Free Web NovelChapter 647: Chapter 647: Winning Fate’s Lottery
This time, when they visited the Lu Family, Tong Huaqiong and Gu Jingzhe brought along Gu Baishuang, Gu Taohua, Chen Sufen, as well as Man Er, Xiao Long, and Yaozu.
To show respect, they even consulted a professional official matchmaker when they arrived at the prefectural city.
Lu Zhaozhao’s eyes sparkled with joy when she saw Tong Huaqiong.
"Aunt Tong."
Lu Zhaozhao ran towards Tong Huaqiong with a bright and unrestrained smile.
"Quick, let me have a look." Tong Huaqiong held Lu Zhaozhao’s hand, sizing her up continuously.
Last summer, Lu Zhaozhao accompanied Mr. Lu to Shengjing to take over the business there and only returned before the New Year.
Tong Huaqiong hadn’t seen her for over half a year.
Perhaps the water and soil of Shengjing nurtured her, as Lu Zhaozhao seemed even more radiant.
In her heart, Tong Huaqiong marveled that whether in her previous life as Gu Jingzhe or this life as Gu Jingzhe, she had always hit the jackpot of fate.
"I’m here to discuss your engagement with Jingzhe with your grandpa," Tong Huaqiong didn’t shy away from Lu Zhaozhao.
Hearing this, Lu Zhaozhao blushed and couldn’t suppress a smile at the corners of her lips.
Before the New Year, she had met Gu Jingzhe once, and both wanted to get married soon.
If it weren’t for Tong Huaqiong’s insistence back then, they should have been married two years ago when they were engaged.
Throughout the entire Spring Festival, Lu Zhaozhao’s mood fluctuated daily, hoping for Tong Huaqiong to come to discuss an auspicious date while fearing she wouldn’t come.
Mr. Lu was not a stubborn person; he respected the decisions of both his grandson and granddaughter in matters of marriage.
Thus, when he and Tong Huaqiong discussed, he didn’t ask Lu Zhaozhao to leave, but had her sit by to listen in on the marriage discussions.
"... My son has his life, and I have mine. After Jingzhe and Zhaozhao get married, I’ve prepared a house in the prefectural city for you. You can live there temporarily without needing to attend to me."
"However, you might not live long in the prefectural city before going to Shengjing. I know the Lu Family does not lack estates in Shengjing, but I’ve also prepared a residence for them there. Zhaozhao can run a business or do whatever she pleases; I won’t interfere."
Tong Huaqiong expressed her stance clearly.
One thing she didn’t mention was that, as a modern soul, she didn’t urge for grandchildren.
However, such words would be unsuitable in this era and could be misinterpreted as cursing her son and daughter-in-law to be childless.
Mr. Lu was very satisfied with Tong Huaqiong’s stance.
Ever since Lu Zhaozhao had shown a talent for business, Mr. Lu had already revealed to Tong Huaqiong at the engagement that the huge business of the Lu Family was to be taken over by Lu Zhaozhao. She could not be like the usual boudoir ladies, living morning and evening routines at her husband’s home.
Fortunately, Tong Huaqiong didn’t need her daughter-in-law to attend to her side at all.
A daughter-in-law who can make money suits her just fine.
Lu Zhaozhao and Gu Jingzhe exchanged glances, sharing smiles through their eyes.
The young couple was as sweet as melons in June.
Since both parties had no objections to this marriage, the date was set for March 18.
The season of warm, blooming spring, an ideal time for a wedding.
Mr. Lu watched as his future grandson-in-law, who was a scholar at the time of engagement, had now become a prospective scholar to be married. He grew increasingly pleased; before long, this grandson-in-law might even become a successful candidate for higher scholarly honors.
By then, his Lu Family would boast two scholars in one family, and he hoped Gu Jingzhe would strive for the top honors like Champion Scholar or Flower Scholar.
He would then become a legend in the business world.
He anticipated with pleasure how many would envy him by then.
After finalizing Gu Jingzhe and Lu Zhaozhao’s engagement, Tong Huaqiong and Gu Baishuang discussed spring sea ships ventures.
The main purpose of bringing Gu Baishuang to the prefectural city this time was to discuss business matters concerning sea vessels.
From Gu Baishuang’s account, Tong Huaqiong learned that on the second day of the New Year, after confronting Nie Mingyuan at Qinghe Bay and having it out with her two stepsons, not only did the Nie family refrain from showing her hostility, but they began watching her mood carefully.
