Chapter 352: Chapter 359: Somewhat Absurd
“Perhaps, with such arrangements, the item inside does not seem to be simple, but it could also be a deliberate distraction.” Su Wenyue mused.

“Who cares? As long as Shangguan wins first place, won’t we know everything then?” Ye Xinxin said this with utter confidence, and after speaking, she looked toward Shangguan Wuyou, her eyebrows raised in a way that seemed provocative no matter how one looked at it.

“Husband, don’t you always boast about your literary talents? Showing off in front of me is useless. The critical moment to perform is now. Do your best, you must win first place for me. Otherwise, we’ll lose all face.” Ye Xinxin’s words were truly harsh, she did not mince words even to her own husband.

Shangguan Wuyou felt somewhat sweaty. He never claimed to be prominently learned; usually, he was just teasing his daughter-in-law for fun. In front of others, he was very modest. Hearing these words, although he had a small literary talent, there were always people better than him. If it were any other time, it would be okay, but this Lantern Riddle Contest was extraordinary, and many people were aiming for the colorful exquisite lamp, bringing in riddle experts.

“Xinxin, don’t speak nonsense. There are always people better than others, and there are many more learned than your husband. Aren’t you afraid that such big talk will make people laugh?”

“Shangguan Wuyou, you are such a coward, giving up at a crucial time like this. Don’t let me look down on you. I’ve believed in you so much, are you even a man?!” Ye Xinxin blurted out unrestrainedly, too excited and curious about the colorful exquisite lamp, she didn’t filter her words and failed to see that Shangguan Wuyou’s face was growing dark.

Having grown up together as childhood sweethearts, and being his wife, Shangguan Wuyou knew Ye Xinxin’s temperament better than anyone. Her sharp tongue was refreshing when used against an enemy, but turned against him, it was absolutely maddening.

Su Wenyue looked at Shangguan Wuyou sympathetically. When Ye Xinxin’s tongue turned bitter like that, not everyone could endure it. The words were too demoralizing. She should be thankful that Ye Xinxin had a good impression of her. Hence, she always acted like a cute younger sister next door and didn’t use her venomous tongue against her.

Han Yu watched from the sidelines with little expression, but inside he felt relieved. Thankfully, his daughter-in-law was not like that. Although she could be a bit capricious at times, she was typically sensible and virtuous, especially in front of others, providing him great face. Her petulance was reserved for their private moments. Otherwise, if she were like Ye Xinxin, he would end up internally frustrated every day.

Shangguan Wuyou didn’t miss the sympathetic looks from the couple, but the daughter-in-law was someone he willingly married, and someone he had watched grow up. Aside from her rather sharp tongue, in fact, they had similar temperaments in some aspects, so he just had to endure it. However, he still needed to give a warning.

Ye Xinxin also realized she had gone too far. After all, a husband deserved some respect, especially seeing her husband looking somewhat displeased, her tone softened, “Husband, dear, please help me. I really want to see what the world’s best colorful exquisite lamp looks like.”

In the end, Shangguan Wuyou still adored his daughter-in-law and nodded to indicate he would try his best.

Su Wenyue saw the interaction between the couple and thought back to the events of her previous life. There had been a Lantern Riddle Contest then too, but she had not participated. She did not know if Shangguan Wuyou had taken part, but the colorful exquisite lamp ultimately ended up in Sikong Ling’s hands.

Han Yu saw his daughter-in-law staring unwaveringly at the black wooden box on the stage and knew she also wanted to win the colorful exquisite lamp. He was inclined to indulge her, but regretted that his limited knowledge would not help him here. In his daily readings, he did not cover such topics. He could compare in martial combat or strategizing, but guessing lantern riddles was out of his league.

Perhaps he could think of another way to get the colorful exquisite lamp, but Han Yu soon realized it would not be easy. It would be one thing if it were just a flower lantern, but the colorful exquisite lamp had indeed attracted numerous top powers vying for it, regardless of whether it possessed the rumored mysterious powers.

“Daughter-in-law, I’m a simple man and this kind of cultured event is really not my forte. I may not win the colorful exquisite lamp, but if you like flower lanterns, I’ll buy you a beautiful one later.”

Su Wenyue was seriously observing the situation on the stage when Han Yu made this remark. She, of course, was happy to be valued by her man, and smiled as she nodded.

Many had come to participate in the Lantern Riddle Contest, so the elimination system was in place. After several rounds of guessing riddles, twenty pairs remained, and twelve more needed to be eliminated before only eight pairs could step into the arena. That was when the real competition would start, and it would be the most exciting part.

With Shangguan Wuyou in their group, Su Wenyue’s team entered smoothly, without any obstacles, as the second group onto the arena.

The first to enter was an obscure old man who kept to himself. A group could have up to four members, yet this old man was alone, without any assistance, which spoke volumes of his confidence.

The third to enter were the Four Great Talents from Yiyang Prefecture. The Four Great Talents were famous not just in Yiyang but also throughout the entire Daming Dynasty. They were not just fishing for compliments but possessed genuine knowledge and would not be invited by Sikong Ling’s people otherwise.

The groups that gradually came up were mostly invited by various forces, all intent on claiming the colorful exquisite lamp. This Flower Lantern Contest was extraordinarily fierce and lively, with undercurrents churning beneath the surface.

Su Wenyue and Han Yu followed Mr. and Mrs. Shangguan onto the arena. As soon as Su Wenyue stepped onto the arena, she felt something was amiss. Although she tried to conceal her discomfort, she couldn’t help but glance a few times at an inconspicuous wooden box next to the black wooden box that seemed to be filled with sundry items.

Han Yu hadn’t noticed at first, since most of his attention was focused on staying alert and guarded. But since his wife’s behavior was so unusual and her gaze kept darting to that old wooden box, others might have not noticed thinking his wife was focusing on the black wooden box. However, Han Yu was right beside Su Wenyue and could see clearly that what his wife was really interested in was not the highly regarded black wooden box, but the inconspicuous old wooden box beside it.

“Daughter-in-law, is there something amiss with that wooden box?” Han Yu trusted that his wife would not act so out of the ordinary without reason, so he whispered into Su Wenyue’s ear, ready to be on guard if there was something amiss.

Su Wenyue shook her head, unsure of what to say. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to tell Han Yu, but she didn’t know how. Even she doubted whether she was just hallucinating. When she was below the arena, she hadn’t noticed anything, but once she climbed onto the arena, perhaps due to the proximity, she felt as if a mysterious force from the broken wooden box was drawing her in, a sensation that even she found absurd and unbelievable.