The Evil Mother-in-law: Torment Children, Work Hard, Be Rich!-Chapter 298: Set His Sights on Gu Taohua

Good gracious.

The Lu Mansion covers a vast area.

No wonder the Lu Family is called Lu Half City in Ning City.

It means half of the city’s properties and shops belong to the Lu Family.

The Lu Mansion not only covers a vast area, but also has wonders within.

There are mountain views, natural flowing water introduced inside, and a lake in the yard large enough for boating.

Tong Huaqiong’s eyes weren’t enough to take it all in.

Walking past the corridors, strolling among the pavilions and towers reminded Tong Huaqiong of the Suzhou Gardens of later generations.

Upon reaching the inner courtyard, Mr. Lu was already waiting.

Tong Huaqiong and the others paid their respects to Mr. Lu, who couldn’t stop smiling at Gu Taohua.

Tong Huaqiong’s heart sank, thinking Mr. Lu wouldn’t give up on making Gu Taohua the Lu family’s daughter-in-law. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

As soon as they sat down, someone announced the arrival of the Yao Mansion’s steward.

"Today, the Lu Mansion is not receiving guests," Mr. Lu bellowed.

However, the Yao Mansion’s steward had already arrived, holding a red lacquered box.

Ignoring Mr. Lu’s gloomy face, the steward cheerfully said to Lu Zhaoyang, "Young Master Lu, this is a ginseng my lord specially obtained from the Capital for you to nourish your body. This ginseng was an imperial gift to my old master, requested back by my lord’s letter."

Mr. Lu, with a sarcastic tone, said, "Since it’s an imperial gift, how can it be given away casually? Does the Yao Family disregard the Emperor?"

The steward replied, "Mr. Lu, the Emperor decreed that anything bestowed upon the old master could be disposed of at the old master’s discretion."

Mr. Lu snorted dismissively.

Lu Zhaoyang accepted the ginseng and said, "Please thank my senior brother for me. I have guests today, but I will visit him tomorrow to chat."

As the steward was about to leave, he suddenly said, "Yesterday, the water caltrops you sent to Lord Yao were better than those in the Capital. He wondered if you had more and if he could request another box."

Lu Zhaoyang replied, "Yes, my senior brother can have as much as he wants."

Mr. Lu’s face turned livid, and he said to the Yao Family’s steward, "Lord Yao is here to exploit the people’s fat and taxes, not even sparing a box of water caltrops."

Embarrassment filled the steward’s face, for he didn’t understand why Mr. Lu disliked the upright Lord Yao.

Lu Zhaoyang said, sweating, "Grandfather just enjoys joking."

As he spoke, he got up and took the steward to get the water caltrops.

Mr. Lu remained livid until Lu Zhaoyang returned, his face never returning to its usual color.

Tong Huaqiong coldly observed all this. Mr. Lu clearly has a prejudice against Lord Yao.

He’s even unreserved in front of Tong Huaqiong and others.

"Grandfather, didn’t you say you’d treat Aunt Tong and Taohua well? What have you prepared?" Lu Zhaozhao, seeing the atmosphere grow awkward, stepped in to lighten the mood.

Mr. Lu’s expression finally warmed, and he began to discuss how Jin Fengxiang and Tianxiang Building plotted against Gu Dashu with Tong Huaqiong.

"Actually, you can’t blame Tianxiang Building; how could they dare offend the city’s guests? But that Mama Mo is straightforward and told me everything," Tong Huaqiong said.

The reason she spoke well of Mama Mo to Mr. Lu was in case he found out she brought Mama Mo into her South Seas investment later, potentially angering him.

It’s said Mr. Lu looks down on people of the red-light district.

When Mr. Lu heard Tong Huaqiong mention Mama Mo, his eyes suddenly lit up. But seeing Lu Zhaozhao and Gu Taohua nearby, he swallowed his words.

Tong Huaqiong witnessed all this, unsure what kind of scheme Mr. Lu was brewing.

Since Mr. Lu remained silent, Tong Huaqiong felt it wasn’t appropriate to ask.

