Chapter 194: First Volume, Chapter 194: Lanterns Reflect on the Lake

First Volume, Chapter 194: Lanterns Reflect on the Lake

If a burly man punched Qin Feng, he might not feel much, but when Liu Hongyan's frail, boneless little hand pinched him, it hurt to the marrow—he couldn't help but grimace and wail: "Ow ow ow!"

Shen Qingci shot him a glare and snapped: "You know it hurts?! Brat, we worried about you all the way here, and yet you show up at Mingyue Lake? You can't change your filthy habits! What kind of place is this? Don't you know?"

After being scolded by Shen Qingci, Qin Feng felt warmth in his heart, yet his face wore a look of grievance: "Elder Sister, you're wronging me—I didn't come here for pleasure, I came for an appointment! Look—"

Qin Feng pointed toward the Qiyang Commandery Princess nearby.

Shen Qingci, who had been angry moments before, changed expression upon seeing the Qiyang Commandery Princess was also present; she lowered her voice in surprise: "How is the Princess here too?"

Once they confirmed Qin Feng hadn't come to chase courtesans, Shen Qingci and Liu Hongyan's expressions eased slightly.

Jing Qianying, expressionless, tossed off casually: "If there's nothing else, I'll return first."

Seeing Jing Qianying leave, Qin Feng rushed over, grabbing her arm and fawning: "You came all this way—join us for the fun! Fourth Sister, you've been cooped up in the Back Courtyard all day, you must be bored—just come along to clear your mind."

Jing Qianying didn't immediately pull her arm away; she fixed Qin Feng with a cold gaze: "How do you know I'm bored? I live alone because I enjoy the peace."

Even before this, even Qin Feng had thought Jing Qianying was untouched by mortal desires.

But as he spent more time with her, Qin Feng became increasingly certain: Jing Qianying merely used her cold exterior to mask her burning heart.

If she were truly so aloof, why would she care so much about "silver"?

Besides, Jing Qianying had wandered the world for years, seen countless magnificent River and Mountains—now cooped up alone in the Back Courtyard, she must be stifled, she just won't say it.

Qin Feng clung to Jing Qianying's arm, dragging her backward while smirking sweetly: "Fourth Sister, don't go. After the contest, if I win and Lin Feimo cheats, you beat him for me! If I lose and he forces me to kowtow and apologize, you still beat him for me! Either way—you beat him!"

Jing Qianying kept her cold face, yet did not refuse Qin Feng's brazen request.

The Hua Fang was never large, and Qin Feng's voice was loud.

Lin Feimo clearly heard every vile word.

Angry, yes!

But even more astonished.

Lin Feimo, in his life, cared nothing for wealth, less still for empires—he loved only beauties.

That afternoon, seeing Liu Hongyan, Lin Feimo had been utterly stunned, his heart yearning for her.

Now, seeing Shen Qingci and Jing Qianying too, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly: "How does this ruffian Qin Feng have three celestial immortals as sisters? And they seem close to him—how is this even possible?!"

Amid envy, jealousy, and rage, Lin Feimo secretly resolved: once he eliminated this Qin Feng, all three beauties would be his bedmates!

Unaware that Lin Feimo's gaze had already been noticed by Qin Feng.

Qin Feng extended two fingers and jabbed them toward Lin Feimo's eyes, feigning serious threat: "Look again and I'll poke your eyes out! Try me!"

Lin Feimo gritted his teeth in fury, but his refined demeanor was useless against Qin Feng's hired thugs' tactics—he merely flung his sleeve and muttered weakly: "I, Young Master, disdain to trade words with a brute like you."

At that moment, a glow suddenly flared on the opposite Hua Fang.

Strings of Lanterns, pulled by Songstresses and stewards, slowly rose into the air.

Under their light, the enormous banner gradually became visible.

It bore the words: "Four Sides Mountain Stream Shrimp Play Water."

As the riddle appeared, the previously noisy crowd fell instantly silent.

The young nobles watching stared at the riddle, visibly baffled.

Whispering spread through the crowd.

"Four Sides Mountain Stream Shrimp Play Water? I've never heard such a Lantern Riddle—who knows its secret?"

"I attend the Jingdu Lantern Festival every year; I know countless classic riddles by heart—but never this one. No wonder Lin Young Master—his riddles are always this difficult."

"Only the riddle, no rules, no hints—the scope is too broad. To guess the answer outright is nearly impossible."

Hearing the murmurs, Lin Feimo beamed with pride.

Tonight's contest was agreed upon by Lin Feimo and the Qiyang Commandery Princess—of course, he had prepared meticulously.

The three riddles tonight were commissioned at great expense from renowned Jingdu Talented Women.

They say Qin Feng's poem "Outpost" made him famous in Jingdu—but literary talent and solving Lantern Riddles are entirely different things.

Lin Feimo stole a glance at the three Qin sisters, then feigned magnanimity as he raised an eyebrow at Qin Feng: "Qin Feng, I won't make it hard for you—if you introduce me to your three sisters, I'll give you a hint."

Qin Feng ignored him entirely, turning to Shen Qingci with a grin: "Elder Sister, you're the Jingdu Talented Woman—any ideas on this riddle?"

Shen Qingci rested her chin in thought.

Shen Qingci had attended every Jingdu Lantern Festival in past years and often won the riddle contest—she was especially skilled at solving them.

But staring at Lin Feimo's riddle, she found herself stumped—the scope was too vast, and without even a single hint, it would take serious thought.

After careful consideration, she shook her head: "If I had more time, I might find a clue—but to guess it right now? Impossible."

Before she finished speaking, Liu Hongyan pressed urgently: "Is this just friendly literary exchange? You didn't bet anything with Lin Feimo, did you?"

No one knew Qin Feng better than Liu Hongyan!

Qin Feng grinned foolishly, thumping his chest: "Do I look like that kind of person? Just for fun!"

Seeing his expression, Liu Hongyan's heart sank halfway—she sighed: "What kind of person you are, I know better. Just tell me—how much did you bet?"

Caught out in front of her, Qin Feng felt awkward and shamelessly held up three fingers without speaking.

Liu Hongyan exhaled in relief: "Three Ten Thousand Taels? That's manageable—even if you lose, it's not a disaster."

At that moment, the Qiyang Commandery Princess began urging: "Qin Feng, do you have any idea? If you can't guess, admit defeat quickly—don't waste others' time."

Lin Feimo seized the opening to sneer: "I advise you to give up. A brute like you couldn't solve this riddle in such a short time—not you, not even renowned Confucian Scholars of Shedynasty could!"

Saying this, Lin Feimo glanced at Lin Quqi beside him and sneered: "Lin Quqi, you've truly sunk low—fraternizing with such a person!"