Now, the person who brings the most glory to Mrs. Jia’s face is undoubtedly Gu Ruinian.

Mrs. Jia forced herself to say, "The eldest sister-in-law is right. My Rui Nian thinks the same way, so he is striving hard to study. At such a young age, he has already become a child student. Rui Nian said that he will not propose for his aunt and Xiaoxue until he becomes a Scholar next month, and then he will personally find good matches for them."

Indeed, Mrs. Jia successfully steered the conversation towards Gu Ruinian, and the sisters-in-law showed expressions of envy, jealousy, and resentment.

After all, there are currently two child students in the clan, Gu Jingzhe and Gu Ruinian. They don’t understand the ways of studying, but they just know that Gu Ruinian, who is half a year younger than Gu Jingzhe, also became a child student at the same time, so Gu Ruinian must be more capable than Gu Jingzhe.

Tong Huaqiong nodded frequently and said, "Rui Nian is indeed capable. Not just a Scholar, but perhaps a Champion Scholar in the future."

She didn’t mind praising Gu Ruinian.

After all, Mrs. Jia, by making Gu Ruinian the topic, successfully separated Tong Pandi.

Mentioning Gu Ruinian, Old Mrs. Gu proudly said to an old sister-in-law beside her, "Not only is he good at studying, but he is also very filial. With this grandson, I, the old man, and Honglian have something to hope for. When he becomes a Scholar next month, we’ll have to set up a few tables at home, and you, old sister-in-law, can wait to have a drink."

The old sister-in-law was poor and often received care from Tong Huaqiong. At this time, hearing Old Mrs. Gu praise Gu Ruinian while ignoring Tong Huaqiong’s few children made her a bit dissatisfied, so she sarcastically said, "Hasn’t he taken the exam yet? How can you be so sure he’s a Scholar? It’s better not to speak too full of yourself. Even Jingzhe, whom the scholarly administrator of the prefecture praised, said he’s not confident about this exam."

Other clan women who were close to Tong Huaqiong all nodded in agreement, and took the opportunity to praise Gu Jingzhe for being steady at a young age, and for having top-notch appearance and character in the clan.

Old Mrs. Gu rolled her eyes.

Mrs. Jia was equally unhappy, as if they were cursing her Rui Nian, just wait, next month they’ll slap you in the face.

The elder family’s prosperity for a few days has already made them eager to flatter.

Tong Huaqiong did not continue speaking.

Tong Huaqiong thought that Old Mrs. Gu’s hope for Gu Ruinian to become a Scholar and find good matches for Gu Honglian and Gu Xiaoxue was simply dreaming.

Given Tong Huaqiong’s understanding of Gu Ruinian, he would definitely use Gu Honglian and Gu Xiaoxue’s marriage as a stepping stone for his own climb.

That day in the town, Tong Huaqiong had already heard of Gu Ruinian inquiring about the situation of Huang Yuanwai’s daughter, indicating his desire to climb upwards. Why else would he inquire?

Isn’t it just wanting to change his class through marriage?

And Mrs. Jia is so sure that Gu Ruinian will become a Scholar, it’s not just a mother’s filter, but also Gu Ruinian’s continuous brainwashing of Jia.

Now in the hearts of everyone in the old house, Gu Ruinian is a promising golden boy, but I’m afraid they’re going to be disappointed.

A few days ago, Tong Huaqiong went to the town bookstore to buy some books, and the owner said that a few wonderful books had been bought by Gu Ruinian.

She could guess Gu Ruinian’s current state, reading novels under the guise of studying, creating an image of diligent studying in the minds of everyone in the Gu family old house.

Gu Ruinian probably was that kind of transmigrator with an inflated sense of superiority, looking down on anyone from this era, thinking that by luckily passing the child student exam, he could sweep through every exam. He underestimates the era’s imperial exams and believes he can become a Scholar just by writing one paper.

Dream on!

The group sat and talked for a while longer, then Mr. Gu and others finished the ancestral rites and were led back home by Gu Jingzhe, Gu Dashu, and Gu Dahuan.

