"Isn't this Lord Shumulu? It's been a long time. It's not appropriate for him to send someone to our master as soon as we meet."
Tong Fujin, holding a riding whip, stood aggressively behind Tong Guozhu.
Tong Guozhu smiled smugly, turned around and hid behind Tong Fujin, not caring at all whether he was being unmanly.
The Shumulu clan is a prominent Manchu clan, with as many members as the eight major Manchu clans, but few of them are outstanding.
The old, square-faced man in front of me, who has lived a mediocre life for decades, is the same; he's just sponging off his ancestors' good deeds.
When Tong Fujin was young, she was such a spirited and capable woman. When she got angry, she could shoot wolves with a bow and arrow. She was not easy to get along with.
Shumulu's square face tensed up as he said, "Consort Tong is here too."
“Wherever my master is, I will naturally be there. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to witness Lord Shumulu’s extravagant spending. My wife and I have just returned to the capital today, and we still need to go back to our residence to make some arrangements. Tomorrow, I will accompany my master to visit Lord Shumulu’s residence and ask if Lady Shumulu knows about his generosity.”
Tong Fujin spoke so kindly, she was incredibly understanding.
Shumulu's eye twitched uncontrollably: "No need, no need. My wife has been unwell lately, so it's best if you don't come to visit. Your family is very popular in the capital now, so it's better not to associate with our family in such a lowly way. You two can continue your stroll, I suddenly have a headache and have to go home."
"You're spineless. Stay away from people like that in the future." Tong Fujin looked at Shumulu, who had turned and run away, and said with a sneer.
The direction he ran was clearly towards where the Drunken Flower Pavilion was located.
Tong Guozhu ingratiatingly handed the pastries in his hand to Tong Fujin: "These are freshly baked, warm pastries, your favorite. As for that old Fang, I've never associated with him. He even tried to frame me by saying I was related to the royal family, but I don't believe it. I will never hold my daughter back."
His doting fatherly behavior left Tong Fujin in a dilemma, unsure whether to speak or remain silent.
"Isn't he Shumulu? Why is he called Lao Fang?" Tong Fujin took the pastry, took a small bite, and found it to be just as delicious as she remembered.
Tong Guozhu grinned: "His face is as square as a half-split brick, that's how he got that nickname. Madam, let's go home."
Such a grown man, yet he had no temper in front of his wife. Tong Fujin nodded softly, allowing him to return to the carriage.
Tong Guozhu and his wife returned to Beijing today without telling anyone.
They all felt ashamed. They were all grown up and not only had they failed to support their children, but they had also kept dragging them down, turning a perfectly good family into such a mess. They were truly shameful.
Given Tong Qinian's filial nature, knowing that his parents were returning home, he would definitely take Tong Ruita to pick them up early in the morning.
Wherever the illustrious Lord Tong appeared, there were always a group of unmarried young ladies secretly watching him.
Tong Guozhu and his wife were unwilling to join in the fun and become the subject of gossip.
"Father, Mother, you two are finally back."
Tong Qinian and Tong Ruita stood at the side door, waiting for their father and mother without missing a beat.
Tong Guozhu stared wide-eyed at his two sons in disbelief.
"You knew your mother and I were coming back today?" Tong Guozhu was shocked.
How could he not know that his son was so capable!
Tong Qinian stared unblinkingly at Tong Fujin: "Mother, your son is unfilial and has caused you suffering."
When Tong Guozhu learned that Tong Fujin had been bewitched, he wrote a letter to Tong Qinian.
“You are the most filial, it’s your mother who’s dragging you down. Luckily you’re ambitious, otherwise this marriage would be hard to discuss. From now on, you and Princess Heshuo must get along well. She doesn’t care about our family’s mess and is willing to marry you, so you can’t mistreat her.” Tong Fujin used to have the ambition to establish her authority as a mother-in-law, but now she has none of that left.
Tong Qinian's nose stung with tears, and he said in a muffled voice, "I know, son. Jia Rong is a good girl, and I will treat her well. You must be tired from your long journey, let's go back to the house and rest."
"Sigh." Tong Fujin's eyes were also slightly red. She took her son's hand and walked into the mansion.
Tong Guozhu stood there, staring at Tong Ruita.
Both father and son were burly and looked quite unattractive facing each other.
“Your brother has forgotten about your father,” Tong Guozhu said.
“It’s been like this for so many years, haven’t you gotten used to it yet, Father?” Tong Ruita’s words were so hurtful.
Tong Guozhu kicked Tong Ruita in the leg, but Tong Ruita neither dodged nor avoided it.
"Did you go to Junggar and become stupid? Don't you know how to hide?" Tong Guozhu scolded, looking at the gray footprint left on Tong Ruita's trouser leg.
Tong Ruita looked at her father with understanding: "You're old. If I dodge, what if you miss and hurt your back? Anyway, with your strength, I wouldn't feel a thing."
Tong Guozhu, furious, glared and said, "I don't have a son like you."
“It’s recorded in the family tree, I am your son!” Tong Ruita said without flinching.
Talking to a son like that would make you so angry you'd be exasperated.
Tong Guozhu wisely changed the subject: "I didn't tell anyone I was coming back this time, how did you know?"
“It’s not hard to know. Brother, if you calculate the time, Mother’s illness is almost cured, and her wedding is imminent. You will definitely have to come back to take charge. Send someone to Shengjing to inquire about the carriage you hired, and you’ll know for sure,” Tong Ruita said.
Tong Guozhu hissed, "The eldest is so smart, he's really not like my son."
“Mother is also clever, but probably not like you,” Tong Ruita said with a simple smile.
This time, Tong Guozhu genuinely didn't want to say a single word to Tong Ruita.
The father and son went to the hall in silence. Tong Guozhu was expressionless, while Tong Ruita smiled innocently. The two looked strange yet harmonious together.
Consort Tong asked Tong Qinian what the Prince Su's residence had prepared so that she could respond accordingly.
The once quiet mansion suddenly became bustling with activity after Tong Guozhu and his wife returned.
Tong Fujin busied herself with the preparations for her son's marriage, striving for perfection in everything she did. Although she was physically exhausted, she was in high spirits.
The residence bestowed upon Tong Qinian by Emperor Kangxi has been renovated. After Tong Qinian asked where he wanted to live, he stopped lingering in the old residence and instead visited the new residence several times.
Because Princess Jiarong refused the bestowed title of Princess of the County by Emperor Kangxi, Tong Qinian's Viscount's Mansion occupies a vast area. Some courtyards that did not conform to the regulations were sealed off for the time being. In any case, he would have plenty of opportunities to rise in rank, and the seals could be lifted later. There would be no need to bestow another mansion, which would save the Ministry of Revenue a lot of money and save the Ministry of Works trouble.
The idea was actually proposed by Yinzhen, who went to the Ministry of Works. When Kangxi heard it, he was ashamed to have such a stingy son.
He never skimped on Yinzhen's food or drink, and even gave him all the private savings left by the Imperial Noble Consort. How could he have developed such a stingy and miserly personality?
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