Half life wandering, half life worrying
Come to Wenbao for a few autumns
Now I wake up from the dream and don’t recognize the old days
Falling into the current of Bianzhou River
Upstairs in Wenbao, Li Ke just finished reciting this poem and drank the wine in one gulp. He looked at the boats flowing in the river outside the building, as if he was floating away with them.
When the diners on the side heard the poem recited by Li Ke, they all cheered.
"Master Li, this poem is quite good, but it feels very desolate."
"Master Li, you are really talented in literature."
"Master Li, why are you so disappointed? You should know that there is wine today and you will get drunk today. When you are drunk, you will continue to have fun in the world."
...
Li Ke waved his hand to the diners who were talking and said, "You're welcome, don't listen to me messing around. Everyone should continue drinking."
My friend Xiuming on the side looked at Li Ke, picked up the wine glass and said, "Brother Li, don't worry, there will always be a day when the sails will sail across the sea. Let's get drunk now while we have wine."
Seeing this, Li Ke was speechless. He picked up his wine glass and clinked it with Xiu Ming and drank directly.
"Li Ke is like this today. I think this year's scientific examination results have been released. This guy must have failed the test again, so he came here to drink to drown his sorrows." Zhao Dongliu, who was sitting not far away, was joking with his friends sitting with him in a mocking way. With.
"Isn't it? This Li Ke has been taking the exam for so many years, and he just missed the mark. If it weren't for the fact that his Li family has a strong family background, let him take the exam, otherwise this kid is nothing, and the Tian family will definitely not take the exam. The youngest daughter Tian Fengxiao is betrothed to her."
"Yes, but I heard that Li Ke was indifferent to the Li family's business because he was obsessed with his official career. His father Li Tian was extremely dissatisfied with him. It is rumored that Li Ke's sister Li Qingyuan has been cultivated as his heir. If it weren't for Li Ke's Grandpa is protecting him, this Li Ke may have been kicked out of the Li family long ago."
...
A group of people were talking to each other, casting disdainful eyes at Li Ke from time to time, complimenting Zhao Dongliu while drinking, and laughing loudly.
Listening to these heart-wrenching remarks, Li Ke felt as if ten thousand ants were crawling on his body, but he could only pour it all into the cup and drink cup after cup.
Xiu Ming saw Li Ke's discomfort and said: "Brother Li, don't listen to other people's words. With Brother Li's literary talent, he just lacks an opportunity. Besides, Zhao Dongliu is just a well-known dandy in Jinyang City. He usually loves Don’t take your gossip seriously.”
How could Li Ke not know that Zhao Dongliu was no different from a local ruffian, but what they said was not false. In the past six years, if his grandfather had not been insisting in front of his father, he might have been kicked out of the Li family long ago.
"Well, what do you want him to do? Brother Xiu Ming, come and have a drink. After drinking, let's go to the lantern market together. I heard that it's particularly lively tonight. There's also lantern riddles. How about we compare it later? Who loses? Please drink next time." Li Ke said to Xiu Ming with relaxed brows.
"Very good, very good, it's settled in one word." Xiu Ming didn't make any ink, picked up the wine glass and drank another drink.
After a while, the two of them walked out of Wenbao Building and headed towards the lantern market.
"Brother Li, I heard that a new oiran came to Ciyulou during the lantern festival today. Her name is Siyao. She is a strange woman. She was born like a fish and a geese. Although she was committed to a brothel, she kept herself clean. She has always been sought after by literati. Tonight's lantern riddle guessing is also She started it.”
"Brother Xiu Ming, there really is such a woman in the world. You should see her. If you can recognize her, tonight will definitely be more interesting."
There were only pedestrians rushing along the way, all rushing towards Ciyu Tower. Everyone wanted to see Si Yao's beauty, but they didn't know that the scenery on the road was also very good. Houses on both sides hang red lanterns, and the lights are bright. People are coming and going in small business shops, which is very lively. Some of the craftsmen selling candied haws, making candy figures, and dough dolls on the street are shouting, and some are He immersed himself in making it carefully, attracting many young children to watch and shout for adults to buy it. Young beauties are also strolling on the street, looking at the rouge stalls and the jewelry stalls, and they can always catch some of them; the young talents are enjoying the things together on the street, reciting poems and studying the calligraphy and painting stalls, and rarely Purchased.
