Chapter 848: What Kind of Sincerity Is Just Talking

Tong Huaqiong made a round at the pig farm, then went to Taohua Dessert, and finally visited Jufu Supermarket.

After inspecting all the stores, she returned home with Gu Taohua.

Gu Taohua is about to get married, and there are many things that need to be prepared.

Now the entire Gu Family is busy preparing for Gu Taohua’s marriage.

As she stepped into the house, the maid who came out to greet her seemed at a loss for words.

Tong Huaqiong asked, “What’s wrong? Did something happen at home?”

The maid replied, “Mrs. Su is here.”

Mrs. Su?

“Which Mrs. Su?”

Tong Huaqiong momentarily didn’t register who Mrs. Su was.

After Tong Pandi married Mr. Su, no one called her Mrs. Su. The students called her ‘teacher’s wife,’ and people outside called her Little Manager Tong.

The maid explained, “It’s the wife of Lord Su from the Ministry of Personnel.”

Tong Huaqiong suddenly understood, realizing it was Lu Yiner’s aunt, Madam Lu.

“Why did she come to the house?” murmured Gu Taohua.

Tong Huaqiong was equally puzzled.

Considering Madam Lu had schemed against Su Chengmin before, Tong Huaqiong and Gu Taohua had no fondness for her and no plans for any interaction.

Tong Huaqiong and Gu Taohua walked into the room, where Madam Lu stood up upon seeing them enter.

“Dear in-law,” Madam Lu greeted with more enthusiasm than Tong Huaqiong, the hostess.

Tong Huaqiong replied, “My daughter Taohua hasn’t married Su Chengmin yet, so we’re not related by marriage.”

Madam Lu was taken aback and turned awkwardly to look at Gu Taohua.

Gu Taohua completely ignored Madam Lu.

Madam Lu pursed her lips and forced herself to speak, “I’m here to discuss the marriage of the children with Manager Tong.”

Tong Huaqiong frowned and said, “The marriage has already been discussed with Mrs. Min and the Mighty General.”

Madam Lu frowned.

Before coming, she had been confident that she could persuade Tong Huaqiong and Gu Taohua to have Su Chengmin and Gu Taohua marry at the Su Mansion, which would then lead Gu Taohua to convince Su Chengmin, fulfilling Old Mrs. Su’s wishes.

Madam Lu couldn’t believe that Tong Huaqiong wouldn’t want her daughter’s wedding to lack the presence of the groom’s family.

She always thought Old Mrs. Su and Su Shihang were dissatisfied with Gu Taohua, hence no one was sent to discuss the marriage from the Su Family, forcing Su Chengmin to involve the Min Family.

Before coming to the Gu Family, she had successfully persuaded Old Mrs. Su and Su Chengmin to temporarily accept Gu Taohua as the bride.

Madam Lu smiled and said, “Chengmin’s marriage is important, our old lady and lord know you’ve discussed it, but for the marriage to be decent, the Su Family should take the lead. Lord was once upset with Chengmin for not notifying the family about his engagement, but there’s no long-lasting feud between father and son. I said that since Taohua is part of our family, we should acknowledge it, and Lord has come around these days; the marriage should indeed be held at the Su Mansion.”

As Madam Lu spoke, she observed the expressions of Tong Huaqiong and Gu Taohua, wondering why this mother-daughter duo was so calm.

If Taohua’s wedding isn’t held at the Su Mansion, outsiders might claim the Su Family doesn’t recognize her as the daughter-in-law, making it difficult for an unrecognized daughter-in-law in social circles.

Madam Lu cleverly attributed the credit for the Su Family’s acceptance of Gu Taohua to herself.

What she didn’t know was that Su Chengmin had already made peace with Tong Huaqiong before the New Year, but Tong Huaqiong didn’t care to acknowledge this marriage.

