The Evil Mother-in-law: Torment Children, Work Hard, Be Rich!-Chapter 241: Commendation

They say good news never leaves the house, but bad news travels a thousand miles.

The news that the Eldest Young Madam of the Zheng Family made fake pesticides which harmed the cornfields of the villagers spread throughout the streets and alleys of Pingchuan County.

People swarmed with the officials to the gates of the Zheng Family, surrounding them with curiosity.

When Zheng Junren followed the officials out the door and saw the crowd tightly packed with curious onlookers, he was deeply ashamed and furious.

Who in all of Pingchuan County doesn’t know Zheng Junren? He has always been dignified wherever he goes, but now he is implicated by his daughter-in-law and has to appear in court.

Zheng Junren was resentful that Magistrate Yao gave him no face, irritated that County Magistrate Liu did not pin the whole crime on Xu Yong, and angry at Tong Huaqiong for messing with pesticides...

Mrs. Zheng watched helplessly as her husband headed to court, and she was livid with her daughter-in-law, Xu Zaohua.

She thought Xu Zaohua was a harbinger of doom for the Zheng Family, having entered the family only to lead to her son’s death, causing her husband to go to court, and ruining the Zheng Family’s reputation.

Such a daughter-in-law, if not for the child she carried, should have been shaved bald and sent to the temple to become a nun.

Xu Zaohua was still immersed in her excitement over how Tong Huaqiong was about to fall into misfortune, when a servant rushed to tell her that officials had come to the house to take her away, and Zheng Junren was going to court.

She still didn’t take it seriously, thinking it was just a formality.

After all, the newly arrived Magistrate Yao was Zheng Junren’s brother from the same master; given this relationship, County Magistrate Liu would surely not have the insensitivity to interrogate Zheng Junren.

It was merely to silence others.

She believed that once this was over, both she and her uncle could distance themselves from the fake pesticide incident.

Who knows, with Widow Tong losing influence, her uncle might regain his position as village head of Qinghe Bay through the backing of her father-in-law and the magistrate.

"Bad luck charm!"

"Should never have let you into the family back then."

Mrs. Zheng charged into Xu Zaohua’s courtyard, supported by Nanny Cai, not caring that Xu Zaohua was pregnant, and gave her a slap.

Xu Zaohua was left stunned by the hit.

Mrs. Zheng pointed at her and scolded: "You’ve concocted fake medicine, and the master has spoiled a white-eyed wolf out of you! Why did you have to go on about your uncle and the magistrate’s relationship? Your uncle screamed in court that the master wrote a letter to the magistrate blaming the fake medicine on Widow Tong, dragging our family’s name through the mud."

"You’ve made the master face trial, forced him to plead guilty to the magistrate. You really are a good daughter-in-law of the Zheng Family. You should never have been allowed in the door back then. If not for the child you carry, you’d have been in prison."

Being beaten and scolded by her mother-in-law, Xu Zaohua finally realized relying on the magistrate was futile, and her concoction of fake pesticide couldn’t be hidden.

Her father-in-law going to court wasn’t just a formality.

Terrified, Xu Zaohua kneeled by Mrs. Zheng’s side, pleading.

"Mother-in-law, since what’s done is done, our only option now is to have my uncle take the blame."

Ignoring the severe pain on her face, Xu Zaohua’s mind raced; the only way to extricate Zheng Junren was to sacrifice Uncle Xu Yong.

"Idiot!"

Mrs. Zheng cursed Xu Zaohua a couple more times, ordered Nanny Cai to seal Xu Zaohua’s courtyard, forbidding her to leave the premises until she gave birth.

Zheng Junren was judged in court, couldn’t dare hide, and disclosed Xu Zaohua’s dealings with the alchemy master for the concoction.

Though he wanted to abandon Xu Zaohua, he was reminded she was carrying his grandchild, and he had to endure and defend her saying she intended to eradicate disease in the crops, never realizing the medicine would ruin them, and that she too was deceived by the alchemy master.

The officials went again to interrogate Xu Zaohua about information regarding the alchemy master.

Upon getting the information, officials went to capture the alchemy master but found the place deserted.

