The Evil Mother-in-law: Torment Children, Work Hard, Be Rich!-Chapter 293: Feigning Weakness on Purpose

"Master, leave this matter to me. Now that we know Jin Fengxiang’s plan, we can guard against them. In my opinion, we should not only be defensive but also turn their strategy against them and take the initiative to attack."

As the shopkeeper, He Chao took on the responsibility.

Tong Huaqiong said, "It’s enough to be on guard. The greatest fear for a family is internal strife and division. Without needing outsiders to make a move, they can destroy themselves. So there’s no need for us to make a big deal out of retaliation. Our most important task is to manage Taohua Dessert well."

Tong Huaqiong remembered what Tanchun said in "Dream of the Red Chamber," that even if a big family is attacked from outside, it cannot be destroyed immediately. This echoes the ancient saying that "a centipede dies but never falls," meaning that internal collapse is necessary for total defeat.

The Chen family’s Jin Fengxiang is in such a situation now.

When brothers fight, it’s outsiders who ultimately benefit.

He Chao expressed that he understood Tong Huaqiong’s point.

Guard against Jin Fengxiang, and if necessary, divide them.

Taohua Dessert’s competitor has always been Gaoxiangji.

If it weren’t for the second son of Jin Fengxiang trying to scheme against Tong Huaqiong, Jin Fengxiang wouldn’t have caught Tong Huaqiong’s attention at all.

"This time I was careless and didn’t notice Jin Fengxiang’s actions. I’ll pay more attention in the future."

Seeing that Tong Huaqiong didn’t hold him accountable for his oversight, He Chao apologized proactively.

The master’s generosity doesn’t mean there were no mistakes in his work.

Tong Huaqiong said, "As long as there’s business, there’s competition. Competitive tactics are always hard to completely guard against, and paying too much attention is not very meaningful. As the saying goes, ’There’s no thousand-year thief who isn’t caught, just as there’s no guard who prevents all thieves.’ Only by having rich countermeasures can we make thieves cautious and dare not come."

He Chao said, "Master, your teaching is correct."

In Tong Huaqiong’s view, the second son of Jin Fengxiang is a fool. He should be finding his brother’s weaknesses now, not provoking competitors outside.

There is nothing to fear from such a person.

While Tong Huaqiong and He Chao were discussing business, an invitation from Mr. Lu came from the Lu family, inviting her, Gu Taohua, and others to visit the next day.

In the evening, Miss Xian Xian brought the funds for trading in the South Seas from Madam Mo.

A total of five hundred taels.

Tong Huaqiong accepted it.

"This money is not only what Madam saved but also pooled together by sisters," Xian Xian said. "Madam is generous, sharing this opportunity to make a fortune with all the sisters."

Tong Huaqiong didn’t know whether Madam Mo was generous or not.

But it was true that Tianxiang Building, from Madam Mo to the young ladies, was not as wealthy as outsiders imagined.

Tong Huaqiong learned from He Chao during the day that Madam Mo was not the owner of Tianxiang Building. She was akin to a modern professional manager.

She had transitioned from living off her youth to becoming a madam.

No wonder she had such a strong sense of professional crisis, agreeing to cooperate after just a few words from Tong Huaqiong.

Tong Huaqiong said, "Convey to Madam that in business, profit comes with risks. Mr. Lu can’t guarantee that I’ll definitely make money, so I can’t guarantee that Madam won’t suffer a loss. At sea, there may be tsunamis, or even pirates, and maybe all this silver will be lost."

Xian Xian said, "Naturally."

When Xian Xian left Tong Huaqiong’s room, she encountered Gu Dashi and Liu Yueer coming up the stairs.

The couple was chatting and laughing, while Gu Yaozu followed behind holding a string of candied haws.

A warm and beautiful family of three.

Gu Dashi and Liu Yueer had spent the whole day shopping for fabrics, rouge, jewelry, and food, with Gu Dashi’s hands full of Liu Yueer’s trophies.

As they brushed past each other, Liu Yueer saw Xian Xian and reached out to stop her, her face darkening as she asked, "What are you doing here?"

