The Evil Mother-in-law: Torment Children, Work Hard, Be Rich!-Chapter 85: The Banquet

"Aunt Tong, the old lady heard it was a bit noisy here, so she sent me to check. Do you need to change seats?"

Yu Qin was always attentive to Tong Huaqiong, and seeing her looking displeased, she sent a young maid to walk around and learn about the commotion at the table.

She didn’t care about stepmothers or not; she just knew that she couldn’t let Aunt Tong be wronged, so she personally came over, using the old lady’s name to intimidate the troublemakers.

"Miss Yu Qin, we are just chatting."

"Yes, just chatting."

Being invited by the richest man in Yan Guan Town, Huang Yuanwai, to the birthday banquet, who wouldn’t cherish this opportunity? Being called out for being noisy at their table would be embarrassing, so in front of Yu Qin, everyone held onto Tong Huaqiong, preventing her from leaving.

A lady added, "We were just discussing that cake with Sister Tong; we’re thinking about ordering one for my grandson’s birthday."

Other ladies chimed in, "Yes, yes."

Tong Huaqiong took the opportunity to say, "Miss Yu Qin, please thank the old lady for her concern. I’m comfortable here."

Yu Qin nodded and smiled as she left.

Tong Huaqiong then started to lecture Mrs. Sun, "You young ones don’t think before speaking. It’s only right for me to give you some advice as your grandmother. Your mother-in-law has served the Nie family whole-heartedly for many years and treats your husband as if he were her own. We’re not asking you to treat her like your birth mother, but you should at least show her the respect she deserves, right?"

"If you act like this outside, people will criticize your upbringing. So, stop mentioning ’stepmother’ all the time; show more respect to your mother-in-law. After all, your stepmother has her family too."

Tong Huaqiong raised an eyebrow at Mrs. Sun, suggesting, "I’m your grandmother in name. When I speak, you should listen."

Daring to argue would only earn you a label of disrespecting the elderly.

Sure enough, Mrs. Sun listened to these words, and after being reminded that Old Mrs. Huang was watching over Tong Huaqiong, she dared not confront her despite wanting to argue.

She forgot that her easy-going stepmother wasn’t to be messed with. If Tong Huaqiong got upset and caused a scene at Old Mrs. Huang’s banquet, Tong Huaqiong could just go back to Qinghe Bay, but she would still have to live in town.

Offending the Huang Family could affect the Nie Family’s business, and it might make her father-in-law even more dissatisfied with her husband.

Thinking of this, Mrs. Sun held back her anger, sitting quietly next to Gu Baishuang, clutching her handkerchief.

Tong Huaqiong was very satisfied with Mrs. Sun’s change in attitude, pleased that she held her tongue.

At any rate, she wouldn’t be like Gu Baishuang, constantly fearful of outsiders critiquing her as a bad stepmother, allowing her stepson’s wife to trample over her.

The trouble stirred around the stepmother was smoothed over by Tong Huaqiong.

The banquet soon began.

The spread was much richer than the meat dishes Old Mrs. Huang had "granted" in the small kitchen.

It was the most abundant feast Tong Huaqiong had seen since she became Tong Dajiao.

It would be a waste not to eat it.

Luckily, she had a big appetite from working hard, so the meat from earlier didn’t affect her current hunger.

Seeing other ladies being reserved, Tong Huaqiong grabbed her chopsticks and started eating. Gu Taohua initially wanted to imitate the reserved demeanor of ladies from wealthy families, but seeing the table full of fish and meat, she quickly abandoned any pretense.

Such a fine spread was something she had never seen in the village before.

Man Er, a child, was drooling over the exquisite dishes on the table.

The three generations were like starving ghosts, their eyes glued to the spread, their chopsticks creating afterimages.

Although Yan Guan Town had a simple folk style, not demanding too much etiquette from ladies, they were still guests at someone else’s birthday banquet. The ladies and young women maintained some decorum.

Moreover, their families were well-off, and they’d usually had such feasts, so they extended their chopsticks more reservedly.

The ladies and young women at the banquet were shocked by the way Tong Huaqiong and her family devoured the food like bandits raiding the village!

They were flabbergasted.

Even the household servants didn’t eat that much!

After Tong Huaqiong and Gu Taohua finished a roast chicken, their chopsticks reached for the big carp.

Tong Huaqiong finally understood the village women at her grandmother’s place who would pack food at banquets. She regretted not bringing tools to pack food herself.

Huang Yuanwai’s banquet was too delicious; it was the most satisfying meal she had since she came here.

This feast further solidified her determination to make a fortune. No matter the era, the standard of living for the wealthy has always been high.

If it weren’t for that faint gamey smell from the big pork knuckle despite the heavy spices, Tong Huaqiong might’ve considered devouring it.

Seeing the knuckle, Tong Huaqiong thought of her family’s castrated pigs. Once this batch was sold, she planned to continue selling through Huang Yuanwai.

Someone like Huang Yuanwai, who loves to eat, would surely be won over by her odor-free pork!

All the while, others watched Tong Huaqiong, Gu Taohua, and Man Er continuously wielding their chopsticks, amazed by their appetite.

Tong Huaqiong didn’t care about the others’ stares.

Thick skin gets you meat; thin skin gets you nothing—that was what her grandmother taught her from a young age.

After the last soup was served, Tong Huaqiong got up to find Yu Qin.

It was time for the dessert she prepared for the banquet, the cake rolls, to be served.

The cake rolls were kept in the small kitchen, and once they arrived at the banquet hall, Yu Qin had her maids guard them. Now, hearing from Tong Huaqiong that they could be served, she quickly sent a maid to notify others.

The kitchen staff were already prepared and brought the cake rolls to the banquet hall upon notification.

Before the banquet began, Old Mrs. Huang’s cake was served at each table, but there wasn’t quite enough for everyone, and those who tasted it marveled at the deliciousness. Those who didn’t get to taste it felt regretful, but they wouldn’t complain to their hosts.

Now, Tong Huaqiong made up for that regret.

"Old Mrs. Huang, these pastries were specially prepared for everyone as a post-meal palate cleanser," Tong Huaqiong said with a cheerful smile.

Old Mrs. Huang was even more pleased with Tong Huaqiong, and with a wave of her hand, the cake rolls were set on each table.

Those who hadn’t tasted the cake were finally satisfied.

The cake rolls were so delicious and flavorful that even after a feast of fish and meat, it was impossible to resist their aroma.

Someone at the banquet mentioned that Tong Huaqiong was the one selling desserts across from Crispy Food Garden, and that Taohua Dessert was her business.

Many people took note of this, deciding to purchase and try Taohua Desserts next time.

It was also mentioned that Taohua Dessert was opening a shop soon, which pleased the aristocratic women who felt embarrassed buying desserts from street vendors.

Of course, the person spreading the news was a "plant" arranged by Tong Huaqiong. She bribed a young maid running errands during the banquet with a dish of pastries, and the maid eagerly played her role!

Thus, both male and female guests at Old Mrs. Huang’s banquet learned that the birthday peach cakes, koi lotus pastries, and all those delicious desserts came from Taohua Dessert.

Taohua Dessert’s reputation was thoroughly established.