King of Song

Chapter 180 The Little Girl Guessing Lantern Riddles

The sudden change caused an uproar in Bianjing, and many officials spent the New Year in anxiety and suspicion.Even the carnival of the Shangyuan Festival was not in the mood. Many people complained in their hearts, why didn't the officials wait until after the Shangyuan to issue the imperial edict?
In contrast, the officials in Hangzhou are much more relaxed. The imperial edict has not been sent, and there is no need to be suspicious.At least you can have a happy new year.On New Year's Eve, Lin Zhao apologized for not being able to accompany Mu Sihong to watch the New Year's Eve together after agreeing to a feast with Zhao Bian and others.

So I hurriedly dealt with the relevant government affairs, and specially set aside Shangyuan Day, in order to go to the West Lake to watch the lanterns and guess the riddles.They met on the Qinhuai River during the Lantern Festival, and became friends because of lantern riddles. This will become an unforgettable experience for a lifetime.

Unable to return to Jiangning this year, going to the West Lake to enjoy lanterns and guess riddles can be regarded as a revisit in disguise.For Mu Sihong, as long as Fu Lang has himself in his heart, no matter where he is, he is happy.

That night, Lin Zhao and Mu Sihong went out early.The small cotton padded jacket is worn next to the body, the fur is on the outside, and a cape is added. It does a good job of keeping warm.Since being injured by the knife, Mu Sihong's body has deteriorated greatly and needs extra maintenance.

When he went out today, Lin Zhao didn't let anyone follow him. Walking on the street at night at their age, no one would think he was the county magistrate.On the contrary, it is more like a young couple, a newlywed couple, going out to enjoy the lantern together sweetly.

It was just nightfall, and the West Lake was already full of people.Although Hangzhou suffered from heavy rain disasters this year, because the government's relief was timely and food prices have dropped, so this New Year is relatively comfortable.

On a big day like the Shangyuan Festival, the real carnival of the Song Dynasty, some things can't stop people's enthusiasm.

Lin Zhao and Mu Sihong walked all the way, and said with a smile, "Look, the lantern festival of West Lake is no better than that of Qinhuai River!"

"That's right!" Mu Sihong smiled sweetly, "And the West Lake is more pure. Although the Qinhuai River is prosperous, the smell of powder is too strong."

"This way it looks like you're out of the mud and unstained!" Lin Zhao chuckled and pulled Mu Sihong into his arms.

The colorful flower boats are already wandering on the West Lake. They are the boats of rich families, just to embellish the night scene more beautifully.There are also bright lights hanging high on the Leifeng Pagoda in the distance, which can be clearly seen in the dark night, and can be seen several miles away.Although it is not as bright as the lamps used in later generations, it is also unique, showing another kind of tranquil beauty.

The small vendors by the lake are busy, and all kinds of lights are hung up, which is very beautiful.The lights are reflected in the West Lake, the sky and the lake are full of brilliance, and the lake and mountains are extremely enchanting.
The common people who watched the lanterns were even more excited. They could feel the joy and liveliness as they walked through the crowd.There were not so many entertainment activities in ancient times, so people's enthusiasm was extremely high, which is beyond the experience of later generations.

Mu Sihong found it even more novel. Although she participated in the Qinhuai River Lantern Festival every year, she was always the glamorous heroine on the flower boat, and never personally participated in the process of watching the lanterns and guessing riddles.

What's more, the death of her family members on the Shangyuan Festival has always been a knot in her heart. How has she ever been happy on the Shangyuan Festival?Where does the interest in admiring the lanterns come from?
This year was completely different. Lin Zhao helped bring the murderer to justice, and the bloody revenge was rewarded. Mu Sihong could finally let go of his knots.What's more, when you get married and have a good relationship, your heart will be much happier.

Therefore, this year is the first time that Mu Sihong has really participated in it, so he is very excited.He took Lin Zhao's hand, looked left and right, really happy.

Lin Zhaojian was also very relieved in her eyes. She had forgotten the pain of the past and could really start a new life from now on.

Walking and walking, I found a place in front of me that was crowded with people, and there were many onlookers.Mu Sihong smiled and said, "Lin Lang, let's go and have a look too!"

"Okay!" Tonight, Lin Zhao followed Mu Sihong's thoughts!
When they squeezed in, they realized that someone was guessing lantern riddles. It is said that the prizes were quite generous, which attracted many people to participate.You must know that in the Song Dynasty, guessing lantern riddles was a highly involved activity, and there were many folk riddle guessing masters. This is a big day for them to concentrate on activities.

When Lin Zhao and Mu Sihong passed by, they saw many people surrounded the stage, some lanterns were hung on the stage, and lantern riddles were hung on the tassels!

"Lantern riddles are your specialty, why don't you win some prizes for us?" Lin Zhao joked with a smile.

Not wanting to, Mu Sihong shook her head and said, "No, I'm only good at solving lantern riddles, not guessing. This is your strong point!"

Looking at each other and smiling, sweetness and happiness are written on the faces and hearts...

