Chapter 136: Lantern - Rebirth of the Noble Daughter

 Chapter 136: Lantern

In Feng Jinlin’s courtyard, there were quite a few bamboo strips and materials for making lanterns.

Song Nan and Song Bei, watching their master’s red face and helpless expression, almost burst out laughing.

Feng Jinlin, skilled in both literature and martial arts, and proficient in romantic affairs, was actually stumped by making a lantern. Looking at the clumsy 'lantern' in front of him, he felt incredibly foolish for a moment.

In contrast, Yin Canwen, on the other hand, seemed to bring the bamboo strips to life as he worked with them. Before long, he had the framework assembled, and Feng Jinlin noticed it was something unusual.

"Canwen, what kind of lantern are you making? I can't make it out."

Yin Canwen, still busy with his work, quickly revealed the shape of the lantern. "It's a rabbit!"

Feng Jinlin was quite surprised, not expecting such skill from him.

Next, a white oiled paper was carefully wrapped around the rabbit's frame, leaving a space at the bottom for a candle. The rest was sealed tightly, with its ears standing tall. Yin Canwen drew the eyes and mouth, completing the rabbit lantern in the time it took to burn an incense stick.

"When I was young, my family was poor. My mother would make lanterns to supplement our income, so I learned along the way."

Yin Canwen handed the rabbit lantern over. Feng Jinlin, examining it from all angles, couldn't help but praise it, "I must keep this lantern safe. When you pass the imperial exams, I’ll sell it on the black market; it will surely fetch a good price."

The second son of the Ministry of Revenue, acting like a shrewd merchant, made Yin Canwen laugh, dispelling any lingering feelings of inferiority.

Outside the courtyard, Xiuqiu had come to deliver something. As she entered, she saw the rabbit lantern and was quite surprised, bowing to Feng Jinlin.

"Second Master, did you make this lantern?"

"Xiuqiu, are you indirectly insulting me? How could I, the second young master of the Feng family, make such a girly lantern?"

Song Nan and Song Bei tried hard to suppress their laughter. Xiuqiu, still puzzled, glanced down at the 'lantern' by her feet and understood. "Oh, so this is what the Second Master made. Forgive my poor eyesight, what kind of lantern is this? A turtle or a tortoise?"

Song Nan couldn’t hold back anymore and laughed out loud, while Song Bei gave Xiuqiu a thumbs up, impressed by her sharp eyes.

Feng Jinlin, fuming, retorted, "What turtle or tortoise! That’s a Xuanwu divine beast I made!"

Xiuqiu was dumbfounded. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t see the resemblance between the 'thing' in front of her and the Xuanwu divine beast from books. Yin Canwen, unable to suppress his laughter, innocently remarked while holding the rabbit lantern, "Well, making a Jade Rabbit from the Moon Palace is simpler."

"So it was Young Master Yin who made the rabbit lantern. I knew it; how could the Second Master be so skillful?" Xiuqiu’s revelation left Feng Jinlin exasperated but unable to do anything about it.

"Don't be upset, Second Master. The young lady’s lantern is not much better than your divine beast. She spent the whole afternoon with the bamboo strips and didn’t manage to create anything."

Thinking of his sister's helpless look, Feng Jinlin felt much better.

"Maybe all Feng family members have clumsy hands. It’s not just my problem, right?"

Xiuqiu laughed lightly. Her purpose almost forgotten, she handed over the box she had brought. "This is fluorescent powder from Miss Xu. She said it’s the best for lanterns; even if the candle goes out, the fluorescence will show in the night. The young lady asked me to bring it to you and Young Master Yin."

Feng Jinlin, recognizing the box as an imperial product, curiously asked, "How did Miss Xu get such a thing?"

“I heard from Haitang that Princess Fulin recognized Miss Xu as her goddaughter. This item was sent by the princess.”

Princess Fulin’s goddaughter?
Even Feng Jinlin was taken aback.

These days, the marriage between the Liang and Wei families was the most talked-about event in Dongdu City. Each discussion would inevitably mention the Xu family, and Miss Xu was truly innocent in this matter.

However, to transform from someone pitied into the goddaughter of the eldest princess wasn’t something an ordinary person could achieve.

“I heard that Princess Fulin is very fond of Miss Xu. Who knows, she might even become a county princess or some other noble title in the future.”

Xiuqiu had a good impression of Xu Mingyue. If she were to become a county princess or similar, it would indeed be a blessing for her.

“It’s hard to say. Princess Fulin is the emperor’s elder sister and has a significant influence in the court. Her children and grandchildren are all outstanding among the royal family. For Miss Xu to gain her favor is indeed a fortunate event.”

Feng Jinlin’s words were practical. Ever since this news was released, no one dared to openly discuss Miss Xu’s broken engagement anymore. Offending this iron-willed princess could lead to severe consequences, affecting three generations. No one was foolish enough to seek trouble now.

“Alright, leave the items here. We will use them when the time comes.”

Feng Jinlin gave a few instructions and let Xiuqiu return to her duties. Meanwhile, Yin Canwen only remembered one thing from the conversation: Feng Jinyao couldn’t make a lantern either.

With a faint smile, he thought this might be an opportunity.

He picked up some bamboo strips and pondered over what kind of lantern would suit her.

In Ning’an Courtyard, Feng Jinyao looked at the bamboo strips spread out on the table and felt helpless. “Sigh, my needlework has never been good. Writing and painting are easier for me.”

Although making lanterns and needlework were different, both required craftsmanship. Perhaps, as Feng Jinlin suggested, the Feng family wasn’t skilled in such tasks. With this thought, she didn’t push herself too hard.

Yunxu, being adept with her hands, quickly made a four-sided lantern. It couldn’t compare to Yin Canwen’s rabbit lantern, but at least it was a lantern.

“This will do.”

Saying this, she began painting on the oiled paper. Soon, four vivid festival scenes came to life on the lantern.

Yunxu looked at Feng Jinyao with a smile. “Miss’s painting skills have improved again. The child lighting firecrackers looks so lifelike.”

Feng Jinyao’s gaze also fell on that scene. Indeed, it was her favorite among the four.

“Frame it. I’ll take it out tomorrow.”

“Yes.”

The two worked quickly and efficiently. When Xiuqiu returned after delivering the fluorescent powder, the lantern was nearly finished.

“Did my brother accept it?”

“He did. But, miss, the lantern Second Master made is truly... extraordinary.”

Hearing Xiuqiu recount the earlier events, both master and servant laughed. Her brother was still the same, and Feng Jinyao hoped he would always be so carefree and happy.

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