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

Chapter 406 An Awkward Moment

"Ruinian, I'll take a look around first. Let's meet at Fenglelou at noon."

Gu Honglian called Gu Ruinian several times, but Gu Ruinian didn't respond. She then pushed Gu Ruinian hard.

"Alright, then let's meet at Fenglelou." Gu Ruinian said absentmindedly.

Gu Honglian carried the pastries and went into a nearby fabric shop to browse.

Gu Ruinian was still in a state of great shock.

He felt his speculation was correct: Gu Taohua was a time traveler.

If the eldest son's wife were to also be a time traveler, he would prefer it to be Gu Taohua. A girl would at most use these trivial skills to earn some money and wouldn't cause any big trouble.

The key point is that he wasn't entirely certain that Gu Taohua was a time traveler.

What if he's mistaken? What if Gu Jingzhe is the one?

If Gu Jingzhe is a time traveler, then he poses a great threat to him.

This cousin is smart and good at studying. He can promote agricultural production and make money by making cream pastry recipes. If he passes the imperial examination and becomes an official, holding power in one hand and mastering all kinds of modern scientific knowledge in the other, then this world will belong to Gu Jingzhe.

He was not reconciled.

Isn't it just advanced scientific knowledge and invention knowledge?

So will he.

He knew the principles behind things like gunpowder, steam engines, cement, and painkillers.

Gu Ruinian organized his thoughts.

When he thought about what was easiest to invent, he could only think of gunpowder.

Firstly, the cost is low, and secondly, the materials are readily available.

Besides, you can conduct experiments in your own backyard.

However, gunpowder, unlike a bumper harvest of grain, does not directly benefit ordinary people; it can only gain fame on specific occasions.

For example, war.

At this moment, Gu Ruinian wished for a war so he could make a name for himself with the gunpowder he had created.

Since there is no war, he doesn't mind creating one.

To become the one who controls war and peace, one must climb to the pinnacle of power.

Ultimately, it all comes down to finding opportunities to showcase oneself.

Gu Ruinian came to the bookstore, casually flipped through the thread-bound books, and bought a few storybooks to pass the time in the evening.

As for the books on the proper imperial examinations, he felt he didn't need to read them; with his intelligence, passing the examinations to become a scholar or a provincial graduate wouldn't be a problem.

They would make a final push when they went to the capital to take the imperial examination and try to become the top scholar.

Anyway, scientific expeditions in this era all follow a set pattern; once you figure it out, you can get started.

Gu Ruinian was confident, after all, he was a test-taking expert in his previous life.

Upon arriving here, he proved that he was equally suited to the imperial examinations of that era simply by flipping through the books before the exam and passing as a student.

He bought a few storybooks and had some money left over, which he planned to save for buying meat buns next time he came to town.

It was already noon when Gu Ruinian came out of the bookstore. Remembering that his aunt had said they would meet at Fenglelou, he went there.

He knew the owner of Fenglelou; he lived right next to his aunt's house.

The house was very luxurious; as he passed by, he could see the artificial hill and garden through the crack in the door.

Gu Ruinian found a seat by the window, opened the menu, and ordered his food.

Anyway, my aunt has a tael of silver, so why not take advantage of it?

Gu Honglian arrived just as the dishes were being served.

Gu Honglian was holding only the pastry she had eaten half of; she had nothing else in her hand.

Gu Ruinian breathed a sigh of relief; he was worried that his aunt would buy jewelry and clothes.

"You ordered quite a lot?" Gu Honglian looked at the chicken, duck, and fish, picked up her chopsticks, and started eating.

Gu Ruinian felt annoyed, but knowing that the money for the treat was with Gu Honglian, he had no choice but to endure it.

"Yes, I love this pork, it's very fragrant." "This fish belly meat is mine."

"There are two roasted chicken legs, we can each have one."

Gu Honglian was very talkative, talking non-stop while eating.

Gu Ruinian was thirsty for food, so he didn't say anything and just kept eating.

