Chapter 349 - Chapter 349: Chapter 356: Mysterious Gift

Chapter 349: Chapter 356: Mysterious Gift

For Su Wenyue, earning money was of utmost importance. She delegated the task of finding a store to her big brother and began to sketch out the design blueprints for the store. She meticulously prepared for the specific tasks at hand, ensuring everything was ready so that once the store was purchased, they could follow the plan step by step without any delay.

The main products Su Wenyue planned to sell in her store were food and her family’s home-made pickles. She even set up a special counter for their exclusive secret chilled dishes and desserts. With her unique culinary skills and talent, it would be a waste not to utilize them.

The decoration was set to be quite luxurious. Since it was a place where wealthy people would shop, it naturally couldn’t look shabby. The more upscale it appeared, the better. This included the packaging for vegetables and all sorts of items, which she designed herself. It wasn’t difficult for her; Su Wenyue had previously used high-end packaging for gifts, which was both elegant and grand. In this regard, she referred to Noble Consort Li’s similarly-themed shop—taking the good elements and discarding the bad.

Han Yu was aware that Su Wenyue wanted to open a shop and was a bit worried that she might overextend herself: “Daughter-in-law, let me take care of the household. You’re looking after the child and managing the home; can your body handle this? Don’t wear yourself out.”

“Don’t worry, Husband. Opening the shop is just busy at the start. Once we get through the initial phase, we’ll have a set of rules in place. I’ll assign someone reliable to manage it, and it won’t require too much effort. It won’t be tiring.”

Han Yu was always open-minded in this regard and didn’t think it was bad for his daughter-in-law to open a shop. Since other ladies also had their own private properties, as long as it didn’t wear her out, whatever made his daughter-in-law happy was fine by him.

“Alright, just be mindful and take care of yourself first and foremost. As long as it doesn’t tire you, it’s fine. If you need any help, just let me know.”

Su Wenyue nodded and recounted the incident with Madam Sun and her daughter to Han Yu.

“Husband, Madam Sun and her daughter are truly arrogant. I managed to silence them with a few words, but I’m afraid they hold a grudge. Lord Sun hasn’t caused any more trouble for you at the military camp, has he?” Although Su Wenyue framed it as a question, her tone was certain.

“Don’t worry about it. Although Lord Sun keeps pulling his petty tricks, your husband isn’t easy to mess with. I won’t suffer a loss. Daughter-in-law, if you encounter Madam Sun and her daughter again, just handle them as you did today. Well done. We’ve long had a feud with the Sun Family, and with their petty nature, making concessions is useless. If they give you a hard time, fight back.”

“Mhm, okay. I was actually worried my treatment of Madam Sun and her daughter might trouble you. But since you’ve said this, I feel at ease. From now on, I’ll deal with Madam Sun and her daughter more freely.”

Han Yu then inquired about Su Wenyue’s shop: “Since the shop Madam Sun and her daughter purchased was the one you were interested in, it’s likely hard to find a suitable one for the time being. Should I ask around for you?”

“That would be good. I was originally leaving it to my big brother, but having more people helping is a plus. If we can purchase the store sooner, I can start work earlier. Otherwise, by the time the vegetables and fruits from the farm are ready…” Su Wenyue was initially hesitant to trouble Han Yu, as he was often busy, but since he offered, she didn’t hold back in her response.

The Lantern Festival was especially lively in the prefecture city, and the best part was the evening’s flower lanterns. Ye Xinxin had sent someone early to invite Su Wenyue to enjoy the lanterns with her that evening.

Su Wenyue had only ever attended the Lantern Festival in the County before, which was already bustling with excitement. Knowing that the prefecture city’s festival would be even livelier, she had been looking forward to it and readily agreed. She asked Han Yu to accompany her, and he readily assented.

Su Wenyue left home early in the evening and met up with Han Yu at the restaurant they had agreed to wait at for Ye Xinxin. Soon enough, Ye Xinxin and Shangguan Wuyou arrived together.

Ye Xinxin was visibly excited, immediately taking hold of Su Wenyue’s hand, “Sister Yue, this year’s Lantern Festival is so lively, even more than before. In the center of the street, they’ve set up an arena for a lantern riddle competition, and the first prize is a mysterious gift. Let’s hurry over, or we won’t get a good spot. And my husband, he’s the best at lantern riddles—he might even win that mysterious gift for us.”

Shangguan Wuyou looked at his overly enthusiastic wife somewhat helplessly. It was good that she had confidence in him, but such blind assurance put him under a lot of pressure.

“Xinxin, remember that there are always more talented people out there, and my literary skills are just average. Don’t boast too much; if I don’t win, it would be embarrassing.” Shangguan Wuyou took the opportunity to caution Ye Xinxin, saying it was okay in front of Han Yu and his wife, but if she made such assertions in front of everyone, they might think he was arrogant.

“Husband, don’t bolster someone else’s morale while dampening your own pride. I have confidence in you. I’ve already spread the word; you must live up to it and win first place for me. Otherwise, I’ll be shamed in front of others.”

Saying this, Ye Xinxin led Su Wenyue toward the street center, with Han Yu and Shangguan Wuyou quickly following, carefully guarding their wives among the crowded street. Each took hold of his wife’s hand, ensuring they wouldn’t get separated.

The Lantern Festival brought together all sorts of people, and among them were swindlers and thieves, and most detestably, kidnappers who targeted beautiful women and children. Their wives were exceptionally beautiful, so they had to be vigilant.

“It’s so crowded here, and what a lively atmosphere, Husband! The Lantern Festival in the prefecture city is much more exciting than in the County.” Su Wenyue said cheerfully, protected by Han Yu at the front, urging him to catch up with Shangguan Wuyou and Ye Xinxin.

Seeing his overly excited wife, Han Yu couldn’t help but feel indulgent and doting. It was rare for his wife to be this happy, like a joyous child. He carefully shielded her as they followed closely behind Shangguan Wuyou and Ye Xinxin, and finally made it to the platform.

Shangguan Wuyou was well-known for his talents and status. Thanks to him, the crowd parted to make way for Young Master Wuyou, and Han Yu, who had been squeezed by the crowd, could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

“Sister Yue, come over here. We’re a team,” Ye Xinxin called out to Su Wenyue excitedly. The rules of the arena were that teams consisted of four people, and their group happened to be the perfect number. The only one able to make a difference was Shangguan Wuyou, as Ye Xinxin and Han Yu weren’t particularly skilled at guessing lantern riddles, while Su Wenyue was passable at best.

Meanwhile, just behind the arena, someone noticed Su Wenyue’s group arriving and immediately sent word to report it.

Both Shangguan Wuyou and Han Yu, being skilled in martial arts, had heightened senses and instantly felt someone watching them from the shadows. The two men exchanged a glance,