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

On the sixth day of the twelfth lunar month, Gu Ruinian and Wu Na got married.

The Gu family's old house was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and the doors and fences were covered with the character for "happiness".

It had just snowed in Qinghe Bay, and the "囍" (double happiness) character looked especially festive against the white snow.

This was the first happy event for Mr. Gu, Gu Youtian, and others after they returned to Qinghewan.

Grandpa Gu was relieved to see his grandson, who had been the object of his high hopes but had fallen to rock bottom, get married. He was so happy that he invited the whole village to the feast, including Xu Xinghua's family.

Whether or not he comes is not something Old Master Gu considers; his main purpose is to annoy the Xu family.

This happy occasion was very grand.

In order to save face in front of the villagers, Gu Youtian thought that since his daughter-in-law had brought five hundred taels of silver to help out, he held a lively and lavish wedding for his son.

I booked the chef from Fenglelou restaurant to come to my home and cook well in advance.

Meat and vegetables were transported to the old house courtyard like a flowing stream. Tables and chairs were borrowed from the whole village and laid out in rows in the courtyard. Tables were even set up inside the house, under the eaves, and on the road in front of the door.

In addition to the villagers of Qinghewan, relatives from both Jia's maternal family and Old Lady Gu's maternal family also came.

When Tong Huaqiong arrived with Gu Taohua and the others, they saw many unfamiliar relatives chattering away.

As the eldest aunt, Tong Huaqiong was naturally invited to the couple's wedding.

For this wedding, she gave the newlyweds a quilt cover made in her own weaving workshop and a tael of silver as a wedding gift.

Man'er, Xiaolong, Yaozu, and the other children came to the old house for the feast. Looking at the sumptuous banquet, they were determined to eat their money back.

The old house was bustling with activity. People were in high spirits because of the happy occasion. Grandpa Gu and others were wearing new clothes and had happy faces.

The happiest person was Jia, who was all made up and had her hair slicked back with oil. She was so busy that her feet barely touched the ground, and she smiled at everyone she saw.

Perhaps it was because her son had arranged a good marriage, but when she saw Tong Huaqiong warmly calling her "sister-in-law," she asked Gu Jingzhe why he hadn't come along.

Tong Huaqiong said that Gu Jingzhe was studying hard at Wanliu Academy to prepare for next year's imperial examination, and Jia's face stiffened.

Tong Huaqiong thought to herself, "If I don't come, you'll ask, and if you do, you'll just get upset."

They're so hard to please!
"Auntie, you're here."

Wei and Gu Xiaoxue changed into new clothes and then began to attract customers.

Tong Huaqiong was warmly invited into the house by Madam Wei. Gu Xiaoxue handed Tong Huaqiong a hand warmer, saying with a smile, "Only Auntie has this."

Grandma Gu waved her arms wildly, excitedly telling her relatives about Gu Ruinian's wonderful marriage.

Seeing Tong Huaqiong enter, he stopped abruptly.

When Grandma Gu's younger sister, Grandma Yang, saw Tong Huaqiong, she looked her up and down. She thought that her eldest nephew's wedding was more about her looking younger and prettier than Jia's. She scoffed and said, "My eldest nephew's wife is here. I almost didn't recognize her. Your mother-in-law has been suffering here, and her grandson's wedding doesn't even have a decent piece of jewelry. But you have such a neat set of hairpins and bracelets."

Tong Huaqiong glared at her and couldn't help but ask, "Who are you? Old lady, do you live by the sea? Why are you meddling in other people's business?"

Grandma Yang choked, about to say something, but was interrupted by an old lady with silver hair beside her: "I think my eldest nephew's wife looks good. She's the boss now, so she should dress like this. What's the point of working for someone dressed so shabbily if the servants complain that the boss isn't making enough money?"

The silver-haired old lady was Mrs. Ding, the eldest sister-in-law of Mrs. Gu. Tong Huaqiong smiled at Mrs. Ding and said, "Hello, Aunt."

