Chapter 208: Willing to Accept Loss (Please Vote for Me!!!)

There was a crowd at the entrance of the restaurant. As onlookers gathered, more and more people began to urge the betting to start as soon as possible.

Cheng Shi and Xiao Yuanyi took Cheng Shu, and Cheng Zhi and his wife were also among the crowd.

When Xiao Yuanyi heard that the little girl who was gambling with Cheng Shaoshang was the daughter of General He Yong, he immediately became furious.

"You shouldn't have brought her out, she'll cause trouble for us as soon as she comes out!"

As she was about to pull Cheng Shaoshang away, Cheng Shi stopped her: "I think Niao Niao is brave, not to mention that Niao Niao wanted to teach the little girl of the He family a lesson when she insulted her father and brother. I will fight the general He Yong." He is a loyal and courageous person despite having many dealings with each other. He will not interfere in the quarrel between little girls, so please be at ease, madam."

Xiao Yuanyi glared at her husband when he heard this, and then looked at Cheng Shaoshang in the crowd: "Hmph, these lantern riddles are not easy. Even I can't guess a few of them. The little girl of the He family has to appoint them. Don't let the time come. If you fail to teach me a lesson, it will bring disgrace to the Cheng family."

Hearing what she said, Cheng Shi became a little worried. It wasn't that he was afraid of causing disgrace to the Cheng family. Anyway, he was a thick-skinned old man and didn't care. What he was worried about was whether his daughter would be hit.

Cheng Zhi also sweated for Cheng Shaoshang, but Sang Shunhua smiled and said to him: "Don't worry, this girl Niao Niao is smart. If she is not sure, she will not accept the bet."

"Madam, is she so confident in Niao Niao?" Cheng Zhi was a little confused. They had just returned to the capital not long ago, and they hadn't been in contact for too long. Why did Sang Shunhua seem to know Niao Niao very well?

Sang Shunhua covered his mouth and chuckled, his eyes falling on the girl in front of the restaurant, who was illuminated by the lantern fire, and there was a hint of envy in his tone.

"My husband may not realize that there is a kind of power in Niao Niao."

Cheng Zhi looked over in confusion. Except that Cheng Shaoshang looked brighter than usual, he didn't notice the "power" his wife mentioned.

In front of the lantern wall of the restaurant, He Zhaojun turned to Cheng Shaoshang with disdain and pointed to the highest lantern: "Just answer this first."

The passers-by who were watching had already followed He Zhaojun's hand and read out the riddle.

"The visitor is actually Penglai Guest."

Lou Yao stared at it for a long time, and finally had no choice but to give up. Guessing lantern riddles often relies not on knowledge, but a flash of inspiration.

This puzzle also stumped many people, and everyone looked at each other in confusion.

"This word puzzle has no structure at all. How do you solve it?"

"Yeah, it makes me dizzy and I don't know how to start."

Cheng Shi subconsciously looked at his wife Xiao Yuanyi, only to find that Xiao Yuanyi also frowned, obviously unable to guess.

Cheng Zhi was also confused. Seeing a smile on Sang Shunhua's lips, he asked in a low voice, "Have you guessed it, Madam?"

Sang Shunhua smiled and nodded, and whispered in his ear. Cheng Zhi showed the same expression as before.

Cheng Shi saw it clearly and asked hurriedly: "Third brother, my brother and sister have guessed it. What is the answer to the mystery?"

At this moment, Cheng Shaoshang had already told the correct answer: "The answer is the word mountain."

"Mountain? Why is it a mountain?"

"Yes, what's the solution to this riddle? Is the shopkeeper's answer correct?"

The shopkeeper cupped his hands to everyone and said, "This young lady answered well. The answer is mountain."

He Zhaojun's face changed and he said suspiciously: "The person who came is actually Penglai Guest. Why is the answer to the mountain? Did you read the answer in advance?"

Faced with He Zhaojun's doubts and the suspicious looks of the people around him, Cheng Shaoshang smiled calmly and said loudly.

"Penglai is the mountain where immortals live in the Bohai Sea in mythology. Guests from Penglai are immortals, and everyone who comes becomes an immortal. Which word plus a person is the word for immortal? Of course it is the word mountain."

Listening to Cheng Shaoshang's explanation, everyone around him had expressions of enlightenment. Lantern riddles are just like that. When they can't guess it, everyone will feel so mysterious. But when the answer is announced, they will feel that it is so simple. How can they? I didn't expect that.

Lou Yao clapped his hands and said, "That's it. I admire your young master's quick thinking."

He Zhaojun was extremely angry and scolded: "What a quick thinker, it's just a coincidence. Lou Yao, don't forget your identity!"

Lou Yao could only stand aside in embarrassment.

