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

Now, the one who brings the most pride to the Jia family is naturally Gu Ruinian.

Jia forced herself to say, "What you say is true, my sister-in-law. My Ruinian thinks the same way. So, in order to give his aunt and sister a strong family to rely on, he studied hard and passed the imperial examination at a young age. My Ruinian said that he will not arrange marriages for his aunt and Xiaoxue yet. He will wait until he passes the county-level imperial examination next month and then personally arrange good marriages for his aunt and Xiaoxue."

As expected, when Jia steered the conversation toward Gu Ruinian, the sisters-in-law's expressions of envy, jealousy, and resentment immediately came through.

After all, there are two scholars in the clan, Gu Jingzhe and Gu Ruinian. They don't understand the intricacies of studying, but they know that Gu Ruinian is half a year younger than Gu Jingzhe and passed the exam at the same time, so Gu Ruinian must be more capable than Gu Jingzhe.

Tong Huaqiong nodded repeatedly and said, "Ruinian is indeed capable. He might become the top scholar in the imperial examinations, let alone just a scholar."

She didn't mind praising Gu Ruinian.

After all, Jia successfully pulled Tong Pandi out of the conversation by using Gu Ruinian as a topic.

When Gu Ruinian was mentioned, Grandma Gu looked proud and said to her sister-in-law next to her, "He's not only good at studying, but also very filial. With this grandson, my husband, Honglian, and I have hope. When he passes the imperial examination next month, we'll have to throw a feast at home. You can just wait and enjoy it, sister-in-law."

The old sister-in-law, who was poor and usually well taken care of by Tong Huaqiong, heard the old lady praising Gu Ruinian and, ignoring Tong Huaqiong's children, said sarcastically, "He hasn't even taken the exam yet, so how can you be sure he'll be a scholar? It's best not to make promises you can't keep. Even the prefectural education commissioner praised Jingzhe's scholarship, and he said he wasn't sure he'd be a scholar this time."

The other women in the clan who were on good terms with Tong Huaqiong nodded in agreement, and also praised Gu Jingzhe, saying that he was mature for his young age and that his appearance and character were among the best in the clan.

Grandma Gu rolled her eyes.

Madam Jia was equally unhappy. This was a curse upon her son, Ruinian. Just wait, she'd slap them in the face next month.

The eldest son's family has only been successful for a few days, and they're already idolizing it.

Tong Huaqiong did not continue speaking.

Tong Huaqiong thought to herself that it was a pipe dream for Old Madam Gu to expect Gu Ruinian to pass the imperial examination and find a good match for Gu Honglian and Gu Xiaoxue.

Based on Tong Huaqiong's understanding of Gu Ruinian, he would definitely use the marriage between Gu Honglian and Gu Xiaoxue as a stepping stone for his advancement.

That day in town, Tong Huaqiong had already heard that Gu Ruinian was inquiring about the Huang family's daughter. If he didn't have any ambition to climb the social ladder, why would he be asking about this?

Isn't it just a way to change one's social class through marriage?

Furthermore, Jia was so certain that Gu Ruinian would pass the imperial examination and become a scholar. This was not only due to her maternal love but also because Gu Ruinian constantly brainwashed her.

Now, in everyone's hearts at the old house, Gu Ruinian is a promising young man who studies hard and has great potential. I'm afraid they're going to be disappointed.

A few days ago, Tong Huaqiong went to the bookstore in town to buy storybooks. The owner said that Gu Ruinian had bought several of the best storybooks.

She could guess Gu Ruinian's current state: under the guise of reading books, he was reading storybooks, cultivating an image of a diligent student in the minds of everyone in the Gu family's old house.

Gu Ruinian was probably the kind of transmigrator who was bursting with a sense of superiority and looked down on everyone in this era. He thought that by luck he could pass the preliminary examination and be invincible in every exam. He underestimated the imperial examination system of this era and thought that he could pass the county-level examination by writing a single paper.

