The wicked mother-in-law doesn't try to whitewash herself; she only abuses her awful children.

Wang's eyes reddened with heartache for her son.

She was hungry too!

My sister-in-law is really heartless; she could have at least left some flour.

Tong Zhijie said, "What happened to my aunt? She used to love me the most."

Tong Fusheng and Wang Shi also wanted to know the answer to this question!

Tong Zhaodi chimed in, “I’ve noticed that Auntie has become just like my eldest sister. Parents, do you remember how my eldest sister treated us in the beginning? Cold and indifferent. When she came to our house, she not only didn’t bring any gifts, but she also ransacked our house.”

Tong Fusheng's eyes flickered, and he said, "Your aunt is different from your eldest sister. Your eldest sister has always been gentle since childhood, and I don't know what triggered her to become like this. Your aunt has always had a fiery temper, but she used to hide her true nature by being obedient to our family. I reckon your aunt is like this because you didn't accept five taels of silver from Gu Baishuang for your uncle's and Yuan's funeral."

After thinking for a moment, Wang said, "Then how can she possibly treat us like she used to?"

Tong Fusheng said, "Let's stay here and appease her for now, and not argue with her. Zhaodi, you need to be diligent. Just like at home, get up at the first crow of the rooster and help sweep the yard, cook, and do chores."

Tong Zhaodi nodded and said, "Dad, I'll listen to you. Aunt's shop in town is doing very well. I heard from Yaozu that Sister Sufeng, Sister Yue'e, and Taohua all work in the shop. Not only do their own family members work in the shop, but they also hire an accountant and shop assistants. Even Sister Yue'e's brother, sister-in-law, and niece from her maternal family work in the shop. They earn a good amount of money every month."

Tong Fusheng was a little unhappy when he heard that someone had been hired for the shop.

His sister has become too powerful now that she has some money; she won't even consult him about such a big matter as hiring people for the shop.

Tong Fusheng asked Tong Zhaodi, "The news you found out is good. I thought her shop was just a storefront with the whole family working there, and they even hired an accountant. It looked very big."

Tong Zhaodi said indignantly, "Everyone else can go to the shop to collect their monthly wages. I am my aunt's own niece. I have no reason not to go."

Tong Fusheng nodded and said, "That makes sense. I'll talk to your aunt later and arrange for you to work in the shop."

Tong Zhijie said, "I want to go to the shop too. I can manage the accounts. As my nephew, isn't managing the accounts more reliable than having an outsider?"

Tong Fusheng didn't really want Tong Zhijie to go to the shop; he wanted Tong Zhijie to focus on his studies.

But then she thought, if Tong Zhijie didn't go, the shop would have nothing to do with her son anymore.

This shop was opened by their younger sister, who also has the surname Tong; it belongs to the Tong family.

As his nephew, Tong Zhijie had to go and oversee things.

Tong Fusheng pondered for a while and then said, "Alright, your main task is to appease your aunt and hopefully get the shop under your name in the future. Even if it's not entirely yours, as her nephew, you should still get a share. Once we get the money, I'll take you to the capital to study."

Tong Zhijie forgot his stomach was growling and grinned.

If he went to his aunt's shop, wouldn't he become the young master and then be able to live a life of luxury with the money from the shop?

Who would want to study when life is so good? If his parents hadn't forced him, he would have given up on school long ago.

Unlike Gu Jingzhe, who treated books like his own father, he got a headache whenever he saw a book.

Wang said, "If your sister is still this indifferent to us tomorrow, how do you plan to convince her to let Zhaodi and Zhijie go to her shop?"

Wang was furious at the thought of her sister-in-law's attitude.

She can tolerate being mistreated by her husband and son, but she cannot tolerate being mistreated by her sister-in-law.

Tong Fusheng said, "I have a way. Do you know who your sister listens to the most? She listens to her father the most. Before he passed away, he made her swear that she would treat our family well for the rest of her life. She dares not break her vow."

Wang laughed when she heard Tong Fusheng say that.

In the past, they always asked their sister-in-law for money and food. The sister-in-law did complain, but as soon as her husband brought up the oath she made before her husband died, she would give in.

After thinking for a moment, Wang said with a look of annoyance, "If I had known, I would have made Pan Di swear a solemn oath when she got married that she would treat Zhi Jie well for the rest of her life. Later, I will have to make Tong Zhaodi swear a solemn oath."

Tong Zhaodi said, "I won't swear I'll treat Zhijie well." Tong Zhijie grinned and said, "Once I take over Aunt's shop and make money, don't even think about getting involved, Big Sister."

Mrs. Wang clicked her tongue and sighed, "How did my sister-in-law manage to open her shop? She didn't have this ability before."

Tong Fusheng wasn't surprised by this.

His sister was clever and outspoken from a young age. She almost disguised herself as a boy and joined the army with the village cowherd.

His father often said that if his daughter were a boy, the Tong family would have already established a strong reputation.

But even if a girl is no weaker than a boy, so what? She is still a girl after all, and she still has to get married and have children.

According to Tong Fusheng, his sister only had the idea of ​​opening a shop after her husband died.

When Lao Gu was alive, he wouldn't have let her open a shop in town, so her talents naturally couldn't be displayed.

Lao Gu's behavior is understandable; after all, no man can stand his wife showing her face in public.

Tong Huaqiong was sleeping soundly; she was awakened by the sound of sweeping outside.

She got dressed and opened the door to find that Chen Sufen had gotten up at about the same time.

This is eye-opening! Is there anyone in the family who gets up earlier than Chen Su-fen?
Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be none other than Tong Zhaodi, Tong Dajiao's adopted niece.

"Oh dear, cousin, how can you leave this place there to sweep?" Chen Sufeng went up to grab Tong Zhaodi's broom.

Chen Sufen disliked Tong Fusheng's entire family.

She used to work at the Tong family's house with Tong Dajiao. She not only had to help with farm work, but also cook and sweep the yard. Apart from Tong Pandi, no one else ever gave her a second glance.

Chen Sufen felt that Tong Zhaodi and her brother Tong Pandi were also having a hard time at home, just like she was in the Chen family.

Despite Tong Zhaodi's lack of kindness, she still felt sympathy for Tong Zhaodi.

The young girl slept in the woodshed and got up early to help with the work. Chen Sufen felt a little sorry for Tong Zhaodi.

"Sister-in-law, no need, no need." Tong Zhaodi glanced at Tong Huaqiong at the door of the main room, still holding onto the broom tightly.

Her parents told her last night that she should try to win over her aunt.

She still wants to work at the shop.

"Auntie, are you up?" Tong Zhaodi greeted Tong Huaqiong loudly.

Tong Huaqiong glanced at Tong Zhaodi and hummed in agreement.

"Cousin, you can rest after you've swept the yard. I'll go cook," Chen Sufeng said.

At this moment, Gu Dahan also got up. Feeling sorry for his wife, he wanted to cook.

Tong Zhaodi said with a smile, "Cousin and sister-in-law, where is the rice and flour? I'll make breakfast."

She had originally intended to cook breakfast, but her aunt had taken all the rice and flour from the kitchen to her own room, leaving her with no rice to cook.

Chen Sufeng went to the main room to get rice and flour, while Gu Dahan went to the vegetable garden to pick vegetables.

After sweeping the yard, Tong Zhaodi saw Tong Huaqiong rubbing her teeth with salt, so she quickly rolled up her sleeves and fetched water for Tong Huaqiong to wash her face.

"Auntie, I'll do it." (End of Chapter)