Unintended Immortality

This shop was a riverside brothel, and the one reading the riddles was a delicate, heavily made-up woman. At that moment, a middle-aged scholar was guessing, while most of the others around seemed to be there for the spectacle.

“Oh, you…” Song You gently rubbed the cat's head and walked over with her.

The lights here were particularly bright. The heavily made-up woman at the entrance was illuminated by the light, her face resembling a peach blossom, with a charming smile.

She held a lantern and softly recited,

“At the foot of the steps, children stand,

Gazing upward, in garments so grand.

Dressed for the Qingming, in honor they gleam,

A scene so serene, like a soft, fleeting dream.

When the silk thread drifts and breaks with grace,

For winds, like time, must move and sway,

Carrying away what cannot stay.

Sir, that’s the second riddle.”

“When the silk thread drifts and breaks with grace, do not curse the east wind for its pace…” The middle-aged scholar muttered softly, without needing to ponder too deeply. He exclaimed, “Is it a kite?”

“Exactly!”

As soon as the words were spoken, some of the onlookers began to smile, likely because they had guessed the answer in their hearts. Others had a sudden realization, and after thinking it over carefully, they too smiled.

Great Yan had many educational policies such as charitable schools and land for education, and there were numerous government-run schools and private family academies, thus literacy rates were at an all-time high compared to previous dynasties. But there were still many people among the Changjing populace who had not received much formal education and did not grasp the riddles’ meanings.

However, it didn’t matter, as a servant stood nearby to explain the meanings and nuances of the lantern riddles.

This approach not only attracted people but also showcased the scholars' talents. When scholars were pleased, more would come.

Thus, this servant not only had to explain but also timely praised the scholars guessing the riddles, allowing everyone to appreciate their talents and keep the guests happy.

Once the common folks understood, they often revealed a smile, secretly noting them down to share elsewhere.

“Sir, your literary talent is impressive; I, Yan Yao, admire you,” the woman said with a smile. “If you answer one more correctly, this tassel lantern will be gifted to you.”

“Please, go on.” The middle-aged scholar was very graceful.

“Listen carefully, sir.” The heavily made-up woman smiled slightly and picked up another lantern, illuminating it as she read aloud.

“Layer upon layer, stones piled high,

Yet no mountain rises to meet the sky.

A journey begun, but not yet complete,

A path unseen, where silence greets.

Thunder rumbles, a storm is near,

Yet no rain falls, no droplets here.

Snow drifts gently, soft and white,

Yet no chill whispers through the night.

What is it?”

“Layer upon layer, stones piled high…” The middle-aged scholar continued to mumble but gradually furrowed his brows.

The onlookers around them began to ponder as well; some figured it out, while others couldn’t.

Seeing the scholar struggling with the riddle, the woman smiled again and generously reminded him, “It’s something commonly used by the common folk.”

“…” The middle-aged scholar remained furrowed in thought, unable to come up with an answer.

“Do you know, sir?”

“I do not know…”

“Surely it’s because you come from a noble background and have rarely done such work, which is why you are unaware.”

“Please enlighten me, my lady.” Realizing she was trying to uphold his dignity, the middle-aged scholar quickly bowed.

“We don't have many riddles prepared, so let’s leave this one for the next person,” she said with a charming smile. “If you wish to know the answer, you only need to stay here for a moment.”

“Thank you…” The middle-aged scholar shook his head in disappointment and stepped aside.

The woman then turned to the crowd. “I wonder if there are any gentlemen who know the answer to this riddle and wish to give it a try. Answer three correctly, and I will give you a lantern or a jar of fine wine from our shop.”

For a moment, the people outside exchanged glances.

Song You had nearly figured it out. If one went up to guess the riddles and answered three correctly, they would receive a lantern. If they failed to guess correctly, there seemed to be no other punishment.

This brothel was quite clever.

Brothels had never lacked money, and their clientele primarily consisted of scholar-officials and literati. The lantern riddle activity was accurately aimed at this demographic; ordinary folk couldn’t guess the riddles, while those who could would be embarrassed to show their ignorance. In any case, the shop would not suffer any losses, and perhaps business would even be good tonight.

“Meow?”

“…”

With that, Song You carried the cat and walked outside.

The richly adorned woman noticed that he was a Daoist and treated him with utmost respect. Upon seeing him holding a cat, her expression softened even more as she bowed slightly in greeting. “Greetings, sir.”

“I’m Song You, a mountaineer from Yizhou. Greetings.”

“Are you here to guess riddles as well, sir?”

“I’d like to give it a try.”

“Let’s use the previous riddle,” she said. “Do you have an answer?”

“Is it a stone mill?”

“Exactly!” the woman replied with a smile.

“Stone mill!” The middle-aged scholar nearby paused for a moment, and after a brief contemplation, his eyes brightened. He repeated it softly and then cupped his hands to the Daoist, saying, “Such a simple riddle, yet I couldn't guess it. How embarrassing…”

“No need to be modest,” Song You quickly returned the gesture. “It’s just that you have had little exposure to stone mills.”

“This poem is quite clever. I wonder if you could sell me the lantern with this poem written on it, my lady?”

“If you’re willing to drink a couple of jars of wine in our establishment, listen to a tune, or enjoy a dance, I wouldn’t mind gifting it to you,” the woman replied.

“Deal!” The scholar immediately called up his friends and entered the shop.

Song You then bowed to the woman, saying, “I admire your…”

“Sir, you’re too kind,” the richly adorned woman smiled immediately, as if receiving praise from a Daoist was more delightful than compliments from the usual scholar-officials and literati customers. She then continued, “Are you prepared for the second riddle?”

“Please, enlighten me.”

“…”

The woman smiled brightly and, amidst the many lanterns, selected a simple one.

