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

The next morning, Tong Huaqiong braved the autumn wind and went out.

As soon as I opened the door, I saw a flashy carriage parked in front of me. Not only was the carriage itself flamboyant, but the horses pulling it were also incredibly handsome, with bushy manes on their necks and long tails swaying leisurely.

A horse like that must be expensive.

It was too late yesterday to see the carriage, but Tong Huaqiong saw it clearly now and sighed.

This carriage would be considered Ferrari-level in modern terms.

Although horse-drawn carriages were an important means of transportation in this era, a good horse was really hard to buy, and it wasn't something that people with money could afford.

You need connections, and you need to know how to pick horses.

Otherwise, Tong Huaqiong would have already bought a carriage with just money.

Peach Blossom Dessert Shop now only has two donkey carts.

Seeing the stylish carriage and the fine horse, Tong Huaqiong made up her mind to buy a horse while she was in the prefectural city.

The Lu family has extensive connections in the prefectural city; if all else fails, we can simply ask them for help.

"Master, this carriage was borrowed from Fenglelou. Boss Qian said it's for taking you to meet the shop assistants in the prefectural city, so he specially decorated it extravagantly to enhance your prestige. He said there are many wealthy people in the prefectural city, and some might look down on you. If we go in a donkey cart, we don't want them to look down on you." Qin Qingyou, who was acting as the coachman and going to the prefectural city this time, smiled and pointed to the carriage as he introduced it to Tong Huaqiong as she came out.

The carriage was borrowed by Qin Qingyou and Ma Huateng from Fenglelou. Boss Qian was never stingy when people from Peach Blossom Dessert came to borrow things.

Not only did they lend out the carriage, but they also decorated it in a very stylish way.

"You're so thoughtful to borrow a carriage."

Tong Huaqiong nodded, stepped onto the stool that Gu Dahan had brought, and climbed into the carriage.

Once inside, I found it to be very spacious, enough to seat five or six adults.

It also has soft cushions and backrests, as well as a small table and tea set.

Tong Huaqiong thought to herself, "Boss Qian really knows how to enjoy life!"

Gu Taohua, Chen Sufeng, Liu Yue'e, and others followed and climbed into the carriage.

Man'er and Yaozu were so excited that they kept circling the horse before Gu Dahan lifted them onto the carriage.

"Mother, are you sure you don't need me to go?" Gu Dahan asked again, quite worried that all the women in the family were going to the prefectural city alone.

Tong Huaqiong waved her hand and said, "There's so much work to do at home, we need you more."

Autumn harvest and pig farming are not easy tasks.

Fortunately, Gu Jingzhe will be on vacation tomorrow. Tong Huaqiong has already told Gu Jingzhe to go home and help Gu Dahan manage the hired workers.

Gu Dahan said, "It takes a whole day to get to the prefectural city, and I'm not too comfortable with that."

Gu Taohua poked her head out and said, "Big brother, what are you worried about? You might not even be able to beat me in strength, so don't worry, nothing will happen."

Gu Dahan laughed when he heard his younger sister say that.

Qin Qingyou said, "Brother Dahan, don't worry, I'm here."

Qin Qingyou often delivered pastries to the prefectural city, and he knew the way there very well.

He knew perfectly well where the roads were difficult to travel and where the wilderness lay.

Besides, since Prefect Yao swiftly cracked down on bandits and highwaymen two months ago, the roads have become much safer. Sometimes, when he returns late from delivering pastries from the prefectural city, he can travel at night without any problems.

Tong Huaqiong then instructed, "During the Great Cold, Fugui's wife and Chunni are feeding the pigs in the pigsty. I'm worried that while I'm away, Tian Fugui and Granny Luo might cause them trouble. Please keep an eye on them for me, and make sure they don't beat them up. If they get hurt, how will they work for me?" These past two days, Cao Shi and Chunni have been working at Tong Huaqiong's pig farm. Cao Shi is very capable and has even taken the initiative to cook for the hired workers. Tong Huaqiong is afraid that while she's away, Tian Fugui and Granny Luo might take the opportunity to cause trouble.

