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

Chapter 298 He took a fancy to Gu Taohua
Good guy.

The Lu family's mansion covers a huge area.

No wonder the Lu family is known as the "Lu Half-City" of Ningcheng.

This means that the Lu family owns properties and shops throughout half of the prefectural city.

The Lu residence not only occupies a large area, but also has a hidden world inside.

It has mountain views, natural flowing water, and a large lake in the courtyard where you can go boating.

Tong Huaqiong's eyes couldn't take it all in.

Turning past the covered walkway and walking among the pavilions and towers reminded Tong Huaqiong of the Suzhou gardens of later generations.

Upon arriving at the inner courtyard, Old Master Lu was already waiting.

Tong Huaqiong and the others greeted Old Master Lu, who looked at Gu Taohua with amusement.

Tong Huaqiong's heart sank, thinking that Old Master Lu was not giving up on wanting Gu Taohua to become the Lu family's daughter-in-law.

Just as they sat down, someone announced that the steward of the Yao residence had arrived.

"No guests are welcome at the Lu residence today," Old Master Lu roared.

But the steward of the Yao family had already arrived, carrying a red lacquered box.

Ignoring the grumpy face of Old Master Lu, the butler smiled and said to Lu Zhaoyang, "Young Master Lu, this is ginseng that my master specially brought from the capital to nourish your body. This ginseng was a gift from the Emperor to my grandfather, but my master wrote a letter to request its return."

Old Master Lu said sarcastically, "Since it was bestowed by the Emperor, how can it be given away so casually? Does the Yao family not respect His Majesty?"

The steward said, "Master Lu, His Majesty has decreed that the things bestowed upon the old master are at his disposal."

Old Master Lu snorted in disdain.

Lu Zhaoyang accepted the ginseng and said, "Please thank my senior brother for me. I have guests at my house today, so I will visit him tomorrow."

As the steward was about to leave, he suddenly said, "The water chestnuts you gave to Lord Yao yesterday tasted better than those in the capital. He asked if you have any more here, and if so, could you ask for another box?"

Lu Zhaoyang said, "Yes, there's plenty for you, Senior Brother."

Old Master Lu's face turned ashen. In front of the Yao family's steward, he said, "Lord Yao has come here to fleece the people, not even letting go of a box of water chestnuts."

The butler looked embarrassed; he didn't know why Old Master Lu disliked his family's incorruptible official, Lord Yao.

Lu Zhaoyang, covered in sweat, said, "Grandpa just loves to joke."

As he spoke, he got up and took the steward out to get water chestnuts.

Old Master Lu's face was ashen, and his complexion did not return to normal until Lu Zhaoyang returned.

Tong Huaqiong watched all this with a cold eye; it was clear that Old Master Lu had a prejudice against Lord Yao.

They were even rude to Tong Huaqiong and others.

"Grandpa, didn't you say you'd treat Aunt Tong and Peach Blossom well? What did you have prepared?" Seeing the atmosphere becoming awkward, Lu Zhaozhao took on the role of a mood-lifter.

Old Master Lu's expression returned to a warm and welcoming tone, and he took the initiative to tell Tong Huaqiong about Jin Fengxiang and Tianxianglou's scheme against Gu Dashu.

"Actually, you can't blame Tianxianglou for this. How could Tianxianglou dare to offend the customers in the city? But Mama Mo is a straightforward person, and she told me what happened," Tong Huaqiong said.

The reason she spoke well of Madam Mo to Old Master Lu was mainly because he would be angry if he found out that she had brought Madam Mo into the business of going to Southeast Asia.

I heard that Old Master Lu has the utmost contempt for women involved in romantic affairs.

When Grandpa Lu heard Tong Huaqiong mention Mother Mo, his eyes suddenly lit up. He wanted to say something, but seeing Lu Zhaozhao and Gu Taohua beside him, he swallowed his words.

Tong Huaqiong saw all of this, wondering what Old Master Lu was up to.

Since Grandpa Lu didn't say anything, Tong Huaqiong was too embarrassed to ask.

After Lu Zhaoyang saw off the Yao family's steward and returned, the Lu family held a banquet. During the banquet, Old Master Lu gave Tong Huaqiong a talk on business, mainly mentioning what goods he needed to bring back for his trip to Southeast Asia.

