Chapter 512: Chapter 512: Mistaken Identity

Even if the Lian Family tries to pin everything on Xu Zaohua and Gu Ruinian, they cannot escape the keen eyes of these ladies.

The ladies speculated on the original nature of the matter privately, and their deduction was about ninety percent accurate.

Most of the ladies who attended the banquet have concubines and illegitimate children in their families, but it’s rare to see someone like Mrs. Hua, who conspired with her son against the dignity of an illegitimate daughter.

If raised properly, an illegitimate daughter is also a child of one’s own family and can be an asset; an industrious illegitimate daughter can also benefit the family.

Some ladies even wish their own illegitimate daughters would succeed.

Thus, most people look down on Mrs. Hua’s actions.

Even more so on the second young master of the Lian Family.

It is said the second young master was struck with a vase, losing half his life. Three days later, when he woke up, he could barely speak, as if he had reverted to childhood.

These rumors reached Tong Huaqiong’s ears, and Tong Huaqiong thought the second young master was likely to have become stupid.

Lian Hengruo’s strike was truly precise, neither killing him nor letting him live well, ensuring that the second young master would never reveal the attacker as his half-sister from a different mother.

Now, the blame for hitting the second young master is completely pinned on Xu Zaohua and Gu Ruinian, even if they escape, they will face Mrs. Hua’s fury.

As for the marriage between Lian Hengruo and the second young master of the Zheng Family, it is a topic no longer mentioned.

Because of Eldest Young Madam Zheng, it’s fortunate if the two families don’t turn against each other; marrying into the Zheng Family is definitely out of the question.

Mr. Lian reportedly stated that even if Lian Hengruo never marries, she will not go to the Zheng Family, refusing to tarnish his own innocent daughter with their vile scandals.

Tong Huaqiong hadn’t heard any news about Gu Ruinian.

She only knew that Gu Ruinian and Xu Zaohua were handed over to the Zheng Family by the Lian Family, and nothing good can come of it.

Wondering how Mr. Gu and the couple from the second branch might react when they hear the news.

Tong Huaqiong knew Mr. Gu would come pleading to her.

Currently, Tong Huaqiong is Sui Feng Village Lady, the owner of Jufu Supermarket, and a frequent guest of County Magistrate Liu; in the whole Pingchuan County, everyone shows her some respect.

When Mr. Gu drags his family over to beg her, she could surely dismiss them, but she doesn’t want to be troubled by their entanglement.

Thus, Tong Huaqiong decided to flee to the city for some peace and quiet.

Besides, she hadn’t been to oversee her pastry shop in the city for a long time, and a suitable location needed to be chosen to open a supermarket there.

Tong Huaqiong decided to leave quickly; the next morning, she handed Jufu Supermarket over to Gu Baishuang and Gu Dashu, then took Gu Taohua with Nie Xiaofeng driving the carriage to the city.

...

The news that Gu Ruinian and Eldest Young Madam Zheng were caught in debauchery by the Lady of the Lian Family after drinking reached Mr. Gu and people like Gu Youtian from Wu Na’s mouth.

These days, everyone knew about Eldest Young Madam Zheng’s affair with her childhood sweetheart; naturally, it reached Wu Ji as well, but they couldn’t realize that this so-called childhood sweetheart was Gu Ruinian.

Unfortunately, Mr. Gu and others hadn’t lived in Qinghe Bay for a long time, apart from knowing Gu Honglian, they couldn’t even connect Eldest Young Madam Zheng with Xu Zaohua.

Next to Wu Ji was a teahouse, where people discussed this scandal enthusiastically, and Mr. Gu and others just regarded it as another family’s young mistress’ frivolous affair.

When Grandma Gu and Mrs. Jia heard from Gu Honglian that Xu Zaohua was Eldest Madam Zheng, they became energized.

After Xu Zaohua’s disgrace, let’s see how the Xu Family could continue to show arrogance.

Gu Honglian contemplated for a while before suddenly mentioning that Xu Zaohua had liked Jingzhe since childhood; the so-called childhood sweetheart must be someone from Qinghe Bay. Who else from Qinghe Bay could catch Xu Zaohua’s eye apart from Jingzhe?

