Chapter 6 Lotus Lady’s Riddles
Lotus Lady from Pingle Workshop was a strange person.
Second Sister paid her with real gold and silver to come teach dance, but she refused.
Instead, she made Second Sister solve riddles. She would teach one session for each correct answer and took no money.
For more than ten days, Second Sister returned empty-handed every time.
When Second Sister could no longer stand it, she came back to ask Elder Sister, who could always give the correct answers.
But Lotus Lady gave a different riddle every day.
With no other choice, Second Sister had to bring Elder Sister with her to Pingle Workshop.
I was curiously looking at the gold and silver ornaments in Second Sister's room when she suddenly glanced over.
"We won't bring her. She's in the way!"
My face turned red. I lowered my head in embarrassment.
Elder Sister's foot entered my view. She put an arm around my shoulder. "Important guests have been coming and going these days. She is clumsy and might offend them. It's safer to keep her with us."
"True." Second Sister sounded irritated. "Fine! Father and Mother forbid you from leaving the courtyard, so both of you change into maid clothes. Do not make any noise."
Soon after, Elder Sister and I changed into maid outfits and followed Second Sister out.
Second Sister walked very quickly. We reached Pingle Workshop in no time.
When Lotus Lady saw a familiar face, she was not polite and immediately gave a riddle.
"Scatters three autumn leaves, can bloom second month flowers. What is it?"
Elder Sister immediately stepped forward and whispered in Second Sister's ear.
Second Sister shouted excitedly, "It's the wind!"
Lotus Lady chuckled softly. "Come in. The maids wait outside."
Second Sister went in happily.
Once everyone was gone, I looked at Elder Sister. "Elder Sister, what are we going to do?"
Elder Sister sat down slowly. "Listen to music and watch dance. Isn't that wonderful?"
I copied her and sat down, looking at the stage downstairs.
It really was beautiful!
Second Sister studied for one hour. When she came out and saw us still sitting there, she looked very satisfied.
At dinner, none of the three mentioned what happened during the day, and no one asked.
The next day, Elder Sister and I listened to music for another hour.
It was the same on the third day.
On the fifth day, as soon as Second Sister went inside, I was about to sit down when Elder Sister stood up and walked out.
"Let's go. Time to do real work."