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

Time flew by and early autumn arrived.

This autumn's cotton harvest is even more abundant than in previous years.

From the first autumn breeze, the snow-white cotton bolls began to bloom one after another.

Tong Huaqiong's business is developing steadily.

Peach Blossom Desserts was opened in Shengjing by Gu Taohua, Lu Zhaozhao, and Liu Yue'e, and the scale of the weaving workshop continued to expand.

The border caravan has arrived and filled the shops opened by Gu Dashu with goods. Although the border trade routes are not fully open, the Tong family's shops on the border have already begun to do business with the northern desert.

Gu Jingzhe, Aunt Tang, and Madam Hong successively wrote letters to Tong Huaqiong.

In her letter, Aunt Tang said that she had invested in the Shengjing branch of Jufulai, and that her pearl business had expanded into the imperial palace. Lian Hengruo had given birth to a son.

Gu Jingzhe's letter brought news that Gu Dashu had been appointed as the supervisor of the Guandu and that Lu Zhaozhao was pregnant.

After Magistrate Liu's explanation, Tong Huaqiong learned that the so-called Guan Dujian belonged to Lu Zhaoyang's Ministry of Revenue, and was in charge of border business, such as pricing and distribution channels.

Good heavens, Gu Dashu is really something else.

They risked their lives to secure lucrative positions on the border.

However, when the emperor asked Gu Dashu what reward he desired, Gu Dashu and Gu Jingzhe discussed it and obtained the position of Guan Dujian. Gu Dashu had long considered that to develop the border region effectively, he needed an official title. A post in the southeastern coastal region was unlikely to fall to Gu Dashu, but the emperor readily agreed to a border post. Because of the years of war on the border, even if the Great Sheng Dynasty had won, it wasn't a desirable place for most people within the Great Wall.

In addition, winter lasts for half the year, so no one is willing to take on the job of border patrol supervisor.

After Gu Dashu got this job, even many officials in the capital laughed at him for being a country bumpkin who wasted a good opportunity.

As for He Chao, he went to the border with Gu Dashu to ask for a deputy position and also to ask for a seventh-rank imperial title for his wife, Hong.

Gu Dashu decided to first inspect Shengjing Department Store, familiarize himself with the various affairs of the Ministry of Revenue, and build relationships with officials from all sides before setting off for the border again next spring.

Anyway, he left a lot of people at the border, and with Qin Qingyou and Ma Huateng going to the border, Gu Dashu had nothing to worry about.

Tong Huaqiong was both happy and worried when she heard the news of Lu Zhaozhao's pregnancy. She was happy that Lu Zhaozhao could finally have her own child in this life, but she was worried about the dangers of childbirth.

She increasingly felt that it was the right thing to delay Lu Zhaozhao and Gu Jingzhe's marriage for three years.

Even now that she's reached the appropriate age for childbearing, Tong Huaqiong is still incredibly nervous.

Tong Huaqiong made the decision to go to Shengjing immediately.

Originally, Tong Huaqiong had decided to go to Shengjing, but the family business was delayed until autumn.

With Gu Daqiao and Song Qiaoniang managing the weaving workshop, and with the help of Wei Shi and Gu Xiaoxue, the workshop is unlikely to encounter any trouble.

The peach blossom dessert was prepared by Hong Xiaoxi and Gu Xiaocao.

Jufulai has Manager Li and Gu Baishuang.

Tong Pandi works at the pig farm.

Tong Huaqiong only needs to operate from behind the scenes.

Therefore, her trip to Shengjing would not affect the family business at all. On the contrary, she could bring the Tong family's bank to Shengjing and then spread it from Shengjing to the entire Great Sheng.

Shengjing is the place she should go.

Having decided to go to Shengjing, Tong Huaqiong gathered the shopkeepers of various shops to discuss matters and then made another trip to the prefectural city.

After returning home, I started packing my luggage for my trip to Beijing.

Gu Baishuang and Tong Huaqiong went to Shengjing together this time.

Originally, when Gu Jingzhe and the others set off for Shengjing, Tong Huaqiong had encouraged Gu Baishuang to go with them.

