

With Gu Baishuang visiting on the second, it counts as the Gu Family’s gathering for everyone.

Early in the morning, Gu Baishuang arrived at Tong Huaqiong’s with Nie Xiaofeng.

Nie Mingyuan and his two stepsons and their wives did not come.

Since vomiting blood before the year-end, Nie Mingyuan hasn’t recovered his health, though he wished to struggle to attend, Gu Baishuang insisted he stay home.

The stepsons and daughters-in-law also intended to visit Tong Huaqiong to offer New Year’s greetings, hoping for reconciliation with Gu Baishuang through her as the intermediary, but they were left at the mansion by Gu Baishuang.

Gu Baishuang appeared in high spirits, barely affected by Nie Mingyuan or the two stepsons’ families.

Currently, Gu Baishuang holds control over the Nie Family overall; Nie Mingyuan remains bedridden, his stepsons labor without his leadership, unable to stir any trouble like clams without feet in Shengjing.

The daughters-in-law of the stepsons shrink back, afraid of being ousted by Gu Baishuang.

"How is Brother-in-law?" Out of politeness, Gu Dahuan asked.