Hearing her bet, the hall immediately filled with scoffs and cold laughs. But because Elara showed such a valuable purple jade, everyone—from nobles and rich young men to commoners—could see its worth was enough to support many generations. The crowd, who had looked down on Elara before, shifted their attention and began to wonder about her identity, thinking a woman who could bring such a treasure must not be ordinary.
Soon, a nobleman drawn by the jade's gentle glow spoke up, "You mean if we win, this purple jade will belong to us?"
Elara nodded, "Later, I will ask the servants of Lin Yi Tower to record the bet. Anyone who joins and wins will share money equal to the jade's value."
The men's eyes turned red with excitement, even the rich merchants stayed still, captivated. Such a huge and clear jade, truly a treasure, was really being used as a bet?
"Don't worry," Elara said. "Since Lin Yi Tower is witness, can anyone doubt this? If you want, I will pawn the jade there afterward and then split the money with everyone. Don't be afraid of not getting enough. The jade's worth is enough for you all to live comfortably for many lifetimes."
Hearing Elara's smooth words, the crowd began to stir and argue about whether to join the bet. This time, they were no longer angry but curious and excited.
Minutes later, someone could not resist and agreed. Then one, two, three more followed.
After five minutes, almost everyone who had mocked her agreed to the bet, except a few nobles and wanderers who stayed skeptical and asked about the other side of the bet.
"If this is a bet, miss, what do you want to wager?"
Elara smiled lightly and spoke calmly, "The purple jade is my best treasure. Since I, a simple woman, am putting my best thing on the line, I hope you all will do the same with your most valuable possessions."
The men's faces flushed red with anger, wanting to shout. How could she expect them to risk their best things just because she did?
They had only thought about the jade's value and money. They never expected her to want their treasures!
Elara saw their thoughts and gave a cold laugh. How else could she lure them in and teach these greedy, rotten men a lesson?
She stopped mocking and changed tone, speaking coldly, "What? Do you think you've read so many wise books but only filled your stomachs with nonsense? I, a simple woman, put forth my most expensive treasure. Shouldn't you do the same? Or do you think only you can covet my jade but I cannot want your low-value things? And just now, you didn't believe I could solve the riddle. Now why are you so afraid and unsure? Greed, unfairness, and cowardice—are these taught in your wise books?"
Her words left the proud men speechless and red-faced. How dare she insult them like that?
After a moment, an old scholar holding a book finally clenched his teeth and threw a precious jade pendant from his collar onto the table.
"Fine! If you are so clever and dare insult the wise, I want to see what is in your belly! Can you really solve the riddle?"
Seeing the old scholar risk such a treasure, the other men blushed even more.
Those who came to Lin Yi Tower always carried their precious belongings. Though none planned to bet their treasures, the purple jade's gentle glow and the thought of winning to live comfortably for life made them eager.
They thought the woman, though clever, was still just a woman who had only read a few books. How could she solve a puzzle many great scholars failed at?
The men's eyes were dazzled by the jade's light. Gritting their teeth, they took out treasures and placed them on the table.
Elara glanced at their offerings and nodded at Uno behind her.
Uno stepped forward, picked a few items from the pile, then moved into the crowd.
He quickly and precisely took out more valuable jade and gold from several men, causing them to shout in shock and anger.
Those men wanted to fight but froze when Elara looked at them with a cold smile.
"You insulted me, a woman, calling me shameless. But I know that in betting, honesty is most important. You tried to fool me with cheap items. Aren't you more shameless than me? It seems your wise books only filled your stomachs with nonsense. If this story spreads, how will you hold your honor in the future?"
The men had planned to cheat with fake items but were caught by her at once. The insult cut deep, even mentioning their honor.
Their faces turned red, and seeing some old men around them look down on them, they forced themselves to take out real treasures, glaring at Elara in anger.
Elara ignored them, thinking it was a waste to even look at them.
After this, no one dared use fake items, fearing they would be caught and mocked by a woman as shameless, and worry about ruining their honor.
When everyone finally showed their best treasures, Elara looked at the pile and nodded in satisfaction.
She then turned to the staff behind her, who was shocked, and said, "Sorry to trouble you, but I heard Lin Yi Tower handles all kinds of business. Let this bet be my sudden addition. Please act as witness. No matter the result, I will pay Lin Yi Tower accordingly."
The staff blinked and stammered, "Y-Yes... please wait, I will ask the boss."
Though Lin Yi Tower did many businesses, such a sudden and valuable deal was not for a staff member to decide. The staff bowed more respectfully and hurried upstairs.
Elara followed his back with her eyes, surprised the boss was upstairs.
But the second floor was covered with heavy curtains, so she only glanced once and looked away.
Since Lin Yi Tower was spread across many countries, she guessed the mysterious and strong...
But if there is a chance later, Elara still wants to meet the owner of the Lianyi Building. After all, to come up with so many ideas in such an ancient time, he must be a rare business genius.
Elara herself is a merchant and is very interested in others like her.
After a while, the shop assistant who went upstairs hurried back down. He smiled and respectfully led her to the inner room. He also said that their owner agreed and told her not to worry. She should focus on solving the problem, and the reward would be even greater.
