Free Web NovelChapter 635: Chapter 635: Earning Merit as a Team
"How are Manager He and Lai Fu doing?"
Tong Huaqiong glanced at Mrs. Hong, who seemed hesitant to speak, knowing she wanted to ask about He Chao.
Coincidentally, she also wanted to inquire about Nie Xiaofeng and Su Chengmin’s news.
So she asked Aunt Tang on behalf of Mrs. Hong.
Aunt Tang looked at Mrs. Hong with a smile and said, "Your husband is also part of the contribution."
Mrs. Hong: "..."
Contributions can be a team effort.
Aunt Tang continued, "Dashi’s deception of Mo Bei’s supplies was all coordinated by Manager He on our side. Every time Dashi received goods, he sent the information out through Manager He."
"So, Dashi’s infiltration in Mo Bei was heavily reliant on Manager He’s cooperation."
Mrs. Hong’s eyes welled up with tears. She didn’t care if contributions were recognized; she just wanted him to return safely.
Tong Huaqiong held Mrs. Hong’s hand.
He Chao went to Mo Bei for her business. It was dangerous work as a spy with Gu Dashu, and considering the risks was frightening.
This past year, Mrs. Hong always mentioned He Chao with optimism, but Tong Huaqiong knew her concerns were no less than Liu Yueer’s. Without children, when He Chao left, Tong Huaqiong invited her to move in and help Tong Pandi with the children to distract her.
Having news about He Chao eased Tong Huaqiong’s guilt towards Mrs. Hong.
"Pingchuan is about to produce a young civilian general again, but this time not a cowherd, but the son of a merchant."
Aunt Tang looked at Tong Huaqiong with envy.
How lucky is this sister? Her son made contributions, the shopkeeper made contributions, and so did her lucky grandson.
But then she thought her own son-in-law was a magistrate, which made her feel balanced.
The son of a merchant?
Tong Huaqiong thought, who else but Nie Xiaofeng.
"The young general is Nie Xiaofeng, right."
Thinking of Nie Xiaofeng, Gu Taohua’s mouth twitched.
She still remembered how she used to beat him with a feather duster when he was young.
She could hardly imagine him as a general.
Aunt Tang nodded and said, "I heard that Nie Xiaofeng was the fastest to be promoted, becoming a deputy general within a year. The report praised him for leading the charge into Mo Bei’s capital and taking down the main general."
This was good news, so Tong Huaqiong called for Gu Dahuan to go to town and share the news with Gu Baishuang.
Gu Baishuang had been quite worried about Nie Xiaofeng this past year.
Knowing sooner would ease her mind sooner.
His great-nephew’s success delighted Gu Dahuan beyond measure.
He rubbed his hands together cheerfully and set off, never expecting his great-nephew to achieve such heights.
A deputy general, just a step away from becoming a great general.
At his age, this was beyond expectations, especially battling it out on the battlefield by skill.
Gu Taohua, however, wasn’t in a hurry to be happy for Nie Xiaofeng and continued asking Aunt Tang, "What about Lai Fu?"
Aunt Tang shook her head and said, "The report didn’t mention."
Disappointment flickered in Gu Taohua’s eyes.
Tong Huaqiong patted her and said, "He’ll be fine."
The name Lai Fu was given to Su Chengmin by Tong Huaqiong casually, so the report wouldn’t mention it.
His uncle protected him at the border, so he couldn’t possibly fall.
Besides, since he taught Nie Xiaofeng his skills, which allowed him to fight, contribute, and return unharmed, Lai Fu should have no problem.
What wasn’t clear was whether the Old Emperor would spare Su Chengmin if he learned of his real identity.
"Did it mention when they might return?" Tong Huaqiong asked.
Aunt Tang replied, "Mo Bei surrendered, and our side must accept the surrender, that requires going to Shengjing? Dashi and others who were acknowledged in the reports will likely follow to receive awards. With the heavy snow blocking the roads, after a year-long war, now victorious, they’ll rest locally, and probably not withdraw from the border until after the New Year. They’ll go to Shengjing before heading home, so I estimate they’ll be back by next summer."
