The Evil Mother-in-law: Torment Children, Work Hard, Be Rich!-Chapter 255: Wanting to Be a Matchmaker
Entering the room, they offered seats and served tea.
Mrs. Han sat on the chair, and Lu Zhaozhao chatted with Tong Huaqiong with a smile.
Tong Huaqiong was well aware of why Mrs. Han came to Qinghe Bay.
It must be for her precious grandson, Liu Yanhong.
County Magistrate Liu casually left Liu Yanhong at Tong Huaqiong’s house, hoping she could restrain his temperament, but he might be disappointed.
Liu Yanhong, staying in the village these few days, ran wild every day with Man Er and Yaozu, becoming wilder, and getting so tanned that one could hardly recognize him as the county’s first young master.
However, it’s certain Liu Yanhong has become healthier, practicing calligraphy every day under Tong Huaqiong’s supervision.
Leaning against his grandmother, Mrs. Han checked her eldest grandson from head to toe, feeling very satisfied.
Her grandson hadn’t lost any weight.
Seeing his calligraphy made her grin from ear to ear.
Who said her grandson didn’t like studying? How come he loves studying in Qinghe Bay? It must be that the private school’s teachers were using the wrong methods.
"Sister Tong, my grandson is mischievous. He must have caused you a lot of trouble these past few days?" Mrs. Han asked, after sipping tea.
Tong Huaqiong replied with a smile, "Not at all."
To speak truthfully, Liu Yanhong was quite a well-behaved child.
Sweet-tongued and lively, he would call out affectionately to Tong Huaqiong every day, forming quite a bond over time.
Mrs. Han said, "Hong Er has quite the appetite. I just found out yesterday that my son didn’t leave any silver for your family, just left him here."
No one understands a grandson better than a grandmother.
Liu Yanhong did indeed have quite the appetite.
And insisted on having meat with every meal.
Mrs. Han felt that her son’s actions might come off as abusing his official status.
Tong Huaqiong said, "It’s just an extra pair of chopsticks."
Liu Yanhong raised his arm and said to Mrs. Han, "I’m eating really well at Grandma’s, there’s meat at every meal, plus snacks."
Mrs. Han pinched Liu Yanhong’s chubby cheek and asked, "No wonder you don’t feel homesick anymore."
Liu Yanhong threw himself into Mrs. Han’s arms and said, "I miss home! I think of Grandma every day, but without Dad’s order, I dare not go back."
Mrs. Han hugged Liu Yanhong, calling him her dear heart.
Tong Huaqiong twitched her mouth; this little rascal knows how to flatter his grandmother by saying what she likes to hear, even though he’s eager to stay in Qinghe Bay forever.
Mrs. Han then ordered people to bring in the holiday gifts prepared for the Gu Family from the carriage.
Tong Huaqiong estimated the gifts included fabric, medicine, local specialties, and a box of books.
"Man Er has grown taller in the past six months," Mrs. Han said as she pulled Man Er over to her side with a smile.
The last time she saw Man Er was at Old Mrs. Huang’s birthday banquet.
In the past six months, Man Er had grown taller under Tong Huaqiong’s care; she had gotten fairer and was dressed like a little dragon girl in new clothes.
Mrs. Han took an instant liking to her, taking out a golden necklace and placing it around Man Er’s neck.
Man Er looked back at Tong Huaqiong, unsure whether to accept Mrs. Han’s gift.
Tong Huaqiong smiled at Man Er and said, "Aren’t you going to thank Grandma Han?"
Man Er thanked her crisply.
Mrs. Han, smiling, pulled Yaozu over and took out a set of writing materials to give to Yaozu.
Yaozu looked puzzled.
He hadn’t expected his gift to be these, as he was illiterate.
Tong Huaqiong accepted them for Yaozu. The writing materials reminded her that Yaozu needed to start his education.
Liu Yanhong was only two years older than Yaozu and had already begun his studies. Living in the village made her forget about starting Yaozu’s education.
Not only did Yaozu need to start his education, but Man Er should also learn to read.
Tong Huaqiong was determined to begin the children’s education after the fall harvest.