When Cheng Shi heard that his daughter got the answer right, he was as happy as a child and said proudly: "Niao Niao is smart. She can understand such a difficult puzzle at a glance."

Xiao Yuanyi curled her lips: "It's just a little cleverness. I never see her showing off when she's studying. These heretics come with her mouth open."

Cheng Zhi said to Sang Shunhua, "Madam, you really have a beautiful heart."

Sang Shunhua covered his mouth and smiled softly, while the couple played the piano and harp in harmony.

He Zhaojun looked at the lantern wall unwillingly and picked three more lantern riddles one after another. As a result, Cheng Shaoshang answered them all correctly. Each answer caused celebrations from the onlookers, which made He Zhaojun even more depressed.

When Cheng Shaogong saw that his sister had easily answered four questions correctly, he couldn't help but feel proud. He walked up to He Zhaojun and said, "How about it, little lady of the He family, please quickly choose a question. There is only the last one left."

He Zhaojun stared at him, but under the urging of the onlookers, he had no choice but to continue choosing a topic.

"This is it, surrounded by mountains and streams, shrimps are playing in the water!"

This question was obviously a bit more difficult than the previous one. The onlookers were talking about it, but few people could solve it.

Cheng Shi saw that Xiao Yuanyi had no clue at all, and couldn't help but feel worried for his daughter.

Cheng Zhi also looked at Sang Shunhua, and this time Sang Shunhua also shook his head at him.

"Even Madam can't answer?"

Sang Shunhua glanced sideways at her husband: "It's so strange that a little girl like me can't answer the question. Why can't I answer the question if my husband is not always knowledgeable and rich?"

Cheng Zhi chuckled: "Madam knows that I have been studying the Four Books and Five Classics, and I don't know much about them."

Sang Shunhua's evaluation of this is: boring.

Cheng Zhi didn't take it seriously either.

When He Zhaojun saw that Cheng Shaoshang had been thinking for a long time and had not yet given an answer, he couldn't help but feel a little proud: "You can't guess it, you are bringing shame on yourself!"

Cheng Shaogong couldn't see it and defended his sister: "Shao Shang has answered four questions correctly, and you can't answer any of them, so what's there to be proud of!"

He Zhaojun glanced at him disdainfully: "Humph, since the bet is to answer five questions correctly and not even one wrong, is it possible that all of you in the Cheng family are people who don't keep your word?"

"you"

At the restaurant, Yuan Shen touched the wine pot with his fingers and smiled at Qin Hao: "Zihan, the wine in this pot is getting cold."

Qin Hao smiled lightly: "It's not cold yet, why should my cousin be impatient."

While he was talking, he suddenly heard a burst of cheers coming from outside the window.

But he saw Cheng Shaoshang walking up to He Zhaojun, with his hands behind his back and a faint smile.

"Well, you are humiliating yourself, but you are talking about yourself. I answered this question, and the answer is: thinking."

He Zhaojun subconsciously looked at the restaurant shopkeeper. The shopkeeper glanced at the answer to the riddle and announced it loudly.

"Ms. Cheng Si got it right. The answer to the riddle is indeed the word "si".

The crowd of onlookers immediately became lively, some guessed why it was the word "si", and some were heckled to make He Zhaojun apologize.

He Zhaojun's face turned red and he said unwillingly: "I don't accept it. How can the answer to this riddle be Si?"

"That's right. I've been guessing for a long time and I still don't have a clue. How could the answer be Si?"

"I'm also puzzled. The word "si" doesn't fit in with this mystery."

Cheng Shaoshang said calmly: "Surrounded by mountains and streams, it means that four mountains are combined to form a field. The shape of a shrimp is like a lying hook. Playing in the water means there is some water around the lying hook, so the answer is think."

Everyone suddenly realized this and immediately began to coax He Zhaojun to apologize.

When Lou Yao saw He Zhaojun blushing with embarrassment, he wanted to help her out, so he handed over his hands to Cheng Shaoshang and his sister: "It is indeed our fault in this matter. Please forgive me."

Seeing his sincere attitude, Cheng Shaoshang didn't want to be aggressive at first, but He Zhaojun became angry and pushed Lou Yao away. Instead, he took out his anger on him and accused him.

"It's all your fault for being useless. How can a waste like you be qualified to be my future husband!"

Lou Yao was so angry that he could not speak after being scolded as a waste in public.

Cheng Shaogong couldn't stand it: "Brother Lou is kind enough to apologize to you, but you insult him like this. It seems like a shrew like you is not worthy of Brother Lou."

"You" He Zhaojun became angry with shame, pushed Cheng Shaogong away and was about to leave.

Cheng Shaoshang stopped in front of her and said coldly: "Apologise!"

