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

Once inside, I was offered a seat and served tea.

Han sat in a chair, while Lu Zhaozhao chatted with Tong Huaqiong for a while with a smile.

Tong Huaqiong knew why the Han family had come to Qinghe Bay.

That must be for his beloved grandson, Liu Yanhong.

Magistrate Liu, in his carefree manner, placed Liu Yanhong in Tong Huaqiong's house, hoping that Tong Huaqiong could restrain his temper. However, Magistrate Liu is likely to be disappointed.

Liu Yanhong spent the last few days in the village, running around wildly with Man'er and Yaozu every day. His personality became increasingly unruly, and he got tanned dark, making him completely unrecognizable as the number one young master in the county.

However, it is worth noting that Liu Yanhong has become stronger and has practiced a whole stack of large characters every day under Tong Huaqiong's supervision.

Liu Yanhong leaned against his grandmother, Han, who touched her eldest grandson from head to toe, feeling very satisfied.

My grandson hasn't gotten thinner.

When he saw the large characters his grandson had written, he couldn't stop smiling.

Who said his grandson didn't like studying? How come he loves studying now that he's in Qinghewan? It must be that the private school teacher's teaching methods are wrong.

"Sister Tong, my grandson is quite unruly. He's caused you a lot of trouble these past few days, hasn't he?" Madam Han asked after taking a sip of tea.

Tong Huaqiong smiled and said, "No."

To be honest, Liu Yanhong is a pretty good kid.

He's sweet-talking and lively, always calling Tong Huaqiong "godmother" this and "godmother" that. Over time, they've developed feelings for each other.

Madam Han said, "Hong'er can eat a lot. I only found out yesterday that my son didn't give your family any money, and just left him at your house."

I know my grandson Moruo's grandmother.

Liu Yanhong can indeed eat a lot.

And they eat meat at every meal.

Han felt that her son's actions were somewhat like using his official position to oppress others.

Tong Huaqiong said, "It's just adding one more pair of chopsticks."

Liu Yanhong raised his arm and said to Han Shi, "I ate very well at my godmother's house. There was meat and snacks at every meal."

Han pinched Liu Yanhong's chubby little face and asked, "No wonder you don't miss home anymore."

Liu Yanhong threw himself into Han's arms and said, "I miss home! I miss Grandma every day. I dare not go back without Father's orders."

Han hugged Liu Yanhong and called him her darling.

Tong Huaqiong's lips twitched. Liu Yanhong, that little rascal, was quite clever. He clearly wished he could stay in Qinghe Bay forever, but in front of his grandmother, he knew to say things against his will to please her.

Han then ordered people to move the gifts brought to the Gu family from the carriage into the house.

Tong Huaqiong estimated that the gifts included clothing, medicinal herbs, local specialties, and a box of books.

“Man’er has grown taller in the past six months.” Han Shi said with a smile as she pulled Man’er into her arms when she saw Man’er standing to the side.

The last time she saw Man'er was at Old Madam Huang's birthday banquet.

Half a year has passed. Man'er has been carefully raised by Tong Huaqiong. She has grown taller and fairer, and now she is dressed in brand-new clothes, looking like a dragon girl.

Han was immediately delighted and took out a gold necklace to put around Man'er's neck.

Man'er looked back at Tong Huaqiong, unsure whether she should accept Han's gift.

Tong Huaqiong smiled and said to Man'er, "Why don't you thank Grandma Han?"

Man'er thanked them in a crisp voice.

With a smile, Madam Han pulled Yaozu over and handed him a set of writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.

Yaozu looked completely bewildered.

He hadn't expected these to be the gifts he received, especially since he was illiterate.

Tong Huaqiong accepted the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone on Yaozu's behalf. The brush, ink, paper, and inkstone reminded Tong Huaqiong that it was time to begin Yaozu's education.

Liu Yanhong was only two years older than Yaozu and had already started her education. However, she lived in a village without any educational atmosphere and forgot about giving Yaozu his education.

Not only Yaozu needed to start his education, but Man'er also needed to learn to read. Tong Huaqiong made up her mind to start her two children's education after the autumn harvest season was over.

