The Evil Mother-in-law: Torment Children, Work Hard, Be Rich!-Chapter 27: I Don’t Believe the Black-Hearted Stepmother Has Redeemed Herself
"Mom, look, isn’t that Third Brother?"
Taohua spotted Jingzhe flashing by in the crowd.
Tong Huaqiong naturally noticed this son of hers.
This son had been out raising money these days, but she didn’t know how well he’d done.
However, Tong Huaqiong wasn’t worried at all.
A prodigy like Jingzhe believes there’s always a way and won’t give up easily, nor will he easily lose his dignity.
"Ignore him, the unfaithful and unfilial one." Tong Huaqiong said, full of anger.
Riding in a cart was comfortable!
Even if it’s an ox cart!
While the cart was empty, Tong Huaqiong and Taohua comfortably stretched out their legs.
Mr. Xu glanced over and couldn’t help but twitch the corners of his mouth.
He was calculating in his mind; with Taohua’s size taking up three seats, how would he ask the widow Tong for an extra fare?
Mr. Xu glanced around with a bitter smile; other villagers would soon come to ride back to the village, and if they saw the black-hearted widow on the cart, what would he do if they refused to ride?
"Lao Xu, have this bun."
Tong Huaqiong saw Mr. Xu’s expression and guessed what he was thinking. She was also worried that she and her daughter Taohua would affect his business. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖
She would have to come back to town on Mr. Xu’s cart in the future, and she couldn’t just take it by force every time like a bandit invading.
To ensure she could ride Mr. Xu’s cart smoothly later, she had to build a good relationship with him.
Had the widow changed her ways today?
Mr. Xu looked like he’d seen a ghost and didn’t dare accept the bun, worried that Widow Tong might be setting him up.
"Lao Xu, I know what you’re worried about. How about this: I’ll pay the fare upfront; my Taohua is big, so I’ll pay for four people." Tong Huaqiong said as she untied her purse and counted the fare for four people before handing it to Mr. Xu.
Mr. Xu was initially reluctant to accept, but the fare was so tempting that after a brief consideration, he quickly took it.
"Sister Tong, I’m really sorry... Even though you paid for four, I’m worried others won’t want to ride my cart," Mr. Xu muttered.
Tong Huaqiong just smiled silently.
She wasn’t going to reimburse Mr. Xu for empty seats; she wasn’t a fool.
Tong Huaqiong could be reasonable, but she didn’t plan to wipe clean Tong Dajiao’s wicked reputation.
As she moved through the world as a widow, life was already hard, and she had to do business. Changing into a sweet persona wasn’t an option.
"If no one rides, that’s their blind spot. It’s not my or my mom’s fault," Taohua said, displeased with Mr. Xu’s attitude, confronting him directly.
Wanting them to pay for an empty cart fee? What are they thinking?
Tong Huaqiong felt her big daughter made a good point!
Sure enough, Mr. Xu dared not say much under Taohua’s hostile gaze.
"Brother Xu, I’m not unreasonable. I still need to take your cart often. As long as Taohua’s with me, I’ll pay for two extra seats," Tong Huaqiong said while passing the meat bun to Mr. Xu again.
Mr. Xu couldn’t resist Widow Tong’s kindness and accepted the bun.
At Qinghe Bay in town, people gradually gathered around Mr. Xu’s ox cart. Seeing Tong Huaqiong and Taohua sitting there, they hesitated with disdain.
Tong Huaqiong pretended not to see, jokingly saying, "Why aren’t you getting on? Is there a tiger on this cart?"
People felt awkward hearing this and reluctantly got on the cart, making sure to sit far away from Tong Huaqiong and Taohua, clearly showing they wanted no association.
Tong Huaqiong didn’t mind; she hadn’t intended to build connections with everyone.
Soon, the ox cart was full, and Mr. Xu drove it toward Qinghe Bay.
After leaving Yan Guan Town, on a narrow road, they encountered a carriage, and an elderly woman peeked out.
Tong Huaqiong recognized her; she was the old lady who nearly took all her green bean cakes during a tasting event.
