Chapter 267 Fire
There were too many people at the temple fair. In previous years, Xiao Qinghe and Xiao Qingyue would just find a teahouse to watch the fun. This was the first time they walked among the crowds, eating and shopping at the same time.
Chunxi followed her memory and bought some street food for the two of them. Although the ingredients were not expensive and the cooking was not as exquisite as that of the chef in the mansion, it was fresh and everyone enjoyed the meal very much.
Eating and strolling along the way, the group soon arrived at the ring-tossing place.
Xiao Qingyang immediately volunteered: "Just tell me what little aunt likes, and we two brothers can help you get it."
"My nephew is thoughtful, but the greatest pleasure of this ring game is not how much you win, but the process. I'd better do it myself."
As soon as Chunxi finished speaking, Shen Qingyuan used the silver to buy all the rings in the boss's hand. Chunxi then distributed them to Xiao Qinghe and Xiao Qingyue: "Come on, don't be polite. Today is your Uncle Shen's treat. Play however you want."
Xiao Qinghe and Xiao Qingyue had practiced horse riding and archery with Chunxi before. Although their skills were not very good, they were willing to try it themselves with Chunxi's company.
The advantage was that there were enough of them, and all three of them got what they wanted.
Although they were just crudely made vases and porcelain dolls, Xiao Qinghe and Xiao Qingyue couldn't put them down.
So this is what it feels like to win these things on your own. It’s completely different from the experience they had when their elder and second brothers helped them.
Xiao Qingyue couldn't help but complain: "Why didn't Big Brother and Second Brother tell me earlier that it would be so fun to play by myself? I thought the temple fair was boring before."
Xiao Qingyang crossed his arms and rolled his eyes at Xiao Qingyue: "You just enjoy it with your mouth. If your aunt is not with you, would you dare to play by yourself?"
Noble families have very strict requirements on the manners and behavior of their female members. Although Xiao Qingyue is favored and a little spoiled, it is still too bold for her to go out and play ring toss in front of so many people.
And if the trick fails and someone recognizes you, it will be embarrassing.
Xiao Qingyue choked for a moment, but she looked at the chubby porcelain doll in her hand, then at Chunxi and Xiao Qinghe's smiling faces, and quickly said firmly: "I didn't dare to do it before, but if something like this happens again in the future, I will do it myself!"
After the ring-tossing game, the next step is to guess riddles.
The triennial Spring Examination will be held at the beginning of next spring. Many students have already arrived in Beijing to prepare for the exam. There are many young students gathered here to guess lantern riddles, and today's lanterns are particularly beautiful.
Chunxi carefully selected one and pointed to a fox lantern hanging at the highest point. She said to Xiao Qinghe, "I'm not good at guessing riddles, but I really want that lantern. Can He'er help me?"
As soon as Chunxi finished speaking, Xiao Qingyue said unconvincedly, "Why did you only ask my sister and not me, little aunt?"
"Yue'er is willing to help me?"
Chunxi looked surprised. It was not that he doubted Xiao Qingyue's ability to guess the riddle, but that he felt that she would not be willing to help.
Xiao Qingyue immediately regretted being so rude to Chunxi, but she couldn't bring herself to explain. She could only touch her scarf and say, "You gave me a scarf as a gift, so I won't refuse your help."
After Xiao Qingyue finished speaking, she carefully looked at the riddle on the lantern.
The difficulty of these riddles increases from low to high. Anyone who guesses them correctly can take away the lantern.
As soon as Xiao Qingyue guessed one, someone guessed the riddle on the layer above.
Seeing someone competing, Xiao Qingyue immediately became nervous. She hurriedly tugged at Xiao Qinghe's sleeve and said, "Sister, hurry up and think about it together, otherwise the lantern will be won by someone else."
Xiao Qinghe immediately gave the answer to another riddle, but before Xiao Qingyue could be happy, the other party guessed a higher level answer.
After taking down four lanterns in succession, there were only five fox lanterns left, which was what Chunxi wanted.
The difficulty increased, and coupled with the tension, Xiao Qingyue couldn't think of the new answer, and sweat broke out on her forehead.
Xiao Qingyang said quietly, "Sister, haven't you figured it out yet? Do you need my help, brother?"
Xiao Qingyang's tone was joking. Xiao Qingyue had just said that she would win the prize on her own, so how could she feel comfortable asking him for help? She frowned and glared at Xiao Qingyang. Just as she was about to speak, she heard her elder sister softly say the two answers to the riddle.
After the stall owner announced that it was correct, Xiao Qingyue straightened her back immediately, feeling an inexplicable sense of relief. She raised her eyebrows at Xiao Qingyang and said, "Second brother, please don't look down on me. I've read as much as you have over the years."
They were all dressed in luxurious clothes and had outstanding looks. Just standing there was enough to attract attention. In addition, Xiao Qinghe guessed several answers in succession and soon became the focus of the crowd. Everyone couldn't help but talk about it.
"This lady is quite good at guessing riddles and is also very beautiful. It's a pity that she is already dressed like a woman. I wonder which man is so lucky to marry such a beautiful and talented woman."
"Yes, seeing how well she dresses and behaves, she must come from a good family. I have no regrets in my life if I have a wife like her."
Hearing the praise, Xiao Qinghe's expression was indifferent, and all his attention was on solving the puzzle, while Xiao Qingyue raised her chin proudly.
Look, look, anyone with eyes will be impressed by this girl.
Thinking this way, Xiao Qinghe guessed another answer. Xiao Qingyue couldn't help but jump for joy and applauded, "Sister, you're amazing! If you guess two more, the fox lantern will be ours."
Just as she finished speaking, a harsh voice rang out from the crowd: "Now that you're married, you should stay in the backyard. Today's riddle-guessing competition is for scholars to gather here and make friends. Why is she trying to steal the limelight?"
"That's right. As a wife, you don't need to take exams to gain fame. Your real job is to take care of your husband and children. What's the point of being good at guessing riddles?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Xiao Qingyue and Xiao Qingyang's glares followed the voice and rushed over.
"Who are you two to give orders to my sister?"
Xiao Qingyue frowned and stared at the two people who were talking.
The two men were dressed quite brightly, with jade ornaments hanging around their waists. It seemed that they came from well-off families, but they had a very high opinion of themselves and looked down on women in their words and deeds.
After all, Xiao Qingyue was still unmarried. As soon as she finished speaking, she was blocked by Xiao Qingyang behind her. Xiao Qingyang stared at the two of them with a forced smile.
"Today's riddles are open to all, and anyone can show off their talent. Instead of gossiping and slandering others, why don't you spend more time studying the riddle and guess the answer as soon as possible? If you can't guess it, then openly admit that you are stupid and say less, so as not to lose the limelight and end up being laughed at."
There was a sting in Xiao Qingyang's words, and the crowd burst into laughter. The two men were embarrassed and wanted to say something when the lantern closest to them suddenly fell.
The wick fell on the two men and their clothes were set on fire.
The incident happened so quickly that no one could react. At this moment, a loud shout came from the crowd: "Oh no! There's a fire! Run!"
This sound is the sound of a boat.
Chunxi's face darkened, and she immediately grabbed Shen Qingyuan's arm and whispered, "Husband, it's Wei Lingze!"
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