Mr. Gu neither agreed nor disagreed, instead, he started talking about the matter of his eldest son’s anniversary in three days.

Gu Dahuan took his silence as consent.

Anyway, if Mr. Gu came to rent, he would follow the plan he just mentioned. If not, he wouldn’t proactively bring it up either.

Mr. Gu asked, "How is the preparation for your father’s anniversary going?"

Gu Dahuan replied, "The offerings and such have long been prepared."

Mr. Gu said, "According to custom, for anniversaries under five years, it’s enough to simply offer incense and offerings and have familiar people from our family pay their respects. But since your grandmother and I are back, everyone is watching, and it wouldn’t look good if it’s too plain. After the worship, why not invite the clan members for a meal, after all, we’ll rely on the clan in the future."

The clan leader was right. If they were to make things difficult for Tong Huaqiong, the day of the eldest son’s anniversary was indeed the most suitable time.

Gu Dahuan said, "That’s what my mother also thinks."

Tong Huaqiong didn’t care much about the anniversary of the old Mr. Gu.

Considering the bad bamboo in the family, she was still willing to respect the customs of the time.

However, she was just going through the motions, leaving all arrangements to Gu Dahuan to prepare.

After Gu Dahuan left the old house, ensuring he had gone far, the Gu Family’s old house resumed the pre-meal topic, and Mrs. Jia didn’t forget to push that bowl of meat back to Gu Ruinian.

"You should know your big mother’s temper. When you were a child and argued with Taohua, pushing her, she hit you with a fire stick, fiercely protective, a fiery temper, have you forgotten?" Mrs. Jia said.

Before the meal, Gu Ruinian asked about Tong Huaqiong’s former personality because he wanted to learn more about her.

Gu Ruinian smiled and said, "Mother, you forgot, I forgot many things after falling into the water and getting a fever."

Old Mrs. Gu said, "She had a fiery temper, was malicious, ungrateful, and not filial. Whose daughter-in-law doesn’t serve her in-laws? In all of Qinghe Bay, she alone opposed her in-laws."

Gu Ruinian frowned and asked puzzledly, "If Big Mother is doing so well in business now, why didn’t she do business before?"

He wanted to know if the idea for the Gu family’s shop was Gu Taohua’s or Tong Huaqiong’s.

Silence fell over the dining table.

Gu Youtian didn’t even want to talk about the topic and started organizing everyone to eat, which was the right thing to do.

Gu Honglian quickly interjected, "Big Sister-in-law wasn’t capable only after Big Brother left; she was capable before. Second Brother, the best deal you made in business was when you partnered with Big Sister-in-law. She had you buy fur at the border in the summer and sell it here in the winter for a great profit. Honestly, even though Big Sister-in-law’s character isn’t great, she can handle business."

Gu Ruinian’s eyes flickered.

There was such a thing.

Gu Youtian was unhappy about Gu Honglian mentioning this in public and explained, "Sister, you’re young and don’t understand, that was just a case of a blind cat finding a dead mouse."

Gu Youtian would never admit that his profit came from Big Sister-in-law’s keen business sense.

Furthermore, this matter haunted him because, after making money, he changed his story, turning the business partnership with Big Sister-in-law into borrowing money from her for the business, only repaying the principal without giving her any dividends.

This event was also the flashpoint that led to the falling out between the two households. When Mr. Gu was alive, Tong Dajiao didn’t confront Gu Youtian, but once Mr. Gu died, Tong Dajiao did not treat Gu Youtian, who returned for the funeral, with a kind face.

In front of Mr. Gu’s spirit hall, she slapped her thigh and pointed at Gu Youtian’s nose, scolding.

...

Three days later, it was Mr. Gu’s anniversary.

Early in the morning, Tong Huaqiong’s family opened their doors.

Her mother-in-law Mrs. Zhao, Aunt Qin, and Mrs. Hong all came to help, along with the village chief and Boss Qian.