Tong Huaqiong said, “Chengmin has a house, Taohua also has a house, and the marriage can be held at either location or even at the Min Family home. There’s no need for Lord Su and the old lady to worry.”

Madam Lu’s smile froze.

Tong Huaqiong refused to take the bait.

Madam Lu forced a smile, “How can it be held at the Min Family home? Chengmin is ultimately a member of the Su Family, not the Min Family. If he gets married without our lord present, outsiders might spread various rumors. Chengmin himself doesn’t care; he’s deeply connected to the Su Family despite any issues. But he should consider Taohua; outsiders will only associate any family disputes with her. People who don’t know better always like to blame women for everything. Our old lady and lord thought extensively, believing it’s better for the wedding to happen at the Su Mansion. They even wanted to visit personally to discuss this matter, but their health hasn’t been well lately, so they sent me to discuss with Manager Tong.”

“Manager Tong, you’re Taohua’s mother. Kids don’t know any better; you should guide them.”

Madam Lu cleverly used Su Chengmin and Gu Taohua’s reputation as leverage.

Madam Lu’s reasoning wasn’t entirely unfounded; after all, “there are no perfect parents” has been a belief across eras, especially in the filial-piety-centered ancient times.

If Su Chengmin and Gu Taohua marry without the Su Family’s participation, there would definitely be lively discussions, and some people would hastily label them as unfilial.

But so be it. It’s better than having to compromise for filial recognition by enduring at the Su Mansion.

After all, Su Chengmin has already planned to separate from the Su Family, so he doesn’t care about reputation.

And neither does Gu Taohua.

Tong Huaqiong said, “Lord Su need not worry. Since you say Su Chengmin is ultimately a Su Family member, then the Su Family shouldn’t be concerned about reputation. Does the Su Family even have a reputation outside? Lord Su’s reputation is either about stopping one wife and marrying another or abandoning his wife and child; neither is flattering. A few more rumors about father-son discord won’t make a difference.”

Madam Lu was speechless.

Tong Huaqiong was utterly blunt.

Gu Taohua couldn’t help but say, “Lord Su doesn’t see nurturing Chengmin at the Min Family as damaging to his reputation, but Chengmin marrying at the Min Family home suddenly spoils it? Outsiders are perceptive; they’ll simply say Lord Su is inhumane, not even willing to host his son’s wedding at the Su Mansion, which harms your reputation, not ours. Why should we care about that? It’s your concern, not ours.”

“Moreover, you keep mentioning discussing the marriage, where is the silver? Where is the betrothal gift? Coming here with just words, is that sincerity? My marriage arrangement with Chengmin has already been decided, and the date set. So what are you discussing? You’re merely attempting to use reputation to threaten me into convincing Chengmin to hold the wedding at the Su Mansion. If you were offering money, land, or stores, I might consider it, but you offer nothing, why should I persuade Chengmin to go to the Su Mansion to save face for you?”

Tong Huaqiong couldn’t help but want to applaud Gu Taohua.

She articulated that beautifully.

Madam Lu opened her mouth.

No wonder her own lord and mother-in-law disapprove of Su Chengmin marrying Gu Taohua; her words are too sharp, leaving no room for politeness.

Yet Gu Taohua tilted her head and extended her hand towards Madam Lu with an honest expression, “Did Lord Su and Old Mrs. Su really send you here to discuss the marriage without bringing anything?”

“Grandma and uncle from the Min Family have given me stores, silver, and handed over Mrs. Su’s dowry.”

Mrs. Su naturally meant Min Baozhen.

Madam Lu felt stung by the mention of Mrs. Su.

Tong Huaqiong said, “Taohua speaks the truth. With the wedding day quickly approaching, seeing you come to our door, I assumed Lord Su was taking on his fatherly duties by bringing a bride price for our Taohua. Turns out, not a penny is offered, yet you want Taohua to become a daughter-in-law at the Su Mansion to serve your entire family. Of course, we won’t agree.”

Madam Lu: “…”