Liu Yueer was very angry, thinking that Xian Xian had come to find Gu Dashi.

Xian Xian brushed off Liu Yueer’s hand and said, "What’s it to you, you country bumpkin’s wife?"

Liu Yueer’s face turned red with anger.

Gu Dashi stepped between them and said to Xian Xian, "Miss Xian Xian, this is my wife. What are you doing here? I don’t need your thanks for saving you last time. Please, you should leave quickly."

Gu Dashi also assumed Xian Xian was here for him. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Thinking about the scene of last night when Xian Xian held his sleeve in thanks, he felt scared.

Seeing that Gu Dashi had no feelings for Xian Xian, Liu Yueer was slightly relieved.

"Miss Xian Xian, please forget about me saving you. There’s no need to thank me," Gu Dashi said.

Hearing these words, Xian Xian was enraged, her eyes shifting with emotion, and she adopted a sweet, syrupy tone: "Brother Dashi, you saved me, and I’ve always wanted to thank you in person. Who would have thought you already have a wife, such a pity, such a pity."

Gu Dashi’s scalp tingled with fright, and he said, "Miss Xian Xian, please leave quickly. My wife will get angry."

He had just managed to calm Liu Yueer down, and now Xian Xian was hauntingly persistent.

He was somewhat regretting having saved Xian Xian in the first place.

Liu Yueer was not appeased and said to Gu Dashi, "Why should I be angry? Tell me, why should I be angry?"

Gu Dashi felt a sense of helplessness.

Xian Xian, seeing she had provoked Liu Yueer’s anger, felt a sense of satisfaction.

"So you’re Brother Dashi’s wife, then I should call you elder sister," Xian Xian said approaching Liu Yueer to further provoke her.

Liu Yueer was extremely angry and pushed Xian Xian away, shouting, "Shameless, seducing someone else’s man."

Xian Xian stumbled and fell towards Gu Dashi. Gu Dashi was standing on the stairs, and if he moved aside, Xian Xian would fall. He couldn’t just let her fall, so he supported her briefly and quickly let go.

Xian Xian, however, leaned onto Gu Dashi, and despite his efforts to pull back, she wouldn’t let go.

Liu Yueer was infuriated and approached to hit Gu Dashi, all the while cursing Xian Xian.

The commotion alerted many guests in the inn, and quite a few peeked out to see what was happening.

Tong Huaqiong, in her room, also heard the noise.

"All of you, stop it." Tong Huaqiong shouted angrily.

"Mother," Liu Yueer whimpered in grievance.

"Mother, I didn’t do anything," Gu Dashi raised his hands.

Xian Xian stood up straight, fiddling with her nails, tears in her eyes, said, "Master Tong, I didn’t do anything, but your daughter-in-law accused me of seducing Brother Dashi. I’ve lost face completely, boo hoo hoo..."

Tong Huaqiong’s expression changed.

This Xian Xian was clearly different in front of her. She had changed her attitude upon seeing Gu Dashi and his wife.

Hearing Xian Xian’s accusations, Liu Yueer was furious enough to want to scratch her face.

Gu Dashi sternly said, "Miss Xian Xian, what exactly do you want? My wife scolded you because you caused her misunderstanding."

Xian Xian feigned a weak appearance, saying, "I came to deliver silver from Madam Mo to Master Tong, and to thank Brother Dashi. But in the eyes of sister-in-law, it seems like I’m trying to seduce Brother Dashi."

With tears in her eyes, Xian Xian said to Liu Yueer, "Even if I’m from the pleasure quarters, I can’t accept such an insult."

Liu Yueer jumped up, shouting, "Shameless! Who are you putting on that act for? It’s like I’m slandering you. Don’t play innocent in front of me."

Gu Yaozu also chimed in, "Bad woman, making my mother upset."

Xian Xian covered her face, sobbing aloud.

Liu Yueer went to hit Xian Xian but was held back by Gu Dashi.

In the chaos, Xian Xian turned and descended the stairs, a smile forming on her lips.

Tong Huaqiong blocked Xian Xian’s path, demanding, "Is your performance over?"