Gu Dashi had also returned from the provincial city two days ago. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

This anniversary was indeed a grand affair.

Soon, many clan members arrived one after another.

Tong Huaqiong didn’t quite understand; when Mr. Gu was alive, his relationship with the clan was just average, apart from a few bad bamboo, no one else seemed to miss him.

So why did everyone show up on his anniversary?

She felt like this anniversary was just an excuse for a feast.

Seems like it was true.

"Clan Leader, you’re here, please, have a seat."

Since renovating her courtyard, it was the first time the clan leader had visited, so Tong Huaqiong gave him a rare friendly face, warmly inviting him to sit down.

The clan leader, feeling a sense of pride, relaxed his previously tense expression.

"...Oh, Baishuang, you’re here."

Seeing Gu Baishuang and Nie Xiaofeng getting off the carriage, Tong Huaqiong greeted her inside and called for Gu Dahuan to take the gifts Gu Baishuang brought.

Gu Baishuang warmly called Tong Huaqiong "mother."

How could they not be close?

After all, Tong Huaqiong helped her secure the maritime business that Nie Mingyuan desperately wanted.

The other clan members frequently glanced over; when did Tong Dajiao and her stepdaughter get along so well?

"Baishuang."

"Little Aunt."

From the whole old house, only Gu Honglian came over.

Gu Honglian had been thinking about her big brother’s anniversary these past two days, not to remember Mr. Gu, but knowing her big sister-in-law’s capability, she would surely host a banquet.

She came for the feast.

After all, with so many people today, Big Sister-in-law wouldn’t publicly give her a hard time.

Gu Honglian followed Tong Huaqiong in and out like a little lapdog. Considering the day’s special circumstances, Tong Huaqiong indeed didn’t show her a cold face.

She even offered her some cakes to eat.

"I heard from Xiaofeng that grandpa and grandma are back, and I haven’t had a chance to visit them yet, so today..."

Just as Gu Baishuang mentioned Gu Elder and his wife to Tong Huaqiong and Gu Honglian, there was a commotion outside.

The people from the old house had arrived.

Initially, in the morning, Tong Huaqiong had sent Gu Dahan, Gu Dashi, and Jingzhe to invite the elders from the old house, but they were playing hard to get.

Tong Huaqiong didn’t bother; she didn’t have the idle mind to personally invite them. It was their son’s anniversary, come if they wanted.

"Grandpa, Grandma, Second Uncle, Second Aunt, you’re here." The three brothers, Gu Dahuan, Gu Dashi, and Jingzhe, welcomed the people from the old house.

Gu Elder and Grandmother Gu didn’t look very happy.

Those unaware might think they were mourning their son, but those in the know knew they were displeased as this was their first time at Tong Huaqiong’s house since they had arrived.

For everyone else from the old house, except for Gu Honglian and Gu Ruinian, it was their first visit, leading them to curiously examine the place.

The courtyard of the main house was expanded, large, and spacious, with a series of blue-tiled rooms facing south.

They had heard Gu Honglian and Gu Ruinian talk about Tong Huaqiong’s new house, but seeing it with their own eyes was more impactful.

In front of all the clan members, Tong Huaqiong greeted Gu Elder and Grandmother Gu, inviting them inside.

Tong Huaqiong thought to herself that she was lucky Tong Dajiao had a bad temper in the past; it made the clan accustomed to her relationship with her in-laws. Otherwise, they might label her as disrespectful to the elderly.

Inside the house, they sat down for tea.

Gu Elder chatted with the men from the clan, while Grandmother Gu talked with the women.

Tong Huaqiong directed Gu Dahuan and the others to manage the event.

From the moment he entered Tong Huaqiong’s house, Gu Youtian felt uncomfortable. He was once the first person from the clan to venture out, and every time he returned, he was acclaimed.

This time, in the initial days upon his return, the clan people treated him as they always did. But upon learning he lost business and would be living in Qinghe Bay, except for the clan leader and the few families he had good relations with before, the others treated him rather coldly.