Chapter 462: Chapter 430: Old Married Couple, Still Getting Jealous? (First Update)
Wen Wan was sitting inside, eating with her son, when she looked up and saw her husband standing in front of the red-painted railing, staring in a certain direction. She was somewhat curious, "Husband, what are you looking at?"
"Watching the people below solving riddles."
Song Wei didnât mention Master of Demolition, but smiled as he turned back to look at her, "Do you want that grand finale lantern?"
"I do." Wen Wan nodded, "But you got the last lantern last year. We should give others a chance. I wonât take it this year; just watching is fine."
Jinbao echoed his mother, "Just watching is fine."
Wen Wan glanced at her son, whose mouth was greasy from eating, and suddenly thought of something, shifting her gaze to Song Wei again, "Husband, you should go and get the lantern back."
Song Wei was puzzled, "Didnât you just say you didnât want it?"
Wen Wan lowered her voice, "I want to send it to Governor Mansion."
Su Qing wasnât back for the New Year, and Lin Xiaoyue hadnât left home for quite some time, probably feeling quite distressed.
Song Wei quickly understood Wen Wanâs intention. He took Jinbao downstairs, and in no time came back with the grand finale lantern.
Wen Wan heard the door push open and looked over, seeing Jinbao carrying a large bud-shaped lantern. The lantern wasnât lit, but the street outside was dazzlingly bright, enough for Wen Wan to see the bud lantern... very ordinary.
"Is this whatâs called the grand finale lantern?" Wen Wanâs face spelled "great disappointment."
"This lantern is amazing." Jinbao raised his little paw, "It blooms."
"Blooms?" Wen Wan looked at Song Wei.
Seeing the curiosity in his wifeâs eyes, Song Wei smiled, "Thereâs a mechanism in the base. When the lantern is not lit, it looks like a bud; when ignited, the petals gradually open outward, and once bloomed, it can be placed in water where it randomly changes color, followed by different shapes based on those colors."
Wen Wan took the flower lantern from Jinbao and examined it closely, "So, itâs not just a lotus shape?"
"Yes." Song Wei pointed to the small joints on the petals, "The petals are joined, not whole, and can move flexibly to form five or six different shapes with the mechanism in the base. Previously, the overseer at Lantern Tower demonstrated it himself; I saw shapes like lucky bags and treasure piles."
With Song Weiâs explanation, Wen Wan suddenly found this initially unimpressive lantern quite fascinating, "How ingenious! Who designed this?"
"I heard Lantern Tower spent a fortune to hire dozens of craftsmen just to create this lantern; perhaps someone among them understands mechanism arts."
Wen Wan remarked, "They spend a fortune every year to make the grand finale lantern, only to give it away for free at the end; Lantern Tower is indeed generous."
"Spending money to make a name, everyone gets what they need."
Wen Wan didnât argue, looking up at the sky, which had no moon but was illuminated by the cityâs splendid lights, making it hard to estimate the hour.
Coincidentally, the drum tower was chiming the time, and Wen Wan listened intently; it was 7:35 PM.
Even though there was no curfew tonight, Wen Wan feared going too late, as Lin Xiaoyue might have already retired. She said to Song Wei, "Husband, take Jinbao home first; Iâm going to sit at Governor Mansion for a bit, and Iâll return soon."
Song Wei was uneasy, "Iâll go with you."
"No need really." With Su Qing not there, Wen Wan considered it would be awkward for him, "Iâm just delivering a lantern; I wonât be long."
"Then wait a bit; when Wei Qian returns, Iâll have him personally escort you."
Wen Wan could hear his concern for her safety.
Even though she could foresee, he always stood from a husbandâs perspective, trying his best to protect her.
Listening to her husbandâs steady, quiet voice, Wen Wan couldnât help but smile, "Why so tense?"
As they spoke, Wei Qian had already returned with intelligence about the earlier drunkard.
Wen Wan generally wouldnât interfere in Song Weiâs official matters, and upon seeing the two talk quietly in the corridor, she tactfully stepped aside.
Wei Qian brought back the drunkardâs detailed address, which wasnât far from Song Mansion.
"I inquired with surrounding neighbors and learned the drunkard is surnamed Chu; he worked in the Ministry of Revenue over twenty years ago but was later dismissed for unknown reasons and has since been drowning in drink."
Upon hearing this, Song Wei was silent for a moment before instructing, "Have someone keep a close eye on him; nothing must go wrong. After tonight, Iâll visit him personally."
Then added, "Lady is going to Governor Mansion, make sure she is safe."
"Understood."
...
It was already late, Jinbao was sleepy, so Wen Wan didnât take him. She let him go with Song Wei and took the carriage herself to see Lin Xiaoyue.
