Fan Tong turned around and privately inquired about Gu Honglian’s dowry.
Fan Tong had always been fixated on Gu Honglian’s dowry and wanted to ask about it, but he was afraid Gu Honglian would think he was too concerned about the dowry and thus become wary of him.
After all, he previously pushed the issue of the dowry onto Mrs. Fan.
Thinking that the wedding was just days away, he took the opportunity while Gu Honglian was in a good mood to bring it up.
Judging by how much Gu Jingzhe valued this little aunt, the dowry would surely exceed the five hundred taels that Mrs. Fan mentioned before.
Gu Honglian was very sensitive about her dowry, and upon hearing Fan Tong ask about it, alarm bells went off in her mind.
"Why are you asking this? You’ll know on the wedding day. Anyway, it’s incomparable to Lu Zhaozhao’s."
Fan Tong thought to himself that in all of Dasheng, perhaps only the Princess could compare to Lu Zhaozhao.
He was thrilled, thinking that even if it was just five carriages worth of dowry, it would be enough.
Fan Tong said, "We’re about to get married, so what’s there to hide? With the way your sister-in-law and Jingzhe value you, I’m sure they’ll give you a generous dowry. Don’t worry about it, your dowry is yours alone; I won’t touch a cent."
Gu Honglian’s face darkened, and she sighed, "If I weren’t marrying you, my sister-in-law would indeed have given me properties and lands. But because I’m marrying you, my dowry has been reduced. So I’ve made quite a sacrifice for this marriage."
Gu Honglian wouldn’t reveal how much dowry Tong Huaqiong had given.
Instead, she blamed Fan Tong for the reduction in dowry.
Fan Tong’s expression changed slightly.
He thought that Tong Huaqiong was indeed stingy, still holding a grudge over his past flirtation with Gu Taohua, leading to a reduced dowry for Gu Honglian.
Gu Honglian guessed Fan Tong’s thoughts and then said, "My sister-in-law is tough on the outside but soft on the inside. She’s not satisfied with our marriage now, but if she sees after we’re married that you treat me well, maybe she’ll change her mind."
"My sister-in-law runs a big business, so once she’s no longer upset, even a little bit from her would be enough for us to live comfortably."
Gu Honglian painted a rosy picture for Fan Tong.
Since Fan Tong valued the dowry and the resources from her sister-in-law and nephew, she used these to lure him.
Gu Honglian had learned a truth from Wu Na and Gu Ruinian: A woman couldn’t be without the support of her own family; with such a backing, her in-laws wouldn’t dare bully her.
If Wu Na’s father were still the village chief, she’d be revered in the Gu Family.
And so, as long as her sister-in-law and Gu Jingzhe remained strong, they were her family’s support.
So she would never complain about Tong Huaqiong or Gu Jingzhe to Fan Tong.
She wanted to dangle the illusionary support brought by her sister-in-law and Gu Jingzhe like a carrot in front of Fan Tong.
And as for that old hag, Mrs. Fan, who thought she wasn’t worthy of her son, Gu Honglian intended to keep a high profile and not let the old hag have any hold over her.
Fan Tong completely believed Gu Honglian’s words.
"Taohua, where did you come from?"
Gu Honglian saw Gu Taohua walking towards them.
Originally, Gu Taohua wanted to avoid them upon seeing Gu Honglian and Fan Tong together, but she thought, why should she? She hadn’t done anything wrong. If anyone should avoid them, it should be Fan Tong.
Gu Taohua casually replied, "Just came from Aunt Hong’s place."
Saying this, she walked up to Gu Honglian and smiled, "I haven’t had the chance to congratulate you, Aunt."
Gu Honglian said, "I really like the hairpin you gave me."
While talking to Gu Taohua, Gu Honglian discreetly observed her, feeling reassured when she saw no trace of Fan Tong in her eyes.
Gu Taohua said, "You two chat, I won’t disturb you."
She didn’t even glance at Fan Tong.
Fan Tong was feeling quite irritated by Gu Taohua’s addressing him as "uncle-in-law."
