Through Mrs. Zhao’s extensive dissemination, the Gu Family quickly learned that Mr. Gu and the entire second branch of the family had returned.

The honest Gu Dahuan asked, "Mother, should we go over now?"

Chen Sufen had the same thought.

Since grandfather and grandmother had returned, no matter what, as juniors, they should pay a visit.

Moreover, they had traveled from afar.

Tong Huaqiong shook her head and said, "We should wait for them to invite us. Let’s not rush over. Everyone should go about their business as if we don’t know they’ve returned."

Speaking of etiquette, the second branch should address her as sister-in-law, and if they knew their manners, they should come to pay their respects first. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Gu Taohua shared the same sentiment as Tong Huaqiong and said, "Grandfather and grandmother don’t like our family. Even if we go to them eagerly, they might not welcome us. It’s better not to go."

Not to mention, her little aunt always liked to pressure her with her elder status, wanting all the good food and fun things. She wasn’t willing to flatter her.

Liu Yueer echoed, "Yes, we shouldn’t go."

Liu Yueer also held a grudge against the two elders of the Gu Family, who always claimed she had an unfinished marriage before marrying Gu Dashi, saying she wasn’t a legitimate wife of the Gu Family, and even the Gu Family’s eldest grandson, Yaozu, didn’t welcome them.

Tong Huaqiong’s orders were not to be disobeyed by the family, so no one dared to propose going proactively to visit Mr. Gu’s home on the west side of the village.

...

The west side of the village.

The old Gu residence.

Mr. Gu sat cross-legged on the bed with a gloomy face.

The news that Tong Huaqiong and her entire family had returned from the provincial city had spread everywhere, and he didn’t believe that no one had told Tong Huaqiong about his and the second branch’s return.

This daughter-in-law was getting more and more out of line. When the eldest son was alive, although she was willful and unreasonable, she still came to visit the two elders and listened to reprimands despite talking back.

Now she’s pretending she doesn’t know they’ve come, and he’s been waiting for ages, yet there’s no movement in the courtyard.

Previously, the villagers told him the eldest daughter-in-law’s family went to the prefecture city for a wedding, and he didn’t believe it.

The eldest daughter-in-law had always been at Qinghe Bay, how could she have caught the eyes of the high-ranking in the prefecture city?

Only after gathering detailed information these few days did he learn that this eldest daughter-in-law had become extraordinary, having opened a large shop, recognize County Magistrate Liu as a godson, and even Huang Yuanwai treated her as an honored guest, with the Emperor of Shengjing even bestowing her with the title of Lady of the Village.

This kind of fortune meant that the Gu Family’s ancestral graves were emitting thick green smoke.

Nevertheless, no matter how capable she was now, as a daughter-in-law of the Gu Family, she must abide by the obligations of a daughter-in-law and show respect to her parents-in-law.

"Grandfather, I went to the great aunt’s house, but didn’t see her. Instead, I saw Brother Jingzhe. Brother Jingzhe said the great aunt just returned from the prefecture city and was very tired, resting, and would come to visit you once she’s recharged," said the second son of the second house, Gu Ruinian, lifting the curtain, coming before Mr. Gu with a respectful demeanor.

He had been sent by Mr. Gu to invite Tong Huaqiong, but didn’t even enter the main room.

What left the deepest impression on him was the plaque that almost blinded him on the main gate of the first branch, issued by the Shangguan Mansion.

Mr. Gu’s tobacco pipe sounded loudly with anger: "This is rebellious."

It was obvious that this eldest daughter-in-law knew they had returned and deliberately refused to come and pay respect.

Tong Huaqiong’s mother-in-law, Jiang, frowned and cursed: "I said we shouldn’t have let her in back then. She was notoriously rogue at Black Dragon Pond. Now that my son is deceased, she’s become the mistress of the first house."

Tong Huaqiong’s brother-in-law, Gu Youtian, laughed and said: "The big sister-in-law has become a big shot now, so naturally, she looks down on us."

Gu Youtian was now very curious about what big sister-in-law had become.

