The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity-Chapter 462 - 430: Old Married Couple, Still Getting Jealous? (First Update)

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 didn’t 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 won’t 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, "Didn’t you just say you didn’t want it?"

Wen Wan lowered her voice, "I want to send it to Governor Mansion."

Su Qing wasn’t back for the New Year, and Lin Xiaoyue hadn’t left home for quite some time, probably feeling quite distressed.

Song Wei quickly understood Wen Wan’s 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 wasn’t lit, but the street outside was dazzlingly bright, enough for Wen Wan to see the bud lantern... very ordinary.

"Is this what’s called the grand finale lantern?" Wen Wan’s 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 wife’s eyes, Song Wei smiled, "There’s 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, it’s 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 Wei’s 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 didn’t argue, looking up at the sky, which had no moon but was illuminated by the city’s 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; I’m going to sit at Governor Mansion for a bit, and I’ll return soon."

Song Wei was uneasy, "I’ll go with you."

"No need really." With Su Qing not there, Wen Wan considered it would be awkward for him, "I’m just delivering a lantern; I won’t be long."

"Then wait a bit; when Wei Qian returns, I’ll have him personally escort you."

Wen Wan could hear his concern for her safety.

Even though she could foresee, he always stood from a husband’s perspective, trying his best to protect her.

Listening to her husband’s steady, quiet voice, Wen Wan couldn’t help but smile, "Why so tense?"

As they spoke, Wei Qian had already returned with intelligence about the earlier drunkard.

Wen Wan generally wouldn’t interfere in Song Wei’s official matters, and upon seeing the two talk quietly in the corridor, she tactfully stepped aside.

Wei Qian brought back the drunkard’s detailed address, which wasn’t 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, I’ll 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 didn’t 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 Year’s 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 Xiaoyue’s 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 Xiaoyue’s room, "I asked to have a message delivered yesterday, inviting you to enjoy the lanterns tonight together, yet you didn’t even reply. It’s a big festival and you’ve locked yourself in the room, who are you upset with?"

Lin Xiaoyue found an excuse, "Ah Nuan got sleepy early tonight, I couldn’t leave her."

Realizing Lin Xiaoyue was lying, Wen Wan didn’t expose her, pointing to the large lantern she’d brought, "It’s 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 didn’t answer many correctly this year." Lantern Tower’s 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 didn’t show any standout features.

"Who cares!" Wen Wan bent down and picked up the lantern, "Let’s go to your family’s lakeside, light it up first."

Lin Xiaoyue didn’t refuse, instructing someone to watch over Ah Nuan, and considering Wen Wan was pregnant, she didn’t let her carry the lantern, instead letting the maids do it.

Noticing the cape draped over Wen Wan’s 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.

"I’m 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 Xiaoyue’s attention wasn’t 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." 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

"Then it certainly wasn’t 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 hadn’t been solved for two years.

Wen Wan, though she studied miscellaneous subjects at Hongwen Academy, wasn’t highly academic. Saying she had talent might be true to some extent, but solving Lantern Tower’s 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 you’ve put in quite some effort to please me!"

"If not for Ah Nuan, do you think I’d really enjoy pleasing you?" Wen Wan wore a look of disgust, "It’s a shame she slept early and didn’t 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. Aren’t you jealous?"

Wen Wan was a bit speechless, "Don’t twist it; he gave it to me, which makes it mine. I’m 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, isn’t that immature?