The two quickly devoured all the dishes on the table, leaving not even a drop of soup.

"Burp!" Gu Ruinian, who was always very polite, let out a burp.

I wish I could eat at Fenglelou every day.

Gu Ruinian thought to himself that he still had to find a way to get his father back into business.

"What are you doing? This pastry was given to me by Peach Blossom."

After the meal, Gu Ruinian touched a piece of pastry in front of Gu Honglian as a dessert.

Seeing Gu Ruinian reach for the pastries, Gu Honglian pulled them closer to her with a displeased expression.

"Auntie, money?" Gu Ruinian was too lazy to waste words with Gu Honglian and reached out to ask her for money.

"What silver?" Gu Honglian asked, puzzled.

Gu Ruinian said, "Isn't the one tael of silver that Grandpa gave me for a treat still with you?"

Gu Taohua spread her hands and said, "I used that one tael of silver to buy cloth. I didn't want to carry the cloth with me, so I put it on Grandpa Xu's oxcart. You ordered this whole table of meat and dishes without even asking me, so of course you have to pay."

Gu Ruinian's forehead throbbed with anger. He said, "Auntie, we had an agreement. I'll pay for breakfast, and you'll pay for lunch. Besides, it's not your money; it's Grandpa's money for both of us."

Gu Honglian ate her snacks and drank her tea, saying, "Anyway, the one tael of silver has already been used to buy cloth, so I don't have any silver left. Don't you still have one tael of silver?"

Gu Ruinian was furious; he really wanted to tear Gu Honglian apart.

“I spent that one or two taels of silver on books,” Gu Ruinian said, his face turning ashen with anger.

Then Gu Jingzhe patted his book bag and said, "I've spent all my money on books."

Gu Honglian rolled her eyes: "Buy books? Give me a break. You use reading as an excuse to hide in your room and lie around all day. You don't even read books, so what are you buying? Don't think I don't know that you came to town to buy books under the guise of eating and drinking.

"I don't care, I don't have the money to pay."

Gu Honglian had long wanted to buy new cloth to make a spring dress, but the family's current situation made it impossible to buy her new clothes.

Taking advantage of Gu Ruinian's visit to town, she had finally managed to come along and had some money. Why would she spend it on Gu Ruinian instead of on herself?

At this moment, the waiter heard the two arguing and, thinking they had encountered a freeloader, came over and said with a smile that they had spent one or two hundred coins that day.

"Who's paying?"

Gu Honglian pointed at Gu Ruinian and said matter-of-factly, "Whoever orders the food pays for it. Look at you, he ordered a whole table of food to treat me to dinner, so naturally he should pay for it."

The waiter looked at Gu Ruinian.

Gu Ruinian had never been so embarrassed.

Whether in his past life or this one, he was always the pride of his family. He was always provided for in terms of food, clothing, and daily necessities, and he had plenty of money. He never had a time when he couldn't afford to pay the bill.

If he had money now, that would be fine, but the problem is that he doesn't have any.

Gu Ruinian said with difficulty to the waiter, "I have no money. Could you give me a few more days?"

The waiter sneered, "What's the point of eating if you don't have money? Besides, our menu has clearly marked prices. Why did you order a whole table of dishes if you don't have any money?"

Gu Ruinian was covered in cold sweat, clenching his fingers as if he wanted to crawl into a crack in the ground.

Is it true that without money, one must endure such humiliation?

He thought of the saying, "Never underestimate a young man's potential."

"Never mind. This young man is a talented scholar from Qinghe Bay. Consider this my treat." Boss Qian came in and saw the scene, thus helping Gu Ruinian out of the predicament.

He was only doing it because of Tong Huaqiong.

Gu Ruinian had mixed feelings.

He had long wanted to get to know Boss Qian, this tycoon, and it wasn't impossible for him to find an opportunity to make him his own, and support him to become the money bag for his business.

Now, Boss Qian has noticed him, surprisingly, when he was in debt.

That was pretty awkward.