The wicked mother-in-law doesn't try to whitewash herself; she only abuses her awful children.

Chapter 27 I Don't Believe the Heartless Stepmother Has Been Whitewashed

"Mother, look, isn't that Third Brother?"

Gu Taohua spotted Gu Jingzhe flashing by in the crowd.

Tong Huaqiong naturally discovered this adopted youngest son as well.

The youngest son has been trying to raise money these past few days, but I don't know how well it's going.

However, Tong Huaqiong was not worried at all.

A genius like Gu Jingzhe only believes that there is always a way out, and he will not give up easily, much less break himself.

"Ignore him, he's an unfilial and disloyal wretch." Tong Huaqiong said angrily.

It's so much more comfortable to travel by car!
Even an oxcart!

Taking advantage of the fact that no one else was getting on the bus, Tong Huaqiong and Gu Taohua stretched their legs comfortably.

Grandpa Xu glanced over and his lips twitched.

He was thinking to himself that with Gu Taohua's size, she could take up three seats by herself. He wondered how he should ask Widow Tong for the fare for one more person.

Grandpa Xu glanced around and gave a wry smile. The other villagers were about to come and take the bus back to the village. What if they saw the heartless widow on the bus and refused to ride with him?
"Old Xu, here, have this steamed bun."

Seeing Grandpa Xu's expression, Tong Huaqiong guessed what he was thinking. She was also worried that she and Gu Taohua and her daughter would affect Grandpa Xu's business.

She'll still need to ride in Grandpa Xu's car to and from town, and she can't let bandits take over the village every time they come in.

In order to get a good relationship with Grandpa Xu in the future, she had to do so.

Has this widow changed her ways today?

Grandpa Xu was terrified, as if he had seen a ghost, and dared not accept the bun, fearing that Widow Tong might set a trap for him.

"Old Xu, I know what you're worried about. Here's what I'll do: I'll give you the fare first. My Tao Hua is fat, so I'll give you the fare for four people." Tong Huaqiong said, untying her money bag and counting out the fare for four people, handing it to Old Xu.

Grandpa Xu was hesitant to accept the fare, but the price was so tempting that he quickly took it after a moment's thought.

"Sister Tong, I'm really sorry... Even though you gave me the fare for four people, I'm worried that no one will ride in my car later," Grandpa Xu muttered.

Tong Huaqiong smiled but didn't say anything.

She's not going to compensate Grandpa Xu for the empty seat, is she? Does she think she's a sucker?
Tong Huaqiong can be reasonable, but she doesn't intend to whitewash Tong Dajiao's vicious character.

As a widow, she already faced a difficult life and had to run a business; it wouldn't do for her to transform into a naive and innocent figure.

“If no one rides in your car, it’s because they’re blind, not because of me or my mother.” Gu Taohua was unhappy with Grandpa Xu’s attitude and confronted him directly.

They expect them to pay for an empty truck? What are they thinking?

Tong Huaqiong felt that her chubby daughter's retort was spot on!
As expected, Grandpa Xu didn't dare to say anything more under Gu Taohua's unfriendly gaze.

“Brother Xu, I’m not an unreasonable person. I’ll still need to ride in your car in the future. As long as Tao Hua is around, I’ll pay for two more people’s fare.” Tong Huaqiong continued to hand the meat buns to Grandpa Xu.

Grandpa Xu couldn't resist Widow Tong's enthusiasm and accepted the steamed buns.

As the residents of Qinghewan in the town gradually arrived at Grandpa Xu's oxcart, they saw Tong Huaqiong and Gu Taohua sitting on it, and their faces showed disdain and hesitation.

Tong Huaqiong pretended not to see it and joked, "Why don't you get on the bus? There's a tiger on this bus."

Hearing this, everyone felt embarrassed. They could only bite the bullet and get on the bus, then distanced themselves from Tong Huaqiong and Gu Taohua, as if they didn't know them at all.

Tong Huaqiong said she didn't care and that she wasn't trying to build connections with anyone.

Soon the oxcart was full, and Grandpa Xu drove it towards Qinghe Bay.

After leaving Yanguan Town, they encountered a horse-drawn carriage on a narrow road, and an old woman poked her head out. Tong Huaqiong recognized her; it was the same old hag who had almost taken away her mung bean cake sample.

“Madam, look, isn’t that your heartless stepmother and sister?” Granny Fei said to Gu Baishuang after the oxcart had gone far away.