After delivering the gifts, Han sat down and chatted with Tong Huaqiong.

"Sister Tong, don't worry about me, just go about your business," Han said to Tong Huaqiong.

Han came from the countryside and knew that rural families were busy, unlike the wives of officials in the city who could sit together and chat all the time.

Tong Huaqiong did not refuse; she wanted to personally make braised pork and braised pork ribs.

Tong Huaqiong went into the kitchen to prepare lunch.

Han was accompanied by Hong and Lu Zhaozhao to the courtyard.

Gu Jingzhe had already cleaned the pig intestines, rolled up his sleeves, and placed a section of pig intestine on the cutting board to chop it.

When Han first entered the courtyard, she didn't take a good look at Gu Jingzhe. But once she did, she was amazed to find that the young man was indeed very handsome.

"Greetings, Madam." Gu Jingzhe felt a gaze sweep over him, looked up and saw Madam Han, and greeted her politely.

"What is this?" Han asked Hong, who was standing beside her.

“This is Sister Tong’s youngest son, Jingzhe,” said Madam Hong.

"So this is Sister Tong's youngest son. He's quite handsome. Everyone says your brother is good-looking, but I think he's not as good-looking as Jingzhe," Madam Han said to Lu Zhaozhao with a smile.

Gu Jingzhe blushed at this straightforward praise, and he lowered his head to cut the pig intestines even more diligently.

"I heard that Sister Tong's youngest son is studying in town. Why is he back home now?" Han asked Hong, who was beside her, casually, trying to find out about Gu Jingzhe.

Hong said, "It's almost harvest time, and the school is on holiday. You can't find another Jingzhe in the whole village. Not only is she good at studying, but after school she can also take care of the crops, cook, and do accounting at the shop."

Hong praised Gu Jingzhe extensively.

Han nodded and said, "I heard my son mention it once, saying that Jingzhe's reading of the book is indeed quite good."

Han had heard Magistrate Liu mention Gu Jingzhe before, and now that she saw him in person, Gu's youngest son was indeed quite good-looking, talented in his studies, and able to work hard without being arrogant.

Tong Dajiao is truly a blessed person.

They have raised good children and are easy to manage.

The more Han looked at Gu Jingzhe, the more she liked him. She glanced at Lu Zhaozhao beside her, and her eyes lit up with a smile.

Han had her own set of logic regarding girls getting married.

When buying a pig, first look at its pen. To determine if a young man is a good person, you should first look at whether his family has a proper upbringing and whether his parents are upright people.

Needless to say, the Gu family's family traditions are excellent, as can be seen from Tong Dajiao's character.

Treat your stepson and stepsister-in-law well, and treat your granddaughter and grandson the same.

More importantly, there is no custom of taking concubines in Qinghe Bay, and the son of the Gu family probably wouldn't even consider taking a concubine.

This kind of family tradition is very suitable for being a relative.

Tong Dajiao was an upright person who never cheated customers in her shop and was willing to donate medicine for ear rot disease.

My cousin's daughter lost her parents at a young age and is simple-minded, so she's not suited for a complicated, wealthy family.

After much deliberation, the Gu family's house was the perfect fit.

Gu Jingzhe is about the same age as his cousin, and he is currently a promising talent. He hasn't yet made a name for himself academically, so now is the perfect time to recruit him for his cousin. Once he passes the imperial examinations and becomes a scholar or a provincial graduate, his handsome face will likely make him highly sought after.

Han glanced at Lu Zhaozhao beside her. This cousin and Gu Jingzhe were a perfect match.

The more Han thought about it, the more she felt that this matter could not be delayed, and she couldn't wait to act as a matchmaker for the two younger generations.

However, Madam Han also knew that this matter could not be rushed. Ultimately, the decision on Lu Zhaozhao's marriage rested with her uncle-in-law, Old Master Lu, and Lu Zhaoyang.

However, she could first sound out Tong Huaqiong's opinion.

If Tong Huaqiong is willing, she is confident she can persuade her uncle.

Gu Jingzhe was focused on cutting the large intestine and meat, unaware that she had entered a milestone in Han's career as a matchmaker. (End of Chapter)