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

The three of them had barely squatted down for the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea when they were intercepted by Gu Jingzhe.

Liu Yanhong said dejectedly, "Third Uncle, how did you find out we were here?"

They had been hiding very well! But they were still discovered.

Gu Jingzhe said, "I found you here by following the footprints of the three of you."

While speaking, he grabbed Liu Yanhong like a chick.

Although Gu Jingzhe is good-looking, he always has a serious demeanor, so Liu Yanhong, who is fearless, is most afraid of Gu Jingzhe's cold and handsome face.

He was even more afraid than his father, the county magistrate, and the teachers at the school.

Once held in Gu Jingzhe's hand, Liu Yanhong forgot to struggle and followed Gu Jingzhe out of the cornfield dejectedly.

Liu Yanhong spent half a day in the cornfield, his body covered in mud. Han Shi laughed and scolded as she busied herself changing Liu Yanhong's clothes.

Tong Huaqiong then placed the pork and some vegetables and corn grown in the fields onto Han's carriage.

Han invited Tong Huaqiong to visit the Liu family in the county. Tong Huaqiong smiled and said that she would definitely visit when she had time.

"Grandma, can I stay a few more days?" Liu Yanhong made a final struggle after getting into the carriage.

"We'll come again when your godmother's new house is finished," Han said.

Han was not angry at Liu Yanhong's reluctance to part with him; on the contrary, she was very happy.

What does this mean? It means that their grandson is being well taken care of at the Gu family's home; otherwise, why wouldn't the child want to go home?

It's clear that Han's current filter for Tong Huaqiong is so thick that even swords can't penetrate it.

"Can Man'er and Yaozu come home with me?"

Looking at Man'er and Yaozu, Liu Yanhong had a new idea pop into his head.

Man'er and Yaozu went back to Pingchuan County with him. After a few days, the two returned to Qinghewan, and he was able to come along openly.

Man'er and Yaozu's eyes lit up.

They've never lived in a county town before.

It is said that Pingchuan County is very lively during festivals, with fireworks displays, magic shows, tightrope walking, and breaking large stones on one's chest.

Man'er and Yaozu had long wanted to go to Pingchuan County to broaden their horizons.

"Young Master Liu, Man'er is not going anywhere."

The usually taciturn Gu Dahan immediately refused on behalf of his daughter.

Gu Dahan thought to himself that although the magistrate's son called his stepmother godmother, he was still an official's son. What was the point of Man'er going to Pingchuan County with him? He didn't want others to gossip behind his back and say that Man'er was climbing the social ladder.

As a father, he couldn't let Man'er become the object of others' contempt and gossip.

When Man'er heard that her father wouldn't let her go, her eyes were filled with disappointment.

Liu Yue'e wanted Yaozu to go, since there were only benefits and no drawbacks to building a good relationship with the magistrate's son.

But her brother-in-law had already told Man'er not to go, so she couldn't let Yaozu go with her.

“Grandma.” Man’er looked at Tong Huaqiong, her big eyes filled with longing.

Tong Huaqiong dared not let Man'er go to the Liu family.

What if she gets so engrossed in playing that she takes something from the space, and the secret of the space is discovered?
In addition, she decided to start Man'er and Yaozu's early education after the autumn harvest, so the two children could no longer go to Pingchuan County.

Tong Huaqiong said, "Man'er, it's not that your father doesn't want you to go to the county town, but I'm going to take you to the prefectural city in a few days."

After thinking about it, Man'er felt that the prefectural city was definitely bigger, more lively, and had more fun than Pingchuan County, so she didn't want to go to Pingchuan County.

"Aunt Tong, you're going to the prefectural city in a few days to prepare for the new shop. You must come to my house then!"

When Lu Zhaozhao heard that Tong Huaqiong would be going to Pingchuan County in a few days, she invited Tong Huaqiong to her home.

Tong Huaqiong smiled and agreed.

