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

Not only Gu Dahan wanted to know, Tong Huaqiong also wanted to know about Nie Mingyuan's situation.

In his previous life, Nie Mingyuan died when he returned home in glory after passing the imperial examination.

The cause of death is unknown.

If things had continued as they had in his previous life, Nie Mingyuan wouldn't have lived for more than a few months.

Gu Baishuang sighed and said, "I vomited blood again during the New Year's Eve dinner. Xiaofeng asked the mighty general to help me get a doctor to see me. I don't know if I can get better after the spring. I've been so worried these past few days that I haven't been able to sleep or eat well."

In other words, Nie Mingyuan's condition is quite serious.

Tong Huaqiong observed Gu Baishuang. She looked very healthy and didn't look anxious at all.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Tong Huaqiong was worried about Gu Baishuang, so she sent Su Qing with two maids to visit her in the name of delivering medicinal herbs to Nie Mingyuan.

Thus we know the reason why Nie Mingyuan vomited blood at the New Year’s Eve dinner table.

He wanted Gu Baishuang to give up some of the business for the sake of his two sons, but was rejected by Gu Baishuang. Nie Mingyuan then used moral blackmail on Nie Xiaofeng, hoping that Nie Xiaofeng could persuade Gu Baishuang, and used his own death to blackmail Nie Xiaofeng, but was also rejected by Nie Xiaofeng.

Nie Mingyuan was mentally prepared for Gu Baishuang's ruthlessness, but he didn't expect Nie Xiaofeng to be so ruthless as well. Nie Mingyuan was so angry that he vomited blood on the spot.

"My brother-in-law looked in good health before. He was full of energy when he came to Qinghewan to pay New Year's greetings last year. How come his condition is so serious?" Chen Sufen asked.

Gu Baishuang said, "At first, I thought it was caused by his busy business trips. Later, when the imperial physician came to examine him, I found out that it was caused by his eldest son's illness. On the way to Shengjing, his eldest son fell into the water while on a boat, and he jumped into the water to save him. He was frozen in the icy river for so long in such cold weather, and he didn't receive proper treatment on the way, so the illness broke out when he arrived in Shengjing."

There was an invisible coldness in Gu Baishuang's eyes.

Although they both have a son, Nie Mingyuan cannot do this for Nie Xiaofeng.

Tong Huaqiong sighed in her heart that Nie Mingyuan was willing to sacrifice his life for his two original wives' sons.

It has to be said that human hearts are complicated. Nie Mingyuan, the vicious man in Gu Baishuang and Nie Xiaofeng's lives, gave all his tenderness and fatherly love to his two sons.

Even though he was vomiting blood, he still dragged his sick body to ask Gu Baishuang for things for his two sons.

Gu Baishuang had no good expectations for Nie Mingyuan's condition.

The reason why she went to the Min family with such fanfare to ask for the imperial physician was, firstly, for Nie Xiaofeng's reputation. If Nie Mingyuan died shortly after arriving in Shengjing, his two stepsons would make a big fuss about it, and with someone as a witness, Nie Xiaofeng's reputation would not be easily shaken. Secondly, she wanted to keep Nie Mingyuan alive as much as possible. If he died at this time, Nie Xiaofeng would have to observe mourning, which would somewhat affect his future.

Of course, Gu Baishuang would not say this out loud.

As a son, Nie Xiaofeng has not yet witnessed Nie Mingyuan's cruelty. From his point of view, Nie Mingyuan's favoritism towards his two brothers makes him feel heartbroken, but not to the point that he wants Nie Mingyuan to die.

Even the filial piety in this world would not make Nie Xiaofeng think of ignoring Nie Mingyuan.

"Your two stepsons and their wives are not really honest. They just have to bow to you in Shengjing. You can't let your guard down against them." Tong Huaqiong avoided Nie Xiaofeng and instructed Gu Baishuang.

She always felt that there was something strange about Nie Mingyuan's death in her previous life.

I'm always afraid that this stepdaughter will be implicated.

Gu Baishuang said, "They have no money and no connections. Without Nie Mingyuan, they are useless and can't make any waves. After the first month of the lunar year, they will move out and fend for themselves."

Tong Huaqiong knew that Gu Baishuang had a plan in mind, so she didn't give him any more instructions.

"Why are my aunt and uncle here?"

Gu Baishuang saw that Gu Honglian and Fan Tong changed the subject.