Gu Baishuang naturally saw it too!
Gu Baishuang was filled with complicated emotions, the words of her sister-in-law Chen Sufeng echoing in her ears.

She rushed to the Gu family during the day, hoping to get justice for Man'er from the clan chief. When she got off the carriage, she saw Man'er and her daughter Chen Sufeng watering the vegetables in the yard.

Didn't they say Man'er was sent to the Zheng family? How come she's perfectly fine at home?

Chen Su-fen hadn't seen her sister-in-law for a long time, and was overjoyed to see her visit.

Under Gu Baishuang's persistent questioning, Chen Sufen recounted the whole story.

"...After my mother-in-law woke up, she really changed. She no longer treated me badly. In order to prevent Man'er from going to the Zheng family, she beat up my second brother, my uncle, and my sister-in-law. She even broke the fire poker she was wielding."

"I can tell the difference between what's true and what's false. It's true that he's good to me and Man'er. He even said that he won't be allowed to go out after he comes home for the Great Cold next time."

"Not only that, he has also become more capable, making money by selling steamed buns and cakes. He's been running around outside these past few days."

Gu Baishuang's expression was as if she had been struck by lightning after hearing Chen Sufeng's words.

It's incredible.

You made her believe that her dead father had come back to life rather than that her heartless stepmother had been exonerated!
Seeing her sister-in-law's skeptical look, Chen Sufeng said, "If you don't believe me, ask Man'er. A child wouldn't lie to you, would she?"

Man'er laughed innocently and nodded vigorously, saying, "Auntie, Grandma has really changed for the better. She's become so loving and doting on Man'er. She doesn't let Man'er do any work and gives Man'er eggs to eat. Now, when Yaozu bullies me, Grandma stands up for me and beats Yaozu up."

This plot development has left Gu Baishuang completely bewildered.

"Aunt, little cousin, don't be afraid, don't cover for that wicked woman. Mother and I are here to support you." Nie Xiaofeng was young and impetuous. He originally came with the intention of smashing up the Gu family. Now that his cheap grandmother had cleared her name, how could he carry out his plan?
"Xiaofeng, look at what you're saying! What 'poisonous woman'? That's your grandma. Man'er and I weren't lying. Your grandma has really changed for the better." Chen Sufeng looked at Nie Xiaofeng with dissatisfaction.

Gu Baishuang wanted to sigh and rub her forehead. This sister-in-law is really kind. Even if Tong Dajiao has changed, it's only been a few days. You don't need to protect her.

However, since the old vile woman has changed and can treat her sister-in-law and niece well, and can bring her brother Gu Dahan home, there is no need for her to seek justice from the clan chief.

"How was the Zheng family's matter resolved?" Gu Baishuang asked curiously.

So Chen Sufeng told Gu Baishuang everything about Tong Huaqiong's trip to the Zheng family, how she still owed them fifty taels of silver, and how if she didn't pay back Gu Yaozu in a day, she would be sent to be a slave and might even lose her reproductive ability.

"Serves you right!" Gu Baishuang spat.

No wonder, Gu Dashu went to apologize to her with thorns on his back, it turns out he wanted her to pay him.

“Elder sister, I shouldn’t say this. Yaozu used to bully Man’er, and I didn’t like him either. But he’s only four and a half years old, still a child. Aren’t children taught how to behave by adults? Now that my mother-in-law is keeping things in check, the second branch of the family is more respectful to me. I really can’t bear to see Yaozu ruined.”

Chen Su-fen pleaded on behalf of the second wife.

"When they wanted to send Man'er away, didn't they think they would ruin her?" Gu Baishuang said indignantly.

“I’ve experienced the heartbreak of having to send Man’er away, so I don’t want Yaozu to be sent away either,” Chen Sufeng said.

When faced with the Holy Mother Chen Su-fen, Gu Baishuang was utterly helpless.

They're both stepmothers, but this heartless stepmother must have been incredibly lucky to have met such a kind and gentle daughter-in-law.

Thinking of her stepson's wife, Gu Baishuang felt only distress.

"Fine, fine. For your sake and Da Han's sake, I'll lend the second wife fifty taels of silver."

Gu Baishuang handed a bag of silver to Chen Sufen. As Chen Sufen took it, Gu Baishuang made a request.

"Don't give the money to Gu Dashu, give it to Tong Dajiao yourself. I won't ask when the money will be returned, I only have one request, that my mother's memorial tablet be placed together with my father's memorial tablet."

(End of this chapter)