"Madam, isn’t that your black-hearted stepmother with your sister?" After the ox cart moved on, Fei Pozi said to Gu Baishuang.
Gu Baishuang had indeed seen them!
She felt a mix of emotions, Chen Sufen’s words ringing in her ears.
She had rushed to the Gu Family to seek justice through the Clan Leader, only to find Man Er and Chen Sufen watering plants in the yard.
Wasn’t Man Er supposed to be sent to the Zheng Family? Why was she at home?
It had been a while since Chen Sufen saw her sister-in-law, and she was excited to see her visit.
Under Gu Baishuang’s questioning, Sufen explained everything in detail.
"...Mother-in-law really changed after waking up; she’s not harsh anymore. To prevent Man Er from going to the Zheng Family, she beat Second Brother, my uncle, and my aunt, and even broke the fire poker."
"I can tell whether it’s true or not; she’s genuinely nice to me and Man Er. She even said she won’t let Da Han leave home next time he returns."
"Not only that, but she’s become very capable, making money by selling steamed buns and pastries. She’s been running around outside these days."
Listening to Sufen, Gu Baishuang’s face seemed thunderstruck.
It felt unbelievable.
She’d rather believe her deceased dad came back to life than that her wicked stepmother was redeemed!
Seeing her sister-in-law’s skeptical look, Sufen said, "Big Sister, if you don’t believe me, ask Man Er. Kids wouldn’t lie to you."
Man Er nodded enthusiastically and said cheerfully, "Big Aunt, Grandma’s really changed for the better. She’s so kind to me now. She doesn’t let me work, gives me eggs to eat, and when Yaozu bullies me, she stands by me and beats him."
This twist in events left Gu Baishuang at a loss.
"Auntie, Cousin, you don’t need to be afraid or cover for the witch. My mom and I are here to back you up." Nie Xiaofeng, young and hot-headed, came with the intention to tear down the Gu home, but how could he play his part now that the stepmother was redeemed!
"Xiaofeng, listen to yourself—what witch? That’s your grandmother. Man Er and I didn’t lie; she’s truly changed," Sufen said, looking displeased at Nie Xiaofeng.
Gu Baishuang felt like sighing as she thought, this sister-in-law is so kind-hearted. Even if Tong Dajiao changed, it’s only been a few days. You don’t need to defend her so much.
But since the old witch changed and can be good to her sister-in-law and niece, and can bring her brother, Gu Dahuan, home, perhaps there’s no need to seek justice from the Clan Leader anymore.
"So how did the issue with the Zheng family get resolved?" Gu Baishuang asked curiously.
Chen Sufen then explained in detail how Tong Huaqiong went to the Zheng Family and still owes them fifty taels of silver, with one day left before Gu Yaozu would be sent to do menial labor, possibly ending with him unable to have children.
"Serves him right!" Gu Baishuang said with disdain.
No wonder Gu Dashu came to apologize; he wanted her to offer money.
"Big Sister, perhaps I shouldn’t say this. Yaozu always bullied Man Er before, and I didn’t like him. But he’s only four and a half, still a child. Children learn from adults, don’t they? Now that mother-in-law has authority, the second house treats me with more respect. I really don’t want to see Yaozu ruined," Chen Sufen pleaded for the second house.
"When they wanted to send Man Er away, did they consider she might be ruined?" Gu Baishuang said indignantly.
"Because I went through the pain of nearly losing Man Er, I can’t bear for Yaozu to be sent away," Chen Sufen explained.
Faced with the Holy Mother-like Sufen, Gu Baishuang was at a loss for words.
As a stepmother, how did the black-hearted stepmother get so lucky to have such a kind daughter-in-law?
Thinking of her own stepson and daughter-in-law, Gu Baishuang felt distressed.
"Enough, enough. For the sake of you and Da Han, I’ll lend the second house fifty taels of silver," Gu Baishuang said, handing a pouch of silver to Chen Sufen, with a condition.
"Don’t give the silver to Gu Dashu; hand it directly to Tong Dajiao. I won’t question when it’ll be repaid, but I have one request: place my mother’s memorial tablet alongside my father’s."
