No, I was just a concubine, how did I become the queen?

"You?" The mustache-faced man sneered, "Last year during the Lantern Festival, Lord Nalan came, but he couldn't figure out our treasure."

"And this lantern is for guessing, not for sale. If you guess correctly, you can take it for free. If you don't guess correctly, you can keep the money and the lantern."

The Treasure Pavilion is not some unknown little shop. The reason why he, the deputy shopkeeper, stands on the busy street is because the lantern tower is here.

If it weren't for the annual Lantern Festival, the woman in front of him might not have been able to see him.

Many dignitaries came to their lantern festival, including many talented young men.

No one dares to make such a boast, this ignorant woman is so shameless!

The Fourth Master frowned, and was about to explode when Lin Mingyan spoke up in disgust, "Really? You're not using last year's stale lanterns, are you?"

Isn’t the treasure of this store the lucky cat?

There are always people who come here to try it out, and then they find out that they have to pay money and cannot take the things away.

Last year’s products couldn’t be sold, so you’re using them to cheat people out of money this year?

Is this really legal?

Lin Mingyan looked at the boss and then at the Fourth Master, her eyes seemed to be saying: Have we met a scammer?

When the Fourth Master saw her look, all his anger dissipated.

He turned to look at the man with a mustache, and the aura of the superior made him tremble.

But the man with a mustache didn't have time to think deeply, his mustache was lifted up by Lin Mingyan's smoke.

He said unhappily, "Last year's lanterns were eventually sold, of course. Today's are new ones, and they're far more gorgeous than last year's!"

It’s so annoying. Where is the market for lanterns after the Lantern Festival?

They must have all been sold out!

Lin Mingyan was relieved and raised her chin. "Then what are you waiting for? Start reading the riddles. I'll guess the biggest one."

She pointed to the largest and most gorgeous lantern on the lantern tower in front of her.

The mustache guy then twirled his beard and said proudly, "You can't guess this just because you ask me to."

"Do you see this string of different lanterns?"

"Starting from the bottom one, there are nine in total from bottom to top. You can only guess the last one, the treasure of the store, if you guess all the previous ones correctly."

Huh~~

Just a small lantern, look how proud you are.

I’ve seen all my grandma’s neon signs!

Lin Mingyan was too lazy to talk nonsense with him: "Then start guessing!"

The mustache guy started talking nonsense again: "Well, let's be frank. This first lantern is ten taels. The following ones are twenty taels, fifty taels, one hundred taels, three hundred taels, five hundred taels, one thousand taels, five thousand taels, and finally ten thousand taels!"

"If you can only guess correctly, you can choose to buy the correct one at half price, or you can choose to continue guessing."

"But if you keep guessing and you guess wrong, you can't buy anything before that, and you have to keep the silver corresponding to your wrong guess."

"Think carefully before you guess~"

"Hiss~~" There were gasps coming from all around.

Even though many people already knew about the Treasure Pavilion's trick, they couldn't help but feel the pain of the price of these lanterns.

If you can’t guess it in the end, won’t the ten thousand taels be wasted?

Some kind-hearted people advised: "Girl, this is not something that ordinary people like us can afford to play, so don't guess."

"Yes, I heard that last year a scholar owed one thousand taels, and he still hasn't paid off the interest."

"Alas, this woman doesn't come from a wealthy family. Don't go into debt for this."

......

There was a lot of discussion in the crowd, but the man with the mustache was not in a hurry. He just looked Lin Mingyan up and down.

In fact, not everyone can participate in the Treasure of Tranquility. He will also screen those who are able to pay ten thousand taels.

But this woman is okay. Her husband may have some money, which is why he has developed such an ostentatious personality.

But she certainly couldn't afford ten thousand taels. When the time came, she would give her beauty to that nobleman, but it could not be bought with any amount of money.

Lin Mingyan had no idea what the mustache guy had in mind, so she agreed immediately and excitedly rubbed her hands, ready to show her skills.

When the man with the mustache saw that she had taken the bait, his eyes gleamed and he went to pick up the riddle of the lantern at the bottom.

While he was getting the lantern riddles, Lin Mingyan turned around and whispered in Fourth Master's ear, "Master, did you bring money with you when you went out to play?"

Even though she sounded confident, she wasn't 100% sure in her heart.

If they can't guess it and have no money, it would be embarrassing for the two of them to be trapped here.

The Fourth Master gently tapped his little head and teased him, "You're only thinking about money now? It's too late~"

"If I can't guess it and can't pay the money, I'll have no choice but to mortgage you here~"

The Fourth Master had a mocking look on his face, looking like a naughty boy.

Fourth Master, I didn’t expect you to be this kind of Fourth Master!

Lin Mingyan pinched his waist angrily: "Humph, I'm not worth ten thousand taels. If you don't have the money, you can use it to keep me here. Humph!"

The fourth prince of the Qing Dynasty should be worth ten thousand taels!

The Fourth Master pursed his lips and smiled, and stopped teasing her.

Whisper to her: "Go and play, bring enough money, enough for you to guess ten times."

Wow~

It has to be my Fourth Master, taking 100,000 taels with him when he goes shopping?!

Okay, now it’s not a waste at all.

The man with the mustache over there had already started reading out the first riddle, which was about a ten-liang lantern. The riddle was also simple, and Lin Mingyan answered it correctly without having to think about it.

Everything went smoothly afterwards, until the third to last lamp, which was already priced at one thousand taels.

More and more people gathered around, and their eyes were dazzled by the lantern that cost one thousand taels.

The wife of the scholar who had just guessed the riddle clenched her fists tightly, as if she was worried about Lin Mingyan.

She pulled her husband's sleeve and asked, "Will this girl continue?"

"This five hundred taels lantern is already very beautiful. Why not buy it back at half price?"

Most of the onlookers also advised her to quit while she was ahead, after all, the further she went, the harder it would be.

Lin Mingyan listened without saying anything. The man with the mustache was afraid that she would back out at the last minute, so he ordered someone to take down the lantern worth one thousand taels.

He deliberately showed off in front of her: "My dear lady, this lamp is worth one thousand taels. Do you want to stop while you are ahead or continue?"

She leaned closer to look at the light and was immediately amazed.

Under the lantern is a silver elephant throne with an octagonal palace lantern made of glazed tiles on its back, with different patterns on each of its eight sides.

Pearl ropes hang from the eight corners of the canopy, and the lamp is dotted with gems of various colors.

The man with the mustache deliberately showed off. He didn't know what mechanism was turned on, but the light actually started to turn, making it even more dazzling.

Lin Mingyan’s eyes lit up: I want it!

"Go on! Read out the answer quickly!" She was a little impatient.

One thousand taels is such a good thing, what about ten thousand taels?

She looked up again, but unfortunately it was hung too high and she couldn't see the details clearly.

Everyone gasped in relief when they heard her continue.

Especially the little woman, she wanted to tear the scholar's sleeves to pieces.

The little mustache smiled triumphantly and read out the riddle: "Listen carefully."

"From afar, the mountains are vibrant; from nearby, the water flows silently. Spring fades, the flowers remain; people approach, but the birds remain unstartled."

Lin Mingyan frowned. These riddles started out as simple guesses, but later on the riddles became longer and longer.

Seeing her frown, there was even a sneer: "You're just a woman. After reading a few books, you really think you're capable?"