When they actually squeezed in, they realized why so many people paid attention. The reason was that the one who guessed the lantern riddles was a child, a little girl about ten years old!
"It's only five, that's fifty pennies!"

"This little girl is really smart. If only my daughter could be like this..."

"It's a pity that I don't have that blessing..."

"Where is it so simple? Look at this little girl who is quick-witted and well-behaved. It looks like she has studied in the Scholar's House..."

It turned out that the owner of the place seemed to be very confident, and made a lottery of ten pennies for a lantern riddle, which was actually equivalent to a bet.

Those who want to guess the riddle must first buy a lantern, but the price is several times that of ordinary lanterns.However, facing the temptation of ten pennies, there are still many people who are eager to give it a try.

According to the price level of the Song Dynasty, the consistent money is roughly equivalent to 3000 yuan in later generations, and the ten-guan money is [-] yuan, which is not a small temptation.

However, the lantern riddles in this house seem to be very difficult. Many people come back disappointed, and few people can guess correctly.The lamp seller made a lot of money, and he was very excited and grinning.

As a result, many people were dissatisfied, and hoped that someone could take action to teach this person, at least not to be ashamed.At this time, a little girl stood up and said she wanted to challenge!
No one ever cared about it, many self-proclaimed masters are helpless, what a little doll can do, so they don't pay attention to the little girl at all.Since the door is open for business, only customers come here, and people give money to buy lanterns, so the lantern riddles are naturally for people to guess.

No one expected that the little girl would become a blockbuster and guess five in a row.Immediately, people are impressed and amazed.Many people who failed before clapped their hands and applauded. It's no wonder that seeing someone elated, it can be regarded as helping themselves in disguise.

It's just that in this way, some of the lantern sellers were upset. Every time the little girl guessed a lantern riddle, his face became more gloomy.Today is just a matter of speculation, because the boss has been selling lanterns for many years, and the boss has been immersed in lantern riddles for many years, and he can be regarded as a master of guessing riddles.

He is very confident in his own level, so he wanted to say such a method.At the beginning, I was really proud. No one could guess it. Under the temptation of ten strings of money, the sales of lanterns were very good.Just when she was proud, the little girl suddenly came out.

He didn't seem to take the little girl seriously at first, but he didn't want to guess five in a row. That's fifty pennies!This year's income in one night is not so much, but now it is a big loss.There were more and more beads of sweat on the forehead of the owner of the lantern. There was a special chill in the cold spring day, and he felt a little guilty.

And not only guilty, but also a little annoyed, how can I feel comfortable after losing fifty pennies like this?He has become a little angry from embarrassment, trying to find a way to earn back the fifty pennies.

"Little girl, you guessed the lantern riddles well!" The lamp seller said with a smile, "Ten coins are nothing, according to the rules, let's play a little bit bigger now, how about we decide the winner?"

"How can I say that?" The little girl had a good look, and she was not afraid.

Lin Zhao watched from a distance, and said with a smile, "The boss is in a hurry. He can't afford to lose if he wins. It's really out of style to compete with a child. At that time, this little girl will be interesting!"

Mu Sihong also smiled, and looked up at the little girl like everyone else.

The lantern seller said: "One hundred strings, one lantern riddle, one last guess!"

Wow……

Many people were surprised, this guy actually said that he wanted to bet a hundred guan, which is a huge sum of money!Many people can clearly see that the boss is already in a hurry.

The little girl was not surprised at all, there was no trace of surprise on her immature face, she was very calm, this kind of concentration is not something that ordinary people can have.I only heard Youyou say: "But I only have fifty guan..."

"It doesn't matter, you can have your family send it, you can owe it first!" The lamp seller immediately attracted contempt, this guy is too shameless.

"No, my family won't give me so much money..." The little girl looked young and ignorant, shaking her head slightly.

"It doesn't matter, you can bet on yourself!" The lamp seller said something even more shameless.The little girl was about ten years old, she was already very delicate, she was a beauty at first sight.It is very cost-effective to keep it for two years, whether you keep it for yourself or sell it.

"Shameless, really shameless..." Mu Sihong was very angrily, just now she was about to accuse, but she didn't want to yell at other people!
Lin Zhao waved his hand and said, "It's okay, just wait and see what happens, don't worry..."

"How can this be?"

The lamp seller was going all out today, and he was shameless to the end, saying: "Girl, you can figure it out, the rules are like this, if you don't want to, then the previous lantern riddles won't count."

"Shameless, really shameless, you are clearly a rascal!" Everyone accused him one after another, and they all saw that he was clearly playing a rascal and wanted to renege on his debt!

People kept criticizing, but they just remained unmoved. The rules are set by me, and it looks like I have the final say, which makes people feel helpless.

"Girl, you'd better go!" Everyone spoke out to dissuade them. After all, the stakes are really too high, and there are no parents or relatives around, so it's really too much to do so.

But I didn't want the little girl to frown, and said softly: "Okay, I'll bet with you!"

(End of this chapter)