Chapter 796: Chapter 756: Changing Colors (Second Update)

After drinking the Champion Scholar Wine sent by his fiancée and eating the Champion Scholar Cake she made herself, Song Yuanbao felt elated, with a smile on his lips all the way home.

The carriage entered Rongsheng Street, and when it reached the West Corner Gate of the Song Mansion, the porter took down the movable threshold to let the carriage through. It went along the passageway until it stopped outside the gate leading to the inner courtyard.

Song Yuanbao lifted the curtain, got out, tossed the exam basket he took to the Imperial Examination Hall to a servant boy, adjusted his robe, and walked straight towards Qingteng Residence, intending to see Wen Wan first.

As he entered the courtyard, he heard lively chatter and laughter coming from the east side room.

Song Yuanbao listened carefully; it was all women, presumably guests, so he stopped and hesitated to go further.

At this moment, the sound of children’s chaotic running footsteps came from outside the courtyard.

Song Yuanbao turned around and saw that Jinbao was the first to enter.

His teacher went for the exam, so he’s been playing happily these past few days, going in and out, all sweaty.

Behind Jinbao were two little ones, one was Duobao and the other had his clothes mostly wet, using his hands to cover his eyes as if scared of something. He occasionally peeked through his fingers at the path and cautiously walked forward, his actions very comical.

Song Yuanbao laughed, and when the little one swayed over, he squatted down to block him, "Who are you?"

The little one didn’t lower the hands covering his eyes, stood there a bit bewildered, with his small mouth puckered.

"He’s called Amuer, Aunt Lin’s baby," Jinbao said.

"His eyes can change color, oh, so scary," Duobao said while hiding behind Jinbao, poking half his head out to look at Amuer.

"Change color?" Song Yuanbao was astonished.

Jinbao turned around, glared at Duobao, "Say one more word and see if I won’t hit you!"

Duobao was frightened and trembled all over.

Song Yuanbao looked at Jinbao, "What’s going on?"

Jinbao cautiously glanced at Amuer, pursed his little lips.

He had seen Amuer’s eyes blue before, but later, for some unknown reason, they became like theirs. Just earlier, while he, Duobao, and Amuer were playing by the lake, Duobao mischievously splashed water all over Amuer, and his eyes changed, turning into that mysterious blue color again.

Amuer was very scared, covering his eyes as he ran forward.

Only then did he and Duobao catch up.

Jinbao believed it might be Amuer’s little secret, something not to be divulged carelessly, so he didn’t expose it, saying only, "Brother, let’s take him to see Aunt Lin!"

Upon hearing Jinbao’s words, Amuer’s tight, tense face finally relaxed.

Song Yuanbao saw Jinbao’s hesitance, nodded, picked Amuer up, and walked towards the east side room.

At this moment in the east side room, Wen Wan was sitting on a stool, a long table in front of her, with an embroidery pattern freshly sketched on it. Lin Xiaoyue and Second Lang’s wife watched beside her, marveling.

Because this pattern came from an ancient book collected by Song Wei, its style differed from the current fashion but was exceptionally pretty.

Lin Xiaoyue had long heard that the Song family had such an extraordinary book in their collection, and being springtime now, she wanted to make a few outfits for Ah Nuan and Amuer. Taking advantage of today’s nice weather, she came to the Song Mansion to ask Wen Wan to bring it out for a look.

This embroidery pattern collection, Wen Wan had used once before when making a new robe for Song Wei, and the patterns on it were indeed intricate and beautiful. She was interested now and personally sketched it for Lin Xiaoyue.

Lin Xiaoyue watched her sketch diligently, delighted, and praised, "You really are talented and skillful."

"Not at all," Wen Wan modestly replied, "It’s just that with nothing to do usually, I fiddle around with little things, so I’m not rusty. But compared to the embroideresses in the embroidery workshop, I’m far lacking."

"Third brother’s wife is just being modest," Second Lang’s wife pointed to the exquisite pattern on the fabric, "Such a lovely embroidery pattern, it’s my first time seeing it in my life. If it weren’t for Madam Su coming to find you, I wouldn’t have known our third brother’s wife had such impressive skills."

While they were talking, Yun Cai’s voice came from outside, "Madam, the eldest young master is back."

Wen Wan quickly put down her work, "Please invite him in!"

Yuanbao just finished his exam today and must be exhausted, it’s fitting to have the kitchen prepare a table full of delicious food for him.

Unexpectedly, she saw Song Yuanbao coming in holding Amuer.

The little guy nestled in his arms, covering his eyes with his hands, refusing to lower them, clothes mostly wet.

Lin Xiaoyue’s face changed slightly, "What happened?"

Before Song Yuanbao could speak, Duobao spoke up first, "Amuer’s eyes can change color, we were all scared just now."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiaoyue’s already stiff face turned even paler.