These days, after probing around the village, the good reputation of the big sister-in-law made him suspect she had been replaced by someone else.

He was very curious about the current state of his big sister-in-law.

If it weren’t for keeping up appearances, he would’ve gone to the first house to observe the changes of the big sister-in-law in advance.

The second daughter-in-law, Mrs. Jia, smiled and said: "The big sister-in-law is like that, her temper is always the same. But Jingzhe... He’s supposed to be a learned and courteous young man, knowing that grandfather and grandmother have returned, shouldn’t he visit first?"

Mrs. Jia didn’t mind taking a jab at Gu Jingzhe in front of the parents-in-law.

Previously, because of the studious Gu Jingzhe, the first house always tried to press down on her.

Fortunately, justice finally came her way, as their second son, Gu Ruinian, had unexpectedly opened up to scholarly pursuits a few years ago, becoming more restrained, and even passing the provincial exam last year to become a child student, giving their second house more stature in the eyes of the parents-in-law.

She no longer feared being suppressed by the big sister-in-law using Gu Jingzhe.

Gu Ruinian stood beside Mr. Gu’s bed, expressionlessly defending Gu Jingzhe: "Brother Jingzhe is, after all, our most intelligent and promising brother. Excellent people always do things differently from ordinary folks."

His defense came as a disguised provocation against Gu Jingzhe.

Initially confident that he would bring Tong Huaqiong back, Gu Ruinian encountered the obstacle of Gu Jingzhe.

To be honest, before going to the first house, he hadn’t paid any mind to the never-before-seen Gu Jingzhe.

Not just Gu Jingzhe, in fact, he didn’t take anyone of this era seriously.

He was stopped at the gate by a handsome young man, and after a couple of exchanges, he realized he was completely outmatched.

Gu Ruinian felt that he had underestimated his opponent.

This cousin, only a few months older, seemed like his greatest adversary within the Gu Family.

As expected, Mr. Gu became even angrier and scolded: "Is he the grandson, or am I the grandson? What’s there to be proud of? It’s not like he’s the only one in the family who can study. Ruinian, aren’t you smarter than him?"

Praised by Mr. Gu, Gu Ruinian remained expressionless.

But Mrs. Jia smiled.

Everyone discussed once more about whether Tong Huaqiong would come to pay respects to her parents-in-law. Based on their understanding of Tong Huaqiong, once she got stubborn, she really would ignore the parents-in-law.

Now, everyone in the village was watching, if she truly didn’t come to the old residence, wouldn’t the people at the old residence lose face?

Moreover, the second branch’s business had now gone bankrupt, and they had needs from Tong Huaqiong.

But having the second branch go to the first to pay respects to Tong Huaqiong was something that Mr. Gu, Mrs. Gu, and Gu Youtian absolutely couldn’t accept.

Without knowing what to do, Gu Honglian said: "I’ll go, I guarantee I can bring the big sister-in-law back."

Mr. Gu’s eyes lit up.

Mrs. Jiang lovingly patted Gu Honglian’s head and said, "It’s unfortunate for Honglian."

Mrs. Jia lifted her eyelids, feeling displeased.

Everything made little sister-in-law look good.

If little sister-in-law could bring the big sister-in-law, that would show Ruinian’s incompetence, wouldn’t it?

Gu Honglian left with a look of resentment on her face.

The big sister-in-law was getting excessively out of line, not only refusing to come to bow to their parents, but she hadn’t responded in any way to her own return either.

A few days ago, she went to the big sister-in-law’s house and the courtyard had been expanded, the house was newly built.

Especially the big sister-in-law’s room, spacious and bright, with the fireplaces always burning warmly even if she wasn’t home.

The bedroom also had a space filled with clothes made of fine materials in bright colors not suitable for a widow.

They would suit her better.

What infuriated her even more was that the big sister-in-law’s niece from her maiden family had moved in with her child after a divorce and dressed as if she weren’t a divorced woman.

The big sister-in-law preferred to let an outsider enjoy her family’s good things than to send them her way.