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

Chapter 46 The Three Major Clients
The home of Master Huang is located at the easternmost end of Yanguan Town.

Tong Huaqiong led Gu Taohua through two streets to the east of the town, where she stopped a child to ask for directions. The child pointed to something.

"See that? It's right next to the three springs, under the big locust tree."

Tong Huaqiong looked up and saw a magnificent mansion with the words "Huang Residence" hanging on the plaque above the entrance.

Tong Huaqiong and Gu Taohua arrived at the entrance of the Huang residence and knocked on the door.

"Who are you?"

The servant who opened the door looked Tong Huaqiong and Gu Taohua up and down.

Because of Master Huang's reputation for being charitable, which spread beyond Yanguan Town, people often knocked on the door of the Huang residence to beg for food or other treats, and over time the gatekeeper grew tired of it.

"I am Widow Tong from Qinghe Bay."

"I brought my daughter to deliver pastries to Master Huang," Tong Huaqiong said bluntly.

“We sell mung bean cakes at the market. Master Huang loved them and ordered a batch of pastries from our house three days ago,” Gu Taohua quickly added, fearing they wouldn’t let her in.

When the servant heard Tong Huaqiong introduce herself, he was startled. His master was known for his womanizing ways, and the servant thought that his master had been involved in a scandal with a widow and had been pursued by someone.

Upon hearing that they were there to deliver pastries, they breathed a sigh of relief.

Then he saw Tong Huaqiong and her daughter Gu Taohua, one thin and one plump, carrying baskets on their backs and holding hampers in their hands. Their clothes were clean and their attire was neat. They didn't look like people who came to beg for money, so his eyes softened.

It seems that there is such a thing.

The master did indeed give instructions that someone would come to deliver pastries today.

"Master is waiting at home. Please come in with me," the servant said.

Tong Huaqiong and Gu Taohua followed the servant into the Huang residence, one after the other.

"Go quickly and tell the master that Widow Tong from Qinghe Bay has come to deliver pastries." As they arrived at the main house, the servant stopped a pretty maid and said.

The pretty maid looked behind the servant, then beckoned to Tong Huaqiong and Gu Taohua, saying, "Come in with me."

Tong Huaqiong and Gu Taohua followed the maid into the side room.

"You all wait here," the pretty maid said.

Through the door of the side room, Tong Huaqiong saw the maids busy setting out the meal in the main hall.

No wonder they were made to wait in the side room; it turns out the Huang family hadn't had breakfast yet.

But not having breakfast is a good opportunity!

People are more satisfied with cakes when they are hungry.

Tong Huaqiong knew that Master Huang was a good man. What if Madam Huang was a picky person who would get tired of pastries after having breakfast? Wouldn't that be detrimental to the deal?

So Tong Huaqiong smiled and said to the pretty maid, "Miss, we're in a hurry to set up our stall at the market. Could we see the master first?"

The pretty maid raised her eyebrows and said, "My master and mistress dislike being disturbed while they are eating."

Tong Huaqiong was not in a hurry. She took out two coconut pastries from her basket and stuffed them into the hands of the pretty maid, saying, "Miss, these are pastries from my family. Please have a taste."

The pretty maid was reluctant to accept; she had eaten all sorts of pastries in the Huang family.

I don't know what bewitched the master, but he doesn't want the pastries from Su Shi Yuan, and insists on ordering pastries from the small stall instead.

But the aroma of the coconut pastry was too enticing, and since she hadn't eaten breakfast, the smell of the pastry made her even hungrier, and she wished she could just tear off the parchment paper and eat it.

"Auntie, please wait a moment, I'll go tell the master." The pretty maid took the pastries and said reluctantly.

"Oh my, they say your appearance reflects your heart. No wonder you're so beautiful, it's all because you're kind-hearted." Tong Huaqiong seized the opportunity to flatter the pretty maid.

The pretty maidservant smiled shyly and left.

As the saying goes, "He who takes a man's money is bound to be grateful for his food."

The pretty maid didn't want to make an exception, but the pastries smelled so delicious that she couldn't bear to return them.

I'll just go and say something; whether the master wants to see her before breakfast is none of my business.

"Quickly, Peach Blossom, open all the lids of the baskets and crates, and then place them at the doorway," Tong Huaqiong said.

Gu Taohua did the same.

