APSIL -Chapter 22 Puzzles Deep Within the Bamboo Grove

Lu Sanlang had not thought much of the Zhang family residence, and he thought even less of the ramshackle houses throughout the village that were currently being repaired. Yet the moment he realized that the Old Madam of the Duke of Zhao’s household had actually been willing to spend money renovating the village where Zhu Ying’s fiancé lived, it became obvious that the engagement was no mere rumor. His mood immediately soared.

For that reason, although Liuyin—who usually accompanied Zhu Ying everywhere she went in the capital—wasn’t exactly polite, and although ragged village children lined both sides of the road to stare at them, Lu Sanlang, despite his notorious reputation in the capital for allowing his servants to bully others, remained remarkably composed.

If circumstances had permitted, he would have broken into song.

Once Zhu Ying actually marries that country bumpkin… He grinned inwardly. I’ll have endless opportunities to mock and ridicule her afterward!

When they reached the end of the village and dismounted to walk into the lush bamboo forest, Lu Sanlang, who had ridden all the way from the capital at dawn and was drenched in sweat, finally felt a refreshing breeze and the cool shade envelop him. He let out a contented sigh.

“What an elegant gentleman. He certainly chose an excellent place to live!”

You call this elegant? You haven’t even seen the truly elegant part yet.

Walking ahead, Liuyin secretly smirked and proudly lifted her chin.

Leading Lu Sanlang, his attendants, and guards along the winding forest path, she eventually reached the deepest part of the bamboo grove. Just as Zhang Shou had once guided Zhu Ying here, she smilingly led everyone around the bamboo screen wall before turning around to observe Lu Sanlang’s reaction.

To her disappointment, upon seeing the three characters “Emerald Bamboo Retreat”, Lu Sanlang showed no sign of amazement. Instead, he merely curled his lips in mild boredom.

These so-called mountain recluses… If they aren’t living in bamboo cottages, thatched huts, or wooden lodges, do they have any other ideas?

Then again, great hermits hide within the imperial court, lesser hermits hide among ordinary people, while only the smallest recluses retreat to the wilderness. Anyone building bamboo cottages this close to the capital can’t possibly be a truly great recluse. More likely he’s just taking the so-called Zhongnan Shortcut to fame.

That was what Lu Sanlang thought.

Naturally, he didn’t dare say it aloud.

He had already noticed Liuyin watching him and quickly realized that his attitude had been inappropriate. Clearly, Miss Zhu held the master of this place in great respect.

In any case, until Zhu Ying was actually married, he still had to continue playing the role of her devoted admirer.

He immediately began showering the place with praise.

“No wonder such a great sage chooses to live in seclusion. I’m merely an ordinary fellow from the marketplace—our tastes are worlds apart. I only hope the venerable gentleman living here won’t despise my humble manners and will permit me to stay for a few days.”

Inside the central hall known as Hall of the Gentle Breeze, Zhang Shou had been paying close attention to the man Zhu Ying had often mentioned ever since Lu Sanlang first appeared.

It was impossible not to notice him.

He fully lived up to Zhu Ying’s nickname of “Pighead.”

The man was so fat that he could genuinely be described as obese.

Yet after hearing his very first sentence, Zhang Shou felt that the youngest son of Minister Lu might actually be an interesting person.

Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, he reached over and lightly tugged on a cord hanging inside the room.

A crisp bell rang through the bamboo grove.

Moments later, a young man dressed in blue silk appeared before Lu Sanlang’s party.

It was Qi Liang.

After seeing Liuyin nod slightly, Lu Sanlang immediately sized him up with a critical eye.

Qi Liang was thin, his appearance only average, but his movements possessed a refined elegance and quiet pride quite unlike that of an ordinary villager.

Lu Sanlang snorted inwardly.

These rustic recluses are all the same. If they don’t keep one or two arrogant attendants who act as though they’re above everyone else, it’s as if they’ve lost face.

Liuyin gave the newly transformed Qi Liang a meaningful look before introducing him.

“This is the Third Young Master of Minister Lu’s family from the capital. He wishes to stay here at Emerald Bamboo Retreat for a few days.”

Then she turned to Lu Sanlang.

