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

Chapter 812 The Crown Prince Leaves the Palace for the New Year
The Spring Examinations will begin soon, coinciding with the solar term "Gu Jingzhe".

Based on the events of the previous life, barring any unforeseen circumstances, Gu Jingzhe will definitely pass the imperial examination.

And he was at least a third-place finisher.

This will mark the beginning of Gu Jingzhe's meteoric rise in his official career.

As Gu Jingzhe's uncle-in-law, Fan Tong's status would rise in the eyes of outsiders in this place that values ​​clan relationships.

No matter how much you emphasize that the two people have no relationship, it's all empty talk to uninformed outsiders.

In Yanguan Town, it's entirely possible that Fan Tong might exploit the information gap to amass wealth under Gu Jingzhe's name. In such a small place, far from the emperor's reach, who wouldn't give Gu Xiang's uncle some face?

Furthermore, given that Gu Honglian lacks foresight, the couple might conspire to exploit Gu Jingzhe's name to oppress the villagers.

If someone were to exploit this, it would be a disaster for Gu Jingzhe's career.

Don't underestimate Fan Tong's small power; as the saying goes, a thousand-mile dike can be destroyed by an ant hole.

Tong Huaqiong was initially unhappy about Fan Tong and Gu Honglian's arrival and planned to send them back after the New Year.

I don't think that way now.

She decided to leave Fan Tong and Gu Honglian in Shengjing, keeping an eye on them under her watchful eye.

She would make Fan Tong harbor fantasies about Gu Jingzhe, making him see relying on Gu Jingzhe as a radish hanging in front of him, something he could only see but not touch.

If he tries to use Gu Jingzhe to cause trouble, suppress him immediately.

Thinking this, Tong Huaqiong said to Fan Tong, "Since we've come to Shengjing, who wouldn't want to achieve some fame and fortune so they can return home in glory? My brother-in-law is a man of great ambition, and he must have this intention. As the saying goes, heroes don't ask about their origins. Isn't our mighty general from Pingchuan just like that? I think my brother-in-law might just have such good fortune in the future."

Fan Tong's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and he stammered, "Sister-in-law, do you have faith in me?"

This was the first time Fan Tong had eaten at the same table as Tong Huaqiong, and he was flattered to be singled out by Tong Huaqiong, who had always been indifferent to him.

Tong Huaqiong said, "Of course I have high hopes for you. You might just catch the eye of some influential person and soar to great heights."

Fan Tong's eyes darted around, feeling secretly pleased.

Thinking back to what he had learned in casual conversation that Master Su had been kept in the palace by the Crown Prince, and that Master Su had the extraordinary opportunity to become the Crown Prince's tutor, he wondered if he himself might have such good fortune.

Coming to Shengjing was definitely the right decision.

Gu Honglian felt even more honored to hear Tong Huaqiong's approval of Fan Tong.

Gu Honglian said, "There aren't many people who can be recognized by your sister-in-law. You should plan carefully in Shengjing after the New Year. Whether you do copying or teaching, you might have a bright future, just as your sister-in-law said."

Fan Tong thought to himself, what are copying and teaching? There are so many nobles in Shengjing. He plans to become a secretary or strategist for one of them.

Looking at Fan Tong's sly face, Tong Huaqiong chuckled inwardly; the fish had indeed taken the bait.

Fan Tong was ambitious but lacked talent. He should have stayed in Shengjing, harboring illusions but constantly hitting walls, thus diminishing his aspirations and becoming a representative of impoverished scholars, never able to turn his life around.

After three rounds of drinking.

Everyone stopped eating when they had almost finished, saving room for dumplings.

Dumplings taste best when everyone makes them together.

The maids and servants stepped forward and cleared away the leftover food from the table.

Zhao and Hong got up and went to the kitchen to get dumpling filling and a rolling pin. Tong Pandi and Chen Sufeng started kneading the dough, Gu Taohua and Gu Xiaoxue rolled out the wrappers, and Tong Huaqiong, Gu Dashu and others were in charge of making dumplings.

Lu Zhaozhao didn't know how to do chores, so Gu Jingzhe taught her. Gu Jingzhe couldn't bear to see Lu Zhaozhao do any work. In his mind, his wife's delicate hands were good for accounting and writing, but she didn't need to cook or do housework.

