It took a great deal of effort for him to shift his affectionate gaze away from her and to greet Mu Zhongqing.
When Mu Zhongqing saw him, he was initially taken aback, then he broke into a radiant laugh and started talking with him.
Huo Yuan desired to make the beautiful woman his own, and naturally he had to establish a good relationship with his future father-in-law. He had traveled extensively and was good at socializing. Thus, when he chatted with Mu Zhongqing, he deliberately chose topics that Mu Zhongqing enjoyed, making their conversation very enjoyable!
While they were talking, a sudden shout from Cai Wei startled them: "I’ve got it!"
Her loud shout startled them, and Mu Zhongqing reprimanded, "Wei’er, it’s rude to yell! Didn’t you notice Young Master Huo is still here? You must learn to behave properly."
Huo Yuan said with a smile, "No worries, Wei’er must have thought of something that she was struggling to figure out."
Cai Wei nodded and said, "Exactly, I just figured out the answer to the lantern riddle!"
Mu Zhongqing asked incredulously, "How did you come up with it? What is the answer? Quickly tell me, my girl."
The crowd around who were also trying to solve the riddle overheard Cai Wei and gathered eagerly to listen.
They clamored, "Miss, please share with us so we can learn too!"
Cai Wei smiled and explained, "The riddle uses single button glyphs. Embed the ’one’ character inside the ’west’ character to form the character ’yǒu’; the character ’water’ is ingeniously inserted into the middle of the ’chuan’ character to form ’zhou’. Combine ’yǒu’ and ’zhou’, and the answer emerges: ’chou’."
Upon her explanation, everyone was enlightened and praised Cai Wei for her intelligence. They urged her to write down the answer and send it in for the riddle maker to see.
Seeing his daughter in such glory, Mu Zhongqing felt deeply proud, but he modestly dismissed the praises, saying, "You’re too kind..."
As Cai Wei was writing down the answer to the riddle, she couldn’t help but admire, "This riddle doesn’t rely on fancy words or startling insights. It simply combines characters naturally. I wonder who is the brilliant mind behind this?"
Huo Yuan said with a smile, "You flatter me, Wei’er. I am most humbled that you appreciate my humble riddle."
Cai Wei exclaimed in surprise, "You came up with this riddle?"
Huo Yuan nodded and smiled, "Indeed, I did."
Upon this revelation, those who were spectating admired him greatly. They’d initially thought the profound riddle must be the work of a seasoned and world-weary scholar. The realization that it was the work of a young man of outstanding style and grace leaving them all showering him with praise.
"What an ingenious mind you have, young master! Truly remarkable!"
"Do you already hold an official rank? If you take part in this year’s imperial examination, you would surely pass with top honors..."
Huo Yuan responded with a humble laugh, "You all flatter me, I’m undeserving..."
His demeanor was elegant, modest, and respectful. Mu Zhongqing, being a learned man, should appreciate such characteristics in a young man, he thought to himself.
After learning that Huo Yuan was behind the riddle, Cai Wei looked at him with newfound respect, praised him a few times, and said cheerfully, "I remember Uncle Cao saying that Brother Huo’s prize must be a lavish one. I wonder what it is? Can you tell me so I can be filled with anticipation?"
Huo Yuan laughed, "I also recall Wei’er saying that she was afraid the prize might not suit her liking. Why don’t you take this chance to pick something you like? No matter what it is or how much it costs, as long as it’s something Wei’er wants, I will gladly deliver it!"