As soon as the lid was lifted, a fragrant aroma wafted out, causing the maids in the main hall to frequently glance towards the side room.

Tell them I'll see them after I finish breakfast.

"Hey, what did the kitchen make today? It smells so good."

Master Huang and his wife helped Old Madam Huang into the main hall. He was a little annoyed that Tong Huaqiong had disturbed his breakfast. Master Huang always kept his word; it wasn't like he didn't want her pastries, so why was she in such a hurry?
Upon entering the main hall, one is greeted by a rich and alluring fragrance.

"My son must have treated me to something nice this morning," Old Mrs. Huang sniffed hard. What was that smell? It was so tempting. "Master, that smell is from Widow Tong's pastries," the pretty maidservant said at the opportune moment.

As soon as she stepped out of the side room, she stuffed the coconut pastry into her mouth.

It's so delicious, even the pastries from Su Shi Yuan can't compare.

She swallowed it before she could even taste it properly.

"Is this the new pastry you ordered for your mother?" Old Mrs. Huang couldn't help but roll her eyes, searching for the source of the aroma.

"Yes," said Master Huang.

"Where is he?" Grandma Huang asked.

"They're waiting in the side room," the pretty maid said.

"What are we waiting for? Quickly have them bring up the pastries. It's a good opportunity for Mother to have a taste at breakfast," said Madam Huang, helping the old lady sit down.

Mainly, he couldn't resist the allure of that fragrance.

Tong Huaqiong waited for less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea before a pretty maid lifted the curtain and came in, saying, "Aunt Tong, my old lady wants to see you. Quickly, bring the pastries with you."

As he spoke, he personally helped Gu Taohua put the lids on the basket and the wicker basket, and even helped carry the wicker basket.

Tong Huaqiong and Gu Taohua followed the pretty maid to the main hall.

At the head of the table sat a sprightly old lady, flanked by Mr. Huang and his wife.

Tong Huaqiong thought to herself that she had to take good care of these three big spenders.

"Oh, Sister Tong, niece, you've arrived quite early." Having only met twice, Master Huang was already calling Gu Taohua his niece.

"Greetings, Madam, Master, and Madam." Tong Huaqiong, along with Gu Taohua, bowed to the wealthy patrons.

Grandma Huang looked Tong Huaqiong and Gu Taohua up and down; they were not the orphan and widow she had imagined.

With no trace of sorrow on her face and dressed neatly, this widow appeared young and fair-skinned, and the plump young woman she raised seemed to be blessed with good fortune.

Grandma Huang had a good impression of Tong Huaqiong and her daughter from the very beginning, especially since the two of them were self-reliant, which added to her positive impression.

"I've tried your mung bean cakes and mung bean pancakes; they're better than those from Su Shi Yuan. What pastries did you bring today?" Madam Huang asked.

There are several kinds.

"Sister Tong, please take it out," Master Huang said anxiously.

Tong Huaqiong smiled and agreed. With the help of Gu Taohua and the maid, she took out all kinds of pastries and placed them on the table.

Master Huang glanced at the pastry wrapper and saw that there was writing on it. He was a bit of a connoisseur, and seeing this thoughtful gesture made him nod in satisfaction.

"This is jujube paste pastry."

"This is coconut pastry."

"These are cookies."

"This is chestnut pastry."

"This is honey-glazed sesame cake."

As soon as the maidservant who was serving the meals tore open the wrapper, Tong Huaqiong would announce the name of the pastry.

People are familiar with pastries such as jujube paste pastry, chestnut pastry, and honey-glazed pastry, which can be found at Su Shi Yuan.

But coconut shortbread cookies and other similar treats were novelties; it was the first time anyone had ever heard of or seen them.

The aroma of the pastries intensifies as you tear open the wrapper, and their beautiful and unique shapes make them incredibly appetizing.

Tong Huaqiong seemed to hear the sounds of people swallowing saliva around her.

"Mother, please try this one you haven't eaten before." Master Huang handed the cookies to Old Madam Huang.

Grandma Huang was already starving, so she took the biscuit and took a bite.

It was crumbly yet firm, crisp yet not hard, posing no challenge to her already loose teeth.

Swallow it down in one gulp, and the aroma lingers on your lips and teeth.

Its rich and layered aroma impacts the soul directly from the mouth.

It's so delicious!

Grandma Huang's eyes lit up.

The son is indeed very filial.

(End of this chapter)