He had been so close to Gu Taohua once, but she had slipped away.
Fan Tong felt like he was having a string of bad luck. Who would’ve thought Tong Huaqiong would become so successful today? Otherwise, he would’ve proposed without hesitation back then, and there wouldn’t have been any chance for Gu Honglian.
If things had gone differently, as Tong Huaqiong’s son-in-law and Gu Jingzhe’s brother-in-law, he would’ve been able to walk around Pingchuan County with his head held high.
Fan Tong regretted it deeply.
Gu Honglian saw Fan Tong’s disappointment and sarcastically remarked, "Look at your eyes, they’re glued to Gu Taohua. Stop having wild dreams; being Gu Taohua’s uncle-in-law instead of her husband is your fate."
Fan Tong was taken aback.
Gu Honglian had already known about his feelings for Gu Taohua.
"Listen to what you’re saying. Gu Taohua might have had feelings for me in the past, but I never had any for her," Fan Tong quickly explained to Gu Honglian.
Seeing Fan Tong being so cautious, the frustration Gu Honglian felt recently from getting pressured by the Fan Family over the dowry dissipated completely.
However, she didn’t believe a word Fan Tong said.
Ever since Mrs. Fan visited, Gu Honglian’s cautious demeanor towards Fan Tong had faded, showing a more liberated attitude of someone in power.
After all, Fan Tong wouldn’t be able to cancel their engagement.
Seeing Gu Honglian’s sullen face and silence, Fan Tong panicked a little, trying to appease her: "I swear, you are all I think about now..."
Gu Honglian, who really liked Fan Tong, was coaxed back into a good mood after a while.
...
Soon, the day arrived for Gu Jingzhe and Lu Zhaozhao to set off for Shengjing.
This time they first took a boat, then a carriage to Shengjing.
The boat belonged to the Lu Family—it was safe and comfortable, which put Tong Huaqiong at ease.
They weren’t traveling alone this time.
Coincidentally, Magistrate Yao was also heading back to the capital with Lian Hengruo, so they journeyed together with Gu Jingzhe and Lu Zhaozhao.
Lian Hengruo was heavily pregnant, making Aunt Tang uneasy, so Magistrate Yao invited Aunt Tang to accompany them to the capital. With the magistrate’s son-in-law inviting her, Mr. Lian naturally couldn’t refuse.
Aunt Tang came specially to bid farewell to Tong Huaqiong, reassuring her that with Aunt Tang’s presence, the trip to Shengjing would be smooth and uneventful.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Hong also traveled with them.
This was Tong Huaqiong’s idea; Manager He had earned an award in Shengjing, and Mrs. Hong should go to see it.
Early in the morning, Tong Huaqiong, accompanied by Chen Sufen and others, saw off Gu Jingzhe and Lu Zhaozhao at the village entrance.
Lu Zhaozhao was reluctant to part with Tong Huaqiong and others, her eyes red from crying.
Mr. Gu and others also came to see them off, as their golden grandson was heading to Shengjing to bring honor to the family, so they had to come and see him off.
Other members of the clan also came.
The Clan Leader held Gu Jingzhe’s hand and advised him, with the main point being that he should always remember he was part of the Gu Family. No matter what, he should not forget the Gu Family, and after achieving success, he should help fellow family members, ensuring the family’s growth and prosperity.
Gu Jingzhe nonchalantly agreed.
The Clan Leader regretted deeply, realizing it was too late to fix relations with Tong Huaqiong now.
When Gu Jingzhe and Lu Zhaozhao went to Shengjing, part of the dowry went with them, while the rest remained piled up at Tong Huaqiong’s home.
The abundance of her daughter-in-law’s dowry gave her a bit of a headache.
In Yan Guan Town and the surrounding areas, everyone knew that Lu Zhaozhao’s dowry was so vast that it could last two lifetimes. Tong Huaqiong worried someone might get ideas and form a group to rob or steal it.
In these uncertain times, the chance of such an occurrence was a bit high.