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

Chapter 635 Forming a Team to Achieve Merit
"How are Manager He and Laifu doing?"

Tong Huaqiong glanced at Madam Hong, who seemed hesitant to speak, and knew she wanted to ask about He Chao's situation.

Coincidentally, she also wanted to ask about Nie Xiaofeng and Su Chengmin.

So he spoke up on behalf of Madam Hong and asked Aunt Tang.

Aunt Tang looked at Madam Hong with a smile and said, "Your husband is also a contributor."

Hong: "."

Those who make meritorious contributions can even form a group.

Aunt Tang said, "The supplies that Da Shu used to confuse the northern deserts were all received by Manager He on our side. Every time Da Shu received supplies, he would pass on the news through Manager He."

"Therefore, the Great Heat's lurking presence in the northern desert is inseparable from Manager He's cooperation."

With tears in her eyes, Mrs. Hong didn't care about whether she had made any meritorious contributions or not; she just wanted everyone to come back safe and sound.

Tong Huaqiong grasped Hong's hand.

He Chao went to the northern desert for Tong Huaqiong's business. Once there, he risked his life and worked as a spy with Gu Dashu. Just imagine how dangerous that must have been.

Throughout the past year, Mrs. Hong has always been optimistic when mentioning Ho Chiu, but Tong Huaqiong knows that her worries are no less than Liu Yue'e's. She has no children, so after Ho Chiu left, Tong Huaqiong invited her to move in with her family and help Tong Pandi take care of the children to distract her.

With news of He Chao, Tong Huaqiong felt much less guilty towards the Hong family.

“Our Pingchuan is about to produce another young commoner general, but he’s not a cowherd, he’s the son of a merchant.”

Aunt Tang looked at Tong Huaqiong with envy.

How lucky is this woman? Her son made a contribution, the shopkeeper made a contribution, and even her grandson made a contribution.

However, the thought that her son-in-law was a prefect made her feel better.

The son of a merchant?

Tong Huaqiong wondered who else could it be besides Nie Xiaofeng.

"The young general must be Nie Xiaofeng."

Gu Taohua's lips twitched at the thought of Nie Xiaofeng.

She still remembers the terrible scene when Nie Xiaofeng was a child, when she beat him with a feather duster.

I really can't imagine him becoming a general.

Aunt Tang nodded and said, "I heard that Nie Xiaofeng was the fastest promoted one, becoming a deputy general in just one year. The report praised Nie Xiaofeng quite a bit, saying that he took the lead in attacking the capital of the Northern Desert and killed the commander of the Northern Desert general with one sword."

This is good news! Tong Huaqiong called Gu Dahan over and asked him to go to town and tell Gu Baishuang the news.

Gu Baishuang worried about Nie Xiaofeng a lot this year.

The sooner she knew the news, the sooner she could feel at ease.

Gu Dahan was happier than anyone else to see his eldest nephew succeed.

Gu Dahan rubbed his hands together and left happily. He never expected his eldest nephew to have such great achievements.

A deputy general is only one step away from becoming a general.

For someone his age, this is already beyond expectations, especially considering he earned his place on the battlefield through sheer skill.

Gu Taohua wasn't in a hurry to be happy for Nie Xiaofeng, and continued to ask Aunt Tang, "What about Laifu?"

Aunt Tang shook her head and said, "It wasn't written in the report."

Disappointment appeared in Gu Taohua's eyes.

Tong Huaqiong patted her and said, "He will definitely be alright."

Lai Fu's name was given to Su Chengmin casually by Tong Huaqiong, so it certainly wouldn't be written in the report.

With his uncle protecting him at the border, how could he possibly be defeated? Besides, Nie Xiaofeng's kung fu was taught by him, and he was able to fight and achieve merit in battle and retreat unscathed, let alone him.

It's just a matter of whether the old emperor will know Su Chengmin's true identity and spare him.

"Did they say when they'll be back?" Tong Huaqiong asked.

Aunt Tang said, "Since the northern deserts have surrendered, we have to accept the surrender here. Doesn't that mean we have to go to Shengjing? The people who made contributions during the Great Heat are all listed in the report, and they'll probably have to go to Shengjing to receive their rewards. Now the border is blocked by heavy snow. After fighting for a year, we finally won, so we need to rest here. We won't be able to leave the border until after the New Year. We'll go to Shengjing first, and then come home. I estimate we won't be able to go home until next summer."