Once Lu Zhaoyang returned after sending off the Yao Family’s steward, the Lu Family commenced the banquet.

During the meal, Mr. Lu imparted some business wisdom to Tong Huaqiong, mainly discussing what goods he’d need for the South Seas trip.

"...I plan to bring some porcelain, tea, and silk," Tong Huaqiong said. "If possible, trade them for gold and silver, and if not, for some jewelry, spices, and Western goods like mirrors." She laid out her plans.

"Your idea is excellent,"

Mr. Lu viewed Tong Huaqiong differently.

Porcelain, tea, and silk were all bestselling goods on those islands in the South Seas.

It seemed that Tong Huaqiong didn’t rely solely on luck to quickly expand her business to the city, but more on her keen business acumen.

Tong Huaqiong didn’t realize her information advantage, obtained through less than honest means, had elevated her in Mr. Lu’s eyes.

The Lu Family’s food was quite delicious.

After a few rounds of drinks, Mr. Lu’s eyes turned to Gu Taohua.

Tong Huaqiong tensed.

From the start of the banquet, she steered the conversation toward business strategies. Every time Mr. Lu looked at Gu Taohua, Tong Huaqiong would interject, discussing everything from farming to how many pigs her family raised, yet it hadn’t deterred Mr. Lu’s matchmaking intent.

"Master Tong, your Taohua hasn’t had a marriage proposal yet, has she?"

Just as expected.

This time he went straight to the point.

Mr. Lu, being someone who has weathered many storms, surely saw through Tong Huaqiong’s attempts to change the subject.

Despite understanding, Mr. Lu still asked, indicating he wouldn’t give up on pairing Gu Taohua with Lu Zhaoyang.

"Grandfather..." Lu Zhaoyang was shocked, trying to stop him.

Mr. Lu glared at Lu Zhaoyang.

Tong Huaqiong said, "Mr. Lu, my Taohua is still young, and I want to keep her for a few more years. Besides, I am not planning to let her marry outside. In the future, Taohua Dessert is meant for her, and I can’t let an outsider benefit. If she does marry, it would be to take a live-in son-in-law."

Since you’re being direct, I will be too.

This was clearly said, wasn’t it? Gu Taohua would want a live-in son-in-law; surely your Lu Zhaoyang, a talented young man, wouldn’t want to be a live-in son-in-law?

Hearing from County Magistrate Liu’s mother, Mrs. Han, it seemed Mr. Lu wanted to arrange a marriage in the Capital for Lu Zhaozhao, showing he placed great value on marriage alliances for the Lu Family. Yet, why was he so interested in Gu Taohua?

It wasn’t that Tong Huaqiong had anything against her daughter, but given the era’s marriage conditions, a rural girl like Gu Taohua simply had no value for a marriage alliance with a Great Royal Merchant.

Were it not for Tong Dajiao’s past memories of the Lu Family, Tong Huaqiong might suspect Mr. Lu had some unspeakable secret.

Mr. Lu said, "What kind of worthy husband would agree to be a live-in son-in-law? Only those looking for a free ride would agree. It’s not just any girl; even capable men avoid marrying into a princess’s family. I say, marrying Taohua to an ordinary man would waste her. Since Master Tong wants Taohua to manage business in the future, why not let her marry into a family with matching status and manage her husband’s business?"

Mr. Lu almost revealed the marriage proposal plainly.

His grandson’s marriage couldn’t be delayed, and he thought Taohua was suitable.

Hearing this, Lu Zhaoyang’s face flushed with anger.

Tong Huaqiong said, "Mr. Lu, this view is mistaken..."

"Mr. Lu, do you want me to marry Brother Zhao Yang?" Gu Taohua interrupted, her straightforwardness even more striking.

With Gu Taohua’s bluntness, Mr. Lu replied, "Exactly. You’ve seen the Lu Family, our business is vast. We own not only shops but also merchant ships. If you can manage, all these businesses can be yours once you’re married in."

Gu Taohua giggled and said, "I want your shops and ships, and I want your business."

Mr. Lu smiled confidently.

Who could refuse such wealth, especially an inexperienced rural girl?