Free Web NovelChapter 623: Chapter 623: No News Is Good News
After Jingzhe passed the provincial examination, he had to start preparing tirelessly for the metropolitan and palace exams.
While Jingzhe was proud and elated, his other son, Dashi, had gone silent.
Tong Huaqiong felt both joyful and worried.
The saying goes that riches come with risk; after Dashi and He Chao opened the market for cotton fabrics and general merchandise at the border, they expanded their business into Mo Bei amidst the roaring fires of war.
That was a business that offered huge returns.
Of course, the risk was high too; a single careless mistake might leave you with nothing but your soul.
The war between Dasheng and Mo Bei had lasted almost a year without resolution.
Dashi sent two letters back in the summer, reassuring them of his safety, and carried news of Nie Xiaofeng and Su Chengmin’s heroic exploits in battle.
As autumn set in, Dashi’s letters stopped, and during the Mid-Autumn Festival reunion dinner, Liu Yueer couldn’t help but cry.
Tong Huaqiong, optimistic as ever, thought that no news was good news.
With the advance of winter, no news had come from Dashi and the others at the border.
After coming into this world and spending so many years with their brood, there was bound to be some affection.
Especially as Tong Huaqiong pushed these children onto the right path, yet hadn’t enjoyed the fruits of filial piety before one might be torn away.
Tong Huaqiong comforted herself, thinking each generation has its own destiny; she wasn’t Dashi’s biological mother, and worrying too much was pointless.
So she devoted her surplus energy to the Weaving Workshop.
The Weaving Workshop was now the hen that laid golden eggs.
Sons could be gone, but Silver must remain.
"Aunt."
The weather was becoming colder, with snow falling earlier this year than past years. Just before winter officially set in, snowflakes began to descend.
Tong Huaqiong, wearing a thick fur coat, encountered Tong Zhaodi peeking around at the entrance of the Weaving Workshop.
If Tong Zhaodi hadn’t come forward to introduce herself, Tong Huaqiong wouldn’t have recognized this niece.
She was dressed in new clothes, adorned with new accessories in her hair, her alluring almond eyes glistening, and her naturally beautiful face set off more vigorously, resembling a blossom.
Tong Huaqiong sighed, no wonder Tong Zhaodi in a previous life managed to rise from the status of concubine to main wife.
Such looks added a great deal indeed.
"Why have you come to Qinghe Bay? I’m warning you, don’t set your sights on Tong Pandi." Tong Huaqiong scanned Tong Zhaodi.
Since she’d severed ties with Tong Fusheng, Tong Zhaodi’s visit to Qinghe Bay couldn’t be for anyone other than Tong Pandi.
Tong Zhaodi’s eyes glimmered, as she said to Tong Huaqiong: "Aunt, I’m here to share good news with my sister."
Tong Huaqiong raised an eyebrow: "What good news?"
Tong Zhaodi lifted her chin, saying gleefully: "My marriage with Wu Musheng has been arranged; we’ll wed in a fortnight."
Tong Huaqiong thought, this forms familial ties with her ex-brother-in-law’s family, specifically to brag to Tong Pandi at Qinghe Bay.
But, can Tong Zhaodi really see it? Since Tong Pandi’s separation from Wu Musheng, she couldn’t care less if he were alive or dead; Tong Zhaodi marrying Wu Musheng wouldn’t sway Tong Pandi in the slightest.
"After all, my sister and I are siblings. Once I get married, she should according to custom add to my wedding trousseau," Tong Zhaodi told Tong Huaqiong, "Also Aunt, my parents asked me to inform you too, since you are still my aunt."
Tong Huaqiong smiled faintly: "Why tell me? I won’t add to your trousseau."
Tong Zhaodi’s eyes showed a momentary flicker of disappointment; in the past, hearing of her marriage, the aunt would certainly have added to the trousseau, possibly giving her a shop considering the aunt’s business now; but now she was dismissed with not a hint of contribution.