Tong Huaqiong pondered for a moment.

Shengjing.

She hasn't been there yet, but she'd like to go.

Her cotton fabrics have already been sold as far away as Shengjing (Mukden). After the New Year, she plans to open a pawnshop, Jufulai (a restaurant chain), and Taohua Dessert Shop in Shengjing.

He might become a great imperial merchant, just like Old Master Lu.

Tong Huaqiong looked at the little dragon behind her. She estimated that it wouldn't be long before the male protagonist of this world of Tong Dajiao would be taken away by the old emperor, and then fight against his uncle. In the end, the old emperor would bypass his son and pass the throne to this grandson.

When Liu Yue'e heard that Gu Dashu wouldn't be able to return home until summer, disappointment showed in her eyes, and she muttered, "That's too long."

Zhao said, "It's better than not knowing the news and being worried every day. Besides, he went to Shengjing to receive a reward."

Upon hearing this, Liu Yue'e happily replied, "That's true. If anyone outside says that Da Shu has gone missing on the border, I'll slap them across the face."

Nie Family, Yanguan Town.

Gu Baishuang was furious about the rumors circulating outside.

Rumors are circulating outside that Nie Xiaofeng won't be coming back.

She usually takes care of her business in Pingchuan County. Since her son went to the border, she has rarely returned to the town this year. She had only been back for less than two days when she heard the rumors outside.

Ironically, these rumors were spread to her by her two daughters-in-law.

Gu Baishuang asked her two daughters-in-law in a cold voice, "Who said Xiaofeng isn't coming back?"

The eldest daughter-in-law, Zhang, said, "It's all the talk outside. They say the people of the northern deserts are incredibly cruel; they kill anyone they capture from our side. Xiaofeng hasn't written home for a year. The battlefield is ruthless; Xiaofeng..."

Gu Baishuang angrily interrupted her eldest daughter-in-law, "Bullshit! What do you mean, 'outsiders are spreading rumors'? I think you're the one spreading them. Don't you want Xiaofeng to be well? Your husband goes out to do business with your father-in-law and doesn't write home for a year or two at a time. When has your husband ever come back properly?"

Gu Baishuang wanted to slap Zhang, the eldest daughter-in-law, because of the gloating in her words.

Zhang opened her mouth.

She wanted to say, how could that be the same? Her husband was away on business, while Nie Xiaofeng was on the battlefield. It was obvious to anyone that one of them was more likely to die.

The younger daughter-in-law, Sun, lifted her eyelids and said, "Mother, you're wronging my sister-in-law. It's not that she doesn't hope Xiaofeng is doing well, but the fact that there's been no news from him all year inevitably makes people wonder. My third brother isn't married yet, and he doesn't have a son. What are we going to do?"

Sun's thoughts were very straightforward.

If Nie Xiaofeng were to die now, the lineage of the third branch of the family would be cut off, so they would have to choose a nephew to continue the family line.

Gu Baishuang has made a lot of money doing business with Tong Huaqiong, and all that money must belong to Nie Xiaofeng. Whoever is adopted by Nie Xiaofeng will benefit.

Enraged, Gu Baishuang threw the teacup at Sun Shi. Still not satisfied, she stood up and slapped each of her two daughters-in-law, yelling, "You worthless wretches! Even if you were dead, Xiaofeng would still be alive and well. Stop thinking about how your stupid sons are so eager to be adopted by Xiaofeng, whether their father or mother is dead."

Zhang and Sun were stunned by the beating.

Gu Baishuang used to be afraid of people saying bad things about stepmothers. She treated her two daughters-in-law with all her heart, but she still couldn't warm their hearts, so she started to change her approach.

Ever since she started doing business with Tong Huaqiong and took control of the family business, she began to treat her two stepsons and stepdaughters-in-law coldly.

It was precisely because of her former good temper that her two daughters-in-law misunderstood her as a gentle person, which led them to speak ill of her.

Gu Baishuang was startled when she slapped herself twice, but she quickly regained her composure. So what if she hit her? It's normal for a mother-in-law to discipline her daughter-in-law.

Zhang and Sun were not used to Gu Baishuang's changes, and they covered their faces, stiffened their necks, and threatened to commit suicide.