Old Mrs. Gu saw Mr. Gu and her eyes turned red.

Mr. Gu was, after all, her eldest son. Even though she favored her youngest son, she raised him by her own hands, and spent fifty taels of silver to marry him two wives one after another, how could she not have feelings? 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Old Mrs. Gu’s tears made Tong Huaqiong’s heart soften for a moment.

So she kindly advised, "Don’t be too sad, maintaining your health is most important."

Gu Taohua stepped forward to support Old Mrs. Gu and said, "Grandmother, let me help you to dinner."

Old Mrs. Gu wiped her tears and was led to the table by Gu Taohua.

Mr. Gu was led to the male guests’ area by Gu Jingzhe.

"I, a person with white hair sending off a black-haired person, what a bitter fate I have. The eldest, while alive, was the most filial. Whenever there was a bite to eat, he would offer it to me and the old man. Not only that, the eldest treated the younger brother like a father, and the two brothers have always discussed things without ever arguing. If the eldest were still alive, these old bones wouldn’t be so distressed, living so long never expecting that someday I would even have to watch people’s faces to get a bite to eat. Boo hoo hoo... the eldest left us without looking back... My son, please open your eyes."

Tong Huaqiong: "..."

She was just about to sympathize with Old Mrs. Gu for losing a young person, but then Old Mrs. Gu started acting up.

This talk was clearly meant to point fingers, wasn’t it?

She was like that finger.

The table was filled with sisters-in-law from the clan, and under Old Mrs. Gu’s cries, things became a bit awkward, and some started comforting her, speaking to each other.

Old Mrs. Gu didn’t stop crying; instead, she cried even louder.

Gu Taohua asked curiously, "Grandmother, why do you say you have to watch people’s faces to eat now? Second uncle is very filial, he took you to the south to live a good life, and now that he’s returned to the hometown, he hasn’t abandoned you and grandfather. My father is gone, and my mother is also quite filial. Look, the new clothes you’re wearing right now are made with the fabric my mother gave you, and whenever there’s something good coming out of the kitchen, it’s brought to you. Who exactly is not being filial to you? Just say it directly, everyone in the clan is here, let everyone stand up for you."

Tong Huaqiong, sitting beside her, said, "Exactly, tell us who isn’t being filial to you? Is it the second brother? You don’t need to be embarrassed, no matter who it is, I will stand up for you myself without relying on the clan."

Before Old Mrs. Gu could reply "it’s you who isn’t filial," Gu Taohua’s gun turned and aimed at the second aunt, Mrs. Jia.

"Since it’s not the second uncle, is it the second aunt who isn’t filial to you?"

Gu Taohua widened her eyes.

Everyone on the table turned to look at Mrs. Jia.

Mrs. Jia was furious.

Well, Tong Dajiao and Gu Taohua, you mother and daughter actually dragged her into this pit.

For heaven’s sake, apart from Mr. Gu, Old Mrs. Gu was the head of the old house, and she has never contradicted Old Mrs. Gu.

Tong Huaqiong said a fair word to sister-in-law Mrs. Jia, "Taohua, don’t talk nonsense. Your second aunt has always been very filial."

The one who had been eating snacks with Xiao Long, Man Er, raised his head and said, "The one who is most unfilial is Uncle Rui Nian. Xiao Long, Yaozu, and I went to bring chicken to great-grandfather and great-grandmother, but before they could eat it, Uncle Rui Nian pulled it in front of him and ate it all up."

Everyone present threw meaningful looks at Mrs. Jia.

Everyone knew what was going on; it was nothing more than Old Mr. Gu and Old Mrs. Gu spoiling this grandson who brought hope to the family, stuffing all the good things into his mouth.

However, Gu Ruinian is a bit much, grandparents pamper you, but you can’t have it all to yourself.

How do the Gu Youtian couple educate their children?

Mrs. Jia’s face looked even worse.

She didn’t expect her mother-in-law’s mourning cry would ultimately hurt her proud second son.