Gu Dahan said, "Don't worry, I won't let Cao Fugui and Aunt Luo into the temple."

Ever since Gu Dahan stopped the crowd from looting Xu Yong's grain with his hunting rifle, he has become more confident and is now more organized in managing both the hired workers and the pigsty.

Tong Huaqiong felt relatively at ease as long as Gu Dahan agreed to something.

Seeing that Tong Huaqiong had nothing more to say, Qin Qingyou started the carriage.

"Let's go to the prefectural city."

"Let's go to the prefectural city."

Man'er and Yaozu sat next to Tong Huaqiong, clapping their hands excitedly.

Not only were the two children happy, but Tong Huaqiong, Chen Sufen, and Liu Yue'e were also excited.

This was their first time visiting the prefectural city.

Having already visited the city once, Gu Taohua seemed rather calm.

"Sister, what kind of clothes do people in the prefectural city wear? Is it okay for me to dress like this? Will people look down on me?" Liu Yue'e loved to dress up. She was wearing brand-new clothes and pearl flowers in her hair, but her rouge was too heavy.

Gu Taohua said, "The prefectural city is very large, more prosperous than Pingchuan County. There are restaurants and teahouses one after another, and even Hu women dancing. However, there are also poor people and ordinary people in the prefectural city. Some people wear fine silks and satins, while others dress similarly to the people in Yanguan Town. Second sister-in-law, you look alright dressed like this. You are already beautiful, and this makes you even more beautiful."

Tong Huaqiong couldn't help but look at Liu Yue'e. Liu Yue'e was indeed the most beautiful woman in Qinghewan. Even with her son so old, her beauty was still undeniable.

However, her overly elaborate attire made her appear gaudy and somewhat vulgar.

Tong Huaqiong said to Liu Yue'e, "You'll look better if you wipe off some of your blush."

Tong Huaqiong was wearing a purple dress and had a gold hairpin in her hair.

Logically speaking, such attire would be rather vulgar, but Tong Huaqiong's fair complexion, coupled with her unlike the women of this era who painted their faces like monkey buttocks, gave her a charm that the women of Qinghewan lacked.

After carefully observing her mother-in-law, Liu Yue'e felt that what her mother-in-law said made a lot of sense.

She wondered why her mother-in-law looked better even though they were dressed the same; it turned out her mother-in-law had almost no blush on her face.

“Mother is right.” Liu Yue’e took out a mirror and carefully wiped away the blush.

Chen Sufeng exclaimed, "My sister-in-law is a mother now, but she's still the prettiest woman in our village."

Liu Yue'e said, "That's because Mother made us dress up. If other wives dressed up, their mothers-in-law would scold them horribly. The rich wives who work in our house are not ugly at all. They have double eyelids and fair skin. Even if they dye their nails with balsam flowers, Granny Luo would scold them for seducing men."

Chen Su-fen nodded in agreement.

The mother-in-law not only didn't scold them, but she also liked them when they dressed up nicely.

Tong Huaqiong said, "You are at the prime of your life. If you don't dress up now, you won't have the energy to do so when you're old. This time, we're going to the prefectural city not only to open shops, but also to visit the silk shops, rouge shops, and jewelry shops. We'll buy everything that Yanguan Town doesn't have."

"Mother, you really love us so much." Liu Yue'e hugged Tong Huaqiong's arm and said coquettishly.

Tong Huaqiong's lips twitched; she wasn't used to intimate contact with others.

Although Tong Huaqiong's body is that of Tong Dajiao, her mind is that of a modern, vibrant female graduate student.

She herself loves to dress up, and for this trip to the prefectural city, she had already planned to get fashionable new clothes and elaborate headdresses.

She is now the most beautiful businesswoman in Yanguan Town, and she also wants to build her personal brand in the prefectural city. (End of Chapter)