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

Chapter 738 Meeting an Old Friend with Red Eyes

When Grandma Min arrived, Tong Huaqiong was really worried that Min Han Niu had come along too.

Since no one came out, then no one came at all.

Tong Huaqiong relaxed slightly.

Tong Huaqiong really didn't know how to greet Tong Dajiao's childhood sweetheart.

She certainly wouldn't be red-eyed or blushing; her soul was still young, and in her heart, Min Han Niu was no different from an old man or uncle.

After Tong Huaqiong finished exchanging pleasantries with Old Madam Min, everyone began to surround her and ask about the conflict that had occurred between Tong Huaqiong and Princess Mingyue that day.

Despite Zhao's constant winks, Liu Yue'e still managed to voice her concerns.

"Now that we've offended the Prince Yu's Mansion, will we still be able to do business normally in Shengjing?"

Tong Huaqiong glanced at Liu Yue'e, making her daughter-in-law tremble.

"There are so many princes, noble families, and important officials in Shengjing. If the Peach Blossom Dessert sign falls down, it could probably knock over several of them. You never know who you'll offend. You'll be worried about offending this person or that person, and you won't be able to do business."

"You can't just ignore the Prince Yu's mansion. Princess Mingyue values ​​our pastry chef and forces him to serve her. Who's to blame, Chef Liu or Peach Blossom Desserts? Chef Liu came all the way from the prefectural city to support our shop in Shengjing. There's no reason for him to be forced to sell himself into servitude to the prince's mansion after his trip. Who will dare to be loyal to us in the future? If Peach Blossom Desserts gives away its own staff, people will think we're easy to bully, and everyone will want to kick us while we're down. Even if you give Chef Liu to Princess Mingyue, she won't be grateful. Even if you give her all your assets, she'll still think it's her due. Since that's the case, we might as well make a big scene. Let them think that offending Peach Blossom Desserts will bring bad luck and make them wary. Only then can we do business in Shengjing with peace of mind."

Tong Huaqiong felt that Liu Yue'e was petty and narrow-minded.

Trying to curry favor with the powerful is useless; you either have to accept your bad luck or use their influence to get back at them.

Tong Huaqiong chose the latter.

Grandma Min applauded, "That's the right way to think. What is the Yu Prince's Mansion anyway? His Majesty merely uses them as mascots to demonstrate his imperial favor, yet he arrogantly assumes that because the world belongs to the Zhao family, half the world belongs to the Yu Prince's Mansion."

Grandma Min felt that the Prince Yu's mansion wanted to establish an arrogant and domineering persona to reassure the emperor. They were getting too caught up in the role and their arrogant and domineering behavior towards others would eventually backfire.

Today, Tong Huaqiong seized on a weakness that aroused the Emperor's suspicion.

As expected of Tong Huaqiong, she dared to confront the Prince Yu's mansion with her bare hands as soon as she arrived in Shengjing. Old Madam Min looked at Tong Huaqiong with increasing admiration.

Evening came quickly.

Tong Huaqiong invited Grandma Min to stay for dinner.

After the meal, Grandma Min continued to talk to Tong Huaqiong.

"Seeing you reminds me of my Baozhen." Old Mrs. Min's voice was filled with lingering sorrow.

Baozhen?

Tong Huaqiong activated Tong Dajiao's memories.

Baozhen is Min Hanniu's younger sister, and Su Chengmin's mother.

He is Tong Dajiao's loyal follower.

Since Su Chengmin mentioned to Tong Huaqiong that he had no mother since childhood, then Baozhen must have died long ago.

Tong Huaqiong sighed, "I still remember the bond I formed with Baozhen when we were little."

Baozhen was furious when Tong Dajiao accepted the Gu family's betrothal gifts. However, when Tong Dajiao got married, Baozhen still used the money she earned from collecting medicinal herbs to buy Tong Huaqiong a pair of silver bracelets.

Thinking of this, Tong Huaqiong wanted to ask Old Madam Min why Baozhen had died so young.

Seeing the sorrow on Old Mrs. Min's face, it became difficult to bring it up.

