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

Chapter 413 A Blind Cat Catches a Dead Mouse
Grandpa Gu neither agreed nor disagreed, but instead began to talk about the anniversary of his eldest son's death three days later.

Gu Dahan took it as a tacit agreement.

Anyway, if Grandpa Gu comes to rent it, he will follow the plan he just mentioned. If he doesn't bring it up, he won't ask about it on his own initiative.

Grandpa Gu asked, "How are the preparations for your father's death anniversary going?"

Gu Dahan replied, "The offerings and everything else have been prepared long ago."

Grandpa Gu said, “In principle, for the anniversary of a death less than five years ago, it’s enough to simply offer incense and sacrifices, and have a few close family members pay their respects. But your grandmother and I are back, and everyone is watching. It’s not good to be too simple. Why don’t we treat the clan to a meal after the ceremony? After all, we will need to rely on the clan in the future.”

The clan chief is right. If we were to make trouble for Tong Huaqiong, the anniversary of her eldest son's death would indeed be the most opportune time.

Gu Dahan said, "My mother also thinks so."

Tong Huaqiong didn't care at all about the anniversary of Old Man Gu's death.

Considering the presence of a bunch of bad bamboo in her home, she was still willing to respect the customs of this era.

However, she was just going through the motions; all the arrangements were left to Gu Dahan.

After Gu Dahan left the old house, the Gu family resumed their pre-dinner conversation once they were sure the person was gone. Jia Shi even pushed the bowl of meat back in front of Gu Ruinian.

“You should know your aunt’s temper. When you were little, you argued with Peach Blossom and pushed her. She hit you with a fire poker. She’s very protective of her children and has a fiery temper. Have you forgotten?” Jia said.

Before the meal, Gu Ruinian asked Tong Huaqiong about her past personality, as he wanted to learn more about her.

Gu Ruinian smiled and said, "Mother, you've forgotten. I've forgotten a lot of things since I fell into the water and got a fever."

Grandma Gu said, "She has a terrible temper, a vicious mind, doesn't care about her family, and is unfilial. Which daughter-in-law doesn't serve her parents-in-law? She's the only one in the whole Qinghe Bay who goes against her parents-in-law."

Gu Ruinian frowned and asked, puzzled, "Since your business is doing so well now, why didn't you do business before?"

Gu Ruinian wanted to know whether the idea of ​​opening the Gu family's shop was Gu Taohua's or Tong Huaqiong's.

There was silence at the dinner table.

Gu Youtian didn't even want to talk about this topic; getting everyone to eat was the important thing.

Gu Honglian said bluntly, "Sister-in-law didn't become capable only after my brother went there; she was capable before. Second brother, wasn't your most profitable business venture when you partnered with sister-in-law? She had you go to the border in the summer to buy furs and stockpile them to sell here in the winter, making a fortune. To be honest, although sister-in-law isn't a great person, she's still quite good at business."

Gu Ruinian's eyes flickered.

There's this kind of thing too.

Gu Youtian was very unhappy that Gu Honglian had said this in public, and he retorted, "Little sister, you are too young to understand. She just got lucky."

Gu Youtian would never admit that he made his money back then because of his sister-in-law's keen business sense.

What's more, this matter was a thorn in his side. After he made money, he changed his tune, changing the business partnership with his sister-in-law to him borrowing money from her to start a business. He only returned the principal to his sister-in-law and did not give her any dividends.

This incident also became the trigger for the falling out between the two families. When Old Man Gu was alive, Tong Dajiao did not turn against Gu Youtian, but after Old Man Gu died, Tong Dajiao did not give Gu Youtian a kind look when he returned for the funeral.

He slapped his thigh and pointed at Gu Youtian's nose while cursing in front of Old Man Gu's mourning hall.

Three days later, it will be the anniversary of Old Man Gu's death.

Tong Huaqiong's house opened its door early in the morning.

The in-laws, Zhao, Qin, and Hong, all came to help. The village chief and Boss Qian also came over.

Gu Dashu also returned from the prefectural city two days ago.

This anniversary of his death is certainly a grand affair.

Soon, many people from the clan arrived.