Unwilling to concede, Tong Zhaodi feigned pity: "Aunt, I’m getting married next month, and wish to formally invite you. You’ve cared for me since I was young, and father said if you’d like to come, you should be seated in a place of honor."
Tong Huaqiong replied indifferently: "I’m too busy, no time."
Tong Huaqiong entered the Weaving Workshop to work.
Tong Zhaodi was left disheartened.
This time, she’d hoped to invite Tong Huaqiong to Black Dragon Pond for her wedding.
Her aunt held a noble title, and if attending on the wedding day, none among the Wu Family would dare belittle her.
Looking into the bustling workshop, Tong Zhaodi observed the weaving flourishing, the fame of the aunt’s workshop having spread to Black Dragon Pond, with many girls eager to work there.
Too bad, relations with the Tong Family were poor now; otherwise, she could have used the facade of arranging hires for the workshop to squeeze a bit of Silver.
With none of her attempts fruitful with Tong Huaqiong, Tong Zhaodi turned to seek Tong Pandi.
Tong Huaqiong had no concerns about Tong Pandi being taken advantage of, letting Tong Zhaodi go.
Upon arriving at Tong Pandi’s home.
Tong Pandi, fearing her two daughters would feel the cold, had started burning charcoal as soon as the chill set in, the house cozy and warm.
Tong Pandi sat by the fire pit reviewing the pig farm accounts, while Mrs. Hong held Hua Er.
Having learned that Tong Zhaodi planned to marry Wu Musheng, Tong Pandi nodded and acknowledged it.
Tong Zhaodi’s face showed disappointment, asking, "Sis, how come you didn’t react when I said I’m marrying Wu Musheng?"
Tong Pandi looked up and replied: "Marry if you wish, as long as you’ve thought it through, what response should I have?"
Tong Zhaodi initially intended to boast to Tong Pandi, claiming her place as the village chief’s daughter-in-law, adored by the village chief couple, and Wu Musheng now willing to marry her.
But Tong Pandi’s indifferent response caught her off guard.
Tong Zhaodi, unwilling to give in, said: "Sister, now you’ve divorced Wu Musheng, make sure to never think about going back, nor should Hua Er and Duo Er ever think about returning to the Wu Family, I won’t allow it."
Tong Pandi laughed in exasperation.
Was Tong Zhaodi here to challenge her?
Mrs. Hong made no attempt to hide her disdain: "You’ve got a lot of nerve; whatever connects you and Tong Pandi? Upon divorcing Wu Musheng, either party has the freedom to remarry, what right do you have to comment? When it comes to reversing decisions, it’s Wu Musheng who wants a change; last year in Pingchuan County, he clung to Tong Pandi. Be sure to tell him Tong Pandi and the two kids have nothing to do with the Wu Family, and remind him not to covet what’s no longer available."
Tong Zhaodi was left speechless by Mrs. Hong’s retort.
Mrs. Hong’s words hit a nerve with Tong Zhaodi indeed, Wu Musheng continued to harbor feelings for Tong Pandi.
Wu Musheng had made clear his willingness to marry was due to Tong Pandi’s refusal to return to the Wu Family, thus contenting himself with marrying Tong Pandi’s younger sister.
However, Wu Musheng’s desire was futile; the Wu Family wouldn’t accept Tong Pandi back, given she bore only daughters.
While she possessed the ability to bear daughters, it was a belief held by the village elders.
Tong Zhaodi couldn’t help but wriggle her behind.
Tong Pandi: "..."
"Zhaodi, now that you’ve had your say, you should leave, and refrain from returning." Tong Pandi issued a firm dismissal.
Tong Zhaodi’s eyes glinted as she said: "I’ll be wed on the eighth of next month; father says you should pay a visit."
Having discovered her aunt’s considerable wealth, Tong Pandi must have saved quite a tidy sum while sticking close to her aunt.
From Tong Pandi’s attire and the décor of her home, it’s evident she’s amassed considerable wealth.
A sardonic glimmer arose in Tong Pandi’s eyes, was this an invitation to return and be slaughtered like a fattened pig?