He Zhaojun said arrogantly: "Lou Yao just apologized for me, get out of my way!"

Cheng Shaoshang still stood in front of her: "The bet is between you and me, there is no reason for anyone else to apologize on your behalf."

"That's right, Miss He family, if you cheat, tomorrow everyone in the entire capital will know that the He family is dishonest." Cheng Shaogong also reacted.

The crowd of onlookers also began to boo. He Zhaojun had never been wronged like this before. He was so ashamed that his face turned red. He stared at Cheng Shaoshang with cannibalistic eyes. He reluctantly apologized, then arrogantly pushed his way through the crowd and quickly disappeared. .

The restaurant owner also reacted and sang loudly: "The fourth lady of the Cheng family has answered the five lantern riddles correctly. Please go to the private seats on the third floor!"

Cheng Shaoshang slowly walked towards the restaurant in front of everyone's attention, with many people booing and talking behind him.

"When did the Cheng family have a fourth lady? How come I haven't heard of it before?"

"I heard that the fourth wife of the Cheng family was very naughty and was often punished by the elders in the family. Today's meeting is completely different from the rumors."

"It's normal. Rumors are bound to be full of lies. Cheng Si is so smart and can stand up for her father and brother. How can she be a naughty person?"

When Xiao Yuanyi heard that her daughter was going to meet Qin Hao again, and in full view of everyone, she immediately wanted to stop her, but was stopped by the restaurant owner.

"Sorry, madam, you need to answer five questions correctly today before you can go upstairs."

Xiao Yuanyi pointed at Cheng Shaoshang's back: "That's my daughter."

"Sorry, ma'am, Madam Cheng Si also answered five questions correctly before going upstairs."

The onlookers also started cheering. Although they couldn't get up, they all had a similar mentality: If I can't get it, others won't get it either.

"You" Xiao Yuanyi watched Cheng Shaoshang disappear, feeling angry and anxious.

Cheng Shi had no choice but to comfort him: "Don't worry, there is Mr. Yuan upstairs, not to mention they can't do anything out of bounds in full view of the public."

Xiao Yuanyi was still a little worried, so she had to wait below the restaurant. It was Sang Shunhua who said she was coming to the capital for the first time and wanted Xiao Yuanyi to take her around, so she persuaded Xiao Yuanyi to stop staying downstairs.

Cheng Shaoshang rushed to the third floor and couldn't wait to break into the private room where Qin Hao was. Qin Hao saw that her face was slightly red from the cold, so he pulled her to warm her hands in front of the charcoal fire.

Yuan Shen cleared his throat to remind him of his existence.

"Why are you here?" Cheng Shaoshang looked at Yuan Shen with disgust.

Yuan Shen was left speechless and said depressedly: "I haven't seen you for several years, but you are still so disrespectful."

Cheng Shaoshang retorted: "You are still as annoying as you were a few years ago."

Qin Hao saw the two of them glaring at each other like fighting cocks, so he had no choice but to reconcile.

"Don't forget your cousin's jade flute."

Yuan Shen became even more depressed, especially when he learned that the jade flute he collected would be given to Cheng Shaoshang by Qin Hao.

"What kind of music does this little girl know? Such a good jade flute was ruined by her." Yuan Shen said sourly.

Qin Hao was happy: "Since my cousin lost the jade flute to me, it is none of my cousin's business who I give it to again."

While joking, Qin Hao took off the folding fan from his waist and handed it to Yuan Shen: "I know my cousin has been coveting it for a long time, so I will give this folding fan to my cousin."

Yuan Shen was overjoyed when he heard this, but he was a little embarrassed: "Even if I lose the bet, I will give you the jade flute. How can I exchange it like this?"

Qin Hao smiled and said: "My cousin lost the bet on the jade flute, and I gave this folding fan to my cousin. There is no need to confuse them."

Yuan Shen was still a little nervous, Cheng Shaoshang said from the side: "Don't forget my jade flute."

Yuan Shen glared at Cheng Shaoshang: "How can Yuan be the one who breaks his promise? He has already sent his servant to get it, and he will be there soon."

With that said, Yuan Shen calmly took the folding fan from Qin Hao's hand and started playing with it fondly.

Qin Hao and Cheng Shaoshang looked at each other and smiled, this guy is too arrogant.

Not long after, the servants of Yuan Shen's family had brought the jade flute over. It was the first time for Cheng Shaoshang to see such a crystal clear jade flute. He immediately felt itchy and put it to his lips to play.

A melodious flute sound sounded, and Yuan Shen was obviously stunned for a moment.

The spectators who were about to leave after seeing the excitement stopped for a moment, looking upstairs and talking among themselves.

"The sound of this flute is so melodious, but I don't know who is playing it."