After all, Nie Xiaofeng was going from the border to Shengjing to receive his reward, and as his mother, she should go with him. But Gu Baishuang refused.

First, Jufulai's business can't do without her for the time being; second, the two stepsons of the Nie family have started causing trouble, and she needs to suppress them.

Now there's no need to worry about Jufulai's business at all. She has a firm grip on the Nie family's business, so she can focus wholeheartedly on going to Beijing with Tong Huaqiong.

When Man'er heard that Tong Huaqiong was going to Shengjing, she insisted on going with her.

Tong Huaqiong had originally planned to take Man'er with her.

In fact, Tong Huaqiong wanted to take the eldest son's family with her, but Gu Dahan was unwilling. He didn't want to leave Qinghewan, where he grew up, and he was even more reluctant to leave the cotton fields where he had devoted his heart and soul.

As for Chen Sufeng, she was hesitating whether to take Ying'er and Man'er with her mother-in-law to Shengjing.

For both daughters, going to Shengjing (Mukden) is definitely the best place for them to have a bright future.

Yaozu should also bring them along; he's been missing his father and mother lately.

What worries Tong Huaqiong is Xiaolong; she doesn't know what to do with the child.

Take him to Shengjing; he's a ticking time bomb.

She's worried about leaving it in Qinghe Bay if she doesn't take it.

With a determined look, Tong Huaqiong decided to bring them along as well.

The most dangerous place is the safest place. Let's just leave Xiaolong under the old emperor's nose in Shengjing.

Having decided to take Xiaolong to Shengjing, Chen Sufeng felt a sense of peace. At this moment, she gritted her teeth and also decided to go to Shengjing with him.

While chatting at Tong Huaqiong's house, Zhao learned that Tong Huaqiong and others had gone to Shengjing and was very envious. She guessed that Tong Huaqiong might stay in Shengjing for a long time. She held her grandson Yaozu's hand and was very reluctant to part with him.

Tong Huaqiong said, "Mother-in-law, why don't you come with us?"

Zhao must be missing her daughter, Liu Yue'e.

Zhao hurriedly waved her hand and said, "There's so much work to do in the fields, and we have to feed the chickens, ducks, and geese at home. If I go to Shengjing, how can we manage everything at home?"

Tong Huaqiong said, "I don't know if the Liu family can function without you, but I know that Yue'e must miss you since she has no family in Shengjing. Also, Yaozu needs your care along the way. Just go with her for Yue'e's sake. Besides, once you get to Shengjing, you can come back whenever you want by taking the Lu family's merchant ship."

Zhao's eyes lit up, and she nodded vigorously, saying, "Alright, I'll help take care of Yaozu."

Those were just excuses.

Who wouldn't want to go to Shengjing? She had hardly ever left Qinghe Bay. She was able to go to Shengjing thanks to her mother-in-law.

When Zhao returned home and told her husband, her two sons and daughters-in-law, they also supported her going. Their main concern was that Liu Yue'e might be blinded by temptation in Shengjing and continue to cause trouble, so they wanted Zhao to keep an eye on her.

Tong Huaqiong decided to depart in five days.

Unexpectedly, things changed the next day.

Early in the morning, a large group of people suddenly entered Qinghe Bay.

Grandpa Xu, who went to collect manure at the village entrance early in the morning, was so frightened that he thought bandits had entered the village. He ran into the village in a panic, but was stopped by a soldier.

Grandpa Xu was so frightened by the sight of the long sword that his eyes rolled back and he fainted.

The general leading the troops pinched Grandpa Xu's philtrum to wake him up, then carried him towards the village. Grandpa Xu stared blankly at the man in front of him, unresponsive.

The weaving women who got up early to go to work saw a group of soldiers and thought there was a rebellion.

Gu Xiaoxue recognized the leading guard and quietly slipped through the back door to Tong Huaqiong's house.

Upon hearing of the arrival of the large group, Tong Huaqiong's heart skipped a beat; she didn't know whether it was a blessing or a curse. (End of Chapter)