The Evil Mother-in-law: Torment Children, Work Hard, Be Rich!-Chapter 243: Splendid Prosperity in Boiling Oil and Flaming Fire
The whole family didnโt go to town anymore and started purchasing preparations for the banquet.
At this time, Boss Qian from Fengle Building, Huang Yuanwai, and other people rushed over from town after hearing the news. ๐๐ง๐๐ฎ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฃ๐ธ๐๐๐.๐๐๐
"Congratulations, congratulations, Shopkeeper Tong." Huang Yuanwai got off the carriage with his hands behind his back, sticking out his belly, and cheerfully congratulated Tong Huaqiong.
"Itโs a pity that I heard the news a bit late." Boss Qian regretted not witnessing the process of hanging the plaque personally.
"Congratulations, Sister Tong." Mrs. Hong beamed as she got out of the carriage.
He Chao also naturally received the news, but he didnโt come along. On such a good day, he should keep the shop for his master, so his wife, Mrs. Hong, came to Qinghe Bay on behalf of them to offer congratulations.
Tong Huaqiong greeted Huang Yuanwai and others with a smile and invited them into the courtyard.
Even though theyโve known each other for so long, it was Huang Yuanwaiโs first time visiting Tong Huaqiongโs home in Qinghe Bay.
He couldnโt help but marvel that Tong Huaqiong, a widow who started by selling pastries on a stall, opened a shop, bought land, and received commendation from the government in such a short time.
Now, not only Yan Guan Town but even Pingchuan County and the capital city knew of Tong Huaqiongโs name.
To Tong Huaqiongโs surprise, Gu Baishuang sent her son Nie Xiaofeng to deliver a congratulatory gift.
Nie Xiaofeng looked as if he had a knife to his throat, forced to come, his face full of displeasure.
Nie Xiaofeng originally didnโt like Tong Huaqiongโs family. With his youthful temperament and inability to hide his emotions, his dissatisfaction showed on his face.
Tong Huaqiong didnโt mind his expression. No matter how unwilling he was, Nie Xiaofeng still had to call her grandmother. Since he brought a gift, he was a guest, and Tong Huaqiong warmly invited Nie Xiaofeng for tea.
Tong Huaqiongโs enthusiasm left Nie Xiaofeng momentarily stunned, as he was not used to interacting with such a step-grandmother.
He would rather Tong Huaqiong still be as sharp-tongued as before; at least then he knew how to handle her.
But Tong Huaqiong deliberately didnโt oblige him. After inquiring about Gu Baishuangโs situation, Nie Xiaofeng mumbled a few words, left the gift, and ran off.
Tong Huaqiong didnโt mind either.
"Dahuan, Dashu, you two go buy groceries."
Tong Huaqiong greeted Huang Yuanwai and others to drink tea in the house, then came out to instruct brothers Gu Dahuan and Gu Dashu to buy groceries for the banquet.
"I heard Shopkeeper Tong means to host a dinner? No need to bother. Iโll have someone bring a few tablesโ worth of meals from my place, ensuring everyone in the village eats happily." Boss Qian jumped in front of Tong Huaqiong to make his presence known.
"Boss Qian, no need to bother you. This is my happy occasion, so naturally, Iโll prepare it myself." Tong Huaqiong distanced herself from Boss Qian.
Boss Qian knew Tong Huaqiongโs refusal was sincere and dared not press further.
"Mother, let me oversee the feast. You being commended is a happy occasion; our feast should be lavish." Chen Sufen happily volunteered.
Gu Taohua and Liu Yueer chimed in, enthusiastically discussing using big carp, pig knuckles, braised lamb, and other hearty dishes to set the tone.
Tong Huaqiong thought for a moment and waved them off: "No need to be so lavish."
Gu Taohua asked puzzledly, "Why not lavish? Mother, this is your happy occasion, and our family can afford a lavish feast."
Moreover, the family is not short on silver now, so why is Mother being so frugal?
Gu Taohua didnโt understand, and neither did Chen Sufen nor Liu Yueer.
It wasnโt about the silver for Tong Huaqiong; she was thinking far ahead.
