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

Chapter 277 Let's go to the prefectural city together
Shopkeeper Qian placed the piglets at Tong Huaqiong's pig farm, inspected his house which was under construction, and then returned to town.

When Gu Taohua returned from Peach Blossom Dessert Shop that evening, she brought not only the account book but also thirty taels of silver from Boss Qian.

After the meal, Tong Huaqiong looked at the account book while discussing the trip to the prefectural city with Gu Taohua.

Peach Blossom Desserts plans to open its branch in Fucheng in three days.

Actually, the preparations had already been completed long ago.

The shop was located in the most bustling part of the prefectural city.

Of course, Lu Zhaoyang provided a lot of help in choosing the location of the shop.

A while ago, He Chao took Gu Taohua to the prefectural city to prepare for the opening. When Gu Taohua saw that the preparations were almost complete, she returned to Yanguan Town.

He Chao stayed in Fucheng for the time being.

Tong Huaqiong only listened to Gu Taohua and He Chao's reports on the work situation. She trusted He Chao and Gu Taohua, so she only decided to go to Fucheng now that the business is about to open.

Firstly, she wanted to see the sights and sounds of the city, and secondly, the opening of her family's shop in the city was a milestone for Peach Blossom Desserts, which she wanted to witness.

Not only that, she also wanted to meet the local workers in the prefectural city.

Otherwise, if she avoids meeting them, the staff will only know the manager, He Chao, and not the owner, Tong Huaqiong, which is not conducive to team building and management.

She trusted He Chao, but she didn't trust human nature. Everyone in the shop needed to know who the decision-maker was, who made the decisions about the shop, and who paid the salaries. Only with a clear understanding of their roles could they be loyal to Tong Huaqiong.

"Mother, I've prepared the dry rations and put them on the carriage. Just bring water tomorrow morning," Chen Sufeng said to Tong Huaqiong as she entered the house.

Tong Huaqiong had already arranged to take Chen Sufen to the prefectural city.

Because many of the new pastries at Peach Blossom Desserts required guidance from Chen Su-fen, and because Tong Hua-qiong was worried that the bakery would be too busy after its opening, she temporarily asked Chen Su-fen to take care of things.

Tong Huaqiong saw Man'er behind Chen Sufeng and said, "Let Man'er come along. She's never been to the prefectural city before. Let's go and see it together this time."

Man'er cheered and came to Tong Huaqiong, saying, "Thank you, Grandma, for taking me to the prefectural city."

Chen Sufeng instructed Man'er, "Then you should go to sleep quickly in a while, in case you can't get up in the morning."

Man'er nodded.

Liu Yue'e and Yaozu happened to be delivering tea to Tong Huaqiong when they heard that not only was Chen Sufen going, but Tong Huaqiong was also taking Man'er to the prefectural city. Liu Yue'e felt quite uncomfortable.

My mother-in-law's love for Man'er has never diminished!

Although her mother-in-law now also dotes on Yaozu, the degree of affection she shows him cannot compare to her love for Man'er.

"Yue'e, take Yaozu with you."

Just as Liu Yue'e was feeling down, she suddenly heard her mother-in-law say this, and she was so surprised that she didn't know how to react.

Her husband runs a pesticide and seed shop in the prefectural city during the Great Heat season, and the couple hasn't seen each other for over a month.

She longed to visit the prefectural city, but dared not mention it.

Firstly, she was worried that there wouldn't be enough manpower to make peach blossom desserts in town before the Mid-Autumn Festival; secondly, she was afraid that her mother-in-law would say she was being lazy and shirking her duties.

Now her mother-in-law has taken the initiative to ask her to go to the prefectural city with her.

"Won't the shops in Rouge Lane be too busy?" Liu Yue'e asked.

Gu Taohua said, "Don't worry, Second Sister-in-law, I've already arranged all the manpower."

Liu Yue'e looked deeply moved.

It turned out that her mother-in-law hadn't made the decision on a whim, but had been planning to take her to the prefectural city for a while, only telling her now.

Gu Taohua said, "Second sister-in-law, the reason why Mother is only telling you now is because she was afraid that if you knew in advance, your mind would not be on the shop."

Liu Yue'e smiled shyly.

It seems my mother-in-law understands me very well.

