Chapter 351: 358: Rich in Profound Meaning

“What do you think the mysterious gift is this time?” The contest had some time before it started, and Ye Xinxin, having watched the bustling scene for a while, became bored and spoke to Su Wenyue.

Su Wenyue shook her head, “I don’t know. Since it’s a mysterious gift, to keep the mystery, they probably won’t reveal it until the last moment.”

“That’s not necessarily true. I heard that this time’s mysterious gift is no ordinary item. A lot of people are here for it. They say it’s some kind of lamp, but I don’t know what’s so remarkable about it to attract so many people to compete for it.” Ye Xinxin clearly knew some insider information.

When Su Wenyue heard Ye Xinxin say this, something seemed to flash through her mind, but because it was too quick, she couldn’t remember it and was left in a daze, so she didn’t respond to Ye Xinxin’s words.

Seeing Su Wenyue like this, Ye Xinxin thought she didn’t believe it and added, “I’m telling the truth. The superior knows too. That lamp is called something with ‘Colorful Exquisite’ in its name. It seems to have quite a reputation.”

Shangguan Wuyou shook his head, having said it several times already. His wife only listened to him with half an ear and still hadn’t remembered.

“It’s the ‘Colorful Exquisite Lamp’ created by a craftsman named Lu Ban during the Warring States Period. It’s hailed as ‘The World’s Number One Lamp’. It is said to contain a hidden treasure that can bestow miraculous powers and immortality upon its possessor. However, this is only a legend. Many have studied it before and haven’t figured it out. Perhaps the treasure is just a legend after all. Of course, there are those who are determined to uncover its secrets. But the Colorful Exquisite Lamp disappeared during the previous dynasty, and only recently, rumors have circulated that it will appear at this Lantern Riddle Contest, as the mysterious gift.”

Shangguan Wuyou had no intention of hiding anything and shared all that he knew. Ordinary people were unaware of this information, but it had already spread among the upper circles and was no longer a secret.

Upon hearing the words ‘Colorful Exquisite Lamp’, Su Wenyue’s body shook, and she finally understood why something had felt off just now. Her gaze became vacant as she fell into reminiscence.

“Yes, the Colorful Exquisite Lamp. Who knows what sort of trinket it is to attract so many people after it. Husband, you must do your best to take first place. I want to see for myself what ‘The World’s Number One Lamp’ looks like,” said Ye Xinxin, so confident it was as if the first place was already in her pocket, perhaps too trusting in her husband’s abilities.

“Sister Yue, when the time comes, let’s study it together. Maybe we’ll really find some hidden treasure inside and achieve immortality together,” said Ye Xinxin jokingly, clearly not believing in any of the legends and just teasing around.

But Su Wenyue was lost in thought and didn’t hear Ye Xinxin’s words, staring blankly into space.

The first to notice something was off with Su Wenyue was Han Yu by her side. As soon as Shangguan Wuyou mentioned the ‘Colorful Exquisite Lamp’, Han Yu felt his wife’s body pause for that instant as if she remembered something, becoming lost in a trance, as if trapped in memories. This expression was familiar to him; it had appeared on his wife before, but this time it seemed slightly different. Han Yu couldn’t pinpoint how, just an intuition, an intuition about his wife.

After babbling for a while and noticing that Su Wenyue hadn’t said a word, Ye Xinxin paused and said, “Sister Yue, what’s wrong with you? Why are you ignoring me? I’m talking to you!”

“Sister Yue! Sister Yue! What are you thinking about?!” Ye Xinxin, seeing no response from Su Wenyue, raised her voice. This finally brought Su Wenyue back from her daydream.

Su Wenyue looked apologetically at Ye Xinxin, “I’m sorry, I was just reminded of something, and that’s why I was so distracted.”

“Sister Yue, you’re really something, getting lost in thought just like that. I can’t even with you.” Ye Xinxin, caring little for her image, rolled her eyes overtly and was warned by Shangguan Wuyou with a glare, which made her pay a bit more attention to her demeanor.

“Xinxin, what were you telling me? Right, you were talking about that ‘Colorful Exquisite Lamp,’ weren’t you?”

“Yeah, that ‘Colorful Exquisite Lamp’ is said to be extremely mystical. They even call it ‘The World’s Number One Lamp.’ I don’t know what ‘The World’s Number One Lamp’ looks like, and I really want to see it. So we must win this contest, and then we’ll study it together.”

“Sure, since ‘The World’s Number One Lamp’ has such fame, it must be extraordinary. I would also like to witness Lu Ban’s divine craftsmanship and see what mysteries lie within,” Su Wenyue spoke earnestly, unlike Ye Xinxin’s joking manner, seemingly genuinely interested in ‘The World’s Number One Lamp.’

“It seems our younger sister-in-law knows something. Have you heard about the Colorful Exquisite Lamp before?” Shangguan Wuyou had been observing Su Wenyue’s reactions since she behaved oddly and now looked at her with a gaze filled with deeper implications.

Surprised by Shangguan Wuyou’s comment, Su Wenyue was at a loss for what to say when Han Yu spoke up first, “Run Zhi is jesting. My wife grew up in the countryside, with limited exposure. How could she have heard of these things? She’s simply curious like everyone else.”

As Han Yu spoke, his eyes met Shangguan Wuyou’s, revealing a depth and purpose, clearly not wanting Shangguan Wuyou to focus his attention on his wife. For a moment, the atmosphere became somewhat tense.

“That’s right. I’m dying of curiosity about ‘The World’s Number One Lamp.’ Just the name alone makes me want to explore it,” said Ye Xinxin enthusiastically, seemingly oblivious to the undercurrents between Shangguan Wuyou and Han Yu. She chimed in lightheartedly, unintentionally or not, diffusing the previously tense and awkward atmosphere.

It was at this time that there was activity on the arena platform, announcing that the Lantern Riddle Contest was about to start. The atmosphere below surged anew, and the group stopped their discussion to focus on the platform. A line of women in red, robust attire escorted a slightly portly middle-aged man to the center of the arena, who announced the rules of the Lantern Riddle Contest. Then, with a clap of his hands, a group of black-clad guards flooded the platform, guarding every corner, followed by a line of women in red, robust attire carrying a Black Wooden Box in two rows, which they placed on a small pedestal that had been prepared ahead of time, surrounded by mechanisms.

Ever since the Black Wooden Box had been brought up, everyone’s gaze was fixed upon it.

“Do you think that could be the mysterious gift? Is the Colorful Exquisite Lamp, the one heralded as ‘The World’s Number One Lamp,’ inside the box?” Ye Xinxin stared at the wooden box, eyes unblinking, as if trying to see through the Black Wooden Box to discover something.