Guessing Lantern Riddles

The three crossed the bustling arched bridge, which was also hung with colorful lanterns.

Qian Xunji occasionally stopped and pointed out particularly beautiful lantern displays for them to admire.

Across the river, there was a sizeable mask stall, with all kinds of masks hanging from long bamboo racks.

The stall owner was a talkative middle-aged man. Seeing Qian Xunji approach with two exceptionally elegant young women, he immediately greeted them enthusiastically.

"Come take a look, honored guests. All the masks here are handmade by master craftsmen—you won't find duplicates anywhere else."

"This gentleman's mask was bought here too, wasn't it? It suits you perfectly."

Ling Yuan immediately leaned in with great interest to browse, picking up a silver fox-shaped mask and holding it to her face. "How about this one? Doesn't it look rather sly?"

Then she picked up a butterfly-shaped mask. "What about this one?"

Bibi Dong glanced at it. "The fox mask suits you better. Why don't you keep looking?"

"Alright."

At that moment, Qian Xunji stood beside Bibi Dong. "Do you see anything you like?"

Bibi Dong's gaze swept over rows of masks before finally settling on one with a moon-white base, its edges painted with pale purple iris patterns.

The purple echoed the color of her hair, and the design was elegant without being ostentatious.

"That one... seems nice."

Qian Xunji followed her gaze, nodded, and gestured to the stall owner.

The owner immediately took it down and handed it to Bibi Dong eagerly. "Excellent taste, miss. This Moonlight Iris was only finished this morning. There's only one."

"Fresh and refined—it suits a lady of your temperament best!"

Bibi Dong accepted it and tried to put it on, but with one hand holding a lantern, her movements were somewhat clumsy, and she kept fumbling with the ties.

"I'll do it."

Qian Xunji naturally took the mask from her hands and stepped in front of her.

The distance between them instantly closed, and her heart began racing uncontrollably again.

Qian Xunji seemed not to notice her nervousness. He took the ribbons at either end of the mask and looped them behind her ears.

Bibi Dong held her breath, not knowing where to look. She could only stiffen her neck as the heat rushed to her face once more.

The entire process only took a dozen seconds or so, but to her, it felt as though a long time had passed.

"There."

Qian Xunji stepped back half a pace and examined her. "Mm... it suits you very well."

Bibi Dong raised a hand to touch the mask on her face, then turned toward a bronze mirror provided by the stall owner. Reflected within it was a young woman wearing a moon-white iris mask, her purple eyes faintly visible behind it, adding a touch of mystery and softness.

"Thank you, Teacher."

Ling Yuan had chosen hers as well. In the end, she picked a red raccoon mask with a sly and comical expression. Putting it on, she gave Bibi Dong a "Meow," making Bibi Dong unable to hold back a laugh.

Qian Xunji paid, and the three put on their new masks before continuing down the street.

After passing through an area selling lanterns and snacks, they came upon a lantern-riddle stall surrounded by a crowd.

Dozens of lanterns in different shapes hung from tall bamboo poles, each with a red slip of paper bearing a riddle dangling beneath it.

Anyone who guessed correctly could take down the slip and exchange it for the corresponding lantern as a prize.

The stall owner was currently reciting a riddle with theatrical flair. People around him made attempts from time to time, but most left disappointed.

"Your Holiness, shall we go take a look?" Curiosity piqued, Ling Yuan pulled Bibi Dong closer.

"Alright."

Just then, the stall owner recited a new riddle. "Question: What thing is strange by nature? The more you wash it, the muddier it becomes. Unwashed, it can be eaten; washed, it cannot be eaten—guess an object."

The onlookers murmured among themselves. Some guessed fish, others lotus root, but the stall owner shook his head at them all.

Bibi Dong pondered it intently, while Qian Xunji merely glanced casually at the riddle.

Ling Yuan muttered softly, "The more it's washed, the muddier it gets? Could it be... clams from the river?"

At that moment, Qian Xunji smiled faintly. "The answer is water itself."

The stall owner's eyes lit up as he looked at Qian Xunji. "And how do you explain that, sir?"

"Water itself is clear, but when used to wash other things, it becomes tainted with dirt and mud."

"When it has not been used for washing, water can be drunk. But once it has been used to wash something else, it can no longer be drunk."

"Wonderful! What a wonderful answer!"

The stall owner clapped his hands in praise, and the surrounding people also showed looks of sudden understanding.

Then the stall owner personally took down the lantern.

It was an exquisitely shaped lotus lantern.

"This lotus lantern is yours, sir."

Qian Xunji accepted it, then turned and handed it to Bibi Dong. "Take it and have fun."

"Thank you, Teacher."

Ling Yuan said indignantly, "I want one too! I'll guess the next one!"

Right then, the stall owner hung up another riddle. "'Green in youth, yellow in age; paired together through pounding and beating. It sends you a thousand miles, yet must part in the end; old discarded, new cherished, cast by the roadside—guess an object.'"

Ling Yuan racked her brains, and Bibi Dong pondered it as well.

Someone nearby guessed shoes, but the stall owner shook his head.

This time, Qian Xunji did not reveal the answer directly. Instead, he quietly prompted Bibi Dong, "Think of something ordinary households must have when traveling, something that comes in pairs and is replaced once worn out."

Following his hint, Bibi Dong blurted out, "They're... straw sandals?!"

"Precisely," the stall owner said with a smile. "You're very clever, miss."

This time, the prize was an adorable large carp lantern.

At this, the person who had guessed shoes became unhappy.

"Wasn't I right when I said shoes?"

The stall owner explained, "But you didn't specify. The riddle says green in youth and yellow in age—don't straw sandals grow yellower the more they're worn?"

"Besides, your answer was too broad. Cloth shoes, boots, wooden clogs... they're all shoes too."

"Hmph, what nonsense." With that, he left in irritation.

At that moment, Ling Yuan's eyes darted about, and she winked at Qian Xunji. "Oh, I suddenly really want grilled buns. Would the Saintess and His Holiness like some?"

Qian Xunji saw her signaling to him and immediately understood.

"I happen to be a little hungry too. Go buy some."

"Alright."

With that, she took the carp lantern. Before Bibi Dong could react, Ling Yuan quickly added, "Oh, right, I saw some especially pretty tassels over there just now. They can be hung on lanterns."

"I'll go buy a few myself and browse around while I'm at it. You two hold these lanterns for now—don't worry about me."

"We'll meet at the main pier where they set the floating lanterns afloat later!"

As soon as she finished speaking, she clutched her lantern and darted into the bustling crowd beside them. After a few turns, she vanished from sight.

"Ling Yuan! You..." Bibi Dong instinctively wanted to follow her.

But Qian Xunji caught her wrist.

"Let her go buy them herself."

"We'll find her at the pier later."

Bibi Dong's body stiffened, and her steps halted.

Watching the direction in which Ling Yuan had disappeared, Qian Xunji could not help but smile to himself. That girl is clever and tactful. She has potential.

I should train her properly when I get back. In the future, I can reserve a position among Spirit Hall's elders for her.

He withdrew his gaze and looked at the somewhat helpless Bibi Dong.

"Dong'er, didn't you say that releasing floating lanterns and making wishes together carries a wonderful meaning?"

"Shall we release them together?"

"Release floating lanterns... together?"

"With Teacher?"