After giving out the gifts, Mrs. Han sat with Tong Huaqiong and chatted about family matters.
"Sister Tong, don’t mind me. Go about your business," Mrs. Han said to Tong Huaqiong.
Being from the countryside herself, Mrs. Han understood the busyness of rural households, unlike city women who could idle away with chat.
So, Tong Huaqiong didn’t object; she planned to personally prepare braised pork and braised spareribs.
Tong Huaqiong went into the kitchen to busy herself with lunch.
Mrs. Han was accompanied to the courtyard by Mrs. Hong and Lu Zhaozhao.
Gu Jingzhe had already cleaned the pig intestines and was rolling up his sleeves, cutting the intestines on the board.
Initially, Mrs. Han hadn’t paid much attention to Gu Jingzhe upon entering the courtyard. Now, she noticed the young man was quite handsome.
"Greetings, Madam," Gu Jingzhe, sensing someone’s gaze, looked up and politely greeted Mrs. Han.
"And who is this?" Mrs. Han asked Mrs. Hong beside her.
"This is Sister Tong’s youngest son, Jingzhe," Mrs. Hong replied.
"So, it’s Sister Tong’s youngest son. He’s really handsome. People say your brother is good-looking, but I think he doesn’t compare to Jingzhe," Mrs. Han said, turning and smiling at Lu Zhaozhao.
Gu Jingzhe blushed at the straightforward compliment, lowering his head and focusing more on cutting the pig intestines.
"I heard Sister Tong’s youngest son is studying in town. How come he’s home now?" Mrs. Han casually asked Mrs. Hong to subtly find out more about Gu Jingzhe.
Mrs. Hong explained, "It’s almost time for the fall harvest, and school is on break. There’s no other like Jingzhe in the entire village. Not only is he good in his studies, but he also helps with farming, cooks, and can do the accounts at the shop."
Mrs. Hong praised Gu Jingzhe extensively.
Mrs. Han nodded, "My son mentioned once that Jingzhe’s academic performance is indeed impressive."
Heard from County Magistrate Liu, Mrs. Han now saw for herself that the Gu family’s youngest son was excellent: handsome, gifted in studies, and unafraid of menial work.
Tong Dajiao is truly a fortunate person.
All her children are commendable and don’t cause worry in their actions.
The more Mrs. Han looked at Gu Jingzhe, the more she liked him, glancing at Lu Zhaozhao beside her, her eyes filled with laughter.
Mrs. Han had her own logic about whom a girl should marry.
Like inspecting a pigsty before buying, a young man’s character is first judged by the family’s values, whether the parents are upright.
The Gu family’s values were evident from Tong Dajiao herself, naturally good.
She treated her stepson and his wife well, and regarded her granddaughter and grandson equally.
Most importantly, there was no trend of taking concubines in Qinghe Bay, and the Gu family’s sons probably didn’t even consider taking concubines.
Such family values made them perfect in-laws.
Tong Dajiao was upright, ran her business fairly, willing to share cures for plant diseases.
Mrs. Han’s niece had grown up without parents, simple-minded, not suited for a complex gentry family.
Considering all options, the Gu family was most suitable.
Gu Jingzhe was of the same age as her niece. He showed potential, not yet excellently flourishing in studies. Now was the best time to consider him for her niece before he became sought after once gaining his scholar titles combined with his handsome appearance.
Looking at her niece, Lu Zhaozhao, and Gu Jingzhe, Mrs. Han thought they were just a perfect match.
The more Mrs. Han thought about it, the more she felt this couldn’t be delayed, eager to matchmake the two youngsters.
But Mrs. Han also knew that this matter shouldn’t be rushed, as Lu Zhaozhao’s marriage will ultimately be decided by her granduncle, Mr. Lu, and Zhao Yang.
She could, however, first feel out Tong Huaqiong’s thoughts.
If Tong Huaqiong was willing, she was confident in persuading her granduncle.
Gu Jingzhe focused on cutting intestines and meat, unaware he was becoming a milestone in Mrs. Han’s matchmaking journey.