Fireworks shot into the sky, attracting everyone's attention. Someone in the crowd shouted: "Come on, the lantern riddle competition in Ciyulou is about to start. If you are late, you won't be able to see Miss Si Yao."
"Brother Li, let's go quickly. This lantern festival is only once a year, and we have to join in the fun."
"Brother Xiu Ming, is he just as eager to see Miss Siyao as everyone else, hahaha...".
From a distance, I could hear Zhao Dongliu and his group making noises in the crowd, shouting for the accompanying disciples to behave well later, vowing to win the favor of Miss Siyao. Zhao Dongliu also uttered some frivolous words from time to time without any scruples.
Seeing this, Li Ke shook his head and continued walking towards Ciyu Tower with Xiuming.
Downstairs of Ciyu Tower, everyone was raising their heads, and the bustling crowd blocked the main entrance of Ciyu Tower. I just heard the old woman in the shop shouting when she went out: "All you officials and talented people, please don't be impatient. Our lantern riddle competition will begin now. Miss Siyao has given instructions. The top two in tonight's lantern riddle competition can join Miss Siyao later." While drinking at the table, Miss Siyao will personally play the flute and sing songs. There will also be an ultimate test during the dinner. If you pass it, you can talk with Miss Siyao all night long and drink and write poems."
Zhao Dongliu couldn't wait to encourage everyone to shout, "Mom, stop inking, let's start quickly."
Ciyulou's old lady's name is Wu Sujuan, and most people who know her well call her Mrs. Wu. She is also the number one person in Jinyang City. She has been running Ciyulou for so many years, and it can be said that she has taken both black and white. The old lady is inextricably linked.
Seeing that it was Zhao Dongliu, Mrs. Wu didn't want to be negligent and said quickly: "Master Zhao, don't be anxious. After all, how can this Siyao girl be compared to ordinary vulgar fans? We will start later, please be patient and wait."
On the terrace above the main entrance, there is a woman wearing a red shirt, her face covered with a veil, her body is slender and slim, her skin is like cream, and a little red lipstick between her eyebrows makes her more dignified. At this moment, he was watching everything downstairs. Later, he turned around and shook his head with the maid and said: "It seems that they are all mediocre people who are just joining in the fun. They will never meet the person they are destined to meet."
The maid hurriedly spoke: "Don't worry, Miss Siyao. Although most of these people are lustful people, if there are one or two young masters among so many people who are truly talented, they might fall into the eyes of the young lady."
After hearing this, Si Yao glanced downstairs again, shook his head and sighed softly.
"Dang, dang, dang..." A gong sounded, and Mrs. Wu announced the start of the lantern riddle competition in front of everyone. If you answer the question correctly, you can enter the lobby of Ciyu Tower and take a seat, where you will have your own food and drinks, and enter the second round. If the second round If you pass the round, you can have a drink with Miss Siyao; for this ultimate test, Miss Siyao will pose the question herself. The judges understand.
Seeing this, Xiu Ming quickly said: "Brother Li, let's go forward quickly. I heard that there are only fifteen questions in this first round. Only by answering one riddle correctly can you enter the Ciyu Tower. If you are late, you will not be able to answer the questions."
At this time, the girl in charge of the lantern riddles stood on the steps in front of the door, slowly took out a piece of paper, and read out the first riddle to the spectators in the audience - there are holes but no insects, there are nests but no bees, there are no bees. No silkworms can be seen, no one can be seen with an umbrella, just hit something.
The people in the audience looked at each other in confusion. Everyone had answers, but no one had the right answer.
Zhao Dongliu said: "Miss Qingluo, this first puzzle is so difficult. I think Miss Si Yao doesn't want to see me and wait. Can you give me some tips?"
Girl Qingluo on the stage said: "Mr. Zhao is joking. This question is actually the easiest of all the questions. Let's think about it again."
When everyone was in trouble, a person standing in front of the crowd said: "It's lotus root." Everyone came to their senses and realized that it was indeed lotus root. The person who answered the question is Sun Yifan from the east of the city. He is the son of one of the four major families in Jinyang City. He has some ink, but not much.
