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

Chapter 434 The Grandson's Wings Have Grown Strong
Tong Huaqiong said to Grandpa Gu, "You heard it just now. It wasn't someone else who was clinging to Jingzhe; it was Jingzhe who was in love with Miss Lu."

Gu Jingzhe said, "Grandpa, I don't want to see anyone except Miss Lu."

Old Master Gu persisted, saying, "You're still young and don't understand the power of a strong in-law family. When you pursue a career in government, you'll naturally need someone who will benefit you. What can a merchant family do for you? A lot of money? Once you're an official, you won't lack money. The Lu family might even need your help then. What does money matter in the face of power?"

Mr. Gu's ideas represent the ideas of most people in this era.

I'm afraid that once the marriage between Gu Jingzhe and Lu Zhaozhao is settled, people will think that Lu Zhaozhao is marrying above her station, even though the Lu family is incredibly wealthy.

This was also the reason why Tong Dajiao dared to manipulate Lu Zhaozhao in her previous life.

Tong Huaqiong said, "My Jingzhe doesn't need to be a live-in son-in-law and rely on his in-laws. A person can only stand on their own two feet. Besides, our family is from humble beginnings. Gu Jingzhe is just a scholar. If Miss Lu can take a liking to Gu Jingzhe, it would be a blessing for your Gu family."

Old Master Lu snorted and said, "What good could that Miss Lu be? Jingzhe and Xinyue must have met before. A young lady like that doesn't shy away from seeing a man outside the family, but instead goes out of her way to seduce him."

Gu Jingzhe's face flushed red with anger, and he said angrily, "Grandpa, you dare to slander someone without even having seen their face. Do you think you have the demeanor of an elder? Since you are like this, if Miss Lu and I get married in the future, you don't need to drink a cup of tea."

Grandpa Gu was so angry that his beard trembled.

The grandson of the case leader has become too powerful and is showing him less and less respect.

Tong Huaqiong said, "Why do you have to meddle in your grandson's affairs? Can't you just enjoy your retirement in the old house? You've slandered a perfectly good young lady of the Lu family. I'm letting it slide this time because you're an elder, but if word gets out that you're disrespectful to your elders, what will you do with your reputation?"

Old Master Gu couldn't catch his breath, and in anger, he stood up and left Tong Huaqiong's room.

Upon arriving in the courtyard, they encountered Gu Dahan walking towards them. After calming himself down, Old Master Gu said, "Dahan, bring me a bowl of today's leftovers."

There are still a few people in the old house who haven't eaten yet.

The villagers had taken all the good food, and Grandpa Gu felt bad when he cleared the table, but he was too busy talking to Magistrate Liu to think about the leftovers.

Now that he's going home, he can't go empty-handed; he needs to bring some meat and vegetables for the people at the old house. Especially Gu Ruinian, who must be so heartbroken right now, probably having not eaten all day.

Tong Huaqiong was so angry she laughed. It seemed like Grandpa Gu wanted to take even a single blade of grass from her yard back with him.

But she didn't care; it was just leftovers anyway.

Gu Dahan went into the kitchen, picked out the good meat and clean vegetables and poured them into a basin, then brought out a bag of steamed buns.

“I’ll take it to Grandpa,” Gu Dahan said.

Old Master Gu was unmoved. He was concerned about Gu Ruinian's feelings, fearing that seeing the eldest son's family would stir up some old memories.

So he called down to the corridor, "Honglian, come and serve."

Gu Honglian sat on the veranda watching Chen Sufeng embroider.

Of all the women in the main house, only Chen Sufeng treated Gu Honglian well, so after Gu Honglian had a big meal, she followed Chen Sufeng around and talked to her.

Reluctantly, Gu Honglian stood up, took the vegetables and steamed buns from Gu Dahan, and followed Grandpa Gu back to the old house.

Just as Grandpa Gu had predicted, no cooking was done at the old house today.