Elara pulled back her thoughts and nodded. Then she followed the assistant into the inner room.
...
A few minutes earlier, at the tea house opposite the Lianyi Building.
In a delicate and elegant private room, two well-dressed young men were sitting.
The young man on the left wore a blue fine robe. His features were graceful and handsome. His black hair was casually loose behind him. He held a folding fan and leaned back on a soft couch, giving off a relaxed and carefree vibe.
The man opposite him wore white clothes. His features were strong and handsome, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes. He sat very straight with a stiff back, giving a cold and powerful feeling. Even the servants nearby did not dare to come close or make any noise, only moving carefully.
Both men were handsome but completely different types.
This did not stop their close friendship. They were very good friends.
" Izekiel, this is already the eleventh country you have explored, right? Will the divine veins of the Vermilion Bird and the Black Tortoise really revive within the next three years?"
The young man in blue waved his fan while speaking. He gently sipped tea from a small cup. His voice was pleasant but filled with tiredness and sadness, like an employee who has been overworked by the boss for a long time.
The man in white, Izekiel, nodded softly. His large hand also held a tea cup and drank. Hearing the blue-robed man's fake sadness, he raised his eyelids to look at him and spoke with a cold voice.
"If you want to finish quickly, hurry your people up. Find the divine gifted person soon and end this."
The blue-robed young man heard the cold tone and covered his pale face with his hand. He showed a suffering look from being overworked.
" Am I not working hard? Izekiel, I even postponed the marriage my family arranged last year because of you. My mother almost broke my leg because of this. Am I still not working hard enough?"
The man in white did not believe him. He glanced at the other and sneered.
" Or maybe you didn't want to get engaged yourself. You used my search for divine veins as an excuse to refuse the engagement and got your leg broken?"
The blue-robed man was caught off guard. He did not feel embarrassed when exposed but laughed.
After a long moment, the blue-robed man slowly sat up straight. He smiled at the cold and serious man across from him and teased:
"Izekiel, you are no fun. No wonder all the girls who wanted to get close to you finally ran away."
The man in white said nothing, clearly ignoring the teasing man.
Just as the blue-robed man lifted his tea cup to say something more, a young male servant suddenly hurried to the door of the private room. He knocked carefully.
"Young master, a lady wants to solve the first-level question."
At this moment, inside the Lianyi Building, Elara had just accepted the question. But outside, a group of stubborn men were loudly shouting. She was preparing to deal with them.
Hearing the servant's message, both the blue-robed and white-robed young men paused. Then the blue-robed man's eyes lit up with great interest. His soft body finally stood from the couch and stared at the servant.
"Are you sure? She accepted the first-level question?"
The servant nodded.
The blue-robed man grew even happier. He grabbed the white-robed man and dragged him to the next room.
"Let's go! Izekiel, after traveling across so many countries, except for your sister and the Ninth Princess of Great Chao, no other woman has dared to take the first or second-level questions! And your sister and the Ninth Princess only solved second-level questions. Today, a woman dares to accept the first-level question in this small, poor country. Let's go see if she is really talented or just pretending!"
The white-robed man frowned and shook off his companion's pull.
Just as he was about to speak, loud noise suddenly came from inside the Lianyi Building. The sound was so loud even they could hear it here.
The blue-robed man seemed even more interested. He quickly drank his tea and then lightly flew up to the second floor of the opposite building. He waved to the white-robed man to hurry up.
When Izekiel finally looked away and also flew over, the two sat on the second floor of the Lianyi Building. They watched the whole process of Elara making a bet with the surrounding men.
Until Elara looked satisfied with the pile of valuables on the table and asked if the Lianyi Building could witness the bet. Then a servant hurried upstairs to ask them. The blue-robed man at the stairway smiled and could no longer hold back his laughter.
"Interesting, very interesting! This woman is really very interesting!"
Faced with the anger and mockery of many men, she did not shrink or fear. Instead, she calmly and confidently responded with a few words during the bet. She easily turned the tables. She disturbed those proud scholars' minds and unknowingly led them. Finally, she deliberately set a trap to lure those old-fashioned men in. This is truly interesting!
"Izekiel, although this Lianyi Building is yours, this area belongs to me. Today, don't speak. I will decide. Agree! Quickly prepare what the lady needs. Give her whatever she wants. Then wait for her answer!"
Seeing the cold and serious white-robed man frowning but saying nothing against it, the servant hurried to take the order downstairs.
The curtain on the second floor dropped again. The blue-robed man still excitedly watched Elara below.
Although he could not clearly see her face, her calm and peaceful aura was not something an ordinary rich merchant's daughter could have. No, even the noble women of their country rarely stayed calm and cool in such a scene, calmly setting a trap and turning it back.
The blue-robed man grew more interested. He even began to believe she might solve the first-level question.
But if she really solves it, it would not be called genius but terrifying. Because the first-level's three questions even their country's top geniuses took months to solve!
"Izekiel, do you think she can win?"
The blue-robed man smiled, speaking to the white-robed man but still watching the valuables on the table and the men's faces around. Then his gaze shifted to the inner room where Elara entered. He looked more pleased.
The white-robed man did not answer. He stared at the inner room for a moment and told the servant behind him:
"Go check on this woman."
"Yes."