She held it and softly read, “It can bring down the autumn leaves,

But summon spring’s blooms in February’s eves.

It stirs the river, waves towering high,

And bends the bamboo beneath the sky.

Through the grove, it whispers low,

Shaking the stalks in a graceful flow.

A force unseen, yet bold and strong,

Guiding nature, where it belongs.”

Upon hearing this, Song You chuckled.

This riddle was easy; there was no need to ponder deeply. Moreover, Daoists often distanced themselves from the mundane world, finding solace in nature. Having traveled from Yizhou's spiritual spring to Changjing, he must have seen countless storms and experiences.

“Wind.”

“Congratulations, sir! You've answered the second riddle correctly,” the woman said with a charming smile. “Although you are an outsider, you possess quite a bit of knowledge. I believe the third riddle will not stump you.”

“Thank you for your kind words.”

“The knowledge you’ve cultivated yourself and the riddles you’ve solved are all your own work. How can I take credit for that?” As she spoke, she smiled again, looking incredibly beautiful, with a subtle fragrance of rouge wafting from her. It was no wonder she could captivate scholar-officials and intellectuals, leaving them utterly spellbound.

“Please present the riddle.”

“Alright…”

The woman selected another lantern and recited, “They shift and change in endless flow,

But in the end, to nothing they go.

Layer by layer, they intertwine,

Hiding in mountains, lost in time.

They mirror the waters, calm and deep,

While withered crops in silence weep.

On the brink of death, they wait in vain,

Longing for a drop of rain.

Leisurely they drift, in graceful sweep,

Transforming into peaks so steep.

A fleeting dance, both slow and grand,

Until they vanish, like shifting sand.”

As soon as she finished, the scholars around began to ponder.

The Daoist, however, recognized it almost instantly. “Cloud.”

Upon hearing this, some of the nearby scholars brightened with understanding. Others displayed expressions of frustration, as if they had been on the verge of figuring it out themselves but had been one moment too slow, robbed of the joy of solving the riddle.

“Your thoughts are indeed sharp, sir.”

“Not particularly sharp; I’m just a recluse from the mountains who loves to watch clouds,” the Daoist replied. “I truly ought to thank you for your care.”

“Do you wish for a lantern or some wine?”

“I am a Daoist in a robe; entering such a fine establishment might feel out of place. I would prefer just a lantern.”

“Please, feel free to choose.”

“Thank you…” Song You stepped forward, holding the cat, and quietly asked, “Which lantern do you prefer?”

The crowd listened and watched with great curiosity.

However, the cat was looking around, scanning the many lanterns, as if it truly understood the conversation.

After a moment, the cat's gaze became fixed on a lantern on the left. It raised its little paw, adorned with a clean white glove, pointing at that lantern. It then turned back to look at the Daoist, before glancing at the woman. It was a horse lantern, exquisitely crafted.

The crowd was even more astonished, as if they were witnessing a magic trick.

“I wonder if this lantern…”

“Sir, you have a keen eye!” The woman immediately unfastened the lantern and smilingly handed it to the Daoist.

“Thank you.” The Daoist received the lantern and bowed respectfully.

The reason this brothel held lantern riddles here was simply to attract scholar-officials and literati to patronize the establishment or to form good relations with them. As a Daoist, he was not their target customer, yet they showed him no disdain.

The only difference was that he had offered a courteous compliment at the start, prompting them to select the simplest and easiest riddle for him. After answering correctly, this beautifully crafted horse lantern, held by a long pole, was likely the most precious among all the lanterns, yet they had no hesitation in gifting it to him.

“…” The Daoist smiled, holding the lantern up as he walked, admiring it.

The redwood pole was two to three chi long, with a copper cap at the top decorated with cloud patterns. A canopy with tassels suspended beneath which hung a small horse, complete with a mane, tail, and saddle.

If one were to buy this lantern, it would likely cost at least a thousand wen. On the day of the lantern festival, it might even be more expensive.

The lantern had a few small characters written on it, “Changjing Qinghong Courtyard.”

The Daoist turned to see that the pavilion was elegantly built, with intricately carved railings and classical charm, showcasing exquisite architectural beauty. At that moment, a lantern box was in front, surrounded by countless colorful lights, making it look as beautiful as a painting.

Elegant music flowed from the second floor, and through the paper windows, graceful figures could be seen dancing, their silhouettes faint and ethereal.

At the entrance hung a plaque with two words, “Qinghong Courtyard.”

Was this the famed Qinghong Courtyard of Changjing—one of the ten wonders?

The Daoist smiled as he walked forward.

The cat beside him turned its head to look at him, its eyes sparkling. “Meow!”

“No way. It’s just a coincidence…”

“Meow…”

“I won this lantern from the riddle game. I neither spent my money on it nor used your funds; naturally, you should also acquire it in the same manner.” As the Daoist spoke, he smiled and lowered his head to converse with the cat, walking down the road as if talking to himself, which indeed seemed quite peculiar to others.

“By coincidence, I also once heard a lantern riddle. How about this: if you can solve this riddle, then this horse lantern shall belong to you.”

“…” The calico cat stared at him, a look of doubt on its face.

After a long pause, it finally softly meowed.

“Lady Calico, please listen carefully.”

“Hmm…”

“From afar, the mountains gleam so bright,

A canvas of colors, a breathtaking sight.

But as you draw close, no sound of flow,

No sound of streams, no whispers below.

Though spring has faded, flowers still bloom,

In quiet grace, they fill the room.

As footsteps approach, the birds remain still,

Unfazed by the presence, in peace they sit still.”

The Daoist spoke slowly, afraid she wouldn't catch it. Then, he added, “I learned this poem when I was a child. Coincidentally, you’re still young, so I’ll read it for you. Even if you can’t guess it, it’s good to learn.”