"I plan to bring some porcelain, tea, and silk," Tong Huaqiong said. "If I can exchange them for gold and silver, I will. If not, I will exchange them for some jewelry, spices, peepholes, and other Western goods." Tong Huaqiong then stated her plan.

"That's a great idea."

Grandpa Lu was very impressed with Tong Huaqiong.

Porcelain, tea, and silk were all best-selling items for those islands in Southeast Asia.

It seems that Tong Huaqiong's ability to expand her business in Fucheng in such a short time is not entirely due to luck, but more to her keen business acumen.

Tong Huaqiong was unaware that the information gap she gained through cheating had elevated her status in Old Master Lu's eyes.

The food at the Lu family's house was delicious.

After a few rounds of drinks, Old Master Lu's gaze fell on Gu Taohua.

Tong Huaqiong was startled.

From the start of the meal, she steered the conversation toward business. Every time Old Master Lu looked at Gu Taohua, Tong Huaqiong would chime in, talking about everything from farming to how many pigs they raised. But she still couldn't shake Old Master Lu's desire to play matchmaker.

"Boss Tong, your Peach Blossom isn't engaged yet, is she?"

Sure enough, it came.

This time, they went straight to the point.

Old Master Lu was a man who had weathered many storms; he couldn't possibly be unaware of Tong Huaqiong's intention to change the subject.

He saw through Tong Huaqiong's intentions and still asked that question, which means he hasn't given up on pairing Gu Taohua and Lu Zhaoyang together.

"Grandpa!" Lu Zhaoyang exclaimed in shock and tried to stop him.

Old Master Lu glared at Lu Zhaoyang.

Tong Huaqiong said, "Grandpa, my Taohua is still young, and I want to keep her for a few more years. Moreover, I don't plan to let her get married. I plan to give Taohua desserts to her in the future. I can't let outsiders benefit from her. If she gets married, she will find a son-in-law who will live with her family."

Since you're going for the straight shot, I'll go for the straight shot too.

Tong Huaqiong made her point very clearly, didn't she? Gu Taohua wants to find a son-in-law who will live with her family, and your Lu Zhaoyang, a great talent, would never be a son-in-law who will live with his family.

Judging from what Magistrate Liu's mother, Madam Han, meant, Old Master Lu wanted Lu Zhaozhao to marry into the capital in the future, which shows that he values ​​the Lu family's marriage prospects. But why did he choose Gu Taohua?

It wasn't that Tong Huaqiong had a problem with her daughter, but rather that, according to the marriage conditions of that era, Gu Taohua, a country girl, simply had no value in marrying into a powerful merchant family.

If it weren't for Tong Dajiao's memories of the Lu family from her previous life, Tong Huaqiong would have suspected that Old Master Lu harbored an unspeakable secret.

Old Master Lu said, "What kind of good son-in-law would a man willing to marry into his wife's family be? Only those who like to take advantage would do that. Let alone ordinary girls, even a princess would avoid a capable man seeking a husband. In my opinion, it wouldn't be fair to Peach Blossom if she were paired with an ordinary man. Since Chief Tong wants Peach Blossom to manage the business in the future, why not let her marry into a family of equal social standing, so she can manage her husband's family business after marriage?"

Old Master Lu almost brought up the marriage proposal.

His grandson's marriage couldn't be delayed any longer; picking and choosing would be too much of a waste of time, so he decided that Peach Blossom was a suitable match.

Lu Zhaoyang, upon hearing this, turned red with anger.

Tong Huaqiong said, "Old man, you are mistaken."

"Grandpa Lu, do you want me to marry Brother Zhaoyang?" Gu Taohua interrupted Tong Huaqiong, her directness becoming even more ruthless.

Since Gu Taohua had made it clear, Old Master Lu said, "That's right. As you've seen, the Lu family has a very large business, with shops and merchant ships. If you can manage it after you marry into the family, all these businesses will be handed over to you."

Gu Taohua chuckled twice and said, "I want your shop and merchant ships, and I want your business too."

Grandpa Lu smiled confidently.

Who could refuse such wealth, especially a country girl who had never seen the world?