Chapter 850: No Bride Is More Beautiful Than Taohua

Although the Lu Family denies embezzling Min Baozhen’s dowry, Old Mrs. Su doesn’t believe a word of it.

Initially, the two of them schemed together to acquire many of Min Baozhen’s valuables, and Old Mrs. Su insists the Lu Family took the major portion of their schemed gains.

Min Baozhen’s dowry was vast; even after much was schemed away, a lot remained, and later it was all reclaimed by the Min Family.

Mrs. Min and the Mighty General assumed the missing part of the dowry was voluntarily compensated by Min Baozhen to the Su Mansion, so they did not pursue it further.

Old Mrs. Su, along with the housekeeper and maid, went to the Lu Family’s quarters, rummaging around until they found the dowry that had been embezzled by the Lu Family.

Two chests of jewelry, two manors near the capital, three shops on East Street in Shengjing, fifty acres of prime paddy fields, and a silver note worth five thousand taels.

“You think you can keep this from me? You’re still too inexperienced. After all these years between us as mother and daughter-in-law, don’t you think I know your tricks?”

Not only did Old Mrs. Su know about the Lu Family’s methods, she also knew where they hid their private stash.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to find it.

The Lu Family fell upon the dowry, sobbing bitterly, refusing to let go.

This was all meant for Su Chengji.

Now it has all been taken away by Old Mrs. Su to please Gu Taohua. How can she bear it? She will have no means to accumulate wealth for Su Chengji in the future.

No matter how the Lu Family pleaded and cried, the dowry was ruthlessly moved away by Old Mrs. Su.

Subsequently, Old Mrs. Su sent the housekeeper rushing to Tong Huaqiong’s home.

“This is the wedding gift from our Su Mansion’s matriarch to Miss Taohua,” said the housekeeper.

Tong Huaqiong and Gu Taohua looked at the list of wedding gifts, baffled by what kind of trick Old Mrs. Su was playing, sometimes sending the Lu Family, sometimes sending wedding gifts.

Since the gift was delivered to the home, there was no reason to send it away, so Tong Huaqiong accepted it on behalf of Gu Taohua.

Given Tong Huaqiong’s current situation, this wedding gift was rather modest.

Tong Huaqiong took the list of gifts to seek advice from Mrs. Min.

Mrs. Min glanced at the gift list and started cursing.

“I was wondering why Baozhen’s dowry was missing? I thought she was stubborn and used the missing dowry to supplement the Su Mansion; turns out it was all schemed away by that old woman.”

If that’s the case, there’s no need for Gu Taohua to feel guilty about accepting the gift.

Originally, all of Min Baozhen’s dowry was added by the Min Family to the gifts Su Chengmin was giving to Gu Taohua, and now it’s simply returning to the rightful owner.

Tong Huaqiong said, “How did that old woman become so willing to give in.”

Mrs. Min sneered and said, “She thinks Su Chengji is unreliable, Su Shihang doesn’t have other children now, so she’s clinging to Chengmin. She knows that Chengmin will marry Taohua, so this is her way of ingratiating herself to Chengmin.”

“That old woman is crafty, not spending a penny of her own, using Baozhen’s dowry to curry favor. Just wait, when Chengmin gets married, I’ll invite her over to drink with us and make her envious to death.”

Mrs. Min cursed and ranted.

Upon learning that Tong Huaqiong accepted the wedding gift for Taohua, Old Mrs. Su hoped fervently that the marriage between Gu Taohua and Su Chengmin would take place at the Su Mansion.

Su Shihang’s leg was able to move around.

The first thing he did was to find Su Chengmin, trying to persuade him to hold the wedding at the Su Mansion, but Su Chengmin refused.

However, Su Chengmin refrained from being completely cut-off, stating that if Su Shihang was willing to attend his wedding, he would not object.

Infuriated, Su Shihang cursed Su Chengmin as a rebellious son but ultimately couldn’t bear to sever ties completely.