Tong Huaqiong said, "I've seen how hard you've worked at the shop these past six months. This time when you go to the prefectural city, take your time to explore and have a good reunion with Dashu."

“Mother, I’m not tired.” Liu Yue’e was so moved she almost choked up.

My mother-in-law has seen all my hard work.

Moreover, her mother-in-law was understanding of her desire to see the Great Heat.

Which mother-in-law in the village would be so reasonable? I bet if her daughter-in-law had even the slightest thought of missing her husband after her son left, she would be scolded for not being virtuous.

Gu Dashu has been worried a lot during her time in the prefectural city.

She had heard that there were many brothels in the prefectural city and that the girls were beautiful. She was afraid that if they were separated for too long, Gu Dashu would develop inappropriate thoughts and follow the example of the people in the prefectural city by taking a concubine or having a mistress.

Tong Huaqiong fiddled with the abacus for a while, and when she saw Gu Taohua taking notes on the side, she suddenly remembered something. Under the oil lamp, she looked up at Man'er and Yaozu.

Tong Huaqiong said, "After the autumn harvest and the Mid-Autumn Festival, I plan to start Yaozu and Man'er's education so that they can learn to read and write."

This news excited her even more than the news that Liu Yue'e was to go to the prefectural city.

Her son is about to start his formal education and begin his studies.

My mother-in-law used to dote on Yaozu, but she never thought about sending him to school. She always said that it was already a struggle to support Gu Jingzhe, and there was no extra money to support Yaozu.

Now my mother-in-law wants Yaozu to go to school.

How could she not be excited?

"Yaozu, wipe your mouth. You can't eat like this when you start studying." Yaozu was eating a cookie, with crumbs hanging around his mouth. He looked blank when he heard about studying.

Wouldn't that mean he'd be like Liu Yanhong, having to practice calligraphy every day and unable to be as free as he wanted?

When Liu Yue'e saw her son's expression, she felt like she had been doused with cold water.

She was still hoping her son would pass the exam and earn her a title.

Is this okay, son?

She knew what Gu Jingzhe was like when she was a child and just starting her education. She lived in the same village and had seen her; she was incredibly clever and cunning.

Moreover, Gu Jingzhe started learning at the age of three, while his own son is almost five years old and still doesn't understand anything.

Even more excited than Liu Yue'e was Chen Sufen, who never expected her mother-in-law to let Man'er learn to read.

Apart from Gu Taohua, no other girl in the entire village is literate.

Chen Sufen said gratefully, "Man'er will learn a few words from her mother and won't be illiterate in the future."

Tong Huaqiong raised her head and said, "Man'er is not just someone who knows a few words. The village chief and I have discussed setting up a village school. Our family will contribute some money, and Boss Qian is also willing to do his part to hire a teacher to teach the children in the village who are willing to study. Our Man'er and Yaozu will both go to school."

Upon hearing this, not only was Chen Sufen shocked, but even Liu Yue'e's mouth dropped open.

They all thought that Tong Huaqiong would let Man'er and Gu Taohua learn to read like her, but Tong Huaqiong planned to send Man'er to school.

This is an astonishing act.

Chen Sufeng stammered, "The school doesn't accept female students, does it?"

I've never heard of any school in the whole world having female students.

Tong Huaqiong raised an eyebrow and said, "I established this school; who dares to refuse to accept students?"

Chen Sufen asked incredulously, "But...but Man'er doesn't need to take the imperial examination for the top female scholar. Being literate isn't enough to make her illiterate. Why are you making such a fuss about sending her to school, Mother?"

Tong Huaqiong said, "I sent Man'er to school not to make her a female top scholar, but to let her learn knowledge. More importantly, Man'er is very smart. She will definitely learn better than the male students after she goes to school. This will make her feel that she is no worse than the male students, and she will have confidence in everything she does in the future."

“You said Man’er doesn’t need to take the exam to become the top female scholar, but she goes to school. What about Yao Zu? Yao Zu doesn’t seem to have the aptitude to become the top scholar. Why don’t you say why Yao Zu should also go to school?”

Liu Yue'e: "."

Chen Sufen opened her mouth, but couldn't refute it.

When Man'er heard that she would be going to school, she clenched her fists and said, "Grandma, don't worry, I'll definitely do better than the boys."