The Evil Mother-in-law: Torment Children, Work Hard, Be Rich!-Chapter 79: Shameless and Self-Righteous

Tong Huaqiong arrived outside Huang Yuanwai’s residence with Taohua and Man Er along with a large pile of pastries.

Huang Yuanwai was known for his generosity and good reputation. For his mother’s birthday, all the notable families in Yan Guan Town would send representatives, and even some prominent families from Pingchuan County had people coming.

As a result, the Huang family was exceptionally lively today, with people bringing gifts and crowding at the entrance early in the morning.

"Oh my, Aunt Tong, we’ve been looking forward to your arrival." The pretty maid serving beside Old Mrs. Huang had been waiting at the door since early morning. Seeing Tong Huaqiong, she waved her handkerchief and greeted her with a broad smile.

"Miss Yu Qin, thank you for coming out personally." Tong Huaqiong replied with a smile.

A few days ago, she came to deliver pastries for Huang Yuanwai and learned that this maid’s name was Yu Qin.

In her past life, Tong Huaqiong had studied various novels about courtly power struggles. A favored maid like Yu Qin in a large household was akin to a deputy young lady, receiving more respect than some young masters and misses, and everyone had to give her some face.

Naturally, Tong Huaqiong didn’t dare to show any neglect.

Moreover, it was thanks to her last time that she thoroughly secured their VIP client, the Huang family.

Yu Qin ordered people to take the baskets of pastries Tong Huaqiong brought to the main kitchen. Then she led Tong Huaqiong and Taohua Maner into the house, talking as they walked: "Aunt Tong, Old Mrs. Huang specially instructed to clear out the small kitchen in her courtyard for you to make pastries. I’ll take you there now."

Tong Huaqiong was delighted to hear that a special small kitchen, particularly one in Old Mrs. Huang’s courtyard, was assigned to her.

She needed such a kitchen with fewer people and more privacy, which facilitated her using her space-opening cheat tactics effortlessly.

Smile brimming with gratitude, Tong Huaqiong said, "Thank you so much, Miss Yu Qin."

Yu Qin then led Tong Huaqiong and the others to Old Mrs. Huang’s courtyard, Tingsong Garden.

Since it was Old Mrs. Huang’s birthday celebration today, she dressed up early and sat in the main room, waiting for everyone to pay their respects.

To avoid any intrusion on the guests, Yu Qin led Tong Huaqiong and the others through the side entrance of Tingsong Garden.

"Here we are."

After passing through two wisteria gates and a corridor, they arrived at the northeast corner’s small kitchen.

Tong Huaqiong lifted the door curtain of the small kitchen, felt very satisfied after taking a look.

A large household’s small kitchen was about three times bigger than the Gu Family’s main kitchen, and Tong Huaqiong loved such spacious and bright kitchens where she could fully showcase her skills.

"These three ladies will assist you. Feel free to ask them to stoke the fire or anything else," Yu Qin said, pointing at the three middle-aged women in the small kitchen.

The three women were dressed neatly and nodded at Tong Huaqiong as a greeting.

Tong Huaqiong dared not use strangers. Firstly, they would hinder her space-based cheating. Secondly, she often heard that servants in large households were difficult to handle, especially at the level of the mammas; they seemed particularly formidable. She was afraid that unpleasant cooperation might delay her work.

So, she smiled and said to Yu Qin, "Miss Yu Qin, there’s no need to trouble these three mammas. My daughter Taohua can help."

Gu Taohua gave a bright smile to Yu Qin, put her hands on her hips, and said, "Sister Yu Qin, I can help my mother. Let these mammas relax on Old Mrs. Huang’s birthday."

Tong Huaqiong thought that Gu Taohua was becoming more poised, speaking so proficiently. Her fair, round face was genuinely endearing.

Sure enough, as soon as Gu Taohua finished speaking, the three mammas laughed and kept praising Tong Huaqiong for having such a good daughter, praising Gu Taohua for being so blessed and beautiful.

Trying hard not to laugh, Tong Huaqiong responded to the enthusiastic compliments, "Dear sisters, Taohua is right. On Old Mrs. Huang’s joyful day, let’s all be merry."

Then she said to Yu Qin, "Miss Yu Qin, I really don’t need so many people here."

For Old Mrs. Huang’s birthday banquet, the main kitchen was busy with preparations, with even chefs from the city invited, rendering the small kitchen staff redundant.

They initially thought they would stand by, give birthday wishes, and enjoy a feast, but then they were instructed to assist Widow Tong, who was making pastries. Who would be happy with that?

