Chapter 359: 366: Small Carving Skills

It was as if by magic that the grey and dull old lantern had suddenly transformed into a dazzling, colorful exquisite lamp, truly living up to its name. This brilliance, different from the one that was stolen before, carried traces of antiquity and mystery. It had more depth and substance, giving off a different feeling altogether.

“So this really is the Colorful Exquisite Lamp. Sister Yue, how did you do it? It’s so magical; such an ugly lantern suddenly became so beautiful,” Ye Xinxin said with amazement, looking at the lamp in Su Wenyue’s hand. Still shaken by earlier lessons, she merely looked with curiosity and didn’t attempt to touch it.

Su Wenyue smiled. “Just a small trick. I once read about Lu Ban’s secret skills in a book, although it was just the basics. Since I thought the Colorful Exquisite Lamp was crafted by Lu Ban, I decided to give it a try, and it actually worked.”

Ye Xinxin believed her without a shred of doubt, thinking Su Wenyue to be very capable and knowledgeable about everything. Shangguan Wuyou was not as simple-minded as Ye Xinxin and did not fully believe Su Wenyue’s words. He thought there must be a more complex reason, but he didn’t delve into it. Su Wenyue’s willingness to share this matter with them, husband and wife, was also a form of trust.

“It’s not just that.” Su Wenyue fiddled with the lamp a little more, and the Colorful Exquisite Lamp changed into other colors and shapes, eliciting admiration from those present. Lu Ban’s unique skills were indeed well-deserved. Such a Flower Lantern could have so many variations.

“Though intriguing, just this wouldn’t warrant the title of The World’s Number One Lamp. I’m afraid there are other mysteries within,” Shangguan Wuyou mused.

Her gaze briefly flickering, Su Wenyue replied, “Perhaps. What I’ve learned is no more than the merest fraction. I can only achieve this much, and I can’t see any other mysteries within this lamp. Maybe you could give it a try?”

Without hesitation, Su Wenyue handed the Colorful Exquisite Lamp to Shangguan Wuyou. She wasn’t afraid that Shangguan Wuyou would discover anything, as she possessed Lu Ban’s secret skills and had coincidentally unlocked the lamp. Even if Shangguan Wuyou was more capable, he wouldn’t be able to do much in this domain, as so many skilled craftsmen before him had studied this lamp without unlocking its secrets; otherwise, she wouldn’t have had the opportunity to obtain what was inside it.

Shangguan Wuyou took the lamp from Su Wenyue unceremoniously and studied it closely. It took him quite a while to find all the small mechanisms Su Wenyue had used earlier. He made no further progress, and aside from adjusting those small mechanisms to change the lamp’s color and shape, he couldn’t find anything else, looking somewhat frustrated.

Seeing this, Su Wenyue simply sat quietly, neither urging him nor offering any reminders. She waited for Shangguan Wuyou to tire of his tinkering.

“How did it go? Did you find anything?” After watching Shangguan Wuyou for a while, Ye Xinxin couldn’t help but ask. Seeing him shake his head, she took the Colorful Exquisite Lamp from his hands.

“Isn’t it said that within the Colorful Exquisite Lamp lies an unparalleled secret treasure, and that whoever unravels it can gain immortality?” As Ye Xinxin pondered, holding the lamp in her hands, she remarked that she wasn’t really after the treasure or immortality. Anyone who heard the rumors and then held the Colorful Exquisite Lamp would surely be struck by similar curiosity.

“That’s just a legend, not to be taken as truth. How many legends have you seen come to life? However, so many people want this Colorful Exquisite Lamp; it must indeed be extraordinary for it to be so coveted. It’s a pity that I couldn’t see what it was,” Shangguan Wuyou responded and then turned to Han Yu and Su Wenyue, “Unless necessary, it’s best for you not to keep the Colorful Exquisite Lamp. It will surely bring you great trouble. Considering today’s events with those men in black, they don’t seem like ones who would let it go. And such people can only be raised by wealthy families. Opposing them now would be unwise.”

Shangguan Wuyou spoke sincerely, treating Han Yu as a friend and recognizing the unusual attitude Su Wenyue had toward the lamp. He feared Han Yu might act rashly and bring great trouble, thus clarifying his stance on the fate of the lamp.

Han Yu nodded, “Thank you, Brother Run Zhi, for the reminder. I will handle it appropriately, but since this lamp was won together, we cannot monopolize it.”

Shangguan Wuyou had high principles and did not covet the fabled treasure, also wary of trouble. He had no interest in the Colorful Exquisite Lamp and didn’t think it was worth getting involved over it.

Although Ye Xinxin seemed to like the Colorful Exquisite Lamp, she had seen better things and was mostly captivated by its novelty. Her insistence on winning the lamp was driven by curiosity rather than a desire to possess it. Considering it rightfully belonged to Su Wenyue, who won it back, she had no objections to Shangguan Wuyou’s decision.

Han Yu could not simply go with the flow and accept the lamp. It wasn’t his style, even if his wife liked it very much. They could have it in another way, at least so as not to take unfair advantage. After some discussion, Han Yu sent some items of equal value to Shangguan Wuyou, things that scholars favored, including an ancient painting and a precious inkstone, which were very much to Shangguan Wuyou’s liking.

“With the Colorful Exquisite Lamp in your possession, I’m afraid those people will not be content. I will leave most of the men I brought with you to follow your orders; be careful in your actions,” Shangguan Wuyou said, pleased with the gifts, extending this gesture out of the friendship he shared with Han Yu.

“Thank you, Brother Run Zhi. I won’t be shy in accepting your offer,” Han Yu acknowledged, really in need of manpower. Shangguan Wuyou, being the kind of person he was, offered help sincerely, and excessive politeness was unnecessary.

After seeing off Mr. and Mrs. Shangguan Wuyou, Han Yu summoned most of his own forces to stand guard discreetly, while also heavily strengthening his visible defense. Only then did he feel somewhat relieved, believing that there would be no disturbances tonight at least.

Su Wenyue, having seen Shangguan Wuyou and Ye Xinxin leave, couldn’t wait to find a safe and secluded spot, instructing her confidants to keep watch around her, and then she closed the door.

Han Yu, returning from seeing off Mr. and Mrs. Shangguan Wuyou, didn’t find Su Wenyue. After asking the servants, he learned she had taken the Colorful Exquisite Lamp to the study room. After a moment’s thought, he headed toward the study room.