Old Mrs. Su found out that Gu Taohua took the wedding gift, yet neither thanked them nor planned to set the wedding at the Su home, fuming with anger.

Among various emotions from different parties, the day of Gu Taohua and Su Chengmin’s marriage finally arrived.

Back when Gu Taohua’s marriage was settled, Tong Huaqiong sent words to the elders and peers that the Gu Family was on good terms with, and the Gu Family’s second uncle and second aunt brought several members of the family, including sisters like Gu Xiaocao, to Shengjing to send Gu Taohua off to marry.

The village head of Qinghe Bay came, Mrs. Han, County Magistrate Liu’s mother, came, and Huang Yuanwai came.

Mr. Lu arrived the day before the wedding day.

Mr. Lu made a remarkable gesture, adding twenty thousand taels to Gu Taohua’s dowry.

Tong Huaqiong knew Mr. Lu admired Gu Taohua and had once thought of matching Gu Taohua with Lu Zhaoyang. She also knew the Lu Family was wealthy, but twenty thousand taels was indeed a grand gesture.

Gu Taohua’s wedding was the first joyful event since Tong Huaqiong came to Shengjing.

All those merchants and nobles in Shengjing who were friendly with Tong Huaqiong came to congratulate.

The entire Gu Family was bustling with excitement.

Even the Emperor gifted a Jade Ruyi, delivered personally by the Crown Prince on the wedding day.

The Crown Prince’s attendance at Gu Taohua’s wedding instantly took the city by storm, and almost all the court officials, whether they had a relationship with the Gu Family or not, followed suit and sent gifts.

As dawn broke, Gu Taohua was dragged up and sat in front of a mirror by the bridal attendants.

“Make the powder light, use less rouge.”

Tong Huaqiong instructed the bridal attendants.

This is a bridal makeup, not a matchmaker’s makeup; she didn’t want Gu Taohua to be made-up with a pale base and two red blobs.

Gu Taohua, still sleepy, squinted with drowsy eyes, letting the attendants dress her up.

Liu Yueer, while helping Gu Taohua with her headpiece, said, “Sister really has a relaxed mind, about to leave her maidenhood and still doesn’t look the part.”

Gu Family’s second aunt said, “Only at her paternal home can she be so relaxed, sleep when she wants, rise when she wants, eat when she desires. Once married, she must serve her in-laws, support her husband, and teach her children… managing both inside and outside the home won’t be as easy.”

Tong Huaqiong listened to this, feeling overwhelmed with melancholy.

When she first came into this world, Gu Taohua was only fourteen, an age that in the modern world would just be entering college, but here she was about to marry and have children.

Fortunately, Gu Taohua’s marriage timing was later than most girls.

Moreover, she wouldn’t need to serve her in-laws and could start a new household with Su Chengmin, living a life as a couple.

Even so, Tong Huaqiong was still unhappy and reluctant.

In all these years, she has long regarded Gu Taohua as family, her heart ached at the thought of not being able to see Gu Taohua all the time.

Her little girl had grown up, which also meant distance.

Tong Huaqiong’s tears uncontrollably wetted her eyes.

“The person my sister is marrying is someone she loves, and given Sister’s personality, she certainly won’t be mistreated. Plus, with all of us supporting her, her future days will be good ones. On such a joyous day, you should be happy,”

Gu Baishuang, always observant, noticed Tong Huaqiong’s reddened eyes, handed her a handkerchief, and quietly comforted her.

Tong Huaqiong took the handkerchief and wiped the corners of her eyes.

Mrs. Zhao patted Tong Huaqiong’s arm, understanding her feelings, remembering the mixed emotions of joy and reluctance when her own two daughters got married.

Gu Taohua finished her makeup, and Chen Sufen and Liu Yueer helped her change into her wedding gown.

Surrounded by her sisters including Gu Xiaoxue and Xiao Xue, she walked out, looking every inch a celestial fairy.

“Auntie really looks beautiful.”

“There is no bride more stunning than Taohua.”