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

Chapter 420 They had no choice but to submit to me

“Honglian, I dare not let you stay in my house. Your parents said they are afraid that my public appearance will tarnish your good reputation.”

Tong Huaqiong refused outright.

Gu Honglian persisted, saying, "Sister-in-law, I'm not staying here for free. I can work at your shop. I heard that Gu Xiaocao and Qingyou's wife both work at your shop, and I can do that too. I don't want wages; just let me stay at your house. Sister-in-law, I really don't want to be crammed together with them in the old house."

Tong Huaqiong said sternly, "You want to work in my shop? You've always been lazy and good-for-nothing. You don't even wash a single bowl at home. How can you expect to work in my shop? Honglian, let me tell you the truth. Your sister-in-law nursed you and treated you like her own daughter, but that doesn't mean she's your mother and has to provide for you or fulfill all your demands."

"That's impossible. You have your own parents. If you want something, ask your parents. If they can't, that's your fate. You can't come to a new mom to ask for things just because your parents can't provide them. Don't make these kinds of demands on me again. You make it sound so easy, but how long have I been living the high life?"

Gu Honglian's eyes filled with tears after hearing Tong Huaqiong's words. She covered her face and sobbed as she ran out.

Tong Huaqiong disliked her sister-in-law more than she liked her.

It wasn't that Tong Huaqiong was prejudiced against her, but rather that under the double brainwashing of Grandpa Gu and Grandma Gu, it was simply impossible for her to change like Gu Taohua.

But even though she's been in Qinghewan for so long, Tong Huaqiong hasn't caused her any trouble. She gets a share of the meat given to the old house, and she also gets a piece of fabric given to her in-laws.

When she gets married, I won't mind giving her some dowry.

She wouldn't take on any more; she's not a sucker.

After the people from the clan and the old house left, Tong Huaqiong sat down, propping her head up with her hand.

This group of people is causing trouble!

However, they were all too inexperienced for Tong Huaqiong.

What right does Gu Youtian, a businessman who loses money, have to steal her business?

"mother."

A group of wicked bamboos stood in front of her, seemingly trying to comfort Tong Huaqiong.

"Mother, Second Uncle is too much of a bully. I'll teach him a lesson he won't forget," Gu Dashu said.

Tong Huaqiong waved her hand and said, "You all can go out now, just Peach Blossom and White Frost stay here."

So only Gu Taohua and Gu Baishuang remained in the room.

“You all saw the true colors of your grandfather and second uncle. Once a woman takes control of the family business, no matter how much she has contributed to it, they will force her to hand it over. If I hadn’t been so clear-headed and had believed their excuse about staying at home and enjoying a life of leisure, I would have been completely taken advantage of today,” Tong Huaqiong said.

Gu Baishuang witnessed the whole process and had some profound insights to share.

It's really great to have real control over the business. I don't even have to confront Old Master Gu Youtian. I can just hand it over to him, and today's situation will be resolved smoothly.

Gu Baishuang had initially thought there would be a fierce battle, and she was even prepared to defy the old man as a married woman. Gu Baishuang said, "You have a better strategy to deal with them. Grandpa and Second Uncle are not easy to handle."

Tong Huaqiong sneered and said, "You really think my methods are clever? No, my methods are not clever at all. The reason I can get the people in the clan to stand on my side is because I truly control the lifeline of the family business. I can bring them benefits, so they have no choice but to submit to me."

"That's why I told you during the Spring Festival to take control of the family business. Only when you truly control the family business will your two ungrateful stepsons and their wives be wary of you, fawn over you, and stand on your side. You don't care whether they're sincere or not, you just need them to follow your lead."

Gu Baishuang nodded.

In the past, we only talked about grand principles; today, I've finally seen the reality.

The stepmother was right. Not only her two stepsons, but even Nie Mingyuan was openly and secretly trying to curry favor with her. It was all because he was afraid that she controlled his relationship with Tong Huaqiong. He was afraid that if he offended her, she would cut off the relationship and prevent him from doing business at sea.

"Mother, I think Grandpa and Second Uncle are definitely not willing to give up. What if they try to take back the shop again?" Gu Taohua was a little worried.

Although the shop belongs to my mother, she is a widow of the Gu family, meaning she is a member of the Gu family.

The shops and money she earns in her husband's family will be considered part of his family. If they are really seized by the clan, she might not even win a lawsuit.

Otherwise, there would be no such thing as bullying orphans and widows in this world.

When Magistrate Liu's mother was a widow, her family property was seized by her clan.

Tong Huaqiong said, "Of course they're not willing to accept this. Not to mention this time, they won't accept it even next time or the time after that, unless we hand over the business. But there's nothing we can do about it. I'm not going to make them accept it. I just need to make sure our business doesn't fall into their hands. I have no interest in whether they accept it or not."

"Taohua, you always say you won't get married, but don't say that so soon. If you meet someone you like in the future, you'll have to get married. What I'm saying is to make you understand that whether you get married or not, if you manage the family business as a woman, you'll likely encounter all sorts of obstacles and difficulties. In your parents' home, you'll face obstacles from your brothers, sisters-in-law, and nephews. In your husband's family, you might encounter situations like what happened to your mother today. Your husband might even try to persuade you to give up the business and enjoy a life of leisure at home. If you believe that, you're being foolish. If you hand over the business and financial power, it's like having your wings clipped, left to be tormented by others, and they won't even be grateful. If you insist on not giving up the business and financial power, and become stronger and more capable, they may be dissatisfied with you, but they'll only fear and be wary of you. Do you think you'd rather enjoy a life of leisure or control the business and make them fear you?" Tong Huaqiong asked Gu Taohua.

Gu Taohua replied without hesitation, "Of course it's better to be afraid of me."

Tong Huaqiong nodded.

Gu Taohua said resolutely, "Mother, I understand what you mean. Don't worry, I will definitely make the most of the shop and business opportunities I have, and I won't easily trust anyone. Whether I get married or not, I will not rely on my nephew or my husband's family. Only by holding something that others fear can I live comfortably."

Tong Huaqiong was very satisfied with Gu Taohua's ability to understand.

It's not easy to have such insights in this era.

Gu Baishuang seemed to be deep in thought. Every time she came to Qinghe Bay, she would feel new insights and be deeply moved.

Gu Baishuang thought for a moment and said, "I'm so much older than my sister. If she understands this, how could I not? I was fooled before, thinking that if I didn't get involved in the family business, they would be grateful and respectful to me. But now I see what good gratitude and respect are. For example, if you handed over the business today, Uncle and Grandpa would be grateful to you, but if they said they weren't grateful, they wouldn't be. What could you do? So it's better to make them fearful and wary."

Tong Huaqiong said to Gu Baishuang, "It's not too late for you to take over the family business now. The Lu family has sent a letter saying that this maritime business will definitely make money, and how much you make is up to you."

Gu Baishuang smiled.

She feels no guilt whatsoever about keeping Nie Mingyuan and her stepson's maritime business a secret.