That alchemy master likely used a fake name too.

This infamous fake medicine case in Pingchuan County soon concluded.

Xu Yong, being the primary person responsible for promoting fake medicine, was detained.

Xu Zaohua, as the main person behind concocting fake medicine, escaped danger due to Zheng Junren’s maneuvering, a promise of financial compensation, and her pregnancy.

However, after the fake medicine incident, the Zheng Family became the laughingstock of Pingchuan County, and Zheng Junren lost his former arrogance.

The suppression of the Zheng Family’s arrogance pleased Tong Huaqiong; her shopkeeper, He Chao, could serve her without worry.

No more scheming slander from the likes of Nanny Cai and Xu Zaohua.

Tong Huaqiong’s fame spread across Pingchuan County due to her success in eradicating corn diseases.

The result was the skyrocketing reputation of Taohua Dessert; Yan Guan Town was now too small for its development, so Tong Huaqiong and He Chao planned to open branches in Pingchuan County and in the capital city, Ning City.

Additionally, with protection from Magistrate Yao and County Magistrate Liu, Tong Huaqiong acquired pesticide operation rights.

Though called pesticides, it was a way to break into the agricultural market.

Tong Huaqiong intended to also manage seeds and grains.

Grains being of utmost importance.

Naturally, since it concerns the whole agricultural operation in Ning City, Tong Huaqiong chose to set up shop in the capital city.

The shop provided by the Lu Family.

Of course, Tong Huaqiong insisted on paying rent.

When Tong Huaqiong accepted the Lu Family’s help for her commercial ventures in the capital, the happiest was Lu Zhaoyang, finally finding a chance to repay Tong Huaqiong’s kindness.

Boss Qian from Fengle Building felt regret for her opting for the Lu Family’s shop instead of her own in the capital.

In just about half a year, Tong Huaqiong’s business map broke through Yan Guan Town, extending into Pingchuan County and the capital.

This surely heralds her new journey leading the Gu Family towards a prosperous life since becoming Tong Dajiao.

The harvest following the eradication of corn diseases wasn’t the only gain; surprisingly, formal commendation from the government soon followed.

On a clear, sunny morning, just after Tong Huaqiong finished breakfast, the sound of drums and gongs was heard outside.

Gu Dashu looked bewildered seeing the officials carrying a plaque, the plaque covered with red silk flowers.

Upon closer inspection, County Magistrate Liu smilingly stepped down from the sedan chair.

"Gu Dashu, where’s your mother? Have her come out and accept the commendation." Village Head Liu Tieshan, having learned of the news, had already emerged from his house and joined County Magistrate Liu’s entourage.

Not only Liu Tieshan joined in, but there were many familiar faces from the village, and also people from other villages.

Those villagers received pesticides from Tong Huaqiong, not only recovering corn destroyed by Xu Yong’s fake medicine but also eradicating corn diseases entirely.

They were full of gratitude towards Tong Huaqiong.

As the commending entourage passed through the village, word spread quickly, and a massive crowd followed to Qinghe Bay.

Gu Dashu excitedly shouted into the house, "Mother, mother, come out quickly, Lord Liu has brought commendation for you."

Tong Huaqiong, upon hearing the news, felt her heart race.

Weren’t they supposed to wait until the corn harvest season to give commendation?

Why come earlier?

But being early was ultimately a good thing.

And so, Tong Huaqiong promptly ran out from the house to greet Lord Liu.

As soon as Gu Taohua and the others learned the government was commending their mother, they too rushed out to see for themselves.

Such a grand honor, how could everyone not share the glory?

Just thinking about it was exhilarating!

"Greetings, Lord Liu." Tong Huaqiong bowed to Lord Liu.

Lord Liu beamed and offered a hand to lightly support Tong Huaqiong.

Tong Huaqiong’s gaze fell on the plaque held by the officials, feeling slightly thrilled.

She was curious about the contents of the plaque.

Heaven had mercy; never in her two lives combined had she stood out like today.

Except last life when she got into the University in the Capital, becoming the first in the Tong Family to enter a prestigious university; when the acceptance letter arrived, her father also had people beating gongs and drums similarly.