Chapter 13: Three Birds with One Arrow (Please Recommend and Add to Your Favorites)

Chapter 13: Killing Three Birds with One Stone (Recommendations and Bookmarks Appreciated)

Old Cai San chuckled for a good while before stopping abruptly, his expression suddenly darkening as he snapped, “Sir, are you mocking us?”

Li Qi spread his hands in surprise. “Good steward, why would you say such a thing? Since your establishment has hung these two couplets here, surely it’s in the hope that someone might soon provide matching responses. My intention is merely to honor your shop’s goodwill, not to offend.”

“You—what you say is true,” Old Cai nodded, though his face grew somewhat unpleasant. He wished these couplets could remain displayed for a few more days, but such thoughts he dared not voice. Pointing at the little boy, he added, “But what if he cannot answer? What then?”

“That’s just it—if he can’t answer, so be it. What’s the big deal? Should he be punished for failing? If that’s the case, I must take back my earlier words,” Li Qi replied with feigned timidity.

Old Cai was momentarily at a loss for words. The very reason Master Cai had posted these couplets at Jadeite Pavilion was to attract customers. If failure meant punishment, who would come? Moreover, if Li Qi claimed the boy could answer and they stopped him, others would accuse Jadeite Pavilion of breaking its word—if others could answer and they barred him, the shop’s reputation would be ruined. Yet if they let him respond, Old Cai felt his pride would be wounded.

Caught in this dilemma, Old Cai was unsure how to proceed.

“Steward, what will it be? You might as well give us an answer!” Li Qi said with a smile in his eyes.

He had grasped Old Cai’s mindset perfectly—knowing the steward dared not make things difficult for him. Besides, Li Qi intended to win the hundred taels reward, protect the mother and son pair, and teach this arrogant steward a lesson. Killing three birds with one stone—what joy was greater?

Old Cai glanced at Li Qi, fury boiling within, but he held back no longer. Gritting his teeth, he threatened, “If you intend to defend these two filthy beggars, I advise you not to play the hero—you’ll only bring trouble upon yourself.”

Damn it, if I were afraid, I wouldn’t have stepped forward earlier.

Unfazed by the threat, Li Qi smiled faintly. “Your warning is duly noted, steward. But I remain confident he can answer.”

“Very well, since you are so sure, I want to see this for myself.” Though reluctant, Old Cai had no choice but to endure for now. He signaled to his henchmen to step back.

The thugs shot hostile glares at Li Qi and the mother and son before retreating.

“Thank you, thank you!” Li Qi smiled and cupped his hands toward Old Cai, then stepped forward and helped the pair to a pillar on the left, asking gently, “Madam, are you alright?”

The woman seemed stunned, staring blankly at Li Qi.

Li Qi called out again softly, “Madam, madam.”

Suddenly, she snapped back to herself, clutching Li Qi’s arm and crying, “Sir, sir, please save our Anan! I beg you on my knees!” She then knelt.

Li Qi quickly supported her. “Please, get up. Rest assured, neither of you will come to harm.”

“Really?” The woman looked at him, half-believing.

Li Qi smiled and nodded, helping her up, then turned to the boy. “Your name is Anan, right?”

The boy furrowed his brow, glancing at Li Qi and then his mother, hesitant.

“Anan, the sir is asking you, answer him quickly!” the woman urged, tugging his arm anxiously.

At last, the boy nodded. “I’m Chen Anan.”

Li Qi smiled slightly and lowered his voice. “Anan, are you afraid of them?” He glanced toward Old Cai.

Chen Anan bit his lip, a stubborn look crossing his face as he shook his head fiercely.

“Good.” Li Qi nodded and asked, “Do you want them to serve you?”

Chen Anan nodded vigorously.

“Very well, then do exactly as I say.” Li Qi smiled mysteriously and whispered into Chen Anan’s ear.

Old Cai watched uneasily as the two whispered and laughed quietly. If this little beggar truly answered the couplets, Jadeite Pavilion would suffer a great loss. He edged closer, straining to eavesdrop.

But Li Qi gave no chance; his mouth was nearly pressed to Chen Anan’s ear, and not a word leaked out, leaving Old Cai thoroughly frustrated.

After a long moment, Li Qi straightened and asked Chen Anan with a smile, “Did you remember everything?”

Chen Anan nodded. “Yes.”

Li Qi patted his shoulder. “Good. Go ahead.”

Chen Anan nodded again, glanced at Old Cai with a hint of fear, but when he saw his frail mother, resentment swiftly replaced dread. He straightened and approached Old Cai, head raised arrogantly. “What is your first couplet?” he asked disdainfully.

Old Cai’s anger flared. How dare this little beggar swagger before him! “Which one are you referring to?” he growled.

“Any.” Chen Anan waved a hand impatiently.

Old Cai clenched his fists, itching to slap him, but seeing so many scholars around, he restrained himself, sneering coldly, “Very well, listen carefully. My first line is: ‘A river breeze and moonlight linger in joyful drink.’”

Chen Anan closed his eyes, shook his head, murmured the line softly, and pretended to ponder deeply, displaying an air of a refined scholar. Li Qi could hardly contain his laughter—this kid was quite the actor.

“Got it!”

Chen Anan suddenly opened his eyes and said to Old Cai, “If you heard clearly, my matching line is: ‘Across ten thousand miles, the mountains and rivers sing grandly.’”

The couplet caused an uproar.

The gathered scholars’ eyes widened as if they had seen a ghost, utterly speechless.

“W-wait—what—what did you say your line was?”

Chen Anan’s words struck Old Cai like a hammer. His lips trembled, and he could barely get the words out, doubting his own ears.

Chen Anan repeated it and then asked, “Well? Not bad, right?”

Not just not bad—they were perfectly matched.

Old Cai was left speechless, his face flushing red and pale in turn, sweat dripping from his wispy mustache. After a long pause, he said, “Fine, you got lucky this time. But I have another couplet. Let’s see if you can match that.”

When Chen Anan first heard this, he was nervous. Having never had proper schooling, he could only trust what Li Qi had taught him. Hearing Old Cai admit he had matched the couplet, his face lit up with confidence. He stood with hands behind his back, head held high. “Go ahead.”

Old Cai no longer underestimated him. Licking his dry lips, he said cautiously, “Listen well. My line is: ‘Pouring bamboo leaves condense the green of longing.’”

No sooner had he finished than Chen Anan replied, “That’s easy. My matching line is: ‘Drinking finished, the peach blushes on the face.’”

Li Qi shook his head with a smile, knowing the boy was just a child after all. If anyone could instantly come up with such a reply, even Cao Zhi composing poetry in seven steps would pale in comparison.

The crowd was stunned. Many had come because of the White Lady, and now her couplets were so easily answered by a little beggar. Although they knew Li Qi was behind it, they found it hard to accept and stood frozen.

The noisy scene fell silent.

Old Cai’s head spun, feeling utterly drained. He swayed, nearly falling until a henchman caught him just in time.

“Steward Cai, why not invite your esteemed guest inside for a seat?” Li Qi stepped forward, supporting the woman, smiling. Hmph! Trying to play dead? Not so easy.

(End of Chapter)