Nowadays, Tong Huaqiongโs Taohua Dessert is flourishing, and she developed a medicine for spike blight, gaining government commendation...
With such prosperity, how could it not arouse envy?
Especially since everyone lives in the same village, why should someone like Tong Dajiao, who couldnโt make it before, be so prominent now?
If you prepare a feast full of luxurious dishes, wonโt it arouse more jealousy?
For the villagers, itโs rare to eat meat a few times a year; a big stew with plenty of meat to share is enough to satisfy everyone. If you have a feast full of extravagant dishes, people might eat your food and then turn around and curse you, wishing for your downfall.
Why should someone living in the same village...
If this feast is too lavish, how will you manage future joyful occasions?
So the best way is to have meat at the feast, but not only luxurious dishes.
To avoid spoiling everyoneโs appetite.
Tong Huaqiong had Chen Sufen prepare stews with meat, soup, and meatballs, along with fluffy white buns, letting everyone enjoy the meal without invoking jealousy.
After hearing Tong Huaqiongโs reasoning, Gu Taohua, Chen Sufen, and Liu Yueer understood her deeper intention.
"Mother certainly thinks thoroughly." Chen Sufen said.
"Of course, how else would Mother receive government commendation? We are the lucky beneficiaries." Liu Yueer flattered Tong Huaqiong.
"So from now on, think more before acting. Donโt rush impulsively, especially since our family isnโt what it used to be." Tong Huaqiong took the opportunity to say.
Gu Taohua and the two daughters-in-law nodded in agreement.
When the villagers heard there would be a feast, they didnโt need instruction; they stayed at the Gu family to help.
Cleaning vegetables, cutting meat, lighting fires, moving chairs and tables from various houses, busily preparing for the banquet.
There was no special effort to hire a pastry chef; the meals were prepared by Chen Sufen with the help of village girls and daughters-in-law.
Following Tong Huaqiongโs guidance, Chen Sufen and her helpers stewed several pots of meat and vegetable dishes, steamed buns, and made soup.
The quantity was enough to allow the villagers to eat their fill.
The large bowls of meat and vegetable dishes were placed on tables, and everyone ate with hot steamy buns non-stop.
"So delicious!"
"After all, itโs Aunt Tong; thereโs plenty of food!"
No one sat at the tables; they held bowls full of rice and dishes, everyone ate until they were stuffed.
It was the first time Liu Yanhong, the County Magistrateโs young master, had eaten the big stew at a rural feast, excitedly running around the courtyard with his bowl.
People murmured, wondering why the County Magistrateโs son ran around like a dog chasing the smell of meat.
Tong Huaqiong specifically prepared a table of home-cooked dishes inside for Huang Yuanwai and others.
The excitement continued until mid-afternoon when everyone, full and satisfied, helped to clean up before gradually leaving Tong Huaqiongโs courtyard.
Some going to the fields, some heading home.
Soon there were only a few bad bamboo shoots left at home, when Gu Jingzhe heard the news and also rushed back from the townโs private school.
Initially, everyone was too busy to think deeply about Tong Huaqiongโs commendation, but when the crowd dispersed, the family faced each other and felt elated again.
"Mother, this is a great event only possible by our ancestorsโ blessings; we should burn incense before the ancestors to let them know of our great fortune. Also, we should dismantle the plaque and place it in front of Fatherโs memorial, and let Father see the hundred taels of gold too." Gu Dashu excitedly said.
"Burn your ancestorโs leg." Tong Huaqiong blurted out.
Her face seemed iron-blue.
The Gu family: "..."
This honor was earned by Tong Huaqiong through her own efforts, not by the Gu familyโs ancestral blessings. She had no significant relationship with the Gu familyโs ancestors, so she naturally didnโt want to perform ancestral veneration just because she received a commendation.
The Gu family didnโt understand why Gu Dashuโs words would provoke Tong Huaqiongโs indignation on such a good day.
What Gu Dashu said was right; in the village, whenever thereโs a joyful event, like a birth, a good harvest, or a wedding, isnโt incense burned before the ancestorsโ memorial, letting them celebrate together underground and thanking them for their protection?
Especially for such a significant event as receiving government commendation, isnโt it necessary to comfort eighteen generations of ancestors?
