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

Tong Huaqiong's heart skipped a beat.

The eldest daughter-in-law of Zheng Ju's family was none other than Xu Zaohua.

Tong Huaqiong asked, "What a coincidence, Zheng Juren's eldest daughter-in-law is a girl from the Xu family in our village. She seems like a nice girl. How did Steward He offend her?"

Ma Ming hesitated for a moment, then finally spread his hands to indicate that he didn't know.

Tong Huaqiong didn't press the matter further.

Outsiders might not know the private affairs of a wealthy family like Zheng Ju's.

However, if Tong Huaqiong really intends to hire Butler He, she must understand Butler He's background clearly.

She thought she should go to Pingchuan County to inquire about it.

After Ma Ming left, Tong Huaqiong, along with the accountant Ma Huateng and the shop assistant Hong Xiaoxi, arrived at the Su Shi Yuan restaurant.

The staff at Su Shi Yuan are still there; some have packed their bags, thinking they'll leave once the owner changes.

After all, they are the enemies of Peach Blossom Desserts.

Tong Huaqiong, however, did not think that way. Since she had "acquired" Su Shi Yuan, she was willing to use the employees of Su Shi Yuan as long as they were willing to stay.

Of course, the prerequisite is that one must be loyal to Peach Blossom Desserts and behave oneself.

Tong Huaqiong asked Hong Xiaoxi to call a meeting.

“Those who wish to stay can stay; I’ll use your peach blossom desserts just the same. Those who don’t wish to stay, each of you can go to Ma Huateng and take two taels of silver before leaving,” Tong Huaqiong said.

Originally, everyone at Peach Blossom Desserts, from the staff to the bakers, thought they were leaving today, but unexpectedly, things took a turn for the better and they were able to stay.

While feeling fortunate, I also felt grateful to Tong Huaqiong.

No wonder Widow Tong was able to defeat Su Shi Yuan so quickly that she was completely helpless; her ability to use people is extraordinary.

If you leave Su Shi Yuan, you might not be able to gain a foothold in other shops, so it's better to work with Tao Hua Desserts.

Anyway, it's all about making and selling pastries.

After exchanging glances, most of them stayed.

Of course, there were also a few people who didn't want to stay and took the money and left.

After the staff was arranged, Tong Huaqiong watched as the sign for Su Shi Yuan was taken down and replaced with the sign for Tao Hua Desserts.

Tong Huaqiong doesn't plan to run this shop like Su Shi Yuan; she wants to transform it into a high-end custom pastry shop.

With the new shop in hand, she began renovations, removing all traces of the original Su Shi Yuan dessert shop and incorporating the style of Peach Blossom Desserts.

The shop renovation was entrusted to Gu Xiaocao's father, Gu Guangkui. They had already collaborated once before, and he knew that he could guarantee the results to meet Tong Huaqiong's needs.

Another thing is to find a new manager for this new shop.

He Chao, the butler recommended by Ma Ming, is once again under consideration by Tong Huaqiong.

Tong Huaqiong's interactions with He Chao were unpleasant several times, but upon reflection, she realized that she didn't have much of a grudge against him.

When he came to the Gu family demanding people and money, he was also working for his employer, Zheng, a scholar.

The Gu family is willing to sell Man'er to the Zheng family, so why would a mere steward interfere?
She still remembered that when He Chao revealed that the idea of ​​having Gu Yaozu castrated because the Gu family couldn't pay back their debts was Zheng's idea, and it was Zheng who did his best to give Tong Huaqiong time.

Moreover, if it weren't for He Chao, how would Tong Huaqiong have found Master Tan, who could castrate pigs?

Thinking of this, Tong Huaqiong searched her mind for memories of He Chao from Tong Dajiao's past life.

In Tong Dajiao's world, He Chao was an insignificant person. Nevertheless, Tong Huaqiong still managed to find a few things about him. These few things were enough for Tong Huaqiong to decide on the spot to invite him to be the manager, and she wouldn't mind giving him a partner status.

This is truly a talented individual.

