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

Chapter 726 First, a beating with a feather duster

"Zhaozhao, you're pregnant, why aren't you resting at home? Instead you're out causing trouble. Jingzhe is really something, making you wait at the palace gate."

Tong Huaqiong looked at Lu Zhaozhao's belly, which was slightly protruding at four months.

Gu Jingzhe is so inconsiderate; how could he let a pregnant woman come out to greet someone?

She stayed in the palace for quite a while. Based on her understanding of Gu Jingzhe, Gu Dashu, and others, she estimated that they had been waiting at the gate since she entered the palace. This was not a pleasant experience for a pregnant woman.

Lu Zhaozhao said with a smile, "You've wronged my husband. He told me to wait at home, but how could I wait in peace? I'd be more worried if I stayed at home. Besides, I'm just as comfortable in the carriage as I am at home, with food and drink."

It's a lie to say that Lu Zhaozhao and the others aren't worried when they hear that Tong Huaqiong and Chen Sufen have entered the palace.

The old emperor was renowned, and anyone whose family held an official position in the court knew that he was sensitive and suspicious. The Gu family was afraid that he might make things difficult for Tong Huaqiong and the others if they were not careful.

Lu Zhaozhao would certainly not want to wait for Tong Huaqiong at home.

Lu Zhaozhao's heart finally calmed down after sitting next to Tong Huaqiong in the carriage.

Because of her pregnancy, Lu Zhaozhao was bathed in a gentle glow.

She looks especially beautiful when she smiles.

Tong Huaqiong held Lu Zhaozhao's hand, examined her carefully, and inquired about her physical condition in detail.

Lu Zhaozhao's pregnancy went very smoothly. With Gu Jingzhe's thoughtfulness and the presence of her sister-in-law, brother, and sister-in-law, she was in a good mood all day, and therefore her complexion was excellent.

"Mother, you ignore your daughter now that you've met your daughter-in-law, don't you?" Gu Taohua said from the side, seeing that Tong Huaqiong treated Lu Zhaozhao like a panda.

Tong Huaqiong then looked at Gu Taohua.

The soil and water of Shengjing nourish people. After not seeing her for several months, Gu Taohua has grown taller and her already fair skin has become even more delicate thanks to the nourishment from the soil and water of Shengjing.

Tong Huaqiong smiled and hugged Gu Taohua, saying, "You're capable enough to open a shop in Shengjing, why would I need to manage you?"

Gu Taohua nestled against Tong Huaqiong, displaying the demeanor of a young girl.

As dusk approached, the carriage stopped in front of a large mansion.

This grand mansion was arranged by Tong Huaqiong after Gu Jingzhe came to Shengjing.

Liu Yue'e stood at the door carrying a lantern, with Madam Hong, Old Madam Huang, and Aunt Tang and others standing beside her.

Seeing so many old friends welcoming her, Tong Huaqiong felt a surge of warmth in her heart.

"Mother, sister-in-law, you've finally arrived! We've been waiting so anxiously!"

Upon hearing Liu Yue'e's voice, Zhao couldn't resist rushing to the carriage door first.

Liu Yue'e lifted the curtain and was stunned to see her own mother, Zhao Shi's, face reflected in her eyes.

"Mother, what brings you here?" Liu Yue'e asked, both surprised and delighted.

“Your mother-in-law understands that I miss my daughter, so she let me come to Shengjing to see you.”

Zhao's eyes welled up with tears of emotion.

Looking at Liu Yue'e under the lantern, dressed in extremely luxurious clothes, one knows that Liu Yue'e has not suffered any grievances in Shengjing.

Liu Yue'e looked at Tong Huaqiong with gratitude.

“You must be tired from the journey and have been in the palace for so long. Hurry up and get off the carriage and come inside,” said Madam Hong.

Tong Huaqiong, Chen Sufen, and others got off the carriage and went home.

"Are you hungry? Let's eat first." Old Mrs. Huang took Tong Huaqiong's hand.

After Huang Jingshan became pregnant, the Huang family was worried. The old lady Huang came to Shengjing with Lu Zhaozhao's ship to take care of her granddaughter.

Hearing that Tong Huaqiong had arrived, they rushed to her home to help.