"That's right, it's Ou Root. Please invite Mr. Sun in." Qingluo said, leading Sun Yifan to Ciyu Tower.
Everyone was still discussing the answer, and Miss Qingluo began to read out the second question: "The rabbit invites the tiger to be a guest, use an idiom."
As soon as Zhao Dongliu heard the question, he said, "I know this question. My father mentioned it at home this morning. It's Yin eating Mao Liang."
"Zhao Dongliu is really lucky, and this happened to him." Everyone was talking on the sidelines.
As soon as Zhao Dongliu entered, the third question began, "The Red Mansion Gate welcomes visitors from three religions and nine streams. Please ask for the next couplet."
This gave everyone a headache, and Xiuming also began to murmur. Seeing Li Ke's silence, Xiuming asked: "Brother Li is silent, does he already have an answer?"
"Since Brother Xiu Ming asked, I'm going to do a favor today, put my ear to my side, and I'll give you the second line. You go ahead, right?"
"Brother Li, why is this? Doesn't Brother Li not want to go in?" Xiu Ming asked directly.
"No, brother Xiuming, just go first and I'll come back later. Besides, not everyone can solve these puzzles, so just go in with confidence." After Li Ke finished speaking, he whispered in Xiuming's ear.
Xiu Ming stepped forward and said, "Miss Qingluo, I already have the second couplet."
"Please give me the second line, sir." After Qing Luo finished speaking, she felt that the young man was being humble and polite, so she smiled slightly.
"The Qingshi Road passes through the Five Elements and Eight Elements. I wonder if you think my second couplet is okay?" Xiuming looked at Qingluo.
Qingluo meditated for a moment and said: "The red building is opposite to the blue stone, the door is opposite to the road, the three religions and nine streams are opposite to the five elements and eight works, the guest is opposite to the person, it is extremely wonderful. I also ask for the taboo of the young master's name."
"I am Xiu Ming."
"Master Xiuming, please come in quickly." After saying that, Qingluo quickly led Xiuming into Ciyu Tower.
In a moment, many people dispersed. After all, most people just came to join in the fun. The lantern riddles were almost guessed, and the answers to each question were reviewed in Li Ke's mind. Several people who entered had the answers given by Li Ke, but Li Ke himself was unhurried and calm. All this was clearly seen by Si Yao who was upstairs, and she was somewhat interested in Li Ke.
"Miss Si Yao, look at that person. He clearly knew the answer, but he didn't answer it and told the answer to others. He is really a weirdo." Si Yao's maid said curiously.
Si Yao glanced into the distance and said, "Ling'er, go down and tell Miss Qingluo to change the last question. I'll ask the question myself. If he can still answer it, he's got some talent." After saying that, Then he picked up the jade pen on the table and wrote the riddle on the red paper.
In a moment, Ling'er found Qingluo with a red note and explained everything to Qingluo.
Qing Luo looked at the people in the audience, looked at Li Ke in particular, and said, "Everyone, the finale is here. This last question is the most difficult question. Please cherish the opportunity."
"'The clouds in the sky are red, the waves are warm and the grass is deep.' This is an unfinished poem. Whoever can write the last two sentences will get the last spot."
Li Ke thought to himself, this Ciyulou is interesting. It doesn't mean that everyone who can come is here. It seems that this girl Siyao is indeed as rumored. Then he walked forward and chanted:
The clouds in the sky are red and the warm waves are deep with fragrant grass.
Since then, Guan Shan has been living as a foreigner.
As soon as Li Ke finished reciting, everyone in the audience clapped and applauded. When Si Yao upstairs heard the last two sentences, she couldn't help but think that she had been a foreigner for many years, and there was a hint of meaning in her eyebrows.
Qingluo also said: "This young master is indeed very clever. Please wait a moment."
Immediately afterwards, Ling'er appeared next to Qing Luo and signaled to Qing Luo that this was the last person.
Under the guidance of Miss Qingluo and Ling'er, Li Ke slowly walked into Ciyu Tower. When he entered the door, he saw Xiuming waving to him as he walked in first. Li Ke did not hesitate and walked straight over to sit with Xiuming.
