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

Chapter 563 A Living Example
"As the only scholar in our family, you are destined for an official career. Miss Su's brother is a cautionary tale. You must understand that the path you are walking is not just yours alone, but your whole family's. If you are not careful, Peach Blossom, Man'er, and your two sisters-in-law will all be affected. If you and your two brothers are beheaded, it will only leave a small scar, but we women will be left in a state of wishing for death."

Tong Huaqiong stared intently at Gu Jingzhe.

Thinking back to when she first transmigrated, Gu Jingzhe was just as selfish as Gu Ruinian, only taking advantage of his family with a sense of entitlement, using the promise of future protection for his entire family after he made a good living through a loan to dangle Tong Dajiao in his arms.

At that time, he never thought that his success and glory in the scientific expedition would be his own, but the risks would be shared by everyone.

Therefore, Tong Huaqiong took the opportunity to give a warning, especially since Miss Su was a perfect example to teach.

“Not everyone is as kind-hearted as your mother. To be frank, Miss Su is fortunate to have met me. But how many people are like Miss Su? How many have a master like me? At Wanliu Academy, your teachers must have taught you about the ups and downs of the court, the way of being an official, about treacherous officials who can’t distinguish right from wrong, and about upright and loyal ministers. But who pays attention to the women behind them?”

"As your mother, I am willing to support your studies and watch you enter the halls of power. However, you must also think more about things outside of books. What does each step you take represent? What kind of situation will it lead you to? And what kind of situation will it lead me and the other women like Peach Blossom?"

Gu Taohua's forehead was covered in sweat. At this moment, he didn't know what to say, as if anything he said would be pale and inadequate.

Indeed, at Wanliu Academy, he listened to the Master's teachings on governing the country, discussed current affairs with his classmates, cursed the treacherous officials who brought disaster to the country, and lamented the loyal ministers who were exiled for speaking out for the people. But he never thought about the fate of the women behind them.

Gu Jingzhe felt ashamed.

“Mother, I have listened. The path I am walking is not just one I am walking alone, but my whole family is walking with me. Therefore, every step I take cannot only consider myself, but also my family. I cannot let my impulsiveness or wrong path cause my family to be implicated. Mother, I will walk carefully step by step.”

Seeing that Gu Jingzhe had taken her words to heart, Tong Huaqiong sighed to him, "Miss Su is so innocent. She did nothing wrong, yet she was reduced to slavery because of her brother. In her case, she can only regain her status as a free citizen when there is a general amnesty. You should think more about what is reasonable and what is unreasonable, the principles of governing the country and serving the people that you have learned at Wanliu Academy. If it is reasonable, then uphold it; if it is unreasonable, then use your influence to change it. Otherwise, why are you taking the imperial examinations and pursuing an official career? You might as well go home and sell sweet potatoes."

Gu Jingzhe nodded.

Tong Huaqiong, through Su's detailed and thorough explanations, helped him to take a serious look at the person behind him for the first time.

In the past, he understood why he studied and took the imperial examinations to pursue an official career: for justice, to speak out for the people. But now he understands that there are people behind him, and that true justice and fairness lie in the fact that the guilty party deserves their punishment, not in implicating the innocent.

Gu Jingzhe thought to himself that no matter how many classic texts one reads, one must always look up and see the circumstances of those around them.

The experiences of people outside the classics are far more thought-provoking than one can imagine.

While Tong Huaqiong was lecturing Gu Jingzhe on profound principles, the weaving workshop was recruiting female workers in an orderly manner.

In front of Gu Xiaoxue and Song Qiaoniang were cotton ginning machines, spinning machines, and looms. Su Qing sat at the table, and after registering with Su Qing, the female workers who applied for jobs came to Gu Xiaoxue and Song Qiaoniang one by one to give on-site demonstrations based on the jobs they applied for or were good at.

Those who performed well eagerly awaited their names appearing on the list, while those who performed poorly looked dejected.

Gu Xiaoxue and Song Qiaoniang stood steadily to the side, observing the female workers who came to apply for jobs with great care. Those who were clumsy and tried to take advantage of the situation were ruthlessly eliminated. Several wives who were on good terms with Song Qiaoniang kept giving her meaningful glances, but Song Qiaoniang remained unmoved, maintaining a businesslike demeanor.

Some wives, taking advantage of Gu Xiaoxue's gentle nature, tried to tug at her sleeves hoping for leniency. Gu Xiaoxue, with a cold face, didn't say a word and directly told Su Qing to cross their names off. Only then did everyone realize that Gu Xiaoxue and Song Qiaoniang were like the Black and White Impermanence before the King of Hell, showing no mercy whatsoever.

Whether they were female workers applying for jobs in Qinghewan or from other villages, they were all treated equally.

Su Qing sat at the table with paper and pen, writing and drawing. She would casually chat about everyday things, such as asking what time the girl usually got up and whether her parents would allow her to apply for the job, or asking how many people were in her family and how her relationship with her in-laws was.
Everyone was baffled by Su Qing's question and could only answer honestly.

With a smile on her lips, Su Qing could tell whether someone was diligent or lazy, reliable or cunning, just by chatting casually.

If it's the former, she'll keep it as a backup; if it's the latter, she'll cross the name out without hesitation.

The weaving workshop does not support lazy people, disloyal people, or cunning people.

The scene was lively, with not only female job applicants but also villagers watching the spectacle.

"Gu Daqiao and Song Qiaoniang have really found a powerful backer. Working with Tong Dajiao, they're probably going to go from being poor to rich in the village," someone exclaimed with envy and jealousy.

Song Qiaoniang remained unmoved and meticulously selected her candidates.

That's right, everyone's been saying lately that she and the bridge have had good luck.

Because Daqiao was lame and unable to do heavy work, her family relied on her farming, and life had always been difficult. Not all the villagers were kind-hearted; many took advantage of Gu Daqiao's lameness to bully them, both openly and secretly.

Now they have caught Tong Huaqiong's eye.

Aunt Tong was very generous with her knowledge. Last time, she showed the improved cotton spinning machine to Prefect Yao, who came to the village to inspect the farmland, and attributed all the credit to Gu Daqiao. Prefect Yao praised Gu Daqiao highly, saying that Gu Daqiao's skills were beneficial to the country and the people. Anyway, he talked about a lot of high-sounding principles, which she didn't really understand.

The news spread like wildfire, and soon everyone in the village knew that Gu Daqiao had assembled and improved the cotton spinning machine and had even received praise from the government. The way people looked at Gu Daqiao had changed.

Aunt Tong is right; we must stand up for ourselves first.

She and Gu Daqiao have become very popular in the village during this period.

My usually quiet home is now seeing people coming over to visit and socialize.

In the past few days, when everyone learned that Tong Huaqiong was going to open a weaving workshop, wave after wave of people came to her house, hoping that she and Daqiao could put in a good word for Tong Huaqiong so that their wives, daughters, and mothers could come to the weaving workshop to work and earn money.

However, Song Qiaoniang and Gu Daqiao firmly believed that they should not lose their conscience. Tong Huaqiong had helped them when they were in their most difficult time, so they could not use the weaving quota to curry favor with the villagers.

Tong Huaqiong always told the couple that they could only truly stand on their own two feet. But Gu Daqiao also had skills before, but he didn't have a place to use them. It was Tong Huaqiong who provided the platform for Gu Daqiao to use them.