When Man'er was being abused in the Zheng family, He Chao felt sorry for her. He would often try to persuade the young master of the Zheng family and secretly protect Man'er.

When the young master of the Zheng family framed Man'er, He Chao stood up to testify for Man'er, but was sent to the estate by Zheng Juren. Unwilling to be humiliated, He Chao left the Zheng family.

Later, he moved to Shengjing and became the manager of a silk shop owned by a royal merchant.

When Man'er went to Shengjing, she reunited with him and was helped by him.

Later, after Man'er became a concubine, He Chao became Man'er's main source of income outside the palace, and he was extremely loyal to her.

The downfall of Tong Dajiao and others was inseparable from his influence outside the palace.

After Gu Jingzhe became an official of the imperial court, Gu Dashu used Gu Jingzhe's influence to do business, but He Chao managed to take advantage of all of those deals.

Just like in his previous life, He Chao left Zheng Ju's house.

Tong Huaqiong planned to first find out why He Chao left, and then personally go to his door to invite him onto her side.

She was afraid that if she arrived too late, someone else would snatch her away.

Without further ado, Tong Huaqiong made up her mind to go to Pingchuan County to ask for help early the next morning.

As for where to find out He Chao's address, Tong Huaqiong thought of Master Tan, the pig castrator, who would surely know.

In the evening, Tong Huaqiong returned to Qinghewan and checked on her corn in the field.

In the morning, Gu Dahan mentioned that every year the corn ears would turn black and become infested with insects just before they were ripe, causing a reduction in yield for the entire village.

The whole village is now catching bollworms on the corn ears in the fields in order to reduce disease and increase corn yield.

But it doesn't seem to have much effect.

Tong Huaqiong wanted to see what was going on and whether she could use the modern technology in the space to try to save it.

While observing in the cornfield, I overheard gossip about Xu Zaohua, who was widowed in the Zheng family.

Xu Zaohua was diagnosed with three months of pregnancy, which, according to the dates, happened to be right after she got married.

Whether Xu Zaohua was pregnant or not was originally none of Tong Huaqiong's business, but He Chao was kicked out of the Zheng family because of Xu Zaohua.

Therefore, Tong Huaqiong had no choice but to listen attentively to this gossip and participate deeply in its discussion.

Tong Huaqiong clicked her tongue in admiration and said, "Zaohua is quite lucky. Now she's firmly in her position as the eldest son's wife. If she gives birth to a son, that would be even more remarkable."

Both are widows, but being a widow in a wealthy family is definitely better than being a widow in the countryside.

Zhao, Liu Yue'e's mother, said, "Early this morning, the Xu family sent someone to pick up Zao Hua's mother. This wealthy family is not fair. When Zao Hua was not pregnant, the Zheng family never sent anyone to Xu Jin's house. As soon as Zao Hua was diagnosed as pregnant, they hurriedly took her mother away. If it is a girl, I don't know what kind of face the Zheng family will show."

Zhao felt that it was best for the girls in the village not to try to marry into wealth.

Aunt Qin, with a mysterious expression, whispered, "No matter what, Zao Hua is now quite the big shot as the young mistress of the Zheng family. When my Qingyou went to Pingchuan County to deliver pastries, that family had dealings with the Zheng family, and they mentioned Xu Zao Hua. Since we're from the same village, Qingyou overheard it. They said that the Zheng family's steward was expelled for peeping at Zao Hua while she was bathing. That steward was one of the most valued by Scholar Zheng."

Qin Qingyou was in charge of the peach blossom "delivery" business of Peach Blossom Desserts. He did not tell Tong Huaqiong the news he brought from Pingchuan County. After returning home, he told his mother a few words about Xu Zaohua, who was being talked about by the whole village.

Tong Huaqiong wanted to ask Qin Qingyou for details.

After finishing his shift at Peach Blossom Dessert Shop, Qin Qingyou was busy at the other end of the cornfield.

Aunt Qin shouted at the top of her lungs, and Qin Qingyou came running. (End of Chapter)