"Oh dear, could it really be Jingzhe?" Gu Honglian said.

"Don’t talk nonsense; Jingzhe isn’t like that. He wouldn’t have any interest in Xu Zaohua," Grandma Gu said confidently. Was she stupid enough to ignore a wealthy and beautiful Lu Zhaozhao for a widow?

If interests conflicted between Jingzhe and the second branch grandson, Grandma Gu would stand by the second branch grandson without hesitation, but if Jingzhe was involved in such vulgar gossip, Grandma Gu would be unwilling.

If it really was Jingzhe, how could she, the grandmother of a top scholar, face others?

Mrs. Jia’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction; she wished Gu Honglian’s words were true.

Gu Honglian went out to eavesdrop more gossip and found new details, eager to tell Grandma Gu and Mrs. Jia; however, only Mrs. Jia and Mrs. Wei were present, so Gu Honglian started talking excitedly instead of pulling them aside.

"People outside say Xu Zaohua’s childhood sweetheart is surname Gu and came from Qinghe Bay. Could it really be Jingzhe? I heard that Jingzhe is being held by the Zheng Family. Emma, while passing by Jufu Supermarket, I met Dashu’s wife, who said the eldest sister-in-law went to the city early this morning. Maybe she went to seek help from the Lu Family for Jingzhe?"

Gu Honglian was worried—being part of the family, she would be embarrassed if such news spread.

How would Fan Tong perceive her?

Fan Tong was Jingzhe’s senior, and such news would surely reach his ears.

Mrs. Jia’s eyes flashed with excitement, saying, "That must be Jingzhe. I heard from the second aunt that when Xu Jin was village chief, he wanted to promise Zaohua to Jingzhe, but Zaohua always dared to block Jingzhe."

Perhaps both had feelings for each other, but Xu Zaohua married into the Zheng Family because Xu Jin wanted to establish a connection with a prominent family, as Jingzhe hadn’t yet become a top scholar recognized by the Xu Family.

Could two people who had feelings for each other be content with being forcibly separated?

Plus, since Xu Zaohua was widowed, perhaps they secretly got together again.

It must be Jingzhe; listen to what people say—he’s the childhood sweetheart.

Mrs. Wei’s heart skipped a beat, saying, "It couldn’t be Jingzhe, right? We’ve seen Jingzhe’s fiancée, Lu Zhaozhao—that fairy-like beauty, such a good family background; Jingzhe would be crazy to mess around with Xu Zaohua."

Mrs. Jia glanced at Mrs. Wei—what’s with this daughter-in-law always contradicting her?

"What do you know? Supposedly, a wife is not as good as a concubine, a concubine is not as good as a secret affair, a secret affair is not as good as an unattainable affair; Jingzhe pursued Xu Zaohua because he couldn’t have her before, that’s why he stole her. Men, who ever dislikes having more women?" Mrs. Jia said.

Upon seeing Tong Dajiao rush to the city in haste, Mrs. Jia was more convinced that Jingzhe was in great trouble this time.

Mrs. Wei remained doubtful.

Given the eldest sister-in-law’s temperament, if Jingzhe dared to fool around with Xu Zaohua, she would definitely not rush to the city to seek help.

Could it be possible that she went to the city for business since she had gone before?

But she dared not say this to her mother-in-law.

Mrs. Jia, who was initially upset, felt greatly at ease with this news, becoming immensely joyful.

Let Tong Dajiao be pleased.

Your son could be a top scholar but ends up as someone else’s adulterer now.

Deserved to be caught; according to her, the Zheng Family shouldn’t spare Jingzhe, preferably cutting off his roots.

The Lu Family also best not forgive Jingzhe, letting him lose this advantageous marriage.

Thinking of her own son, Gu Ruinian, who recently befriended a noble son through an article, and had been studying at the noble son’s home school these days.

Indeed, leaving that damned place Qinghe Bay did wonders for her son; he was doing well again.

Lately, her father-in-law said when Gu Ruinian returned from the noble son, he would take him back to the village, fearing he might become corrupted in Pingchuan County.

She would stop him no matter what, as Gu Ruinian was meant for Pingchuan; Pingchuan was thriving for him.