Chapter 20: The Astonishing Talk in the Hall (Part 2)

  "Oh? I wonder what riddle Brother Xiao has thought of? Go ahead and say it out loud, I'd love to hear it. I don't believe a small little riddle that you came up with on the spot can stump us." Xiaoyu was clearly unhappy, seeing how Xiao Shouren looked right through her as if she were air. Anyone would feel this way - if someone treated you like air, wouldn't you?

  Belittle him, belittle him as much as possible, that's what Xiao Yatou and Little Green think, so this riddle is next!

  "Of course, Brother Chen is obviously from a family of scholars, must have read extensively and the classics at home are probably overflowing. Xiao's humble abode can't compare to yours, but honestly, this question is still quite challenging for that young servant by your side." Xiang Shouren said with a smile.

  This remark is extremely skillful, starting with a slight compliment to Chen Chuan, who must be delighted. She would never refute the fact that her family is a scholarly one; who wouldn't be pleased to hear that? Refuting it would be equivalent to refuting the claim that her family is scholarly. The speaker then says that this small riddle won't stump Chen Chuan, implying that if she answers correctly, it's because she has foresight, and if not, it gives her an excuse to save face. Finally, the tone shifts to target Xiao Lü, with words that are even more provocative: "I'm sure you can solve my riddle; your family's young master is well-read in classical literature, so he should be able to as well." However, solving the riddle has some difficulty, implying that if you can't solve it, you're stupid - a riddle that anyone can solve has stumped you.

  Of course, Xiaolu didn't hear all those twists and turns, she just felt uncomfortable listening to it.

  "Xiao Mou, this topic is very simple. What thing does the heaven not know, the earth knows, you don't know, and I know?" Xiao Shouren took out a brain teaser from his previous life and pointed at Little Green to answer.

  This little green is really stupid, she's just a little girl, knows a few words, but this dance of words, selling elegance, guessing riddles and writing poems is really not her thing. She was just quick-tongued earlier so she blurted out a few sentences, didn't expect him to actually take it seriously and make things difficult for her, a little girl. Ah, right, she's a male book boy now, can't blame him.

  Chen Chuan also furrowed his brow tightly, thinking about this riddle. What thing is known to heaven and earth but not to me? This is really a strange question!

  Xiao Yatou finally understood that she shouldn't offend anyone, especially not a scholar like Xiao Shouren who had also been in the military. They say that when a scholar meets a soldier, he can't reason his way out of it, but now she was facing not just any scholar, but one who had been on the battlefield, and she was definitely at a disadvantage.

  Xiao Shouren knew they would never guess, so he smiled and prepared to shoo them away. He hadn't eaten dinner yet, having been busy all day. Although he had eaten a bit with Chen Chuan at the wine tower at noon, it wasn't enough to fill him up. Now it was almost dark, and the imperial palace didn't provide meals, how stingy!

  "It's okay, this riddle is a bit difficult for you, why don't you go back and think about it slowly, when you figure it out, come tell me, I haven't eaten yet, I'm so hungry my stomach is sticking to my back, I won't play with you guys anymore, I'll go get some money and then go eat. The money I brought out today has all been spent, the money for eating, the money for bribing Huang Gonggong, it's all money."

  "Never mind, he probably can't think of it anyway. It's just as well that we haven't had dinner yet. Why don't we go with Brother Xiao instead? Let's go to Tianranju at noon and have a lively meal together." Chen Chuan smiled and invited when Xiao Shouren went in to take out the money and prepare for dinner.

  "Huh? Alright, eating alone really is no fun. Let's eat together then." Xiao Shouren could only agree.

  All the way, Chen Chuan did not take a horse-drawn carriage, but walked shoulder to shoulder with Xiao Shouren, constantly guessing the unknown riddle of that day. Of course, Xiao Shouren was also playing Tai Chi, without leaking a word.

  It's finally time for lunch at Tianranju, and now it's already packed with people inside. It seems that the business of this Tianranju is still very good.

  Xiao Shouren and his friends chose a window seat on the second floor, sat down, casually ordered a few appetizers, waited for the dishes to be served, and chatted with Chen Chuan.

  "Alright, alright, I'll tell you. Honestly!" Unable to withstand Chen Chuan's persistent questioning, Xiao Shouren decided to reveal the answer to her. Chen Chuan would say that she didn't know if her own answer was correct and asked Xiao Shouren to provide the standard answer for reference. Then, she would say that there was something wrong with the riddle itself, chattering non-stop. Xiao Shouren couldn't take it anymore and had no choice but to reveal the answer to shut her up.

  "Oh? Brother Xiao is willing to say the riddle, then go ahead and see if your answer is the same as mine." Chen Chuan excitedly stared at Xiao Shouren with a smile.

  If Xiao Shouren didn't know that he had wiped his face again when he came out, he would definitely be wondering if there were flowers on his face or if the vegetable sprouts he ate this morning were still stuck to his front teeth. Otherwise, why would Chen Chuan, this fake gentleman, keep staring at him?

  "Haven't you all noticed? I didn't just take the money when I went in, I also changed into a pair of shoes." Xiao Shouren asked slowly.

  "Huh? Does this have something to do with whether you've changed your shoes or not?" Little Green's face almost turned green, she had been thinking all the way and didn't even have a clue, now at this moment she was originally prepared to listen to the standard answer, but after hearing this answer, her thoughts became even more confused.

  "You're so stupid and you don't even admit it, if you were just stupid that would be fine, but you have to show it off, aren't you satisfied until everyone knows that the young master of your household has a stupid servant?" Xiang Shouren saw that this little green was actually competing with his own wit, so he spoke without mercy, not only setting fire between the two of them, but also dragging Chen Chuan into it.

  "Xiao Lü, if you're not here, then don't make a sound. Honestly, I don't know why you keep talking. Can't you just listen to Xiao Shao's explanation? Are you saying that Xiao Shao would deceive us?" Chen Chuan stopped the spread of this fire, for if it were to start burning, it would never end, and later on, the mystery would be forgotten, and everyone would ignore it."

  "It's simple, why did I change my shoes? Because the sole of my shoe had a hole in it. That's the answer, my shoe sole had a hole." After Xiao Shouren finished speaking, the waiter also brought up the wine and dishes, Xiao Shouren didn't hesitate, he was really starving, picked up his chopsticks and started eating quickly, while Chen Chuan's servants were all stunned there.