Chapter 93: Prisoner Oxen Lying Down Listening to the Wind and Rain
The lantern festival in Guyang River was not as crowded as the lantern festival at Banshanguan. It seemed that the government had deliberately spread the lanterns far apart, which made the arrangement quite interesting.
Lingxiang looked around, picked up some lanterns that looked relatively gorgeous and tore off the lantern sticks. However, she did guess the riddles, but the lantern decorations were just ordinary objects, either rouge and powder, or calligraphy and painting, which were really boring.
What she wanted was pure silver. Even if she didn't have any silver, bright copper coins would do. Why would she have to put these vulgar things in there?
Long Qi followed Lingxiang all the way, shielding her from seeing the lotus lantern behind him, and also guarding against passers-by crowding him. However, he was worrying too much, as Lingxiang was completely focused on solving the lantern riddles and had no time to pay attention to him.
Look, Lingxiang pulled down another lantern stick, which read: "When drawing, it is round; when writing, it is square; when winter, it is short; when summer, it is long."
Such a simple riddle was probably just to fool children. Lingxiang curled her lips and wrote the answer on the back of the lantern stick.
The lantern master took it, compared the puzzle pieces, and shouted, "Solved the Luanfeng lantern riddle! Five cents for the lantern!"
Five coins! Lingxiang had never imagined that such a simple riddle could hold a prize of five coins. Taking the change from the lantern master, Lingxiang felt a surge of joy in her heart – she had spent the entire night solving lantern riddles; she had finally seen some money!
At this moment, a gong suddenly sounded in the West Pavilion by the Guyang River. Everyone hurried towards the pavilion. It seemed that the biggest riddle of the night was about to be announced.
A large number of people would gather when there was something colorful, and soon the pavilion was crowded with people. This time, the riddle was a sleeping dragon lantern, and while the lantern was lifelike, there was no lantern sign.
When everyone was wondering, they saw the man who struck the gong take out two scrolls from his arms, hang up one of them, and cover it with a piece of silk cloth.
"Listen to me, everyone. The riddle of the Wolong Lantern is a couplet. The upper couplet is written by the city lord himself. If you want to win the jackpot, you must write the lower couplet on this other silk scroll. Not only must the riddles be corresponding, but the answers must also be consistent." As he spoke, he spread the empty gold silk hanging scroll on the small table.
Such riddles were quite strange. Everyone was just waiting for the lantern master to reveal the riddle, but they heard the person beating the gong say, "This time the lantern riddle is 'A Prisoner Ox Lying Listening to the Wind and Rain.' This zither was a dowry from the city lord's wife, so we take it out today as a prize." As he spoke, he lifted the silk cloth behind him.
The riddle hadn't been revealed yet, but the lanterns were shown to everyone. It seemed the city lord had a clear idea of the riddle. However, everyone's attention was elsewhere; they were all drawn to the Prison Ox Lute on the stage.
The zither was a Fuxi-style zither, its body brown with a reddish-brown finish, tinged with a frosted grey of deer antlers, and adorned with ox-hair patterns. It was evidently no ordinary instrument. Even more unusual, however, was the carving of a captive ox in a crouching position, eyes closed, listening attentively, a truly lifelike sight.
Even if a layman sees this zither and doesn't play it, if he sells it to someone who knows about zithers, he will definitely make a lot of money.
Lingxiang was also attracted by the zither, not because of its value, but because there was a trace of spiritual energy lingering around it.
This is an ancient magic weapon!
Only ancient magic tools can retain their spirits!
Just as everyone was enchanted by the exquisiteness of the zither, the man beating the gong covered it with silk cloth and said, "You have already seen the lanterns. Let me explain the rules. You only get one chance to answer this riddle. No matter who you are, you must write it down and you cannot regret it. If you are right, the zither will be presented to you. If not, the zither will be returned to the City Lord's Mansion. I urge those who come up to answer the riddle to think twice, not to lose their way, and not to ruin others' plans."
When the gong-beater finished speaking, the lantern-lighter peeled off the cloth from the hanging scroll, revealing the words "White Snake Crosses the River, a Red Sun Above."
Once the riddle was revealed, everyone in the audience racked their brains but could not find the answer.
At this moment, the person beating the gong spoke again, "This riddle will be hung in the pavilion before three o'clock in the morning. Gentlemen, please take your time to ponder it, or go somewhere else to slowly reflect. Who knows, you will be able to guess it later. Now I am about to enter meditation. The prayer meeting in the South Pavilion is about to begin. You may want to go there first, release a water lantern, and make a wish, hoping to obtain the blessings of the Heavenly Official and a smooth year ahead."
Although most people left as they were told, there were still a few people in the audience racking their brains, as if they could figure out the reason if they got closer to the lights.
Although Lingxiang was attracted by the guqin, she was also puzzled by the lantern. Although she had read all the books in Langhuan Pavilion since she was a child, she mostly focused on how to repair her spiritual roots, and had never studied some books with excellent literary works carefully.
Long Qi didn't care about the prize. When he heard that the prayer was about to begin, he hurriedly pulled Lingxiang and ran to the South Pavilion.
Lingxiang was now so preoccupied with figuring out how to solve the riddle that she didn't pay any attention and let Longqi just pull her along. When she came to her senses, she had been taken to the bank of the Guyang River near the South Pavilion.
"Why did you bring me here?" Lingxiang asked casually with a messy head.
At this time, Long Qi brought the two lotus lanterns behind him in front of him as if by magic.
Lingxiang had never expected that Long Qi would actually believe the vendor's words. He took out a tinder, lit the lanterns, and slowly lowered the two lanterns into the water. She wanted to mock Long Qi, but she heard Long Qi say:
"I heard from Mai Dong that although you've been loved by the elders of the sect since you were young, you're actually very lonely in your heart. I understand why you're like this. I used to be like you when I was wandering the streets, but ever since I met you, I've felt a longing for you. If possible, I want to accompany you in the future, whether it's to see the mountains and rivers, or to play around in the world, even if it's hell, we can go crazy together."
Having said this, Long Qi felt that something was amiss. He quickly stood up and scratched his head: "I mean... I think..."
I think……
Long Qi's chest heaved, his face flushed, not knowing how to continue. He had never been so reckless since he was a child, and what he had just said was different from what he had prepared before, but...
But the words have already been spoken.
Lingxiang was also very excited. She was not an ignorant person. Long Qi's words were so clear, how could she not understand?
Can……
"I'm afraid you're injured and have a fever," he said, reaching out to touch Long Qi's forehead, "If you don't have a fever, why are you talking nonsense..." Just as he was about to withdraw his hand, Long Qi grabbed it.
People often compare catkins to women's hands, but the one that Long Qi held in his hand, although small, felt a bit rough.
"I don't have a fever!"
He didn't think much and blurted out:
"I think... I think..."
He looked at the little man in front of him, and suddenly felt his throat a little dry, so he swallowed hard.
"I want to be with you forever!"
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