“Baozhen was unlucky; she met Chengmin’s father in Shengjing.” Old Mrs. Min took the initiative to mention Baozhen’s marriage and death details to Tong Huaqiong.

Su Chengmin's father, Su Shihang, was a young student at the Imperial Academy who was bullied by aristocratic young men on the street.

Baozhen, who had recently arrived in the capital with her general brother, stepped forward and severely punished the young master. This led to her acquaintance with Su Chengmin's father.

Later, Su Shihang passed the imperial examination and went to the Min family to propose marriage. Min Hanniu then asked the emperor to grant them a marriage decree.

Baozhen felt very happy to be proposed to by the man she loved.

The couple enjoyed a sweet period after their marriage.

Everything changed after Su Chengmin was born.

"I never imagined that Su Shihang would be such a scoundrel. He had a wife and children back in his hometown and lied to my Baozhen. The reason he wanted to marry my Baozhen was because he was after my son Han Niu's status as a general. He used my son's influence to rise to a high position. When Chengmin was five years old, he finally told Baozhen about his wife and children back home. I told Baozhen to divorce him then and there, but she refused."

Baozhen compromised and agreed to let Su Chengmin bring his wife and children from his hometown to Shengjing with the respect due to a second wife.

Su Chengmin and his first wife were childhood sweethearts, and he felt guilty towards her. His first wife took advantage of this and constantly provoked Baozhen. In addition, Su Chengmin's mother disowned Baozhen and interfered, making Baozhen's life in the Su family very difficult.

She had a fiery temper. In the past, many people in Shengjing envied her relationship with Su Shihang. It was extremely embarrassing to have it exposed as a deception.

External pressures, coupled with self-torture, led to Baozhen's death from depression within three years.

Tong Huaqiong was filled with questions; Baozhen's departure was far too hasty.

The story of Su Chengmin's parents is very similar to that of Gu Jingzhe's previous life, except that the villain here is the original wife and the victim is Baozhen.

In short, it's all because of that scoundrel Su Shihang who doesn't act like a human being.

Tong Huaqiong and Old Mrs. Min scolded Su Shihang together.

"Isn't this Chen Shimei?"

Even Zhao joined in the cursing.

Grandma Min wiped away her tears and said, "Fortunately, Chengmin is a good child, unlike his father. Ever since Baozhen passed away, I have taken Chengmin in and raised him. When he grew up, I taught him to read and write, and he also joined the army with his uncle for training. Even the Emperor said that Chengmin is the only person in our Great Sheng who is both literate and martial."

When Su Chengmin was mentioned, a smug look appeared on Grandma Min's face.

"Don't worry, Cheng Min is just like his uncle, he won't be fickle," Grandma Min said to Tong Huaqiong.

Tong Huaqiong's brain almost crashed.

What did Grandma Min mean by that? What did she mean by telling her to rest assured? What did it have to do with her whether Su Chengmin was good or bad?

Seeing Gu Taohua sitting to the side, Tong Huaqiong suddenly understood.

Su Chengmin's feelings for Gu Taohua have already been made public in the Min family. Old Madam Min wants to find out Tong Huaqiong's opinion on this marriage on Su Chengmin's behalf.

However, Tong Huaqiong couldn't say anything in front of Zhao and the others.

Moreover, in the end, it all depends on Gu Taohua's decision.

“It’s said that people are influenced by their environment. Chengmin grew up with you, so his character is definitely impeccable,” Tong Huaqiong said.

A smile appeared on Grandma Min's face.

She did indeed intend to investigate Tong Huaqiong.

Judging from Tong Huaqiong's reaction, this marriage seems promising.

She disliked the conventional, well-behaved daughters of noble families in Shengjing, preferring the free-spirited souls of the countryside. Gu Taohua suited her perfectly; from the moment she met Gu Taohua, she wanted her to be her granddaughter-in-law.

In addition, since Su Chengmin had clearly expressed his love for the peach blossoms of Xinyue Valley to her, Old Madam Min felt that this marriage had to go through.

However, Tong Huaqiong has only just arrived in Shengjing, and it would be disrespectful for her to propose marriage so hastily.

Moreover, she wasn't here today to discuss marriage; she planned to have a private talk with Tong Huaqiong in a few days.