Lu Zhaozhao then said to Gu Taohua, "Taohua, you should come too. You've never been to my house before."

Gu Taohua said, "Okay, as long as your brother doesn't blame me for encouraging you to do business."

Like Liu Yanhong, Lu Zhaozhao didn't want to leave the Gu family either, but she had already decided to learn how to do business, so she needed to go home and persuade her brother as soon as possible. Madam Han held Tong Huaqiong's hand tightly and spoke for a long time, urging her to visit the Liu family in Pingchuan County, and also instructing her to save a pig for her to slaughter for the New Year.

Tong Huaqiong agreed to all of them.

As the sun was rising, Gu Taohua and the others were heading to their shops in town, so Han Shi and Lu Zhaozhao left.

"I'm so sleepy, I need to go to sleep for a while."

As soon as Han and Lu Zhaozhao left, Tong Huaqiong rushed to the bed.

Tong Huaqiong slept until noon.

Gu Dahan had already prepared the meal. Seeing that his stepmother was sleeping in the room, he did not wake Tong Huaqiong, but instead heated the food in the pot.

After getting a good night's sleep, Tong Huaqiong went to the courtyard. The autumn breeze, carrying the scents of chrysanthemums and grass, made her feel refreshed and invigorated.

"Grandma, you're awake. There's rice in the pot." Man'er saw that Tong Huaqiong had woken up and wanted to serve her some rice.

Tong Huaqiong said to Man'er, "You don't need to serve it, I'll do it myself."

Upon entering the kitchen, I lifted the pot lid and found porridge, steamed buns, and stewed ribs warm inside.

Tong Huaqiong brought the food to the yard and started gnawing on ribs in the autumn breeze.

I was eating when I heard someone knocking on the door.

Man'er ran to open the door and called out to the person outside, "Aunt Cao, Chunni."

Tong Huaqiong wondered to herself, what were Cao Shi and Chunni doing at this time?

"Is your grandmother at home?" Cao asked.

“At home,” Tong Huaqiong said loudly.

Cao led Chunni into the courtyard, and Tong Huaqiong looked up at the mother and daughter who had entered.

Cao's eyes were red, and Chunni had tears on her face.

"Aunt Tong, I'm sorry to have kept you from eating."

Seeing that Tong Huaqiong was holding chopsticks and food in front of her, Cao Shi spoke up apologetically.

Tong Huaqiong waved her hand and said, "It's no trouble at all. Have you eaten yet?"

"without"

Cao interrupted Chunni and said hurriedly, "I've already eaten."

Tong Huaqiong didn't expose Cao Shi. She stood up and let Cao Shi and Chunni into the house. She ordered Man'er to lock the door and poured two bowls of tea for Cao Shi and Chunni.

Tong Huaqiong didn't know what the mother and daughter had gone through, but she could tell from Cao's expression that they must have encountered unbearable difficulties.

Without a doubt, this difficulty must have come from Tian Fugui and Granny Luo.

Tong Huaqiong did not return to the courtyard. Instead, she sat directly on a chair in the house and looked at Cao Shi, waiting for Cao Shi to speak first.

"Aunt Tong, please eat first," Cao said softly.

She seemed to be enduring it with all her might.

Endure the pain, endure the tears.

Tong Huaqiong said, "I've almost finished eating. Just tell me what's on your mind."

The person was right in front of her, looking so miserable; how could she possibly eat?

Cao remained silent.

Tong Huaqiong and the others couldn't stand it any longer and urged, "Say what you have to say quickly."

Cao looked ashamed and stammered, "Aunt Tong, I'm really too embarrassed to ask."

Tong Huaqiong asked directly, "You brought Chunni to my house because you encountered some difficulties, right? Did Tian Fugui beat you up?"

Upon hearing this, Cao finally broke down in tears, and Chunni cried out loud.

It seems Tong Huaqiong guessed correctly. (End of Chapter)