Grandma Gu dared not be disrespectful in front of her sister-in-law and continued talking about the marriage between Gu Ruinian and Wu Na. "The daughter of the Zheng family in Heilongtan, you'll know when you meet her, she's obviously destined to have a son. If they get married in winter, the family will have a new addition next year."

"The village head's daughter grew up pampered and spoiled, so she has a bit of a temper. But she was completely devoted to Ruinian and didn't ask for a single penny of dowry. Her family gave her ten acres of fertile land and five hundred taels of silver as her dowry. I don't know what kind of luck Ruinian had, but the village head's daughter was willing to marry into our Gu family."

Old Mrs. Gu had repeated these words to the villagers countless times.

With her own family and Jia's family present, she chewed it over again.

His tone was full of boasting.

When Old Mrs. Ding heard that the bride was the daughter of the head of Heilongtan Village and that she did not ask for a bride price, she couldn't help but wonder, and asked, "A girl who doesn't ask for a bride price, I'm afraid she has some kind of hidden illness?"

She had just met Gu Ruinian. He was good-looking, but he had a limp. What girl would be willing to throw herself at him?

Unless you're blind.

Grandma Gu clapped her hands and said, "Sister-in-law, don't think too much. There are no hidden illnesses. If there is anything lacking, it's just that her skin is a little dark. It's nothing serious."

Madam Jia was very dissatisfied with what Old Madam Ding said. Her son Ruinian was a student who had passed the imperial examination, so why couldn't he be married to the daughter of the village head?

If it weren't for his lame leg, someone like Lu Zhaozhao, Gu Jingzhe's fiancée, would be a better match.

“Aunt, you’ll see when you meet her. My daughter-in-law has no problems at all.” Jia’s tone was displeased as she emphasized, “My Ruinian is very capable; he can even attract the village head’s daughter to his side.”

Grandma Ding still didn't understand.

She had never liked Gu Youtian and his wife, preferring Old Man Gu and Tong Dajiao. She had repeatedly advised Old Lady Gu to treat the eldest son's family better, but Old Lady Gu simply wouldn't listen. Everyone said that her eldest nephew's wife was now successful, but she didn't believe it. This time, after coming to the village, she saw that she was indeed successful.

The eldest son's weaving workshop is dazzling, and I heard that he has opened a pastry shop and a department store in the prefectural city.

Looking at Gu Youtian and his wife again, it was clear that their son didn't even have a new house for his wedding. It was just outrageous.

Therefore, she didn't like what Jia said and replied sarcastically, "I just saw Ruinian, but I didn't see what made him so capable. Don't worry about me overthinking it, but your wedding house isn't even repaired, and the furniture isn't even made. How can you expect me to believe that the village head's daughter would willingly marry into your family? Are you trying to deceive her?"

Jia was furious.

This cheap aunt-in-law, relying on her age and seniority, has always been able to speak in a way that hurts people's hearts since she was young.

What, you look down on her Ruinian, huh? You didn't care, but you still became the village head's son-in-law.

Provoked by Old Madam Ding, Madam Jia said, "My Ruinian has the ability to get the village head's daughter pregnant before even getting married. My aunt won't be jealous that my Ruinian not only got a wife without spending a penny, but also ten acres of fertile land and five hundred taels of silver. Does your grandson also want to find such a good marriage? Don't you even consider whether your grandson has the fortune?"

Before Jia could finish speaking, the room fell silent.

Such explosive news was just stated so bluntly.

Grandma Ding's eyes widened in surprise. Good heavens, she knew Gu Ruinian had deceived the girl, and it turned out to be true.

The villagers exchanged knowing glances.

Grandma Gu boasted throughout the village that the village head's daughter had thrown herself at Gu Ruinian, leading everyone to suspect that something fishy was going on, with many suspecting that Gu Ruinian had gotten Wu Na pregnant.

But there was no hammer.

This confirmed Jia's suspicions that her future daughter-in-law was pregnant. (End of Chapter)