Chapter 142

A Phoenix lantern, made of solid gold! At the sound of that, Ye Zhenzhen's money-loving heart stirred.

Older now and far more learned, Ye Zhenzhen quickly solved dozens of lantern riddles and won so many little prizes she could barely carry them. She couldn't casually reveal the magic or spiritual artifacts of the Cultivation World in the Mortal World, so she handed the prizes to Ye Wanning and Ye Wanqing for safekeeping. Both children had their arms full of lotus lanterns, sachets, brocade handkerchiefs, assorted pastries, and more. It was a tiny bit of work, but they kept eating pastries, and neither could hide her smile.

Ye Zhenzhen had thought she would solve the most riddles with ease and take first place. Instead, a young man in a Golden Dragon mask appeared out of nowhere and matched her riddle for riddle.

When only one riddle remained, she and the young man arrived beneath its lantern together. It read, "A person in a painting (guess one character)."

Ye Zhenzhen frowned. What was the answer? Why couldn't she work it out?

The young man suddenly leaned close to her ear and said, "Miss, I know the answer. If you're willing to take off your mask after you win the grand prize and let me see your face, I'll tell you."

What a stroke of luck! This happened to be the one riddle Ye Zhenzhen couldn't solve.

"All right." For the golden phoenix lantern, she agreed at once. The young man gave her the answer: the character for "tenant," as in "tenant farmer." Tenant. Tsk. That was what I got for not studying enough. Still, she had won the lantern-riddle contest and become its champion. The phoenix lantern shimmered with color, its craftsmanship so exquisite it seemed to surpass nature itself. She couldn't