Wen Wan also furrowed her brows almost imperceptibly.

Even the somewhat dim-witted Second Lang’s wife noticed the odd atmosphere. She quickly went over to Duobao, pretending to criticize him for being too talkative at a young age, patting him twice, then picked him up, claiming that Erlang was about to come back from the Lower Court, so she had to leave first, and hurriedly left the Qingteng Residence.

Song Duobao lay on his mother’s shoulder, grumbling, "I’m not lying. Amuer’s eyes are blue."

Second Lang’s wife patted him on the butt twice, "Shut your mouth!"

Yet she was deeply puzzled inside, wondering if her son was telling the truth. If it were true, then who exactly was Madam Su’s son? Could he be some sort of monster?

...

After Second Lang’s wife left with her son, Song Yuanbao handed Amuer to Lin Xiaoyue, honestly saying, "I saw them running in from outside when I just entered the hall. Amuer kept covering his eyes, so I was afraid he might fall and brought him in."

Lin Xiaoyue, her face still pale, thanked Song Yuanbao as she took Amuer from his hands.

After being together for so long, the little fellow had already seen Lin Xiaoyue as his true mother. He always remembered his parents’ warnings: if his eyes changed color, he should not let outsiders see them. But just now, both Duobao and Jinbao had seen them, and he was very scared.

Lin Xiaoyue clearly felt the little guy trembling in her arms. She sat him down on the round-backed chair, gently rubbed his little head to comfort him, "Don’t be afraid, it’s okay now, it’s okay."

Amuer peeked at Lin Xiaoyue through his fingers and whispered, "They saw it, Dad will be angry."

"No, he won’t." Lin Xiaoyue smiled at him, "You didn’t do it on purpose, besides, your dad loves you the most, he won’t blame you."

The little guy remembered Duobao’s eyes looking at him like he was a monster earlier and became scared again, refused to speak, and burrowed his head into Lin Xiaoyue’s embrace.

Wen Wan said, "Doesn’t your family still have the medicine? Take him back quickly and handle it, I think he’s a little scared."

Lin Xiaoyue nodded and didn’t bother to take the embroidery patterns, holding Amuer as she walked out.

Wen Wan had Yun Cai take the embroidery patterns to catch up with Lin Xiaoyue.

After everyone left, the east side room quieted down.

Song Yuanbao looked at Wen Wan, "Mother, what’s going on? That child from West Yue, his eyes are blue?"

Wen Wan advised him, "Just remember it yourself, don’t spread it outside. If people knew, they might think of the child as some kind of monster."

"Mm, I understand." Song Yuanbao answered, but in his mind, he was searching for historical records regarding blue eyes.

Unfortunately, he hadn’t read as much as Song Wei, and his understanding of West Yue’s culture wasn’t deep, so after thinking for a long time, he couldn’t come up with anything and had to give up.

Wen Wan changed the topic to the metropolitan exam, "You’ve finished all three sessions. How do you feel?"

Song Yuanbao smiled, "Carefree!"

"Does that mean you did well?"

"I think I did okay myself." Song Yuanbao looked indifferent, "As for how the examiners will judge, I don’t know."

Wen Wan didn’t overly praise him, only said, "With your ability, there’s no chance of failing. After nine days of exams, is there anything particular you want to eat? I’ll have the kitchen make it for you."

"I’m fine with eating anything." Having seen his fiancée before coming here, with Champion Scholar Wine and Champion Scholar Cake, his heart was full of joy and he had no appetite, so anything was fine.

Wen Wan guessed a bit seeing him like that, "Did you head straight to the Ye Family after coming out of the Imperial Examination Hall?"

"Impossible." Song Yuanbao immediately denied, "She came to find me herself."

Wen Wan tidied up the bits and pieces on the long table while laughing, "That girl looks pure and kind to me, she’s quite nice. Treat her well in the future, don’t be flirting around outside now and then, it’s improper."

Song Yuanbao cried out his innocence, "Mother, when have you seen me flirting around, I’ve never done that, okay?"

...

Lin Xiaoyue returned to the Governor Mansion, carried Amuer back to her room, and hurried to find the medicine.

Ah Nuan, who had been studying with the tutor all day, just came in after school. Seeing Lin Xiaoyue looking for something and Amuer’s eyes turning blue again, asked, "Mother, are you looking for the medicine?"

"Yes!" Lin Xiaoyue bent down, rummaging the dressing table, "How strange, I clearly put it here before, how come I can’t find it?"

Ah Nuan whispered, "After you and brother went out, the maid accidentally knocked it over while cleaning."

"What!" Lin Xiaoyue’s eyebrows shot up, "Which careless girl did it, bring her in here for me!"