"No need to ask, it must have been played by the Second Young Master of Qin or Young Master Yuan, but this piece of music is quite new and I have never heard it before. Could it be a newly composed piece?"

"This song only exists in heaven. It is rare to hear it in the human world. It is wonderful and wonderful."

Xiao Yuanyi's footsteps also stopped, and Sang Shunhua suddenly smiled and asked: "Who do you think this music was played by?"

"Of course it was played by the Second Young Master of Qin or Young Master Yuan. Niao Niao doesn't know the music."

At this point, Xiao Yuanyi suddenly woke up and looked at Sang Shunhua in surprise: "Have you heard Niao Niao play this piece before?"

Sang Shunhua smiled and shook his head at her: "This is my first time listening to this song, but don't you recognize the artistic conception in this song?"

As he spoke, Sang Shunhua looked towards the direction of the restaurant not far away: "When you hear the sound of the flute, it seems like you are about to fly away."

Xiao Yuanyi felt a pain in her heart and murmured to herself: "Does she really want to escape from this home?"

On the top of the city, Ling Buyi was wearing armor and faintly heard the sound of a flute. He was entranced for a moment. Why didn't he want to escape? But the souls of the entire Huo family are still waiting for him to find the real culprit behind the scenes and help them seek justice!

"My lord, someone appeared at the door of Qin's restaurant carrying a lantern like Xu Jinzhong's."

Ling Buyi's eyes narrowed: "Who is it?"

"Prince Xiao!" the subordinate replied.

"Prince Yong? Okay, very good! Watch him to death!" Ling Buyi said coldly.

In the restaurant, Yuan Shen looked at Cheng Shaoshang in surprise, looking incredulous.

Qin Hao poured Cheng Shaoshang a glass of warm wine. Anyway, the wine in this period was rice wine, so you wouldn't get drunk at all.

"Your performance of Partridge Flying is becoming more and more superb."

Regarding Qin Hao's compliments, Cheng Shaoshang accepted them all and said with a smile: "That's because A Hao composed the music well."

Qin Hao scratched the tip of her nose and said dotingly: "Okay, the two of us are bragging here, and we are suspected of flattering each other."

Only then did Yuan Shen react and asked Qin Hao in surprise: "Did you compose this piece?"

Qin Hao nodded lightly: "Niao Niao likes music, but also feels that Chu Ci is too depressing, so I composed a few lighter tunes when I had nothing to do."

Yuan Shen no longer knew how to describe it. Such a high-quality piece of music, if placed outside, would be enough to become a music master, but it turned out to be just Qin Hao's song for women's entertainment.

What a waste of natural resources!

At this moment, suddenly there was a noise outside the restaurant, followed by a burst of fire.

When Qin Hao walked close to the window, he felt a wave of heat coming over him and found that the wall of lanterns outside the building was already burning.

"Go downstairs." Qin Hao pulled Cheng Shaoshang downstairs.

Yuan Shen also hurriedly followed. When he arrived on the first floor, the shopkeeper was already organizing people to put out the fire. Fortunately, the lantern wall was only natural and did not burn to the restaurant. It only blackened the outer wall of the restaurant.

At this time, Cheng Shi and his wife also rushed over with people. They were relieved to see that Cheng Shaoshang was safe and sound, and then ordered their men to help put out the fire.

Qin Hao raised his hand and thanked him: "Thank you, General Cheng, for your help. I will definitely come to pay my respects one day."

When Xiao Yuanyi heard this, he had the urge to call everyone back.

After such an incident, Cheng Shaoshang naturally had no choice but to go back with his family. Qin Hao waited until the fire was out, then rushed to Qin's house with Yuan Shen without staying too long.

As a result, they met a carriage on the way. The two carriages intersected. Prince Xiao opened the curtain and cupped his hands at Qin Hao and said, "Master Qin and Master Yuan, why don't we meet by chance? Why don't we find a place to have a drink?"

Qin Hao didn't speak but kept staring at the other person for a long time before he said something pointedly.

"Prince Xiao just wants to destroy a lantern, so why bother to light up my restaurant? You must be aware that cleverness can lead to mistakes. Drinking is unnecessary. I will have the bill for the repairs of the restaurant sent to Prince Xiao's house."

After saying that, he lowered the curtain and the carriage slowly passed the other party's carriage. He did not want to get involved in the trouble between Ling Buyi and King Yong, but this did not mean that Prince Xiao could use the Qin family as a shield.

Prince Xiao's face suddenly became extremely ugly.

"Go home!"

"promise."

On the other side, on Cheng's carriage, Xiao Yuanyi looked at Cheng Shaoshang holding an exquisite jade flute, with mixed feelings in her heart.

Sang Shunhua really guessed correctly, that piece of music was really played by Cheng Shaoshang.