"Husband, please teach me!" Lu Zhaozhao said coquettishly, tugging at Gu Jingzhe's hand.

The dumplings she made were so ugly; they were not only ugly, but the filling was also showing.

Gu Jingzhe couldn't resist Lu Zhaozhao's coquettishness and taught her how to make dumplings with a doting expression.

Tong Huaqiong felt a pang of envy seeing the sweet couple.

Fan Tong felt a pang of jealousy.

Both being scholars from Yanguan Town, Gu Jingzhe managed to win the heart of a wealthy heiress, while he could only marry Gu Honglian. Crucially, this heiress was not only stunningly beautiful but also incredibly virtuous, unlike Gu Honglian, who turned into a shrew after marriage.

"Second Uncle, can you help Yaozu and me set off fireworks?" Man'er tugged at Gu Dashu's sleeve.

Her fireworks were sent from the palace by the Crown Prince, and they featured various flower patterns as well as animal patterns.

Man'er had been eagerly waiting to release it for a long time.

Gu Dashu agreed and led Yaozu and Man'er out, lifting the curtain to take the fireworks to the open space facing the window.

Once the fireworks are lit and rise into the air, Tong Huaqiong and the others can see them through the window.

Making dumplings while watching fireworks is truly a pleasant experience.

Tong Huaqiong and the others looked up and gazed outside.

It was discovered that the grain had not been released for a long time.

Just then, Man'er came running in and said, "Xiao Long and Master Su are back."

Tong Huaqiong and the others were startled.

In previous years, a palace banquet would be held on this day, but it was not held this year.

In the twelfth lunar month, the emperor was startled by a wolf from the Imperial Beast Garden. After returning home, he began to experience palpitations, fever, and nightmares. In recent days, he has even been dreaming of the late Crown Prince.

The Emperor, feeling exhausted, announced that the palace banquet would not be held this year in mourning for the Crown Prince.

On New Year's Eve, the Emperor only sent dishes to the court officials and imperial relatives, while he himself, his concubines, two princes, and the Crown Prince held a family banquet.

Tong Huaqiong went out to greet them.

Seeing the Crown Prince, wrapped in a cloak, being supported by Master Su, with Su Chengmin escorting him from behind.

Tong Huaqiong felt relieved. Since there were imperial guards escorting her, it must have been approved by the emperor.

She was afraid that the Crown Prince would sneak out of the palace, and if anything happened, his entire family would be executed.

"grandmother."

The Crown Prince saw Tong Huaqiong rushing towards him.

Apart from Tong Huaqiong and Man'er Yaozu, everyone else obediently bowed to the grandson of the emperor.

This was the first time Fan Tong and Gu Honglian had seen the Crown Prince in his true form.

Fan Tong only learned of the news on the day the Crown Prince was confirmed to be the rightful heir and taken away. By the time he arrived at Qinghe Bay, the Crown Prince's carriage had already gone far away.

Every time Fan Tong thinks about this, he stomps his feet in regret.

Who would have thought that the child Tong Huaqiong picked up on the street would turn out to be the grandson of the emperor?

Gu Honglian was filled with regret; she had never given Gu Dahan, this illegitimate son, a second glance.

The grandson lifted his head from Tong Huaqiong's arms, saw Gu Dahan, walked towards Gu Dahan, and looked up to call him "Father."

Startled, Gu Dahan knelt down with a thud.

If the grandson calls him "father," wouldn't that shorten his lifespan?
Although he had been the adoptive father of the Crown Prince for a while, he couldn't stand the Crown Prince calling him "father" in public.

The Crown Prince helped Gu Dahan up. After Gu Dahan got up, he couldn't help but reach out to touch the Crown Prince's head, but then he withdrew his hand when he remembered the Crown Prince's status.

"Has Father become estranged from me?" the Crown Prince asked, looking up.

Seeing the Crown Prince's disappointed look, Gu Dahan couldn't help but pat his head, saying helplessly, "How could this be? How could this be?"

"It's cold outside, come inside."

As she spoke, Tong Huaqiong pulled the grandson into the house.

Grandson, please don't make things difficult for Gu Dahan. For Gu Dahan, a pure ancient man, the royal family is like heaven. He can't get used to the Grandson calling him "father" in public yet.