After listening to Luo Chen and Luo Yang answer ten riddles correctly in a row, Xiao Yunying let Luo Li and Luo Xin each choose a lantern with a small tiger and a small butterfly design.
The two boys, who looked to be under ten years old, attracted a large crowd of onlookers with their outstanding performance, who all praised the brothers' intelligence.
Xiao Yunying couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in sharing in the glory.
This is the child she raised!
Although I've only been in charge for a short time...
Anyway, she's the one supporting him now.
Chen Yuanyao gave up on the sixth riddle because he couldn't figure it out.
Because the stall owner had stated the rules beforehand, each person could only participate once, regardless of whether they succeeded on their first try. Therefore, Luo Chen and his group were powerless to help.
Chen Yuancheng stepped forward and said, "Let me give it a try."
Someone recognized Chen Yuancheng and whispered among themselves.
"Is this the sickly eldest son of the Chen family?"
"It's the young master of the Chen family, but apart from being a little thin, he doesn't look sick."
"I heard that he is no different from ordinary people in normal times, but once he falls ill, he may die at any time."
"That's right. I heard a while ago that the eldest son of the Chen family fell ill in the market and looked like he couldn't breathe. It was quite frightening."
"The Chen family is kind-hearted. A couple of years ago, due to frequent wars, grain prices rose and many people couldn't afford the high prices. The Chen family, who clearly didn't do grain business, bought grain from other places and transported it here to sell at a fair price. It's a pity that this good fortune didn't fall on the eldest son of the Chen family."
As everyone watched Chen Yuancheng answer the riddles one after another, they couldn't help but sigh in their hearts that heaven is jealous of talent.
The streets were bustling with activity, the sounds of vendors calling out their wares filled the air, and people at the nearby stalls were guessing riddles. Each correct guess drew cheers, and the various noises mingled together, drowning out the small murmurs of conversation.
Chen Yuanyao and her siblings, along with the Luo family children, were all focused on the riddles. Only Xiao Yunying, wanting to keep an eye on the children's movements, stood on the outer edge, close to the crowd, and vaguely heard the conversations of passersby.
The Chen family are now considered merchants, but they haven't been blinded by money. They don't profit from national crises and do their best to help ordinary people, which is enough to demonstrate the character of this family.
Xiao Yunying was happy with her good judgment in choosing friends; she hadn't misjudged anyone.
The cheers were exceptionally loud. Xiao Yunying looked at Chen Yuancheng, who had already answered all ten riddles and was walking towards her with a lantern.
Xiao Yunying saw that he was holding a rabbit lantern and was about to tease him when he handed her the lantern.
"for you."
Xiao Yunying was stunned for a moment: "For me?"
Don't you like it?
"I like it." Xiao Yunying accepted the lantern without ceremony: "Of all the lanterns here, I think this one is the most beautiful. You have excellent taste."
Chen Yuancheng smiled slightly: "I'm glad you like it."
He noticed that when Xiao Yunying's gaze swept over all the lanterns, it lingered longest on this rabbit lantern, which is why he thought of giving her this one.
When the onlookers saw that the eldest son of the Chen family had given a rabbit lantern to a girl who was traveling with him, they began to discuss Xiao Yunying's identity.
Xiao Yunying was too lazy to explain to the passersby, and didn't want to stand there and listen to them gossip about her. Just as she was about to speak, Luo Yang came over and called her name.
"Mother, Xin'er said she wants to release river lanterns."
The onlookers were stunned. This girl's son is already so big?!
It seems impossible for her to have that kind of relationship with the eldest son of the Chen family. Could she be a relative of the Chen family?
Chen Yuancheng glanced at Luo Yang without making a sound, then turned to Chen Yuanyao, who was selecting lanterns, and said, "Buy a few river lanterns, and we'll release them on the river."
All the river lanterns were in the same lotus flower design. Since the siblings Chen Yuanyao and Chen Yuanxuan failed to solve the lantern riddles, they could only spend copper coins to buy two lanterns and take them to the river near the south side of the city.
The river wasn't flowing too fast, and many lanterns were already floating on its surface.
Xiao Yunying was afraid that Luo Xin would fall into the river, so she grabbed the little girl's collar and made her hold the lotus lantern with both hands and put it into the river herself.
Chen Yuancheng asked, "Aren't you going to release a river lantern and make a wish?"
Xiao Yunying straightened Luo Xin's collar and casually said, "I don't need it, I don't believe in this."
Chen Yuancheng gazed at the rows of lanterns on the river: "What if it comes true?"
Xiao Yunying stood up and shrugged: "Let's not even talk about whether there are gods or Buddhas protecting the world. Even if there are, with so many people making wishes, it's impossible for them all to come true."
If I were to be chosen from among them, I'm neither rich nor powerful enough, nor miserable enough; I'm somewhere in the middle. I doubt they'd choose me, nor would they have any reason to.
Chen Yuancheng withdrew his gaze and looked at Xiao Yunying: "Your idea is novel, yet it contains a logic that is impossible to refute."
Xiao Yunying smiled at him: "It's just my personal opinion. I hope you don't think it's absurd."
Chen Yuanyao led the children over after they had released the river lanterns: "Big brother, aren't you going to release one?"
"No need, I don't believe in that."
Why?
Xiao Yunying looked at Chen Yuancheng and said, "Isn't this my poem?"
Chen Yuanyao advised, "Brother, release one. What if your wish comes true?"
Chen Yuancheng, seemingly lost in thought, accepted the lantern that Chen Yuanyao handed him.
"Since we're already here, let's just put one down."
He then used the tinder Ling Qi handed him to light the lantern, bent down and placed it in the water, gently pushing it.
Xiao Yunying, standing behind him, couldn't help but chuckle, thinking, "He's just a nineteen-year-old boy after all, and he really listens to advice."
Chen Yuancheng watched the river lanterns drift away before turning around and saying, "It's almost time, we should go get ready to watch the fireworks."
Xiao Yunying, holding Luo Xin's hand, walked side by side with Chen Yuancheng and asked curiously, "What wish did you make just now?"
Chen Yuancheng said meaningfully, "It cannot be said. I have heard that once you make a wish, you cannot tell others, otherwise it will not come true."
Xiao Yunying chose to respect other people's wishes and did not press further: "Alright, then I wish you a speedy fulfillment of your wish."
Chen Yuancheng smiled and said, "Thank you for your kind words."
Led by Chen Yuancheng, we walked upstream along the river and entered a teahouse located next to the river in the city.
Chen Yuanyao explained, "Big brother said you don't like touching strangers, so he booked a private room here half a month in advance. This window seat allows you to see the fireworks without having to squeeze with the crowd below. What do you think, Sister Yunying? Do you like this arrangement?"
Xiao Yunying entered the private room, walked to the window and looked out: "Of course I like it. Your older brother is always very thoughtful."
Chen Yuanyao wanted to say something more, but Chen Yuancheng interrupted her.
"Yuan Yao, turn off the lanterns and give them to Ling Qi. Relight them after the fireworks are over."
Xiao Yunying also told the children to extinguish the lanterns. Most buildings nowadays are made of wood, so for safety reasons, it's best not to carry a portable fire source around.
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