Outside, the city was ablaze with fireworks and vibrant lanterns amidst a lively crowd, while inside Governor Mansion was quiet, with servants coming and going cautiously without making much noise.
The gatekeeper, familiar with Mrs. Song, hurried inside to report upon seeing Wen Wan without needing her to say anything.
Lin Xiaoyue was sitting on a bench in the gallery, staring blankly at the courtyard.
Jin Zhi came out to whisper that the young lady had been lulled to sleep.
Lin Xiaoyue just replied with a sound, without saying more.
Jin Zhi sighed; from New Yearâs Eve until today, she had tried to comfort her numerous times. Granny Qi had always been in this state.
As she pondered on how to console the mistress, a maid from the second gate approached, saying Mrs. Song was visiting.
Hearing Wen Wan was there, Lin Xiaoyueâs expression finally changed slightly and then seemed to remember it was Lantern Festival today; she asked, "Did she come alone?"
"Yes, just Mrs. Song herself."
"I understand." Lin Xiaoyue signaled Jin Zhi, "Go invite her in."
After a short while, Wen Wan appeared in Lin Xiaoyueâs room, "I asked to have a message delivered yesterday, inviting you to enjoy the lanterns tonight together, yet you didnât even reply. Itâs a big festival and youâve locked yourself in the room, who are you upset with?"
Lin Xiaoyue found an excuse, "Ah Nuan got sleepy early tonight, I couldnât leave her."
Realizing Lin Xiaoyue was lying, Wen Wan didnât expose her, pointing to the large lantern sheâd brought, "Itâs for you."
Lin Xiaoyue glanced at it, her expression somewhat inscrutable, "Is this the one you personally picked?"
"Won by solving riddles." Wen Wan said.
"Looks like you didnât answer many correctly this year." Lantern Towerâs pattern is the same every year: the riddles get harder towards the end, and the better the lanterns you win.
But the one Wen Wan brought didnât show any standout features.
"Who cares!" Wen Wan bent down and picked up the lantern, "Letâs go to your familyâs lakeside, light it up first."
Lin Xiaoyue didnât refuse, instructing someone to watch over Ah Nuan, and considering Wen Wan was pregnant, she didnât let her carry the lantern, instead letting the maids do it.
Noticing the cape draped over Wen Wanâs shoulders was one she had gifted, Lin Xiaoyue raised an eyebrow, "If you like it, I have several fashionable styles in my wardrobe; feel free to pick one later."
Wen Wan said no, thanks.
"Iâm just worried about your son." Lin Xiaoyue said.
"Rather than worrying about others, you should care more about yourself." Wen Wan gave her a sidelong glance, continuing forward.
The servants, informed Granny Qi was coming, had already lit up the lantern stands by the lakeside.
The Waterside Pavilion was equipped with fire pits, and upon entering, a wave of warmth hit them.
The two sat by the window, letting the servants go out and light the lantern.
Lin Xiaoyueâs attention wasnât initially on the lantern, but she was captivated just as it was lit.
The once ordinary-looking pink-white bud gradually bloomed, deepening to red when in water. The petals swiftly moved and reconfigured, soon turning into a red lucky bag with a large "fortune" character facing the duo. Shortly afterward, it transformed into a treasure pile and a big golden ingot...
Lin Xiaoyue was stunned, "How many riddles did you answer correctly to win this?"
"A hundred."
"Then it certainly wasnât you." Lin Xiaoyue, having been in the Capital for so many years and not missed Lantern Tower visits, knew each year the riddles were harder than the last, especially the final ones, which hadnât been solved for two years.
Wen Wan, though she studied miscellaneous subjects at Hongwen Academy, wasnât highly academic. Saying she had talent might be true to some extent, but solving Lantern Towerâs puzzles was unlikely.
Being exposed by her friend, Wen Wan showed no care, "Who cares who solved them, as long as it looks good?"
"True." Lin Xiaoyue nodded in agreement, "Looks like youâve put in quite some effort to please me!"
"If not for Ah Nuan, do you think Iâd really enjoy pleasing you?" Wen Wan wore a look of disgust, "Itâs a shame she slept early and didnât get to see it, but never mind. The lantern stays here with you; whenever you want to show her, you can."
Lin Xiaoyue suddenly asked, "Mr. Song won the grand finale lantern and gave it to me. Arenât you jealous?"
Wen Wan was a bit speechless, "Donât twist it; he gave it to me, which makes it mine. Iâm simply passing it on to you; it has nothing to do with him."
Besides, after being married and old together for so many years, why be jealous, isnât that immature?