Gu Honglian and Gu Baishuang were extremely excited to meet each other.

This eldest niece has always been very kind to her and sometimes treats her like a younger sister.

Gu Honglian said to Gu Baishuang, "My hometown is boring. My mother-in-law and sister-in-law are always finding fault with me. Your uncle-in-law and I came to Shengjing to make a living so that we don't have to suffer in the Fan family."

Fan Tong felt a pang in his heart. Gu Honglian didn't care about the occasion when she started to expose the family's dirty laundry and didn't give him any face at all.

Gu Baishuang said, "There are many opportunities in Shengjing. My uncle-in-law is a scholar, so it's easier for him than for ordinary people. As long as he can humble himself and endure hardships, he will definitely live a good life."

Gu Baishuang herself didn't believe this.

She knew very well what kind of person Fan Tong was, she was just saying it casually.

Gu Honglian said to Fan Tong, "Did you hear that? Bai Shuang has already said so. After the first month of the lunar year, you should go out and look for an opportunity."

Fan Tong's eyelids twitched.

Gu Honglian saw Nie Xiaofeng sitting beside her. He had become more and more mighty and upright after being tempered in the army, and he truly looked like a young general.

"Xiaofeng, I heard at home that you have a great future. Now I see that you are indeed extraordinary. I heard that you have earned your own way to own a general's mansion. When can you invite me to visit you?" Gu Honglian said to Nie Xiaofeng.

As Gu Honglian was Nie Xiaofeng's elder, Nie Xiaofeng still respected her and said, "Little aunt, you can come visit us anytime."

Gu Honglian said with surprise: "Really?"

I started thinking that if I couldn't find a place to live after moving out of Tong Huaqiong's place in the spring, I could live with Nie Xiaofeng.

Gu Baishuang has always been nice to her and will definitely not object.

"Xiaofeng invited you to be his guest, right?" Gu Baishuang smiled and looked at Gu Honglian, then changed the subject and said, "You came to Shengjing, you must want to live here for a long time. Have you found a place to live? If not, I can ask someone to help you find one later. Or if you like a place, I can ask the housekeeper to help you bargain for a price."

Gu Honglian: “…”

Before she could even ask for shelter, Gu Baishuang pushed her out.

"Uncle-in-law, do you have any plans for the new year?" Gu Baishuang turned to ask Fan Tong.

Fan Tong's face showed embarrassment. He tried hard to maintain the dignity of a scholar. He coughed and said, "I plan to find a job and earn money while studying. Studying for the imperial examination is the real thing."

Nie Xiaofeng sneered.

He really couldn't help it. As the best scholar in Yanguan Town, Fan Tong looked down on others and often made bold statements to poor students like Nie Xiaofeng, saying that only by getting married and becoming a prime minister could one live a worthy life. However, he failed the provincial examinations several times.

Fan Tong looked at Nie Xiaofeng unhappily.

Nie Xiaofeng was just lucky, but he became a deputy general because he killed a few more people on the battlefield.

What is there for a military general to be proud of? His life or death is still decided by a few words from civil officials.

"Why, am I wrong?" Fan Tong said to Nie Xiaofeng, "You are now a deputy general. You should read more books to better command troops in battle. After all, you can't rely on luck every time on the battlefield."

Even though Nie Xiaofeng is already a deputy general, in Fan Tong's heart he is still a low-class junior fellow student.

As a senior, he can start the teaching mode at any time.

What's more, he has now been promoted from senior brother to uncle-in-law, so he can give him a lecture.

Nie Xiaofeng became excited after hearing this. He was really lucky to be able to shoot and kill the Mobei commander by luck.

Nie Xiaofeng said, "Studying for the imperial examination is indeed a serious matter, but one must be able to pass. I believe my uncle passed the provincial examination last year?"

Fan Tong was hurt and said unwillingly, "Last year I had diarrhea and it affected my performance."

Nie Xiaofeng chuckled and said, "The first time was a fever, the second time was because the carriage broke down and he was late, and the third time was diarrhea. Why is my uncle so unlucky in exams?"

Fan Tong was quite angry and embarrassed when his past was exposed.

It would be fine if Gu Jingzhe looked down on him, after all, Gu Jingzhe was the top scorer in the provincial examination, and Nie Xiaofeng didn't even get the title of Tongsheng, so why would he mock him?