Tong Huaqiong pondered.
Shengjing.
She hadn’t been there yet, but she wanted to go.
Her cotton cloth was already a best-seller in Shengjing, and after the New Year, she planned to open her pawnshop, Jufu Supermarket, and Taohua Dessert there.
Maybe, like Mr. Lu, she’d become a Great Royal Merchant.
Tong Huaqiong glanced at the young Xiao Long, estimating that soon, this protagonist of the Tong Dajiao world would be taken by the Old Emperor, then fight with his uncle, finally being passed the throne, skipping the son to this grandson.
When Liu Yueer heard that Gu Dashu wouldn’t be back until summer, her eyes showed disappointment, muttering, "That’s so long."
Mrs. Zhao said, "Better than having no news and being on edge every day, right? Besides, going to Shengjing is for awards."
Hearing this, Liu Yueer cheerfully said, "That’s true. If anyone outside says Dashi went missing at the border again, I’ll smack them."
...
Nie Family in Yan Guan Town.
Gu Baishuang was furious about the rumors outside.
Word was that Nie Xiaofeng wasn’t coming back.
Usually busy with business in Pingchuan County, since her son went to the border, she’d rarely returned to town. After just two days back, she’d heard the rumors.
Coincidentally, these rumors were spread to her by her two daughters-in-law.
Gu Baishuang coldly asked her two daughters-in-law, "Who said Xiaofeng wasn’t coming back?"
The eldest daughter-in-law, Mrs. Zhang, said, "Everyone outside is saying. They say the Mo Bei people are very cruel, killing our people upon capture. Xiaofeng hasn’t written to the family for a year, and with the ruthlessness of battlefields, Xiaofeng he... "
Gu Baishuang angrily interrupted the eldest daughter-in-law, "Nonsense! What do you mean people outside are saying? I think it’s you spreading it. You don’t wish Xiaofeng well. When your husband went on business trips with your father-in-law, letters weren’t sent for a year or more, yet he always returned safely!"
The schadenfreude in Mrs. Zhang’s words made Gu Baishuang want to slap her.
Mrs. Zhang opened her mouth.
She wanted to say, how was that the same? Her husband went out for business, but Nie Xiaofeng was on the battlefield—who was more likely to die was clear with a bit of thought.
The younger daughter-in-law, Mrs. Sun, raised her eyes and said, "Mother, you’re wronging the elder sister-in-law. It’s not that she doesn’t wish Xiaofeng well, it’s just that a year without any news raises concerns. Our third brother isn’t married yet, nor does he have a son, so what if...."
Mrs. Sun’s intentions were straightforward.
If Nie Xiaofeng died now, the Third House’s lineage would be cut off, and they’d have to choose a nephew to continue the line.
Now, with Gu Baishuang earning a lot with Tong Huaqiong, all that money belongs to Nie Xiaofeng. Whoever is adopted into Nie Xiaofeng’s family will benefit.
Enraged, Gu Baishuang threw a teacup at Mrs. Sun and, still not appeased, stood and slapped both daughters-in-law, cursing, "You wretches, even if you die, Xiaofeng is fine! Put away your schemes; your foolish sons aren’t in need of adoption to Xiaofeng unless they’re fatherless or motherless."
Both Mrs. Zhang and Mrs. Sun were stunned at being slapped.
Previously, wary of being labeled a cruel stepmother, Gu Baishuang had treated both daughters-in-law with genuine kindness. But eventually, she realized it wasn’t reciprocated and changed her approach.
Since working with Tong Huaqiong and taking control of the family business, she’d begun to treat her stepsons and daughters-in-law coldly.
It’s precisely because of her earlier good nature that they mistook her softness for weakness and dared to speak so audaciously.
The forceful slaps surprised even Gu Baishuang herself. Soon, she adjusted her thoughts, understanding that, as a mother-in-law, disciplining her daughters-in-law was perfectly normal.
Mrs. Zhang and Mrs. Sun, not used to Gu Baishuang’s change, clutched their faces and stiffened their necks, ready to cause a scene.
