"Do you not want to be a woman of the Gu family anymore?"

Gu Old Madam was furious, determined to grasp the lifeline of her eldest daughter-in-law.

Did she think that just because her husband was dead, she couldn’t be dismissed?

Dream on.

If they opened the ancestral hall and witnessed by everyone in the clan, they could still dismiss this crazy woman on behalf of their son underground.

Tong Huaqiong said to Gu Old Madam, "Are you planning to dismiss me? No need, I can ask to leave myself."

Gu Old Madam pounded the bed, cursing, "I was wondering why you dressed in such a seductive manner, turns out you’ve been craving a man. My son hasn’t been dead three years, yet you’re wearing bright colors and painting your face demanding to leave. How foolish I was to let you, a bearer of bad luck, into the family."

Gu Old Madam began lamenting her eldest son again.

At that moment, Gu Youtian stepped forward to mediate.

"Big sister-in-law, what do you mean by asking to leave? Don’t you know a widow can only remarry if she leaves her husband’s family? At your age, remarrying would be a loss of face for Dashi and Jingzhe. Just now, mother and you were just exchanging words, neither of you meant it."

If Tong Huaqiong really left the Gu family with her little ones, Gu Youtian’s plans would be completely ruined.

Gu Youtian said to Gu Old Madam, "Big sister-in-law has had a hard time supporting the family after big brother’s death; as a mother-in-law, you should understand."

Tong Huaqiong watched everything coldly.

Even Gu Youtian could speak like a human being.

But of course, he had his reasons.

"Thank you, second brother, for understanding. The elders just returned and naturally feel sad thinking of your big brother. I have too many things to handle to help; you and your sister-in-law should offer more comfort." Tong Huaqiong said as she stood up, not bothering to look at Mr. Gu and Gu Old Madam, instructing Gu Youtian.

"Grandfather, grandmother, we’ll head back now."

"Grandmother, don’t be too sad; it’s bad for your health, and father would feel sad if he knew."

Gu Jingzhe consoled Gu Old Madam on behalf of the eldest’s descendants.

Tong Huaqiong then led her group back.

Mr. Gu was so angry his chest tightened, he hadn’t even had time to propose Honglian live with Tong Huaqiong, and she had already left.

Mrs. Jia and Gu Ruinian escorted Tong Huaqiong and others to the door.

"Big sister-in-law, is this child the one from Dahan’s family?" Mrs. Jia suddenly wanted to grab Xiao Long’s hand at the door.

Xiao Long snorted and refused to be grabbed, running to Chen Sufen’s side.

Mrs. Jia looked Chen Sufen up and down, saying, "You and your son seem to have a good relationship."

Chen Sufen, not being foolish, knew this second aunt often made sarcastic remarks under the guise of concern, so she held her belly and said, "Xiao Long is a sensible child."

Mrs. Jia sneered inwardly; Chen Sufen really had a good temperament.

Mrs. Jia returned after seeing them to the door, and Gu Ruinian carried a lantern, seeing Tong Huaqiong and others home.

Gu Ruinian seemed particularly close to Gu Jingzhe.

Gu Ruinian said to Gu Jingzhe, "Brother Jingzhe, I heard you’re brilliant at studying; can I consult you on some questions?"

Gu Jingzhe, somewhat distant, politely declined, "It’s late today, and I go to bed early."

Gu Ruinian, not giving up, said, "It doesn’t have to be today; I can ask you for study guidance anytime. When I was young, I didn’t realize how good you were at studying, missing many opportunities to learn from you."

Gu Jingzhe said, "Your studies are good as well; you started late, yet passed the child student exam on your first try. Why do you need my guidance?"

Gu Jingzhe truly felt that for Gu Ruinian to pass the child student exam, given his late start, indicated exceptional intelligence. He privately reassured himself that he didn’t need to look far beyond his family to find a cousin even more capable than himself.

In the past, Gu Jingzhe would have been unconvinced and felt a sense of defeat; however, after a year’s training with Tong Huaqiong, he was able to face those better than him squarely and vowed to work harder to prevent the second family from overshadowing his mother.

"I only passed the child student exam by chance. Brother Jingzhe, the clan leader mentioned that we were the only two scholars in the clan, and we have to strive for the clan. I plan to register at a private school in town for revision, hoping both of us will pass the scholar exam in March at the provincial capital."

Though Gu Ruinian said this, internally, he looked down on Gu Jingzhe and his fellow private school scholars.

How could you mere scholars who only know the classics and histories compare to a top student from a modern 985 university like him?

The reason he approached Gu Jingzhe is firstly, the family currently couldn’t afford the books he wanted, but befriending Gu Jingzhe meant he could access his books, especially since the provincial exam was coming next month. Secondly, he considered this cousin the family’s only one close to his intellect, and he wanted to win him over for future use, as he needed capable juniors to achieve great things.

Besides, he always felt his aunt’s thoughts didn’t belong to this era, and he wanted to interact more with the main family to see if his aunt was also from a modern society like him or just a native of this world.

"Ruinian."

Gu Ruinian was deep in thought; Gu Jingzhe had to call several times before he reacted.

"Brother Jingzhe, is there anything I can do for you?" In the moonlight, Gu Ruinian showed a flawless smile.

Gu Jingzhe pointed at the gate ahead and said, "We’ve arrived home, it’s late, I won’t keep you; you should go back and rest."

Gu Ruinian initially wanted to follow Gu Jingzhe in for a night chat but was directly asked to leave at the door.

Though unhappy, he kept a calm face.

Gu Ruinian stretched his neck to look inside and said, "Alright, I’ll head back first; I’ll seek your guidance on studies some other time."

Then, he bid farewell one by one to Tong Huaqiong, Gu Dahan, and others, displaying impeccable manners.

Tong Huaqiong watched Gu Ruinian’s figure in the moonlight, thoughtful.

In Tong Dajiao’s memories, Gu Ruinian was nothing more than a cannon fodder, mischievous from childhood with no big prospects.

Now he could even compete with Gu Jingzhe.

In Tong Huaqiong’s understanding, for a young man to suddenly show talent and work hard to achieve a child student level in less than two years was unbelievably unlikely.

Could the child student exam really be so easy?

She would never underestimate the academic standards of this era.

Could it be that Gu Ruinian was also reborn, or came from the same hometown as her?

"Ruinian has changed a lot, truly didn’t see he had the makings of a scholar,"

Once inside, Tong Huaqiong sighed.

Her tone completely carried the style of Tong Dajiao, revealing bewilderment with a touch of disdain and contempt.

Liu Yueer replied, "I’ve long wanted to say, if Ruinian can pass the child student exam, I should have let Dashi take it too. Not that I mean to say, but Ruinian isn’t better than Dashi."

Gu Taohua chuckled, saying, "Second aunt used to compete with mother, having Brother Feng Nian and Ruinian learn to read. One was like a log, not getting anything, and the other like a maggot, unable to sit at a desk for an incense stick’s time. Is the child student exam really that easy? Even our third brother, praised by Mr. Su as naturally intelligent, had to study tirelessly for years through bitter winters and hot summers. And then there’s Brother Zhao Yang from the Lu family — Zhao Zhao said he also studied tirelessly from a young age. I seriously doubt if Ruinian passed by using a substitute or bribing the examiner."

Gu Jingzhe, remaining composed, said, "The exams have many unpredictable factors; we can’t just conclude Ruinian isn’t capable."

He, too, was puzzled by Gu Ruinian’s transformation.