The evil mother-in-law does not whitewash, she only abuses her children

"As the only scholar in our family, you are destined to pursue a career in government. Miss Su's brother is a lesson for us. You must understand that the path you are walking is not just for you, but for your whole family. If you are not careful, Taohua, Man'er and your two sisters-in-law will be affected. You and your two brothers were beheaded, leaving only a scar the size of a bowl, but we women will be left with a life or death situation."

Tong Huaqiong looked at Gu Jingzhe steadily.

Thinking back to when she first came here, Gu Jingzhe was as selfish as Gu Ruinian at that time. He just kept asking for money from his family with a sense of righteousness, and used the big pie that he bought with loans to hang on to Tong Dajiao, promising that he would be able to protect his entire family in the future if he became successful.

At that time, he never thought that the glory of his scientific expedition would be his own, but the risks would be borne by everyone.

So Tong Huaqiong took the opportunity to criticize her, especially since Miss Su was a living example and could be used as a lecture.

"Not everyone is as kind-hearted as me, your mother. I'm telling you a big truth. It's a blessing for Miss Su to meet me. But how many people are like Miss Su? How many people meet a boss like me? When you were in Wanliu Academy, I'm sure your teacher told you about the ups and downs of the court and the way to be an official, about treacherous ministers who couldn't distinguish right from wrong, and about loyal ministers who were upright and honest. But who would pay attention to the women behind them?"

"As a mother, I am willing to support your studies and see you enter the government, but you should also think more about things outside of books. What does each step you take represent? What kind of situation will it push you into? What kind of situation will it push me, Taohua and other female relatives into?"

Gu Taohua's forehead was covered with sweat. He didn't know what to say at this moment, as if everything he said would be very pale.

Indeed, at Wanliu Academy, he listened to the teacher's theories on governing the country, discussed current affairs with his classmates, scolded treacherous ministers who brought disaster to the country, and lamented over the loyal ministers who were exiled for speaking up for the people, but he never thought about the fate of the women behind them.

Gu Jingzhe just felt ashamed.

"Mother, I have heard your words. The path I am walking is not just for me alone, but for my whole family. So every step I take should not only consider myself, but also my family. I cannot let my family be implicated because of my impulsiveness or because I take the wrong path. Mother, I will walk carefully step by step."

Tong Huaqiong saw that Gu Jingzhe had listened, and sighed to him, "Miss Su is so innocent. She did nothing wrong, but she fell into slavery because of her brother. In her case, she can only wait for a general amnesty to restore her status as a good citizen. You learned the way of governing a country and serving the people in Wanliu Academy. You should think more about what is reasonable and what is unreasonable. Stick to what is reasonable, and change what is unreasonable with your own influence. Otherwise, why do you take the imperial examination and pursue a career in politics? You might as well go home and sell sweet potatoes."

Gu Jingzhe nodded.

Tong Huaqiong used Miss Su's broken down reasons to make him face the person behind him for the first time.

In the past, he understood why he studied for the imperial examination and pursued a career in government, which was for justice and to speak up for the people. But now he understands that there are people behind him, and that true justice and fairness is that the person involved gets what he deserves, rather than implicating the innocent.

Gu Jingzhe thought to himself that no matter how many books of sages he read, he always had to look up and see the circumstances of the people around him.

The experiences of people outside of the books of sages are far more inspiring than you think.

......

While Tong Huaqiong was lecturing Gu Jingzhe, the weaving workshop was recruiting female workers in an orderly manner.

Cotton-fluffing machines, spinning machines and looms were placed in front of Gu Xiaoxue and Song Qiaoniang, while Su Qing sat at the table. After registering with Su Qing, the female workers who applied for the job came to Gu Xiaoxue and Song Qiaoniang one by one and received on-site demonstrations based on the type of job they applied for or the type of job they were good at.

Those who performed well were looking forward to having their names appear on the list, while those who performed poorly looked frustrated.

Gu Xiaoxue and Song Qiaoniang stood aside steadily, observing the female workers who came to apply for the job very carefully. Those who were clumsy and tried to fish in troubled waters were ruthlessly eliminated. There were several wives who were on good terms with Song Qiaoniang and kept winking at her, but Song Qiaoniang remained unmoved and acted as if she was doing her job impartially.

Some of the wives took advantage of Gu Xiaoxue's tender skin and pulled her sleeves hoping to get some concessions. Gu Xiaoxue looked cold and said nothing before asking Su Qing to cross out their names.

Only then did everyone realize that Gu Xiaoxue and Song Qiaoniang were like the Black and White Impermanence in front of the King of Hell, showing no mercy at all.

Whether the female workers are from Qinghewan or from other villages, they are all treated equally.

Su Qing sat at the table with a pen and paper, writing and drawing, and casually chatting about family matters, such as asking the girl what time she usually gets up and whether her parents are willing to let her apply for a job, or asking how many people there are in her family and how she gets along with her parents-in-law...

Everyone was confused by Su Qing's question and had to answer honestly.

Su Qing had a smile on her lips, and while chatting, she could tell whether the other person was diligent or lazy, down-to-earth or cunning.

If it was the former, she would naturally keep it as a backup, but if it was the latter, she would cross out the name without hesitation.

A weaving workshop does not support lazy people, disloyal people, or cunning people.

The scene was bustling with not only female workers applying for jobs but also villagers coming to watch the fun.

"Gu Daqiao and Song Qiaoniang are really on the right track. If they follow Tong Dajiao, they will probably go from being poor in the village to being rich." Someone sighed with envy and jealousy.

Song Qiaoniang remained unmoved and continued to select people in a methodical manner.

Yes, people have been saying that she and Ohashi are having good luck recently.

Originally, because Daqiao was lame and could not do heavy work, her family relied on her to farm, and life was always difficult. The villagers were not all simple and honest, and many people took advantage of Gu Daqiao's lame leg to bully them openly or secretly.

Now they have won Tong Huaqiong's favor.

Aunt Tong was not shy about showing off her knowledge. Last time, she showed the improved cotton textile machine to Governor Yao who came to the village to inspect the farmland, and she pushed all the credit to Gu Daqiao. Governor Yao praised Gu Daqiao highly, saying that Gu Daqiao's craftsmanship was beneficial to both the country and the people. Anyway, he talked about a lot of lofty principles, which she didn't quite understand.

Word spread quickly, and everyone in the village knew that Gu Daqiao had assembled and improved the cotton textile machine, and had been praised by the government. The way they looked at Gu Daqiao changed.

Aunt Tong is right, you have to stand on your own feet.

She and Gu Daqiao were very popular in the village during this period.

Even though my home is usually deserted, some people now come to visit and make friends.

These days, everyone learned that Tong Huaqiong was going to open a weaving workshop, and waves of people came to her house wanting her and Daqiao to say good things to Tong Huaqiong so that their wives and mothers would come to the weaving workshop to work and earn money.

However, Song Qiaoniang and Gu Daqiao kept in mind that one should not lose their conscience. Tong Huaqiong helped them when they were in the most difficult times, so they could not use the weaving quota to please the villagers.

Tong Huaqiong always told the couple that they could only truly stand up if they could stand on their own feet. However, Gu Daqiao also had skills in the past, but he had no place to display them. Wasn't it only because of the platform provided by Tong Huaqiong that Gu Daqiao was able to display his skills?