Chapter 193: First Volume, Chapter 193: Guessing Lantern Riddles

First Volume, Chapter 193: Guessing Lantern Riddles

Besides the Second Prince and the Seventh Prince, all other princes were under the control of the Imperial Consort.

The two princes stepped down the stairs.

At first, Qin Feng thought that, out of respect for the Imperial Consort, the two princes would side with Lin Feimo.

But the outcome was unexpected.

These two princes, surprisingly, appeared quite courteous.

The elder one stood with his hands behind his back, looking down at Qin Feng seated on the ground; though his expression was stern, his tone was slightly calmer: "So you are Qin Feng. I've long heard of your name—today meeting you is indeed… better than a hundred tales?"

The younger one beside him grinned broadly: "I thought you had three heads and six arms, but you're just someone who rolls around on the ground—hahaha!"

Qin Feng quickly scrambled to his feet and bowed to the two princes: "May I ask, Your Highnesses, which palace do you preside over?"

At these words, the two princes' expressions immediately grew uneasy.

Lin Feimo, seeing this, immediately took over: "Bold Qin Feng! You know full well that the Third Prince and the Thirteenth Prince reside in Zhaode Palace—how dare you mock them?"

Any prince without a title in the Hou Gong, or one who had fallen from favor, lived together in Zhaode Palace.

Only princes like Second Brother and Seventh Prince, those in power, could become palace masters.

Qin Feng glanced at Lin Feimo and snapped: "Why are you always everywhere? I say you'd better head back to Jiangnan—don't linger in Jingdu and annoy people."

Lin Feimo's cheeks flushed red with anger: "Whether I go or stay is none of your business!"

Qin Feng raised his fist, grinning wickedly: "Watch yourself—don't go sticking your face into my fist again."

Lin Feimo had never met anyone so crude in his life—he felt a tightness in his chest, helpless, and muttered weakly: "I disdain to tangle with you—it's a disgrace to culture!"

Seeing Qin Feng and Lin Feimo start bickering again.

Qiyang Commandery's Lady sighed impatiently: "Enough! Save your energy for later."

"Today's grievance, who is right or wrong, no longer matters."

"Even if there are witnesses, they're all your servants—their testimony is untrustworthy!"

"Let's cut to the chase: in the upcoming contest, the loser must apologize to the winner—no one gets to complain!"

Lin Feimo had known the evening's plan all along and was confident—he immediately agreed: "I only fear someone won't dare compete."

Qin Feng chuckled: "An apology alone is too dull—how about adding a wager?"

Lin Feimo inwardly cursed Qin Feng for being suicidal, but outwardly feigned generosity: "Oh? How would you propose to raise the stakes?"

Without hesitation, Qin Feng blurted out: "Easy! Besides the apology, add thirty thousand li silver—and…"

He pointed toward the deck: "Go onto the deck, in front of everyone, shout three times: 'I am a waste!' Then serve tea and become my disciple—henceforth, you will address me as Master!"

Seeing Qin Feng point at his own chest, wearing the face of a man already victorious.

Lin Feimo immediately gritted his teeth and agreed: "Fine! It's a deal! I'll see how you win!"

The wager was settled.

Qin Feng couldn't help but laugh.

Since Qin Feng had tricked Li Rui and the others, every official's son in Jingdu avoided him like rats avoiding cats.

Especially when they heard the word "wager," they ran as far as they could.

Since Lin Feimo had walked straight into the trap, why should Qin Feng be polite?

Under Qiyang Commandery's Lady's lead, everyone immediately left the Hua Fang's DaTang and headed for the deck.

The moment the door opened, Qin Feng was startled by the sight before him.

Before they arrived, the Hua Fang's deck had been empty.

Now it was decorated with lanterns and banners—strings of lanterns and scrolls hung densely across all three Hua Fangs; anyone unaware might think it was a festival.

Qiyang Commandery's Lady stood with her hands behind her back, clearly pleased with her "masterpiece," a faint smile on her lips as she announced: "The contest isn't complicated—it's guessing lantern riddles. There are seven riddles total: each of you submits three, and the seventh will be decided by me and the two princes… ahem, two elder brothers."

Guessing lantern riddles?

Qin Feng nearly burst out laughing—after all that anticipation, this was the contest?

For Qin Feng, this was "elementary school" level.

At Qiyang Commandery's Lady's signal, Lin Feimo went first, presenting the first riddle.

Lin Feimo took brush and paper, wrote the riddle on a small slip, then handed it to the eunuch, who ran to the opposite Hua Fang's deck and, with the largest brush, wrote the riddle on a banner and hung it up.

Understanding the rules, Qin Feng thought: people these days were truly bored—just guessing lantern riddles? Why make it so extravagant?

Looking at Lin Feimo, he didn't even pause before writing the riddle—clearly prepared in advance.

But Qin Feng wasn't the least worried!

As the first riddle was being prepared, a shout came from the An Bian.

"Qin Feng! What are you up to now!"

Hearing that voice—so familiar he could not mistake it—Qin Feng shivered and turned quickly: Liu Hongyan, Shen Qingci, and Jing Qianying—all three sisters stood together on the shore!

Xiao Xiangxiang walked ahead, holding a lantern to guide them.

The sudden appearance of the four women surprised Qin Feng, but he waved and grinned foolishly: "Sisters, can't sleep either? Perfect—join us, let's guess lantern riddles!"

Originally, the songstresses and official's sons had all focused on Qin Feng and Lin Feimo.

But with the arrival of the three Qin Family ladies, every official's son's gaze instantly shifted to them.

Any young master out at this hour on Mingyue Lake was no virtuous gentleman.

Every last one was a lecher.

Instantly, murmurs of awe erupted.

"Unbelievable! Truly unbelievable! The three Qin daughters have come too—tonight's Mingyue Lake was worth it, hahaha!"

"I knew Liu Hongyan and Shen Qingci—but that woman behind them, beautiful as a Celestial Immortal—is she Qin Family Fourth Miss, Jing Qianying? How can the Qin daughters be more beautiful one than the next? Compared to them, the four songstresses of Mingyue Lake's Hua Fang look dull."

"Tsk tsk tsk—the three Qin daughters are still unmarried—who on earth has the fortune to marry them?"

"Pfft! Marry three? What a greedy appetite you have! The three daughters of the Qin Family—if I could marry even one of them, I'd gladly trade ten years of my life!"

The three daughters of the Qin Family had come to Mingyue Lake for the very first time, especially at night. Feeling the filthy, wolfish gazes from all around, the three women frowned in unison.

Arriving before Qin Feng, Liu Hongyan didn't say a word—she reached out and pinched his waist hard, snapping angrily, "You brat! Sneaking out at night without even a word, I thought something had happened to you!"