Dream on!
After everyone sat and chatted for a while, Grandpa Gu and the others returned home with Gu Jingzhe, Gu Dashu and Gu Dahan after they finished paying their respects.

When Grandma Gu saw Grandpa Gu, her eyes reddened.

Old Gu was, after all, her eldest son. Even if she favored her younger son, she had still raised him with great care and had spent fifty taels of silver to help him marry two wives. How could she not have feelings for him?

Grandma Gu's tears softened Tong Huaqiong's heart for a moment.

So he gently advised, "Don't be too sad, taking care of your health is the most important thing."

Gu Taohua stepped forward and helped Grandma Gu up, saying, "Grandma, let me help you to eat." Grandma Gu wiped away her tears and was led by Gu Taohua to sit down at the table.

Grandpa Gu was then taken to the male guest area by Gu Jingzhe.

"I, an old man, have outlived my son; my life is so miserable. My eldest son was the most filial when he was alive. He would always give me and my husband whatever food he had. Not only that, he treated my second son like a father, and the two brothers always discussed things and never argued. If my eldest son were still alive, my old bones wouldn't be suffering so much. I've lived to this age, but I never imagined that one day I would have to depend on others for even a bite to eat. Waaah, my eldest son is gone just like that, leaving me behind. My son, open your eyes!"

Tong Huaqiong: "."

Just as she was about to express her sympathy for Old Mrs. Gu, who had lost her son, Old Mrs. Gu started causing trouble.

Isn't this just a veiled insult?

She is that locust tree.

The table was filled with the sisters-in-law of the clan. Everyone felt a little awkward amidst Grandma Gu's sobs, and some tried to comfort her while others offered words of comfort.

Grandma Gu not only did not stop crying, but cried even louder.

Gu Taohua asked in surprise, "Grandma, why do you say that we have to watch our step when we eat? Second Uncle is very filial. He took you to the south to live a good life, and now that he's returned home, he didn't abandon you and Grandpa there. My father is gone, but my mother is also very filial. Look at the new clothes you're wearing; they're made from cloth given to you by my mother. She always serves you the best food we make. So who is being unfilial? Just tell me. Everyone in the clan is here; we'll stand up for you."

Tong Huaqiong chimed in, "That's right. Who do you think is being disrespectful to you? Is it your second brother? Don't be embarrassed. Whoever it is, I'll stand up for you without relying on the clan."

Before Old Mrs. Gu could reply, "It's because you're unfilial to me," Gu Taohua turned her gun on her second aunt, Jia.

"Since it's not your second uncle, does that mean your second aunt is being unfilial?"

Gu Taohua opened her eyes wide.

All the women at the table looked at Madam Jia.

Madam Jia was furious.

Well, you two, Tong Dajiao and Gu Taohua, actually dragged her into this mess.

In all honesty, apart from Old Master Gu, Old Madam Gu was the head of the household in the old house, and she had never disobeyed Old Madam Gu.

Tong Huaqiong spoke up for her sister-in-law, Jia Shi, saying, "Tao Hua, don't talk nonsense. Your second aunt has always been very filial."

Man'er, who had been eating snacks with Xiaolong, looked up and said, "The most unfilial one is Uncle Ruinian. Xiaolong, Yaozu, and I went to deliver chicken to my great-grandfather and great-grandmother, but before they could even eat it, Uncle Ruinian pulled them over and ate it all."

The gazes cast upon Jia by everyone in the room were intriguing.

Everyone knows what happened. It's because Grandpa Gu and Grandma Gu dote on their grandson, who brings hope to the family, and they feed him all the good things.

But Gu Ruinian is really something. Your grandparents love you, so you can't just keep everything to yourself.

How do Gu Youtian and his wife educate their children?

Jia's face turned even uglier.

She never imagined that her mother-in-law's wailing would ultimately hurt her proud second son. (End of Chapter)