Tong Huaqiong didn't quite understand either. When Old Man Gu was alive, his relationship with the clan members was so-so. Apart from a few bad bamboo shoots, no one else seemed to miss him.

Why is it that everyone else in the clan is present on the anniversary of his death?

She always thought that anniversaries of death were just a convenient excuse for a feast. And it seems she was right.

"Chief, you've arrived. Please have a seat."

Since the courtyard of Tong Huaqiong's house was repaired, this was the first time the clan leader had visited. Tong Huaqiong gave him a rare warm welcome and invited him to sit down.

The clan chief felt a sense of pride, and his tense face relaxed.

"Oh, Bai Shuang, you're here."

When Tong Huaqiong saw Gu Baishuang and Nie Xiaofeng get off the carriage, she invited them inside and then called Gu Dahan out to get the gifts Gu Baishuang had brought.

Gu Baishuang even affectionately called Tong Huaqiong "Mother".

Can we not be affectionate?
After all, Tong Huaqiong helped her secure the maritime business that Nie Mingyuan had always wanted.

Other members of the Gu family frequently glanced at her, wondering when Tong Dajiao had become so close to her stepdaughter.

"White Frost".

"Little aunt."

Of all the people in the old house, only Gu Honglian came.

Gu Honglian had been thinking about her elder brother's death anniversary these past two days. Of course, she wasn't mourning Old Man Gu, but rather knew that with her sister-in-law's wealth, she would definitely be preparing a banquet.

She came to attend the banquet.

Anyway, there are a lot of people today, so my sister-in-law won't give her a hard time in public.

Gu Honglian followed Tong Huaqiong in and out like a lapdog. Given the special circumstances today, Tong Huaqiong did not give her a hard time.

They even offered her some cakes.

"Xiaofeng told me that Grandpa and Grandma are back. I haven't had a chance to visit them yet, so I'm taking this opportunity today."

Gu Baishuang mentioned Old Madam Gu and Old Master Gu to Tong Huaqiong and Gu Honglian, but before she could finish speaking, a commotion broke out outside.

The people from the old house have arrived.

Originally, Tong Huaqiong had sent Gu Dahan, Gu Dashu, and Gu Jingzhe to the old house to invite the two elders over that morning, but the two elders were being difficult.

Tong Huaqiong didn't care. She didn't have the time to personally invite them. It was the anniversary of their son's death. They could come or not, it was up to them.

"Grandpa, Grandma, Second Uncle, Second Aunt, you've arrived!" The three brothers, Gu Dahan, Gu Dashu, and Gu Jingzhe, greeted the people in the old house together.

Grandpa Gu and Grandma Gu didn't look too good.

Those who didn't know the situation might have thought they were grieving for their deceased son, but those who knew the inside story knew they were dissatisfied that this was the first time they had visited Tong Huaqiong's door in all these days.

Apart from Gu Honglian and Gu Ruinian, the other people in the old house were visiting for the first time, and they couldn't help but look at them with curiosity.

The courtyard of the main house has been expanded to be large and spacious, with a row of blue-tiled houses facing south.

They had heard Gu Honglian and Gu Ruinian mention Tong Huaqiong's new house, but seeing it with their own eyes had a much stronger impact.

In front of the clan members, Tong Huaqiong greeted Grandpa Gu and Grandma Gu and invited them into the house.

Tong Huaqiong thought to herself that it was thanks to Tong Dajiao's bad temper in the past that the clan got used to her way of getting along with her parents-in-law; otherwise, the clan would have directly labeled her as disrespectful to the elderly.

After entering the house, we sat down and drank tea.

Grandpa Gu sat and talked with the men of the clan, while Grandma Gu chatted with the women.

Tong Huaqiong directed Gu Dahan and the others to work busily.

Gu Youtian felt uneasy from the moment he entered Tong Huaqiong's house. He was the first person in the clan to leave, and every time he came back, he was always welcomed.
When he first returned, the clansmen still fawned over him as before. But now that they know his business failed and he has to live in Qinghe Bay, apart from the clan chief and a few clansmen who were on good terms with him, everyone else is quite cold towards him.