Tong Huaqiong said, "We've already eaten in the palace."

"How is the food in the palace?" Aunt Tang asked.
Aunt Tang had never eaten food from the imperial kitchen before and was very curious.

Grandma Huang said, "It certainly won't taste as good as what we eat at home. Many dishes are served cold. Plus, the palace has strict rules and restricts movement, so even the most delicious imperial food won't taste good."

Old Mrs. Huang had never been to the palace.

But her granddaughter, Huang Jingshan, had attended palace banquets with Lu Zhaoyang, and every time she returned from the palace, she seemed to have eaten nothing. Tong Huaqiong said, "It really didn't taste good. But I've filled my stomach, so I can't eat anymore."

Although the food in the palace was not to her liking and she hadn't eaten her fill, Tong Huaqiong was no longer hungry.

After a month-long journey to Shengjing, followed by a series of tedious ceremonies to welcome the Crown Prince, and then having to work at high speed to deal with the Emperor at the palace, Tong Huaqiong felt utterly exhausted when she finally relaxed at her own residence.

Aunt Tang noticed that Tong Huaqiong was tired and urged her to rest.

He said, "We're all family, no need to be polite. Go get some sleep first. We're all in Shengjing, there will be plenty of time to meet again in the future."

Old Mrs. Huang and Mrs. Hong also joined in urging Tong Huaqiong to rest first.

Liu Yue'e and Gu Taohua ordered someone to prepare bathwater.

Tong Huaqiong was exhausted. She apologized, took a shower, and went straight to sleep.

Chen Sufeng and Gu Baishuang couldn't stay up any longer and went to rest.

Tong Pandi and Zhao Shi, however, did not feel tired at all. The two of them told Liu Yue'e and the others about what they had seen and heard in the palace.

Tong Huaqiong slept until the sun was high in the sky before getting up.

After washing up, I went to the main room, when suddenly a commotion came from the courtyard.

"Mom, Grandma, I'm here."

You can tell from the voice that Nie Xiaofeng has arrived.

Gu Baishuang excitedly peeked out from behind the screen, almost losing her balance. She would have fallen if Su Qing hadn't been there to support her.

After being separated from her son for three years, how could Gu Baishuang not be moved when she suddenly heard the voice of her son calling her "Mother" that she had longed for day and night?

"Grandma," Nie Xiaofeng apologized to Tong Huaqiong, "I was ordered to go to the camp yesterday and was unable to greet you and my mother immediately."

Tong Huaqiong looked at Nie Xiaofeng with a smile; the child had grown up.

Nie Xiaofeng, clad in armor, looked very imposing.

The once childish face has lost its immaturity, revealing sharp features.

He perfectly embodies the image of a tough, resolute soldier.

He originally wanted to wear coarse cloth clothes, but Gu Dashu reminded him to wear armor and carry a sword, saying that his mother had never seen his imposing appearance as a deputy general, and that he should let his mother see it.

Seeing her son dressed like this, Gu Baishuang felt both gratified and heartbroken.

I am gratified that my son has the bearing of a general.

It's heartbreaking that the son had to fight his way through mountains of corpses to get this outfit.

Tong Huaqiong said, "Talk to your mother nicely. She's worried about you day and night at home."

Gu Baishuang hasn't seen her son for three years.

Nie Xiaofeng took Gu Baishuang from Su Qing's hands and said with tears in his eyes, "Mother."

The mother and son, who hadn't seen each other for three years, were reunited, and the atmosphere was filled with emotion.

Chen Sufen and Zhao Shi, among others, couldn't help but tear up.

Before Tong Huaqiong could even get into the mood, Gu Baishuang grabbed a feather duster from the table and started hitting Nie Xiaofeng.

Nie Xiaofeng was stunned.

What's going on? Shouldn't his mother be teary-eyed? Shouldn't she be proud of him?

Why would someone hit you after not seeing you for three years?

"I'll beat you to death, you unfilial son."

"You've really made something of yourself."

"You dare to join the army without saying a word."

"Don't think that becoming a deputy general will erase your mistakes."

Gu Baishuang cursed as she fiercely waved the feather duster in her hand.