“This is Little Qi, a disciple of the old gentleman who lives here.”

Seeing that Qi Liang remained completely indifferent—as though he had no idea how high the office of Minister actually ranked—and merely nodded politely in greeting, Lu Sanlang became even more convinced that this so-called recluse was simply putting on airs to inflate his reputation.

Those so-called puzzles hanging outside?

They were probably nothing more than a gimmick to spread his name.

Since Lu Sanlang was only pretending to be Zhu Ying’s lovesick admirer anyway, he had no interest in making enemies of anyone she respected.

Accordingly, he became even more courteous.

“That’s right. I’d like to stay here for a few days. Might your honored teacher be willing to accommodate me?”

Qi Liang answered calmly.

“You may choose any bamboo cottage you like. But Miss Liuyin has surely already explained the rules. To stay here, you must solve the puzzle hanging outside the cottage. One solved puzzle earns one night’s lodging. Two puzzles earn two nights, and so on.”

Facing the son of the Minister of Personnel, Qi Liang showed not the slightest trace of nervousness.

Anyone who had heard Zhu Ying constantly calling this man “Pighead” would find it difficult to feel any awe toward the plump Lu Sanlang standing before them.

Since he had already prepared himself mentally, Lu Sanlang simply smiled.

“Very well. Let’s see these puzzles.”

Looking around, he selected the bamboo cottage whose appearance best suited his taste and strode over.

The cottage stood upon a raised bamboo platform, its floor suspended above the ground.

It wasn’t particularly large, consisting of only two or three rooms, though it could barely accommodate the servants he had brought with him.

Through its round window, he could vaguely make out a complete set of bamboo furniture and furnishings inside.

However, hanging in front of the bamboo staircase leading up to the platform was a long row of bamboo plaques tied together with rope.

There were at least a dozen of them, completely blocking the entrance.

Each plaque bore a neatly written question in tiny characters.

Casually taking one down, Lu Sanlang immediately laughed.

“What dreadful handwriting!”

Qi Liang wasn’t offended in the slightest.

“I copied the questions myself. I’ve only studied under my teacher for three years and haven’t yet learned even the basics. Naturally, I can’t produce calligraphy worthy of Young Master Lu’s praise.”

Lu Sanlang had merely let his true nature slip after leaving the social circles he was familiar with.

Remembering that Liuyin was still nearby, he awkwardly laughed the matter off instead of continuing to belittle the handwriting.

But when he casually picked up another bamboo plaque and read its contents, he froze.

Two horse-drawn carriages depart simultaneously from two different cities. Each travels four double-hours per day. One covers eighty li per day, while the other covers ninety li per day. Their speeds remain constant. They travel during the day and rest at night, except for three days during which each travels only three double-hours before taking a longer rest. After seven days, the two carriages meet. What is the distance between the two cities?

What kind of ridiculous question is this?

Wait… after thinking about it carefully… it actually seems rather simple…

Frowning, Lu Sanlang rapidly calculated the answer in his head.

After arriving at a number, however, he calmly hung the plaque back up as though nothing had happened.

Then he casually removed another.

This time, after reading it, he couldn’t help but stare.

A household has a single pool supplied by one pipe and drained by another. If only the inlet is opened, an empty pool becomes full after fifteen double-hours. If only the outlet is opened, a full pool is emptied after twenty-four double-hours. If the inlet alone operates for two double-hours, after which both inlet and outlet are opened together, how much longer will it take for the pool to become full?

Has this household’s servant lost his mind?

Why would anyone drain water while filling the pool? Wouldn’t the master be furious enough to give him a severe scolding?

Meanwhile, inside the bamboo cottage, Zhang Shou leisurely fanned himself with a palm-leaf fan, smiling contentedly.

Elementary-school Olympiad problems would probably be too much.

Ordinary word problems should be enough.

Back then, problems involving travelers meeting on the road, pools being filled and drained, boats traveling with or against the current, construction teams building roads, pursuit problems, crossing paths, and bridge-crossing puzzles…

How many elementary-school students had those infuriating math problems reduced to tears?

And twenty years later…

How many brilliant parents had they driven into roaring fits of frustration?