"Hu Yuelou?"
Yan Ning read it aloud, then looked up with a blank expression. "Where is this place? It sounds like a restaurant?"
She wondered, "Could the next treasure be a sumptuous meal?"
Sun Wuji snatched the card, examined it carefully, and scratched his head as well:
"Hu Yuelou? Never heard of him. He's been keeping a low profile!"
Xie Huaiye, who had been standing to the side with his arms crossed, moved slightly at this moment.
His gaze swept over the bustling market around him.
Then he raised his hand and silently pointed in a direction.
“There it is.”
Yan Ning and Sun Wuji looked in the direction he pointed.
Not far away, a particularly conspicuous tall building stood.
The building was adorned with carved beams and painted rafters, exuding an extraordinary grandeur.
It stands out like a pagoda among a cluster of low, earthen-yellow houses.
Strings of red lanterns hung under the eaves.
It looks exceptionally festive and eye-catching even during the day.
At the entrance of the building, there were several women dressed in brightly colored Western Region dance dresses, their figures graceful.
She was smiling and waving to passersby, her soft voice inviting customers.
The scene was lively and bustling.
Yet it exudes an indescribable... ambiguity.
Yan Ning blinked her big eyes as she watched the scene.
She swallowed hard and muttered to herself:
"That place...it looks so much like...a desert version of a brothel?"
Sun Wuji squinted and glanced at it.
Several brightly dressed women from the Western Regions were waving scarves at the entrance, beckoning customers. I couldn't help but nod.
"It really does look like it. Shall we... go in?"
"Go in! Of course we'll go in!"
Yan Ning raised her chin, her eyes sparkling, "The treasure might be hidden in this lively place!"
"But our outfit won't do, it's too eye-catching."
Without saying a word, she pulled Xie Huaiye and Sun Wuji into a nearby clothing store.
A moment later, the three of them came out after changing their clothes.
Yan Ning put on a large men's robe.
It's thin and small, like a bean sprout.
After changing into Western Region attire, Sun Wuji, with his dark complexion and honest appearance, truly resembled a local lad.
Xie Huaiye was the most eye-catching.
He wore a simple Western Region robe.
It made his figure appear tall and straight, and his eyebrows and eyes looked even more profound.
Yan Ning circled around him, marveling at him:
"I didn't realize you were such a respectable young man."
Xie Huaiye gave a light snort and raised his chin slightly:
"It's just so-so, passable."
Sun Wuji curled his lip and said, "Neither of you are decent people. I'm the only one who looks like an honest local."
The three of them, arguing and making a ruckus, wandered to the entrance of Hu Yuelou.
Sure enough, the women soliciting customers' eyes lit up as soon as they saw Xie Huaiye.
They swarmed in, chattering and urging everyone inside:
"Oh my, young man, how handsome you are! Please come in and have a seat!"
Xie Huaiye frowned, his face stern, and remained silent.
Yan Ning secretly pinched him, and he barely managed to follow her inside.
Inside the building, music and singing filled the air, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of incense.
The dancers from the Western Regions twirled to the beat of the drums.
The golden bells on her wrists and ankles jingled crisply.
A middle-aged proprietress, still charming and alluring, greeted us with a smile, fanning herself with a round fan:
"Welcome, distinguished guests! What would you like to do? Our girls here are skilled in everything from playing musical instruments and singing to dancing and riddles!"
Xie Huaiye remained silent with a cold expression.
Yan Ning quickly squeezed forward and said in a rough voice, "No need, let's take a look ourselves first!"
As they were talking, the dancers in the center of the hall gracefully withdrew.
Several maids carried in one exquisite lantern after another.
A colorful note hangs under each lamp.
A woman who appeared to be in charge raised her voice:
"The lantern riddle contest begins today! Those who pass all three rounds will be personally received by our courtesan, Miss Shi Jin!"
Upon hearing this, Yan Ning immediately perked up.
She tiptoed between Xie Huaiye and Sun Wuji and whispered:
"The opportunity has arrived! This courtesan is no ordinary woman; she might hold some clues!"
The first riddle reads: "Swords and spears are stored away, horses are grazing on the southern mountain; guess an everyday object."
The surrounding guests were buzzing with discussion, some guessing "peace" and others "rest".
The proprietress kept shaking her head.
Yan Ning rolled her eyes, then suddenly had a flash of inspiration and shouted at the top of her lungs:
"Is it about retiring from military service and returning to one's hometown?"
Everyone was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.
The proprietress covered her mouth and laughed, "Young master, you're quite the joker~ But something's not right."
Sun Wuji scratched his head and muttered:
"The weapons are put away, the horses are let loose... doesn't that mean there's no one to fight?"
Xie Huaiye stood by with his arms crossed, watching, and suddenly spoke up calmly:
"It's a switch."
The hall fell silent instantly.
The proprietress's eyes lit up: "This young master is so clever! It's the switch!"
"Swords and spears are stored away, and horses are released to graze freely in the southern mountains; this signifies the cessation of hostilities and the opening of the gates!"
Yan Ning secretly pinched Xie Huaiye's waist and whispered, "You think you're so smart!"
Xie Huaiye remained expressionless: "It's alright, I'm a little smarter than you."
The second riddle was even more tricky: "In the middle is a volcano, and on all four sides is the sea."
"There are many treasures in the sea, quickly scoop them up and catch some food."
Even Xie Huaiye frowned.
Sun Wuji pondered deeply, when suddenly his stomach growled, and he realized with a start:
"Hot pot! It's a hot pot, right? There's a fire in the middle, and soup around it, you cook it by dipping the ingredients!"
The proprietress clapped her hands and laughed: "That's right! It's hot pot!"
Having passed two levels, only the final puzzle remains.
The maid unfolded the colorful paper, but it was completely blank.
As everyone was puzzled, the proprietress smiled and said, "The final challenge isn't guessing words, it's guessing what someone is thinking."
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