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

Chapter 378 Lantern Viewing on the Fifteenth Day
Tong Huaqiong pulled Huang Jingshan's hand and looked her up and down. Then she turned to Lu Zhaoyang and said, "Come on, Zhaoyang, what a coincidence that we ran into Jingshan here. Didn't you say you wanted to win the riddles? Jingshan is good at solving riddles. Why don't you go with her to solve some riddles?"

Every year during the Lantern Festival in Yanguan Town, various vendors set up riddles, and the winners could choose any lantern to take home.

Both Huang Jingshan and Lu Zhaoyang blushed after hearing these words.

Master Huang's lips twitched. This Manager Tong was being too deliberate.

It was deliberately overdone.

Grandma Huang smiled broadly, her face beaming like a chrysanthemum. Look at Lu Zhaoyang's imposing presence; there's no one like him in Pingchuan County, or even the entire prefectural city.

Everyone in town knew that her granddaughter was engaged to the Lu family, but very few people had ever seen Lu Zhaoyang's true face.

Those who are jealous of the Huang family spread rumors about the Lu family's young master.

What is extremely ugly? What is so thin that it would fall over in the wind? What has a violent temper?
Grandma Huang was so angry that she wanted to go to each of their homes and give them a good scolding.

At this moment, Old Mrs. Huang wished that everyone in the town would stop admiring the lanterns and come to admire her grandson-in-law, Lu Zhaoyang.

"Manager Tong, I was just saying this on this freezing day. Zhaoyang is such a thoughtful boy. This big sweater I'm wearing is a New Year's gift from him. Wearing it has even cured my rheumatism."

Grandma Huang's voice was even louder than Tong Huaqiong's.

She patted her extravagantly large sweater.

Master Huang thought to himself, "No wonder my mother insisted on wearing this outfit; she's here to show off."

"Since we've met Zhaoyang here, Jingshan, why don't you accompany him to guess the riddles? Zhaoyang is the most talented scholar in Wanliu Academy, so guessing riddles will be a piece of cake for him." Before Tong Huaqiong could even offer a compliment to Old Madam Huang, Master Huang said loudly, as if showing off.

Sure enough, passersby were drawn to the sight of the brilliant scholar from Wanliu Academy looking up.

Before the Lunar New Year, news of the explosion in Yanguan Town was about Huang Jingshan and the Lian family of Pingchuan County breaking off their engagement and the engagement of the young master of the Lu family, a royal merchant family in the prefectural city. Everyone was curious about the young master of the Lu family, the genius of Wanliu Academy. Now, upon hearing the name of Lu Zhaoyang, they couldn't help but stop and look at him.

More and more people gathered on the bridge.

Traffic is getting congested.

Tong Huaqiong nudged Lu Zhaoyang and said, "Zhaoyang, you are a genius, and Jingshan is a talented woman from our Yanguan Town. Why don't you go quickly? If you work together, you will surely win the riddle-guessing competition."

Tong Huaqiong did this so that everyone would know which one was Lu Zhaoyang and avoid mistaking him for someone else.

After all, Gu Jingzhe and Su Chengmin were also there, and in terms of appearance, they were among the top-tier beauties in Yanguan Town.

Lu Zhaoyang blushed with embarrassment after being teased by Old Madam Huang, Master Huang, and Tong Huaqiong.

"Oh, the man standing next to Manager Tong is Young Master Lu."

"Who said that the young master of the Lu family is extremely ugly? I think the person who said that is blind, no, jealous. Isn't he obviously as handsome as Pan An? Tsk tsk tsk, he's really good-looking."

"No wonder the Huang family was so arrogant during the entire Spring Festival. If I had a son-in-law like that, I would be arrogant too."

"He doesn't look weak either, he's just a bit thin and pale. He looks much healthier than the young master of the Lian family, and he's definitely someone who can have a son."

The crowd stared at Lu Zhaoyang and began to whisper amongst themselves.

The people of Yanguan Town were more unrestrained than those in the prefectural city. Lu Zhaoyang was quite at a loss when he heard the blatant comments about him, especially about being able to have a son.

Huang Jingshan turned her head away in embarrassment.