Grandma Gu sat on the bed sighing deeply, Madam Jia was weeping, Gu Youtian scolded Gu Ruinian and his face was frighteningly gloomy, Gu Fengnian sat silently next to Gu Youtian, and Gu Xiaoxue silently washed the clothes.

Gu Honglian placed the meat and vegetables on the table and said, "This is meat and vegetables from my sister-in-law's house, along with steamed buns. My sister-in-law really went all out today; the feast was even better than a wedding or a baby's one-month celebration. The chicken and fish were all whole. Dad was worried you hadn't eaten, so he asked me to bring this over for you to try."

Jia's gaze was like a knife cutting into Gu Honglian.

When her son failed the exam, Gu Honglian was not sad at all. Instead, she went to curry favor with the eldest son's wife. After currying favor, she stabbed her in the heart and drew blood.

Even the usually doting Mrs. Gu couldn't stand Gu Honglian's provocation and shouted, "Eat, eat, all you know is how to eat!"

Gu Honglian pouted. Gu Ruinian's failure to pass the exam wasn't her fault, so why were her mother and sister-in-law targeting her?

Eat as much as you like.

Gu Honglian slammed the meat and vegetables onto the table.

"What about Ruinian?"

The oppressive atmosphere in the house made it hard for Grandpa Gu to breathe, but he managed to ask where Gu Ruinian had gone.

He was afraid that Gu Ruinian might do something rash and take his own life.

“He’s inside,” Jia cried. “His father scolded him, and he said he had disappointed the whole family and was ashamed to face anyone. He locked himself in the room and refused to come out.”

Grandpa Gu sighed, stood up, and was about to knock on Gu Ruinian's door.

"Ruinian, Ruinian, open the door."

Grandpa Gu knocked on Gu Ruinian's door.

Gu Ruinian lay on the bed, his eyes filled with resentment.

How could he not want to pass the imperial examination and become a scholar?

He failed the exam this time, and Gu Youtian treated him like that, scolding him mercilessly. If it weren't for Jia Shi and Old Madam Gu stopping him, he would have been beaten with a stick.

The whole family always pinned their hopes on him, but what resources did this family provide for him?
Gu Jingzhe was able to pass the imperial examination with top honors because his aunt was wealthy and could afford to hire a famous tutor.

When it comes to buying a book, even Old Master Gu has to calculate the cost. How can the conditions be the same?
Gu Ruinian grew angrier the more he thought about it.

"Ruinian, you haven't eaten all day, get up and eat," Grandpa Gu said with concern.

Gu Ruinian remained silent.

Grandpa Gu said, “Ruinian, I know you’re upset, and you didn’t want to fail the exam. It’s not that you’re incapable, but rather that something unexpected happened during the exam, which was just bad luck. If your horse hadn’t gone mad during the exam, you wouldn’t have been the top scorer. But don’t worry, the family will still support your studies. If you don’t succeed this year, we can try again next year. It’s not like you can only take the exam once.”

It would have been better if Old Master Gu hadn't said those words; they were like a knife stabbing Gu Ruinian in the chest.

Every sentence reminded him that he had failed the exam, while Gu Jingzhe had topped the list.

The glory that originally belonged to him was taken by Gu Jingzhe.

Gu Ruinian was so angry he wanted to go crazy and smash things.

"Auspicious year, auspicious year!"

"Go away."

An impatient Gu Ruinian roared at the door.

Grandpa Gu looked astonished.

My grandson is always well-mannered and polite, so why is he yelling at me?

“He’s spoiled rotten. You little brat, you’re all brats. You’re not very capable, but you have a big temper. You dare to act tough with your grandpa. I’ll beat this little brat to death.”

Gu Youtian got out of bed angrily, cursing as he picked up his shoes, and grabbed a fire poker.

He wouldn't know who the real father was until he beat up the son who had embarrassed him so badly.

When Grandma Gu and Madam Jia saw the fire poker in Gu Youtian's hand, they hurriedly tried to stop him.