Her two daughters-in-law changed their previous attitudes and started currying favor with her.
Nie Mingyuan was even more afraid of her following Tong Pandi’s example of leaving a marriage.
Gu Baishuang was aware that the Nie family was coveting the assets in her hands, which led them to treat her this way.
But even so, it was better than being constrained by Nie Mingyuan and her two stepsons as she had been before.
After leaving the Lu Family, Tong Huaqiong visited the Yao Magistrate’s place to see Lian Hengruo.
Lian Hengruo, who was pregnant, appeared in good spirits.
Lian Hengruo informed Tong Huaqiong that the term of the Yao Magistrate had ended, and the Emperor summoned him to Shengjing’s Ministry of Personnel.
It seemed that from then on, he would reside permanently in Shengjing.
The Ministry of Personnel, wasn’t it the department for selecting officials?
It was indeed a good place.
Tong Huaqiong expressed her congratulations.
At the same time, she worried that Lian Hengruo would be bound by the strict rules of aristocratic families once in Shengjing.
When Yao Magistrate and Lian Hengruo decided to marry, they only wrote to inform their family.
The Yao family was angry that Yao Magistrate did not choose a well-bred girl from Shengjing, but instead chose a merchant’s daughter, and one of illegitimate birth at that. Returning to Shengjing, they feared she wouldn’t be presentable for social events.
After their marriage, the Yao family sent clan members and stewards to organize the wedding, primarily to investigate Lian Hengruo’s background.
Based on reports from the clan members and stewards, the Yao family believed Lian Hengruo was even less presentable than imagined; not only was she born out of wedlock, but she also defiantly engaged in business.
Her temperament was not gentle, and when an uncle from the family admonished her mildly, she countered with her own set of arguments, which so frustrated him that he returned to Shengjing the next day.
Upon returning to Shengjing, naturally, Lian Hengruo’s bad reputation spread throughout the Yao family.
An even stranger incident occurred when Mrs. Yao sent two older maids to Ning City to teach Lian Hengruo the rules.
Fortunately, Yao Magistrate was staunch in protecting Lian Hengruo, dismissing them without her needing to intervene.
Tong Huaqiong heard about this from Aunt Tang.
No wonder they say it’s not easy to be an aristocratic wife in ancient times. If the husband doesn’t protect you and the mother-in-law is oppressive, it leads to troubles like breast diseases.
"The Yao family has many rules, being a distinguished clan. When you get to Shengjing, you may face quite a battle," remarked Tong Huaqiong.
Even though Yao Magistrate was on her side, the petty schemes in the inner courtyard would be bothersome enough.
Lian Hengruo responded, "I’ve prepared and have plans in place. Aunt Tong, don’t forget that the Lian family isn’t very peaceful either. My mother and I have lived for years under the scheming of my father’s wife and have developed counter-strategies. Once in Shengjing, I won’t let myself be put at a disadvantage."
Tong Huaqiong felt relieved, seeing Lian Hengruo’s eager demeanor.
Indeed, someone who could wrest half the Lian family’s property from the hands of her legitimate mother and brother as dowry was bound to be tough-minded.
Tong Huaqiong asked, "You already know your mother-in-law’s attitude; what about the rest of the Yao family?"
Lian Hengruo pondered and then said, "My mother-in-law dislikes me without having even met me. I think it’s a case of extending her dislike of the home to everyone under the roof. She doesn’t like her son, so naturally, she doesn’t like me either."
This involved the private affairs of the Yao Magistrate.
Who would have thought that the upfront Yao Magistrate didn’t win the affection of his mother?
"So, this isn’t much of a concern for me. The real issue would be if she didn’t like me yet was very close to her son," Lian Hengruo laughed. "However, my husband’s grandmother quite likes me. She personally wrote to me and, upon learning I was pregnant, sent a doctor and nanny from Shengjing to take care of me."
"The elder lady holds a great deal of respect in the family. With her support, I’ll be able to establish myself in a prominent family like the Yaos."
Tong Huaqiong thought that what they’d said about aristocratic wives finding it hard could really be true. If a husband doesn’t protect you and a mother-in-law suppresses you, you’d be left waiting for sleepless nights.
"The Yao family is quite distinguished with many rules, when you get to Shengjing, you’ll probably have quite a battle to contend with." Tong Huaqiong sighed, "It’s not easy to be an aristocratic wife in ancient times."