The happiest person was Grandma Huang, who finally cleared up the rumors for her grandson-in-law.

The whole town will be talking about her granddaughter's husband tomorrow; he's a handsome and talented man, and her granddaughter has found a perfect husband.

"Come on, don't just stand there blocking the way, move forward. The lights ahead are nice, and the riddles are up ahead too." Seeing that the people were stuck and couldn't move, Tong Huaqiong urged them on.

So everyone walked forward together in a large group.

Tong Huaqiong walked with Man'er and several other children, along with Old Mrs. Huang.

Lu Zhaoyang and Huang Jingshan walked in front. Behind them followed Gu Taohua, Lu Zhaozhao, and Gu Jingzhe. Su Chengmin walked beside Gu Taohua, his eyes fixed on Xiaolong.

"Grandma, the lanterns over there are beautiful, I want to go see them," Man'er said.

Xiao Long also insisted on going.

Tong Huaqiong said, "We can't go, there are people taking pictures of us."

In this era without surveillance, the Lantern Festival was a time of massive crowds, with almost all the children in Yanguan Town coming out. Kidnappers would surely be hiding in the crowd, taking advantage of the festival to kidnap people.

It is said that every year after the Lantern Festival, children go missing in various villages.

All the children in my family are dressed up neatly, and such children are the most attractive to kidnappers.

"Laifu, keep a close eye on these kids," Tong Huaqiong instructed Su Chengmin.

There was no other way; she had four children with her.

While she and Grandma Huang were admiring the lanterns and chatting, it distracted her from watching the children.

Liu Yue'e had already disappeared into the crowd and was nowhere to be found.

Gu Taohua was only focused on admiring the lanterns.

Gu Jingzhe, who is usually cautious, had all his attention on Lu Zhaozhao and had no time to care about the children.

Therefore, after considering all the options, only Su Chengmin is suitable to take care of the child.

Su Chengmin said, "Don't worry, Aunt Tong."

He would take good care of the child even without Tong Huaqiong reminding him.

Especially Xiaolong, if anything were to happen to him, who could bear the consequences?

Cross the bridge and arrive at the most bustling street in Yanguan Town.

Lanterns hung from the trees and eaves on both sides of the street.

Each lamp is uniquely shaped, some resembling people, animals, or flowers.
Tong Huaqiong was dazzled and couldn't help but marvel at the exquisite craftsmanship of the ancients.

The streets were teeming with people, just like the bustling temple fair that Tong Huaqiong attended in later generations.

"Look ahead." Old Mrs. Huang nudged Tong Huaqiong and looked at Lu Zhaoyang and Huang Jingshan ahead with a smile.

Tong Huaqiong looked up and saw Huang Jingshan walking in front, followed by Lu Zhaoyang. Soon, Lu Zhaoyang caught up with her.

Huang Jingshan's height was the most disliked feature by the man when they were getting engaged. Standing next to Lu Zhaoyang, who also has a tall and slender figure, they looked very outstanding and well-matched from behind.

“The two are a perfect match,” Tong Huaqiong said.

Grandma Huang's eyes lit up, looking like she was completely obsessed with shipping this couple.

Tong Huaqiong's gaze swept over another familiar couple.

As Gu Taohua walked, she let go of Lu Zhaozhao's hand and disappeared into the crowd, leaving Lu Zhaozhao alone. Pedestrians kept passing by her, and just as someone was about to bump into her, her eldest son, Gu Jingzhe, stepped in front of Lu Zhaozhao.

The two smiled at each other and walked forward side by side.

When they arrived at the lantern riddle area, Lu Zhaozhao pointed to the lanterns above her head. Gu Jingzhe muttered something, and Lu Zhaozhao laughed, and Gu Jingzhe laughed too.

"Manager Tong, look how much the Lu family's daughter and your youngest son resemble a painting," said Old Mrs. Huang.

Under the dazzling lights, a handsome young man and a beautiful young woman looked up at the lanterns together, truly the most beautiful scene in Yanguan Town.

If it weren't for the terrible things Gu Jingzhe did to Lu Zhaozhao in his previous life, Tong Huaqiong would also be willing to ship this couple.