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

Chapter 398 The Old House: Everyone's Plans

After Tong Huaqiong left, everyone in the old house had their own opinions about tonight's meeting.

Grandma Gu pounded the bed and cried, complaining, "My eldest daughter-in-law is getting more and more outrageous. I really didn't expect her to not even bother to pretend."

Gu Youtian's eldest son, Gu Fengnian, said, "Didn't you notice that she's become nicer to Brother Dahan and his wife? I bet Auntie's business is all thanks to her eldest cousin's husband."

Everyone in the room noticed Tong Huaqiong's change in attitude towards Gu Dahan and Chen Sufen, and their thoughts were the same as Gu Fengnian's.

"My sister-in-law is really something. She brings us paper for window coverings, flour, and quilts, but not a single thing is useful to me. Why doesn't she bring us satin or jewelry?"

"Dad, didn't you say you could talk to my sister-in-law about letting me stay at her house? I really don't want to live in the old house, it's damp and cold, and I'm not used to sleeping in the same room as Xiaoxue."

Gu Honglian was the most vocal in her complaints.

Should the eldest sister-in-law support her parents? Should the others live in the old house?

She doesn't care at all.

As long as she can enjoy a good life with her sister-in-law, that's fine.

Grandpa Gu's face was ashen, feeling powerless about what had happened that night. Gu Honglian's constant chatter was irritating, and for the first time, he scolded this beloved youngest daughter.

"Honglian, can't you be a little more sensible? Everyone can live in this house, but you're the only one who's spoiled."

Tears welled up in Gu Honglian's eyes as she was scolded by Grandpa Gu. Grandma Gu hugged Gu Honglian with heartache and scolded Grandpa Gu, "You old fool, why are you scolding Honglian? Our Honglian is already suffering enough living in the old house."

"Fengnian's wife, take this thick quilt over and put it on your aunt," Grandma Gu said to her granddaughter-in-law, Wei.

Gu Honglian said, "Fold it up and spread it on my side, Xiaoxue won't be cold."

Jia rolled her eyes.

Everyone lives in an old house, so why is Gu Honglian the one who feels wronged?

Delicious food goes into Honglian's mouth, and fine clothes are worn on Honglian's body.

Doesn't she feel wronged?
She also had to cook and serve the mother and daughter with her daughter-in-law and daughter.

The old house has been uninhabited for many years and is drafty and cold at night. Shouldn't she prioritize her most promising son, Gu Ruinian?

My mother-in-law is biased towards my sister-in-law.

Wei took the quilt and went to Gu Honglian and Xiaoxue's room, her chest aching with anger.

She was originally from the south, where flowers would have already bloomed in her hometown this season, but this godforsaken place is still so cold.

Her poor son was coughing from the cold, but the old woman pretended not to hear him and gave her the only good quilt to Gu Honglian.

After Gu Honglian calmed down, Gu Youtian said, "Father, my sister-in-law kept saying today that I took your land and money. When I heard that, my heart felt like it was being pricked by needles. I felt sorry for you. I did take your and Mother's money, but who did I do it for? Wasn't it all for you two and my sister to live a good life?"

Grandpa Gu's expression softened slightly. They did indeed favor the second son, which was normal, since most people tend to favor their youngest child.

At the same time, the second child did indeed give them a few years of comfortable life.

He only returned to his hometown because his business was losing money and he had no other choice.

Grandma Gu comforted her youngest son: "We can give our money to whomever we want. It's none of her business, not even your eldest brother could interfere."

Gu Youtian continued to appeal to their emotions: "Dad, I've had bad luck and lost money in business. I want to turn things around, to give Mom, Dad, and my sister a life where they can be taken care of, and to find my sister a good marriage. Dad, think back to when I was making money in business; the matchmakers arranged good marriages for my sister. I'm willing to turn things around just so my sister can have a good marriage." Gu Honglian's marriage was the biggest worry for Grandpa Gu and Grandma Gu.

The daughter has a bad temper and is of average appearance. If she wants to find a good marriage, she needs a reliable family member to support her.

Even if Honglian were to marry into a good family now, she would still be bullied if she didn't have a respectable family.

For Honglian's happiness, they wanted the second son to turn things around more than anyone else.

But how can we turn things around? If we could turn things around in the south, would we need to go back to Qinghewan?
Seeing that he had grasped the weaknesses of Old Master Gu and Old Madam Gu, Gu Youtian began to sow discord among Old Master Gu's men: "What Father said last night was very true. There can only be two Gu families. Sister-in-law is still a woman, only looking at the present and not the future. She doesn't understand the power of a family united as one. To put it bluntly, what woman in a family has the right to sit at the table when she's in charge? Sister-in-law's current shops and land should have a share in Father's; they belong to the Gu family."

Grandpa Gu's eyes darted around.

The younger son makes a good point.

Which woman controls the family property?

They all depend on their husbands' families for survival. Now that the eldest daughter-in-law has married into the Gu family, her whole being belongs to the Gu family, not to mention the business.

Why didn't he realize this tonight when his eldest daughter-in-law was being disrespectful?

Fortunately, his youngest son reminded him.

Old Mrs. Gu gritted her teeth and said, "She was sold to my family by the Tong family for thirty taels of silver. Second son is right, not to mention her business, she is a member of our Gu family. Old man, tomorrow we will open the ancestral hall and have the clan head and other prominent clan members come forward to make her hand over the shops and land. If she does not comply, we will hang her."

Grandpa Gu's eyes flickered.

Grandma Gu is right.

Since it's the Gu family's property, it should belong to them.

What kind of behavior is it for a woman to do business in public? This business will be handed over to her youngest son in the future. If she obediently hands it over, she can live a life of luxury. If she doesn't agree, she might as well hang herself.

Gu Youtian smiled in the lamplight. He had originally wanted to borrow money from Tong Huaqiong to turn things around, but given Tong Huaqiong's attitude tonight, how could she possibly lend him any?

Since she's being unreasonable, he shouldn't blame her for being ruthless; he should simply rely on the clan to take over her business.

After seeing Tong Huaqiong's family off, Gu Ruinian stood at the door for a while and listened, then quietly walked in.

Grandpa Gu and the others then discussed their plan to deal with Tong Huaqiong before turning off the lights and going to sleep.

"Ruinian, take this lamp back and light it. You need to read." Grandma Gu took the lamp and handed it to Gu Ruinian.

The only thing that brings her comfort now is Gu Ruinian.

Gu Ruinian accepted the lamp and thanked him politely.

Now, only Gu Ruinian has the privilege of lighting the lamp at night in the entire old house.

"Ruinian, you have to make your mother proud. Look at your aunt, so arrogant. She keeps saying that she can become the third-ranked scholar on the day of Jingzhe. You should become the top scholar and surpass her." After Gu Ruinian returned to his room, Jia Shi quietly came in and stuffed two eggs into his hand.

"Eat up, this was cooked for you without your grandma's and Honglian's knowledge."

Gu Ruinian didn't stand on ceremony. He peeled the egg and ate it while saying, "Mother, don't worry, I will definitely make sure you live a life with servants everywhere you go."

Madam Jia looked at her son with a relieved expression, sighed and said, "Your father has been cold to you for the past six months, don't be angry with him. No matter what, your father hasn't told your grandfather why the business failed. Your father is upset because our family lost money and the business is gone, but he'll feel better once you pass the imperial examination."

Gu Ruinian's face froze upon hearing this.