This Widow Tong was, however, quite considerate, and proactively suggested not needing their help.

They were naturally pleased but didn’t dare leave the small kitchen until Yu Qin said so.

Yu Qin smiled and said to the three mammas, "Alright, let’s follow Aunt Tong’s suggestion. But don’t go too far, just stay in Old Mrs. Huang’s courtyard in case Aunt Tong needs help."

The three mammas nodded, their faces radiant with smiles.

"Aunt Tong, I need to head to Old Mrs. Huang now. Sorry to trouble you here. Show off your skills; the guests will be watching today, and you must make sure Old Mrs. Huang is pleased," Yu Qin advised Tong Huaqiong, whispering to her, "If Old Mrs. Huang is happy, there will be generous rewards."

Tong Huaqiong patted her chest, assuring that she wouldn’t fail her mission, promising that her birthday pastries would astonish everyone and be the perfect touch for the birthday feast.

Yu Qin instructed the young maids and mammas in the courtyard a few more times, even ordering someone to bring some fresh fruits and trinkets for Man Er, before heading to Old Mrs. Huang’s main room.

Tong Huaqiong called Taohua and Man Er into the small kitchen, then took out various tools and materials from her space.

The most important for today were the longevity peaches and cake.

She had already sculpted the longevity peaches in her space yesterday and put them in the refrigerator, needing Man Er to fetch them for steaming in the small kitchen.

As her space didn’t have such a big pot.

The cake was also ready, stored in the refrigerator, and only needed to be presented to Old Mrs. Huang from the space at the right time.

Besides that, she wanted to bake some delicately shaped pastries, like plum blossom cakes, peach blossom cakes, and lotus seed paste cakes, festive pastries suited to the occasion.

Initially, she planned to bake all these using an oven in her space, but feared being exposed.

So, she decided to bake them in the small kitchen, lucky for her that the Huang family’s small kitchen, which often made pastries, was equipped with pastry ovens. Opening the cupboard, she even found a box of exquisite molds.

Don’t underestimate the ancients, especially wealthy ones. Their pursuits in food, clothing, and accessories were extraordinarily exquisite.

Tong Huaqiong found that the molds for plum and peach blossoms in the Huang family’s small kitchen were more exquisite than the ones she bought for bargain prices online, and not just exquisite but seemed to be made of some unknown material, comforting to touch.

Tong Huaqiong planned to use the Huang family’s set of molds to bake some cookies and biscuits.

"Taohua, you work here in the kitchen. I’ll take Man Er into the space to fetch the longevity peaches. Keep an eye on things, and call me if there’s anything," Tong Huaqiong said to Gu Taohua.

Gu Taohua rolled up her sleeves, arranging the materials prepared at home on the counter, and said to Tong Huaqiong, "Mother, with me here, don’t worry."

Tong Huaqiong called Man Er, who was sitting in a chair, obediently eating cherries.

Man Er handed over a handful to Tong Huaqiong and Gu Taohua. Tong Huaqiong ate one; she hadn’t tasted such fragrant, thin-skinned, juicy small cherries since she was a child at her grandmother’s house in the countryside. After growing up, she never had them again, as they were difficult to transport, and the market only had big cherries.

Not satisfied with just one, Tong Huaqiong grabbed a handful and stuffed them into her mouth.

"Hey, girl, the pastries for Old Mrs. Huang require cherries, can you get a basket for me?" Tong Huaqiong thought for a moment and waved towards a young maid in the distance from the kitchen door.

The young maid didn’t come forward but said from afar, "Okay, I’ll go to the main kitchen and get them for you."

If Old Mrs. Huang’s small kitchen wanted something, who dared refuse!

The young maid ran off.

Tong Huaqiong chuckled. She figured, in a wealthy house like Huang Yuanwai’s, a basket of cherries was nothing.

"Mother, what kind of pastries need cherries?" Gu Taohua asked, perplexed.

"Not for pastries, we’ll eat them," Tong Huaqiong said.

Gu Taohua: "..."

Gu Taohua felt the old whimsical mother was back, with her brazen confidence.

But she liked it and wanted to eat to her heart’s content too.

In less than a cup of tea’s time, the young maid indeed brought a basket of cherries to Tong Huaqiong, even saying, "If it’s not enough, I’ll get more."

"That’s enough! That’s enough!"

Tong Huaqiong swiftly took the cherries to the kitchen, planning to have Man Er bring them into the space and take them out once home for the whole family to enjoy.